WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:03.200 Good evening everyone, really good to see everyone here tonight. 00:00:03.300 --> 00:00:06.000 As we come towards the end of our studies in 1 Samuel, 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:08.160 we've been going quite a long time in the book, 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:09.759 and I think gained an awful lot from it. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:14.300 Three more to go, and tonight it's chapter 29. 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:16.920 I want to start with some history. 00:00:17.620 --> 00:00:19.980 History can be quite educational for us, 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:23.219 and I want to start with a war that I think has been largely forgotten, 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:25.199 the Spanish Civil War. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:29.859 I was trying to think what I could remember offhand about the Spanish Civil War. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.039 And I came up with just three facts. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:34.439 One was it was in the 1930s. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:37.640 The second was that it brought General Franco into power. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:42.060 And the third was that George Orwell and Ernest Hemingway were both involved in it 00:00:42.060 --> 00:00:43.159 and wrote about it. 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:44.560 Now maybe you can do better than that, 00:00:44.899 --> 00:00:48.500 but that was the sum total of my knowledge of the Spanish Civil War 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:50.840 before I researched it. 00:00:51.500 --> 00:00:55.179 Actually, it was a long and very difficult conflict 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:59.799 between the Republicans, who were the government of Spain, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.840 and the nationalists, who ultimately were led by General Franco, 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:05.519 who were the revolutionaries. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.579 The nationalists were supported by the Soviet Union, 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:13.400 sorry, the Republicans were supported by the Soviet Union, 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:18.180 and the nationalists, the insurgents, were supported by Italy and Germany, 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:21.299 and probably some tacit support from other Western countries. 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:24.599 Over 200,000 people were killed and fighting, 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:27.539 and another 200,000 were slaughtered. 00:01:28.479 --> 00:01:30.939 That wasn't why I was talking about the war. 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:32.859 There's one reason I was talking about the Spanish Civil War, 00:01:33.179 --> 00:01:36.439 and there's a term that's come into English from that war, 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:40.439 and the term is fifth columnist, fifth columnist. 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:45.140 During the war, the nationalists were marching on Madrid, 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:48.340 and their soldiers were divided into four, 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:49.579 I suppose four battalions. 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:51.319 They called them four columns. 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:56.159 And General Moyer, who at that time was leading the nationalist troops, 00:01:56.640 --> 00:01:58.159 said, when we get to Madrid, 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:01.599 there's a fifth column of our supporters who are in the city, 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:03.859 and they will rise up with us, 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:05.859 and we'll defeat the enemy. 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:08.259 And, of course, that is effectively what happened. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:11.699 Fifth columnist, people who are loyal to one side, 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:14.199 who are embedded in the other side. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:16.879 The term became particularly prevalent in the United States 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:18.639 during the Second World War. 00:02:19.799 --> 00:02:21.379 Well, in 1 Samuel chapter 29, 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:24.060 the big question that is being asked is, 00:02:24.179 --> 00:02:26.839 is David a fifth columnist? 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:30.000 Is David among the Philistines 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.739 so that when they go to war against Israel, 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:34.620 he'll rise up against them, 00:02:34.959 --> 00:02:40.120 and he'll help Israel defeat those who have given him refuge? 00:02:41.079 --> 00:02:42.780 The generals of the Philistines 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:44.860 generally take the view that he is likely to be. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.280 He is an Israelite among us. 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:48.780 He is bound to be on their side 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:50.199 when push comes to shove. 00:02:50.860 --> 00:02:52.759 And Achish, the king, 00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:54.139 takes the other view, 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:55.360 and he says, 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:57.400 no, he's been very loyal to me. 00:02:57.639 --> 00:02:59.900 I have complete confidence in him. 00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:01.840 I'm sure over the centuries, 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:03.879 there have been many similar conversations had 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:06.500 in similar kinds of situations. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:10.020 In fact, neither of them was really right. 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:13.360 This was more muddle than method 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:15.340 in the way David was acting, 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:18.319 and it was probably as big, 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:20.539 certainly as big a problem for him 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:22.460 that he was among the Philistines 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:24.819 as it was for them. 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:27.479 And the story of 1 Samuel 29, 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:30.039 although it's not explicitly said, 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:32.739 is how God rescues David 00:03:32.739 --> 00:03:35.299 from the problem that he's got himself into 00:03:35.299 --> 00:03:36.780 with the Philistines. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:38.399 He gives him a way out. 00:03:38.799 --> 00:03:40.459 That means he doesn't have to fight 00:03:40.459 --> 00:03:43.159 either for or against the Philistines 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:44.759 or the Israelites. 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:46.000 And we'll talk about that 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:48.699 and some thoughts on that for us. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:51.060 Probably worth a little bit of background, though, 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:52.359 because our series in 1 Samuel 00:03:52.359 --> 00:03:53.979 has been a little bit spread out recently. 00:03:54.979 --> 00:03:57.459 So just looking through the kind of climax 00:03:57.459 --> 00:03:59.459 of 1 Samuel, the last few chapters. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:02.159 1 Samuel, of course, from about the middle 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:04.679 is largely the story of the interaction 00:04:04.679 --> 00:04:06.659 between David and Saul. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.259 Saul, who has been rejected by God 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:12.219 because he was so often disobedient to God's ways. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:15.659 David is anointed the future king by Samuel. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:18.719 And then it's largely the story of Saul's jealousy 00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:21.759 and how David manages to escape him. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:24.779 And if we jump forward, 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:26.279 and I think my numbering's wrong there, 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:27.319 so I apologise for that. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:29.240 That's what PowerPoint does 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:30.480 when you try to do clever things. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:32.740 In chapter 26, I think it was 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:35.659 that David spared Saul's life. 00:04:36.159 --> 00:04:38.159 David was in a prison for the second time 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:39.539 at you kill Saul, 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.920 and he decides not to. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.079 And that is the last interaction 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:46.240 that David and Saul have together. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:48.339 And the rest of the book 00:04:48.339 --> 00:04:50.879 kind of intersperses things about David 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:53.480 and things about Saul. 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:56.139 So in chapter 27, 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:58.740 David flees to be with the Philistines. 00:04:58.839 --> 00:04:59.759 We'll talk a bit more about that 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:00.839 because it's quite significant 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:02.699 for what we're looking at this evening. 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:04.920 And then in chapter 28, 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:07.199 which we looked at last week with Peter, 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:08.620 we're back to Saul, 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:10.459 and Saul consulting the medium 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:12.040 and getting the news 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:13.240 that he's going to lose the battle, 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:14.600 he's going to be killed in battle. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:17.560 Chapter 29, which we're looking at this evening, 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:19.420 David avoids fight against Israel. 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:21.319 And then the follow-on from that, 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.259 which I think New is taking us to next week, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:25.560 is how David defeats the Amalekites. 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:28.160 And then the last chapter is back to Saul 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:31.680 and how Saul is defeated in battle and dies. 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:33.660 So our chapter tonight 00:05:33.660 --> 00:05:35.560 sits between Saul consulting the medium 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:38.220 and ultimately Saul being defeated. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:41.980 And actually, the chronology of 1 Samuel, 00:05:42.080 --> 00:05:43.000 the timing of it, 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:44.900 what we're looking at this evening 00:05:44.899 --> 00:05:47.419 probably took place before the events 00:05:47.419 --> 00:05:49.019 that we looked at last Sunday. 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:51.819 The author of 1 Samuel is more concerned 00:05:51.819 --> 00:05:52.959 with the narrative 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:55.319 and with the flow of his accounts 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:57.819 and in a sense with keeping the suspense going 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:59.599 as we move through the book 00:05:59.599 --> 00:06:02.139 than he is with strict chronology. 00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:03.479 But most likely, 00:06:03.599 --> 00:06:05.000 the events we're reading at this evening 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:08.879 were before those that we looked at last week. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:12.879 So what is the background from chapter 27? 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:15.279 It's quite a long time, I think, 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:16.699 since Neil took us through that. 00:06:17.159 --> 00:06:19.540 So just a brief reminder of that. 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.680 David has taken fright. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:25.100 He's really concerned that Saul ultimately 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:26.719 is going to be able to kill him. 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:27.779 There's been several attempts 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:29.300 that haven't succeeded. 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:31.139 And David takes fright 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:31.959 and he thinks, 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.860 I'm going to go into the Philistines. 00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:35.340 I'll be safe there 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:38.259 because Saul won't come and get me. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:39.960 So he goes with his men 00:06:39.960 --> 00:06:42.060 and he makes peace with the king 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:43.660 of the Philistines 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:46.319 and he's given a place in Ziklag 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:48.100 to settle down there. 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:49.680 While he's there, 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.300 his army is busy. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:52.780 They're going out to battle 00:06:52.780 --> 00:06:55.800 and David tells Achish the king 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:56.639 they're going to battle 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.540 against the Israelites, 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:58.939 against his own people. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:01.280 In fact, David's taking them out in battle 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:03.839 against the enemies of Israel. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:05.759 He's deceiving the king. 00:07:06.359 --> 00:07:07.819 But he's building up favour 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:09.559 among the Philistines. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:12.519 He's allowing himself to be there 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:14.419 and to live in peace with them. 00:07:14.679 --> 00:07:15.619 And he maybe thinks 00:07:15.619 --> 00:07:17.859 he's doing quite well. 00:07:18.799 --> 00:07:20.000 Now, Neil, when he was speaking 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.239 on chapter 27, 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.619 said quite memorably, I think, 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:23.819 that David's plans become 00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:25.199 more and more cunning, 00:07:25.659 --> 00:07:27.699 convoluted and compromised 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:29.639 as you go through the chapter. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:31.259 And that's exactly right. 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:32.779 The receipt which he started 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:35.039 at the beginning grows and grows 00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:37.039 and David's position goes 00:07:37.039 --> 00:07:38.739 more and more from the truth 00:07:38.739 --> 00:07:41.539 and the way that he should be. 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:43.839 And in chapter 29, 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:45.719 it looks as if his chickens 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:47.500 have come home to roost. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:49.059 Because the thing which David 00:07:49.059 --> 00:07:50.479 undoubtedly didn't want 00:07:50.479 --> 00:07:52.159 was for it to be a battle 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:53.739 between the Philistines 00:07:53.739 --> 00:07:54.959 and the Israelites. 00:07:55.619 --> 00:07:57.039 He's presented to the Philistines 00:07:57.039 --> 00:07:58.719 that he'd come over to their side, 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:00.780 but he is still an Israelite 00:08:00.780 --> 00:08:02.880 and he is still ultimately 00:08:02.880 --> 00:08:04.800 loyal to Israel. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:06.560 Albeit that the king 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:08.000 of the Philistines is his friend 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:08.860 and the king of Israel 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:09.600 is his enemy, 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:10.680 nevertheless, 00:08:11.320 --> 00:08:12.380 David is ultimately 00:08:12.380 --> 00:08:13.980 on the side of God's people 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:16.280 and he has this tremendous problem 00:08:16.280 --> 00:08:17.620 that he's expected 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:19.200 to go out with the Philistines 00:08:19.200 --> 00:08:22.200 and to fight against the Israelites 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:25.259 and he really doesn't want to. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:26.099 Now that is all reading 00:08:26.099 --> 00:08:26.800 into the chapter, 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:28.259 it's not explicitly said there, 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:29.759 but I'm pretty sure 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:31.519 that's the case. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:33.939 And David is in a pretty 00:08:33.939 --> 00:08:35.720 desperate situation. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:37.840 If he goes out and fights 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:38.539 with the Philistines 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.580 against the Israelites, 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:42.319 then he really destroys 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:43.399 any chance he has 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:44.919 of ultimately becoming 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.700 the king of Israel. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.600 If he's fought against 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.159 his own people, 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:50.240 against God's people, 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:52.159 what right has he subsequently 00:08:52.159 --> 00:08:53.940 to become their king? 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:55.519 On the other hand, 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:56.580 if he turns around 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:58.060 and fights against the Philistines, 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.120 he's fighting against the man 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:00.180 who's become his friend, 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:01.440 he's putting his men 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.259 and himself in great danger 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.820 and that's not a situation 00:09:04.820 --> 00:09:06.700 he wants to get into either. 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:08.299 Really, David wants to be 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:11.259 as far away as he can from it. 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:12.700 And it looks as if David's 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.919 in an impossible situation. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:18.240 Last week when Peter was speaking, 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:19.879 he talked about two kinds 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:21.360 of hopeless situations 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.919 that we could think about. 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.960 One is the hopeless situation 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.000 that really is hopeless 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:26.919 and there's a danger 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:27.620 where you're complacent 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.820 and don't realise it. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:30.039 And the other is 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.060 the hopeless situation 00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:32.419 which looks hopeless to us 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:34.639 but actually isn't hopeless 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.879 because God is in control. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:39.519 Saul in chapter 28 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:40.659 is a good example 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:42.159 of the first kind of situation. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:44.039 There is no hope for Saul. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.180 He's rejected God. 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:46.859 He's been rejected by God 00:09:46.859 --> 00:09:49.500 and he's going to his death. 00:09:50.459 --> 00:09:52.019 David in chapter 29 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:54.279 is the hopeless situation 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:56.159 where actually, ultimately, 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.779 it's not as hopeless 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.439 as he might have thought 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:01.620 because our God is powerful. 00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:03.559 Our God is able to work 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:04.500 in what seems like 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:06.159 a hopeless situation to us 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:10.399 and God rescues David from it. 00:10:11.479 --> 00:10:12.659 So if we just walk quickly 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:13.439 through the chapter 00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:15.459 and then we'll have a few points 00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:16.360 that hopefully will have 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:18.740 some practical relevance for us. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:20.740 So at the beginning of the chapter 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:22.019 and the Philistines 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.059 are gathering together, 00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:24.439 they're going to war 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:25.759 against Israel. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:26.959 And this looks as if 00:10:26.959 --> 00:10:27.719 everyone thinks 00:10:27.719 --> 00:10:28.759 this is the big one. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.000 This is the one 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:30.980 which will decide 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.319 which of these nations 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:33.839 is going to prevail. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:36.039 It's not just a little skirmish 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.159 between the two. 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:38.240 This is something 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.559 that is really serious 00:10:39.559 --> 00:10:41.139 and where there are going 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:43.179 to be very significant outcomes 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:44.979 as indeed there were. 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:47.199 And all the commanders 00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:48.519 and rulers of the Philistines, 00:10:48.619 --> 00:10:49.339 they come together, 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.399 they march together 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:53.479 in front of their king, Achish. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.619 And at the end, 00:10:54.699 --> 00:10:55.919 maybe looking a bit sheepish, 00:10:56.339 --> 00:10:59.039 are David and his men. 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:01.239 And the Philistine commanders say, 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.059 what are they doing here? 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:05.239 Here we've got some Israelites. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.180 Why are we taking them out 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:08.899 and thinking they're going to fight 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:11.000 against their own people? 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:12.460 And Achish says, 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:13.799 no, this isn't just Israelites. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:14.960 This is David. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.639 David's my friend. 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:18.560 He came over to our side 00:11:18.560 --> 00:11:20.120 more than a year ago 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:22.299 and he's been loyal to me 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:23.340 ever since. 00:11:24.200 --> 00:11:25.180 And Achish had got some 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:25.740 of the plunder 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:26.720 that David had given, 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:27.820 so David had kind of 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.899 curried favour with him. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:30.419 And Achish believed 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:32.220 that David was loyal. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.680 The Philistine commander said, 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:35.799 no, come on, 00:11:36.099 --> 00:11:37.779 be sensible about this. 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:38.939 This is the man 00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:40.239 who killed Goliath. 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:40.839 This is the man 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:41.979 who's fought against us. 00:11:42.359 --> 00:11:43.099 This is the man 00:11:43.099 --> 00:11:43.679 who the Israelites 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.959 go around singing about. 00:11:45.439 --> 00:11:46.159 They sing about 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:47.419 the number of Philistines 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.379 that he's killed, 00:11:48.699 --> 00:11:50.279 that he's killed tens of thousands 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:52.919 where Saul has slain his thousands. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:55.839 He cannot be loyal to you. 00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.979 Achish doesn't believe them. 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.899 But he goes back to David again, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:01.359 probably rather sheepishly, 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.479 and says, 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.179 well, my commanders 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:04.359 won't go out to fight with me. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.539 If you're with me, 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:07.460 would you mind going back? 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:08.560 Go back to the city 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.200 where you are, 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:11.080 and we'll go out to battle. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:14.100 Now, I imagine at that point, 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:16.259 David must have been delighted. 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.220 Here was his opportunity 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.960 to avoid going to battle. 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:22.460 But he plays the game. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.519 He's keeping his deceit going, 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:27.340 and he avows his loyalty 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:28.840 to Achish. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:30.500 Is there anything 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:32.639 that you can find against me 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.780 from when I came 00:12:33.780 --> 00:12:35.060 until now? 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.700 Why can't I go 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:37.780 and fight? 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:39.980 Now, verse 8 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:40.780 is quite interesting 00:12:40.780 --> 00:12:41.240 because he says, 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.560 Why can't I go and fight 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.500 against the enemies 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.320 of my lord, 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:45.120 the king? 00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:47.040 Who is my lord, 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:47.860 the king? 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:49.180 Achish thought it was him. 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.620 Most commentators 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.080 seem to think 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:51.879 actually David 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.879 was meaning Saul. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:53.960 But he obviously 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:54.759 didn't want Achish 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.500 to know that. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.759 but that may well 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.419 have been what he meant. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.940 If he had to go to battle 00:12:58.940 --> 00:13:00.720 when Push came to Shav, 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.620 David may well have 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:04.460 turned on the Philistines 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:06.820 and supported the Israelites. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:09.080 Achish then pleads with him, 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:11.220 and eventually David goes back, 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.320 and next week we'll find out 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:14.440 what happened in chapter 30. 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.120 It was just as well 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:15.860 they went back 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:17.179 because he came back 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.759 to a pretty dreadful situation, 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.340 but I won't go into that 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:20.879 this evening. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.320 So that's the story. 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:25.480 What can we learn from it? 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:26.919 Three things 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.460 I'd like to take away 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.460 this evening. 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:32.480 The first is 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:35.419 God's unchanging purposes. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:38.600 Way back in chapter 16, 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.440 God had led Samuel 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.000 to Jesse's family. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.379 Samuel had anointed 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.500 David as king, 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:47.139 and from then on 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:49.519 David was going to be king. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.120 Now David did some 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.159 pretty silly things, 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:52.879 none more silly 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.879 than what we're thinking 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.779 about this evening. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.779 He did many, 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.179 many good things as well, 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:59.539 but he was God's chosen king, 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:01.360 and God's purpose 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.500 wasn't going to change. 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.519 And David was rescued 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.620 from the Philistines 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.919 in this chapter 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.600 so that God's purposes 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.879 could be fulfilled, 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:13.980 so that God's king 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.339 will be the one 00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:18.059 who rules over Israel. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.259 Despite all David's failures, 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:22.240 despite all the wrong 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:22.779 that he'd done, 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:24.539 and the silly things 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.840 he'd got involved in, 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.059 God's purpose 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.000 hadn't changed, 00:14:28.299 --> 00:14:29.960 and he was leading David 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:31.720 to his ultimate destiny 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:33.039 to be the king 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.720 of Israel. 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:36.879 Isn't it good for us 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.279 to know 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.939 that God's purposes 00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:39.639 for us 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.259 don't change? 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.840 We may be 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.200 unfaithful to him, 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:45.519 we may do things 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.480 that are very silly, 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:47.840 we may do things 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.039 that are very wrong, 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:51.080 but if we are in God's hands, 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:52.620 if our faith is in Christ, 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:55.180 if we are the children of God, 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:56.720 then God's purposes 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.639 will be carried out 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.920 in our lives. 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.420 And ultimately, 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:03.300 we will be made 00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:04.360 more like Christ, 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:06.139 ultimately we will be like Christ 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.420 when we go 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:09.180 to be with him. 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:11.179 The whole of Scripture 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.639 is the story 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.919 of how God's purposes 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.519 have been worked out 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:17.599 in human history. 00:15:18.359 --> 00:15:19.419 And right from the start 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:19.939 of Genesis 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:21.339 to the end of Revelation, 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:23.079 we see the unfolding 00:15:23.079 --> 00:15:24.239 of God's plan 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:26.419 and of God's purpose 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.799 for our lives. 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:29.120 And at times, 00:15:29.479 --> 00:15:30.299 people in Scripture 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:30.779 have been able 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.559 to look back 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:32.479 and they can say, 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.359 I didn't understand 00:15:33.359 --> 00:15:33.919 at the time 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.939 what was going on, 00:15:34.939 --> 00:15:36.219 but now I see 00:15:36.219 --> 00:15:38.459 what God's purpose was. 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:40.059 Great example of that 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:40.599 is Joseph. 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:41.799 Joseph in the Old Testament, 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.500 he's sold into slavery 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.439 by his brothers 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:46.899 and he goes down further 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.699 as he's unjustly accused 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:50.179 and put into prison. 00:15:50.739 --> 00:15:52.319 And then as he rises up 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.799 and has become 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.739 the second in command 00:15:54.739 --> 00:15:55.299 to Pharaoh 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.899 and his brothers come 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.219 and they're seeking 00:15:58.219 --> 00:15:58.939 his forgiveness, 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:01.139 Joseph can forgive them 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.859 because he said, 00:16:01.859 --> 00:16:03.599 you meant it for evil, 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.799 but God meant it for good. 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:08.679 God was fulfilling 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:10.240 his good purpose 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:12.599 even at the time 00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.599 when you were 00:16:13.599 --> 00:16:15.000 going against his will 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:16.539 and when it seemed 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.479 there was no good 00:16:17.479 --> 00:16:19.659 that could come of it. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.659 Young people in 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.620 Kids Church at the moment 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.139 are looking at 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:24.059 the book of Job 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:25.599 and right at the end 00:16:25.599 --> 00:16:26.359 of the book of Job 00:16:26.359 --> 00:16:27.859 having really wrestled 00:16:27.859 --> 00:16:30.199 with all the things 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.379 he'd been inflicted with, 00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.099 the loss of his riches, 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:34.179 the loss of his family, 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.399 the loss of his health 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.839 and really struggled 00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:37.839 to understand 00:16:37.839 --> 00:16:39.679 God's purposes in it. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.899 Job says in chapter 42, 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:44.199 I know that you can do 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:45.219 all things, 00:16:45.979 --> 00:16:48.259 no purpose of yours 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.299 can be thwarted. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:52.179 Let's take confidence 00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.679 in that this evening, 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.359 that whatever happens 00:16:55.359 --> 00:16:56.819 to us in life, 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.419 whatever difficulties 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.599 we go through, 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.959 if we're in God's hands, 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:03.560 we can have the confidence 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:05.380 that he will work things 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.819 for what is best for us, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.340 that his purposes 00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:10.980 ultimately will be fulfilled. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:13.420 God's purposes don't change 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:15.579 and despite human frailty 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.960 and failure, 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.299 he will bring them about. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.240 Second thing I think 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:25.079 we can learn from this chapter 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:28.940 is about God's unexpected servants. 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:31.180 One of the books I read 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.299 had as the heading 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.000 for his commentary 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.940 in this chapter, 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.860 accepting the Philistines 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:37.559 as your personal saviour. 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.600 Now obviously he's trying 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.240 to be a bit funny 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.700 in doing that, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.860 I'm not sure it worked that well, 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:42.940 but it got the point across 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:45.240 that it was the Philistines 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:47.380 through whom God worked 00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:49.460 to fulfil his purposes. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.400 It was these leaders 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:53.220 who were so against Israel 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:55.000 and against David 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.660 and yet through them 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.720 God brought about 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.920 what he intended. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:01.079 He saved his servant David 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.259 from having to get 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.380 into that situation 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:04.019 where he's fighting 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:05.120 against his own people 00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:06.980 or turning against those 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:09.240 who had given him refuge. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.500 And as we read 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.380 through the Old Testament, 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.559 particularly in the New Testament 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:13.819 as well, 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.940 particularly Old Testament, 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.700 we see time and again 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.819 how God uses those 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:21.120 who have no knowledge of him 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:23.519 and no desire to serve him, 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.860 but he uses them 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:27.339 to help fulfil his purposes. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:30.000 Particularly as the Israelites 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.740 fail time and time again 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:33.900 and God wants to discipline them 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.000 for their sin. 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:37.480 It is the nations round about, 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:39.240 these heathen, pagan nations 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.600 who have no respect 00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:41.680 for the God of Israel 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:43.860 and worship their own false gods. 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.200 They are the ones 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:47.579 whom God uses as his servants, 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:50.660 as those who will bring about 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.299 his purposes. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:54.200 And when we come to 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.919 the New Testament 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:57.539 and we come to the death 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.500 of the Lord Jesus, 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.740 that was God's purpose 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.180 that Christ should die. 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.519 And those evil men, 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:05.839 Judas, 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.039 the leaders of the Jews, 00:19:07.159 --> 00:19:08.159 the Romans and so on, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.419 those who brought about 00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:10.740 the death of the Lord Jesus, 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.819 they were also bringing about 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.879 God's purpose 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:15.279 and making sure 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.299 that his will was done. 00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:21.899 God uses unexpected people, 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:23.859 often godless people, 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:26.200 to bring about his purposes. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.539 And we need to be very careful 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.919 that we don't limit 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:30.079 what God can do 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:32.200 or who God can use. 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.700 We would generally think 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:35.099 the people that God uses 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:37.220 are those who are spiritual, 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.659 who are godly, 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.960 who follow the Lord Jesus closely 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.960 and are really committed to him. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.200 And God does use such people 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:46.900 clearly in many, many ways. 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.860 But our God is so big 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.720 and so great 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.720 and so wise 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.100 that he can use 00:19:52.100 --> 00:19:54.759 even the most unexpected people 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:56.720 for his glory. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.500 It's a little story. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.420 I don't know if it's true, 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.340 but it's quite amusing. 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:02.640 There was a woman 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.000 who was very poor 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:06.059 and also was very godly, 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.340 a Christian woman. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.799 And at one stage, 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.640 she got to the point 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.019 where she had no food 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.200 in her house. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.420 And so she prayed to God 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:16.119 that he would provide 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.960 for her needs. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.420 Now as this happens, 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.559 this woman had a neighbour 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.519 who wasn't a Christian, 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.240 who was an atheist, 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.539 had no interesting 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.619 Christian things 00:20:24.619 --> 00:20:26.779 and she heard the woman praying. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.240 And she thought, 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.759 I can play a little trick 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.440 on her here. 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:31.900 So what she did 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.559 was she went out 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.579 and bought some bread 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:35.539 and she put it in the doorstep 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.420 and waited for the Christian woman 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:39.500 to come out and find it. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.720 Of course, when she came out, 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.360 she was full of thanksgiving 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.660 to God that he had answered 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.200 her prayer 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.759 and that he had provided 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.120 for her needs. 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.620 Another woman came and said, 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:50.440 sorry, you've got it wrong. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.259 It wasn't God who provided. 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:54.140 It was me. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.319 And the Christian woman 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.440 immediately retorted, 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.620 no, it was God who provided. 00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.279 He just used the devil 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.059 to do it. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.860 I thought that was 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.579 quite an interesting story. 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.539 I don't know if it's true or not, 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.860 but it actually illustrates 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.420 the point 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:08.180 that very often people 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.940 do things 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:10.340 and they don't necessarily 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:12.620 do them for the right reasons. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.180 And yet God 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.960 can use them. 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.220 And that must be 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.460 an encouragement to us as well. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.019 An encouragement 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.340 that God can use 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:23.340 even people like you 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.519 and me. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.120 We are all flawed. 00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:27.720 We have all failed. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.299 We have all done things 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.820 we shouldn't 00:21:29.820 --> 00:21:30.620 and not done things 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.100 we should. 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:32.759 We've done some very silly things. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.779 And we, 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.140 I'm sure most of us 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:36.019 and not all of us, 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.440 feel really unworthy 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.400 to be used 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:40.319 as God's servants. 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.099 And yet we are 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.279 the kind of people 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.240 whom God 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.859 chooses 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:46.180 to use. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.940 Many of God's servants 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.299 in the scriptures 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.680 who are most fruitful 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.500 in their ministry 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.660 were people who say, 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:52.859 well, 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:54.240 how could they ever 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.420 be used by God? 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.859 Jonah. 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:57.259 Jonah who turned 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.319 into a great missionary 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.339 who turned a whole city 00:21:59.339 --> 00:21:59.779 around 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:02.180 to worshipping God. 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:04.080 and yet only did that 00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:05.120 after he'd run away 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.279 and been swallowed 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.060 by the fish 00:22:07.060 --> 00:22:08.560 and been really chastened 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:09.640 by God. 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.220 Peter who failed 00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.500 time and time again 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.660 so impetuous 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:15.380 so full of himself 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:18.720 and so in many ways 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.440 quite arrogant 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.640 and proud 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.400 of his own capabilities 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:25.440 until the Lord's crucifixion. 00:22:26.060 --> 00:22:27.820 Peter then becomes humble 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:29.880 and becomes used by God 00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.799 as the one who 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.820 the day of Pentecost 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.799 preached this sermon 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.539 where thousands of people 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:36.700 come to know Christ. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.720 And we can think of 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.639 lots of other examples. 00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:42.579 Never limit the ways 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.339 in which God 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:44.359 can use you 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.519 and don't feel 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.559 because you're inadequate 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.599 and we all are 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:49.539 that God can't use us. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.359 And that's not an excuse 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.399 to keep on doing 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.179 what we feel like 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:52.779 and thinking God 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.659 will use us anyway. 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:55.919 We really want to be like Christ 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:57.259 and to grow more like him 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.579 in our lives. 00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.839 But don't think 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.679 because you've failed 00:23:00.679 --> 00:23:01.240 in your life 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.000 because you've not 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.819 followed God 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:03.599 or worked for him 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.419 as you should have 00:23:04.419 --> 00:23:05.899 that he's not able 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.939 to use you. 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.839 God uses 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:10.259 the most unexpected people 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:12.259 as his servants. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:16.519 And then finally, 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:18.059 I think this chapter 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.920 brings to us 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:21.779 God's unlimited grace. 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.720 Because it's all about 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.660 the grace of God 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.240 to David, 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.000 isn't it? 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.440 That David has messed up 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.700 and God 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.559 takes him out 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:33.099 of that situation 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:35.759 because of his grace. 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.940 David deserved 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.680 nothing 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.240 but what he would have got 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.299 had he had to go out 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:42.059 with the Philistines 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:43.539 and face that dilemma. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.859 He got himself 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.660 into a mess 00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.900 and he deserved 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.240 to bear the consequences 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.880 of that mess. 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.380 Instead, 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:53.019 God acts in the situation, 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:53.720 acts through 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:55.880 these Philistine commanders 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:58.160 and he lets David away 00:23:58.160 --> 00:24:00.420 with no stainless character, 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.720 no dilemma at the end 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.279 to face 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:04.019 and able to go on then 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.599 and to serve God 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:07.420 and to be king. 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:09.920 And that's a reminder to us, 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.460 isn't it, 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.820 of the unlimited grace 00:24:11.820 --> 00:24:13.680 that God has for us. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.380 Yes, we fail time 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.240 and time again. 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.900 Yes, we're sinful 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.759 and will be sinful 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.480 for as long 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.580 as we live 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.800 on this earth. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.960 But our God's grace 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.580 is greater 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.840 than our sin 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:27.700 and his forgiveness 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.940 is greater 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.800 than our failure. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.880 Isn't it great 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.360 for what we're thinking 00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:33.960 of this morning, 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:35.420 there's no condemnation 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.180 condemnation 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.440 for those who are 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.340 in Christ Jesus. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.519 However bad we are, 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:42.759 however bad we've been, 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.779 because of the grace of God 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:46.019 and his love for us, 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:48.279 then we have forgiveness 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.880 if we know Jesus 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:51.340 as Saviour. 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.860 Jesus has taken 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.480 our punishment, 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.519 taken our place 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.740 on the cross 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.519 and because of that 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.700 we are forgiven 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.600 even as we continue 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.660 to sin. 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:03.080 Not that we should 00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.900 deliberately sin, 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.580 that's our last part, 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.480 the argument of Paul 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:05.960 in Romans, 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.220 we don't sin 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.880 so that grace 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:09.200 may abound more. 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.700 We want to become 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.480 more like Jesus 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.500 and to live lives 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.060 of holiness. 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.660 And yet we know 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.820 that when we do fall, 00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:17.100 when we confess 00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:17.800 our sins, 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:18.880 he is faithful 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.460 and just 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.380 and he forgives 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.240 us our sins 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.759 and cleanses us 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.720 from all 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:25.240 unrighteousness. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.340 Now in this situation, 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.140 David got away, 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.840 as I said earlier, 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.519 scot-free. 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:31.220 He didn't have to face 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.059 the consequences 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.900 of his failure. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.600 Now that's not 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:36.460 always the case. 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.380 Even when we are 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.500 forgiven by God, 00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.740 sometimes there are 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.759 still consequences 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.600 we need to face 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.360 and a great example 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.600 of that is David 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.620 in 2 Samuel. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.400 David in 2 Samuel 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.299 where he goes wrong 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:47.940 and is adultery 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.799 with Bathsheba 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.220 and then the murder 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.039 of Uriah 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:53.180 and he's brought up 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.759 by Nathan 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.539 who points out 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.220 his sin 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.940 and David 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.740 is thinking 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.480 I'm going to be 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.440 punished by God 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.220 for this 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.080 I'm going to die 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.680 because of what 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.220 I've done 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.320 and Nathan says 00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:04.420 no you won't die 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.799 God is gracious 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:07.420 God is forgiving 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:09.620 but there will be 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.640 consequences. 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:11.940 First consequence 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.660 was the death 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.200 of the baby 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.779 that came out 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.400 of the union 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.940 and then further 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.440 consequence 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.279 down the line 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.380 in terms of 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.160 David's family 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.120 ending up 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.240 tearing itself 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.120 apart. 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.559 And for us too 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.460 sometimes there will 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.240 be consequences 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.519 of our sin. 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.660 Even though 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.640 we've been forgiven 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.060 even though 00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:30.880 we've experienced 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.940 the grace of God 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:33.220 to some extent 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.980 we may still 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.640 have to live 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.540 in this world 00:26:35.540 --> 00:26:37.160 with the consequences 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:39.360 of what we've done. 00:26:40.020 --> 00:26:40.840 And perhaps some of us 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.780 are in that situation 00:26:41.780 --> 00:26:42.420 this evening 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.620 that there are things 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.240 in our past 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.300 that we look back on 00:26:45.300 --> 00:26:46.259 and they're still 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.040 causing problems 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:47.820 in our lives 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.660 in our families 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:50.240 in our relationships 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.660 or whatever. 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.540 But even if we're 00:26:53.540 --> 00:26:54.620 in that situation 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:56.420 it's good to know 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.380 as David did 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.640 that when the sin 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.560 was confessed 00:26:59.560 --> 00:27:01.380 and when forgiveness 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.200 was sought 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.600 God's grace 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.960 was unlimited. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.080 And even though 00:27:07.080 --> 00:27:07.940 the consequences 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.960 would come 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:10.279 still the forgiveness 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.080 was there 00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:12.060 the grace 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:12.680 had been 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.759 experienced. 00:27:15.060 --> 00:27:15.820 I think that 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:16.660 should be one 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.600 of the great things 00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:18.120 we take away 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.940 from both morning 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.420 and evening today. 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.160 The grace 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.160 of God 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.160 for us. 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.400 As we're thinking 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.100 this morning 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.080 the work 00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:26.820 of the Father 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.860 the Son 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:29.519 and the Holy Spirit 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.720 in our lives 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.940 and the great 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.580 relationships 00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:33.960 we have with them 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:35.360 and the way 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:35.980 that they can 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.820 help us 00:27:36.820 --> 00:27:38.800 through day-to-day life. 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.680 And this evening 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.860 as we thought 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:42.560 of the grace 00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:44.140 that David experienced 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.480 and the thing 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.120 that he got 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:46.820 from God 00:27:46.820 --> 00:27:48.259 this freedom 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.700 that he didn't deserve 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.980 let's rejoice 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.580 that that is 00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:53.060 our experience too 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.740 and let's 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.619 be aware 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.500 this week 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.319 of the grace 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.879 of God 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:59.039 in our lives 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:00.079 as we seek 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.960 to serve him 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.500 and follow him. 00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.059 I want to end 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.859 by reading a verse 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.740 of one of my 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.500 favourite songs 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.000 about grace 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.559 it's one we have 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.119 sung in the church 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.679 in the past 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:09.740 though not for 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.740 quite a long time 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.700 but I think 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.940 it's really powerful 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.480 and let's just 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.579 soak in these words 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.940 as we meditate 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.839 on God's 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:18.119 goodness to us. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.379 It says 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:21.059 grace unmeasured 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:22.500 vast and free 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.180 that knew me 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.000 from eternity 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.819 that called me 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:27.140 out before my birth 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:28.539 to bring you 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:30.339 glory on this earth 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:32.259 grace amazing 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.180 pure and deep 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:33.920 that saw me 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.640 in my misery 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:36.799 that took my curse 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.700 and owned my blame 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:40.460 so I could bear 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.799 your righteous name 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:44.039 grace paid for my sins 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:45.240 and brought me to life 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:47.000 grace clothes me 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.579 with power 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.779 to do what is right 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.779 grace will lead me 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.399 to heaven 00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.339 where I'll see 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:53.039 your face 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.460 and I'll never 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.680 cease to thank you 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.920 for your grace. 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:59.339 Let's pray together. 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.259 Our Father 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.839 we thank you 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.599 for your word 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.319 to us this evening. 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.839 We thank you 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.279 that although 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.099 it is about 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.139 a different time 00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:10.200 and a very 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.180 different situation 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.779 from what 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.480 most of us 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.519 are likely to face 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:15.240 yet it is so 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.240 relevant and 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.319 meaningful to us. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:19.019 we thank you 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.399 that you are 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:19.879 the God 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.539 who fulfills 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.240 your purposes 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:23.079 and whose purpose 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.480 can never be thwarted 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:26.299 even as we may 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.960 do silly 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.720 and sinful things. 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.119 We thank you 00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.480 that you are 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.939 the God 00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:31.619 who can use 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.359 even us 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.500 flawed 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:35.639 and unspiritual 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.419 in many ways 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:37.539 as we are 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:38.619 yet you are 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.099 the God 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.740 who is willing 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:41.240 to use your servants 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.779 and even at times 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.779 to use those 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.679 who wouldn't 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.439 own your name 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.220 to fulfil 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.519 your purposes. 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.820 And we thank you 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.240 above all 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.700 that you are 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.600 a God of grace 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:52.240 that as we have 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.759 failed 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.980 so you sent 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.420 your son 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.920 to deal 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.900 with that failure 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:57.440 as we should 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.299 have been condemned 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.740 so your son 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.559 came and took 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.240 our place 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.100 and took 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:02.779 our punishment. 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.140 Help us 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:04.740 to marvel 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.620 in your grace 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.100 daily 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.660 as we come 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.180 to you 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.400 as we 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:10.720 confess our sins 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.980 and as we know 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.680 that our sins 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.279 are forgiven 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.700 through the death 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.900 of the Lord Jesus. 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:16.940 We thank you 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.420 for your word 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.180 to us this evening. 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.140 We pray that you 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.720 will help us 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.460 through this week 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.680 to live as those 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.360 who are followers 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:23.279 of the Lord Jesus 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:25.420 and to serve him well 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.440 and to witness 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.019 to others 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.960 about him. 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.259 We give you our thanks 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.279 in his name. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.240 Amen.