WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 Thank you very much, Alice, and everyone else who's been involved in the service so far. 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:06.919 As has been mentioned, my name is Alistair. 00:00:07.299 --> 00:00:10.439 It is my joy to be the assistant pastor here at the church. 00:00:10.519 --> 00:00:17.760 And that means I have the privilege of being paid full-time to spend my time in God's Word and to care for you all. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:25.359 So Alice has already prayed for us, so do keep that psalm open in front of you as we spend time in it this morning, Psalm 21. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:28.500 And I would like to begin by asking you a question. 00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:31.339 What is the function of a king? 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:36.899 So when you hear the word king, what kind of images come to your mind? 00:00:36.980 --> 00:00:40.519 Maybe you see things similar to that in an art gallery. 00:00:41.120 --> 00:00:48.780 Men with really long robes, walking sticks, a massive wig, and some very, very questionable footwear. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:58.200 Maybe you imagine a king sitting on a throne in a room full of officials shouting at them because there are enemies on his borders. 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:08.680 Maybe you imagine a man sitting at a table scoffing copious amounts of food when all of his subjects starve outside the palace. 00:01:10.040 --> 00:01:14.740 If you haven't guessed already, I quite enjoy watching movies from the Viking and medieval periods. 00:01:14.739 --> 00:01:27.959 But when we think about kings, we probably have the idea of someone who has power, who earns a certain kind of respect, and who can basically do whatever they please. 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:40.500 But when we come to the Bible, and particularly the psalms that we're looking at in this short series, Psalms 20 to 25, we get a completely different king. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:55.180 See, instead of seeing a king who boasts in his power and authority, we find a king who writes poetry and sings and songs about his needing help from God. 00:01:56.180 --> 00:02:06.640 Instead of finding a king who celebrates in great victories and throws big banquets, we see a king who attributes his victories to God. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:11.780 But also these psalms are a bit like a viewpoint. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:17.060 Now, if you've visited some tourist sites in Scotland, you'll know exactly what I mean. 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:20.960 Last year, Sabina and I went to the Isle of Skye. 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:23.479 And we stopped at one viewing point. 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:30.420 And we got out of the car and we saw a wonderful waterfall with a phenomenal view of some mountains. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:34.979 Since breathtaking Scottish nature, you can't find anything better in the world. 00:02:35.559 --> 00:02:37.239 A grand view to take in. 00:02:38.839 --> 00:02:48.139 But then as you walked further around the corner, the scenery became even more grand and you saw cliffs, waterfalls, the beautiful sea, more Scottish scenery. 00:02:49.419 --> 00:02:53.639 You could stand there for ages and it would seem that seconds had gone by. 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:57.319 These psalms are a little bit like that. 00:02:57.879 --> 00:02:59.839 So imagine you're on the Isle of Skye with me. 00:02:59.959 --> 00:03:01.739 Probably not the kind of holiday you imagine. 00:03:02.279 --> 00:03:05.959 But we get out the car together and we are at that initial viewpoint. 00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:10.959 You see the ancient kingdom of Israel under the King David. 00:03:11.679 --> 00:03:18.779 A land that God has blessed and people at times have attributed all the good that they have to God. 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:21.519 God is the King of Israel. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:28.620 And God said in 2 Samuel 7 that one of his descendants would be on the throne of Israel forever. 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:31.280 But David would die. 00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:33.580 And David's son would die. 00:03:33.740 --> 00:03:35.540 And so on down the family line. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:37.000 So is this the end? 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:38.800 Well, no. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:40.439 Come back to the Isle of Skye with me. 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:44.660 If you only focused at that first viewpoint, it's nice. 00:03:44.760 --> 00:03:45.620 It's a good view. 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:47.620 But you would miss out on so much. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:54.780 Because each of these psalms finds its ultimate fulfillment and its full beauty in Jesus. 00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:56.319 The ultimate King. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:58.120 The eternal King. 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:00.659 And so that's what we're going to do this morning. 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:03.879 We're going to walk around the corner to the second viewpoint as well. 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:07.340 We're going to see God's provision through God's King. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:10.280 First in the context of David. 00:04:10.960 --> 00:04:14.800 But ultimately how this psalm is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:20.100 We're going to look at this psalm by thinking about what God has already done. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:22.399 And what God will do. 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:26.899 So the first thing in this psalm that we see, if you have it open in front of you, 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:30.579 verses 1 to 7 of what God has already done. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:33.040 What God has already done. 00:04:33.960 --> 00:04:36.340 So last week we looked at Psalm 20. 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:39.680 And these two psalms, Psalms 20 and 21, they go together. 00:04:40.460 --> 00:04:42.060 Psalm 20 is the prayer. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:45.120 And basically Psalm 21 is the answer to that prayer. 00:04:46.080 --> 00:04:49.980 In Psalm 20, if you look over the page in verses 1 to 5, 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:52.460 there's a prayer for protection for the King. 00:04:53.820 --> 00:04:56.560 Asking God to grant victory to His King. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:05:01.600 And so as we turn to Psalm 21, verse 1, and it reads this, 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:04.560 The King rejoices in your strength, Lord. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:07.899 How great is His joy in the victories you give. 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:13.120 We can see based on that verse that it seems God has answered His prayer. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:14.980 And He has granted victory. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:18.160 And so the King rejoices and is joyful. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:21.680 And in fact, He goes even further in the next few verses. 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:23.740 Look from verse 2 with me. 00:05:23.740 --> 00:05:29.199 You have granted Him His heart's desire and have not withheld the request of His lips. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:35.540 You came to greet Him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on His head. 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:38.600 He asked you for life and you gave it to Him. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.780 Length of days, forever and ever. 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:48.079 God has answered the King's wish and given Him His heart's desire. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:57.459 God has answered that prayer. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:05.379 And the psalmist uses language of God coming to meet Him with a crown to put on His head. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:09.819 A sign of victory over a defeated power, a defeated enemy. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:15.439 The King asked God to spare His life and He did so time and time again. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:23.259 God gave David great victories and verse 5 says God gave him splendor and majesty. 00:06:25.659 --> 00:06:28.500 Now take a second to look through these verses in front of us. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:29.459 Verses 1 to 7. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.759 Who is the one who's doing all the work? 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:34.620 Well it's God, isn't it? 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:36.219 Verse 2. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:37.259 You have granted. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:38.019 Verse 3. 00:06:38.159 --> 00:06:41.779 You came to greet and place the crown on His head, the King's head. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:42.800 Verse 4. 00:06:42.899 --> 00:06:43.639 You gave life. 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:44.539 Verse 5. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:46.060 God gave the victories. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:46.839 Verse 6. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:49.120 You have granted unending blessing. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:59.660 In each of these verses, at least once, the focus is taken off of King David to see what God has really done in his life. 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:03.600 To see what God has accomplished on David's behalf. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:05.819 See the main character of this psalm is not David. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:08.240 But it is God. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:10.579 Because He is the one who is the basis. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:12.939 Who is the foundation of everything happening. 00:07:13.660 --> 00:07:16.160 It is God who has done the work. 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:20.580 And isn't God abundantly gracious to this? 00:07:21.020 --> 00:07:21.820 To do this? 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:25.340 To provide for and care for David. 00:07:25.580 --> 00:07:27.600 A man who'd done atrocious things. 00:07:28.340 --> 00:07:29.260 A rapist. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:36.780 A man who murdered another man's, another woman's husband to be able to take her as his wife. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:40.260 David was not perfect. 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:43.760 He had done awful things. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:47.779 And yet the focus is not on him or on his sin. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.839 But it is on what God has already done. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:53.980 God has brought about victory. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:08:00.539 And the best blessings that David received from God, we see them in verses 6 and 7. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:01.639 Read those with me. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:08.439 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.699 For the king trusts in the Lord. 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:14.719 Through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken. 00:08:16.099 --> 00:08:21.180 See the biggest blessings that the king receives is that God is present with him. 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:26.259 And that God bestows on David his unfailing love. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:29.740 Now none of this is to be taken lightly. 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:31.819 This is a powerful king. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:34.860 Attributing all of his greatness. 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:36.419 All of his wealth. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:38.820 All of his victories and blessings. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:41.659 He says he's got them all from God. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:45.100 The ultimate king of the universe who's given him everything. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:49.440 It's all part of God's provision for his people. 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:51.419 Through his covenant promises. 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:53.820 And through his king. 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:58.980 God has already worked for this king by defeating his enemies. 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:03.820 So that's what it means in the context of David in that first viewpoint. 00:09:04.520 --> 00:09:06.340 But follow around the corner with me. 00:09:06.420 --> 00:09:11.960 And remember that this psalm ultimately points us forward to and finds its fulfillment in Jesus. 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:15.560 Because this psalm points forward to Jesus. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:22.239 It is through his life, his death and his resurrection that our ultimate enemies have been defeated. 00:09:23.459 --> 00:09:28.819 See the Bible describes the moment when sin, rebellion against God entered into this world. 00:09:29.699 --> 00:09:32.819 From then on sin has plagued every single human heart. 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:36.579 Causing humans naturally to be at odds with God. 00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:43.759 But God in his amazing love and mercy sent his son Jesus into this world. 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:48.220 To live the perfect life of obedience that we couldn't even dream of living. 00:09:49.560 --> 00:09:52.960 To die the death that every single one of us deserves. 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:59.560 And by doing so, defeating our ultimate enemies of sin and death. 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:05.660 For all those who trust in Jesus, we are no longer in darkness and under death. 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:08.419 But we have been brought into the family of God. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:14.819 We have been forgiven through Jesus and have been given true and everlasting life. 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:20.659 So standing on this side of the cross, every Christian can paraphrase this psalm by saying, 00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:26.159 I rejoice in God Almighty who has given me victory over my enemies through Jesus. 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:32.720 God, you have made it possible for me to live the life you created me to live. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:37.180 God, you met me in my suffering and transformed my life. 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:41.560 No longer making me a slave to sin and bound to eternal death. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:45.120 But you have given me a place at your table as your child. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:52.379 Through Jesus, God, you have given me true and everlasting life that I will spend in your glorious presence. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:11:02.600 Therefore, God, I will give you all the glory and splendor and honor and praise for this new life you've given me through Christ. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:07.899 And God, I thank you every day for the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit, 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:15.939 who is making me more like Jesus and preparing me for the day when we will be united to spend eternity in the new creation. 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:19.799 Sounds a little bit different, doesn't it? 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:27.459 But that is the reality of every single Christian because of what God has done in their life through Jesus. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:35.459 God has defeated our greatest enemies and given us so many wonderful blessings in this life. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:42.200 And so because of that, as Christians, we can be even more confident than this psalmist is. 00:11:42.540 --> 00:11:44.440 When he says in verse 7, 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:50.740 For the king trusts in the Lord through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:57.780 We can be more confident because as Christians, we aren't saved by our own efforts. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:12:06.279 There is nothing that we can do by ourselves, in and of ourselves to defeat sin and death, our ultimate enemies. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:12.600 But we trust entirely in what God has already done through Jesus Christ. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.839 Because of his work, we are saved. 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:18.860 Because of Jesus, we are victorious. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:27.860 Now if this is the good news of Jesus, why wouldn't we want our friends and our family members to hear about it? 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:38.000 Don't we have every single reason in the world to shout this news from the rooftops of the amazing truths of the good news of Christ? 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:42.559 And yet so often we don't do that, do we? 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:50.740 This week I sat with someone from our church family and they're not doing that well and they have so many struggles in life. 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:54.720 And yet as we were talking, we were reading some of the Bible together. 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:57.159 They said they had one regret. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:03.240 That in their life, as they looked over the years of their life, that all that God had done for them, 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:08.200 the thing they regretted was not witnessing for Jesus when they had the opportunity to. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:14.680 Brothers and sisters, seeing what God has already done for us in Jesus 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:18.500 should spur us on to tell people about him. 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:21.580 Not to cower away, 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:29.840 but to boldly proclaim the life and hope that is found in the completed work of God through Christ. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:34.460 Friends, this is what God has already done for us in Jesus. 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:36.840 He has defeated our enemies on the cross. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:43.060 We should remember that and rejoice and be glad because of the everlasting life that we have. 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:46.660 These are the glorious truths of the gospel. 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:49.200 Once oppressed, now free. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:53.100 Once dead in our sins, now alive in Christ. 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:56.580 Once in darkness, now in light. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.259 Once enemies of God, 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:00.580 now his children. 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:06.179 That is what God has already done for you in Christ. 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.840 Well, maybe you're sitting there thinking, 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.059 well, that sounds lovely, 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:13.939 but that is definitely not the world I live in. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:18.399 My world isn't full of good news and happiness. 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:22.319 Maybe we resonate with the Chris Tomlin song, 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:24.120 Is He Worthy? 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:26.200 Which asks the questions, 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:28.419 Do you feel the world is broken? 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:33.659 Do you wish that you could see it all made new? 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.860 Do you feel the shadows deepen? 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.539 And as that song goes on, 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.560 I think most of us, 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.620 if not all of us, 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:45.399 looking at our world with a deep sense that something is wrong, 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.080 can wholeheartedly sing, 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.560 yes, 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:51.660 yes, we do think the world is broken. 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.759 So how do, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.280 how does our current world 00:14:58.280 --> 00:14:59.879 of war, 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:00.780 famine, 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.480 disease, 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.379 and death 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:04.480 match up with the glorious truths 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.700 of what God has already done? 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:08.320 How do you bring those two together? 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:11.480 Well, look at the second half of our psalm. 00:15:11.520 --> 00:15:13.540 And the second thing I want us to see this morning 00:15:13.540 --> 00:15:15.120 is what God will do. 00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:17.300 In verses 8 to 30, 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.080 what God will do. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:23.460 See, the language of battle and enemies continues. 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.980 Look with me at verse 8. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:28.600 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.660 Your right hand will seize your foes 00:15:30.660 --> 00:15:32.460 when you appear for battle. 00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:35.800 You will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:38.280 The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath 00:15:38.280 --> 00:15:40.680 and his fire will consume them. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:46.500 This is what the Lord will do in the future 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:49.980 for his king and for his people. 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:53.580 It's the language of a final victory, 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.800 the final day when the Lord's hands, 00:15:55.920 --> 00:15:57.660 referring to judgment, 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.000 and his right hand, 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:02.840 referring to his strength and might, 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.340 will seize his foes. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.559 The psalmist is looking forward 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:09.059 to a future day when God, 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:11.779 in his justice and in his wisdom, 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.299 will bring judgment. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:17.240 And we know that this is the final judgment 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.580 being spoken about here 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:21.820 because the language it uses is final. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:24.320 It speaks about swallowing up his enemies 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:25.679 in wrath, verse 9. 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:29.539 In his fire, meaning his just wrath and anger, 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:31.379 will consume his enemies. 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:34.620 But who are these people? 00:16:35.739 --> 00:16:37.479 Who are those who will be consumed 00:16:37.479 --> 00:16:38.379 by this judgment? 00:16:39.359 --> 00:16:42.039 Well, the key is in verses 11 to 12. 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.099 Read those with me. 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:46.120 Though they plot evil against you 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.979 and devise wicked schemes, 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:49.159 they cannot succeed. 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:52.179 You will make them turn their backs 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:54.459 when you aim at them with drawn bow. 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:58.840 Those who plot against God and his people 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:02.139 and those who reject God and Jesus. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:06.840 See, if the gospel of Jesus 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:09.059 is often referred to as the good news, 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:10.460 then this is the hard news 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.500 that goes along with it. 00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:15.559 Not everyone will be saved on that final day 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:17.519 and brought into everlasting life 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.640 that we thought about 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.299 in the first half of this psalm. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:23.680 There will be those who reject Jesus 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:25.339 and turn their back on him. 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:28.599 And they will sit under the just judgment 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:30.519 of God forever in a place 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:32.119 we often refer to as hell. 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:36.839 The ESV translates verse 12 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.639 a little bit better 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.940 and makes it clear 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.519 that those who reject Jesus 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:42.940 will be rejected by Jesus in the end. 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.859 The ESV says, 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:46.000 for you will put them to flight. 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.359 You will aim at their faces 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.579 with your bows. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.279 See, the people who will be under 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:54.619 the future judgment of God 00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:57.539 are those who are running away from him 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.279 in this life. 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.879 They see the judgment coming 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:03.319 and they run away from God. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:07.299 Instead of seeing the judgment coming 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:09.000 and running to him through Christ 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:11.319 and trusting in what God has already done. 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:14.240 They're running away from him 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:14.980 in the end, 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.079 on that final day, 00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:17.299 because in this life, 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:19.019 when the opportunity was there, 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.059 they refuse to put their trust in Jesus. 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:27.079 Using the imagery of the psalm, 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:29.619 some people will try to flee from God 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.879 and on that final day, 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:33.400 because they refused 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:36.800 to acknowledge him in this life. 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.640 Friends, the place to be right with God, 00:18:40.340 --> 00:18:42.720 the way to be at peace with God, 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:44.240 the way to receive all the blessings 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.620 from verses one to seven, 00:18:46.260 --> 00:18:47.440 the way to live the life 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:49.100 you were created to live, 00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:52.040 is to run to Jesus now 00:18:52.040 --> 00:18:53.600 in this life. 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.400 Do not waste time, 00:18:56.760 --> 00:18:58.020 but run to Christ, 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.020 find forgiveness, 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:00.759 find peace, 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.819 find rest, 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.519 and true life. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:07.660 Outside of that relationship with God 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:09.759 is an eternal life of judgment. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.819 Now, I don't say that with joy, 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:14.639 because it's not something 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.400 I want people to go through, 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.359 which is why I'm standing here this morning 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.900 being honest with you 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.819 and begging you, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:23.079 if you do not know Jesus, 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.359 do not put it off. 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:28.440 Turn to him now. 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:31.000 Do not turn your back on him, 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.299 but consider his life, 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:32.639 death, 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.339 and resurrection. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.680 See what God has already done 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.440 through Christ. 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:38.960 That can be true for you. 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.940 Put your trust in him. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:44.000 God will come in judgment. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.779 We don't know when that will happen, 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:47.379 and so there is no time to waste. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:51.139 And this is the consistent message 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.220 throughout the whole Bible, 00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.940 from beginning to the end. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.380 The good news of salvation 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:57.620 also comes with the hard news of judgment. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:01.259 Jesus himself says in Matthew 10, 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:02.980 verses 32 to 33, 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:05.500 Whoever acknowledges me before others, 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:08.160 I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:11.680 But whoever disowns me before others, 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:14.279 I will disown before my Father in heaven. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:17.059 Friends, I beg you, 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:20.120 consider carefully where you want to spend your eternity. 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:23.139 In the presence of God, 00:20:23.219 --> 00:20:25.259 in a place often described as heaven, 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:27.719 or under the judgment of God, 00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:29.979 in a place often called hell. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:34.259 So how do we respond to, 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:37.220 how do we respond when we see God's provision 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.299 through God's King? 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:41.579 When we see what God has already done in Jesus, 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:43.880 providing forgiveness and true life? 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:47.140 And when we see that God will come in judgment? 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.319 What should our response be? 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:53.880 Well, the same as the psalmist in verse 13, 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:55.279 where he writes, 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:57.620 Be exalted in your strength, Lord, 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:59.839 we will sing and praise your might. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:04.099 Our response to the truth of what God has already done 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.740 and what God will ultimately do 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.640 as he brings judgment on our enemies 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:09.380 and those who reject him 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:11.880 is that we turn to God in submission 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:15.819 and we recognize Jesus as Lord and King 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:18.000 and we follow him till our dying day 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:19.559 or until he returns. 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:24.140 This means that we praise God for who he is. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:27.980 We acknowledge all that the King has done in his might 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:31.180 and the victory in life he's brought us through Christ. 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:37.819 That should lead us to be in awe of how great he is 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:40.339 and praise him every single day 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:44.220 for the wonderful, uncountable blessings he has given us. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.940 But it also means that we take this news to a world 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.740 that is dying. 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:54.519 It's dying without him. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:22:01.920 Because we don't want anyone to die 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:03.980 without the opportunity 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:06.700 to hear the good news of Jesus and respond. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:12.140 Because only in him can true life be found. 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:17.980 So think back to where we started. 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:21.480 What do you imagine a king to be like? 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:25.680 Normally a man with power and prestige, 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.820 someone who demands a certain respect, 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.940 someone with authority, 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:31.660 who can do whatever they please. 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:35.660 Well, the Bible gives us a completely different story 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:38.380 of a glorious king 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:42.300 who left his place of glory, 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:46.440 who stooped into our world of sin and darkness 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:50.540 so that we could be free from the sin that binds us, 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:54.620 so that we could be freed 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:56.480 to be in a right relationship with God, 00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:00.840 so that we can take that message of hope 00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:02.980 to a world that is hopeless. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:07.099 Jesus is the greatest king 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:09.079 who came to seek and save the lost. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:12.799 Have you been found in him this morning? 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.579 Or are you still running? 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.380 Let us pray together. 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:30.180 Heavenly Father, we thank you 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:32.240 for the glorious truths of the gospel. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.660 that through Jesus, 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:37.779 we can have life and life in all its fullness. 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:41.360 Thank you that he came to take the place, 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.799 to take our place, 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.039 the death that we deserve, 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:45.640 so that we can be right with you. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.779 Father, I pray this week 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.839 that you would help us 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:51.740 have the opportunity 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:53.860 to tell that good news to one person. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:57.920 Help us tell one person about Jesus 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:01.460 and the wonderful hope and life 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.860 that is to be found in him. 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:07.300 And Father, for anyone here 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.340 who does not know you, 00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:11.460 we pray that you would do a work 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.279 in their heart, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.900 that by your spirit, 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.779 you would be drawing them to yourself 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.960 and help them run to you 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:20.740 on that day and now. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:23.240 In the name of Jesus Christ, 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.720 we pray. 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:24.920 Amen. 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.019 Amen. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.059 Amen. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:25.079 Amen. 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:38.960 Amen. 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.079 Amen.