WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.060 My hope today is that you will all want to fear God by the end of the sermon. 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:19.960 My hope to you, my prayer this week as I was working on my sermon, 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:25.900 is that by the end of the sermon, one of the regular features of your prayer life would be, 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:32.439 Father, teach me to fear you, a fan and a flame within me, a deep longing and yearning to fear you. 00:00:33.899 --> 00:00:36.960 You know, it's funny. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:41.719 Many Christians don't desire to fear the Lord. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:48.060 In fact, in a very, very odd way, one of the things which almost unites evangelicals, 00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:53.879 charismatics, traditionalists, and liberals is that often none of them 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:57.620 encourage people to fear the Lord anymore or to fear God. 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:04.760 Traditionalists like, well, they like tradition and they like hymns and they like things to be comfortable. 00:01:06.820 --> 00:01:12.240 When traditionalism gets sort of sick, its motto is, 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:16.760 all I'd like on a Sunday morning is an hour of peace and quiet and to be left alone. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:24.480 And evangelicalism and charismatics, when they become sick, their desire is just to have Jesus as their buddy 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:32.820 and to, in a sense, have the Holy Spirit lead and guide whatever it is that they happen to want to do all by themselves anyway. 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:40.039 And liberals, often, liberals, they don't like the idea of the fear of God 00:01:40.039 --> 00:01:45.099 because, of course, fear is an unhealthy emotion, a sign of somebody being infantile. 00:01:45.739 --> 00:01:50.359 And, of course, if God does exist in some form or another, 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:56.979 it's more a sense of, well, sort of more a sense of inwardness or something like that. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:02.040 Something sort of very, very vague and general that has to do with a sentiment. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:08.520 But the Bible constantly tells us that we are to learn to fear the Lord. 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:15.159 And today is the first sermon in a series of ten sermons on the Ten Commandments. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:20.759 Every week, from this week on, there'll only be one first reading. 00:02:21.340 --> 00:02:24.879 And some weeks it might be the Deuteronomy version of the Ten Commandments, 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:26.840 and some weeks it might be the Exodus version, 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:29.500 but every week we will read the Ten Commandments. 00:02:30.060 --> 00:02:34.120 And you can pray for me, and you can pray for Desiree, and you can pray for David 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:40.799 as we try to week by week unfold and open up to us one of the Ten Commandments. 00:02:40.799 --> 00:02:46.359 So I invite you now to take your Bibles and turn there to Exodus chapter 20. 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:54.120 Ivan read for us the Deuteronomy version of the Ten Commandments, 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:58.719 and I'm going to read on page 65 in your pew Bibles, 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:01.300 Exodus chapter 20. 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:05.120 I'm just going to read three verses. 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:09.659 And God spoke all these words, saying, 00:03:10.300 --> 00:03:11.640 I am the Lord your God, 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:13.920 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:15.780 out of the house of bondage. 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:19.000 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.319 And my prayer is, 00:03:21.379 --> 00:03:22.840 Lord, have mercy upon me, 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:24.979 and incline my heart to keep that law. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:27.659 Lord, have mercy upon us, 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:29.520 and incline our hearts to keep this law. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.960 God spoke all these words, saying, 00:03:32.099 --> 00:03:33.199 I am the Lord your God, 00:03:33.259 --> 00:03:34.879 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:36.460 out of the house of bondage. 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:39.400 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:41.020 You know, it's, 00:03:41.980 --> 00:03:44.280 the first thing that we see in this text 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:47.000 is that God speaks and says, 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:48.240 I am the Lord. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:50.680 God speaks and says, 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:51.520 I am the Lord. 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:54.460 You know, one of the things which is really funny and odd 00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:55.800 about modern spirituality 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.520 and about much of liberal theology 00:03:58.520 --> 00:04:00.060 is that we want God, 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:04.240 modern spirituality wants God to be less than a chimp, 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:05.719 less than a dolphin, 00:04:06.040 --> 00:04:06.939 and less than a baby. 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:08.860 You think about it for a second, 00:04:08.860 --> 00:04:12.680 we have two women who are a regular part 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:14.540 of our congregation who are pregnant. 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:18.100 I think Lisa's and Anne's babies 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:20.759 are both coming around the end of September, 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:22.879 early October, or something like this. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:24.800 And, you know, once the babies, 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:26.980 once these wonderful babies will be born, 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:28.699 and we pray that they'll be born safely, 00:04:29.520 --> 00:04:32.819 you know, parents delight to see their baby smile, 00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:36.000 and they delight when they can hold their head up, 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:37.759 and they delight when they can turn over, 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:39.300 and they delight when they can sit up, 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:41.199 and they delight when they can do this and this and this. 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:43.800 And parents always have a huge delight 00:04:43.800 --> 00:04:45.579 when the baby says its first word. 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:48.740 I mean, that's a really exciting moment. 00:04:49.539 --> 00:04:53.139 You know, people will wish that they were able to be there 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:57.360 to hear very clearly the first time that the baby is able to speak. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:01.819 And there's lots of talk that goes on in the press 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:04.300 or in scientific literature as to whether or not, 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:07.780 obviously, a dolphin or a chimp can't speak a word, 00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:09.680 but whether, in fact, they know words 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:10.879 and are able to communicate. 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:13.120 And there's people who try to teach them 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:14.340 to communicate through words. 00:05:14.400 --> 00:05:15.800 And there's debate as to whether or not 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:19.939 they really are using words the way human beings use words 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.639 and what that might possibly mean. 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:24.099 And there's excitement in some quarters 00:05:24.099 --> 00:05:26.579 that something like a dolphin or something like a chimp 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:30.199 would be able to communicate with words. 00:05:30.919 --> 00:05:34.919 And yet, in modern spirituality, by and large, 00:05:35.039 --> 00:05:37.180 and in liberal theology, by and large, 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:39.639 we want a God who doesn't speak. 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:41.860 I mean, you think about it for a second. 00:05:41.979 --> 00:05:44.719 We want a God that is less than a dolphin. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:47.199 We want a God that is less than a chimp. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:50.420 We want a God that is less than a baby. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:54.060 It's maybe one of the reasons why so many people 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:56.199 in our culture find the God of, 00:05:56.479 --> 00:05:58.539 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.920 the God of the Bible, to be, 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:05.539 well, you know, not just to adorn our lives 00:06:05.539 --> 00:06:08.539 with the type of accessories that we would like 00:06:08.539 --> 00:06:11.639 to have our lives accessorized with. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:13.939 Because the God of the Bible, 00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:15.719 the God who truly does exist, 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:18.040 is a God who speaks. 00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:20.400 Look again at verse 1. 00:06:20.580 --> 00:06:24.220 And God spoke all these words, saying. 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:28.220 The whole text emphasizes the fact 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:30.520 that this particular revelation 00:06:30.520 --> 00:06:32.800 isn't just God speaking to the prophet, 00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:36.500 but that God himself actually speaks. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:39.020 And in the rest of the Old Testament, 00:06:39.200 --> 00:06:41.360 what we refer to as the Ten Commandments 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:43.840 is literally the ten words. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:47.119 That's literally what Decalogue means. 00:06:47.299 --> 00:06:49.359 It means the ten words. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:52.619 And that very, very name emphasizes the fact 00:06:52.619 --> 00:06:55.919 that what God does here is something which is verbal. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:58.299 And that each one of the commandments, 00:06:58.560 --> 00:06:59.779 what we call a commandment, 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:01.859 the Bible calls a word, 00:07:02.419 --> 00:07:05.739 emphasizing that that verbal revelation 00:07:05.739 --> 00:07:08.759 is complete in and of itself 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:11.279 in each of the individual words. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:12.919 And at the same time, 00:07:13.059 --> 00:07:14.959 that all ten of the words together 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:16.699 are a whole. 00:07:16.979 --> 00:07:19.639 That we are not to subtract from them, 00:07:19.799 --> 00:07:22.119 nor are we to add to them. 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:25.839 And that these words clarify each other 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:28.899 so that we can understand each of them more deeply. 00:07:29.359 --> 00:07:30.919 We don't need feminism. 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:33.099 We don't need Marxism. 00:07:33.219 --> 00:07:34.399 We don't need psychology. 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:35.959 We don't need science. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:37.759 We don't need literature. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.360 We don't need romanticism. 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:41.060 We don't need any of these things 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:43.939 to clarify these Ten Commandments. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:45.120 We are to, in a sense, 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.899 look at them and read them. 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:49.180 And they are to clarify each other 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:51.379 and draw by looking at one 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:53.620 and reading one beside the other. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:55.420 They are to draw us deeper 00:07:55.420 --> 00:07:57.339 into the mystery of God, 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:59.019 into the mystery of what it means 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:00.259 for us to be a human being, 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:02.519 and into the mystery of what it means 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:05.539 to live free as God's child. 00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:09.620 And so the text emphasized 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:12.580 that God speaks and says 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:14.140 that I am the Lord. 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.360 God takes the initiative. 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:19.300 He introduces himself. 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:26.080 Many of us have hints and longings for God. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:28.580 We have senses of God's presence. 00:08:29.200 --> 00:08:32.560 We can look at nature or listen to music 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:35.599 or just have human experiences 00:08:35.599 --> 00:08:37.879 which make us think and suspect 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:40.339 that there is something divine 00:08:40.339 --> 00:08:42.039 which is bigger than us. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:44.539 And in the midst of such longings 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:47.159 and hints and insights, 00:08:48.179 --> 00:08:49.000 God speaks. 00:08:51.359 --> 00:08:52.599 To clarify, 00:08:53.939 --> 00:08:55.239 a mountain can teach us 00:08:55.239 --> 00:08:57.139 that God is distant, 00:08:57.639 --> 00:08:58.899 that God is cold, 00:08:59.339 --> 00:09:00.939 that God is inaccessible. 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:03.380 But when we hear God speaking 00:09:03.380 --> 00:09:04.500 that I am the Lord, 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:06.380 you shall have none other gods before me, 00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:07.340 we can look at a mountain 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:09.680 and know something about the majesty 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:10.860 and the greatness 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.520 and the strength 00:09:12.520 --> 00:09:14.820 and enduring power of God. 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:17.880 Nature by itself gives us hints 00:09:17.880 --> 00:09:19.500 but does not teach. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:21.540 And in the midst of hints, 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:23.620 God speaks. 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:25.160 He takes the initiative. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:26.860 And one of the things 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.120 which is so striking 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:30.040 about these ten words 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.379 which come from God 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.899 is that they are all 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:35.000 in the form of I and you. 00:09:35.579 --> 00:09:37.360 Look again at verse 1 and 2. 00:09:37.579 --> 00:09:39.899 And God spoke all these words saying, 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:42.279 I am the Lord your God 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:44.079 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:46.039 out of the house of bondage. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:48.379 And then in each case now 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.099 there will be ten words. 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:52.299 Each word begins with a U. 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:54.519 And the U is singular. 00:09:55.099 --> 00:09:58.039 It means that God speaks as an I 00:09:58.039 --> 00:09:59.740 and he speaks to you, 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:01.240 George Sinclair. 00:10:01.359 --> 00:10:02.479 He speaks to you 00:10:02.479 --> 00:10:04.379 and you and you and you. 00:10:04.579 --> 00:10:06.439 He doesn't speak to humanity 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:07.620 as an abstraction. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:12.399 He doesn't speak to collectives. 00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:14.740 He doesn't speak just to black people 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:15.519 or white people 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.599 or to Canadians. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:17.779 He says, 00:10:18.079 --> 00:10:19.419 I am the Lord your God. 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:21.319 And then he speaks to you. 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:24.479 Personal and singular. 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:27.860 Once again the text says, 00:10:28.079 --> 00:10:29.099 I am the Lord your God 00:10:29.099 --> 00:10:30.699 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 00:10:30.839 --> 00:10:32.099 out of the house of bondage. 00:10:32.479 --> 00:10:35.039 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:37.360 Lord have mercy upon us 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.879 and incline our hearts 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:40.159 to keep this law. 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:42.959 Secondly, we see that God 00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:44.980 redeems his people 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:46.519 from bondage. 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:48.039 Listen again. 00:10:48.579 --> 00:10:49.779 I am the Lord your God 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:51.559 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.939 out of the house of bondage. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:56.720 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:59.779 On Thursday nights, 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:02.179 we've been watching a series of videos 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.079 from Willow Creek 00:11:03.079 --> 00:11:05.000 on different topics 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.779 to do with leadership. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:08.799 And last Thursday night, 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:10.579 we had one which many people 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:11.120 who saw it 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:12.419 found very, very meaningful. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:14.379 And in a sense, 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:16.200 the entire leadership video 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:18.679 was an extended meditation 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:19.620 and challenge 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.159 upon Paul's words 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.500 in 1 Timothy, 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:24.279 I am the chief of sinners. 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.879 And the question 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:26.939 that the speaker 00:11:26.939 --> 00:11:27.799 was trying to get us 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:28.620 to enter into 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:31.120 is that if Paul, 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:33.059 a great apostle, 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.860 a great church planter, 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.559 missionary, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:37.559 and evangelist, 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:39.120 one that God used 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.299 to actually write 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.720 God's word written, 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:44.080 if he can say publicly 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:46.379 that he is the chief of sinners, 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.019 then those of us 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:49.300 in Christian leadership 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.899 can't be sort of 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:52.340 always putting up masks 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:52.980 and fronts 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.740 and stuff like that 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.480 and always pretending 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.160 that we're completely 00:11:55.160 --> 00:11:56.000 and utterly perfect. 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.680 And it led to a very, 00:11:57.820 --> 00:11:59.399 very helpful discussion 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.800 after the video was over 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:03.060 about confession 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:04.660 and acknowledging our sin. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.360 And the question was put, 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:08.540 isn't it just simple enough 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:10.560 to merely confess our sins to God? 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.739 Is there ever a need 00:12:11.739 --> 00:12:13.699 for us to confess our sins to God 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:14.779 in the company 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.659 of another person, 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.839 being specifically, 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:17.479 you know, 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.939 very specific with God 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:20.059 about the things that it is 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:21.099 that we have done wrong? 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.379 And I tell you this, 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:24.839 I think there are times 00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:25.539 in our lives 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.479 and there are sins 00:12:26.479 --> 00:12:27.399 in our lives 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.139 that sometimes 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:30.879 the only way 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.019 that we can, 00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:33.119 that God can start 00:12:33.119 --> 00:12:34.019 to work a victory 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:34.779 in our lives 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.739 over that sin 00:12:35.739 --> 00:12:37.539 is when we are willing 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:40.079 to confess that sin 00:12:40.079 --> 00:12:40.779 to God 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.759 in the presence 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.339 of one of God's people. 00:12:43.959 --> 00:12:46.319 It is so easy for us 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:48.360 to have, in a sense, 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:50.259 an imaginary repentance, 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:53.179 a notional repentance, 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.179 an emotional, 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:55.980 just something 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:57.559 very, very fleeting. 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:59.519 But to actually say 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:01.199 that which we've done wrong 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:02.620 in the presence 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.879 of another person 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:05.100 can be very, 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.039 very, very hard. 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:07.700 And I know 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:09.080 from my own life 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:09.840 and I know 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.439 from the lives 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:11.259 of many people 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:14.500 that evil, 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:15.899 the evil in us, 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:16.639 lies. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:20.120 Evil always is deceptive 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.919 and will always lie to us. 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.240 And there are sins 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.179 in our lives 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:25.740 and the evil 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.539 in our life 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.120 will say, 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.500 no, George, 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:30.059 you can't say that 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.200 in front of another person 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:32.580 because if you say that 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:33.580 in another person, 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:35.139 it'll almost be as if 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.340 your entire life 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.220 is unmade. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.899 It will be as if, 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.419 you know, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.659 people won't like you, 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:41.840 they will hate you, 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.700 only bad things will come 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:44.939 if you actually 00:13:44.939 --> 00:13:46.500 bring that evil 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.879 out to the light 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:48.639 so that not only 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.620 God can see it 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:50.799 but one of God's people 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:51.639 can hear 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:53.159 that that is within you 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:53.679 and that you are 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.779 confessing that to God. 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:56.740 And that is always a lie. 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:59.679 That is always a lie. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.980 To bring the sin 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:03.080 of our lives 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:03.900 to God 00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:05.639 with reality 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.660 and with power 00:14:06.660 --> 00:14:09.160 is a key step 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:10.040 in being delivered 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:10.960 from the bondage 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.700 to that sin. 00:14:12.780 --> 00:14:14.520 Sin wants us 00:14:14.520 --> 00:14:16.040 to keep it dark 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:17.280 and hidden. 00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:19.900 There is a need, 00:14:20.020 --> 00:14:20.540 then, 00:14:21.020 --> 00:14:22.600 to be able to speak 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.660 clearly 00:14:23.660 --> 00:14:25.040 to God 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:25.820 in the presence 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.700 of another person. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.200 We notice here 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.379 that at the very beginning 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.820 is God is introducing 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:32.460 himself to us 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.679 to give us 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:35.039 these ten words 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.620 that God first 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.840 reminds us 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:39.740 that he has first 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.159 redeemed his people 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.200 and then 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.120 he gives them 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.559 the law. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.039 Listen again to verse 2. 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:45.820 I am the Lord, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.340 your God, 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.240 who brought you 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.460 out of the land of Egypt, 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.620 out of the house 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.460 of bondage. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.820 The ten commandments 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.679 are part of God 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.580 making a covenant 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.720 with the people of Israel. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.019 It takes place 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.320 after he has delivered 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:59.120 them by mighty acts 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:00.320 from bondage 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.040 and slavery 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:02.560 in the land of Egypt. 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.080 It takes place 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.259 on the way 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.820 to the promised land 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.779 where God 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.759 will be their God 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.660 and they will be 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.500 God's people 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.360 and he, 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.639 they will learn 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:14.019 or try to learn 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.019 to have God 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.879 rule over them. 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:17.940 The ten words 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.720 are not given 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.399 by God 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.080 to the people 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.379 so that if they happened, 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.200 if they're able 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:22.980 to follow them 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.300 really, 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:23.620 really, 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.480 really well, 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:26.240 then he'll like them 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:26.980 and accept them 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.000 as his children. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.759 God doesn't give us 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.620 the ten commandments 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.340 with the hope 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.440 that if we just 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.120 can be really, 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:34.420 really, 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:34.740 really, 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.519 really good 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.399 and keep them 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:38.420 as well as we possibly can, 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.920 then God will finally 00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:40.720 love us 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.639 and accept us 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.300 as his child. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.540 The scriptures 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:44.160 are clear 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:45.160 time and time 00:15:45.160 --> 00:15:45.920 and time again 00:15:45.920 --> 00:15:48.160 that God 00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:48.960 does not weigh 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.519 our merits 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.399 but pardons 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:51.160 our offenses, 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.200 that there is 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:52.879 no way 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.800 that we can become 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.819 God's children 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:56.159 unless God 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.699 does a mighty act 00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:58.659 and we Christians 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:59.620 believe that God 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:01.139 has done a mighty act, 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.359 a mighty intervention, 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:04.319 that he has triumphed 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:05.219 over sin 00:16:05.219 --> 00:16:06.299 and death 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.259 and hell 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.259 and hostile 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.599 spiritual powers 00:16:09.599 --> 00:16:10.779 when his son 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.339 hung upon the cross 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:13.699 bearing the penalty 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.519 for our sins, 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.519 the very sins 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.159 themselves, 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.059 he tastes 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.839 all there is 00:16:17.839 --> 00:16:18.740 to taste of death, 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.679 all there is 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.699 to taste of sin, 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:22.080 and on the third day 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.740 he rises 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.720 triumphant 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.879 over sin, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:25.720 death, 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:26.440 hell, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:28.540 hostile spiritual powers 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:30.080 and we become 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.000 God's children 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.340 when we say, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:32.759 Jesus, 00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:34.560 have mercy upon me, 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:36.580 may I be yours 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.980 and then we share 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:40.220 in Christ's victory. 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:42.800 It is the cross 00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:44.220 that makes us 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.080 God's children, 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.840 not the Ten Commandments 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.500 but once we have 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.060 become God's child, 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:53.060 Jesus not only 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:54.480 adopts us as his child, 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.600 he wants us to start 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.899 to learn to live 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:58.080 in the freedom 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:00.300 that comes from 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.540 being God's child 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:03.800 and the Ten Commandments 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:05.019 are an outline 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.660 of sanity. 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:07.960 They are the door 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.860 to liberty 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:10.140 and to wholeness 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:11.279 and to freedom. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.420 It is a picture 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.980 of our sanctification 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:16.799 and how we can become 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.220 more like Jesus. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.480 Before our conversion, 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.160 the Ten Commandments 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.099 become a means 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.779 by which we can understand 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:26.180 our need for a Savior. 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:28.339 You know, 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:32.799 just think of this 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.200 very first commandment, 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.279 you shall have 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:35.960 no other gods 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.599 before me. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:37.900 You know, 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.720 it might be that 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.640 we've been very successful 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.299 in our lives, 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:43.160 maybe we've never 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.080 done drugs, 00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:45.040 you know, 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:46.700 we've had an unbelievably 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.200 pure thought life, 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.360 we've never coveted, 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.160 we've always just 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:50.960 worked hard, 00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.160 we've done everything 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.720 perfect, 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.300 now we have a successful 00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:54.980 job, 00:17:55.040 --> 00:17:56.360 a successful marriage, 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.720 successful children, 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.060 and we can look 00:17:59.060 --> 00:17:59.700 through that list 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.100 and we can say, 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.200 oh, 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.240 I've never coveted, 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.420 I've never murdered, 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.640 I've never stolen, 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.640 I've always kept 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.240 the Sabbath, 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:06.279 and we can go down 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:06.700 and down 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.380 and down and down, 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.160 I've done this, 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.160 I've done that, 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:10.080 I've done that, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.160 and as we go down 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:11.640 that list, 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.420 I've done this, 00:18:12.420 --> 00:18:13.060 I've done this, 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:13.759 I've done this, 00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:14.500 we realize that 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.340 with every time 00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:16.060 we've said that 00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.700 we're violating 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.920 the first commandment, 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.840 which is putting 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:20.640 God first. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.519 And so the commandments 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.900 before our conversion 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:26.440 exist to help 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.279 to convict us 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.840 of our need 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.539 for a Savior, 00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:30.440 but after we have 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.320 come to Christ 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.300 it becomes, 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.000 as I said, 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:33.900 an outline 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.160 of sanity, 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.500 a description 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.580 of liberty 00:18:37.580 --> 00:18:38.680 and freedom 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.920 and wholeness. 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:41.440 and so it is 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.380 that sin 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.220 will regularly 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.800 say, 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.240 George, 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.779 you just have 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.340 to make your 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:48.460 peace with me. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.039 You know, 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.160 you can't, 00:18:51.300 --> 00:18:51.500 you know, 00:18:51.560 --> 00:18:52.420 if you let go 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:52.800 of me, 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.779 things in your life 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.620 will get out 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.240 of control. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.480 And Jesus, 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.940 the Ten Commandments 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.580 remind us 00:18:58.580 --> 00:18:59.840 that God exists 00:18:59.840 --> 00:19:01.240 not to put us 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.039 into slavery, 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.580 not to bind us 00:19:03.580 --> 00:19:04.700 or to oppress us, 00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:06.000 he has come 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.960 to make us 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.060 free and whole. 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:10.039 and so to live 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.159 the Ten Commandments 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.059 is to know 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.659 wholeness 00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.659 and freedom. 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.819 I am the Lord, 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.339 your God, 00:19:18.419 --> 00:19:18.919 who brought you 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.460 out of the land 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:19.940 of Egypt, 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:20.720 out of the house 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.539 of bondage. 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.539 You shall have 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.419 no other gods 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:24.139 before me. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.039 Lord, 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:26.419 have mercy upon us 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.919 and incline our hearts 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:29.259 to keep this law. 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.519 You know, 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.399 some of you 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:32.960 might be wondering 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.240 where I get this response 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.039 if you're not 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.799 long-time Anglicans. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.960 This is a little bit 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.500 of a side 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.480 in the sermon. 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:40.399 Do you know 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:41.639 that if those of you 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:42.579 who just maybe 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:44.220 have come to the 915 service 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.879 or those of you 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:46.240 who aren't cradle Anglicans, 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.159 if you want to know 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:48.159 what Anglicans believe, 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.180 there's a little red book 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.899 in your pews. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.299 It's called 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.519 the Book of Common Prayer. 00:19:52.359 --> 00:19:53.579 And that's the basis 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.579 of Anglican belief 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.119 and doctrine 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.859 and practice. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:58.279 And since 1552, 00:19:59.419 --> 00:19:59.879 for over, 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:03.000 for 454 years, 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:06.140 as a description 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.579 of what Anglican worship 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.900 is to be like, 00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.559 the worship is to begin 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.859 with us saying this prayer. 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.680 This is, in a sense, 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.539 the model of Anglican worship, 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:15.980 the model of worship 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.700 as envisioned 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.980 by the English reformers. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.460 We pray, 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.819 Almighty God, 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.819 unto whom all hearts 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.319 be open, 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.579 all desires known, 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.440 and from whom 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.619 no secrets are hid, 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.940 cleanse the thoughts 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.740 of our hearts 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.940 by the inspiration 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:29.160 of thy Holy Spirit, 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.119 that we may 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:31.279 perfectly love thee 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:33.059 and worthily magnify 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.239 thy holy name. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.339 Isn't that a wonderful thing 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.319 to pray to God for? 00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:38.979 And then to put meat 00:20:38.979 --> 00:20:39.739 on that, 00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.199 in the heart, 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.679 the model of Anglican worship, 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.639 you immediately go 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.879 to the Ten Commandments. 00:20:45.459 --> 00:20:47.379 And after every commandment 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.019 is read, 00:20:48.439 --> 00:20:49.119 we say, 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:49.899 Lord, 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:51.239 have mercy upon us 00:20:51.239 --> 00:20:52.419 and incline our hearts 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.599 to keep this law. 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:54.959 If you go back 00:20:54.959 --> 00:20:55.959 to the Catechism 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:57.079 of the Anglican Church, 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:57.859 which is in the Book 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.639 of Common Prayer, 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:01.020 it focuses on three things. 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.520 The Apostles' Creed, 00:21:03.040 --> 00:21:04.000 the Lord's Prayer, 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.420 and the Ten Commandments. 00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:06.460 In other words, 00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:07.860 the Apostles' Creed, 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.820 what a Christian 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.600 is to believe. 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:11.180 The Lord's Prayer, 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:12.360 how is a Christian 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.860 to pray? 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.380 And the Ten Commandments, 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.440 how is a Christian 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:15.920 to live? 00:21:16.800 --> 00:21:18.240 It is at the very heart 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.700 of historic, 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:20.759 Orthodox, 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:23.000 biblical Anglicanism. 00:21:23.540 --> 00:21:24.380 And so that's why 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.100 you're going to hear me 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:26.100 time after time 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:26.800 as I say, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.960 you shall have 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.240 no other gods before me. 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:30.079 I will say, 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:30.819 Lord, 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.059 have mercy upon us 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:33.200 and incline our hearts 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.440 to keep this law. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.680 So, 00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:38.759 God speaks and says, 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.660 I am the Lord. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.620 God redeems his people 00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:42.680 from bondage, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.259 and so his commands 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.019 and words 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.500 will never lead us 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.160 into bondage, 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.019 but only lead us 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.519 to freedom. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:49.799 And finally, 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.579 the true God 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.680 tells us 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:54.180 to have no other gods 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.740 but him. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:56.059 The true God 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.799 tells us 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:58.220 to have no other gods 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.740 but him. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:01.220 I'm not a dog person. 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.880 I've married 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.839 a dog person. 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.700 And so, 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.880 I love Louise. 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.859 Louise loves dogs. 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.359 We have dogs. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.660 I have two dogs. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.620 A great big English 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:14.220 lab named Ernie. 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:16.380 I think he's 100 pounds 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:16.960 and counting, 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.319 I don't know, 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.259 just lots to love. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.960 And a little tiny white dog 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.819 called Pixie, 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.440 which weighs about 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.940 three or four pounds. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.340 It's small enough 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:26.600 so that my youngest daughter 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:28.360 can dress Pixie 00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:29.100 in clothes 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:29.759 and dresses 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.620 and sweaters 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:31.500 and stuff like that. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.960 But not only 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.900 am I not a dog person, 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.420 I don't really like 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.539 dog movies that much, 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.440 but on Friday night 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.700 we rented a dog movie, 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.440 Eight Below. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.140 And it's actually 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.940 a pretty good movie. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.740 I watched the movie 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.039 thinking, 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.920 oh, it's a dog movie, 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.860 but my wife 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.480 and my children 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.160 will like this. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.860 We'll watch it. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:46.799 And it was actually 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.580 a pretty good movie. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.820 If you're a dog lover, 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.640 you'll love the movie. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.940 But there's this one 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.920 very powerful scene 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.420 in the movie. 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:54.420 It's about 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:56.200 eight sled dogs 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.780 in the Antarctica. 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.920 And so the person 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.920 who is the guide 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.240 is taking a scientist 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.340 on an expedition. 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:06.200 And they come to an area 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.460 where there are crevices 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:10.040 covered with snow. 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.660 And the guide 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.600 is walking ahead 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.240 with a stick 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.480 trying to find the crevice. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.200 He finds the crevice, 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.440 but the scientists 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.420 lose control 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.380 of the dog sled 00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.580 and the dog sled, 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.319 the dogs start going 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.100 and the sled 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:25.580 falls into a crevice. 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.720 And there's this 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.700 moment of terror 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:29.240 as the sled 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.360 starts to go down 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.360 into the crevice. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.660 And the scientist 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:34.380 starts to try 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.380 to let go 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.180 of the sled 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.960 and grab onto the ice 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.880 so he won't fall. 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.559 And the guide 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.380 says to him, 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:43.039 let go of the ice. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.759 Grip the sled. 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.559 And he has to say it 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.319 to him about three 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.159 or four times 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:49.099 with great force. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.399 You have to let go 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.099 of the edge. 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.179 You have to hold 00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:53.059 onto the sled. 00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:55.039 And the scientist 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.500 had to trust 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.819 that the dogs, 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:59.220 if he held onto 00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.899 the sled, 00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:01.500 the dogs would be able 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.500 to pull him out. 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.779 But if he held 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.839 onto the ice, 00:24:05.179 --> 00:24:05.839 he would almost 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.639 definitely fall 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.240 to his death. 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.619 It's very, 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.720 very counterintuitive. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.500 And so he has 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.519 to argue to the man. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.519 He yells at the man 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.579 and convinces the man. 00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:14.619 And the man lets go 00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.379 of the edge, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:17.100 grips the sled 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:18.620 and the dogs, 00:24:18.780 --> 00:24:19.500 I hope I haven't 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.020 ruined the movie 00:24:20.020 --> 00:24:20.480 for you, 00:24:20.560 --> 00:24:22.180 but it's early on 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.160 and the dogs 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.660 are able to pull 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.340 the man out 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.000 of the crevice. 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:27.040 And it's the same 00:24:27.040 --> 00:24:28.040 type of image 00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:29.420 which is here 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.120 before us 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.500 in this first 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.240 of the commandments. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.160 God is saying 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:34.860 to us, 00:24:35.280 --> 00:24:35.760 George, 00:24:36.340 --> 00:24:37.100 don't cling 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.740 to anything 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.640 other than me. 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.720 Don't cling 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.480 to yourself. 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.540 Don't cling 00:24:42.540 --> 00:24:43.480 to ideology. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.260 Don't cling 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.119 to your wealth. 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.059 Don't cling 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.799 to your own view 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.559 of spirituality. 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.519 Don't cling 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.359 to your power. 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:50.299 Don't cling 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.339 to any other god. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:51.940 Don't cling 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.180 to any other type 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.779 of system 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.480 of spirituality. 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.740 Don't cling 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.319 to anything 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.059 that will only 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.059 lead you to harm. 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.879 If you want 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.700 to know freedom, 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:01.759 cling only to me. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:03.799 That's what 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.359 the commandment 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.819 is saying. 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:14.559 don't think 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.240 that images 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:16.220 will help you. 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.559 Don't think 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.919 that the bottle 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.720 will help you. 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.259 Don't think 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.839 that drugs 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.639 will help you. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.379 Don't think 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:23.339 the lottery 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.299 will help you. 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.200 Don't think 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.159 that Ouija boards 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:27.039 will help you. 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.980 Don't think 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.659 that anything 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.720 will help you 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:31.000 other than me. 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.599 And we can, 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:32.939 any, 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.700 there are no 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.519 other gods. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.000 This commandment, 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.519 when the commandment 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.059 says you shall 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.920 have no other gods 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.620 before me, 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.799 God isn't saying 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.299 that there are 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.160 any other gods. 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.940 There are no 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.680 other gods. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.200 But there are 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.460 powerful illusions 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.160 and there are 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.299 demons and idols 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.580 which have 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.779 a powerful effect 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.480 upon us 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.480 and make us 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.640 clutch to the ice 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.440 which means 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:56.860 that we will 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.680 plunge to our 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.640 death in a crevice. 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.600 So while there 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.779 are no other gods, 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.840 there are demons, 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:03.900 and there are 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.960 powerful illusions 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.200 which will only 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.779 hurt us. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.580 And this commandment 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.680 is telling us 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.500 don't cling 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.320 to these things, 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.000 they will only 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.759 do us harm. 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:14.559 Cling only to me, 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.440 God says. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.460 And we notice 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.080 as well as this 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:18.279 that the wonderful 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.059 thing about this 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.500 commandment 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.059 is it says 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.580 you shall have 00:26:20.580 --> 00:26:21.480 no other gods 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.140 before me. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.200 It's a negative. 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.360 You know, 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.380 in negative commands 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.279 there is great freedom. 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.920 It doesn't say, 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.660 it means 00:26:29.660 --> 00:26:30.380 that I can have 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:30.900 a wife, 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.080 I can have friends, 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:34.119 I can have children, 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.819 I can honor 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.859 elected officials, 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:39.500 I can look at mountains 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.579 and think how beautiful 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.679 and wonderful they are, 00:26:41.939 --> 00:26:43.179 and I can look at the ocean 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:44.699 and just think how peaceful, 00:26:44.939 --> 00:26:45.419 well, 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:47.419 just how it speaks to me. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:49.099 I can do all of these things 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:50.819 as long as they aren't gods. 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.339 See, 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.039 there's actually, 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.439 in a negative command, 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.759 there's profound freedom. 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:55.859 freedom. 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.079 It's like, 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.740 it's like in the Garden of Eden, 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.539 God said, 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:01.420 you can't eat from this one tree. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.379 It implied you can eat 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.700 from everything else. 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.039 It's this, 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.160 God is ushering 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.000 into this world 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.779 of freedom. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.140 Do not be afraid. 00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:11.119 Jesus is constantly saying, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.079 come to me 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.160 and learn from me 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.259 and you will not be afraid 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.180 and you can go through 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.740 this world 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.980 not living in fear 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.400 because the world, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.920 in a sense, 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.920 is open to us. 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.259 We are to see Canada 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:23.539 as a profound mission field. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.740 We are not to be afraid 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.519 in our culture, 00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:26.279 in our country. 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:28.720 It is a wonderful mission field 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.720 and we are to go free 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.899 and we can do many, 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.559 many things 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.240 and love many, 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.859 many things. 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.519 We can have no other gods 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.200 but God 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.879 but we can do many 00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:38.139 other wonderful things. 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.839 This commandment 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:41.480 is an interior commandment. 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.220 It is speaking 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.920 of our interior life 00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:45.639 that we are not to look 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.779 for final help 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:48.180 or final strength 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.559 or inwardly worship 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.920 or inwardly bow down 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.740 to anything 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:53.519 other than God himself. 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.159 And this, 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.819 in conclusion, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.539 brings us 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.680 to why I want you 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.759 to learn to fear God. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.879 Turn your Bibles 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.240 with me 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.920 to Deuteronomy 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.759 chapter 5 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.639 verse 29. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.960 Deuteronomy 5 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.720 verse 29. 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.220 And if you are using 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.099 the Pew Bibles, 00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:17.220 it is on page 161. 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.399 And this is 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:21.519 Moses recounting 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.399 just before the people 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:22.720 of Israel 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.799 going to the promised land, 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.779 he recounts. 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.460 In a sense, 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.339 Deuteronomy is like 00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.360 a long sermon 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:30.000 recounting what has happened 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.120 and the terms 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:31.720 of the covenant. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.620 And he reminds the people 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:34.440 of how when God 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.700 gave his ten words, 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.480 there was lightning 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.120 and thunder 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.839 and all of the things 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.460 that went on. 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.700 And early on, 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.880 you see how the people 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:42.200 of Israel were frightened 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.259 by what was seen. 00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.279 But here, 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.380 verse 29, 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.559 this is what God says. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.419 Oh, 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.419 that they had such 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:50.299 a heart in them 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.759 that they would fear me 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.960 and always keep 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.119 all my commandments 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:55.500 that it might be well 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:55.980 with them 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.139 and with their children 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.619 forever. 00:28:59.359 --> 00:28:59.679 You know, 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:02.200 God desires us. 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:02.919 What is that? 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.119 Oh, 00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.960 that they had such 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.779 a heart in them 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:06.019 that they would fear me 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.960 and always keep 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.940 all my commandments 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.299 that it might be well 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.759 with them 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:11.339 and with their children 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.799 forever. 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.639 After God gives 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.519 the Ten Commandments, 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.740 his hope is 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.779 that his people 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.379 would learn 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:18.500 to fear him. 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.160 Now, 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.960 just turn to one 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.740 other passage, 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.900 Psalm 33. 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:24.200 There's many examples 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:26.379 of this type of oddness, 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.339 at least from our 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:28.220 modern years, 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:30.480 but it's just helpful 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.180 to see it, 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.980 to help get a bit 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.500 of a sense 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.220 as to what the fear 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.740 of God is. 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.579 Psalm 33, 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.019 verse 18. 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:40.480 And it's on page 483. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.420 483. 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.839 Psalm 33, 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.799 verse 18. 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:45.799 Behold, 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.859 the eye of the Lord 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.599 is on those 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.419 who fear him, 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:50.119 on those who hope 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:51.059 in his mercy, 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:53.319 to deliver their soul 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.919 from death 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:54.919 and to keep them alive 00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:55.519 in famine. 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.859 Our soul waits 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.399 for the Lord. 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.279 He is our help 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.899 and our shield, 00:29:59.159 --> 00:29:59.879 for our heart 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:01.399 shall rejoice in him 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:02.919 because we have trusted 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.959 in his holy name. 00:30:04.419 --> 00:30:05.139 Let your mercy, 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:05.579 O Lord, 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:06.419 be upon us 00:30:06.419 --> 00:30:07.500 just as we hope 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:07.859 in you. 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.619 Look at verse 18 again. 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:10.339 Isn't it odd? 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:11.779 It says that the eye 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.119 of the Lord 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:12.659 is on those 00:30:12.659 --> 00:30:13.579 who fear him, 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.679 on those who hope 00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:15.439 in his mercy. 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:17.299 That there's no contradiction 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:19.019 between fearing God 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:20.899 and wanting to know 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:21.399 more and more 00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.639 and more of God's mercy. 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:25.339 And this is what it is. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:28.179 The fear of God 00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:30.299 is a deep sense 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:33.099 of God's difference 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.879 from us. 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:36.259 It is a deep sense 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:38.679 of how close God is to us. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.660 I mean, 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.720 God is closer to us 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.240 than our breath 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.960 is to us. 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.539 He is closer to us 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.779 than we are to ourselves. 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.880 It is both a deep sense 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.779 of how close God is to us, 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.100 yet it is also 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:51.180 at the same time 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.180 a deep sense 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:53.400 of how God 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.900 is different than us 00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.799 and God 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.240 is separate than us. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:59.380 To learn to fear God 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:01.220 is to begin to know 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.860 where I begin 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:04.220 and where I end 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.980 and where God begins 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.600 and where God ends 00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:08.660 and to know 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.539 that this difference 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.100 is good. 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:12.660 It is very easy 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.279 for us, 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.940 since this first commandment 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.220 is an interior commandment, 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.819 to mistake our wishes 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.940 for God's wishes. 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.860 To mistake a time 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.920 when we've just had 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:24.279 a really good cup of coffee 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.920 and a really good breakfast 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:27.299 for somehow or another 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.660 being God's presence 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.880 when all it is 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:31.360 is us feeling full 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.299 and happy 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.059 and content. 00:31:33.959 --> 00:31:34.919 It's very easy 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.379 for us 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:37.000 to mistake our will 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.279 for God's will. 00:31:38.919 --> 00:31:39.399 And so, 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:41.659 to ask for the fear of God 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:43.059 is to ask 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:44.219 not necessarily 00:31:44.219 --> 00:31:46.139 for a particular experience, 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.259 but we are asking 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.839 that God would grant us 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:52.659 a very and ever-growing clarity 00:31:52.659 --> 00:31:54.939 as to who He is 00:31:54.939 --> 00:31:56.759 and who we are 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:58.979 and where God begins 00:31:58.979 --> 00:31:59.699 and ends 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:01.019 and where we begin 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.600 and end 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:03.400 so that we never think 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.580 that we are God, 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.299 but we always know 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.720 that God is God, 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.840 that He is different from us, 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:12.259 and that this is very good. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:16.539 The Bible says 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:18.720 we shall have no other gods. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.200 God says 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.559 you shall have no other gods 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.299 before me. 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:24.740 And our prayer should be 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:26.740 Lord have mercy upon us 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:28.220 and incline our heart 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.480 to keep this law. 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.680 Let's bow our heads 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.140 in prayer. 00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.559 Father, 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.319 we ask that you would 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.600 fan into flame within us 00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.360 a deep longing 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:49.840 and yearning 00:32:49.840 --> 00:32:50.480 to know you. 00:32:50.920 --> 00:32:52.380 Not just to know about you, 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.319 but to know you. 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:55.640 Not just to hear about you, 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.539 but to know you. 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:57.920 Father, 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.160 fan into flame within us 00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.920 a deep longing 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.360 and yearning 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:01.019 to know you. 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:02.100 And fan into flame 00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:02.560 within us 00:33:02.560 --> 00:33:03.480 a deep desire 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.800 and a deep ability 00:33:04.800 --> 00:33:05.759 to fear you, 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:09.519 to know that you are God, 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:11.100 that we are not God, 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.259 that this is good. 00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:14.640 To know who you are 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.880 and to know who we are 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:17.720 and to know that this is good. 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.900 To know you 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:21.019 with appropriate fear, 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:22.720 with awe, 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.860 with reverence, 00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:26.299 with the appropriate yearning 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.099 and love 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.019 and desires. 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.419 Father, 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.799 fan into flame within us 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.599 a deep longing 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:32.059 and yearning 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.819 to fear you. 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.179 And Father, 00:33:34.939 --> 00:33:36.000 in fearing you, 00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:36.939 may we have 00:33:36.939 --> 00:33:37.759 no other gods 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.579 before us. 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:40.019 Incline our hearts 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.099 to keep this law. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.519 In Jesus' name 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:42.979 we pray. 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:43.679 Amen. 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:43.779 Amen. 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:43.820 Amen.