WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240
 Good morning everybody. I'm going to ask you to bow your heads and pray with me.

00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:10.460
 Heavenly Father, as we come to your word now, as we come to you,

00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:15.860
 we pray that you would speak to us from your word, by your spirit,

00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:20.760
 that we would be grown in Christ, that we would be drawn closer to yourself in truth.

00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:22.879
 And we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:27.879
 Queen Marguerite got one. Barack Obama didn't.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.899
 Tim Matheson got one. Tony Abbott didn't.

00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:41.460
 Martin Fieldler, the butcher, got one. Princess Mary didn't.

00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:47.920
 Brian Naylor, the postman, got one. Chris Jones didn't.

00:00:49.179 --> 00:00:50.420
 What are we talking about?

00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:53.879
 But I've got one, look.

00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:58.200
 And if I'd got one, it would say something like,

00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:00.580
 if you got an invitation to the royal wedding, if you were lucky enough,

00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:02.560
 the invitation would read something like this.

00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:07.180
 The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by the Queen to invite Brian Rowe

00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:12.359
 to the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, KG,

00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:16.219
 with Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey

00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:20.560
 on Friday the 29th of April, 2011, at 11am.

00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:23.980
 And in case you didn't notice, that was last Friday night.

00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:27.680
 You mightn't care.

00:01:28.740 --> 00:01:31.000
 And maybe you do. I think a lot of people did care.

00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:35.500
 But an invitation is something which demands a response.

00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:40.079
 So somebody makes an offer to you,

00:01:40.900 --> 00:01:44.320
 and you have to decide how you're going to respond to that offer.

00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:47.379
 So you're asked to come,

00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:51.539
 and immediately the question sort of hangs in the air,

00:01:52.179 --> 00:01:53.979
 what are you going to do?

00:01:56.439 --> 00:01:57.739
 How are you going to respond?

00:01:59.619 --> 00:02:03.299
 And I imagine that if any one of us here received an invitation

00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:06.299
 to the royal wedding, the first time we would have asked is,

00:02:06.699 --> 00:02:08.519
 or the first thing we would have asked is,

00:02:09.299 --> 00:02:10.299
 is this for real?

00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:15.000
 Is somebody taking the mickey out of me?

00:02:16.219 --> 00:02:18.600
 It just seems too good to be true.

00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:22.960
 When you come to Isaiah 55,

00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:24.719
 which I hope you've got your Bibles open

00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:26.640
 because that's what I'm preaching from this morning,

00:02:27.160 --> 00:02:31.800
 the invitation to come is a striking and surprising one

00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:34.760
 which really sounds too good to be true.

00:02:36.200 --> 00:02:37.420
 So verse 1.

00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:41.959
 Come, come, all you who are thirsty,

00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:44.019
 come to the waters.

00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:46.719
 And you who have no money,

00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:49.279
 come, buy and eat.

00:02:49.519 --> 00:02:54.299
 Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

00:02:55.959 --> 00:02:58.799
 And come is the very first word used here.

00:02:58.859 --> 00:03:01.060
 I think this is one of the great words of the Bible.

00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:03.019
 It's such a, it's a winsome word.

00:03:03.119 --> 00:03:04.379
 It's an invitational word.

00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:08.199
 It's God speaking and there is this wonderful invitation

00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:09.759
 to come into his presence.

00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:14.159
 And it's an invitation to those who don't have to come

00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:14.799
 and to receive.

00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:17.799
 And if you're thirsty, come to me for water.

00:03:18.299 --> 00:03:20.419
 And if you haven't got money to shop with

00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:22.019
 or a credit card to put it on,

00:03:22.359 --> 00:03:24.639
 come and buy and eat and it's free

00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:25.519
 and there's no cost.

00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:26.500
 It's just zilch.

00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:34.919
 Now, if somebody offers me something for nothing,

00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:38.340
 as they do all the time on the phone,

00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:41.819
 I'm looking for the trick.

00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:44.039
 I'm looking for the catch, the snag.

00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:46.159
 You know, what is it that they really want from me?

00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:47.740
 Show me the fine print.

00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:49.139
 Tell me what the bottom line is.

00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:50.939
 Somebody's on the phone the other day

00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:53.000
 and you just know they're reading off their script.

00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:54.960
 And I'm saying, I'm very sorry.

00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:56.000
 I don't want this.

00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:57.180
 And if you don't stop talking,

00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:58.560
 I'm just going to hang up anyway.

00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:00.659
 And did.

00:04:04.659 --> 00:04:07.159
 But when a free gift is real,

00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:10.639
 it is an enormous relief.

00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:14.479
 It is just such a blessing.

00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:19.399
 I experienced much-needed kindness and generosity

00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:21.000
 in Chatswood the other day.

00:04:21.579 --> 00:04:25.539
 I was in a borrowed car with my elderly mum and my nephew

00:04:25.539 --> 00:04:30.319
 and the engine blew up suddenly and unexpectedly

00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.819
 in the middle of Daisy Street.

00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:35.319
 I only had to drive two spaces to get the car off the road

00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:38.339
 and I stopped dead because I just thought it was on fire

00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:40.480
 that there was that much smoke pouring out

00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:41.459
 from underneath the bonnet.

00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:46.120
 And I was stranded.

00:04:46.359 --> 00:04:47.799
 I hope it doesn't happen to you, new car, Asher.

00:04:49.799 --> 00:04:50.879
 But I was stranded.

00:04:51.019 --> 00:04:51.339
 It won't.

00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:52.299
 It's a lot newer than mine.

00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:55.699
 I was stranded without NRMA

00:04:55.699 --> 00:04:58.740
 in somebody else's car

00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:02.859
 with the phone battery going flat

00:05:02.859 --> 00:05:05.740
 and fairly desperate to get to my daughter's graduation

00:05:05.740 --> 00:05:06.939
 in two hours' time.

00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:11.300
 And I was at the mercy of others.

00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:12.879
 I needed the generosity of others.

00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:14.240
 And even when I ring the NRMA,

00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:15.339
 I said, we'll give you a table.

00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:16.259
 It'll be two hours.

00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:18.959
 I won't tell you the whole story,

00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.540
 but within an hour,

00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:25.519
 Karen from the office had taken my mum to safe care.

00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:28.079
 Brian Tung had helped me push the car.

00:05:28.159 --> 00:05:29.579
 He's really good at pushing cars.

00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:33.159
 He does have muscle underneath that slight body.

00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:39.500
 And I received a free tome.

00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:41.319
 Didn't charge me,

00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:43.219
 even without NRMA on that car.

00:05:44.099 --> 00:05:46.319
 And I made it to my daughter's graduation

00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:47.379
 with half an hour to spare.

00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:52.740
 But I was completely dependent on the help of others

00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:58.139
 and was relieved to receive what I urgently needed.

00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:06.180
 And Isaiah 55 is this invitation from God

00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:09.540
 to come to his abundant banquet

00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:13.839
 and he invites us to receive all that is on the table

00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:16.379
 and he says, you can have it for free.

00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:23.759
 And so you say, well, what's on the table?

00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:24.319
 What's for dinner?

00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:24.899
 What's the menu?

00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:29.579
 And that takes a bit of unpacking.

00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:31.659
 So you look at verse two.

00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:34.300
 Why spend money on what is not bread

00:06:34.300 --> 00:06:36.719
 and your labour on what does not satisfy?

00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:40.019
 Listen, listen to me.

00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:41.860
 Eat what is good

00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:44.899
 and your soul will delight in the richest of fear.

00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:46.879
 Give ear and come to me.

00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:48.579
 Hear me that your soul may live.

00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:51.480
 I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:54.040
 my faithful love promised to David.

00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.899
 Now big to the background of Isaiah

00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:00.639
 are the four kings of Judah

00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:03.259
 who reigned during the time that Isaiah prophesied.

00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:06.500
 So he prophesied over the reign

00:07:06.500 --> 00:07:08.019
 of four different kings of Judah.

00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:12.039
 And the kings struggle with what all governments do.

00:07:12.039 --> 00:07:13.079
 They're a bit of a minnow

00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:15.819
 compared to the size of the surrounding superpowers.

00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:20.139
 And the question for them is, who do you trust?

00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:24.939
 What alliances can I make that will keep me safe into the future?

00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:28.319
 I think Julia Gillard was probably doing something like that

00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.019
 when she was in China the other day

00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:34.099
 and making bilateral agreements on us warship exchanges

00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:35.939
 and visits to one another's countries.

00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:40.560
 We have a lot of trading interests between us at stake.

00:07:41.140 --> 00:07:44.540
 We seek friendship for protecting our interests.

00:07:44.540 --> 00:07:49.760
 But Judah is God's country.

00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:53.540
 And the people of Judah are God's people.

00:07:55.300 --> 00:07:57.600
 And the prophet rebukes them and he says,

00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:00.240
 why spend money on what is not bread

00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:03.240
 and your labour on what does not satisfy?

00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:07.400
 He's referring to the tribute money

00:08:07.400 --> 00:08:10.420
 that they have been paying to the Assyrian king

00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:12.180
 to keep him from invading.

00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:16.220
 They've been paying real money.

00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:20.019
 And they've also been doing real work,

00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:23.180
 building for themselves some of the golden idols

00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:27.300
 of the surrounding nations

00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:29.120
 and they're getting nothing for their efforts.

00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:34.960
 And that's sort of the emptiness of religion, isn't it?

00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:36.840
 You know, you can invest in something big

00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:38.279
 and you think it looks really great,

00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:40.799
 something that looks pretty fancy and delivers nothing.

00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:43.740
 If it's fake, it doesn't work no matter how good it looks.

00:08:44.859 --> 00:08:47.019
 But the prophet calls the people of God

00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:49.079
 back to trust the promises of God

00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:50.019
 and the word of God.

00:08:51.599 --> 00:08:53.459
 God's not unknown to his people,

00:08:54.459 --> 00:08:55.639
 but he is forgotten.

00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.179
 And Isaiah reminds the people

00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:01.219
 how God has revealed himself

00:09:01.219 --> 00:09:03.919
 and he's done that through a series of covenants,

00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.579
 ordeals, which he's made with them

00:09:05.579 --> 00:09:06.659
 throughout history.

00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:10.159
 And so you see that in Isaiah chapter 54

00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.959
 and now in Isaiah 55.

00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:15.620
 So back in chapter 54, in verse 80, he says,

00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:19.379
 In a surge of anger, I hid my face from you for a moment,

00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:22.339
 but with everlasting kindness,

00:09:22.459 --> 00:09:23.959
 I will have compassion on you,

00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.839
 says the Lord, your Redeemer.

00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:29.420
 To me, this is like the days of Noah

00:09:29.420 --> 00:09:31.899
 when I swore that the waters of Noah

00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:33.899
 would never again cover the earth.

00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.300
 Now, it's sort of hidden,

00:09:36.420 --> 00:09:37.320
 so you've got to draw it out.

00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:38.580
 But in Isaiah 54,

00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:41.800
 he speaks about things like enlarging your tents

00:09:41.800 --> 00:09:45.080
 and he refers to himself as Yahweh,

00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.280
 their Redeemer.

00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:49.339
 So he uses language

00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:51.039
 which reminds the people

00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:52.959
 of three different covenants

00:09:52.959 --> 00:09:55.279
 and promises that God had made.

00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:56.480
 That's in chapter 54.

00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:59.039
 So with Noah,

00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:01.339
 I walked across the harbour bridge the other day

00:10:01.339 --> 00:10:02.639
 and coming right down into the harbour

00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:04.319
 underneath this was a rainbow.

00:10:04.839 --> 00:10:05.699
 Couldn't see the gold,

00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:06.759
 but you could see the rainbow

00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.279
 hitting the surface of the water.

00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:08.959
 Really beautiful.

00:10:09.419 --> 00:10:11.000
 Well, that's the sign that God gave Noah

00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:13.079
 to say that he would never again

00:10:13.079 --> 00:10:14.699
 destroy the earth in such a way.

00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:17.660
 And with Abraham and his promises,

00:10:17.800 --> 00:10:19.720
 he promises to enlarge their tents

00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:21.340
 and to make them a great nation.

00:10:21.780 --> 00:10:22.780
 And with Moses,

00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.600
 when he gave the sign of circumcision,

00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:26.680
 sealing the nation that God had redeemed

00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:27.540
 out of Egypt.

00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.940
 And so he's saying,

00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:33.460
 God has spoken to Noah.

00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:36.340
 God has spoken to Abraham.

00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:39.300
 God has spoken to Moses.

00:10:40.020 --> 00:10:41.440
 And now in chapter 55,

00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.520
 God has spoken to David

00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:45.159
 and God's word

00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:46.480
 and God's promises

00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:48.519
 are still valid.

00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.179
 They still stand.

00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:55.000
 And so in verse 3 of chapter 55,

00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.539
 I will make an everlasting covenant with you.

00:10:57.740 --> 00:11:00.419
 My faithful love promised to David.

00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:04.240
 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,

00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:06.399
 a leader and a commander of the peoples.

00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:10.199
 Surely you will summon nations you know not

00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.140
 and nations that do not know you

00:11:12.140 --> 00:11:13.460
 will hasten to you

00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:15.420
 because of the Lord your God,

00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.600
 the Holy One of Israel,

00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:19.259
 for he has endowed you with splendor.

00:11:22.020 --> 00:11:22.860
 He's saying,

00:11:23.020 --> 00:11:24.740
 this is 300 years after David,

00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:27.440
 the promise of an everlasting,

00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.259
 and they're about to go into exile

00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:32.860
 and the northern kingdom already has.

00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.039
 But he's saying,

00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:37.299
 the promise of an everlasting covenant

00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:39.159
 with David still stands.

00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:41.379
 God's promise is firm.

00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:44.259
 It will be an eternal kingdom

00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:45.899
 that will never come to an end,

00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.659
 and it will be a kingdom

00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:49.279
 to whom nations will be drawn

00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.840
 and they will submit to the king.

00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:56.280
 There's a lot of parallels

00:11:56.280 --> 00:11:57.879
 between this part of Isaiah,

00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.800
 the last, you know,

00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:01.040
 from Isaiah 40 on

00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:03.360
 to the very end of the Bible

00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.460
 in the book of Revelation.

00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:07.920
 A lot of very similar images

00:12:07.920 --> 00:12:09.440
 which are expressed.

00:12:12.420 --> 00:12:13.420
 And here,

00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:15.560
 Isaiah is talking about a kingdom

00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:17.840
 which will never end

00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:20.740
 and to whom the nations will be drawn.

00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:24.340
 In Revelation chapter 11,

00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.160
 there's a great cry in the heavens,

00:12:27.300 --> 00:12:28.580
 the kingdom of the world

00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.820
 has become the kingdom

00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:32.100
 of our Lord and his Christ

00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:34.639
 and he will reign forever and ever.

00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.440
 Sing it.

00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.680
 It's the Messiah, isn't it?

00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.840
 And he will reign.

00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.580
 Go on.

00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:43.759
 That's all you're getting.

00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.060
 And then in Revelation 22,

00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:50.279
 I, Jesus,

00:12:50.459 --> 00:12:51.459
 have sent my angel

00:12:51.459 --> 00:12:52.819
 to give you this testimony

00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.719
 to the churches.

00:12:54.459 --> 00:12:56.699
 I am the root and offspring of David

00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:58.839
 and the bright morning star.

00:12:59.619 --> 00:13:01.159
 The spirit and the bride say,

00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:01.519
 come,

00:13:01.599 --> 00:13:03.119
 and let him who hears say,

00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:03.639
 come,

00:13:04.119 --> 00:13:05.439
 and whoever is thirsty,

00:13:05.599 --> 00:13:06.279
 let him come,

00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.199
 and whoever wishes,

00:13:08.359 --> 00:13:09.479
 let him take the free gift

00:13:09.479 --> 00:13:10.519
 of the water of life.

00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:16.579
 So at the end of the Bible,

00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:19.720
 the eternal promises of God to David

00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:23.340
 are affirmed as still current and relevant

00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:27.379
 just as they were by Isaiah in his time.

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.819
 And at the end of the Bible,

00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:33.319
 they are declared in the kingship of Christ.

00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:37.160
 And so this free banquet

00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:38.280
 is an invitation

00:13:38.280 --> 00:13:40.960
 to return to the word of God

00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:44.100
 and to trust the eternal promises of God.

00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:47.420
 And he is effectively saying

00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:49.780
 what Paul writes to Christians in Corinth.

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.100
 In 2 Corinthians 1, verse 20,

00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:56.600
 for no matter how many promises God has made,

00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:59.180
 they are yes in Christ.

00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:01.959
 And so through him,

00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:04.079
 the amen is spoken by us

00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:06.199
 to the glory of God.

00:14:10.839 --> 00:14:13.120
 Now there might be a lot of reasons

00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:15.959
 why you are sitting in church this morning

00:14:15.959 --> 00:14:20.979
 and perhaps have forgotten God and his word.

00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.479
 And you might be

00:14:25.479 --> 00:14:28.519
 playing around with temptation

00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.600
 and sin

00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:31.759
 which is ripping

00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:34.179
 the heart out of your walk with Christ.

00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:39.559
 And he hasn't walked away from you,

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.480
 but you have been walking

00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.279
 with your back turned to him

00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.100
 and you know it.

00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.879
 Or maybe differently,

00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:52.319
 maybe you have been bitterly hurt in life.

00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.779
 You might be like my friends

00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:57.079
 whose son was tragically killed at 15.

00:14:58.519 --> 00:15:00.779
 And brought to a place in life

00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.460
 where it is very difficult

00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:04.100
 to think that God is nearby

00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:07.879
 and even cares about what has happened to you.

00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.939
 And perhaps even asking the question

00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:14.039
 that Philip Yancey asks in his book,

00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.480
 what good is God?

00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:22.639
 You might be like the people in Isaiah's time.

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:26.259
 Very clever in the world of politics.

00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.480
 Savvy in the business world.

00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:33.700
 Able to make your way safely

00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:36.220
 with the security of wealth or education.

00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:41.519
 You might have walked away

00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:43.120
 from Christian faith in some measure

00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.879
 and started to design your own.

00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.320
 All religions are the same.

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.720
 We worship the one God, don't we?

00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.360
 And so we take a bit of Islam

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.639
 for its law and order stance.

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.320
 We like that.

00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:56.860
 And yeah, reincarnation sounds pretty good

00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.920
 because you get another chance.

00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.420
 Oh yeah, and Jesus,

00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:02.340
 he said a lot of stuff about love, didn't he?

00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.220
 We'll take that too.

00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:10.280
 Or maybe you have stuffed up your life so badly

00:16:10.280 --> 00:16:12.399
 that you don't think that you can come near God.

00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:17.500
 That he just would not want to deal with you.

00:16:21.280 --> 00:16:23.960
 God's people have terribly offended him.

00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:29.960
 And yet he offers this exceedingly generous invitation,

00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:30.700
 come back.

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.460
 Verse 6.

00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:35.420
 Seek the Lord while he may be found.

00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:37.680
 Call on him while he is near.

00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:40.800
 Let the wicked forsake his way

00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:42.440
 and the evil man his thoughts.

00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.600
 Let him turn to the Lord

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.040
 and he will have mercy on him.

00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:49.100
 And to our God, for he will freely pardon.

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.960
 Come back to Christ.

00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:58.139
 When my car broke down the other day,

00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.740
 I was enormously helped

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:02.519
 by the generosity of a number of people.

00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:05.819
 And to get the benefit of that help,

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.140
 I had to humble myself

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:09.120
 and ask for it

00:17:09.120 --> 00:17:10.220
 and then rely on them.

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.559
 God has spoken.

00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:15.120
 His word is clear.

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.960
 His invitation is generous

00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:20.259
 and we are called to respond to it.

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:24.400
 And the offer is sealed by his son

00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:26.359
 who laid down his life for our sins.

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.259
 So in Isaiah,

00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.819
 it's God's servant

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:30.879
 and we preached about him last week

00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.920
 in Isaiah 53.

00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:35.519
 The one who was bruised for our transgressions,

00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:38.019
 crushed for our iniquities.

00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:40.539
 The punishment that brought us peace

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.480
 was upon him

00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:44.379
 and by his wounds we are healed.

00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:47.620
 You come forward into the New Testament

00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:49.060
 and you see the servant revealed

00:17:49.060 --> 00:17:49.820
 as God's son,

00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.020
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.700
 For God so loved the world

00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:55.600
 that he gave his one and only son

00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:58.340
 that whoever believes in him

00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:59.440
 should not perish

00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:01.500
 but have eternal life.

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.680
 And back here in Isaiah 55,

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.740
 let the wicked forsake his sin,

00:18:07.860 --> 00:18:08.800
 turn to the Lord

00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:10.740
 and he will pardon freely.

00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:16.120
 See, Isaiah speaks to us

00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:17.539
 with enormous confidence

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:19.039
 in the character of God

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:21.299
 to forgive and to freely pardon.

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.640
 He's not this weak parent

00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.839
 who forgives a child

00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.240
 that keeps spitting in their face.

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.640
 He is enormously forgiving

00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.019
 of the child who turns back

00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.500
 and says like the prodigal son,

00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:31.960
 Father,

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:34.299
 I have sinned against heaven

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.680
 and against you

00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:37.759
 and am no longer worthy

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:39.120
 to be called your son.

00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:45.420
 Friends, hear the invitation

00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.700
 of God to come back,

00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:51.140
 to trust his eternal promises,

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:53.120
 to see his power

00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.940
 and his will

00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:56.220
 to pardon all our offences

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.299
 against him.

00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:02.079
 He is approachable

00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:04.180
 but only on his terms.

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:11.140
 It sounds like the impossible.

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:15.400
 It certainly seems too good

00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.039
 to be true

00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:19.740
 and God responds

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:21.860
 to our unasked question,

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.460
 you know,

00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.680
 how can this be possible?

00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.799
 Well, look in verse 8.

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.740
 My thoughts are not your thoughts

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.380
 and neither are your ways

00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.980
 my ways,

00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.880
 declares the Lord.

00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.920
 As the heavens are higher

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.480
 than the earth,

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.740
 so are my ways higher

00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.620
 than your ways

00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.680
 and my thoughts

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.660
 than your thoughts.

00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.420
 You know,

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.380
 as smart as we like

00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.240
 to think we are,

00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:42.700
 we are not even on the board

00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.019
 as far as God is concerned.

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.759
 There is a vast difference

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.940
 between people and God

00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.620
 and it's expressed right here.

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.420
 Sometimes, you know,

00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.599
 you listen to people,

00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.299
 you listen to us,

00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.700
 you listen to the way we speak,

00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:57.079
 we treat him as an equal,

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.099
 you know,

00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:58.880
 another person

00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:00.620
 and it's almost like

00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.680
 we stand over him,

00:20:01.760 --> 00:20:03.440
 we demand a reckoning from him,

00:20:03.520 --> 00:20:05.000
 we question his decisions,

00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:07.700
 we question his justice,

00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.980
 we question his purposes,

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.800
 we question his plans.

00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.840
 And God speaks here

00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.200
 and he says,

00:20:16.260 --> 00:20:17.440
 I'm way above you people.

00:20:20.140 --> 00:20:21.940
 My ways and my thoughts

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:23.500
 are way above yours.

00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.960
 And it's a good reminder

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.259
 and not unlike

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.900
 what God does with Job

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.140
 in Job chapter 38

00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:30.240
 and just after he says,

00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:30.740
 you know,

00:20:30.840 --> 00:20:31.299
 brace yourself,

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.920
 you want an answer?

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.120
 Brace yourself like a man,

00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.000
 I'll give you an answer.

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.299
 Where were you

00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.400
 when I laid the foundations

00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.079
 of the earth?

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.460
 And on and on and on

00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.240
 and on he goes.

00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.539
 It's stating the obvious

00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:46.460
 but God is vastly superior to us

00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:49.759
 and it takes humility

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.539
 on our part

00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:52.319
 to assume our place before him

00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:54.519
 and to recognise his glory.

00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:58.600
 And part of that humility

00:20:58.600 --> 00:20:59.920
 means that we don't get

00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:01.140
 to understand everything

00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:02.279
 about God.

00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.880
 We only understand

00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.720
 what he chooses

00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:07.220
 to reveal about himself

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.779
 and he can only be known

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:13.100
 as he chooses to allow.

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.559
 He sets the boundaries.

00:21:18.100 --> 00:21:19.240
 But on the other hand

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.279
 there's nothing which is hidden

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.059
 from his sight

00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:24.000
 and he knows everything about us.

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:27.180
 And even the secret thoughts

00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.920
 of our hearts.

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:31.039
 Every intent of our heart.

00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.960
 And I think I wonder

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.220
 is that a terrifying thought

00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:36.660
 for you?

00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.579
 That God knows

00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:41.140
 every rebellious thought

00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:42.000
 and inclination,

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.279
 every bit of pride

00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.539
 where we exalt ourselves

00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.240
 over him

00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.660
 or others,

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:49.460
 every secret sin

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.920
 and with that

00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.240
 the fear of a just judgment.

00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:00.200
 Or is it a comforting thought?

00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.759
 In fact for me it is.

00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:06.600
 It's a deeply comforting thought.

00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.840
 God knows everything.

00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:14.159
 every wicked inclination

00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:15.079
 of my heart

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:18.379
 and despite him

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.919
 knowing those things,

00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:22.000
 the things that I would

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.299
 never want you to know,

00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.000
 he is my redeemer.

00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:30.319
 And I know his ability

00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:32.019
 to freely pardon my sin

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:34.419
 when I turn back to him.

00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:37.039
 That's a safe place

00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.720
 to be, isn't it?

00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.660
 Verse 9,

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.060
 as the heavens are above the earth,

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.920
 try measuring that.

00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:49.240
 God is a fantastic God

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:50.580
 with the amazing ability

00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:51.220
 and desire

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.400
 to pardon our sins.

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.320
 I think that makes him

00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:55.820
 very, very good.

00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.640
 And the sort of forgiveness

00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.820
 that he extends to us

00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.820
 is incomparable

00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:01.860
 to any forgiveness

00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.860
 that we might need

00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.820
 to show one another.

00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:07.539
 You carried stuff

00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.420
 to church this morning,

00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.140
 lack of forgiveness

00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.220
 for a brother or sister

00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.860
 in Christ.

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.720
 As serious as it might be,

00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:14.640
 it is puny

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.519
 in the economy of God.

00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.779
 And that is

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.740
 very New Testament.

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:22.060
 The parable of the servants

00:23:22.060 --> 00:23:22.940
 are forgiven

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.820
 a vast sum

00:23:24.820 --> 00:23:26.000
 who goes and beats

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.100
 the living daylights

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.880
 out of the man

00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:29.019
 who owes him

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.880
 a tiny bit.

00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:33.039
 The extravagant pardon

00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.640
 of God

00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:35.300
 and by implication

00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:36.320
 our need to forgive

00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:36.780
 people

00:23:36.780 --> 00:23:38.520
 who offend against us.

00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.040
 And so,

00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:41.960
 Isaiah 55

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.660
 is a wonderful invitation

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.020
 to return

00:23:45.020 --> 00:23:45.840
 to the Lord God

00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.020
 and to trust in his word

00:23:47.020 --> 00:23:47.980
 and in his promises.

00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.060
 It includes

00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:51.140
 the amazing offer

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.020
 of sins forgiven

00:23:52.020 --> 00:23:53.440
 and offences pardoned.

00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:55.580
 And it is true

00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:56.820
 even though it sounds

00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.920
 too good to be true.

00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:00.380
 And it finishes

00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.880
 with a powerful declaration

00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.640
 of the supremacy

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.700
 of the word of God

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.779
 to do its work.

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.060
 Verse 10,

00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.679
 as the rain and the snow

00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.819
 come down from heaven

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:10.539
 and do not return to it

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.819
 without watering the earth

00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:12.599
 and making it

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.299
 bud and flourish

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:16.359
 so that it yields

00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.319
 seed for the sower

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.359
 and bread for the eater,

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.399
 so my word

00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:21.119
 that goes out

00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:22.099
 from my mouth

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.319
 will not return

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.039
 to me empty,

00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:25.879
 but it will accomplish

00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.839
 what I desire

00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.339
 and achieve

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:27.839
 the purpose

00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.759
 for which I sent it.

00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.240
 And so,

00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:30.799
 God's word

00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.440
 is powerful

00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.099
 to achieve

00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.919
 every purpose

00:24:32.919 --> 00:24:33.659
 for which God

00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.240
 sends it.

00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:35.840
 And so,

00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.500
 for a king

00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.820
 like Hezekiah

00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.900
 struggling to figure out

00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.540
 which alliance

00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.340
 to go with,

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.440
 God calls him

00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.040
 and his people

00:24:43.040 --> 00:24:44.380
 to trust his word,

00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.300
 which is what

00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:47.940
 Hezekiah ultimately did

00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.700
 as the Assyrian army

00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.820
 besieged the walls

00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:51.440
 of Jerusalem.

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.740
 And God did the incredible,

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.980
 he did the impossible,

00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.100
 he defeated

00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:56.220
 the Assyrian army

00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.420
 without the people

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.820
 of God

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.840
 lifting a finger.

00:25:02.060 --> 00:25:03.140
 The New Testament

00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:04.180
 declares the ongoing

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.980
 power of the word

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.440
 of God,

00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:08.020
 something that cuts

00:25:08.020 --> 00:25:08.780
 to our hearts

00:25:08.780 --> 00:25:09.759
 for the word of God

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.120
 is living and active,

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.180
 sharper than any

00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:14.100
 double-edged sword

00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:16.080
 and it penetrates

00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.200
 even to dividing

00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.180
 soul and spirit

00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.100
 joints and marrow

00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:20.540
 and it judges

00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.120
 the thoughts

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.680
 and attitudes

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.420
 of the heart

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.700
 and nothing

00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.560
 in all creation

00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.000
 is hidden

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.920
 from God's sight

00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.300
 and everything

00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:27.980
 is uncovered

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.660
 and laid bare

00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.480
 before the eyes

00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.880
 of him

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.620
 to whom we must

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.180
 give account.

00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.060
 The dark side

00:25:34.060 --> 00:25:34.540
 of the car

00:25:34.540 --> 00:25:35.180
 the other day,

00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:36.920
 I'm selling it

00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.580
 for my sister,

00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.900
 selling it in good faith

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.360
 not thinking

00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.980
 anything's wrong

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.320
 with it.

00:25:41.540 --> 00:25:42.560
 The day before

00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:43.280
 I put my head

00:25:43.280 --> 00:25:43.720
 underneath

00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.120
 to change the oil

00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.660
 and I saw

00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.120
 some of this

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.759
 green stuff

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.540
 which suggested

00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:48.120
 there must be

00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.460
 a leak.

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.100
 Do you think

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.680
 I wanted to know

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.060
 about it?

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.160
 And so I was

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.000
 struggling with my

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.400
 conscience

00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.040
 what I do

00:25:56.040 --> 00:25:56.620
 about this.

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.000
 Will God

00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.660
 help me out?

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.340
 He brought it

00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.140
 to everybody's

00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.560
 attention.

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.740
 He forced me

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:05.420
 to face

00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:07.880
 my own sin.

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.680
 Severe mercy

00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.000
 of God

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.380
 isn't it?

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.460
 I felt very

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.900
 protected

00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.880
 through the process

00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:15.019
 but he certainly

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.700
 dragged me out

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.320
 into the open.

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.779
 The final words

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.400
 of this passage

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:21.820
 are similar

00:26:21.820 --> 00:26:22.700
 to the final words

00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.240
 of the Bible.

00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:23.759
 He says

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.340
 verse 12

00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:24.819
 you will go

00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.359
 out in joy

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.779
 and be led

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.579
 forth in peace.

00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.959
 The mountains

00:26:27.959 --> 00:26:28.599
 and the hills

00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:30.319
 will burst

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.859
 into song

00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.539
 before you

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.899
 and all the

00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.480
 trees of the

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.899
 field will

00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:34.459
 clap their

00:26:34.459 --> 00:26:34.899
 hands

00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:36.799
 and instead

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.519
 of thornbush

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:37.939
 will grow

00:26:37.939 --> 00:26:38.619
 the pine tree

00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.079
 and instead

00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.679
 of briars

00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:40.119
 the myrtle

00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.459
 will grow

00:26:40.459 --> 00:26:40.899
 royal wedding

00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.319
 the other night

00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:41.679
 the trees

00:26:41.679 --> 00:26:42.319
 down the aisle

00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.339
 myrtle trees

00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.959
 and this

00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.419
 will be

00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:45.779
 for the

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.179
 Lord's

00:26:46.179 --> 00:26:46.599
 renown

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:46.959
 for an

00:26:46.959 --> 00:26:47.419
 everlasting

00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:48.059
 sign

00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:48.879
 which will

00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.379
 not be

00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:49.879
 destroyed.

00:26:52.699 --> 00:26:53.220
 New

00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.859
 creation

00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:55.579
 joy

00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:57.079
 delight

00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.619
 great trees

00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.279
 replacing

00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.740
 thorns

00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.319
 beautiful

00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:00.779
 myrtle

00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.359
 replacing

00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:01.939
 weeds

00:27:01.939 --> 00:27:02.759
 God's

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.119
 covenant

00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:03.599
 sign

00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.019
 a new

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.419
 world

00:27:04.419 --> 00:27:05.019
 a new

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.519
 creation

00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.079
 a place

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:06.359
 without

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.759
 death

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.319
 or mourning

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.179
 or crying

00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.699
 or pain

00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:09.119
 a new

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.399
 world

00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:09.740
 that will

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.019
 never

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.819
 pass away

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.639
 and Isaiah

00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.439
 invites

00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:12.799
 people

00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.279
 to it

00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.759
 come

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.599
 all you

00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:15.899
 who are

00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.299
 thirsty

00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.279
 come to

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.759
 the waters

00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.779
 and you

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.219
 who have

00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:19.759
 no money

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.479
 come

00:27:20.479 --> 00:27:21.399
 buy and

00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:21.659
 eat

00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.679
 buy wine

00:27:22.679 --> 00:27:23.139
 and milk

00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:23.460
 without

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:23.820
 money

00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.340
 and without

00:27:24.340 --> 00:27:24.960
 cost

00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.660
 and Jesus

00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.480
 invites us

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.880
 to it

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.040
 the spirit

00:27:29.040 --> 00:27:29.680
 and the bride

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.520
 say come

00:27:30.520 --> 00:27:31.880
 and let him

00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.540
 who hears

00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:33.360
 say come

00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:34.120
 and whoever

00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.980
 is thirsty

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.440
 let him

00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.880
 come

00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.600
 and whoever

00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.120
 wishes

00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.540
 let him

00:27:37.540 --> 00:27:38.060
 take the

00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:38.740
 free gift

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.120
 of the

00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.460
 water

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.160
 of life

00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:42.259
 not only

00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.640
 does he

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.279
 invite us

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.220
 he enables

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.680
 us to

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:44.960
 enter

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.680
 he is

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.019
 the one

00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.540
 able to

00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:46.940
 pardon

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.200
 our

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.680
 offences

00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.680
 turn to

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.019
 him

00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.019
 come to

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.380
 him

00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.240
 accept

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.620
 his

00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.420
 wonderful

00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.279
 invitation

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.440
 amen

00:27:54.440 --> 00:28:21.320
 t