WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.339 Thanks, Amy. Let's pray and ask God to illuminate his words in our hearts. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:23.059 Father, these words belong to you, and we believe that you speak to us today by your 00:00:23.059 --> 00:00:31.619 spirit, and we pray, Father, that these words might cut us deep inside of us, so they might 00:00:31.619 --> 00:00:40.539 change us. We pray that through our hearing of your word, that Jesus' name would be honoured 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:52.159 among us and among the nations, so that all glory might go to you, and we pray this in 00:00:52.159 --> 00:01:00.539 Jesus' name. Amen. Years ago, I was involved in a beach mission to a little place called 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:10.579 Windang down the south coast. Yeah? You know Windang? Yeah, it's a pretty dirty little town, 00:01:10.679 --> 00:01:17.819 if I could say so. High youth unemployment. It's the first time that I've met Satan worshippers, 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:27.679 and it was really interesting. I was involved with the mission to the adults. There was a, 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:31.399 somebody was giving a talk, and I think it was a heroin addict and dealer and all that sort 00:01:31.399 --> 00:01:35.659 of stuff, and at the end of it all, one of the young blokes sort of stood up and said, 00:01:35.739 --> 00:01:44.039 you know, I'll believe you if your God comes down and he lights my cigarette. He was going 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:48.560 to say something else, but he thought, you know, he didn't want to offend our Christian 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:56.360 sensitivity. And there was a very interesting proposition to prove the truthfulness of the 00:01:56.360 --> 00:02:03.200 gospel. Of course, we were unable to do it, and he left. It might very well be a good question, 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:14.780 and that is, how do we show our peers, people around us, God? Where is our God to be found? 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:22.759 That might be a question for non-Christians, but it might be a question for Christians as well, 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:29.379 too. If you're going through a hard time, difficult patch in your life, you might be asking this 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:36.500 question, well, where is God to be found? Do I need to storm heaven in order to see God? 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:46.879 We see today that there are two significant problems, two significant problems for the presence 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:57.579 of God. The first one is the corruption of his people. That is how our passage begins. 00:02:57.580 --> 00:03:07.300 God's people is just terrible. There's nothing to command God's people, and we can see that 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:19.520 the corruption of his people starts from its head, and we can see that in chapter 56, the last few verses. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:21.520 Verse 10, 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:27.240 Come, all you beasts of the field, come and devour all you beasts of the forest. So it is an invitation to summon 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:35.240 by God to the animals to consume his people. Why? Verse 10, Israel's watchmen are blind. 00:03:36.080 --> 00:03:42.700 They all lack knowledge. They are like mute dogs. They can't bark. They lie around, dream, scratch their 00:03:42.700 --> 00:03:48.760 tummies. They love to sleep. They're dogs with mighty appetites. They never have enough. They're shepherds who lack 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:56.079 understanding, or they all turn to their own way. Each seeks his own gain. Come, each one cries. Let me get 00:03:56.079 --> 00:04:00.780 wine. Let us drink our fill of beer, and tomorrow we'll be like today, or even better. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:12.959 A terrible picture of what Israel is like. The head is corrupt. Verse 10, the watchmen of Israel. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:19.800 I mean, who were the watchmen presumably in that time? You've got fortress, fortified cities, 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:27.139 and people were assigned to care for the city by warning the city of its danger. The watchmen, 00:04:27.280 --> 00:04:36.100 you know, they stand at the turrets and watch for impending danger. It's a great, one of the, 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:45.439 I imagine, prerequisite of being a watchmen is that you have good eyesight. I couldn't be a good watchman 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:52.439 because I've got terrible eyesight. But these watchmen, the watchmen of Israel, they were blind. 00:04:52.439 --> 00:05:03.199 They couldn't see. How could they possibly save Israel from danger? They were ignorant and they were lazy. 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:13.540 And unlike me, who's got a genetic thing with my eyesight, these people were willfully blind. They were 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:21.199 deliberately ignorant. And we can see the source of their ignorance and blindness in verses 11 and 12. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:34.039 They were ignorant and they were blind because they love so much. They were lovers. They love their work. 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:41.560 They love their families. They love themselves. They comfort their ambitions, their hobbies. They love their drink. 00:05:41.919 --> 00:05:48.579 They love everything except for the people they were supposed to love and protect. 00:05:48.579 --> 00:06:00.159 And as a result, the people of God is devout. It is a sick head, but the body is equally sick. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:04.659 Have a look at chapter 57. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:16.080 The righteous perish and no one ponders it in his heart. Devout men are taken away and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:21.460 Those who walk uprightly, however, enter into peace. They find rest as they lie in death. 00:06:21.459 --> 00:06:29.620 You know, the whole place is so bad that even when the little good disappears, no one notices. 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:34.620 This is how bad things were. And the accusation becomes more direct. 00:06:34.719 --> 00:06:41.319 But you, not just the head, but the body, you, everyone, come here, you sons of a sorceress, 00:06:42.039 --> 00:06:45.199 you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:50.500 Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:53.879 Are you not a brood of rebels, offspring of liars? 00:06:54.180 --> 00:06:57.639 You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:01.439 You sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:05.740 The idol among the smooth stones of the ravines, they are your portion. 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:07.560 They are your lot. 00:07:07.659 --> 00:07:12.019 Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:15.079 In the light of these things, should I relent? 00:07:15.919 --> 00:07:17.459 Et cetera, et cetera. 00:07:18.659 --> 00:07:21.219 This is what the people of God is like. 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:27.500 They are children of sorceress and prostitutes and adulterers. 00:07:28.799 --> 00:07:31.479 It's not so much an indictment on their parents. 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:34.339 It's really talking about what they are like. 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:41.399 So if you are a son of rebellion, it's not saying that rebellion gives birth to you, 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:43.339 but you have the characteristic. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.199 You have the family trait of rebellion. 00:07:45.359 --> 00:07:46.959 So in other words, you are a rebel. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:49.479 If you are... 00:07:49.479 --> 00:07:53.339 So these people, they are children of unfaithfulness. 00:07:54.099 --> 00:07:58.679 They are characterized by their unworthiness, their unfaithfulness. 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:01.859 They are spiritually promiscuous. 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:03.959 They are sons of liars. 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:06.939 They are people who are deceitful. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:07.439 They lie. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.579 They mock. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:10.939 They stick their tang out. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:14.259 At God, presumably. 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:15.899 At the righteous. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:20.500 Mind you, it is not that they are irreligious. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.519 Have a look at verses 5 to 8 again. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:27.000 This is a people full of religion. 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:32.240 But they sacrifice to idols. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:38.600 Religion is everywhere, from on top of the mountain to the ravines. 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:42.080 They sacrifice everything, even their children. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:46.879 In verses 9 and 10, we are told that they went down to Molech, 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:50.299 and they send their ambassadors to afar. 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:56.859 They were so eager to seek out their spiritual lovers that they will go far and wide. 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:05.419 Later on, God accused them to acknowledge the futility and the hopelessness of their idolatry, 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:09.199 something that they refused to see. 00:09:09.859 --> 00:09:13.399 They just don't see that as a complete waste of time and effort. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:17.919 And they keep going back to their idols, hoping to get something from them. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:31.259 Of course, just as an interlude, we might observe that this is not just what the people of God did thousands of years ago. 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.620 It's something that we are engaged in in our own time. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:45.779 In our city, Christians, and maybe even our church, that we prostitute ourselves to our idols. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:50.560 I don't know whether I mentioned this before. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:56.100 It is interesting the way Isaiah describes their idols. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:58.299 Have a look at verse 11. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:04.259 Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:07.759 and have neither remembered me, nor pondered this in your hearts? 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:11.579 Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? 00:10:12.579 --> 00:10:16.819 The motivation for their idolatry was, in fact, fear. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.579 Whom have you so dreaded and feared? 00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:22.939 I can't remember when I said this in this congregation. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:32.680 The way that you can tell what you worship is by what you fear. 00:10:34.380 --> 00:10:39.100 Whatever you have nightmares about, that is the thing that you worship. 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.900 That is your God. 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:50.060 If you're afraid of being alone, if you're afraid of losing your financial security, 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:52.799 if whatever it is that you're afraid of, that is your God. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:56.379 And we prostitute ourselves to our gods. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:59.079 We sell our souls for all sorts of things. 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:00.519 For pleasure. 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:02.539 For a relationship. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.459 For approval. 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:06.000 For a pat on the back by our boss. 00:11:06.099 --> 00:11:08.059 For applause from our peers. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:11.919 We even place our children on the altar, as it were, 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:15.679 and sacrifice them to the God of success. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:20.359 I come from a culture where people would send the, you know, 00:11:20.439 --> 00:11:23.459 there was someone in my church, previous church, 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:27.679 who offered to coach my four-year-old, Maths. 00:11:33.319 --> 00:11:35.399 And I thought about taking her on her offer. 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:40.959 We put our children on the altar of success. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:45.879 Not just academic, but sporting, or their self-esteem, their popularity. 00:11:47.900 --> 00:11:49.879 And we might ask the question, 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:52.759 when we sacrifice to our idols, 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:58.540 when we lay ourselves and our future and our children on those altars, 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:01.580 we better make sure that it's worth it. 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:06.940 You know, when you make that decision to go out with that non-Christian boy or girl, 00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:15.100 you better make sure that you're selling your soul for something that is worthwhile. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:19.520 He better be worth it for your soul. 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:24.660 That's an enormous problem, isn't it? 00:12:24.900 --> 00:12:29.080 That the people of God could be so corrupt from the top to the bottom. 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:32.300 But there is a bigger problem. 00:12:32.920 --> 00:12:33.960 There is a bigger problem. 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:36.100 And it's a little bit subtle. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.480 It's a little bit hard to notice. 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:40.960 And I might need to point it out for you to... 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:44.220 The bigger problem here is the context. 00:12:45.400 --> 00:12:46.460 It's the context. 00:12:46.900 --> 00:12:47.680 Why is that a problem? 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.960 It's hard. 00:12:52.420 --> 00:12:54.639 I know it's hard when we go through from week to week. 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:57.019 Isaiah, it sort of all gets a bit lost. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:57.960 We don't know when... 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.300 Just to refresh your memory, 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.280 Isaiah, the book itself, is divided, 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:03.879 or could be divided into two parts. 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:07.440 The first part is really looking at the impending judgment of God 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:09.160 for the idolatry of Israel. 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:12.820 That's the first part, first 39 chapters. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.800 God warns his people, 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:19.300 if you don't quit your idolatry and prostituting and all this stuff, 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:21.019 I'm going to come and smash you. 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:23.180 And I'm going to give you a warning. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:26.100 This is what's going to happen to the Northern Kingdom. 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:28.080 The Assyrians are going to come, 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.460 and they're going to smash the North. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.280 And that's what happened. 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:32.839 But I'm going to spare you, the South Jerusalem, 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:35.699 from this, but you need to turn. 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.740 They didn't. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:40.959 And God says, what I'm going to do is I'm going to send something worse than the Assyrians, 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.240 the Babylonians. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.720 They're going to come, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.320 and they're going to destroy everything that represents me. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.840 They're going to come and destroy the temple, 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.840 the symbolic presence, 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.440 my presence, 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:56.039 and they're going to take you away from the land, 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:59.060 the symbol of my blessing and protection to you. 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:04.859 Everything that reminds you of me is going to be taken away from you. 00:14:04.979 --> 00:14:06.659 A little bit like Eden, you remember. 00:14:07.219 --> 00:14:08.419 Genesis chapter 3, 00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:12.000 Adam and Eve cast out from the garden. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.379 They're not allowed to return 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:16.879 because there's an angel with a flaming sword. 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:18.679 Everything, 00:14:19.339 --> 00:14:21.819 the people of God will be cast out once again, 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:24.939 exiled from the presence of God. 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:27.740 That's the first 39 chapters, 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:30.860 but that's not the end of the book. 00:14:31.260 --> 00:14:32.780 There's the second part of Isaiah. 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:34.940 There will be a return, 00:14:35.520 --> 00:14:37.020 a return from exile. 00:14:37.140 --> 00:14:38.360 There will be salvation. 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:41.160 The people would come back to the land, 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:44.200 the temple would be rebuilt on Zion, 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:47.740 and the nations would come stream to Zion. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.920 This is the second part of the book. 00:14:52.020 --> 00:14:53.820 Where is chapter 57 in? 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:58.520 The second part of the book. 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:02.380 It sounds a lot like the first part of the book. 00:15:03.260 --> 00:15:03.980 Doesn't it? 00:15:05.260 --> 00:15:06.600 Here's the people of God 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:09.660 being accused of exactly the same thing 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:12.700 before the Babylonian exile. 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:17.360 They're going back to their old ways. 00:15:18.640 --> 00:15:22.460 It reminds me a little bit 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:24.440 of what happened to Noah. 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.500 You remember. 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:26.700 You know, 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:28.860 God was sick of the wickedness 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:31.360 and the evil of our race, 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:32.320 the human race, 00:15:32.520 --> 00:15:32.960 and he said, 00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:34.760 I'm going to wipe out everyone, 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:36.360 but I'm going to save Noah. 00:15:37.260 --> 00:15:38.380 I'm going to save Noah 00:15:38.380 --> 00:15:40.960 and create a new people out of him. 00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:42.760 So everything on the face of the earth 00:15:42.760 --> 00:15:44.060 was wiped out, 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:46.380 except for Noah and his family, 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.480 the righteous man. 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:49.320 And God says, 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.899 I'm going to make a promise to you. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.860 I'm not going to destroy the earth 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:55.180 by flood water ever again. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.019 Even though, 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:59.460 this is Genesis chapter 8, 21. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.600 Do you remember what he says? 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:06.060 Even though every inclination of his heart 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:09.139 is evil from youth. 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:12.439 Everything, 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.639 every inclination, 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.879 everything that you desire, 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.819 your proclivities, 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.779 everything, 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.439 is evil 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:23.360 from when you were a child. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:27.340 The judgment of God, 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:27.919 it seems, 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:29.379 did not solve the problem. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:33.240 The earth was almost destroyed, 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:36.700 but what did not change 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:40.539 was the human heart. 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.700 And there it is. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.480 Again, here, 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.879 the exile of God's people 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.300 to a foreign land, 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:51.159 everything that represents God 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.600 is taken away from them. 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:54.580 They brought back into the land. 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:56.779 Did that change their heart? 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.700 Clearly not. 00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:03.440 From the head to the toe, 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.059 still sick. 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:08.980 Something has to be done. 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:12.180 Something much more dramatic 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:15.299 than an exile and a return. 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:21.400 Which takes us to chapter 57, 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.700 verse 14. 00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:24.280 The highlight, 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.460 in my view, 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.840 of our passage. 00:17:28.780 --> 00:17:30.000 The Lord says, 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.500 and it will be said 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.759 on a day in the future, 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.440 build up, 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:36.700 build up, 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.480 prepare the road, 00:17:39.120 --> 00:17:40.220 remove the obstacles 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.220 out of the way 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.759 of my people. 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:45.240 There will be a great 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.400 returning. 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.200 returning. 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.519 Instead of turning away 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.220 from God, 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.280 people, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.460 his people will now 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.000 turn to God. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.840 But there is a greater 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:57.680 reversal in 15. 00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:59.440 And this was, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.800 this verse just blew me away 00:18:01.800 --> 00:18:03.060 during the course of this week 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.700 when I read it. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:05.220 So come and have a look at it. 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.060 It says, 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:06.679 for, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.200 for, 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.779 because, 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.720 this is what the high 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.960 and lofty one says, 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.859 he who lives 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.399 in eternity, 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:16.319 whose name is holy, 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.980 I live in a high 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.899 and holy place, 00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:19.799 but, 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.740 also with him 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.720 who is contrite 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:24.440 and lowly in spirit. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.740 I live with him 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.940 to revive the spirit 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.579 of the lowly 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.940 and to revive the heart 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.079 of the contrite. 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:32.339 This is the other 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.399 great reversal. 00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:34.060 Did you notice 00:18:34.060 --> 00:18:35.200 how God is described? 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.220 High 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.380 and lofty, 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.300 dwelling 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.980 in eternity. 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.759 When I was teaching 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.580 scripture, 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.019 I get this question 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.540 a lot, 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.480 and I think I got this 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.180 question from one 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.740 of my daughters. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.380 The question is, 00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:53.280 who created God? 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:55.300 Have you ever got that one? 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:57.019 Who created God? 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:57.980 Do you know why 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.880 they ask this question? 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:02.340 Because it is impossible 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:04.760 for us who do not dwell 00:19:04.760 --> 00:19:05.580 in eternity 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:07.400 to imagine one 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.740 who has no beginning 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.720 and no ending. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.840 Therefore, 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:15.800 God must have been created 00:19:15.800 --> 00:19:17.120 like we are. 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.820 God who dwells 00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:20.760 in eternity, 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:22.480 who has no beginning, 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:24.000 so no one created him, 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.420 and who has no ending, 00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:26.440 so that no one 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.400 will judge him. 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.600 He is the 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.700 holy one. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.380 The holy one. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.299 You know, 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.519 in the Old Testament, 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.440 there's the temple 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:37.420 divided into all 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.140 these sections, 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.039 and, 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.860 you know, 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.340 there are all these 00:19:40.340 --> 00:19:41.580 rituals associated 00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.299 with the temple. 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.340 There's blood 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.360 everywhere, 00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.519 splatters, 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:45.900 you know, 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.740 and every time 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.279 somebody comes 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:47.960 near the temple, 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.480 something has to die. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.360 You know, 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.080 imagine that sort 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.600 of church. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:55.119 and right in front 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:56.259 of this temple, 00:19:56.699 --> 00:19:56.959 you know, 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.779 if we were to put 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.599 a sign there, 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.599 you know what the sign 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.059 would say? 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.959 Stay away. 00:20:05.439 --> 00:20:06.679 That's what the temple, 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.639 the sign in front 00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.139 of the temple 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:08.579 would say. 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.659 Keep out, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.899 stay away, 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.519 you are not 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.279 welcomed. 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.519 That is the temple 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:16.779 of God. 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.659 That's what it means 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.299 to be holy. 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.939 Did you realize that? 00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:20.000 No. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:24.200 Every word 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.720 that you could 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.880 possibly come up 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:27.500 with to describe 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:29.640 the difference 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.500 between you 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.220 and God 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.859 is he, 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.900 in verse 15. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.599 The lofty one, 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.680 the one who dwells 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.299 on high 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.279 in eternity. 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:40.240 He is so different, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:42.000 so separate 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.059 from us. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.579 You know, 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.920 just to reinforce 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.460 the point, 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.059 do you remember 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:47.720 Isaiah, 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.940 what he says 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.440 back in chapter 6 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.799 when he saw 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.140 the one 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.759 on the throne. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.400 Chapter 6, 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.320 you remember 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:57.940 we looked at this 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.759 during the course 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.080 of our series. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.700 In the year 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.860 that King Uzziah 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:02.360 died, 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.480 as I wrote, 00:21:03.840 --> 00:21:04.900 I saw the Lord 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:06.160 seated on the throne, 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.740 high and exalted, 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.900 similar to the language, 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.840 and the train 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:10.519 of his robe 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.680 filled the temple. 00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:12.799 Above him 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.640 were seraph, 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:14.960 which literally 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.480 means the burning ones. 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:18.500 each with six wings, 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.620 with two wings 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.579 that cover the faces, 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.839 two that cover the feet, 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.500 and two, 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.240 with two, 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.980 they were flying. 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.779 The created ones 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.059 who have not fallen, 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:29.140 these are unsinful ones, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.980 they couldn't even look 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.819 at the presence of God, 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.940 they had to cover the faces, 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.120 and they were calling out 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.700 to one another, 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.339 holy, 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.740 holy, 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.240 holy, 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.400 it's the Lord Almighty, 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.160 the whole earth 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.579 is full of his glory. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.980 The sound of the voices, 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.039 the doorposts, 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:43.079 and the threshold shook, 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.940 and the temple 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.839 was filled with smoke, 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.859 and Isaiah says, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.740 I'm a dead person. 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.759 Woe to me, 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.539 I'm ruined, 00:21:50.699 --> 00:21:51.899 for I am a man 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.659 of unclean lips, 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.439 and I live among 00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:53.879 the people 00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.879 of unclean lips. 00:21:54.959 --> 00:21:55.859 My eyes have seen 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.220 the King, 00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:57.519 the God Almighty. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.259 He is dead 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:02.139 because he is unholy, 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:04.119 unlike the Lord. 00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:08.439 This is the same God, 00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:09.000 and yet, 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:09.799 in verse 15, 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.639 did you notice 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:12.699 the great reversal? 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:16.579 But, 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:18.359 he who dwells 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.159 in eternity, 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:22.740 he will also 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:24.559 dwell 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:27.179 with the contrite. 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.619 Did you notice that? 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:33.119 You see, 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.619 the sign didn't change. 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.099 The sign to the temple 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.699 didn't say, 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:38.819 welcome. 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.459 That's not the change. 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:44.680 Because what does it say? 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.259 Verse 15. 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.420 Who's dwelling 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.900 with whom? 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:54.819 Sorry, 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.840 this isn't rhetorical, 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.559 this is actually 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.819 inviting you 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.880 to participate. 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.500 Who's dwelling 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.039 with whom 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.819 in verse 15? 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:09.460 Yeah. 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:12.259 I can't see who said it, 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.599 but yes, 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:16.099 that's exactly right. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.159 The unimaginable 00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:20.960 is not that sinful men 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.960 and women 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.879 and boys and girls 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.579 are invited 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.500 into the temple. 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.259 That is not 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.919 what's happening. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:27.980 Rather, 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.039 the holy God 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.819 is coming 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.159 out from his temple 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.539 to dwell 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.759 amongst 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.819 his people. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:36.720 See, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.259 we take this 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.099 so for granted. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.220 It is such 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.559 a new idea. 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:43.639 God is coming 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.480 to dwell 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.200 among his 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.319 people. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.240 He will step 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.379 out from heaven 00:23:48.379 --> 00:23:49.680 to do that. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.460 And as a result, 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.420 there is 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.599 life. 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.480 Verses 16 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.619 to 19. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:59.839 I will not 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.799 accuse forever, 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.899 nor will I 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:02.959 always be angry. 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.819 For then 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.659 the spirit of man 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.439 will grow faint 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.099 before me, 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.279 the breath of man 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.619 that I have created. 00:24:10.219 --> 00:24:11.439 I was enraged 00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:12.419 by his sinful greed. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.259 I punished him 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.139 and hid my face 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.539 in anger, 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.699 yet he kept on 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:17.539 in his willful ways. 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.919 I have seen 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.539 his ways, 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:20.779 but 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:22.419 I will heal him. 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.619 I will guide him 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.539 and restore comfort 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.979 to him, 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.500 creating praise 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.000 on the lips 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.799 of the mourners 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.420 in Israel. 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:29.680 Peace, 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.039 peace to those 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.240 far and near, 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.880 says the Lord, 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.860 and I 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:35.000 will heal him. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.360 This 00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.180 is what 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:39.059 God will do. 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.339 He was 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:41.819 angry, 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.059 but his 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.900 anger will be 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.319 turned. 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.259 There is 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.779 healing 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.680 and comfort 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.940 and peace. 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:48.940 Everything 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.400 will be 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.180 reconciled 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:50.799 and restored. 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.559 Things 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.079 will be 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.620 as they 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.279 should be. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:55.099 The disease 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.480 that has 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.019 caused the 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.799 people of God 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.399 to keep 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:57.960 sinning, 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.960 the thing 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.379 that has 00:24:59.379 --> 00:24:59.879 led them 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.279 to their 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.980 idolatry 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.680 again and 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.139 again and 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:02.579 the judgment 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.200 of God 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.700 will finally 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.139 be healed. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.279 Because 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.660 what is 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.279 their problem? 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:10.799 Ultimately 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.200 is not just 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.980 the external, 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.160 ultimately 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.160 is 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.660 their 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:18.960 hearts. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:22.380 the 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.920 problem 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.940 with the 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.380 world 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.600 is 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.940 here. 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.680 And the 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:29.880 Lord 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.440 promised 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.700 he needed, 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.500 how could 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.000 a holy 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.039 God dwell 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.940 among sinful 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.440 people, 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.900 even when 00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:38.440 they're forgiven? 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.079 They need 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.440 to be 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.140 changed 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.220 in such 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.740 a way 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:44.420 that they 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:45.019 will not 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.480 sin 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.500 anymore. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:48.740 cleanse. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.240 And the 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.640 only way 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:49.940 that that 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.259 happens 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.980 is if 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.200 their 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.640 heart 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.259 itself 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.900 gets 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.359 ripped 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:53.720 out 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.500 and 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:54.660 a 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:54.900 new 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.220 heart 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.460 gets 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:55.579 given. 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.019 And this 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.299 is what 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.680 Jeremiah 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.140 says, 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.579 Jeremiah 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.680 31, 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.559 31 to 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.059 33, 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.519 behold, 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.200 the days 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.579 are coming, 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:01.960 says the 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.099 Lord, 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.420 when I 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.700 will make 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:02.960 a new 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:03.279 covenant 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.799 with the 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.099 house of 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.299 Israel. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.819 I 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.299 will put 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.559 my 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:05.920 law 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.619 in 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:06.940 them. 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.500 I 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:07.660 will 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.059 write 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.220 it 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.420 on 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:08.599 their 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:08.920 hearts 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.079 and 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.259 I 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.440 will 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:09.599 be 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:09.819 their 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.160 God 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:10.539 and 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:10.759 they 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:10.920 will 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.059 be 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.279 my 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.680 people. 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:12.559 One 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:12.799 day 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.059 I 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.339 will 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.779 give 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.180 them 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.160 the 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.660 ability 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:19.900 to 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.140 obey 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.359 my 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.680 laws. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.180 Ezekiel 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.460 says, 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:21.819 a new 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.099 heart 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.240 I 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.339 will 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:22.519 give 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:22.660 you, 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:22.960 a new 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.380 spirit 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:23.779 I 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:23.880 will 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.099 put 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:24.359 within 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:24.640 you. 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.299 I 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:25.519 will 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.900 take 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.140 out 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.400 of 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:26.519 your 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.839 flesh 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:26.960 a 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.140 heart 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:27.279 of 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.599 stone 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.000 and 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.200 give 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.339 you 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:28.480 a 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.680 heart 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:28.799 of 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.019 flesh. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.180 I 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.319 will 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:29.500 put 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.680 my 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.019 spirit 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.519 within 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:30.759 you. 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.539 The 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:31.880 way 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.259 he's 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.400 going 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.480 to 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:32.680 do 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:32.839 it 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:32.880 is 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.099 he's 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:33.220 going 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.299 to 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.460 put 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:33.660 his 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.220 spirit 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.799 in 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.559 them. 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.740 His 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.220 spirit 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.480 will 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:37.799 change 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:37.960 their 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.160 heart. 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.779 They're 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:38.940 all 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.240 saying 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.400 the 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.620 same 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:39.819 thing 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.019 as 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.240 I 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.559 Jeremiah 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.180 Ezekiel. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.059 They see 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.740 the time 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.000 that is 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:43.319 coming 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.039 when the 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.279 sick, 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.059 disobedient, 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.640 high-hearted 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.079 people 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.740 will be 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.960 supernaturally 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.839 changed. 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:49.799 Their 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.220 hearts 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.559 will be 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.220 changed 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.200 and God 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:52.759 will give 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.180 them the 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:53.740 ability 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.839 to live 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.599 new 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.120 lives. 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.599 This 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.140 is when 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.900 the 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.620 lofty 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.000 one, 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.339 the one 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:01.860 who dwells 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:01.980 in 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.460 eternity 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.160 can now 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.940 dwell with 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.039 them. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.400 Not 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:04.620 just 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.160 saving 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:05.460 his 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.039 people 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.819 from 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.460 exile, 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.059 but 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.259 transforming 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:09.779 them 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.559 so that 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:10.960 they can 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.640 return 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.120 to him 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.779 so that 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:12.960 the 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.220 holy 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.579 one 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.059 can 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.400 dwell 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:14.860 among 00:27:14.860 --> 00:27:15.980 sinful, 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.700 corrupt 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.460 people. 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.140 Three 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.680 conclusions, 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.559 really hard, 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.360 quickly, 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.059 because I 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.519 just noticed 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.980 I got a 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.440 call from 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:23.740 Jan, 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.660 and that 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.299 is making 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:26.799 me very 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.140 nervous. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.319 Firstly, 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:30.880 first 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.559 conclusion is 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.339 where is 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.779 God to 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.400 be found? 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.259 Where is 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.559 God to 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:36.980 be found? 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.400 Is it 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.819 the case? 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.339 Could I 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.819 have shown 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.220 the young 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.099 man where 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.680 God could 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.240 be found? 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.039 Well, 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:43.500 yes. 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.380 He who 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:44.960 dwells in 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.360 lofty 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:45.839 places, 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.559 in some 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:46.960 respect, 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.059 this young 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.420 man could 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:48.980 never have 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.160 ascended to 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.039 heaven to 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.620 meet God. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.339 And yet, 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:53.839 this is a 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.180 God who 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.500 could be 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:54.759 found, 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.000 who could 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.720 be approached. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.460 Instead of 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.240 a place, 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.640 like a 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:00.000 temple, 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.460 like a 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:00.819 church, 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.500 he's to 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:01.900 be found 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.460 in Jesus. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:04.160 I wonder 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.420 whether 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.019 sometimes you 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.440 feel the 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.740 pressure 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.680 yourself to 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.440 experience the 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:07.920 presence of 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.940 God, to 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.860 demonstrate his 00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:11.100 power to 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:11.740 other people. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.079 Well, I 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.420 think the 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.319 word to 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.860 us is 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:18.140 show where 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.980 God is in 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.299 Jesus, 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.380 not in 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:21.720 things that 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.559 are necessarily 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.620 clever and 00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.079 impressive. 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.259 Where is God 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.860 to be found? 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.600 He is to be 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:28.100 found in 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.400 Jesus. 00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:29.259 Secondly, 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.120 what sort 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:30.519 of people 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.880 do you 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:31.480 think will 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.259 dwell with 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.700 God or 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.380 God dwell 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:33.900 with them? 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.259 You notice 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.820 here it's not 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.280 the strong 00:28:36.280 --> 00:28:36.800 people, not 00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:37.220 the worthy 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.720 people, not 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.500 the religious 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:38.980 people. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:39.940 They were 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.480 religious. 00:28:41.060 --> 00:28:41.340 They were 00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:42.040 very religious. 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.759 I just want 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.200 to take you 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:46.380 very quickly 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.180 to Isaiah 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.880 chapter 1 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:49.540 from verse 00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:49.940 10. 00:28:50.040 --> 00:28:50.500 This is the 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.380 accusation that 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:52.259 the Lord has 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.180 directed to 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.759 his people, 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:54.400 the religious 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:54.860 people. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:55.780 Chapter 1 00:28:55.780 --> 00:28:56.240 verse 10, 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.259 the same sort 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.759 of accusation. 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.140 Hear the 00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:58.400 word of 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.680 the Lord, 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.140 you rulers 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.619 of Sodom. 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.279 Listen to 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.720 the law of 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.119 our God, 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.599 you people 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.079 of Gomorrah. 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:02.839 The multitude 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.240 of your 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.759 sacrifices, 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.500 what are they 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:04.879 to me? 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.299 Says the 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.480 Lord. 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.079 I have 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.500 more than 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.779 enough 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.079 burnt 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.420 offerings 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:07.980 of rams 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.900 and the 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.240 fed of 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.460 fathed 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:09.799 animals. 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.119 I have 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.319 no 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:10.720 pleasure 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.160 in the 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.339 blood 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:11.500 of 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.299 bulls 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.559 and 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.960 lambs 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.140 and 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:13.440 goats. 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:13.900 When 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.279 you come 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:14.680 to appear 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.259 before me, 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.059 who has 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.559 asked this 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:16.920 of you, 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:17.660 this trampling 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:17.980 of my 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.279 cords? 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:18.879 Stop 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:19.240 bringing 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.779 meaningless 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.299 offerings. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:20.599 Your 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.319 incense is 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:22.059 detestable 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.160 and your 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.440 pointed 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.759 feasts 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.599 my soul 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.000 hates. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.379 They 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:30.839 become a 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.039 burden 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.379 to me. 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:31.660 I'm 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:31.960 weary 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.259 of 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.599 bearing 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:32.839 them. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.519 When 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:33.759 you 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.140 spread 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.339 out 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.519 your 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:34.839 hands 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.059 in 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.299 prayer, 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:35.859 I 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.059 will 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.440 hide 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:36.700 my 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.079 eyes 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:37.339 from 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.519 you. 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.000 Even 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.319 if you 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.539 offer 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:38.859 many 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.160 prayers, 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.440 I 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.619 will 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:39.839 not 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.200 listen. 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:40.839 Your 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.240 hands 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.460 are 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.799 full 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.079 of 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.599 blood. 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:43.779 This 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.180 is an 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.779 indictment 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.200 on 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.700 Israel 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.700 in her 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.200 religion. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.160 Imagine 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:48.579 if God 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:49.019 were saying 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.240 this, 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:49.720 your 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.299 singing 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.660 every 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:50.960 Sunday 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.259 makes 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.480 me 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:51.960 sick. 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.019 Makes 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.220 me 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.519 sick. 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:54.720 Who 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:57.900 me 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.099 a 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.440 favor 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.740 by 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.000 putting 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.359 money 00:29:59.359 --> 00:29:59.559 on 00:29:59.559 --> 00:29:59.680 the 00:29:59.680 --> 00:29:59.859 offer 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.099 tree 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.460 back? 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.240 Your 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.700 money 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.279 makes 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.559 me 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:02.980 ill. 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:03.579 I 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:03.980 can't 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.180 bear 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:04.359 to 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:04.579 touch 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:04.660 it. 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:04.839 I 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.220 wish 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:05.720 you 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:05.900 would 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.259 stop 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.599 doing 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:06.819 it. 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:07.960 I 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.259 can't 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.599 stand 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:08.779 your 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.019 wicked 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.440 Bible 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:09.940 studies. 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:10.660 I 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.140 hate 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.440 your 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:11.920 singing, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.220 your 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.160 services, 00:30:13.420 --> 00:30:13.839 especially 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.119 your 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.440 Christmas 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:14.980 and 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.220 Easter 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.480 service. 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:15.980 In 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.259 fact, 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:16.819 frankly, 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.099 they 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.460 are a 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:17.660 burden 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:17.859 to 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.039 me, 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.680 and 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:18.859 I'm 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.119 sick 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.299 of 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.579 carrying 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:19.759 it. 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.019 I've 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.160 had 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.379 enough 00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:20.500 of 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.619 your 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:20.960 prayers 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.759 for 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.059 so 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.400 long 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.860 that 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.220 I 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:23.640 have 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:23.980 stopped 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.380 listening 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:24.660 to 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:24.900 you. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.579 Imagine 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:28.900 that. 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:29.740 Could you 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.120 imagine 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.759 if this 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.120 was said 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.380 of a 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:31.720 church, 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:33.140 not ours, 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.600 of course, 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:35.740 the 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.500 Presbyterians? 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.980 You 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.079 know, 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.519 I wonder 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:43.720 whether 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.299 that's 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.579 what we 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:44.940 think is 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.120 our 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.340 problem 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:45.519 with 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:45.799 God. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.079 If 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.120 we 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:48.299 do 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.559 more 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.000 ministry, 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.500 or maybe 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.680 it's 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:50.839 somebody 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.200 else's 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.519 fault 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.519 that 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:52.680 we 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.099 don't 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:53.759 experience 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.119 God. 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:54.480 You 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:54.619 see, 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.220 what 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.579 does 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:55.839 the 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.059 Lord 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.599 require 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:56.859 of 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:57.019 his 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.460 people? 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:57.799 Is 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:57.960 his 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.539 sacrifices? 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:04.920 Psalm 51, 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.619 17. 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.079 It's not 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.240 your 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.759 sacrifice 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.079 that I 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.440 desire. 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:09.720 The 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.039 sacrifice 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.460 of the 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:10.660 Lord 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.279 is a 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.579 broken 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.140 and 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.619 contrite 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.059 heart. 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:14.619 The 00:31:14.619 --> 00:31:14.839 two 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.099 men 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:15.259 who 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.460 went 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:15.559 to 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:15.700 the 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.019 temple, 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.319 there's 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:16.460 a 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.099 Pharisee 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.640 and 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:17.799 there's 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:17.940 a 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.160 tax 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.579 collector. 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.500 Who 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:19.799 left 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:19.960 the 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.240 temple 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.880 justified. 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:21.839 The 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.079 one 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.259 who 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.500 threw 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:22.880 himself 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.039 at 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.180 the 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.420 mercy 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:23.620 of 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:23.940 God. 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.120 This 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.319 is 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.980 what 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.140 the 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.279 Lord 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:26.759 desired, 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.059 not 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.259 your 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.700 religion. 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:29.539 He 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.039 desires 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.680 you to 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:30.839 be 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.299 broken, 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:31.680 to 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.019 recognize 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.279 that 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:32.480 you 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:32.700 are 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:32.839 a 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.000 sinner, 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:33.579 so 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:33.700 that 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:33.839 you 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.039 might 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.299 throw 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.620 yourself 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:34.960 down 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.319 at 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:35.539 his 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:35.839 feet 00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.319 for 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:36.700 his 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.099 mercy. 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.599 And 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:37.720 it 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:37.920 is 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:38.120 there 00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:38.299 that 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.480 you 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:38.700 will 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.120 find 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:39.960 mercy. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:41.920 Lastly, 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:42.660 being 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:42.980 mission 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.319 month, 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:43.579 we 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:43.720 come 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:43.880 back 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.019 to 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.319 mission. 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:45.620 Of 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:45.880 course, 00:31:46.620 --> 00:31:46.759 it 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:46.859 was 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.059 quite 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:47.519 disappointing 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:47.920 nobody 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.279 says, 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.539 oh, 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:48.680 you 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:48.779 know, 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:48.960 we 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.240 really 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.740 motivated 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:49.960 for 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.240 global 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.599 missions 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:50.900 since 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.180 looking 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.339 at 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:51.660 Isaiah. 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.559 Sad, 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:53.960 really. 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.180 But if 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.819 you notice 00:31:58.819 --> 00:32:00.180 chapter 57, 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.700 how does 00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.579 it end? 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:01.759 end? 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.460 How does 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:04.939 it end? 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.939 It ends 00:32:05.939 --> 00:32:06.240 with a 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.559 warning. 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.319 But notice 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.740 in verse 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.259 19, 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.759 creating 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.379 praise on 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:11.679 the lips 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:11.960 of the 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.220 mourners 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.720 in Israel, 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:13.879 peace, 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.579 peace to 00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:15.339 those far 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:15.779 and near, 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.179 says the 00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:16.359 Lord, 00:32:16.659 --> 00:32:17.179 and I 00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:18.119 will heal 00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:18.460 them. 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.779 Far 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.419 and near. 00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:21.240 The message 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.960 for those 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.599 who can 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.539 experience 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.059 the presence 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.619 of God. 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.799 Far 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.839 and near. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.019 Not 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.599 just near, 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.359 far. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.859 It sort 00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.119 of makes 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.559 me think, 00:32:31.719 --> 00:32:32.019 wow, 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.559 you know, 00:32:32.719 --> 00:32:33.299 God sees 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.179 beyond the 00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:34.619 generation 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:35.039 in his 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.479 time. 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.139 That his 00:32:38.139 --> 00:32:38.979 purpose is 00:32:38.979 --> 00:32:39.599 to save 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.579 the nations 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:43.159 beyond the 00:32:43.159 --> 00:32:43.859 wars of 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.239 Israel. 00:32:45.239 --> 00:32:45.939 And it is 00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:46.559 being fulfilled. 00:32:46.659 --> 00:32:47.219 Us sitting 00:32:47.219 --> 00:32:47.659 here in 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:47.979 Sydney, 00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:48.839 more than 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.659 2,700 00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.519 years later, 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.199 have been 00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:51.879 saved by 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.139 him. 00:32:53.199 --> 00:32:53.559 Did you 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.059 know that 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.659 global 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.399 mission is 00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:56.119 part of 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:56.519 God's 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.839 plans and 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.399 purpose for 00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:58.919 the world? 00:32:58.920 --> 00:32:59.920 God's 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.920 love 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.320 and it 00:33:01.320 --> 00:33:01.720 will not 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.120 fail. 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.640 It will 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.320 not fail 00:33:05.320 --> 00:33:05.920 even if you 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.320 don't give 00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:06.920 one single 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.480 cent to 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.779 it and 00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.060 if you're 00:33:09.060 --> 00:33:09.560 not part 00:33:09.560 --> 00:33:09.880 of it. 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.860 You're not 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.300 doing him 00:33:13.300 --> 00:33:13.779 a favor 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:15.759 if you 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.000 don't 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.480 pledge. 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.460 In fact, 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.000 what God 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.840 does is he 00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:21.039 includes us 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:22.120 in his 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:22.539 wonderful 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:22.960 plans so 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.300 that we 00:33:23.300 --> 00:33:23.640 can be 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.000 blessed, 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:26.920 so that 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.440 the presence 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.079 of the 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.819 Lord will 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.220 be all 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:30.819 over the 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.059 world, 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:31.599 not just 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:32.660 amongst us. 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:33.759 Wouldn't 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:33.960 it be 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.220 wonderful to 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.900 see God's 00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:37.480 presence in 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.079 the Middle 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.480 East? 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.519 That people 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.579 come to 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.640 experience the 00:33:42.640 --> 00:33:43.960 forgiveness and 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.980 the presence of 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.900 the one who's 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:46.920 created them and 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.500 he forgives 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.700 them? 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.460 Do you think 00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:49.940 he could do 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.140 it? 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:53.660 Do you 00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.120 want to be 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:54.660 blessed, 00:33:55.020 --> 00:33:55.600 to be 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.259 included as 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:56.640 part of 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.160 that work 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.660 so that 00:33:58.660 --> 00:33:59.740 in 10,000 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.540 years' time 00:34:00.540 --> 00:34:00.920 when we 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.540 stand shoulder 00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:02.100 to shoulder 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.040 with our 00:34:03.040 --> 00:34:03.820 Arab brothers 00:34:03.820 --> 00:34:04.460 and sisters 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:06.460 we can be 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.520 giving praise 00:34:07.520 --> 00:34:07.820 to our 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.200 Lord Jesus 00:34:08.200 --> 00:34:08.619 Christ? 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.539 That's what 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.000 Mission Month 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:11.420 is about. 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.420 That's what 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.220 the 29th 00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:13.980 is about. 00:34:15.200 --> 00:34:16.220 It's saying 00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:16.860 that we 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.940 believe that 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.780 this is God's 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.460 plan for the 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:19.960 world and 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.720 it will not 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:21.760 fail and 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.159 we would 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:22.860 love to be 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.360 part of 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:23.659 this. 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.099 Would you 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.500 like to be 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.820 part of 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:26.940 it?