Talking to Family Members About Abortion and the Gospel

WEBVTT100:00:00.600 --> 00:00:05.799I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours, s and me,200:00:06.160 --> 00:00:10.949Lord, I am yours. Welcometo the Gospel Center Pro Life Podcast,300:00:11.189 --> 00:00:13.789and this episode me and Vicky aregoing to talk about how to share400:00:13.830 --> 00:00:17.670your pro life used and the Gospelwith family members that might not agree with500:00:17.789 --> 00:00:33.740you. Stay tuned. I feltshow passish touch your heart. All Right,600:00:33.820 --> 00:00:37.609welcome to the Gospel Center pro lifepodcast. We're going to do a700:00:37.689 --> 00:00:43.490little, I mean maybe not soheavy, little lighthearted episode here. Might800:00:43.570 --> 00:00:45.929get heavy, though. We're gettinginto the word, the word of got900:00:46.009 --> 00:00:48.969US heavy. But we're going totalk about how to how to talk with1000:00:49.170 --> 00:00:53.280your friends and family members. Youknow, it's the holiday season. It's1100:00:54.039 --> 00:01:00.840thanksgivings coming up, Christmas then andHanaka. I guess if you celebrate Honaka1200:01:00.520 --> 00:01:06.269or whatever, boxing day. Ofcourse that's a big day college. Yeah,1300:01:06.310 --> 00:01:08.909big holiday for those Canadians up here. But either way you're going to1400:01:08.950 --> 00:01:14.310be around family, maybe family membersthat you don't see very often, and1500:01:14.590 --> 00:01:17.989people who don't agree with you,people who don't embrace your values, in1600:01:18.109 --> 00:01:19.659your views. And in particular we'regoing to be talking about the issue of1700:01:19.659 --> 00:01:23.420abortion, but I think of coursethe larger issue is talking about Jesus,1800:01:25.019 --> 00:01:27.180Sharing The Gospel with your family members. So we're just going to go into1900:01:27.299 --> 00:01:33.010some principles of how to do that, how to share your prolife values,2000:01:33.090 --> 00:01:37.569how to share the value that youbelieve God's word tells us of of the2100:01:37.769 --> 00:01:41.170unborn baby. And you might havea family member, as I do and2200:01:41.290 --> 00:01:45.849Vicky do as well, or maybeseveral family members that that don't agree that2300:01:46.209 --> 00:01:49.439you know abortion should be legal,think that abortion is a woman's right to2400:01:49.480 --> 00:01:53.319choose. So how do you talkto those people in a way that honors2500:01:53.359 --> 00:01:57.560the Lord, in a way that'seffective, about your values as a Christian2600:01:57.920 --> 00:02:02.109and, in particular, about theissue of abortion? And as we were2700:02:02.150 --> 00:02:07.189talking through this podcast and talking throughthis subject, one scripture really just stuck2800:02:07.229 --> 00:02:10.069out as we talked about it,and it's that first Peter Scripture. And2900:02:10.110 --> 00:02:14.110so what we're going to do isis we're going to go through this verse3000:02:14.270 --> 00:02:17.819sort of systematically, because there's somereally good principles. God's Word is awesome,3100:02:19.020 --> 00:02:22.099it is, and given us thesejust basic principles. There's a lot3200:02:22.259 --> 00:02:25.020to God's word is there's a lotof depth there, but there's also just3300:02:25.139 --> 00:02:30.689some very practical principles and I thinkthis first Peter Chapter three and verse fifteen3400:02:30.770 --> 00:02:36.810passage gives us some really just basicprinciples in sharing the faith and sharing our3500:02:36.849 --> 00:02:38.530views and our values. So ifyou would just go ahead and read that3600:02:38.650 --> 00:02:43.729verse Real Quick, Vicki, andthis is from the EESV version, right,3700:02:43.810 --> 00:02:46.199and and then we'll just kind ofbreak it down with some of these3800:02:46.240 --> 00:02:51.879principles. Okay, so this isfirst Peter Three fifteen, but in your3900:02:52.080 --> 00:02:57.919hearts, honor Christ, the Lordas Holy, always being prepared to make4000:02:57.960 --> 00:03:02.030a defense to anyone who asks youfor the reason for the hope that is4100:03:02.110 --> 00:03:07.710in you. You do it withgentleness and respect. Okay, this really4200:03:07.789 --> 00:03:12.860does speak to me because, youknow, most family gatherings you hear everyone4300:03:12.900 --> 00:03:15.060when they come home and say howwas it? How was your vacation,4400:03:15.340 --> 00:03:19.500and you know, people roll theireyes. Yeah, you know it was.4500:03:19.979 --> 00:03:23.539It's never quite what you hope andI do think that the the principles4600:03:23.580 --> 00:03:27.169that were going to discuss. Ihonestly feel like, wow, these,4700:03:27.409 --> 00:03:30.449you know, these are a goodway to guide all family discussions, not4800:03:30.530 --> 00:03:36.650just family discussions about something as heavya topic as abortion. Yeah, yeah,4900:03:36.650 --> 00:03:38.289I mean that's one of the thingsthat this is a heavy topic yeah,5000:03:38.330 --> 00:03:42.599and this is something that people arevery passionate about, and rightly so.5100:03:42.759 --> 00:03:45.919We're talking about, you know,killing people. Of course, on5200:03:46.039 --> 00:03:50.120the other side, you know,for those who think abortion is a woman's5300:03:50.120 --> 00:03:53.319right to choose, they're pretty passionateabout this thing to right and can get5400:03:53.360 --> 00:03:57.509pretty venomous. And Yeah, youknow, even Christians, as we're standing5500:03:57.629 --> 00:04:00.389our ground for truth, we canget pretty pretty nasty and, of course,5600:04:00.469 --> 00:04:04.710in no way minimizing the the theweight of this subject. And we're5700:04:04.750 --> 00:04:10.180talking about, you know, peoplethat are being treated like garbage, you5800:04:10.300 --> 00:04:13.379know, human beings that are thrownaway at like medical waste. That that's5900:04:13.539 --> 00:04:15.420something to be passionate about. Yeah, but we've got a sort of think6000:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.459this thing through and we've got asort of you know, we because we6100:04:18.620 --> 00:04:21.779want to share our views and wewant to share it not ultimately are views.6200:04:21.779 --> 00:04:25.449It's God's views, God's word.What it's God's word say. We6300:04:25.529 --> 00:04:29.089want to share that stuff in away that's going to actually have an effect.6400:04:29.170 --> 00:04:31.610We're not just going to spew sometruth and it not care really if6500:04:31.610 --> 00:04:33.569it sticks or not. We wantedto stick. We want to be in6600:04:33.610 --> 00:04:39.240people's hearts and people's minds. Won'tpeople to have a comfort confrontation with the6700:04:39.279 --> 00:04:43.199truth and hopes that they'll change theirmind or at least rethink, yeah,6800:04:43.399 --> 00:04:46.439their position. Yeah, it's notjust that we want to be right about6900:04:46.519 --> 00:04:50.240something, it's that we really believein the Bible. Is Pretty clear what7000:04:50.360 --> 00:04:54.230we do. We want to beright, but that's one of my problems.7100:04:55.029 --> 00:04:58.829We truly do want the world tobe a world that glorifies Scott.7200:04:58.910 --> 00:05:02.829Yeah, and, and this isthis is a huge part of God's world,7300:05:03.110 --> 00:05:06.459the humans. Yeah, the humansthat he put in, things that7400:05:06.579 --> 00:05:10.779he put in this world. Absolutely, and there a value. So let's7500:05:10.779 --> 00:05:13.980let's talk about that first principle,because we sort of broke it down and7600:05:14.060 --> 00:05:15.819four principles that are thrown out ofthat scripture, and so read again that7700:05:15.939 --> 00:05:18.740first part of that verse, ifyou let me know. Okay, first,7800:05:18.779 --> 00:05:21.250peace, speed. It's in thenew testaments, in case your wonder.7900:05:21.329 --> 00:05:25.730Yeah, Peter, okay, sothe first part. But in your8000:05:25.889 --> 00:05:30.089hearts honor Christ, the Lord asHoly. Okay, and that's the first8100:05:30.129 --> 00:05:33.769principle, and you brought this outas we were talking through this, that8200:05:34.009 --> 00:05:38.600we need to prepare our hearts.We need to prepare our hearts and be8300:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.680pray and you know, hopefully,if you have these family members, obviously,8400:05:41.759 --> 00:05:45.319if they're embracing the idea that abortionis just a woman's right to choose,8500:05:45.879 --> 00:05:49.189they're obviously, you know, theyneed the Lord Right, they need8600:05:49.310 --> 00:05:53.350God. So we need to bepraying. Hopefully already are praying for your8700:05:53.350 --> 00:05:56.709family members, praying that they're milesof be open not just to the fact8800:05:56.709 --> 00:06:00.629that abortion is wrong but that theyneed the Lord, but also praying and8900:06:00.709 --> 00:06:03.579asking the Lord to give you opportunity, praying ask the Lord to give you9000:06:03.779 --> 00:06:06.339wisdom. We're going to talk aboutsome some other principles have to do with9100:06:06.379 --> 00:06:12.060this praying and asking the Lord toopen up these doors. So say to9200:06:12.100 --> 00:06:15.420find the Lord in our hearts orseeing the Lord is holy, is first9300:06:15.459 --> 00:06:18.970understanding. This is about him,this is not about us right, it's9400:06:19.009 --> 00:06:23.290about him. It's about other peoplewho need to know him. So,9500:06:23.370 --> 00:06:27.850yeah, that first principle of justpreparing our hearts and asking God to prepare9600:06:27.850 --> 00:06:30.930the hearts of our family members forthese very heavy conversations. Yeah, and9700:06:31.170 --> 00:06:36.600so in in and it says,but in your hearts, honor Christ,9800:06:36.720 --> 00:06:40.639the Lord is holy, and soin your hearts. You know, I9900:06:40.959 --> 00:06:43.720was thinking about that in a fewminutes that we've been, you know,10000:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.629preparing for this, just just thinking. Okay, how, how in my10100:06:47.029 --> 00:06:53.750heart do I prepare my heart thatthat Christ is holy? Yeah, and10200:06:54.470 --> 00:07:00.149you know, one of the bestways is through reading scripture, reading his10300:07:00.430 --> 00:07:05.339word and and and seeing what hehas done and remembering what he's done.10400:07:05.420 --> 00:07:12.579So, you know, I thinksometimes in the holidays things get really busy.10500:07:12.620 --> 00:07:15.970Yeah, and and we get overwhelmedpretty quickly and there's never enough time10600:07:16.089 --> 00:07:19.290to do all the things. Youknow, I know, I my house10700:07:19.410 --> 00:07:24.649is still not cleaned. I keepit's on the list that day and it's10800:07:24.689 --> 00:07:29.370just keeps being the thing that getsignored. But I think that what can10900:07:29.449 --> 00:07:32.199get ignored is being in the word. Yeah, and at the time when11000:07:32.240 --> 00:07:35.879maybe we needed the most to rememberand to prepare our own hearts, not11100:07:36.040 --> 00:07:40.720just that God would prepare other heartsto receive whatever we may have to offer,11200:07:41.160 --> 00:07:44.040but that our own hearts are prepared. Well, if we're too busy11300:07:44.199 --> 00:07:48.870to be in the word, tobe in prayer, we may lose the11400:07:49.230 --> 00:07:53.670the best. I do want touse the Mu, the word ammunition,11500:07:53.709 --> 00:07:56.430but I can't think of another wordthat God has given us. Yeah,11600:07:56.470 --> 00:08:00.899to prepare our own hearts to rememberthe holiness. Yeah, one of the11700:08:00.980 --> 00:08:03.220things too, I think we canmiss in the Hustle and bustle of the11800:08:03.339 --> 00:08:07.860holiday season. And you know,they're just certain people, even in your11900:08:07.939 --> 00:08:15.730family, that you dread go intothose, you know, dinners or you12000:08:15.810 --> 00:08:20.850know whatever you Thanksgiving meal or Christmasdinner with with that family member because you,12100:08:20.930 --> 00:08:24.290like man, I don't want tobe around them. But sanctifying the12200:08:24.370 --> 00:08:26.399Lord in your heart, seeing theLord as holy, is trying to see12300:08:26.480 --> 00:08:31.519things his way of asking him togive you his heart for those family members12400:08:31.680 --> 00:08:33.720and their family members that you've beenaround for a long time. Yeah,12500:08:33.759 --> 00:08:37.759and you just Oh, I don'twant to see Uncle Eddie again, because12600:08:37.759 --> 00:08:39.559we always get into an argument aboutyou know. It's like, well,12700:08:41.080 --> 00:08:43.149be praying. Ask The Lord toopen Uncle Eddie's heart, you know,12800:08:43.309 --> 00:08:46.990ask the Lord to to speak tohim. God can prepare his heart long12900:08:48.070 --> 00:08:52.309before he arrives, you know,your house or Grandma's house from you know,13000:08:52.429 --> 00:08:54.590thinks given dinner and maybe give youa new attitude. Yeah, it's13100:08:54.629 --> 00:08:58.100uncle and exactly. Yeah, newangle to come from, you know,13200:08:58.500 --> 00:09:03.100and so whatever, it's ultimately justgiven it to the Lord. This is13300:09:03.179 --> 00:09:05.019about the Lord. This is aboutthe Lord doing a work and your family13400:09:05.100 --> 00:09:09.019members hearts. And again, it'snot just about the issue of abortion.13500:09:09.100 --> 00:09:11.129I mean that's what this podcast isabout, but this podcast is also about13600:09:11.169 --> 00:09:15.690the Gospel. So ultimately it's notjust persuading them the abortion is wrong.13700:09:16.090 --> 00:09:20.210People can believe abortion is wrong andstill not be regenerated by the power of13800:09:20.210 --> 00:09:22.009the Holy Spirit. They could bestill be dead in their sins. We13900:09:22.090 --> 00:09:24.799don't want to just convince them abortionis wrong. We want them to be14000:09:24.879 --> 00:09:28.120convinced that Jesus Christ is Lord andsurrender their lives to him. Right,14100:09:28.240 --> 00:09:35.080but this conversation about abortion might justbe sort of a catalyst for that conversation14200:09:35.200 --> 00:09:39.269about Jesus as well. Yeah,yeah, I was thinking also, in14300:09:39.429 --> 00:09:43.549preparing your heart to that Jesus Christas holy of some of the things that14400:09:43.669 --> 00:09:48.350I do very naturally when I'm alonewith the Lord. Pray before a meal14500:09:48.429 --> 00:09:54.019by my head, literally pray,you know, and it's obvious. And14600:09:54.139 --> 00:09:58.139when you're with at least me,when I'm with people that don't have family14700:09:58.179 --> 00:10:03.100members that don't do that, it'sa there's this moment of do I do14800:10:03.259 --> 00:10:07.210it, I not do it,and and I think this verse is in14900:10:07.289 --> 00:10:11.970a way saying do it. That'spart of preparing, showing that he is15000:10:11.090 --> 00:10:16.330wholly in your life. And usuallythe way I try to deal with it.15100:10:16.409 --> 00:10:18.090Usually, as I'll say, it'sit okay, if I see grace.15200:10:18.330 --> 00:10:22.879Yeah, but there are some times, I'll be honest, awkward moments15300:10:22.960 --> 00:10:28.559when you're with someone who you knowdoes not share that believe and I thought15400:10:28.679 --> 00:10:31.039sometimes, I think we should,I just pray quietly in my heart.15500:10:31.159 --> 00:10:35.830Do I need to make it open? Yeah, and I mean the best15600:10:35.830 --> 00:10:39.389thing to do, especially if youhave an uncle Eddie and they were somebody15700:10:39.669 --> 00:10:43.470like that I was talking about,is just, you know, pray,15800:10:43.629 --> 00:10:46.590Lord Jesus, Uncle Eddie is lostand I pray you save him right now,15900:10:46.629 --> 00:10:48.309right in front uncle Eddie. Makesure you do that. Make sure16000:10:48.509 --> 00:10:52.820he understands he's lost. That's kid. Don't do that, uncle. You16100:10:52.940 --> 00:10:56.340do his ideas. Help you tosee that he's wicked and he's going to16200:10:56.419 --> 00:11:00.100help. Yeah, no, don'tdo that. Actually, that will not.16300:11:01.299 --> 00:11:03.899But yeah, I mean not compromisingwho you are and who God is16400:11:03.019 --> 00:11:05.929because family members are offended by that. You don't have to go out of16500:11:05.970 --> 00:11:09.809your way, and this is oneof the things that I the Lord has16600:11:09.850 --> 00:11:13.649helped me with. For sure.When I first was saved, it's like16700:11:13.730 --> 00:11:18.250I would go out of my wayto, I don't know, provoke or16800:11:18.529 --> 00:11:22.559just Expur a conversation about, youknow, things like abortion or about,16900:11:22.720 --> 00:11:26.320you know, the belief in God, because I have have an aunt who17000:11:26.639 --> 00:11:31.039is not just left leaning, liketotally left right, you know, she's17100:11:31.039 --> 00:11:37.110a leftist, and but she lovesour family. In a few, you17200:11:37.190 --> 00:11:39.909know, in the first couple ofyears of after I get saved, though,17300:11:39.990 --> 00:11:46.629we had some some rocky conversations duringThanksgiving, in Christmas time. We17400:11:46.710 --> 00:11:50.700had some sometimes where everyone else inthe room felt uncomfortab boo, because we17500:11:50.779 --> 00:11:54.340were going back and forth and debatingthings that had to do with Jesus and17600:11:54.379 --> 00:11:56.220I had to do with, youknow, abortion and other things. And17700:11:56.299 --> 00:12:01.419I, looking back like Oh man, that really didn't honor God so much.17800:12:01.450 --> 00:12:03.129Yeah, but did you know Iwas right? Technically? Yeah,17900:12:03.169 --> 00:12:07.929I was. relationally, I waswrong in that sense the zeal of a18000:12:07.049 --> 00:12:11.529new believer, because I think allof us, when we were new believers,18100:12:11.610 --> 00:12:15.610have stories like that that we kindof cringe like live back like yeah,18200:12:15.759 --> 00:12:18.240man, didn't need to be thatsure. I was a jerk for18300:12:18.360 --> 00:12:26.000Jesus, which is why it's aprocess. You know, sanctification is indeed18400:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.120a process that will take louse inthe day of the day of death.18500:12:28.320 --> 00:12:31.509Yeah, well, the next princewill read on in that scripture and we'll18600:12:31.549 --> 00:12:37.789touch on that next prince. Allright, so always being prepared to make18700:12:37.870 --> 00:12:43.379a defense to anyone who asks youfor a reason, for the hope that18800:12:43.500 --> 00:12:48.059it's in you. Okay. Sothe next keyword there is prepare yeah,18900:12:48.139 --> 00:12:52.179preparation. Yeah, part of thatpreparation, of course, is in our19000:12:52.299 --> 00:12:56.659hearts, in the Lord, andwe're praying. So that first principle,19100:12:56.220 --> 00:13:01.370you know. But also knowing whatthe Scripture says about abortion, if you're19200:13:01.370 --> 00:13:05.409going to talk about abortion in particular, know what the Bible actually says,19300:13:05.769 --> 00:13:11.649knowing medical facts, knowing statistics,those things are helpful. When you're having19400:13:11.649 --> 00:13:16.759a conversation with someone but you're completelyuninformed about what you're even talking about,19500:13:16.120 --> 00:13:20.159you can really look like an idiot, you know, you can really dishonor19600:13:20.279 --> 00:13:22.840the Lord. So knowing what theScripture says in the you these may be19700:13:22.960 --> 00:13:28.070unbelievers, these may be Christians.I mean sometimes you'll get in conversations with19800:13:28.549 --> 00:13:33.190with family members that are believers,are at least appear to be a believer19900:13:33.230 --> 00:13:35.710in Jesus, and you'll have someof that tension still. They might say,20000:13:35.750 --> 00:13:39.350well, you know, abortion,I know abortion is wrong, but20100:13:39.710 --> 00:13:41.659going out to an abortion clinic,for example, with you know my case,20200:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.940going out to abortion, and thatjust taking a little too far.20300:13:45.299 --> 00:13:48.539And so you might have that conversationand I make a defense of why I20400:13:48.659 --> 00:13:50.620do that and why do what Iwhat I do based on God's words,20500:13:50.659 --> 00:13:54.059specially, you know what. I'mtalking with a Christian. Yeah, believe20600:13:54.100 --> 00:13:56.330God's work can still be effective whenwe're talking to atheists and we're talking will.20700:13:56.409 --> 00:14:01.330God puts value on human life,every human value, human life is20800:14:01.370 --> 00:14:03.809valued by him, and just givinghim what the Scripture says, given them20900:14:03.850 --> 00:14:07.529what the Scripture says about that.Yeah, also, of course, medical21000:14:07.570 --> 00:14:13.360facts, statistics. Some people don'tknow even the magnitude of the problem.21100:14:13.399 --> 00:14:18.159Yeah, and so you might besharing with a with a Christian family member21200:14:18.600 --> 00:14:22.039who you know thinks, you know, abortions bad thing, but is it21300:14:22.200 --> 00:14:24.309really that big of a problem?And sharing you know what? Almost a21400:14:24.470 --> 00:14:28.230million children die every year. Sharingclose to home, you know, in21500:14:28.350 --> 00:14:35.190our city here in Charlotte, we'reseeing thirty, sometimes forty, fifty abortions21600:14:35.230 --> 00:14:37.860a day, day some day.So we six days a week. Most21700:14:37.899 --> 00:14:41.580Christians that think, you know,abortions is wrong, it's bad, it's21800:14:41.580 --> 00:14:43.980a problem, but they're not really, you know, in their hearts burden21900:14:45.059 --> 00:14:46.820with this issue of abortion because theydon't really see and know the magnet to22000:14:46.940 --> 00:14:50.899to the problem. And when youshare that, you might have a family22100:14:50.980 --> 00:14:54.690member from out of town who you'resharing what it's got, what God's doing.22200:14:54.809 --> 00:14:56.929So sharing testimonies also is very powerful. Yeah, might touch on that22300:14:56.970 --> 00:15:00.809a little more, but she andthe statistics and sharing the way of really22400:15:00.889 --> 00:15:03.289what's going on. They might flyback home or go back home to where22500:15:03.289 --> 00:15:07.159they're from and start their own ministryout in front of an abortion CHAC for22600:15:07.279 --> 00:15:11.399their own ministry inside of a pregnancycenter, doing something for for God or22700:15:11.440 --> 00:15:15.759something to impact for the issue oflife. So you don't know what impact22800:15:15.799 --> 00:15:18.360you could have, whether their unbelieverswere believed right. There's so much ignorant22900:15:18.720 --> 00:15:24.629in around the whole issue of abortion. In an interaction today, which wasn't23000:15:24.629 --> 00:15:26.429a family member, but I wastelling you earlier, I felt like a23100:15:26.470 --> 00:15:31.389lot of the principles were discussing kindof were a part of that discussion with23200:15:31.789 --> 00:15:35.659this girl who's coming for a jobinterview at the abortion, abortion, yeah,23300:15:35.659 --> 00:15:39.980clinics. And and one of thethings she said was was she was23400:15:41.179 --> 00:15:43.379claimed to be a believer in Jesus, yes, and and a strong believer,23500:15:43.580 --> 00:15:46.299I mean, and you know,there was a lot of the things23600:15:46.419 --> 00:15:48.139she said that I thought. Youknow, I was a little taken aback23700:15:48.179 --> 00:15:52.009because it sounded like she was.And and but one of the IT turns23800:15:52.049 --> 00:15:54.769out she didn't know it was anabortion clinic. She just thought it was23900:15:54.809 --> 00:15:58.250a medic woman's line. But shewas still going to go in. And24000:15:58.529 --> 00:16:02.210and as for a job, andshe said, you know, I know24100:16:02.370 --> 00:16:06.440people have differing views about pro lifepro choice. I'm I'm pro life and24200:16:06.639 --> 00:16:11.679pro choice, and she said themboth. And I thought pro choice for24300:16:11.799 --> 00:16:15.159for what? And she said,well, you know, a woman tried24400:16:15.240 --> 00:16:18.830to choose, and I said,well, so am I if the woman's24500:16:18.830 --> 00:16:22.149choosing chocolate or vanilla ice created.But we're talking about a woman's choice for24600:16:22.350 --> 00:16:27.350what. And and then she justwas silent because she realized, Oh,24700:16:29.309 --> 00:16:33.659I said a woman's right to choosethe death of her own baby. Do24800:16:33.740 --> 00:16:37.539you think that as a believer inthe Lord. That's something that that we24900:16:37.659 --> 00:16:41.700should be supporting. And she saidno and she ended up leaving and not25000:16:41.820 --> 00:16:45.899going in for the job interview.But, um, but so kind of25100:16:47.139 --> 00:16:52.129the the point, just reiterating.Yet there is so much ignorance that in25200:16:52.409 --> 00:16:56.049around the whole abortion issue and sometimes, if you can just get a family25300:16:56.090 --> 00:17:02.120member to kind of understand, theyhear the mantras and they just like sometimes25400:17:02.559 --> 00:17:07.400grab a hold of those without reallyunderstanding what they're even saying. And we25500:17:07.640 --> 00:17:11.240have the experience being out there,you know personally, since we're sidewalk cousters25600:17:11.279 --> 00:17:15.910in front of an abortion center.We know what the the truth is and25700:17:17.029 --> 00:17:21.670we do have experience and examples andanecdotal evidence and things to say an act25800:17:21.869 --> 00:17:23.430evidence can actually be powerful. Itcan be so power you know, a25900:17:23.470 --> 00:17:29.190lot of this is emotionally driven anywayit because it again like with that young26000:17:29.230 --> 00:17:30.660lady, you're talking about other people. You've talked to, you that we26100:17:30.779 --> 00:17:33.980talked to you over the years ofI'm sure some of the folks that are26200:17:33.019 --> 00:17:37.660listening have talked to their emotional arguments. It's based on emotions. It's not26300:17:37.819 --> 00:17:41.500really very well thought through. Whenyou start talking about. So a woman's26400:17:41.500 --> 00:17:45.289right to choose to do what right? Oh, to choose to have an26500:17:45.329 --> 00:17:48.450abortion. Okay, then what isan abortion right? Well, an abortion26600:17:48.690 --> 00:17:52.930is the removal of the project ofconception. What is the project of concept?26700:17:52.970 --> 00:17:56.450You know, asking those questions,and one of the things I think26800:17:56.490 --> 00:18:02.799I'll say along the lines of thissame principle is not letting the conversation just26900:18:03.000 --> 00:18:06.759center around politics, because that canbe you know, my grandmother, who's27000:18:06.839 --> 00:18:11.240German, would get angry when meand my aunt and my brother actually,27100:18:11.279 --> 00:18:14.950who's a believer, and we wouldme and my brother would basically my aunt27200:18:14.990 --> 00:18:18.029and uncle. We would be havinga conversation with them back and forth about27300:18:18.029 --> 00:18:21.390the issue of abortion. My GrandmotherSay, don't talk about religion and politics.27400:18:21.829 --> 00:18:23.029Her, I can't do her Germanaction. But that was what you'd27500:18:23.029 --> 00:18:26.109say, don't talk about religion andpolitics. You get pretty mad. Yeah,27600:18:26.339 --> 00:18:29.579but a lot of it, asa look back, was like this27700:18:29.779 --> 00:18:33.380was a political conversation more than itwill you know, was a Democrat Republican27800:18:33.420 --> 00:18:38.059conversation more than it was a Jesusand Truth Combating Satan and lies conversation.27900:18:38.500 --> 00:18:42.890And so not letting it slip intothe politics thing, because the politics thing28000:18:44.009 --> 00:18:49.049can really polarize and really just makemake the conversation kind of go south.28100:18:49.410 --> 00:18:52.769It can, and so can religion. I mean, I think your grandmother's28200:18:52.890 --> 00:18:57.400right, but as we as wesaid before we started this, well,28300:18:59.160 --> 00:19:02.799what else is there? You know, my life is the Lord. He28400:19:03.240 --> 00:19:07.799is the reason I exist. Yeah, and to to shut that off in28500:19:07.960 --> 00:19:12.589a gathering would instantly create tension forme. You can't know. It's apt28600:19:12.670 --> 00:19:17.349if you love the look not talkabout Jesus. Right, right, but28700:19:17.549 --> 00:19:19.789there are principles about how we candiscuss that. So, your grandmother,28800:19:19.829 --> 00:19:25.819I do agree. Religion and politicscan can often silence a room. Yeah,28900:19:25.980 --> 00:19:29.259and and driving came away. Butone thing I said, you know,29000:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.339she said don't talk about religion andpolitics it. So, if I29100:19:30.339 --> 00:19:33.460don't talk about religion, people goto hell, but don't talk about politics,29200:19:33.500 --> 00:19:37.859sometimes the country will go there aswell. Sometimes we got to talk29300:19:37.900 --> 00:19:41.170about these things. But I thinkwhat it is more than just skirting the29400:19:41.250 --> 00:19:45.210issues or ignoring the issue of religionpolitics. It's the way that you go29500:19:45.410 --> 00:19:48.009about talking about yeah, religion andpolitics, you know. Yeah, because29600:19:48.049 --> 00:19:52.240that's a lot of the conversations thatwe have around the table or whatever.29700:19:52.279 --> 00:19:55.400You know, we talk about familyand that kind of stuff, and that's29800:19:55.440 --> 00:19:57.480good. Yeah, and we needto be relational. Understand to that your29900:19:57.519 --> 00:20:03.240whole motivation from going for going toa Thanksgiving dinner or having time with your30000:20:03.279 --> 00:20:06.440family, went over at Christmas orwhatever. It's not just so you can30100:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.869you push your agenda. You actuallylove these people when you want to be30200:20:08.869 --> 00:20:12.390around them, most of them,right, but but even those who you30300:20:12.430 --> 00:20:15.630don't want to be around, ultimatelythe desire would be that you build a30400:20:15.710 --> 00:20:19.869better relationship with them so that youknow you can bring some more truth to30500:20:19.910 --> 00:20:23.019them so they're as and ears areopen to hear the truth when I think30600:20:23.099 --> 00:20:26.380one of the principles you're going toget to, and I think this is30700:20:26.579 --> 00:20:30.099very important in not ramming it downtheir throat, will get into the principle30800:20:30.220 --> 00:20:36.609about you know, maybe there's anappropriate time and timing, not only how30900:20:36.730 --> 00:20:41.970you present it, but your timingand when this discussion comes up. Yeah,31000:20:41.970 --> 00:20:45.009yeah, so, really so.That next principle is look for opportunities31100:20:45.049 --> 00:20:49.000to introduce abortion into the conversation.Naturally, right, and and let's see,31200:20:49.160 --> 00:20:56.119was that giving derived all of thema reason? Yeah, so give31300:20:56.160 --> 00:21:00.319a defense to anyone who asks youfor a reason, for the hope that31400:21:00.559 --> 00:21:04.910is in you. I think thatis key. Yeah, who asks you?31500:21:06.269 --> 00:21:11.549Yeah, if someone has asked youand you can channel whatever that question31600:21:11.869 --> 00:21:18.230was into a discussion of God ofabortion, they're going to be so much31700:21:18.230 --> 00:21:25.299more receptive than if you have forcedit upon them, so forced into the31800:21:25.380 --> 00:21:27.740conversation with it's just not a naturalflow of the conversation. Right. So31900:21:29.180 --> 00:21:33.410they maybe you're having a conversation about, you know, aunt betsy that's in32000:21:33.529 --> 00:21:37.690the hospital or whatever. You canlead that conversation into a natural conversation about32100:21:37.690 --> 00:21:41.250the Lord and ultimately things. Butlike just jumping right out Saya and Bussis32200:21:41.289 --> 00:21:45.529in the hospital. You know,abortions, we can right, probably not32300:21:45.609 --> 00:21:48.240going to be. It's not thenatural flow of the of the conversation.32400:21:48.440 --> 00:21:52.720Take something like that and and thenand you know and say you know it.32500:21:52.920 --> 00:21:57.839It breaks my heart. You know, I I often think of people32600:21:59.000 --> 00:22:03.670that are, you know, inin mortal illness or whatever they might die,32700:22:03.789 --> 00:22:08.910and I and I care so muchabout their eternal soul and and where32800:22:08.910 --> 00:22:12.349they where they're going to go.Way And you know, kind of steering32900:22:12.430 --> 00:22:18.619it again, that becomes ultimately agospel question. Yeah, where do where?33000:22:18.700 --> 00:22:22.019And how does our eternal soul goto heaven, which I think is33100:22:22.099 --> 00:22:25.619the hope of most people, unlessyou truly have no belief, that belief33200:22:25.660 --> 00:22:27.779in God. Yeah, so justmaybe kind of where you take even that33300:22:29.099 --> 00:22:33.890example and maybe there's a way tosteer it towards what you hope they will33400:22:33.890 --> 00:22:38.210ask about, but being careful thatwe're not ramming it down their throat.33500:22:38.289 --> 00:22:42.569You have a line that I love, something about dump your Bible, but33600:22:42.650 --> 00:22:45.559not too hard. Yeah, right, yeah, thump your Bible, use33700:22:45.599 --> 00:22:48.920the word of God, but justdon't thump it too hard. Don't write33800:22:48.559 --> 00:22:52.160it down, people say, youknow, yeah, I think that applies33900:22:52.240 --> 00:22:57.829here. But so how how dowe then? A defense to anyone who34000:22:57.869 --> 00:23:00.750asks you, as I was readingthat more carefully, a defense to anyone34100:23:00.789 --> 00:23:07.109who asks you for a reason forthe hope that is in you. That's34200:23:07.150 --> 00:23:10.990what the defense is of. Yeah, the hope that is in you.34300:23:11.670 --> 00:23:15.740Yeah, and I think that comesinto sort of even along lines of the34400:23:15.779 --> 00:23:18.980first or that second principle that wetalked about, which is testimonies. Yeah,34500:23:19.019 --> 00:23:22.779and you know, testimonies are powerfultestimonies it comes to you. Know,34600:23:23.099 --> 00:23:26.819I can with about my phone ifI'm talking to a family member.34700:23:26.900 --> 00:23:29.970Matter of fact, I date itwith my aunt couple years ago whenever,34800:23:30.130 --> 00:23:33.490you know, some of the tensionsort of died down, or at least,34900:23:33.529 --> 00:23:36.569you know, as I'd gotten alittle wiser. How I present things35000:23:37.089 --> 00:23:38.329is that, you know, I'lljust show her pictures on my phone of35100:23:38.410 --> 00:23:41.599babies that have been saved at theabortion clinic. Not Not in some like35200:23:42.000 --> 00:23:44.839Oh, look at this, yeah, but I'd be like, you know,35300:23:44.960 --> 00:23:48.079this mom came to this abortional I'llshare the story and this is what35400:23:48.200 --> 00:23:51.599we were able to do, youknow, and you know, my aunt35500:23:52.000 --> 00:23:56.190really was receptive to that and reallydidn't shoot. As a matter of fact,35600:23:56.190 --> 00:23:57.430I think she said, I'm gladyou guys are doing something to try35700:23:57.470 --> 00:24:03.029to help, and that is thelot different than what it was years past,35800:24:03.150 --> 00:24:06.190when it was you know, you'rea bigot in your this and you're35900:24:06.230 --> 00:24:10.900that. Yeah, so, sharingtestimonies that you've seen, but also,36000:24:11.460 --> 00:24:15.299and that, when the hope thatlies within you, is sharing your testimony,36100:24:15.660 --> 00:24:17.900you know, sharing your testimony,course, your testimony of how you36200:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.779came to know the Lord, buteven sharing, you know, when talking36300:24:19.779 --> 00:24:22.819about the issue of abortion, sharinghow you came to some of the conclusions36400:24:22.900 --> 00:24:26.049that you did. You know,sharing that as a believer, you know,36500:24:26.089 --> 00:24:29.890I could share. Personally, Iwas apathetic towards the issue of abortion36600:24:29.930 --> 00:24:33.089until I went to an abortion clinicto for the first time and I saw36700:24:33.210 --> 00:24:36.369women go in and I knew theywere going in with a baby and they36800:24:36.410 --> 00:24:40.079were leaving, leaving their dead child, and so so sharing the testimony of36900:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.880how you came to some of theconclusions, how the Lord Open Your eyes37000:24:41.920 --> 00:24:47.359and open your heart and certain areascan also be sharing that. You know,37100:24:47.400 --> 00:24:49.599about that hope that lies within you. Yeah, and you're given a37200:24:49.720 --> 00:24:55.950defense for that hope. So youare, you are defending that that hope37300:24:56.029 --> 00:25:00.869is a valid hope. Yeah,there is evidence in your life and scripture37400:25:00.109 --> 00:25:06.509that that it is a hope thatis worth defending. Kind of implicit in37500:25:06.910 --> 00:25:10.619that statement this hope is worth yeah, and you know, I'd say to37600:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.420you know, if you like,you have a personal testimony of having had37700:25:12.500 --> 00:25:17.460abortion in your past, having hadan abortion, you could share you the37800:25:17.500 --> 00:25:21.529hope that laws within you. You'vebeen devastated in your past by an abortion.37900:25:21.809 --> 00:25:23.089You know what it does to ahuman heart, you know what it38000:25:23.210 --> 00:25:27.450does to a woman right, andyou can share with a family member you38100:25:27.529 --> 00:25:32.490know, of course, naturally withinthe conversation. Yeah, that hope that38200:25:32.529 --> 00:25:34.170allows within you, even though you'vebeen there, done that, you know38300:25:34.369 --> 00:25:38.000what God can do is well,yeah, in fact, I remember when38400:25:38.759 --> 00:25:45.400my wonderful sister, I love hergreat deeply, but she very different politically38500:25:45.559 --> 00:25:52.549religiously than I am, and whenI was first going public with my own38600:25:52.589 --> 00:25:57.190abortion and I was on the sidewalk. I'm not sure I had even I'm38700:25:57.230 --> 00:26:02.069not sure I had gone public yetthat I had had an abortion, but38800:26:02.670 --> 00:26:07.940I was sharing testimonies from the sidewalkall the time facebook and my sister wrote38900:26:07.980 --> 00:26:11.380to me and said, what aboutyour own abortion? Yeah, so here39000:26:11.700 --> 00:26:15.980was, this is exactly. Thiswas where she asked me and I was39100:26:17.019 --> 00:26:21.609able to turn that around. Ithink she was asking you're a hypocrite.39200:26:21.609 --> 00:26:25.450I think that was kind of thethe intent of that question, but I39300:26:25.529 --> 00:26:30.730was able to turn it around toit is exactly because of my own abortion39400:26:32.289 --> 00:26:37.440that I am out on that sidewalk, because I know what the the sorrow39500:26:37.880 --> 00:26:41.799that will follow post aboard of womenfor really their whole life. Yeah,39600:26:41.799 --> 00:26:47.309and and I'm there to tell themthere is hope there is a better way,39700:26:47.309 --> 00:26:49.390so it would say. It flowednaturally. She asked me. I39800:26:49.470 --> 00:26:56.269didn't force that opinion on her.It completely turned around how she perceived what39900:26:56.390 --> 00:27:00.990I was doing completely. From thatday forward I never got another comment even40000:27:00.029 --> 00:27:04.019remotely like that. In fact,I believe she deeply respects and supports what40100:27:04.140 --> 00:27:07.579I do. So that I thinkthat's an example when when we do things40200:27:07.619 --> 00:27:12.380by biblical principles, it that weoften do get a very different result.40300:27:12.579 --> 00:27:15.730Yeah, yeah, one things Ido want to point out too. With40400:27:15.769 --> 00:27:21.289this scripture there's a there's an immediatecontext of the scripture. Peters talking about40500:27:21.289 --> 00:27:25.289in the midst of persecution, beingpersecuted by a tyrannical government. So of40600:27:25.369 --> 00:27:29.450course you were not just saying youthese these principles are only put in there40700:27:29.569 --> 00:27:32.920for this. But I think thereare principles, even out of the immediate40800:27:33.039 --> 00:27:36.680context, that can be drawn outand they can help us, and that's40900:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.559what's going on here. So it'snot like, you know, you're sitting41000:27:37.559 --> 00:27:41.759around the you know, the theThanksgiving table, and you're being persecuted.41100:27:41.960 --> 00:27:45.269You if you have sort of amartyr or persecution complex, you think maybe41200:27:45.269 --> 00:27:48.589because everybody doesn't agree with you.You know you're being persecuted. That's not41300:27:48.750 --> 00:27:52.710true, right, but you knowthese principles are important and you do have41400:27:52.869 --> 00:27:56.869a hope in you. I don'tknow that. You know, some might41500:27:56.950 --> 00:28:00.900say, well, based on this, I need to give a defense if41600:28:00.940 --> 00:28:03.420they ask. So I don't reallyeven need to pipe up unless I'm asked41700:28:03.500 --> 00:28:07.019about so why do you believe abortionsfrom? I don't think we need to41800:28:07.099 --> 00:28:11.980just say well, our mouths needto be shut about Jesus, about abortion,41900:28:11.180 --> 00:28:15.809about whatever issue, until somebody asks. The principle here, I think,42000:28:15.849 --> 00:28:18.890is one of being able to givea defense, to be to give42100:28:18.930 --> 00:28:25.970a well well thought out defense,but again, not to force the issue42200:28:26.009 --> 00:28:29.599in such a way that's being purposelylike you're going out of your way to42300:28:29.720 --> 00:28:33.519offend people. You can look foropportunities, yeah, which maybe is a42400:28:33.599 --> 00:28:37.480gentler way than of saying you know, of saying you don't need to wait42500:28:37.519 --> 00:28:41.950till your ass. You can,but you can look for opportunities and how42600:28:41.990 --> 00:28:51.430how to weave your very sincere,heartfelt desires to discuss this subject into a42700:28:51.589 --> 00:28:55.859family because you know, I abhorethat statement. Preach the Gospel at all42800:28:55.900 --> 00:28:57.740times and, when necessary, usewords. You might. You might take42900:28:57.779 --> 00:29:00.500this. It's a cop out fora lot of people. You know,43000:29:00.619 --> 00:29:03.900preach the Gospel around my family andI'll just be really nice to them,43100:29:03.380 --> 00:29:06.539be really nice to my kids.You should be nice to them. You43200:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.859should be nice to your kids,whatever. You know. Yeah, Your43300:29:07.940 --> 00:29:12.410Life should display the gospel of Jesus. Right, but preaching the Gospel,43400:29:12.410 --> 00:29:15.730you actually use the words when necessary. These words. It's always necessary to43500:29:15.769 --> 00:29:19.369use words to preach the Gospel,folks. Okay, public service announcement.43600:29:21.210 --> 00:29:23.319So anyway, right, and we'vebeen we've had that discussion before, but43700:29:23.400 --> 00:29:27.799it does bear repeating that that.Yes, absolutely, the Bible commands us43800:29:27.920 --> 00:29:32.960to speak over out the open yourmouth for this. Speechless is, but43900:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.039you don't have to be a jerkwhile doing it. How about that?44000:29:34.240 --> 00:29:38.710That's right, and that's our fourthpoint. Okay, is read the leave44100:29:38.750 --> 00:29:44.069it. Read, write. Soyet, so all these things that came44200:29:44.150 --> 00:29:48.549before that, you're giving the defense. Yet do it with gentleness and respect.44300:29:48.750 --> 00:29:52.900Okay, do it with gentle thanksout in my family, guess,44400:29:53.220 --> 00:29:57.859help me to do this with gentleness, gentleness and respect. I mean that44500:29:57.940 --> 00:30:03.539ties into the second timothy passage whereit says that the servant of the Lord44600:30:03.579 --> 00:30:07.930must not fight, but must begentle to all, answering those who in44700:30:07.009 --> 00:30:11.490opposition in humility. So this isa certain this is a thread that we44800:30:11.529 --> 00:30:15.529see through all the scriptures that Christianministers, people who are going to Minister44900:30:15.650 --> 00:30:18.490The Gospel, need to do itgentleness, need to do it respectfully,45000:30:18.690 --> 00:30:22.720need to do it humbly. There'sa certain amount of humility that we got45100:30:22.839 --> 00:30:26.400to have. Yeah, and Ithink it's particularly hard for me in the45200:30:26.519 --> 00:30:32.400subjects that that I feel the mostpassionate about. Yeah, because I see,45300:30:33.279 --> 00:30:37.150you know, I look with horroron on what happens in an abortion.45400:30:37.230 --> 00:30:41.109I'm well informed, yeah, whathappens in an abortion, and and45500:30:41.309 --> 00:30:45.910I you know, it makes meangry. It makes me angry that that45600:30:45.549 --> 00:30:52.500babies are being slaughtered and people whoknow nothing about it are are saying,45700:30:52.539 --> 00:30:55.380but a woman should have a rightto choose her body, her choice,45800:30:55.539 --> 00:31:00.500and and it makes me mad.And that works against this very command to45900:31:00.539 --> 00:31:06.609speak the things that the hope thatis in you is probably for all of46000:31:06.730 --> 00:31:11.690us, something we're very passionate about. Yeah, we're supposed to express our46100:31:11.730 --> 00:31:15.809opinion with gentleness and yes, backand this is going back to that first46200:31:15.849 --> 00:31:19.440principle that we need sanctify the Lordor honor the Lord in our hearts as46300:31:19.519 --> 00:31:25.599holy. Don't let your zeal getbefore get before honor in the Lord.46400:31:25.960 --> 00:31:29.640You know, zeal without knowledge.The Bible Warns Against Zeal Without Knowledge and46500:31:29.759 --> 00:31:33.750I'll look back to my early daysas a believer at times with my family46600:31:33.150 --> 00:31:37.670where I've basically told them all they'rewrong and they're going to hell and probably46700:31:37.750 --> 00:31:41.309that many words, and I wasgonna say not so many words, probably46800:31:41.390 --> 00:31:44.309just that you know, you're allgoing to hell. Don't know God.46900:31:44.390 --> 00:31:45.829You know. And I look backand I was like that was just zeal47000:31:45.869 --> 00:31:48.819without knowledge, like I wanted themto come to know the Lord. I47100:31:49.059 --> 00:31:52.460really did want them to know Jesus. I really did want for them to47200:31:52.539 --> 00:31:57.539be saved, but my zeal withoutknowledge really dishonored the Lord and sort of,47300:31:57.980 --> 00:32:01.250you know, cause them to sortof keep me at arms and length47400:32:01.890 --> 00:32:06.450rather than you having a reasoned conversationwith them in gentleness and respect. I47500:32:06.490 --> 00:32:09.170would did some things that were verydisrespectful. So let me ask you this.47600:32:09.450 --> 00:32:19.039Okay, so how do you speakrespectfully to someone you don't respect?47700:32:19.519 --> 00:32:23.079Okay, that's a tough one.That is it. That is the very47800:32:23.119 --> 00:32:27.640goodling that that often on Saturday's right. Yeah, we have some. Yeah,47900:32:29.200 --> 00:32:31.109so so, but it's gonna butI think it's an important question.48000:32:31.190 --> 00:32:35.869Yeah, because, okay, arethere people that that like this, this48100:32:35.990 --> 00:32:39.430doesn't apply to or? Well,I don't think that there are. I48200:32:39.549 --> 00:32:43.950think that you know our speech.I think it has almost nothing to do48300:32:44.069 --> 00:32:46.500with the person, everything to dowith the person of Christ and what God's48400:32:46.500 --> 00:32:50.859Word says that there needs to bea gentleness in respect. Now, of48500:32:50.980 --> 00:32:54.380course we know, with Jesus asour example, there was a firmness and48600:32:54.819 --> 00:33:00.849a loudness, I'd say it sometimes, that Jesus used right. He rebuked48700:33:00.849 --> 00:33:05.369the Pharisees very staunchly. You'll seewith Paul at one point. You know,48800:33:05.490 --> 00:33:08.650he rebukes a the pro council andultimately God strikes him with blindness.48900:33:08.690 --> 00:33:13.200Yeah, there's a place for that, there's a place for that sort of49000:33:13.240 --> 00:33:16.200rebuke, but I don't think sittingaround the Thanksgiving table, is that there's49100:33:16.319 --> 00:33:21.960there's this gentleness in respect that we'vegot to have rather than a prophetic rebuke49200:33:22.039 --> 00:33:24.599to all of our family and talkingto them and talking through these things,49300:33:25.559 --> 00:33:30.390even though there are might be familymembers that we don't respect. Yeah,49400:33:30.230 --> 00:33:35.029I think we respect them as humanbeings made in the image of God,49500:33:35.589 --> 00:33:40.500and I'll say, especially if you'retalking like grandparents or your parents, that49600:33:40.619 --> 00:33:45.579you are commanded to respect them andto honor them, not to shame them49700:33:45.859 --> 00:33:47.819in the way that you talk tothem. People who are older than you,49800:33:47.980 --> 00:33:52.700there's your scriptural principle of honoring yourelders. Now, they may be49900:33:53.380 --> 00:33:59.049godless unbelievers, you can still honorthem as those who have lived longer than50000:33:59.089 --> 00:34:01.490you and there's some wisdom. Listen, I've learned some wisdom some from some50100:34:01.650 --> 00:34:07.009of my family members that don't knowGod right, but they have experience in50200:34:07.089 --> 00:34:09.559life that I've never had and theycan speak some things into my life.50300:34:09.800 --> 00:34:15.239As long as I process it throughscripture, that can really benefit me.50400:34:15.000 --> 00:34:20.079So coming from that angle and respectingthem because they've been living longer than you50500:34:20.639 --> 00:34:22.559is important nothing. Yeah, Imean, and and I really like where50600:34:22.599 --> 00:34:27.389you went with that right away.Taking it to the the respect is not50700:34:28.550 --> 00:34:31.349for their views. Yeah, we'rethe where they are spiritually. The respect50800:34:31.469 --> 00:34:36.750is because they're human beings made inthe image of a holy God and because,50900:34:36.989 --> 00:34:42.300in that manner, if that's thereason for respect. You could apply51000:34:42.420 --> 00:34:45.739that to every single person. Yeah, yeah, that you interact with.51100:34:45.059 --> 00:34:49.860And I know there are, likeyou said, there are times that Jesus51200:34:49.860 --> 00:34:52.739should righteous sing or when you overturnedthe tables. He didn't E. Tell51300:34:52.780 --> 00:34:54.409Peter get behind me saying yeah,so, I mean, yeah, there's51400:34:54.449 --> 00:35:00.010there is a place for rebukeke andrighteous anger. But yeah, hopefully a51500:35:00.090 --> 00:35:02.610family gathering. It's well, Ithink, least for that. I think51600:35:02.650 --> 00:35:07.840we know, we know practically what'syou know what will honor the Lord and51700:35:07.960 --> 00:35:10.440what will not, especially when we'rein his word and we bathe this this51800:35:10.599 --> 00:35:14.000and pray. Are you not encourageyou guys, before you're going to have51900:35:14.079 --> 00:35:16.920your Thanksgiving me or before you're goingto have your Christmas dinner or your Christmas52000:35:17.320 --> 00:35:21.590family time, pray, Lord,how can? Who Do you want me52100:35:21.630 --> 00:35:24.110to reach in my family? whoyou already dealing with? God's already dealing52200:35:24.150 --> 00:35:28.510with some of their hearts probably,and you know, God open those doors52300:35:28.550 --> 00:35:30.429and God will open those doors,you know. You know, I'd say52400:35:30.869 --> 00:35:36.900the angry rebuke in the life ofJesus was the exception rather than the rule.52500:35:37.139 --> 00:35:42.500Even in Peter and Paul's life andtheir confrontation with certain leaders and all52600:35:42.539 --> 00:35:45.420of that you need. Mostly it'sin a governmental capacity. Jesus is dealing52700:35:45.460 --> 00:35:49.699with the Pharisees, or so sortof a governmental position. Same Way with52800:35:49.860 --> 00:35:55.369Paul. He's dealing with government authority. And we're not talking about governmental authorities,52900:35:55.730 --> 00:35:59.730we're talking about your family. We'retalking about those who you've known for53000:35:59.809 --> 00:36:01.929a long time, which can makeit even more difficult sometimes. Yeah,53100:36:02.010 --> 00:36:06.599that's why it's important to bathe thesethings in prayer. Yeah, and you53200:36:06.679 --> 00:36:10.320know, thinking about gentleness. Whatdoes that look like? Gentleness like,53300:36:12.719 --> 00:36:15.920bouncing off of your point. OftenTimes with family you know each other very53400:36:16.000 --> 00:36:22.710well and and sometimes we don't treateach other well because, you know,53500:36:22.829 --> 00:36:27.150familiarity breeds contempt. Yeah, thatthat you just you know that. Basically,53600:36:27.150 --> 00:36:30.230I think you know the they'll alwaysbe there to love you. You're53700:36:30.389 --> 00:36:32.460irritated, I think, more easily, yeah, by the things that you53800:36:32.619 --> 00:36:38.900see every day. that it justbuilds. So gentleness. I think about53900:36:38.900 --> 00:36:45.139that because I don't think I amnaturally a gentle yeah person, but I54000:36:45.260 --> 00:36:51.010wander from up North's not right.And and so you know, kind of54100:36:52.570 --> 00:36:57.849what does gentleness look like? AndI know two things that in my mind,54200:36:58.010 --> 00:37:00.369when I feel people are gentle withme. There's two things that that54300:37:00.719 --> 00:37:05.559I think of. Number One,they listen. Yeah, you can tell54400:37:05.719 --> 00:37:08.440they're listening. That's a gentleness.Yeah, and the second is they don't54500:37:08.480 --> 00:37:12.400call me names. Yes, andthey don't put me down, or even54600:37:12.519 --> 00:37:16.469sarcasm can. I mean some sarcasmis funny, but they're there is a54700:37:16.550 --> 00:37:22.590point where sarcasm can be cruel.So so to me those are two important54800:37:22.630 --> 00:37:27.909aspects of jet and we talked aboutthat even as one of these principles,54900:37:27.949 --> 00:37:30.900even though we didn't make it oneof the principles, is that you know,55000:37:30.619 --> 00:37:36.300listening to people and what they actuallybelieve and what their convictions and things55100:37:36.340 --> 00:37:37.739are. You know, when you'retalking through and you're having a conversation,55200:37:37.820 --> 00:37:44.289actually listening is an important part ofbeing gentle. You kind of just slow55300:37:44.449 --> 00:37:46.610down. Ultimately, it's not yourjob to convince someone of the truth.55400:37:46.969 --> 00:37:50.969The Holy Spirit will do that andthey have to yield to him. So55500:37:51.610 --> 00:37:55.050you just slow down, listen towhat they have to say and then the55600:37:55.289 --> 00:37:59.480Lord will give you things to respondto them. You know, as you're55700:37:59.519 --> 00:38:01.679listening to what their convictions are.If you're listening, you know a lot55800:38:01.719 --> 00:38:07.360of times if you listen to whatpeople's heartfelt convictions are, the reasoned out55900:38:07.400 --> 00:38:09.400convictions are. I say that withair quotes, because you realize most of56000:38:09.440 --> 00:38:12.989these aren't reasoned out very much.Yeah, there are a lot of its56100:38:13.070 --> 00:38:16.670emotional. Yeah, or there's commonalitiesyou didn't know existed as actually listen to56200:38:16.750 --> 00:38:22.710them. You know something it doesn'tsay in this verse. Listening again to56300:38:22.789 --> 00:38:28.739what you just said, that givinga defense to anyone who ask you for56400:38:28.980 --> 00:38:31.380a reason, that is that forthe hope that is in you. You56500:38:31.539 --> 00:38:37.139do a gentleness respect, it doesn'tsay, and then changing their minds.56600:38:37.340 --> 00:38:39.420Yeah, we are not called forthe results. We say that all the56700:38:39.500 --> 00:38:44.130time to our volunteers out on yourside, Balk we're not called for the56800:38:44.170 --> 00:38:47.170results. We are called to givethe defense, to be the messenger,56900:38:47.210 --> 00:38:51.610yeah, of the hope that iswithin us, which is the Gospel.57000:38:52.289 --> 00:38:54.650But it's not our work. Yeah, for it's not our job to change57100:38:54.690 --> 00:38:58.800their hard that that in and ofitself, I think, can change family57200:38:58.800 --> 00:39:01.000dynamics. Y. Yeah, absolutely, you're not thinking I got to change57300:39:01.039 --> 00:39:06.320their mind. I mean that bringsabout sword inline with that word gentle that57400:39:06.480 --> 00:39:09.469word can also be humble or meek. Oh, okay. So your other57500:39:09.550 --> 00:39:13.829version said the way. Yeah,the new King Dames actually says with meekness57600:39:13.869 --> 00:39:17.750and fear. Okay. And sohumility. Everything that we do as believers57700:39:17.789 --> 00:39:22.869in Jesus and those who are tobring his message should be done with humility.57800:39:22.630 --> 00:39:27.579In humility entails recognizing it's not ourwork that we're doing, it's not57900:39:27.659 --> 00:39:30.619our message that we're bringing, it'snot our job to convince people to change58000:39:30.659 --> 00:39:35.980their minds. Certainly will want toinfluence them, but ultimately we just were58100:39:36.019 --> 00:39:38.250supposed to give the truth. We'resupposed to do it with humility and gentleness58200:39:38.610 --> 00:39:43.929and and respect. And then theydeal with it, you know, they58300:39:44.289 --> 00:39:49.250before God and God's dealing with theirhearts already. You know, it's between58400:39:49.289 --> 00:39:53.519them and the Lord, Right.Yeah, yeah, that's a really freeing58500:39:54.000 --> 00:39:59.320point for me, very free itis so o we just we hope this58600:39:59.519 --> 00:40:01.480podcast was a blessing to you,guys. We hope that it freeds you58700:40:01.480 --> 00:40:06.639up to be a witness in yourfamily, not just talking about the issue58800:40:06.639 --> 00:40:12.429of abortion, but talking about theGospel and and so be blessed with this,58900:40:12.909 --> 00:40:15.230with this information that we give you, and and go out and be59000:40:15.309 --> 00:40:19.429a witness to your family, bepraying, asking the Lord to use you.59100:40:19.989 --> 00:40:22.900If you want to get trained andequipped to do sidewalk counseling, which59200:40:22.900 --> 00:40:23.860is what you hear US talk abouta lot of times, you can go59300:40:23.900 --> 00:40:29.179to our website, sidewalks for lifecom, sidewalks the number four and lifecom.59400:40:29.699 --> 00:40:32.699Hope you guys follow us on Facebook, Charlotte cities for life. You can59500:40:32.739 --> 00:40:36.409go to our website, CHARLOTTE DOTcities for Life Dot Org. You can59600:40:36.449 --> 00:40:40.889connect with me, dparts at citiesfor lifecom, or Vicky at Vicki Cossi,59700:40:40.929 --> 00:40:45.650or Vikassi Org at cities for lifecom. Let us know what you think59800:40:45.650 --> 00:40:50.159about the podcast. Give us somesuggestions of future episode. Share the podcast59900:40:50.280 --> 00:40:57.400with other people, but until nexttime, God bless, use, use,60000:40:59.880 --> 00:41:21.460give me, give me, costme my life, but got these60100:41:21.619 --> 00:41:22.619two precious