B (3:50)

We gotta restart. All right, guys, act like none of that happened. We're doing it from the top. Lobster Productions.

A (4:30)

Two. Okay. Sermon on the Mount, episode two, take two. All right, so last week, we talked about the significance of the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, right? It's Jesus. He sees the crowds, he sees the masses, and then he gets away to a secret place and calls his disciples there, right? He doesn't go to the masses and demand that they accept this kingdom, because they can't. They just can't. This is for people who see in here. And he goes to them. He elaborates on the culture of the Kingdom of God. That's what the Sermon on the Mount is. So that they will go forth and they will live this out like that. Like, that's ultimately what the whole point is of the way Jesus deals with his church. So we're going to start in verse six, but we'll. We'll kind of go back one through five from last week. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be Comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. We went over all that last week. That was fun. Top did great on those two. He really liked that. Then verse six is, blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. This whole idea of hungering and thirsting after something, it really reminds me of us. Like a sense of adventure. Like it's something that you're like pressing towards. You're going after. You're hungering and thirsting after something. And this sense of adventure thing is a big deal because, like, I don't know, when you see people like losing their happiness in life and just kind of losing their funk in life, a lot of times it just comes from like the monotony of life, man. Just like doing. It's not even a bad thing or good thing. That's not the issue. The issue is that it's like the monotony of life. It happens in church too. Like, you're just kind of do the same thing in church every Sunday, right? And your life just kind of becomes the same thing. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. And then, you know, you got 2/7 of your life to kind of do something else, but that kind of just goes the same too. And then people really struggle with just this monotony of life. But like, I always recognize in the scripture that God was taking dudes on adventures, man. It's. And you could say that there's a whole thing about a sense of adventure, especially the story of Abraham I always related to, because God took him from Ur, the Chaldees. He's just some dude from Mesopotamia and God grabs him and says, bro, you want to go on an adventure? I'll take you to some land. Like, you have no clue. You don't know anybody there. You've never seen it. You don't know what's going to happen next. But if you trust me, let's go. And so that's. That's kind of wrapped up in this too. It's people who hunger and thirst after something. It's not people who are like, content and you could really say it's just people that are like, discontent with everything. That's unlike God. I think it really goes hand in hand with blessed are those that mourn that we read last week. It's like people are mourning over the state of things now.

C (7:19)

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A (8:21)

Why is there a matt coin right there?

B (8:23)

That's better.

A (8:23)

Blessed are. Sorry I got sidetracked. People who mourn over like the state of things in the world, like outside of God, like those are the people who are going to hunger and thirst after righteousness. They're not just nasty, they're not just like, oh, look how bad the world is. They, they see that, but then they say, no, man, I'm hungering and thirsting for more. I need something better. I need more. Something inside me knows that there's something else and I need to go for that. I need to go for that. And the funny thing about righteousness, specifically because it's not really something that's our own, we're gonna, we're gonna dig into that right now. So it's like this hunger and thirst for something that's actually outside of us, right? So righteousness is this Greek word. I don't want to butcher it and get made fun of and stuff, but it looks like it's pronounced dick. A scion, something like that. I'm not a Greek scholar, but whatever, you can look it up. And it's the state of him who is as he ought to be. What a cool statement, man. Righteousness. The definition would be the state of him is who is as he ought to be. Right? I don't know. Think about, maybe you have times where you think about like the way you wish you would act, maybe, maybe like in the past, maybe something like right now, maybe something in the future. But you're looking at it, you're thinking about, you're thinking like there's a way I wish I would act or A way I wish I did act, right? And all of that is wrapped up in this word righteous, the way we wish we would act. Another definition for this word is the way in which man may attain a state approved of God, right? Like the scriptures talk about that it's his righteousness that we have, right? Like we don't have any righteousness. This was the big beef with the righteousness of the law, was that people thought they could fulfill the law to a certain extent to gain righteousness. Whereas, like, the righteousness that came by faith is something different. It's someone else's righteousness. So blessed are those who hunger and thirst after that. Let's look at Matthew 6, 31, 34, and then I'll just give you another definition here while we're pulling that up. It's integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting, right? So blessed are the people that hunger and thirst after that. I don't know. Maybe people can relate to that. Maybe there's a way you are that you're like, you know what? This is how I am. But I want to be like this. It's saying, blessed are those man. Okay, here's what it says in Matthew 6:31. It says, I don't think you're. It says this. Therefore take no thought saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed? I like this man. This is saying, like, wrapped up in this is a command not to worry, which is rad. Like, if you think about that, like, it's almost like you feel like you're, like, irresponsible if you're not worrying. You feel like you're more responsible if you're worrying. And then here's our Lord the King, saying, take no thought. Take no thought saying, what shall we eat? What shall we drink? How are we. You know, where are we going to get our clothes? Why? For after all these things, do the Gentiles seek, or those who don't know God? Those who don't know God, that's what they worry about. But you in this kingdom, don't worry about that. Because your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore, no thought for tomorrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. So that's intriguing though, but that verse 33, it says, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, right? Don't worry about all the stuff in the world that you need. Stop. Seek first the kingdom of God. Like, all that stuff will be added to you. It's not saying you're gonna be a millionaire and have private jets and stuff, but, like, all your needs will be met. Don't worry about that. People who don't know God worry about that. You don't worry about that. You just seek God and he'll take it from there. I know we've talked about that before, even about, like, how raising kids and stuff. And like, the main thing is, like, teach them to know the Lord, that God will take it from there. Like, God will take care of everything from there. But this is the phrase here, seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. So. So right there we're seeing. It's not our righteousness, right? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. It's his righteousness that we're actually hungering and thirsting for. So I just want to kind of elaborate on that point a little bit, but there is something I want to say about. About this man. It says in verse 32, it says, for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. It's an intriguing thing. Sometimes when I pray, I'm kind of like, God, I don't even know what to pray for. Like, we have this long background now of God taking care of me in a way that I wouldn't even think to ask for. Like, to, like, to give me the things that I would have never even thought to ask. I always think of this wild story with Bella. When she was little. She was like. Like, if she fell and scraped her knee, like, she. And I'd go pick her up, she's like, no, I want Mommy. I want Mommy.

B (13:39)

Right?

A (13:40)

And like, I wasn't home a lot. I worked a lot. Jess was home with them all the time. Like, when sometimes I'd see her in the morning, like, on a day, like, on a weekend, like, I was gonna be there, and, like, I'd see her, and when she'd see me in the morning, she'd go, bye, Daddy. Bye, Daddy. And I was like, no, I'm not going anywhere. That was like, her go to when she saw me was like, bye, Daddy. She just always associated with, like, I was going to work or whatever, right?

B (14:02)

Yeah, yeah.

A (14:02)

And so, like, it just was whatever, you know? It's like, whatever. But I loved her, and I always wanted to snuggle her and be buddies and stuff. She's, like, super little. And then One day I was watching, I think it was the Raiders versus New England. And I was just chilling on the couch and she was kind of like chilling on the ground and like playing with stuff. And then she like got up off the ground like out of nowhere. And then like came over. Like, I was laying on the couch. She laid like right next to me and, and she literally like grabbed my arm and put it over like this to like snuggle me. And then she just like fell asleep and I was like, damn. Like, I, I wouldn't, I, I didn't even think to ask for that. You see what I'm saying? Like, he knows. He know, like, we can come to him with this list of things we want, but it's so much lower than like what he has in store for us or what he has in mind for us or how he wants to bless us. So the whole praying thing, that kind of had to shift for me of thinking that it was like this list of things I'm asking for and it became more of a thing of just like, no, Lord, I just want to be line. You like, let, like, let me do whatever you're doing in the earth as opposed to like, give me this, give me that. Because I realized like he was doing things that I didn't even think to ask for. All right, a real good example of what this looks like is Psalm 143.

C (15:14)

Now serving the entire cafe right from your countertop with the Ninja Luxe cafe espresso drip coffee cold brew. If you can crave it, you can brew it. No barista badge required. Barista assist technology handles the hard parts, grinding, weighing, brewing. So you can take the credit. Top it all off with velvety dairy or plant based microfoam. Hot or cold, all hands free. Naturally you bring the craving, you bring the company, we'll bring the cafe, and maybe the bragging rights. Now serving the Ninja Luxe cafe shop.

A (15:44)

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B (16:22)

Hear my prayer, O Lord, give Ear to my supplications. In thy faithfulness, answer me. And in thy righteousness. This is a good hymn.

A (16:29)

In thy faithfulness and in thy righteousness. Right, like so, right from the jump. Like, this is what's. This is what's happening. Who knows if Jesus had this psalm in mind, like, when he was saying this. Who knows? But right away he's talking about. David's. Talking about God's faithfulness. Answer me. In. In your faithfulness, God, and in your righteousness. Go ahead. Did you want to say something? Because I didn't mean to.

B (16:51)

No, I was just. I was thinking of the. That hymn, Great Is Thy Faithful. This is where this kind of. Kind of comes from. And they nail it with music. But continue.

A (16:59)

Yeah, no, I love that. And enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. So there's this connection between righteousness and justification, which. Who knows if David was getting that deep right there or not, or if he knew he was. But he's. But he. He knows that he's in need of righteousness of another, right? And he's in expectation that he'll be filled. Like, that's the point of this prayer. He. He's praying for this in expectation that it will happen. This is a dude hungering and thirsting after righteousness. For the enemy had persecuted my soul. He smitten my life down to the ground. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as though that as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me, dare I say a heavy spirit, My heart within me is desolate. Right? Like, he's not content in this current state. And so that's why he's reaching out to God. He's not content in this current state. He's saying, this isn't okay. And I can't stay like this. I need your righteousness. I remember the days of old. I meditate on all thy works. I muse on the work of thy hands, which is a good thing to do if you're in a bad spot, like meditate on the works of God. There is a wild thing when you look at the works of God, and I don't know if everybody listening believes in space or not. So that might be weird, but, like, you know, like, there's, like. Supposedly there's, like, all the planets.

B (18:18)

Carefully.

A (18:19)

Yeah, there's planets, and they're all doing their thing. And there's definitely planet Earth, right? We can't. We can all agree on that. So you got planet Earth, and on planet Earth. The deer going to rut every fall, bro. Like, at the same time, you can put it on your calendar. The turkeys, they start gobbling, and they kind of go into a rut as well in the spring. Gators rut in the spring. Like, there's this whole order of things, man. There's this whole order of things, and there's this whole beauty. And, like, when you're in the woods or when you're on the farm or where you're just out there, like, looking on the work of his hands, it does make you go, wow, man. Whoa. And it makes you understand the character of God, right? So he's doing that. He's doing that. And then he says, I stretch forth my hands unto thee. My soul thirsts after you as a thirsty land. So it's like a land that just hasn't had any rain, right. It's been in drought, and he's thirsting after God and his righteousness the same way, like a dry desert land is thirsting for rain. Hear me speedily, O Lord. My spirit fails. Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. He's saying, I'm completely helpless without you. I don't. Dude, I don't even know. I don't know. This is heavy to me. And I don't know how many people, like, really think about this. He's saying, if you hide your face from me, I'm like, them that are in a pit.

B (19:32)

I think about that. I think that's like, Is that. Is that what hell is? Is that just distance from God? God has now turned his face from you. Like, when Jesus is on the cross and. And he goes, why have you forsaken me? It's like God turns his face away from.

A (19:46)

Yeah.

B (19:46)

His own son or himself. Is that hell?

A (19:50)

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's certainly like, step one, right?

B (19:54)

Yeah.

A (19:54)

Is that you're away from God, but, like, I don't know. Sometimes you just have to watch yourself and make sure you're not just, like, looking for the blessings of God. Because what if, like, the blessings keep coming, but God's turn from you and you don't even know it? This is a dude who's saying, like, I'm not just looking for your blessings, right? He's saying, hide not your face from me, lest I'd be like them that go down in the pit. Like, dude, if you hide from me and I don't have you, I'm gone. I'm completely helpless. I'm completely helpless. And hopeless. Right. And so I think it's important that we try to maintain that relationship and that intimacy and that closeness and that connection with him. Like, that matters. It's not just about the benefits you get from him. It's about him. Hear me speedily, O Lord. My spirit fails. Hide not thy face from me, Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning, for in thee do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk. For I lift up my soul unto thee. So there's a lot happening in that verse, too, man. You know, I'm not, like, pulling these passages. I know it's come up before where I talk about how, like, God will teach you directly. It's just these passages come up because it's all through the scripture. These. The context of, like, God communicating with you in teaching you directly. Cause me to hear. You can say that to God. God cause me to hear. I want. I want to hear from you. Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning. And the morning thing is another one, bro, that, like, if you study out, like, a lot of great men of God, they went after God hard first thing in the morning, dude. Early, early. Their best hours. Like, their best hours. I think there was a story of John Wesley where he was out late and not too late, but probably, like, you know, eight or nine. I don't remember the story exactly, but he was with a king, and he was leaving the. The dinner. And, like, nobody leaves the dinner, right? Like, if you're. If you're in the king's presence, like an earthly king, so he's, like, bouncing, right? So he. So he's leaving and, like, whoa, whoa, whoa. Nobody leaves the king's presence like that. And he's like, yeah, I've got an appointment in the morning with a greater king than him. And bounced. It was just making the point that, like, he gets with God, like, first thing in the morning, and nothing stops that. Like, nothing stops that. And, like, great dudes, I think Martin Luther was like that. You could go ahead and say all the terrible stuff about Martin Luther. Nobody's saying there wasn't. I'm just saying that, like, dudes that know God, they get after him first thing in the morning. They don't put it off till later. And I know for me, personally, like, a lot of times I'm fried in the afternoon anyway. Well, I'll get super fried. And so, like, that's not. I'm not going to give that time To God. But I'm kind of half paying attention, half not. So there's. There. I'm just bringing that up to say there's kind of. There's a lot of this in the scripture. You talk about getting after God in the morning. David alludes to it a lot. For in thee do I trust. Cause me to know. Cause me to know. So he says, cause me to hear. And he says, cause me to know. Right. Again, we're just alluding to God teaching you directly, talking to you directly. What is it, though? Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk. Guide me. Right? The scripture says, like, those who are led by the Spirit of God, those are the sons of God. This is what this is saying. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk. He's saying, guide me. Guide me. Like, I don't want to go my own way. Me and you are on this rad adventure, and I want you to guide me. I don't want to go off the trail. I don't want to end up in some crazy place. Guide me, Lord, is this.

B (23:27)

Is this, like, spirit realm stuff? Like, because he's telling him, I remember when you're saying about Elisha, he's saying, cause him to see, like. Like, let him see more. And he's saying, let me hear more. Let me know more. Is he asking to, like, hear more into the spirit realm? Know more into the spirit, like, where God exists? That's what. This is, what David's talking about.

A (23:45)

I mean, I would look at it like that. Yeah, I would. Because, like, that was a heavy prayer for me in the beginning. I was like, lord, I want to know what it's like in the spirit realm. I want to know what it's like where you live. Right? And I feel like after that, then I had clarity on, like, things on the earth. Whereas, like, if you're just praying for, like, clarity on things of the earth, you may be more inclined to be like, should I be a Republican or a Democrat? Whereas if you just go after God, then all of a sudden you see, like, oh, the whole thing's a scam. Like. Like, as soon as you enter into that discussion, you lose. It's not. It's not. If you're just asking for wisdom in the natural realm, you're going to pick which side seems more wise to you. But if you have spiritual wisdom, you're more like, oh, yeah, the whole thing is a scam, okay? Like, I. I don't know. For me, that's. That's kind of how that Started was like, going after him, trying to understand. Silly now, like a little kid. But like, I was just like, what's it like where you live? Like, I wanna know, yo, bro, where are you from? I was like, I just want to know what it's like there, man. I just want to know you. You know what I mean? So, yeah, and then the things of the earth just kind of looked a lot clearer, man, like, a lot clearer. The scripture became clearer. Assessing things happening in the world seemed clearer. Things just became clearer. Like, you just had clearer understanding of your situation, people in your life, you know, bigger, bigger picture, events, everything, you know? But so he says, cause me to hear and cause me to know because I lift up my soul unto you. He's saying, my soul belongs to you. So, like, like, I'm with you. Come hell or high water, I'm with you. So you. So you teach me. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies. I flee unto thee to hide me. That's powerful, too. Teach me to have flawless doctrine. No, that's not what it says. That's not what it says, man. So. So here it is again. This is here we go again, where it's a man of God saying, God, you teach me. But it's not doctrine. It's not. He's not saying, teach me flawless doctrine so I can win debates. He's not saying, like, teach me the best stuff that I can do so that I'm right about everything. It's not. It's nothing like that. The context of our kingdom just isn't like that. Teach me to do thy will. Like. Like, teach me how to live. Like, that's what I'm saying. Sometimes people, like, try to argue about how a church service would be. I'm like, I don't know, and I kind of don't care. I don't see anything in the scripture that's saying, like, which way a church service should be. Everything in the scripture pertains to life. It pertains to how you're living all. All of these things that are being said. It has to do with your life. When you're at the Walmart, when you're at the gas station, when you're in the coffee shop, when you're at, like, wherever you are. It has to do with your life. Like, how you're living your life. Not like, just your doctrine or how you celebrate on Sunday morning or whatever. It's about your life. So he says, teach me to do your will, for you are my God, Thy spirit is good. So there's David in the Old Testament, talking about the Holy Spirit. Thy spirit is good. Lead me into the land of uprightness, so even this thing, teach me to do thy will. He's saying, righteousness, teach me righteousness, teach me how to live right. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake. For your righteousness. There it is again. For your righteousness sake, bring my soul out of trouble. In thy mercy, cut off my enemies and destroy all them that afflict my soul. Because I belong to you, because I am your servant, I live on behalf of you. So that's heavy. That's heavy. That. That's a good. I like that one. I think Psalm 143 is a great example of a dude hungering and thirsting after righteousness. So let's look at Romans 6, 11, 13, because it kind of elaborates on this a little more. I might take a pit stop in John 6:35.

B (27:41)

Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A (27:47)

I don't think that's 635, but I love that. I love.

B (27:50)

What is this? What am I?

A (27:51)

I love where your heart's at today, dude. You got, like. If you want to kind of do your own thing, I'm with that. Yeah.

B (27:56)

You know, this is a straight Bible by Top Lodge.

A (27:58)

I'll be your sidekick today.

B (28:00)

Let me pull that up. Romans.

A (28:01)

No, no, I got it. Hold on. I got John 6:35. Maybe I didn't put in the notes. That's my bad. If you want to do Romans 6:11 through 13, what does it say here? Okay. Yeah, this is Jesus saying, Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. He that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst. So we're right back to it, man. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, well, who are the ones that won't hunger and won't thirst? The ones that come unto Jesus. Right. So it's. So it's not something inside of us. We're desperately seeking something outside of us, his righteousness. Ultimately, we're seeking God. Like, ultimately, that's what this is. You're not going to get his righteousness without getting him. Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life. He that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst. All right, now we're in Romans 6, 11, 13, which all these passages, you know, they're just gonna kind of tie together. So Romans 6:11 goes like this. It goes likewise, Reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. So the so only things that reign is kings, like kings reign, right? Don't let sin be a king inside you. Don't let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lust thereof. Stop living like that where your body controls what you're lusting after. Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. So there's this connection between unrighteousness and sin. But instead yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. So the scripture talks a lot about. And the next and the next verse says, for sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. That's why sin won't have dominion over you, because you're not living for your own righteousness. You're living for his righteousness. That's. That is your only righteousness. But I like this statement as those that are alive from the dead. Like, the scripture goes to great lengths to explain that, like, if we're alive in Christ, we're dead to our old self. We're dead to our old self. And I don't know this thing that says, as those that are alive from the dead. Like, bro, imagine if you died and you got to come back from the dead. You know what I'm saying? Think about, like, your life right now. You're doing all this stuff. You got the jiu jitsu, you got the Chick Fil A, you got, like, all the other cool stuff. You got the matte coin, you got the tweeter, you know, you got the gator, you got the raven, the skater. And then, like, poof, you're gone. You know what I mean? And then imagine if you got to come back, dude. Can you imagine, like, how special and meaningful all the little things would be that maybe you took for granted before? Like, all the little things, all the little interactions with your kids, with your wife, with just regular people you don't even know. Imagine how meaningful all those encounters would be, dude.

B (31:15)

Yeah, like, if somebody spilled, like, a drink on all the stuff here. It'll be just so terrible. No, but I mean, you know, special.

A (31:22)

Yeah, especially these interactions would be, like, so meaningful. It would be so meaningful if you were back from the dead. You know what I mean? He's saying, yeah, live like that. Live like that. Live like you got a second chance or you're on, like, borrowed time. Like, I got a buddy that buys bitcoin, right? And then he's like, I've already sold off enough to cover what I initially invested. So now I'm playing with the house's money on the bitcoin. It's kind of like that, man. It's kind of like you have something that was never owed to you. You're kind of playing with the house's money. Like, go for it. Go for it. So there's another thing wrapped up in this, which is just that, like, your desires change, right? They don't vanish. They switch to something new. So you're not, like. You're not, like, twiddling thumbs. This is a hard thing. I think church people sometimes, too, like, they get converted or whatever, they start going to church, and then they're just like, well, what do I do now? I know I. I know I can't cuss, I can't drink, I can't smoke, I can't chew. You know, camping for it in public. And I know there's all these things I can't do. And it's like, you've got. No, you gotta. There's a thing you gotta go for. Stop. You can't take your foot off the gas and just try to be neutral in life. It doesn't work like that. It doesn't work like that. Now it's time to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Pursue something. Pursue something which we would say is God. So neither yield to sin, but yield to God, right? So it's a changing direction. You're not just twiddling thumbs. All right, let's look at 2 Corinthians 5, 14, 21.

B (33:05)

I hope I have this one.

A (33:06)

Oh, geez. I'll just go to it.

B (33:09)

For the love of Jesus Christ. Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one died for all, then we are all dead.

A (33:16)

So we're back to this concept. You're dead. You've been dead. And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again. Doesn't that make sense? You know, I remember when I was a little kid, the cartoons would be like, if a guy saved your life in the cartoon, then the guy who got his life saved, like, followed that guy around the rest of the cartoon and, like, owed him everything. You know what I'm talking about? Yeah, it's like that. It's like that he died for all that. They which live should not henceforth Live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them. So, in other words, my life's not my own. Now, wherefore henceforth, no weed, no man after the flesh. Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. That's what we're just saying. And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ. Staggering. Staggering statement. Like an ambat, like an ambassador, like a king for a nation. Like, do we have ambassadors to other nations and stuff? Yeah, we're an ambassador for this nation, for this kingdom called the Kingdom of God, and we are ambassadors for Christ. Staggering. That's back to what we brought up last week, too, about the. You are the salt, you are the light. Like. Like, you are the representative of that kingdom. He says, my kingdom's not of this world. So you're a representative of a kingdom that's not of this world. You're an ambassador. We pray you in Christ, Steve, be reconciled to God. Why? Because he hath made him sin. Because he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin. Why? So that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. You see what I'm saying? It's not our righteousness. That's all I'm trying to, like, elaborate. Maybe taking a long way to make this point. I just want to make it clear. It's like, it's not our righteousness, it's his righteousness. All right, can we look at. Did I give you the three passages in John 6, 35, 4, 13, and 14?

B (35:34)

Yeah. So what is righteousness again? Can you. What was the definition of that?

A (35:37)

Let's go back. Let's go back. It's state of him is who is as he ought to be. The way in which man may attain a state approved by God. That's kind of has the secondary meaning to it that we. That we pull in. It's like a New Testament doctrine, but

B (35:51)

it means, like, a de facto good. Like the standard of what it should be.

A (35:56)

Yeah, I think, like, the easiest like. Like. I like simple definitions is, like, right living. Like. Right living. Like, think of all. Like I was saying, like, think of these encounters you have, and maybe sometimes you have encounters, you go, oh, I shouldn't have handled that like that the way you think you should have handled it. But emotions get wrapped up in it, so you don't handle it like that.

B (36:19)

I just feel like the implication of the word is a description of before the fall of, like, this, like, how humans were made rather than how we behave now. I'm just trying to like, really understand,

A (36:31)

probably is something wrapped up in that. Yeah, okay, yeah. But, but nevertheless, we have that example in Christ now. Whatever it was with Adam, whatever it was before the fall, who knows, man? There's a lot of questions in that, bro. You got, you got a dude who's capable of face to face interaction with God.

B (36:49)

Well, that's the scripture here. Also, the Second Corinthians makes me think about, like, I guess what you call a backslider. Somebody who, who knew and then goes back.

A (37:02)

What do you mean it made you think about that?

B (37:04)

I. I think it's verse 17 here. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are new. But we see a lot of times people, they're on fire or whatever it is, and then, then they're gone. So it's like, well, what happened there?

A (37:23)

Wow.

B (37:23)

And what kind of transgression is that?

A (37:25)

Well, if they're on fire and then they're not, it's called burnout. And the solution is add more logs, right? It's dudes that take their foot off the gas. But, but in all reality, this is a. This is kind of the sketch of Source Rex thing about it, bro, is like, when you see like burnout in a church person. This is weird for me. And it's a. And it's a topic to me because it's something I like, dealt with in the beginning. I remember, like people in church, old timers saying, like, hey, just take it slow, man. Don't. Don't burn out. We've seen a lot of people come to church and they just fizzle out after a while. And I remember thinking, like, that's crazy, bro. Like, I could never imagine. All I know is the closer I get to God, the more and more on fire I am. The more and more I grow, the more and more I go after him. And I think slowly but surely, what I observed with people, man, is a lot of people in church weren't necessarily like, getting after God. They were doing the church game again. No kidding. You're gonna burn out. You're just, you're just like excelling at the church game and you're liking the praises of the people saying, oh man, you're doing great with that kids ministry. Hey, way to go. Keep up the good work with the music ministry. Hey, outstanding. Now you're doing the college age group with the kids. Good job. Hey, I saw you and you didn't just like watch worship the other day. You put your hands in the air, maybe you did a little tongue talking and you know, maybe you even like ran around with the flag and wow, you're really on fire. It's like, okay, but what were they on fire for? Because if you're on fire with that fake ass system, you're gonna burn out. Like, what are we talking about? And I'm not saying a man of God who's really genuinely got a heart on fire for God can't burn out. I'm not saying that. I mean, certainly all the activity of life can cause burnouts where you gotta like stay on it. You gotta stay on it. So I suppose, yeah, if you don't stay on it, you could be genuinely going hard after God and then just burn out after a while, man. Because you're just. I mean, I think that's what the parable of the sower is. Right? It gives us these examples of people who got it and then kind of the cares of this world kind of took them away. They were, they were shallow people, they didn't have any depth, so there was nowhere for the route to go. So there is these other ways. But I'm just saying we need to like differentiate between people who are on fire for God and people who are on fire for that system, because those are totally different.

B (39:33)

I mean, I think that these people might think that they're on fire for God, but they're burning, they're burning the wrong logs.

A (39:38)

That's all they know. That's all they know though.

B (39:40)

Right, Right.

A (39:41)

It's like, well, who doesn't get burned out? Like, how many pastors do you meet that aren't burned out?

B (39:45)

Yeah,

A (39:49)

okay, wait, so did we read, did we read 6, 35?

B (39:55)

I don't know, let's see.

A (39:56)

Yeah, I read that already. I read that already. I'm the bread of life. He that comes to me shall never hunger. And he that believes on me shall never thirst. Well, that way we got it fresh. Now let's look at 4, 13 and 14.

B (40:07)

I don't know, we got some air conditioned noise in here.

A (40:10)

All right, okay, so we got. Is that gonna be nasty in the.

B (40:15)

I don't know, chat. Can we hear that?

A (40:18)

Probably.

B (40:19)

It doesn't matter. There's nothing I can do about it.

A (40:21)

Okay, watch this. John 4, 13, and 14. Jesus answered and said unto her, this is the woman at the well. Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. Here we are. Back to this thing, man. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. How do you satisfy it? Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give shall never thirst, right? He shall be satisfied is what it says in Matthew 5. But the water that I shall give, this is wild. But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. It's no longer this thing from the external that you're like, then that's really what we need to make clear on this. It's not an external. It's not this thing that you have to go to. Like this. Boom. It comes within you. His righteousness now is within you, right? He gives you his spirit. It's swelling up in you. Now you have water to provide. Just like the whole concept of you're the salt and you're the light, right? Same thing. Now you have water that's welled up in you, and now you're able to take it. Now you're able to do something and distribute with it. Let's look at 7, 37, 39 in John. Same thing, man. Seven. Okay. In the last day. This is an interesting study. Pretty sure it's tabernacles, but I can't remember off the top of my head, but this is an interesting study. Like, exactly what went down at the feast in the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Right? Remember, the context is, blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. How Let him come unto me. That's what Jesus says.

B (41:58)

Which feasts are the. Which feast are they talking about in the last day? That.

A (42:02)

I think it's Tabernacles, the feast of town. I don't know, though. I haven't studied out the feast for a while. I mean, there was three that all the males had to present themselves at, right? It was Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, which is an intriguing study, dude. Which dudes a lot smarter than me can make really interesting studies because, like, Passover and Pentecost had their fulfillment. Like. Like Jesus was The Passover lamb, Pentecost, did happen with the Holy Spirit shed forth on the church. And so there's a lot of different views on, like, exactly how does it go down with tabernacles when that one is fulfilled?

B (42:32)

I'm sure Lisa would know.

A (42:33)

She would. Yeah. But it's like, I think Chuck Missler had rad stuff on it, too. I could be totally butchering this. But I think that tabernacles, it's an extended period of time. I know that where you're, like, out. Like, the way people celebrate it today is, like, intense. With no roof, like, where you can see the stars. It's open. Boots or tabernacles signifying, like, when they came out of Egypt and they were in tabernacles or boots in the wilderness. So some people call it the Feast of Tabernacles, some call it the Feast of Boots. But then I think there's other, like, days wrapped up in it too. Specific days.

B (43:04)

This seems urgent. If he's. He's crying, he's making his plea to these people at this time.

A (43:08)

Yeah. And I think that's why. I think that's why I think it's tabernacles. But I. But because it's the last day of the feast. So it's been multiple days on the last day. Yeah. He's pleading with him. Great point. He cried. He's pleading with him, saying, if any man thirsts, let him come unto me and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this fake he of the Spirit, this is. This is so wild, dude. This is so wild. I would never want to ever read this and not be, like, shook by it. This speaky of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive. For the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified. So he's making this promise that anybody that believes on him, as the scripture has said, is. He's not making this up. This is. This is recorded in the scripture already. Remember, this whole thing ties together. We've been grafted into that tree. He didn't come to destroy any of this. This all still stands. He's a furtherance of all this. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. This spake he of the Holy Spirit. So, like, he that believes on him, he has the Holy Spirit flowing out of him now. So this is a wild concept, man. This is wild. But I'm just Making the point that we get filled by Him. That's the point. It's his righteousness. It's actually him directly that satisfies. So. So that's what we're going for. It's not something in ourselves. All right, are we on to Philippians 3:7 through 9?

B (44:38)

We can be.

A (44:40)

I can probably get there pretty quick.

B (44:47)

You didn't put this one in the notes. But that's all right.

A (44:49)

I know I did. I even spelled out Philippians because I. Because I put PH I. L. And then I was like, yo, he's gonna think it's Filamont. So I typed it out. All right, I got it. 3 7. But what things were gained to me, those I counted loss for Christ. This is Paul speaking. Yay. Doubtless. And I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung, that's. Yeah. That I may win Christ. So this is a dude who's lost all things. He's not a Christian because of the benefits he gets from society. So it's not like, oh, yeah, I get these benefits from Christ, so that's why I'm serving him. He says, dude, I've lost everything. But. And Paul really did. Paul really did. The more you look at his life, he's. He says crazy things right here, man. For whom I've suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that. So that I may win Christ, nothing else matters and be found in him not having my own righteousness, which is of the law. That's. That's what we've been talking about. So what righteousness is it if it's not of the law? They were taught this whole time, the law, the law, the law. You live like that, and then you're righteous. No, not that righteousness, man. I. I threw all of that away. I crushed in the law. Paul crushed in the law. He was, like, the best teacher of the law. He was. He had, like, a very successful life, right? He says, no, man, I threw it all away. I threw it all away because I don't want to be found in him not having my own righteousness, which is of the law. I want that righteousness. He says, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness, which is of God by faith. It's wild, man. Right? Like, that's our righteousness. We get it from God. It's his righteousness by faith. Then he says the craziest thing dude, this might be the craziest verse that I may know him. Okay, that makes sense. Righteousness, which is of God by faith, that I may know him. That makes sense. The power of his resurrection makes total sense, dude. I mean, that's a staggering thought, but, like, the power of his resurrection, like, like, exactly what happened when Jesus rose from the dead. Yeah, I want to know about the power of his resurrection. Then he says the most staggering thing, bro. In the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, he wants to know the fellowship of the sufferings with Christ. Who's. Who does that, dude? Who does that? We don't. We don't really see that today. We talk a lot about. Yeah, people are Christians for all the benefits they get, but he actually wants to fellowship with Jesus in his sufferings. And so, like, if you think about the sufferings of Christ and that he would say he wanted to fellowship in it with them. Like, when my dad died, they made it. They made a decision to pull the plug, and my brother went and sat in the room, like, when they pulled the plug. And I just remember him, like, telling me how it all went, like, the, you know, the end of his breathing and stuff. And I don't have, like. I don't really have, like, regrets, really, about anything. And I don't necessarily. Like, I don't know how I feel about all this. Maybe this would be, like, the closest thing I have to a regret. But I kind of wish I would have went and maybe been in the room, too. And I just think there. It's not like my brother said anything or did anything. He just was there to fellowship in his sufferings. You see what I'm saying? And. And it just feels like Paul is saying something that's like, that dude, he's saying, like, if you went through that down here, Lord, I want to go through that, too. I want to be there with you in that. Like, if you experience that. I want to experience that because I want to be close to you. And it wasn't like my brother could do anything in the fellowship of his sufferings with my dad, you know, but he was just there with him in it. And I just think that that's on a completely other level than most of us know about. So not to get too sappy about

B (48:50)

everything, but, yeah, something. Something to think about. Like, does. Does your dad even. Was he even aware of that? Does it even matter?

A (48:56)

I don't know, bro. I always think that, dude. I'm always thinking, like, you don't know, like, Somebody who's in the room and is, like, in a vegetable state or whatever. I'm always assuming they know what's going on. I'm always assuming, like, that their spirit is aware of what's going on. Like, I would never want to be in a room like that and say, oh, man, he's really doing bad. It looks bad for him. Looks like he's not going to make it. Like, I would never want to do. I would be like, no, no, no. This is somebody who can hear me. Right. Just because they can't communicate and say, oh, he doesn't have brainwaves. It doesn't matter. He's got a spirit. So I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. But, like, at some point, like, he's laying on the thing and they came in and pulled the plug, you know?

B (49:42)

That's rough. If you don't mind. Why. Why weren't you there? Were you in a different state or something?

A (49:46)

Yeah.

B (49:47)

Yeah. Okay.

A (49:49)

I'm not. That's what I'm saying. I could have flown back. Like, I could have flown back. I mean, they were in California and I was in Florida, and so it was a lot. So my brother, you know, was like, down the road.

B (49:57)

Yeah.

A (49:57)

So he, like, went. But I think. Yeah, they told me. And I was just like. We were kind of distant anyway. We had been distant for a long time anyway, so.

B (50:05)

It's a heavy thing, man.

A (50:06)

I know, but at the time, I didn't think that, like, you just don't. That's what I'm saying. Like, I get, like. I guess, you know, I would say I don't. I don't really don't have regrets about my life. I've done a lot of bad stuff, dude.

B (50:16)

Yeah.

A (50:16)

I don't like a lot of bad stuff, but I just kind of taken it, like. Yeah, that's just part of the game, dude. Like, that's just how this thing goes on the Earth, man. Like, you know, like, I have a lot of stuff. I look back, things I did do and things I didn't do. I'm like, oh, but, like, that's one where I'm like, yeah, dude, if I could get in the time machine.

B (50:36)

Epstein. Epstein logs are talking about time machines now. So who knows?

A (50:40)

I would go back and I would go in the room with them and fellowship in his sufferings. That's all I'm saying. That's all I'm saying. I think there's a bond in that. That's like. And I think that's what Paul's saying. Dude, there's like this bond in that. That's not like any other bond. I think people say that when they're in war together. Like, if they're in the trenches in war, they have this bond for the rest of their life that they can't have with anybody else, you know, because they bonded in sufferings.

B (51:01)

Yeah.

A (51:03)

So there's that. All right, let's get on to the next verse. Merciful. We're back in Matthew 5. We're on verse 7. Yeah, I don't. I mean, if we're 45 minutes in, in one verse, dude, this may be a while. I thought it wasn't going to go Jude Vibes, dude, where it was only like three or four verses a week. But I don't know, like, what do you have to deal with all this, right? Like, you have to unpack this. Can't just like, oh, yeah, that sounds cool. I don't know. I just want to unpack it.

B (51:35)

Jesus is talking about everything right now.

A (51:37)

He really is, man. He really is. Dude. If you had just a sermon on the mount, like, Like I'm saying, it crosses into so many other stories. It's. It fills in so many puzzle pieces and ties into so many other things. But, like, this is the culture of our kingdom. If you just had this, you could get down pretty good.

B (51:54)

Do you think he wrote this down before he delivered it, or did he.

A (51:57)

I love what you're saying. No, so this is intriguing. He gets his disciples, he brings them to him, right? He saw the masses, he brings them to him. This is the dude, Matthew. I've heard people talk about it before that he would have been trained in shorthand because he was a. He was a. He took tribute. He was like a customs official, and so he would be able to write. So, yeah, it seems that it's very likely that Jesus was watching the dude Matthew, like, you know, writing along, so.

B (52:27)

No, no, what I mean is, like, did Jesus prepare this sermon beforehand?

A (52:33)

Like, I don't think so, bro.

B (52:34)

He's just, like, winging it. I don't know.

A (52:36)

That's a wild question. I never picture him with some written. Not to mention, like, it's like they had big pens and, like, pieces of paper laying around. You know what I'm saying? Like, they had parchment and it was probably a big deal.

B (52:46)

Sure.

A (52:47)

I don't think so, dude. I don't. I don't know, man. Maybe because you got.

B (52:51)

You got stuff written there, but this is like. Like, you know, to keep you in Order. Like I. You want to talk about these things in this order? Like, Jesus might have just been flowing.

A (52:59)

Yeah, I think he was just letting it rip.

B (53:01)

Yeah, that's crazy.

A (53:02)

Yeah, I think he's just letting it rip, dude. I mean, Paul, he's writing letters. Everything we're reading, we're reading from Paul, he's writing letters. So he's clearly sitting down writing it out. Jesus is just letting it rip and somebody's recording it.

B (53:14)

That's nuts.

A (53:15)

Well, it looks like in Matthew's case, somebody's recording it. Like Matthew was recording it. It. I think that, you know, Mark, Luke and John. It's just a thought that like, somebody at a later time sat down to write it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, though not like they're just trying to remember. Remember. One of the things is the Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring things to your memory. So like they're writing it doesn't matter if it was however many years ago. The Holy Spirit's bringing it to their memory. And so it's God breathed as they're writing it. So I don't know. I think this dude, I don't think he like wrote a sermon and had it in his hand. I think he's just letting it rip. Okay, so we're moving on. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. This gets a little touchy with my co host, but we're just gonna dig into this one. So there's certain people that will obtain mercy. Who are they? They are those who are merciful. So let's talk about this word forgiveness real quick. I just pulled up some simple definitions. Forgiveness is letting go of bitterness, anger, or the desire for revenge. That's literally what it is, forgiveness. Because we're going to get into forgiveness like in the. In chapter six, I think man forgive others, you know, as Christ has forgiven you. So there's this connection between forgiveness and being merciful. Merciful would be like not giving someone the punishment they deserve or to help one afflicted or seeking aid. Right. That would be like mercy in action. Blessed are the merciful.

B (54:46)

The punishment they deserve, but. And then not doing it.

A (54:49)

Boom.

B (54:49)

Interesting.

A (54:51)

Very interesting words to live by according to our king, actually. So let's look at like, I think of this passage and I'm like, there is no other story. There's no other way to unpack this word merciful or this idea of merciful or blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Without this passage right here in Matthew 18, dude, this is A. This is a. This is a parable. Like, I've gone back to a lot in my life, dude. I'm just like. Just for context. Like, just for context of my life or even, like, in dealings at work where I just remember people who got certain blessings but didn't necessarily pass those blessings on. And it's just. I don't know. It's a thing I've thought about a lot, man. So let's go to 1821. All right. Then came Peter to Jesus and said, lord, how often shall my brother sin against me? And I forgive him till seven times. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto you until 7 times, but until 70 times 7. Like unlimited. Let me explain it to you, Pistol Pete. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven. Like a certain king which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him 10,000 talents. But for as much as he had nothing to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold and his wife and children and all that he had in payment to be made. Which is really the debt that we owe God. Like. Like what we owe him for living in rebellion against him. We can't make the payment. It's his righteousness. We can't pay it. It's a. It's a debt we can't pay. That's the same spot this dude's in. The servant therefore, fell down and worshiped him, saying, lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants which owed him a hundred pence. Not Mike pence, a hundred pence. So this is different than the 10, 000 talents. This is much less. He owed 10, 000 talents. This dude owes him way less. And he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, pay me what you owe me. Which guy would you rather be? The guy that's like, goes at his throat? Or the guy who said, nah, man, I'll have compassion on you. Don't sweat it. You don't have to answer right now. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, have patience with me and I'll pay you all? And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord after that he had called him, said unto him, oh, you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you desired me. Should not thou also have had compassion? Same word for mercy. That's the same word for mercy in verse 7 in, in Matthew 5:7. Should not thou have also had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother of their trespasses. Isn't that wild? Doesn't that like, so clip like any more than any words clearly gives us a picture and an understanding of what mercy looks like. And the context is like, that's you, that's you. And the master is Jesus. And so he's like, bro, you don't like, look what I forgave you for. Now you're gonna go out there and live in the earth and not forgive other people and not be merciful to them. Look at all the mercy I've given you. Like, like look at all this mercy I've given you. And now you're going to go out there and not extend mercy to others. Do you see what I'm saying? Like this is this wild thing, man. And like I said, it takes a lot of different and it's kind of embarrassing. It's kind of embarrassing.

B (58:58)

Well, did the others ask for forgiveness?

A (59:00)

Who?

B (59:01)

I don't know. Did the second guy ask for forgiveness from?

A (59:05)

We know he did. He begged for it.

B (59:06)

Yeah, he begged for it, right?

A (59:08)

Yeah, he owed him 100 pence. He said, please, please man, I'll pay you back. Just give me some time. He just, he said, just give me some time. What do you say? He said, have patience with me and I will pay you. No, that's not good enough, man. Isn't that so wild? This dude just got forgiven for 10,000 talents, right? This dude only owes him 100 pence. He says, hey man, just be patient, I'll get it back to you. He says, no, isn't it's like such a stark contrast to the mercy that he was shown compared to the mercy that he's not willing to show others.

B (59:38)

But there's also this admittance of wrongdoing on this other guy side. He's like, yeah, yeah, I do owe you this money. Be patient with me, like, forgive me, I do owe you that, right? You see how it's like a two way street.

A (59:51)

You are getting squirmy here.

B (59:53)

I'm not getting squirmy. I'm getting real with you.

A (59:55)

Yeah, so he. Yeah, he's not saying, I don't owe you the debt. Yeah.

B (59:59)

And he said. He's actually saying, like, yeah, dude, I'm in the wrong here.

A (60:03)

But. But I owe you. But I owe you, but give me some time and I'll make it right.

B (60:07)

So there are. So he's operating in reality. The other guy is just being very harsh with him.

A (60:12)

Yeah, that's.

B (60:14)

And that's not what we do. I was like, I don't really think I owe you. And be like, yo, put him in jail.

A (60:21)

Doesn't matter. Look how much you've been forgiven for. Look how merciful. Why are you doing that face?

B (60:25)

Because I don't think you. I don't think you forgive somebody who doesn't even know. Who doesn't even know what they did wrong.

A (60:30)

Give everybody.

B (60:31)

I don't think so. I think that person has to. They have to first understand that they did wrong.

A (60:35)

Okay, that's good. But your job is to forgive and be merciful, regardless of their reaction. Like, that's irrelevant. The whole. Like, the whole reality of your life is in light of you and God. It's not in light of you and everybody else.

B (60:49)

So are we called to, like, I'm gonna forgive you? All right, you owe me a hundred dollars, let's say.

A (60:54)

Okay.

B (60:54)

And I go, hey, man, time to pay me a hundred dollars. And you go, $100. I don't owe you a hundred dollars. And I go, I forgive you. That's crazy.

A (61:05)

That's our kingdom.

B (61:06)

No, that's.

A (61:07)

That's our kingdom is crazy.

B (61:08)

Yes, but, you know, because you haven't learned anything.

A (61:10)

No, because you look at God and you go, man, you forgave me for so much. Like, what's the 100 bucks? You'll take care of it.

B (61:15)

Yeah, but you. For forgiveness. Like, I can't. I can't get forgiveness from Jesus unless I ask for it. Unless I'd be like, yo, man, yeah, I am screwed up. Like, I'm asking now.

A (61:23)

So you're really nasty about this.

B (61:25)

No, it's real.

A (61:26)

It's really clear, man.

B (61:28)

I think. I think what I'm saying is also really clear.

A (61:29)

I'm not saying it's not. I'm just saying you got to get used to this upside down kingdom that you're a part of now. 50 years upside down kingdom.

B (61:36)

People are going to watch this, and they're going to be like, sturgeon Hepner and Then this argument that Hepner had.

A (61:42)

No, they're going to compile. So cut and dry. You've been forgiven 10,000 talents. Are you really going to sweat the guy that owes you 100 bucks?

B (61:51)

But it's not that cut and dry. Can we read it again? Yeah, yeah. So let's. From. From where the guy asks. Ask him when he. When he asked the other servant and his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, saying, have patience. He fell down at his feet and besought him. I don't know whatsourt means, but it seems like he's asking for forgiveness.

A (62:14)

Yeah, begging, Right? So what are you saying? If somebody doesn't do that, then I'm

B (62:18)

not asking for, baby.

A (62:19)

They don't deserve mercy or forgiveness.

B (62:21)

I think that that's a very clear example of somebody understanding. Yeah, dude, I'm in the wrong. I owe you, and I can't make it right, but I understand. And I think, you know, when it comes to money, money's a little different for people. It's like, well, then maybe you could be like, all right, pay me later, or you're forgiven of this, whatever, however you want to deal with it. But to put him in jail, a dude that's like, yo, I'm clearly wrong. I know I'm wrong, and I'm sorry, but I don't have the means. I don't have anything to give back.

A (62:51)

You're saying if he. If he acts like that.

B (62:53)

Well, yeah, it's like. Because now you're understanding. Like, you can't go to Jesus. I can't go to God and be like, forgive me for my sins, as I, like, watch pornography. I can't, like, pray and then continue this in this wrong. You know what I'm saying? Like, oh, I have watched.

A (63:09)

Technically, not to disagree, but you can, as long as you're fighting against it. You're like, this is so hard. I'm fighting against it. I can't do this in my own strength.

B (63:17)

Right?

A (63:17)

I need you to give me the strength, whether it's porn, oxycontins, and affair, like, whatever it may.

B (63:22)

But there's got to be. There has to be, like, an admittance on your part. There has to be that confession almost of, like, understanding. Because now, like, you can't do that with your children either. I can't be like, yeah, I forgive you. It's like, well, what did you do wrong? You got to explain. Explain to me that you understand so that way we can move forward. Otherwise, like, what is this okay, so that's.

A (63:40)

No, that's. You're totally entitled to that understanding of bro. So you're just saying, like, yeah, if somebody does you wrong and doesn't admit it, you don't owe them mercy.

B (63:48)

Yeah, yeah, there's. And that's. That. That goes around a lot. And, you know, I get accused of that as well just right now.

A (63:54)

Oh, this one's touching home. That's why you get nasty now.

B (63:57)

No, I'm just explaining.

A (63:58)

Shots fired. We got a 5, 1324 on an A1C. We got a shots fired.

B (64:03)

Well, yeah, no, like, mercy is for people who listen. If someone's wronged another and they come back and they'd be like, hey, man. Like, that was in. Yeah, that happened. Can we. Can we get over this? I'll be like, absolutely. There's no grudge.

A (64:17)

Okay? But if you change, then when they don't do that, that means that guy owns you. That means if you set out to be merciful, but you let somebody act to you another way that stops you from living and acting the way you want to live, he owns you now.

B (64:30)

And that's true as well.

A (64:31)

I'm not going to. You know what I'm saying? My life is in light of the reality of me and God. Whatever that guy did, none of my business. This God will deal with that guy agreed with that. Okay. Okay. Yeah. So we're tight. So I like to think about this. That, like, moving on.

B (64:45)

Nothing happened here.

A (64:46)

So I don't know it like. Like the bigger story is like somebody who's gaining mercy from somewhere above, he's passing on mercy somewhere below. Like this passing on thing, right?

B (64:58)

Yeah.

A (64:59)

Like, I think your boy, the. You said this about your buddy the tinfoil hat.

B (65:03)

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Sam Tripoli.

A (65:04)

Sam Tripoli is a dude who, like, people helped him out, like in the game when he was coming up. And he's a guy who's intentional to help out guys below him now. Yeah, yeah, that's like. That's like this perfect picture of the kingdom of God. He's doing it like he's living that. That's really what this story is about, man. It's like, look what you've received. Pass that on now. Pass that on. Okay, let's look at. Okay. This is wild. I gotta say this, dude. I gotta say this. John 2, 23. Do I have that in the notes? I probably don't have that in the notes.

B (65:36)

You do.

A (65:37)

I do. Okay. John 2, 23, 25.

B (65:45)

Now, when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover in The feast day. Many believed in the feast day. In the feast day.

A (65:52)

Another one, this one was Passover.

B (65:55)

Right. Many believed in his name when they saw the miracles, which he did.

A (65:59)

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men. This is a totally loaded three verses right here. And I'm not even going to deal with, like, the main context of this.

B (66:16)

What does this mean?

A (66:19)

I'm not even going to unpack that. I'm just going to say that Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he knew all men and needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man. Like, I don't know. I think this kind of comes back to, like, what you're saying is, like, you look at the guy, he's still a scoundrel. I'm not going to give him mercy. Jesus looked at me and said, this dude's a scoundrel, and I'm still gonna die for him. That's what I'm. That's all I'm saying about this. This is why I pulled this passage into here, is just because it's this crazy thing. Dude is like, he knew me, and he still thought I was worth dying for. Yeah, like, he. Like, he still thought I was worth extending mercy.

B (67:02)

Well, that.

A (67:02)

That's a while.

B (67:03)

Shouldn't that mercy always be open, though? But it's up to that person to, like, they've got to want to receive it. Like, we talk about this all the time. God's always there.

A (67:13)

It's a great point. Yeah, but you have to point. Yeah.

B (67:15)

Receive that. And to receive that, you've got to. There's something inside of you that's got to happen.

A (67:20)

Yeah, but. So if that person rejects it because they don't want it, that's on them. But I still have to be who I have to be in the kingdom of God. That's all I'm saying.

B (67:29)

Point taken.

A (67:30)

Okay, let's see here. Let's look at Matthew 5, 43, 48, like I said, really just that main story, 18, 21, 35. Like, that is the perfect picture of mercy. Right? Like, mercy was extended to you, and then, like, you didn't extend it. That's just a great picture of what we should be living. Like, we should be extending mercy to others the same way Jesus extended mercy to us. That. So that's the main point of that. All right, 5, 43 through 48, you have heard that it had been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thy enemy. Oh, dude, maybe we're getting into this. Topic a little more. We didn't even know. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you and don't ask for mercy. Do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. This is wild, dude. Love, bless, do good and pray all for enemies that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. So that's why that, that is because. Why, why would I do that for my enemies? So that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. Because he makes his son to rise on the evil and on the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust. He doesn't say, oh, only if you're deserving of it. He says, I'm sending it anyway. For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same. And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more than others do? Not even the publicans be ye therefore perfect. And that word means like mature, wanting nothing, wanting nothing necessary to completeness, right? Be therefore mature, complete of full age, even as your Father which is in heaven is complete mature of full age. See what we're getting compared to now he's saying you act like that because you're a child of him. That's what he's like. So you're like that. Isn't that wild? Regardless of what they're like, he said, this is for enemies, dude. This is including people that despitefully use you. Despitefully use you and persecute you. He says, yeah, for them you don't change how you act. You don't change it. You, you remain a child of the king and you act how he acts. Okay, we're rolling on. We're rolling on now we're in verse eight, which is a wild verse, man. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. So I don't know, for me, I'm like, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. So like, so who are the people that shall see God? The people with letters behind their name. Because. Because sometimes I think he had to stop and look at this stuff, man. Is that what we really think? Are we like, yeah, man. The people who will see God, it's the guys with letters behind their name. Name. It's the guy at the cemetery school. It's the guy that went to Bible college. It's the guy with the microphone. On Sunday morning, that guy will see God. That's the qualifications. To see God, to know God to. For God to appear to a man. For God to be able to recognize and communicate with a man, he's got to be. He's got to have. He's got to be like very intellectual man. He's got to be very educated. Nope, it's none of those things, man. It's those who are pure in heart. So seeing isn't an issue of like knowledge or education or intellect. It's a. Not. It's a. It's a issue of purity.

B (71:04)

Right.

A (71:04)

Isn't that wild?

B (71:06)

Well, are you aware of. I pulled down this book here, Decoding Cody. This is like the telepathy tape, kids. So this guy, he's a pastor, Joseph and Franco, he works with non verbal autistic kids. And they do spelling, which is. They'll point to a board and slowly spell out words and phrases and stuff to communicate. After years of being like, taught how to do this, these kids are reporting that they go to this place called the Hill. And some of them say that they see Jesus.

A (71:37)

That's wild. Yeah, it's.

B (71:38)

It's a crazy thought because these are kids that physically can't. I mean, they really can't sin. They can't do stuff. They're trapped in the. Trapped in their own body. And they're almost like very. They are very pure of heart because they don't have these kind of earthly desires is like other people, they're. But they're here and they're claiming this. It's just, it's interesting. In conjunction with that verse specifically is what I. What I think of.

A (72:03)

Yeah.

B (72:04)

When I hear that. It's.

A (72:05)

Yeah, that's an interesting connection, man.

B (72:08)

It's weird, weird, weird stuff.

A (72:09)

So the pure in heart, man, if we look at like, they're gonna see God, right? So that's. We got two things. We got pure in heart and then they're gonna see God, right? So look at this in 6, 22 and 23. It's intriguing how much of the Sermon on the Mount, like cross references each other. So as the days and weeks and who knows, maybe months by the time we get to these passages in chapter six. But like, they're going to keep tying together. So this says in 6, 22 and 23, the light of the body is the eye. So now we're dealing with eyes and seeing again. The light of the body is the eye. If therefore, that I be single, the whole body shall be full of light. We talked about this before recently on an episode. I don't remember why it came up, but. But if Your eyes shall be evil. Thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore, the light that is in the is darkness, how great is that darkness? So there's this connection between the light of the body is the eye, and if the eye is single, that's good. But if the eye is the opposite of single is evil. So if the eye is after something else, it's evil. Right. I think we're talking about, like, Jesus plus. You know, there's a lot of Jesus plus in the world today where it's like, yeah, Jesus is cool. He's an ascended master, he's a prophet, he's a teacher, he's whatever. But, you know, he's not God. And there's Jesus plus these other things, or maybe there's even some people, like, he is God, but you also got to worship these other things too. So. So it's almost like the pure heart is like the single eye, you could say, if that makes sense. Right. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. So let's unpack this word pure, right? It's the Greek word catharos. And just a simple blue letter Bible search will tell you that it means, like, clean, clear, purified by fire, a vine cleansed through pruning. Free from everything false. Free from everything false. Like, this is a big part of it, I feel like, right here. Free from everything false. They're sincere and they're genuine. So, like a sincere, genuine person who's just ruthlessly straight with God at the very core of their being, that's the one who's going to see God. And it's interesting, too, that, like, one of these definitions of the word is, like, clear. And it's the same word that's in Revelation 21:18, where it's talking about New Jerusalem that descends out of heaven. And it's like the clear glass. The clear glass in New Jerusalem. They're clear like that. Like, I think we would also use this word. They're transparent. Like, I think your boy, the guy JT loves, jc, you guys were talking to him and he said, matt doesn't have a poker face.

B (74:40)

Is that what he said?

A (74:41)

Yeah. And I thought, like, that's. You never watch the episodes. You're not paying attention. I watch him, bro. You guys are like, the best show on tv, man.

B (74:50)

You know?

A (74:50)

Anyway, he said that, he's like, yeah, Matt doesn't seem to have a very good poker face. And I was like, that's like a very high compliment, man. It's like, yeah, I am pretty transparent.

B (75:00)

It's not always good. It's not always right now, if you're

A (75:03)

dealing with, like, employees or not necessarily employees the most, but a boss or just like, I don't know, these other situations in life, yeah, it's not necessarily wonderful, but that is a great way to be, man. Like, yeah, there's. I have nothing to hide here, man. I'm sincere, I'm genuine. I just want the Lord. And I think that's blessed me a lot. Like, in my seeking him and trying to understand his word is I never came to the word of God saying, like, I need to line up with what my denomination tells me, or I need to line up with whatever I got taught in cemetery school, or I need to line up with whichever the cool thing is on the Internet today of, like, what's cool for Christianity. Like, I never did that. I just was like, lord, WTF is going on on the planet? What's going on in me? I just want answers. I don't care what they are. I don't have a dog in the fight. I could care less what the truth is. I just need to know the truth. Do you see what I'm saying? And I think that is somebody who will get at God, man. I really believe that, like. Like, those are the people that get at God. The ones that don't have a hidden agenda. The ones that are. That are transparent, the ones that are clear. The ones that are just coming to him sincere, genuine and honest and say, God, I just got to know you. So another thing is that it's pure in heart, right? This is internal thing, right? Because there's a. Jesus is going to shred the Pharisees as we get a little later in Matthew for looking pure on the outside. So we got. So we have to make sure we understand this is saying. This is saying they're pure in heart.

B (76:25)

Like truly pure Pharisees are like stained glass, huh?

A (76:29)

You could say that. But this is a dude to where, like, God will appear or allow to be seen. Or you could say, this is who God will reveal Himself to. So all the learning in the world can't change that. All of the cemetery, school or Bible college or letters behind your name, which I. Which I love. Like, I love reading sermons. I love reading even, like doctrine. I love. I love reading everything pertaining to the kingdom of God. But this is saying that who he reveals himself to, those who can see him are those who are pure in heart. Like, that's the core of it. If we could look at Matthew 13, 10, 17, and then we're wrapping up. We're getting close to the end. We're getting close.

B (77:14)

And the disciples came and said unto him, why speaketh thou unto them in parables?

A (77:19)

Yo, this is heavy.

B (77:20)

He answered and said unto them, because. Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

A (77:28)

So he's okay. So notice the difference between you and them, because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever has to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. But whosoever has not from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore I speak I to them in parables, because they seeing, see not and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand. Some would argue that, like, that was a form of mercy that he was extending to them. He spoke it in parables where they couldn't understand it because he knew that if they. If he did speak clearly and they did understand it, they were still going to reject them. And that would hold them even more accountable. That's an interesting thought.

B (78:14)

This is speaking to the Pharisee or speaking to the. The masses, like the crowds. What's the context?

A (78:20)

I think it's. I think it's all of the above, dude. I think the Pharisees kind of controlled the multitudes for the most part, you know? You know.

B (78:25)

Okay.

A (78:26)

Yeah, yeah, we certainly see that at the cross. Like, the Pharisees demand that they crucify him, and then the crowd does too.

B (78:32)

Right?

A (78:32)

Like, the leaders pushed it, he says, because they seeing, see not, and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. This wasn't anything that nobody knew was common. Like, Isaiah said this ahead of time. Isaiah, which saith, by hearing, you shall hear and shall not understand, and seeing, you shall see and shall not perceive. For this people's heart is wax. Gross. So now we have the seeing and the heart connection again. See what I'm saying? But so the pure in heart, they shall see God. This people's heart is waxed grossed, and their eyes are dull of hearing. And their eyes have. They closed their eyes. They have closed. So blindness in the scripture, you have to understand this blindness never has to do with, like, not having the ability to see. It has to do with choosing not to see. Right. That's always where blindness comes in in the scripture. It's not because you can't. It's because you choose not to.

B (79:25)

Even when he, like when Jesus heals people, he kind of tells them like, so go ahead and see, you know, just. Just do it. And then they do.

A (79:33)

Yeah, their eyes have day closed list at any time. They should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart. That's heavy too, bro, because like, we have a system today that all of the understanding is based on intelligence. He says, yeah, it doesn't come that way, man. It doesn't come through the brain. Understand with their heart, and should be converted and I should heal them. Which I love brain learning too. Don't get me wrong. I love learning through the brain and understanding by the brain. But like things pertaining to the kingdom of God. He's saying, you're going to be cut off if you can't understand with your heart, if you can't understand with your spirit, you can't understand. If it's all just mental, if it's all just like logical, if it's all just intellectual, you can't get it, man. You have to understand by the spirit.

B (80:18)

Materialism.

A (80:20)

Yeah. And should be converted tonight. Should heal them. But blessed are your eyes. Now he's getting into who we're talking about here. Blessed are your eyes, for they see in your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see and have not seen them, and to hear those things which you hear and have not heard them. So what's the difference? Dude, their eyes, they've closed. And he says that's in verse 15. And then in verse 15, 16, he says, Blessed are your eyes, for they see. Right. Do you have Acts 28:27?

B (81:04)

Nope. I will, though.

A (81:05)

No, I could get it. I think that was one I got this morning. That's my bad. I feel terrible for not giving you the whole list.

B (81:13)

You don't care.

A (81:15)

I really do. Okay, watch this. This is Paul talking. In the book of Acts, he says, for the heart of this people is waxed. Gross. And their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes have they closed. Acts 28:27. Isn't that wild? He says their eyes have they closed. He didn't say they can't see. He said they closed their own eyes. For the heart of this people is wax. Gross. And their ears are dull. A hearing and their eyes have they closed. Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted and I should heal them. That's what Jesus was just saying. So I would just, you know, ask this Question. Then their eyes, have they closed? Then he talks to these disciples, this, like, gang of misfits, if you will, bro. Like, these outcasts. These dudes are outcasts. They're not any particular order. They're not like. Like, they were all working men, but they were from different paths, too. Like, some of them were fishermen. There's a group that were fishermen. But these dudes all come from different paths. They're just like, working men. And you got to think that, like, at that time, he could have went to the temple. Like. Like we would have thought, like, okay, if God's coming to the earth, he's going to start this whole thing. He's got to get dudes to carry this on with him. Who's he gonna get? Surely he's going to go to the temple. He's going to get priests, man. He's going to get Sadducees, he's going to get Pharisees, going to get these dudes who have already memorized all of the scripture. But he doesn't. He could have went to the college. He's going to get educated people. There's colleges back then, universities, whatever. Yeah, he's going to go there. He's going to get, like, the really smart people, the intellects. That's who's going to carry on the mission of his kingdom. No, dude, he gets, like, a band of outcasts that don't seem to have anything in common. But the more I look at it, the more I feel like what they had in common is that they were pure in heart, dude. Because if he's saying they could see, well, he tells us how you can see. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. And he tells them the difference between you and them is you can see. They can't. So what is it then, if it's not that they were pure in heart and that was how they were all bound together. That was why he chose who he chose. Does that make sense? Like. Like, what else did these guys have going for him? What other reason would he have called these guys? Instead of the priests, instead of the Pharisees, instead of the Sadducees, instead of the college educated? Why did he go and get them? But what they did have in common was they could see, well, blessed are the pure in heart because they shall see God. Okay, Matthew 15, 7, 9, and then we're wrapping up. I know how you get, you hypocrites. This is Jesus speaking again. I'm like, this guy came into church, man. He was in the lobby, they'd kick him out. They'd be like, this guy's not a Christian. Christian. He says, you hypocrites. Well, did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, this people draws close unto me with their mouth and honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, but in vain, they do worship me. Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Could you imagine that? Like, there's these people that. It's not people that, like, claim to be lost. Like, they draw close to them with their mouth, they honor him with their lips, but their heart is far from them. And could you imagine that? They're worshiping him, but it's meaningless. It's what he says. Vain, in vain. They do worship me. Can you imagine if you went to the show every Sunday? They played the music, maybe you did the hands. Maybe depending on what denomination you're from, you ran around with a flag, you know, or maybe you had like the. You used some instruments or something. You were doing the thing. You're running up and down. You're doing stuff. He's. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're doing it in vain. They're doing in vain. That's what he says here, man.

B (84:51)

You see that idea of, like, it being a choice almost. Like, not almost, but it being a choice that you do not see. So that furtherance from God is a choice from somebody. Remember when I told you I was in New York and I was like, yo, God's not there. That might. I. I guess that was a choice because obviously God is there too. But there's just something about, like, the conditions of, like, when I'm there, I'm just like. You know. You know what I'm saying? And, like, I kind of put myself in that state along with other things that were happening, which is obviously, you know, that whole thing. But it's a lot.

A (85:21)

It was a lot.

B (85:22)

It's a lot. But how do you not do that when you're.

A (85:26)

You just stay locked into the reality of you and God, man. Like that. Like, that's kind of the more thing I find myself praying a lot too, is just like, lord, let me live my life in light of the reality of me and you, not me and New York City, or me and whoever I'm tweeting about right now, or me and somebody who wasn't merciful for me and didn't ask me for mercy or me and even, like, good relationships, you know, good family relationships, good work relationships. Don't let me live light and reality of that. Let me live my Life in light of the reality of me and you, God. And then all the other stuff is whatever was. It's whatever. But this is a big difference, man. He said, their heart is far from me, right? So they weren't pure in heart. And. And for those people, their worship meant nothing. We could just keep rolling actually with this in verse 10. And he called the multitude and said to them, hear and understand. Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man, but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. I used to use that passage to justify snorting oxycontins when I love the Lord. I did. I'm just being honest. Like, that's what I'm saying. You can deceive yourself with scripture and you can make stuff mean whatever you want it to mean. And, like, I looked at that passage. I don't think I, like, dwelt on it a lot, but I was like, yep, that passage means I'm good, man. There's nothing I can put into me that makes me uncomfortable, clean. Then the Lord dealt with me on that directly. So that was a whole other story for another time. But then came his disciples and said unto him, knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying? He's like, yo, they. They know you're calling them out, man. One of them just said, shots fired. But he answered and said, every plant which my heavenly Father is not planted shall be rooted up. Leave them alone. They're just blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. We need to be planted by God, right? Otherwise, it's just the blind leading the blind. And the worst part about that is not that the blind go into the ditch. There's people being guided by them, being led by them. They're. They're not just leading themselves into the ditch. They're leading all their followers into the ditch. So, yeah, I'm a little suspect of the modern 501C3 system. Let's be honest. I am. But it's because I'm a Bible reader, because I'm like, dang, man. It just looks like throughout history, dudes kind of, like, get a little sideways when they're in leadership roles in religion and they can lead people astray and the scripture is clear, they can lead. They go into a ditch that they lead others into, which doesn't mean everybody's bad. It's in that system. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying I watch it with a Little bit of skepticism, that's all.

B (87:52)

You got a lot of people, I mean, outside of the church, that are doing the same things exactly.

A (87:56)

Then answered Peter said unto him, declaring to us this parable. And Jesus said, bro, are you still without understanding? Do not you yet understand that whatsoever enters in at the mouth, goes into the belly and is cast out into the draft? Go ahead, eat the hot dogs, Raven. It's just going out anyway. But those things which proceed out of the mouth, those come from the heart, and they defile the man. You got to guard your heart. What's the passage? It says, guard your heart because all of the issues of life come out of it. Which is basically what they're saying. He says, for out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts. The heart is the spirit. That's my take on this. Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts. Murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man. But to eat with unwashing hands defiles not a man. We're just bringing that up to say, watch the heart, man. All of the issues of life come out of the heart. Unwashed hands, who cares? What does your life look like? Look at Titus 1:15 and 16, and then we're really at the end. I know how you get.

B (89:08)

Hurry up. We're running up against time here. I know your games. Unto the pure, all things are pure. Yeah, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure. But even in their mind and conscious is defiled.

A (89:25)

Right? So we're back to this pure thing, Man. Under the pure, everything's pure. Well, I'm in New York City. Doesn't matter. Under the pure, all things are pure. Why? Just watch this movie that has crazy stuff in it. Yeah, you probably don't want to bombard your spirit with all that stuff. But you're good. You're good. Under the pure, all things are pure. But under them that are defiled and unbelieving, nothing's pure. Nothing sincere and genuine and good and clear, like we talked about. Clean, clear, purified by fire, nothing is. They profess that they know God. Oh, so this isn't like them out there. This is people who profess to know God. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient. And unto every good work, reprobate. I just like that passage. Man blessed or under the pure, all things are pure. So I don't know, I. I just don't want my life to be this series of events where I'm trying to be like doing pure things or being pure in public. I want to focus my life on like becoming pure because then everything's pure. Like we said it before, man, like the number one thing you can do for God isn't the canned food drive, which has canned food drive. Great, that's great. Or the spaghetti dinner or the fish fryer, whatever. The number one thing you can do is get along with God and let him cultivate these characteristics inside of you. That's the number one thing to do. Do we have Matthew 6, 1921?

B (90:55)

We do.

A (90:56)

Okay, this. This is really the last one. This is literally the last one. I know how you get.

B (91:05)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor doth. Doth. Doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through or steal.

A (91:20)

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. That's the core of what we're getting at here, man. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also? Or wherever your heart is, there will your treasure be. So, so this is what. And we're going to get into that whole 19, 20, 21 as we get through chapter six, because then that's a wild thing too. This is Jesus commanding us not to lay up treasure on earth, and then commanding us, but do lay up treasure in heaven. That's an intriguing statement, but that's not what we're dealing with here. We're dealing with for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. So the question is that, like, for all of us, right, Is like, where, where is our treasure? Where's our heart? Where is our. What's our focus? Where are our thoughts? Like, what do we do in our free time? Right? Like what? Like that. Like, to me, that's a big question. Is like, what, what do you do in your free time? Where is your focus? Where does your brain go when you're driving? When you're driving? Where does your brain go when it's got some freedom to think? You know, you're not sleeping and you're not at work and you're kind of in this free time space. What do your thoughts always go to? For me, it was very easy to go to financial things, my living situation, fixing up my house, getting something new, buying something new, like so, you know, and then just other things just of the natural world, right? But just keep in mind, man, you don't want to lay up treasure on earth, you do want to lay up treasure in heaven. And where your treasure is, there will your heart be. So where is your heart? Where is your treasure? What is it that you're really seeking and what is it that you're really focusing on in life? Is it spent on things that will mean nothing in eternity, or have we changed and become focused on the things that will matter in eternity? Right. It's the Colossian letter where Paul says, set your affections on things above and not on things of the earth. And I just want to encourage everybody to do that. It.