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True Forgiveness · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
Well, good evening, and it's good to be with you again this evening.
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We've had a joyful day here in Lewis.
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We were able to visit the sister congregation in Carloway
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and to celebrate with them the refurbishment of their building.
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And it's great to be back together with you this evening.
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We're going to begin our time by singing to God's praise.
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And before we do, I wanted to read some words from the 98th Psalm,
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which we'll sing in just a moment.
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But the psalmist writes,
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So sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.
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His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
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Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth.
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Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
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Well, let's begin our time together this evening in doing just that,
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as we sing together the first six verses of the Sing Psalms version of Psalm 98.
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We'll sing Psalm 98 to the tune, Gainsborough.
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O sing a new song to the Lord.
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O sing a new song to the Lord.
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O sing a new song to the Lord.
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O sing a new song, dear the Lord.
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For what wonders he has done.
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His right hand and hand, his holy arm,
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The victory have won.
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The Lord declared his saving word,
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And made it to be known.
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To all the nations of the world,
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His righteousness is sure.
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His steadfast love and faithfulness,
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He has remembered well.
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The covenant he made with them,
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The hearts of Israel.
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And all the nations of the earth,
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Have seen what God has done.
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Our God who prays deliver us,
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By his right hand alone.
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Acclaim the Lord, O all the earth,
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Shall loudly and rejoice,
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Make music and be jubilant,
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To them with a pure voice.
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With heart make music to the Lord,
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With heart his praises sing,
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With trumpet and with all rejoice,
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Before the Lord again.
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Let's continue now in praying to our gracious God and Father.
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Let us pray together.
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Gracious God, we do rejoice this night,
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As we lift up our voices to praise you,
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As we sing to you a new song.
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Lord, we remember that you are the king,
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Over this whole world.
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Before you the nations are a drop in a bucket,
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They are as dust in your hand.
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For you are the king of kings,
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And the Lord of lords.
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We bow our knees before you,
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Our gracious God,
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Knowing that you are the one who holds sway
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Over all the peoples.
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And that you are the one who has sent salvation
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To all lands.
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That you are saving work.
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That your righteousness about which we have sung
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Has been made known to all nations.
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In and through your son.
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Our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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And so this evening we turn our attention to him.
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Giving him the love and the praise of our hearts.
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Recognizing that he is the one by whom,
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And through whom,
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And for whom all things were created.
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We humble ourselves before the one who stepped down.
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Who stepped into this world that he had made.
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And which we had tarnished with our sin and our disobedience.
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We thank you that he was willing to go all the way to Calvary's cross.
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To experience rejection at the hands of men.
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To taste death for all.
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To suffer for us.
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That we might be redeemed from our sins.
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We might be reconciled to you as our God and as our Father.
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And that we might one day.
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Be presented holy and blameless and above reproach before you.
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And so we rejoice.
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As the psalmist rejoiced in your victory.
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In your mighty works of salvation.
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In your righteousness.
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In your righteousness.
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We are conscious that one day the world will be judged in righteousness.
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But this day, this night.
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The judge comes to us as Lord and Savior.
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And he speaks to us once more of your steadfast love.
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And of your faithfulness.
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This weekend we are reminded once more of the new covenant made in his blood.
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A covenant that promises to us the forgiveness of all of our sins.
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That promises that our hearts might be filled with your Holy Spirit.
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And that we might walk in newness of life.
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Gracious God, as we gather tonight.
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To worship you.
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To wait on you.
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To hear what you have to say.
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We ask that the peace of Christ might dwell among us.
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That we might dwell together in peace and unity.
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That we might maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
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Grant us, we pray, soft hearts.
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To forgive one another.
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To bear with one another.
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If there has been any wrong committed against us.
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Help us to put on compassionate hearts.
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And to be reminded once more of what we have been forgiven from in Christ.
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That we might graciously forgive others.
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As we have freely received, so might we freely give.
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So we ask you, Lord, help us to walk in newness of life.
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To live in unity.
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As brothers and sisters should.
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That you might bestow the blessing upon us as individuals.
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And as a congregation of Christ's people.
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We ask that that itself would be a witness.
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To the wider world who might look in.
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Who might listen in.
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And who might themselves learn of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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In whose name we gather.
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And in whose name we pray.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Well, last night we thought of true forgiveness.
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True faithfulness, I should say.
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As we studied together in Nehemiah chapter 9.
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The faithfulness of God to his very often unfaithful people.
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And this evening, in just a moment, we'll read from Matthew chapter 18.
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And think about true forgiveness.
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How we, in the gospel, are forgiven all of our sins.
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They are cast into the very depths of the sea.
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And how we are therefore to forgive one another.
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Before we do, we'll sing a psalm once more.
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We're going to sing the metrical version of Psalm 133.
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To the tune Ardros.
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A psalm that speaks of the unity of the Lord's people.
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And how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity.
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And so we'll sing together Psalm 133.
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Behold how good a thing it is and how becoming well together such as brethren are in unity to dwell.
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We sing together to the praise of God.
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We sing together to the praise of God.
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God bless you.
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Amen.
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God bless you.
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God bless you.
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God bless you.
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God bless you.
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And I'm becoming well
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Together, sons, a threading heart
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In unity to dwell
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Like precious coins
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Led on the head
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The thumb of fear
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Did flow
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He may prosper
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And to the skirt
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Let off his garments go
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At heaven's dew
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The dew of the dew
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On Zion hills descend
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For hath the blessing
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God for us
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Thy path shall never end
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For hath the blessing
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For hath the blessing
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Well I want us to read together now from Matthew chapter 18 and verses 15 down to verse 35
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If you have the same version as I do of the church bible it's on page 993 but the verses can be found in Matthew chapter 18 beginning at verse 15 with the heading if your brother sins against you
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Let us hear together
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Let us hear together the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
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If your brother sins against you
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Go and tell him his fault
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Between you and him alone
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If he listens to you you have gained your brother
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But if he does not listen take one or two others along with you
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That every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses
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If he refuses to listen to them
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Tell it to the church
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And if he refuses to listen even to the church
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Let him be to you as a gentile and a tax collector
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Truly I say to you whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven
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Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven
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Again I say to you if two of you agree on anything on earth about anything they ask
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It will be done for them by my father in heaven
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For where two or three are gathered in my name
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There am I among them
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Then Peter came up and said to him
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Lord how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him?
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As many as seven times?
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Jesus said to him
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I do not say to you seven times
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But seventy times seven
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Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
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Who wished to settle accounts with his servants
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When he began to settle one was brought to him
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Who owed him ten thousand talents
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And since he could not pay his master
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Ordered him to be sold with his wife and children
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And all that he had
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And payment to be made
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So the servant fell on his knees imploring him
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Have patience with me and I will pay you everything
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And out of pity for him
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The master of that servant released him
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And forgave him the debt
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But when the same servant went out
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He found one of his fellow servants
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Who owed him a hundred denarii
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And seizing him he began to choke him saying
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Pay what you owe
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So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him
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Have patience with me and I will pay you
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I will pay you
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He refused
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And went and put him in prison
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Until he should pay the debt
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When his fellow servants saw what had taken place
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They were greatly distressed
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And they went and reported to their master
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All that had been
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All that had taken place
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Then his master summoned him and said to him
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You wicked servant
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I forgave you all the debt
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Because you pleaded with me
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And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant
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As I had mercy on you
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And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers
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Until he should pay all his debt
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So also my heavenly father will do to every one of you
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If you do not forgive your brother from your heart
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And we thank God for his word to us
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Before we study together
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We'll sing once more
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This time from Sing Psalms
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And the 25th Psalm
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Which we shall sing to the tune
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Heron Gate
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Psalm 25
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To you O Lord I lift my soul
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I trust in you continually
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Do not let me be put to shame
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Nor let my foes gloat over me
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We sing
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We sing
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In verses 1 to verse 7
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We sing
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In verses 1 to verse 7
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To you O Lord I lift my soul
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I trust in you continually
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Do not let me be put to shame
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To you O Lord I lift my soul
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To you O Lord I lift my soul
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I trust in you continually
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I trust in you continually
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Do not let me be put to shame
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Do not let me be put to shame
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Or let my foes gloat over me
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No one who sets his hope in you
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No one who sets his hope in you
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Will ever suffer such his grace
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But those who act with treachery
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Humiliating shame will fail
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O Lord we feel to me your ways
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And all your paths
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Help me to know
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Direct and guide me in your truth
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And stop me ever way to go
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You are my Savior and my God
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All day I hope in you alone
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Remember Lord your love and grace
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Which from past ages you have shown
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Do not recall my sins of youth
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Or my rebellious evil ways
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Remember me in your place of
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For you O Lord I live in your ways
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For you O Lord I lift you
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Amen
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Amen
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Amen
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Well let me invite you to keep your Bible open
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to Matthew 18
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As we think tonight together
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of the subject about which we have just sung
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True forgiveness
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it's a joy to be together this weekend
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to share fellowship
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to share partnership in the gospel
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and it's a joy to come together
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and to worship before almighty God
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and as we prepare our hearts for the services tomorrow
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I thought it would be good to think on the subject of forgiveness
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to reflect on the forgiveness of sins promised
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through the gospel but also to ask if we need to show forgiveness
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to any in the fellowship
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or to seek forgiveness from any in the congregation
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yesterday evening we thought of true faithfulness
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Nehemiah chapter 9
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we thought of the faithfulness of God
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who makes and keeps promises
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the God of great mercy and steadfast love
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who forgave his people their sins time and again
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in the Old Testament history
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and tonight we'll think about the forgiveness we have received
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if we are in Christ
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and the forgiveness we need to show one another
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if we are together in his church
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and it's a very important word
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it's a very relevant word
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because in life we have all kinds of relationships
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relationships can be a source of great joy
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and also a source of great sorrow
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when these relationships break down
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our hearts can be heavy
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I always like to read
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a kind of history book or biography
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and the other day I ordered a copy of Paul Allen
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Idea Man
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which is a memoir by the co-founder of Microsoft
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I didn't realise that the history of computer programming
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was so exciting
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it's a real page turner
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and Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft
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with his childhood friend Bill Gates
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while they were really just teenagers
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they worked together
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for about a decade
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day and night
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they worked together
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they shared a flat
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but when they turned 30 or so
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they fell out
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Paul Allen felt he was mistreated
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the business partnership
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effectively ended
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the personal relationship
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came to an end
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though they were later reconciled
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and it's just one example
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of a broken relationship
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such as we see
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between nations
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in workplaces
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in extended families
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in homes
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and sadly
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and all too often
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in Christian communities
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the Christian missionary
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psychiatrist Marjorie Foyle
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wrote a book
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about stress
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among Christian workers
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and she said
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the number one reason
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Christian missionaries
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leave the field of service
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is because of conflict
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with other missionaries
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but we don't have to go overseas
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to find
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relationship difficulties
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maybe there are churches
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where you can say
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well that's the church
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I used to go to
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oh that's the church
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I never go to
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because of something
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that happened
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something
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that was said
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so we might attend
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a convention
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such as the Keswick Convention
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with its great motto
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all one in Christ Jesus
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we might read
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a chapter
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such as Matthew 18
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we might sing
24:54
Psalm 133
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but at the same time
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there might be
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someone here tonight
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that you avoid
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eye contact with you
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would not sit next to
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you perhaps
25:06
haven't spoken to
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for years
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because of something
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they said
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or did
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because of something
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they didn't say
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or didn't do
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that perhaps
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they should have done
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and in any gathering
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of people
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especially a multicultural
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multi-generational
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body
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such as the
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Church of Christ
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there will be
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differences of opinion
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there will be
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disagreements
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there may be
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miscommunication
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and misunderstanding
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perhaps somebody
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said something
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to you
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perhaps somebody
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said something
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about you
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perhaps behind
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your back
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maybe there was
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a disagreement
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in the workplace
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that has spilled over
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into the Church
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there are
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many
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many
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reasons
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why relationships
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between brothers
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and sisters
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may have been
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strained
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or even
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severed
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and
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Matthew 18
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addresses
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this
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subject
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concerns
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the parable
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of an
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unforgiving
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servant
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there are some
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parables still
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well known
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in our culture
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still alluded to
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in the wider
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society
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the good Samaritan
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the prodigal son
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this
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parable
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perhaps
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less well known
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but no less
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important
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and it has
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much to say
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tonight
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about the subject
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of Christian
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unity
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and I suggest
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it's very important
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for two reasons
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firstly as we've just
26:41
sung
26:41
it is good
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and pleasant
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when brothers
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and sisters
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dwell
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in unity
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how it must
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please
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our heavenly
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father
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when his
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children
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get on
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and love
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one another
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and secondly
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because our
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witness to the
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world depends
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upon it
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did not the
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Lord Jesus
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himself say
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that it is
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by our
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love for
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one another
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that all
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men shall
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know
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that we
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are his
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disciples
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so the
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pleasure
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of God
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the persuasiveness
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of the gospel
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depends upon
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good and
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loving
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relationships
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between
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Christians
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so we'll
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look together
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at this
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parable
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and the
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verses
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which
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precede it
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and the
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whole section
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of this
27:33
gospel has
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to do
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with
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relationships
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between
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disciples
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chapter
27:37
18
27:37
verse 1
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we see
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the disciples
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are having
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some
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issues
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of their
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own
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as they
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come to
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the Lord
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and say
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who's
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the greatest
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who's
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your
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favorite
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who's
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number
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one
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in the
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kingdom
27:50
of heaven
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and so
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the
27:53
subsequent
27:54
teaching
27:54
has to
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do
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with
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our
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relationships
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and our
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responsibilities
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toward
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one another
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we're not
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to look
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down
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on one
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another
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the disciples
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were looking
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down on
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each other
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but we are
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to look
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out
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for one
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another
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and to
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care
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for one
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another
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and to
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guide
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one
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another
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in
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the path
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of life
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so
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I've got
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two
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headings
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two
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divisions
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verses
28:25
15
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to
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20
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if we
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are
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sinned
28:29
against
28:29
we must
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show
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our
28:30
brother
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or sister
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their
28:31
fault
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and
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verse
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21
28:34
to
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35
28:35
we
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must
28:35
then
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show
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them
28:36
forgiveness
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and it
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may be
28:39
you think
28:40
well I
28:40
find it
28:41
very easy
28:41
to show
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people
28:42
their
28:42
faults
28:42
that's
28:43
not
28:43
going
28:43
to
28:43
be
28:43
hard
28:43
but
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it's
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not
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so
28:45
easy
28:45
to
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show
28:46
them
28:46
our
28:47
forgiveness
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so we
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want to
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think
28:50
about
28:51
that
28:51
now
28:51
verse
28:52
15
28:52
to
28:52
20
28:53
showing
28:53
them
28:53
their
28:54
fault
28:55
when we
28:57
are
28:58
in
28:58
Christ
28:59
we
29:01
are
29:01
also
29:02
in
29:02
his
29:02
church
29:03
we
29:03
are
29:04
drawn
29:05
into
29:06
his
29:06
community
29:07
the
29:09
German
29:10
theologian
29:11
and
29:12
martyr
29:12
Dietrich
29:13
Bonhoeffer
29:14
wrote a
29:14
book called
29:15
Life
29:15
Together
29:16
Together
29:16
and that
29:18
could
29:18
summarize
29:18
couldn't
29:19
in our
29:19
Christian
29:19
experience
29:20
we
29:20
share
29:21
life
29:22
together
29:23
we
29:24
have
29:25
responsibilities
29:25
toward
29:27
one
29:27
another
29:27
and as
29:29
Christians
29:30
we are
29:30
not only
29:31
responsible
29:31
for one
29:32
another
29:32
we are
29:32
actually
29:33
accountable
29:33
to
29:33
one
29:34
another
29:34
a few
29:38
years ago
29:38
I used
29:38
to work
29:39
as a
29:39
doctor
29:39
mostly
29:41
around
29:42
Glasgow
29:42
and
29:44
while
29:45
training
29:45
as a
29:45
doctor
29:45
you are
29:46
subject
29:46
to
29:46
all
29:47
kinds
29:47
of
29:47
appraisals
29:48
and
29:49
one
29:49
department
29:50
they had
29:50
what was
29:51
called
29:51
a
29:51
360
29:52
degree
29:53
appraisal
29:54
and
29:55
effectively
29:56
they asked
29:56
different
29:57
members
29:57
of
29:57
staff
29:58
how
29:58
you
29:58
were
29:58
getting
29:59
on
29:59
the
30:00
nurses
30:01
your
30:01
colleagues
30:02
the
30:02
doctors
30:03
the
30:03
cleaners
30:04
and
30:04
they
30:04
wanted
30:05
to
30:05
get
30:05
a
30:05
360
30:06
degree
30:07
portrait
30:08
whether
30:09
you
30:10
were
30:10
working
30:10
well
30:11
relating
30:11
well
30:12
to
30:12
other
30:12
members
30:13
of
30:13
the
30:13
team
30:14
and
30:15
if
30:15
there
30:15
were
30:16
issues
30:16
you
30:17
were
30:17
given
30:17
a
30:18
bit
30:18
of
30:18
feedback
30:18
to
30:20
help
30:20
you
30:20
address
30:20
any
30:21
issues
30:21
to
30:21
help
30:21
you
30:21
grow
30:22
in
30:23
your
30:23
workplace
30:24
people
30:24
and
30:27
there's
30:27
a
30:27
little
30:27
bit
30:27
of
30:27
a
30:27
sense
30:28
of
30:28
that
30:28
here
30:29
that
30:29
as
30:29
Christians
30:30
we
30:30
are
30:30
accountable
30:31
to
30:31
one
30:32
another
30:32
we
30:32
are
30:32
to
30:32
help
30:33
one
30:34
another
30:34
grow
30:34
to
30:34
encourage
30:35
one
30:35
another
30:35
but
30:36
sometimes
30:36
perhaps
30:36
to
30:37
admonish
30:38
one
30:38
another
30:38
just
30:41
before
30:42
this
30:43
passage
30:43
we
30:45
have
30:45
the
30:45
parable
30:45
of
30:45
the
30:45
lost
30:46
sheep
30:46
and
30:48
it
30:48
talks
30:48
about
30:48
sheep
30:49
going
30:50
astray
30:50
but
30:50
then
30:51
being
30:51
found
30:52
again
30:52
and
30:53
very
30:53
often
30:53
we
30:54
can
30:54
go
30:54
astray
30:54
in
30:55
our
30:55
Christian
30:55
lives
30:56
something
30:57
as
30:58
simple
30:58
as
30:58
church
30:59
attendance
30:59
but
31:00
something
31:00
perhaps
31:01
more
31:01
complex
31:01
is
31:02
the
31:02
state
31:02
of
31:02
our
31:03
hearts
31:03
whether
31:04
our
31:05
hearts
31:05
are
31:05
still
31:05
happy
31:06
in
31:06
the
31:06
Lord
31:07
and
31:09
we
31:09
have
31:09
a
31:09
responsibility
31:10
to
31:10
encourage
31:11
one
31:11
another
31:12
Paul
31:13
writing
31:13
to
31:13
the
31:14
church
31:14
in
31:14
Galatia
31:14
says
31:16
this
31:16
if
31:16
somebody
31:16
is
31:17
caught
31:17
in
31:17
a
31:17
sin
31:18
you
31:18
who
31:18
are
31:18
spiritual
31:19
ought
31:20
to
31:21
restore
31:21
them
31:21
in a
31:22
spirit
31:22
of
31:22
gentleness
31:23
so we're
31:26
part of
31:26
Christ's
31:26
body
31:27
responsible
31:27
for
31:28
and
31:29
accountable
31:29
to
31:30
one
31:31
another
31:31
and the
31:34
question
31:34
before us
31:35
verse 15
31:35
is what
31:36
happens if
31:36
somebody in
31:37
the church
31:37
is sinning
31:39
or
31:39
particularly
31:40
sinning
31:41
against
31:42
us
31:43
sinning
31:45
it
31:45
may
31:46
some
31:47
interpreters
31:47
take that
31:48
to mean
31:48
if we
31:48
see
31:48
a
31:49
brother
31:49
or
31:49
sister
31:49
falling
31:50
into
31:50
sin
31:51
or
31:51
if
31:51
it
31:52
specifically
31:52
refers
31:53
to
31:53
sinning
31:53
against
31:54
somebody
31:54
in
31:55
the
31:55
body
31:55
in
31:55
the
31:56
fellowship
31:56
what
31:57
are we
31:57
to do
31:58
though
31:58
if we
31:59
see
31:59
somebody
32:00
going
32:00
astray
32:01
well
32:03
what
32:03
we're
32:04
not
32:04
to
32:04
do
32:05
is
32:06
to
32:06
simply
32:07
ignore
32:07
it
32:08
turn a
32:09
blind
32:09
eye
32:10
sweep
32:10
it under
32:10
the
32:11
carpet
32:11
hope
32:12
it'll
32:12
go
32:12
away
32:13
be a
32:15
fairly
32:15
apathetic
32:16
shepherd
32:16
that
32:17
didn't
32:17
care
32:18
about
32:18
the
32:18
sheep
32:18
just
32:19
wandering
32:19
off
32:19
across
32:20
the
32:20
roads
32:20
and
32:20
into
32:21
the
32:21
fields
32:22
we're
32:24
not to
32:24
gossip
32:25
about
32:25
them
32:25
we're
32:25
not to
32:26
hold
32:26
a
32:26
grudge
32:26
against
32:27
them
32:28
there
32:29
are
32:29
issues
32:30
interpersonal
32:31
issues
32:32
that need
32:32
to be
32:33
addressed
32:34
he says
32:36
Christians
32:37
in the
32:37
church
32:37
we
32:38
come
32:39
together
32:39
for
32:40
comfort
32:40
to be
32:42
strengthened
32:43
when we're
32:43
suffering
32:44
and facing
32:44
trials
32:45
of many
32:45
kinds
32:46
but we
32:48
must also
32:48
expect a
32:49
degree of
32:49
challenge
32:50
if we're
32:51
sinning
32:52
if we're
32:52
straying
32:53
that we'll
32:53
be called
32:54
back
32:54
to Christ
32:56
the chief
32:57
shepherd
32:57
and this
33:00
isn't
33:00
something we
33:01
ought to
33:01
resent
33:02
in the
33:03
workplace
33:04
it was
33:04
never
33:04
particularly
33:05
comfortable
33:06
getting
33:06
feedback
33:06
sometimes
33:07
it stung
33:08
but it
33:09
was helpful
33:10
helped
33:11
to grow
33:12
helped
33:12
us to
33:12
address
33:13
any
33:14
problems
33:14
any
33:15
issues
33:15
so too
33:17
in the
33:18
Christian
33:18
life
33:19
proverbs
33:21
chapter 9
33:22
verse 8
33:23
reprove a
33:24
wise man
33:25
and he
33:26
will
33:26
love you
33:28
elsewhere
33:29
in that
33:30
book we
33:30
read these
33:31
words
33:31
faithful
33:32
are the
33:32
wounds
33:33
of a
33:33
friend
33:34
sometimes
33:36
we need
33:37
that gentle
33:37
word
33:38
of
33:38
encouragement
33:39
that
33:39
word
33:40
of
33:40
admonition
33:41
and in
33:44
verse 15
33:44
we read
33:45
of the
33:45
situation
33:45
where
33:46
a brother
33:47
sins
33:47
against
33:47
another
33:48
brother
33:48
or sister
33:49
and the
33:51
Lord
33:51
teaches us
33:52
a sequence
33:52
in which
33:53
to address
33:54
these
33:55
difficulties
33:55
verse 15
33:58
if they
34:00
sin against
34:00
you go
34:01
and tell
34:01
them
34:01
their fault
34:02
alone
34:03
so we
34:06
begin with
34:06
something
34:07
which is
34:07
private
34:07
and informal
34:09
and this
34:11
then progresses
34:11
to something
34:12
more public
34:12
more formal
34:13
but initially
34:15
the Lord
34:16
says if
34:16
there's an
34:17
issue
34:17
don't let
34:19
the bitter
34:19
root grow
34:20
up in
34:20
your heart
34:21
go and
34:23
speak to
34:24
the one
34:24
who has
34:25
sinned
34:26
against
34:26
you
34:27
invite them
34:29
round
34:30
take them
34:31
for a
34:31
coffee
34:32
I had
34:34
one friend
34:34
that was
34:34
a student
34:35
worker
34:35
working with
34:37
Christian
34:37
students
34:38
and when
34:40
they were
34:40
washing the
34:41
dishes
34:41
after meals
34:42
he thought
34:43
that was
34:44
always the
34:44
best time
34:45
to ask
34:45
the really
34:46
difficult
34:46
questions
34:47
because you
34:48
were concentrating
34:49
on something
34:49
you weren't
34:49
looking each
34:50
other in the
34:50
face
34:51
and that
34:51
was when
34:52
he really
34:52
asked you
34:53
the challenging
34:53
questions
34:54
about your
34:55
Christian
34:55
life and
34:56
walk
34:56
verse 16
35:00
but if they
35:01
won't listen
35:01
take one
35:03
or two
35:03
others
35:03
with you
35:04
that every
35:05
charge may
35:05
be established
35:06
by the
35:06
evidence
35:07
of two
35:08
or three
35:09
witnesses
35:10
to emphasize
35:10
the gravity
35:11
of the
35:11
situation
35:12
take two
35:14
or three
35:14
others
35:14
as in the
35:15
Old Testament
35:16
there were
35:16
two or
35:16
three
35:17
witnesses
35:17
and if they
35:21
refuse to
35:21
listen to
35:22
that
35:22
tell it
35:23
to the
35:23
church
35:23
and if
35:25
they refuse
35:25
to listen
35:25
to the
35:26
church
35:26
effectively
35:27
they are
35:28
to be
35:28
put out
35:29
of the
35:29
church
35:29
treated
35:29
as a
35:31
Jewish
35:31
person
35:32
of that
35:32
day
35:32
might have
35:33
treated
35:33
a
35:33
Gentile
35:34
or a
35:35
tax
35:35
collector
35:35
there is
35:39
a weight
35:39
to these
35:40
words
35:41
somebody
35:42
refuses to
35:43
listen
35:43
to a
35:44
friend
35:44
to a
35:46
company
35:46
of their
35:46
friends
35:47
to the
35:47
leadership
35:48
of the
35:48
local
35:48
church
35:49
there is
35:51
a weight
35:51
behind
35:51
them
35:52
and that
35:53
admonition
35:54
comes with
35:54
the authority
35:55
of the
35:56
Lord
35:56
Jesus
35:56
Christ
35:57
Paul
35:59
writing to
36:00
the church
36:00
in Corinth
36:01
1 Corinthians
36:01
5 says
36:02
that when
36:03
you are
36:03
assembled
36:03
in the
36:04
name of
36:04
the
36:04
Lord
36:04
Jesus
36:04
Christ
36:05
and my
36:05
spirit
36:05
is
36:06
present
36:06
with
36:06
the
36:07
power
36:07
of
36:07
the
36:07
Lord
36:07
Jesus
36:08
Christ
36:08
you are
36:10
to
36:10
deliver
36:10
this
36:10
man
36:11
over
36:11
to
36:11
Satan
36:12
for
36:13
the
36:13
destruction
36:13
of
36:13
his
36:14
flesh
36:14
so
36:14
that
36:14
his
36:14
soul
36:15
may
36:15
be
36:15
saved
36:15
in
36:16
the
36:16
day
36:16
of
36:17
the
36:17
Lord
36:17
likewise
36:20
verse
36:20
19
36:21
and
36:21
20
36:21
Jesus
36:22
says
36:22
when
36:22
two or
36:23
three
36:23
are
36:23
gathered
36:23
in
36:23
my
36:24
name
36:24
there
36:24
am
36:25
I
36:25
among
36:25
them
36:25
a
36:28
wonderful
36:28
comforting
36:29
verse
36:30
that
36:30
reminds
36:31
us
36:31
of
36:31
our
36:31
Emmanuel
36:32
our
36:33
God
36:33
with
36:33
us
36:33
Jesus
36:34
Christ
36:34
who
36:35
never
36:36
leaves
36:36
us
36:36
never
36:36
forsakes
36:37
us
36:38
but
36:39
who
36:39
is
36:39
present
36:40
in
36:41
the
36:41
company
36:41
of
36:42
his
36:42
people
36:42
when
36:44
discipline
36:44
is
36:45
being
36:45
exercised
36:47
and
36:50
effectively
36:50
we do
36:51
have
36:51
here
36:51
a
36:52
pattern
36:53
of
36:54
what
36:54
we
36:54
know
36:55
as
36:55
church
36:55
discipline
36:56
discipline
36:58
is one
36:58
of
36:58
these
36:58
words
36:59
that
36:59
can
36:59
have
36:59
both
37:00
a
37:00
positive
37:00
and
37:01
negative
37:02
connotation
37:02
so
37:04
in the
37:04
realm
37:04
of
37:05
music
37:05
or
37:06
sport
37:07
we
37:07
can
37:07
admire
37:07
an
37:08
athlete
37:09
or
37:09
a
37:09
musician
37:09
we
37:10
say
37:10
oh
37:10
they've
37:10
got
37:10
wonderful
37:11
self
37:11
discipline
37:12
they're
37:13
up at
37:13
4am
37:14
every
37:14
morning
37:14
they
37:15
jog
37:15
20
37:16
miles
37:16
they
37:16
do
37:16
3000
37:17
press
37:17
ups
37:18
Sir
37:19
Andy
37:20
Murray
37:20
great
37:20
self
37:21
discipline
37:21
but it
37:24
can have
37:25
a negative
37:25
connotation
37:26
and which
37:28
of us
37:28
at school
37:29
didn't
37:29
dread
37:30
being sent
37:30
to sit
37:31
outside
37:31
the
37:31
head
37:32
master's
37:32
office
37:32
with the
37:34
fear
37:34
of what
37:35
might
37:35
await us
37:36
behind
37:36
the
37:36
door
37:37
but
37:39
church
37:40
discipline
37:40
here
37:41
the
37:41
discipline
37:42
of
37:43
a loving
37:43
Christian
37:44
family
37:45
exhorting
37:45
and
37:46
encouraging
37:46
one
37:47
another
37:47
is
37:49
always
37:50
intended
37:51
to
37:52
lead
37:52
to
37:52
repentance
37:53
to
37:53
lead
37:54
to
37:55
restoration
37:55
writing
37:58
to the
37:58
church
37:59
again
37:59
in
38:00
Corinth
38:01
Paul
38:01
speaks
38:01
about
38:02
that
38:02
not
38:03
allowing
38:04
somebody
38:04
to be
38:04
overwhelmed
38:05
by
38:06
excessive
38:06
sorrow
38:07
showing
38:09
compassion
38:10
and comfort
38:10
to the
38:11
one who
38:11
had sinned
38:12
and repented
38:12
to bring
38:13
them back
38:13
in
38:14
to the
38:14
fellowship
38:15
this
38:17
pattern
38:17
of
38:18
behavior
38:18
is a
38:18
means
38:19
of
38:19
restoring
38:20
the
38:21
straying
38:21
sheep
38:22
of these
38:22
earlier
38:23
verses
38:23
the
38:23
brother
38:24
or sister
38:24
wandering
38:25
off
38:25
into
38:26
far
38:26
off
38:27
field
38:27
bringing
38:27
them
38:27
back
38:28
to the
38:28
shepherd
38:28
and so
38:31
the
38:31
Lord
38:32
says
38:32
if
38:32
you see
38:33
a
38:33
brother
38:33
or sister
38:34
sinning
38:34
if
38:34
they've
38:34
sinned
38:35
against
38:35
you
38:35
perhaps
38:37
the
38:37
quiet
38:37
word
38:38
is
38:38
where
38:39
you
38:39
should
38:39
begin
38:39
if
38:41
they
38:41
refuse
38:41
to
38:42
listen
38:42
take
38:43
some
38:43
others
38:43
seek
38:43
to
38:44
persuade
38:44
them
38:44
seek
38:44
to
38:45
win
38:45
them
38:45
back
38:46
but
38:47
if
38:47
they
38:48
dig
38:48
their
38:48
heels
38:48
and
38:48
if
38:49
they
38:49
harden
38:49
their
38:49
heart
38:50
tell it
38:50
to
38:50
the
38:50
church
38:51
as
38:55
Christians
38:56
we are
38:56
to look
38:56
out for
38:57
one
38:57
another
38:57
we are
38:59
to
38:59
listen
38:59
to
39:00
one
39:00
another
39:00
this
39:03
behavior
39:03
the
39:04
Lord
39:04
teaches
39:04
is not
39:05
about
39:05
coercion
39:06
or
39:06
control
39:07
but
39:08
it is
39:09
about
39:09
concern
39:10
looking
39:12
out
39:12
for
39:12
one
39:12
another
39:13
is
39:14
so
39:14
and
39:14
so
39:14
still
39:15
coming
39:15
to
39:16
the
39:16
services
39:16
to
39:17
the
39:17
meetings
39:17
is
39:18
their
39:18
life
39:18
still
39:19
in
39:19
good
39:19
standing
39:20
with
39:21
the
39:21
Lord
39:21
with
39:21
their
39:22
brothers
39:22
and
39:22
sisters
39:22
doesn't
39:25
mean
39:25
proactively
39:26
appointing
39:27
ourselves
39:27
a kind
39:28
of
39:28
moral
39:28
policeman
39:28
but
39:29
it
39:29
means
39:29
being
39:30
open
39:30
to
39:31
reacting
39:31
to
39:32
things
39:32
we
39:32
might
39:32
see
39:33
or
39:33
hear
39:33
give
39:36
you
39:36
some
39:36
examples
39:37
went
39:39
to
39:39
carol
39:40
service
39:40
once
39:40
in a
39:42
different
39:42
church
39:42
from
39:43
my
39:43
own
39:43
and
39:45
there
39:45
was
39:45
a
39:45
man
39:46
clearly
39:46
under
39:46
the
39:46
influence
39:47
and
39:49
he
39:49
explained
39:49
that he
39:49
was a
39:50
member
39:50
of the
39:50
church
39:50
and
39:52
I
39:52
thought
39:52
well
39:53
maybe
39:54
not
39:54
appropriate
39:54
behavior
39:55
as a
39:56
representative
39:57
of this
39:57
congregation
39:57
visited
39:59
the
40:00
home
40:00
of a
40:00
friend
40:01
and
40:01
his
40:01
wife
40:01
and
40:02
he
40:02
was
40:03
very
40:03
short
40:03
with
40:03
his
40:03
wife
40:04
very
40:04
bad
40:04
tempered
40:05
somewhat
40:05
grumpy
40:06
perhaps
40:07
I
40:08
should
40:08
have
40:08
said
40:08
something
40:08
is
40:09
everything
40:09
okay
40:09
attended
40:12
a
40:13
conference
40:13
well
40:14
known
40:14
speaker
40:14
giving
40:15
a
40:15
public
40:15
talk
40:16
some
40:17
of
40:17
the
40:17
language
40:18
some
40:18
of
40:18
the
40:18
illustrations
40:19
inappropriate
40:20
for a
40:21
Christian
40:22
leader
40:22
to
40:22
use
40:23
all
40:26
the
40:26
invitation
40:26
extended
40:27
to
40:28
come
40:28
to a
40:29
Sunday
40:29
service
40:29
persistently
40:31
turned
40:31
down
40:32
messages
40:33
unanswered
40:34
the
40:35
answer
40:36
if
40:37
given
40:37
always
40:38
no
40:38
just
40:41
little
40:41
things
40:42
but
40:42
little
40:43
things
40:43
that
40:43
might
40:43
speak
40:44
to
40:44
us
40:44
of
40:44
something
40:44
greater
40:45
something
40:46
deeper
40:46
in
40:46
their
40:46
lives
40:47
is there
40:49
a
40:49
problem
40:49
with
40:49
drink
40:50
is there
40:50
a
40:50
problem
40:50
in
40:50
your
40:51
marriage
40:51
you're
40:54
getting
40:54
carried
40:54
away
40:55
with
40:55
the
40:55
publicity
40:56
so
40:59
the
40:59
Lord
40:59
says
40:59
if
40:59
your
41:00
brother
41:00
sins
41:00
against
41:00
you
41:01
have
41:01
a
41:01
word
41:01
tell
41:02
him
41:02
his
41:02
fault
41:03
bring
41:03
him
41:03
back
41:04
listen
41:04
to
41:05
him
41:05
but
41:05
let
41:06
him
41:06
listen
41:06
to
41:07
you
41:07
don't
41:10
just
41:10
sweep
41:10
it
41:10
under
41:11
the
41:11
carpet
41:11
that
41:13
seems
41:14
to be
41:14
the
41:14
sense
41:15
of
41:15
what's
41:16
going
41:16
on
41:16
here
41:17
the
41:17
Lord
41:17
saying
41:18
somebody
41:20
is
41:20
sinning
41:20
show
41:21
them
41:21
in a
41:22
spirit
41:22
of
41:22
love
41:22
and
41:23
gentleness
41:23
their
41:23
fault
41:24
we
41:26
notice
41:26
three
41:27
things
41:27
by means
41:27
of
41:27
application
41:28
firstly
41:28
this
41:30
pattern
41:30
this
41:31
process
41:31
is
41:31
instituted
41:32
by the
41:33
Lord
41:33
Jesus
41:33
Christ
41:34
himself
41:35
he
41:36
underlines
41:36
for his
41:37
people
41:37
our
41:37
responsibility
41:38
toward
41:39
one
41:40
another
41:40
whether
41:41
the
41:42
word
41:42
informally
41:44
the privacy
41:45
of a
41:46
home
41:46
whether
41:46
the
41:47
process
41:47
of
41:47
discipline
41:48
formally
41:48
in a
41:49
more
41:49
public
41:50
setting
41:50
it is
41:51
the
41:51
Lord
41:51
who
41:52
wants
41:53
us
41:53
to be
41:54
accountable
41:55
to be
41:55
open
41:56
to be
41:56
transparent
41:57
with one
41:57
another
41:58
and the
42:01
goal
42:01
is that
42:02
we will
42:02
be
42:02
one
42:02
in
42:03
Christ
42:03
people
42:06
may
42:06
sin
42:06
against
42:07
us
42:07
maybe
42:07
even
42:08
this
42:08
week
42:08
somebody
42:08
has
42:09
caused
42:09
you
42:09
offense
42:10
unfortunately
42:13
people
42:13
do
42:14
say
42:15
and do
42:15
things
42:16
that are
42:16
hurtful
42:17
I'm
42:18
sure
42:18
all of
42:18
us
42:19
at some
42:19
point
42:19
have
42:19
said
42:20
or done
42:20
something
42:20
inadvertently
42:21
perhaps
42:22
such as
42:22
hurt
42:23
someone else
42:24
in the
42:24
fellowship
42:24
it can't
42:25
be
42:25
avoided
42:25
on church
42:28
website
42:28
in the
42:29
state
42:29
the
42:30
states
42:30
says
42:32
oh
42:32
everybody
42:33
is
42:33
welcome
42:33
to
42:33
this
42:33
church
42:34
but
42:35
I
42:35
should
42:35
warn
42:35
you
42:35
the
42:35
building
42:36
is
42:36
filled
42:36
with
42:37
sinners
42:37
people
42:40
might
42:40
say
42:40
or do
42:40
things
42:41
that cause
42:42
offense
42:42
but as
42:46
members of
42:46
a Christian
42:47
fellowship
42:47
we are
42:48
therefore
42:49
to be
42:49
willing
42:50
and open
42:51
to receive
42:51
correction
42:52
to be
42:54
like the
42:54
wise
42:55
man
42:55
of
42:55
Proverbs
42:56
9
42:56
who
42:56
longs
42:57
to be
42:58
made
42:58
wiser
42:58
still
42:59
even if
43:01
the
43:01
feedback
43:01
even if
43:02
the
43:02
constructive
43:03
criticism
43:03
stings
43:04
recognizing
43:07
that it
43:07
produces a
43:08
harvest
43:08
of
43:09
righteousness
43:10
takes
43:12
humility
43:12
to listen
43:14
wisdom
43:14
to discern
43:15
if there's
43:15
anything
43:16
there that
43:17
needs to
43:17
be acted
43:18
upon
43:18
part of
43:20
being a
43:21
Christian
43:21
not only
43:22
being
43:22
comforted
43:23
but being
43:24
challenged
43:25
by the
43:25
Lord
43:26
by his
43:26
word
43:27
and
43:28
sometimes
43:29
by a
43:29
loving
43:29
brother
43:30
or sister
43:30
and that's
43:33
really what
43:34
church
43:34
membership
43:35
is about
43:36
in part
43:36
as we
43:38
approach
43:38
this season
43:39
we think
43:40
about what
43:41
it means
43:41
to be a
43:41
communicant
43:42
member
43:42
of a
43:43
congregation
43:44
and at
43:45
one level
43:46
becoming a
43:47
member
43:47
is to
43:48
say to
43:48
the
43:48
leadership
43:49
of that
43:49
church
43:49
that I'm
43:50
willing to
43:50
be held
43:51
accountable
43:51
for my
43:53
Christian
43:53
walk
43:53
and my
43:54
Christian
43:54
witness
43:54
and I
43:57
look forward
43:58
to being
43:59
prayed for
44:00
but I'm
44:00
open to
44:01
being asked
44:01
questions
44:02
about my
44:03
Christian
44:04
life
44:04
I'm
44:04
open to
44:05
somebody
44:05
having a
44:06
word
44:06
a private
44:07
informal
44:08
word
44:08
if something
44:10
comes to
44:10
their attention
44:11
that is
44:11
inconsistent
44:12
in my
44:13
conduct
44:14
or my
44:14
conversation
44:15
indeed
44:18
not joining
44:18
a church
44:19
is to
44:21
say at
44:21
one level
44:22
that I
44:22
don't want
44:22
anyone to
44:23
be held
44:23
accountable
44:24
to anyone
44:25
I don't
44:26
want anyone
44:26
to be
44:26
taking such
44:27
an interest
44:28
in my
44:29
life
44:29
but the
44:32
Lord says
44:32
we have
44:33
responsibilities
44:34
toward
44:35
one another
44:36
not to
44:37
look down
44:38
on one
44:38
another
44:38
as the
44:39
disciples
44:39
did
44:39
but to
44:40
look out
44:40
for one
44:41
another
44:41
and to
44:43
care for
44:43
one another
44:44
and where
44:45
necessary
44:45
to restore
44:46
one another
44:47
so firstly
44:50
he says
44:51
if somebody
44:52
sins against
44:53
you show
44:54
them their
44:55
fault
44:55
but then in
44:57
this parable
44:58
verse 21
44:59
he says
44:59
if they
45:00
sin against
45:00
you of
45:01
course you
45:01
must show
45:02
them your
45:03
forgiveness
45:04
and Christian
45:08
forgiveness
45:09
when exercised
45:10
is extremely
45:11
powerful
45:12
I was
45:15
delighted to
45:16
find a
45:16
Christian
45:16
bookshop
45:17
here
45:18
just
45:18
yesterday
45:19
and we
45:19
had a
45:20
great time
45:21
browsing the
45:22
books and
45:22
I saw some
45:23
books about
45:24
the work of
45:26
God in
45:26
China in
45:28
the past
45:29
century the
45:29
remarkable
45:30
growth
45:30
miraculous
45:31
growth of
45:33
the Christian
45:33
church in
45:34
China
45:35
and it
45:36
reminded me
45:37
of the story
45:37
of a Christian
45:38
leader who
45:39
had published
45:40
a book
45:40
and was
45:41
getting a
45:42
certain amount
45:42
of publicity
45:43
in the
45:44
West
45:44
book
45:45
sought to
45:46
glorify God
45:47
tell of some
45:48
of his
45:48
marvelous works
45:49
and yet there
45:51
were those who
45:52
didn't believe
45:52
what was written
45:53
in this book
45:53
there was one
45:55
man in
45:55
particular
45:56
that began
45:57
a campaign
45:58
against the
45:59
author
46:00
and he began
46:01
a website
46:02
and he
46:02
somehow influenced
46:04
other leaders
46:04
in the Chinese
46:05
church to
46:05
disown this
46:07
man
46:07
to claim
46:08
that he was
46:09
a fraud
46:09
to drag
46:11
his name
46:11
through the
46:11
dirt
46:12
and after
46:14
this had
46:15
rumbled on
46:15
for a number
46:16
of months
46:16
somebody went
46:17
to this
46:17
Chinese leader
46:18
and they
46:19
said what
46:19
is your
46:20
comment
46:20
what do
46:21
you say
46:21
to this
46:22
individual
46:22
and to
46:23
these other
46:23
leaders
46:24
he's turned
46:25
against you
46:26
and this
46:28
brother very
46:28
graciously
46:29
responded by
46:30
saying I
46:30
have absolutely
46:31
nothing against
46:33
these brothers
46:33
of mine
46:34
and I look
46:35
forward to
46:36
the day when
46:37
we will embrace
46:38
one another
46:38
before the
46:39
throne of
46:40
the Lamb
46:41
he turned
46:43
the other
46:43
cheek
46:44
he forgave
46:46
his critics
46:47
and Peter
46:51
wants to
46:52
understand more
46:52
about Christian
46:53
forgiveness
46:53
verse 21
46:54
how many
46:56
times must I
46:56
forgive him
46:57
seven times
46:58
now the
47:01
rabbis of the
47:02
day taught
47:03
that if you
47:03
were sinned
47:04
against
47:05
you had to
47:06
forgive somebody
47:07
up to three
47:08
times
47:09
so Peter is
47:11
really looking
47:12
for top
47:12
marks here
47:13
seven times
47:14
Lord that's
47:14
more than
47:14
twice what
47:15
the rabbis
47:16
are teaching
47:16
but the
47:19
Lord Jesus
47:19
raises the
47:20
bar even
47:21
higher as
47:22
high as he
47:22
can raise
47:23
it not
47:23
seven times
47:24
but seventy
47:25
times seven
47:27
seven the
47:30
number of
47:30
completeness
47:30
seventy times
47:31
seven seventy
47:32
seven fullness
47:34
completeness
47:35
as many
47:36
times as
47:37
you are
47:37
being sinned
47:38
against
47:38
total
47:39
true
47:40
forgiveness
47:41
one writer
47:45
says there's
47:46
no point
47:46
burying a
47:47
hatchet
47:47
if you're
47:48
going to
47:48
put up a
47:49
marker on
47:50
the site
47:50
and so
47:53
the Lord
47:54
goes on to
47:54
tell this
47:55
parable
47:55
to emphasize
47:57
the importance
47:59
of forgiveness
48:00
there is a
48:02
king and
48:04
he comes to
48:05
the end of
48:05
his tax
48:05
year and
48:06
he's settling
48:07
accounts with
48:08
his servants
48:08
verse 24
48:11
one servant
48:11
is brought
48:12
in who
48:12
owes ten
48:13
thousand
48:14
talents
48:15
if you
48:18
have the
48:19
footnote
48:20
in your
48:20
bibles I
48:21
have in
48:22
this church
48:22
bible you
48:23
can scan
48:23
down and
48:25
it says a
48:26
talent was a
48:26
monetary unit
48:27
worth about
48:27
twenty years
48:28
wages for
48:30
a labourer
48:31
so here is
48:33
a man
48:33
who somehow
48:35
and we don't
48:35
know how
48:35
has run up
48:36
extraordinary
48:37
debts in
48:39
the service
48:39
of the king
48:40
not thousands
48:41
of pounds
48:41
or millions
48:42
of pounds
48:42
but billions
48:43
of pounds
48:44
Paul Allen
48:47
was worth
48:48
I think
48:48
at his peak
48:49
something like
48:49
twenty six
48:50
billion pounds
48:51
Microsoft
48:53
one of the
48:53
largest companies
48:54
in the world
48:55
it is that
48:55
kind of sum
48:56
of money
48:57
this man
48:58
is in
48:58
debt
48:59
and he
49:02
comes before
49:02
the king
49:03
and verse
49:05
twenty five
49:06
says he
49:06
could not
49:06
pay
49:07
his master
49:09
ordered him
49:09
to be sold
49:10
with his
49:11
wife
49:12
and children
49:13
and all
49:14
that he
49:14
had
49:15
total
49:16
ruin
49:16
the bailiffs
49:18
coming round
49:19
the house
49:20
taking away
49:21
the jewellery
49:22
the sentimental
49:22
items
49:23
the house
49:25
itself being
49:25
repossessed
49:26
by the bank
49:27
and then
49:29
worst of all
49:30
his wife
49:30
and children
49:31
being torn
49:32
from him
49:33
and sold
49:33
off as
49:34
slaves
49:35
to try and
49:35
settle
49:36
a fraction
49:37
of the debt
49:37
total ruin
49:40
verse twenty six
49:44
the servant
49:45
falls on his
49:46
knees
49:46
and he cries
49:48
out
49:48
have patience
49:50
have mercy
49:51
have pity
49:52
on me
49:52
and I
49:54
will pay
49:54
you
49:55
everything
49:55
and verse
50:03
twenty seven
50:04
and out
50:04
of pity
50:05
for him
50:05
the master
50:07
released him
50:07
and forgave
50:09
him
50:09
the debt
50:10
at
50:11
extraordinary
50:12
cost
50:13
to the
50:14
master
50:14
he was
50:15
willing to
50:15
forgive
50:16
this
50:17
unworthy
50:18
servant
50:19
and would
50:22
that not
50:22
be cause
50:23
for great
50:23
rejoicing
50:24
as he has
50:25
back his
50:26
home
50:26
as he
50:27
has back
50:28
his wife
50:28
and his
50:29
children
50:29
as he
50:30
has back
50:31
his life
50:31
and you
50:32
think it
50:32
might be
50:33
the kind
50:33
of rejoicing
50:34
we see
50:34
earlier in the
50:35
chapter
50:35
gathering
50:37
together
50:37
friends
50:38
praising
50:38
the master
50:39
who showed
50:39
him
50:40
mercy
50:40
given his
50:43
life back
50:44
but on
50:48
the way
50:48
home
50:49
he meets
50:50
one of
50:51
his
50:51
colleagues
50:51
and this
50:54
man owes
50:55
him
50:55
a hundred
50:57
denarii
50:58
a denarii
51:00
was a
51:01
day's
51:01
wage
51:02
so we're
51:02
talking here
51:03
a couple
51:03
of months
51:04
salary
51:04
a matter
51:06
of a
51:06
few
51:07
thousand
51:07
pounds
51:08
and instead
51:10
of telling
51:11
him the
51:11
good news
51:12
about the
51:12
generous
51:12
master
51:13
he seizes
51:14
him
51:14
and chokes
51:15
him
51:15
and says
51:16
pay what
51:16
you owe
51:17
and the
51:20
fellow servant
51:21
falls down
51:21
and pleads
51:22
with him
51:22
and he
51:24
says the
51:24
very same
51:25
words
51:26
the first
51:26
servant
51:27
said to
51:27
his master
51:28
have patience
51:29
with me
51:29
and I
51:30
will repay
51:30
you
51:31
and you
51:35
might think
51:36
he would
51:36
have patience
51:36
and in his
51:38
joy and in
51:39
his gratitude
51:39
and in his
51:40
gladness
51:41
let the
51:41
man go
51:42
but verse
51:45
30
51:45
he refused
51:46
and he
51:48
went and
51:48
put him
51:48
in prison
51:49
until he
51:50
should pay
51:51
the debt
51:51
and when the
51:55
fellow servants
51:55
hear about this
51:56
they're appalled
51:56
and they go to
51:58
the master
51:58
and they tell
52:00
him what
52:00
happened
52:00
and the
52:02
master is
52:03
angry
52:03
righteously
52:05
angry
52:05
you wicked
52:06
servant
52:07
I forgave you
52:08
all that debt
52:09
billions of
52:10
pounds
52:10
because you
52:12
pleaded with
52:13
me
52:13
and should
52:15
you not
52:15
have had
52:16
mercy on
52:16
your fellow
52:16
servant
52:17
as I
52:18
had mercy
52:20
on you
52:21
he was
52:24
shown
52:24
mercy
52:25
but he
52:26
refused to
52:26
show mercy
52:28
he was
52:28
forgiven
52:29
but he
52:29
refused
52:30
to forgive
52:31
others
52:32
and Jesus
52:35
warns
52:36
what his
52:37
heavenly father
52:38
will do
52:38
to everyone
52:39
if they do
52:40
not forgive
52:40
their brother
52:41
from the
52:41
heart
52:42
casting them
52:44
to the
52:44
jailers
52:45
until they
52:45
should pay
52:46
all the
52:47
debt
52:47
so Peter's
52:52
answer
52:52
how often
52:54
will I
52:54
forgive my
52:55
brother
52:55
Jesus
52:55
says
52:56
70
52:57
times
52:58
7
52:58
whenever
53:00
your brother
53:00
asks to be
53:01
forgiven
53:02
you will
53:02
forgive him
53:03
because you
53:04
will remember
53:04
how much
53:05
you have
53:06
been
53:06
forgiven
53:07
by your
53:08
master
53:09
one writer
53:13
says
53:14
it is the
53:16
person who
53:16
most knows
53:17
himself
53:18
liable to
53:18
fall
53:19
that will
53:21
be most
53:22
likely to
53:22
overlook any
53:23
offenses
53:23
from his
53:25
fellow
53:25
man
53:26
if somebody
53:30
sins against
53:30
us
53:31
if somebody
53:31
offends
53:32
us
53:32
we need to
53:34
remember how
53:35
much we
53:35
in our lives
53:37
have sinned
53:37
against a
53:39
holy God
53:39
how much we
53:40
have offended
53:41
the creator
53:41
and ruler
53:42
of all things
53:43
and then to
53:46
remember how
53:46
much he has
53:47
forgiven us
53:48
what it
53:50
cost him
53:51
not in
53:51
talents
53:52
but in the
53:54
precious blood
53:55
of the Lord
53:56
Jesus Christ
53:57
shed at
53:58
Calvary
53:59
and we
54:01
remember how
54:01
he cancelled
54:03
all our
54:03
debts
54:04
it should
54:05
make it
54:06
possible for
54:06
us to
54:07
forgive others
54:08
and to
54:10
forgive their
54:11
trespasses
54:12
as we
54:13
have
54:14
trespassed
54:15
against our
54:15
father
54:16
writing to
54:19
the church
54:20
in Ephesians
54:20
the apostle
54:21
Paul says
54:21
be kind
54:22
to one
54:22
another
54:23
tender
54:25
hearted
54:25
forgiving
54:27
one another
54:27
as God
54:29
in Christ
54:31
forgave
54:32
you
54:33
in the
54:36
sermon
54:36
of the
54:37
mount
54:37
Jesus
54:37
says
54:38
if you
54:38
forgive
54:38
others
54:39
their
54:39
trespasses
54:39
your
54:40
heavenly
54:40
father
54:41
will
54:41
forgive
54:42
you
54:42
but if
54:44
you do
54:44
not
54:44
forgive
54:45
one
54:45
another
54:45
their
54:46
trespasses
54:47
neither
54:47
will
54:48
your
54:48
heavenly
54:49
father
54:49
forgive
54:50
your
54:50
trespasses
54:51
we refuse
54:54
to cancel
54:55
the debts
54:56
of others
54:57
then our
54:58
debt
54:58
will
54:59
remain
55:00
and so
55:03
the Lord
55:03
teaches us
55:04
to
55:05
practice
55:06
forgiveness
55:08
to show
55:09
the mercy
55:10
that we
55:10
have been
55:11
shown
55:12
and that's
55:15
such a
55:16
liberating
55:16
thing
55:17
it's not
55:19
an easy
55:19
thing
55:19
by any
55:20
stretch
55:21
but it
55:23
frees us
55:24
from
55:24
unforgiveness
55:25
it frees
55:25
us from
55:26
bitterness
55:26
and somebody
55:30
said
55:30
bitterness
55:32
resenting
55:35
someone
55:35
it's like
55:37
drinking a
55:38
cup of
55:38
poison and
55:39
expecting the
55:40
other person
55:40
to die
55:41
it only
55:43
harms
55:43
ourselves
55:44
one writer
55:49
speaks of
55:49
the liberation
55:50
of forgiveness
55:51
in these
55:51
words
55:52
a Christian
55:53
will find it
55:54
cheaper to
55:55
pardon than
55:56
to resent
55:56
forgiveness
55:59
saves us
56:00
the expense
56:01
of anger
56:02
the cost
56:03
of hatred
56:04
and the
56:05
waste
56:05
of
56:06
our
56:07
spirits
56:08
so the
56:12
Lord
56:13
recognizes
56:13
there will
56:14
be great
56:15
joys in
56:15
Christian
56:16
fellowship
56:16
courage
56:17
such as
56:19
we've
56:19
shared
56:19
this
56:20
weekend
56:20
but there
56:20
will be
56:20
difficulties
56:21
differences
56:23
and he
56:25
says we
56:25
need to be
56:25
realistic
56:26
we need to
56:27
be open
56:27
transparent
56:28
we need to
56:29
be willing
56:30
to receive
56:30
correction
56:31
willing
56:32
sometimes
56:33
even to
56:34
give
56:34
correction
56:35
to show
56:35
one another
56:36
our faults
56:37
in a spirit
56:37
of love
56:38
but we
56:40
need also
56:41
to bear
56:41
with one
56:42
another
56:42
to love
56:43
one another
56:44
and to
56:46
show one
56:46
another
56:46
the same
56:47
forgiveness
56:47
or something
56:48
of the same
56:49
forgiveness
56:49
which we
56:51
have been
56:51
shown
56:51
by our
56:52
master
56:53
who at
56:54
the ultimate
56:55
cost to
56:56
himself
56:56
sent his
56:57
son the
56:57
Lord Jesus
56:58
Christ
56:58
into this
56:59
world
56:59
in order
57:01
to free
57:01
us from
57:01
our slavery
57:02
and to
57:03
forgive us
57:04
all of
57:05
our sins
57:06
he showed
57:08
us our
57:09
faults
57:09
he shows
57:11
us his
57:12
forgiveness
57:12
and he
57:14
invites us
57:15
to do the
57:16
same
57:16
one to
57:17
another
57:18
that we
57:19
might maintain
57:20
the unity
57:20
of the spirit
57:21
in the bonds
57:22
of peace
57:23
well we
57:27
need God's
57:27
help in
57:28
order to
57:29
do that
57:29
and so
57:31
we're going
57:32
to pray
57:32
once more
57:33
before we
57:34
close
57:35
with the
57:36
final psalm
57:37
let us
57:39
pray
57:40
the godly
57:50
in the land
57:50
for holiness
57:51
renowned
57:51
they are
57:52
the glorious
57:52
ones
57:53
in whom
57:54
all my
57:54
delight
57:55
is found
57:56
gracious
57:58
God
57:59
our loving
58:01
heavenly
58:01
father
58:02
how good
58:02
it is
58:03
to be
58:03
here
58:03
to be
58:06
numbered
58:07
among
58:08
your people
58:09
to know
58:11
that our
58:11
names are
58:12
written in
58:13
heaven
58:13
to have
58:16
been sealed
58:16
by your
58:17
holy spirit
58:18
who guarantees
58:21
the inheritance
58:22
that is to
58:22
come
58:23
and to
58:28
take time
58:29
to think
58:30
of that
58:31
great
58:32
multitude
58:32
above in
58:34
which we
58:34
will one
58:35
day take
58:35
our place
58:36
in the
58:37
heavenly
58:38
Jerusalem
58:38
Lord
58:42
as we
58:42
think of
58:43
the church
58:44
above that
58:44
great
58:45
assembly
58:45
we
58:45
rejoice
58:47
to be
58:47
part of
58:47
this church
58:48
below this
58:48
congregation
58:49
thank you
58:52
that you
58:52
that you
58:52
that you
58:52
have brought
58:53
us
58:53
tonight
58:54
or in
58:55
the course
58:56
of our
58:56
lives
58:56
into a
58:57
congregation
58:57
in which
58:57
we can
58:58
grow and
58:58
bear fruit
58:59
which you
59:01
can be
59:01
strengthened
59:02
and comforted
59:03
which we
59:05
can be
59:05
prayed for
59:06
and Lord
59:10
we thank you
59:10
that this is
59:11
all of your
59:11
grace
59:12
thank you
59:14
for the
59:14
gospel of
59:15
grace
59:15
which we
59:16
have thought
59:16
on tonight
59:17
thank you
59:17
for the
59:19
grace at
59:19
work in
59:20
each of
59:20
our lives
59:21
thank you
59:24
for the
59:24
visible fruit
59:25
of that
59:25
grace
59:26
the
59:27
brotherly
59:28
love
59:28
that is
59:29
shown
59:29
the
59:29
hospitality
59:30
shared
59:30
the
59:31
generosity
59:31
encouraged
59:32
the
59:34
hearts
59:34
knit
59:35
together
59:35
in
59:36
love
59:36
and Lord
59:39
we ask
59:40
that in
59:40
this night
59:41
and the
59:42
days to
59:42
come
59:42
you would
59:42
help us
59:43
to be
59:45
reminded
59:45
that we
59:45
are one
59:46
body
59:46
different
59:48
members
59:48
of the
59:49
one
59:49
body
59:49
and so
59:51
to pray
59:52
for one
59:52
another
59:53
so to
59:55
encourage
59:56
one
59:56
another
59:56
so to
59:58
serve
59:58
one
59:59
another
59:59
and
1:00:01
supremely
1:00:02
to love
1:00:02
one
1:00:03
another
1:00:03
and Lord
1:00:06
we ask
1:00:07
that if
1:00:07
difficulties
1:00:08
arise
1:00:08
in our
1:00:09
relationships
1:00:11
and our
1:00:12
friendships
1:00:12
and our
1:00:13
fellowship
1:00:13
that you
1:00:15
would give us
1:00:16
grace to
1:00:16
bear with
1:00:17
one another
1:00:18
to forgive
1:00:20
one another
1:00:21
that even
1:00:24
tonight
1:00:24
if something
1:00:26
is not
1:00:26
right in
1:00:27
our hearts
1:00:27
if there
1:00:28
is a
1:00:28
root of
1:00:29
bitterness
1:00:29
growing up
1:00:30
that you
1:00:32
would help
1:00:33
us to
1:00:33
root it
1:00:33
out
1:00:34
and to
1:00:36
forgive one
1:00:37
another
1:00:37
from the
1:00:37
heart
1:00:38
to leave
1:00:40
our gifts
1:00:41
at the
1:00:41
altar
1:00:42
and go
1:00:42
and make
1:00:43
peace
1:00:43
and to
1:00:45
seek
1:00:45
reconciliation
1:01:16
peace
1:01:17
and so
1:01:18
help us
1:01:18
to live
1:01:19
in such
1:01:19
a way
1:01:19
as to
1:01:20
maintain
1:01:20
the
1:01:20
unity
1:01:21
of the
1:01:21
spirit
1:01:21
and the
1:01:22
bonds
1:01:22
of peace
1:01:22
help us
1:01:25
to see
1:01:25
one another
1:01:26
as brothers
1:01:28
and sisters
1:01:29
in the
1:01:29
Lord
1:01:30
help us
1:01:30
to forgive
1:01:31
one another
1:01:32
as you
1:01:34
have forgiven
1:01:35
us
1:01:35
a great
1:01:36
debt
1:01:37
a great
1:01:37
weight
1:01:37
of sin
1:01:38
casting it
1:01:39
into the
1:01:40
very depths
1:01:41
of the
1:01:41
sea
1:01:41
Lord
1:01:44
thank you
1:01:45
that you
1:01:45
have taken
1:01:46
our sins
1:01:46
from us
1:01:47
as far
1:01:48
as the
1:01:48
east
1:01:49
is from
1:01:49
the west
1:01:50
thank you
1:01:52
that they
1:01:52
are gone
1:01:53
forever
1:01:54
from us
1:01:55
and that we
1:01:57
are now
1:01:57
righteous
1:01:58
in your
1:01:58
sight
1:01:59
so help
1:02:01
us Lord
1:02:01
to live
1:02:02
righteously
1:02:03
to walk
1:02:05
humbly
1:02:05
to love
1:02:08
you
1:02:08
and to
1:02:09
love and
1:02:10
to bear
1:02:10
with one
1:02:10
another
1:02:11
this
1:02:12
night
1:02:12
and in
1:02:13
the days
1:02:13
to come
1:02:14
for we
1:02:14
pray in
1:02:15
Jesus name
1:02:15
Amen
1:02:17
well to end
1:02:35
our time
1:02:36
together we'll
1:02:36
sing the
1:02:37
metrical
1:02:37
version of
1:02:38
Psalm 130
1:02:39
to the
1:02:40
gratitude
1:02:40
martyrdom
1:02:41
this great
1:02:43
psalm of
1:02:44
God's
1:02:44
salvation
1:02:45
the
1:02:46
plenteous
1:02:47
redemption
1:02:47
we find
1:02:49
in Christ
1:02:50
the forgiveness
1:02:52
from all
1:02:53
their iniquities
1:02:53
but we shall
1:02:54
sing together
1:02:55
Psalm 130
1:02:56
Lord from the
1:02:57
depths to
1:02:57
thee I cried
1:02:58
my voice
1:02:59
Lord do
1:02:59
thou hear
1:03:00
and to
1:03:01
my supplications
1:03:02
voice give
1:03:03
an attentive
1:03:03
ear we sing
1:03:05
together to
1:03:06
the praise of
1:03:07
God
1:03:08
Lord from
1:03:16
the torch
1:03:16
toward
1:03:19
thee I
1:03:22
and
1:03:23
my voice
1:03:24
Lord do
1:03:25
Lord, do thou hear unto my suffocation's voice, if thou thou tender here?
1:03:47
Lord, who shall standeth thou, O Lord, to spark in liberty?
1:04:04
But yet with thee forgivenesses, that fear forbids me.
1:04:23
I wait for God, my soul doth wait, my hope is in his word.
1:04:42
O Lord, may thou, O morning watch, my soul doth wait for the Lord.
1:05:00
I say, Lord, I may not be watch, the morning light to see.
1:05:18
Let Israel, O live the Lord, arm with liberty.
1:05:35
Unplaintious redemption is never found within.
1:05:55
And from all his liberty, Israel shall redeem.
1:06:13
Amen.
1:06:43
Amen.
1:07:13
Amen.
1:07:15
Amen.