WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 Amen. 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:12.200 Please take your Bibles and open them up once again to Isaiah chapter 55. 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:20.240 Isaiah chapter 55. If you're using the pew Bibles there in front of you and the seat underneath the seat in front of you, 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:23.640 you can find that passage on page 576. 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:29.280 And this is now week three that we have been in this incredible chapter of the Old Testament. 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:36.960 It's this invitation in Isaiah's prophecy to come and to feast on the goodness of God. 00:00:37.620 --> 00:00:40.920 We're going to be in verses 6 and 7 of Isaiah 55 this morning. 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:44.539 So Isaiah 55 verses 6 and 7. 00:00:44.660 --> 00:00:48.040 So please Bibles open. Look there with me as I read. 00:00:53.540 --> 00:00:56.280 Seek the Lord while he may be found. 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:59.560 Call upon him while he is near. 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.760 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts. 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:10.040 Let him return to the Lord that he may have compassion on him. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:14.819 And to our God for he will abundantly pardon. 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:17.159 Let's pray together once more. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:27.140 Lord, we pray now as we have opened up your word and read your word and now as I stand to preach your word, 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:34.539 we pray, Father, for ears to hear that our hearts would be fertile soil for the truth of the gospel this morning. 00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:35.859 Would you speak through me? 00:01:36.199 --> 00:01:37.379 I pray this in Christ's name. 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:38.340 Amen. 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:45.120 Well, it's hard to believe that we are already past the midway point of November. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:50.560 And as Charlie Brown says in his Thanksgiving special, we have another holiday to worry about. 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:54.480 Thanksgiving Day is upon us. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:58.859 And I'll be honest, I haven't really given it as much thought as I used to. 00:01:59.580 --> 00:02:05.400 When I was in college, I would look forward to coming home for Thanksgiving. 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:07.780 I think that I was probably hungrier back then. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:10.340 I know that I had no money. 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:11.659 I was poorer then. 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:13.000 I had nothing to bring. 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:14.099 Didn't even know how to cook. 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:18.939 So nobody expected me to do anything whatsoever, which was good for me. 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:22.560 Because all I had to do was come home and eat. 00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:24.360 And I could do that. 00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:30.819 For a couple of days, I could come home and feast on home-cooked food. 00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:38.159 There's turkey and dressing, macaroni and cheese, hams and yams, beans and greens, cakes and pies, bread and rolls. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:47.019 And if I timed it just right, I could eat our own lunch, our own Thanksgiving dinner, and then make it to my friend's house for dinner as well. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:48.519 Sometimes they would time it differently. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:49.560 We'd have ours for lunch. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:50.740 They'd have theirs for dinner. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:52.479 Maybe we'd have ours on Thursday. 00:02:52.579 --> 00:02:54.199 They'd have theirs on Friday. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:58.739 So there's just enough margin where maybe I could feast twice if I was lucky. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:04.179 So you didn't have to invite me twice to come over and feast for Thanksgiving. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:07.479 I was ready to come and eat. 00:03:08.619 --> 00:03:13.259 You see, most people don't approach Thanksgiving dinner reluctantly, do they? 00:03:14.519 --> 00:03:17.759 And most people don't come dragging their feet to the table. 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:21.019 They don't come to the table half-heartedly dragging their feet. 00:03:21.020 --> 00:03:27.160 Most people don't come wondering whether there's going to be enough food there to satisfy them. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:32.240 They don't come wondering and asking, will I find something good to eat? 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:34.660 Now, see, I know I just made a huge mistake, didn't I? 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:37.180 Huge mistake. 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:41.740 Preachers aren't supposed to talk about food this early in the sermon, and we're all getting hungry now. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:51.980 But there's no getting around it, church, because Isaiah 55 has been inviting us to come and to feast. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:59.580 We've seen, haven't we, over the past three weeks, he's been inviting us, calling out to any who would listen, 00:03:59.660 --> 00:04:04.460 not just hear, but listen diligently, to come and to feast. 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:11.439 And we've seen, haven't we, over the past few weeks, that although it's described in these terms of physical food, 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:20.079 and water, and milk, and bread, and wine, that the feast ultimately is God himself. 00:04:21.699 --> 00:04:32.840 We're invited, broken, sinful, poor, and needy, to come and to satisfy our souls on the goodness of God. 00:04:32.839 --> 00:04:39.399 To listen diligently to his word, and to hear, it says, that your soul may live. 00:04:39.479 --> 00:04:46.079 Isaiah has been telling us over and over and over again, this is the big idea of Isaiah 55, 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:51.059 there is nothing more satisfying for your soul than God. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:56.139 And he invites you to come and to feast. 00:04:56.139 --> 00:05:02.979 He invites you and offers himself fully to you this morning, if you would just come and feast. 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:10.519 So the question that I want to ask this morning, and let these verses, verses 6 and 7 answer for us this morning, 00:05:10.659 --> 00:05:12.079 is simply this. 00:05:12.839 --> 00:05:15.599 How should we respond to an invitation like that? 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:21.400 How should we respond to an invitation like that? 00:05:21.460 --> 00:05:28.939 Well, I'll tell you, we should respond like a poor, hungry college student coming home for Thanksgiving. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:34.520 See, this is what our passage this morning shows us in verses 6 and 7. 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:40.420 It tells us exactly how we should respond to this invitation to come and feast. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:43.280 And Isaiah says we should respond in three ways. 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:44.939 Three ways. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:47.259 This will be our outline this morning if you're taking notes. 00:05:47.780 --> 00:05:51.439 Three ways we should respond to this invitation. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:56.340 Three ways we should respond to this invitation. 00:05:57.200 --> 00:05:59.720 We should come urgently. 00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:04.000 We should come totally. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:08.160 And we should come confidently. 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.639 As our outline this morning, if you're writing it down, 00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:14.100 three ways we should respond to this invitation. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:15.480 Come urgently. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:16.839 Come totally. 00:06:17.500 --> 00:06:18.980 Come confidently. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:23.379 First, Isaiah says we should come urgently. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:29.480 In other words, do not drag your feet coming to this feast. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:31.139 Come with urgency. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:37.000 You know, there's a reason why from November 24th to November 28th last year, 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:39.779 do you know how many tickets state police issued? 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:48.839 10,126 speeding tickets were issued between November 24th and November 28th last year. 00:06:48.919 --> 00:06:49.199 Why? 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:55.319 Because they knew people from all over the country would be booking it down the road 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:58.639 to get home and feast with urgency. 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:03.379 Well, Isaiah is telling us that's how we should respond to this invitation. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:05.459 We should respond with urgency. 00:07:05.659 --> 00:07:05.939 Why? 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.439 Well, two main reasons. 00:07:07.639 --> 00:07:12.039 Because the feast is good and the time is short. 00:07:12.599 --> 00:07:16.360 The feast is good and the time is short. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:17.599 Look there to verse 6 again. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:19.079 Isaiah 55, verse 6. 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:22.800 Isaiah, he gives this command for sinners to come, 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:29.819 to seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. 00:07:29.960 --> 00:07:32.900 And so the first thing that I think we should notice about this invitation 00:07:32.900 --> 00:07:39.319 is this incredibly profound truth that the Lord may be sought. 00:07:40.580 --> 00:07:43.939 The Lord may be found. 00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:46.500 This is incredible. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:50.240 The God of heaven and earth is near. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:51.740 He may be called upon. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.959 He can hear. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:56.420 He wants to show us here that the feast is good. 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:58.740 You remember what Isaiah told us in verse 1, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:02.319 this invitation to come everyone who thirsts. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:03.500 Come to the waters. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:06.879 He who has no money, come buy and eat. 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:10.259 Come buy wine and milk without money, without price. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:15.939 You see, this incredible feast is available to any who would simply come. 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:24.079 The gospel is the good news that God has offered himself through Christ 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:27.300 to any who would come to him. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:28.680 Anyone. 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:35.740 This invitation is extended out broadly to the weakest, the poorest, the lowless, 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:40.360 the weak, the lonely, those who are spiritually broke and hungry. 00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:46.360 Any who would come and listen and trust can have their souls satisfied forever. 00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:50.340 And they can feast on the goodness of God. 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:58.000 Through the gospel, the only one who is able to truly satisfy your soul says, 00:08:58.159 --> 00:08:58.379 come on. 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:00.100 Come to me. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:00.399 Come. 00:09:01.180 --> 00:09:02.320 The table is set. 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:03.039 Dinner is ready. 00:09:03.159 --> 00:09:04.480 Come and feast. 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:10.420 Stop spending your money on not bread and come feast your souls on me. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.019 Well, how do we seek him? 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.420 How do we seek the Lord? 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:17.580 We're invited to seek the Lord. 00:09:17.680 --> 00:09:18.539 How do we do that? 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:22.980 Isaiah says that our seeking is expressed in calling. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:27.200 Our seeking is expressed in calling. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.720 When I don't see one of my boys, I have three boys. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:34.360 When I maybe have two of them with me and one of them slipped out of my sight, 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:34.940 what do I do? 00:09:35.560 --> 00:09:37.820 I call out to them. 00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:39.500 Where are you? 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:40.159 Come here. 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:40.700 I need you. 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:41.759 I call them by name. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.500 I speak until I'm heard. 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:45.399 That's how I seek my child. 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:49.460 And if they're near enough, and if they're paying any attention, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:53.060 he will listen and respond. 00:09:53.059 --> 00:10:04.339 In the same way, Isaiah is telling us that we seek God primarily by calling out to him in prayer. 00:10:05.459 --> 00:10:10.500 Not just with our words, but with our hearts seeking the Lord. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:14.019 Isn't this what Jeremiah told the exiled Israelites as well? 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:19.720 He said, you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:24.819 Church, this is incredible news for sinners. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.699 It's just astounding. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:31.679 Have we gotten over this fact that the God of all creation, 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:37.019 this God that no one has ever seen, no one can ever see, is near. 00:10:37.019 --> 00:10:37.759 He is near. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:39.659 He is near enough to hear. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:42.899 He's near enough to respond to the cries of sinners. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:47.840 And he may be found by those who call out and seek him. 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:55.559 But the bad news, the second reason we should respond with urgency here, 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:59.360 is that this offer has an expiration. 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:07.340 This is an invitation to come limited time only. 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:11.340 Some of you, I know, love Thanksgiving for the food, 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:14.879 but I also know some of you probably like it for the Black Friday sales, right? 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:22.220 And I can't wrap my mind around it because Black Friday seems like it gets longer every year. 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:26.379 November 1st, I started receiving emails saying Black Friday deals had begun. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:30.419 That window keeps expanding, getting longer and longer. 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:35.399 But even still, once December 1st comes, that deal is off the table. 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:36.799 It's gone. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:38.659 No longer available. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:41.939 That sale is gone until next year, at least. 00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:47.759 But see, they want you to feel that sense of urgency in your heart 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:52.820 so that you will come and you will spend your money while the deal is available. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:56.440 They want you to know it is limited time only. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:01.960 Well, did you know, in the same way, in the same way, 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:07.760 Isaiah is telling us we should respond with urgency to this invitation of God 00:12:07.760 --> 00:12:10.379 because God has opened up this window, 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:13.180 he has extended this offer, 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:18.440 and he has the freedom to shut it anytime he wants. 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:23.940 It is a limited time offer. 00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:28.240 One day, you don't know when, I don't know when, 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:31.620 either you will die or Christ will return. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.440 Until one of those things happen, 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:39.900 friend, we have a window is open. 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:41.880 This invitation is extended. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:46.340 But friend, the window in which we can call out to him, 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:51.659 in which sinners can seek the Lord when he is near enough to hear, 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.240 when he's lending his ear in mercy towards sinners, 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.860 that window is shutting, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:58.700 and we don't know when. 00:12:58.779 --> 00:12:59.759 Look again to verse 6. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:00.340 What does he say? 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:01.960 He says, 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:17.740 You see, God has extended an invitation to you and to the whole world 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:21.220 to come, to listen, to come, to trust my son, 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:23.220 to come, have your sins forgiven, 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:25.280 come, have your souls satisfied, 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:28.019 but it is limited time only. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:30.519 God has extended an invitation, 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:35.120 but the day has come when that invitation will no longer be available. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:38.220 The doors to the wedding feast will be closed, 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.000 every seat will be filled, 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:42.679 and you will no longer be able to enter. 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:45.740 The day will come, we don't know when, 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:48.759 when the Lord will not be found by sinners, 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:52.079 when he will not be near enough to call upon. 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:54.759 There is an expiration date on this offer, 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:58.279 so we must respond to it with urgency. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.480 And we don't know how long we have. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:07.299 You know, we live in an incredibly unique period of history. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.379 Have you ever thought about this? 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:11.580 There was eternity past before creation, 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.919 before any of us were here. 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.539 There's eternity future, 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:16.439 when all the redeemed will be with the Lord, 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:19.460 and all the wicked will be separated from his presence. 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:26.300 We live in this unique period of history of God's mercy to sinners. 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:30.800 You ever wonder how God can endure such evil in the world? 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:33.960 Men and women created in his image, 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:36.740 every one of them created to glorify him, 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.820 created to honor him, 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:38.580 delight in them, 00:14:38.660 --> 00:14:41.220 who spit in his face every day. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.759 You know that was us. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:47.639 Every one of us, 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:49.980 apart from the grace of God, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:53.840 apart from the mercy and the patience of God. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.700 We were his enemies, 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.779 but he showed us mercy. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:03.220 I'm grateful for the patience of the Lord. 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.100 He showed us mercy, 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:05.759 not because of works done by us, 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:08.220 but according to his own mercy. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:11.419 I'm thankful for the patience of God with a sinner like me, 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:11.919 but friend, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.779 that mercy and that patience towards sinners, 00:15:14.839 --> 00:15:17.299 it has an expiration date. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:20.059 It will not last forever. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.979 Do not presume, 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.360 as Paul says in Romans, 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:29.620 on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, 00:15:29.699 --> 00:15:33.860 not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance, 00:15:35.099 --> 00:15:38.459 but because of your hard and impenitent heart, 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:41.099 you are storing up wrath for yourself, 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.679 on the day of wrath, 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:46.539 when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:48.379 If you are not in Christ, 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:53.699 if you have never trusted Christ, 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:56.059 friend, run. 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.399 Don't walk. 00:15:57.719 --> 00:16:00.779 Run to the table with urgency 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:03.219 while he may be found. 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:05.179 And friend, if we are in Christ, church, 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:10.199 we must share him with urgency. 00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:14.579 We must share him with urgency. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:21.019 As our lost friends and family members and coworkers and neighbors and connections 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:24.139 perish without the hope of the gospel, 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.139 we must share him with urgency. 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:30.360 We must share him urgently while he may be found. 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.240 Not just this second. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:38.919 Isaiah says the second way we should respond to this invitation of God is to come totally. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:41.100 To come totally. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.480 Look there to verse 7 with me. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:45.639 Isaiah says, 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:50.300 Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:52.879 Let him return to the Lord. 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:55.779 See, this is a call for total repentance. 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.639 Total repentance. 00:16:58.340 --> 00:17:00.320 That's an unpopular word, isn't it? 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:02.720 It means stop sinning. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.799 Which means you're a sinner. 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:08.320 Which means I'm a sinner. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:11.279 And in order to feast on the goodness of God, 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:14.700 Isaiah says we need to repent of our sin. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:17.420 We need to stop feasting on sin. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.460 In order to turn to the Lord, 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:22.100 we must turn from our sin. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.660 That is repentance. 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:25.580 It is to abandon it. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:27.279 Isaiah says forsake it. 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.960 To leave it behind. 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.980 And to turn to the Lord. 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:33.900 Isaiah is telling us we can't feast on him 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:38.340 while we fill ourselves with the not-breads of our idols. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.840 That's what verse 2 told us. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.640 You remember last week. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:44.460 Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread? 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:48.360 Why do you labor for that which does not satisfy? 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:52.340 He says listen diligently to me and eat with your soul. 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:57.840 Eat what is good and delight yourself in rich food. 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:59.779 This is what we're all prone to do. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:09.459 C.S. Lewis, he says human history is the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:18.160 See, our sin, our idols, they promise satisfaction but they never deliver. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:23.420 They promise to satisfy but they always fall short. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:27.080 They cannot satisfy the hunger of our souls. 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.340 Only God can do that. 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:34.740 And so this call to forsake our wicked ways, to forsake our wicked thoughts, 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:41.340 that's a call to stop snacking on sin and to come feast on the Lord. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:45.480 God demands total allegiance. 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.159 What does he say? 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.679 Love the Lord your God with what? 00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:51.179 All your heart. 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.119 All your mind. 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.500 All your soul. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:56.539 All your strength. 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:58.500 Isn't this what Jesus told his disciples? 00:18:58.659 --> 00:19:01.339 He said if anyone would come, does that sound familiar? 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:08.079 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:15.139 For whoever would save his life would lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:21.639 John Piper, he gives this illustration of a married man in an affair. 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.279 He says it like this. 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:28.779 He says, you cannot seek God where he is not found in sin. 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:38.639 It would be like a man who leaves his wife, moves into his own apartment, has a regular sexual affair alongside his marriage, 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:42.619 and then gets on the phone and calls and seeks his wife. 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:46.359 And she says, have you forsaken this woman? 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:49.420 And he says, no, I can't. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:54.180 And then she will rightly say, then you are not seeking me. 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.779 Your call is empty. 00:19:56.779 --> 00:20:08.079 You will seek me and find me as your wife when you forsake her and all others for me alone, just like you vowed. 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:11.200 We must repent totally. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.460 What does that look like? 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:15.180 Look there to verse 7 again. 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:22.779 Isaiah expresses this total repentance by calling the wicked to forsake in two ways here. 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:29.099 We must forsake our sinful ways and forsake our sinful thoughts. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.940 You see that there in verse 7. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:33.660 We must forsake our sinful ways. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.399 That's our actions. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.259 What we do. 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:38.700 This is the external, the visible. 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:42.500 What others can see and witness and say, man, yeah, that was wrong. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.700 You really lost your temper in there, Jonathan. 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.980 You really shouldn't have said that, should you? 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.500 That was bad. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.039 That was wrong. 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.599 That was sinful. 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.519 I saw that. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.860 That was dishonest. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:59.920 But Isaiah says, don't stop there because our visible sin, what others can see with their two eyes, 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:04.420 is almost always the fruit of invisible sin. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:08.620 It's almost always deeper than we think. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.940 It's internal. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.440 It's always more. 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:14.080 See, murder flows downstream from anger. 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:17.279 Flows downstream from hatred. 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:23.100 Adultery flows downstream from lust, from dissatisfaction. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:25.800 Thievery flows downstream from greed. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:28.259 And yes, these are all heart issues. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:33.519 They're issues of the heart, but they're also deeply connected with the mind. 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:39.960 Which is why Isaiah tells us we must also forsake our wicked thoughts. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:46.259 Your thoughts are incredibly powerful. 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:50.559 Do you realize how powerful your thoughts are? 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:55.119 They are the director of your actions. 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:58.459 They're the steering wheel that influences the course, your path. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:03.579 This wicked way that you're on is likely directed and steered by wicked thoughts. 00:22:03.979 --> 00:22:07.879 If your thoughts are worldly, if your thoughts are wicked, 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:11.279 if your thoughts are conformed to the patterns of this world, 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:15.000 rather than transformed by the renewal of your mind, 00:22:15.479 --> 00:22:17.819 it may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:21.539 but friend, it will work itself out in your actions. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:24.539 It will work itself out visibly. 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:27.159 Listen, I don't know what you're thinking most of the time. 00:22:28.159 --> 00:22:29.779 Sometimes I can see it on your face. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.899 Sometimes I can guess. 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:33.920 Make an educated guess. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:38.200 But most of the time, your thoughts, they belong to you. 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:39.300 Right? 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.500 They're hidden. 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:41.700 They're internal. 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.480 They're private. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.320 But not to God. 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:50.339 In the sight of God, your inner self, our hidden self, 00:22:50.439 --> 00:22:54.599 the thoughts and the motives and the desires and the urges 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:58.039 that we try to keep hidden from everybody else around us 00:22:58.039 --> 00:23:03.299 is as visible to God as any external action we take. 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:08.879 And if that's true, it's not enough simply to change your behavior. 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.659 Right? 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:14.779 It's not enough simply to forsake our wicked actions. 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:16.420 That might fool me. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.620 That might fool other people. 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:20.340 That might impress one another. 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:22.620 But God is not fooled. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:29.580 You must repent totally, inside and out, actions and thoughts. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:36.160 The church, what sinful actions from the past week need to be repented of? 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:40.540 By name, need to be repented of? 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:43.660 The past month, the past year, the past hour. 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:48.220 And if you haven't acted outwardly in a sinful way, 00:23:48.300 --> 00:23:49.279 though I'm sure you have, 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:53.640 what sinful thoughts need to be repented of? 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.380 Thoughts that no one else knows about? 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:59.140 Thoughts of anger or lust or pride? 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:04.340 What thoughts need to be forsaken that we might come to the Lord? 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.740 Totally. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.359 Totally. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.799 Have you come to Him? 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.399 Totally. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.959 Because here's the thing, church. 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:13.839 We can either forsake our sin and turn to God, 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:16.000 or we forsake our God and turn to sin. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.759 There is no middle ground. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:22.139 There's no middle ground. 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:25.240 We either forsake our sin and turn to God, 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:29.480 or we are forsaking our God to turn to sin. 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:32.500 We cannot have it both ways. 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:35.060 Have you come to Him totally? 00:24:37.020 --> 00:24:38.259 But you may wonder, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:41.980 what will happen when I do? 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.200 What will happen when I do? 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:50.759 Isn't the presence of God the last place a sinner needs to go? 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:54.960 Isn't the presence of God a bad thing for sinners? 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:56.840 Why would I go there with my sin? 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:59.340 Shouldn't I clean myself up and then get to God? 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:02.180 Won't God turn me away or punish me 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:04.360 or make me feel guilty for my sin? 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.640 Friend, if that's how you're feeling this morning, 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:08.660 I have good news for you. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:12.200 Third, we can come to Him confidently. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:16.059 We can come to Him confidently. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.440 Look there again to verse 7. 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:22.019 These are some of the most assuring words for sinners like you and like me. 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:26.180 What we will find when we come to the Lord 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:29.059 as broken and sinful as we are, 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:31.539 when we leave the comfort of our sin 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:35.000 and forsake the false security of our sin 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.799 and call upon the name of the Lord, 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.840 what will we find? 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.620 Verse 7. 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:41.759 Let the wicked forsake His way. 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:44.340 And the unrighteous man His thoughts. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.720 Let him return to the Lord 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:50.319 that He may have compassion on Him. 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.860 And to our God, 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:56.400 for He will abundantly pardon. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:01.819 Church, we can come to the Lord confidently 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:06.940 because His heart is full of compassion towards sinners. 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:11.120 He is eager to pardon. 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.440 Not just to pardon, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:15.000 but it says to pardon abundantly. 00:26:16.320 --> 00:26:17.539 Let me ask you a question. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:21.460 This is what I spent most of my time wrestling with this week 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.460 as I studied this passage. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:28.660 What is the difference between pardon and abundant pardon? 00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:33.019 Think about that. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:39.000 What is the difference between pardon and abundant pardon? 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.740 And what is pardon? 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.799 Pardon is forgiveness. 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.000 It's a declaration. 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:44.440 You're treated like you're no longer guilty. 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:46.200 You're treated like you're innocent. 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.279 You are forgiven. 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:50.359 A criminal who knows that he's guilty, 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.839 who stands before the judge, 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:56.039 he should rejoice to hear the truth that he has been pardoned, 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.200 not guilty. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:59.680 What difference does it make for that criminal 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:02.039 if he's pardoned or if he's abundantly pardoned? 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:08.360 Four differences and then we're done. 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.120 I had two, 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.480 but then I came up with two more 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.940 while I was whacking Miss Martha's bushes yesterday, 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.700 doing some yard work. 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.120 So we got four differences. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.120 Then we're done. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:21.039 First one is obvious. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.980 This didn't take me long. 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:25.120 Abundant pardon is abundant 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:26.860 and pardon is not. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.100 What's the difference between pardon and abundant pardon? 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:32.759 Well, abundant pardon is more. 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.140 It is abundant. 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:37.460 What happens the next day 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.759 when that guilty criminal goes out 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.000 and he breaks the law again? 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.600 And then again the next day? 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.120 And then again the next day? 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:48.500 And then again the next day? 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.720 And the next day? 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.900 And the next day? 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:53.640 And every day for the rest of his life 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:55.700 for such a wicked person, 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.460 for a repeat offender, 00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:59.340 pardon is not enough 00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:02.120 unless it is abundant pardon. 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.140 Friend, we are guilty. 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:08.520 Not just one time. 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:12.680 We are guilty of breaking the law of God 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:15.080 every single day. 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:17.779 But the gospel tells us 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:19.000 that God the judge 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.039 has decreed 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.099 abundant 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.159 pardon 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:23.500 for any 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.759 who would come 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.579 and turn from their sin 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.480 and trust 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.980 in the name of the Lord. 00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:30.619 Overflowing pardon. 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.899 Infinite 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:32.519 pardon 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:34.240 for every broken law. 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.179 Every single sin. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.759 Past, 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.639 present, 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.480 future. 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.660 for any 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.720 guilty sinner 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.759 who would simply come 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.380 and receive 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.759 what he is offering. 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:45.500 That is life changing grace 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.059 is it not? 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.539 That is 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:49.299 real freedom. 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.579 That means your sins 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:52.000 cannot rule you 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.640 anymore. 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.480 That means your 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.339 guilt 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.039 cannot 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:57.299 crush you 00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:58.120 anymore. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:00.200 If you have come 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.819 to Christ 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.579 for forgiveness 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.920 you will have it 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:04.000 and you will have it 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.079 abundantly 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:06.279 as far as the east 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:07.480 is from the west. 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.119 What does he say? 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.879 So far 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:10.099 have I removed 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:10.940 your sins 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.879 from you. 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.660 So what's the difference 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.379 between pardon 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.879 and abundant pardon? 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.980 It's infinite. 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:19.019 It's limitless. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.819 It's abundant. 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.099 It's totally 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.960 effective 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.980 for all 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.819 time. 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.119 Friend, 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.079 our sin 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.319 and our guilt 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.980 cannot 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.960 outmeasure 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.759 his grace. 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.839 When we come 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.359 to the Lord 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.740 it is swept away 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.399 in a flood 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.180 of compassion 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.579 and pardon. 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.299 It's the difference 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.119 between a sip 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:37.819 of medicine 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:39.480 and life-saving 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:39.919 immunity 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.699 from every 00:29:40.699 --> 00:29:41.659 sickness. 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.299 Second, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.179 there's another 00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:43.659 difference. 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.220 Infinite 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.639 everlasting 00:29:47.639 --> 00:29:49.240 pardon like this 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.279 it cannot be 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.799 earned by 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.139 sinners. 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.299 Infinite 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.099 pardon 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.460 cannot be 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.980 earned 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.899 by sinners. 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.079 It must be 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.960 received. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.859 We cannot 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.799 earn 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.939 this grace. 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.179 You know 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.679 if you were 00:30:02.679 --> 00:30:03.319 just a little 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.899 bit guilty 00:30:03.899 --> 00:30:05.659 just a little 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.220 bit guilty 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.639 maybe 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.599 a merciful 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.119 judge 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.500 would let 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:08.839 you get 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.179 out on 00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:09.339 good 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.799 behavior 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.319 right? 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:12.059 But again 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.819 we are 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:14.159 abundantly 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:15.259 sinful 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:17.039 so we stand 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.480 in need 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.399 of total 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.019 abundant 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.579 pardon. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.039 We need 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.500 total 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.200 forgiveness 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.779 that we 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.299 cannot 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.980 earn 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.460 but again 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.139 the gospel 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.819 tells us 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.460 that Christ 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.159 has. 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.000 Jesus 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.660 Christ 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.859 was the 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:31.160 only one 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.519 who has 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:31.940 ever 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.799 totally 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.579 obeyed 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.140 the law 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.880 of God. 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.319 He's the 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:36.680 only one 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:36.960 who is 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.720 totally 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.539 sinless. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.660 He alone 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.559 earned 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.039 eternal 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.440 life. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.019 He earned 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.420 it by 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.299 his perfect 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.839 obedience 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.380 and yet 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.500 he lived 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:45.839 in our 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.359 place. 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.339 He died 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.140 in our 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.720 place 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.000 in the 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.420 place of 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:50.779 sinners 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.640 so that 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.539 any who 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.420 trust in 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:53.960 him 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.740 can be 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.539 abundantly 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.140 pardoned 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:56.519 not on the 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.220 basis of our 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.619 goodness 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.000 on the 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.399 basis of 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:58.959 what we 00:30:58.959 --> 00:30:59.479 have 00:30:59.479 --> 00:30:59.799 earned 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.379 but on 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:00.819 the basis 00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:01.819 of his 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.619 goodness. 00:31:02.959 --> 00:31:03.339 The gospel 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.059 tells us 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.159 that he 00:31:05.159 --> 00:31:05.799 was treated 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.339 as we 00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:06.819 deserved 00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.779 so that 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.199 any who 00:31:08.199 --> 00:31:08.539 come to 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:08.919 him might 00:31:08.919 --> 00:31:09.379 be treated 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.319 as he 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.079 deserved. 00:31:11.439 --> 00:31:11.759 That's the 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.179 gospel. 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.139 Third 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:17.039 which is 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.359 why 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:20.559 salvation 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.939 like this 00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:23.379 pardon 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.000 like this 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.479 that ought 00:31:24.479 --> 00:31:25.619 to overflow 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:27.139 in praise 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:28.160 for God. 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:29.780 Amen? 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.240 Abundant 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.800 pardon 00:31:32.800 --> 00:31:33.680 leads to 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.300 abundant 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:35.660 praise. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.480 What did 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.000 Jesus tell 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.680 his disciples? 00:31:41.020 --> 00:31:41.440 He who 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.080 is forgiven 00:31:42.080 --> 00:31:42.720 little 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:44.120 loves 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:45.000 little. 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.360 There's a 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.100 connection 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:47.840 here. 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.240 There ought 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.520 to be. 00:31:48.580 --> 00:31:49.120 That's the 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.900 aim of God 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.140 in the 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.460 gospel. 00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:50.880 There's a 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.460 connection 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.900 between how 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:53.640 much we 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.720 are loved 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.840 and forgiven 00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:57.280 and pardoned 00:31:57.280 --> 00:31:57.940 and how 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:59.040 much praise 00:31:59.040 --> 00:31:59.800 and love 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:00.580 and glory 00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:01.380 go back 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.100 out toward 00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:02.640 God. 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.320 If you're 00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:04.860 starving 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.420 and someone 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:05.960 gives you a 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.820 crumb to 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.200 eat, 00:32:07.280 --> 00:32:07.500 you might 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:07.780 say, 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.940 thanks. 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.320 Gee, 00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:11.220 thanks. 00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:12.160 I appreciate 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.620 it. 00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.140 But if you're 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.820 starving 00:32:14.820 --> 00:32:16.280 and a feast 00:32:16.280 --> 00:32:16.800 is laid 00:32:16.800 --> 00:32:17.600 before you, 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.400 plates upon 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.080 plates upon 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.440 plates, 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:19.920 you're invited 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:20.580 to come and 00:32:20.580 --> 00:32:21.140 eat at no 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.700 cost to 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.200 yourself, 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:23.120 your heart 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:23.440 ought to 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.200 rejoice. 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:25.640 It ought to 00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.480 overflow with 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.120 thanksgiving 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:28.319 and praise 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.480 and worship 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:29.880 as we're 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.900 satisfied in 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:31.259 what he's 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:31.819 providing. 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.700 He is 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.500 receiving 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.620 the glory. 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.640 That's the 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.019 aim of 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.680 abundant 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.340 pardon. 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.000 The greater 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.680 the pardon, 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.400 the greater 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:40.420 the worship. 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:42.259 Friend, 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:42.819 we have been 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.700 abundantly 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.100 pardoned. 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.980 And 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:47.460 fourth, 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.100 abundant 00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:50.720 pardon. 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.840 shows us 00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:53.480 God's 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.259 eagerness 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.700 to save. 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.920 Abundant 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:58.799 pardon shows 00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:00.019 us God's 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.500 eagerness 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:02.360 to save. 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.440 Pardon 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:06.120 can come 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:06.360 from 00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:07.360 reluctance. 00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.319 Pardon, 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:10.259 simple pardon, 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:10.860 that can come 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:12.360 from uncertainty. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.100 The judge 00:33:14.100 --> 00:33:14.980 may roll 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.920 his eyes, 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:16.600 be on the 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:16.940 fence, 00:33:17.080 --> 00:33:17.600 just let you 00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:18.299 go this one 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:18.740 time, 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:19.580 but really 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:20.279 not care 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.980 too much. 00:33:21.080 --> 00:33:21.580 But friend, 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.580 abundant 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:23.480 pardon, 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:24.640 that's the 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:25.299 overflow 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.000 of a 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.620 heart that 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.559 is eager 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:29.059 to save. 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.779 You can 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.519 forgive someone, 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:31.840 sure, 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:33.120 just move 00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:33.539 on, 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.279 be done 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:34.759 with it, 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.740 but to 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.660 abundantly 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.340 forgive, 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.819 it requires 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.460 that your 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.240 heart be 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:40.740 bent, 00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.340 not just 00:33:41.340 --> 00:33:41.580 towards 00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.160 justice, 00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:42.920 but towards 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.120 love for 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:44.620 the one 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:45.380 who did 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:46.180 you wrong. 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.240 wrong. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.080 We need 00:33:48.080 --> 00:33:48.400 to see 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:48.820 that God 00:33:48.820 --> 00:33:49.220 is not 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.519 just 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.160 willing 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.060 to save 00:33:51.060 --> 00:33:51.519 sinners, 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.240 he is 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.080 eager 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:54.500 to save 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.320 sinners. 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.279 When 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.700 sinners 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.779 forsake 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.340 their wicked 00:33:59.340 --> 00:33:59.880 way and 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.460 come to 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:00.759 God, 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.140 they don't 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:01.900 find anger, 00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.320 they don't 00:34:03.320 --> 00:34:04.560 find chastisement, 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.060 God does 00:34:05.060 --> 00:34:05.799 not roll 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.519 his eyes 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.460 and reluctantly 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:07.920 forgive, 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:08.619 that's what 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:08.920 I would 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.180 do. 00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:11.079 If somebody 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.980 messed up 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.500 and wronged 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:12.880 me as many 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.539 times as I've 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.079 wronged God, 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.420 that is 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.199 exactly what 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:15.559 I would 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:15.840 do. 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.279 But as 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:17.519 we'll see 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.119 next week, 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:18.679 his ways 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.000 are not 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.659 our ways, 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.299 his thoughts 00:34:21.299 --> 00:34:22.279 are not 00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:23.079 our thoughts, 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.500 he is 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.860 overflowing 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.819 with love 00:34:26.819 --> 00:34:28.079 and compassion 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.400 and mercy 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.039 towards 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.679 sinners. 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.619 When sinners 00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:33.079 come to 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.279 God, 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.759 they find 00:34:33.759 --> 00:34:34.380 compassion 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:34.880 and pardon 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:36.039 in abundance, 00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:36.840 they find 00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:38.019 a feast 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.639 of forgiveness. 00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:42.500 Too often, 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:42.920 I think, 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.380 we take 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:43.940 just such 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.519 a low 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:44.960 view 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.720 of God's 00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.500 heart, 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:47.760 a low 00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:48.079 view of 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.500 God's 00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.200 grace, 00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:49.539 of his 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.099 eagerness 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:51.079 to save. 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:51.480 We come 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.820 to the 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:52.059 Lord 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.700 guilty 00:34:52.700 --> 00:34:53.099 with our 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.559 tail tucked 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.160 between our 00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:54.559 legs, 00:34:54.680 --> 00:34:55.160 and we 00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:55.760 just imagine 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.380 him rolling 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.079 his eyes, 00:34:57.220 --> 00:34:57.940 you again, 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.340 really? 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.640 That is 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.519 not the 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.079 heart of 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.440 God. 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.440 Those 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.480 who run 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.960 from God 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.500 in their 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.160 sin will 00:35:09.160 --> 00:35:09.920 be punished, 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.119 but those 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.579 who run 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.160 from their 00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:12.760 sin to 00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:13.220 God 00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:14.060 will be 00:35:14.060 --> 00:35:15.580 pardoned. 00:35:16.520 --> 00:35:17.220 Why? 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.540 Because that 00:35:19.540 --> 00:35:20.340 is exactly 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.780 why Christ 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:22.380 came. 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.700 That is 00:35:24.700 --> 00:35:25.340 exactly 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:26.380 why 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.280 Christ 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:28.360 came. 00:35:28.540 --> 00:35:28.880 Thomas 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:29.300 Goodwin, 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:30.740 the old 00:35:30.740 --> 00:35:31.500 Puritan, 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.880 he says 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.500 that Christ's 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.520 own joy, 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.160 I want you to 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:39.480 listen to 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:39.759 this. 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.079 Christ's 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:43.199 own joy, 00:35:43.859 --> 00:35:44.339 comfort, 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.399 happiness, 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.420 and glory 00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:47.159 are 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:48.239 increased 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:48.940 and 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:50.039 enlarged 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:50.960 by his 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:52.059 showing grace 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:52.960 and mercy 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:54.599 in pardoning, 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.719 relieving, 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:56.779 and comforting 00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:57.679 his members 00:35:57.679 --> 00:35:58.920 here on 00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.219 earth. 00:35:59.279 --> 00:35:59.639 Did you hear 00:35:59.639 --> 00:35:59.940 that? 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.319 Christ's 00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:03.420 own joy 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.280 joy is 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:05.800 tied to 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.180 our 00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:06.780 finding 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.460 pardon 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.400 through 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.220 his 00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:09.700 atoning 00:36:09.700 --> 00:36:10.579 work. 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:11.920 Did you 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.559 catch that? 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:13.960 Christ's 00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.700 joy is 00:36:14.700 --> 00:36:15.880 bound up 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.880 with ours. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.320 Why? 00:36:17.720 --> 00:36:18.240 Because that 00:36:18.240 --> 00:36:18.980 is precisely 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:19.599 what he 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.260 came to 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.639 do. 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:22.000 Nothing 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:22.420 would please 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:22.900 him more 00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:23.180 than for 00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:23.519 us to 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:24.440 come and 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.139 to make 00:36:25.139 --> 00:36:25.800 use of 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:25.980 his 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.579 sacrifice, 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.639 to come 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:27.880 and to 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.559 find forgiveness 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.380 in him. 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.760 That's why 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:30.420 he came. 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.420 It honors 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.000 him. 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.619 It pleases 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.220 him. 00:36:33.280 --> 00:36:33.960 It magnifies 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.579 his glory 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.119 for sinners 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:35.539 to find 00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:36.559 refuge in 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:37.119 him. 00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:37.659 That's why 00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:38.220 he shed 00:36:38.220 --> 00:36:38.880 his blood. 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:39.700 That's why 00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:40.460 he came. 00:36:40.680 --> 00:36:41.220 He came to 00:36:41.220 --> 00:36:41.760 demonstrate 00:36:41.760 --> 00:36:42.420 the heart 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:43.059 of God 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.500 towards 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.180 sinners. 00:36:44.360 --> 00:36:44.700 He has 00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:45.139 prepared 00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:46.119 a feast 00:36:46.119 --> 00:36:47.300 and it 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:47.780 pleases 00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:48.159 him. 00:36:48.220 --> 00:36:48.740 It honors 00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.240 him when 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:50.159 we come 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:51.119 and eat 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:52.000 again 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:53.039 and again 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.960 and again 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.240 and say, 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:54.720 can I have 00:36:54.720 --> 00:36:55.059 more? 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.400 Can I have 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:56.740 more? 00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:58.059 Can I have 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.740 another helping 00:36:58.740 --> 00:36:59.180 please? 00:36:59.280 --> 00:36:59.880 Can I have 00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.660 more? 00:37:00.820 --> 00:37:01.039 And he 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.220 says, 00:37:01.300 --> 00:37:01.680 come, 00:37:02.180 --> 00:37:02.579 bring me 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.200 your plate. 00:37:03.640 --> 00:37:03.960 Nothing 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.700 would make 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:05.320 me happier 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:05.700 than to 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:06.300 shower 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.220 abundant 00:37:07.220 --> 00:37:07.660 pardon 00:37:07.660 --> 00:37:08.720 on you. 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:13.840 Church, 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.280 God is 00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:14.800 far more 00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:15.340 eager to 00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:15.860 show us 00:37:15.860 --> 00:37:16.280 mercy 00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:17.440 than we 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:17.760 are to 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.180 seek it. 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:21.700 But we 00:37:21.700 --> 00:37:22.280 can come 00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:22.700 to the 00:37:22.700 --> 00:37:23.440 Lord with 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:24.280 confidence 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:26.320 because God 00:37:26.320 --> 00:37:27.059 loves to 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.340 save 00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:27.700 sinners. 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:27.839 sinners. 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:30.379 He loves 00:37:30.379 --> 00:37:31.519 to forgive 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.679 sinners. 00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.379 Should we 00:37:34.379 --> 00:37:35.419 ever question 00:37:35.419 --> 00:37:36.619 how eager 00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:37.219 God is 00:37:37.219 --> 00:37:37.779 to save 00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:38.339 us, 00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:39.799 to forgive 00:37:39.799 --> 00:37:40.099 us, 00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:40.659 to redeem 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.819 us totally, 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:42.679 to receive 00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.239 us, 00:37:43.819 --> 00:37:44.939 look constantly 00:37:44.939 --> 00:37:45.359 to the 00:37:45.359 --> 00:37:45.899 cross of 00:37:45.899 --> 00:37:46.379 Christ. 00:37:47.879 --> 00:37:48.599 Our God 00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:49.279 the Son 00:37:49.279 --> 00:37:50.379 died in 00:37:50.379 --> 00:37:51.699 your place. 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:53.719 And remember 00:37:53.719 --> 00:37:54.419 that because 00:37:54.419 --> 00:37:55.460 he rose 00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:56.260 from the 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:57.079 grave never 00:37:57.079 --> 00:37:57.699 to die 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.179 again, 00:37:58.300 --> 00:37:59.019 Hebrews tells 00:37:59.019 --> 00:37:59.440 us that 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.019 he is 00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:01.079 always able 00:38:01.079 --> 00:38:01.679 to save 00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:02.099 to the 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:02.840 uttermost 00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.760 those who 00:38:03.760 --> 00:38:04.340 draw near 00:38:04.340 --> 00:38:04.820 to God 00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.980 through him 00:38:05.980 --> 00:38:06.400 since he 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:07.460 always lives 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.099 to make 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.740 intercession 00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:09.980 for them. 00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:11.679 So again 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.220 in Hebrews 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:12.679 says, 00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:13.099 let us 00:38:13.099 --> 00:38:13.659 then with 00:38:13.659 --> 00:38:14.780 confidence 00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:16.220 draw near 00:38:16.220 --> 00:38:16.639 to the 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:17.119 throne of 00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.619 grace 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.639 that we 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.300 may receive 00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:19.920 mercy 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.199 and find 00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:21.960 grace to 00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.920 help in 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.420 time of 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:23.860 need. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:27.640 if you 00:38:27.640 --> 00:38:28.019 would 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:29.340 know 00:38:29.340 --> 00:38:30.200 life 00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:33.160 and joy 00:38:33.160 --> 00:38:35.640 and peace 00:38:35.640 --> 00:38:38.579 and satisfaction 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:40.539 would you 00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:40.900 come to 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.280 Christ? 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:43.300 Would you 00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:44.599 seek him 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.440 with all 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.120 of your 00:38:46.120 --> 00:38:46.440 heart? 00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:46.760 Would you 00:38:46.760 --> 00:38:47.480 call upon 00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:48.140 the name 00:38:48.140 --> 00:38:48.860 of the 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:49.360 Lord and 00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:50.400 know that 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:50.640 without 00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:51.380 hesitation 00:38:51.380 --> 00:38:52.220 you will 00:38:52.220 --> 00:38:53.440 be saved? 00:38:53.860 --> 00:38:55.780 a few 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.360 weeks ago 00:38:56.360 --> 00:38:58.240 we 00:38:58.240 --> 00:38:58.700 concluded 00:38:58.700 --> 00:38:59.480 with the 00:38:59.480 --> 00:38:59.940 parable of 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.460 the prodigal 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:00.860 son 00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:02.180 and it 00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:02.880 seems fitting 00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:03.300 again 00:39:03.300 --> 00:39:04.140 doesn't it 00:39:04.140 --> 00:39:04.780 to end 00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.260 our time 00:39:05.260 --> 00:39:05.740 there 00:39:05.740 --> 00:39:06.380 this morning 00:39:06.380 --> 00:39:07.820 this sinful 00:39:07.820 --> 00:39:08.740 son who 00:39:08.740 --> 00:39:09.480 exchanged 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.220 his father 00:39:10.220 --> 00:39:10.680 for what 00:39:10.680 --> 00:39:11.539 his father 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:12.200 could give 00:39:12.200 --> 00:39:12.500 him 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.800 he traded 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.660 the comfort 00:39:14.660 --> 00:39:15.300 and the joy 00:39:15.300 --> 00:39:15.860 of knowing 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.559 his father 00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:17.320 for the 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:17.660 riches 00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:18.120 and the 00:39:18.120 --> 00:39:18.420 gifts 00:39:18.420 --> 00:39:18.900 his father 00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.360 could give 00:39:19.360 --> 00:39:19.740 he got 00:39:19.740 --> 00:39:20.440 his inheritance 00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:20.840 and he 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.519 went on 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.019 his way 00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.300 and he 00:39:22.300 --> 00:39:22.639 spent 00:39:22.639 --> 00:39:23.019 every 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.780 last dime 00:39:23.780 --> 00:39:24.059 to the 00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:24.460 point where 00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:25.039 he was 00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:25.739 so hungry 00:39:25.739 --> 00:39:26.039 that he 00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:26.659 just begged 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:27.139 to eat 00:39:27.139 --> 00:39:27.639 whatever the 00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.139 pigs were 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:28.440 eating 00:39:28.440 --> 00:39:30.259 do you 00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:30.639 remember how 00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:31.079 the father 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:31.639 responded 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:32.800 when the 00:39:32.800 --> 00:39:33.420 son returned 00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:33.739 home 00:39:33.739 --> 00:39:36.519 not a word 00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:37.059 of guilt 00:39:37.059 --> 00:39:39.059 not a word 00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:40.019 of anger 00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:41.340 not a word 00:39:41.340 --> 00:39:42.320 of chastisement 00:39:42.320 --> 00:39:42.960 what happened 00:39:42.960 --> 00:39:44.519 the father 00:39:44.519 --> 00:39:45.259 ran 00:39:45.259 --> 00:39:45.980 to him 00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:47.780 and rejoiced 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.380 that his son 00:39:48.380 --> 00:39:49.039 was lost 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.719 but is now 00:39:49.719 --> 00:39:50.400 found 00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:50.740 he was 00:39:50.740 --> 00:39:51.200 dead 00:39:51.200 --> 00:39:51.760 but is 00:39:51.760 --> 00:39:52.019 now 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.579 alive 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:52.840 and he 00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:53.559 celebrated 00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:54.800 with a 00:39:54.800 --> 00:39:55.460 feast 00:39:55.460 --> 00:39:57.860 so it 00:39:57.860 --> 00:39:58.420 will be 00:39:58.420 --> 00:39:59.160 with any 00:39:59.160 --> 00:39:59.539 sinner 00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:01.180 who forsakes 00:40:01.180 --> 00:40:02.039 his wicked 00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:02.500 way 00:40:02.500 --> 00:40:03.780 and turns 00:40:03.780 --> 00:40:04.539 to the 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:04.960 Lord 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:06.079 for forgiveness 00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:08.820 so I close 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:09.180 with this 00:40:09.180 --> 00:40:09.680 encouragement 00:40:09.680 --> 00:40:10.200 church 00:40:10.200 --> 00:40:12.340 as you 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:12.880 gather this 00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:13.579 week with 00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:14.360 family 00:40:14.360 --> 00:40:15.539 and friends 00:40:15.539 --> 00:40:16.780 around the 00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.220 table 00:40:17.220 --> 00:40:17.920 and fill 00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:18.480 yourself to 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:18.860 the brim 00:40:18.860 --> 00:40:19.519 with food 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:20.159 and drink 00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:20.800 let it be 00:40:20.800 --> 00:40:21.420 a pointer 00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:22.380 to you 00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:23.599 of this 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.000 feast 00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:24.539 in Isaiah 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.659 chapter 55 00:40:25.659 --> 00:40:27.480 let it be 00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:28.079 a reminder 00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:29.079 to you 00:40:29.079 --> 00:40:30.679 to come 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:31.099 to the 00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.460 Lord 00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:32.460 urgently 00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:34.480 and totally 00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:37.039 and confidently 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:38.699 and to 00:40:38.699 --> 00:40:39.320 feast your 00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:39.699 soul 00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:40.579 on the 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:40.860 goodness 00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:41.619 of God 00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:43.179 let's pray 00:40:43.179 --> 00:40:47.319 Lord 00:40:47.319 --> 00:40:47.940 there is 00:40:47.940 --> 00:40:48.579 nothing more 00:40:48.579 --> 00:40:49.339 satisfying 00:40:49.339 --> 00:40:50.000 than you 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:52.039 our souls 00:40:52.039 --> 00:40:52.739 were made 00:40:52.739 --> 00:40:53.599 to delight 00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:54.359 in you 00:40:54.359 --> 00:40:55.659 and though 00:40:55.659 --> 00:40:56.179 we have 00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:57.179 left you 00:40:57.179 --> 00:40:57.960 and been 00:40:57.960 --> 00:40:58.799 faithless 00:40:58.799 --> 00:40:59.139 father 00:40:59.139 --> 00:40:59.579 you have 00:40:59.579 --> 00:40:59.739 been 00:40:59.739 --> 00:41:00.440 faithful 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:00.819 and you 00:41:00.819 --> 00:41:01.219 have sent 00:41:01.219 --> 00:41:01.839 your son 00:41:01.839 --> 00:41:02.219 so that 00:41:02.219 --> 00:41:02.579 any 00:41:02.579 --> 00:41:03.000 sinner 00:41:03.000 --> 00:41:03.639 who calls 00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:04.099 upon the 00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:04.339 name 00:41:04.339 --> 00:41:05.019 of Christ 00:41:05.019 --> 00:41:05.719 will be 00:41:05.719 --> 00:41:06.440 received 00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:07.319 and pardoned 00:41:07.319 --> 00:41:08.460 in abundance 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.320 Lord 00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:09.740 we thank 00:41:09.740 --> 00:41:09.940 you for 00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:10.240 the good 00:41:10.240 --> 00:41:10.440 news 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:10.699 of the 00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.099 gospel 00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:12.019 and we 00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:12.340 ask 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:12.740 father 00:41:12.740 --> 00:41:13.000 that you 00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:13.480 would stir 00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:13.980 our hearts 00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:14.480 this week 00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:15.400 remind us 00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:16.000 of your 00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:16.360 goodness 00:41:16.360 --> 00:41:16.679 would you 00:41:16.679 --> 00:41:17.440 draw our 00:41:17.440 --> 00:41:18.059 souls to 00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.280 you 00:41:18.280 --> 00:41:19.420 we love 00:41:19.420 --> 00:41:19.599 you 00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:20.360 we pray 00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:20.619 this in 00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:21.159 Jesus name 00:41:21.159 --> 00:41:22.339 amen