WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.259 I'll be standing by your heads in prayer for a moment. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:11.820 Father, we ask that you would continue to show great kindness to us this morning 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:19.719 by sending the Holy Spirit so that, Father, as we think about your Word, 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:25.620 that we can think honestly about ourselves and honestly about your Word. 00:00:25.620 --> 00:00:32.960 And so, Father, more deeply appreciate not only who Jesus is and what he has done for us on the cross, 00:00:33.620 --> 00:00:38.939 but also, Father, what you do for us through your Word, what you desire to do in our lives, 00:00:39.020 --> 00:00:45.000 your great kindness and your mercy that you desire us to know as we read your Word. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:50.460 So, Father, we ask that you would do this wonderful work of your Holy Spirit in our lives this morning. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:53.280 And we ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. 00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:54.880 Please be seated. 00:00:55.619 --> 00:01:03.059 So, if you're here this morning and you're sort of outside of the Christian faith 00:01:03.059 --> 00:01:06.799 or you're not sure, maybe you're in the process of having your Christian faith deconstructed 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:08.379 and you're not quite sure what's going on, 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:12.420 maybe if you're watching online and you're not sure about some of these things, 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:16.140 it might catch you by surprise to know that a lot of Christians, 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:18.219 in fact, all Christians at some times, 00:01:18.219 --> 00:01:23.340 but many Christians at many times actually are quite frightened by God's Word, 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:27.780 that God's Word is a frightening thing to them, to us. 00:01:29.320 --> 00:01:34.760 I was speaking yesterday at another church about a hot topic, 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:43.359 and I was there to represent, in a sense, to understand that it actually is a hot topic, 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:46.019 and the Bible is actually quite clear on it. 00:01:46.019 --> 00:01:51.539 And it was very obvious to me as I was listening to these very, very lovely people who love Jesus, 00:01:52.299 --> 00:01:56.439 that there were these very significant parts of the Bible that they were just afraid of. 00:01:56.840 --> 00:01:58.539 They just really didn't like it. 00:01:58.540 --> 00:02:04.920 And that might be a surprise if you're outside the Christian faith to understand 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:07.640 that that's something that Christians struggle with. 00:02:08.980 --> 00:02:13.980 In fact, actually, it's a very common thing that there are large parts of God's Word, 00:02:14.040 --> 00:02:17.500 and even the idea of God having a Word, that we find very troubling. 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:22.599 And the text that we're about to look at, we're going through the book of Ezra and Nehemiah, 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:25.400 the text we're about to look at is almost like ground zero. 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:31.000 It's almost like if you wanted to have a mic drop moment for why you said, 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:37.360 George, that's exactly why I don't like the idea of God having spoken in His Word. 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:41.960 It's almost perfectly articulated in the Bible itself. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:47.860 So it would be a great help for me and a great help for you if you open your Bibles to Nehemiah chapter 8. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:52.980 And we're going to look at this story, Nehemiah chapter 8. 00:02:53.100 --> 00:02:57.680 It's in what Christians call the Old Testament and our Jewish friends call the Tanakh. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:02.780 And just in terms of we've been preaching through Ezra and Nehemiah, 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:08.760 and what we've been looking at the last two weeks is some of the things going on while the wall was being built. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:12.199 And two weeks ago, the external threat. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:19.340 Last week, the problem of oppression within the community that could have undermined the wall rebuilding or building. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:24.899 And then we skipped chapter 6 and 7 because just for a time constraint, we can't go through every chapter. 00:03:25.079 --> 00:03:30.680 But if you go back and read it, chapter 6 is about dealing with traitors in the midst. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:33.299 But you also find out that the wall gets completed. 00:03:33.300 --> 00:03:40.100 And then chapter 7 is sort of a bit of a reminiscence of the original settlers that came 100 years earlier. 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:43.520 And now the story continues, and here's how it begins. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:46.540 Chapter 8, verse 1. 00:03:46.760 --> 00:03:52.580 And all the people gathered as one man, as one person, into the square before the water gate. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:55.680 So all of the people have gathered from the communities. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.240 They've all gathered within the area now that there's walls around them. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:03.040 And they've gathered in the square before the water gate. 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:03.960 And here's the bit. 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:05.060 First, next bit. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:15.260 And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:25.600 They told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:31.980 Now, let's just be very, very honest. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:38.600 This touches on why many, many people in Canada would say the last place they would go. 00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:40.040 They'll consider Stoics. 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:41.600 They'll consider Buddhists. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:43.800 They'll consider Wiccans. 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:45.920 They'll consider atheists. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.860 They'll consider everybody before they would consider the Bible. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:51.180 And it's all perfectly encapsulated here. 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:52.520 First of all, it says law. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:56.099 And then secondly, it says commanded. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:57.959 Well, who likes that? 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:04.959 Like maybe if it was love letters suggested or proposed, then maybe we'd want to read it. 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:07.399 But it says law and command. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:13.019 And inevitably, in our consciousness, we just think of a bully commanding us. 00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:19.639 Or, you know, we think of maybe some crazed terrorist coming into the room with their guns commanding us to do things. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:20.819 And who wants that? 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.139 Who wants to have anything to do with something like that? 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:25.719 And we just rebel against it. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:29.399 And we might say, George, yeah, there's the odd bit, you know, about love. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:31.180 And, oh, yeah, you know, the Lord is my shepherd. 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:32.639 And walking through the valley of Shadrach. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:33.620 That's all very comforting. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:38.259 But at the end of the day, George, other than picking and choosing a few little tidbits that we like, 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:42.500 the whole idea that there's a law that God commands us. 00:05:42.579 --> 00:05:43.899 Like who wants that? 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.719 Who likes being told what to do? 00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:53.240 So, well, what do we say? 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:55.899 Well, let's just a couple of things. 00:05:56.159 --> 00:05:57.920 The first thing, just very, very brief. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:59.279 You could put up the first point. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:06.019 The first thing to understand is, before I explain what exactly is happening, 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:12.639 that God caused the word to be written, and it's like a law, and it's, you know, commanded. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:18.859 The first thing we have to understand is what Christians understand is that what the triune God reveals is truth. 00:06:19.739 --> 00:06:20.819 It's true truth. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:27.180 And this, by the way, is something that, for a lot of reasonable people in our culture, 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:29.659 should all of a sudden perk our interest. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:39.439 Because we live in a very complicated time when there are lots of people who affirm completely crazy, kooky things, 00:06:39.779 --> 00:06:44.719 and they yell them and scream them, and we can't even have a discussion about it. 00:06:45.159 --> 00:06:49.139 But just so you know, it's not that the Bible is going to teach us really crazy, kooky things. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:54.659 It's going to say some things which are a bit perplexing to us, some things which are threatening. 00:06:55.259 --> 00:07:00.579 But from beginning to end, all the Bible is concerned with, and they want human beings to be concerned with, 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:02.579 is truth, like real truth, true truth. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:05.819 In fact, actually, if you go through all the way through the Bible, 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:12.060 we'll start to understand that our minds need food, and the food that our minds need is truth. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:19.339 And to live in a world that has just personal truths, and as if you can just affirm whatever you want, 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:20.860 and you can't even, no, no, no. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:26.699 The end of the day, the Bible is on the side of those of us who just want to know what the real world is like, 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:29.000 what's true, and that's what the Bible is going to reveal. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:35.740 And people might say, okay, well, okay, George, that's sort of interesting, 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:39.079 but you know what? Like, it's a law, and it's commanding us. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:40.480 Like, who wants that? 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:45.360 Well, let's consider something for a moment about that. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:50.439 Just think about what it's like for us, whether you're a Christian or a non-Christian, and you pray. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:55.980 And I know that, in fact, it wouldn't surprise me if I was to talk to lots of non-Christians 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.000 to find out that they pray more than Christians do. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:04.199 And people outside the Christian faith, that many of them might actually be way better at praying than Christians are. 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:09.920 But often when people pray, they don't maybe just pray when things are going very well, 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.680 but they'll often pray when they're in trouble. 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:14.339 And how do we pray when we're in trouble? 00:08:15.219 --> 00:08:19.039 Well, if you think about it for a moment, when you're in trouble, when I'm in trouble and I pray, 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:25.139 often what I want is I want, all of a sudden, for God to reach down from heaven 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:30.980 and connect little wires to people's jaws and to their arms and their legs, 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:35.100 and all of a sudden I want God to make everybody into like marionettes or puppets. 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:37.899 And I want Him to be up there controlling the things, 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:43.560 and I want Him to lead me over here, and then Him to move my mouth so I say the right thing, 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:47.820 and I want Him to take the person and this person, whatever I'm in trouble with, 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:52.620 and I want God to move them around, and I want Him to move their mouths so they say the right things. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:55.379 And I want Him to completely and utterly control everything. 00:08:55.379 --> 00:09:01.500 And after He's controlled everything, within about 10 seconds of Him having controlled everything and rescued me, 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:02.539 I want Him to go away. 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:05.279 I want Him to leave me alone. 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:12.879 And I know I want Him to leave me alone when I am challenged or tempted to maybe slander somebody 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:16.679 or share a gossip that will hurt somebody, 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:20.519 or I want to have some other type of sin. 00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:26.980 And I sort of come up to it, and it's almost as if I have this opportunity to slander somebody, 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:29.379 and it's almost, you know, we've all had this experience, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:32.139 and there's a little voice that says, you shouldn't do that, that's wrong. 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:35.419 And you sort of say to the little voice, shut up, little voice. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.779 Yeah, yeah, I hear you. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:39.799 But then you go ahead and you want it, because you really want to say the slander. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.759 You know, you really want to lie. 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:46.299 You really want to share the true thing that's just going to ruin the person's reputation. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:48.279 You just really, really want to do it, right? 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:49.279 You want God to go away. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:52.399 And that's how we human beings are. 00:09:52.699 --> 00:09:56.919 And so part of the problem of thinking about God speaking is that we don't realize that we're unbalanced. 00:09:57.079 --> 00:09:58.000 I'm unbalanced. 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:04.699 I think the problem is God speaking, but the problem isn't so much that God's speaking, 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:08.399 although maybe that's still a problem, but it's that I'm unbalanced about it. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:11.819 And I want to pick and choose. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:16.299 And, you know, that just doesn't happen. 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:19.840 And if a person's real, you can't pick and choose what they're going to say. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.819 Like, if I'm going to have real kids, I can't choose. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:27.919 Well, good luck if I get to try to control my kids about what they say. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:29.600 Like, good luck for that. 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:31.120 Maybe it works when they're two. 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:33.159 Probably doesn't even work when they're two. 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:39.179 And good luck when they're teenagers, and then they become adults to try to control what they say. 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.379 They're going to say what they're going to say. 00:10:40.439 --> 00:10:43.279 And that's just what it's like to have a relationship with somebody who's real. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.620 And if God's real, you can't control what they say. 00:10:45.699 --> 00:10:47.000 The problem's you, not God. 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:49.699 But just think about this a little bit more. 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.559 The fact of the matter is, and this is going to maybe be a shocking idea, 00:10:53.100 --> 00:11:00.519 at the end of the day, the Bible being God's Word written is what you long for. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:04.379 It's what you desire to actually be real. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:13.980 Well, every human being unrecognizably wants the Bible to actually be real and true, 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:19.779 to have it actually be something that God caused to be written so we would hear him speak. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:22.639 And you say, George, that's completely and utterly crazy. 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:24.320 It's the last thing in the world I want. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.899 But you think about it for a second. 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:30.939 And what is one of the times that many of us feel something like transcendence, 00:11:31.079 --> 00:11:35.179 something like awe, something like beauty, something like glory. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:38.480 And we sort of feel almost it's when we see the mountains. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:43.879 Like the first time I was driving close to the Rockies, it's an overwhelming experience. 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:48.539 Those times when you're just in a forest and you can feel the silence and the stillness. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:53.759 Or maybe the wonderful, you know, you're looking out on a scene of the water or the ocean, 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:56.620 and there's a breeze and it's a beautiful sunny day. 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:59.179 And you see the white caps and you see the things glittering. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.379 And it's just beautiful. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:02.960 And you're feeling healthy and just feel at one with the world. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:07.039 And you sort of feel like it's about to speak to you and you want it to speak to you. 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.879 And every human being has that experience. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:13.100 And the Bible tells you, you don't get to hear the sea and the rocks speak to you, 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:16.460 but you get to hear the one who created all things speak to you. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:20.019 Wouldn't that be even better than having a forest speak to you? 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:24.220 Is to have the one who created the forest and sustains it actually speak to you? 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:27.419 Well, that's what the Bible says is happening when you listen to the Bible. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:30.000 You're hearing the Creator speak to you. 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:36.059 One of the most common and popular themes in movies when they're dealing with time travel 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:43.019 is you have, you know, some group of people, you know, in 2053, 30 years from now, 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:48.120 they come back in time to now to get us to go into the future to help them solve some problem. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:50.259 And we go off into the future. 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:54.980 And while we're in the future solving that problem, we discover something about our past. 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:58.860 And we discover that, you know, we're wondering, well, what ended up happening to me? 00:12:58.940 --> 00:12:59.980 How could, you know, what's happening? 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:04.200 And you discover that you've been a complete jerk, that you've ruined your marriage, 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.740 you've ruined your family, you've ruined your job. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.960 You've just been a complete and utter ruin. 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:10.659 And you learn about it in the future. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:12.000 And what are movies like? 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:14.480 They like it when you can come back from the future into today. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:18.600 And now knowing the future, you change your life. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:21.360 Well, that's what the Bible is telling you. 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:23.120 That's what the Bible does. 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:25.819 The Bible tells you there's two different destinies. 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:29.480 And if you don't become aware of it and you don't sort out your life, 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:32.360 there's a destiny that's going to completely and utterly be ruinous. 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:35.240 And God wants you to know the future now. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:39.320 And he wants you to know the future now if the end is good, so you have hope. 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:42.220 And if the future is bad for you, he wants you to know, 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:45.000 so you change your ways and have a good future and have hope. 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:46.799 That's what the Bible is. 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:50.120 Or maybe you're situating with somebody. 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:52.039 There was a time many, many years ago, 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:56.340 there was a person giving me some advice on my comments on my sermons and some other things. 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:59.620 And every week this person would speak to me later on. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:01.299 And it was just cutting me to the soul. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.940 And it led me to a period of depression. 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:05.460 And then, not depression, just really hardness. 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:08.100 I was troubled all the time. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:13.220 And then I discovered that actually this person hated evangelical Protestants. 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.940 Didn't like me at all. 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.720 Well, what do we want? 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:20.760 We want somebody who's going to give us comments. 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:22.180 We don't like to be corrected. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:25.760 But, you know, at the end of the day, what we really want is if this person who corrects us, 00:14:26.040 --> 00:14:27.600 there's somebody who loves us deeply. 00:14:28.380 --> 00:14:29.780 And that's what the Bible is. 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:34.419 It's a word from God who loves us, who sent his son to die for us. 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:40.259 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son to the end that whoever believe in him will not perish, 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:43.179 but have everlasting life, have eternal life. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:48.559 When we're hearing the words of the Bible, we're hearing God who deeply loves us, speak to us, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:52.659 even when it corrects us, even when it says things that we feel threatening. 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.299 It's coming from the words of love. 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:58.779 There was another time in my life where I was having some real problems in the church, 00:14:58.859 --> 00:15:02.759 and I got to meet a very, very famous Christian, and I got to pour out my heart to him. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:04.039 His name's Michael Green. 00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:04.979 He's now with the Lord. 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:12.199 And the next day, I was at something, and this, one of the traveling companions of Michael, 00:15:12.359 --> 00:15:13.979 and I told him that he could share it. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.679 He prayed for me. 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:18.599 It was very encouraging just to have him pray for me. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:20.299 It was a very important moment. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:27.479 And then the next day, one of the guys who's one of his prayer partners talked a little bit about what Michael had shared. 00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:30.099 And the thing about it is, you know, that was so wonderful. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.139 I'm tearing up. 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:39.939 Michael understood me and spoke into my life, and he understood me. 00:15:41.219 --> 00:15:42.719 And isn't that what we want? 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:47.799 Somebody who understands you to speak into your life, but when you read the Bible, that's what you're reading. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:50.000 God understands you. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:52.159 He understands you in your loneliness. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.120 He understands you in your sin. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:56.860 He understands you in your shame and your suffering. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:00.059 He understands you in your excellency and your beauty. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:04.440 He understands you, and that's the one who's speaking to you through his word. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:10.820 You see, that's why we want there to be something like the Bible. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:15.080 We want it to be true and exist. 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.679 Like, what's holding you back? 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:25.580 Well, somebody might say, George, that's... 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:32.299 But, George, okay, at the end of the day, you know, I mean, little kids love the idea of Santa Claus and Christmas, but it's just not true. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:35.819 Like, why on earth do you think it's true? 00:16:37.359 --> 00:16:42.359 Well, I don't know how my Jewish friends would answer it, because Nehemiah 8 is an Old Testament text. 00:16:42.459 --> 00:16:43.699 It's also a Christian text. 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:53.340 But what if I was to say to you that there is a book, and this book changed the world. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:17:01.900 This book was the book that taught human beings that human beings have value in and of themselves. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:07.000 That there is a book that taught that human beings are fundamentally equal. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:11.960 If there was a book that taught the human race the importance of human rights. 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:16.640 If there was a book that taught the human race the importance of compassion. 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:24.819 If there was a book that taught the human race the importance of having people give consent for sexual knowing. 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:28.779 That it isn't just the place of the powerful to get what they want. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:33.539 If there was a book that would encourage universal education. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:37.920 If there was a book that changed the world because it became the basis of science. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:42.639 If there was a book that changed the world because it taught the importance of freedom. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:47.319 If there was a book that taught you the whole world the importance of progress. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:54.639 And if in that book there was a promise that one day there would be a man who would come from God to be the deliverer. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:57.899 And that that man would die on the cross and then rise from the dead. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:01.100 And then there's a man who comes and says I am that man. 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.400 And I am going to die upon the cross. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:06.960 And he talks about things that he can't possibly arrange. 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.200 And then he dies. 00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:10.160 And then he rises from the dead. 00:18:10.280 --> 00:18:12.360 And it's completely and utterly true. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:17.840 Well then we know that the Bible is true because I've just described the Bible. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.700 Jesus fulfills the Bible. 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:26.160 And let me tell you there's been a variety of people. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:29.240 There's been Frank Morrison in earlier generations. 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.640 There's Jay Warner Wallace. 00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:33.200 And in more recent days. 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:35.259 And then I'm going to I forget the other guy I was going to mention. 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.060 Lee Strobel. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:41.500 Who've gone to try to look historically at whether or not there's any evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:44.640 Thinking to disprove to their foolish wife. 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.620 Why they shouldn't be Christians. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:50.340 And they end up becoming Christians because the evidence is very very strong. 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:52.559 That there was a man who did live. 00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:54.039 Who died upon the cross. 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:57.399 And the third day the grave was empty because he rose from the dead. 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.699 And he appeared alive. 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.879 And his name is Jesus. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:05.000 And that's why we can believe. 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:06.579 It vindicates him. 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.119 And Jesus. 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:11.839 What I'm describing about the Bible is what Jesus says is what the Bible is. 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.519 If you could put up the second point. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:19.059 The triune God desired his words to be written. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:20.960 Recognized. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.200 Preserved. 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.660 And it was so. 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:25.220 You see what we see. 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:26.220 When I read. 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.160 You know. 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:32.480 That they told Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.559 That the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:37.339 That's what we're seeing. 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:39.480 If you go back to Genesis 1. 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:42.039 You'll see that the true triune God that exists. 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.460 He just wants it. 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.099 And it is. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.559 He just thinks. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.559 There should be a universe. 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.639 And there is. 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:50.279 There should be stars. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.460 And there is. 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.879 There should be human beings. 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.000 And there is. 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.339 And he makes the decision. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:20:00.660 I would like my words to be known by human beings. 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.619 And it is. 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.579 And he uses human beings. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:06.680 He used many, many human beings over a thousand years. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.900 And you can capture that. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:12.400 It's not that everything that Moses says is somehow inspired by God. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:14.540 But out of all of the things that Moses said. 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:16.540 God somehow or another uses Moses. 00:20:16.540 --> 00:20:18.980 So that by the time that Moses is finished writing. 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:19.880 God says. 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:22.500 That's what I commanded into existence. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:25.080 And he not only commands it into existence. 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:26.620 But he commands Israel. 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.320 And it's saying. 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:29.379 And I not only commanded it into existence. 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:31.599 I made sure that it's recognized. 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:33.240 I made sure that it's preserved. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:37.640 I want people to know truth. 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.299 I understand them. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.720 I love them. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.480 I want to warn them. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.259 I want them to know that I am God. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.660 I want them to know that I am their father in heaven who loves them. 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:52.819 I want them to know that there is a savior who's died for them. 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:55.460 I want them to know that there is a holy spirit. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:59.500 Who speaks and moves and brings my words deep into their heart. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.759 I want them to know that. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:02.900 And so I decided. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.140 And it is. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.359 I decided. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:06.960 And it is. 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:12.819 Just one thing before we get into the beauty of the text. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.379 If you could put up the next point. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:18.779 Since these are the words that the triune God speaks. 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:22.119 They are inerrant. 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.299 And authoritative. 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:29.079 Since these are the words that the triune God speaks. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.559 They are inerrant. 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:32.639 They are authoritative. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:36.759 And I wanted to add a whole lot of other words. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:39.039 They're trustworthy. 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.079 They're beautiful. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.179 They're true. 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.079 That's inerrant. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:49.099 And we need to hear them and listen to them. 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:51.159 And so when we hear God's. 00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.960 When we hear the Bible. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.859 We are hearing God speak. 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:59.960 And as you see the rest of this text. 00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:01.159 You see the beauty. 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:03.000 Of what God is doing. 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:04.319 And you see his heart. 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.699 For human beings. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.619 When we read the rest of the story. 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.319 We see the beauty. 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:11.559 Of what it is that God does when he speaks. 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:13.700 So let's go back to the text. 00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:16.299 So I'll just read verse 1 again. 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:18.419 And we'll go back to the rest of the text. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.639 And you see as the text is unfolded. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.740 That there. 00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.539 This is something beautiful. 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:26.480 And this is something that we desperately need. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.819 And that we'd want to be true. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.759 Let's listen to what happened. 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.559 Verse 1 again. 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.960 And all the people gathered as one. 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:34.319 Into the square before the water gate. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:36.919 And he told Ezra the scribe. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:39.119 To bring the book of the law of Moses. 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:40.939 That the Lord had commanded Israel. 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.200 Verse 2. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.119 So Ezra the priest brought the law. 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.519 Before the assembly. 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:48.419 Both men and women. 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:50.399 And all who could understand. 00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:51.359 What they heard. 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.980 On the first day. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.399 Of the seventh month. 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.539 And this is something which is just. 00:22:56.659 --> 00:22:57.480 Isn't that so beautiful? 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.159 God speaks. 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:01.759 So that men and women. 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:02.740 And children. 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.700 As soon as a child gets old. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.180 To understand. 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:07.519 God wants them to understand. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.140 His word. 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:09.340 You know there's. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.680 There's parents here. 00:23:10.800 --> 00:23:11.380 And parents. 00:23:11.540 --> 00:23:12.800 It's important that you tell. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.680 Your children. 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:15.140 The stories of the Bible. 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:16.580 You teach them how to pray. 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:18.600 God wants children to understand. 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.380 That's his heart. 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:22.160 That we understand. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.820 Now it doesn't mean. 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.779 That everything's going to be. 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.740 Just as palatable. 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:27.620 As you know. 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.860 Like the simple instruction. 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.599 On a you know. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.519 A banking machine. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.679 And sometimes we have to think about it. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.219 And you know. 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.079 There's proverbs. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.219 And there's psalms. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.299 And that means there's poetry. 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.119 And there's narrative. 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.759 And there's. 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:38.639 And there's. 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.199 Cries of the heart. 00:23:40.479 --> 00:23:41.039 And there's like. 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.039 Philosophical. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.359 And theological things. 00:23:43.459 --> 00:23:44.159 There's different ways. 00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:44.779 That he speaks. 00:23:44.939 --> 00:23:46.379 And we need to listen to them. 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:47.039 In different ways. 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.659 But he wants us to understand. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:51.079 And look what happens next. 00:23:51.139 --> 00:23:51.979 It's something which is. 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:52.879 Even more important. 00:23:52.979 --> 00:23:53.719 That it's not just. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.419 When I say. 00:23:54.479 --> 00:23:54.639 You see. 00:23:54.699 --> 00:23:55.339 This is why I'm saying. 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:57.039 That what he wants to communicate to us. 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.959 Is true truth. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.920 Of not just sort of religious truth. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.940 Or spiritual truth. 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.900 Or emotional truth. 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:03.380 Or personal truth. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.720 That I can somehow assert. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.960 In a meaningless world. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.559 But look. 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.380 Look at the beauty. 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.819 Of what happens in verse 3. 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.420 And it's already there earlier. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.380 But look at verse 3. 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.920 And he read from it. 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.059 That's the book of the law. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.279 The word of God. 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.100 He read from it. 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.419 Facing the square. 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:22.099 Before the water gate. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:24.159 From early morning. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.199 Until midday. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.679 In the presence of the men. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.199 And the women. 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.619 And those who could understand. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:29.819 Notice that. 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.639 It says it twice. 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.799 He wants to emphasize. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.019 That God wants people. 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.279 To understand his word. 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.559 And the ears of all the people. 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:38.119 Were attentive to the book of the law. 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:39.639 Well what's so wonderful about that? 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.619 Well it's not being read in the temple. 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.219 It's not being read. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.559 In some type of special. 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.619 Spiritual place. 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:47.419 And we can go and hear these somehow. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.839 Esoteric. 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:49.839 Religious. 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.819 Spiritual truths. 00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:52.459 But then we go out into the real world. 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.639 We go into the real world. 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:55.659 Where we have trades people. 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:57.259 And we have tax collectors. 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:58.659 And we have government officials. 00:24:58.939 --> 00:24:59.539 And we have. 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.419 You know. 00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:01.279 Trades people. 00:25:01.399 --> 00:25:01.479 No. 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:01.899 No. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.919 The text is read. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:07.179 In the most busy public square of the city. 00:25:07.239 --> 00:25:07.919 The water gate. 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.019 That's where. 00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:12.259 The gate where people go to the main water source. 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.339 Outside the walls. 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:14.219 To get their water. 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.259 Water. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.940 So that's where. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.759 That's where business is being done. 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:19.819 That's where trades people are advertising. 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.880 That's where government business is done. 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.339 And the Bible is read. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.759 Right where people live. 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:26.319 Their day-to-day lives. 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.539 Their economic lives. 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.420 Their political life. 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.600 Their cultural life. 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.660 Their home life. 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.900 Right where people live their lives. 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.839 The word of God is read. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:37.440 And he wants people to understand. 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:39.519 Because he wants us to understand. 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.940 What it means to be. 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.400 A free human being. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:44.519 And what it means to long for freedom. 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:47.480 And what it means to think of poetry. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.380 And dance. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.720 And start businesses. 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:52.039 And have more just laws. 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.240 And care for the poor. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.980 And he wants us to understand. 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.340 In that context. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.200 And this next bit. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.140 It's so beautiful. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:03.640 It's. 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.940 I know that a lot of people. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.560 A lot of. 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.640 Probably most people in this. 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:06.980 I mean. 00:26:07.060 --> 00:26:08.220 I wasn't raised Anglican. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.060 There were so many things. 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:09.840 I thought were weird. 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:11.480 When I first came to an Anglican church. 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.920 Like maybe at coffee. 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:14.380 We could share weird things. 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.680 We think about Anglicans. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.680 When we came from outside of the Anglican church. 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.280 We all have. 00:26:18.780 --> 00:26:19.780 Laugh about it a little bit. 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.400 But one of the things that. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.580 That you see. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.980 You see where Anglicans. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.300 Get some things from. 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.140 In this next bit. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.480 And it's. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.780 It's really beautiful. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.400 When you understand it. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.320 And you see that it's biblical. 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.880 And you realize. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.180 Yeah there should be more of that. 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.140 Look what happens. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.680 Verse four. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.460 And Ezra the scribe. 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.600 Stood on a wooden platform. 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.720 That they. 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.600 That's the community. 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.980 Had made for the purpose. 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.539 In other words. 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:42.560 The purpose of him reading. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.320 And beside him stood. 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:46.019 And I'm not going to try to pronounce it. 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.820 Go online later on. 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.620 Victory did a spectacular job. 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.759 The point of those. 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.500 All those names. 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.000 Is this is a very solemn time. 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:55.220 It's a very solemn exercise. 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.580 Of reading the Bible. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.539 And it's important. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.880 Not just for the religious people. 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.160 But these are the business people. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.940 And the leaders of the community. 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:04.840 You know. 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.420 This is for. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.920 This is for the whole community to hear. 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.140 Verse five. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.360 And Ezra opened the book. 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.420 In the sight of all the people. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.519 He opens the book. 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.620 In the sight of all the people. 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.960 For he was above all the people. 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.480 And as he opened it. 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.759 All the people stood. 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.880 When I asked. 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.799 I was going to read the gospel. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.740 I had you all stand. 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.500 Oh. 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.140 Good grief. 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.440 You mean. 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:30.680 Maybe that's sort of like a biblical type of idea. 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.539 It's a sign of respect. 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:35.640 It's a sign of anticipation. 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:39.759 And then Ezra blessed the Lord. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.480 The great God. 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:44.080 And I'll say. 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:44.960 Something like. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.519 You know. 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:47.620 The holy gospel is found in the good news. 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.340 According to. 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:52.119 And earlier. 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.639 Before we even come to read the Bible. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.720 We've been blessing God. 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.539 And then the time comes. 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.359 And people stand. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.619 And Ezra blesses the God. 00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.939 And how do people respond? 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.000 You know. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.659 We respond. 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:01.980 You know. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.980 This is the word of the Lord. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.799 We respond. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.259 Praise be to the old Christ. 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:06.240 There's this response. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.359 And maybe there should be more. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.699 But they respond. 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.159 Amen. 00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.240 Amen. 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.480 Amen. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:21.200 These aren't just ordinary words. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:26.140 These aren't instructions about how to install an app on your phone. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:28.839 These are words from God. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:32.000 And it's very beautiful. 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:39.579 And then the next thing here is we show the point of all of this. 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:43.200 You know. 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:50.339 There's just recently a thing in the news about that crazy guy in France. 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:57.360 Who started stabbing children and infants and grandparents. 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.500 And I can't remember his name. 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.039 But there's that. 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:03.160 I think it was just a 24-year-old guy with a couple of backpacks. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:06.019 And rather than running away, he ran towards them. 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:09.000 And he fought the guy off with his backpack. 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.099 He fought the guy off with his back. 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:11.000 Saved people's lives. 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:19.119 And you can just imagine how relieved the people were. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:22.019 And joyous that they were alive. 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:25.779 That some of the people who stabbed are going to be able to be eventually right. 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:27.380 Because police come and subdue them. 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:30.420 And now everybody wants to talk to that guy. 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.220 I mean. 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:36.259 On one level, there's curiosity about what the man who did the evil did. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:39.680 And there's a bit of a perverse fascination with it. 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:41.579 And of course, some people want to see if it's terrorist. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:45.500 Or if it's just, I mean, terrorist demonic. 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:47.039 Or just evil demonic. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:50.279 But really what they want to hear is the guy who was the rescuer. 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:53.420 See, that's another way to understand the Bible. 00:29:53.779 --> 00:30:00.579 The Bible tells us of the one who came to fight our great enemy of sin and death and the devil. 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:03.079 And at great cost to himself. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.059 Rescued us. 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:13.139 And after the rescue, there'd just be a sense of relief and of joy and of excitement and of talking. 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:14.980 And that's what would happen. 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.679 And that's what would continue to happen. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:22.919 And people just moved by the guy's heroism as we should be moved at the heroism of Christ for us. 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:26.460 But listen how this text unfolds it. 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.980 Verse 9. 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:30.220 And Nehemiah, who was the governor. 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:33.059 So they've been reading the Bible. 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:35.140 And Nehemiah, verse 9, who was the governor. 00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:40.000 And Ezra the priest and the scribe and the Levites, who taught the people, said to all the people. 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:43.920 This day is holy to the Lord your God. 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:47.120 Do not mourn or weep. 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:53.679 Then he said to them, go your way. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.239 Eat the fat. 00:30:58.459 --> 00:30:59.739 Eat the fat. 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:01.659 Drink sweet wine. 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:05.759 And send portions to anyone who has nothing ready. 00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:08.399 For this day is holy to our Lord. 00:31:08.979 --> 00:31:10.739 And do not be grieved. 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:15.559 For the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:22.399 There's a brilliant passage in 2 Corinthians 7.10 that talks about the difference between worldly grief. 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:26.359 That's a grief that doesn't know the triune God and the grace that comes in Jesus. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.940 And godly grief. 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:31.960 And, you know, God is going to convict you and me of sin. 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:35.440 We're going to confess our sins later on in the service. 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:41.500 But we confess our sins after hearing God's word and remembering what Jesus has done for us on the cross. 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:44.460 And remembering God's great love for us. 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:51.299 And the point of the confession isn't that we then leave this place and have long faces and feel depressed forever. 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:56.900 But God wants us to confess our sin and get right with him so we will know his joy. 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.920 So you will know his joy. 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.900 So I will know his joy. 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.559 That's what he desires. 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:13.259 The new heaven and the new earth is not going to be a long time of toil and sorrow and tears. 00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:16.419 It's going to be the place where toil has come to an end. 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:18.500 Then sorrow has come to an end. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:21.339 When God has dried the tears on our eyes. 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:23.619 He's dried the tears on your eyes. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:26.159 He's turned your mourning into dancing. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:28.860 That's what God's desire is for you. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.920 Brothers and sisters, for friends. 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:33.620 That is his heart and desire for you. 00:32:35.540 --> 00:32:36.400 Verse 11. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:39.920 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:42.759 Be quiet, for this day is holy. 00:32:43.340 --> 00:32:44.800 Do not be grieved. 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:50.379 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and send portions and to make great rejoicing. 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:51.539 Because why? 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:58.019 Because they had understood the words that were declared to them. 00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:03.440 I'm going to wrap it up with just two Bible passages as my two final points. 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.720 I was going to try to do the points. 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.779 I realized, you know what? 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:07.259 The Bible says it better. 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.659 And it's the Bible. 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:11.359 You should hear what God says as the final two points. 00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:16.959 And what happens if you read the rest of it, it's one of the things they discover from the Bible 00:33:16.959 --> 00:33:26.139 is that God wants them to celebrate a time in their history where God had delivered them from evil and slavery 00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:27.839 and provided for them. 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:30.479 And that's the celebration that happens afterwards. 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.959 But here's a couple of things for us. 00:33:33.979 --> 00:33:37.579 The first one is if you could put up the fourth point, Claire, that would be wonderful. 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:43.240 And the first thing is just to listen to how the New Testament summarizes all of these things. 00:33:43.399 --> 00:33:48.980 In 2 Timothy 3, verses 15b to the end. 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.699 And listen to what the Bible says. 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:54.579 You have been acquainted with the sacred writings. 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:58.960 It actually begins, in this case, it's talking to Timothy from a very young child. 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:03.539 It's like maybe talking to, well, Deborah's children or Matt's children, 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:07.039 how from a very early age they've known these sacred writings. 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:11.139 And you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, 00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:19.199 which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:45.079 Do you want to be complete? 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:49.619 Do you want to be formed to do good things, to do good work? 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.799 And we need the Bible. 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.819 But we need the Bible. 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:56.139 You see, the gospel is good news. 00:34:56.279 --> 00:35:02.199 It's the good news that God has provided for your great need and sent a Savior. 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:07.159 And that when you put your trust in Him, He makes you right with God. 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:09.920 He sends the Holy Spirit to be within you. 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:12.659 You were born again and given new life. 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:15.899 You become God the Father's adopted child. 00:35:16.359 --> 00:35:17.799 And that's the good news. 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.159 And He's inviting you. 00:35:19.279 --> 00:35:20.739 And we learn it from the Bible. 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:24.399 And then when we hear the gospel in light of the Bible, 00:35:24.399 --> 00:35:26.639 and we read the Bible in light of the gospel, 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.960 it will rebuke us. 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.980 It will teach us. 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:31.239 It will encourage us. 00:35:31.239 --> 00:35:34.579 But it's all for the purpose of making you and me complete, 00:35:34.939 --> 00:35:36.479 to live a good life. 00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:43.639 And it's also so that we would know the truth of Psalm 16, verse 11. 00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:45.000 If you could put up the last thing. 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.639 This is such a wonderful text. 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:50.279 It's a really good text to memorize. 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:53.539 Just like this last text was a good memorize, 2 Timothy 3. 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:54.639 Let's just look at this. 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:57.539 You make known to me the path of life. 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.799 That's what God's Word is. 00:35:59.159 --> 00:36:01.539 It's making known to you and me the path of life. 00:36:02.839 --> 00:36:05.960 You make known to me the path of life. 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:12.960 In your presence, there is fullness of joy. 00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:16.579 In the original language, there's a double Hebrew word. 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:21.119 So it should really say the fullness of the fullness of the fullness of the fullness of joy. 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:22.800 Like add a whole pile of fullnesses. 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:29.820 And at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:38.400 God's Word is making known to you and me the path of life. 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:44.900 And the end of that path of life is to be with God in the new creation, 00:36:45.460 --> 00:36:47.620 with other redeemed sinners, 00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:54.280 and to be in the presence of the fullness and the fullness and the fullness of joy. 00:36:54.280 --> 00:37:00.180 And to be with the one in whom there is a pleasure 00:37:00.180 --> 00:37:06.740 that if he was to even give us the tiniest sliver of that future pleasure right now, 00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:08.460 it would unmake us. 00:37:11.120 --> 00:37:13.800 And that is your destiny in Christ. 00:37:17.740 --> 00:37:19.620 And knowing your destiny in Christ, 00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:21.500 that is why you should read his Word. 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:25.380 And that is why even when his Word seems very hard, 00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:29.000 we need to hear it. 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:31.340 Because at the end of the day, 00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:32.400 it's for life. 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:33.659 It's for joy. 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:36.000 It's for him. 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.920 I invite you to stand. 00:37:46.300 --> 00:37:47.880 Just as we're standing, 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:50.519 if you've never given your life to Christ, 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.980 there's no time better now, 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:52.219 like, 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:54.380 the Bible is what you're looking for. 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:56.219 Christ is what you're looking for. 00:37:56.619 --> 00:37:58.079 There's no better time now 00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.960 than just to say, 00:37:59.199 --> 00:37:59.539 Jesus, 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:02.179 I don't know where I am with you, 00:38:02.259 --> 00:38:03.300 but I want to be yours. 00:38:03.820 --> 00:38:05.800 Please be my Savior and my Lord. 00:38:06.320 --> 00:38:08.280 Please take me into your life. 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.519 Be in my life. 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:11.699 Please be my Savior and Lord. 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:13.880 Don't worry about the words. 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:15.119 Just say what I just said. 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.860 There's no better time now. 00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:18.780 If you feel a tug in your heart, 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:21.000 that's Jesus knocking at your door 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:23.079 because he wants you to pray that. 00:38:23.280 --> 00:38:23.620 And if he, 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:26.720 it doesn't matter how much a ruination your life is. 00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:28.620 It doesn't matter how successful you are. 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:30.019 It doesn't matter how rich you are. 00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:32.300 It doesn't matter how bad or poor you are. 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:34.320 If you pray that heart to Christ, 00:38:34.640 --> 00:38:35.460 he will say, 00:38:35.640 --> 00:38:36.059 welcome. 00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:37.980 The Father will say, 00:38:38.260 --> 00:38:38.720 welcome. 00:38:39.279 --> 00:38:41.139 The Holy Spirit will come in. 00:38:42.459 --> 00:38:43.379 And if you're not sure, 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:45.319 if you've been far from God 00:38:45.319 --> 00:38:46.259 and maybe been not, 00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.939 there's no better time 00:38:47.939 --> 00:38:49.119 than just to recommit and say, 00:38:49.179 --> 00:38:50.319 Father, thank you so much 00:38:50.319 --> 00:38:52.980 that your word is reminding me about Jesus 00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:54.859 and what my end is in Christ. 00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:57.239 We might be walking through a time 00:38:57.239 --> 00:38:58.179 of great difficulty, 00:38:58.179 --> 00:38:59.139 but in Christ, 00:38:59.259 --> 00:39:01.219 your end is a fullness of joy. 00:39:02.259 --> 00:39:03.579 And nothing in the world, 00:39:04.299 --> 00:39:05.559 no demonic power, 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:07.159 no sickness, 00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:08.079 no government 00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:09.920 can take that from you. 00:39:10.579 --> 00:39:12.299 Nothing can take that from you 00:39:12.299 --> 00:39:13.199 when you are in Christ. 00:39:13.840 --> 00:39:14.539 Let's pray. 00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:16.360 Father, 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:18.840 thank you for Jesus. 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:20.500 Thank you that you love us. 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:22.779 Thank you that he is the one 00:39:22.779 --> 00:39:23.679 who rescued us 00:39:23.679 --> 00:39:24.759 from our great enemies 00:39:24.759 --> 00:39:26.179 of sin and of death 00:39:26.179 --> 00:39:28.739 and of hostile spiritual powers. 00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:31.500 Thank you that he defeated them for us. 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:33.639 Thank you that he died for us, 00:39:33.739 --> 00:39:34.940 that he died for me. 00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:37.699 Make who Jesus is 00:39:37.699 --> 00:39:38.699 and what he did for me 00:39:38.699 --> 00:39:40.460 more and more real to my heart. 00:39:40.679 --> 00:39:41.219 And Father, 00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:43.000 as he becomes more real to my heart, 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:44.460 help me to have a hunger 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.480 to know your word 00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:46.659 and to read your word 00:39:46.659 --> 00:39:49.519 and to not be afraid of your word 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:51.179 and to puzzle over your word 00:39:51.179 --> 00:39:52.579 so that your word will form us. 00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:54.019 And we thank you, Father, 00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:55.559 that Jesus, your word, 00:39:55.900 --> 00:39:57.920 it is all so that we will walk 00:39:57.920 --> 00:39:59.059 on the path of life 00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.960 and know that fullness 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:01.340 of the fullness of the fullness 00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:02.699 of the fullness of joy, 00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:04.679 which you have for all 00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:06.500 who become your children 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.739 by adoption and grace, 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:10.399 by putting their faith and trust 00:40:10.399 --> 00:40:11.699 in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:13.559 And we ask all these things 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.460 in the name of Jesus, 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.719 your Son and our Savior. 00:40:16.219 --> 00:40:17.519 And all God's people said, 00:40:18.299 --> 00:40:18.639 Amen. 00:40:18.639 --> 00:40:18.839 Amen. 00:40:18.839 --> 00:40:18.900 Amen. 00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:20.039 Amen. 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.139 Amen.