WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.080 Good morning. 00:00:03.800 --> 00:00:05.440 Oh, that's about as good as the weather. 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:07.339 Good morning. 00:00:07.719 --> 00:00:08.439 Good morning. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:09.200 That's better. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:11.320 My name's Chris. 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:14.919 For those of you who don't know me, I'm on the pastoral staff here. 00:00:15.780 --> 00:00:20.580 And I'm just, it's great for me just seeing people kind of coming back from holiday. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:22.440 Some of you have been away. 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:24.179 I know some of you are heading off. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:32.480 But there's something about being part of a church, I think, which, you know this, we don't go to church, right? 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:34.200 We don't go to church. 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:35.119 We are the church. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:36.439 You know that? 00:00:36.700 --> 00:00:37.799 We are the church. 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:48.679 Which means that when we come together, this is only 20% of what we are as a church. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:53.560 Sunday is only 20% of actually everything we do as a church. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:55.520 Because there are community groups. 00:00:55.719 --> 00:00:57.500 There are things that people are doing throughout the week. 00:00:57.640 --> 00:01:00.040 St. Barnabas, connecting with youth. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:02.859 There's lots of things that are going on in the church. 00:01:03.260 --> 00:01:05.000 Because church is not just a meeting. 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:05.760 It's the people. 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:12.300 And it's a people who are gathered in the name of a God who is worthy to be praised. 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:15.859 And today we're going to talk about praise. 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:20.020 And this morning my goal is very simple, really. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:22.599 I want to lead us to praise. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:24.319 I want to lead us to praise. 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:26.039 To praise God. 00:01:26.119 --> 00:01:26.719 Not to praise me. 00:01:26.859 --> 00:01:27.780 Not to praise anybody else. 00:01:27.839 --> 00:01:31.039 But to praise the one who is worthy of praise. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:37.479 Maybe if you just bow your head in prayer for a second. 00:01:37.480 --> 00:01:49.219 Father, this for me is a huge topic where I feel inadequate. 00:01:50.300 --> 00:01:51.520 I don't have words. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:57.760 I don't see just how great you are. 00:01:57.760 --> 00:02:02.680 But I pray this morning you would open my eyes. 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:04.600 You would open our eyes to see you. 00:02:05.460 --> 00:02:06.540 To see your greatness. 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:12.360 To see and to praise the one who is worthy to be praised this morning. 00:02:13.020 --> 00:02:13.640 In your name. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:14.860 Amen. 00:02:14.860 --> 00:02:15.220 Amen. 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:19.060 So we're finishing off today. 00:02:19.140 --> 00:02:21.680 We've been looking at a series in the Psalms. 00:02:22.040 --> 00:02:26.840 And if you've been here, if you've not been here, we've been going for about eight weeks 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:30.780 looking at how we worship in all seasons of life. 00:02:30.880 --> 00:02:33.620 Today it seems like we've got one season outside. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:36.360 There are different seasons that we go through. 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:38.640 And the Psalms kind of take you on this journey. 00:02:38.819 --> 00:02:41.420 On this kind of roller coaster of emotions. 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:46.039 Going from happiness that we talked about right at the beginning. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:49.219 And then going through all this fear, awe, stress, worry. 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:53.360 And it's just this cycle of life that all of us, I think, can relate to. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:54.420 Particularly in Hong Kong. 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:55.800 Things are constantly changing. 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:57.700 Everything's constantly happening. 00:02:58.040 --> 00:02:59.400 We go up and we go down. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:01.300 The weather goes up and we go down. 00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:04.580 And that's what life is like. 00:03:06.160 --> 00:03:12.900 And the Psalms are here to teach us in the roller coaster of life how to worship God. 00:03:12.980 --> 00:03:15.300 And the really interesting thing about the Psalms is this. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:20.360 The Psalms are explicitly organized with a trajectory. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.580 There is a direction to the Psalms. 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:25.120 Because they go through all of this stuff in life. 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:28.820 There's 144 Psalms they go through. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:33.680 And then the last five Psalms end with praise. 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:35.840 And that is deliberate. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:37.780 It's deliberate. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:44.659 Because the Psalms are trying to point you to the fact that whatever season you're going through. 00:03:44.739 --> 00:03:46.519 Whatever circumstance you're facing. 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:49.340 Whatever is happening moment by moment. 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:54.620 Everything that God brings into your life is ultimately always meant to lead you to praise. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:58.020 That's the purpose of it all. 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:06.000 And so today I want to look at three just very simple things to kind of talk about this. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.060 I want to talk about we praise greatness. 00:04:10.580 --> 00:04:12.000 We praise greatness. 00:04:13.480 --> 00:04:17.199 But we often live, secondly, with copy greatness. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:19.399 We praise greatness. 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:20.620 We live with copy greatness. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:24.420 And then thirdly, the greatness of God's grace. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:25.019 Okay? 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:25.899 So that's where we're going. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:27.840 Three things. 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:33.519 But before we kind of get into this passage, I just want to say something about praise. 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:46.160 Did you know the reason God created you, the reason he chose you, if you're a Christian, the Bible says, is he chose you to praise him. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:52.600 In Ephesians 1, it says, in love, in love, God predestined you. 00:04:52.660 --> 00:04:55.580 That means he thought about you and he chose you. 00:04:55.700 --> 00:05:01.260 If you were a Christian, he chose you before he made anything else for adoption as sons. 00:05:01.340 --> 00:05:06.060 That means he brought you into his family, into relationship with him through Jesus Christ. 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:09.060 And it then says, according to the purpose of his will. 00:05:09.420 --> 00:05:11.320 If you want to know what God's will is, here it is. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:20.480 The purpose of his will is that you and I and this church is to be for the praise of his glorious grace. 00:05:21.599 --> 00:05:23.000 That's the whole deal. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:26.180 That's why you and I were created. 00:05:26.339 --> 00:05:32.519 The reason that you breathe today is to the praise of his glorious grace. 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:38.359 The reason God has given some of you kids is to the praise of his glorious grace. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:46.799 The reason you have a job, the reason you're single, the reason you're married, the reason we have air conditioning is for the praise of his glorious grace. 00:05:47.479 --> 00:05:48.519 That's the deal. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:51.519 That's why God created us. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:06:01.240 Now, I don't know about you, but I've thought about that, and that sounds a little egocentric of God. 00:06:02.519 --> 00:06:13.399 I mean, how can a God who says he's so great, he needs nothing, and then turn around and say, well, you've got to praise me, and even creates us to praise him. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:19.299 That sounds a little bit like what C.S. Lewis said, like an old, vain woman seeking compliments. 00:06:21.039 --> 00:06:21.620 Doesn't it? 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:29.399 But C.S. Lewis goes on to say, and I'm going to quote along this passage, but this is very, very perceptive. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:30.939 What C.S. Lewis says, 00:06:30.939 --> 00:07:00.920 He says, 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:30.920 He says, 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:33.939 Isn't she lovely? 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:35.439 Wasn't it glorious? 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:37.540 Don't you think that magnificent? 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:48.220 The Psalms, in telling everyone to praise God, are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about. 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:50.500 Do you get what he's saying? 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.500 He's saying this. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.500 He's saying this. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:53.500 He's saying this. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:08:01.220 God made you and me to praise him because he is the most valuable. 00:08:01.220 --> 00:08:04.220 He is the most praiseworthy. 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:14.240 He is the greatest, most satisfying joy, and he wants us to find enjoyment in him because that is most satisfying. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:21.540 Because what is the most great and valuable thing that you can think of in this world? 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:28.480 Because anything you can think of where you put God in the category and he always comes out better. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:31.480 That's why he says, I want you to praise me. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:37.800 But what is praise? 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:39.340 What is praise? 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:45.780 Praise is exalting, boasting of, speaking highly of deep down what you think is great. 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:48.080 It's our natural response to greatness. 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:50.540 I don't know what you praise on a regular basis. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.100 You know, this week I've been watching the Olympics. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:59.860 And there's been a certain amount of praise coming out from my mouth because Britain is second in the medal table. 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:02.300 And my wife is Chinese and we're beating them. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:04.759 And that's a great source of joy for me. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:11.820 But we praise what we think is valuable and great. 00:09:11.920 --> 00:09:16.399 You know, Usain Bolt, the 100 meter winner, one of the greatest athletes. 00:09:16.560 --> 00:09:17.560 Do you know what he said yesterday? 00:09:18.040 --> 00:09:20.519 After he won his ninth gold medal, he said, there you go. 00:09:21.300 --> 00:09:22.519 I'm the greatest. 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:25.680 Now, what is he doing? 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:30.960 He's praising what he thinks is great himself. 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:32.259 Right? 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:35.000 And that's what we do all the time. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:37.779 You know, I've been praising Britain for winning the medals. 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:39.540 You know, I'm praising greatness. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:43.800 When I hear people talking about how many steps they did on their Fitbit, 00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:48.259 they're praising their greatness if it's more than 5,000. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:58.259 But here when we come to this psalm, David, who writes this psalm, is the king of Israel. 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:02.840 He's the greatest king that Israel ever had. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:10.200 And when you look at this, he could have said, I am the greatest, and everyone would have agreed with him. 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.080 But look at the first line. 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:14.420 Take your bulletin out. 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:15.240 Follow along. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:20.159 I'm not going to go verse by verse, but I want you to pick out some key verses here. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:30.240 First verse, he says, I will extol you, not me, you, my God and king. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:33.200 He's saying, I'm not the center of this. 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:37.039 My greatness is not from me. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:39.899 It is a gift from a king who is greater. 00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:43.279 The true king of Israel. 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:45.379 God himself. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:48.539 That's the true great king. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:57.259 And godly praise always flows out of this humility of recognizing where you stand before God. 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:05.439 And then, when you do that, praise begins to overflow when you see who God really is. 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:08.960 I mean, just skim over this psalm from me. 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:11.580 Because this psalm, he's not just telling you to praise. 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:13.639 It's like an overflow of praise. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:16.500 Look at the verbs for the speeches. 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:18.899 He says, verse 1, I will extol you, bless you. 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:21.840 Verse 2, commend your works, declare your mighty acts. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:25.919 Then, verse 5, meditate on your glorious splendor. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:28.779 I'll speak of the might of your awesome deeds. 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:29.620 Declare your greatness. 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:30.360 That's verse 6. 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.740 Pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness. 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:34.159 Sing aloud of your righteousness. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.339 That's verse 7. 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:36.759 Give thanks to you. 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.179 Verse 10, bless you. 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:39.819 Speak of the glory of your kingdom. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.759 Tell of your power. 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:43.299 Verse 11, make known your mighty deeds. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:46.659 Verse 12, this is joy that is overflowing. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:48.439 He can't hold his mouth. 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.099 It's got to come out. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:56.000 Now, this isn't a man like me who, you know, I've been in church a while. 00:11:56.680 --> 00:11:59.800 And I've been taught certain things about praying. 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:04.200 I don't know if any of you have heard the kind of ACTS acronym for how to pray. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:07.320 It kind of goes adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:10.700 And so what I have often done, I've kind of tried that. 00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:13.460 And I kind of sit down and I go, okay, now I've got to adore God. 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:15.840 And I'm like, okay, God, you're good. 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.519 God, you're great. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.780 God, you're kind. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:19.759 I'm getting hungry. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:21.800 But God, you're loving. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:24.019 I think I better go on to confession now. 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:28.700 That's often what praise has looked like in my life. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:33.879 But the words in verse 7, pour forth, 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:39.180 that word, I will pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness, 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:42.280 that word literally means bubbles up. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:45.039 It's like, you know when you turn on the shower, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.759 and you hold the shower head, 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:50.240 and if you try and block some of the holes in the shower, 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:52.159 water just gushes out of another hole. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.939 You block another hole, water just kind of comes out. 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.839 You just can't stop it. 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:55.639 It's bubbling forth. 00:12:55.879 --> 00:12:56.839 It's irrepressible. 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:57.679 It's unstoppable. 00:12:58.079 --> 00:13:00.899 There's this cascade of praise, he's saying. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:02.879 It just bubbles up from within you. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:08.679 That's a man who is intoxicated with God. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:12.039 He's captivated by him. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:14.879 He's not going through some kind of religious ritual, 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:16.319 like I've got to praise. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:17.819 This is overflowing. 00:13:18.719 --> 00:13:19.839 This is from the heart. 00:13:20.459 --> 00:13:25.500 Because he's captivated by God, who he is, and what he's done. 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:31.779 I don't know if you noticed how many times he talks about things like wondrous works, 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:34.240 mighty acts, awesome deeds. 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:37.139 I mean, it just repeats it again and again and again. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:39.059 You think he's like, what are you on? 00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:44.719 But because when David thought of mighty acts and awesome deeds, he thought of a couple of things. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.659 Because every Jew would think like this. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:51.239 God's awesome acts and mighty deeds were shown in creation. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:55.299 Because God creates and sustains everything. 00:13:55.299 --> 00:14:00.259 If you look out when you walk down, and you can't see it well today, but you look out on creation, 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:06.659 you see the handwork of someone awesome. 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.539 Creation. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:15.019 Redemption is the other thing that you would see with God's mighty acts. 00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:18.419 But I want to just think about creation to start with. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:27.679 And I thought about this, but I don't have adequate words to describe the greatness of God in creation. 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:29.240 I just don't. 00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:32.599 When it says God's greatness is unsearchable, 00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:35.500 it means you can't Google it and find the answer. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:37.139 You have to look at it. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.440 You have to meditate on it. 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:41.000 You have to consider it and just look in wonder. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:44.000 And so that's what I'd like us to do now for a minute. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:48.700 There's a great video that Francis Chan has, or pastor, has put together. 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.360 And I just want to show you this. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.399 I hope the quality is okay. 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:52.519 I want to show you this. 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.720 And I want you just to look at it. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:59.299 And I want you to think, what does this tell me about God? 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.419 What about what you're seeing right now? 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:06.219 First of all, this is the Earth. 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:07.179 Okay? 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:10.219 Then just take it off from the Earth from Southern California. 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:12.819 We're going to rise out for a little bit here. 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.319 Okay? 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:14.759 We're going to pull away from it. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.379 We're going to pull higher. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:19.199 Now this is at about 10 kilometers. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:22.419 Like if you climb Mount Everest, this is what you'd see. 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:26.379 You'd see the curvature of the Earth from that distance. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:28.179 Now you're going to climb even higher. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:30.439 This is at 100 kilometers. 00:15:30.440 --> 00:15:33.740 And you're a fourth of the way to the space station now. 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.540 This is what you'd see. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:36.740 If you get to this level, you're going to insert an astronaut. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.120 Get right there. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:39.720 Okay? 00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:42.800 Now we're going 100,000 kilometers. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.920 100,000 kilometers. 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:48.740 If you're a fourth of the way to the Moon, that's what the Earth will look like. 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:52.120 Now we're going to pull away to a million kilometers. 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.780 At a million kilometers, there's the Moon. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.740 Okay? 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.519 There's what you'd be really seeing there. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:59.299 There are a million kilometers now. 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.240 You're past the Moon. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:05.220 And now we're going to go to 100,000,000 kilometers. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.860 100,000,000 kilometers. 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.139 There's still left to the Sun. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.079 The Sun is not in three million kilometers. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.399 Okay? 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:14.419 But now we're going to go to 10,000,000,000 kilometers. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:15.519 Okay? 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:16.120 There's the Sun. 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:16.559 Okay? 00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:18.339 It just passed the Sun. 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:20.399 Now we can see all of the planets. 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.839 10,000,000,000 kilometers. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:26.160 And now we're at 10 to the 15th power. 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:28.259 I mean, it's 10 to the 15 zeros. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.040 I don't know what I'm saying. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.399 15 zeros. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:34.399 And the Sun's like a bright dawn on the other stars. 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:37.500 And now we're going to 10 light years away. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.680 10 light years away. 00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.740 And there you go. 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:45.240 10 light years away. 00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:47.300 Now you can see the Sun. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:51.340 And by the 1100 stars, they're kind of the same person. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.780 You know, that's our Sun. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:57.360 And now we're going to go a thousand light years away. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.759 A thousand light years away. 00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:01.399 You wouldn't see our Sun anymore. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.720 These are just a bunch of stars close to it. 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:05.559 That's a cluster inside the Milky Way. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:07.279 Now we're going to do now even further. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.160 And that's the Milky Way we live in. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.360 See that cluster of stars? 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:15.340 Those are about 100,000 stars that are closest to us. 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:17.039 We can't serve Sun anymore this morning. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.940 Now it's our Milky Way down. 00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:20.000 We forget about here. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:23.819 Okay, there's our Milky Way galaxy that we live in. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:27.339 And we're just buried in there somewhere. 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:29.819 And we're going to pull out even further. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:34.599 And you'll see that our galaxy is actually, it's a big galaxy. 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:38.419 And almost other things that you're seeing now are galaxies. 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:41.980 And we're going to pull away 10 million light years now. 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:44.519 The next thing is 10 million light years. 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.819 Those are all galaxies you see. 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.839 Amidst our million away. 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:50.079 Several hundred galaxies. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:54.119 Now we're going to go 100 million light years away. 00:17:54.219 --> 00:17:55.119 It's the last one. 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:57.859 And zoom out to 100 million light years. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:01.339 Those are all clusters of galaxies. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:04.759 Galaxies and clusters of galaxies. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:07.659 You wouldn't even see how Milky Way galaxy anymore. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.879 It's that. 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:12.619 We don't have telescopes that go beyond that. 00:18:12.979 --> 00:18:14.259 That little sphere there. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:17.259 What you're seeing right now. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:19.119 First of all, this is the earth. 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.059 Okay? 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:22.059 And then just take it off from the earth. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.839 Southern Cal. 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:29.599 Does that give us a little perspective? 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:37.099 When it says your greatness is unsearchable. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:41.660 And it says God is the creator. 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:50.000 Do you begin to see why we should praise him? 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:57.700 Because if God is that great, 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:04.500 why is my life not more filled with praise? 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:10.759 I narrow my life down to a very small perspective. 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:18.400 But God is great and greatly to be praised. 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:22.519 When you see that kind of majesty, 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:28.259 and yet that is the God who is our God, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.519 who can create all of that. 00:19:31.060 --> 00:19:32.460 And he's not even in the picture. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.519 He's further beyond that. 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:37.019 Doesn't that make you wonder? 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.160 Yeah. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:44.220 So I want to ask us a question. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:49.160 Why would I ever think that God was my personal assistant 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:51.100 to simply tap on my needs 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:54.759 and supply everything that I want just for me? 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.420 Why would I ever do that 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:59.340 when that is the God that we serve? 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:07.480 I want to move on to think about why it is that, 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:08.839 if I'm honest, 00:20:09.159 --> 00:20:12.459 I often don't live my life with that kind of perspective. 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:16.319 I want to talk about copy greatness. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.259 We praise what we think is great, 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:23.119 but there is something that I call copy greatness. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.579 David says in verse 3, 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.740 every day I will bless you. 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:31.019 Every day I will bless you. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:33.559 On your wondrous works, 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.819 I will meditate. 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.599 And yet, 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:41.000 how often is that true of me? 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:45.259 Because I don't know if you ever walk down Nathan Road 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:47.180 in Simpshire Joy. 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.859 If you walk down there, 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.640 you have a load of guys 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.119 who every time I walk past 00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:53.319 are always saying, 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.380 copy watch, 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.480 copy watch, 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.259 Rolex, 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.339 cheap price, 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.720 copy watch. 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.319 And 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:03.519 I think 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:05.579 every day we are bombarded 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:07.660 by what I call copy greatness. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:12.019 because copy whatever 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:15.320 is always an inferior version of the real thing. 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:19.480 It's always an inferior version of the real thing. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:22.840 And I get so focused on copy greatness 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:24.740 because we've forgotten there is an original. 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:27.080 How does this work? 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:28.720 One of the main reasons 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:33.100 I think I don't overflow with praise in my life 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:35.140 is because I think the world revolves around me, 00:21:35.560 --> 00:21:37.240 to be honest. 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.279 It should do. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.400 I'm great. 00:21:42.060 --> 00:21:42.779 At least 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:45.100 I'm so focused in my mind. 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:46.160 I don't know if you get like this. 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.440 I do. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.900 I'm just so focused in my mind. 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:49.580 I'm wrapped up in the week. 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.340 My mind's going. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:52.240 All the time revolved around my plans, 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:53.200 the things I want to fix, 00:21:53.300 --> 00:21:55.180 the things I want to sort out in my world. 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:56.240 And it kind of, 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:58.200 everything kind of shrinks down 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:00.680 to my little world 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.840 that I'm trying to manage. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.320 My little problems, 00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:04.800 my things that are going on. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:07.139 And that's why I stress. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.379 That's why I fear. 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:09.379 That's why I worry. 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:09.960 Because, 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.139 I mean, 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.399 does anyone know what I'm talking about? 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:13.519 Because this, 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:16.059 the world is kind of this, 00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.180 and I've got to handle it. 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.839 Because I've got to make sure that I'm great. 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:21.919 And I can't even handle my own world. 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:25.059 But I don't know what's been running through your mind this week. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:27.679 What's been stressing you out this week? 00:22:27.699 --> 00:22:28.679 I don't know whether it's deadlines, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.639 whether it's job decisions, 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.619 whether it's kids, 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.059 whether it's Pokemon Go. 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.579 I don't know what it is. 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.339 But, 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:37.859 how much of what stresses you out 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.099 in the light of a God 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.539 who really is eternal, 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.819 the Bible says, 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.839 everlasting, 00:22:42.959 --> 00:22:45.000 His kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting. 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.659 That's a long time. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:50.980 How significant is what I stress about 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.779 compared to that? 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.820 But I do. 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:57.120 Louis, 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.779 Louis XIV, 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:03.040 was the greatest king of France. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.140 He proclaimed, 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.759 I am the state. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:11.640 Everyone had to call him Louis the Great. 00:23:13.300 --> 00:23:15.240 He was the greatest celebrity of the time. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.480 He built huge palaces. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.860 I don't know if you've been to Versailles, 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.360 any of you. 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:20.660 I studied just outside of there for a year. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.799 It's an extraordinary place. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:25.000 He constructed monuments in his honor. 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:27.559 He'd have his own TV show if he was here today. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:32.440 And he wanted his funeral to be as dramatic as his life was. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.120 Do you know what he did? 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.160 He ordered, 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.160 for his funeral, 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:40.339 he ordered the lights in the cathedral to be dimmed. 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:40.939 Okay? 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:43.480 And one giant candle, 00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.720 like a shining star, 00:23:44.959 --> 00:23:47.439 to be placed on his coffin, 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.899 which was made of gold. 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:50.679 His gold coffin, 00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:52.159 and his candle to be there, 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:54.139 so that he would be the centerpiece. 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:57.500 He would be the one lighting up the cathedral. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:24:00.640 Because he wanted everyone to focus on him. 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.519 The funeral came, 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.640 the candles there, 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:07.140 thousands were in the cathedral, 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:11.299 all struck at this incredible event. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:13.000 And the bishop, 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.139 Bishop Marion, 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.960 stood up 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:18.539 to give the sermon. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.819 And then he did something 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.019 which was not in the script. 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.079 He went over 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.980 to the coffin, 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:29.440 and he snuffed out the candle. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.419 And then he said these words, 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:35.879 As the cathedral was in darkness, 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:38.460 my brothers, 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.700 only God is great. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.460 Because you see, 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:49.060 Louis XIV had lived a lifetime 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:51.140 trying to make his self, 00:24:51.280 --> 00:24:51.820 his things, 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.980 the center of the world. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.100 Trying to make him 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:58.080 the main thing. 00:24:58.780 --> 00:24:59.340 And you know, 00:25:00.260 --> 00:25:01.620 in the light of true greatness, 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.420 it's just snuffed out 00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.560 in an instant. 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:08.340 So I don't know about you, 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.560 how do you try 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:11.580 and make yourself great? 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.220 You probably don't even 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.200 think about it like that. 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:18.200 But where in your thought life 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.720 are you the one 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.940 who is the center of attention? 00:25:21.080 --> 00:25:21.960 I don't know if you ever 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.480 daydream. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.200 But if you daydream 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.200 and fantasize 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.720 about the kind of 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.260 the life you'd like to have, 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:29.940 what you'd like to have, 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.980 have you ever noticed 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.580 that you're the one 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.500 who's usually the hero 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.740 of the story? 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.880 It's your kingdom 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.920 that you're trying to build. 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.000 Ever notice that? 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.880 I don't daydream about 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:41.319 everyone else getting the glory. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.039 It's always me. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:43.940 Why? 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.920 Because I live with 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.819 a copy greatness 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.680 where I want the praise 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.859 to come to me. 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:54.299 when you think about 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.959 your thoughts 00:25:54.959 --> 00:25:56.319 and your plans, 00:25:56.719 --> 00:25:58.099 what is the candle 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.079 that you are lighting? 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.859 Is it a candle 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.679 to yourself 00:26:01.679 --> 00:26:02.859 or it is a candle 00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:04.039 to the one 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.279 who is 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.599 a floodlight, 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:08.119 not just a little candle? 00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:10.899 Because at the end of the day, 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.659 copy greatness 00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:12.959 always gets exposed 00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:14.139 as fake. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.139 Always gets exposed 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.899 as fake. 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.720 So now, 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:18.740 I just want us 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.500 to think about that. 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:21.280 We were made 00:26:21.280 --> 00:26:22.300 for the praise 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:24.000 of something great. 00:26:24.820 --> 00:26:25.800 We are the ones 00:26:25.800 --> 00:26:26.540 who try 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:29.080 and shrink 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.820 our world 00:26:29.820 --> 00:26:30.360 down to a little 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.560 claustrophobic 00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.440 kind of center 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.180 of us 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.580 and our little issues. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.160 But I want to talk about, 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.180 thirdly, 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:38.900 the greatness 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.940 of God's grace. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:43.100 the passage 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:44.019 that we read 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.600 says, 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.259 the Lord is gracious 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.100 and merciful, 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:49.620 slow to anger 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.620 and abounding 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.340 in steadfast love. 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:55.879 The second thing 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.539 that a Jew 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:58.079 would remember 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.899 when they talk 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.359 about 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:02.720 the wondrous works 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:04.019 and the splendor 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.500 of God 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.099 would be 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.839 redemption. 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.639 God's great deliverance 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.379 out of Egypt. 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.159 God's setting 00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:10.299 people free 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.220 by his mercy 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.359 and his grace. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.799 That's what a Jew 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.359 would remember 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.240 when he heard this. 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:17.519 But when we live 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.440 with copy greatness 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.220 we forget. 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.559 We forget 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.900 God's greatness 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.599 in creation. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.259 We forget 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.120 God's mercy 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.859 in redemption. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.359 Because 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:29.660 basically 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.099 I think 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.019 most of life 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.240 I don't actually think 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.900 I'm trying to make 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.500 myself great. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.500 I don't. 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.460 I'm just getting on 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:35.920 with life. 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.220 Like when I was teaching 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.920 I was trying to be 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.759 a good teacher. 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:39.759 Okay, 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.160 I was doing it 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.620 for the student 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.660 and I'd love the compliments. 00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.299 You know, 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.259 it kind of strokes your ego 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.920 when someone says, 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.220 hey then, 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:45.140 you were just the most 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.700 amazing teacher ever. 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.040 You know, 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.560 and I'd like that 00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:47.720 and say, 00:27:47.780 --> 00:27:48.160 no, no, no, 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.620 it's fine. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.280 No, no, no. 00:27:49.300 --> 00:27:49.620 But you know, 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.380 really say more, 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:50.780 please. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.360 You know, 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.620 but you know, 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.360 and we all like that, 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:53.700 don't we? 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.340 We all like it 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:55.500 when someone approves of you 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.360 and someone says, 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.460 kind of strokes your back 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.140 and gives you a little 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.420 tap on the back. 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.160 We all like that. 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:01.940 But you know, 00:28:02.020 --> 00:28:02.840 I thought I was still 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.520 trying to honour God 00:28:03.520 --> 00:28:04.259 in my life 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.780 and trying to follow him 00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:08.160 and I knew the doctrine 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.120 of God's grace 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:10.080 and all that kind of stuff. 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.360 You know, 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:12.900 but I'm more and more 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.740 convinced now 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.980 that actually much of 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.640 what I do 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:17.440 is actually more 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:19.700 about me 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:23.079 trying to make myself 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.259 greater than I am 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.740 and less about 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:27.440 just Christ 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.539 in things 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.839 because I deceive myself 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.480 all the time. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.980 Much of what I do 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.559 is like this. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.240 Much of what I do 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.240 is about showing 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.839 how great 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:37.319 my wondrous works are 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.740 and wanting the praise 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.880 from people around me. 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:43.900 because the thing is 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:44.780 when you find 00:28:44.780 --> 00:28:45.500 your identity 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.760 and your performance 00:28:46.760 --> 00:28:48.000 and that's your 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.920 wondrous works, 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:50.100 what happens is 00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:51.040 in verse 12 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:51.520 it says, 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.280 the eyes of all 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:54.040 look to you 00:28:54.040 --> 00:28:54.880 to give them their food 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.820 at the proper time 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:57.480 or in due season. 00:28:58.100 --> 00:28:59.120 But when you're looking 00:28:59.120 --> 00:29:00.100 for your own greatness, 00:29:00.760 --> 00:29:01.860 you don't see God 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:02.880 as a source of grace. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.820 God is the source 00:29:03.820 --> 00:29:04.160 of the one 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.000 who gives you everything. 00:29:05.280 --> 00:29:05.980 You think it's your 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.000 hard work that got it. 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.180 You think it was 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.819 your performance 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.480 that made it. 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.160 You think that 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:11.319 because I've been so busy 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.920 I managed to put food 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.700 or whatever it is 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.279 on the table. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.200 I did it. 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:17.119 I'm not perfect 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.140 but I'm kind of great. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:21.440 And we don't overflow 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.660 with constant praise 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.000 of God 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.720 because we don't see 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.359 God's grace 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.279 in his provision 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.579 and we live 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.720 under this delusion 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:30.160 that we are great 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.480 until something happens. 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.500 Failure. 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:38.259 Failure is one 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:40.519 of God's greatest gifts. 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.500 I hate it. 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:44.180 I hate failing. 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.799 But failure is one 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:48.059 of God's greatest gifts 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:50.400 to expose 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.799 your copy greatness 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:54.359 and to lead you back 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.539 to opening your eyes 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:56.859 to seeing what is original 00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.539 and true 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.259 and real greatness. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.079 Because what failure does, 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.740 I don't know 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:03.059 if you've experienced 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:04.039 real failure. 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.559 But when failure 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.960 comes, 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:08.299 it strips away 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.879 from you 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.839 everything that you 00:30:09.839 --> 00:30:10.879 had based your sense 00:30:10.879 --> 00:30:11.720 of greatness on. 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.519 Right? 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.500 You know when you're made 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.619 to feel that small 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.599 because you've made a mistake, 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.779 you've done something 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.720 before other people, 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.220 you know, 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:18.720 whether it's 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:20.220 you failed in your morality, 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.899 you failed in your religiosity, 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.759 you failed at your work performance, 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.440 you failed at being 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.079 a good parent, 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.039 you failed at being 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.740 the child that you should have been, 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.799 whatever it is, 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.879 when you get to that 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.599 you can feel like 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.480 about that big 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:34.700 and it strips you 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.299 of that idea 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.759 that actually 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:37.240 I was pretty good anyway. 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.200 Right? 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.200 Anyone know 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:40.140 what I'm talking about here? 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.120 J.K. Rowling, 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.720 Harry Potter, 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:48.420 in a Harvard commencement speech, 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.380 she said 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.319 of her failed marriage 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.180 being a single mother 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.819 and living in absolute poverty 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:54.259 because she became famous. 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.360 Said, 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.479 failure meant 00:30:56.479 --> 00:30:57.519 a stripping away 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.319 of what was inessential. 00:30:59.939 --> 00:31:01.119 I stopped pretending 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.779 to myself 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.619 that I was anything 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:04.500 other than what I was. 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.479 How does this connect 00:31:07.479 --> 00:31:08.519 to grace 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.479 and God's grace? 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:09.779 Well, 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.719 verse 14, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.259 it says, 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:14.639 the Lord upholds 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:16.319 all who fall. 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.339 Or as one preacher put it, 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:20.919 those who are apt 00:31:20.919 --> 00:31:21.779 to fall. 00:31:21.959 --> 00:31:23.459 The Lord upholds, 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.620 that means carries, 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.700 lifts up, 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:27.259 those who are apt 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:27.920 to fall, 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.579 who fall. 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.500 Why does David 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:32.740 in a psalm of praise 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.279 write that? 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:36.000 Because David knows 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.480 what it is 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.200 to fail 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.299 and to fall. 00:31:39.920 --> 00:31:40.319 You know, 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.740 he was an adulterer, 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.059 a murderer. 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.740 He was a failure 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.340 as a father. 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.720 His whole family 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.740 became so broken 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.740 that there was rape, 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.400 there was murder, 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.140 his own son 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.039 tried to kill him. 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.180 They were just copying 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:53.039 what he had done. 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:54.420 I mean, 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.379 he was a failure. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.779 He knew 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.920 what it was to fall 00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.539 and there was 00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.500 a shame on him. 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.960 But just before David, 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.799 at the same time of day, 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.619 there was another king, 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:08.799 a king called Saul. 00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:13.079 Saul also knew failure. 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:15.559 He disobeyed. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.539 In 1 Samuel 15, 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:18.480 God commands him 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.339 to go and destroy 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.079 an army, 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.980 get rid of everything, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.720 don't keep anything 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.359 for yourself. 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.339 So what Saul does, 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:24.960 he goes down, 00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:26.720 he defeats the whole army 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:28.139 but he keeps the best animals 00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:28.740 for himself. 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:31.259 And then he goes off 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.259 and he builds a little monument 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.299 to his own greatness. 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.339 And then Samuel comes back 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.559 and says, 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.420 hey, what's going on here? 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.440 And Saul's like, 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.079 yeah, it's great, 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.339 I've obeyed God, 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:40.579 you know, 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.500 I've disfeated the army 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:43.500 and Samuel says, 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:44.940 I'm sorry, 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:47.059 but why have you disobeyed God? 00:32:47.100 --> 00:32:47.620 And Saul's kind of 00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:48.299 going in denial, 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:48.759 he's saying, 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.840 but I did obey God, 00:32:51.080 --> 00:32:51.400 I did obey, 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.480 the animals here, 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.380 they're all for sacrifice 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.140 to God. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.940 And Samuel's not having 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.460 any of it 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:59.440 and Samuel says to him, 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.500 you have disobeyed God 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:02.059 and then Saul's like, 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:02.519 no, no, no, 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.420 it wasn't me, 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.259 it was all my soldiers, 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.180 they took it, 00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:05.940 it wasn't me, 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.400 they took all the stuff, 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:07.940 it wasn't me 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.180 and he blames them. 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.660 And then Samuel says to him, 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.059 hey, listen, 00:33:11.160 --> 00:33:12.140 God's going to snuff out 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.820 your candle 00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.620 and your kingdom 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.859 and suddenly Saul 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.179 is like, 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.739 oops. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:18.559 And then he becomes, 00:33:18.739 --> 00:33:19.399 feels guilty, 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.359 he's got caught, 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.979 he's like an American swimmer 00:33:21.979 --> 00:33:22.959 issuing an apology 00:33:22.959 --> 00:33:26.059 and he says, 00:33:26.179 --> 00:33:27.359 please forgive me 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:30.359 but now honor me now 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.799 so that all the elders 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:33.159 will like kind of, 00:33:33.399 --> 00:33:34.479 I won't lose face 00:33:34.479 --> 00:33:35.759 in front of everybody else, 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:36.259 kind of, 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:36.859 I want to have respect, 00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:37.419 I know I've done something 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:37.939 a bit naughty 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.380 but I want to keep face 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.299 in front of everybody. 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:43.299 Everything Saul did, 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.180 even his own apology 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.180 for his own greatness 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:47.259 to make himself look good 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.259 in other people's eyes, 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:51.259 what David did 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:53.140 was different. 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:55.259 There is something 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.779 that is very different 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:58.860 between David and Saul 00:33:58.860 --> 00:34:00.940 because I don't know 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:02.400 if you know, 00:34:02.580 --> 00:34:04.019 David throughout the whole 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:05.019 of the rest of the Bible 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:08.340 is called God's man. 00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.940 He is exalted 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:11.599 actually in the Bible 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.780 not because he was great 00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:15.199 but because he knew 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.579 a God who was great. 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.980 Saul is hardly mentioned 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.980 anywhere else 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.960 in the rest of the Bible. 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:23.400 Hardly anywhere else 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.480 in the rest of the Bible. 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:26.719 Why is that? 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.359 Well, 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:32.239 when you see 00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:33.579 your failure, 00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.899 your sin, 00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:36.079 the mistakes 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:36.980 that you make, 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:38.179 you can respond 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:39.299 in one of two ways. 00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:40.559 One will lead you 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.500 either to try 00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.219 and keep making 00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:43.579 your own greatness great, 00:34:43.939 --> 00:34:45.039 the other will lead you 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.839 to seeing the greatness 00:34:45.839 --> 00:34:46.419 of God. 00:34:47.419 --> 00:34:48.659 It's a key decision. 00:34:48.919 --> 00:34:49.399 You're either going 00:34:49.399 --> 00:34:50.079 to be like David 00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:50.679 or you're going 00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.500 to be like Saul. 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:52.799 What Saul does, 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:53.939 he denies, 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.799 he blames, 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.119 he tries to get out of it. 00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:56.420 He says, 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.500 I'm sorry but, 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.779 do you ever do that? 00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:00.019 I do that when I get caught. 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.380 I say, 00:35:00.819 --> 00:35:01.000 oh, 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.239 I'm sorry but, 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:03.519 it was, 00:35:03.859 --> 00:35:04.079 you know, 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:04.699 I was tired. 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:05.639 You know, 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.500 that's not an apology, 00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.000 okay? 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:07.500 If somebody, 00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:08.559 if your spouse says to you, 00:35:08.599 --> 00:35:09.179 I'm sorry but, 00:35:09.279 --> 00:35:10.039 that's not an apology, 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:10.839 okay? 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.699 Don't accept it 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:12.880 because what we're trying to do, 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:13.400 we're trying to still 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.380 defend ourselves. 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.119 I wonder, 00:35:20.279 --> 00:35:21.039 have you ever lived 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:22.759 with a fear of failure? 00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:25.679 Have you ever messed up 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.379 where you're actually 00:35:26.379 --> 00:35:28.019 trying to cover up 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.899 what you've done 00:35:29.899 --> 00:35:30.779 so that other people 00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:31.159 don't know? 00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:31.799 We can do this, 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.539 church people 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.579 are so good at this. 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:35.099 We're experts 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:36.099 at covering up 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:36.819 because we've got to 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:37.799 look good on Sunday. 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:40.699 But all of us 00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:42.739 have elements 00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:43.619 of failure, 00:35:43.879 --> 00:35:44.980 of shame, 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.359 of things inside of. 00:35:46.379 --> 00:35:47.639 There's not one person 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.239 in this room 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:48.799 who doesn't. 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.560 and if you think 00:35:49.560 --> 00:35:50.460 you don't have, 00:35:51.220 --> 00:35:52.300 then I'd suggest 00:35:52.300 --> 00:35:52.920 you're probably 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.860 living in denial 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:57.800 because we desperately 00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:58.900 want other people 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.620 to see 00:35:59.620 --> 00:36:01.280 that we're actually great 00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:02.440 when the reality 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:03.140 is exposed 00:36:03.140 --> 00:36:04.100 by our failure. 00:36:05.100 --> 00:36:06.280 It's painful. 00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.880 I remember a friend 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.620 once said to me, 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.060 his, 00:36:11.220 --> 00:36:11.580 I think he was 00:36:11.580 --> 00:36:12.340 about three years old, 00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:12.820 his son, 00:36:13.120 --> 00:36:14.019 he told his son, 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.139 there's some cookies 00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:15.719 on the table, 00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.360 don't eat the cookies. 00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.119 He went upstairs 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.920 to do something, 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:20.880 comes down 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:21.699 a few minutes later 00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:22.659 and he sees 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.259 there's one cookie 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:24.400 gone from the plate 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.980 on the table 00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:26.679 and his son 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:27.360 has disappeared. 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.599 He spends the next 00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:30.480 10, 15 minutes 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.320 looking around his house 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.360 trying to find his son, 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.699 can't find him anywhere. 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:35.559 And then finally, 00:36:35.780 --> 00:36:36.860 he hears this little 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:38.900 kind of coming 00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:40.380 from behind the sofa 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:42.119 and behind the curtain 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:43.340 which was behind the sofa 00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:45.000 and he kind of creeps up 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:46.180 down round the back, 00:36:46.280 --> 00:36:46.880 round the sofa 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.920 and there, 00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.940 curled up on the floor 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:53.240 was his three-year-old son 00:36:53.240 --> 00:36:54.860 wrapped around the curtain 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:56.740 hiding behind the sofa 00:36:56.740 --> 00:36:58.600 and my friend 00:36:58.600 --> 00:37:00.220 kind of looked at him 00:37:00.220 --> 00:37:01.260 like a little bit strange 00:37:01.260 --> 00:37:01.480 like, 00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:02.559 what are you up to? 00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:03.280 And, 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:03.740 I mean, 00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.180 he's only three, 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:04.420 but, 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:06.559 and he said to him, 00:37:07.140 --> 00:37:08.100 why are you hiding? 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:11.620 And the son said, 00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:15.599 because I can't face you 00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:18.400 from what you've done. 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:24.019 And that is actually 00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:27.699 what it's like for us 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:28.400 before God. 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:31.179 When you see a God 00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:32.259 who's that great, 00:37:33.339 --> 00:37:34.659 throughout the whole of history, 00:37:34.799 --> 00:37:35.880 every single one of us, 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:37.119 from Adam and Eve 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:38.699 all the way till now, 00:37:38.839 --> 00:37:40.159 we always try 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:41.460 and run and hide 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:43.619 our shame, 00:37:43.799 --> 00:37:44.299 the things we, 00:37:44.339 --> 00:37:45.019 we always try to wrap 00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:46.460 that curtain around us. 00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:50.659 Because we don't want to know, 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:52.079 we don't want others to know 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:54.659 what we're really like 00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:55.799 sometimes inside. 00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:59.159 Failure exposes us. 00:37:59.880 --> 00:38:01.099 We all have a secret, 00:38:01.319 --> 00:38:02.059 just think about this, 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:03.000 we all have a secret 00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:04.139 that you don't want 00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:05.179 anyone else to know. 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.280 Right? 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:07.719 If I was to say now, 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:09.860 tell the person next to you 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:11.199 the thing that you don't 00:38:11.199 --> 00:38:12.440 want them to know about you. 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:16.440 Is anything coming to your mind? 00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.579 What's your secret? 00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.920 Because that's your shame, 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.539 that's the thing 00:38:20.539 --> 00:38:21.619 you want to hide away. 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:23.659 But David, 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:25.079 who has such shame, 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:26.980 how can he come to the point 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:28.260 where he overflows 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:29.000 with praise 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:29.659 praise 00:38:29.659 --> 00:38:32.159 in this psalm 00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:33.960 while Saul 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:35.760 is just, 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.539 disappears 00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:38.099 and he's left in denial, 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:39.639 his candle is snuffed out. 00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:40.739 How can that happen? 00:38:41.699 --> 00:38:42.539 Here's the thing. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:43.739 David, 00:38:43.980 --> 00:38:45.099 we looked at Psalm 51 00:38:45.099 --> 00:38:45.860 a few weeks ago, 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:47.019 I think Eric spoke on it. 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.340 David 00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:50.480 realized 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:52.500 you have a choice. 00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:54.460 You either run from God 00:38:54.460 --> 00:38:55.820 or you run 00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:56.880 to God. 00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:58.139 And David knew something 00:38:58.139 --> 00:38:58.799 about God. 00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.639 David knew 00:38:59.639 --> 00:39:00.779 that the Lord 00:39:00.779 --> 00:39:01.719 is gracious 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:02.839 and merciful, 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.679 slow to anger 00:39:04.679 --> 00:39:06.279 and abounding 00:39:06.279 --> 00:39:08.179 in steadfast love. 00:39:09.159 --> 00:39:10.059 David knew that. 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:12.099 He knew 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:13.019 that there was a God 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:14.079 who was so great 00:39:14.079 --> 00:39:15.299 who could crush him 00:39:15.299 --> 00:39:16.179 in an instant, 00:39:16.859 --> 00:39:17.539 who could just 00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:18.480 turn his back on him. 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.019 He's got the rest 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:19.559 of the universe 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.639 to play with. 00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:22.319 Why would he care 00:39:22.319 --> 00:39:23.139 about someone 00:39:23.139 --> 00:39:25.339 so insignificantly small 00:39:25.339 --> 00:39:26.139 in the light 00:39:26.139 --> 00:39:27.259 of all of his creation? 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:32.259 And yet, 00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:34.519 he knew, 00:39:34.940 --> 00:39:36.440 like every single one of us, 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.199 that this God 00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:38.059 is not distant. 00:39:38.219 --> 00:39:39.199 This God is near 00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:40.940 to all who call to him. 00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:42.900 This God 00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:43.879 is the one 00:39:43.879 --> 00:39:45.619 who reaches down. 00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:46.319 Because you know, 00:39:47.379 --> 00:39:47.980 it says, 00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:48.839 that verse says, 00:39:49.679 --> 00:39:50.719 he upholds 00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:51.839 all who fall, 00:39:52.219 --> 00:39:53.739 he raises up 00:39:53.739 --> 00:39:55.940 all who are bowed down. 00:39:55.940 --> 00:39:57.579 Do you know, 00:39:57.659 --> 00:39:58.420 if you're bowed down, 00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:59.179 how do you raise 00:39:59.179 --> 00:40:00.200 somebody else up? 00:40:01.700 --> 00:40:02.940 You have to come down 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.619 to their level 00:40:03.619 --> 00:40:05.579 and pick them up. 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:08.119 The God who created 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:09.800 all of that universe, 00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:11.240 who didn't have to care 00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:13.579 a dot about anyone, 00:40:14.519 --> 00:40:16.019 he came down 00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:16.940 to our level. 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:17.579 level. 00:40:20.159 --> 00:40:21.300 He came down 00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:22.179 to you, 00:40:22.559 --> 00:40:23.400 he knows where 00:40:23.400 --> 00:40:23.980 you're hiding. 00:40:24.940 --> 00:40:25.800 In all of that, 00:40:25.880 --> 00:40:26.880 he knows you. 00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:28.579 And he comes down, 00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:29.240 not with, 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:29.800 you know, 00:40:29.860 --> 00:40:30.179 normally, 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:30.820 when you, 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:34.200 when you do something well 00:40:34.200 --> 00:40:35.039 and other people 00:40:35.039 --> 00:40:36.019 do terribly 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:37.079 what you want them to do, 00:40:37.360 --> 00:40:38.519 what's your response? 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.320 Normally, 00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:40.320 I think what we do 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:41.159 is we look down 00:40:41.159 --> 00:40:41.719 on people 00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:43.219 or we try and give them 00:40:43.219 --> 00:40:44.679 advice on how to improve. 00:40:44.780 --> 00:40:45.559 You've got to work hard 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:46.440 so you can improve 00:40:46.440 --> 00:40:46.840 that skill. 00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:47.159 Do you know, 00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:47.940 if you experience that 00:40:47.940 --> 00:40:48.340 in your office 00:40:48.340 --> 00:40:49.420 or you get scolded 00:40:49.420 --> 00:40:50.159 by somebody. 00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:50.739 Okay, 00:40:50.759 --> 00:40:51.420 you made that mistake, 00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:52.039 you did that wrong, 00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:53.300 don't do it better next time. 00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:53.860 Right? 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:54.960 That's how we normally 00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:55.980 treat failure. 00:40:58.380 --> 00:40:59.380 We're just critical 00:40:59.380 --> 00:40:59.940 of people. 00:41:00.239 --> 00:41:01.259 But this God, 00:41:02.079 --> 00:41:03.219 this King, 00:41:03.900 --> 00:41:05.079 is so great, 00:41:05.699 --> 00:41:06.440 he's never failed. 00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:09.000 He does everything perfectly. 00:41:09.860 --> 00:41:12.220 He gets 150% 00:41:12.220 --> 00:41:13.420 in the marks, 00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:14.500 not 100. 00:41:15.240 --> 00:41:16.659 He's beyond the scale. 00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:19.720 And here are we, 00:41:20.240 --> 00:41:20.920 insignificant, 00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:22.019 tiny, 00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:22.960 small, 00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:23.880 hiding, 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:24.960 shameful, 00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:25.940 sinful, 00:41:26.179 --> 00:41:27.220 the Bible will call it. 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.900 And yet, 00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:30.720 this King 00:41:30.720 --> 00:41:33.059 came down to our level, 00:41:33.800 --> 00:41:35.599 saw you and me 00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:37.139 crouching in the shame. 00:41:37.219 --> 00:41:38.039 I don't know what it is 00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:38.759 in your life, 00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:40.539 but he sees it. 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.900 And he's not there 00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:43.019 with a judging hand 00:41:43.019 --> 00:41:43.279 saying, 00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:44.319 you should do better. 00:41:45.339 --> 00:41:46.039 He's there, 00:41:46.159 --> 00:41:47.239 he comes down to our level. 00:41:47.339 --> 00:41:49.319 He dies on a cross. 00:41:50.139 --> 00:41:51.099 The scolding 00:41:51.099 --> 00:41:52.219 that we maybe deserved, 00:41:52.339 --> 00:41:54.199 he took from the Pharisees 00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:55.019 who mocked him. 00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:58.039 The criticalness, 00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:59.199 the shame, 00:41:59.299 --> 00:42:00.299 he was bowed down 00:42:00.299 --> 00:42:01.279 and humiliated 00:42:01.280 --> 00:42:02.680 on a Roman cross. 00:42:05.100 --> 00:42:06.120 For you. 00:42:07.240 --> 00:42:08.920 In the whole universe, 00:42:09.180 --> 00:42:10.620 he sees you. 00:42:11.740 --> 00:42:12.620 Right now. 00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.480 He sees you. 00:42:15.120 --> 00:42:16.340 He knows you. 00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.820 And his grace 00:42:17.820 --> 00:42:19.320 is calling you, 00:42:19.900 --> 00:42:21.420 come and enjoy 00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:22.500 the fact that 00:42:22.500 --> 00:42:23.440 I'm not a God 00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:24.519 who is distant, 00:42:24.900 --> 00:42:26.780 but I run to you 00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:27.600 and I want you 00:42:27.600 --> 00:42:28.600 to run to me. 00:42:29.800 --> 00:42:30.680 Right now. 00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:33.260 He's lavish 00:42:33.260 --> 00:42:34.460 in grace. 00:42:36.060 --> 00:42:36.980 And he calls us 00:42:36.980 --> 00:42:37.660 who are wrapped up 00:42:37.660 --> 00:42:38.920 in our puny little world 00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:40.400 to see 00:42:40.400 --> 00:42:42.260 that though we stick 00:42:42.260 --> 00:42:43.100 our middle finger 00:42:43.100 --> 00:42:43.760 up at God 00:42:43.760 --> 00:42:45.160 so often in our lives, 00:42:46.320 --> 00:42:47.840 I'd turn away 00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:48.360 if I was there. 00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:48.660 I'd say, 00:42:48.740 --> 00:42:50.480 I'd create another universe. 00:42:50.480 --> 00:42:52.380 But he doesn't. 00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:54.000 He says, 00:42:54.679 --> 00:42:55.460 I am gracious. 00:42:56.719 --> 00:42:58.539 I want you 00:42:58.539 --> 00:43:00.260 to come to me. 00:43:03.240 --> 00:43:04.719 If you get that, 00:43:05.079 --> 00:43:06.240 when you fail, 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:08.019 if you see 00:43:08.019 --> 00:43:09.659 that God's bringing you to fail, 00:43:09.740 --> 00:43:10.280 this week, 00:43:10.360 --> 00:43:11.260 if you make a mistake, 00:43:11.380 --> 00:43:12.179 you get scolded, 00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:14.119 you go into work, 00:43:14.400 --> 00:43:15.380 things go wrong, 00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:18.400 God is giving you 00:43:18.400 --> 00:43:19.099 an opportunity 00:43:19.099 --> 00:43:21.079 for two choices. 00:43:21.319 --> 00:43:22.519 You can either be like Saul 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:24.239 and start trying to 00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:25.339 cover up everything 00:43:25.339 --> 00:43:27.860 or you can be amazed 00:43:27.860 --> 00:43:28.960 that in spite of what 00:43:28.960 --> 00:43:29.960 you and I are like, 00:43:31.559 --> 00:43:32.880 you have a God 00:43:32.880 --> 00:43:34.019 who is gracious 00:43:34.019 --> 00:43:35.679 and who says, 00:43:35.900 --> 00:43:36.860 I accept you. 00:43:37.279 --> 00:43:39.519 I delight in you. 00:43:39.779 --> 00:43:40.420 You're mine. 00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:41.739 If you're not a Christian, 00:43:42.819 --> 00:43:44.119 you need to know that 00:43:44.119 --> 00:43:45.259 and you need to run 00:43:45.259 --> 00:43:46.159 to this God. 00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:46.219 God. 00:43:48.379 --> 00:43:49.159 Because you see, 00:43:49.239 --> 00:43:50.219 if you get the greatness 00:43:50.219 --> 00:43:51.920 of God in those two things, 00:43:52.619 --> 00:43:54.059 his creation 00:43:54.059 --> 00:43:55.579 and his grace, 00:43:55.940 --> 00:43:56.699 and it sinks 00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.480 from here 00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.719 to here, 00:43:59.539 --> 00:44:00.519 you don't have to just 00:44:00.519 --> 00:44:01.839 talk about grace 00:44:01.839 --> 00:44:03.279 as an abstract concept. 00:44:03.500 --> 00:44:05.019 You will know it here 00:44:05.019 --> 00:44:06.299 and it will bubble up 00:44:06.299 --> 00:44:07.699 in praise. 00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:10.859 Just check your prayer life 00:44:10.859 --> 00:44:11.420 now. 00:44:12.500 --> 00:44:13.940 Check your praise life 00:44:13.940 --> 00:44:15.599 now because that will tell you 00:44:15.599 --> 00:44:17.179 if you have really 00:44:17.179 --> 00:44:19.059 seeing the grace 00:44:19.059 --> 00:44:20.059 and the mercy 00:44:20.059 --> 00:44:20.920 and the goodness 00:44:20.920 --> 00:44:22.000 of God in your life 00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:22.539 right now. 00:44:24.639 --> 00:44:25.639 I want to leave you 00:44:25.639 --> 00:44:26.539 with one more video. 00:44:28.300 --> 00:44:29.420 Because I want to leave you 00:44:29.420 --> 00:44:30.720 as David overflows 00:44:30.720 --> 00:44:31.240 with praise, 00:44:31.300 --> 00:44:32.019 I want to show you 00:44:32.019 --> 00:44:33.519 a modern day 00:44:33.519 --> 00:44:35.280 somebody overflowing 00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:36.039 with praise. 00:44:36.480 --> 00:44:36.960 And I want you 00:44:36.960 --> 00:44:37.800 to just look at it. 00:44:37.800 --> 00:44:39.480 And I want you 00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:40.100 to think about 00:44:40.100 --> 00:44:41.100 whatever's going on 00:44:41.100 --> 00:44:41.740 in your week 00:44:41.740 --> 00:44:42.600 in the light 00:44:42.600 --> 00:44:44.300 of who our king 00:44:44.300 --> 00:44:45.260 really is. 00:44:46.220 --> 00:44:46.960 And I want us 00:44:46.960 --> 00:44:47.760 just to respond 00:44:47.760 --> 00:44:48.960 in praise. 00:44:49.800 --> 00:44:50.300 So...