WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 This is Isaiah 58, and we need to do quite a lot of work this morning on getting behind this chapter. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:12.839 It took me about five days to get behind this chapter to see what the real issue is in it, and I hope you'll be quicker than I am. 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:25.920 Dean Swift, he was an 18th century gentleman, he was a character who wrote Gulliver's Travels, and he once made this observation about the fashionable women of his day. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:31.760 He said they were so busy being religious that they had no time to say their prayers. 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:37.460 They were so busy being religious that they had no time to say their prayers. 00:00:39.020 --> 00:00:49.960 What he was highlighting was their religious formality, that they were going through the motions, and yet there was something missing, something that needed to be addressed. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:57.520 Now we know, don't we, and just from a clear reading of this chapter, there's something seriously wrong right at the start of the chapter. 00:00:57.820 --> 00:00:58.679 Can you look at verse 1? 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:03.359 The prophet is told, cry aloud, do not hold back. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:06.140 Speak publicly, loudly. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:11.960 He's just been talking in chapter 57 that we saw last week of the false prophets. 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:19.219 Do you remember he said the false prophets, they did not act like a watchman. 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:21.859 They were meant to be like guard dogs. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:24.899 And they did not shout out in danger. 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:28.479 They were dogs that when enemies approached, the dogs didn't bark. 00:01:29.199 --> 00:01:32.719 When an intruder came in, they just lay in the sunshine. 00:01:34.099 --> 00:01:36.419 They were meant to be shepherds, the people of Israel. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:44.879 They were caring for and nourishing and cherishing the people of God, rather than ignoring them and doing their own thing and pleasing themselves. 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:52.980 And so God comes at the start of chapter 58, and he says, I want you to do what they did not do. 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:55.540 I want you to do the opposite. 00:01:55.740 --> 00:01:59.159 I want you to cry aloud to the people of Israel and not hold back. 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:04.480 I want you to not hold back anything that is profitable for the people of God. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:07.660 I want you to lift up your voice so that it's like a trumpet. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:10.659 So that all the people of God will hear it. 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:13.719 I want you to sound alarm, Isaiah. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:17.640 I want you to summon God's people to appear before God. 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:19.900 And I want you to speak powerfully to these people. 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:23.900 Who are you to speak to, Isaiah? 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:25.719 Well, it's not to everyone in general. 00:02:27.140 --> 00:02:29.659 I'm not asking you to go and speak to the general population. 00:02:29.740 --> 00:02:31.180 I want you to speak to my church. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:32.159 Do you see that verse 1? 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:34.639 Declare to my people. 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:37.359 The house of Jacob, the end of verse 1. 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:41.079 So before we draw wrong conclusions about what this chapter is about, 00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:44.419 we find that this chapter, right at the very beginning, 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.759 this prophecy is intended to be delivered to the church. 00:02:48.259 --> 00:02:49.479 To the people of God. 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:54.019 God's people then in Isaiah's day and in our day, because he is a prophet. 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:57.560 And God is speaking to his own covenant people. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:03.560 He did not speak in such warm terms about the worldly church of Isaiah 57. 00:03:04.640 --> 00:03:08.960 Where Isaiah describes, doesn't he really, that the church has become pagan there. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:12.560 The intrusion into the church of pagan ideas. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:15.120 Of pagan habits and pagan philosophy. 00:03:15.420 --> 00:03:16.140 Pagan behaviour. 00:03:16.139 --> 00:03:20.259 The rationalisation in Isaiah 57. 00:03:20.259 --> 00:03:26.219 Where the church is making paganism normal within its own bounds. 00:03:26.619 --> 00:03:28.739 God did not speak to them in these terms. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:32.000 He did not say in Isaiah 57 of them, 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:33.259 My people. 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:37.979 And so in Isaiah 58, God is speaking to a different kind of person. 00:03:38.079 --> 00:03:39.639 What kind of person is he speaking to? 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:42.119 Look at the beginning of verse 2. 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:45.319 They are spiritual people. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:50.379 They may even appear to be super spiritual people. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:53.340 They are the kind of people that make you feel guilty. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.060 They are the kind of people in verse 2 that make you feel inadequate. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:00.360 The kind of people maybe that you don't want to be anywhere near. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.840 And this is why, because verse 2, they seek me daily. 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:05.580 They delight to know my ways. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:09.819 These people, they are not the worldly church of Isaiah 57. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:13.400 They actually believe in God. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.299 That is a good thing. 00:04:15.519 --> 00:04:17.779 Scrupulis to start, they wanted to know about God. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.079 And they sought him daily. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:21.620 They listened to the preaching of Isaiah 55. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:25.879 When it says, seek the Lord while he may be found. 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:27.560 So they listened to that. 00:04:29.100 --> 00:04:30.319 And in the Hebrew it says literally, 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:31.339 He they seek. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:32.899 They were looking for God. 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:35.680 They were worshipping the true God. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:37.060 They were out to find him. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:43.220 And in the Old Testament, this view of seeking God is to take God seriously. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:48.120 It presupposes a view of God that only believers have. 00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:53.240 That the God of Israel is not a static given. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:57.500 But a dynamic reality who must be engaged. 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:01.860 A dynamic reality who must be engaged in order to be known. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:03.120 And in order to be found. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:04.480 Now let me try and give you an illustration. 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:07.319 To try and tease this out a little bit. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:10.280 Try and get behind what is being taught in this passage. 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:11.900 Let's imagine a couple. 00:05:13.019 --> 00:05:13.740 A man and a wife. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:15.519 They are a very well known couple. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:16.579 They are famous. 00:05:17.259 --> 00:05:17.980 Very famous. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.800 And they are very popular. 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:26.079 And they are often invited to parties and social gatherings of the good and the great. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:29.540 The man is very clever, the husband. 00:05:29.960 --> 00:05:31.079 And very intelligent. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:32.680 And is wealthy. 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:36.879 And the wife is stunningly beautiful. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:39.139 Absolutely stunning. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:43.099 And you can watch them come in to the party. 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:47.579 That this guy enjoys bringing his wife to the party. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:52.279 He enjoys showing off her beauty to his friends. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:56.240 She is apparently, because I'm telling the story. 00:05:56.719 --> 00:06:00.399 She is a static given in his life. 00:06:01.719 --> 00:06:05.099 In other words, that husband sees his wife as an object. 00:06:05.100 --> 00:06:07.500 He is married to her. 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:09.640 But he sees her as an object. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:12.920 Who is taken with him into these social gatherings. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:15.439 In order to give him kudos. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:17.420 Among his friends. 00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:21.439 As he sees them looking at her. 00:06:21.900 --> 00:06:23.439 He feels better about himself. 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:27.020 And it is possible. 00:06:27.320 --> 00:06:28.140 In a relationship. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:29.120 It's possible, isn't it? 00:06:29.140 --> 00:06:31.000 Because we know that they make films about this sort of thing. 00:06:31.260 --> 00:06:33.260 It is possible to have such a relationship. 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:38.199 Whereby a man treats his wife as a static given. 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:42.339 She is there. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:44.759 She is just there. 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:48.939 And she is there for those moments when he can show her off. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:52.300 The God of Israel. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:56.360 Is sometimes regarded by his people in those terms. 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:59.139 As a static given. 00:06:59.139 --> 00:07:04.240 But the Bible increasingly and repeatedly tells us. 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:06.680 That the God who is there. 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:08.199 Needs to be sought. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.180 And he needs to be looked for. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:15.319 And God is a dynamic reality. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.819 Who must be engaged in order to be known. 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:19.839 And found. 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:21.560 In other words. 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.000 In our relationship with God. 00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:25.360 We are to seek the Lord while he may be found. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.939 We are to find out about him. 00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:30.780 We want to know his character. 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:31.879 We want to know his nature. 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:34.439 We want to know his likes and his dislikes. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:36.259 We want to know the things he loves. 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:38.160 The things that give him pleasure. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:40.540 It's a relationship between persons. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:44.740 The relationship between God's people and God. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:49.139 Is therefore intended to be a love relationship. 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:52.939 And that relationship involves personal knowledge. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:54.480 Now on the surface. 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:55.660 As you read Isaiah 58. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:56.960 It looks like that's what they're doing. 00:07:58.360 --> 00:07:59.860 But read on in verse 2. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.259 It says at the start. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:02.600 They treat me daily. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.939 They delight to know my ways. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:04.800 But read on. 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:09.720 As if they were a nation that did righteousness. 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.420 And did not forsake the judgment of their God. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.580 The devil's in the detail. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:17.759 It's in those words. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:19.259 In the middle of verse 2 isn't it? 00:08:19.340 --> 00:08:19.900 As if. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:24.240 That's what it looks like. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.700 It looks like as you're looking on at these people. 00:08:27.780 --> 00:08:28.580 And their relationship with God. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.379 It looks as if they're righteous people. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:33.420 It looks as if they're truly seeking after God. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:34.320 And they want to know him. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.600 It looks like they have a relationship. 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:38.620 Which they are engaged with God in. 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:42.860 It looks like they're actually pursuing something more. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:45.480 Than a superficial knowledge of God. 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:48.800 That he's not simply a static given to them. 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:50.580 But he's a dynamic reality to them. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:51.580 But you'd be wrong. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:53.779 Because God says as if. 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:56.960 They appear to do this. 00:08:58.200 --> 00:08:59.300 They do it daily. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:00.300 They delight. 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:02.320 They appear to delight in my ways. 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:04.200 But there's something wrong with their relationship. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.240 There's a formalism. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.500 A formality in the relationship. 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.840 There's something that's not quite real. 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:10.940 And vibrant. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:14.180 The emotions of these people. 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.600 They're not really engaged. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:17.020 With the God that they worship. 00:09:17.260 --> 00:09:18.560 Look at the way they talk. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:22.580 This usually is a hint about where people really are. 00:09:22.640 --> 00:09:23.280 Surturally speaking. 00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:24.860 They have questions don't they? 00:09:25.640 --> 00:09:26.840 They have complaints. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:29.700 And their questions and their complaints. 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:31.520 Are directed against God. 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.300 Verse 3. 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:36.279 Here's why God raises this question. 00:09:36.439 --> 00:09:36.879 As if. 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:37.519 Here's the reason. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:37.779 For this. 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:39.139 Why have we fasted. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:40.039 And you see it not. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:42.879 Why have we humbled ourselves. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:45.779 And you take no advantage. 00:09:45.859 --> 00:09:47.179 Take no knowledge of it. 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.899 Go back to my analogy. 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:52.559 Go back to that illustration for a moment. 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.599 The man with a trophy wife. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:59.700 And we overhear them having an argument. 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:01.000 They're having words. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.879 Somehow the worm has turned. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.420 And she's not cooperating anymore. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:06.759 And he is asking her. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.259 Why are you not cooperating? 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:10.659 The husband says. 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:11.560 I work hard. 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:14.100 I slave myself at the office all the time. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:16.279 I give you everything you need. 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.939 I give you that sports car. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:21.299 I give you the designer clothes. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:25.339 I let you go and get yourself done in the spa. 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:27.860 I've done all of that for you. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.120 You've got your own credit card. 00:10:30.199 --> 00:10:32.439 You can spend as much as you want. 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:36.519 And as we hear him saying these things. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.659 We think to ourselves. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.519 What an idiot. 00:10:39.839 --> 00:10:40.679 What an idiot. 00:10:41.939 --> 00:10:43.879 He's got absolutely no idea. 00:10:43.959 --> 00:10:44.360 Has he. 00:10:44.459 --> 00:10:45.539 How to treat a woman. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.699 It's not what she wants to hear. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:50.899 She is looking for. 00:10:50.959 --> 00:10:51.220 Isn't she. 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:52.059 Something deeper. 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:53.179 Something deeper. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:55.259 In this superficial clown. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.679 Something deeper. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:58.480 Than the kind of way. 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.399 That he's talking to her. 00:11:00.339 --> 00:11:02.659 And the way that he talks to her. 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:04.399 Indicates. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:04.819 Doesn't it. 00:11:04.839 --> 00:11:05.879 The shallowness. 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.399 Of his relationship with her. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.439 So listen to how these people. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:12.959 Are talking to God. 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:15.220 They say. 00:11:15.339 --> 00:11:16.259 We did this for you. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:16.559 Lord. 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:19.699 We put ourselves out for you. 00:11:19.699 --> 00:11:20.100 God. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.939 We put on a fast. 00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:26.279 Because we wanted you to notice. 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.199 And yet. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:28.980 Yet God. 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:30.299 We're not feeling the love. 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:33.299 You know. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:35.100 We're not feeling the kind of response. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:35.879 That we deserve. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:38.600 We thought we'd get. 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:40.080 Something from you. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:40.840 But it feels like. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:42.220 We've got nothing from you. 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:42.659 Lord. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:43.259 You know. 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:44.759 We sing your praise. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.379 But we're not feeling. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.759 Anything back from you. 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:51.879 We go to church. 00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:53.420 We go to church. 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:53.940 Sunday morning. 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:54.759 And Sunday night. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.980 But we leave it cold. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:57.019 And indifferent. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:59.740 We're not getting a result. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.700 From our religion. 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.360 You are not paying attention. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.980 You see it not. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:07.500 You haven't even acknowledged our devotion. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.960 Can you see how hard we're working? 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:11.519 You've taken no notice. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:16.139 Now I want you to look for a moment with me. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.460 At the heart of this relationship. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:19.019 This relationship with God. 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:20.539 Their religion. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:22.579 I'm using religion in the very best sense. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:24.079 Of the way that we worship God. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:25.960 And serve Him. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.139 Their religion. 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:31.059 Was a quid pro quo relationship. 00:12:31.199 --> 00:12:31.539 Wasn't it? 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:34.819 It was cause and effect. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.620 We do this for you Lord. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.860 And you do stuff for us. 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:42.600 We engage in religious activities. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:44.680 And we are looking for some payback. 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:47.659 We want to feel better about ourselves. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:50.200 We want to see our prayers being answered. 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:51.759 In this or that or other way. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:54.659 We even want spiritual revival in our church. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:57.060 We want more people coming. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:00.039 We want to see our budget rise. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.980 We want to see a building project finish. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.960 We want to feel the love. 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:08.340 And we're not feeling the love. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:11.159 And this was the issue. 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:14.779 That for them it wasn't working out the way. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.759 That they wanted it to. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.120 And so they had this sense. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.419 That God was distant. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.639 And disinterested. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:23.000 And so in verse 3. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:24.779 You have this amazing picture. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:27.580 Of a people who are devoted to God. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.700 On the one hand. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.779 And mad at God. 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.500 On the other hand. 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:36.019 Devoted to God. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.159 On the one hand. 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.219 And mad at God. 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.120 On the other hand. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.139 Can you imagine that? 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.839 There are a couple of issues raised by this text. 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:47.139 Aren't there? 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:48.740 Some people do religious stuff. 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:49.980 Because it pleases them. 00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:54.299 They see their service. 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.740 Not just fasting. 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:58.980 One of the problems when you come to Romans 58. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.759 Is that when you read the commentaries. 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:01.659 Is they want to tell you. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:03.180 It's all about fasting. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:06.340 Or more modern commentaries. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:06.879 Want to tell you. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:09.340 It's all about social justice. 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:12.280 But actually. 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:14.700 It's not about either of those two things. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.700 Because fasting. 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:17.740 Even though it's talked about. 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:19.399 Isn't the big deal in the passage. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.460 It's illustrative. 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:22.160 If you go to the end of the passage. 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.600 He speaks about the Sabbath. 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:26.100 Fasting is only an illustration. 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:28.120 Of the principle. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:29.440 Here is the principle. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.300 The principle behind Isaiah 58. 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:34.759 Is that we do our religious stuff. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:35.840 Because we want to do it. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:39.139 And we may spend our time in service. 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:40.660 We may do lots of stuff. 00:14:40.780 --> 00:14:42.080 Tiring ourselves out. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.879 Wearing ourselves thin. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.560 In order to serve sacrificially. 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.040 Whether it's in the church. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.440 Or outside the church. 00:14:50.280 --> 00:14:52.080 We are really giving ourselves. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.680 Sacrificially to these things. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.040 And these people in this text. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:56.120 They either do it. 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.399 Because it pleases them. 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.980 As an act of self-indulgence. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.680 Because they get satisfaction. 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.820 From doing it. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:04.920 Or because they feel significant. 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.839 By doing it. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.319 To prove themselves. 00:15:08.479 --> 00:15:09.339 And to other people. 00:15:09.719 --> 00:15:12.120 That they really are spiritual people. 00:15:14.039 --> 00:15:16.120 Or they do it as a source of magic. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:19.519 Or a device to get God. 00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:21.559 To do what they want God to do. 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:23.079 To twist his arm. 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:25.479 They think that by doing things. 00:15:25.479 --> 00:15:27.399 That they have leverage with God. 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:30.579 They deprive themselves of food. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.519 These people. 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:33.539 To get some gain from God. 00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:34.419 Now think about it. 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:36.079 Think hard about this for a moment. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:41.559 How can he say the same thing to you and I today? 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.019 You can say it couldn't he. 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:47.399 About us having our quiet time. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.399 Or about our tithing. 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:53.019 Or about our church attendance. 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:55.579 Or about our sacrificial Christian service. 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:57.099 Or about spiritual disciplines. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:59.240 Or our acts of self-denial. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.800 Or our acts of self-denial. 00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:00.840 In helping others. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.860 Whatever it may be. 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:05.320 It's the way that you view those things. 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:09.259 When the chips are down. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.080 And when there's no return. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:14.580 When there's no sense or feeling. 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:16.300 That God is with you. 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.840 In a special way. 00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:19.440 Or that God is blessing you. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.540 In a spiritual way. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:24.679 Usually in the way that you define yourself. 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:28.539 So let's look at how God responds to this. 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.179 In verse 3. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.339 God evaluates firstly. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:31.339 God evaluates. 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:34.559 And God begins to evaluate what they do. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:36.379 Here is God's evaluation of them. 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.879 And you see the principle. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.379 He says. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.139 In the second half of verse 3. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.100 Behold. 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.220 Behold. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.860 In the day of your fast. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.179 You seek your own pleasure. 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.679 And oppress all your workers. 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:52.519 We'll come to that in a moment. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.539 Let's think just about fasting. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.100 For a moment. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.259 I believe in fasting. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.779 I think actually fasting is quite helpful. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.519 I found it helpful. 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.460 But in the law of God. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:01.960 In the Bible. 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.960 The Torah only requires fasting. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.839 Once a year. 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.259 On the day of atonement. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.839 It was a corporate recognition. 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:11.340 Of human repentance. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.060 Before God. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.380 And it required that. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.480 The atonement of the sacrificed animal. 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.200 Once a year. 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:18.720 In the law. 00:17:18.800 --> 00:17:19.640 In the day of atonement. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.480 As an indication. 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.440 That you were genuinely repentant. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.740 Now it is true that. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.820 At other times. 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.660 In the times of national crisis. 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.759 When the church was under threat. 00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.700 There would be a call. 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.660 For Israel. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.320 To pray. 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:34.240 And to fast. 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.740 And to seek God's mercy. 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.880 Because they sinned. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:39.480 But fasting was always a sign of repentance. 00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:42.000 But nowhere. 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.280 In the Bible. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.560 Was fasting in joints. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.460 Nowhere was it commanded. 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:49.100 As a regular feature. 00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:50.500 Of the life of God's people. 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:52.880 But do you remember. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.740 By Jesus time. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.960 What were the Pharisees doing. 00:17:56.060 --> 00:17:56.960 The Pharisees were fasting. 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.080 Several times a week. 00:17:59.080 --> 00:18:00.700 But not only were they fasting. 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.840 Several times a week. 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:03.160 But they let everybody know. 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.900 That they were fasting. 00:18:04.060 --> 00:18:05.000 Several times a week. 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.840 They had special makeup. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.180 Didn't they. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.779 That they wore. 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.860 To make them look pale. 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.580 And gaunt. 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.420 They were makeup experts. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.600 In order to communicate. 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:15.340 The idea that they were really. 00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:16.700 Suffering for the kingdom of God. 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:20.060 This is not a new thing. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.779 The interesting thing is. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.820 If you do a study of Matthew's gospel. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.320 And you notice how it is. 00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:27.160 In Matthew's gospel. 00:18:27.560 --> 00:18:29.680 That Jesus is really using Isaiah. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:31.320 As the script for his life. 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.380 It's not surprising. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.480 That in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:36.140 That Jesus should pick up. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:39.099 This very self-same theme of fasting. 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:42.240 It seems like it comes out of nowhere. 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.039 In the Sermon on the Mount. 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.480 But actually it comes out of Isaiah. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:47.099 And so he addresses the people. 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:51.160 And so he says. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.559 Behold on the day you fast. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.960 You seek your own pleasure. 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.559 That's what you're doing. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.819 It's your own choosing. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.880 You're choosing to do it. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.640 It's not my command. 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.480 It's your choice. 00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:08.060 So around about this time. 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:09.200 Lots of people celebrate Lent. 00:19:09.280 --> 00:19:09.580 Don't they? 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.700 Protestants don't normally do that. 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.620 You can choose to do it if you want. 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.980 But there's no law against it. 00:19:18.040 --> 00:19:18.800 There's no law for it. 00:19:20.060 --> 00:19:20.800 And so at times. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.400 Like these. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:22.140 People tell you. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.460 Don't they? 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.100 They nearly always tell you. 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.020 What they're giving up for Lent. 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:26.540 Chocolate. 00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:28.200 Caffeine. 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.580 Cakes. 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.000 Coke. 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:34.220 If you want to do that. 00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:34.540 Caffeine. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.080 But all those things. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.920 You can do that anyway. 00:19:37.020 --> 00:19:37.259 Can't you? 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.940 God challenges. 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:42.500 Challenges them here. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:42.820 He says. 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:44.060 Behold the day of your fasting. 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.820 You seek your own pleasure. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:49.680 You are choosing to do this. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.340 It's your choice. 00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:51.720 It's not mine. 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:54.180 And when you do it. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.480 What do you do at the end of verse 3? 00:19:55.600 --> 00:19:56.600 You oppress your workers. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.079 Do you remember he's talking about Israel? 00:19:59.100 --> 00:20:00.640 He's talking to the church here. 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:03.720 He's talking about the people who worked in their own extended household. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.920 He's not thinking of a factory. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.380 They didn't have factories in those days. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.440 He's thinking of a household. 00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:13.079 And the people who worked in that household were fellow Jews. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.019 They were fellow believers. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.720 And many of them were contracted. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.460 If I can put it like that. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.660 To work as slaves. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:22.380 Because this slavery was nothing like the African slave trade. 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:24.360 Of the 19th century. 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:28.580 The slavery you find in the Bible was an economic device. 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.960 If you were low on funds. 00:20:30.300 --> 00:20:31.640 If you were in dire straits. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:33.900 You could engage yourself to serve. 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:36.480 In someone's extended household as a slave. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.140 For a period of time. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:40.100 You would be renumerated for that. 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.060 You would be kept. 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.980 You would be normally well kept by a person. 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.860 And then after three years. 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.220 You would be free to leave. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.340 You would be liberated from your slavery. 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:52.680 So it would be a different ballgame altogether. 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:55.440 These people were the people who were working in the home. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.660 Behold. 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.320 Let's read on. 00:20:58.620 --> 00:20:59.500 You fast. 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:02.840 You fast only to quarrel and to fight. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.460 Verse 4. 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:05.580 And to hit with a wicked fist. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:09.300 Isaiah knows what he's doing here. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:13.779 He's describing these people and what they're doing. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.240 Why are they quarrelsome? 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.640 Why are they argumentative? 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:19.140 Why do they want to hit someone? 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.160 Well what are they doing? 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.700 They're on a fast. 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:22.060 Aren't they? 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:25.680 It was a great surprise. 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:26.700 Actually the first of my fast. 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.860 It's such an issue. 00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:30.680 You so easily lose your rag. 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:32.860 There are people out there. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.220 If they don't get their lunch. 00:21:34.300 --> 00:21:35.160 They want to hit someone. 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:38.660 And the people he's describing here. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.759 They're on a fast. 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:40.960 And they are fighting. 00:21:41.080 --> 00:21:43.660 They are really quarrelling with their workers at home. 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.940 They're fighting. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:48.840 The collateral damage all around them basically. 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:53.340 And all this is happening because they're on a spiritual trip that they've chosen for themselves. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:56.879 Doing their own pleasure. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.779 Doing their own thing. 00:21:58.619 --> 00:21:59.899 Doing it for their own ends. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:02.240 And as a result the rest of the house suffers. 00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:05.679 Because of what they've decided to do. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:09.900 And I want to say. 00:22:10.060 --> 00:22:12.240 As we think hard on this. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:15.640 In so many incipient ways. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.740 Subtle ways. 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.840 In Christian ministry. 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.500 And in Christian churches. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:26.120 There are so many of us that come up with our own idea. 00:22:27.060 --> 00:22:28.380 For our own pleasure. 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:32.240 And then expect the rest to fund it. 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:36.920 It's the same principle here. 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.700 Not only. 00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.620 Were they doing that. 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.700 And creating havoc. 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:45.740 Because they were so bad tempered. 00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:48.720 But they were also making sure that everyone else saw it. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.600 That they were on a fast. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.540 Look at verse 5. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:54.320 Is such the fast that I choose. 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:56.820 A day for a person to humble himself. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:02.000 Is it to bow down his head like a reed. 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:04.120 And spread sackcloth and ashes under him. 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:09.180 They were making themselves look as miserable as they could. 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:12.840 They were making sure that everyone knew what they were doing. 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:14.840 They were advertising their piety. 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:19.960 And they weren't doing this out of a heart for people or for God. 00:23:20.060 --> 00:23:21.620 Do you remember Jesus in his own critique? 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:25.080 Jesus does not say fasting is wrong. 00:23:25.840 --> 00:23:28.260 But he does point the finger at those who are multiplying. 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.920 In these things. 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:32.260 They were multiplying the number of fasts. 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:34.060 And advertising their piety. 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:38.000 Listen to what God has to say about this kind of thing. 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:38.740 In verse 4. 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:41.260 He says fasting like yours this day. 00:23:41.340 --> 00:23:43.040 Will not make your voice to be heard on high. 00:23:45.780 --> 00:23:47.820 It will not have the effect of getting through to God. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.960 Because you're doing it for your own sake. 00:23:51.020 --> 00:23:51.840 Not for my sake. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:54.160 You call this a fast. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.300 A day acceptable to God. 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:56.060 No of course it's not. 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:58.259 And so secondly then you have the Lord's challenge. 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.139 Verse 6. 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:03.039 And his challenge in verse 6 is very simply. 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:05.980 If you would only obey the verses of the Bible. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.740 You know. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:12.539 Instead of finding alternative ways to demonstrate your piety. 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:15.940 If you would just obey the verses of the Bible that you know. 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.159 That would be a good place to start. 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:21.000 Is not that the fast I choose? 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:22.560 To loose the bonds of wickedness. 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:26.160 He's talking about the people that they've taken into their home. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.700 Fellow believers. 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.460 Fellow Israelites. 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.220 People of God. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.240 Brought them. 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.519 Into the family. 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.220 Into the household. 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:35.000 And then kept them there indefinitely. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:38.960 That had not let them go free. 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.740 After the three years that the Lord prescribed. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:43.500 But kept them on and was keeping them down. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.740 Keeping them in their place. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:47.220 And not taking care of them properly. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.420 And God says to them. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:48.680 Look. 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.240 Verse 6. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.079 It's not this. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.980 The fast I choose. 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:54.440 To loose the bonds of wickedness. 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.319 To undo the straps. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.799 To the yoke. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.440 Let them go. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:56.500 Let them go. 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.900 I told you in my law. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.559 What you should do. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.680 You're inventing. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.299 A reason for fasting. 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:05.200 But actually. 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.759 I didn't ordain that. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:10.059 But I did ordain this. 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:13.200 You get on with obeying me. 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:15.960 In your practical areas of life. 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.259 And frankly. 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.659 They will cost you more than deciding. 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.839 Not to eat chocolate for a while. 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.899 Or to skip lunch. 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:24.240 Let those people go. 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.759 Then I'll be impressed. 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.339 God says. 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:29.019 Then I'll listen to you. 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.119 Then I'll take notice of you. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.859 You get on with believing the Bible. 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.919 And obeying the Bible. 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:36.440 The verses that you know. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.740 Without inventing other stuff. 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:40.299 Or making up other ways. 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:42.039 To demonstrate your godliness. 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:46.799 The whole idea of freedom. 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.399 And liberty. 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.759 Is one of the big ideas. 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.700 In Isaiah's prophecy. 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.419 As he talks about. 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.899 The suffering servant. 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:56.460 Who brings freedom. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.339 And here of course. 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.059 I think he's talking about. 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:00.720 Literal freedom. 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:02.279 But I think there's a spiritual principle. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:02.940 Behind it. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:08.299 Don't put burdens of guilt. 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.559 On other people. 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.180 Don't put burdens. 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.680 On other believers. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.359 That they ought not to have. 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.460 Don't let them have to pay. 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.399 For your decisions. 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.139 Care for them. 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.720 Care for them. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.559 Verse 7. 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.860 Share your bread. 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:27.039 Be generous. 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:29.220 In the fellowship. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.480 With those who are hungry. 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.200 Unneedy. 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.980 And so on. 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.559 And don't forget. 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.700 That you shouldn't kill yourself off. 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.880 From members of your own family. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.880 Your own house. 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:39.000 The homeless poor. 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.860 In your own home. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.460 Verse 7. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.680 Your own flesh. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.860 Your own flesh. 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.500 And blood. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.880 So it's a challenge. 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:46.240 Isn't it? 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.380 To biblical behaviour. 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.700 The kind of things. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.500 That God requires. 00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:51.960 From his people. 00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:53.160 Don't hold up. 00:26:53.360 --> 00:26:54.100 One thing. 00:26:54.560 --> 00:26:54.840 That is. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.299 That quite frankly. 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.140 You can choose. 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.840 To do that. 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.799 Or not do that. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:02.299 But do the stuff. 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.159 That we've been called upon. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.159 And challenged about. 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.119 In God's word to do. 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.559 That is. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.159 This is long term implications. 00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:09.079 For the people of God. 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.220 The Lord's promise. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.059 Verse 8. 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.480 Do you see the Lord's promise. 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.099 In verse 8. 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:14.819 The Lord's challenge. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.740 The Lord's evaluation. 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:16.659 The Lord's promise. 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.599 On the basis of religion. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:19.919 That is. 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:21.559 Pure and undefiled. 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.680 Before God the Father. 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.759 As James defines it. 00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.980 To visit orphans. 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.680 And widows. 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.339 In their affliction. 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.359 To keep oneself. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.839 And stained by the world. 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:31.919 That kind of genuine religion. 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:34.500 That serves others. 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:36.179 That loves our brothers and sisters. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:37.399 That loves our neighbours. 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.859 That kind of religion. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.240 Which demonstrates. 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.699 That it's from the heart. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.819 Gets the attention of God. 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:47.119 And so there's all kinds of applications. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:47.819 For that today. 00:27:49.959 --> 00:27:51.279 But here is God's promise. 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.839 For those who take it seriously. 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.899 And it's in a series of thens. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.599 Verse 8. 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.099 Then. 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:59.219 Your light shall break forth like the dawn. 00:27:59.439 --> 00:28:00.299 There'll be a new day. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.799 Then all those things that are. 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:06.259 Burdening you down. 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:08.279 And you're wondering. 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.659 Why are you doing this? 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:13.119 And there's no evidence of God prospering you more. 00:28:13.199 --> 00:28:15.339 Or no evidence of God hearing your prayer more. 00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:16.839 Instinctively. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:20.019 You know that God is not. 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.399 That he's answering your prayer. 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:23.159 That sense that God is not near. 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:27.099 This idea that you're not feeling the love of God in your heart. 00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:27.619 He says. 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.959 You know this is what you should be doing. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.959 If you're doing these things. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:36.179 If you're growing in your relationship with God. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.859 You won't have to ask me for these things. 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:40.599 Now let's try and go back to the illustration. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.159 Stick with me. 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.279 It's been hard work this morning. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.919 Of the man and the woman. 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:49.199 You get to know her. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:53.719 The way we're meant to get to know God. 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.859 You get to know her heart. 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.799 That's what he needs to do isn't it? 00:28:58.859 --> 00:29:00.419 The husband needs to get to know her character. 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:02.699 He needs to get to know her mind and her wisdom. 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:05.640 You get to know what she loves. 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.980 You get to know what brings her pleasure. 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:10.380 You get to know the things that she values. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.860 You get to know the things that are precious to her. 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.980 You get to know those kind of things. 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:17.799 And then you be the kind of man that she would love. 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:21.120 But you don't have to ask for anything. 00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:23.920 That's the picture that's being painted to you. 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:25.059 You know God. 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.500 And you know what's on his mind. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.680 And you know what brings him pleasure. 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.580 And you know what he loves. 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:33.099 And you seek to treat him in that way. 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.519 Then says God. 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:36.199 It'll be like a new day in our relationship. 00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:37.399 The light will dawn. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:41.179 You will feel that the relationship is healthy. 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.419 And that you are healed. 00:29:43.919 --> 00:29:45.939 And your righteousness shall go before you. 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:48.279 And the glory of God shall be. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.179 At the end of verse 8. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.159 Your rear guard. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.839 It's a great description isn't it? 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.419 You'll be under his protection. 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.220 He'll be on your side. 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.939 And you will know it. 00:29:56.940 --> 00:30:00.100 He'll be beside you. 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.000 And you will know it. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.920 He'll be with you. 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.700 And you'll know it. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.799 You will know it. 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.600 And you will call. 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.080 And the Lord will answer. 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.440 And you will cry out. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.120 And he will say. 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.980 I am here. 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:12.160 I am here. 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:13.559 Because you will know him. 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.799 These are believers by the way. 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.420 They are people who know God. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:23.759 And they are being encouraged. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.539 In Isaiah 58. 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.800 To know God better. 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:28.019 More than formally. 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:31.380 More than simply having him as necessity. 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:32.360 But as a reality. 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:35.460 And so do you remember that? 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:37.660 That you can either know God. 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:40.720 As a static given. 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.660 Or as a dynamic reality. 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:50.640 Remember that picture of the man and the woman. 00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:51.259 The wife. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.940 She was a static given. 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:56.259 He's not bothered about her most of the time. 00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:58.640 Apart from when he needs her on his arm. 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.360 At some function. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:01.480 But she is a dynamic reality. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:04.960 That he needs to get to know. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:09.240 And God is not a static given. 00:31:10.340 --> 00:31:12.500 Who is just there when you need him. 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.140 Or want him. 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:16.020 God is someone to be pursued. 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:19.840 He is someone to be engaged with. 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:21.020 He is someone to be sought. 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:22.160 With all your heart. 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.740 And with all your mind. 00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:25.460 And with all your strength. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:29.140 And that God will guide you continually. 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:29.759 Verse 11. 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:31.080 You won't need to ask for guidance. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:34.740 And he will satisfy your desire. 00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:36.880 In scorched places. 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:38.460 And make your bones strong. 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:40.600 And you will be like a watered garden. 00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:43.080 Refreshed with spiritual refreshment. 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:46.360 And you will be established for all eternity. 00:31:46.520 --> 00:31:47.000 Verse 12. 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.980 And your ancient ruins will be rebuilt. 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:52.820 And you shall raise up the foundations of many generations. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:54.600 And you shall be called the repairer of the breach. 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:57.780 The restorer of streets that dwell in. 00:31:57.779 --> 00:32:06.539 And so God gives a prescription. 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:08.299 To these people. 00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:11.200 He gives a prescription to his people. 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.720 Can you see it? 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.660 And his prescription is this. 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:17.079 You don't have to make up special days. 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:20.839 You don't have to make up special days. 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:24.079 Because I have given you a special day. 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:28.559 And that's the point of the Sabbath reference in verse 13. 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:32.619 I have given you. 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:34.159 As your rear guard. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.179 A special day. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.639 The day that I have given you. 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.099 God says. 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:40.619 Is not a fast day. 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:43.279 But a feast day. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:46.240 And what God is saying. 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:47.759 If we can run back to verse 8. 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:48.839 There is a day. 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.299 In which you can have a brand new day. 00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:53.220 And you can feel healed and restored. 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:55.899 And you can know the glory of God. 00:32:55.900 --> 00:33:00.440 And you can call. 00:33:00.540 --> 00:33:02.100 And know that God is answering you. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.920 You can cry. 00:33:04.080 --> 00:33:05.460 And you will hear God say to you. 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.220 Here I am. 00:33:06.280 --> 00:33:07.780 And the Lord will guide continually. 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.720 And on that day. 00:33:08.780 --> 00:33:10.660 You will know that he will satisfy your desires. 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:12.320 And he will make you refreshed. 00:33:12.320 --> 00:33:13.320 Like a watered garden. 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:15.980 And he will do that by. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.960 Verse 14. 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.000 His word. 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:22.480 For the mouth of the Lord. 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.500 Has spoken. 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:26.880 And he will feed you. 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:28.599 With the heritage of your father Jacob. 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:30.180 Do you see how the beginning and the end. 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.799 Of this chapter. 00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:32.019 Are tied together. 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:33.119 By a reference to Jacob. 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:36.680 A reference to the people of God. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.960 These people who were superficial. 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.920 In their relationships. 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.480 Who were formal. 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.279 In their relationships. 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:43.019 But if they take advantage. 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.240 Of what God offers. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.420 On the Sabbath day. 00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.740 And the blessings. 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:49.460 That he pours out to his people. 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.559 On the Sabbath day. 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:52.180 When the mouth of the Lord. 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.200 Speaks to them. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:56.480 But these promises of God. 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.519 Ring out in our years. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.859 We discover that the Sabbath day. 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:03.640 Is not a fast day. 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.019 But a feast day. 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.699 And it counters. 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:10.000 All the negativism. 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.000 Of the start of the chapter. 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:12.199 With all the positive words. 00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:13.380 From verses 6 to 12. 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.860 That he sets the feast. 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.900 Against the fast. 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.800 And he says to his people. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:21.080 I am more interested. 00:34:21.080 --> 00:34:22.080 In you enjoying. 00:34:22.080 --> 00:34:23.960 Many many blessings. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.780 And joys. 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.740 Through obedience. 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:26.780 Than I am. 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.519 In imposing. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.860 On yourself. 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.760 Self imposed. 00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:32.800 Deprivations. 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:33.700 That are unnecessary. 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.380 Unnecessary. 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.600 They are of your divisor. 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:40.980 Why don't you just stick with. 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:42.839 My very very simple program. 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.679 The Lord says. 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:46.319 Of the means of grace. 00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:49.779 The Lord's day. 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.239 And the Lord's word. 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.940 And the Lord's sacrament. 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:58.480 And the Lord's people. 00:34:58.480 --> 00:35:01.639 It's very very simple. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:05.019 The Lord's blessings. 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.579 Come to his people. 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.900 As they gather together. 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.780 On the Lord's day. 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:14.019 And guess what. 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:15.940 The Sabbath. 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:17.920 Is in the commandments. 00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.900 Fasting is not. 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.820 It is prescribed. 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.820 By God. 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.860 So that you know. 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.300 That if you keep the Sabbath. 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:29.280 You are keeping. 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.600 God's word. 00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:33.880 That you are in the will of God. 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:36.880 You won't need to ask. 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:37.780 Am I in the will of God. 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.780 You will be in the will of God. 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:40.120 Because it's one of the ten commandments. 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.460 It's part and parcel. 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.440 Of God's world. 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.860 In the way that he created the world. 00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.680 It's part and parcel. 00:35:45.680 --> 00:35:47.019 Of God's provision. 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:50.280 And so from our new covenant. 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.740 From our new testament perspective. 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:53.620 Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. 00:35:53.620 --> 00:35:54.000 Isn't he? 00:35:54.100 --> 00:35:55.200 He reigns over it. 00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:57.380 It's all about him. 00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:00.280 And in him. 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:00.820 Guess what. 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:02.380 Every spiritual blessing. 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.780 Is to be found in Christ. 00:36:05.620 --> 00:36:07.260 And it flows into our lives. 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:07.820 Through him. 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:10.519 And it refreshes us. 00:36:10.600 --> 00:36:11.500 And it renews us. 00:36:11.560 --> 00:36:12.320 And it quickens us. 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:13.539 And it makes us alive. 00:36:15.120 --> 00:36:16.560 And so all of us. 00:36:16.560 --> 00:36:17.440 Are tempted. 00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:19.280 In one form or another. 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:20.620 To religious formalism. 00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:23.739 And every single one of us. 00:36:23.839 --> 00:36:26.359 Is tempted to find other ways. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.199 There's a period of time. 00:36:29.299 --> 00:36:30.599 Where there were lots of books. 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:32.960 Written about spiritual disciplines. 00:36:34.259 --> 00:36:35.199 There were quite good. 00:36:36.059 --> 00:36:36.980 Disciplines of a godly man. 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:37.960 Disciplines of a godly woman. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.219 Spiritual discipline. 00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:40.619 All sorts of disciplines. 00:36:40.859 --> 00:36:41.839 The pursuit of discipline. 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.539 And there's lots of good things. 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.219 In those books. 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:47.259 But I think. 00:36:47.339 --> 00:36:48.319 From my studying this passage. 00:36:48.399 --> 00:36:48.899 In Isaiah 50. 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:49.779 What it teaches us. 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:51.419 Is that we have a tendency. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:53.659 To make the Christian life. 00:36:53.879 --> 00:36:55.079 Far more complicated. 00:36:55.219 --> 00:36:55.939 Than God did. 00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:59.340 The Christian life. 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:02.119 Is not complicated. 00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:05.659 It is all of grace. 00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:08.920 And God has ordained. 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.659 One day. 00:37:09.820 --> 00:37:10.679 In the middle of our. 00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:12.700 Very very busy lives. 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:14.099 Where the grace of God. 00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:15.260 Is available to his people. 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:18.340 And on a Monday morning. 00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:19.400 We go out into a world. 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.380 That is in rebellion. 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.059 Against him. 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:22.760 And we go to an unbelieving world. 00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:24.559 To love them for Jesus sake. 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:27.099 But I want you to look around. 00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:27.699 This morning. 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:30.380 Look around you this morning. 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:32.000 That was the rhetorical question. 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:34.460 The people that are around you. 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:34.820 This morning. 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:36.159 Are real people. 00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:39.159 You are worshipping. 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.119 With people. 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:42.840 You are not here. 00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:43.820 As a static. 00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:44.699 Given yourself. 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.820 I am not. 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:47.079 An internet creature. 00:37:47.199 --> 00:37:47.820 That you are here. 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:48.340 In kind of. 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:49.579 As you run around. 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:52.820 You are part. 00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:53.440 This morning. 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.440 Of the dynamic. 00:37:54.559 --> 00:37:55.039 Energy. 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:56.119 Of the people of God. 00:37:58.519 --> 00:38:00.279 And that is a glorious thing. 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.880 Notice how he talks. 00:38:03.900 --> 00:38:04.299 On the Sabbath. 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:04.699 At the end. 00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.840 Of verses 13 and 14. 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.400 He says. 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:07.699 Call it a delight. 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.159 It's a holy day. 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:13.159 Honorable to the Lord. 00:38:14.619 --> 00:38:15.380 Taking delight. 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.799 In the Lord. 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.360 And so on. 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.960 Not seeking your own pleasure. 00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:19.940 But the pleasure of others. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:23.800 And so here is something. 00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:24.480 That you can do. 00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:25.539 On any and every. 00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.179 Sabbath day. 00:38:27.679 --> 00:38:28.480 Welcome someone. 00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.059 Who's lonely. 00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.220 Encourage someone. 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:32.780 Who's down. 00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:35.860 Befriend someone. 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.659 Who's friendless. 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:39.599 Love the church of God. 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.039 00:38:40.039 --> 00:39:10.019 Thank you.