Rob Pacienza - The Blessing of Wisdom

March 31, 2025 | S25:E13

Truths That Transform presented by Coral Ridge Ministries featuring Dr. Robert J. Pacienza, with sermon commentary from Dr. D. James Kennedy and Dr. Pacienza. Each program provides a compelling analysis of current moral and cultural controversies all from a biblical perspective.

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Truths That Transform | Rob Pacienza - The Blessing of Wisdom | March 31, 2025
  • Americans voted for a new president in november,
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  • Stopping illegal immigration was one of the driving issues.
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  • But what about the need to show mercy?
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  • Many christians are confused but we'll clear it up,
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  • On the next truths that transform.
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  • Welcome to truths that transform,
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  • A production of coral ridge ministries, where we are
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  • I'm pastor rob pacienza.
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  • It's been said that wisdom is ‘applied truth,'
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  • And i think we can all agree
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  • Our culture could use a lot more of it.
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  • But it's hard to apply wisdom
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  • When we don't even know what the truth is.
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  • Today, we're going to dive into what ‘truth applied' looks like
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  • In the context of one of today's
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  • Most heated debates illegal immigration.
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  • We'll explore how wisdom can help us navigate
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  • And evaluate these complex issues.
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  • And we'll start by taking a look at where things stand now
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  • In the early days of the trump administration,
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  • When it comes to america's borders.
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  • Here's our own david wright to fill us in.
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  • Over the last four years, illegal crossings
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  • At america's southern border reached an all-time high.
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  • Along with it came huge levels of deadly drugs
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  • Such as fentanyl, human sex trafficking,
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  • And a spike in illegal migrant crime.
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  • Tonight, along a roadway in southern mexico,
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  • A seemingly endless stream of people
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  • Making their way on foot towards the united states
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  • Since president biden took office,
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  • Nearly 10 million illegal immigrants
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  • Have flooded into our nation.
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  • 77,000 pounds of fentanyl confiscated at the border
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  • Over that time, you don't know how much got through
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  • A new department of homeland security report
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  • Suggests the u.s. immigration and customs enforcement
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  • Agency-ice cannot account for
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  • Tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors,
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  • The report from the dhs inspector general
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  • Notes a number of issues effectively blaming ice
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  • For loosing track of children who arrive alone at the border.
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  • So what we've seen over the last three and a half to four years,
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  • Particularly along the southern border, is a historic crisis,
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  • A crisis of illegal aliens coming into the country
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  • Illegally from a variety of different ways.
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  • So over that almost four year period now you've seen about
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  • 12 million, either illegal encounters or got-aways.
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  • So, these are illegal encounters are folks that
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  • The border patrol picks up, and then
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  • The got-aways are folks that get past law enforcement
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  • And pass the border patrol and into american communities.
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  • And the impacts are actually far leading.
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  • What does this do? what does illegal alien
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  • Population do to your public health systems?
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  • Your public safety systems, your education system,
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  • So when you have 500,000 children or more that have
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  • Come in over the last three and a half or four years,
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  • They all go into the public education system.
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  • English is not their first language.
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  • So, what does that do to teacher resources?
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  • You need more bilingual teachers.
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  • And so, these are things that these education institutions
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  • And systems haven't really planned for
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  • Because you can't plan for illegal behavior, right?
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  • Along with disrupting systems, illegal immigration
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  • Poses a direct threat to american citizens
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  • If we do not respect our laws, then we have chaos.
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  • And that's exactly what our nation is facing right now
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  • In the streets and the cities, in places like
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  • New york where the stats show that a large percentage,
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  • Actually the majority of crime taking place in new york city
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  • Is courtesy of illegal immigration.
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  • So there's a price we pay when we do not respect the law
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  • So many people have been murdered,
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  • So many women have been raped.
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  • We cannot be silent.
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  • We need to protect and make sure the law is enforced
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  • And those who come here are properly vetted
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  • To protect our wives, our children, and our families
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  • I just met someone that i've known for many years who
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  • Was head-on collision with an illegal alien who came across
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  • The southern border at a hundred miles an hour.
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  • And by god's a miracle grace, she survived.
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  • She's walking around with a scooter today,
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  • But she is joyful and she was not expected to live.
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  • And that was because of chaos coming through our border
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  • That ultimately almost took a person's life.
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  • And unfortunately in other cases people have lost their lives.
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  • I mean, look at the gangs and the fentanyl
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  • That's been coming across the border.
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  • Those are killing americans.
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  • Look at the terrorists that we know are in this country
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  • And they're ready to strike against america
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  • And kill innocent people.
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  • We have to secure our borders.
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  • Chinese-produced fentanyl and other drugs
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  • Have flooded our borer in recent years.
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  • The new york times has reported that,
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  • “drug overdoses now kill more than 100,000 americans
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  • A year more than vehicle crash and gun deaths combined.”
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  • Fentanyl's a big issue right now.
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  • Obviously, it has been for some time.
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  • And why is it a big issue?
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  • Because the cartels are empowered,
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  • They've been empowered over the last several years.
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  • They're making more money and have more power than
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  • They've ever had because of this human trafficking, right.
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  • We got to remember,
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  • When we talk about 10 million or 12 million illegal encounters,
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  • Every one person pays the cartels between $10,000
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  • And $50,000, right. every person pays them.
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  • And so they have more money, which means to say they can
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  • Smuggle more and more illegal narcotics, fentanyl across that
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  • Border in amounts that we've never seen before.
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  • And so the small amount that we're picking up
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  • At ports of entry and elsewhere, and
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  • We celebrate our encounters or our apprehensions of this drug,
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  • We're catching 10% maybe. right?
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  • So 90% or more are flowing through,
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  • And this is it's not only because the cartels are powerful
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  • It's because we are not demanding more from the
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  • Government of mexico and from the communist party of china,
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  • Which makes the precursors for fentanyl
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  • That then get flowed to mexico
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  • And then come across our southern border.
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  • When it comes to the issues of child sex trafficking
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  • Due to open borders, the numbers are appalling.
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  • So, one of the least reported items
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  • Of the crisis is the children.
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  • The numbers of children that have come across that border,
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  • So over 500,000 have been trafficked across that border.
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  • These are unaccompanied what we call uacs,
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  • Unaccompanied alien children.
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  • These are people that have these are children
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  • That have come over without their parent,
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  • Without a guardian of any kind,
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  • Have been trafficked by these cartels.
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  • And so again, the cartels don't care about human life.
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  • It's a commodity to them, and they deliver,
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  • And then they'll go back across the river or across that border,
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  • And so you've had 500,000 trafficked where they're at.
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  • We don't know right because there are reports
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  • Recently about the us government
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  • Losing 330,000 of them in the immigration system.
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  • They don't know where they're at, right
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  • Which is just startling because they're probably with
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  • Individuals that are furthering that trafficking,
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  • Abusing them, or even worse,
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  • Some of them are probably in good homes,
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  • But we just don't know.
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  • And so when you have an influx of children like we've seen,
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  • You can't build the system.
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  • You've overwhelmed the system, the system breaks down,
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  • And now that's why there's
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  • Hundreds of thousands that can't be accounted for.
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  • Ironically, those who support open borders in america
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  • Won't tell you that most nations around the world
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  • Have clear and defined borders,
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  • As well as strict immigration laws.
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  • There's a big focus today on borders and sovereign borders.
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  • Now it's interesting because we see
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  • A lot of hypocritical views on this.
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  • Because the very same people who are crying out about
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  • How russia is violating the sovereign border of ukraine.
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  • And i believe that they are, and i believe what they're doing
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  • Is wrong just to clarify that, are the same people that
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  • Are ignoring what's happening at our southern border.
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  • Under the new trump administration,
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  • Illegal border crossings have plummeted.
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  • In fact, according to nbc - encounters along the border are
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  • The lowest they have been since tracking began 25 years ago
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  • But that doesn't undo the damage that has already been done.
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  • What's happened in the last four years, that's not immigration,
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  • That's not border security, that's straight up open borders.
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  • That's what that was. that was an open invitation.
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  • We need great leadership that now we see
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  • This administration under donald trump and tom homan.
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  • The new leadership is doing something about it.
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  • Those levels have gone down,
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  • But it still doesn't deal with
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  • The multiplied millions that are already in the country.
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  • And when you break the law,
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  • There's a consequence to it, right?
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  • Just like if you break the laws of gravity,
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  • The laws of physics, there's a consequence.
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  • If you break other laws, there's a consequence.
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  • And in this situation, someone who's come in illegally,
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  • There's a consequence to that and that is
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  • You get put back where you came from.
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  • And if you want to come to this country, fine,
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  • Our arms are open,
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  • But you have to go through the legal process.
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  • But shouldn't christians be compassionate
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  • And help all the refugees?
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  • When you talk about a border situation,
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  • Lots of times people try to condemn
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  • And demonize and denigrate christians,
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  • But god understands borders.
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  • If you go back and you read in the bible,
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  • When he cast adam and eve out of the garden of eden,
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  • Ok, he didn't let him come back in.
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  • As a matter of fact,
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  • He put an angel there with a sword of fire.
  • 00:09:46.322 --> 00:09:49.492
  • He had his own border patrol and they were illegal
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  • And they couldn't come back in.
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  • So if you read through the bible,
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  • You know he outlines the borders for israel.
  • 00:09:56.599 --> 00:09:59.635
  • So god understands the borders and boundaries,
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  • But he also understands our heart and he is compassionate,
  • 00:10:03.005 --> 00:10:05.875
  • But we have to follow the law as well.
  • 00:10:05.875 --> 00:10:08.844
  • And so when people come out and try to guilt trip christians
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  • And stand for the law, i mean, i don't understand that because
  • 00:10:13.883 --> 00:10:18.454
  • If you don't have the law, then you have lawlessness.
  • 00:10:18.454 --> 00:10:21.290
  • And when you have lawlessness, then that lends itself
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  • Towards the devil who is there to steal, kill, and destroy,
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  • And he is going about the world,
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  • Prowling around and seeing who he can kill.
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  • So i think it's important that christians stand up and say,
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  • We are compassionate people, but we also honor the law
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  • And we'll be more than happy to go and
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  • Have mission trips to these countries and help those people.
  • 00:10:39.575 --> 00:10:42.511
  • But we have to protect our own people.
  • 00:10:42.511 --> 00:10:45.047
  • We have to protect our own sovereignty.
  • 00:10:45.047 --> 00:10:46.482
  • We have to protect our borders
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  • Because we have a right to do so under the law.
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  • I mean, even jesus said, render under caesar, what is caesars?
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  • One of the big mistakes that christians
  • 00:10:54.590 --> 00:10:56.659
  • Sometimes make is that they want to apply
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  • The ethics of the church to the state.
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  • I heard a pastor saying i'm sure that he was compassionate
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  • And meant well, when he said,
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  • Of course we should invite people into america
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  • And basically have open borders
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  • Because after all the gospel is for everyone.
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  • Yes, of course the gospel is for everyone,
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  • But that's not the role of the state.
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  • The role of the state is to keep order, to punish crime,
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  • And to keep its citizens safe.
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  • That's the role of the state.
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  • It is important that the church welcome everyone.
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  • That's the ministry of the church,
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  • But that is not the ministry of the state.
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  • There has been a lot of heat and not much light
  • 00:11:45.174 --> 00:11:47.476
  • Surrounding the issue of borders and immigration,
  • 00:11:47.476 --> 00:11:50.379
  • And much of it is because our culture lacks wisdom.
  • 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:53.816
  • If, as voltaire said, “common sense is not so common,”
  • 00:11:53.816 --> 00:11:58.154
  • It's safe to say that true wisdom is even less common.
  • 00:11:58.154 --> 00:12:01.690
  • Yet we have a desperate need for it
  • 00:12:01.690 --> 00:12:04.059
  • In a complex world filled with noise.
  • 00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:06.395
  • We need people who are able to apply truth
  • 00:12:06.395 --> 00:12:08.964
  • To the problems we face.
  • 00:12:08.964 --> 00:12:10.833
  • That's why i recently shared a message on
  • 00:12:10.833 --> 00:12:13.569
  • “the blessing of wisdom”
  • 00:12:13.569 --> 00:12:14.970
  • With our congregation here at coral ridge.
  • 00:12:14.970 --> 00:12:17.439
  • This morning we're going to be talking about
  • 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:20.209
  • The foundational truth of the blessing of wisdom.
  • 00:12:20.209 --> 00:12:24.980
  • That wisdom is a blessing,
  • 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.982
  • And we're going to be reading from proverbs chapter 1 verse 7,
  • 00:12:26.982 --> 00:12:30.286
  • And then skipping ahead to select verses
  • 00:12:30.286 --> 00:12:32.788
  • From proverbs chapter 8.
  • 00:12:32.788 --> 00:13:49.064
  • And the grass withers and the flower fades.
  • 00:13:50.099 --> 00:13:52.801
  • But no, not the word of our lord; it stands forever. amen.
  • 00:13:52.801 --> 00:13:55.938
  • You may be seated
  • 00:13:55.938 --> 00:14:01.543
  • Better late than never.
  • 00:14:02.177 --> 00:14:05.381
  • Actions speak louder than words.
  • 00:14:05.381 --> 00:14:10.486
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder,
  • 00:14:10.486 --> 00:14:14.757
  • Better safe than sorry,
  • 00:14:14.757 --> 00:14:18.327
  • And my personal favorite; you are what you eat.
  • 00:14:18.327 --> 00:14:26.035
  • Are any of these true?
  • 00:14:26.035 --> 00:14:29.305
  • How would we know?
  • 00:14:29.305 --> 00:14:31.273
  • You need wisdom?
  • 00:14:31.273 --> 00:14:33.309
  • You need wisdom not only to know
  • 00:14:33.309 --> 00:14:35.277
  • Are these proverbial sayings true?
  • 00:14:35.277 --> 00:14:37.613
  • You need wisdom for everything.
  • 00:14:37.613 --> 00:14:41.717
  • You and i need wisdom.
  • 00:14:41.717 --> 00:14:44.687
  • Thanks be to god. god gives us wisdom.
  • 00:14:44.687 --> 00:14:48.157
  • And the book of proverbs is a book of wisdom,
  • 00:14:48.157 --> 00:14:51.427
  • A book of wisdom from king solomon and other authors,
  • 00:14:51.427 --> 00:14:54.997
  • Other sages that offer wise counsel.
  • 00:14:54.997 --> 00:14:59.234
  • In one verse in chapter seven,
  • 00:14:59.234 --> 00:15:02.071
  • You can understand the entire book of proverbs,
  • 00:15:02.071 --> 00:15:05.741
  • Verse seven of chapter one.
  • 00:15:05.741 --> 00:15:08.711
  • We are told through scholars and through commentaries
  • 00:15:08.711 --> 00:15:13.115
  • That this is the whole theme, the whole motto,
  • 00:15:13.115 --> 00:15:15.918
  • The whole big idea of the book of proverbs, that wisdom
  • 00:15:15.918 --> 00:15:20.189
  • And knowledge is ultimately found by its original source,
  • 00:15:20.189 --> 00:15:26.061
  • Which is the fear of the lord.
  • 00:15:26.061 --> 00:15:27.963
  • The fear of the lord is
  • 00:15:27.963 --> 00:15:29.198
  • The beginning of all knowledge and wisdom.
  • 00:15:29.198 --> 00:15:31.166
  • The word fear in the bible means to acknowledge,
  • 00:15:31.166 --> 00:15:34.203
  • To believe and to stand in awe that god is the only true god,
  • 00:15:34.203 --> 00:15:40.442
  • That there are no other gods before him.
  • 00:15:40.442 --> 00:15:43.545
  • It's to stand in awe of him and to honor him
  • 00:15:43.545 --> 00:15:46.048
  • As the right king of all of the world.
  • 00:15:46.048 --> 00:15:49.585
  • That's what it means to fear god.
  • 00:15:49.585 --> 00:15:51.520
  • And so what solomon is saying is
  • 00:15:51.520 --> 00:15:53.589
  • You want to be wise and you want to have knowledge.
  • 00:15:53.589 --> 00:15:57.393
  • You first have to fear the lord
  • 00:15:57.393 --> 00:15:59.928
  • And the fear of the lord as the beginning of all knowledge
  • 00:15:59.928 --> 00:16:02.998
  • Simply doesn't mean the starting point and then you move on.
  • 00:16:02.998 --> 00:16:06.435
  • The beginning means it's the source, it's the root.
  • 00:16:06.435 --> 00:16:10.606
  • And the bible says here in proverbs one,
  • 00:16:10.606 --> 00:16:13.208
  • You are a fool if you do not fear the lord.
  • 00:16:13.208 --> 00:16:19.715
  • That is the fear of the lord, believing in him
  • 00:16:19.715 --> 00:16:21.884
  • And acknowledging him and surrendering your life to god
  • 00:16:21.884 --> 00:16:25.888
  • That actually gives you the wisdom that you desire
  • 00:16:25.888 --> 00:16:29.058
  • And the knowledge that you need.
  • 00:16:29.058 --> 00:16:31.493
  • If you skip ahead to the new testament
  • 00:16:31.493 --> 00:16:34.463
  • In colossians chapter 2 verse 3,
  • 00:16:34.463 --> 00:16:37.466
  • The apostle paul says this about jesus,
  • 00:16:37.466 --> 00:16:41.070
  • That in christ are hidden
  • 00:16:41.070 --> 00:16:43.272
  • All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
  • 00:16:43.272 --> 00:16:46.208
  • Paul is saying that wisdom is not just a what,
  • 00:16:46.208 --> 00:16:49.411
  • But wisdom is a who.
  • 00:16:49.411 --> 00:16:50.846
  • When jesus comes to earth, he says that
  • 00:16:50.846 --> 00:16:53.549
  • I am the way, i am the truth. i am the life.
  • 00:16:53.549 --> 00:16:56.985
  • And in matthew chapter 12,
  • 00:16:56.985 --> 00:16:59.888
  • He stands before the pharisees who consider him a fool.
  • 00:16:59.888 --> 00:17:04.726
  • And he says, one better than solomon is here.
  • 00:17:04.726 --> 00:17:10.632
  • Jesus says to the pharisees, speaking of solomon,
  • 00:17:10.632 --> 00:17:14.303
  • That solomon had the queen of sheba
  • 00:17:14.303 --> 00:17:17.206
  • Travel 1200 miles to seek the wisdom of solomon.
  • 00:17:17.206 --> 00:17:20.709
  • And she left amazed.
  • 00:17:20.709 --> 00:17:23.946
  • And i present wisdom better than solomon and you reject me.
  • 00:17:23.946 --> 00:17:29.852
  • And the reason that he is one
  • 00:17:29.852 --> 00:17:33.689
  • That offers wisdom better than solomon.
  • 00:17:33.689 --> 00:17:36.091
  • Solomon in light of a broke and sinful and evil world
  • 00:17:36.091 --> 00:17:39.895
  • Was only able to offer wise counsel.
  • 00:17:39.895 --> 00:17:43.232
  • But jesus, in light of a broken, sinful, and evil world
  • 00:17:43.232 --> 00:17:47.469
  • Is able to solve the problem of sin
  • 00:17:47.469 --> 00:17:50.272
  • And evil through his death and resurrection.
  • 00:17:50.272 --> 00:17:54.576
  • Solomon offers wise counsel, and jesus offers himself.
  • 00:17:54.576 --> 00:17:59.348
  • Truly in jesus a better than solomon has arrived.
  • 00:17:59.348 --> 00:18:05.053
  • And it would be on the cross that we would see this wisdom
  • 00:18:05.053 --> 00:18:09.191
  • Solving the problem of evil and corruption and sin
  • 00:18:09.191 --> 00:18:13.428
  • Once and for all,
  • 00:18:13.428 --> 00:18:14.763
  • That jesus on the cross became a fool for us.
  • 00:18:14.763 --> 00:18:18.634
  • And he took on our sin as a curse so that
  • 00:18:18.634 --> 00:18:22.037
  • We could experience the blessing in the favor of almighty god.
  • 00:18:22.037 --> 00:18:25.641
  • Jesus became a fool on the cross so that
  • 00:18:25.641 --> 00:18:30.579
  • We could forever experience god's wisdom.
  • 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:35.083
  • And it's the rejection of this promise
  • 00:18:35.083 --> 00:18:37.686
  • And the rejection of this wisdom as it's found in
  • 00:18:37.686 --> 00:18:39.821
  • Jesus christ that leads to destruction and death.
  • 00:18:39.821 --> 00:18:43.625
  • In verse 36, it says,
  • 00:18:43.625 --> 00:18:45.594
  • Those who hate me and reject the promise of eternal life,
  • 00:18:45.594 --> 00:18:50.232
  • Love death, meaning they love,
  • 00:18:50.232 --> 00:18:54.770
  • They love to destroy themselves by trying to solve
  • 00:18:54.770 --> 00:18:58.640
  • The problems of life on their own,
  • 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:00.576
  • But those that love life and love me will find it
  • 00:19:00.576 --> 00:19:05.013
  • And they will find life and find it more eternal,
  • 00:19:05.013 --> 00:19:08.450
  • And they will find the favor of god in the wisdom of god
  • 00:19:08.450 --> 00:19:11.853
  • Which is found in jesus christ.
  • 00:19:11.853 --> 00:19:13.889
  • And so my question to you this morning is will you take it?
  • 00:19:13.889 --> 00:19:19.628
  • Not only take the wisdom that is offered you,
  • 00:19:19.628 --> 00:19:23.565
  • But take jesus who is the perfection of that wisdom.
  • 00:19:23.565 --> 00:19:27.669
  • Would you take him and would you let go of the things
  • 00:19:27.669 --> 00:19:30.672
  • Of this world and would you grip onto jesus tightly
  • 00:19:30.672 --> 00:19:34.276
  • And find life and life to the full?
  • 00:19:34.276 --> 00:19:36.912
  • Would you receive him today?
  • 00:19:36.912 --> 00:19:38.680
  • You say, pastor, i don't know how to receive jesus.
  • 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:41.783
  • Well, the first thing you have to do is
  • 00:19:41.783 --> 00:19:43.518
  • You have to admit you're a fool without him.
  • 00:19:43.518 --> 00:19:46.488
  • And after you admit that you're a fool without jesus,
  • 00:19:46.488 --> 00:19:50.792
  • Admit that you are in need of his salvation
  • 00:19:50.792 --> 00:19:53.362
  • And need of his grace.
  • 00:19:53.362 --> 00:19:55.497
  • And you know what the good news is?
  • 00:19:55.497 --> 00:19:58.066
  • God loves fools.
  • 00:19:58.066 --> 00:20:00.068
  • It says that he loves the foolish things of this world,
  • 00:20:00.068 --> 00:20:04.473
  • And he loves us in such a way that it shames the wise.
  • 00:20:04.473 --> 00:20:09.077
  • He takes the foolish things of this world
  • 00:20:09.077 --> 00:20:11.980
  • And transforms us with his wisdom
  • 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:15.183
  • Which is displayed and demonstrated on the cross.
  • 00:20:15.183 --> 00:20:20.455
  • Believe in this wisdom, the wisdom of jesus and live.
  • 00:20:20.455 --> 00:20:27.462
  • Hi, i'm jennifer kennedy cassidy.
  • 00:20:28.230 --> 00:20:30.499
  • As dr. pacienza just shared,
  • 00:20:30.499 --> 00:20:32.734
  • The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom.
  • 00:20:32.734 --> 00:20:36.038
  • And the wisdom of jesus christ brings life.
  • 00:20:36.038 --> 00:20:39.074
  • Unfortunately, the world rejects wisdom
  • 00:20:39.074 --> 00:20:42.377
  • And substitutes its own foolishness.
  • 00:20:42.377 --> 00:20:45.047
  • A lack of godly, life-giving wisdom is plaguing our nation
  • 00:20:45.047 --> 00:20:49.151
  • And our world right now, and too often,
  • 00:20:49.151 --> 00:20:52.154
  • A confused church ends up contributing to the foolishness
  • 00:20:52.154 --> 00:20:56.391
  • Rather than providing godly wisdom.
  • 00:20:56.391 --> 00:20:58.960
  • One such issue is the debate on illegal immigration,
  • 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:02.631
  • Where confused thinking from christians
  • 00:21:02.631 --> 00:21:05.133
  • Has led to division and acrimony.
  • 00:21:05.133 --> 00:21:07.536
  • Christians are often taught a simplistic view of compassion
  • 00:21:07.536 --> 00:21:11.406
  • That's used to manipulate them to the left.
  • 00:21:11.406 --> 00:21:14.643
  • That's why we want to share a vital booklet with you
  • 00:21:14.643 --> 00:21:17.312
  • To bring clarity on this key issue.
  • 00:21:17.312 --> 00:21:19.648
  • The booklet is called
  • 00:21:19.648 --> 00:21:20.916
  • Wise welcome: the bible on immigration,
  • 00:21:20.916 --> 00:21:23.985
  • By dr. james hoffmeier,
  • 00:21:23.985 --> 00:21:26.054
  • And we will be happy to send it to you as our thanks for
  • 00:21:26.054 --> 00:21:28.690
  • Your generous donation to the ongoing work of this ministry.
  • 00:21:28.690 --> 00:21:32.327
  • New testament scholar d.a. carson says,
  • 00:21:32.327 --> 00:21:44.639
  • Dr. hoffmeier investigates what the whole bible says
  • 00:21:45.807 --> 00:21:49.644
  • About immigration and national borders,
  • 00:21:49.644 --> 00:21:51.913
  • Rather than just a few proof texts that are commonly used.
  • 00:21:51.913 --> 00:21:55.717
  • And if you're able to give a generous donation
  • 00:21:55.717 --> 00:21:57.853
  • Of $60 or more, we'll send you that booklet plus the new book,
  • 00:21:57.853 --> 00:22:01.757
  • Toxic empathy: how progressives exploit christian compassion
  • 00:22:01.757 --> 00:22:06.328
  • By allie beth stuckey.
  • 00:22:06.328 --> 00:22:08.363
  • On issues like illegal immigration, progressives
  • 00:22:08.363 --> 00:22:11.433
  • Have leveraged a shallow understanding of empathy
  • 00:22:11.433 --> 00:22:14.336
  • To co-opt christians into their political agenda.
  • 00:22:14.336 --> 00:22:17.639
  • They bully christians into believing that
  • 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:20.175
  • They must adopt progressive positions to be loving.
  • 00:22:20.175 --> 00:22:23.412
  • But the most important thing is for us to submit ourselves
  • 00:22:23.412 --> 00:22:27.215
  • To god's definitions of love, goodness, and justice,
  • 00:22:27.215 --> 00:22:31.019
  • Rather than the definitions of the secular world.
  • 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:33.955
  • This book is written to help you do that.
  • 00:22:33.955 --> 00:22:36.625
  • Dr. al mohler says,
  • 00:22:36.625 --> 00:22:43.598
  • So make sure you order your copy today.
  • 00:22:44.499 --> 00:22:46.768
  • That's the timely booklet,
  • 00:22:46.768 --> 00:22:48.403
  • Wise welcome: the bible on immigration,
  • 00:22:48.403 --> 00:22:51.039
  • As thanks for your generous donation.
  • 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:53.341
  • And the booklet plus the new bestseller,
  • 00:22:53.341 --> 00:22:55.844
  • Toxic empathy: how progressives exploit christian compassion
  • 00:22:55.844 --> 00:22:59.948
  • By allie beth stuckey
  • 00:22:59.948 --> 00:23:01.716
  • As thanks for your gift of $60 or more.
  • 00:23:01.716 --> 00:23:04.619
  • Your support allows us to produce and air
  • 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:07.656
  • Bible-based television programming,
  • 00:23:07.656 --> 00:23:09.658
  • Podcasts, documentaries, and much more.
  • 00:23:09.658 --> 00:23:12.594
  • And it helps us expand our outreaches like
  • 00:23:12.594 --> 00:23:18.700
  • Proclaiming america's christian history.
  • 00:23:19.668 --> 00:23:21.937
  • So please, contact us right away with your generous gift.
  • 00:23:21.937 --> 00:23:25.640
  • Simply write to us at coral ridge ministries:
  • 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:32.781
  • Or call toll free:
  • 00:23:33.315 --> 00:23:38.119
  • Or go online to: .
  • 00:23:38.653 --> 00:23:43.692
  • A lot of christians are confused about how to respond to
  • 00:23:44.893 --> 00:23:48.096
  • The issue of illegal immigration and america's borders.
  • 00:23:48.096 --> 00:23:51.366
  • And the main reason for this confusion
  • 00:23:51.366 --> 00:23:53.468
  • Is a misunderstanding of the different roles
  • 00:23:53.468 --> 00:23:55.904
  • That god has given to various institutions.
  • 00:23:55.904 --> 00:23:58.640
  • God has designed different,
  • 00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:00.475
  • Sometimes overlapping spheres of authority.
  • 00:24:00.475 --> 00:24:03.178
  • For example, a king or president leads the government,
  • 00:24:03.178 --> 00:24:06.581
  • A manager oversees an office, and a
  • 00:24:06.581 --> 00:24:09.351
  • Father leads the home and these roles should not be mixed up.
  • 00:24:09.351 --> 00:24:13.221
  • Understanding these roles is crucial,
  • 00:24:13.221 --> 00:24:15.857
  • And we run into trouble when we confuse them.
  • 00:24:15.857 --> 00:24:18.593
  • Take socialism, for example.
  • 00:24:18.593 --> 00:24:20.929
  • A lot of the harm it causes comes from the government
  • 00:24:20.929 --> 00:24:24.199
  • Trying to take on the roles of families and communities
  • 00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:27.802
  • Roles it just isn't equipped to handle.
  • 00:24:27.802 --> 00:24:30.605
  • These different areas of authority are also key
  • 00:24:30.605 --> 00:24:33.909
  • When it comes to understanding illegal immigration
  • 00:24:33.909 --> 00:24:36.611
  • And borders from a christian perspective.
  • 00:24:36.611 --> 00:24:39.281
  • God gave the government one primary purpose:
  • 00:24:39.281 --> 00:24:42.384
  • To achieve justice for the people
  • 00:24:42.384 --> 00:24:44.452
  • And communities under its care.
  • 00:24:44.452 --> 00:24:46.555
  • In romans 13, we're told that the government
  • 00:24:46.555 --> 00:24:57.198
  • The government's purpose isn't to show mercy.
  • 00:24:58.199 --> 00:25:00.769
  • Of course, it can and should show mercy when appropriate,
  • 00:25:00.769 --> 00:25:04.039
  • But its main job is to bring justice.
  • 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:07.042
  • And this justice is meant for the people within its borders.
  • 00:25:07.042 --> 00:25:10.579
  • The government is not responsible for securing justice
  • 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:13.515
  • For people in other countries, unless that situation
  • 00:25:13.515 --> 00:25:16.484
  • Directly affects our citizens like with a military alliance,
  • 00:25:16.484 --> 00:25:20.555
  • For example.
  • 00:25:20.555 --> 00:25:21.690
  • To do its job of securing justice for americans,
  • 00:25:21.690 --> 00:25:24.726
  • The government must control its borders.
  • 00:25:24.726 --> 00:25:27.729
  • This means having control over who enters
  • 00:25:27.729 --> 00:25:30.198
  • And who is denied entry into the country.
  • 00:25:30.198 --> 00:25:33.101
  • Managed immigration can be beneficial for both america
  • 00:25:33.101 --> 00:25:37.172
  • And those who want to come here.
  • 00:25:37.172 --> 00:25:39.207
  • But when immigration is uncontrolled, it brings harm,
  • 00:25:39.207 --> 00:25:43.144
  • Like threats to national security
  • 00:25:43.144 --> 00:25:45.113
  • And strain on public services that taxpayers fund.
  • 00:25:45.113 --> 00:25:48.583
  • It's possible to balance justice with mercy,
  • 00:25:48.583 --> 00:25:51.753
  • And that's a good goal to aim for.
  • 00:25:51.753 --> 00:25:53.722
  • We can enforce our border laws
  • 00:25:53.722 --> 00:25:55.991
  • While still providing legal ways for people to come.
  • 00:25:55.991 --> 00:25:58.960
  • Justice and mercy can walk together safely.
  • 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:02.564
  • But not if justice is beaten down so severely
  • 00:26:02.564 --> 00:26:05.867
  • That it can no longer walk.
  • 00:26:05.867 --> 00:26:07.535
  • And in every case,
  • 00:26:07.535 --> 00:26:08.870
  • We need to keep these areas of authority separate.
  • 00:26:08.870 --> 00:26:11.940
  • God didn't create governments to love people or be merciful.
  • 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:15.410
  • That's the role of families, churches, and communities.
  • 00:26:15.410 --> 00:26:18.313
  • He gave us governments to ensure justice
  • 00:26:18.313 --> 00:26:20.782
  • For the people under their care.
  • 00:26:20.782 --> 00:26:23.284
  • Coral ridge ministries is
  • 00:26:23.918 --> 00:26:27.522
  • If you're ever in south florida, we welcome you to join us for
  • 00:26:28.823 --> 00:26:32.661
  • Sunday morning worship here at coral ridge presbyterian church,
  • 00:26:32.661 --> 00:26:36.364
  • Or you can always join on livestream at:
  • 00:26:36.364 --> 00:26:40.535
  • We also want to invite you to connect with us
  • 00:26:41.569 --> 00:26:43.571
  • On social media at:
  • 00:26:43.571 --> 00:26:46.708
  • And check out our vast library of video resources at
  • 00:26:47.876 --> 00:26:53.014
  • I want to thank you for joining us,
  • 00:26:53.915 --> 00:26:55.750
  • And here's a look at the next truths that transform.
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  • If one wants to decide that
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  • The new testament is historically untrustworthy, then
  • 00:27:01.222 --> 00:27:04.659
  • One must be willing to become a complete historical agnostic.
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  • That's next week
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  • This has been a production of coral ridge ministries
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