WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 Well, football pundits are not known for being people who have great deep insights into life. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:13.000 They might have great insights about football formations or managers strategies, but rarely about fundamental principles of life. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:24.219 However, I clearly remember one great exception. A long time ago, it was the 94-95 football season. Newcastle United were playing in some European tournament. 00:00:24.859 --> 00:00:29.440 I think they were playing a big team. I think it was Barcelona. I can't remember. That doesn't matter. 00:00:30.339 --> 00:00:35.980 And they were 2-0 up at half-time at St. James' Park. And the pundits back in the studio were raving about the performance. 00:00:36.659 --> 00:00:42.640 And at the end of the match, they squandered it. I can't remember if it was a draw or they lost. I don't recall. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:50.480 But I went back to the studio and Des Lynam, who was the anchor man at the time, just turned to Alan Hansen and just said, 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:51.820 Well, Alan? 00:00:54.060 --> 00:01:00.219 And Hansen delivered a line that only a sort of Church of Scotland minister of my youth where I grew up could deliver. 00:01:00.879 --> 00:01:05.039 He stared at the camera and in his low tones uttered, 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.159 Complacency is an evil word. 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:13.819 And he may not have been talking about Newcastle United. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:19.079 He could have been talking about Israel in 760 BC, the year that Amos was preaching. 00:01:19.679 --> 00:01:21.039 They were complacent people. 00:01:22.019 --> 00:01:23.700 They took God's grace for granted. 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:26.319 They enjoyed the privilege of being God's people, 00:01:26.939 --> 00:01:29.840 but had forgotten the purpose for which they were God's people. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:34.000 They enjoyed the privileges, but forgot their purpose in God saving them. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:40.040 Not only that, but the way Amos has been speaking up to now might have confirmed them in their complacency. 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:43.299 If you read through chapter 1 up to chapter 2 verse 5, 00:01:43.719 --> 00:01:47.840 you'll see that Amos has been declaring God's judgment against all the nations around them. 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:50.900 Against their bitter enemies, the Amorites, 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:56.400 who in chapter 1 verse 13 had invaded a bit of Israel and killed pregnant women, ripping them open. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:00.820 The Israelites would have been delighted to hear God's judgment against them. 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:05.580 And then Amos had pronounced God's judgment on Judah to the south, 00:02:05.700 --> 00:02:07.580 their tiny insignificant neighbour, 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:10.680 those self-righteous ones who had the temple in Jerusalem, 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:13.540 who were still under a king in David's line. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:17.420 And of course that meant Amos had preached against seven nations. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:21.099 Seven, the Hebrew idea, number of completeness. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:26.180 So at chapter 2 verse 5, the congregation are expecting Amos to sit down. 00:02:26.359 --> 00:02:26.819 They're cheering. 00:02:27.299 --> 00:02:29.840 Well done, God's going to judge those horrible people around us. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:32.959 They'd be confirmed in their complacency. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:35.579 But Amos has a shock for them, 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:38.719 in that the longest judgment is the eighth one. 00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:41.120 I've told my sermons like this, 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:43.519 they feel like I'm coming into land and then I take off again. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:44.359 That's what Amos does. 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:45.659 That's a warning for later on, by the way. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:47.939 That's what Amos does here. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.280 He takes off again and God's greatest judgment, 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:55.699 the longest piece of text is directed against Israel in verses 6 to 16. 00:02:56.420 --> 00:02:57.920 Against their complacency. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:00.500 They are enjoying the privileges of being God's people, 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:01.960 but have forgotten the purpose. 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:05.219 Now I wonder how often we can be like that as Christians. 00:03:06.420 --> 00:03:07.520 We can turn up at church, 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:09.759 we can enjoy the gospel message 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:12.099 that we are forgiven freely by God's grace, 00:03:12.180 --> 00:03:13.120 which we are. 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:16.180 And we enjoy that privilege, 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:20.379 but become complacent about the purpose for which God saved us. 00:03:21.540 --> 00:03:22.540 What is that purpose? 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:26.439 Well, it's the same as the purpose of saving Israel in the Old Testament. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:29.219 Exodus chapter 19, verses 5 and 6, 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:30.159 God had said, 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:34.400 you will be to me a holy nation, 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:35.540 and a royal priesthood. 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:39.419 And those are words that Peter picks up in 1 Peter chapter 2, 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:41.819 where he says this of Christians today, 00:03:41.959 --> 00:03:43.680 you are a chosen race, 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:44.799 a royal priesthood, 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:45.680 a holy nation, 00:03:46.239 --> 00:03:47.819 a people for God's own possession. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:49.060 Why? 00:03:49.859 --> 00:03:52.419 That you may proclaim the excellencies of him 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:54.280 who called you out of darkness 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:56.239 into his marvellous light. 00:03:56.240 --> 00:04:00.260 As those who have been rescued by God's grace, 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:01.920 were to show his beauty, 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:02.900 his excellencies, 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:05.200 and declare those to the world around us. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:06.560 Once you were not a people, 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:08.159 but now you are God's people. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:09.680 Once you have not received mercy, 00:04:10.180 --> 00:04:12.020 but now you have received mercy. 00:04:13.700 --> 00:04:15.740 The people of Amos' day were complacent 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:18.540 because they just counted the privilege 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:19.540 and forgot the purpose. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:20.920 We can become complacent 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.400 when we remember that God is love, 00:04:22.840 --> 00:04:24.100 but forget that he is light. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:27.439 When we remember what we've been saved from, 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:29.360 sin and death and hell, 00:04:29.900 --> 00:04:31.540 but not what we've been saved for, 00:04:32.820 --> 00:04:35.020 to be a holy nation and a royal priesthood. 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:40.540 So Amos' words to Israel in 790 BC 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:43.260 are also relevant to us today. 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:46.160 Because his message is essentially 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:47.800 that God has graciously provided 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:50.260 everything you need for salvation. 00:04:51.200 --> 00:04:53.760 And therefore, God's people must show his holiness 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:55.839 in every facet of our lives. 00:04:57.019 --> 00:04:58.099 Well, how were the people of Israel 00:04:58.099 --> 00:04:58.920 failing to do that? 00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:00.599 Well, in two main ways. 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:03.839 They dishonoured God by their actions. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:06.439 They dishonoured God by their actions. 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.300 That's verses 6 to 9. 00:05:10.039 --> 00:05:12.279 And they despised God's gracious gifts. 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:13.860 Verses 9 to 12. 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:15.599 Let's look at those things first 00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:18.019 before we turn and see how it works out for us. 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:19.060 So first of all, 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:20.620 they despised God's character 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:21.639 through their actions. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:23.259 Look at verse 7 for a moment. 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:24.459 To the end of verse 7. 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:26.339 There's a key phrase there. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:27.699 What does Amos say? 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:31.019 My holy name is profaned. 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:33.060 They were supposed to be a holy people 00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:35.839 showing God's excellency and glory and light. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:38.560 But they were dragging God's name through the mud 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:39.680 by the way they acted. 00:05:40.599 --> 00:05:42.120 They did that in three particular ways. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:42.839 First of all, 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:44.800 by their social interactions. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:47.579 And then by their sexual practices. 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:48.579 And then finally, 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:50.240 by their self-centred worship. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:51.680 So first of all, 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:52.840 they're social practices. 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:54.860 That's what Amos is talking on about 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:56.360 in verse 6 for example. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:58.060 Thus says the Lord, 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:00.000 for three transgressions of Israel 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:00.720 and for four, 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:03.079 I will not revoke the punishment. 00:06:03.720 --> 00:06:05.439 Because they sell the righteous for silver 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:07.340 and the needy for a pair of sandals. 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:09.540 Now the righteous in this context 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:11.000 are not the morally perfect, 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:12.840 but they're the legally innocent. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.360 They're the innocent party 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:15.879 in a civil case in the law courts. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:17.659 But what's happening is 00:06:17.659 --> 00:06:18.860 rather than the judges 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:21.319 exercising justice fairly, 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:23.459 the judges are being bought with a bribe. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:24.719 You can pay them silver 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:26.339 and they're ruling the rich person's favour. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:28.259 Or give them a bit of land. 00:06:28.719 --> 00:06:30.219 Perhaps that's what the sandals refers to. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:32.199 Land being transacted. 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.899 And they'll make the right, 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:38.060 they'll call the innocent person guilty. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:41.699 There was no justice there. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:43.620 And yet the Lord is just. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.019 So they're dishonouring his character. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:48.560 Also there's a lack of mercy. 00:06:48.680 --> 00:06:49.780 The Lord is merciful. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:51.840 Remember in Israel's history 00:06:51.840 --> 00:06:52.639 he rescued them 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:54.139 out of slavery in Egypt. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.899 Not because of anything they had done, 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:57.259 but because he heard their cry 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:58.920 and was faithful to his promises. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:01.340 Yet look how, 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:02.819 look how the Israelites 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:04.079 are treating the poor and needy. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:04.920 Look at verse 7. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.660 You who trample the head of the poor 00:07:07.660 --> 00:07:09.100 into the dust of the earth 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:11.420 and turn aside from the way of the afflicted. 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:13.800 The afflicted are downtrodden 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:15.759 with no strength or resources of their own. 00:07:16.780 --> 00:07:18.420 And yet where God has shown mercy 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:19.120 to the Israelites, 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:21.259 they are not showing mercy to each other. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:24.259 They are despising the weak and the needy. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:27.080 Now what we need to remember 00:07:27.080 --> 00:07:28.080 as we read these words, 00:07:28.280 --> 00:07:29.319 who they're addressed to. 00:07:30.520 --> 00:07:31.480 It's very easy, isn't it, 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:32.379 to look out on the world 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:34.100 and see injustice around the world. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:35.879 Or look out on our society 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:36.740 and see where the poor 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:38.340 and the afflicted are trodden upon. 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:40.699 But this is not written 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:42.400 to any particular nation. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.280 This is God's word to Israel. 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:47.980 Israel were his covenant people. 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:49.740 People who had entered into relationship 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:51.639 with God at Mount Sinai. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:53.379 The people he called for his own possession. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:54.960 So first and foremost, 00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:56.740 we need to read this as to us, 00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:57.740 the church, 00:07:58.120 --> 00:07:59.500 to God's people on earth. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:02.540 And not worry about the sins 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:03.519 of the nations around us 00:08:03.519 --> 00:08:04.699 or the culture we're part of. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:07.099 So the challenge for us 00:08:07.099 --> 00:08:08.800 as we read about Israel's social sins 00:08:08.800 --> 00:08:10.860 is what are our social practices? 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:12.819 Do we dishonour God's name 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.620 in the way we act together 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:15.639 as a people? 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:20.319 I'm sure we're good and tender-hearted 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:21.500 towards those who are financially 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.500 poor and afflicted. 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:24.419 See they drop in here 00:08:24.419 --> 00:08:25.319 as I look at the news sheet. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:25.879 That's great. 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:27.879 But I wonder how we deal 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.259 with other kinds of affliction. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.519 I know of people who have struggled 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:33.480 with mental health issues in church 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:33.899 for years, 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:34.600 be it depression 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:36.539 or bipolar disorder. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:37.919 And they never feel 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:39.980 they can voice their difficulties 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.600 and voice their problems 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.159 because they feel they'll be judged 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:44.019 and disregarded 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.639 and maybe trampled on. 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:49.959 How do we deal with those 00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:51.019 in that kind of affliction? 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:54.659 Are we merciful and compassionate 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:55.480 as God is? 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:57.960 Or do we disregard, 00:08:58.199 --> 00:08:59.860 turn aside from the way of the afflicted 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.179 as the Israelites did? 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.579 So they dishonoured God 00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:04.639 through their social practices 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.639 but also through their sexual practices. 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:08.059 Look at verse 7. 00:09:08.459 --> 00:09:09.419 The end of verse 7. 00:09:11.099 --> 00:09:11.979 A man and his father 00:09:11.979 --> 00:09:13.039 go into the same girl 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.839 so that my holy name 00:09:14.839 --> 00:09:15.819 is profaned. 00:09:16.699 --> 00:09:17.659 There's a pattern here. 00:09:17.719 --> 00:09:18.120 Once again, 00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:19.159 it's the powerful 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.039 exploiting the weak. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:20.559 The powerful, 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:21.039 the men 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:22.539 who had the rights 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:23.079 and the property 00:09:23.079 --> 00:09:24.319 and everything else in society. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:25.479 Oppressing 00:09:25.479 --> 00:09:26.759 the vulnerable, 00:09:26.959 --> 00:09:27.479 the weak, 00:09:27.599 --> 00:09:28.719 the girl in this case. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:31.139 And again, 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.019 whereas the Lord 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:32.700 is faithful, 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:34.420 here's a picture of a man 00:09:34.420 --> 00:09:36.120 totally bailing out 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.060 in his marriage vows 00:09:37.060 --> 00:09:38.320 and maybe even 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:39.540 taking his son along with him. 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:42.379 It's a picture of sexual promiscuity 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.560 of the worst type. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:48.080 Because the question for us 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:49.860 is how does our sexual conduct 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:50.720 honour God? 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:53.460 In a sex-mad society, 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.440 a society where 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:57.000 we read that 50% 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:57.900 of men in a church 00:09:57.900 --> 00:09:59.040 will be addicted 00:09:59.040 --> 00:10:00.060 to internet pornography. 00:10:01.800 --> 00:10:02.660 Does our conduct 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:03.700 in private 00:10:03.700 --> 00:10:05.560 that God sees 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.340 honour him? 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:08.920 Well, it wasn't just 00:10:08.920 --> 00:10:09.760 their social practices 00:10:09.760 --> 00:10:10.700 and their sexual practices, 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:11.300 it was also their 00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:13.340 self-centred worship practices. 00:10:13.420 --> 00:10:14.140 Look at verse 8. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:16.180 They lay themselves down 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:17.160 beside every altar 00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:18.020 on garments 00:10:18.020 --> 00:10:18.980 taken in pledge. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.540 In the house of their God 00:10:20.540 --> 00:10:21.580 they drink the wine 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:23.040 of those who've been fined. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:25.240 Almost every line there 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:25.980 is a contradiction 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:27.559 of the law of Moses. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.339 The bottom line is 00:10:29.339 --> 00:10:29.599 they were being 00:10:29.599 --> 00:10:30.819 completely self-centred 00:10:30.819 --> 00:10:31.679 in what they did 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.559 when they gathered 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.360 to worship God. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:34.599 It wasn't God 00:10:34.599 --> 00:10:35.299 they were worshipping. 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:37.240 It was their own desires, 00:10:37.339 --> 00:10:38.179 their own lusts, 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.279 their own satisfaction. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:41.019 You can imagine 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:42.240 the kind of conversations 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.199 these guys would have had 00:10:43.199 --> 00:10:44.139 when they went into the office 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:45.240 on the next day, 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:46.019 the day after the Sabbath. 00:10:46.719 --> 00:10:47.259 If you can imagine 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:47.939 them going to an office 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:48.719 the day after the Sabbath. 00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:51.079 What did you do 00:10:51.079 --> 00:10:51.860 on the Sabbath then? 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:52.899 Oh, it was great. 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:54.919 I just went up to the shrine 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:55.959 just behind my house. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.620 It's very convenient. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:58.579 You don't have to go anywhere. 00:10:58.699 --> 00:10:59.659 It's just up there 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.099 on the hill. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:02.779 And there's a very nice 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.339 shrine prostitute up there 00:11:04.339 --> 00:11:05.699 so I spent some time 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:06.099 with her. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:07.480 And I didn't want to get 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.360 my own coat dirty 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.500 so I took the coat 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.959 that I'd taken from the beggar 00:11:10.959 --> 00:11:11.799 at the end of our road, 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:12.980 the guy who owes me some money. 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.419 Now he must have been cold 00:11:14.419 --> 00:11:14.899 last night 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.319 because I hadn't given 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.199 this coat back to him. 00:11:16.459 --> 00:11:17.379 I know you're supposed to 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:17.719 but hey, 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:18.919 I don't care about him. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:20.459 I was able to lie down 00:11:20.459 --> 00:11:21.240 on his garment 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:22.579 so mine didn't get dirty. 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:23.860 I had a great time 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:24.460 up at the shrine 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:25.320 and then the priest 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.280 came around at the end 00:11:26.280 --> 00:11:27.360 with all the wine 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.139 he confiscated 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.200 from the fines 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:30.120 from other people 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:32.139 and we had a wild party 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.020 and drunk till dawn. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.180 It was great. 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:34.919 In fact, 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.519 it's a miracle 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:36.159 I've been able to get 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:36.839 into work this morning 00:11:36.839 --> 00:11:37.899 I've got such a bad hangover. 00:11:39.979 --> 00:11:40.279 Now, 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:41.159 I know that doesn't go on 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.759 here at IPC, 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:42.159 it doesn't go on 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.539 at Duke Street 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:43.219 in Richmond either. 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:45.519 But, 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:46.620 but, 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.399 we need to see behind this 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.579 the self-centeredness 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.279 involved in this. 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:52.099 Not only the self-centeredness 00:11:52.099 --> 00:11:53.079 but the way 00:11:53.079 --> 00:11:53.919 they were worshipping 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:54.679 their God 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.919 was not the way 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:57.079 God had declared 00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:57.899 they should 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.519 through the scriptures. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:00.939 but it was the way 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:02.100 the nations around them 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:02.639 were worshipping 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.299 their gods. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.620 Shrine prostitutes 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.620 and all that kind of stuff 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.399 altars wherever 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.139 you wanted them 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.639 lots of alcohol 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.579 that was what 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:12.699 the nations around them did. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:13.399 This was 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.779 syncretistic worship. 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:15.919 It was borrowing 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:17.120 ideas and practices 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:18.100 from the world around them 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.960 rather than 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:19.860 faithful worship 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.679 of the true God 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.600 the way he had revealed. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.279 Now, 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:24.759 are there ways 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:25.620 in which we can borrow 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.620 ideas from the world 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.419 around us 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:29.219 and they incorporate 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:30.299 themselves into the way 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.439 we worship God? 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.959 Even here 00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:34.139 in a good 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:34.979 solid church 00:12:34.979 --> 00:12:36.059 like IPC Ewing 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:37.939 or even in 00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:38.699 Duke Street in Richmond. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:41.240 Well, 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:41.659 let me suggest 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.179 a couple of ways 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.079 we can end up 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.500 doing this 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.199 inadvertently. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.500 In this day and age 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.659 Eastern religion 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.399 is very popular, 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:48.839 isn't it? 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:50.039 Fits in with our 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:51.279 culture of post-modernism 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:52.259 and the idea 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.139 of meditation 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.740 is a popular idea 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.839 especially a stressed 00:12:55.839 --> 00:12:56.719 out busy age 00:12:56.719 --> 00:12:56.899 where 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.740 everyone feels 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.299 like they're online 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:59.159 24 hours. 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:00.500 So meditation 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.159 is a very popular 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:01.559 thing. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.759 But Eastern meditation 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.379 is all about 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.500 emptying your mind, 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.259 having nothing 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:06.779 in your mind. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.319 Biblical meditation 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.459 is about filling 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:09.939 your mind 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.799 with God's word. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:12.759 That's one area 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.299 where sometimes 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.159 we can talk 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.699 very loosely 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.559 about meditation 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:16.199 and we end up 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:17.159 thinking about 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:18.179 all sorts of stuff 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.720 that isn't what 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.579 the Bible describes 00:13:20.579 --> 00:13:21.220 as meditation. 00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:23.159 So we can dishonor 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:23.659 God in our 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:24.519 worship practices. 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:27.620 Or when going 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.019 to church 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.459 is all about 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:29.299 our own preferences, 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.500 the kind of music 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:30.980 we like, 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:31.600 the kind of things 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.059 we like, 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:33.860 we can end up 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.919 just fulfilling 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:35.639 our own selfish 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.120 practices. 00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.519 Or I have 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:38.959 friends who go 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:39.579 to some churches 00:13:39.579 --> 00:13:40.159 who will say, 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.100 oh we had a great 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:41.740 time of worship, 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:42.779 which they've just 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.299 been singing, 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.379 and we sang 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.620 such and such 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.220 a song several 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.840 times and 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:49.500 and then God 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.320 really showed 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:50.740 up. 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.080 Really? 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.160 Really? 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:55.600 Do you think 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.320 you can cajole 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.360 God into action 00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:58.740 by the amount 00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.480 you play your 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.240 music or by the 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.960 way you sing? 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.980 That's not a 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:04.780 service of corporate 00:14:04.780 --> 00:14:05.120 worship, 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:05.680 that's a rock 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:06.139 concept. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:06.800 What you're 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:07.500 experiencing is 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.100 just your own 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.399 emotions. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:08.820 Our emotions 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:09.320 are good, 00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:10.160 our emotions 00:14:10.160 --> 00:14:10.899 should be engaged 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.340 in worship, 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.540 but if we 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:14.180 confuse our 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:14.860 emotions with 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:16.480 God's presence, 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:17.740 if we act like 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:18.259 we have to do 00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:18.700 something to 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.259 make God 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.039 appear, 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:21.740 then that's 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.460 just the same 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.440 basic idea as 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:23.940 every religion 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:24.580 in the world, 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.600 that what God 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.220 does is dependent 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:27.840 upon what we 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.180 do. 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:29.940 The Christianity 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:30.480 and the gospel 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:30.800 is the other 00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:31.379 way around. 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:32.560 What God 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:33.240 has done 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.300 leads us to 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:35.180 do what we 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:35.440 do. 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:36.960 See, they 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.680 dishonoured God 00:14:37.680 --> 00:14:38.920 with their 00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:39.480 self-centred 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.019 syncretistic 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.920 worship practices, 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.379 with their 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.259 sexual practices, 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.320 and with their 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.080 social practices. 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.460 They dishonoured 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:46.940 God in all 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.519 those ways. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:49.519 In their 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.080 complacency, 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:50.379 they didn't 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.080 just dishonour 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.259 God through 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.220 their actions, 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.300 but they 00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:56.460 despised God's 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.519 gift in their 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.060 attitudes. 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.160 That's what 00:14:59.160 --> 00:14:59.759 Amos is talking 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.040 about in 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:01.100 verses 9-12. 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.120 Can you look 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.519 at those? 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.740 Look at verse 9. 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.720 He reminds them 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.519 there that the 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.300 Lord defeated 00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:07.000 their enemies. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.420 What does the 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:08.840 Lord say? 00:15:08.900 --> 00:15:09.519 Yet it was I 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.080 who destroyed 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.759 the Amorite 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.420 from before 00:15:11.420 --> 00:15:11.600 them. 00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:12.360 The Amorites 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.200 were the big 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.120 guys who 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:14.680 they'd been very 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:15.360 scared of as 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.320 they left 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:16.720 Egypt. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.140 Numbers 13, 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:18.720 the spies 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.379 who Moses sent 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:19.580 out, 00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:20.040 specifically 00:15:20.040 --> 00:15:20.760 incite the 00:15:20.760 --> 00:15:21.280 Amorites as 00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:21.879 a good reason 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.879 not for going 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.140 into the 00:15:23.140 --> 00:15:23.740 promised land. 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:24.879 Yet the 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.460 Lord destroyed 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:25.680 them. 00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:26.620 The Amorites 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.040 whose height 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:27.540 was like the 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:28.360 height of the 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:28.760 Caesars, 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:29.360 and who 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:29.840 were as 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.240 strong as 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.700 the oaks, 00:15:31.260 --> 00:15:31.700 are destroyed 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.220 their fruit 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:32.860 above and 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.260 their roots 00:15:33.260 --> 00:15:33.620 beneath. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.060 They were 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:34.500 completely 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.080 wiped out 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:35.480 by the 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:35.800 Lord. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.820 He wiped 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.100 them out 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.460 because of 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.080 their sin, 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:40.760 as he 00:15:40.760 --> 00:15:41.060 promised 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.520 Abraham 00:15:41.520 --> 00:15:41.940 back in 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.320 Genesis 15-6. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.320 And yet 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:44.920 now Israel 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:45.340 were living 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:45.560 in the 00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:45.940 Amorites 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.780 land as 00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:47.060 if they 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.540 just deserved 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:47.820 it, 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.460 as if they 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:48.860 got it by 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.260 right or 00:15:49.260 --> 00:15:49.500 by their 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.140 own strength. 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.960 They despised 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.460 God's gift 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:52.700 and their 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.300 attitude to 00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:53.500 it. 00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:55.760 Not only 00:15:55.760 --> 00:15:56.000 does the 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.540 Lord defeat 00:15:56.540 --> 00:15:57.000 their enemies, 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:57.560 he delivered 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.160 them from 00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:58.640 slavery. 00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.320 Verse 10, 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.760 also it was 00:16:00.760 --> 00:16:01.460 I who 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:01.860 brought you 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.379 out of 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:02.680 the land 00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:03.120 of Egypt. 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:05.520 They 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:05.860 couldn't have 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.060 saved 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:06.760 themselves as 00:16:06.760 --> 00:16:07.540 poor slaves 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.000 in Egypt. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:08.920 It took 00:16:08.920 --> 00:16:09.360 God's 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:09.800 great, 00:16:10.140 --> 00:16:10.520 powerful 00:16:10.520 --> 00:16:11.080 action, 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.060 and strong, 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:12.740 mighty arm 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.260 to deliver 00:16:13.260 --> 00:16:13.500 them, 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:13.960 to give 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.460 them freedom, 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.080 just as we 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.620 cannot save 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.260 ourselves from 00:16:17.260 --> 00:16:17.780 slavery to 00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:18.040 sin. 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.180 The Lord 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.480 also taught 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.200 them dependency 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:22.480 in the 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:22.800 wilderness. 00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:23.100 Look at 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.620 verse 10, 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.640 continuing, 00:16:25.140 --> 00:16:25.520 I brought 00:16:25.520 --> 00:16:25.920 them out of 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:26.280 the land of 00:16:26.280 --> 00:16:27.040 Egypt and 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:27.640 led you for 00:16:27.640 --> 00:16:28.360 forty years 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:28.560 in the 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:28.880 wilderness, 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:29.840 to possess 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.240 the land 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.460 of the 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:30.960 Amorite. 00:16:31.640 --> 00:16:31.740 Do you 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:31.980 remember what 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.400 happened in 00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:32.900 those wilderness 00:16:32.900 --> 00:16:33.340 wandering? 00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:34.340 At every 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.800 point the 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:35.500 Lord provided 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:35.820 for their 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.140 need. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.100 We want 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.500 food. 00:16:37.760 --> 00:16:38.120 He provided 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:38.600 manna from 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:38.860 heaven. 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.780 Six days a 00:16:39.780 --> 00:16:39.940 week, 00:16:40.400 --> 00:16:40.840 fifty-two 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:41.260 weeks of the 00:16:41.260 --> 00:16:41.480 year, 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.280 forty years 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:42.480 they were 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:42.960 walking. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:43.920 He provided 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.540 water from 00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:44.920 rock. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.660 He looked 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:46.080 after them, 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.480 he cared 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:46.820 for them. 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:47.720 The soles 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:47.960 of their 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.440 shoes didn't 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:48.900 even wear 00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:49.180 out. 00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:50.040 What was 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:50.440 he teaching 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:50.660 them? 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.800 He was 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.260 teaching them 00:16:52.260 --> 00:16:52.440 that they 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.000 were dependent 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.800 upon him, 00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:54.900 not on their 00:16:54.900 --> 00:16:55.660 own power or 00:16:55.660 --> 00:16:55.960 their own 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.500 strength, 00:16:56.780 --> 00:16:57.140 but on 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.480 him. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:01.620 And how 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:01.819 does that 00:17:01.819 --> 00:17:02.259 apply to 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:02.620 us? 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.420 Well, the 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:04.759 Lord has 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.299 defeated our 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.619 enemies, 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.099 hasn't he? 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.839 The Lord 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.539 Jesus Christ 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:09.980 on the 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.639 cross triumphed 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.379 over the 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:12.799 powers and 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.240 authorities, 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:13.839 as Paul puts 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.079 it in 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.859 Colossians 2 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.639 15. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:17.680 He defeated 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.279 our enemies. 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:18.859 He has 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.460 delivered us 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.079 from slavery, 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:20.440 from this 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.379 present evil 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.139 age, from 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:22.680 our slavery 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.220 to sin, 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:24.160 from the 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:24.559 slavery of 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:24.839 having to 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.579 try and earn 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.059 our way to 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.339 God. 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.139 Jesus has 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.720 defeated all 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.240 that, delivered 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.619 us from 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.259 that, through 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.819 the cross. 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.220 And he's 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.899 teaching us 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:32.679 dependency upon 00:17:32.679 --> 00:17:32.959 him. 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:33.919 Like the 00:17:33.919 --> 00:17:34.519 Israelites in 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.179 the desert, we 00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:36.000 are currently 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.799 wandering in 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.240 the wilderness, 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.459 on our way to 00:17:38.459 --> 00:17:38.879 the promised 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.539 land, on our 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.319 way to the 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.980 new creation 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.639 that we 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.199 receive when 00:17:42.199 --> 00:17:42.939 Christ returns. 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.399 And in 00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:45.059 this life, in 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.699 this pilgrimage 00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:46.220 through the 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.019 wilderness, we 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.559 are dependent 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.159 upon him. 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.240 He pours his 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.799 spirit into 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.359 our hearts 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:50.839 when we trust 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.419 in Christ, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:52.899 who changes 00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.220 us, who 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.019 transforms us, 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.699 who gives 00:17:54.699 --> 00:17:55.139 us gifts, 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:58.759 to rely on 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.440 him throughout 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.180 our lives. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.680 So we have 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.320 these same 00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:03.200 gracious gifts, 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.420 but exponentially 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.759 bigger than what 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.180 the Israelites 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.840 received. 00:18:08.780 --> 00:18:09.259 And that wasn't 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.740 the end of the 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:09.940 gifts. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.440 Look at verse 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.140 11. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:22.780 Now the 00:18:22.780 --> 00:18:23.960 prophets were 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.740 God's gift to 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.400 instruct his 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.620 people, and 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.220 the Nazarites 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.660 were God's 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.000 gift to 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.740 inspire his 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.060 people. 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.120 The prophets 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.380 declared God's 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:31.920 word to them. 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:32.520 That was their 00:18:32.520 --> 00:18:33.100 job, not to 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:33.640 tell the future, 00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:34.560 but to speak 00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:35.580 God's word, to 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.220 help them keep 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.259 on track, to 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.759 remind them of 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.220 their covenant 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:38.920 commitment, and 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.840 of God's covenant 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.399 commitment to 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.659 them. 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.419 The Nazarites, you 00:18:42.419 --> 00:18:42.879 can read about 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:43.579 in number 6, 00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.019 they were people 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.819 who took a 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.759 vow to be 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.500 separated to 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:46.980 the Lord. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.019 And as such, 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.639 they were a 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.279 kind of example, 00:18:49.419 --> 00:18:50.059 an illustration, 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.699 an inspiration to 00:18:51.699 --> 00:18:52.659 Israel for what 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.399 their lives could 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:55.220 be, as those who 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.259 were set apart 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.879 for God. 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.699 But one of the 00:18:58.699 --> 00:18:59.399 key parts of the 00:18:59.399 --> 00:18:59.859 Nazarites' 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.959 vows was that 00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:01.299 they wouldn't 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.179 drink alcohol. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.019 You know, look 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:05.500 at how the 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.599 Israelites despised 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.199 their gift. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:11.200 verse 12. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.900 You made the 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.660 Nazarites drink 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.900 wine, and you 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:16.420 commanded the 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.620 prophets, you 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.100 shall not 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.519 prophesy. 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.400 In other words, 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:21.380 they despised 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:21.940 God's gracious 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.299 gift, they 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.779 despised the 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.259 prophets, I 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.500 don't want to 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:23.940 listen to your 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.960 word, God, they 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.500 despised the 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.360 Nazarites, I 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:26.660 don't want to 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.299 see an example, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.640 an inspiration of 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.240 what a life set 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.900 apart to you is 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.220 like. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.680 Now how does 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.140 God give us 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:32.580 those things 00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:32.920 today? 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.259 Well, he 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.620 doesn't give us 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.319 prophets anymore, 00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.120 because he's 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:36.559 given us the 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.180 final prophets. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.560 The Lord 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:39.500 Jesus, Hebrews 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.240 chapter 1, verse 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.940 1, God spoke 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.320 to us in the 00:19:41.320 --> 00:19:41.820 former days 00:19:41.820 --> 00:19:42.120 through the 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:42.580 prophets, but 00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:43.240 in these last 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.240 days, he's 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.779 spoken to us 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.180 by his 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.480 Son. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:46.740 Not only 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:48.240 through Jesus 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.640 the word 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.279 incarnate, but 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.060 now through 00:19:50.060 --> 00:19:50.880 the word in 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.400 scripture, the 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.019 Bible that we 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.600 have, and the 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.840 Holy Spirit, who 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.460 helps us to 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.620 grasp this 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.000 truth. 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:57.019 God speaks 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.420 to us. 00:19:58.580 --> 00:19:58.900 So how do 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.560 we tell God's 00:20:00.560 --> 00:20:00.960 word to be 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.580 silent now? 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.100 Well, maybe 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:03.539 some of you are 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.060 thinking, Stuart, 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.700 be quiet, we've 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.519 heard enough, so 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.019 you might want to 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.480 be telling me to 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:06.980 be silent. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.860 But aren't 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.200 there other 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.720 ways we do 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:09.900 it? 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:12.120 We've got God's 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.799 word in our 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.360 own languages. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:15.880 Yet isn't it 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.600 true we sometimes 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.620 find it easier to 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:19.080 check out the 00:20:19.080 --> 00:20:19.759 internet, to 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.600 surf on Facebook, 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:21.940 to see what 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.560 people are doing, 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.740 rather than open 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.220 the scriptures? 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.360 Christians. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.059 The sense in which 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.980 when we're doing 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.319 that, we're 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.200 despising God's 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.960 gracious gift of 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.559 his word to 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:30.779 us. 00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:31.819 It's like telling 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.400 the prophets to 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:32.839 be quiet. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.180 What about 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.720 Nazarites? 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:35.920 He doesn't 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.180 give us 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.680 Nazarites 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.019 today. 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.059 But can't 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.559 you think of 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.220 people who 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.740 God has brought 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.220 across your 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.559 life, who are 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.700 inspirations to 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.240 you of a life 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.180 devoted to the 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.720 Lord's service, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.200 where you see 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.360 God's grace so 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:47.740 clearly? 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.479 I think of a 00:20:49.479 --> 00:20:50.000 dear lady in 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.539 our own church, 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.219 who was a 00:20:51.219 --> 00:20:51.679 missionary for 00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:52.199 many years in 00:20:52.199 --> 00:20:54.139 Thailand, who 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:55.339 as a single 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.919 lady, she would 00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:56.299 love to have 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.539 had children, but 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.939 instead she's 00:20:57.939 --> 00:20:58.519 invested her 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.119 life, she says 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:00.119 I've got hundreds 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:00.719 of grandchildren 00:21:00.719 --> 00:21:01.579 and children now, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.619 in the way that 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.379 she's loved and 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.159 opened her heart 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.699 to people of 00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:06.619 every generation. 00:21:08.179 --> 00:21:08.539 She's an 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.359 inspiration to me 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.719 of self-giving 00:21:10.719 --> 00:21:12.039 and love for 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.459 Jesus. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.559 Or think of 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.939 families I know 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:17.159 who, yes, they've 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.700 got pots and 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.300 pots of money, 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.480 but they use 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:19.960 that so 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.460 generously, 00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:22.060 supporting Christian 00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:23.019 service, opening 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.120 homes, giving 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:25.000 holiday homes to 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.920 people to use. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:26.980 They're an 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.100 inspiration of a 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.800 life set apart 00:21:28.800 --> 00:21:29.340 for the God. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.140 Now what do we 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.640 do with those 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:31.840 people? 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.600 Do we thank God 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:32.980 for them? 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:34.040 Do we encourage 00:21:34.040 --> 00:21:34.279 them? 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.540 Or do we try and 00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:36.940 ignore them? 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.440 Or do we even 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.700 discourage them, 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.500 even if we try and 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.040 sound loving at 00:21:40.040 --> 00:21:41.259 the point, as we 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.779 talk to them? 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.100 Oh, it's great what 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:43.700 you're doing, but 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.700 maybe you need to 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.560 just take it easy, 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.100 take a bit more 00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:47.000 time for yourself, 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:49.060 look after yourself. 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.160 Do we sometimes 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:51.880 inadvertently 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:53.060 discourage people? 00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:54.860 A bit like the 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.500 Israelites saying 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.180 to the Nazarites, 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.320 go have a drink, 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.800 relax, don't take 00:21:58.800 --> 00:21:59.320 everything too 00:21:59.320 --> 00:21:59.779 seriously. 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.900 Well, these are 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.519 God's gracious 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.019 gifts. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.660 Do we despise 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.019 them in our 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.700 attitudes, or are 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.519 we grateful for 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.580 them, as the 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:09.440 Israelites were 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.820 not? 00:22:12.040 --> 00:22:12.740 Well, in their 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:14.560 complacency, they 00:22:14.560 --> 00:22:15.320 dishonoured God by 00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:16.540 their actions, they 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.819 despised God's 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:19.079 gifts through their 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.619 attitudes. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.079 So what was going 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:21.559 to happen to 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:21.740 them? 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.980 Well, verse 13 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.599 to 16, let's 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.399 prepare to be 00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:28.039 destroyed by God's 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.359 judgment. 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.619 Look at verse 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.079 13. 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:32.539 Behold, I will 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.379 press you down in 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.579 your place, as a 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.159 cart full of 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.879 sheaves presses 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.240 down. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.099 The images of a 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.859 loaded cart at 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.460 harvest time, pressing 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.199 down on the ground. 00:22:40.679 --> 00:22:41.240 Israel are going to 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.199 be pressed down by 00:22:42.199 --> 00:22:43.559 God's wrath, his 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.359 punishment against 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.319 them for the way 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.879 they have treated 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.399 him and broken 00:22:47.399 --> 00:22:47.879 their covenant 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.339 promises. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:49.919 And who's going to 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.859 escape the 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.399 squashing? 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.259 Who's going to 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.839 escape God's 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.139 judgment? 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.419 Verse 14. 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.840 Flight shall 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:57.000 perish from the 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.940 swift, the 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.600 strong shall not 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.060 retain his 00:22:59.060 --> 00:23:00.060 strength, nor 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:00.660 shall the mighty 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.500 save his life. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.160 Usain Bolt cannot 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.279 outrun it, the 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.820 world's strongest 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:06.259 man cannot stand 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.660 against it, the 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.279 world's greatest 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.420 survival expert and 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.360 brave man, be it 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.700 Bear Grylls or some 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.759 die from the SAS, 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.960 will not be able to 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.740 outlast it. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.039 It goes on. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.700 He who handles the 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.240 boat shall not 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.380 stand, he who is 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.300 swift of foot shall 00:23:21.300 --> 00:23:22.740 not save himself, nor 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.500 shall he who rides 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.279 the horse save his 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.640 life. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.359 No weapon can 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.160 stave off God's 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.460 wrath. 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.660 No bravery, no 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.420 military power. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.160 Verse 16. 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.019 And he who is 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.240 stout of heart among 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.440 the mighty shall 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:38.319 flee away naked in 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.539 that day, declares 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.019 the Lord. 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.559 Do you hear what 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.099 God is saying? 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.900 You've been 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:46.380 complacent, you've 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:47.440 dishonoured my 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.000 character, you 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.720 despised my 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.180 gifts, after all 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.779 I've done for 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:50.980 you. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:53.839 No one is going 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.259 to be able to 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.079 stand when I 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.180 act in anger. 00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:58.660 But sure 00:23:58.660 --> 00:24:00.140 enough, 722 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:03.240 BC, the 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.940 Assyrians came 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.620 in and destroyed 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:06.120 Samaria, wiped 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.799 out Israel. 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.680 The punishment 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.500 they thought could 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.640 never come came. 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.680 Now it's easy 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.160 isn't it for us 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.559 to say, well 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:17.420 hang on, we're 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:17.860 under the new 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.460 covenant now, we're 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.059 not under the law 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.700 like these people 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:19.900 were. 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.360 Surely it's 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.280 different for us 00:24:21.280 --> 00:24:21.720 Christians. 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:24.580 Well, it's 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.280 different in the 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:26.180 grace we have 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.820 received is even 00:24:26.820 --> 00:24:27.720 greater, the 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.380 rescue we've 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:29.259 received, the 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:31.320 deliverance, the 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:32.300 gifts, all even 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:32.980 greater through 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.320 Jesus. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.160 So our 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:39.019 responsibility to 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.940 accept and remain 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.440 in those is 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:40.740 greater. 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.460 Hear these words 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.019 of Jesus, you 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.420 might want to 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.080 turn if you like 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:44.740 to John chapter 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.360 15 in your 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.580 Bibles as we 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.540 get near the end. 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:49.240 What does 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.980 Jesus say? 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.599 John chapter 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.240 15 verse 1, I 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.859 am the true 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.259 vine. 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.359 He's picking up 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:55.920 language from 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.579 Jeremiah chapter 00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.159 2, Jesus 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:57.940 is saying, I'm 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.759 the true Israel. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.920 I'm what Israel 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.599 was supposed to 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:00.859 be. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.399 You, my 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.220 father is the 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.839 vine dresser. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:07.039 And verse 5, I'm 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.019 the vine, you 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.740 are the branches. 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.839 You are the 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.220 branches. 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:14.960 If we trust in 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.539 Christ, we are 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:17.400 branches in him, 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.200 rooted in him, 00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:19.160 built into him. 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.460 What does Jesus 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:22.000 go on to say in 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.819 verse 5 of John 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.259 15? 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.579 I'm the vine, you 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.079 are the branches. 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.259 Whoever abides in 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.360 me and I in him, 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:29.240 here it is that 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.240 bears much fruit. 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.700 For apart from me 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.120 you can do 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:32.420 nothing. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.700 How do we 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:36.160 ensure that we 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.460 are truly forgiven? 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.559 How do we 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.420 ensure that in our 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.920 actions we don't 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.980 dishonour God? 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:42.820 How do we 00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:43.420 ensure that in 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.200 our attitudes we 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.300 don't despise God's 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:45.900 gracious gifts? 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.060 We remain in 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.300 Jesus. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.039 We remain in 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.279 Jesus. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.779 We have his 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.440 words in him. 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.300 We trust in him. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.480 We do not move 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:53.900 from that. 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:54.880 We remember his 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.720 gracious promise that 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.680 he will never turn 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.800 away anyone who 00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:58.340 calls on him. 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.820 We remember why he 00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.279 came. 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.519 The son of man did 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.500 not come to 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.100 condemn the world, 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.820 but to save the 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.080 world. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.640 We remain in 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:06.920 Jesus. 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:08.980 And as we trust 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.519 in him, as we 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.320 remain in him, 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.319 so we bear 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.019 fruit, so we 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.819 are transformed. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.720 So we do 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.439 honour God with 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:16.039 our lives and 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.879 are fit for 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:18.119 purpose to be a 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:18.740 kingdom of priests 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.079 and a holy 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.439 nation. 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.879 But, listen to 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.599 how Jesus goes 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:22.919 on. 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:31.379 Go back to 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.939 verse 2. 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.740 Every branch 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.720 of mine that 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.439 does not bear 00:26:35.439 --> 00:26:36.639 fruit, he, the 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.639 Father, takes 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.000 away. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.779 Every branch 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.259 that does not 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.240 bear fruit, he, 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.119 the Father, takes 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:42.460 away. 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.799 Or verse 6. 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.599 If anyone does 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.019 not abide in me, he 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.940 is thrown away like a 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.880 branch and withers. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.240 And the branches are 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.960 gathered, thrown into 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:52.279 fire, and burned. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:56.599 So that's the choice we 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.240 face, isn't it? 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.819 Do we abide in 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:00.399 Jesus for a life 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:01.740 where he works his 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.139 fruit through us, so 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.799 that we do honour 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.420 God in our actions, we 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:08.519 do honour him in our 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:10.519 attitude, so that we 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.980 can be, fulfil the 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.839 purpose for which he 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.619 saved us, to be a 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.379 kingdom of priests, 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.559 showing the world his 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:15.859 greatness. 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.960 Or do we fail to keep 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.639 holding on to the 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.539 gospel, fail to keep 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.160 trusting in Jesus, fail to 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.480 have his words remain 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:22.960 in us. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.580 In which case, what 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:24.960 happens? 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.580 The branches are cut 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:28.920 off and thrown into 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.360 the fire. 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:32.000 What happened to 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.360 Israel, it says, is a 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:34.340 warning to all of us, 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.200 not to be complacent, 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:39.600 not to accept really the 00:27:39.600 --> 00:27:40.360 privileges of being 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:41.840 God's people, but also 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.740 remember the purpose. 00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:44.180 Not just to remember 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.840 that God is love, but 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.540 to remember that he is 00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:47.019 light. 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:50.379 That by his grace we 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.180 might bear fruit to 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.480 him and be the 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.639 kingdom of priests, the 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:55.299 holy nation, that he 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.799 called us to be, that he 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.839 might declare his 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:59.579 excellencies in a needy, 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.279 broken world. 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.740 Let's pray.