WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.000 We are in the second servant song. Chapter 42, the first servant song where this servant is described 49 and then 53. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:24.000 ! And when you put those four songs of Isaiah together, you get a good picture of what the centre of the Bible is about. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:36.000 And it's another passage which speaks about the servant. Or if you look more accurately at 49 verse 1, it's spoken to us by the servant. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:42.000 So in the first servant song we looked at a few weeks ago, chapter 42 verse 1, it says, 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:50.000 Behold my servant. God said, Look at my servant. My servant whom I uphold, my chosen one whom I die. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:56.000 That's 42 verse 1. But now in chapter 49 verse 1, can you see that the servant speaks for himself? 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:05.000 Listen to me, O coastlands, and give nation, give attention, you peoples from afar. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:11.000 So in the first servant song, God presents his servant to us. Behold my servant. Look, here he is. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:16.000 But in the second song, the servant introduces himself. Listen to me. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:23.000 Listen to me, you islands. That's Great Britain. You should listen this morning. We are the distant nations. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:32.000 So you should think of your ears this morning. Because what is happening here is the servant of the Lord is giving his testimony. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:41.000 The servant of the Lord is introducing himself to us. To those of us who live at the ends of the earth, the farthest flung reaches of the globe. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:46.000 And he introduces himself to us in three ways. First of all, as the servant Israel needs. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:52.000 Secondly, as the salvation that the world needs. And thirdly, as the strength we all need. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.000 So first of all, the servant that Israel needs. Look at verse 1. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:03.000 Listen to me, O coastlands, give attention, you peoples from afar. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:08.000 The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother. He gave my name. Verse 3. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:17.000 And he said to me, you are my servant Israel, in whom I will be glorified. In whom I will display my splendour. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:23.000 Israel. That's his name. The name of the servant. What's in a name? 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:29.000 In our society, names don't normally mean much to them. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:36.000 Names don't normally have a relationship with the work that we do. Not usually. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:42.000 I remember driving through a separate village, and as we were driving along, there was an old fashioned advert painted on the side of the house. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:47.000 And on the side of the wall was Death and Sons Undertakers. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:54.000 You might have read the BBC news story from a few years ago about the lighthouse keepers called Cliff and Gale. 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:59.000 That's true. They're obviously made for the dough. All like Mrs. Button. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:03.000 We talk belly dancing. But it's not normally like that, is it? 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:06.000 Our names don't normally have meanings. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:10.000 They don't have normally much connection with what we do. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:12.000 But this name does. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:17.000 He said to me, you are my servant Israel, verse 3. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:20.000 In whom I will be glorified. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:27.000 Now don't forget, as you look at the plot line of the Bible, Israel was an individual long before it became a nation. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:30.000 There was Israel the man, and we tend to forget that. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:34.000 Israel was an individual long before he became a nation. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:40.000 God had promised Jacob's granddad, Abraham, that he would bring a great nation out of him. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:44.000 And through him he would bring great blessing that would ripple out to the ends of the earth. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:46.000 That was God's covenant with Abraham. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:53.000 And Abraham's grandson, Jacob, in chapter 22 and 32 of Genesis, gets his name changed from Jacob to Israel. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:55.000 At a place called Penuel. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:57.000 And he wrestles with God there. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:02.000 And God says, your name is now Israel. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:06.000 And God reiterates those promises with Jacob. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:09.000 He reiterates the promises he made with his granddad. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.000 That through him I will make you into a great nation. 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:15.000 And through you, Israel, I will bless the ends of the earth. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:16.000 And his name is Israel. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.000 He has 12 sons. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:20.000 Who become the 12 tribes of Israel. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:27.000 And at that moment, you see in Genesis 32, it seems, doesn't it, God's promises seem to rest on the shoulders of one man. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:29.000 One man. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:32.000 Whose name has been given to him. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.000 And his name is Israel. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:42.000 And now it seems in Isaiah chapter 49 that God's plan has come full circle onto the shoulders of one man. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:45.000 One man whom he calls the servant of the Lord. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:54.000 And this one man in Isaiah 49 verse 3 embodies everything that Israel, the people of God were meant to be. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:05:02.000 Israel was meant to display God's splendour. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:08.000 People were meant to look at Israel and say, their God is glorious. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:16.000 Instead, what happened, if you know the background of the book of Isaiah, you'll know what has happened is by their disobedience, God has made their name a byword. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:20.000 People mock their God amongst the nations. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.000 They haven't displayed God's splendour to the people. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:27.000 In fact, they brought reproach on the name of God by their disobedience. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:31.000 They were unfaithful to God's promises and covenant. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:34.000 And now they've been fled out of the land into exile. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:37.000 And the pagans, they laugh at the God of Israel. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:40.000 Because Israel has failed so miserably. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:47.000 Through Israel, God's righteous rule was to be established on the earth. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:50.000 Israel was supposed to bring God's justice to the earth. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:54.000 And under the reign of King David, and then Solomon, it looked. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:57.000 Well, it might just happen. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:00.000 And then you read the book of Kings. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:05.000 There's a commentary on the book of one and two kings, and it's called Men Behaving Badly. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:07.000 And it's not a bad title. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:13.000 Because if you read the book of Kings, you could call it the book of the failed Christ. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:16.000 Does that sound blasphemous to you? 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:19.000 Well, it does, because you don't understand the word Christ. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:21.000 Christ means anointed. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:23.000 And Israel's kings were anointed. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:28.000 And every king in the book of Kings was anointed to be Israel's king. 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:31.000 And every one of them messed up badly. 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:32.000 They blew it. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:35.000 And so you see, again and again, 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:41.000 Israel failed to live up to their calling and fulfil God's purpose and promise for them. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:46.000 And if you go back to chapter 48, which we were in last week, just look at verse 12. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:51.000 It says, listen to me, O Jacob. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:56.000 And Israel, whom I called, I am, I am the first and I am the last. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:06:59.000 And then look at verse 18. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:09.000 It says, O, O that you had paid attention to my commandments. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:13.000 It's just in the previous chapter. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.000 There's an O about Israel. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:20.000 The other translation actually of verse 18 is actually, if only. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:23.000 If only you'd paid attention to my commands. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.000 If only you'd paid attention to my commands. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:33.000 Do you remember, those of you who know the story, Jesus comes to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:39.000 And Luke tells us in Luke chapter 19, the people are lying in the streets and they're singing his praises. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:45.000 And some of the Pharisees, the kind of religious police, they begin to rebuke him. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:51.000 And they say, you should rebuke your disciples and you should stop them from worshipping you. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:54.000 And Jesus says this. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.000 Jesus says, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:04.000 And as he approached Jerusalem and he saw the city in front of him, he wept over it. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:12.000 He wept over the city and he said, if you even, even you had only known on this day what would bring you peace. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:15.000 But now it's hidden from your eyes. 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:19.000 There's an if only about Israel. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:22.000 And it's here in Isaiah chapter 48. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.000 Look at verse 18 and 19 in chapter 48. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:26.000 Oh, that you paid attention to my commandments. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:28.000 Then your peace would have been like a river. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.000 And your righteousness like the waters of the sea. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:34.000 Your offspring would have been like the sand and your descendants like his grains. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:38.000 Then they would never be cut off or destroy you from before me. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:41.000 Do you see what God is saying to his people? 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:43.000 He's saying, if only you'd paid attention to me. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:49.000 If only you'd paid attention to the promise to Abraham. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:51.000 Well, it would have been fulfilled long ago. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:53.000 Do you see that? 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:57.000 If only you'd paid attention, then my promise to Abraham would have been fulfilled. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:02.000 Your descendants would have been like the sand of the seashore. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:06.000 Their names would have never been cut off or destroyed before me. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:08.000 There's a wistfulness here. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:11.000 And then God promises them a new beginning. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:15.000 And in the verses that follow, verses 21 and 22 of Isaiah 48. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:20.000 God is promising them a new beginning through Cyrus, who's a pagan Persian king. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:22.000 We saw it a couple of weeks ago. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:24.000 Who he also calls his servant. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:29.000 Through Cyrus, God will restore Israel to the land. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.000 He will bring them back from exile into the promised land. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:36.000 And he will bring them back from Babylon to Jerusalem. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:41.000 And that's what verses 20 and 21 of chapter 48 are telling us. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.000 But as we saw last week, what good is that? 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.000 Look at verse 22. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:49.000 Their hearts are unchanged. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:52.000 There is no peace for the wicked, the Lord says. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:57.000 You can change your address, but you can't change your heart. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:00.000 A change of location won't solve anything. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.000 It's a change of heart that's called for. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:04.000 And how will that happen? 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.000 Chapter 49 goes to God. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.000 Listen to me. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.000 Listen to me. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.000 Listen to me, says God's sermon. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:18.000 You see, Israel, God's people need not only a return to the land, but they need a return to the Lord. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.000 Let's pause here for a moment. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:24.000 Because I think we often make the same mistake. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:27.000 And people want a new beginning, don't they? 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.000 And so they move to London. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:33.000 Or they move to another city or another country. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:36.000 And they thought their problem was their situation. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:38.000 If only I had a new job. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.000 If only I was in a better church. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:42.000 If only I was in a better location. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.000 And they thought their problem was their situation. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.000 But the problem was their sin. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.000 And they were longing the exiles in Babylon. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.000 They were longing for repatriation. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.000 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:56.000 But God was longing for repentance. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:00.000 And God is going to repatriate them. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:04.000 God is going to raise up pagan Persian king Cyrus. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.000 And bring them back to the land. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:07.000 It's one of the great miracles of the Old Testament. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.000 It's prophesied before it happens. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:13.000 And God will raise up this pagan Persian king Cyrus to defeat Babylon. 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:17.000 He'll use Cyrus to bring them back to the land. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.000 But who is going to bring them back to the Lord? 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:22.000 Cyrus won't be able to do that. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:26.000 Cyrus will bring them back to the land. 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.000 But not to the Lord. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:31.000 And that's where the servant of the Lord comes in. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:32.000 And he says, verse 1. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.000 Listen to me, O Costans. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.000 Give attention, you peoples from afar. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:38.000 The Lord called me from the womb. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.000 From the body of my mother he named my name. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.000 Do you remember what his name was? 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:46.000 Before he was born, what did the angel say to his father? 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:51.000 Joseph in Matthew chapter 1, they said, you shall call his name Jesus. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:52.000 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.000 Because he will save his people from their situation. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:01.000 Well, they were in a pretty ruby situation then, weren't they? 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.000 They were overrun by Rome. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:07.000 Actually, there's a theme in the Gospels that is another Babylon. 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:14.000 Before his son was born, the angel said to Joseph, call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their situation. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:16.000 No, from their sins. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:22.000 And the name Jesus means salvation of Jehovah, of God. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:29.000 And this is the one who is promised 700 years before the prophet, by the prophet Isaiah. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:34.000 Who will actually save God's people, not just from their situation, but from their sin. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.000 And so there is the first point. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:40.000 Jesus is the servant that Israel needs. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:42.000 That's very much the message in the New Testament. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:49.000 God's purpose for the Jewish people, it's not simply a return to Palestine. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:52.000 Lots of Christians get really confused at this point. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:59.000 God's purpose for his people is not just that they return to Palestine, but that they return to him through his servant, Jesus. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:03.000 God's plan for the Jews is that they return to him. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:07.000 It's not the state of Palestine that he's concerned with. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:09.000 But it's the state of people's hearts. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:14.000 And that means our task is not to get involved in politics and pronounce on the Middle East. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:19.000 Our job as well is to pray for the Jewish people. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:23.000 And to support evangelism amongst the Jewish people. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:27.000 There are Christians, there are Christians in Eden that teach you shouldn't. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:31.000 You shouldn't evangelise the Jews because they are already God's people. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.000 That's fatal. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.000 That's anti-Semitism actually. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:41.000 They teach that God has one plan for the Jews and one plan for the Gentiles. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.000 And they run on kind of parallel tracks. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.000 It's nonsense. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.000 It's nonsense of what Paul teaches in Ephesians. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:50.000 That God has one plan. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:53.000 And his one plan is to sum up everything in Jesus Christ. 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:58.000 And so both Jew and Gentile must place their faith in Christ. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:04.000 So if Jesus is God's servant, he is truly Israel's Messiah. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:07.000 And the Jews need it as much as you and I. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.000 And according indeed to Paul, they should be the first to hear. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:17.000 For salvation is the power of God to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:21.000 And the evangelisation of the Jews should be our first priority. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:23.000 I think in the church in the UK we've lost sight of that. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.000 That's why Paul went to sin amongst the first. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:30.000 Jesus is first of all the servant that Israel needs. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:33.000 He cannot be good news for the world unless he's good news for Israel. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:36.000 Maybe you'll talk to me about that later. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.000 Secondly, he's a servant that Israel needs. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.000 He's a servant that Israel needs. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:42.000 But secondly, he's a saviour that the world needs. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.000 Look at verse 1. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:49.000 You'll notice that the prophet, the servant is speaking beyond the borders of Palestine. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.000 He's speaking in the four corners of the earth. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.000 And he wants all to hear this. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.000 And just notice there are two horizons in the passage. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:58.000 Just look at verses 5 and 6. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.000 And now the Lord says, 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:05.000 He who formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob, Neah, back to him. 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:08.000 So that Israel, again Neah, might be gathered to him. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:11.000 For I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has been my strength. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:13.000 He says, 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:19.000 To light to him that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to bring back the preserved of Israel. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:24.000 I will make you as a light to the nations that as the fire my salvation may reach the ends of the earth. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.000 Two horizons. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:31.000 The prophet's speaking about the restoration of Israel and the rescue of the world. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:40.000 Literally, I will make you a light for the nations that you may be my salvation to the ends of the earth. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:44.000 So how is he going to do it? 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.000 How is he going to pull it off? 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:54.000 How will Israel's Messiah, how will Jesus of Nazareth, who never set foot outside Palestine, bring God's salvation to the UK today? 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.000 To the ends of the earth. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.000 How will he do that? 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.000 Well, verses 1 and 2. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:04.000 The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.000 He named my name. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:07.000 He made my mouth like a sharp sword. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.000 In the shadow of his hand he hid me. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.000 He made me a polished arrow. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:12.000 In his quiver he hid me away. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.000 It's a metaphor. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:15.000 It's a military metaphor. 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:20.000 Jesus doesn't force people to follow him at the point of the sword. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:23.000 That isn't jihad that's been described here. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:24.000 It's a military metaphor. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:31.000 So in the days of ancient warfare, if you were fighting up close to people in close combat, you would need a sharp sword. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:35.000 And if people were running away from you in the distance, you would need an arrow. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.000 And it would need to be a polished arrow. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:41.000 So that it would travel through the air and reach its target. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:43.000 And that's the picture here. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:45.000 That's the metaphor being used. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:51.000 In other words, we're told you that the warfare Jesus is involved with is the warfare. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.000 The warfare. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.000 It's very, very important. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.000 Can you see it? 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:57.000 It's the warfare, verse 2, of the word. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:04.000 He made my mouth like a sharp sword. 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:10.000 In other words, that's the battle we're about. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:16.000 Jesus brings the nations to him, not at the point of a sword, but through his word. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:19.000 The word that comes out of his mouth. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:25.000 When this man speaks, his words always hit the target, it's telling us. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:27.000 The message of Jesus is always spot on. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:30.000 And if you are a Christian this morning, you should understand that. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:33.000 Because that's how you became a Christian. 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:41.000 When the word of God penetrated your natural defenses, the words, which is like a sword that divides between soul and spirit. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.000 And it divides the thoughts of our hearts. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:45.000 Isn't that what happened to you? 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:48.000 Maybe you were on the run from God. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:52.000 And his word came to you like a polished arrow. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.000 Like a heat-seeking missile. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:56.000 You can run, but you can't hide. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.000 Maybe you came to London to get away from God and his word. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.000 And his word came like a heat-seeking missile. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:05.000 Like a polished arrow. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:08.000 And it doesn't matter whether you're near or far. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:11.000 Whether you're part of the ancient covenant people of Israel. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:13.000 Or whether you're a Gentile who's far off. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:15.000 His word will accomplish his purpose. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:18.000 Look at verse 7. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:20.000 Such an interesting verse. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.000 Verse 7. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:24.000 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:32.000 To one who deeply despised and whored by the nation, the servants of rulers, kings shall see and arise. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:38.000 Princes, and they shall prostrate themselves because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One who has chosen you. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:41.000 We'll see more of that in Isaiah chapter 53. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:45.000 The one who is hated and abhorred and despised and rejected. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:51.000 Do you notice it is that one who in the second half of verse 7, kings will see and rise up. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:58.000 Kings don't get up when you come into the room, do they? 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:05.000 You go to the Queen, the Queen sits on her throne when you come into the room. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:08.000 But do you see what the prophet is saying? 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:12.000 He's saying, kings will see you and rise to their feet in respect. 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:16.000 Kings will see Jesus. 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:23.000 He who has been despised and abhorred and rejected and they will get up off their feet and they will rise in respect. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:34.000 Dr. Olga Lusenko was the Roman minister of education after the collapse of communism in the early 90s. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:40.000 Russia in that time became a moral and ethical way stand after the communist regime went. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:45.000 The ideologies of communism went with it and there was a regime of fear. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:53.000 And the Russian minister of education asked Dr. Olga Lusenko, who is an official in the Academy of Educational Sciences, 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:59.000 to research and make recommendations for the teaching of morals and ethics in Russian schools. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:02.000 She lived a life under communist rule. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:09.000 And after looking at various educational models, Dr. Olga and her colleagues concluded that a moral education would have to include biblical principles. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:11.000 Can you believe that? 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.000 That's verse 7 fulfilled. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:15.000 They hated Jesus. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:17.000 They despised Jesus. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.000 He was hated by the Politburo. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:22.000 The Bible was banned from homes and schools for decades. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:26.000 And now the Politburo gets on their feet to respect him. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:31.000 Dr. Olga and her colleagues concluded that a moral education would have to include biblical principles. 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:35.000 And as Dr. Olga oversaw the development of this new plan in 1992, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:41.000 she was given a Bible which she read intently and she personally experienced the transforming power of God's grace. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:43.000 That's how we should pray for Russia. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:48.000 For decades the Bible was banned and Jesus was persona non grata. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:55.000 He was despised and hated by the leaders but now they rise to their feet to greet him. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:59.000 And they treat him and his word with the respect that it deserves. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:05.000 And we should be praying, shouldn't we, that not only were they greeting, 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:11.000 which they seem to have done, there's a Bible in every school in Russia, do you know that? 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:14.000 But they should treat his word with the respect it deserves. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:19.000 But we should also pray the second half of this time, that they would bow down and worship him as well. 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:26.000 But they wouldn't just become Bible nerds and Bible scholars, that they'd come to the one of whom the Bible speaks and they would worship him. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:30.000 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:33.000 The Jewish people said, well you couldn't have seen that coming, could you? 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.000 Can anything good come out of Nazareth? 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:39.000 Nobody's ever heard of Nazareth, it's not even on the map. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:44.000 Do you remember in his ministry they said of Jesus, isn't this the carpenter stuck? 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:48.000 Isn't this the guy that fixed our coffee table on? 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:51.000 Isn't this the guy who couldn't fix our broken chair? 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:56.000 And he's going to be the saviour of the world. 00:21:56.000 --> 00:22:00.000 Are we going to be sitting down in 2000 years and worshiping him in London? 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:03.000 Well yes, who could have seen that coming? 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:11.000 It's exactly like Isaiah says, he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:15.000 He made my mouth like a sharp sword and the shadow of his hand he hid me. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:20.000 There is, isn't there, in the Gospels, when you read them, there's a hiddenness about Jesus. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:25.000 You see as you read the Gospels, Jesus is always telling people not to say anything. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:27.000 Shut up and don't tell anyone. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:29.000 There's a hiddenness about Jesus in the Gospels. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:36.000 He was born in Bethlehem, in a couchette outside the inn. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.000 There was a room thing. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:42.000 He was brought up in some obscure place in Hicksville, Nazareth. 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:47.000 And for 30 formative years he worked at the carpenter's shop. 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:51.000 And we know absolutely nothing about him. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:54.000 And suddenly God takes him out of his quiver and presents him. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:59.000 This is my servant, God says, in whom I uphold, in whom I delight. 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.000 Do you remember in his baptism? 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:06.000 Behold my son, whom I love, whom I uphold. 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:10.000 In the fullness of time, Paul says in Galatians. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:15.000 At just the right time, Romans 5 says. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:19.000 God reveals his secret weapon to save the world and it is Jesus. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:24.000 Jesus is the servant that Israel needs and he is the salvation that this world needs. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.000 And he is the strength that we all need. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:27.000 Look at verses 4 and 5 again. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:33.000 They are, I think, some of the most remarkable words in all of the Bible. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:38.000 But I said, that's the servant of the Lord saying, I've labelled in vain. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:41.000 I spent my strength for nothing and vanity. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:44.000 Yet surely my right is with the Lord and my recompense. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:47.000 My reward is with my God. 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:52.000 And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.000 That Israel might be gathered to him. 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:56.000 For I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:03.000 That is, that is, that is how the servant of the Lord feels at 3 o'clock in the morning. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:10.000 That is how the servant of the Lord feels when he gets to bed at night. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:13.000 That is his testimony. 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:19.000 When Jesus gets to the end of the day and he says, my God has been my strength. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:26.000 The Bible says that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:30.000 That is what the Bible says, isn't it? 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:35.000 God's strength is displayed and made perfect in our weakness. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:39.000 And so I asked the Sunday school this morning, was Jesus weak? 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:42.000 And they all replied, no he wasn't. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:46.000 But the Bible's answer is yes he was. 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:51.000 He's very weak. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:56.000 My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do. 00:24:56.000 --> 00:25:07.000 But there's also a verse of that chorus that should go as if my God is so weak, so poor and so needy, there's nothing my God can do. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:11.000 John 1, the word became flesh. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:15.000 He became a baby, he became helpless. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:20.000 But in verse 4, he says, I've laboured in vain. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:23.000 I've wasted my time. 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:26.000 I've spent my strength in vain and for nothing. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.000 For nothing. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:35.000 The second person of the Trinity took our nature upon him. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:38.000 In its low condition, without sin. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:41.000 Without sin, but under the condition, under the effects of the fall. 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.000 That's how he came. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:44.000 Without ceasing to be God. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:48.000 Without ceasing to be what he eternally was, he became what he eternally was not. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:51.000 Think about it. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:53.000 The miracle of the incarnation. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:56.000 Without ceasing to be God, worshipped by angels. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:58.000 The second person of the blessed Trinity. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:02.000 Without ceasing to be God, he became a man. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.000 With armpits. 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.000 And with elbows. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.000 And toenails. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:12.000 He became a human being. 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:15.000 An authentic human being who couldn't sleep at night. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.000 Because he was concerned. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.000 And he was under pressure. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:18.000 Who needed friends. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:20.000 Who had three close friends. 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:22.000 And one of them was his best friend. 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.000 John. 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.000 A man who he loved. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:28.000 Thus he became an authentic human being. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.000 Authentic emotionally. 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.000 Psychologically. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.000 Spiritually. 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.000 Just as you are. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:34.000 What a wonderful gospel it is. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:38.000 The writer of the Hebrews says that during the days of Jesus' life. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:41.000 On earth he offered up prayers and petitions. 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:43.000 With loud cries and tears. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:46.000 Do you think that Jesus went through life six inches above the ground. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:48.000 Kind of untroubled by everything he got. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.000 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.000 During the days of his life. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:52.000 He cried out to God. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:54.000 With loud cries. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:56.000 And wet tears. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:58.000 To the one who could save him from death. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.000 And we're told he was. 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:00.000 We're told he was. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.000 We're told he was human. 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.000 Do you remember what he said about his own death. 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:06.000 Facing the prospect of crucifixion. 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:08.000 He said unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:10.000 It cannot bring fruit. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:14.000 He knows there will be fruit from his sufferings. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.000 He knows that. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:17.000 Is fruit from his death. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:19.000 But that in order for that fruit to appear. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.000 Somebody has to die. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.000 And suffer. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:25.000 I told you about Gladys Staines before. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:28.000 Gladys Staines is a very ordinary. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.000 Middle aged widow. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:31.000 Now in her early sixties. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:33.000 And she is the widow of Graham Staines. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:35.000 Graham and Gladys were missionaries in India. 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:37.000 Working amongst tribal people. 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.000 And lepers in Orissa. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:42.000 On January the 22nd 1999. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.000 Graham and their two sons. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.000 Timothy aged nine. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:46.000 And Philip aged seven. 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:48.000 Were burned to death in a land room. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:49.000 By a bunch. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.000 I think of Hindu extremists. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:54.000 Gladys was interviewed the following day. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.000 By a newspaper reporter. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.000 Listen to what she said. 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.000 She said. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.000 I am deeply upset. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.000 But I am not angry. 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.000 For Jesus has taught us to love our enemies. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.000 Those words appeared in every newspaper in India. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.000 And they were carried all over the world. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.000 Hundreds. 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.000 Thousands of people heard those words. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.000 She chose to stay where she was. 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.000 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.000 For the reason for the remarkable growth of the Holocaust. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:09.940 those words appeared in every newspaper in India 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:11.640 and they were carried all over the world 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:17.359 hundreds, thousands of people shared those words 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:22.519 she chose to stay where she was and carry on the work that she and her husband were doing with leopards 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:24.640 she's back, I think she's in Canada now 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:28.220 she carried on the work joyfully suffering 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:32.039 according to one leading Indian missiologist 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:36.139 the reason for the remarkable growth of the Indian church in the last 10-15 years 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:38.980 he said could well be traced to that interview 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:41.859 to the brokenness and weakness of a grieving widow 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:45.220 Vinod Ramachandra says 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:50.879 I can't help feeling that a middle aged Australian widow has done more for the cause of the gospel in India 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:55.420 than all the slick evangelists on the 24 hour TV channels now beaming into this country 00:28:55.420 --> 00:29:01.500 you see the power of the Christian message is seen in the weakness of the crucified Jesus 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:04.380 and in frailty 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:08.599 in the fragility and the brokenness of his followers 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.279 do you see that? 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:11.940 it's the same servant message 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:15.059 it's the same servant calling 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:19.019 the same paradox of God's great power 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:22.240 being made perfect in weakness 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:26.140 that is the strategy of God 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:31.900 that is the strategy to which he calls his servant church 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:34.560 strength, yes, in weakness 00:29:34.560 --> 00:29:37.120 and as God's servant 00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:38.500 we are to share his sufferings 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:40.460 to lay down our lives for the church 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:45.080 and so in closing let me say a couple of things 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:48.340 as God's servant people 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:50.860 as God's servant church 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:54.159 our task is assigned by the Lord 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:58.259 it's very interesting when you read Acts chapter 13 00:29:58.259 --> 00:30:01.199 you find there are really interesting words 00:30:01.199 --> 00:30:04.119 you find that Paul and Barnabas have been thrown out of the synagogue 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:07.519 the Jews don't want to hear the message of Messiah 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:09.799 and after shaking the dusk off their feet 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:12.639 they say if you won't hear us we'll go to the Gentiles 00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.899 and this is what he says 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:18.680 he quotes Isaiah chapter 49 and verse 6 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:22.840 and he says this is what the Lord has commanded us 00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:24.680 us 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.800 do you see that? 00:30:26.780 --> 00:30:28.360 this is what the Lord has commanded us 00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:30.340 I've made you a light for the Gentiles 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:32.920 that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:36.480 I thought that you were saying that Jesus was the servant of the Lord 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.259 in Isaiah 59 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.360 well of course he is 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:40.780 but Paul says this is what has commanded us 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:45.660 we are in Christ 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:50.779 the servant's mission is our mission too 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:55.879 our task is assigned by the Lord 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:59.139 you don't have a choice about it as a church 00:30:59.139 --> 00:31:02.599 it's not an optional extra 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:04.139 for us as a church to decide 00:31:04.139 --> 00:31:05.579 whether we will go to the ends of the earth 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:07.519 to bring the knowledge of God to the nations 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.220 and display the splendour of God 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:10.660 it's not an optional extra 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:14.120 the task has been assigned to us 00:31:14.120 --> 00:31:15.660 it has been entrusted to us 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:17.980 Peter says you are a holy nation 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.600 a royal priesthood 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:22.620 to bring the knowledge of God 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.800 to proclaim his praises to the ends of the earth 00:31:24.800 --> 00:31:29.500 and so the question is 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.540 for us as a church family 00:31:30.540 --> 00:31:31.320 is are we up for it? 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:40.099 what is the greatest threat 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:41.359 to the church in the UK? 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:45.480 I think the greatest threat to the church in the UK 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:47.939 is it's so easy to get despondent 00:31:47.939 --> 00:31:49.519 and discouraged 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:53.359 and it's so easy to get disappointed 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.700 in Christian ministry 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.879 how are we going to do that? 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:59.620 well our task is assigned by the Lord 00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:01.340 and our success is assured to us 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:01.860 by the Lord 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:02.860 and we tend to think 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.200 don't we 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.300 that if something is going to be 00:32:04.300 --> 00:32:05.600 hugely successful 00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:07.840 if something is going to be 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:08.860 hugely successful 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:11.080 well we will be able to measure 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:11.680 that success 00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:12.560 in exactly the same way 00:32:12.560 --> 00:32:14.060 that the world measures the success 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:18.259 and so whenever I go out to preach 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.960 the first question 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.379 that people always ask me is what? 00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.319 what is it? 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:26.000 how many people go to your church? 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:30.679 how many students are there? 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:33.259 as if students are on a different level 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.460 of being than the rest of us 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:38.279 how many people at the prayer meeting? 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:43.039 we measure success in the way that 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.440 exactly the world measures success 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.519 how was house group this week? 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.460 we didn't have it this week actually 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:51.079 but there weren't many there 00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:54.519 how was house group this week? 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.000 it's great 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.079 there were loads there 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:58.379 how was ELT? 00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.980 I was really discouraging 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:01.139 we were down on numbers 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:06.339 but if you want to look at the success 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.000 of Jesus' mission 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.940 in the way that the world says 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.879 I think you do have to say 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.879 that Jesus' mission 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:10.659 in the short term 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.119 was an outcome 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.819 because that's it 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:15.819 all his friends deserted 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:17.439 his strongest supporter 00:33:17.439 --> 00:33:18.039 John the Baptist 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.700 has doubts 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:20.099 thinks he's backed the wrong horse 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:21.240 and the servant himself 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.059 look at verse 4 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:23.960 it is remarkable 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.159 I don't know whether you picked it up 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:25.939 verse 4 00:33:25.939 --> 00:33:26.919 I've laboured 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:28.740 in vain 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.980 I've spent my strength for nothing 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.839 I'm vanity 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:33.740 has it been worth it? 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.919 what about your to show from it? 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.519 what do you do when you're like that? 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:37.740 who hasn't felt like that? 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:40.680 perhaps you've been praying 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.839 for unconverted relatives 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.620 perhaps you've been praying 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:43.220 for your family 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.059 for so long now 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.880 and they don't seem to be 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:46.180 the slightest bit interested 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:48.279 and you've been witnessing 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.339 to a colleague at work 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:51.099 and he's not the slightest bit interested 00:33:51.099 --> 00:33:54.019 you've been teaching the kids 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.259 you've been leading a house group 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.000 and there doesn't seem to be 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.980 very much happening 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:59.120 and you feel really let down 00:33:59.120 --> 00:33:59.900 and you wonder 00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:01.500 how can I carry on doing this? 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.680 what's the point in this? 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.680 where do I get the strength 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.920 to keep it on going? 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:09.920 let's say some of the 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.800 pioneer missionaries 00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:12.820 many of them were nuts 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:14.960 but who laboured a lifetime 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.059 and they never saw 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.800 a single convert 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:21.240 you read the story 00:34:21.240 --> 00:34:22.880 of the pioneer missionaries 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.280 and they lived a lifetime 00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.800 laboured a lifetime 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:27.940 but they didn't see a convert 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:29.139 thank God that they did 00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:30.460 Robert and Mary Moffat 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:33.300 they laboured in South Africa 00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:34.440 without seeing a single convert 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:34.860 for years 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.840 and then a letter came 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.620 from home 00:34:36.620 --> 00:34:37.840 and how can we pray for you? 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:38.780 what can we do for you? 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:39.579 the church said 00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:40.440 what can we send you? 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.960 and Mary Moffat writes back 00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.539 and she says 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.700 well why don't you send us 00:34:43.700 --> 00:34:44.680 a communion set? 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.360 it's a stupid thing to say 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:48.300 they hadn't even seen 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.480 a single convict 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:50.320 for years 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:52.920 and she asked for a communion set 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:54.400 I would have thought 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.860 a lot better things to ask for 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.800 TV maybe 00:34:56.800 --> 00:35:00.659 and the day the communion set arrives 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:04.519 there's a little group 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.480 of convicts 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:07.659 there's a group of people 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:08.340 that have been converted 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.280 to celebrate the Lord's 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:09.400 supper 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.480 and then revival breaks out 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.420 do you see what the Lord does? 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:11.880 He says 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:13.420 my God has been my strength 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:15.900 and that is what we've got to do 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:16.519 when we wonder 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:18.079 how can we go on 00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:20.179 we come to Isaiah 49 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:21.799 and we go to the end of verse 5 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:22.500 and we say 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:24.579 my God has been my strength 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:27.360 and we leave our success there 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:28.440 and look at the end of verse 4 00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:28.719 yet 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:32.519 surely my right is with the Lord 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.400 and my recompense 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.840 my reward is with my God 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:37.259 you see 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:39.099 we've got to leave our success there 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:40.579 don't let other people judge you 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.779 whether you're successful or not 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:43.319 don't even judge your work 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:44.299 whether it's successful or not 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:45.159 that's a fool's errand 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:48.059 look what it says there 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.679 verse 4 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:50.279 what is due to me 00:35:50.279 --> 00:35:52.539 my recompense is with my God 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:55.460 let God be the judge 00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.119 of what you're doing 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:57.320 of whether it's successful 00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:58.739 let God be the judge 00:35:58.739 --> 00:35:59.360 of what you're doing 00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.539 in your circle of ministry 00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:01.559 amongst your friends 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:04.299 your prayers 00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:05.259 let God be the judge 00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:06.059 commit it to him 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:08.360 and entrust it to him 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:11.380 because we know 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:15.239 we know that there is a day coming 00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:19.379 when kings shall see and rise 00:36:19.379 --> 00:36:23.599 when princes shall bow themselves 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:26.759 before Jesus 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:29.019 the King of kings 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.919 and the Lord of lords 00:36:29.919 --> 00:36:31.719 Amen 00:36:31.719 --> 00:36:31.919 Amen