WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:03.600 We're starting a new series this evening. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:06.679 So I'll just explain just for a couple of minutes what's going to happen. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.339 So for the next 10 weeks, we'll follow a similar pattern. 00:00:10.380 --> 00:00:13.439 We're going to be following the themes of None Like Him. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:15.240 Still copies available, only £5. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.219 Take them and pay later, should you wish. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:22.740 And the reason why we're doing this, the reason why we're discussing the character of God 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:25.660 is firstly so that it will help us in our worship, 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:32.119 but also so that it will give us something with which we can help and encourage others. 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:38.480 Somebody said recently that in our pastoral care, in our care of others, 00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:44.400 that the best thing that we can supply for people is a big and a true picture of who God is 00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:48.179 so that we understand that He is trustworthy, that He is good, 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:51.560 that He is someone that we can rest and rely on. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:55.219 So we'll have a shorter time of worship. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:56.740 We'll have a sermon. 00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:00.780 And then once the service finishes, we'll have an opportunity together 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:04.359 to break into small groups and to discuss, and really to discuss, 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:07.959 for example, today, how does the fact that God is infinite, 00:01:08.019 --> 00:01:09.739 how does that help us to worship Him? 00:01:10.180 --> 00:01:11.640 Why should that lead us to praise Him? 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:16.019 And how can that knowledge be used to help and encourage other people, 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:20.019 whether Christians or not Christians, as they're hurting, troubled, confused, or anxious? 00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:25.619 I know some people don't like discussion groups, feel a bit uncomfortable, a little bit awkward. 00:01:25.959 --> 00:01:29.959 Can I encourage you, even if you don't want to say anything, still stick around, 00:01:30.039 --> 00:01:34.000 because as you listen to other people share their experiences, 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:37.479 even if you're not saying anything, you'll be encouraged. 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:42.479 You'll be hearing how God has been at work and continues to be at work in people's lives. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:48.579 So it'd be wonderful if we could all stick around just for 15 or so minutes after the service finishes. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:52.020 Time is marching. 00:01:52.359 --> 00:01:54.560 We're going to make sure that we keep things nice and tight. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:02:01.500 So let's read together from Isaiah chapter 40, this wonderful chapter of God's Word, page 724. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:12.319 Our first theme tonight is the God who is infinite, the God who has no limits. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:20.620 So we're in Isaiah 40, on page 724, and we're going to read from verse 12 to verse 31. 00:02:22.879 --> 00:02:24.699 Let's hear God's Word together. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:32.419 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? 00:02:32.899 --> 00:02:38.560 Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales, and the hills in a balance? 00:02:39.179 --> 00:02:44.159 Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:49.560 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:54.060 Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding? 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:57.459 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:00.119 They are regarded as dust on the scales. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:02.699 He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 00:03:03.519 --> 00:03:08.359 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:11.879 Before him all the nations are as nothing. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:15.879 They are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:18.719 To whom then will you compare God? 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:20.959 What image will you compare him to? 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:27.620 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:32.360 A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:36.500 He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. 00:03:37.480 --> 00:03:38.400 Do you not know? 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:40.040 Have you not heard? 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:42.219 Has it not been told you from the beginning? 00:03:42.600 --> 00:03:45.120 Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:50.120 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:55.240 He stretches out the heavens like a canopy and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:59.300 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:03.020 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:06.680 no sooner do they take root in the ground than he blows on them and they wither, 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:09.120 and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:11.200 To whom will you compare me? 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:12.420 Or who is my equal? 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:13.219 Says the Holy One. 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:15.640 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:17.000 Who created all these? 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:21.579 He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:26.040 Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 00:04:26.819 --> 00:04:29.379 Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:31.240 My way is hidden from the Lord. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:33.959 My cause is disregarded by my God. 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:35.519 Do you not know? 00:04:35.959 --> 00:04:36.879 Have you not heard? 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:41.319 The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:46.279 He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 00:04:46.719 --> 00:04:49.839 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:54.519 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:58.279 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:01.100 They will soar on wings like eagles. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:03.819 They will run and not grow weary. 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:07.659 They will walk and not be faint. 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:08.779 Amen. 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:15.299 Now, I want to begin with something that I'm sure we are all familiar with, 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:21.439 the reality that we are, as people, limited, and we can be measured. 00:05:22.099 --> 00:05:25.519 And that's something that life teaches us in so many ways. 00:05:26.059 --> 00:05:29.319 As we grow up, we're very interested in our height. 00:05:30.119 --> 00:05:33.439 We are concerned for our strength. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.739 Our age is really important to us. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:40.819 We want to get older, then we reach that certain point we just wish we could get a little bit younger. 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:45.439 Life teaches us as well that we have limits of our capacity, 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:49.220 our emotional capacity, our physical capacity. 00:05:49.400 --> 00:05:54.620 We reach max, and we can't do anything more. 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:58.340 We suffer from time constraints. 00:05:58.339 --> 00:06:04.539 We have to-do lists that we, if you're like me, you probably never manage to get through. 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:08.959 You find yourself being double or sometimes triple booked, 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:11.560 and you can't be in two places at the same time. 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.039 We have diminishing abilities. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:18.520 I didn't always need glasses. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:21.860 Exercise wasn't always such a challenge. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:26.780 Staying up late, getting up early was easy, but not so much now. 00:06:27.320 --> 00:06:28.520 So all of us know this. 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:28.920 It's true. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:34.379 From the day we're born until the day we die, we are limited, and we can be measured. 00:06:35.080 --> 00:06:39.140 So the really important thing for us is how do we respond to that? 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:44.839 The Bible would say to us we should respond by viewing ourselves with humility, 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:49.680 living within those limits, recognizing that they are from God, 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:51.860 who created us, designed us with limitation. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:07:00.180 However, sometimes we go wrong as people because we want to reject those limitations. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:04.879 If we remind ourselves of what happened in the Garden of Eden, 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:07.459 we think about Adam and Eve, what happened there? 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:10.719 They weren't content to live under God's rule. 00:07:10.799 --> 00:07:13.479 They wanted to become like God. 00:07:14.379 --> 00:07:15.500 And we can do that. 00:07:15.579 --> 00:07:18.659 We can try and take God off his rightful throne, 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:20.879 and we can put ourselves there instead. 00:07:21.479 --> 00:07:27.060 We can be guilty of pride that rejects the limits that are placed on us. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:28.359 Or we can do another thing. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:32.199 We can put other people on a pedestal. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.419 We can make someone else so important in our lives 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:39.439 that to us they then have a God-like significance. 00:07:40.640 --> 00:07:44.020 And we place on someone else a crushing weight of expectation 00:07:44.020 --> 00:07:49.259 because we don't understand that only God is supposed to have that ultimate position. 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:54.520 So the key to being fully human, biblically, 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:56.560 is to embrace our limits, 00:07:56.680 --> 00:08:00.520 to live under God's good rule. 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:04.279 So that's a truth that we recognize. 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:07.740 The Bible also teaches us very clearly, 00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:09.579 Isaiah 40 is a great example, 00:08:09.799 --> 00:08:11.180 God is unlimited, 00:08:11.979 --> 00:08:13.779 and he cannot be measured. 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:16.219 That's what we mean when we talk about God being infinite. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:19.120 God has no limits. 00:08:19.659 --> 00:08:21.839 He doesn't have the limitations that we have 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:23.579 because he's not human. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:24.740 He's not created. 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:25.859 He is eternal, 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:27.579 and he is uncreated. 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:32.120 He doesn't suffer those restrictions of space and time. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:34.340 He rules over them. 00:08:34.439 --> 00:08:35.000 So, for example, 00:08:35.079 --> 00:08:37.460 he sees all of history in a single moment. 00:08:38.439 --> 00:08:40.419 God can be in all places at all times, 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.139 and he is infinite. 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:44.120 He cannot be measured by us. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:48.039 God can superintend the whole of creation 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:49.600 at the macro level, 00:08:49.819 --> 00:08:50.860 the movements of stars, 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:51.379 planets, 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:51.980 galaxies, 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.279 and at the micro level. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:55.139 As Donald was praying, 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.779 he knows the number of hairs on our head. 00:08:58.319 --> 00:08:59.439 We have a God who, 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:00.120 unlike us, 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:03.059 his power and his capability never diminishes. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:06.840 He is not affected by age or decay. 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:09.539 He doesn't find that he gets pressured 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:11.460 and makes bad decisions. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:12.639 In fact, 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:14.600 the only limit that there is on God 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.539 is that he cannot sin. 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:19.980 He must always remain true to his character, 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:23.419 which is good and perfect and holy. 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:25.099 And so, 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:27.559 I want us to explore these two realities 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:30.419 by using Isaiah 40. 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:33.000 I want us to see clearly the difference 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:34.139 between God and us 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:36.439 and to celebrate that as good news, 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:38.259 to worship him as a result, 00:09:39.579 --> 00:09:42.939 to recognize that embracing this infinite God, 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:44.899 the one who has no limits, 00:09:44.939 --> 00:09:48.120 is the key to all that we need in our lives. 00:09:49.099 --> 00:09:51.360 This is why Isaiah 40 was written. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:54.860 It was written to deliver to a people, 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.759 people of Israel, 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:57.779 who were being prepared for exile 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.460 because of their disobedience, 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:03.580 because they were rejecting life under God's rule. 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:05.680 Isaiah is saying to them, 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:06.860 even in that situation, 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:08.300 in turning to this God, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.980 in turning to the God of no limits, 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:12.899 this is your one hope for security, 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:15.800 trusting in this God who keeps his promises, 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.420 this God who can be trusted absolutely. 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:20.019 And so, 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:20.899 for us this evening, 00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:24.219 I want us to receive this God 00:10:24.219 --> 00:10:25.379 and his good news, 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:27.259 to embrace our own limits 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:29.899 and to embrace the God without limits, 00:10:30.299 --> 00:10:32.240 and to see how God in Jesus 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:35.279 has provided out of his infinite love 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.159 all that we lack. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:38.699 So, 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:40.439 let's look at our passage. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:42.599 Let's turn to Isaiah 40, 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.179 and let's see, 00:10:43.319 --> 00:10:43.860 first of all, 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.199 the God who measures, 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:47.639 but cannot be measured. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:48.960 There's wonderful imagery 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:51.480 all through this passage. 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:53.059 Verse 12, 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:54.340 we see it very clearly. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:57.539 The choice of scale is deliberate. 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:58.980 Here is a picture 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:01.639 that the largest things in our universe, 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:02.460 they're small, 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:05.600 and they're controlled by God the creator. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:06.559 So, 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:08.939 he can measure all the waters of the universe 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:10.240 in the hollow of his hand. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:10.480 You know, 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.759 we can manage a few drops. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.960 He can manage all the oceans. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:17.180 God is so great 00:11:17.180 --> 00:11:17.780 that he can, 00:11:17.900 --> 00:11:18.480 as it were, 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:21.060 mark off the size of our universe 00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:22.360 in handbread, 00:11:23.160 --> 00:11:26.740 where we're still trying to grapple with its size. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:30.420 He's held the dust of the earth in a basket, 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:33.720 weighing Mount Everest, 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:34.340 as it were, 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.440 on a scale. 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.800 Here is a picture of God 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:38.600 who is in absolute control. 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:42.060 He has the capacity to measure 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:45.220 and control the universe he created. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:48.600 He is without rival in that regard. 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:49.580 So, 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.500 God measures all things, 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:54.480 but then Isaiah is quick to point out 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:56.040 that he cannot be measured. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:58.180 That's the point of verse 13 and 14. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:00.860 Who has understood the mind of the Lord 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:03.440 or instructed him as his counselor? 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:05.060 The implied answer, 00:12:05.260 --> 00:12:05.480 of course, 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:07.100 is nobody. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.020 It's impossible for us 00:12:10.020 --> 00:12:12.140 to fathom God's creative mind. 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.920 God didn't go to anyone 00:12:14.920 --> 00:12:17.000 for advice or direction. 00:12:17.260 --> 00:12:19.940 God is in no need of a teacher. 00:12:20.660 --> 00:12:23.580 He lacks no wisdom or information. 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:26.420 So, here in these three small verses, 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.560 we get an amazing picture 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:30.420 of our unlimited God 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:34.379 who contrasts with us as people. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.699 Because the next thing 00:12:36.699 --> 00:12:40.319 that we see in verses 15 to 26 00:12:40.319 --> 00:12:43.860 is the God who has the measure of us. 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.240 You know the expression 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.699 to have the measure of someone 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:48.719 where you have them figured out 00:12:48.719 --> 00:12:50.620 where in a sports context 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.360 you understand how another team plays 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.740 and you've figured out tactics 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:57.299 to make sure that you're going to defeat them 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.159 and deal with them. 00:12:58.459 --> 00:13:00.059 It's clear from Isaiah 40 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:02.259 that God has the measure of us as people. 00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:05.439 We are no challenge to his uniqueness. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.799 We are no rival to him. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:12.159 He is infinitely greater than us. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.459 And Isaiah brings that out 00:13:14.459 --> 00:13:15.199 in a number of ways. 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:17.539 Verse 15 to 17, first of all, 00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:20.099 we see that the collected strength 00:13:20.099 --> 00:13:21.939 and wisdom and intentions of humanity 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:23.779 are nothing compared to God. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:26.439 Surely the nations 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:29.699 are like a drop in a bucket. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.699 Or the islands 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:34.539 just like fine dust. 00:13:35.459 --> 00:13:38.000 Nothing compared to God. 00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:40.679 It brings to mind the story of 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.919 the Tower of Babel 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.379 in Genesis chapter 11. 00:13:44.459 --> 00:13:46.619 So you have that picture of humanity 00:13:46.619 --> 00:13:48.659 in rebellion against God. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.259 God said, 00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:51.919 scatter around the world 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:56.199 and subdue it and live as God's 00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:58.839 vice kings on the earth. 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:00.779 But instead they gather together 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.779 and in human pride 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.519 they decide to build a vast tower 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:04.099 as if to say, 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:04.979 we don't need God. 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.500 Look at us. 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:06.179 We're great. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.959 And there's that wonderful picture 00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:08.319 where you've got, 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:08.879 on the one hand, 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:11.039 the people building up in pride, 00:14:11.439 --> 00:14:12.879 trying to build this tower to heaven. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.860 And then it says, 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:16.919 God came down and saw. 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.200 And the impression is, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.939 what they're doing is so small 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.419 and so insignificant 00:14:21.419 --> 00:14:23.820 and no threat at all to God. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.779 He has no rivals. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.600 Verse 16, 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.700 a different kind of imagery. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:29.840 Lebanon, 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:32.100 famous for its cedar trees, 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:34.899 is not sufficient for altar fires, 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.360 nor its animals 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.919 enough for burnt orphans. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:42.039 Imagine a country-sized altar 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.779 for worship. 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:45.659 All the forests laid out 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:47.559 to offer all the animals 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:49.379 of that country as sacrifices. 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.279 What it's saying is that 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:52.740 while God invites and commands worship, 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.719 He is not controlled by worshipers. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.799 That supposing we were to make 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:59.459 that kind of great sacrifice, 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:01.679 it would not put God in our debt. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.039 It would not say that we are 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:06.459 in any way comparable to God. 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:08.120 Our most impressive religious 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.200 and moral deeds 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:12.280 do not put God in our debt. 00:15:14.420 --> 00:15:17.840 And then the imagery moves on again. 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:20.160 And it begins to address, 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:21.620 Isaiah begins to address 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:24.139 ways that we fight against the limits 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.500 that God has set for us. 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:29.440 So God created us to live under His good rule, 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:31.200 to be humble before Him, 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:33.379 but there are ways that we refuse 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.519 to submit to that. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:36.699 And there are two ways 00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:39.759 that we tend to do that as people. 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:43.939 The first is in verses 18 to 20, 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.919 where one of the things that we can do 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:48.360 is make idols for ourselves. 00:15:48.819 --> 00:15:50.299 So reading at verse 18, 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:53.639 to whom then will you compare God? 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.379 What image will you compare Him to? 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.279 As for an idol, 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.699 crafts him in casks, 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.379 casts it, 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.939 and a goldsmith overlays it 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.200 with gold and fashions, 00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:04.880 silver chains. 00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:06.420 But here's this contrast 00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:07.840 between the Almighty God 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.620 that we've just seen 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.480 and this image 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:12.980 that somebody has created. 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.040 And the point really is that 00:16:15.040 --> 00:16:16.860 no matter how fancy an idol is, 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:19.520 no matter how valuable an idol is, 00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:21.760 back in those days when it was statues, 00:16:21.880 --> 00:16:22.660 they cannot move, 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.520 they cannot think, 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:25.960 they have no power or influence, 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:29.240 they are no rival to the true God, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:32.980 nor are the idols that we create for ourselves. 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:38.980 So it is possible we speak about idolizing money, 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:41.600 thinking if I just had enough money, 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.680 then I'd have security, 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.560 and I'd have joy, 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.360 and I'd have happiness. 00:16:44.780 --> 00:16:46.320 But money has limits. 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.440 Money can be lost. 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:51.840 We can idolize our jobs 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.960 and find our identity 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:55.560 and source of happiness, 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.800 and I've made it 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.920 because I've got this job. 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.480 But again, 00:16:58.920 --> 00:17:00.000 a job is something 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.340 that we will leave behind. 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:07.220 We can even idolize another person. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.259 And when we do that, 00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:10.180 we realize 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:13.240 that everyone disappoints us eventually, 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:17.200 and everybody dies eventually. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:22.120 God is not like the idols. 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:26.680 And in refusing to know and accept our limits, 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.720 there's another thing that people tend to do. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.100 They did it in Isaiah's day. 00:17:30.600 --> 00:17:32.080 We can do it in our own day. 00:17:32.400 --> 00:17:33.720 We can place our hopes 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:35.740 in the great and the good and the powerful. 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:40.440 That's what happens in verses 21 to 26. 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:43.220 We've got this deliberate choice of imagery. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.940 For example, in verse 22, 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:48.360 He, that is God, 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:51.160 sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, 00:17:51.820 --> 00:17:54.980 and its people are like grasshoppers. 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:57.340 So people are tiny. 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:59.360 People are grasshopper-sized 00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:02.299 compared to the infinite God. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:04.920 And he goes on in verse 23, 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:08.400 this God brings princes to nothing. 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:10.519 He reduces the rulers of this world 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.559 to nothing. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.700 End of verse 24, 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:20.900 Think about petals on a cherry blossom tree. 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:22.460 One slight breeze, 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.700 and they're gone. 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.700 Compared to God, 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:28.559 that's what the great kings and rulers 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:30.160 and the rich and the wealthy 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:32.340 and the powerful are like. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:35.959 So bearing all this in mind, 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:38.519 Isaiah brings us back 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.220 to the idea of 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:42.679 gaining a proper perspective, 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.319 looking up 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.759 and seeing God 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:47.519 as He truly is. 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.480 Verse 25, 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:49.720 To whom? 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.639 He said this already, 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.679 To whom will you compare me? 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:54.679 Or who is my equal, 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.759 says the Holy One? 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.079 Lift your eyes 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.279 and look to the heavens 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:00.339 who created all these. 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:03.019 So God's here called the Holy One. 00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:04.839 God is separate from us. 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:07.619 God is in a class of His own. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.039 And that's brought out 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:11.519 because He has personally created 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:13.899 and now personally sustains 00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:15.259 the trillions of stars 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.339 in our galaxy. 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.839 This is the God who created us. 00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:24.059 This is the God who has set our limits. 00:19:24.659 --> 00:19:27.220 This is the God who knows us, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:29.500 that we are no rival to. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.880 And because of that, 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:32.859 we should live under His rule, 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.980 living lives of worship. 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:40.000 And so the key to living well, 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:41.799 according to the Bible, 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:45.200 is learning to re-measure. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:48.799 And that's really where Isaiah goes 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.720 in the rest of our chapter 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.740 from verse 27 onwards. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.519 There's a really nice quote 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.420 in chapter 1 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:57.420 of Jen Wilkins' book 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.660 where she says, 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.759 our limitations are by design. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.060 Whether we spend the remainder 00:20:03.060 --> 00:20:04.420 of our lives denying 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:07.000 or embracing this basic truth 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.700 makes all the difference 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.400 in how we will love God 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:12.120 and others. 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:14.400 If we put ourselves 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:16.340 in the center of our own universe, 00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:18.000 we will tend to be selfish. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.420 We will not tend to love well. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.000 But if we are humble 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.840 and we put God at the center, 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.300 if we have His values, 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.759 then we will love Him 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:29.359 and we will love others. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:32.180 Seeing our limits should, 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.440 on the one hand, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.539 humble us 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:36.399 and it should then lead us 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.500 to worship the God 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:40.000 who has no limits. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:42.460 To have Him as our God, 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.419 not to seek to put ourselves 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.759 or anyone else 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.639 in that place. 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:51.800 One of the other positive things 00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:53.140 about seeing our limits 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:55.259 is it should create honesty 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.340 in us 00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:58.060 where we can acknowledge 00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:58.759 our weakness, 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.540 where we can acknowledge 00:21:00.540 --> 00:21:01.340 our sin. 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:03.380 We don't expect ourselves 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:05.480 to be God-like. 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.259 We confess our sin. 00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:10.440 We don't try and hide it. 00:21:10.520 --> 00:21:12.020 We don't try and justify it. 00:21:12.020 --> 00:21:13.540 We recognize that we are 00:21:13.540 --> 00:21:15.640 limited sinful creatures 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.860 and we remember 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:19.220 the infinite God knows. 00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:21.140 And so there's a freedom 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:22.640 for us to be honest 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:24.220 before God. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.880 One of the other benefits 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.180 of seeing our limits 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.780 is surely that it will ease 00:21:29.780 --> 00:21:31.800 our levels of stress. 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:34.180 When we recognize 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:36.800 that I can't control 00:21:36.800 --> 00:21:39.440 everything and everyone, 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:42.440 that should come as freedom to us. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.860 When we realize 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:45.159 that I should not try 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.839 to control everything 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.979 and everyone around us. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.779 There is freedom in that 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.659 and instead there is 00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:52.059 an invitation to turn 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.879 to the God 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:55.379 who clearly is in control. 00:21:56.479 --> 00:21:57.959 So what does Isaiah 40 00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:59.219 teach us about learning 00:21:59.219 --> 00:22:00.939 to re-measure? 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:04.899 We need to hear verse 27 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:06.740 and understand what's going on. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.719 So verse 27, 00:22:10.179 --> 00:22:11.019 we read this. 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:12.119 Why do you say, O Jacob, 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.399 and complain, O Israel? 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:15.359 My way is hidden 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.879 from the Lord. 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:19.399 My cause is disregarded 00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:21.179 by my God. 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.679 So there's a question, 00:22:23.379 --> 00:22:24.939 perhaps even an accusation 00:22:24.939 --> 00:22:25.799 going on here. 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.299 The people, 00:22:27.699 --> 00:22:28.740 as we said at the beginning, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.279 are facing exile 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:32.439 because they rejected 00:22:32.439 --> 00:22:33.859 living under God's limits. 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.879 And so they've got questions 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.759 attached to that. 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:39.299 They're having fears 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.159 and anxieties 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:42.319 because of what's happening. 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:44.599 questioning either, 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:49.200 God doesn't see my difficulties 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:52.799 or God doesn't care 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:54.859 about my difficulties. 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.159 That's their response. 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:57.319 Things are getting bad 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:58.399 and so they're beginning 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.659 to doubt God. 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.579 How does the God 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:03.539 of no limits respond? 00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:05.799 Well, in the language 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.319 of verses 28 to 31, 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:09.879 he reminds them 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:11.279 that he is the infinite God, 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.019 that he is the God 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.679 of no limits 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.939 and in that reality 00:23:13.939 --> 00:23:15.139 is their hope, 00:23:15.659 --> 00:23:17.200 is their good news, 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.539 is their chance 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.359 of renewal 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.980 and life. 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.799 And he reminds them, 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.879 yes, I am infinite, 00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:28.079 but I am also 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:30.059 profoundly personal. 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.700 He's already done that 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.159 in verses 10 and 11 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:35.279 that Donald read for us 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.839 at the beginning, 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:37.660 the sovereign Lord 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:39.500 who is also 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.899 the shepherd 00:23:40.899 --> 00:23:42.940 of his people. 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.399 He is not distant 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.220 and remote. 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:47.059 This all-powerful God 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.799 knows and sees 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:50.339 and is therefore 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.819 his people. 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.980 So why is understanding 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.839 our limits 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:57.180 and God's lack of limits 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.940 good news? 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.980 Well, hear the language 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.000 of verse 28. 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.779 Do you not know? 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.779 Have you not heard? 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:07.779 The Lord is the everlasting God, 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.880 the creator 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.099 of the ends of the earth. 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:12.099 He will not grow tired 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.740 or weary 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.339 and his understanding 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.660 no one can fathom. 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:20.220 And he gives strength 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.339 to the weary 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:23.039 and increases 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.240 the power 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.279 of the weak. 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.940 So here's the moment. 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:28.940 When we find ourselves 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:30.059 lacking strength, 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.980 when we find ourselves 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.740 in a situation 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.420 and we feel like 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.220 we don't have 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.900 the necessary wisdom, 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.519 when we feel 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.360 that we have reached 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.960 the end 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.860 of our emotional capacity, 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:43.799 that's when we need 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.500 to understand 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.400 who God is 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:47.640 because he is the God 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.860 who is willing 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.740 to provide 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.640 from his unlimited 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:53.140 resources of strength 00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:54.380 and wisdom 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.500 and love. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.980 So it's in those moments 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.420 when we are suffering 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.339 or hurting, 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.559 when we feel powerless 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.579 and weak, 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.519 that we are invited 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.460 once again 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.980 to turn and trust 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:09.740 in this all-powerful God. 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.920 Naturally, 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:13.380 there are times 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.799 when we will all suffer 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.980 loss and inability, 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.740 even youths, 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:20.500 as it says here. 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:23.319 But hoping in this God 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:26.039 brings a source 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.599 of strength 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.799 that is constantly 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.599 being renewed. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:33.599 So embracing our limits 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:37.299 is to be truly human 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:39.519 and it's also 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.720 the place 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.960 where we find help 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:44.599 when we need it most 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:47.099 because it reminds us 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.319 again 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:49.659 that we are weak 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.940 and it encourages us 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:53.160 to look to the God 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:55.820 who is infinitely strong 00:25:55.820 --> 00:25:57.480 and who is always there 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.779 for and with 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.500 his people. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.220 For those of us 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.220 who have been Christians 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.759 for a while, 00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:06.360 I'm sure we can testify 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:07.660 to that reality. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.220 Times when life 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.779 seemed incredibly difficult 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:12.080 in situations 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:13.640 and we had no idea 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.460 what to do 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.940 and in those moments 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.079 praying, 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.799 giving it to God 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.740 and finding strength 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.559 and help 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:24.039 to go on. 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:26.079 Trusting God 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:28.360 to care for our families 00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:31.000 when we send them away 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.940 and we are concerned 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.079 for them. 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.819 Turning to him 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:37.460 in our times of sadness 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.579 and fear 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.860 and loss, 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.900 knowing him 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.579 to be both 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:43.240 infinitely great 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:45.339 and infinitely personal 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:47.220 and loving. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.640 Our greatest limit 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.500 as people, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.220 of course, 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:54.120 is that one day 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:55.799 we will all die. 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.680 I read an article 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.220 this week 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.200 where there was 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.200 a quote 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:02.220 from an atheist philosopher 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.799 by the name 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.380 of Luke Ferry. 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.960 And I want to read 00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:08.019 some of that quote 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:09.000 because it's really helpful 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.819 for our discussion. 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:11.559 He said, 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.519 as distinct 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.980 from animals, 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:16.019 a human being 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:18.099 is the only creature 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.619 that is aware 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.799 of his limits. 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.200 He knows 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:23.220 that he will die 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:25.419 and that his near ones 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.599 will also die. 00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:29.000 And he comments 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.720 this state of affairs 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:32.179 is disturbing 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:33.940 and absurd, 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:36.279 almost imaginable, 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.539 unimaginable. 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.920 And I'm sure 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.619 we can identify 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:41.539 with that sentiment. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.759 And then he continues, 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.799 our greatest desire 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:46.799 as human beings 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.279 is to be loved, 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:50.200 not to be alone, 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.720 and not to be separated 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:54.659 from our loved ones. 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:55.899 And again, 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.779 I'm sure that we can identify 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.759 with that sentiment 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:01.159 when it comes down 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:02.139 to what matters 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:03.420 most to us 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.940 is the people 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.339 that we love 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:08.279 and the greatest sorrow 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.059 that we have 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.579 is being separated 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.299 from them. 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:13.199 So how does 00:28:13.199 --> 00:28:15.480 the God of no limits 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.759 offer hope 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:19.459 even at that point 00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:20.220 where we feel 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.240 our limit 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.720 most keenly? 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.199 And I think 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:25.839 to answer that, 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:27.159 we need to remind ourselves 00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:28.259 of the story 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.980 of the gospel, 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.980 to remind ourselves 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.339 that the God of no limits, 00:28:32.459 --> 00:28:34.139 the infinite creator God 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:35.540 in Jesus, 00:28:36.280 --> 00:28:38.640 took on human limitations. 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.740 That he knew 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.380 what it was 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.320 to be weak 00:28:42.320 --> 00:28:43.740 and tired 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.759 and hungry 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:46.259 and thirsty. 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.100 And as that 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:49.560 truly human 00:28:49.560 --> 00:28:50.860 man, 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.500 Jesus, 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.259 as well as being 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.040 fully God, 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:55.160 he went to the cross 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.280 as our 00:28:56.280 --> 00:28:57.759 representative 00:28:57.759 --> 00:29:00.940 and as our 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:02.039 redeemer 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:04.279 and three days 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.980 later 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:06.599 became our 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:08.460 resurrected Lord. 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:11.440 And there's the hope 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.980 for us. 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.839 Jesus has conquered 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.500 the greatest 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.759 of our limits, 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.980 death itself. 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.039 And the result 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.640 is that 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.200 Christianity 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.619 uniquely 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:27.639 offers the kind 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.279 of hope 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.939 that Luke Ferry, 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.239 our atheist philosopher, 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.239 was talking about. 00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:34.179 In Christianity, 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.319 in Jesus, 00:29:35.479 --> 00:29:36.000 we find 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.619 a love that lasts, 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:39.599 a love that remains, 00:29:40.239 --> 00:29:41.159 a love that is 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:41.959 stronger 00:29:41.959 --> 00:29:43.519 than death 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.439 itself. 00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.500 And so what we find 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.459 in the gospel 00:29:47.459 --> 00:29:48.959 is that the God 00:29:48.959 --> 00:29:50.159 of no limits 00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:51.459 offers something 00:29:51.459 --> 00:29:53.099 we all wish 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.799 to be true, 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:55.139 whether we're 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:55.579 Christians 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.019 or whether 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.680 we're not. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.539 And so the good 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.440 news of the gospel 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.079 is that the 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.599 unlimited God 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.879 in Jesus 00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:05.039 is revealed 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.859 as the fully 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.359 personal God. 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.619 And we are 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.220 called 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.200 to look 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.859 to him 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:13.339 as Lord 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.200 and King. 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.180 In our 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.940 weakness, 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.220 we are called 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.940 to look 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.500 to him 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.700 and to recognize 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.720 that he is the key 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.460 to our hope. 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.000 He is the key 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.839 to all our joy. 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:24.920 Thank you. 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.000 Thank you.