WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:08.080 Well, wonderful. Let me encourage you to grab a Bible or get the Word of God on your phone, whatever it is you do, 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:13.759 and turn with me to Psalm chapter 2. Psalm 2, this is where we're going to be this morning, 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:19.120 so let me encourage you to do everything that you can to get God's Word in front of you. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:25.920 And as you're turning there, let me tell you about three things that I've watched over the last few weeks, 00:00:26.400 --> 00:00:28.260 and then I'm going to tell you what connects them. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:35.200 So here's the three things. Firstly, Michael McIntyre's Saturday night show on BBC One. 00:00:36.800 --> 00:00:48.120 Secondly, a video that's doing the rounds on social media of a vicar trying to play good King Wenceslas on an out-of-tune octopus. 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:53.100 And number three, Manchester United's defence. 00:00:54.520 --> 00:00:57.920 So you say, what on earth connects those three things? 00:00:57.920 --> 00:00:59.840 Here's the thing that connects them really simply. 00:01:00.100 --> 00:01:05.359 All three of them recently have made me laugh. 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:07.820 Right? Made me laugh. 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:09.340 Especially that last one, right? 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:11.320 That defence thing of beauty. 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.299 So here's a little bit of mental exercise for you to do as we begin. 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:16.560 Here's what I want you to think about. 00:01:16.740 --> 00:01:18.540 What is it that makes you laugh? 00:01:18.540 --> 00:01:20.960 What is it that makes you laugh? 00:01:21.020 --> 00:01:24.060 Maybe you want to turn to the person next to you on the sofa, whatever you're doing this morning. 00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:26.080 Tell them what makes you laugh. 00:01:27.980 --> 00:01:29.020 What makes you laugh? 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.780 Takes us wonderfully into this psalm today. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:37.079 A central question that we're going to think about today. 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:40.900 And it's a question you've never maybe thought about in your life before. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:42.840 And it's this. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:44.159 Right? 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:46.399 What makes God laugh? 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:49.219 What makes God laugh? 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:50.939 You ever thought about it before? 00:01:52.620 --> 00:02:00.060 The thing about this psalm, which I find fascinating, is that God is described as laughing. 00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:01.840 Is that not interesting? 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:03.840 God is laughing. 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:04.739 Why is he laughing? 00:02:04.900 --> 00:02:06.060 Let's read and see, shall we? 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:09.300 Psalm chapter 2, beginning at verse 1. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:17.180 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:26.439 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 00:02:27.159 --> 00:02:31.360 Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:35.400 The one enthroned in heaven laughs. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:37.960 The Lord scoffs at them. 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:43.379 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:51.360 I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain. 00:02:52.300 --> 00:02:54.560 I will proclaim the Lord's decree. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:56.159 He said to me, 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:58.560 You are my son. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:02.099 Today I have become your father. 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:11.000 Ask me and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:14.620 You will break them with a rod of iron. 00:03:14.799 --> 00:03:17.259 You will dash them to pieces like pottery. 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:20.780 Therefore, you kings, be wise. 00:03:21.859 --> 00:03:23.879 Be warned, you rulers of the earth. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:26.659 Serve the Lord with fear. 00:03:26.659 --> 00:03:26.680 Serve the Lord with fear. 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:30.900 And celebrate his rule with trembling. 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:35.719 Kiss his son or he will be angry. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:38.719 And your way will lead to your destruction. 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:42.400 For his wrath can flare up in a moment. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:47.879 Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:50.199 So did you see it? 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:52.519 Did you see God laughing? 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:54.259 Why is he laughing? 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:56.439 Well, let's get into this, Sam. 00:03:56.500 --> 00:03:57.599 Here's the scene on earth. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:05.599 We learn from Acts 4 that this is David writing in his role as the king of Israel. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:09.719 And because of that, here's what's going on in the back of David's mind, I imagine. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:22.019 He's got in the back of his mind that the covenant promises that the Lord made to him as king that we can read about in 2 Samuel 7. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:24.779 Maybe you want to go and do that in your own time after this is finished. 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:28.139 It's such a significant part of the Bible. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:35.560 These promises that God will establish one of his sons as king forever. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:42.780 Whoever, whose rule will bring peace, whose rule will bring rest, and who will build a house for God. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:46.600 And God will be a father to him. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:50.939 And he will be a son to God. 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:53.680 And you see, David's reflecting. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:56.579 He's rejoicing in these promises. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:04:59.699 He says, yes, Lord, this is what you said is going to happen. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:01.660 This is what you said is true. 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:08.939 And yet, if that's the thing in the back of his mind, here's what he's seeing in front of his eyes. 00:05:10.460 --> 00:05:15.920 And it's a world which wants nothing to do with loving and serving and knowing this God. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:21.140 And wants absolutely nothing to do with bowing the knee and following his king. 00:05:23.320 --> 00:05:24.920 And here's what they're saying in verse 3. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:31.780 Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:33.060 I mean, do you feel that imagery? 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:34.319 Do you see what's going on there? 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:35.140 What are they saying? 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:38.160 They're saying, let's get rid of God and his king. 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:43.819 Who is this God that he thinks he can tell us how to live our lives? 00:05:43.900 --> 00:05:49.879 Who is this king that we have to submit and go with him, thinking he can lead us into what's best for us? 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:52.939 This is the kings and the rulers of the world who are speaking. 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:58.639 But I think we've got to see that this is all of us. 00:05:59.980 --> 00:06:07.660 You know, I remember when I was at school, every year, maybe you're like me, every year, we would have the entire school photograph. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:13.540 What would happen is a few weeks later, there'd be a rumor that we'd go around the corridors of the school. 00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:16.079 The whispers would go around that the photo was out. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.879 So we'd all sprint along the corridor before we'd be told to stop and walk. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:21.620 And we'd eventually get there. 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:22.659 The photo was there. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:23.879 Pried a place on the wall. 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:26.420 Sure enough, there it was. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:29.819 All it was was a sea, organized sea. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:30.399 I'll give you that. 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:33.180 But a sea of just 800 to 1,000 faces. 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:34.939 Tiny little faces. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:41.420 And the challenge was, when you got your place at the front, the challenge was, the game was, to find your face. 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:42.680 Find your face. 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:45.500 You looked hard enough at it. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:47.659 For long enough at it, you'd find it. 00:06:47.660 --> 00:06:49.500 You'd find it. 00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:54.280 And it's almost as if the psalmist here, he gives us the picture of the world. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:56.340 Here's the world photograph. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:02.020 And he says, have a look and find your face. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:02.940 See your face. 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:05.600 Right? 00:07:05.700 --> 00:07:08.540 Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles. 00:07:08.640 --> 00:07:12.160 Friends, this is the default song of the human heart. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:19.040 And it's your song right now if you are going against this God and against his king. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:19.520 Right? 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.800 Got me thinking of those words. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:22.920 What was it that Freddie Mercury sang back in the day? 00:07:23.460 --> 00:07:24.820 I want to break free. 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:26.960 I want to break free. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:28.960 I want to break free from your lives. 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:29.720 God knows. 00:07:29.820 --> 00:07:30.320 God knows. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:31.480 I want to break free. 00:07:31.640 --> 00:07:33.120 And the thing is, God does know. 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:34.920 He does know. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:37.260 And David knows. 00:07:37.320 --> 00:07:38.320 And he feels this as well. 00:07:38.320 --> 00:07:41.320 He feels the hostility that's coming at him. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:42.400 Right? 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:43.880 Do you hear the pain in his voice? 00:07:44.460 --> 00:07:46.939 The first and the last word, the first one. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:47.580 Why? 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:48.580 Why? 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:53.620 Why do the nations conspire and the people's plot in vain? 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:55.640 See the book end there? 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:56.940 As if they say, what are you doing? 00:07:57.040 --> 00:07:58.420 Do you not see the futility of this? 00:07:58.440 --> 00:07:59.660 I don't understand this. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:05.200 Oh, that you would see, like I do, that a life lived in loving submission to this God, 00:08:05.200 --> 00:08:09.640 knowing him, is precisely where we will find life in all its fullness. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:13.259 The one that we long for, the one that we were designed to live and know. 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:18.659 That's the cords that this world is trying to break off. 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:22.219 And what we need to see and understand is that these cords of grace, 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.879 they are cords of grace and love. 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:28.979 You see, that's the scene on earth. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:31.620 Here's a world that's in rebellion against this God, 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:36.000 and the psalm moves from the scene on earth to the response from heaven. 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:37.879 All right, come with me. 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:38.539 Verse 4. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.620 The one enthroned in heaven. 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:42.539 That's where God is. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.139 There he is. 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.480 It's his domain, his space. 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:47.700 The one enthroned in heaven laughs. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:50.120 So here's God laughing. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:51.980 What's he laughing at? 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:55.899 He's laughing at this scene that he's seeing playing out in the world. 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:56.720 Right? 00:08:56.799 --> 00:08:58.439 Not a kind of ha-ha, kind of laugh. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:02.940 Like Tim Vines just rocked up the heaven's pearly gates, 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:04.320 and he's cracking a few funnies. 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:07.580 No, we're to picture God, I take it, 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:12.040 like a parent who is staring down at their tantruming child, 00:09:12.640 --> 00:09:17.260 who's just aggressively hitting their fists in anger into their stomach. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:18.360 Right? 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:19.400 Just going at their stomach. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:22.299 And the parent's stooping down and watching this, 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:26.199 and he's almost smirking at the ridiculousness of it all. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:29.980 Verse 6. 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:38.500 To this scene, God thunders his response to the arrogance of man and says, 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:46.519 I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:51.460 So this is God's response to what's going on on earth. 00:09:51.560 --> 00:09:55.759 God is saying that he is going to vindicate and establish his king 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:57.500 in front of the watching world, 00:09:57.500 --> 00:10:02.740 that will once and for all confirm that his plans and purposes 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:06.240 that will come to pass through and in this king 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:10.059 will not be stopped and will never be thwarted. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:15.000 In other words, God's going to make a statement. 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:19.259 We use that term, don't we, all the time in our world. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:21.700 Talk about making a statement. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:22.460 Right? 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:24.320 We talk about fashion statement. 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:26.200 We talk about a mission statement, 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:29.900 a political statement when we're going public with something. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:33.379 Well, heaven's statement will come 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:39.680 when God establishes his king on his holy hill. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.740 And we've got to understand that these promises here 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:44.940 that David's reflecting on, 00:10:45.040 --> 00:10:47.280 that they're almost too big for his reign. 00:10:48.420 --> 00:10:50.820 And he's the best of the best in terms of Israel's king. 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:53.000 These promises are too big for his reign. 00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:58.920 And it's Jesus Christ then who steps straight into all the promises 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:05.820 and the explosive potential that's tied up in the truth about the king of this psalm. 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:08.020 Jesus Christ. 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:11.300 What we think about at Christmastime from the line of David. 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:14.100 Stepping into these promises. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.480 He came. 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:18.060 He lived among us. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:21.300 I love those verses that we get at the beginning of John and his prologue. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.800 Full of grace and truth. 00:11:23.900 --> 00:11:25.240 This is Jesus Christ. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.860 Here is heaven's king. 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:29.340 His life of service. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.300 His life of humility. 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:32.380 His life of love. 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.759 That we want to know what this God is like. 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:34.679 We look at his king. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:35.700 We look at Christ. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.120 And at his baptism. 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:40.340 The very words of verse 7 here. 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:44.220 Here is my son declares heaven of Jesus. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.519 At his baptism. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:47.439 And again it is transfiguration. 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.240 God declares. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:49.840 Here is my son. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:52.059 Listen to him. 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:56.620 Here is the perfect king that Israel never had. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:12:01.620 A life of perfect obedience. 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:04.600 Of faithfulness to the word of the Lord. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:06.379 As he leads God's people. 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:08.500 In all out worship of Yahweh. 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.700 Do you see how the king of Psalm 2. 00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:13.720 He's got to have a heart like the man of Psalm 1. 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:18.039 Heaven's king came. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:19.419 Heaven's king crucified. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:20.899 Christ died. 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:27.939 The king who would go into battle for his people against their biggest enemy of sin and of death. 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:35.500 And who shares his triumph with all those who would look to him as their king and as their saviour. 00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:38.379 And heaven's king risen. 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:43.240 We're not dealing in myths here friends. 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:45.439 We're dealing in historical facts. 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:47.539 Historical facts. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.599 There's eyewitnesses. 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:51.980 There's testimony to this stuff that Paul would write at the beginning of Romans. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:56.319 That Jesus was declared to be the son of God in power. 00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:58.899 At his resurrection. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.539 And Christ ascended. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:04.059 To the right hand of the father in heaven. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:05.839 So when God says. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:09.259 Here that he will set his king on his hill. 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:11.639 He is meaning that he will fix him there. 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:13.319 In front of the world. 00:13:13.599 --> 00:13:14.519 Heaven's statement. 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:16.599 Is going to be the risen king. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:18.440 The triumphant king. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.779 And that's the language of something solid. 00:13:20.920 --> 00:13:23.019 And that is the language of something unchangeable. 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:25.040 As God establishes his king. 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:29.200 You know our girls came up to my office on. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:30.519 I think it was Tuesday of this week. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.100 Daddy, daddy, daddy. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:34.300 Come and see the snowman that we've built. 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:35.720 Right. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.580 Came down. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:37.639 So impressed. 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:37.980 Right. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:40.060 The works they've given the snowman. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.139 Right. 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:41.639 A hat. 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:42.639 A scarf. 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.360 Stones for eyes. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.160 Little smile. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:47.240 Carrot for a nose. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.519 They've given this thing the works. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.459 Was so impressed. 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.519 Pride of place in the center of our garden. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.219 And do you know it's still there. 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.379 It's hung around for a few days. 00:13:56.459 --> 00:13:57.199 Given the snow. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.500 It's a bit icy now. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:00.860 But even I can see friends. 00:14:00.939 --> 00:14:02.600 That given a few hours of rain this morning. 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:05.339 I just can watch the thing. 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.939 Begin to disappear. 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.519 You know. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.299 Give it a few more days. 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:12.120 I'm sure that thing will be completely gone. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:15.799 Now how often is it in our lives. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:18.219 That we spend ages. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.139 Building. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.019 And accumulating. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.539 And molding. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.099 And dreaming of things. 00:14:24.099 --> 00:14:25.859 That will end up just like the snow. 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:30.179 Looking for something solid and certain. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.259 To build your life upon. 00:14:32.459 --> 00:14:34.339 Looking for something that won't fade away. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:34.659 Think. 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:36.679 Looking for something that won't change. 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.719 With the seasons. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:40.660 We've got to see in this psalm. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.040 What could be more solid. 00:14:44.160 --> 00:14:45.340 Than a man. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.259 Than a king. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:48.160 Who was verifiably dead. 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:51.440 And who came back to life again. 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:54.759 You see. 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:56.700 Heaven's answer to the scene on earth. 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.740 Is the risen. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.940 And the ruling. 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:00.560 King. 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.300 Jesus. 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.300 And he is the one. 00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:07.300 Who will usher in the age. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:10.160 Of God's promise to Abraham. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:13.379 That he will bless the peoples of the world. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:14.820 You see the language there. 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.360 The world. 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.000 The nations. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.279 The peoples of the world. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.980 Coming to have life. 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.360 In this king. 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.700 That's what's going on in verse 8. 00:15:22.160 --> 00:15:22.660 Ask me. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:24.639 And I will make the nations your inheritance. 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:27.420 And the ends of the earth your possession. 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.700 As people the world over. 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:30.779 Have their eyes opened. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.420 And become. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.220 Alive. 00:15:33.660 --> 00:15:34.480 By God's spirit. 00:15:34.660 --> 00:15:36.720 And they pour in to know this king. 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.519 Welcomed in his family. 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.340 No forgiveness. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.180 Know what it is. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.340 The joy of being right. 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.960 Declared right with this God. 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:46.960 Through the person and the work of heaven's conquering king. 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:50.740 God set his king. 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.960 On Zion's holy hill. 00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:54.759 And so just. 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:57.160 As we respond to what we've heard. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.040 And maybe as we make our way through. 00:15:59.040 --> 00:16:00.740 The final last few verses. 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:02.240 I just want to ask you two questions. 00:16:03.420 --> 00:16:04.399 As we respond. 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.240 Here's the first one. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:07.759 Do some of us here today. 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.419 Watching this. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.560 Do some of us need to bow down. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.159 You see verse 10. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:14.960 The psalmist says. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.039 In light of what God will do. 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.519 He says. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.080 Here's the call. 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.440 Be wise. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.860 In light of what God will do. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.600 Your response. 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.299 Be wise. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.779 Make the right response. 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.019 You know. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.919 It was in 1882. 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.139 That Friedrich Nietzsche. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:27.659 Famously. 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:28.539 Famously. 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.240 Hedalded. 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.200 That God is dead. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:33.020 God is dead. 00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:34.379 Right. 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:35.100 Because at the time. 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.720 It seemed only logical to him. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.700 That there would inevitably come a day. 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:40.940 When there would be no place for Christian belief. 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:42.680 In a post-enlightenment world. 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:45.920 Well 139 years on. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.580 As we've ticked over to another year. 00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:49.240 I guess it's a good time to ask. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:50.600 A year. 00:16:50.660 --> 00:16:52.520 When many of us will be doing our annual reviews. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.720 We've got to ask ourselves. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:55.639 How that prediction is going. 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:57.659 How is that going? 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.480 You know. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.279 And in the same week. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:02.000 That one of our national newspapers. 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.419 The Times ran with the. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.819 Headline article. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.139 Simply said. 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:10.119 Teenagers turn to God during pandemic. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:10.599 Friends. 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.180 How is that going? 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.400 How is that prediction going? 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.279 Maybe read. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.059 I don't know if you've. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.639 Been on social media today. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.480 Over the last few days. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.299 That article that came out. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.099 That says that scientists. 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.319 Have declared that. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.959 The reason that we've lasted so long. 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.539 Is humanity. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.759 Is simply because of luck. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.719 Find that intellectually satisfying. 00:17:28.959 --> 00:17:29.480 Again friends. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.299 How is that going? 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:31.759 How is that going? 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:32.799 Here's the prediction. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.359 Here's. 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:35.679 What Psalm 2 is telling us. 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.439 Right. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.639 That Jesus is not some kind of. 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:40.159 Skittle in a bowling alley. 00:17:40.719 --> 00:17:42.219 And it's only a matter of time. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.259 Before the right person. 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.099 With the right ball. 00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:44.899 Comes forward. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.639 Takes aim. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.399 Looks at it. 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.480 And throws it. 00:17:47.959 --> 00:17:48.799 Knocks him over. 00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:49.359 And bang. 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:50.299 We've got a strike. 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.740 No. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:53.500 Psalm 2 tells us. 00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:55.159 That because this king lives. 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:56.559 This God. 00:17:56.939 --> 00:17:58.879 Will never be thwarted. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.379 In achieving his purposes. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.480 And so the invitation. 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.359 At verse 11. 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.259 Is to. 00:18:04.219 --> 00:18:04.619 Serve. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.659 The Lord with fear. 00:18:07.459 --> 00:18:08.639 And celebrate. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.619 Or rejoice. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.159 His rule. 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.419 With trembling. 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.859 That's a strange concoction. 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.299 Of words. 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.759 Is it not? 00:18:15.719 --> 00:18:16.839 Celebrate with trembling. 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:19.899 But it's the joyous confession. 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.659 Of everyone. 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:23.099 Who has accepted Jesus. 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.019 And knows the joy. 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.659 Of knowing him. 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.459 And who he is. 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:26.939 Right. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.599 He is my Lord. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:29.480 That's the confession. 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.519 And I take it friends. 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.720 That we should always keep the emphasis. 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.799 On those two words. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.379 At the end. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.519 Right. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.619 He is my Lord. 00:18:39.159 --> 00:18:40.339 But he is my Lord. 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:43.519 And it's a joy. 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.240 To serve him. 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.279 With my life. 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:46.359 You know the famous words. 00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:46.839 Of William. 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.159 Kuiper. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.199 To see the law. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.959 By Christ. 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:50.720 Fulfilled. 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:52.759 To hear his pardoning voice. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.240 Changes a slave. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.059 Into a child. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.579 And duty. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.539 Into choice. 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.679 The psalm invites us. 00:18:59.679 --> 00:19:00.899 To come and kiss the son. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:01.699 Right. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.559 The image there is. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.279 Of bowing. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.199 Before the king. 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.039 Of coming. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.319 And pledging your allegiance. 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:07.679 To him. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.500 I think quite literally. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.099 Kissing the ring. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.980 That's on his finger. 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:14.019 Because of who he is. 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:15.879 You know. 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:17.119 There's a sign above the door. 00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:17.639 As you enter. 00:19:17.719 --> 00:19:19.159 Barony Castle Hotel. 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.899 Down in Peebles. 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:22.459 And it simply says. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:24.319 Prepare to meet thy maker. 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.159 Right. 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.019 I googled it this week. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.959 To see if I could find out. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.379 The origins of that saying. 00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.579 And I couldn't find a thing. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:32.019 So maybe if you know. 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.899 You could enlighten me. 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:33.379 After this. 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:34.279 But what I did find. 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:35.939 Is a lady on TripAdvisor joke. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.179 About how she was so glad. 00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.299 Relieved to find out. 00:19:38.399 --> 00:19:39.419 That was nothing to do. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:39.899 With the food. 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:42.459 But that is the warning. 00:19:42.459 --> 00:19:43.199 Of this psalm. 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:43.619 Isn't it? 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:47.139 One day we will meet our maker. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.799 One day we will have to answer. 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:50.579 To heaven's king. 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.839 Kiss his son. 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.659 Or he will be angry. 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:56.480 And your way will lead to destruction. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:58.419 For his wrath can flare up. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.719 In a moment. 00:19:59.939 --> 00:20:01.439 Now for God to be angry. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:05.000 It's not for him to fly off the handles. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.240 Or lose the rag. 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.579 Phrases that we would use. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:09.220 To describe what we would do. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.200 It is his settled opposition. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.740 Because of who he is. 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:17.079 To all the evil in our world. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:19.099 Now some of us might not like that idea. 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.259 Of God being angry. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.599 But let me plead with us friends. 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.559 If you think about it. 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:25.000 That is good news. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:27.460 I take it in our world. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.460 Where we are so often rightly angry. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:33.460 At the kidnapping of Nigerian school children. 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:37.460 At people like Harvey Weinstein. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.380 And Kevin Spacey. 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:40.819 That God is right to be angry. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.400 At all the evil. 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:44.720 And proud rebellion against him. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.039 And his ways in this world. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.740 I mean what kind of God would he be? 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.380 Think about it. 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:50.039 What kind of God would he be if he wasn't? 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:54.039 Do some of us need to bow down. 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.099 To heaven's king. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.019 And secondly. 00:20:58.659 --> 00:21:00.940 Do some of us need to look up. 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.759 For the Christian. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.659 Here watching us today. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.159 Do you need to take stock again. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:10.599 Of who and where your king is. 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:11.899 Right. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.359 The king who loves you. 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.460 Loves you. 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:18.899 The king who shed his blood. 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:21.240 And who is for you. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.960 In heaven. 00:21:23.100 --> 00:21:24.560 At the right hand of God. 00:21:25.320 --> 00:21:27.720 The king who is praying for you. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:30.540 The king who is all out in his service of you. 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.920 The king who along with his father. 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:34.580 Has given you the Holy Spirit. 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.400 To help you. 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.580 So friends. 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.540 Here's what we need to do. 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.360 If that's you here today. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.660 Whatever's going on in your life. 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:42.140 Know where he is. 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:43.320 And know who he is. 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:43.940 Friends. 00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:45.920 We stumble all the time. 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:47.820 He's on his holy hill. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:51.159 We don't have the mental resolve. 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:54.359 To face another day in the office. 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:56.939 Or to face another day in the house. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.679 Friends. 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:59.099 He's on his holy hill. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.119 When we are simply emotionally. 00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:04.099 And physically spent. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.559 And we're all out of resources. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.339 He's on his holy hill. 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:11.200 When we're facing our darkest hour. 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:11.579 Friends. 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:13.859 He's on his holy hill. 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:17.979 And when even we are on death's doorstep. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.359 As Psalm 23 would say. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:21.459 The valley of the shadow of death. 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.500 We need to know. 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:24.599 That he is on his holy hill. 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.699 It's where he is. 00:22:26.959 --> 00:22:27.839 It's who he is. 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.379 He's on his holy hill. 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:34.619 I know this psalm is often quoted in the New Testament. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.359 One of those places. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.359 Is in Acts chapter 5. 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.439 Right. 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:41.199 And the context is that Peter and John. 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:42.639 These common men. 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:44.359 With nothing going for them really. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.619 Have just been beaten up. 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.799 Because through them. 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:50.639 The risen Jesus has healed a man. 00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.899 And as they feel the blows. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.819 And as they get up. 00:22:53.979 --> 00:22:54.819 And dust themselves down. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:57.399 They recognize that what they are experiencing. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:23:00.059 On account of their association with Jesus. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:03.139 They are experiencing the hostility. 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:04.779 That's outlined against God's king. 00:23:04.939 --> 00:23:05.899 In Psalm chapter 2. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:07.820 In other words. 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.620 That they recognize. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.660 They sense that they are living this. 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.980 And they go back to their believers. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.920 And they fall on their knees. 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:14.740 And what do they pray? 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.560 And we fully expect them to pray. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.600 Lord protect us. 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.640 God stop this. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.740 But what do they pray? 00:23:19.840 --> 00:23:22.440 They pray for more boldness. 00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:23.860 They pray. 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:24.880 Lord. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.300 Who is sovereign above all. 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.780 Help us to keep on. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:31.200 Telling people about Jesus. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.060 Quite literally. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:35.480 Let us keep on speaking the word of God. 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:38.480 Friends. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:38.920 That is. 00:23:40.560 --> 00:23:41.340 What they pray. 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:42.019 Why do they pray? 00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:43.280 Because they realize. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:45.220 That there is a man who is risen from the dead. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.180 They realize. 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:49.160 That Christ is ascended. 00:23:49.280 --> 00:23:50.200 To the right hand of the father. 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.700 And let me just say. 00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:53.600 That is our confidence in evangelism. 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:56.320 That is our confidence in evangelism. 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.840 That is why we keep on speaking. 00:23:57.840 --> 00:24:00.320 Because it's not primarily about who we are. 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:01.580 Right. 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.379 In our ability. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.899 To craft a conversation. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:07.939 In our ability to know the tricks of the trade. 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.759 In our ability to put on a good show. 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:10.059 Right. 00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:10.799 Let me just tell you. 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.259 Netflix. 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:12.319 What is it? 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.220 $6.99 a month. 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:15.099 Full of better shows than we can put on. 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:17.079 What we have to offer to the world. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.819 Is the news. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.960 Of the king who is on his holy hill. 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.860 And our confidence. 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:24.900 Is in God's risen king. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.059 And our confidence. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:28.000 Is in this God who is sovereign. 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.220 And our confidence. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:31.340 Is in the fact that nothing will stop him. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.559 Accomplishing his purposes. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:34.840 Of drawing people around the world to himself. 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.460 As his word goes forth. 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:40.880 You know I read a story a few months ago. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.400 From a man in the states. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.559 Called Jonathan Lehman. 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:47.380 And he was telling a story. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.380 About a Muslim man. 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.880 Called Richard. 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:52.580 Who lived in a part of Nigeria. 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:54.460 That was dominated by Islam. 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:56.380 One day. 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.720 A Christian friend. 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.800 Gives Richard a Bible. 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.600 Now Richard. 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.380 As you can understand. 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.560 Wants nothing to do with it. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.840 Nothing to do with it. 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.640 Throws it in his room. 00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.660 Throws it to the side. 00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:07.220 But when he did feel it. 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.860 He realized. 00:25:09.060 --> 00:25:10.920 That it was actually made of really good quality paper. 00:25:11.020 --> 00:25:12.420 In fact it was made of the kind of paper. 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:14.120 That he would use. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.760 He would roll up. 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.620 And use as a smoke. 00:25:16.520 --> 00:25:17.220 So what he does. 00:25:17.280 --> 00:25:18.440 Is he tears off some of it. 00:25:18.760 --> 00:25:19.380 Rips it up. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.480 Puts it in his back pocket. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.020 And gets on with his day. 00:25:23.020 --> 00:25:23.960 Comes to that evening. 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.880 He can't get to sleep. 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.940 So he pulls it out of his pocket. 00:25:28.260 --> 00:25:29.940 Fully intent on using it for a smoke. 00:25:30.540 --> 00:25:31.460 And he unravels it. 00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:32.980 And he reads the words of Psalm 34. 00:25:34.280 --> 00:25:36.980 Taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:25:38.280 --> 00:25:38.520 Right. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.940 Taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.680 And for the next few days. 00:25:40.760 --> 00:25:43.140 He cannot get those words out his head. 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:43.440 Right. 00:25:43.540 --> 00:25:45.100 Just his head is like a pinball machine. 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:46.340 And the wee pinball is going about. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:48.000 Cannot get those words out his head. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.599 Taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.059 So he hunts down this Christian friend. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.700 That gave him the Bible. 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.579 And he says. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:54.160 You need to explain to me what that means. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.839 And so his friend tells him about Jesus. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.599 And that night Richard gets home. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.579 He falls on his knees. 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.259 And he prays. 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.599 God help me to taste. 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.839 And see that you are good. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:07.859 And that very night he accepts Jesus into his life. 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:10.179 Because he becomes his disciple. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.819 And the reason that Jonathan Lehman can tell that story. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:16.619 Is because the pair of them were good friends. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.539 At Bible College in America. 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:20.119 Because Richard and his family. 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.039 Given what they'd done. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.019 Needed to flee. 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:24.379 To get over to the US. 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.159 Flee from their country. 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.099 Friends let me just ask you. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:32.719 Why do the guys at Edinburgh CU have any hope of achieving anything this month? 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:35.759 Despite the opposition that will come at them. 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:38.319 And does around the campuses around the country. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:40.019 Why have any confidence? 00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:43.559 Why do we as a church have any confidence as we journey into this year? 00:26:43.699 --> 00:26:46.000 That people will come to know Jesus. 00:26:46.219 --> 00:26:48.179 And the Lord will do amazing things through us. 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:50.159 Why do we have any confidence that that will happen? 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:53.680 Because God seated his king. 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.759 On his holy hill. 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.660 And this God is sovereign. 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:01.880 And nothing will stop him. 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:04.240 Accomplishing his purposes. 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.160 Of drawing people to himself. 00:27:07.540 --> 00:27:08.980 As we take his word. 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.660 And as his word goes forth. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.279 It will not return to him empty. 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:16.180 So does some of us need to look up. 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:18.800 And remember who our God is. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:21.899 And see Jesus the king on his holy hill. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:27.659 So Michael McIntyre's big show on a Saturday night BBC One. 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:33.019 A video of a vicar doing the rounds on social media. 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:36.279 Attempting to play good king Wenceslas in an out-of-tune octopus. 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:38.659 A Manchester United's defence. 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.779 Friends what makes you laugh? 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:43.839 More importantly what makes God laugh? 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:48.240 The answer that Psalm 2 gives us. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.559 Is that God laughs. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:53.619 At anybody who thinks that they can stand against him. 00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:56.799 And stop him from accomplishing his purposes. 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.179 Through and in. 00:27:58.559 --> 00:28:00.839 His risen and his ruling king. 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.279 Jesus Christ. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.519 And so blessed are all. 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:07.480 Who take refuge. 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:08.879 In him. 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.899 Let's pray together. 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:10.959 Amen. 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:16.120 Heavenly Father. 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.559 We thank you so much for your word. 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:21.240 That you are a God who has revealed yourself. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:25.660 And thank you so much for the wonderful truths of Psalm 2. 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:29.299 And I pray that as your word has gone forth this morning. 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:30.740 And whoever is watching this. 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.440 And whatever is going on in their lives. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:33.779 Father that you would. 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.899 By your spirit. 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.119 Encourage. 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.279 And challenge. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.160 And comfort. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:43.279 And perhaps even for the first time today. 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:46.079 Break into somebody's life. 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:49.259 And that they might know the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:53.639 So Father we praise you that you are this kind of God. 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:55.600 And help us Lord. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.460 Lift our eyes. 00:28:57.020 --> 00:28:57.860 To look to you. 00:28:58.800 --> 00:29:00.180 By looking to your son Jesus. 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:03.480 And we pray these things in his precious. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:05.480 And in his worthy and conquering name. 00:29:06.280 --> 00:29:06.580 Amen.