WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 This image mighty and of exceeding brightness stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 00:00:07.620 --> 00:00:13.019 The head of the image was fine gold, its chest and arms silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:17.379 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:21.120 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:26.199 and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:31.199 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold all together were broken in pieces 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:34.379 and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors, 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:38.679 and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. 00:00:39.240 --> 00:00:43.960 But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 00:00:44.879 --> 00:00:45.780 This was the dream. 00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:49.739 Now we will tell the king its interpretation. 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:57.420 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, 00:00:57.760 --> 00:01:03.000 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the fields, 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:06.400 and the birds of the heavens, making you ruler over them all. 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:08.760 You are the head of gold. 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:13.540 Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:17.300 and yet a third kingdom, a bronze, which shall rule over the earth, 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:20.539 and there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:23.579 because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. 00:01:23.899 --> 00:01:27.340 And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all things. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:32.239 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:34.920 it shall be a divided kingdom. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:38.120 But some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:41.060 just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:44.519 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:47.700 so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 00:01:48.399 --> 00:01:50.459 And as you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:53.000 so they will mix with one another in marriage, 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:54.679 but they shall not hold together, 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:57.000 just as the iron does not mix with clay. 00:01:57.759 --> 00:01:59.399 And in the days of those kings, 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:03.439 the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, 00:02:03.979 --> 00:02:06.299 nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. 00:02:06.699 --> 00:02:09.519 It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.080 and bring them to an end, 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:13.060 and it shall stand forever. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:16.180 Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:17.640 by no human hands, 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:19.200 that it broke in pieces iron, 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:20.360 the bronze and the clay, 00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:21.760 and the silver and the gold, 00:02:22.160 --> 00:02:24.460 a great God has made known to the king 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:25.820 what shall be after this. 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:27.360 The dream is certain, 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:29.920 and its interpretation sure. 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:31.280 Let's pray. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:33.800 Father, we thank you for your word, 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:35.620 which instructs us, 00:02:35.700 --> 00:02:36.719 which enlightens us, 00:02:36.820 --> 00:02:38.680 which tells us what is true. 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:41.879 So, Lord, even as we've read your word this morning, 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:43.260 we pray, O Holy Spirit, 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:46.200 that you will open our hearts to receive it. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:48.000 Your word is clear, 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:50.280 but oftentimes we have difficulty 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:52.800 because our minds are clouded by so many things. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:54.500 So, Lord, open our heart, 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:55.260 open our ears, 00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:57.480 open our minds to receive truth from you. 00:02:57.600 --> 00:03:00.439 Help me, as I explain this passage, 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:01.540 to explain it truly, 00:03:01.540 --> 00:03:05.200 to explain it according to what you are saying, 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:07.979 and may I do so in a way that is clear 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:09.239 and helpful for all of us. 00:03:09.359 --> 00:03:10.979 We pray this all in Jesus' name. 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:11.439 Amen. 00:03:13.459 --> 00:03:16.179 When I was a freshman in college, 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:17.439 I was at Georgia Tech, 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:19.819 and the school would host a variety 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:21.159 of engineering contests, 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:24.199 and the biggest contest of the year, 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:26.399 every year, was the Great Race. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:27.819 And it was a time when the engineers 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:28.979 would build these coasters 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:31.639 that they would design to go down the hill 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:32.819 at the center of the campus, 00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:35.659 and whoever could design the fastest coaster 00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:36.259 would win. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:37.919 And so, you know, 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:41.159 I didn't have time for such frivolous activities 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:44.239 because I was engaged in other frivolous activities. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:46.739 But I had friends who were doing this, 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:49.459 and they were building this coaster, 00:03:49.619 --> 00:03:51.259 and they were using all their engineering, 00:03:51.459 --> 00:03:52.539 things that they learned, 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:54.479 working out the design 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:57.159 so that it would be the most aerodynamic, 00:03:57.799 --> 00:04:00.019 figuring out the right circumference of the wheels, 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:01.920 even the right width of the tires, 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:03.680 so that it could go the fastest. 00:04:03.920 --> 00:04:05.719 Well, once they got it all completed, 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:06.920 another friend and I thought, 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:09.140 hey, it'd be fun to take it for a test drive. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:12.600 So late one night, we got the coaster, 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:14.760 and we went to the center of the Tech campus, 00:04:14.820 --> 00:04:16.240 and we started going down the hill, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.620 and it was fast. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:19.340 It was a very fast coaster. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:22.319 The problem was that on the day of the race, 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:24.080 all the roads would be closed. 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:26.100 This was not the day of the race. 00:04:26.960 --> 00:04:29.720 And we were headed towards this major intersection, 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:31.419 that was run through campus, 00:04:31.419 --> 00:04:32.399 and it was dark. 00:04:32.479 --> 00:04:33.279 It was late at night, 00:04:33.299 --> 00:04:34.939 and there was no way that the cars 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.139 were going to be able to see us, 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:37.620 and we realized we're out of control. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:38.779 Well, my friend is the driver. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:39.639 I'm the brake man. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:40.560 He's yelling at me, 00:04:40.599 --> 00:04:41.879 slow us down, slow us down. 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:42.919 And I panicked. 00:04:42.979 --> 00:04:45.039 I pulled back the brake lever so hard, 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.359 it broke off. 00:04:47.579 --> 00:04:48.759 And we're not slowing down, 00:04:48.799 --> 00:04:50.120 and my friend doesn't know what's going on. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:51.319 He's going, slow down, slow down. 00:04:51.359 --> 00:04:51.779 And I'm looking. 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:54.379 I go, what do I do? 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:56.459 And so he realizes something's wrong, 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:58.439 so he decides to turn sharply 00:04:58.439 --> 00:04:59.599 to get it to slow down. 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:02.620 The coaster was straight. 00:05:03.259 --> 00:05:05.680 It was not made to go fast turning. 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:07.299 And when he did that, 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:11.120 it just began to roll over and over. 00:05:11.299 --> 00:05:13.120 And I'm on one side of the street, 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:15.299 bloodied and battered up, 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:16.679 and he's on the other side of the street, 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:18.039 all bloodied and battered up. 00:05:18.099 --> 00:05:19.759 And between us are parts. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:24.139 You know, wheel here, wheel there, seat there. 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:26.759 It is a total... 00:05:28.219 --> 00:05:31.039 We're going to do everything that we can, 00:05:31.099 --> 00:05:33.180 and we carry it back to the house, 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:34.920 arguing about what we've got to do 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:35.899 over this crash. 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:37.079 And we walk into the house 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:40.740 where these men had given up nights 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:42.759 and we're going to do everything. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:46.860 They're not worried that I'm bloodied and battered. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:47.680 They don't care. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:49.879 All they see is all of their work 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:52.439 they have wasted. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:55.660 I mean, they've given up sleep. 00:05:55.780 --> 00:05:56.660 They've given up weekends. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:57.840 They've given up all this, 00:05:57.879 --> 00:06:01.220 and now it is all ruined in just a moment. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:03.860 And there's a terrible feeling for them 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:04.680 and terrible... 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:08.980 It came to nothing. 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:11.300 And that's depressing, isn't it? 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:13.840 Isn't it depressing when you work really hard 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:15.680 on something and you... 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:21.040 But how do you know that's not the story of your life? 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.800 We see here in Daniel chapter 2 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:28.519 that King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:06:28.660 --> 00:06:32.379 who was a glorious king in many ways, 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.939 had a success in this life 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:37.160 than any of us could ever hope 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:38.939 to possibly attain. 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:41.620 And he has this nightmare, 00:06:42.219 --> 00:06:45.100 reoccurring dream that is so disturbing 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.620 he cannot sleep anymore. 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:50.139 And he begins to realize intuitively 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:51.360 something is wrong here. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:53.819 Everything is coming to naught. 00:06:54.540 --> 00:06:57.060 And so this dream that it's all that would be wiped out, 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:58.699 yet as depressing as that sounds, 00:06:58.779 --> 00:07:00.920 the same dream that Nebuchadnezzar has 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:02.420 about everything being lost 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:04.420 also gives us... 00:07:05.140 --> 00:07:06.480 What is our hope? 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:07.540 What is our comfort? 00:07:07.960 --> 00:07:09.240 We read about it moments ago. 00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:10.900 What is our hope? 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:11.699 What is our comfort? 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:13.840 How can we have hope in a world 00:07:13.840 --> 00:07:16.259 that it seems like everything is being blown away? 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:20.139 Well, so to understand how we can have a life 00:07:20.139 --> 00:07:21.240 of meaning and purpose 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:22.960 that will last forever, 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:26.200 we need to understand three things from this text. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:28.400 The first thing that we need to understand 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:30.639 is, number one, that God is in control. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:32.379 God is in control. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:34.060 And we see this in this passage. 00:07:34.239 --> 00:07:35.620 Now, Nebuchadnezzar, again, 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:39.019 one of the great, greatest empires of all time, 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:39.779 the Babylonian, 00:07:40.159 --> 00:07:42.839 he had conquered Judah, Phoenicia, 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:44.839 and what is today Syria. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:47.219 After conquering all these lands, 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:50.699 he was going to build a peaceful kingdom. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:53.120 He was a very skilled and gifted ruler 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:53.799 and administrator. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:57.120 And so he was able to bring peace to that region. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:59.240 And then he wanted to make something beautiful. 00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:04.300 So he began these massive things that were glorious. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.959 One of the things that he built, 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:07.319 I've heard of, 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:09.600 it was one of the seven of the world, 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:11.259 the hanging gardens of Babylon. 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:16.699 So here's a man who's built these beautiful kingdoms, 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:20.000 laboring to establish this glory 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:21.780 so that his name would live forever. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:24.879 He has this disturbing dream that he cannot sleep. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.780 So he calls together his wise men, 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:28.419 the enchanters, 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:30.500 the stargazers, 00:08:30.619 --> 00:08:31.119 the sauvres, 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:34.539 promises them that he will make them 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:37.019 imaginations. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:42.620 Well, King, tell us the dream. 00:08:42.699 --> 00:08:43.839 And he says, not so fast. 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:46.139 I want you to tell me both the dream 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:47.559 and the interpretation. 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:49.980 They said, no, tell us the dream 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:51.179 and then we can tell you what it means. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:51.839 He goes, no, 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:54.120 I think you're playing games with me here. 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:55.779 If you really know, 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:58.139 if you really know what the gods are saying, 00:08:58.279 --> 00:08:59.659 you can tell me both the dream 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:00.480 and its interpretation. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:02.620 And they say, we can't do that. 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:04.019 No one can do that. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:05.200 Only the gods know. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:06.860 They don't dwell with flesh. 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:08.960 So Nebuchadnezzar realizes 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:10.519 they're all just a bunch of charlatans. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:13.899 They act like they know what the gods are saying. 00:09:13.960 --> 00:09:15.960 They act like they're able to read the stars 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:17.019 and talk to the dead, 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:18.019 but it's all an act. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:19.679 They don't really know anything. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:21.740 Only the gods know, 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.840 and they don't know what the gods know, 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:26.559 and so they've been exposed as frauds. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:28.299 They claim to know the future, 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:31.100 but God is the only one 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.939 who knows where the future is headed. 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:35.439 Today, people will speak about 00:09:35.439 --> 00:09:38.639 some behaviors being on the right side of history, 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:41.139 some behaviors on the wrong side of history, 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:45.639 and it assumes a particular version of the future. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.480 And it also assumes 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:50.399 that they have the vantage point of the future 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.779 and can look back at us 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:54.199 and see how history is going to judge 00:09:54.199 --> 00:09:55.340 this particular moment. 00:09:55.819 --> 00:09:56.299 They understand. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:56.720 In other words, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:59.480 they're claiming to know where history is going. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:01.120 And here's the question 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:02.779 that Nebuchadnezzar would ask them 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.259 that we ought to ask them is, 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:05.519 how do you know? 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:08.620 How do you know how the future 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.740 is going to judge the past? 00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:11.319 How do you know if history is going anywhere? 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.059 Now, how do you know? 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:15.000 You're speaking with certainty 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.139 about what the future is going to say 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:17.840 about the present, 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:19.480 about the direction of history, 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:21.120 but how do you know? 00:10:21.579 --> 00:10:24.720 As Nebuchadnezzar forces his counselors to admit, 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:28.419 God only knows what's going to happen. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.559 He is the only one who can say 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:32.199 what will and will not happen. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.279 Now, for the counselors, 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.399 this is a point of despair 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:36.100 because they're saying, 00:10:36.439 --> 00:10:37.299 well, God only knows. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.000 We don't know. 00:10:38.079 --> 00:10:39.379 And so there's no hope. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:40.980 How can we understand? 00:10:42.339 --> 00:10:43.279 For God's people, 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:45.319 this is encouraging news. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:47.980 This is good news for us. 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:50.620 While we don't know the future, 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:52.259 God knows the future. 00:10:52.959 --> 00:10:55.059 He alone knows what stands 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:56.279 on the right side of history. 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.980 And God knows. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.399 And so we see that 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:01.759 as God knows the future, 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:04.000 not because God is sitting here 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:05.720 looking down the corridors of time 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:07.039 and can see what is happening. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.419 God knows the future 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:10.819 because God is the author of the future. 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:13.039 God determines the future. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:15.100 He is in control of the future. 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.460 Now, there's one thing 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:18.379 that we have learned in this past year, 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.740 and hopefully there are many. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:21.620 But one thing we've learned 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:24.159 is we are not in control. 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:26.840 You are not in control. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:28.620 I mean, how many of us 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.960 had plans last year 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:31.500 totally blown out of the water 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.200 by the pandemic? 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:33.899 We are not in control. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.820 And not only are we not in control, 00:11:36.280 --> 00:11:37.620 we really don't know 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.639 what tomorrow holds. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.740 We don't know. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:41.360 We did not see the pandemic coming. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:41.940 We don't know 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:43.580 when the next pandemic is going to come. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:44.300 You don't know 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:46.000 if the stock market is going to go up 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.700 or if it's going to come crashing down. 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:48.759 You don't know 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:50.540 what the driver in the next lane 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:51.580 is going to do. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.879 You are not in control of that, right? 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.379 And yet all of these things 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:58.320 will affect your life 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:00.399 in dramatic ways. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.659 And you're in control 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:02.879 of none of that. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.360 Now, while that's terrifying, 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.620 particularly for me, 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.120 I'm a person who likes to be in control. 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:09.460 I want to be in control 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:10.059 of these things. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:11.299 And it's terrifying to think 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:13.439 I have absolutely no control. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.679 If your person 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:16.439 who thinks you're in control 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.379 have children, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.220 it will just blow 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:21.179 your whole image 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:22.200 of control the right way. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.299 We're not in control. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.179 Yet, just because 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.679 we are not in control, 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.620 what will happen is 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.620 we'll move to despair 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.259 and say then 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.799 everything is out of control. 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:32.639 Because I don't know the future, 00:12:32.719 --> 00:12:33.899 that means no one knows the future. 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:34.699 That's not true. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:37.419 Nebuchadnezzar's own counselors say, 00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:38.939 they say the gods, 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.099 but we know there's just one. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.439 God knows the future. 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:44.659 God is in control of the future. 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:46.239 And the God 00:12:46.239 --> 00:12:47.879 who is in control of the future 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.639 is the same God 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:52.240 who rules over all things 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.860 and who deeply loves 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:55.480 and cares for his people. 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.120 God is in control. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:58.659 And for those who trust in Jesus, 00:12:58.960 --> 00:12:59.919 this gives us hope 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.200 because the God 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:02.440 who controls all things 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.620 loves us so much 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:05.220 that he gave his son 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.440 to die for us. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.600 Here's why we have 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.440 such great courage. 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:10.440 The idea that God is in control 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.180 by itself 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:12.340 is not comforting. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.279 But if I believe 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:14.879 that God is my father, 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:16.700 it changes everything. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:18.299 I remember, you know, 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:18.779 years ago, 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.700 I was driving down the road 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:20.180 one evening. 00:13:20.280 --> 00:13:20.980 We lived in Florida 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:21.759 at the time. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.520 And in Florida, 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.520 we get rain. 00:13:23.780 --> 00:13:24.940 Colorado, we get a sprinkle. 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:26.000 We get rain. 00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:27.660 And it was one night, 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:30.140 it was coming down in buckets. 00:13:30.300 --> 00:13:31.160 There's enough rain 00:13:31.160 --> 00:13:32.660 to fill Prospect Lake 00:13:32.660 --> 00:13:33.460 in a few minutes. 00:13:33.640 --> 00:13:35.840 And it is just pouring down. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.240 And it's dark. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.200 And the wipers 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.060 are quite clearing. 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:40.980 And I've got a death grip 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.280 on the steering wheel. 00:13:42.400 --> 00:13:43.259 And Tricia turns to me 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:43.480 and goes, 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:43.879 you okay? 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:46.460 And of course I lie. 00:13:46.780 --> 00:13:46.920 You know. 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:47.420 Yeah. 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.940 In control. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:49.580 You know. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:51.200 I've got this. 00:13:51.260 --> 00:13:52.300 But the white knuckles 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:53.340 of my hand 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.800 are a dead giveaway 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:56.400 that I am terrified 00:13:56.400 --> 00:13:57.120 at this moment. 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.840 And I look into 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.600 the rear view mirror 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:00.560 to see our girls 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.420 in the back seat. 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:02.400 And I'm thinking, 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.120 maybe they're, 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.540 they've got to be scared. 00:14:05.380 --> 00:14:05.960 They're all asleep. 00:14:07.160 --> 00:14:08.760 They are out. 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:09.500 Why? 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:10.740 Because, 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:12.320 because dad 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.160 is behind the wheel. 00:14:13.760 --> 00:14:14.900 And my children 00:14:14.900 --> 00:14:15.920 had this 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:17.880 irrational confidence. 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.100 confidence. 00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.059 That if I was 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.939 behind the wheel, 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.080 they would be okay. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:22.460 You know, 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.559 your three-year-old 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.480 just does not worry 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.299 about paying the bills. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.320 They're not worried 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:27.939 about what's going to 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.720 happen with the economy. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.759 They're not worried 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.600 about home repairs. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.279 They don't worry 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:31.879 about those things. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.080 They have a father 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:33.620 who worries 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.580 about those things. 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:35.980 Now, 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:36.899 my children, 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:37.939 if they could have 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:38.840 that sort of confidence 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.379 in me, 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.320 when I am prone 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.000 to error, 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:43.240 when I make mistakes, 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.200 when I'm very, 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:45.320 very fallible, 00:14:45.900 --> 00:14:47.480 how much more 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.820 should we, 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.000 as the people of God, 00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:52.920 be able to rest 00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:54.400 knowing that our 00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:55.100 father's hands 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.820 are firmly 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:57.060 on the wheel? 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:58.600 He is in control. 00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.180 You have nothing 00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.780 to worry about. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:14:59.980 Now, 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:00.940 he doesn't always 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.820 tell you what he's doing 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.600 or why he's doing 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.220 what he's doing. 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.680 You don't need to know. 00:15:05.520 --> 00:15:06.440 He's got this. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.560 He's got this. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.460 He is in control. 00:15:08.780 --> 00:15:09.540 And not only 00:15:09.540 --> 00:15:10.379 is he in control, 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:12.240 but he is for you, 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:12.740 Christian. 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.659 You know he's for you. 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.379 We know he's for you 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:18.100 because as our father, 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.320 he is the one 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:22.439 who gave Christ for us. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.580 That's why we celebrate 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.059 the cross. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.639 The cross, 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.080 which was a symbol 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.139 of torture and death 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:28.220 in the first century, 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.340 is a symbol of love 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:29.919 for us. 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.460 And by giving his life 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.439 on the cross for us, 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.340 Jesus proves 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:34.039 that he's committed 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:34.759 to our good 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:35.960 even to the point 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.580 of death. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.779 And we celebrate 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.559 the cross, 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.379 but we celebrate 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:41.000 an empty cross 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.159 because Jesus 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.519 has finished the work 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.620 for our salvation 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.519 and God, 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.360 the Father, 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.139 has raised him 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.759 from the dead, 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.059 proving that he has 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:50.220 the power to save us 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.519 even from the most 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.460 fearful of enemies, 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.480 death itself. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:54.919 Because God 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:56.179 is all-powerful 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:58.500 and he uses his power 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.340 to care for his children. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.340 Everything he does, 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:03.600 everything he does 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.720 ultimately is for 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.899 his glory 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.279 and our good 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:09.039 and he is in control 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.879 of all things 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.199 and we can trust him 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:11.919 in the midst of that. 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.939 Well, once the wise men 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.939 of Babylon admit 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:16.019 they really don't know 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.459 anything, 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.959 that they're not so wise 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:18.639 after all, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.659 Nebuchadnezzar is so enraged 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.579 because he realizes 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:22.720 they've been playing games 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.500 with him all along, 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.519 he decides he's just 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.399 going to kill them all. 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.019 All the wise men 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.319 throughout the entire empire, 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.839 all the counselors 00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:31.339 throughout the entire empire. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.419 Well, Daniel hears about this 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.740 and Daniel and his friends 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.019 are part of this wise men class. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.220 They're not like the others 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.019 but they're part of 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.100 that class of people. 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.740 So Daniel is slated 00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:42.539 to be executed. 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.980 So he sends words 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.539 to the king 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.159 and he says, 00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:47.620 come and may I speak with you. 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.740 Now Daniel at this point 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.200 does not know the dream, 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.480 he does not know 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.000 the interpretation. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.139 So he asks for an appointment 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.720 with the king 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.779 and then he goes to his friends 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.120 and says, 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.740 pray that God will tell me 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.460 what to say 00:16:58.460 --> 00:17:00.240 because your life 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.899 depends on it. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.019 So Daniel goes into the king 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:04.460 and speaks to him 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.700 in the passage we just read 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.799 and here we see 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.720 the second key 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.059 to living a life 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.160 that is full of meaning 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.059 and purpose 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.900 and that is recognizing 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:14.139 that the kingdoms 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:15.200 of this world 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.639 will all pass away. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.579 The kingdoms of this world 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:20.480 are all going to pass away. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.940 Now in this dream, 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.980 Nebuchadnezzar sees 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.180 this enormous statue, 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:26.220 head of gold, 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.420 it's dazzling in appearance, 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.059 pure gold, 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.259 its chest and arms 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:30.240 are of silver, 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.639 its belly of bronze, 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:33.520 its legs of iron 00:17:33.520 --> 00:17:34.560 and feet of iron 00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:35.440 mixed with clay 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:37.380 and Daniel explains 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:39.340 that each of those sections 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.220 of the statue 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:43.440 represent a different world empire 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.040 and he starts off 00:17:45.040 --> 00:17:46.000 with some great news. 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:47.100 He says to Nebuchadnezzar, 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:47.880 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:17:48.520 --> 00:17:51.140 your empire is amazing. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.380 You are the head of gold, 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:55.620 glorious beyond all glory. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.540 But Nebuchadnezzar, 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.460 I've got some bad news. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.060 Your empire is not 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:00.759 going to last forever. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.539 Another empire will come 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:05.299 and it is one of silver. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.779 Now the text does not 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:08.140 directly explain to us 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.440 what that empire will be 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:11.339 but it seems to indicate 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.440 the next empire to come 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.279 was the empire 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.480 of the Medes and the Persians 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.160 who conquered the Babylonians. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.599 And it was a great empire 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.680 but it wasn't as glorious 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.680 as Nebuchadnezzar's. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.099 And then the next empire 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.359 was one of bronze 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.200 and again the text 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.920 doesn't tell us 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.420 but we know that later on 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.599 another empire would come 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.980 and it was that of the Greeks. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.680 Alexander the Great 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.819 would conquer the world 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:32.259 and then after that 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.720 would come another empire, 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.860 one of iron. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.240 And this seemed to be a reference 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.799 to the Roman Empire, 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.860 one that is mighty 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:41.500 and one that is strong 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.860 but did not have quite the beauty 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.980 of the others. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.960 Now in Nebuchadnezzar's vision, 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:50.299 a rock strikes this statue, 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:52.480 a rock that is not carved out 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.980 by human hands 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.920 and colorizes it 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:56.039 and the statue becomes like dust 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.400 and then the wind comes 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.600 and sweeps it away 00:18:58.600 --> 00:19:00.460 so that there's nothing left. 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.660 There's nothing remains. 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:05.340 And the point of this 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:07.340 is that is what happens 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:08.940 to all the empires 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:10.019 of this world. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.000 All of them. 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.480 All of them. 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.200 Babylonian, 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:16.880 Medes and the Persians, 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:18.660 Greeks, Romans, 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.039 you can take that on, 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.259 British Empire, 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:22.320 American Empire, 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:24.179 whatever it may be. 00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:26.179 All of the empires 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:27.179 of this world 00:19:27.179 --> 00:19:28.839 are passing away 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:30.559 and nothing will be left. 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.539 And so the point of this 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.039 is that none of these things 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.899 will last, 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.200 the kingdoms of this world. 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:38.279 And so what's the point? 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.399 What kingdom are you living for? 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:43.259 What kingdom are you living for? 00:19:43.899 --> 00:19:45.019 All of our lives 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.819 we've been told 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.379 that fulfillment 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:49.399 is found in success, 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.099 achievement, 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.319 finding a way 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:52.539 to establish your identity, 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:53.199 find a way 00:19:53.199 --> 00:19:54.219 to establish your worth. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:54.419 You know, 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.119 the ancient Greeks 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.059 thought that they could 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:58.039 establish their glory 00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:00.240 if they were heroic deeds 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.719 in battle 00:20:00.719 --> 00:20:01.959 or athletic accomplishments 00:20:01.959 --> 00:20:03.759 that they could establish 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.519 their name forever. 00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:04.919 It was a way 00:20:04.919 --> 00:20:05.859 to find salvation. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.779 And many of us 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.859 are looking to the same thing. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.799 And yet what we see here 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.619 in Daniel's vision 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.579 is that these things 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.379 that we're seeking 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.039 our glory 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.799 to find our meaning 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.799 and finding our purpose 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.619 ultimately become 00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:17.819 dust in the wind, 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.519 become nothing more. 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.319 And so all of our lives 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.000 were told that, 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.240 that defined a sense 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.660 of identity 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.379 in these things, 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.559 but Nebuchadnezzar's vision 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.259 shows us 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.400 that it's all a lie. 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:31.579 If you are a football fan, 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.200 you may have heard 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:33.119 the name Urban Meyer. 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.779 Urban Meyer 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:36.839 is only one of three coaches 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.299 ever 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.740 to win national championships 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.440 with two different 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.139 college teams. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.039 And Urban Meyer, 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:42.879 when he was coaching 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.879 at the University of Florida, 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.579 he had a quarterback, 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.960 and if you're from Colorado, 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.660 you may have heard 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.579 of a guy named Tim Tebow. 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.659 Tebow was his quarterback, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.019 and they won 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.039 a national championship. 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.599 The night they won 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.599 the national championship, 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.059 they're celebrating. 00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:58.419 Immediately that very evening 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:58.980 while everyone 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.679 is celebrating, 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.379 Urban Meyer 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:01.799 begins recruiting players 00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:02.699 for the next year. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.899 He says he just couldn't stop. 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.899 A friend came up to him 00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:08.220 and said, 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.079 what are you doing? 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:09.839 Enjoy this. 00:21:09.939 --> 00:21:10.819 What's wrong with you? 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.740 And Urban Meyer says 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.259 at that time, 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.399 he goes, 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.179 we just won, 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:15.819 but I was in a panic. 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.019 Because what happens? 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.539 He just won glory, 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:19.619 the top prize 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.919 that he could possibly win, 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:21.919 and he knew 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:23.279 it would not last 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.919 that he had to do it again 00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:26.119 and again and again. 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.939 And it was driving him crazy. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:29.079 He couldn't even enjoy 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.720 the moment. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.819 We think if we had fame 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.000 and fortune or power 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.220 that we could be somebody. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.839 But Nebuchadnezzar 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.419 had more fame, 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.179 more power, 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.039 more glory 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.039 than any of us 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.940 could ever achieve. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.299 And yet, 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.039 realized that it all 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:45.240 was dust in the wind. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:47.080 Philip Yancey 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:49.240 talks about a carving 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.680 in Waterford, Ireland. 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.160 And it's a carving 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.740 of the mayor, 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.420 but you would think 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.980 that a carving 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.019 of an old mayor 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.600 would be one 00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.759 of a beautiful tribute. 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.019 But this carving 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.799 was at the time 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.180 of the Black Death. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.880 And it shows 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.480 the body 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:04.160 of the former mayor's town 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:05.779 decomposing 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:07.400 while rats 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.259 and vermin 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.460 and insects 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.640 are eating it. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.640 Beautiful carving, right? 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:16.080 The inscription says this, 00:22:17.040 --> 00:22:17.780 Whoever you are 00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:18.820 that passed by, 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.840 stand, 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:20.600 read, 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.519 weep. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.720 I am what you will be 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.580 and I was 00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.600 what you are. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.700 Dust in the wind. 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.940 Dust in the wind. 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:33.759 The kingdoms 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.480 of this world 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.180 are fleeting 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.180 and passing. 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.360 And if you put 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.140 your hope in them, 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:39.519 you're putting your hope 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:39.980 in something 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.960 that will not last. 00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:42.360 That's the bad news. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.279 That's the bad news. 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.759 But Nebuchadnezzar's vision, 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:44.960 though, 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:46.840 ultimately is not pessimistic, 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.259 or at least 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.080 it doesn't have to be. 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.600 It brings us 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.480 to the third key 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.580 to living a life 00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:51.560 with meaning and purpose, 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.000 a life that lasts forever, 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:53.940 and that is this, 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.259 that we are to live 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.279 for the kingdom 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.920 that endures. 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.420 Live for the kingdom 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.120 that endures. 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.359 Now, 00:23:00.979 --> 00:23:02.139 after the rock 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.619 comes and obliterates 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.379 this statue, 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.579 the rock, 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.159 as it were, 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.319 then begins 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.639 to grow 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:09.839 and expand, 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.619 and it ends up 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:13.279 filling the whole earth, 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.559 and Daniel tells us 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.159 that this rock 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:16.199 becomes a mountain 00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:17.059 that fills the earth, 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:17.859 and it represents 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:19.139 the kingdom of God. 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:19.799 Now, 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.459 this image 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.239 of a mountain 00:23:21.239 --> 00:23:21.779 representing 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.719 the kingdom of God 00:23:22.719 --> 00:23:24.399 is not unique to Daniel. 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:24.919 We see it 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.899 in other prophecies. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.359 We see it 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.519 in Isaiah chapter 2 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.759 and Micah chapter 4. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.319 And the idea here 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.220 is that it is a mountain 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.379 that is a place of worship. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.160 See, 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.240 in the ancient world, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.900 they thought of 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:38.059 the sky 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.000 as being a place 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.019 where earth and heaven 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.079 would come into contact. 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.339 That's why they build 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.420 these high pyramids 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.299 and ziggurats 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.059 and different things 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.180 because they thought 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.640 if you could get 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.660 to the high spot, 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.519 you would be where 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.599 the heavens and earth 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.240 come in contact, 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.160 and so they build 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.960 their altars 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.519 and they build 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.519 even their temples 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.839 on high places. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.019 And we see that 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.319 throughout the Old Testament. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.420 And so, 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.420 the mountain 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.579 is a place of worship. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.819 And what this image 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.700 is telling us 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.279 is that 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.200 the mountain 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.980 of the Lord 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.200 is going to fill the earth. 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:09.099 That the whole earth 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.259 is going to worship 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.740 the Lord. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.519 That the kingdom of God 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.200 is going to fill 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.859 the entire world 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.039 and that the people 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.059 of the entire world 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.940 will one day 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.759 be coming 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.779 and worshiping 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.359 the Lord. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.819 And Daniel tells us 00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.500 not only that 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.379 this kingdom of God 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:23.900 is coming 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:25.339 and that it will 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.039 endure forever, 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.000 it will be the kingdom 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.579 that lasts. 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.879 He even tells us 00:24:28.879 --> 00:24:29.839 when this kingdom 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.399 will come. 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.720 When's this kingdom 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.220 going to come? 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.220 When's God going 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.679 to bring about 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:34.139 the kingdom? 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.779 Well, he tells us 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.720 it's going to happen 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.359 during that fourth kingdom, 00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:39.859 the kingdom of iron, 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:41.279 but with feet of clay 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.019 mixed with iron. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.919 So when the Roman Empire 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:44.720 came along, 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.179 what it lacked 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:47.339 in beauty and grace 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.699 and more than made up 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:50.000 for strength and power, 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.639 power unlike the world 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.319 had ever seen, 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:54.359 it seems only appropriate 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:56.099 that iron would represent 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.659 this kingdom. 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.119 But at the height 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.959 of the Roman Empire, 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.919 at its pinnacle, 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.539 something happened 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:04.539 that was so dramatic 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.919 that it changed 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.379 the history 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:07.199 of the world forever. 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.419 And yet, 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.799 it went unnoticed 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.359 at the moment 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:13.059 because in a little village, 00:25:13.199 --> 00:25:14.119 obscure village, 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.959 in the outskirts 00:25:14.959 --> 00:25:15.539 of the empire, 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:17.000 just outside of Jerusalem, 00:25:17.199 --> 00:25:18.099 in this little village 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.959 known as Bethlehem, 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.019 a baby was born. 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.120 Hardly anyone noticed, 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.380 no one paid attention. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.259 That baby grew up 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.840 at age 33. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.059 He was taken outside 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.079 the city gates 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.940 there in Jerusalem. 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:31.220 And outside the city gates, 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.660 he was executed. 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:33.779 Do you remember 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.819 the charges against him? 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.340 Do you remember 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.299 why he was put to death? 00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:38.920 The plaque said 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.940 in three different languages, 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.980 the king of the Jews. 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:45.019 Jesus Christ had come 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.759 to bring the kingdom of heaven. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.460 In fact, 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.500 Jesus made this clear. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.019 He announced his kingdom 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.440 of heaven 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.220 by announcing, 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.500 as he proclaimed 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.799 the gospel around, 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.480 that he is the rock. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.180 And he said this. 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:57.539 He says, 00:25:57.840 --> 00:25:58.299 he says, 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:58.740 repent, 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.960 for the kingdom of heaven 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.019 is near. 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.380 The kingdom of heaven 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:03.980 is at hand. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.819 What Jesus is saying 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.900 is I am the king 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.960 and I'm the one 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.759 who's come to bring 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.180 the kingdom. 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.680 So we now know 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.759 something that Nebuchadnezzar 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.620 could not know. 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.960 We know 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.700 what the rock is 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.600 or should we say 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.920 who the rock is. 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.720 Jesus is the rock. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.980 And he's come 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.000 to bring the kingdom. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.700 He's the rock 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.600 that's not cut 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.360 from the mountain 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:24.500 by any human hands, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.460 that breaks into his history, 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.720 bringing judgment 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.500 on all that stands 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.180 in his path 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.039 and all who try 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.620 to hinder it. 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.519 The kingdom of God 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.279 is here. 00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:35.340 When Jesus came 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:35.740 and announced 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.640 the kingdom of God, 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.600 then we see the mountain 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.440 growing, right? 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.420 That's the picture 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.620 we see in Nebuchadnezzar's vision. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.920 It fills the whole earth. 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.900 And that's what we're 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.519 seeing today. 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.680 What started off 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.539 as a small band 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.200 of worshipers 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.879 in the Middle East 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.960 has grown into a mountain 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.839 that fills the entire earth. 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.839 Think about this. 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:53.420 Now, in Acts chapter 2, 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.659 we're told 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:56.240 there are 120 people 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.019 there gathering 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.659 in Jerusalem. 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.379 This isn't even 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.460 an important place 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:00.940 in the world 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.460 at the time. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.460 120 people. 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.379 Yet today, 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.659 today, 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.019 there are Christians 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.819 on every continent 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.599 and just about 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.579 every country 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.779 around the world. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.740 Estimates are 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:14.440 there's nearly 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.500 as many practicing 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.819 Christians in China 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.259 today as there are 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.539 in the United States. 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.579 It's amazing. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.259 There are more people 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:23.980 in church today 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.759 in Kenya 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.700 than there are 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.440 in Canada. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.940 There are more 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.940 Presbyterians 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.680 in church today 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.399 in Ghana 00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:31.180 than there are 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.839 in Scotland, 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.740 which is astounding. 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.220 And not only that, 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.460 and I think of a century ago. 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.059 A century ago, 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.720 there were hardly 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.619 any Christians 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.339 in Korea. 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.660 And yet today, 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.359 South Korea 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:43.279 has over 16,000 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.500 cross-cultural missionaries. 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.279 They are sending out 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.759 missionaries 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.699 to 173 different countries. 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.199 Christian leaders 00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:49.699 in China 00:27:49.699 --> 00:27:50.639 are planning to send out 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:52.279 20,000 missionaries 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.399 by the year 2030. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.199 Nebuchadnezzar's vision 00:27:55.199 --> 00:27:57.099 is coming true 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:59.559 right before our eyes. 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:01.279 The kingdom of God 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.019 is growing 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:03.639 and is filling the earth. 00:28:04.719 --> 00:28:05.379 Yet there are still 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:07.079 over 3 billion people 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.399 who live in places 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:08.879 where there are 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.519 no viable 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.519 Christian witnesses. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.039 Places where people 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.859 die every day 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.459 without hearing 00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:14.459 about the love of God. 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:16.259 In other places, 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.599 the gospel 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.799 is being preached, 00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:19.559 but the gospel 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.279 that's being preached 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.459 is hardly recognizable 00:28:21.459 --> 00:28:22.159 by scripture. 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.179 It is a gospel 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:23.879 of works, 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.019 of legalism. 00:28:25.479 --> 00:28:26.000 Other places, 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:27.559 it's a prosperity gospel, 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:29.039 which simply leads people 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.240 into greater bondage 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.399 rather than the freedom 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:32.259 that Jesus Christ 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.000 came to give. 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.219 And as a result, 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.919 people are trading 00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.919 one form of bondage 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:36.439 for another. 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:38.000 The kingdom of God 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.559 is growing, 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.839 but the work 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.819 is not yet finished. 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.339 And that's why 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.220 at Shine Mountain 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.460 you have been so engaged. 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.720 You have people 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.700 who are part of your church 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.179 in a country 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.059 that we can't mention. 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:48.579 We'll just call it 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:48.940 the kingdom. 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:51.319 And where they are 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:52.359 announcing the good news 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.940 of the gospel. 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.099 The Shemkees, 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:55.819 whom you support, 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.980 are in Africa 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.559 with African Bible University 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.480 training people 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:01.019 to preach the true gospel 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.019 rather than 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.220 an adulterated version 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.400 so that the gospel 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.059 can go forth. 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.940 But we need more. 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.160 You're part of 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.200 the Presbyterian Church 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.759 in America. 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.620 And one of the things 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.339 we're praying for 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:10.839 is a church 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:13.339 that 1% of our members 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.839 over the next 10 years 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.400 will commit to serving 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.799 in cross-cultural missions. 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.460 A mission to the world 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.160 where I serve, 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.640 we have actually 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.759 very specific needs, 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.079 places where we need people 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:25.100 right now. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.980 Because over the next 10 years, 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.299 our goal is to plant 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:30.559 486 new churches. 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:30.679 churches. 00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:32.259 We want to do this 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:34.079 in 192 new cities, 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.279 63 new countries. 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.799 How in the world 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.460 are we going to do this? 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.519 Well, we need 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.720 1,000 more missionaries. 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:41.859 And that's why I'm here 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.659 speaking to you today. 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.679 1,000 more missionaries. 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:47.619 We need 800 more interns 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:48.399 to go. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:50.779 And then beyond that, 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.339 somebody's got to support 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.139 these missionaries 00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:54.539 and these interns too, right? 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.419 I mean, it costs money 00:29:56.419 --> 00:29:57.599 to take the gospel 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.940 to the nations. 00:29:58.940 --> 00:30:00.840 So the vision of Daniel 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:01.759 chapter 2 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.880 is happening 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.000 right now 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.340 before our eyes. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.900 And our calling 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:07.940 as the people of God 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.960 is to be part 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.920 of what he is doing. 00:30:10.600 --> 00:30:11.360 See, as children, 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.480 we're not just 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.960 passive spectators 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.380 watching God work. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.740 The way God works 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:17.460 and announcing 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.120 his kingdom 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:18.980 and bringing his kingdom 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.180 is through his church, 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:20.960 is through his people. 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.200 That's why Jesus 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:23.220 commissioned his church. 00:30:23.320 --> 00:30:23.600 He said, 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.900 go into all the world 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.820 and preach the gospel, 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.160 baptizing them 00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.860 and teaching them 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.360 to observe 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:29.580 all that I have commanded you. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:31.200 It is how the vision 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.800 of Daniel 2 takes place. 00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:34.259 The vision of Daniel 2 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.580 will come about 00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:37.600 fully and completely. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.500 But God's using 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.440 his people to do it. 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.940 And those who are part 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.660 of God's family 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:44.140 join in the family business. 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.120 And if you want to be 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:46.140 on the right side of history, 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:48.040 here's where history is going. 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.640 The kingdom of God 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.779 is filling the earth. 00:30:51.300 --> 00:30:52.279 That's why we engage 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.980 in the work that God 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.019 is doing around the world. 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:55.660 And so that raises 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:57.440 an important question. 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.139 In fact, 00:30:59.180 --> 00:30:59.639 we call it 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.819 the most important question. 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.019 Which kingdom 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.900 are you living for? 00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:06.559 Are you living for a kingdom 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:08.660 that is going to fade? 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.980 Or are you living for a kingdom 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.259 that is eternal? 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:14.059 Are you looking to find 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.740 your glory 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:16.440 in that which is passing, 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:17.720 that will one day 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.779 be reduced to dust 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.720 and then swept away 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.440 by the breeze? 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.799 Or are you looking 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.639 for your glory 00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:24.700 in the kingdom of heaven? 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.839 Josh McDowell 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.559 tells a story 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.299 of an old man 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.159 who came up to him 00:31:29.159 --> 00:31:29.539 one time 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.519 after he gave a message. 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.859 And by his dress 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.440 and demeanor, 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.279 it was pretty obvious 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.579 that this older gentleman 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:36.279 was very successful. 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:38.159 And the older man said, 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.899 my whole life, 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:41.240 I've been climbing the ladder 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.579 trying to get to the top. 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.539 I've stepped on people 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.240 along the way 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.659 and made numerous sacrifices. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.700 Now I'm an old man 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.680 and I realize 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:51.019 for all these years, 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:52.339 I've had my ladder 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:53.400 leaning against 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.619 the wrong building. 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.240 What are you living for? 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.180 What kingdom 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.019 are you living for? 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.559 The reason Jesus came 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.379 and lived 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.139 and died 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:05.779 was not so 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.579 he could create 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.079 a ladder 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.920 by which we could 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.759 climb to him. 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.240 And instead, 00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:10.859 he's the one 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.400 who descended 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.240 Jacob's ladder 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.139 to come to us. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.440 He is the one 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:14.900 who came 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.559 to make a way 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.019 for us 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.619 to be a part 00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.379 of his kingdom, 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.299 to be a part 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.079 of what he's doing 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:20.599 here and throughout 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.139 the world. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.460 And he invites us 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.419 to follow him 00:32:23.419 --> 00:32:24.000 in faith, 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.240 to trust in him, 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.919 to trust that by his life, 00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:27.699 his death, 00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.779 his perfect obedience, 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.519 by sacrificial death, 00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:31.799 vindicated through 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.559 the resurrection, 00:32:33.199 --> 00:32:34.419 where he now is ascended 00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.299 and reigning in heaven, 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:37.139 he's proven to us 00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:38.519 that there's one kingdom 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.439 that will last. 00:32:40.000 --> 00:32:41.099 And if we are united 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.599 to him, 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:43.480 we are part of that kingdom 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:45.279 and we will last forever. 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.879 Where's your hope? 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.279 My only hope 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.099 in life and death. 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.740 It's found in him. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.559 Let's pray. 00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:53.519 Our Father, 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.299 we do thank you 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.440 for the hope 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.119 that we have 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:58.160 through Jesus Christ 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.599 that he is the rock 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:01.299 and he has come 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.200 to bring his kingdom. 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:02.579 And Lord, 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.160 we thank you 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.700 that we live 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.819 in a time in history 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:06.379 in which we're seeing 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:07.079 the fulfillment 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.039 of this promise 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.299 in such remarkable, 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.220 beautiful, 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.539 glorious ways. 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:11.879 And so, 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.240 oh Lord, 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:12.819 we pray. 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.099 We pray, 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:14.399 oh Lord, 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.160 that we would set 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.240 our sights on earth 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.180 instead of seeking 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.360 to find our life 00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:20.620 in things that are temporary 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.500 that we would seek 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.620 to find our hope 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.360 and our joy 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:25.519 in things that are eternal. 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.920 We thank you 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.800 that Jesus has done 00:33:27.800 --> 00:33:29.060 everything necessary 00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:29.920 for us to share 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:30.500 in that kingdom 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:32.080 and that it is ours 00:33:32.080 --> 00:33:32.960 through faith 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.920 and faith alone. 00:33:34.100 --> 00:33:34.580 So Lord, 00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.500 today as your people, 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.680 we affirm that faith. 00:33:36.840 --> 00:33:37.400 We believe 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.500 that Jesus is Lord. 00:33:39.100 --> 00:33:39.620 We believe 00:33:39.620 --> 00:33:40.400 that he is king 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.820 and we trust him 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:42.820 as our king, 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.759 as our Lord. 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.480 And we want 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.160 to follow you. 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.220 And so Lord, 00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:47.480 we commit this day 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:49.400 to living for the one 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.359 eternal kingdom. 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.799 We commit to that 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.859 with everything that we do 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:55.039 and how we raise our children, 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.160 how we engage 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.799 in our families, 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.920 how we spend our money, 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:59.119 how we do our jobs. 00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.420 Lord, 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:00.420 may we do it all 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.319 for your glory, 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.200 for your good, 00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:03.740 for your praise. 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:05.000 And Lord, 00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:05.740 we pray too 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:07.279 that you would give us 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.539 a heart for the world, 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.400 a heart to see 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.639 this kingdom 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:13.380 fill the entire globe. 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.720 See people 00:34:14.720 --> 00:34:15.740 from every tribe 00:34:15.740 --> 00:34:16.260 and tongue, 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.420 every ethnic group, 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.139 people in every place 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.260 come and worship 00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.480 and praise you, 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:21.880 O Lord. 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.240 We pray this 00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:24.039 in Jesus' name. 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:24.599 Amen. 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:24.680 Amen. 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.660 Amen. 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:55.639 Thank you.