WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.800 Well, a very good evening, one and all. 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:05.719 I hope you are well. 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:10.939 Why don't you turn back to Psalm 119 and the passage that Michael read for us. 00:00:10.980 --> 00:00:15.679 And that handout as well, if you have it, is going to be, hopefully, extremely helpful 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:18.100 to you in following along this evening. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:22.800 But why don't we pause just for a second, just for a minute or so, and let's just pray 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:24.679 as we come to God's Word together. 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:25.240 Let's pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.600 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that we've been singing that you are the unchanging 00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:37.119 God. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:44.640 We praise you for the great love that you have shown on us, shown us that you continue to 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:45.820 lavish upon us. 00:00:45.899 --> 00:00:51.280 And Father, it's our prayer now as we turn to your Word, that you would send your Spirit 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:58.260 and in the words of this Psalmist that you would give us understanding, that we might 00:00:58.259 --> 00:01:01.699 obey and love your Word with all our hearts. 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:07.200 And this is our prayer made confidently to you in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:07.980 Amen. 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:14.959 So what is the nicest thing that you have ever tasted? 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:16.780 Have you got it? 00:01:17.979 --> 00:01:19.420 So there's imaginations here. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:23.879 You close your eyes and picture that thing. 00:01:24.019 --> 00:01:25.299 Picture the smells. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:27.420 Picture the plate. 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:29.980 Picture the sounds. 00:01:31.099 --> 00:01:32.340 Picture the surroundings. 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:33.760 Picture the ambiance. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:36.700 And you're tasting it. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:39.359 And it's succulent. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:40.840 It's lovely. 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:43.159 Now open your eyes again. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:46.439 Now look to the person sitting next to you. 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:52.980 What words would you use to describe how that tasted to them? 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:56.159 How would you convey the beauty? 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:58.200 And I gave you that word succulent there. 00:01:58.259 --> 00:01:58.939 It's my word of the week. 00:01:59.379 --> 00:02:03.400 How would you use the words to convey to them how it tasted? 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:07.579 Now I was reading this week about food reviews. 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:15.020 And apparently the trick to a good food review is to use descriptive language that gets people 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:19.040 both to step into your shoes and to step into your mouth. 00:02:20.100 --> 00:02:22.640 Now here's an example of how that works. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:28.000 This is influential American food critic Mimi Sheraton, who's based in New York. 00:02:28.480 --> 00:02:31.580 And here she is describing her love affair with caviar. 00:02:33.040 --> 00:02:34.200 She says this. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:40.599 It is now odd to think that when I, when as a child I tasted caviar, it seemed horrible. 00:02:41.139 --> 00:02:44.079 All that oil fishiness popping on the tongue. 00:02:44.959 --> 00:02:52.539 And then one day when I was about 20, I tried it again and couldn't believe that I had not loved it at first taste. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:03:01.159 What seemed fishy, suddenly I perceived as having an alluring deep sea flavor with a silky gliding texture 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:10.539 and a tintillating tongue curling edge of ripe earthiness that spoke to me of endurance, quality and development. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:15.799 Now I'll be honest, I don't have a clue about what half the words in that mean. 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:18.519 I have never tasted caviar in my life. 00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:24.280 I always think caviar belongs less on my palate and more like somebody who should be playing center forward for hearts. 00:03:25.200 --> 00:03:29.260 But having read that review, I really fancy a bit of caviar. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:33.500 But they'll just need to deep fry it first and I'm all over it. 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:35.520 But let me ask you this evening, here's the question. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:39.080 How does God's word, how does it taste to you? 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:41.740 How does it taste? 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:48.580 You know, that's the question that we're going to ask of Mr. Sam 119 this morning. 00:03:49.260 --> 00:03:54.420 Last week we asked him what he believed about God's words. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:04:01.660 And he told us that he rejoices in the truth that God's words is God's words. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:07.460 That God has made himself known by his words. 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:13.900 And Mr. Sam 119 knows them to be so utterly trustworthy. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:18.780 He can trust God's words because they are true words. 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:21.960 I'll get the slide up here, you need to see this. 00:04:22.900 --> 00:04:23.560 There it is. 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:26.840 He trusts God's words because they are true words. 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:29.100 They are thoroughly good words. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:33.939 And Mr. Sam 119, he's got the pulpit again this week. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:40.360 And his question that we're going to ask him is, having heard what he believes about God's words, 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:44.740 we want to know how he feels about God's words. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:47.199 And here's what he's going to tell us. 00:04:48.100 --> 00:04:52.800 It is hands down the sweetest thing that he's ever tasted. 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:58.300 We're going to encounter tonight a man who is so ravished by beauty. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:01.560 He absolutely loves God's words. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:02.819 He loves it. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.180 And because he loves it, he can't get enough of it. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:07.800 And because he can't get enough of it, he wants more of it. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:12.079 And he wants more of it for the pure and simple reason that he needs it. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:22.079 In other words, God's words is the most delightful, the most desirable and the most dependable words in his life. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:25.100 And here's what we need to see this evening. 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:33.600 What Mr. Sam 119 knows to be true about God's word, what he told us last week, it doesn't remain in his head. 00:05:34.200 --> 00:05:36.800 But it impacts his heart. 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:41.360 You see, information leads to transformation and affection. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:46.480 That light to his mind has led to heat in his heart. 00:05:46.760 --> 00:05:49.180 In other words, God's word moves him. 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:54.780 And where he is, brothers and sisters, that's where I want to be. 00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:59.540 You know, I found myself this week, I don't know if you've been reading it through this week. 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:07.340 I found myself as I've been reading it, not so much uttering an amen, but uttering a maybe. 00:06:08.780 --> 00:06:12.540 And the thing is, I want his confession to be my confession. 00:06:12.660 --> 00:06:16.519 Because when I read what he's writing, I feel massively shown up. 00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:22.899 And what we're going to see, Mr. Sam 119, testify to us this evening, 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:27.599 that's where I want to be in my affection for the Lord and his word. 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:33.979 And so I would invite you, as I invite myself, to sit under this word this evening, 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:41.859 to hear what he's saying to us, and allow God's word by God's spirit to challenge us and change us. 00:06:42.099 --> 00:06:45.099 As we see his love affair with God's word. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:47.540 Here's his first exclamation from these verses. 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:51.600 He delights in God's words. 00:06:52.260 --> 00:06:54.379 Now we're going to ask him what I asked you at the beginning. 00:06:54.520 --> 00:06:57.960 How does God's word taste to him? 00:06:58.000 --> 00:06:58.780 How does it taste? 00:07:00.020 --> 00:07:01.100 And here's what he's going to say. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:02.520 Verse 103. 00:07:03.780 --> 00:07:07.260 How sweet are your words to my taste? 00:07:08.080 --> 00:07:11.660 Sweeter than honey to my mouth. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:14.620 Now I'm a dentist's son. 00:07:15.880 --> 00:07:17.880 And so naturally I've got a sweet tooth. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:24.680 And I remember very well the first time I was ever presented with a small spoon 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:28.360 to my palate filled with condensed milk. 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:33.920 And it blew my taste buds into oblivion with its sweetness. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:39.379 And the psalmist is saying that God's word is like honey. 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:42.240 It's the sweetest thing he can imagine on his lips. 00:07:42.840 --> 00:07:44.319 Is it as sweet as honey? 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:45.180 No. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:47.500 It's sweeter than honey. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:51.160 Oh, it's so much sweeter than honey. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:55.700 It's the best thing he can think of to describe what it tastes like on his lips. 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:59.899 Do you see here a deep yearning that he possesses? 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.819 A longing after. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:03.699 A hungering for. 00:08:03.979 --> 00:08:06.560 A thirsting for God's word. 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:11.620 Now he's going to use that word delight seven times throughout this psalm. 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:15.539 What an incredible thing to say. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:24.520 And I guess the question that's screaming at us this evening is, is that as we come to God's word each day, 00:08:24.580 --> 00:08:28.160 as we come to read it, is that how it tastes to us? 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:33.920 You know, when I first moved to Edinburgh, I used to live with a good friend of mine. 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:39.460 And he used to have for his tea every single night, emphasis on the word every, 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:42.600 and on the word single, and on the word night. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:45.920 Every single night, a microwaved baked potato. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:54.480 Quick, dry, bland, boring, repetitive, zero taste. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:57.480 Not something to be enjoyed, but something just to fill a hole. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:02.259 Friends, is God's word, if you had to describe the taste, 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:06.800 is it less honey, and is it more microwave baked potato? 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:14.939 Is reading it, is encountering it, is it way more about duty than it is about delight? 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:20.919 Does the thought of reading it, does it brew in you more frustration than it does affection? 00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:28.199 And so as we read, as we encounter the psalmist's affectionate exclamation here, 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:35.120 the question that I'm asking my head, as I look at my own heart, is how has he got there? 00:09:36.140 --> 00:09:37.960 Because that's where I want to be. 00:09:39.980 --> 00:09:42.240 Well, if that's your question, look at verse 97. 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.000 What is he saying? 00:09:44.520 --> 00:09:45.440 He says this, 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:56.120 Now you might have noticed it as you've read through it there. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:59.440 Twice in these verses alone, he uses that word meditate. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:03.420 And indeed, he uses that word seven times throughout this psalm. 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:05.560 The same amount of times that he uses the word delight, 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:07.780 he uses the word meditate. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:10.780 I'll let you draw any conclusions that you want from that. 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:16.419 Now, what we need to understand is that that isn't accidental repetition. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:20.019 That is not evidence of a limited vocabulary. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:23.379 That is affectionate emphasis. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:27.559 He meditates on God's word. 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:29.259 Meditates. 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:32.519 It's a beautifully biblical word, 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:36.319 but it's a word that our society has hijacked. 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:41.420 It's not just Eastern religions at the other side of the world 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:43.080 that are talking to us about meditating. 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:47.000 It's yoga classes and Pilates classes 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.720 at the other side of our streets 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.700 that are talking to us about meditating. 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.020 What does it mean? 00:10:55.080 --> 00:10:56.200 Well, Christopher Ash, 00:10:56.900 --> 00:11:00.420 who has so helped me see the beauty of this psalm, 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:03.660 he comments that the biblical idea of meditating 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:06.639 isn't so much about putting your mind in neutral. 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:09.959 It's actually about putting your mind in gear. 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:13.120 It's not about emptying your mind out. 00:11:13.219 --> 00:11:15.980 It's about filling your mind up. 00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:18.819 It's not a technique with rules, 00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:22.219 but it's a relationship with living dynamics. 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:23.500 The word meditate, 00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:24.959 the Hebrew word here, 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:27.339 is to chew something over. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:30.179 So the psalmist is saying 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:32.740 that he's spending quality time reading God's words. 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:34.480 He's chewing it 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.220 and he's swallowing it. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:37.799 He's chewing it 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:39.680 and he's swallowing it again. 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:41.200 Brothers and sisters, join with me, okay? 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.799 Let's chew it. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.580 He chews it 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:46.139 and he swallows it. 00:11:46.200 --> 00:11:46.960 He chews it 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:48.240 and he swallows it. 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:50.960 He marinates himself in God's words. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.659 He considers it. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.259 He ponders it. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.659 He examines it. 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:58.940 He exposes himself to it. 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:01.820 And this isn't some kind of fleeting glance 00:12:01.820 --> 00:12:03.120 that he gives God's words. 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:05.680 This is a fixed gaze. 00:12:06.920 --> 00:12:08.760 Now, how often does he do this? 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:12.080 All day long. 00:12:13.640 --> 00:12:15.400 Now, let me ask you this evening, 00:12:16.260 --> 00:12:18.040 knowing my own heart in this area, 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:20.800 how much of your day do you spend 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:23.720 meditating on God's words? 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:27.100 What would your teeth be like, 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.720 the state of your teeth, 00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:30.540 if we chewed on this every day? 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:33.300 And can I draw the conclusion, 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.840 again knowing my own heart, 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.620 is it any wonder 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.660 that our affections for the Lord 00:12:38.660 --> 00:12:42.399 are sometimes stale and lukewarm 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:45.519 when we go sometimes days 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:46.939 without reading God's words? 00:12:49.579 --> 00:12:51.259 Are we cultivating, 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:52.939 are we creating space 00:12:52.939 --> 00:12:56.019 in our days for God's words? 00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:59.199 Now, when I used to live down in Bristol, 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:02.860 I encountered many people there 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.159 who told me about this great man 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:05.100 called George Muller. 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:06.579 Some of you might have heard of him. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.919 A great Christian evangelist 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:11.919 and director of the Ashley Down Orphanage 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:12.439 in Bristol, 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.159 just around the corner 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.179 from where I used to live. 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:15.479 They've named a street after him. 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.659 It's said that he cared for, 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.539 in his lifetime, 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:23.079 10,024 orphans. 00:13:24.579 --> 00:13:25.819 And people asked him 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:27.939 the secret to how he was able 00:13:27.939 --> 00:13:29.019 to keep going 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:31.240 in the busyness of his life. 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.219 And he said this. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:33.879 He said, 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:36.279 the first great and primary business 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:38.480 to which I ought to attend every day 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.279 was to have my soul 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.860 happy in the Lord. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.840 The first thing 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.940 in my day 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.000 to be concerned about 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.000 was not how much 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.120 I might serve the Lord, 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:50.740 but how I might get my soul 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.100 into a happy state 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:54.180 and how my inner man 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:55.840 might be nourished. 00:13:56.940 --> 00:13:58.700 Isn't that a wonderful thing to say? 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.440 How insightful. 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.019 Delight in the Lord. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:05.420 Are we making time in our day 00:14:05.420 --> 00:14:07.519 to be happy in the Lord? 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.879 As Corrie Ten Boom famously said, 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.899 do we make an appointment 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.439 with God 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:12.299 and do we keep it? 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.059 And that's the example 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:18.000 that Jesus sets for us as well 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.279 as we read the Gospels. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.659 It always amazes me 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:21.500 as I read them through 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.179 the question 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.460 that people so often 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.779 ask Jesus 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.100 and say about him 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:26.759 is, 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:27.779 where does this man 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:29.059 get his understanding from? 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.840 You'll find an example of that 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.659 in Matthew 13. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:32.799 Where does this man 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:34.600 get his understanding from? 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.680 Here's what we need to see. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.540 That our Lord 00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:39.639 didn't download it 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.860 from heaven's archives. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.159 He learned it. 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:46.120 He devoted himself to it. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.440 Jesus got his wisdom 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:49.180 from the word of God. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:51.840 He delighted in it completely 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.540 and on it 00:14:52.540 --> 00:14:54.279 he meditated day and night. 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.800 He is the true 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:56.960 Sam one man. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:15:01.139 You see the thing is 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.280 God won't love us 00:15:02.280 --> 00:15:03.220 more or less 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.420 based on whether 00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.480 we've had a quiet time 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.240 each day or not. 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:07.480 And we need to be 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:08.100 very careful 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:08.980 that we get our thinking 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.740 right on that one. 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:11.120 We are saved by grace alone. 00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:12.860 But, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.440 but, 00:15:13.680 --> 00:15:15.340 as we encounter 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.639 God in his word 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.400 and as his spirit 00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:19.280 speaks to us 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:19.759 through it 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.740 and reveals to us 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.639 how much God 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.519 loves us 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.220 to the length 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:23.920 that he's gone 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:25.460 to achieve our salvation. 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:25.759 Friends, 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.600 how can we not 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.259 love God more? 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.040 How can we not 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:32.600 love God more? 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:34.100 Mr. Sam 119 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.040 he delights 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.600 in God's word. 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:38.360 He chews it over 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.460 all day long. 00:15:41.920 --> 00:15:42.680 And naturally 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:44.620 as it tastes so good 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.240 he wants more of it. 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:49.280 He desires it. 00:15:49.900 --> 00:15:50.900 And he tells us 00:15:50.900 --> 00:15:51.900 why he desires it. 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:53.519 Look at verses 98 to 100. 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:57.160 He says this, 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.000 Your commands 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.500 are always with me 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:01.200 and make me wiser 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:02.120 than my enemies. 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:05.139 I have more insight 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.420 than all my teachers 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:07.860 for I meditate 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.800 on your statues. 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.080 I have more understanding 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.960 than the elders 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.940 for I obey 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.940 your precepts. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:16.960 Do you see 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.740 what he's saying there? 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.300 He's saying that 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.000 God's word 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.160 makes him wiser 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.180 than the world 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:22.019 around about him. 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.379 It gives him 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.939 more wisdom, 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.279 more insight, 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.460 more understanding 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.100 than those people 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.059 that he's living with. 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:30.980 And how can it do that? 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.379 The answer is 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.259 the source of it. 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.899 Where it comes from. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:39.059 Mr. Sam 119 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.579 what does he do? 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.879 He lifts his eyes up 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.500 and he contemplates 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.559 the source 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.100 of this word. 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:46.799 Verses 80, 90, 91 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:48.599 he says this, 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.500 Your word Lord 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.799 is eternal. 00:16:51.459 --> 00:16:52.559 It stands firm 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.699 in the heavens. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.339 Your faithfulness 00:16:55.339 --> 00:16:55.859 continues 00:16:55.859 --> 00:16:57.319 through all generations. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.359 You established 00:16:58.359 --> 00:16:59.479 the earth 00:16:59.479 --> 00:17:01.079 and it endures. 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.059 Your laws 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.579 endure to this day 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.839 for all things 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:07.399 serve you. 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.259 So do you see 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.000 what he's doing here? 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.799 His eyes 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.700 are looking 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.440 upwards. 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.379 He's taking stock 00:17:14.379 --> 00:17:16.220 of the skies 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:17.480 that God's word 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.680 originates 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.600 in eternity past. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.220 That God's word 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.220 established 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.339 the world. 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.779 And God's word 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.900 will not be moved 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:28.440 or grow powerless. 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.240 It is 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.380 timelessly 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.160 perfect. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:33.860 One of you know 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.360 that feeling 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.000 when you find 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.779 an old photo 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.299 of yourself 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:36.860 from many, 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.600 many years ago. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.680 Maybe with a 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.779 meticulous comb over. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.640 I dare say that's true 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.319 of a lot of gentlemen 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:42.720 in here. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.720 Or a groovy set 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.480 of ripped jeans. 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.500 What's the thing 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.099 that you always 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:48.120 think to yourself 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:49.019 and say to those 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.400 who are looking 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:49.900 at the photo 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.400 with you? 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:51.940 What was I thinking? 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.019 And then you think 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.620 about how you used 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.200 to think 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.279 ten years ago. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.059 And what do you 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.839 say to yourself? 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.120 What was I thinking? 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.420 Here's what the 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.160 psalmist is saying. 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.819 God's word 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.400 unlike us 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.640 is never going 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.099 to change. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.000 It does not 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.559 change 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.240 with the seasons 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.099 like we do. 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.500 It is eternal. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.879 It endures 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.579 to this day. 00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.399 It is perfect. 00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:18.980 And so what he does 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.639 he does a really 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:20.799 simple maths equation. 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.199 His logic 00:18:22.199 --> 00:18:22.759 is that 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.559 the eternal 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.199 powerful 00:18:24.199 --> 00:18:24.919 and established 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:25.980 word from heaven 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.399 what it says 00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.579 is able to make 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.480 him more wise 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.059 in life 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.159 than the finite 00:18:31.159 --> 00:18:32.459 voices of the earth 00:18:32.459 --> 00:18:32.919 and the people 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.679 round about him. 00:18:34.959 --> 00:18:36.079 This wisdom 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.699 God's wisdom 00:18:37.699 --> 00:18:39.099 is never going 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:39.719 out of date. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:42.360 The psalmist 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:42.880 sees this 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.380 as wisdom 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.579 and thousands 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.539 of years later 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.339 people still 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:46.779 see this 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.240 as wisdom. 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.539 You wouldn't 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.039 be sitting 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.620 here today 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:49.200 if that wasn't 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.740 the case. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.860 That is one 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.319 of the things 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:51.860 that convinced 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.380 me that this 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:52.779 is true 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.120 that this 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.660 is timeless 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.100 truth. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.600 Because people 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.519 are looking 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:56.920 to this 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.460 for wisdom. 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:58.940 And guess 00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.220 what? 00:18:59.299 --> 00:18:59.740 People in the 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.259 future will 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.819 look to this 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.519 as wisdom. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.039 Why? 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.900 Because it's 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.100 God's eternal 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:04.960 words. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.779 There's never 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.500 coming a day 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.400 when this 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.299 is not 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.980 wisdom. 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.579 C.S. Lewis 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:10.940 put it 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.299 beautifully 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.720 when he 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:11.980 said, 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:12.440 anything 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:12.900 that isn't 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:13.339 eternal 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.259 is eternally 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.839 out of date. 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.279 Let me ask 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:17.620 you this 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:17.900 evening, 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:18.940 where are 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.400 you looking 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.900 for your 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.500 wisdom? 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.740 Who are 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.240 you looking 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.819 to for 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.380 your wisdom 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.120 and your 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.839 understanding? 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:26.940 Are you 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.960 looking in? 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.100 Are you 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.779 looking into 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.279 the hero 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.160 inside yourself 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.740 as M people 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.420 so wonderfully 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:32.900 sang? 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.880 God's word 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.819 will tell us 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.600 the folly 00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.620 of that, 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.720 the foolishness 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.339 of trusting 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:39.680 in the 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.299 deceitfulness 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.740 of our 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.380 own hearts 00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:41.860 to guide 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.240 us through 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.680 life? 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.819 That the 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.160 way of 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.700 man is 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:44.960 not to 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.440 be found 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.039 within 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.500 himself? 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.059 Are you 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.720 looking in? 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.019 Are you 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.180 looking out 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.960 to the 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.640 world out 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:51.940 there, 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.519 to people's 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.400 opinions and 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.019 logic and 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.579 interpretation? 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.319 Now don't 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:55.920 hear me wrong, 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.319 there's a lot 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.079 we can learn 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.680 from the 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.380 world outside, 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.400 but we need 00:19:59.400 --> 00:19:59.960 to understand 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.400 that it is 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.220 finite and 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.620 fallen. 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:04.199 or are 00:20:04.199 --> 00:20:04.959 you looking 00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:06.719 up to 00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:07.239 the one 00:20:07.239 --> 00:20:08.000 who created 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.759 the world 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:10.179 in wisdom? 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.199 Do you see 00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:11.500 what the 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.979 psalmist is 00:20:11.979 --> 00:20:12.239 doing? 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:12.779 He is 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.379 looking up 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:13.739 to the 00:20:13.739 --> 00:20:14.099 heavens, 00:20:14.239 --> 00:20:14.739 the heavens 00:20:14.739 --> 00:20:15.699 that declare 00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:16.179 to him 00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:17.079 the glory 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.199 of God, 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.979 the sky 00:20:19.979 --> 00:20:20.939 that declares 00:20:20.939 --> 00:20:21.439 to him 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.239 God's 00:20:22.239 --> 00:20:23.439 handiwork, 00:20:23.739 --> 00:20:24.579 the stars 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:24.919 that are 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:25.539 singing to 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:25.979 him that 00:20:25.979 --> 00:20:26.379 the God 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:26.819 that made 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.859 them and 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.219 the God 00:20:28.219 --> 00:20:28.599 that made 00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.579 him is 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.359 incredible. 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.419 And as 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:32.919 he looks 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:33.439 up, 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.779 he looks 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.099 down. 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.939 He looks 00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.399 down to 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:37.779 God's 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.619 words that 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.179 he has 00:20:39.179 --> 00:20:39.819 in his 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.119 hand. 00:20:40.219 --> 00:20:40.799 The God 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.759 who threw 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.339 stars into 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.479 existence has 00:20:43.479 --> 00:20:44.539 spoken to 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.500 him and so 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.919 he's taken 00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:46.419 his chances 00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:47.019 with this 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.639 wisdom. 00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:48.919 Friends, 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.379 are you 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:49.799 looking to 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.339 the creator 00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:50.799 for your 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.079 wisdom? 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.079 Or are 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.459 you looking 00:20:52.459 --> 00:20:52.819 to the 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.099 creature? 00:20:55.219 --> 00:20:55.919 I know 00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:56.599 in my own 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.259 heart how 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.519 easily I'm 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.639 deceived into 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.539 thinking that a 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.339 better life 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.319 a better 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.759 joy, 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:03.439 a better 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:04.139 wisdom is 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.899 found out 00:21:04.899 --> 00:21:06.079 with God's 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.839 words. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.679 And the 00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:08.220 truth that we 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.519 need to 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.399 understand here 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:10.480 is that God's 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.000 ways, 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.379 God's ways 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.439 are so much 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:14.419 higher than 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:15.240 our ways. 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:16.699 That God's 00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:18.279 wisdom is so 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:20.000 far above and 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.220 so much better 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.199 than the wisdom 00:21:22.199 --> 00:21:23.539 of the world. 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.220 And how is 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.359 God's wisdom so 00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:28.480 supremely seen? 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:30.559 It's seen at the 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.139 cross. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.240 Paul, 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.480 writing to the 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.879 Corinthians, 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.959 he says this, 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:37.439 Jews demand 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:38.519 signs and 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.240 Greeks look 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.899 for wisdom. 00:21:40.699 --> 00:21:41.819 But we 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.240 preach Christ 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.199 crucified, 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.720 a stumbling 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.319 block to 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.259 Jews and 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.259 foolishness to 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.959 Gentiles, 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.899 but to those 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.679 whom God has 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.179 called, 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.339 both Jews and 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:52.720 Greeks, 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.759 Christ, 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.039 the power of 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:56.319 God and the 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.939 wisdom of 00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.339 God. 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.399 For the 00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:59.199 foolishness of 00:21:59.199 --> 00:22:00.439 God is wiser 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.100 than human 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:02.220 wisdom and 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.820 the weakness 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:04.019 of God is 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.140 stronger than 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:06.559 human strength. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:09.740 Just pause for a 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.660 second and take 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.080 that in. 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:17.639 one of the TV 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.579 shows that Alex and 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.460 I love to watch 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.199 is Dragon's Den. 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.379 Don't know if we 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:24.079 have any Dragon's 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:26.119 Den fans out 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.339 there. 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:27.139 There's a place 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:28.139 that you will see 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.159 the world's wisdom 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:30.619 on full display. 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.339 And there is some 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.159 very impressive 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.879 stuff in there. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.259 We're watching it 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.460 yesterday and there's 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.960 a couple of 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.779 gentlemen on who 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.480 have invented a 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.460 flat pack that you 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.679 can build in under 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.320 two minutes. 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:43.960 They fully made a 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.019 wardrobe in less 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.640 than two minutes. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.580 That is impressive. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.240 That is impressive. 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.420 And I'm watching 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.320 this the other night 00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.259 and I'm thinking to 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.920 myself, I wonder 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.860 how the Apostle Paul 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.400 would get on in 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:55.900 Dragon's Den. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.940 You ever thought 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.200 that? 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.340 You have now. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.799 How would Paul get 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.640 on in Dragon's Den? 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.519 Imagine the scene. 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.200 Paul, nice to meet 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.360 you. 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.200 What's your business 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.680 proposition? 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:08.700 Well, it's this 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.460 message called the 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.860 gospel. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.920 This new life that 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.100 we have in Jesus 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:13.680 Christ. 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.900 The wonderful message 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.480 that the world 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.200 needs to hear. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.900 That God so loved 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:19.560 the world that he 00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:20.400 gave his one and 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:22.519 only son who came 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.920 to die the death 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.560 that you and I 00:23:24.560 --> 00:23:25.620 deserve to die on 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:27.279 the cross so that 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.200 we could be forgiven 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.080 and restored. 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:30.299 And the wonderful 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.440 news is he hasn't 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.019 stayed dead. 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:33.320 He has risen from 00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:33.860 the grave. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.140 He has ascended 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.180 into heaven where he 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.180 rules and reigns 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:38.060 and one day he's 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:39.039 coming back to judge 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.019 the living and the 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.019 dead and you need 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.799 to believe in him. 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:44.560 Nah. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.200 One dragon's out at 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.799 that point, I'm 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.080 guessing. 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.039 Carry on a little 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:51.640 bit more, Paul. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.440 That's a ludicrous 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.900 idea, but we're into 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.940 money making here. 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.080 What kind of profit 00:23:56.080 --> 00:23:56.920 is this business 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.600 making you? 00:23:58.580 --> 00:23:59.580 Well, none actually. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.320 I used to be pious 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.160 and an achiever, 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.620 but since meeting 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.759 Jesus and having been 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.920 transformed by him, 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.920 I am no longer my 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.240 own. 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.580 I am his servant. 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.900 My life is his now. 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.880 In my life now, 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.920 I've been shipwrecked. 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.279 I've been beaten. 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.080 I've been given 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:15.700 lashes. 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:17.500 My life is constantly 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.279 in danger. 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.140 I know hunger. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.340 I know cold. 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.980 But whatever again I 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:24.060 had, I count as loss 00:24:24.060 --> 00:24:25.380 for the sake of Christ. 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.720 Indeed, I count 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:28.140 everything of loss 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.779 because of the 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:30.019 surpassing worth of 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.460 knowing Christ my Lord. 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:33.019 For his sake, I've 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.920 suffered the loss of 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:35.300 all things and 00:24:35.300 --> 00:24:36.259 count them as rubbish 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.340 in order that I may 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.640 gain Christ. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.820 What profit am I 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.240 making? 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.200 No thought. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.440 All the two dragons, 00:24:44.560 --> 00:24:45.259 I imagine, will be out 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.900 at that point. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.700 One of them might give 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.740 him pity and say to 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.440 him, well, Paul, 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.440 we've heard you this 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.779 far. 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.600 How are you going to 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:51.820 gain followers for 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.820 this gospel? 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.460 How are you going to 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.720 sell this to people? 00:24:56.300 --> 00:24:57.380 Well, ultimately, we 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.220 follow Jesus. 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.900 the one who commanded 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.120 us as his followers to 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.860 follow his example, to 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:04.460 die to self, to take up 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.640 our cross and to follow 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.000 him. 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.559 And that's the message 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.600 that has won me. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.819 And that's the message 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.440 I'm going to keep 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:12.100 proclaiming because it is 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:14.100 the power of God unto 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:14.940 salvation. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.120 All dragons out at that 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.360 point. 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.720 Friends, do you see how 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:23.660 God's wisdom is not as 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.539 the world's wisdom? 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:28.440 God's wisdom is so far 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:30.420 above the wisdom of 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.180 this world. 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.819 Tim Keller writes this, 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:35.099 yes, God is a king, but 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.700 is a king who came to 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:38.619 earth and went not to a 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:40.779 throne, but to a cross. 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.899 Where are you looking to 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.779 for your wisdom? 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.659 Are you looking in? 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.819 Are you looking out? 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.899 Are you looking up? 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:53.259 And as you look up, does 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.960 it compel you to look 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.200 down? 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:58.319 Mr. Sam 119, he desires 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.440 God's word because he 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.799 knows it's the source of 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.099 true wisdom. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.240 Look at his declaration 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:05.420 at verse 96. 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:07.660 To all perfection I see a 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:09.500 limit, but your commands 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:11.359 are boundless. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.720 He loves it. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.720 He delights in it. 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.079 He desires it. 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.839 And third thing to see is 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.200 that he depends on it. 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:23.860 Now I'm one of three boys 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:26.860 and when we'd all flown 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:28.059 the nest, my parents 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:30.000 decided to do what all 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.700 parents do when their 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.779 boys fly the nest and get 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.160 a dog. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.980 And so they got a little 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:38.660 parson terrier and Alex 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.980 and I went home recently 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:41.319 and we took the dog with 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.460 my parents for a walk up 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:42.880 the moors. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:44.400 They live in Glasgow up 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:44.960 beside the moors. 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.759 So we went for a walk 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.960 with this dog and the 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.180 minute they took this thing 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.000 off the leash. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.980 It caught a whiff of deer 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.920 or highland cattle in its 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:57.400 lungs and boom, off. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.400 And I turned to my dad 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:00.279 and I said, dad, should I 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:02.019 be chasing this thing? 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.920 Is this not panicking you? 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:04.220 Why? 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.860 And my dad turns to me and 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:07.360 says, don't worry son, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.820 you'll find his way on 00:27:08.820 --> 00:27:09.080 home. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.460 You'll find his own way 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:10.840 home. 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.000 And sure enough, half an 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.920 hour's walk came back 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.440 around and there he was. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.640 He's standing there. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.560 What is Mr. 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:22.500 Sam 119 saying? 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:27.140 He depends on God's word. 00:27:27.300 --> 00:27:27.620 Why? 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.880 Because he is not a 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.380 sheepdog. 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:32.500 He is a sheep. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:35.860 He cannot find his own 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.440 way home. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.279 He depends on God's word. 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:40.000 His bringing home is 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.820 entirely reliant on 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.200 another. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.359 And he knows it. 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.279 Now look what he writes 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:48.339 at verses 92 to 94. 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.379 This is the confession of 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:52.579 a man with strong 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.599 awareness of his 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.039 frailty. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:55.000 Look what he writes. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.919 If your law had not been 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:59.399 my delight, I would have 00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:01.419 perished in my affliction. 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.720 I will never forget your 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.639 precepts for by them you 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:07.639 have preserved my life. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:11.039 Save me for I am yours. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.200 I have sought out your 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.039 precepts. 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.899 So he knows affliction. 00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:19.700 He knows his constant 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:21.039 need for the leading of 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:23.159 God's word in his life. 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.920 Do you see what he's 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:24.940 saying in his testimony? 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.460 That if it wasn't for 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.559 God's word, he would have 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:27.940 died. 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:31.440 This word, this divine 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:33.240 word is a life-saving 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.680 word. 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.059 It gives him life. 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:36.879 It's a redeeming word. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.000 And because of that, he 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.799 submits himself to it. 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.960 Do you see the submission 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.299 there? 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.659 I am yours. 00:28:43.919 --> 00:28:45.899 He casts himself on the 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:48.720 grace and the mercy of God. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:50.119 Let me ask you this evening, 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.359 do you think you can find 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.119 your own way home? 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:57.319 Is there within you a deep 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:59.460 and utter dependence on 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:01.039 God's words? 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:03.379 Because the truth is that if 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:04.759 you and I were left to our 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:06.399 own devices, we would be 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:08.379 chasing our own dreams and 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.060 fantasies. 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.100 In the words of Psalm 1, we 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.820 would be chasing chaff. 00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:14.360 We would not find our own 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.900 way back. 00:29:15.020 --> 00:29:15.560 Like Mr. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.800 Psalm 119, we are 00:29:16.800 --> 00:29:18.760 completely dependent on 00:29:18.760 --> 00:29:21.780 God's gracious words to 00:29:21.780 --> 00:29:22.620 bring us home. 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.720 But just living this side of 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:27.460 the cross, we know that 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:29.940 gracious words finds its 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.740 fullest and most glorious 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:34.060 expression in Jesus Christ. 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:36.879 Now here's the question that's 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:38.359 puzzled me this whole week as 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.759 I've been reading this Psalm. 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.619 As Mr. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:43.700 Psalm 119, as he opens God's 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.980 word, as he looks at God's 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:47.419 law, how is it that he feels 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.799 delight? 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.440 Surely he would look at that 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.139 and he would feel condemnation. 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.779 He would feel like a complete 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:56.179 failure for his inadequacy to 00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:57.240 live up to this. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:30:00.920 How has he got from there to 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.880 being a delight? 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:06.339 Well, the answer must be that 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:09.240 by his spirit, God was showing 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:11.900 him that his word is a 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:13.720 gracious and life-giving 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.160 word. 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:17.180 And how does John introduce 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:19.180 us to Jesus at the beginning 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:20.099 of his gospel? 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:24.559 Jesus full of grace and truth. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:27.460 Do you see how God's word is 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:29.359 ultimately all about Christ? 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.539 Do you see how it is leading 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:32.139 us to him? 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:34.359 The life giver, the truth. 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:37.000 Jesus, the perfect law 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.679 keeper. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:40.240 The one who succeeded where 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.839 you and I have failed. 00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:44.440 You see, when we accept him 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:46.220 and love him, his reward 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:48.220 comes to us. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:50.079 The reward for his perfect 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:52.919 law keeping comes to us. 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.580 And why? 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.900 Because our punishment for 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:57.220 our failure to live up to 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.740 that went to him. 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:02.900 Only in Jesus can we say 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:05.220 that God's word is truly a 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.680 delight to us because we see 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.180 gospel. 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:10.580 Only the gospel can rewire our 00:31:10.580 --> 00:31:12.060 hearts so that this word is 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:13.800 not a word of condemnation, 00:31:14.060 --> 00:31:16.140 but it's a word of grace and 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.840 truth and life. 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.740 Let me ask you this evening, 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:22.259 is it a word of grace to you 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.559 or do you still feel 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.819 condemnation as you look at 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:24.960 it? 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:28.240 The moralistic person obeys 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.839 the word of God out of fear. 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:33.180 The Christian says, I delight 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:35.279 because obeying God's law 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:37.240 delights the one who delighted 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:39.000 me so much when he died for me. 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.299 You see, only in the gospel, 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.680 friends, do we get the verdict. 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:48.080 Only in the gospel do we get the 00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:49.480 verdict before we get the 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:49.940 performance. 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.940 We need to make sure we get 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.400 that right. 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.320 God says, I love you, 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:56.060 therefore love me. 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:59.940 I love you, now you can love me. 00:32:00.860 --> 00:32:02.779 You see, the law exposes the 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:05.620 disease the gospel tells us and 00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:07.039 gives us the remedy. 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:11.500 We are completely reliant and 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:13.440 dependent on Jesus Christ to 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.859 bring us home. 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:17.059 And now when we look into the 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:18.920 word of God, we don't see a 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:20.839 crushing burden, we see beauty 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:22.279 and delight. 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.299 Tim Keller puts it beautifully 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:26.839 when he says, only in Jesus does 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:28.839 the law become a honeycomb. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:32.220 You see, once we understand the 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:34.119 gospel, only then can this word be 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:35.799 a delight to us. 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:37.460 Let me ask you, friends, as we 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.639 bring things to a close. 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:41.180 Jesus Christ, how does he taste 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.579 to you? 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:46.259 How does the gospel taste to you? 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:48.279 Have you grown lukewarm? 00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.940 Have you grown cold in your 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.899 affection for Jesus Christ? 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.740 You know, we went away yesterday 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.819 as an elders team. 00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:57.059 It was a brilliant day. 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:58.079 Thank you so much for your 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.440 prayers. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.899 And we started the day looking at 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:03.680 Jesus' words in revelation to 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:05.259 the church in Ephesus. 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:08.579 And Jesus says to that church, I 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.579 know you. 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:12.180 I know your toil and your hard 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:14.259 work, but I have this against you, 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:17.460 that you have left, you have lost 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:19.480 your love that you had for me at 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:19.940 first. 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:22.899 What a warning that is to us. 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.940 Friends, can I ask you, are you 00:33:24.940 --> 00:33:26.480 busy just running around doing 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.079 things? 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.359 Now, there's nothing wrong with 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.960 that as long as behind it there is 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:33.220 an affection and a relationship 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:35.579 with the Lord Jesus. 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:37.340 Does the gospel still thrill your 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:38.539 heart? 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:40.720 Do you rejoice in the new life that 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:42.559 Jesus Christ has given you? 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.860 There's something that we can do 00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:47.319 this week. 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:48.440 There's something I've tried to do 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:50.180 this week, and I pray that you'll 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:51.759 join me in doing it this week 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.079 coming. 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.440 It's really just to put, really 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.940 simple, just put a post-it note at 00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:56.700 the front of your Bible. 00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:59.240 And it just says, simply this, 00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:00.779 show me Christ. 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.600 Show me Christ. 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:05.539 And as you come to your Bible 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:07.240 every day, if you stick that 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:09.579 post-it note on it, make that your 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:09.920 prayer. 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:12.760 Make it your prayer and say, Lord, 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:15.240 help me as I come to your word this 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:17.960 morning to see the beauty and 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.380 delight in Jesus Christ. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.699 Now, you're thinking to yourself, 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.720 where am I getting a post-it note 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:23.019 from? 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:23.760 They're down there. 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:27.080 Show me Christ. 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:29.640 And as that happens, ask that God 00:34:29.640 --> 00:34:31.540 would place within you a growing 00:34:31.540 --> 00:34:34.560 and a deeper desire and a love for 00:34:34.560 --> 00:34:37.360 Jesus that bursts into praise so 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.720 that we can exclaim with the 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:41.380 psalmist, Lord, I delight in your 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:41.940 words. 00:34:42.540 --> 00:34:44.900 Do you desire more of Jesus Christ 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:45.540 each day? 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.780 Do you delight in Jesus Christ? 00:34:47.880 --> 00:34:49.420 Do you depend on him? 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:49.539 Do you think? 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:54.099 Now, just as we close, I read this 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:56.320 story this week about the German 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:58.280 pastor, Martin Nimler. 00:34:58.579 --> 00:34:59.840 I think that's how you say his name. 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:01.059 I'm not looking at John because he 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:02.280 told me how to say it, and that's not 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:02.519 right. 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:06.180 German pastor who was imprisoned in a 00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:09.300 Nazi concentration camp from 1937 to 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:10.200 1945. 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:12.960 And he was imprisoned for his stance 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:15.760 against Nazi state control of the 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.059 churches. 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:18.820 And reflecting on his time in the 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:21.239 camp, he said this of his Bible. 00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:22.639 He said this of God's word. 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:27.799 The Bible, what did this book mean to 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:29.880 me during the long weary years of 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.980 solitary confinement? 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:33.500 And then for the last four years at the 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:35.079 Jachau cell building, that's where he 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:35.420 was. 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:38.400 The word of God was simply everything 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.019 to me. 00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:41.659 Comfort and strength. 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:43.759 Guidance and hope. 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:46.960 Master of my days and companion for my 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.460 nights. 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:50.200 The bread which kept me from starvation 00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:52.860 and the water of life that refresh my 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:53.220 soul. 00:35:54.060 --> 00:35:56.960 And even more, solitary confinement 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:58.420 ceased to be solitary. 00:35:59.620 --> 00:36:00.780 Isn't that an amazing thing? 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:04.340 There's a man who we can't even begin to 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:06.540 imagine the things that he saw and the 00:36:06.540 --> 00:36:07.680 things that he experienced. 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:11.199 But there's a man who absolutely 00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:13.440 delighted in God's words. 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:16.139 It was his comfort in affliction. 00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:18.519 Brothers and sisters, as we close now, 00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:20.759 do we have that same mindset and desire 00:36:20.759 --> 00:36:21.579 for God's words? 00:36:22.339 --> 00:36:24.899 Can we offer a hearty amen to what Mr. 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:27.119 Sam 119 has told us this evening? 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:29.359 Because we've asked him what he feels about 00:36:29.359 --> 00:36:30.159 God's words. 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:32.359 And he's told us that he loves it. 00:36:32.859 --> 00:36:34.699 He's told us that he desires it. 00:36:34.699 --> 00:36:36.519 And he's told us that he depends on it. 00:36:37.899 --> 00:36:40.980 So this week, as you dive into Sam 119, 00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:42.719 I pray that that will be your experience. 00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:44.519 I pray that's the experience of all of 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:44.899 us. 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:47.059 And why don't you come back next Sunday 00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:49.239 and we'll ask Mr. Sam 119 one more 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:49.719 question. 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:52.899 We'll ask him, knowing what he believes, 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:54.419 knowing how he feels, we'll ask him, 00:36:54.899 --> 00:36:57.199 what does he do with God's words? 00:36:57.199 --> 00:37:00.339 So why don't we just pause and pray together 00:37:00.339 --> 00:37:01.179 as we close? 00:37:05.319 --> 00:37:09.239 And just in the silence, I wonder if you just 00:37:09.239 --> 00:37:11.000 want to pray simply this. 00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:13.179 Lord God, show me Christ. 00:37:13.179 --> 00:37:39.319 Our loving Heavenly Father, we are so grateful, Lord, 00:37:39.379 --> 00:37:40.859 for our time together this evening. 00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:45.559 And the opportunity that we've had just on the cusp of 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:49.200 another week to spend time delighting in your words. 00:37:50.640 --> 00:37:54.160 And Lord, it's our prayer that you would help us desire it 00:37:54.160 --> 00:37:58.200 more, to delight in it more, to depend on it more, and to 00:37:58.200 --> 00:37:59.620 see Christ. 00:38:00.280 --> 00:38:03.059 Father, we want to pray that we would be blown away by his 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:04.099 glory this week. 00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:06.860 Would you come and help us? 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:11.220 Would you help turn our eyes from looking to worthless things? 00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:14.620 And would you help reorientate us? 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:19.960 So that your statutes and your Son become our absolute delight. 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:23.280 And so this is our prayer in Jesus' name. 00:38:23.780 --> 00:38:24.120 Amen.