WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.379 Let me begin with a question. 00:00:03.980 --> 00:00:08.820 How good are you at saying hard things to people you care about? 00:00:09.960 --> 00:00:10.880 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:48.560 What about if you thought that your friend was about to risk their marriage by starting an affair? 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:50.060 Would you be willing to warn them about it? 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:56.060 Or what if your work colleague had made a really embarrassing mess of a presentation? 00:00:56.060 --> 00:01:00.719 And that presentation is going to later be made before the board. 00:01:02.020 --> 00:01:05.980 Would you be willing to brave your friend's defensiveness or perhaps even her anger 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:10.579 by suggesting that it might be improved even though she thought it was brilliant? 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:19.700 My guess is in each of those scenarios the answer to that question really comes down to how much do you care about? 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:23.960 How concerned are you about them? 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:32.219 And it's likely that each one of us will only begin that kind of potentially very difficult conversation 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:35.820 like the ones I just mentioned if we really, really care about the other person. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:42.219 Or to push it a little bit further, we could say that we'd only speak to them 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:50.760 if we were more concerned about their good and their well-being than our comfort and our reputation. 00:01:50.760 --> 00:01:53.780 And then in those situations we would, wouldn't we? 00:01:53.800 --> 00:01:55.240 We'd be willing to say the hard stuff. 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:00.719 And as we come to Isaiah, I imagine that some of you come with a little feeling of struggle. 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:06.300 And there may be a number of reasons why we get to kind of Isaiah 21 and it's a little bit of a bind 00:02:06.300 --> 00:02:09.980 because Isaiah hasn't excited us maybe as it should have. 00:02:09.979 --> 00:02:13.519 Because Isaiah so far has primarily been about judgment. 00:02:15.019 --> 00:02:20.879 And God says some very hard stuff doesn't he to the people of Judah in this book and by implication to us. 00:02:21.859 --> 00:02:24.959 And he says it over and over again. 00:02:26.459 --> 00:02:29.139 And we've already seen that in the chapters we've come to. 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:31.879 We're going to see it again as we work through the coming chapters. 00:02:32.339 --> 00:02:33.479 Through the chapter 39. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:38.879 But the question is, why does God say so much hard stuff? 00:02:40.079 --> 00:02:41.699 And the answer is because he really cares. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:44.039 He really cares about his people. 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:53.519 In fact, the astonishing truth of the Bible is that God is more passionately committed to your good than even you are. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.879 And that means God is willing to say the hard things. 00:02:57.239 --> 00:03:02.019 He is apparently willing to tell us the consequences of what will happen if we run away from him. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:06.060 God tells you what will happen if you rebel against him. 00:03:06.420 --> 00:03:07.480 If you ignore him. 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:10.200 And he does it in order to woo you back. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:13.920 To call you back to the abundant life that he intends for each one of us. 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:16.340 And that is what we'll be seeing over the next few weeks. 00:03:17.200 --> 00:03:22.120 He is continually saying the hard stuff because God wants you to go back to him. 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:28.400 And in today's chapter we're going to particularly see that Isaiah is going to move us from a place of judgment. 00:03:29.080 --> 00:03:30.759 To a place of salvation. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:32.240 A place of rescue. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:37.599 And then he's going to show us what is the key from moving from a place of judgment to a place of rescue. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:40.219 So three sections. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:43.159 First of all I want us to think about God's judgment of sin. 00:03:44.040 --> 00:03:46.640 And then quickly I want us to see the sin that God here judges. 00:03:47.300 --> 00:03:49.960 And then I want to think about the key from moving from one to the other. 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:53.800 So this chapter comes in sort of a new section for Isaiah. 00:03:54.200 --> 00:03:55.740 The new section begins in chapter 28. 00:03:56.920 --> 00:04:02.020 And one of the ways that we know that the new section has begun is there's a series of woes. 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:05.400 The beginning of chapter 8. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:07.480 It really should be woe. 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:09.400 It says are the proud crowd of the drunkards. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:13.800 It's woe to the proud crowds of the drunkards of Ephraim. 00:04:14.980 --> 00:04:15.840 And we've moved. 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:16.860 There's a new king in town. 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:22.000 We've moved from the time of King Ahaz of Judah to his son King Hezekiah. 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:26.879 And Hezekiah seems to be a little bit better. 00:04:27.520 --> 00:04:29.220 He seems to be a more godly king. 00:04:30.020 --> 00:04:32.639 Hezekiah's heart is set on seeking God. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:34.379 However he struggles. 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:41.460 And Hezekiah struggles as his father did with longing to go into big political alliances. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:46.219 To save the nation by aligning himself with neighbouring nations. 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:47.680 For their security. 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:49.379 Instead of trusting in God. 00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:53.060 He thinks the way to security is trusting in the other nations. 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:56.799 And specifically Hezekiah is thrown in his lot with Egypt. 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:02.639 And he's thinking they will protect our little country of Judah from the superpower of Assyria. 00:05:03.919 --> 00:05:06.919 And we're going to see that that is going to turn very pear shaped indeed. 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:11.340 And underneath this basic lack of trust. 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:14.500 We're going to see that there's a number of really serious issues. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:21.140 That have continued to sever the relationship between the people of God Judah and God himself. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:24.800 And all of that brings a declaration of judgment. 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:26.319 So look at chapter 29. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:27.500 Ah Ariel. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:28.379 Ariel. 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:30.040 The city where David encamped. 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:31.819 Add year to year. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:34.279 Let the feasts run there round. 00:05:34.599 --> 00:05:36.000 Yet I will distress Ariel. 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:38.279 And there shall be moaning and lamentation. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:40.339 And she shall be like an Ariel. 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:42.699 And I will encamp against you all around. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:44.899 And I will besiege you with towers. 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:47.839 And I will rage siege works against you. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:49.560 And you will be brought low. 00:05:50.219 --> 00:05:51.319 From the earth you shall speak. 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:53.019 From the dust your speech shall be bowed down. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:56.000 Your voice shall come from the ground like the voice of a ghost. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:59.399 And from the dust your speech shall be just like a whisper. 00:06:00.919 --> 00:06:04.039 Well the first thing you've got to think of is what on earth is this Ariel? 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:06.359 Now what comes to your mind? 00:06:07.459 --> 00:06:09.579 What comes to your mind when you hear that kind of thing? 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:10.379 I asked the children. 00:06:11.299 --> 00:06:13.719 And they said something from The Little Mermaid. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:15.919 Which I had no idea. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:17.699 There's a song about Ariel. 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:18.680 But I don't know about you. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:20.459 What comes to my mind when you think of Ariel? 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:20.959 What is it? 00:06:21.659 --> 00:06:22.620 Watching poker isn't it? 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:24.539 And doesn't that seem to fit? 00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:26.740 Isaiah 1. 00:06:27.099 --> 00:06:30.180 Your sins shall be washed whiter than the snow. 00:06:31.419 --> 00:06:32.979 However that's very very unlikely as that. 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:36.319 If you look at Wikipedia. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:38.599 That trusted source of information. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:40.419 You'll find out won't you. 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:42.279 That actually it's got Ariel this word. 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:44.699 It's got quite a few reference points in our modern culture. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:46.879 But none of those is what Isaiah is getting at. 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:53.659 The reason that he uses this word Ariel is because he's going to use the word Ariel to refer to the city. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.139 So we get the answer right away. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:58.259 It's the city where David settled. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.620 What's the city where David settled? 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:00.139 Jerusalem. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:00.219 Jerusalem. 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:01.919 God's capital city. 00:07:02.979 --> 00:07:05.579 And we're actually given the answer in verse 2. 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:09.279 There should be a footnote. 00:07:10.159 --> 00:07:12.800 Ariel means altar hearth. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:13.939 You know you have a fire. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:15.780 And you have a hearth of the fire. 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:19.020 And you put the wood onto the hearth in preparation for it. 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:19.579 Burn it. 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:23.800 And Jerusalem was an altar hearth. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.500 In the sense that it was in a positive way. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.699 It was where the sacrifices took place. 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.659 It was where people went to atone for their sin. 00:07:33.039 --> 00:07:35.539 And it was where people went to bring offerings to God. 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:41.620 And Isaiah says the problem now is that God intends the whole city to be an Ariel. 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:44.480 To be something that will be destroyed by fire. 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:47.519 God now intends the whole city to become an altar hearth. 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:48.539 Fire will come. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:51.919 And it will consume the offering won't it. 00:07:51.919 --> 00:07:54.000 And fire will come and consume the city. 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:57.419 So in verse 3 God says I'll encamp around you. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:07:59.259 Just like David encamped around Jerusalem. 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:03.920 There was a time wasn't there when it was inhabited by Jebusites. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:06.219 And now God is going to encamp around. 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:09.120 God is going to come against this city. 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:11.079 And you will mourn and lament. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:12.579 And then we're told in verse 4. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.019 And you will be brought low. 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:17.699 You will be brought low. 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:18.079 Why? 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:20.039 Because God is the one who judges sin. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:22.579 And God won't let you get away with it. 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:26.199 And that will actually follow us from verses 5 to 8. 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:27.800 It's a little bit of a surprise to the reader. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:33.120 Because in these verses what you find is God says there'll come a time when I'll change sides. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:36.860 There'll come a time when I will flip. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:44.240 And I will become the great defender of the city of Jerusalem against their enemies. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:50.440 So that the fire on the altar half is now going to end up consuming the attackers. 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:53.919 And so the city in the end will be delivered. 00:08:53.919 --> 00:09:01.339 But the reversal of circumstances clearly isn't because the people of Jerusalem have got their act together. 00:09:01.479 --> 00:09:01.620 Have they? 00:09:01.819 --> 00:09:02.860 In verses 9 and 10. 00:09:03.839 --> 00:09:06.379 We're told what are the people like in the city of Jerusalem. 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:10.759 Well they're exactly like God had told Isaiah they would be like in Isaiah 6. 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:11.759 Do you remember that commission? 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:17.319 Where Isaiah says, God says to Isaiah you'll go and you'll preach your heart out. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.539 And the only response you'll get is rejection. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:23.759 And that seems to be fulfilled doesn't it in verses 9 and 10. 00:09:24.099 --> 00:09:26.579 The people will dig deeper into their unbelief. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.039 They are stunned. 00:09:28.219 --> 00:09:28.539 They are blind. 00:09:29.219 --> 00:09:31.740 They are like drunk men as God has judged their unbelief. 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:33.879 The further unbelief. 00:09:35.199 --> 00:09:41.439 And so in verse 13 we're specifically told what is the sin that so grieves God here. 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:45.260 So secondly see the sin that God will judge. 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:46.660 Here's the sin God judges. 00:09:46.820 --> 00:09:47.460 Verse 13. 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:49.920 Because these people draw near me with their mouth. 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:52.320 And they honour me with their lips. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:56.600 But their hearts are far from me. 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:00.580 And their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. 00:10:02.280 --> 00:10:03.620 God comes down in judgment. 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:06.820 On the people here for their traditionalism. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.800 For their formalism. 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.839 For their practices. 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:13.599 That they are totally external. 00:10:14.359 --> 00:10:16.299 That they are completely cut off. 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:19.319 From the internal transformation of the heart. 00:10:20.219 --> 00:10:21.599 Which is interesting isn't it? 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.519 Because that is the verse. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:25.339 Is this verse. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.959 Isaiah 29 verse 13. 00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:30.099 That Jesus quotes when he deals with the Pharisees. 00:10:30.199 --> 00:10:31.359 And the religious people of his day. 00:10:32.939 --> 00:10:34.959 And he tells them of their religiosity. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:37.980 He tells them of their hypocrisy. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:39.639 And their traditions. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:42.639 And I always find it interesting. 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:45.200 That this is the sin that Jesus seems to go after. 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:46.280 More than any other sin. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:48.700 You'd think wouldn't you. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.460 He'd be chasing down the immoral of the day. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:53.660 The people who are doing the really big sins. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:56.420 The sins we can easily identify. 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:59.959 But much as he's got a problem with. 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.639 Any kind of lifestyle. 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:03.879 That goes against the truth of God's word. 00:11:04.139 --> 00:11:05.699 He leaves his strongest words. 00:11:06.939 --> 00:11:09.339 His hardest condemnation is for religious people. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:11.439 For people like us. 00:11:12.599 --> 00:11:13.599 For people who go to church. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:14.939 Sunday after Sunday. 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:17.519 For people who can sing the hymns by memory. 00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:20.679 For people who can probably say the Lord's Prayer backwards. 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:22.740 For people who've got their Bibles open. 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.419 On their laps as the preacher preaches. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:26.439 But on the inside they are dead. 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.519 And they're empty rituals. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:31.959 And it's really. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:34.559 It's so easy to spot it in others. 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:38.179 It's so easy to spot it in Catholicism. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:40.579 It's so easy to spot it in the Orthodox. 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:46.120 It's so easy to spot it in churches. 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:49.039 Where sin gets totally out of hand and carried away. 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.439 But the Lord says. 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.299 What about you leaving? 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.139 What about you? 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:56.500 You want to be with your lips. 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:57.599 But where's your heart? 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:02.120 And I wonder what your answer would be to God this morning. 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:03.120 Jesus. 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:04.179 If he asked you that. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:08.459 If you were to take a brief inventory of your heart. 00:12:08.579 --> 00:12:09.899 Through the first part of this service. 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:12.459 And ask yourself. 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:14.299 When you sang those opening words. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:15.679 Did you taste the truth? 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.120 Did you? 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.159 Did you? 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:22.360 There dwells the Lord our King. 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:24.719 The Lord our righteousness. 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.360 Victorious over death and sin. 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.639 The Prince of Peace. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.899 On Zion's sacred height. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.500 His kingdom he maintains. 00:12:35.339 --> 00:12:37.740 And glorious with his saints in light. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.059 Forever reigns. 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.279 Did you taste that truth? 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:43.879 Or was your mind elsewhere? 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:47.259 Were your lips moving? 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:50.379 But your heart's another place. 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:53.299 And as we prayed. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.819 Was your heart stirred by that? 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.100 Or were you thinking about this afternoon? 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.179 Or what you've got this week? 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:02.259 And these are important questions. 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:04.079 Because they address. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:07.019 Matters that matter most to God. 00:13:08.739 --> 00:13:10.339 And they matter most to Jesus. 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:14.199 I'm not saying that it's absolutely terrible. 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:17.120 If your mind goes off somewhere during a worship service. 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.120 I'm not saying that. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:20.079 But if there is a pattern. 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:23.039 Where Sunday by Sunday you come. 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:24.399 And you are not engaging. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.339 That is a red flag. 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:28.500 And that is a red flag. 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:29.920 Because Jesus says it's the heart. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.519 The heart of the matter. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:33.800 Is the matter of the human heart. 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:36.680 I don't know if you've seen. 00:13:36.780 --> 00:13:37.899 There's a viral video. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.420 Called Why I Hate Religion. 00:13:39.540 --> 00:13:40.480 But I Love Jesus. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:43.360 It's by Jefferson Beth Key. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.920 He's a guy in Seattle. 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:49.280 It's not actually that brilliant. 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:50.200 But there's parts of it I think. 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:52.580 Because he's had 31 million views. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.280 There's a video of me preaching on YouTube. 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:57.279 That's about 15 views. 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.439 That's my brother mainly. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.759 So I'm slightly jealous. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:04.339 But Jefferson Beth Key is not completely right. 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:04.519 Is he? 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.959 Because religion. 00:14:06.339 --> 00:14:07.720 The Bible uses the word religion. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.959 There are times when the Bible speaks about religion. 00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:12.620 And it's neutral. 00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:14.779 There are times when the Bible speaks about religion. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.600 And it's positive. 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:18.319 And so Beth Key does overstate his case. 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:20.620 He should have described it as false religion. 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:22.179 Or man-made tradition. 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:24.319 Or legalistic religion. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.040 But that obviously doesn't rhyme as well. 00:14:26.760 --> 00:14:27.920 But let me give you a portion. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:30.340 Of what he spoke. 00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:33.340 Religion might preach grace. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.920 But another thing they practice. 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.800 Tend to ridicule God's people. 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:39.680 They did it to John the Baptist. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.960 They can't fix their problems. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.280 So they just mask it. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:47.060 Not realizing that religion is like spraying perfume on a casket. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:50.759 See the problem with religion is it never gets to the core. 00:14:51.079 --> 00:14:52.619 It's just behavior modification. 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.119 Like a long list of chores. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:56.559 Like let's dress up on the outside. 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:58.019 Make look nice and neat. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:58.959 But it's funny. 00:14:59.059 --> 00:15:00.539 That's what they used to do to mummies. 00:15:00.599 --> 00:15:02.479 While the corpse rots underneath. 00:15:03.099 --> 00:15:04.259 It's terrible poetry. 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.339 But can you see? 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:08.039 That is what they did. 00:15:08.719 --> 00:15:10.079 That's what the Pharisees did. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:13.080 And it's what Isaiah's audience were up to. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:16.820 And there's a real danger that you and I are up to it too. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:22.180 And you see God cares for you too much to let that go. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:24.560 He cares too much about how his people. 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:31.979 The problem isn't so much that you've got lots of things going on in your head this morning. 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:32.919 And you can't concentrate. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.759 That is not the problem. 00:15:35.219 --> 00:15:36.879 And the problem isn't we've got other things to worry about. 00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:37.679 That's not the problem. 00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:45.079 The problem is deep down we think we don't need God. 00:15:48.099 --> 00:15:50.079 That is what takes us in this direction. 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:51.879 I found this very helpful quote from Mark Deva. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:56.240 Where he says that spiritual hypocrisy comes from making an idol of rejecting Jesus. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:16:01.740 Spiritual hypocrisy comes from making an idol of rejecting Jesus. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.500 Think about that. 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.879 And if that stings it's supposed to. 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:10.840 God cares too much for you to leave you alone this morning. 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:15.120 And when you and I pretend in our spiritual lives. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:17.299 We basically say I'm alright. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.240 I can do this on my own. 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.759 I don't need Jesus. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:25.159 And underneath the spiritual veneer. 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.419 Underneath the pretense. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:30.159 Is a heart that thinks it doesn't need the saviour. 00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:34.720 It's a heart that basically says I've got this religion thing covered. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:38.320 It's a heart that sees God as some kind of accessory to your life. 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:40.080 But when push comes to shove. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.460 He's ultimately expendable. 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:45.080 And that is such a dangerous path. 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:47.060 Because let me show you where that path ends up. 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:49.300 Isaiah does that in verses 15 to 16. 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:52.639 He says our again should be woe. 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:56.879 Woe you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel. 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.420 Whose deeds are in the dark. 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.340 And who say who sees us. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.320 Who knows us. 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:04.299 You turn things upside down. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.039 Shall the potter be regarded as the clay. 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.600 That the thing made should save its maker. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.580 He did not make me. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.720 For the thing formed of him who formed it. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.279 Say he has no understanding. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.059 It is not yet a very little while. 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.860 You have come to nothing. 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:23.699 Isaiah says that kind of formalism. 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.839 That he's talking about. 00:17:26.219 --> 00:17:27.359 And Jesus talks about. 00:17:27.459 --> 00:17:28.619 That kind of traditionalism. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.479 Eventually leads you. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:33.599 To the exclusion from God completely in your life. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:37.500 Alec Matias said this in his commentary. 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.819 We end up saying that God is no more than we are. 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:41.579 Which comes from a spirit of self-sufficiency. 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:44.559 That God has nothing to do with what we are. 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:46.199 Which is a spirit of spiritual arrogance. 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:48.779 And that God is actually less than we are. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:51.740 Which comes from a spirit of thoughtless stupidity. 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:54.519 It is a denial of God's distinctiveness. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.160 A denial of God's sovereignty. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.599 A denial of his wisdom. 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:59.920 And that denial of God's distinctiveness. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.539 Sovereignty and wisdom. 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:04.079 Are the stepping stones on the way to eternal judgment. 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:07.539 All of which starts so innocently. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.920 With respectable formalism. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:13.779 And that is the sin that God judges. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:15.420 And Isaiah doesn't back down on this. 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:18.099 He doesn't back down on this judgment. 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.759 But as we have seen with Isaiah. 00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:24.059 You will remember that Isaiah so often begins with judgment. 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:26.019 But then he takes us for a picture of hope. 00:18:28.179 --> 00:18:29.359 He begins with judgment. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:31.179 But then he takes us for a picture of salvation. 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.939 Because he wants to wake you up. 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:35.179 Out of the stupor of pretending and unbelief. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:40.019 And one of the ways he does that is he points us again and again to a glorious future. 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:43.519 And he wants to give you this forever perspective. 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:47.100 This perspective that says this is not the be all and end all. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:50.740 There is something beyond this world that you need to be focused on. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:54.559 And that is really what verses 17 to 24 are about. 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:56.559 Let me just read you verses 18 to 21. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:19:00.500 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:03.399 And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. 00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:06.179 And the meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:09.119 And the poor among mankind shall exalt in the Holy One of Israel. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:11.240 For the ruthless shall come to nothing. 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.720 And the scoffer cease. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:16.379 And all who watch to do evil shall be cut off. 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:19.519 Who by a word make a man out to be an offender. 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:21.559 And lay a snare of him who reproves in the gate. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:24.220 And with an empty plea turn him aside to his right. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.839 What does Isaiah see in those verses? 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.659 They are not easy verses. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:29.179 But he sees a world transformed. 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.799 He sees a society transformed. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:35.779 He sees it transformed in our relationship with God. 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:41.139 He sees it transformed in the removal of all who would seek to destroy what God is doing. 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:43.359 He sees it in the practice of perfect justice. 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:48.259 Because in that day there will be no injustice in the world. 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:50.779 But the question remains. 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:52.059 How do you get from A to B? 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:54.480 How do you get from a place of judgment to a place of salvation? 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.859 How do you get from that place of judgment to a place of hope? 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.240 To a place of joy? 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.700 And the answer comes in verse 14. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.519 Here is the transition. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.700 And it may surprise us. 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.519 Verse 14. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:15.059 Therefore behold I will again do wonderful things for this people with wonder upon wonder. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:18.379 And the wisdom of their wise men shall perish. 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:20.399 And the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden. 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.759 God announces to me. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:25.059 What is the response to formalism and traditionalism? 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.919 God says I will shock you. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:30.059 I will shock you with wonder upon wonder. 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.379 That will confound you. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:34.799 And I will remove the intelligence of the wise. 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:37.659 And the wisdom of those who think they are wiser than God. 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:38.599 And the question is. 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.940 Well how will God ultimately do that? 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:45.539 And God will astound them in a number of ways during history at that point. 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:47.840 But the ultimate reference point we are told aren't we? 00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:49.620 In 1 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.940 Which is the ultimate fulfilment of these verses. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:55.240 1 Corinthians 1 verse 18 to 19. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:59.700 Where he says for the word of the cross is folly, is foolishness to those who are perishing. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.120 But to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:06.059 For it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:08.759 And the discernment of the discerning. 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.559 I will thwart. 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:14.099 Paul says Isaiah 29 is fulfilled at the cross of Christ. 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:19.819 And Paul is dealing with the same kind of people in Corinth. 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.460 As Isaiah. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:24.159 People who are putting their confidence in human wisdom. 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:28.000 And he goes on in Isaiah 29 verse 15. 00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:31.259 Paul goes on to this verse in Isaiah 29. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:35.159 Because he wants you to see that the wonder upon wonder that he is describing. 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:37.259 It is not miracles and healing. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:44.120 But the wonder upon wonder that will eventually astound and shock people is the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:48.980 And that helps us. 00:21:49.080 --> 00:21:50.220 How do you know? 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:51.279 How can you indicate? 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:55.000 What is the indicator in your heart of whether you are near or far to God this morning? 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:59.340 Whether you are close to God this morning or far away? 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:05.919 Well it is what your heart does with the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.879 That is the key. 00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:09.480 Isn't it? 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.899 That is the key. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.459 As you meditate. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:16.179 As you come to the table this morning. 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.899 What do you do? 00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:19.119 What do you feel? 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:20.959 Can I ask that as you come to the table? 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.119 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:28.099 Because the way of the world. 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:29.139 The wisdom of the world. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:31.500 Why would you ever want to believe in a saviour? 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:33.259 You don't need a saviour according to the world. 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:36.679 You think actually the answer is within you. 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:36.959 Isn't it? 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:39.399 You can just be who you want to be. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.759 And you can justify yourself based on your own ability. 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.299 Or your looks. 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:43.759 Or your income. 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.439 Or your results. 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.879 And to them. 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.199 To the world. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:49.039 The message of the cross is foolishness. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:51.399 Paul says. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.079 For those who think the cross is foolishness. 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:56.220 For those who want to continue with their veneer of spirituality. 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.920 But it's got no heart. 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.559 They are perishing. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:03.659 And he says condemnation and judgment will be their end. 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:07.119 But those whose hearts are near to God. 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:10.220 Those whom God delights in. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:13.619 And those who know that the only hope is the cross of Christ. 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:17.920 It is those who understand that the cross of Jesus is the ultimate wonder of all wonders. 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:23.220 Because it astounds you in the best possible way. 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:27.379 That God would send his son. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.960 Jesus Christ. 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:31.720 The eternal son of God. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.779 To take flesh and die in your place. 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:40.519 To take the judgment of his father in heaven. 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.319 For you. 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:45.420 So that you could have his life. 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:49.420 As I talked about in the end of the chapter. 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:49.920 And you see. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.800 In a sense. 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.340 You could come to that point where. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:57.320 When you come to understand that the cross is the wonder that outstands. 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.019 The world. 00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:03.860 And when you understand something of the cross. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:06.279 And you understand the wonder of what God has done. 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:09.100 You no longer mind hearing the hard words of God. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:13.439 You no longer mind hearing the hard stuff in the Bible. 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.819 Because you know. 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.299 Don't you. 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:18.719 That it's through hearing the hard stuff. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:21.519 Of God's dealing with sin. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.399 That it's through that. 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:26.279 You saw the depth of your need for the Lord Jesus. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:31.700 That it's as you understand the hard stuff of the Bible. 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:34.319 That God reveals to you. 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:36.059 By his spirit. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.859 The wonder of what he's done in Christ. 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.059 He shows you the depth of your sin. 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:42.119 You can't get away from that. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:47.660 But he also shows you the amazing provision of God for our predicament. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.920 And he drives you to the cross. 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:53.299 He took you to Jesus. 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:56.960 And you heard the words of your sin. 00:24:58.259 --> 00:25:00.899 You heard the hard words of your lostness. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.659 But then you hear the good news. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:05.039 That Jesus came to take the judgment for you. 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:09.139 That he came to put himself on the aerial. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:12.960 He came to put himself on the altar hearth. 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.859 He put himself on the aerial for you. 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.460 And paid the sacrifice for your sin. 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:18.579 So that your ultimate home is what? 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.579 It's a new world. 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.399 That's what I talked about. 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:26.339 And so I guarantee you. 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.659 That if you read your Bible. 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.779 And I hope you do read your Bible. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:32.599 You will come up again and again against the hard stuff. 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:36.299 There will be hard words in the Bible. 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.759 That you really wish you could skip over. 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:41.799 Or you could just move back from. 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:47.919 But every word that is written in the holy and inerrant word of God. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.740 Is written there. 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.159 Why? 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.240 It's written there because he loves you. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.899 It's written there because he loves you. 00:25:57.220 --> 00:26:02.240 And it's written there because he is not willing to let you stay in the mess that you're in spiritually. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:07.480 And they are there because God cares for you more than you will ever fathom. 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.980 More than you will ever understand. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:16.180 And they are there because he wants to bring you and me to a day by day. 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.599 Hour by hour. 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:18.819 Minute by minute. 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:22.139 Reliance on the foolishness of the cross. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:26.359 And so may each of us have wisdom in the lesson. 00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:28.339 Let's pray.