WEBVTT

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 Good morning, brothers and sisters.

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 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tyler.

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! I'm one of the lay elders.

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 And it's a joy for me to bring you God's word this morning.

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 And with that, let's go to the Lord in prayer, and then we'll dive in together.

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 Father in heaven, what a comfort it is that you use vessels of weakness to accomplish your glorious purposes.

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 And Father, you spoke through Balaam's donkey, so surely you can speak through me this morning to your people.

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 And Father, I pray that my words would not be plausible words of wisdom, but your spirit would come in demonstration of your power.

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 Father, we lift this time to you.

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 Open our eyes to see wondrous things in your word, Father.

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 Would you be glorified in Jesus' name?

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 Amen.

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 Perhaps, one of the most common questions today is not whether Christianity is true, but is it good?

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 Is Christianity good for the world?

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 Is Christianity on the wrong side of history?

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 One person who thought so was the 4th century Roman Emperor Julian.

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 He hated Christianity.

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 Despite growing up in a Christian family, serving as an officer in the church and able to quote scripture, he threw off the faith.

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 And hence, he became known as Julian the Apostate.

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 And he didn't just want to throw Christianity off himself.

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 He wanted to throw it off of Rome.

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 Believing Christianity would lead to society's ruin,

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 He sought to reverse the clock on the spread of Christianity.

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 To return Rome to its prior glory.

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 The return to the Roman tradition.

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 The paganism.

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 The rituals.

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 The temples.

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 To Hercules, the ideal of the heroic man.

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 But it was not to be so.

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 Despite his rejection, Christianity triumphed.

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 At the end of his life, fatally wounded in battle, it is said, he gathered up a handful of dust.

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 And he raised his fist to the heavens.

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 And he cried out,

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 O Galilean, thou hast conquered.

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 The Galilean had won.

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 And sadly for him, Christianity continued to spread.

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 And this sentiment about Christianity is not confined to Roman emperors from long ago.

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 But it is the air we breathe today.

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 One poet seizes on Julian's last words and wrote these haunting words.

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 Thou hast conquered, O pale Galilean, and the world has grown gray from thy breath.

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 Jesus is portrayed as ghostly, ghastly, gray, and pale.

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 And because of him, the world is now gray, joyless, stale.

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 Oppressing the human spirit.

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 Christianity represents the wrong turn in history.

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 Christianity.

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 This is common currency in the neighborhood and workplaces.

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 Christianity is a cosmic killjoy.

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 What a tragic mischaracterization.

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 Even more tragic is that it's even plausible in the first place.

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 As we open up this chapter in Chronicles, we see something very, very different.

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 We catch a vision of what life could be like if we lived under this Galilean's reign.

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 And this chapter is like the Netflix show, Stranger Things, but in reverse.

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 It's the opposite.

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 It's completely different.

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 When the upside-down world of God's kingdom breaks into the world, it doesn't produce darkness and decay and demogorgons.

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 No, it's full of joy, energetic praise, and generosity.

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 So let me invite you to turn to 2 Chronicles 29 as we see God's kingdom breaking forth into the world.

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 And you can find that on page 353 of the Pew Bible.

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 And it would be helpful for you to open up your Bibles.

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 And if you're not familiar with the Bible, the big numbers are the chapter numbers.

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 Smaller numbers are the verse numbers.

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 And the main point of this passage is that God will raise up Hezekiah to spark a reformation for the joy of his people.

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 And we'll look at this section in three parts.

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 Point number one will be the character of Hezekiah.

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 Point number two, the command for God's people to clean house.

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 And point number three, the Christian joy that is the result.

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 So let's pick up in verse 1, chapter 29, 2 Chronicles.

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 God's Word says this,

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 Hezekiah began to reign when he was 25 years old.

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 And he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem.

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 His mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

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 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.

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 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened up the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.

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 He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square in the east and said to them,

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 Hear me, Levites, now consecrate yourselves and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers,

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 and carry out the filth from the holy place.

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 For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God.

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 They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs.

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 They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps,

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 and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.

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 Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on Judah and Jerusalem,

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 and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes.

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 For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword,

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 and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.

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 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord,

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 the God of Israel,

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 in order that his fierce anger may turn away from us.

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 My sons, do not be negligent,

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 for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence,

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 to minister to him, and to be his ministers, and make offerings to him.

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 We'll stop there.

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 So, so far we've seen mostly bad kings, total failures.

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 Hezekiah is an exception.

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 He's not a perfect king, but he is a good one.

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 And verse 2 sets the stage for a spiritual reformation that will take place.

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 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,

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 according to all that David his father had done.

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 God is raising up Hezekiah, and God will get all the credit.

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 Look down at verse 36.

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 Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced,

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 because God was the one who provided for the people.

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 Out of darkness, light begins to shine.

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 God will use Hezekiah to revive his people.

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 And Hezekiah, in many ways, is a portrait and a model.

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 To tell you something of his importance,

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 the chronicler gives him more airtime than any other king in the entire book.

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 Four chapters.

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 And coming out of the last chapter,

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 we saw his father, Ahaz, was a bad dude.

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 He had a PhD in idolatry.

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 But by God's grace,

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 Hezekiah was not condemned to follow the pattern of his father.

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 Well, how did he learn God and his word?

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 Well, we're not told directly,

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 but it's probably from the influence of his mother.

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 Look down at verse 1.

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 Abijah.

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 Her name literally means,

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 my father is the Lord.

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 God would use this woman's influence

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 to shape her son, Hezekiah.

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 So mothers, be encouraged.

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 Even if there's not a father in the house

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 who's a good spiritual role model for your children.

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 You may feel small,

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 but a small pebble can produce

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 a ripple effect far and wide.

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 So trust your labors to him.

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 Abijah's labors are unseen by us.

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 We don't know much about her,

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 but God saw her.

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 And God honors those who honor him.

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 Her name is here forever.

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 And the contrast between her son

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 and his father is night and day.

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 Ahaz, remember, shuttered the temple.

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 Darkness spreads over the land.

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 You see that in verse 7.

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 They shut the door of the enterway to the temple.

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 They put out the lamps.

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 The light of the world is now put under a basket.

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 The doors are shut.

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 The people were kept out from worship

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 under the old covenant.

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 Not only that, remember,

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 Ahaz defiled and desecrated God's house.

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 His evil was legendary.

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 He was the first Judean king

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 to sacrifice his son

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 in a pagan ritual.

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 He paraded idols in the city.

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 I wonder how Hezekiah's mother felt about that.

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 Probably wasn't an easy upbringing for him.

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 But now, God raised him up.

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 And Hezekiah is like lightning flashing

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 across the cold, gray sky.

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 Look at verse 3.

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 In the first year of his reign,

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 in the first month,

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 he opened the doors of the house.

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 The moment he gets in power,

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 no delay,

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 he immediately gets to work

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 to reverse the damage his father had done.

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 Now, this wisdom

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 is not coming from where you'd expect it.

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 He is 25 years old.

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 And this work of renewal

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 is not coming from the older generation,

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 but the younger.

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 It's one of the examples in history

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 where the younger generation

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 is calling the older generation

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 back to biblical faithfulness.

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 He's not a thermometer

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 basing his priorities

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 on the weather of the day.

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 No, he was a thermostat

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 and he burned with zeal

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 for God's glory.

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 To give you a sense of his zeal,

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 in 2 Kings 18,

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 if you turn back there,

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 we're told that the people

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 sank into a deep idolatry.

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 And you'll see in verse 4 of that chapter,

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 the people had erected a shrine

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 to the brass serpent

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 that Moses had made.

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 Remember that brass serpent in Numbers?

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 Moses lifted it high up in the air

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 and all who looked to it

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 would live.

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 But as is so often the case,

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 this relic became an object of worship.

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 The people began to pray

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 and began to offer incense to it.

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 The bronze figure was treated

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 as a piece of magic,

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 a talisman.

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 And so what does Hezekiah do?

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 He would have none of it.

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 He takes the very serpent,

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 a relic of antiquity,

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 he destroys it.

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 He smashes it to pieces,

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 grinds it to a powder.

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 And the author of 2 Kings

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 commends him for it

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 because he is obeying the law of Moses

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 in Deuteronomy chapter 12

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 to tear the altars down,

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 smash them,

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 burn them up,

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 wipe them out from every place.

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 Show no mercy to idolatry.

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 In a few chapters,

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 we'll see Hezekiah,

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 a tiny king in a tiny kingdom,

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 defied a world emperor.

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 He had the courage

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 not to surrender to Assyria.

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 And he held fast

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 to the God of Israel

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 and the word.

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 His prayer went up

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 and God's help

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 powerfully came down.

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 You know, in fact,

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 Hezekiah is such a good king,

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 according to Orthodox Jewish tradition,

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 I had the opportunity

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 to speak to an Orthodox Jew

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 as I was preparing for the sermon.

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 For a minute,

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 some Jews thought

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 He was the Messiah.

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 This is the guy.

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 He's the worthy successor

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 of King David,

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 the one who's going to restore

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 the entire kingdom.

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 He almost made it to the end,

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 but it was not to be so.

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 Like all of us,

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 he had clay feet.

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 He stumbled later in life.

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 As the old adage goes,

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 the best of men

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 are men at best.

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 His love grew cold

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 and he began to walk around

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 like a self-righteous peacock.

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 You know, it seems to me

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 how rare it is

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 to see an older saint

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 with the same zeal

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 that Hezekiah had

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 as a young man.

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 I see it in my own life.

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 Older saint,

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 remember when you

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 were like Hezekiah,

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 burning for God's glory?

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 You were like a toy

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 without an off switch.

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 You couldn't stop

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 telling people about Jesus.

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 Now, granted,

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 your life in Christ

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 will look different.

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 There are different seasons.

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 Life with young kids,

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 life caring for an aging spouse

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 or an aging parent

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 will look different

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 than when you were in college.

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 But isn't it also true

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 that it is easy

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 to lose our first love?

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 We lose a passion

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 and a zeal for God's name.

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 The gospel becomes familiar.

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 We stop learning.

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 We no longer courageously

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 confront idolatry.

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 We're more likely

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 to fall into theological compromise.

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 Older saint,

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 let me encourage you

00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.559
 to spend some time

00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:37.600
 with younger Christians.

00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:39.879
 Christians who have a zeal

00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.179
 for God's glory

00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:43.080
 and His name in this world.

00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.139
 The younger generation

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:47.179
 need your wisdom,

00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.379
 but you need them as well.

00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:52.179
 You need their burning zeal

00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.419
 and pray that God

00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.419
 would stir your affections

00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:55.220
 for Him once again.

00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:56.720
 Look at the one

00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.919
 who is greater than Hezekiah

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.259
 who said,

00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.600
 zeal for your house

00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:00.779
 has consumed me.

00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.980
 And look at Hezekiah's zeal

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.100
 in this chapter.

00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.100
 At verse 6,

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.399
 he is honest.

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.639
 Our fathers

00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:09.879
 have been unfaithful

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.519
 and have done

00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.040
 what was evil

00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.980
 in the sight of the Lord,

00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:13.500
 our God.

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:14.980
 He repeats that again

00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:15.779
 in verse 19.

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.680
 He, that is,

00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.659
 Ahaz's father,

00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:19.220
 was faithless.

00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.720
 That is a specific word

00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.820
 packed with meaning.

00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:25.660
 A word that would have been

00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:27.120
 ringing in people's ears.

00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:28.500
 Unfaithful.

00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.960
 Broken covenant vows.

00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:32.240
 Adultery.

00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:33.820
 Rejecting the love

00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:35.100
 that God had shown to them.

00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.660
 And their faithlessness

00:14:36.660 --> 00:14:38.220
 is why in verse 8 to 9

00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.080
 they are now under

00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:41.300
 God's covenant curses.

00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.340
 Objects of wrath,

00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:43.900
 of horror,

00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:44.900
 astonishment,

00:14:45.020 --> 00:14:45.520
 of hissing.

00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:47.140
 They're living in a nightmare

00:14:47.140 --> 00:14:49.240
 because of their disobedience.

00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:51.100
 But after looking back

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.600
 in verse 10,

00:14:51.640 --> 00:14:52.720
 he looks forward.

00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.920
 And he expresses

00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:54.600
 true repentance.

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.420
 It is in my heart

00:14:56.420 --> 00:14:57.460
 to make a covenant

00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.800
 with the Lord.

00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:01.260
 He expresses a solemn oath

00:15:01.260 --> 00:15:02.540
 to put right

00:15:02.540 --> 00:15:03.520
 what is wrong.

00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:04.820
 And this leader

00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.840
 uses his authority

00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.879
 for the good of his people.

00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.960
 He addresses the Levites

00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.400
 as his sons.

00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:11.900
 He has affection

00:15:11.900 --> 00:15:13.260
 for the people of Israel.

00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.000
 Now to be in covenant

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.860
 with God

00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:19.940
 is a profound thing.

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.020
 It's weighty.

00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:22.080
 It's serious.

00:15:23.180 --> 00:15:24.140
 It's the opposite

00:15:24.140 --> 00:15:25.420
 of the modern notion

00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.200
 of being spiritual

00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.960
 but not religious.

00:15:27.900 --> 00:15:28.700
 When people say

00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.400
 they're spiritual

00:15:29.400 --> 00:15:30.700
 and not religious,

00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.060
 what they mean is

00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:33.540
 I want to have a relationship

00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.960
 but no outside authority.

00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:35.840
 No thank you.

00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.340
 I'll take the relationship

00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.480
 but I don't want anyone else

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.600
 to tell me what I need to do

00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:41.480
 or what I need to believe.

00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:43.420
 God is whoever I want him to be.

00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:45.080
 A formless life force.

00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.240
 My inner sense

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.560
 of subjective beauty.

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.680
 But in the scriptures

00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:52.420
 all true personal relationships

00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:52.960
 with God

00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.020
 are covenantal.

00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:55.200
 It's the only kind

00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:55.560
 of relationship

00:15:55.560 --> 00:15:56.639
 with God there is.

00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:57.900
 So covenants

00:15:57.900 --> 00:15:59.400
 are unique blends

00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:00.080
 of law

00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.379
 and love.

00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:03.200
 I submit to you God

00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.080
 not out of duty

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:05.060
 but of delight.

00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:06.980
 You know the word covenant

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.060
 doesn't really capture

00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:08.940
 the meaning.

00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.700
 The word love in it

00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:12.760
 would be a much better word

00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:14.920
 to describe this kind

00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:15.860
 of relationship.

00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:18.060
 A deep and abiding commitment

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.100
 to put ourselves

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:20.520
 under God's authority

00:16:20.520 --> 00:16:22.200
 out of love.

00:16:22.540 --> 00:16:23.700
 I give you everything

00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:26.080
 God because I love you.

00:16:27.140 --> 00:16:28.160
 The closest approximation

00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:29.380
 is the covenant of marriage.

00:16:31.260 --> 00:16:31.380
 Right?

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.820
 Each side saying

00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:34.100
 I give you everything

00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:36.400
 and I look for your good

00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:37.820
 because out of love.

00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:39.660
 And because Hezekiah

00:16:39.660 --> 00:16:40.460
 loves God

00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.340
 he is seeking

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:43.980
 to fix what is wrong.

00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.100
 So what needs

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.780
 to be fixed?

00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.400
 Well point number one

00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.060
 is the character

00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:48.720
 of Hezekiah.

00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:49.760
 Point number two

00:16:49.760 --> 00:16:50.860
 is the command

00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.700
 for God's people

00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.620
 to clean house.

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:55.360
 Now in verses 4 to 19

00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.980
 Hezekiah will begin

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.860
 to put what is wrong.

00:16:59.260 --> 00:17:00.320
 He calls the priests

00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.280
 and the Levites

00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.560
 to a special task

00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:04.340
 to restore temple worship

00:17:04.340 --> 00:17:06.200
 by consecrating

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.019
 and cleansing

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.920
 the temple.

00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.379
 Look down at verse 5.

00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.539
 He says,

00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.779
 Hear me Levites

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.900
 now consecrate yourselves

00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:14.980
 and consecrate

00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:16.220
 the house of the Lord

00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:17.740
 the God of your fathers

00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.519
 and carry out the filth

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:21.180
 from the holy place.

00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:23.180
 So he gathers the Levites

00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.940
 in verses 12 to 14.

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.139
 Let's pick up in verse 15

00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.519
 through 19 as well.

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.480
 They gathered their brothers

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.680
 and consecrated themselves

00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.319
 and went in

00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.279
 as the king had commanded

00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.519
 by the word

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.879
 of the Lord

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.819
 to cleanse the house

00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.400
 of the Lord.

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.980
 The priests went into

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.680
 the innermost part

00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.099
 of the house

00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.160
 of the Lord

00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.799
 to cleanse it

00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:42.279
 and they brought out

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.359
 all the uncleanness

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:43.940
 that they found

00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.940
 in the temple of the Lord

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:46.139
 into the court

00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:46.920
 of the house

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.259
 of the Lord.

00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.039
 And the Levites

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.400
 took it

00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.160
 and carried it out

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.259
 to the brook Kidron.

00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.740
 They began to consecrate

00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.299
 on the first day

00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.000
 of the first month

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.259
 and on the eighth day

00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.900
 of the month

00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.220
 they came to the vestibule

00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.859
 of the Lord.

00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.680
 Then for eight days

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.420
 they consecrated

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.259
 the house of the Lord.

00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.000
 And on the sixteenth day

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.720
 of the first month

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.259
 they finished.

00:18:06.060 --> 00:18:07.039
 Then they went into

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.880
 Hezekiah the king

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.279
 and said,

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.500
 We have cleansed

00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.259
 all the house

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.820
 of the Lord,

00:18:11.060 --> 00:18:12.500
 the altar of burnt offering

00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.460
 and all its utensils

00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.460
 and the table

00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.279
 for the showbread

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.500
 and all its utensils.

00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:18.019
 All the utensils

00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.800
 that King Ahaz

00:18:18.800 --> 00:18:19.940
 discarded in his reign

00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.820
 when he was faithless

00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:22.100
 we have made ready

00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.220
 and consecrated

00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.160
 and behold

00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:25.240
 they are before

00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.140
 the altar

00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.820
 of the Lord.

00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:31.480
 To restore the temple

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.939
 God commands the priest

00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:33.579
 to cleanse

00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.659
 and consecrate

00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.899
 the house of the Lord.

00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.859
 You see that

00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.639
 in verses 5 and 15.

00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:40.639
 Now what is consecration?

00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:43.079
 To consecrate

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.399
 means to put

00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:45.299
 a reserve sticker

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.139
 on an object

00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:49.000
 for God's special use.

00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.720
 And it might be hard

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.599
 to wrap our minds

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.099
 around this

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.000
 in the 21st century

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.059
 but this process

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.059
 was vital.

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:57.000
 for anything

00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.759
 and everything

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.279
 in the temple.

00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.659
 And what was so special

00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:02.359
 about the temple

00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.679
 that caused the need

00:19:03.679 --> 00:19:04.399
 to consecrate

00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:05.319
 everything?

00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:06.960
 Well,

00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.700
 wasn't the beautiful

00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.079
 design of the architecture?

00:19:10.659 --> 00:19:11.179
 No.

00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.399
 Under the old covenant

00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:14.039
 the temple

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.319
 is where God dwelt.

00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.960
 One thing

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.859
 have I desired

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.779
 to be

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.819
 in the house

00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:21.079
 of the Lord.

00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:22.579
 The temple

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:24.059
 was a meeting place

00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:25.000
 between God

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.819
 and His people.

00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.700
 The temple

00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.940
 was the heartbeat

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:29.639
 of Israel's faith.

00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:30.879
 The temple

00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:32.019
 is where God

00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.559
 was to be approached.

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.179
 He was to be approached

00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:37.059
 above the mercy seat

00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:38.779
 on His throne.

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.639
 The one and only

00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.299
 true God,

00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.419
 the God who speaks,

00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:43.559
 the God who has

00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.720
 no rivals,

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.799
 who demands

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.200
 that there be

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.220
 no other gods

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.980
 before Him,

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.139
 who is personal,

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.000
 who hears

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.359
 His people's prayers.

00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.459
 this God

00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:53.419
 was to be approached

00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.599
 in the temple.

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.779
 And because God

00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.299
 is holy,

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.339
 the temple

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.839
 needed to be holy.

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.299
 Now holiness

00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.779
 means God

00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.879
 is totally separate

00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.699
 from His creation.

00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:07.339
 God is light

00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.139
 and in Him

00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:08.639
 there is

00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:10.119
 no darkness.

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.719
 And to illustrate

00:20:11.719 --> 00:20:12.679
 this for His people,

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.819
 God commanded

00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.740
 that when they built

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.259
 the temple

00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.699
 that there would be

00:20:16.699 --> 00:20:18.119
 two cherubim

00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.579
 statues

00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:20.179
 to be placed

00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:20.839
 in the innermost

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.599
 part of the temple.

00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.220
 And these statues

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.819
 had their wings

00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.359
 spread over their eyes.

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.240
 So even the cherubim,

00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.399
 heavenly creatures

00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:30.299
 without sin,

00:20:30.439 --> 00:20:31.039
 could not look

00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.419
 directly upon the king

00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:34.079
 in His incomprehensible,

00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.919
 all-consuming holiness.

00:20:37.179 --> 00:20:37.859
 And at the center

00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.399
 of the temple

00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:41.119
 in the Holy of Holies

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.740
 was the Ark.

00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:42.759
 And in the Ark

00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.919
 was the Ten Commandments,

00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.179
 God's law.

00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.720
 And God's law

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.960
 uniquely reflected

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.240
 God's character

00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.079
 of holiness.

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.079
 God is good,

00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:52.700
 just,

00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.160
 and righteous

00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.720
 in every single way.

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.100
 And His law

00:20:56.100 --> 00:20:56.980
 reflected that.

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.120
 And because God

00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:58.840
 is holy,

00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.180
 the temple

00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.380
 was to be holy,

00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.340
 set apart,

00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.420
 consecrated.

00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:05.200
 And so to that end,

00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.120
 you have the process

00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.000
 of consecration.

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.920
 And consecration

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.220
 consists of a few parts

00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.900
 as we see here.

00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:12.259
 First is the cleansing,

00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.420
 then the consecrating,

00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.140
 and then third,

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.079
 the sacrificing.

00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.000
 So first,

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.840
 let's look at the cleansing

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:19.299
 in verse 5.

00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.619
 In verse 5,

00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:22.099
 we see the problem,

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.599
 don't we?

00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.659
 There is now filth

00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:26.539
 inside the holy place.

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.519
 God is dwelling

00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.859
 in a garbage dump,

00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.619
 a junkyard

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.740
 filled with idols.

00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.179
 And verse 17

00:21:35.179 --> 00:21:37.119
 shows the extent

00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:39.099
 of the filth.

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.480
 Because how long

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.139
 did it take

00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:43.839
 to clean out the garbage?

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:43.980
 garbage.

00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.439
 You see,

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.819
 it took 16 days.

00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:50.159
 On the 16th day,

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.959
 they finally cleaned

00:21:50.959 --> 00:21:51.619
 out all the garbage

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.919
 in the holy place.

00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.220
 Friend,

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.980
 imagine the amount

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.659
 of garbage

00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:56.459
 that needed

00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:57.439
 to be hauled out.

00:21:58.439 --> 00:21:59.919
 This was a storage closet

00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:01.639
 filled with trash.

00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:03.179
 The temple

00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:04.619
 is in a shocking

00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:06.359
 state of neglect.

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:06.459
 neglect.

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:07.879
 But you know,

00:22:07.979 --> 00:22:08.699
 the condition

00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.579
 of the temple

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.619
 mirrored the spiritual

00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.579
 condition of the people.

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.979
 While preparing

00:22:15.979 --> 00:22:16.419
 the sermon,

00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.359
 I had a conversation

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.339
 with a college friend.

00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.119
 He's a pastor

00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:21.319
 of a local church plant

00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:21.919
 in Massachusetts.

00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:24.160
 and his congregation

00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.920
 had been praying

00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.300
 and looking

00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:26.380
 for a meeting place.

00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:28.060
 And a building

00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:28.680
 was offered

00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:30.100
 by a dying congregation.

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.320
 And one side

00:22:32.320 --> 00:22:32.779
 of the building

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.660
 was in complete

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.779
 disrepair.

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.720
 Mold,

00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.380
 water damage,

00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.240
 leaky roof,

00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:39.160
 filled with junk,

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.660
 you name it.

00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:41.380
 He said,

00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:41.740
 you know,

00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.580
 it's probably

00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.360
 going to be cheaper

00:22:43.360 --> 00:22:44.460
 to knock the whole

00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.940
 thing down.

00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.380
 Why doesn't God

00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.120
 just knock the whole

00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:48.960
 thing down here?

00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:51.000
 Well,

00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.920
 we might do that

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.480
 to a building,

00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:52.900
 but friend,

00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.940
 God is committed

00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.779
 to his people.

00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.799
 His faithfulness

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.640
 to his promises

00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:59.160
 is the skeleton

00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.680
 that prevents

00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.640
 the whole structure

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.799
 from collapsing

00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:03.120
 onto itself.

00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.420
 Now,

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.039
 in the new covenant,

00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.940
 we don't worship

00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.720
 in a place,

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.840
 but through a person,

00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.660
 through Christ Jesus.

00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.940
 But he is still

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:12.259
 faithful to his promises,

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.299
 brother and sister.

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.660
 And after the cleansing,

00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:17.440
 there's the consecration.

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.039
 Now,

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.860
 as we see in this chapter,

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.620
 there's a moral consecration

00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:23.019
 and there's a ritual

00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.920
 consecration.

00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:25.980
 You see that

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.259
 the ritual consecration

00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.660
 with a process

00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.799
 of consecrating

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.440
 the objects.

00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.160
 For example,

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.559
 the altar in verse 17.

00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:33.880
 In verse 18,

00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.620
 the utensils,

00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.180
 the table,

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.880
 the showbread,

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.720
 everything had to be

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.539
 consecrated.

00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.660
 Nothing was off limits.

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:43.960
 People,

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.500
 places,

00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.000
 and things.

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.319
 Everything that came

00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.660
 into contact

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.339
 with God

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.279
 must be set apart

00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.359
 and consecrated.

00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.160
 Now,

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.539
 brothers and sisters,

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.559
 we don't consecrate

00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.279
 ourselves

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.960
 through rituals

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.640
 any longer.

00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:59.279
 But as we heard earlier,

00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.920
 we are to be set apart.

00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:01.960
 You know,

00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.240
 in fact,

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.119
 the word saint,

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.980
 which is used

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.460
 to describe

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:07.039
 all true Christians,

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.259
 is derived

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.920
 from the word

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.079
 one who is set apart.

00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.079
 But by virtue

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.059
 of being in Christ,

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.019
 every Christian

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.559
 has been consecrated,

00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.539
 has been set apart

00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:18.099
 for God's special use.

00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.859
 And being a Christian

00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.919
 is not just showing up

00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.399
 once a week

00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.379
 to a worship service.

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.720
 It's not just a good habit.

00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.599
 It's not a way

00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:27.740
 to instill morals

00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.759
 into your children.

00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:29.700
 No,

00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.559
 to be a Christian

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:32.220
 is to be completely

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.940
 set apart

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:35.659
 for God's special use.

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.859
 And God now calls

00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:39.879
 our entire life

00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:41.259
 to be put on the altar

00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.579
 for His praise.

00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.740
 In the New Covenant,

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.900
 we give ourselves,

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:46.119
 we give all of it.

00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.559
 So this charge,

00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.140
 the Levites,

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.740
 to cleanse

00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.099
 and to consecrate

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:51.879
 applies to you,

00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.839
 brother and sister.

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.039
 Church,

00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.700
 what are you

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:56.079
 but a royal priesthood?

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:56.980
 You see,

00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.400
 while Israel

00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.400
 had a priesthood,

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:58.980
 church,

00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:00.359
 you are a priesthood.

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.359
 1 Peter 1.9,

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.759
 as we read earlier,

00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.359
 says this,

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.599
 but you are

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.759
 a chosen race,

00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.180
 a royal priesthood,

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.980
 a holy nation,

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:09.839
 a people

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.879
 for His own possession.

00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.140
 This is the priesthood

00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.859
 of all believers.

00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.500
 So,

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.099
 brother and sister,

00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.980
 where are we

00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.759
 impoverished

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:19.079
 as a people?

00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.299
 We're consecrated

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.119
 once for all,

00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.700
 but we need to put

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.779
 our whole life

00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:25.279
 onto the altar

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.440
 and remove the garbage.

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:27.960
 Where do we need

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.500
 to cleanse

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.379
 and consecrate

00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.140
 our lives

00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.920
 in service to God?

00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.039
 We know

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.000
 Orthodox theology

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.900
 does not guarantee

00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.579
 true worship.

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.700
 We know this.

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.960
 And as a church,

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.000
 it's easy to play

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.079
 the comparison game,

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.539
 isn't it?

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.859
 You know,

00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.500
 you see the church

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:43.900
 over there

00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.359
 teaching the prosperity gospel

00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:47.660
 who have compromised

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:49.819
 on Christian ethics.

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.099
 And we say,

00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.279
 well,

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.839
 at least we're not

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.500
 like that church.

00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.680
 But,

00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.000
 friend,

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.539
 we must bring

00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.819
 the whole of our lives

00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.720
 under God's word.

00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.039
 So,

00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.960
 where do we need

00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.420
 to be consecrated?

00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.480
 You know,

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.019
 perhaps

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.779
 in an increasingly

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.339
 angry

00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.599
 and hostile world,

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.759
 do we find

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.699
 ourselves like that?

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.659
 The controversy meter

00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.480
 always going

00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.399
 from 1 to 11

00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:12.919
 overnight,

00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.740
 always outraged,

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.439
 viewing others

00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:17.679
 with suspicion.

00:26:19.659 --> 00:26:19.919
 Friends,

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.639
 2 Timothy 1,

00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:22.179
 verse 7,

00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.459
 Paul writes,

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.859
 God has not given us

00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.659
 a spirit of fear,

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.519
 but of power,

00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:26.980
 love,

00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.639
 and self-control.

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.699
 Perhaps

00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.399
 for some of us,

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:32.359
 we are so consumed

00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.919
 in looking at our devices,

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.039
 checking social media,

00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.559
 checking the news,

00:26:37.699 --> 00:26:38.419
 checking our emails.

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.519
 We want to be efficient.

00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.619
 And so,

00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:43.799
 we can be in the same room

00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.439
 with someone else,

00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.799
 but be a world apart.

00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:48.219
 Robbing you of fellowship

00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:49.099
 with other Christians.

00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:51.119
 Robbing you parents

00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:51.879
 of spending time

00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:52.519
 with your children

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.819
 and instructing them.

00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.899
 Spending what little time

00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:56.699
 God has given you

00:26:56.699 --> 00:26:58.159
 with them.

00:26:58.459 --> 00:26:59.119
 Not giving them

00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.259
 your undivided attention.

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:04.160
 We need to take off

00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:05.539
 our dirty clothes

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.220
 and put on

00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.839
 resurrection attire

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:09.180
 that God has given us.

00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:10.140
 Paul writes to the church

00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:11.940
 in Colossus,

00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.859
 in chapter 3,

00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:13.359
 he writes,

00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.220
 put to death,

00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:14.839
 therefore,

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.079
 what is earthly in you,

00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.440
 sexual immorality,

00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.400
 impurity,

00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:18.920
 passion,

00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.640
 evil desire,

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.440
 and covetousness,

00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.640
 which is idolatry.

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.299
 Church,

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.259
 put that all away.

00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.920
 Cleanse the garbage

00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.779
 out from the holy place.

00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.099
 Brothers and sisters,

00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.359
 immerse,

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.259
 we must bring everything

00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.719
 to God.

00:27:31.219 --> 00:27:32.079
 Immersing ourselves

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.199
 in the scripture,

00:27:33.399 --> 00:27:34.639
 we cry out to God,

00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:36.359
 let us not be conformed

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.439
 to this age.

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.859
 We pray,

00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.139
 would your word

00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:41.219
 transform us?

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.439
 Show us your good,

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.139
 pleasing,

00:27:43.459 --> 00:27:44.779
 and acceptable will,

00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.479
 oh God.

00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:47.079
 Show us what is acceptable

00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:48.019
 in your sight.

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.759
 We're constantly praying,

00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.299
 Lord,

00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:51.919
 make us more like Jesus.

00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:55.659
 Friend,

00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.119
 if we want to have

00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.939
 the true joy

00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.400
 this chapter we'll speak of,

00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.740
 we cannot skip this step.

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.299
 However,

00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:03.299
 before we can stand

00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.420
 as a priest before God

00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.180
 and rejoicing,

00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.259
 there's an additional cleansing

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.259
 that needs to take place

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.779
 because we need to be

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:10.120
 cleansed from our guilt

00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:12.240
 because there's a cleansing,

00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.100
 the consecrating,

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.620
 there's also the sacrificing

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.980
 in verse 20.

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.779
 So once the temple is ready,

00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:19.580
 Hezekiah doesn't sit around

00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:20.340
 wondering what he's going

00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:20.920
 to do next.

00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.920
 He rose early,

00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:24.039
 and he hastens

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.120
 to perform the sacrifices.

00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:28.200
 It's as if Hezekiah is saying,

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.700
 I delivered to you

00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.600
 what was of first importance

00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.840
 in verses 28 to 24.

00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:33.420
 Look down,

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:33.759
 it reads,

00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:35.279
 Then Hezekiah the king

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.039
 rose early

00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.560
 and gathered the officials

00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.000
 of the city

00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.539
 and went up to the house

00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.500
 of the Lord.

00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:42.320
 And they brought seven bulls

00:28:42.320 --> 00:28:43.100
 and seven rams,

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.980
 seven lambs,

00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.100
 and seven male goats

00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:45.940
 for a sin offering

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.000
 for the kingdom

00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.759
 and for the sanctuary

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.440
 and for Judah.

00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:50.120
 And he commanded the priests,

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.980
 the sons of Aaron,

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.099
 to offer them

00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.779
 on the altar of the Lord.

00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.880
 So they slaughtered the bulls

00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:57.059
 and the priests received

00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.039
 the blood

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.079
 and threw it against the altar.

00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.299
 And they slaughtered the lambs

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:01.740
 and their blood

00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.880
 was thrown against the altar.

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.039
 Then the goats

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.799
 for the sin offerings

00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.620
 were brought to the king

00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.720
 and the assembly

00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:10.559
 and they laid their hands

00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.099
 on them.

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:13.000
 And the priests slaughtered them

00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.160
 and made a sin offering

00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:14.759
 with their blood

00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.279
 on the altar

00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.440
 to make atonement

00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.160
 for all Israel.

00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:19.140
 For the king commanded

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.160
 that the burnt offering

00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.060
 and the sin offering

00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:22.320
 should be made

00:29:22.320 --> 00:29:23.720
 for all Israel.

00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.320
 Now what in the world

00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:27.000
 does this mean?

00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.700
 I mean the priests

00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.620
 are like butchers

00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.920
 cutting up bulls

00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.920
 and goats and lambs.

00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:32.820
 This seems like

00:29:32.820 --> 00:29:33.779
 a foreign language.

00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:36.400
 But there is a certain grammar

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.920
 of the Levitical world.

00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:40.240
 And if you were to go back

00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.900
 to Leviticus,

00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:41.700
 you would discover

00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.720
 that King Hezekiah

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:44.060
 is carefully following

00:29:44.060 --> 00:29:45.240
 the instructions

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.100
 that God gave

00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:46.720
 through Moses.

00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:49.279
 There is a sin offering

00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.680
 in verses 21 and following

00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:52.019
 and that highlights

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.960
 matters of sin

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.980
 and atonement.

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:56.000
 Our need for our sin

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.620
 to be covered

00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:58.900
 before a thrice holy God.

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.900
 There is a burnt offering

00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:02.759
 in verses 27 to 28

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:04.519
 highlighting matters

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:06.339
 of wholehearted service

00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:06.799
 to God.

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.440
 There is a peace offering

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.279
 in verse 35

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.160
 if you look down

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.200
 and it highlights

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.880
 their fellowship

00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:14.140
 with one another.

00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.320
 And finally,

00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.259
 there is a drink offering

00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.280
 in verse 35

00:30:17.280 --> 00:30:19.060
 highlighting this was

00:30:19.060 --> 00:30:19.740
 not a duty

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.420
 but a delight,

00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.880
 a joy in making

00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:23.400
 the sacrifices to God.

00:30:24.560 --> 00:30:25.640
 And each of these

00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.360
 are picked up

00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:28.140
 in the New Testament

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.000
 to describe

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.100
 the church's worship.

00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:31.460
 For example,

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.340
 Paul would say

00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:33.660
 his life

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.700
 is a drink offering

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:36.160
 to the church

00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.840
 at Philippi

00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:38.440
 highlighting his joy

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.160
 in serving them.

00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:41.020
 The burnt offerings

00:30:41.020 --> 00:30:41.640
 are picked up

00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:42.780
 in Romans chapter 12

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.399
 verse 1

00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:45.259
 as Paul instructs us

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.339
 to put our whole lives

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.779
 on the altar

00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:48.000
 as a pleasing sacrifice

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.180
 before God.

00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:50.899
 But the priority here

00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:52.660
 is the sin offering.

00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.779
 This is of first importance.

00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:56.079
 You see that in verse 21.

00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.700
 Hezekiah rises early

00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:00.039
 and that's the first thing

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.599
 he does.

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.940
 He gives it special attention.

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.039
 Why?

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:05.359
 Well, in verse 24

00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.839
 it says it results

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:08.559
 in atonement for Israel.

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.379
 Okay, what is sin

00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:13.200
 and why do we need

00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.920
 atonement?

00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.420
 You know,

00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.680
 in our modern society

00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.480
 sin is a word

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.420
 that we don't like to use.

00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:21.080
 But we tend to be

00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:21.740
 very quick

00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:23.040
 in recognizing it

00:31:23.040 --> 00:31:23.600
 in others.

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.280
 When it comes to ourselves

00:31:26.280 --> 00:31:27.520
 we think,

00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.960
 I just made a mistake.

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.640
 My bad.

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.340
 That's not me.

00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.360
 No one's perfect, right?

00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.100
 But we want God

00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:34.940
 to care about sin

00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.480
 out there.

00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:35.740
 I mean,

00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.220
 Holocaust

00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.300
 and terrorists.

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.080
 The worst of the worst.

00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:40.839
 But we don't want God

00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.740
 to care about the sin

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.559
 in our own lives.

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.759
 In our own hearts.

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:44.839
 But friend,

00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:46.059
 you cannot have it both ways.

00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.480
 According to scripture,

00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:49.859
 sin is rebellion.

00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.079
 A crime,

00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:51.639
 an offense.

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:54.119
 Crossing a forbidden boundary.

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.119
 And verse 8

00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.439
 is very clear.

00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.379
 It provokes

00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.179
 God's

00:31:58.179 --> 00:31:59.419
 white hot

00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.079
 anger

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.759
 and wrath.

00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:02.099
 God will punish

00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.699
 sin.

00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.659
 He will make the people

00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:04.980
 objects of horror,

00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:05.819
 of astonishment,

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.740
 of hissing.

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:09.400
 If that is

00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:10.240
 the disease,

00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:10.960
 the sin offering

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.799
 is the cure.

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.859
 Because you see,

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.640
 the sin offering

00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:14.880
 is a picture

00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:16.000
 of the gospel,

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.740
 is it not?

00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.380
 So the gospel says

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:19.759
 God made

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.460
 you

00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.160
 and I.

00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.299
 And because

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.460
 he made you,

00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.900
 he has authority

00:32:24.900 --> 00:32:26.160
 over you

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.539
 and I.

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.460
 You and I

00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.019
 were meant to live

00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.559
 lives of honor

00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.839
 and praise.

00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.000
 Our lives

00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.519
 were meant to be

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:32.920
 a temple.

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.720
 Serving him

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.500
 all of our days.

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:37.420
 But the sad

00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:38.500
 reality is this,

00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:39.960
 that we pursue

00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.859
 the profane.

00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.500
 We pursue

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.980
 the filthy.

00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.740
 And God

00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.359
 sees it.

00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.720
 He sees our sin.

00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:49.660
 He sees our wickedness.

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.759
 We've been

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.579
 unfaithful

00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:52.339
 and false.

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.019
 You know,

00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.500
 he knows

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.420
 what you and I do

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.420
 when no one is around.

00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:57.900
 There's no

00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.819
 private browser

00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.640
 to keep God

00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.200
 from seeing

00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.799
 your thoughts

00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.400
 and your minds.

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.900
 He doesn't need

00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.700
 your passcode

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.380
 to get inside

00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:04.940
 your phone.

00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.019
 And how you

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.059
 feel about that,

00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:08.359
 friend,

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.019
 how you feel

00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.519
 about God

00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.460
 knowing everything

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.519
 tells you

00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.319
 something about

00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.039
 what you already

00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.920
 know about yourself.

00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.900
 Does not your

00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.759
 conscience tell you

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.440
 that you need

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.099
 a mediator

00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.559
 before a holy God,

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.420
 a priest,

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.880
 and a sacrifice?

00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:22.880
 One to stand

00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.599
 before you

00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:25.099
 in this thrice

00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.700
 holy God.

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.099
 But friend,

00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:27.799
 the sin offering

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.779
 is a picture

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.859
 of that great

00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.920
 love

00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:31.519
 that God

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.240
 has shown us.

00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.220
 Because God

00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.980
 provides

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.799
 a substitute,

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.039
 one who takes

00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.759
 on the punishment

00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.940
 that we deserve.

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.480
 Here we see

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:38.960
 a shadow

00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.240
 of this substitute,

00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:40.920
 a goat,

00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.360
 in verse 23.

00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.099
 Now we know,

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.519
 friends,

00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:45.579
 that these animals

00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.440
 cannot actually

00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:47.140
 bring about

00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:47.900
 the forgiveness

00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.559
 of sins.

00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:50.019
 In Hebrews 10,

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.799
 the writer says,

00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:52.700
 it is impossible

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.420
 for the blood

00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.140
 of bulls and goats

00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:55.180
 to take away sins.

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.460
 No,

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.620
 this sacrifice

00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:58.839
 foreshadowed

00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.839
 a greater one.

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.859
 You see,

00:34:00.919 --> 00:34:01.339
 the Father

00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:02.519
 in His great love

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:04.059
 sent Jesus,

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.220
 fully God

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.039
 and fully man,

00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:07.779
 as the sin-bearing

00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.619
 offering,

00:34:09.299 --> 00:34:09.920
 a substitute,

00:34:10.279 --> 00:34:10.960
 a sacrifice.

00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.000
 You see,

00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.920
 we are faithless

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.539
 and false,

00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.299
 but friend,

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.159
 He is the one

00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.519
 who is called

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.679
 faithful and true.

00:34:17.319 --> 00:34:18.519
 He is the blessed God

00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:20.219
 who forever belongs

00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:21.179
 in mortality

00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.239
 and glory.

00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.880
 And unlike Hezekiah,

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.239
 He lives the perfect

00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.259
 life of obedience

00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:27.299
 to the very end.

00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:28.640
 And He uses

00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:29.580
 His authority

00:34:29.580 --> 00:34:30.700
 for the glory of God

00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:31.400
 and the good

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:32.200
 of His people

00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:33.740
 because He voluntarily

00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:35.900
 lays down His life.

00:34:37.160 --> 00:34:38.400
 And the God man's flesh

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:39.220
 was cut open,

00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.780
 blood poured out.

00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:41.940
 To what ends?

00:34:43.060 --> 00:34:43.400
 Well,

00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.140
 He accomplishes

00:34:44.140 --> 00:34:44.880
 what verse 24

00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:46.380
 calls atonement.

00:34:47.160 --> 00:34:48.200
 God's wrath

00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:49.380
 being turned away.

00:34:50.100 --> 00:34:51.280
 He took it on Himself.

00:34:51.640 --> 00:34:52.380
 God's wrath

00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:53.440
 was assuaged

00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.940
 because of the substitutes.

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.700
 There was a price

00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:57.240
 to be paid.

00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:59.220
 Jesus paid it.

00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:00.660
 There was a cup

00:35:00.660 --> 00:35:01.360
 of God's wrath

00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:01.820
 to drink,

00:35:02.160 --> 00:35:02.300
 friend,

00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.519
 and He drank it

00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.500
 to the dregs.

00:35:05.160 --> 00:35:05.740
 For who?

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.340
 We see,

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.060
 for all who would

00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:08.940
 lay their hands

00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.400
 on Him.

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.800
 You see the special

00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.320
 significance

00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.400
 of the laying on

00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:12.860
 of hands

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.660
 in verse 23.

00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.320
 You see,

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.080
 the hand isn't merely

00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:18.039
 placed onto the sacrifice.

00:35:18.560 --> 00:35:18.680
 No,

00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:19.400
 the Israelite

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.539
 was to lean

00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:21.380
 on the head

00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:22.680
 and apply pressure.

00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:24.080
 What does that mean?

00:35:24.560 --> 00:35:24.800
 Well,

00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.320
 it's understood

00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.080
 as a transfer

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.920
 of guilt.

00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.500
 It's identification,

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.159
 putting your weight

00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:32.159
 upon the sacrifice.

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:34.559
 The same is true today.

00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.000
 Your hands of faith

00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:37.000
 and trust

00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:38.159
 must be placed

00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:40.420
 upon the perfect sacrifice.

00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:41.579
 Oh, friends,

00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.819
 a weak faith

00:35:42.819 --> 00:35:44.400
 can still rest

00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:46.000
 on the perfect sacrifice.

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.280
 But you must

00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:48.380
 apply your pressure,

00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.079
 your weight

00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:50.099
 on the sacrifice.

00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.460
 And He came

00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.199
 for those

00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:52.559
 who have put

00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:52.960
 their weight

00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:53.639
 upon Him.

00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.780
 And on the third day,

00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.679
 He rose

00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.880
 from the dead.

00:35:57.260 --> 00:35:58.019
 He now lives

00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.900
 to be our

00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.280
 great high priest

00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:01.159
 making intercession

00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:02.420
 for His people.

00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:03.239
 See,

00:36:03.340 --> 00:36:04.039
 Jesus finished

00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:04.940
 what Hezekiah started.

00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.039
 The door

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.880
 of God's presence

00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.980
 is opened

00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.840
 wide

00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.539
 and all

00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:10.420
 are welcome.

00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:12.079
 And friend,

00:36:12.139 --> 00:36:12.539
 why would you

00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:13.099
 give your heart

00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.500
 to another?

00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:15.000
 This is the one

00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.460
 who offers

00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:17.019
 true forgiveness

00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:18.039
 and freedom

00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.460
 by grace

00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:21.460
 and unearned gift.

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.880
 He gave it all

00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:23.460
 to us

00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.139
 and so, friend,

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:24.820
 we give it all

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.400
 back to Him

00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:25.800
 in worship.

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.340
 And what effect

00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.179
 does this produce?

00:36:28.780 --> 00:36:28.920
 Well,

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.800
 point number three

00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:31.860
 is Christian joy

00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.739
 and generosity.

00:36:33.280 --> 00:36:34.559
 A bunch of prodigals

00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.840
 begin to praise

00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:37.679
 loudly and joyously

00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:38.619
 and exuberantly.

00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.679
 Let's read verses

00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:41.380
 25 and 30 together.

00:36:42.400 --> 00:36:42.559
 He,

00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:43.280
 that is Hezekiah,

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.460
 stationed the Levites

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.300
 in the house

00:36:45.300 --> 00:36:45.720
 of the Lord

00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:46.380
 with cymbals

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:47.000
 and harps

00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.640
 and lyres

00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:48.960
 according to the

00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.980
 commandment of David

00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:50.660
 and of Gad,

00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:51.700
 the king's overseer

00:36:51.700 --> 00:36:52.220
 and of Nathan,

00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:52.740
 the prophet.

00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.220
 For the commandment

00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.140
 was from the Lord

00:36:55.140 --> 00:36:56.019
 through His prophets.

00:36:56.540 --> 00:36:57.400
 The Levites stood

00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:58.400
 with the instruments

00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:58.920
 of David

00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.440
 and the priests

00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.120
 with the trumpets.

00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:01.460
 And then Hezekiah

00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.380
 commanded that the

00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:03.019
 burnt offering

00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:04.820
 be offered on the altar.

00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:06.060
 And when the burnt

00:37:06.060 --> 00:37:06.880
 offering began,

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.860
 the song of the Lord

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.620
 began also.

00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:10.019
 And the trumpets

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.740
 accompanied by the

00:37:10.740 --> 00:37:11.519
 instruments of David,

00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.220
 king of Israel.

00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:14.399
 The whole assembly

00:37:14.399 --> 00:37:15.039
 worshipped,

00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.179
 and the singers

00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:16.679
 sang,

00:37:16.779 --> 00:37:17.299
 and the trumpeters

00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:17.839
 sounded.

00:37:18.359 --> 00:37:19.500
 All this continued

00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.679
 until the burnt

00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.719
 offering was finished.

00:37:22.339 --> 00:37:23.099
 And when the offering

00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:23.699
 was finished,

00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.500
 the king and all

00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:25.059
 who were present

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.480
 with him

00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.659
 bowed themselves

00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:27.719
 and worshipped.

00:37:28.399 --> 00:37:29.079
 And Hezekiah,

00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.559
 the king,

00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:30.099
 and the officials

00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.480
 commanded the Levites

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.439
 to sing praises

00:37:32.439 --> 00:37:33.019
 to the Lord

00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.819
 with the words

00:37:33.819 --> 00:37:34.579
 of David

00:37:34.579 --> 00:37:35.779
 and of Asaph,

00:37:35.879 --> 00:37:36.259
 the seer.

00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:37.440
 And they sang

00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:38.040
 praises

00:37:38.040 --> 00:37:39.600
 with gladness.

00:37:40.080 --> 00:37:41.080
 And they bowed

00:37:41.080 --> 00:37:42.520
 down and worshipped.

00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:45.820
 You know,

00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:46.300
 there are certain

00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:47.120
 places where

00:37:47.120 --> 00:37:48.240
 bitterness and anger

00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:49.580
 are just out of place.

00:37:50.080 --> 00:37:50.940
 A wedding is one.

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.700
 Another is

00:37:52.700 --> 00:37:53.600
 skipping down

00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.040
 the street.

00:37:55.080 --> 00:37:55.580
 Have you ever

00:37:55.580 --> 00:37:56.180
 tried to skip

00:37:56.180 --> 00:37:56.820
 down the street

00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:57.440
 while you're angry?

00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:58.460
 You know,

00:37:58.520 --> 00:37:59.200
 it just doesn't

00:37:59.200 --> 00:37:59.640
 go together.

00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.640
 You need a little

00:38:00.640 --> 00:38:01.260
 bit of joy

00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:01.840
 when you're skipping.

00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.680
 Worship is like that.

00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:04.779
 You need

00:38:04.779 --> 00:38:05.339
 just a little

00:38:05.339 --> 00:38:06.079
 bit of joy

00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:06.639
 when you're

00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.399
 in the presence

00:38:07.399 --> 00:38:07.799
 of God

00:38:07.799 --> 00:38:08.219
 in worship.

00:38:09.379 --> 00:38:10.119
 And when there's

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.839
 true worship,

00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:11.980
 there's complete

00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.859
 joy.

00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.539
 Verse 25,

00:38:13.759 --> 00:38:14.359
 the cymbals,

00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:15.179
 the harps,

00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.480
 the lyres are playing.

00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:17.500
 Verse 26,

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.339
 the trumpets

00:38:18.339 --> 00:38:18.919
 are blasting.

00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.179
 Verse 28,

00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:21.119
 there is unity.

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.399
 The whole assembly

00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.039
 is worshipping

00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.960
 with one voice.

00:38:24.259 --> 00:38:24.699
 The singers

00:38:24.699 --> 00:38:25.299
 are singing.

00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.419
 Someone definitely

00:38:28.419 --> 00:38:29.239
 is clapping their hands

00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:30.239
 in this assembly.

00:38:31.139 --> 00:38:31.739
 But look at

00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.480
 the end of verse 30.

00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.980
 They sang praises

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:35.019
 with gladness.

00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:36.380
 This is like

00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.679
 a field of flowers

00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.900
 after wintertime

00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:40.860
 receiving the beams

00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:41.599
 of the sun

00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:43.380
 and they're blossoming.

00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:45.019
 Their hearts

00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.639
 and their minds

00:38:45.639 --> 00:38:46.679
 are enraptured.

00:38:47.159 --> 00:38:47.699
 They're caught up

00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:48.159
 in the greatness

00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:48.780
 of God.

00:38:49.460 --> 00:38:50.400
 And their joy

00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:51.039
 is expressed

00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:52.219
 in music.

00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.240
 Friend,

00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:54.539
 do you know

00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:56.519
 that God loves music?

00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:58.019
 He loves

00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:59.699
 energetic music.

00:39:00.780 --> 00:39:01.420
 Music that you

00:39:01.420 --> 00:39:02.280
 can dance to.

00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.440
 Psalm 150.

00:39:03.940 --> 00:39:04.440
 Praise him

00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:05.360
 with the trumpet sound.

00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:06.380
 Praise him

00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:07.300
 with the lute

00:39:07.300 --> 00:39:08.099
 and harp.

00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:09.179
 And get this.

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:10.480
 Praise him

00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.420
 with the tambourine

00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.639
 and the dance.

00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:13.260
 Church,

00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:13.719
 praise God

00:39:13.719 --> 00:39:14.639
 with your dance moves.

00:39:15.780 --> 00:39:17.380
 He loves music

00:39:17.380 --> 00:39:18.440
 that you can dance to.

00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:19.420
 Energetic music.

00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:20.440
 He loves jazz

00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:21.880
 and orchestral music.

00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.559
 He loves the joy

00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:24.320
 that radiates

00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:25.219
 from Bach.

00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.659
 The joy's

00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:27.480
 heavenly anthem

00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.300
 of Handel's

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:29.420
 Hallelujah Chorus

00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:30.300
 and the Messiah.

00:39:30.300 --> 00:39:32.039
 He loves the

00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:33.059
 passionate poetic

00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:34.159
 preaching of Christian

00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:35.059
 hip-hop.

00:39:35.760 --> 00:39:37.559
 He loves vocal music.

00:39:38.200 --> 00:39:39.480
 Singing to the Lord

00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.659
 a new song.

00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:41.340
 God,

00:39:41.420 --> 00:39:42.559
 you are my exceeding

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.400
 joy.

00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:47.559
 He might love

00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:48.079
 other music,

00:39:48.200 --> 00:39:48.619
 but that's the kind

00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.280
 of music I like.

00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.260
 He doesn't,

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.159
 of course,

00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:53.820
 God doesn't love

00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.519
 every music.

00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:56.079
 He doesn't love music

00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:57.059
 that lies about him.

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.619
 But for he loves

00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:59.480
 all music

00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.139
 that reflects

00:40:00.139 --> 00:40:00.719
 the glory

00:40:00.719 --> 00:40:01.380
 and majesty

00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:02.380
 of his great name.

00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:04.179
 Music that is

00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:05.599
 a Philippians 4.8

00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:06.619
 product.

00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:07.719
 Something that's true

00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:08.360
 and lovely

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:09.239
 and commendable.

00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:11.079
 But no,

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:11.840
 this was not

00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:12.599
 a free-for-all.

00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.119
 You know,

00:40:13.159 --> 00:40:13.940
 people running around

00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:14.539
 the sanctuary

00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:15.779
 running wild.

00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:16.840
 Look at their

00:40:16.840 --> 00:40:17.779
 physical postures

00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.699
 in verse 29.

00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:20.579
 They worship

00:40:20.579 --> 00:40:22.159
 by bowing down.

00:40:22.659 --> 00:40:23.299
 They're kneeling.

00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:25.340
 We glory in God

00:40:25.340 --> 00:40:26.380
 even as we tremble

00:40:26.380 --> 00:40:27.579
 before his greatness.

00:40:28.500 --> 00:40:29.360
 That's a picture

00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:30.420
 of reverence.

00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:31.900
 You know,

00:40:31.960 --> 00:40:32.440
 many divorce

00:40:32.440 --> 00:40:33.500
 sound theology

00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:35.880
 and spiritual experience.

00:40:36.600 --> 00:40:37.320
 But what God

00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:38.140
 has joined together,

00:40:38.420 --> 00:40:39.280
 let no one separate.

00:40:40.100 --> 00:40:41.280
 True doctrine

00:40:41.280 --> 00:40:42.860
 and doxology

00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:44.380
 are inseparable lovers.

00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:46.340
 But notice

00:40:46.340 --> 00:40:47.440
 something very important.

00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:49.780
 Some of the people

00:40:49.780 --> 00:40:50.340
 missed out

00:40:50.340 --> 00:40:51.360
 on this joyous assembly.

00:40:51.700 --> 00:40:51.960
 Look down

00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:52.579
 at verse 34

00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.059
 at the end.

00:40:54.300 --> 00:40:55.100
 Some of the priests

00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:55.900
 were absent.

00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.380
 They didn't

00:40:57.380 --> 00:40:58.319
 consecrate themselves

00:40:58.319 --> 00:40:59.960
 and they were absent

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:01.299
 from this joyous occasion.

00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:02.759
 Friend,

00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:04.480
 joy comes

00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:05.420
 in the obedience

00:41:05.420 --> 00:41:06.360
 to God.

00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:07.779
 I'm going to repeat that.

00:41:08.199 --> 00:41:09.519
 Joy comes

00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:10.339
 in the obedience

00:41:10.339 --> 00:41:11.380
 to God.

00:41:11.799 --> 00:41:12.440
 You see here,

00:41:12.779 --> 00:41:13.619
 joy comes

00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:15.299
 during the burnt offering.

00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:16.639
 In other words,

00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:18.000
 joy comes out

00:41:18.000 --> 00:41:18.400
 when you're

00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:19.339
 wholeheartedly

00:41:19.339 --> 00:41:21.440
 serving God.

00:41:22.139 --> 00:41:23.099
 Joy comes

00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:23.779
 when your time,

00:41:23.780 --> 00:41:24.440
 your talents,

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:25.519
 your influence.

00:41:26.060 --> 00:41:26.800
 All of it

00:41:26.800 --> 00:41:27.980
 is in wholehearted

00:41:27.980 --> 00:41:29.340
 service to God.

00:41:30.660 --> 00:41:31.700
 Oh, friends,

00:41:31.940 --> 00:41:32.540
 brothers and sisters,

00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:34.080
 consecrate

00:41:34.080 --> 00:41:35.019
 everything

00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:35.840
 to Him.

00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:38.200
 God's

00:41:38.200 --> 00:41:39.720
 is a living

00:41:39.720 --> 00:41:40.260
 fountain

00:41:40.260 --> 00:41:40.980
 of joy.

00:41:41.100 --> 00:41:41.940
 If your life

00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:43.019
 is governed

00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:43.720
 by God,

00:41:44.220 --> 00:41:44.900
 living under

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:45.740
 God's rule,

00:41:46.040 --> 00:41:47.400
 under God's reign,

00:41:47.700 --> 00:41:48.800
 that is a complete

00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:49.940
 life

00:41:49.940 --> 00:41:50.860
 of joy.

00:41:50.860 --> 00:41:50.940
 joy.

00:41:51.940 --> 00:41:52.500
 You know,

00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:53.300
 how many people

00:41:53.300 --> 00:41:55.599
 have comfort

00:41:55.599 --> 00:41:56.400
 and convenience

00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:57.519
 at their fingertips

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:58.559
 but have not

00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:59.880
 for one second

00:41:59.880 --> 00:42:00.940
 felt true,

00:42:01.180 --> 00:42:02.340
 actual joy?

00:42:03.700 --> 00:42:04.160
 Friend,

00:42:04.200 --> 00:42:04.800
 this is a bread

00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.519
 that will feed

00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:07.360
 a perishing world.

00:42:08.099 --> 00:42:08.440
 Friend,

00:42:08.480 --> 00:42:09.240
 let us not water

00:42:09.240 --> 00:42:10.220
 down the truth,

00:42:10.760 --> 00:42:11.320
 give the world

00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:11.920
 what they want

00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:12.460
 and dress up

00:42:12.460 --> 00:42:13.480
 in religious terminology.

00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:15.740
 No,

00:42:15.940 --> 00:42:17.039
 joy comes

00:42:17.039 --> 00:42:17.599
 in obedience

00:42:17.599 --> 00:42:18.700
 to God's commands.

00:42:18.699 --> 00:42:18.819
 friends.

00:42:19.379 --> 00:42:19.739
 Friend,

00:42:19.799 --> 00:42:20.500
 this joy is held

00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.159
 out to you today.

00:42:21.739 --> 00:42:22.919
 This joy is only

00:42:22.919 --> 00:42:24.460
 available in the gospel,

00:42:25.219 --> 00:42:26.099
 living your life

00:42:26.099 --> 00:42:27.079
 in wholehearted

00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:28.339
 obedience to Him.

00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:29.679
 He doesn't want

00:42:29.679 --> 00:42:30.139
 your lips.

00:42:31.099 --> 00:42:31.859
 He doesn't want

00:42:31.859 --> 00:42:32.460
 your actions.

00:42:32.659 --> 00:42:34.039
 He wants your hearts,

00:42:34.559 --> 00:42:35.059
 my friends.

00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:36.619
 And joy is not

00:42:36.619 --> 00:42:37.339
 just an emotion.

00:42:38.219 --> 00:42:39.359
 It is a joy

00:42:39.359 --> 00:42:40.000
 that is available

00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:41.439
 in dark places,

00:42:41.679 --> 00:42:42.279
 no matter

00:42:42.279 --> 00:42:42.980
 their circumstance.

00:42:43.759 --> 00:42:44.739
 The Bible says

00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:45.539
 there is always

00:42:45.539 --> 00:42:46.319
 a reason

00:42:46.319 --> 00:42:47.299
 to be rejoicing.

00:42:47.300 --> 00:42:49.080
 The ascended Christ

00:42:49.080 --> 00:42:49.340
 says,

00:42:49.580 --> 00:42:50.360
 I will be with you

00:42:50.360 --> 00:42:50.980
 always.

00:42:51.880 --> 00:42:53.080
 There is more joy

00:42:53.080 --> 00:42:53.880
 in His presence

00:42:53.880 --> 00:42:55.019
 than all the world

00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:55.820
 has to offer.

00:42:57.140 --> 00:42:57.840
 We rejoice

00:42:57.840 --> 00:42:58.560
 a little now,

00:42:58.660 --> 00:42:59.360
 but Jesus says,

00:42:59.480 --> 00:43:00.180
 I tell you,

00:43:00.640 --> 00:43:01.380
 your joy then

00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:01.940
 will be full.

00:43:02.700 --> 00:43:03.740
 Full joy,

00:43:04.300 --> 00:43:05.340
 all sorrows

00:43:05.340 --> 00:43:06.300
 removed.

00:43:07.120 --> 00:43:07.840
 And the greatest

00:43:07.840 --> 00:43:09.120
 sadness for us

00:43:09.120 --> 00:43:10.400
 is that we have

00:43:10.400 --> 00:43:11.039
 hardships,

00:43:11.580 --> 00:43:12.740
 the biggest trials

00:43:12.740 --> 00:43:13.400
 that we're away

00:43:13.400 --> 00:43:14.480
 from our beloved.

00:43:15.400 --> 00:43:15.900
 Paul says

00:43:15.900 --> 00:43:16.880
 to live is Christ

00:43:16.880 --> 00:43:18.260
 and to die is gain.

00:43:18.820 --> 00:43:19.820
 It is far better

00:43:19.820 --> 00:43:21.539
 to be with Him.

00:43:22.140 --> 00:43:23.059
 And not just joy,

00:43:23.140 --> 00:43:23.800
 but generosity.

00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:24.599
 In verse 34,

00:43:25.119 --> 00:43:25.700
 there's a picture

00:43:25.700 --> 00:43:27.240
 of overflowing

00:43:27.240 --> 00:43:27.920
 generosity

00:43:27.920 --> 00:43:29.200
 in their offerings.

00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:30.840
 Out of thanksgiving,

00:43:31.160 --> 00:43:31.599
 they gave

00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:32.780
 more than enough.

00:43:34.460 --> 00:43:35.360
 Isn't this the witness

00:43:35.360 --> 00:43:35.900
 of Christians

00:43:35.900 --> 00:43:36.640
 throughout the ages?

00:43:38.860 --> 00:43:39.420
 Overflowing

00:43:39.420 --> 00:43:40.340
 generosity.

00:43:41.260 --> 00:43:41.700
 Hospitals,

00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:43.720
 orphanages,

00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:45.440
 taking care of the sick

00:43:45.440 --> 00:43:46.139
 and the lepers.

00:43:47.960 --> 00:43:48.380
 Friend,

00:43:48.820 --> 00:43:50.179
 this is the history

00:43:50.179 --> 00:43:51.039
 of this church.

00:43:52.099 --> 00:43:53.179
 Overflowing generosity.

00:43:54.240 --> 00:43:54.659
 And you know what?

00:43:54.760 --> 00:43:56.079
 The more we give,

00:43:56.500 --> 00:43:57.179
 that's the paradox

00:43:57.179 --> 00:43:57.639
 of the kingdom,

00:43:57.920 --> 00:43:58.900
 the more we have.

00:44:00.519 --> 00:44:01.240
 Didn't Jesus say,

00:44:01.380 --> 00:44:02.440
 give your life to me

00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:03.639
 and you will gain it?

00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:05.920
 Friend,

00:44:05.980 --> 00:44:07.079
 is this what the world sees?

00:44:07.820 --> 00:44:08.920
 Is this the impression

00:44:08.920 --> 00:44:09.960
 that non-Christians

00:44:09.960 --> 00:44:11.760
 get of the church?

00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:14.160
 of a group of people

00:44:14.160 --> 00:44:15.400
 with one voice

00:44:15.400 --> 00:44:15.900
 singing,

00:44:16.240 --> 00:44:17.040
 hearts liberated,

00:44:18.220 --> 00:44:19.760
 free to give everything away

00:44:19.760 --> 00:44:20.540
 because we have

00:44:20.540 --> 00:44:21.180
 this treasure

00:44:21.180 --> 00:44:23.800
 in jars of clay.

00:44:24.820 --> 00:44:25.120
 Oh, friend,

00:44:25.180 --> 00:44:26.320
 this is not a pale

00:44:26.320 --> 00:44:27.720
 Galilean

00:44:27.720 --> 00:44:28.320
 that creates

00:44:28.320 --> 00:44:29.140
 a stale life.

00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:31.040
 This Galilean

00:44:31.040 --> 00:44:32.120
 sends his spirit

00:44:32.120 --> 00:44:33.060
 to give life.

00:44:33.840 --> 00:44:34.800
 He is a divine

00:44:34.800 --> 00:44:35.520
 defibrillator

00:44:35.520 --> 00:44:36.720
 that brings something dead

00:44:36.720 --> 00:44:37.240
 and gives it

00:44:37.240 --> 00:44:38.720
 new life

00:44:38.720 --> 00:44:40.340
 to be truly alive.

00:44:40.340 --> 00:44:41.800
 His spirit

00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:43.100
 animates his artists

00:44:43.100 --> 00:44:43.860
 and his musicians

00:44:43.860 --> 00:44:45.900
 to sing his praise.

00:44:47.240 --> 00:44:47.920
 And being a Christian

00:44:47.920 --> 00:44:48.700
 does not mean

00:44:48.700 --> 00:44:49.600
 you lose

00:44:49.600 --> 00:44:50.740
 your humanity.

00:44:51.260 --> 00:44:52.260
 It is, in fact,

00:44:52.360 --> 00:44:53.400
 the best way

00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:54.240
 to be human.

00:44:55.059 --> 00:44:55.760
 The second century

00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.320
 pastor,

00:44:56.680 --> 00:44:57.300
 Irenaeus,

00:44:57.519 --> 00:44:58.460
 says this,

00:44:58.680 --> 00:44:59.940
 the glory of God

00:44:59.940 --> 00:45:01.360
 is a human

00:45:01.360 --> 00:45:02.860
 that is fully alive

00:45:02.860 --> 00:45:04.460
 and that life

00:45:04.460 --> 00:45:05.300
 consists in

00:45:05.300 --> 00:45:06.160
 beholding God.

00:45:07.160 --> 00:45:08.200
 What he's saying

00:45:08.200 --> 00:45:08.600
 is that

00:45:08.600 --> 00:45:10.059
 true freedom

00:45:10.059 --> 00:45:11.960
 is when we

00:45:11.960 --> 00:45:12.840
 behold God

00:45:12.840 --> 00:45:13.299
 in the face

00:45:13.299 --> 00:45:14.179
 of Jesus Christ.

00:45:14.940 --> 00:45:16.199
 That helps us

00:45:16.199 --> 00:45:17.500
 to be fully alive.

00:45:18.099 --> 00:45:18.900
 Now, one illustration

00:45:18.900 --> 00:45:19.980
 you can think about

00:45:19.980 --> 00:45:20.579
 this is

00:45:20.579 --> 00:45:22.079
 Kobe Bryant,

00:45:23.019 --> 00:45:24.239
 the basketball player.

00:45:25.059 --> 00:45:25.219
 You know,

00:45:25.340 --> 00:45:26.179
 Mamba mentality.

00:45:26.320 --> 00:45:26.820
 I don't know if you've

00:45:26.820 --> 00:45:28.059
 read about Kobe Bryant.

00:45:28.159 --> 00:45:28.579
 Think about

00:45:28.579 --> 00:45:29.920
 his life.

00:45:30.000 --> 00:45:30.799
 He was completely

00:45:30.799 --> 00:45:32.380
 mastered by the game

00:45:32.380 --> 00:45:32.960
 of basketball.

00:45:34.779 --> 00:45:35.460
 And if that were true

00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:35.759
 of me,

00:45:35.820 --> 00:45:36.559
 if I disciplined

00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:37.279
 my body

00:45:37.280 --> 00:45:38.140
 in my mind,

00:45:38.980 --> 00:45:40.700
 unwavering commitment,

00:45:41.220 --> 00:45:41.600
 relentless,

00:45:42.300 --> 00:45:42.920
 and wholehearted

00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:44.420
 service to God,

00:45:44.740 --> 00:45:45.580
 if I give myself

00:45:45.580 --> 00:45:46.400
 to learn to dribble

00:45:46.400 --> 00:45:46.980
 and pass

00:45:46.980 --> 00:45:47.460
 and shoot,

00:45:47.980 --> 00:45:48.580
 soon,

00:45:48.800 --> 00:45:49.500
 every move

00:45:49.500 --> 00:45:50.140
 on the basketball

00:45:50.140 --> 00:45:51.300
 court will become

00:45:51.300 --> 00:45:52.140
 effortless.

00:45:52.560 --> 00:45:53.519
 At that point,

00:45:53.700 --> 00:45:54.620
 who's the freest

00:45:54.620 --> 00:45:55.400
 person on the court?

00:45:57.160 --> 00:45:57.880
 I know what some

00:45:57.880 --> 00:45:58.340
 of you are thinking,

00:45:58.440 --> 00:45:59.019
 that's a really

00:45:59.019 --> 00:46:00.240
 realistic illustration,

00:46:00.400 --> 00:46:00.560
 Tyler,

00:46:00.660 --> 00:46:01.240
 after I've seen

00:46:01.240 --> 00:46:01.860
 you play basketball.

00:46:01.860 --> 00:46:04.920
 You would be

00:46:04.920 --> 00:46:05.740
 the freest person

00:46:05.740 --> 00:46:06.500
 on the courts

00:46:06.500 --> 00:46:07.500
 if you disciplined

00:46:07.500 --> 00:46:08.039
 your body.

00:46:08.620 --> 00:46:09.400
 Aaron is saying,

00:46:09.800 --> 00:46:10.599
 behold Jesus

00:46:10.599 --> 00:46:11.539
 in his glory,

00:46:11.840 --> 00:46:12.559
 and if he becomes

00:46:12.559 --> 00:46:13.280
 your master,

00:46:13.760 --> 00:46:14.260
 and you give your

00:46:14.260 --> 00:46:14.980
 life to all,

00:46:15.360 --> 00:46:15.920
 you give your life

00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:16.340
 for him,

00:46:16.780 --> 00:46:17.000
 he,

00:46:17.900 --> 00:46:18.480
 you become

00:46:18.480 --> 00:46:19.539
 more free.

00:46:20.720 --> 00:46:21.519
 We fail,

00:46:22.079 --> 00:46:23.099
 and we will fail,

00:46:23.240 --> 00:46:24.039
 but we are secure,

00:46:24.220 --> 00:46:24.860
 brother and sister.

00:46:25.780 --> 00:46:26.780
 You are a dearly

00:46:26.780 --> 00:46:28.260
 beloved child of God,

00:46:28.320 --> 00:46:29.620
 so please your Father

00:46:29.620 --> 00:46:30.740
 in all things.

00:46:30.739 --> 00:46:32.639
 let him be the

00:46:32.639 --> 00:46:33.799
 master of your life.

00:46:34.459 --> 00:46:35.119
 To conclude,

00:46:36.299 --> 00:46:36.500
 you know,

00:46:36.519 --> 00:46:37.779
 it's a practice of mine

00:46:37.779 --> 00:46:39.299
 when I go to a wedding,

00:46:40.799 --> 00:46:41.419
 and the bride

00:46:41.419 --> 00:46:42.799
 begins her procession.

00:46:43.439 --> 00:46:44.859
 All eyes are on

00:46:44.859 --> 00:46:46.519
 the bride.

00:46:48.119 --> 00:46:49.059
 What I love to do

00:46:49.059 --> 00:46:50.679
 is I like to turn around

00:46:50.679 --> 00:46:52.719
 and look in the groom's eyes.

00:46:53.699 --> 00:46:55.319
 I love to see the joy

00:46:55.319 --> 00:46:57.059
 as the groom recognizes

00:46:57.059 --> 00:46:58.699
 his bride.

00:46:59.699 --> 00:47:00.179
 Friend,

00:47:00.179 --> 00:47:01.139
 do you look at Jesus

00:47:01.139 --> 00:47:01.879
 like that?

00:47:03.599 --> 00:47:04.440
 Can you say

00:47:04.440 --> 00:47:05.159
 with the hymnal,

00:47:05.419 --> 00:47:05.879
 the hymnal,

00:47:06.339 --> 00:47:06.960
 my Jesus,

00:47:07.399 --> 00:47:08.319
 I love thee.

00:47:08.859 --> 00:47:10.940
 I know thou art mine.

00:47:11.460 --> 00:47:12.139
 For thee,

00:47:12.339 --> 00:47:13.480
 all the follies

00:47:13.480 --> 00:47:14.319
 of sin

00:47:14.319 --> 00:47:15.359
 I resign.

00:47:15.919 --> 00:47:16.659
 My gracious

00:47:16.659 --> 00:47:17.440
 redeemer,

00:47:17.579 --> 00:47:18.159
 my savior,

00:47:18.739 --> 00:47:19.259
 thou art.

00:47:19.559 --> 00:47:20.199
 If ever

00:47:20.199 --> 00:47:21.359
 I love thee,

00:47:21.739 --> 00:47:22.440
 my Jesus

00:47:22.440 --> 00:47:23.480
 tis now.

00:47:23.900 --> 00:47:24.599
 Let's pray.

00:47:26.380 --> 00:47:27.679
 Father in heaven,

00:47:28.579 --> 00:47:28.740
 Lord,

00:47:28.800 --> 00:47:29.800
 we pray that we

00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:31.519
 would put our whole life

00:47:31.519 --> 00:47:32.420
 to you

00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:33.039
 in obedience.

00:47:33.780 --> 00:47:33.940
 God,

00:47:34.000 --> 00:47:34.500
 you are sufficient

00:47:34.500 --> 00:47:35.300
 for our joy.

00:47:35.980 --> 00:47:36.139
 God,

00:47:36.200 --> 00:47:37.700
 would you visit us

00:47:37.700 --> 00:47:38.260
 again?

00:47:39.119 --> 00:47:39.619
 Revive

00:47:39.619 --> 00:47:40.420
 your people

00:47:40.420 --> 00:47:42.400
 so that we would live

00:47:42.400 --> 00:47:43.659
 lives for your honor

00:47:43.659 --> 00:47:44.980
 and praise.

00:47:45.440 --> 00:47:45.920
 We pray this

00:47:45.920 --> 00:47:46.519
 in Jesus' name.

00:47:47.239 --> 00:47:47.480
 Amen.

00:47:47.480 --> 00:47:47.599
 Amen.