WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.040 We're reading from Psalm chapter 2. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:16.859 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:22.559 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:25.580 against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 00:00:25.579 --> 00:00:30.079 Let us burst the bonds apart and cast away their cords from us. 00:00:31.339 --> 00:00:33.119 He who sits in the heavens laughs. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:35.280 The Lord holds them in derision. 00:00:36.099 --> 00:00:41.619 Then he will speak to them in his wrath and terrify them in his fury, saying, 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:45.340 As for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:47.700 I will tell of the decree. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:50.060 The Lord said to me, You are my son. 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:52.079 Today I have begotten you. 00:00:52.799 --> 00:00:55.239 Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage. 00:00:55.579 --> 00:00:57.739 And the ends of the earth your possession. 00:00:58.519 --> 00:01:03.339 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 00:01:04.659 --> 00:01:06.819 Now, therefore, O kings, be wise. 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:08.539 Be warned, O rulers of the earth. 00:01:09.179 --> 00:01:12.000 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. 00:01:12.799 --> 00:01:16.200 Kiss the Son, lest you be angry and you perish in the way. 00:01:16.980 --> 00:01:18.879 For his wrath is quickly kindled. 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:21.439 Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:38.019 Last week we talked about man's desire for blessedness, as Simon has said. 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:42.060 We actually don't know what blessedness is. 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:47.439 I mean, if you're not there, you never know what actually blessedness is. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:51.859 I mean, I'm not sure whether you've eaten durian before. 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:54.439 I don't think many of you have eaten durian. 00:01:56.700 --> 00:02:04.439 So, I mean, a lot of people thought that durian was a very, what is it, yucky food. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:05.900 It just tastes like vomit. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:07.680 They say, oh, it smells like vomit. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:13.800 But unless you have eaten it, you never know what good taste is. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:15.659 I can assure you that. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:24.540 And that is something that reminds us that when we talk about blessedness, 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:28.159 we don't actually know what that is because we're never there. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:33.060 What we are seeking is we want to avoid suffering. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:34.560 We don't know what sufferings are. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:36.300 We know what poverty is. 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:38.780 We know what hunger is, what sickness is. 00:02:39.240 --> 00:02:40.699 And we want to avoid those. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:43.420 And that's as best as we can do as human beings. 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:50.340 We don't actually know what more than that is there that we can have. 00:02:51.819 --> 00:02:55.640 And so, last week we talked about Gautama Buddha. 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:00.379 He was trying to solve that problem of suffering. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:03.960 And he thought that suffering was caused by a person's craving. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:07.759 A craving causes suffering, which is true in that way. 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:12.439 Today I want to talk about another philosopher, Karl Marx. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:17.219 Karl Marx, he was one about 200 years ago now. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:25.419 And Karl Marx thought that suffering was caused by inequality of power in the world. 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:29.620 Karl Marx was a highly intelligent man. 00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:32.080 His father was a Jewish lawyer. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:39.460 And when Karl Marx was six years old, his father changed their religion from Judaism to Christianity 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:49.480 because his father needed to adopt Christianity to be allowed to work as a lawyer in the country where they live, 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:50.960 in Prussia. 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:53.180 I think it's called, pronounce it Prussia or Prussia. 00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:55.879 That is part of German at that time. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:04:04.719 Now, growing up in a Lutheran church, I suppose there would be resentment to the fact that they needed to change religion. 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:07.060 Karl Marx had enough of religion. 00:04:07.259 --> 00:04:10.120 He said, religion is the opinion of the people. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:17.740 As he could think that people, a lot of people were using opinion at that time. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:25.379 So after you inhaled opinion, you will become drowsy and you become unconscious of your pain. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:33.259 And so for a short period of time, an hour or so, you are just out of the world and forget about the suffering. 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:38.699 And so to Karl Marx, religion does not solve any problem. 00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:42.500 It just sort of covers it up for a while. 00:04:43.099 --> 00:04:54.099 And at times, religion also makes people suffer more because they demand or it demands these followers to do something that is difficult or not pleasant. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:05:01.379 And so about 150 years ago, he published this Communist Manifesto. 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:07.340 So his longing was to create a better world, a world in which there is no suffering. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:13.520 So the basic problem, as he saw, was that there were two major classes of people in the world, 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:20.180 the honours class and the working class, or the landlords, or the tenants. 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:26.900 So a class of people who own things and a class of people who work for those who own things. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:30.699 And during his time, most of the honours would be kings and rulers. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:40.579 And those rulers, because they got the power, so they can exploit the workers to squeeze all the profits out of them. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:42.660 So the rich were getting richer. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:45.220 The poor remained poor forever. 00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:53.740 So in the Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx encouraged the workers to work together to topple the honours. 00:05:55.340 --> 00:06:02.380 He also saw that this cannot sustain because how can life, during that, somebody has to do something. 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:04.900 And so he encouraged people to do that. 00:06:05.440 --> 00:06:07.600 While during his time, he didn't actually get acceptance. 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:09.760 He was kicked out of many countries. 00:06:11.140 --> 00:06:13.140 Because all the rulers were like his ideas. 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:23.639 But eventually, after his death, in 1917 in Russia, the working class successfully toppled the ruling class. 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:28.539 And then the Communist movement started to gain momentum in many countries. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:40.620 So as the revolutions progressed, honours, the workers started to redefine the honours. 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:43.800 So they are no longer just land honours. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:45.240 It could be all sorts of honours. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:51.899 So when, for example, when communism reached Cambodia in 1974, 00:06:55.040 --> 00:07:01.660 honours, the workers were so jealous that they killed all the educated people, including anyone who wore glasses. 00:07:01.660 --> 00:07:06.500 So apparently, if you own knowledge, you can also oppress people. 00:07:07.340 --> 00:07:18.300 So anyone who, in particular, anyone who just worked just by talking, like teachers or clergy or businessmen, 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:20.740 and they don't actually do, didn't do any physical work. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:23.700 So they were all killed, these people. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:38.839 So under the communist ideology, in less than five years, Cambodia was plunged from a poor country under the oppression of their former king into a lawless and stone-edged country. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:46.779 Because they destroyed all the intelligent, educated people, destroyed all the machines they used for farming. 00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:51.379 They just back to using manual things to do things. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:57.180 Because the whole country has gone crazy under the ideology of communism. 00:07:57.899 --> 00:08:04.860 And during that five years, out of the eight million people in Cambodia, two million people died. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:07.439 One quarter is incredible. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:13.199 In many countries, after the workers were free from the honours of oppression, 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:16.420 they tortured and killed anyone who were considered to be honours. 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:24.460 Because it is estimated that about 200 million people died in the war because of the communist movement. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:33.840 So communism has been abandoned by most countries, except in some countries where the communist leaders become the new honours. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:41.519 These countries still hold on to communism because it maintains the power of the ruling party. 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:45.059 But they don't actually practice it anymore. 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:52.019 While Guatemala Buddha's goal is for an individual to get to a state of low suffering, 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:57.379 Karl Marx's goal was for a community, a community to get to a state of low suffering. 00:08:57.939 --> 00:09:02.120 Karl Marx believed that the whole world would adopt communism and live in paradise. 00:09:03.319 --> 00:09:06.879 However, the world soon found that communism led to more suffering. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:09.600 Where had Karl Marx gone wrong? 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:18.379 While Buddha left God out of the picture of his ideal, Karl Marx went all out against God. 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:21.200 He considered the idea of God to be oppressive. 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:27.920 He thought that by freeing people from the fear of God, they would be free to create their own paradise. 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:39.659 If Karl Marx had lived in Cambodia during the time of communism, he himself would have been killed as well as one of those who own knowledge. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:44.439 In real life, Karl Marx was like a scoffer. 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:46.799 He didn't actually do anything physically. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:49.099 He just sat there, gave up his idea. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:53.360 If you read history, his house was quite unkempt. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:59.840 He would be sitting there doing nothing, even though things are not tidy. 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:01.899 The wife is the one who worked. 00:10:02.420 --> 00:10:03.639 He didn't care about those children. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:07.300 He would get drunk if he was not doing anything else. 00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:08.519 So there's his life. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:17.779 His ideal, he did not actually translate into the change of his own life. 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:26.939 And so the communist experience showed that political and economic freedom does not necessarily bring a better living condition. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:28.480 Because people are selfish. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:37.159 We have ideals, but we do not want to, we can't change ourselves, not to mention about the world. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:42.639 So we will use any freedom when we are not under oppression. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:45.840 We will use freedom for our own wishes. 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:54.139 And when there's no fear of God, as communism will remove God, there will be no respect to authority and human life. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:11:03.059 And that's why a communist country, they rely on secret police to maintain their power. 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:11.299 They know that nobody actually respected them because they didn't respect any other authority either. 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.360 So Karmak's idea was not new. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:21.059 So those who felt that they were oppressed have tried to topple the oppressors since history began. 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:30.159 So in our reading today, Psalm 2 talks about God's plan for his creation in the world's attempts to gain freedom from God. 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:34.339 Men wanted to be free from the kingdom of God. 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:42.079 They did not know that the real freedom can only be found in the kingdom of God. 00:11:42.479 --> 00:11:43.519 It's like blessedness. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:45.539 If you have never been there, we don't know what it is. 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:50.599 And if you never tasted the freedom that is in the kingdom of God, 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:56.139 we only know about our own little experience of what freedom is. 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:59.599 Psalm 2 is divided into four parts. 00:11:59.859 --> 00:12:01.159 And each part has got three verses. 00:12:01.739 --> 00:12:04.079 Part 1 describes how the world views God. 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:06.899 Part 2 describes what God has planned to do. 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:10.819 Part 3 tells us the one who is ultimately sovereign. 00:12:11.699 --> 00:12:15.419 Part 4 is a call to repentance and blessing. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:23.379 So I will just read to you again part 1 from verses 1 to 3. 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:28.379 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:35.679 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:39.339 against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:43.960 Let us burst their bones apart and cast away their court from us. 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:48.080 Why do the nations make noise? 00:12:48.680 --> 00:12:51.300 What do people and their rulers hope to achieve? 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:54.180 Though they want to be free from the oppression of God. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:58.200 Why do people think that God's rule is oppressive? 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:03.220 Because God's rule requires them to do what they do not like doing. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:09.000 I think we can understand this by thinking about our childhood. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:13.019 Most children would feel that their parents were oppressive 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:16.540 in some stage of their life as they grew up. 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:22.000 They wish that their parents would give them freedom to do what they like to do. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.980 It's only when we become more mature, 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:28.660 sometimes only when we have our own children, 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:36.259 that we begin to understand a bit or appreciate what our parents did to us. 00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:39.139 I mean, our good parents. 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:46.000 And because we can never become God ourselves, 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:49.919 so I think we can never fully appreciate God's action. 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:57.120 We can, many a times, we can only trust that God knows what he's doing 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:01.860 and God is good and he will do what is good for us as well. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:08.539 In the history, we can see that the Israelites did the same thing. 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:11.539 After they were free from the oppression of Egyptians, 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:15.159 they preferred to be their own rulers, 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:19.679 to replace the God who rescued them with a golden calf 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:22.039 just in front of the mountain of God. 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.039 Why golden calf? 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:27.379 Because golden calf let them live in the wild way they want. 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:31.759 And when they settled in the promised land, 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.699 a land thrown with milk and honey, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.919 would they be careful to live under God's rule? 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:39.719 No. 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:41.860 They choose to worship foreign gods. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:45.079 Again, because those gods let them do what they like. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.699 And also, they wanted a king to rule over them 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:50.139 like the nations around them. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:54.539 So we all like to have rulers who are after our own hearts 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:56.019 and not after God's heart. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:15:00.659 The rulers of the world would also like to declare independence from God 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:03.279 and the king whom God has chosen 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:06.819 because they do not want to lose their position and power. 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:09.460 And we can see that during Jesus' time, 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:15.900 the Pharisees and the priests, 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:17.640 they were against Jesus 00:15:17.640 --> 00:15:21.680 because they saw that Jesus was attracting more followers. 00:15:23.760 --> 00:15:25.220 And so these rulers, 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.940 they can think that God's rule is oppressive, 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:31.560 but they do not think that their own rules are oppressive as well. 00:15:32.400 --> 00:15:35.900 They want to cut the cord like a dog wants to break the leash 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:38.760 from his good master. 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:42.620 The dog thought that he can navigate the streets better than his master. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:47.460 So we will come to part two, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.420 that is verses four to six. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:53.059 He who sits in the heavens laugh. 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:56.179 The Lord holds them in derision. 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.959 Then he will speak to them in his wrath 00:15:58.959 --> 00:16:00.939 and terrify them in his fury, 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.599 saying, 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.719 As for me, 00:16:02.979 --> 00:16:04.939 I have set my king on Zion, 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.179 my holy hill. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:11.620 How would you respond to a young boy 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:14.279 who wants to declare independence from his parents? 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:19.740 Or a man who leads blood transfusions to save his life, 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:22.000 cutting off the transfusion lines 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.959 so that he could walk out of the hospital? 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:30.500 Such acts reveal a person's ignorance, 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.579 foolishness, 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.100 and willful rebellion. 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.819 In some two, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:37.039 the rebellious act 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:39.839 is planned and led by kings. 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.519 It is a willful act. 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.939 Such a decision is lovable. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.519 It is lovable because 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:47.620 so-called intelligent rulers 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:49.279 carefully devise ways 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.199 to cut themselves off from God, 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:53.480 and they think they have achieved something great 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.039 for themselves and humanity. 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:59.879 They ban the preaching of gospel in their countries. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.220 They ban scripture, 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.620 teaching, 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.960 and prayer in schools. 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:08.039 They remove the sanctity of marriage. 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:10.839 They take away the value of human life. 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.119 They reduce parents' right 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.279 to discipline their children, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:17.099 or in the name of freedom from oppression. 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.619 At the same time, 00:17:19.719 --> 00:17:20.419 they oppress those 00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:21.799 who want to follow God's ways. 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:25.659 God is not going to re-courcer his ways 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:27.599 with the foolish and rebellious rulers. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.759 He simply said, 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:31.619 I have appointed my king on Zion, 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.640 my holy hill. 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:36.079 You do not try to explain to a child 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.819 how electricity works. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.279 You simply tell him in a stern voice 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:43.779 not to touch the electricity outwards, 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.259 because they are not. 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:49.079 You can't explain things 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:51.879 that when people don't understand, 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.579 or not at that level to understand. 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:57.679 We will go to part three now, 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:00.179 verses seven to nine. 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:02.379 I will tell the decree, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.439 the Lord said to me, 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.460 you are my son. 00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:07.379 Today I have begotten you. 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.720 Ask of me, 00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:11.319 and I will make the nations your heritage, 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:13.599 and the ends of the earth your possession. 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:16.619 You shall break them with a rod of iron, 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:19.859 and dash them in pieces like a porter's vessel. 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:24.419 Why does God need to set up a king? 00:18:24.959 --> 00:18:27.240 Isn't God a king himself as God? 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:29.559 Why is there a need? 00:18:30.459 --> 00:18:32.339 I think there are at least two reasons. 00:18:33.199 --> 00:18:34.639 One, because God is spirit. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:37.659 He's providing us a king with a human body, 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.899 whom we can relate to. 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:42.619 Number two, from someone, 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:46.299 we know that we have fallen short of God's glory, 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:49.839 because we have thought, 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:50.779 talked, 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:54.259 and done things which are unrighteous, 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:57.099 and we have no interest in God's law. 00:18:57.859 --> 00:19:00.980 He has provided the righteous man in Jesus Christ. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.799 We can become right with God 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.960 through his life and death. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.879 After we reconcile with God, 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.899 how do we live? 00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:12.039 Do we still live as individuals doing our own things? 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.519 No. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.579 No. 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:16.940 We become God's people and new creation. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:20.839 Those who are in Christ now live in his kingdom. 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:25.399 God has set up his king to establish his kingdom. 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:27.019 So, in Psalm 1, 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:30.159 God is leading us into righteousness. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.559 In Psalm 2, 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:34.059 God is leading us into his kingdom 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:36.000 as a community. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:39.440 And we don't live as a Christian 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.859 just on our own, 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.019 by myself, 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.839 at home. 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.980 That is not God's plan. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:47.200 You stop at Psalm 1. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:50.119 God's plan is more than that. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.079 There's Psalm 2. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.619 And that is the church. 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.700 That is the community. 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:58.259 And that is the living up of that righteous life. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.460 And that's why there's a king, 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:02.500 because we can't do it on our own. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:04.960 And we need a king to lead us 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.839 and rule over us 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.900 and guide us 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.079 and also lead us 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:12.240 to live a life that is holy. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:17.220 So, who is worthy for God to annoy 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.920 as the king of his choice? 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:21.119 Only the righteous man in Psalm 1 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:23.299 who fulfills the rules of God 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:25.140 is worthy to be God's anointed ruler. 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.380 God has provided his son, 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.259 Jesus Christ, 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:30.539 live out a life of righteousness. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:32.319 He is therefore worthy 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.480 to be God's chosen king. 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:36.099 He is also therefore worthy 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:37.420 to judge sinners. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:38.980 He is the king. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:41.000 He is going to be judging us. 00:20:41.659 --> 00:20:44.119 And he is worthy to judge us, 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.399 not only because he is God's son, 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.559 because he has lived a life 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.559 of righteousness himself. 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:50.420 We have no excuse in front of him. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:53.159 And after his death and resurrection, 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.859 Jesus declared that 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:57.139 all authority in heaven and on earth 00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:58.579 has been given to me. 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.899 At that time, 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.599 he formally informed the world 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.460 that he is the king 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:04.819 whom God has set up in Psalm 2. 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.919 We go to the last three verses, 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:12.000 verses 10 to 12. 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.319 Now, therefore, 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.220 O kings, be wise, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.339 be warned, 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.500 O rulers of the earth, 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.819 serve the Lord with fear 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:22.559 and rejoice with trembling. 00:21:23.179 --> 00:21:23.919 Kiss the son, 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.759 lest he be angry 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:28.379 and you perish in the way, 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.579 for his wrath is quickly kindled. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:34.079 Blessed are all who took refuge in him. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:39.339 Knowing that all authority in heaven and on earth 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.980 has been given to Jesus Christ, 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:43.299 what should the rulers of the world do? 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.900 They can keep ignoring him 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:47.900 or rejecting him. 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:51.099 They can keep cutting themselves off from God 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.939 and live for eternal destruction. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.959 God's command to the rulers 00:21:55.959 --> 00:21:57.559 is to serve 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:00.159 this ultimate king with fear 00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:02.539 and rejoice in him with trembling. 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:07.399 Who are the kings and rulers of our world now? 00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:09.919 So in a democratic society, 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:12.500 we can be considered our own kings. 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:16.660 So if we don't have a king, 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:17.819 then we are the king, 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:20.039 the kings or the rulers. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.799 Why should we serve Jesus Christ 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.880 and not our own purposes? 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.920 Because he's the only king 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:28.279 who is worthy for us to live and die for. 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:32.359 And why serve him with fear? 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.640 Because we need to fear 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:37.420 before we take anything seriously. 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:41.200 The fear is not only about fearing God, 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:43.160 but also about fearing ourselves. 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:46.860 We can only make judgments 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:49.200 based on our own limited knowledge and wisdom. 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:52.500 I fear that I would hold on to my judgment 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:54.860 and reject wiser advice. 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:57.759 I'm often amazed by the way 00:22:57.759 --> 00:23:00.200 patients insisting on their own wills, 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:03.460 refusing to accept sound medical advice. 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:08.480 The less we know about something, 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:11.000 the more we think that we know it all. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:13.039 isn't it the same? 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.720 I mean, when I was in medical school, 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:17.220 I thought I knew everything 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:19.819 before I graduated. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.380 But as I work in it, 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:23.420 the longer I know that, 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.819 the longer I know that I don't know anything 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:27.539 about medicine or a little. 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:32.120 It's so easy for us 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:34.120 to think that we know everything. 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:38.079 and not only with God, 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:39.239 we're relating to people. 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.699 We know how people live, 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.419 how they think. 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:44.379 All these are very, 00:23:45.479 --> 00:23:46.699 I mean, this is how we live. 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:48.239 And that's why I fear. 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:50.799 I fear that I would be so, 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:53.119 I don't know that I'm, 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.479 when I'm foolish, 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:56.299 I don't know that I'm foolish. 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.839 That is what I fear the most. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:24:00.619 And so, 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.359 fearing God 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.379 and fearing our own 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.339 tinfulness 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:06.059 and foolishness. 00:24:08.919 --> 00:24:10.579 And why rejoice in Him? 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.519 Because I know that 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.740 despite my stubbornness 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.539 and foolishness, 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:15.480 Jesus the King 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.159 has loved me 00:24:16.159 --> 00:24:16.959 and died for me. 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.519 Because there's now 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:19.839 no condemnation 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.059 to those 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.220 who are in Christ Jesus. 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.680 why trembling? 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.480 Because we need to take things, 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:29.579 because we tend to take things for granted, 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.839 we need to keep reminding ourselves 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.640 that we are saved by His grace 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:35.700 and we need His grace day by day 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:37.240 to keep ourselves humble. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.920 It is so easy for us 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:41.940 to take what is familiar for granted. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.680 We can become careless 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.360 to those 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:47.600 who are most familiar to us. 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.819 And we tend to take 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:53.220 people for granted 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:55.000 when we get to know them 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.359 better. 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.279 And the same thing 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.919 we can do towards God. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.439 And that's why 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:02.079 the trembling 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:04.539 that we want to know 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:06.659 that we don't become proud 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:08.000 in our 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:10.740 thought about God. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.700 When our practice 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:16.039 changed our building policy 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.619 this year 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.980 from Bob Building 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.839 for Private Building, 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.759 I was amazed 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.019 that 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.819 no patient 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.500 whom I have been 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:23.900 Bob Building 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:25.059 for the past 10 years 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.660 thanked me for that. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.240 Everyone was complaining 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.200 about needing to pay 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.279 for my service now. 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.839 When things are free, 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.539 like God's grace, 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:38.220 it's so easy for us 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.220 to take it for granted. 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:42.279 and I 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.299 and I 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.120 and 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:43.860 so 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.860 that word 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:46.160 is very powerful. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.799 Surfing with fear, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:48.960 rejoicing 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.759 and 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.900 trembling. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.319 Kiss the son 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.839 lest he be angry 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.680 and you perish 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.480 in the way 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.640 for his wrath 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.720 is quickly kindled. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.900 Kissing the son 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.539 is a sign 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.380 of submission. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.100 This 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:03.680 sound 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.519 sounds a bit 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.180 oppressive, 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:05.839 doesn't it? 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:07.099 submit to the son 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.759 or else 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.879 he will 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.399 dash you 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:10.419 into pieces. 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.500 If you think so, 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.240 we need to check 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.839 our definition 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.539 of oppression. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.980 Our foolish 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.919 and biased minds 00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:18.619 have often 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.259 confused 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.019 justice 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.859 with oppression. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.059 We have 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.619 grossly 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.259 overvalued 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.839 our worth 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.359 and goodness 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.740 and at the same time 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.480 grossly 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.059 undervalued 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.159 God's son's 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.480 worth 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.860 and goodness. 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.920 While we 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.599 feel free 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.200 to pronounce 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.620 judgment 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.140 on God, 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.440 we do not 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.039 accept 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.740 judgment 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.900 from God. 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.819 God is not man. 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.539 He does not need 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.420 to use his power 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.319 to oppress people. 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.920 Whatever he does 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.380 is done 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:45.799 according 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.960 to his 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.500 nature, 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:48.620 to his nature 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.120 of holiness 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.420 and kindness. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.339 If the consequence 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:53.940 for a child 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.620 to play with 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.680 erraticity 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.380 is serious 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.900 because it's 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.599 a matter of life 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.039 and death, 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:58.960 the consequence 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.160 for God's 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:00.620 creature 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.299 to break 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.860 God's law 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.420 is even 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.180 more serious 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.700 because it is 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.519 a matter of 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.440 eternal life 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.340 and death. 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.299 God has 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.840 given us 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.259 a warning 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.019 about the 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.500 consequence 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.200 of rejecting 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.799 his rule 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.160 and rejecting 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.660 his ruler. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.900 He's fully 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.400 expected 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.039 and justified 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.799 to judge 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.380 those who 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.980 choose to 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.519 live as if 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:20.940 there's no 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.299 God. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.200 We thank 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.539 God that 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.200 the last 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:28.120 sentence 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.859 in the 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.259 psalm is 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.819 blessed 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.219 is all 00:27:30.219 --> 00:27:30.439 who 00:27:30.439 --> 00:27:30.799 take 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.199 refuge 00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:31.699 in him. 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.479 God has 00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:34.079 not only 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.559 given us 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:34.979 a warning 00:27:34.979 --> 00:27:35.339 about 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:35.759 submitting 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.199 to this 00:27:36.199 --> 00:27:36.459 king, 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.039 he also 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.879 promised 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.299 blessing 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.759 to those 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.099 who take 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.659 refuge 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.079 in this 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.359 king. 00:27:41.239 --> 00:27:41.559 He has 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.059 sent this 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.479 king to 00:27:42.479 --> 00:27:43.099 redeem us. 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:43.879 The 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.359 punish of 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.739 God 00:27:44.739 --> 00:27:45.859 has first 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.679 fallen 00:27:46.679 --> 00:27:47.399 onto this 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:47.679 king. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.119 Many 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:49.679 kings in 00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.139 the world 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:50.719 are kings 00:27:50.719 --> 00:27:51.299 because they 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.279 were born 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:52.939 in a royal 00:27:52.939 --> 00:27:53.399 family. 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:54.420 God's 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.840 king 00:27:54.840 --> 00:27:55.560 does not 00:27:55.560 --> 00:27:55.900 only 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.540 become 00:27:56.540 --> 00:27:56.940 king 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.480 because he 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:57.740 is the 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.080 son of 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:58.340 God, 00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.140 he is 00:27:59.140 --> 00:27:59.620 king also 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.140 because he 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.700 earned the 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.280 kingship. 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:02.620 He came 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.100 to suffer 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.700 and die 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.400 for his 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:04.740 people. 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.019 One of 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.500 the blessings 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.040 for those 00:28:09.040 --> 00:28:09.380 who take 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:09.980 refuge in 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.240 God's 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.460 kingdom 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.160 is freedom. 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:12.040 Surprisingly, 00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:12.820 when people 00:28:12.820 --> 00:28:13.380 want freedom, 00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:15.140 they want to 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:15.519 get away 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.019 from God's 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.300 kingdom, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.780 but the 00:28:16.780 --> 00:28:17.360 real freedom 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.100 is in 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.360 God's 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:18.640 kingdom. 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.540 In 00:28:19.540 --> 00:28:20.240 Luke 4, 00:28:20.800 --> 00:28:21.080 verses 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:21.680 18 and 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.440 19, 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:22.800 Jesus 00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:23.280 said, 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.420 the spirit 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:24.759 of the 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:24.980 Lord 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.880 is upon 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.160 me 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.900 because he 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.060 has 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:27.880 anointed 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.259 me 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.740 to 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.100 proclaim 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.420 good 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:29.680 news 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:29.820 to 00:28:29.820 --> 00:28:29.980 the 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.300 poor. 00:28:30.800 --> 00:28:30.900 He 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.060 has 00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.380 sent 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:31.680 me 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:31.940 to 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.300 proclaim 00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:32.740 liberty 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.040 to 00:28:33.040 --> 00:28:33.220 the 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.720 captives 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.500 and 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.100 recovering 00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.700 of sight 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.060 to the 00:28:37.060 --> 00:28:37.400 blind 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:38.200 and set 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.320 at liberty 00:28:39.320 --> 00:28:39.780 those 00:28:39.780 --> 00:28:40.080 who are 00:28:40.080 --> 00:28:40.519 oppressed 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.120 to 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.540 proclaim 00:28:41.540 --> 00:28:42.080 the year 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.460 of the 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.780 Lord's 00:28:42.780 --> 00:28:43.280 favor. 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.519 Galatians 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.900 5, 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.540 1 says, 00:28:47.580 --> 00:28:47.720 For 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.360 freedom 00:28:48.360 --> 00:28:48.940 Christ 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.340 has set 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:49.540 us 00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:49.800 free. 00:28:50.280 --> 00:28:50.560 Stand 00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:50.860 firm 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.280 therefore, 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.040 do not 00:28:52.040 --> 00:28:52.280 sum 00:28:52.280 --> 00:28:52.740 again 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.460 to a 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:53.680 yoke 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:53.920 of 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.660 slavery. 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.660 God 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.099 has set 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.259 up 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.440 his 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.759 king 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.000 to 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.319 bring 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:58.559 in 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:58.880 the 00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.220 ultimate 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.700 freedom, 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:00.599 a 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:00.880 freedom 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.759 which can 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.220 only be 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.599 achieved 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:02.819 by 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.240 submission 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.539 to 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:03.799 this 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.079 king. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.120 We are 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.319 all 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.980 deficient, 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:07.980 effective, 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:08.579 and 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.120 deceitful. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.180 Only the 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.620 true king 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.000 can make 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.579 us whole. 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:13.599 If what 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:13.980 you want 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.299 is to 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.640 topple 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:14.880 this 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.220 king, 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.559 if what 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:16.940 we want 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.200 is to 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.799 topple 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.059 this 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.380 king, 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:18.980 then we 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.480 are making 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:19.920 a death 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.279 wish. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.099 you may 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.720 not want 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.160 to listen 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:23.519 to a 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:23.899 doctor's 00:29:23.899 --> 00:29:24.399 advice 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.619 to stop 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.039 drinking 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.440 soft 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:26.920 drinks 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.779 as you 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.000 think 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.359 that soft 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:28.779 drinks are 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.119 the best 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.539 things in 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:29.879 life. 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.500 But if 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:32.940 you submit 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.259 to the 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.619 doctor's 00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:34.180 advice and 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.680 drink water 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.119 instead, 00:29:35.339 --> 00:29:35.660 you will 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.220 find yourself 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.680 able to 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.779 enjoy many 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.279 more things 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.799 in life 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.259 as you 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.680 get older. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:43.139 Karl Marx 00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:44.460 thought that 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.240 religion is 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.359 open for 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:46.899 the people. 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:48.120 It is 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.480 true that 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.019 religion can 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.360 lead to 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:49.680 more 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:50.580 burden and 00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:50.960 does not 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.519 really solve 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.180 suffering in 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.500 life. 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.600 But even 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.580 opinion gives 00:29:54.580 --> 00:29:55.560 some comfort 00:29:55.560 --> 00:29:56.300 and relief 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:56.720 to the 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.140 users. 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.320 It may 00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.720 not be 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.320 long term, 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.140 but at 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.460 least you 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.320 give people 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:01.700 some 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:04.040 reprieve. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.960 If religion 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.560 is opinion 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:06.880 to the 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.280 people, 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.660 e-religion 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:10.280 is soft 00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:11.019 drinks to 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.480 the people. 00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:13.460 E-religion 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.200 tells people 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.680 to enjoy 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.400 themselves in 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:15.920 whatever they 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.200 like. 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.100 it is 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:17.539 like soft 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:17.799 drinks, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.340 which give 00:30:18.340 --> 00:30:19.019 people short 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.240 term 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.740 enjoyment, 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.200 but need 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.259 too many 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.980 sufferings 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:25.019 later, 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.580 individually 00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:27.240 and in 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.920 the community. 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:29.759 The King 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.259 Jesus is 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.640 more than 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.080 religion. 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:31.700 He is 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.220 also more 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.460 than 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.120 communism. 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.580 We can 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:35.100 only be 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.660 free to 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.140 be holy 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.900 and kind 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.580 in Jesus. 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:38.620 Without 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.340 this radical 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:40.259 change 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.039 inside us, 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.000 there will 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.620 not be 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:42.920 any 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.580 paradise 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:44.779 with any 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.279 religious 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.920 or 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.859 iridigious 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:48.000 ideologies. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.200 It is 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.599 only in 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.180 Jesus that 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.740 we can 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.599 have peace 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.079 with God, 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.859 with ourselves, 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.619 and with 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.019 others. 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.399 Let us 00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:57.660 pray. 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.259 Father, 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:05.660 we are so 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.279 thankful for 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.759 your 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.899 forbearance 00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:10.720 upon us. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:12.600 we are 00:31:12.600 --> 00:31:13.299 just like 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.360 little 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.819 children, 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:17.220 very 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.960 short-sighted, 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.059 and 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.480 wondering 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.900 very, 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.220 very 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.680 little 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.640 things. 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:24.019 We thank 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.200 you for 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.539 such a 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.259 promise that 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.860 no one 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.360 has seen, 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:27.880 no one 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.339 has heard. 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.759 You have 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.360 prepared for 00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:30.740 those who 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.279 love you. 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.680 May you 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.079 help us 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:35.019 to see 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.880 that in 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.259 the Lord 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.019 Jesus Christ 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.839 and live 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.259 for him. 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.099 Thank you, 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.599 Father, for 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.339 we pray in 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.000 Jesus' name. 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:41.740 Amen.