WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:22.120 We're going to look this morning at two false religions. Two false religions. Now it might help you, I think it will help you to have that Bible passage that Paul read open in front of you, page 604-605 in the church Bible, Isaiah chapter 43, verse 22. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:41.120 What makes a false religion? What makes a religion fail? I guess if you were to ask people around you, people who you work with tomorrow morning, here is one standard answer to that question about what makes a religion false. 00:00:41.119 --> 00:01:07.120 People will say a religion fails, or should fail, if that religion causes people harm or starts wars. Now I think we can agree with those answers, can't we? It's very strange indeed to find people who say that they are in touch with God and yet who want to harm and destroy and kill other people. What kind of God is that? 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:29.520 But in the Bible, it is something else that makes a religion false, that makes it fail, and it's this. Religions fail when they do not reach God. Religions are false when they lead people away from God and not towards Him. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:39.099 Back in the 19th century, John Godfrey Sachs wrote a poem called The Blind Man and the Elephant. 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:43.920 And that poem has become a very famous way of talking about world religions. 00:01:45.079 --> 00:01:55.659 There were six blind men who one day all were in a room with an elephant, and all six blind men each touched one different part of the elephant. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:02:02.920 One man touched the elephant. One man touched the leg and said, I think this is a tree in front of me. 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:07.259 One touched the elephant's side and said, I think I'm touching a wall. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:11.840 One touched the trunk and said, I'm holding a mighty serpent. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:17.620 Each blind man thought they had the truth about the elephant. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:26.240 And so the story goes, each world religion holds one small part of the truth. 00:02:27.319 --> 00:02:31.300 No one religion has a total grasp of the truth. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.920 Hinduism over here has one conception of what God is like. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:38.620 Islam perceives God to be a bit like this. 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:42.040 You Christians, you say that God is a bit like that, and so on. 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:43.099 And that's all fine. 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:49.439 We are all blind, but touching somehow in some way the truth. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:59.180 Religions are different paths, all going up the same mountain, different ways of getting to the same point at the top. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:06.159 The Bible says, not all religions reach God. 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:09.659 Not all religion is true religion. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:12.120 So what's the difference? 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:13.319 How would we know? 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:16.020 How can we tell what is true religion? 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:18.960 Can you spot it when it's laid out in front of you? 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:21.060 Can you tell the real thing from the fake? 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:28.520 This morning, two tragedies unfold before our eyes. 00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:34.460 Two tragedies in the hearts of two very different kinds of worshippers. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:39.199 And I want this morning simply to show you two tragedies in this passage. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:40.280 Here's the first one. 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:43.099 Two points for you this morning. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:48.240 Number one, the tragic folly of man-made gods. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:52.659 The tragic folly of man-made gods. 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:56.260 I want to take the second half of the passage first of all. 00:03:56.340 --> 00:04:00.740 Everything from chapter 44 verse 9 onwards is where I want to start. 00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:04.060 Here's the first kind of false religion. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:06.120 This is idolatry. 00:04:07.040 --> 00:04:09.340 Out and out paganism. 00:04:11.200 --> 00:04:12.300 And we need to be clear. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:16.220 I mean, what did you think as Paul read it from verse 9 onwards? 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:19.900 Well, folly is quite a weak word. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:26.100 This is, the writer saying, the tragic stupidity of man-made gods. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:28.280 Look how it begins in verse 9. 00:04:29.760 --> 00:04:35.000 All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. 00:04:35.320 --> 00:04:38.840 It's not just saying that what they make are nothing. 00:04:38.960 --> 00:04:39.600 You see that? 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:41.280 Look how strong it is. 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:42.859 Those who make them. 00:04:43.539 --> 00:04:46.239 The makers, they themselves, are nothing. 00:04:47.679 --> 00:04:53.699 Those who make an idol to worship prove that they really have no sense of meaning or purpose in the world. 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:57.599 The things they delight in. 00:04:59.059 --> 00:05:03.579 One commentator says, these things are their little darlings. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:07.120 They're what they stroke with their hands. 00:05:07.539 --> 00:05:10.159 Or stroke in their hearts with their affections. 00:05:10.579 --> 00:05:11.899 And yet, you see what he says? 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:14.139 They are profitless. 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:14.979 Worthless. 00:05:17.419 --> 00:05:20.279 Isaiah says, now let's take time to look at this. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:22.240 Let's put an idol. 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:23.819 A statue. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:25.579 Let's put it in the middle of the room. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:27.259 Let's gather around and look at it. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:28.680 Now, can you see? 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:31.560 Can you really see what it is you're looking at? 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:35.959 Look at verse 12. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:41.439 Here's where sarcasm begins, doesn't it? 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:50.240 You see the blacksmith there in verse 12, covered in sweat and grime, bulging biceps, working away at his idol. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:52.779 Look what he can make with his hammer and tongs. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:53.560 He's skillful. 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:57.040 And yet, here's the thing. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:01.540 You notice he makes something with his diminishing human strength. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:04.959 At the end of making his God, he's knackered. 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:07.259 Needs a rest. 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:17.180 You're telling me, Isaiah says, that the human being who has grown so tired, now in need of outside sustenance to sustain him, 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:22.600 he's grown tired of making something that he's going to worship? 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:28.620 Making your God, Isaiah says, can be exhausting work. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:29.780 Why don't you have a rest? 00:06:30.379 --> 00:06:31.200 Put your feet up. 00:06:31.240 --> 00:06:32.220 Have something to eat. 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:37.240 Is your God going to be able to revive you and sustain you and feed you? 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:43.340 Well, actually, it turns out he can actually sort of feed you. 00:06:43.400 --> 00:06:46.100 You can, if you want, carefully plant a seed. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:47.519 Grow a tree. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:48.319 Cut it down. 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:51.800 You can burn half of it to keep you warm and cook your food on. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:54.439 And the other half, you can worship. 00:06:54.439 --> 00:07:00.660 Now, it's worth getting inside Isaiah's logic here. 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:02.519 It's so sensible, isn't it? 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:03.939 Surely, look at verse 19. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:08.399 Surely, Isaiah is saying, surely anybody can see this. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:13.859 To give divine honors to something I have made. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:18.659 That cannot be right. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:25.959 And for a human being to prostrate themselves in worship before something that they have created, 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:29.319 well, Isaiah is saying that is cart before horse. 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:30.819 It's back to front. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:35.219 Which came first, me or the wood that I'm working with? 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:39.260 Which has more power, me or the wood? 00:07:40.940 --> 00:07:43.900 I got tired making this little thing in front of me. 00:07:43.960 --> 00:07:46.180 What do I now expect it to do for me? 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:53.100 Isaiah knows that the mere presence of worship, 00:07:53.980 --> 00:07:55.540 the fact of adoration, 00:07:56.080 --> 00:07:59.100 does not necessarily equal worship. 00:08:00.440 --> 00:08:03.040 And we only need to use our brains to see this. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:05.720 The fact of religion, 00:08:06.200 --> 00:08:08.180 the fact of it in the world, 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:11.080 is no guarantee of true religion. 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:12.460 Real religion. 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:17.800 How different Isaiah is from the world in which we live. 00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:18.820 Isn't it true? 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:20.560 No one wants to criticize. 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:22.500 No one wants to be rude. 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:24.960 No one wants to put their hand up and say, 00:08:25.640 --> 00:08:28.660 I think the emperor has no clothes. 00:08:28.660 --> 00:08:32.740 The edifice is beautiful. 00:08:33.540 --> 00:08:34.759 The idol is stunning. 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:36.540 The traditions are well established. 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:38.379 The rituals are meaningful. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:39.980 The culture is precious. 00:08:40.540 --> 00:08:42.620 The beliefs are deep-seated. 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:47.160 And Isaiah says it can be all of those things 00:08:47.160 --> 00:08:50.220 and be very, very wrong. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:55.680 Now it's very important to see here 00:08:55.680 --> 00:08:58.200 that this is not just a taunt. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:00.519 This is not just sarcasm. 00:09:00.680 --> 00:09:01.860 It's not just mockery. 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:04.080 It's not none of those things for the sake of it. 00:09:04.160 --> 00:09:05.860 No, look at verse 17. 00:09:08.160 --> 00:09:10.500 The rest of it he makes into a god, 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:11.300 his idol, 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:13.399 and falls down to it and worships it. 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:15.000 He prays to it and says, 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.220 deliver me, 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.180 for you are my god. 00:09:18.179 --> 00:09:20.759 Look at verse 20. 00:09:21.579 --> 00:09:23.779 He feeds on ashes a deluded heart 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:24.939 that has led him astray, 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.439 and he cannot deliver himself 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:28.579 or say, 00:09:28.699 --> 00:09:31.039 is there not a lie in my right hand? 00:09:31.239 --> 00:09:32.959 This is not just mockery. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:36.259 This is an analysis of false religion. 00:09:37.219 --> 00:09:39.179 Do you know what the analysis report says 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:41.519 as the prophet sits around the fire 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.979 with this man, 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:45.159 watching him cooking and eating and worshipping, 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:48.419 using one end of the tree for fuel 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:50.120 and the other for worship? 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:51.679 Do you know what Isaiah sees? 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:54.059 We need to see this. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:58.139 Isaiah sees that human beings 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:00.100 long for the divine, 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:04.379 and we use man-made devices 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:05.939 to make us feel secure. 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:10.060 Isn't that what verse 17 is saying? 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.120 Deliver me. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:13.540 Save me. 00:10:14.280 --> 00:10:14.980 Rescue me. 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:15.600 Help me. 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:17.620 You are my god. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:23.080 Let me ask you this morning, 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:26.000 what makes you feel safe? 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:30.080 Just over a week ago, 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:32.320 my wife managed to lose, 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:34.340 well, it actually wasn't my wife's fault in the end. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.840 It turned out to be our two-year-old. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:38.179 We lost a set of house keys. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:43.460 Cars, doors, padlocks, 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:46.159 all gone, 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:49.419 in somebody else's hands as far as we knew. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:53.980 We felt terribly, terribly insecure. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:58.039 I hope in our hearts, 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.399 as we've been reading this, 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:02.159 as Isaiah is mocking idolatry, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.159 I hope that we have not, 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:04.920 in our minds, 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:06.899 been tempted to mock 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:09.060 any other particular religious group 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:09.600 in the world 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:11.820 without seeing that Isaiah is speaking 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:13.840 even here to us. 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:19.039 What makes you feel safe? 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:23.360 Do you feel more safe and secure 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:26.139 when the bank balance is flush with cash 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:28.220 or when you're running low? 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:32.379 Do you feel more safe and secure 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:34.580 when the government party you voted for 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:35.539 comes to power? 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:39.039 When your football team wins the league? 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:42.180 When you have all your ducks in a row 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:43.500 and health is good 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.800 and children is fine? 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:51.240 Deep, deep, deep in the human heart 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:53.159 is a longing for someone 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:55.399 or something to save us. 00:11:56.939 --> 00:12:00.259 And so often it is what makes us feel safe 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.459 and happy and secure 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:05.579 that receives the quiet gratitude of our hearts. 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:10.240 Now if you look at verses 12 and 13, 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:12.580 now of course we would nominate 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:14.340 different craftsmen today, wouldn't we? 00:12:14.400 --> 00:12:16.460 I guess some of you may have 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:18.340 called a carpenter recently, 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.940 but probably not a blacksmith. 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:22.820 Well they're not in the ascendancy 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:23.780 like they used to be, 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:26.660 but who do we lift the phone and call? 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:31.899 Accountants, managers, builders, 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:34.319 doctors, teachers. 00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:39.339 And what we say to them is, 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:42.179 can you make me safe? 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:47.199 Our devotion to what is man-made 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:48.500 knows no limits, 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.639 knows no ends, 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:52.819 and it is the story of the human heart 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.959 in every age, 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.699 in every generation. 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:58.480 And in it all, 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.219 here is the tragedy, 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:02.839 here is what is pathetic, 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.759 verse 20, 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:07.819 we are trying to save ourselves. 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:10.899 One human being 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.620 turning to another human being. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.939 Save me, 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.240 help me. 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:22.159 The tragic stupidity 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.659 of man-made gods. 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:27.539 But I need to say this, 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.120 this morning, 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:30.059 that kind of false religion, 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:32.219 that kind of false religion 00:13:32.219 --> 00:13:36.039 is not the worst kind there is. 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:39.199 It's pretty incredible to say that, 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:39.500 isn't it, 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.679 given what we've just seen 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:41.879 in those verses, 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.879 but there is something worse. 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:46.399 Here's the second thing 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.199 I want us to see. 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:47.959 Number two, 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.759 the tragic folly 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.879 of knowing the true God, 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.900 but not knowing him. 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.680 The tragic folly 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:58.500 of knowing the true God, 00:13:58.900 --> 00:13:59.460 and yet, 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.620 not knowing him. 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:05.240 Look back at chapter 43, 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.519 verse 22. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.639 Yet you did not call upon me, 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.340 O Jacob, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.960 but you have been weary of me, 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.539 O Israel. 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:18.379 You have not brought me your sheep 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.659 for burnt offerings, 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.480 or honoured me with your sacrifices. 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:25.460 There's more than one way to worship. 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:25.600 You can do it. 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:28.400 You can do it in the forest, 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.259 round the shrine, 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.340 under the stars. 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:34.700 You can do it in the temple, 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.560 round an altar, 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.540 in the church. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:42.519 There is something worse, 00:14:42.900 --> 00:14:44.759 Isaiah is saying to us. 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:46.200 There is something worse 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:47.460 than a taunt 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:49.519 of religious falsehood. 00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:53.200 There is heartbroken rebuke 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:55.180 for religious facade. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.639 That is worse. 00:14:59.040 --> 00:15:01.540 If you look at verses 22 and 23, 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.160 do you notice, 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.280 again and again, 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.700 God uses this phrase, 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:06.340 you did not. 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:08.000 You have not. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.940 You have not done this, 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:11.820 nor that. 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:15.500 Actually, in the book of Isaiah, 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:18.840 that is a very strange phrase to use, 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:21.280 because Isaiah has kept saying, 00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:21.980 again and again, 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:23.139 all the way through the book, 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.940 starting from chapter 1, 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:27.040 that people were doing nothing 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:29.400 but bringing sacrifices to God. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.980 Listen to chapter 1, verse 11. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.040 God says, 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:34.220 the multitude of your sacrifices, 00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:36.440 what are they to me? 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.660 I have more than enough 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:40.080 of all your burnt offerings. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:43.120 How can he say here now, 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:43.960 in verse 22, 00:15:44.400 --> 00:15:46.960 you did not bring me these things. 00:15:49.280 --> 00:15:49.720 Actually, 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.879 this is a different way 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.920 of making exactly the same point. 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:54.580 In an even stronger way, 00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:56.300 the problem wasn't that the people 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:59.120 weren't bringing sacrifices to God. 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:02.020 It was how they were doing it. 00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:04.680 The way in which they were doing it. 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.660 That was the problem. 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:09.839 Listen to Alec Mateer, 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.899 a man who has devoted most of his life 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:14.159 to studying the book of Isaiah. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.839 Put your eyes on verse 22. 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:18.839 And Alec Mateer says that the Hebrew 00:16:18.839 --> 00:16:21.480 in that verse is better translated like this. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.980 Not me did you call. 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.259 In other words, 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:28.559 you were calling someone down there. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.100 I saw you. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:32.459 I heard you in the temple courtyard. 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.960 But it's not me you were calling. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.620 Verse 23. 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.920 Mateer says that the pronouns, 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.259 me, me, 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:45.639 are meant to be emphasized in that verse 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:47.180 so that the meaning is this. 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:49.259 Burnt offerings you brought, 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.280 but not to me. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.960 Oh, which is worse 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:57.340 here in our passage this morning? 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.379 Which is worse? 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:01.060 To never know the true God 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:02.100 and worship an idol? 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:05.440 Or to be brought to know 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.440 the true God 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:09.240 and yet lose your way to his house? 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:12.259 And take your sacrifices and offerings 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.920 and have God say, 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.640 I don't know who you think those are for. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:23.380 There's an incredible play on words here. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.940 It's actually visible to all of us 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.860 in our translation. 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.900 Verse 23. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.660 God says, 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:31.680 I have not burdened you 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:34.860 with demands for loads of sacrifices. 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.560 That verb, 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.240 to burden, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.720 it's the same word 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.160 that's used in the book of Exodus 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.800 where the Egyptians 00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:44.200 burdened the people 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:46.180 by making them their slaves. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.340 That's what the verb means, 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:49.180 to make a slave of someone. 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:52.200 I rescued you, 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.820 God is saying, 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.420 from one form of slavery 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.840 not to lead you 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:57.340 into another form of slavery. 00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:58.400 I didn't make you slaves 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.860 all over again. 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:01.440 I didn't take the bricks 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.960 off your back in Egypt 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.440 only to put 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:06.000 sacks of grain 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:07.460 for sacrifices 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.259 on your backs 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.980 now instead. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:12.740 I have never stood over you 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.299 with a whip 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.759 saying, 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:14.339 give me, 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:14.799 give me, 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.319 give me. 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.079 I have not been 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.380 demanding of you. 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:24.120 But look what you have done 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:24.599 to me, 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.460 verse 24. 00:18:26.120 --> 00:18:28.140 I have not burdened you, 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:31.460 but you have burdened me. 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.420 You've made a slave of me. 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:37.620 You see, 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.500 here's what's happening. 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.620 God gave his people 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.980 the sacrificial system 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.360 to liberate them, 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.860 to set them free 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.779 from their sins. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.880 It was a sign 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:48.019 of God's friendship 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:50.019 and love and grace. 00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:51.880 I want to be close to you, 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.500 God said, 00:18:52.580 --> 00:18:53.680 and near to you. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.500 And to come close to you, 00:18:56.560 --> 00:18:58.500 your sins need to be wiped out. 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:01.820 I can't come close to you. 00:19:02.060 --> 00:19:03.920 You can't come close to me. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.700 Unless you do this, 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:06.680 burnt offerings 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.940 and grain offerings. 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:11.140 Do you know what the people did? 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.880 That gift of friendship 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.880 they took 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.880 and turned into 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.440 a new form of slavery. 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:21.960 Incessant religious ritual 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:24.920 with no love for God 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.640 at its heart. 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:28.880 And God sees it 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:31.200 and knows that they have 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.360 lost the heart of it. 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:34.279 He knows that they think 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.919 that if they bring a sacrifice, 00:19:36.219 --> 00:19:38.339 it's like rubbing the lamp 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.819 and out will pop the genie, 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.399 God, their slave, 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.099 their servant. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:45.119 These people think 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:46.359 religious ritual 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:47.259 is a technique 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.139 for manipulating 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.500 divine blessing. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.319 Listen to Alec Mateer. 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:57.179 by making ritual 00:19:57.179 --> 00:19:59.919 into the exclusive content 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:00.899 of their religion, 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:03.200 they cut themselves off 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.939 from the benefits 00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:05.779 the sacrifices 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:07.099 were intended to bring. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.399 Ritual divorced 00:20:10.399 --> 00:20:11.980 from spiritual commitment 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:14.039 neither satisfies God 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:16.279 nor blesses his people. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:19.379 I can see 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.899 all your religious fervor 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.559 says God. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.539 The problem is 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.299 I can see 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:25.460 no religious reality. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.839 There is worship 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.740 and services 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.599 and meetings 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.899 and programs 00:20:32.899 --> 00:20:33.759 and events. 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.119 Your diary 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.839 and calendar 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.599 is full. 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:39.899 But here's what 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:41.019 I can also see. 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.440 That your heart 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.620 is empty. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.380 Your heart 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.940 is empty. 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:50.400 I can see 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.380 what you're saying 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.720 but not me 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.500 did you call. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.860 I can see 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.640 what you're bringing 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:58.920 but not to me. 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.440 These sacrifices 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.220 were designed 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:05.240 for relief 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.700 and delight 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.400 and joy 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.440 and homecoming 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.059 to God 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.759 every single time. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:13.440 God's people 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.099 turned it 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.980 into drudgery 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.819 and attendance 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.980 and box ticking 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.519 and rule keeping 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.200 and keeping up 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.799 appearances. 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.259 Look at verse 24. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.960 You have not 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.500 brought me 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.819 sweet cane 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.500 with money 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.680 expensive 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:32.000 sweet cane 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:34.200 or satisfied 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.900 me with the 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.319 fat 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:36.799 of your sacrifices. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.599 You have not 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.400 given to me 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.940 the very best 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:41.059 that you have. 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:44.120 The point 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:44.860 of true religion 00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:45.779 is not that it 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:47.100 satisfies people 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:48.720 but that it 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.200 satisfies God. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.860 You have not 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.660 lavished 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.640 on me 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.539 your love 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.640 God is saying 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.640 in verse 24. 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.380 Our worship 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:00.960 is something 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.900 we should lavish 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.279 on God 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.080 and you will know 00:22:03.080 --> 00:22:04.100 as well as I do 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:05.400 that what we 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.539 do not love 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.640 and whom 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.860 we do not love 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:10.059 we do not 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.659 lavish. 00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:13.159 Only if we 00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.759 love 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.799 do we 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.379 lavish. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.279 Toll bridge 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.919 on the M6 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.459 many of you 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:22.759 I know 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.199 have had the 00:22:23.199 --> 00:22:23.500 joy 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.259 of travelling 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.599 it. 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:25.899 You reach that 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.619 point don't you? 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.839 £3.50 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.419 the barrier 00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.019 is down. 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.399 £3.50 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:30.979 please 00:22:30.979 --> 00:22:32.019 to be allowed 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.779 to pass. 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.159 What do you 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.679 say when you 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.139 get to that 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.459 barrier? 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.500 £3.50 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.099 you must be 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.380 kidding. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.880 I love 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.319 that this 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.079 road is here. 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.400 Is that 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.220 all you want? 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.339 £3.50? 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.019 I can't believe 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.539 how good 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.019 you've been 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.339 to me. 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:47.759 Let me 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.220 give you 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.700 more. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.779 £35 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.700 I'll move 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.180 the decimal 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.579 point. 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.220 No hang on 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.599 I love 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.059 this road 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:54.619 so much 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.779 £350 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:57.400 I'll pay 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:57.680 you. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.200 You've 00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.720 been so 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.279 good to 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.539 me. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:04.720 Mr. 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.259 Osborne 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.740 is that 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.359 all you 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.740 want to 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.079 take 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.599 from my 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:07.940 salary? 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.639 Why not 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:10.139 more? 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.659 I love 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.000 that you 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.480 do this 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.960 to me. 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.359 No 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.019 those 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.559 things 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.420 are a 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.859 tax 00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.159 aren't 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:18.319 they? 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.000 A burden 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.819 a weight 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.680 we pay 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:20.980 it 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.259 and we 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.500 would 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:22.920 take 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.319 back 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.740 every 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.200 single 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:24.539 penny 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:24.960 if we 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.359 could. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:30.559 I can 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:30.879 see 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:31.479 several 00:23:31.479 --> 00:23:32.039 young 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.439 men 00:23:32.439 --> 00:23:33.479 here this 00:23:33.479 --> 00:23:33.740 morning. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.019 Young 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.240 men 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.579 just 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.019 try 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.319 that 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.719 same 00:23:35.719 --> 00:23:36.359 approach 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.579 to your 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.000 taxes 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.439 when it 00:23:38.439 --> 00:23:38.939 comes to 00:23:38.939 --> 00:23:39.339 buying an 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:39.799 engagement 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.219 ring 00:23:40.219 --> 00:23:41.099 for the 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.519 woman you 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:41.819 love 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.159 or an 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:42.639 anniversary 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.179 present. 00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:43.979 What 00:23:43.979 --> 00:23:44.759 is the 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.359 least 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.919 I can 00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.399 get away 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.939 with here? 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:49.879 Keep 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.339 that up 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.619 and let 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:50.959 us know 00:23:50.959 --> 00:23:51.319 how it's 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.579 going 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:51.959 in ten 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.199 years 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:52.619 time. 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.299 No 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.119 love 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:57.940 real 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.619 love 00:23:58.619 --> 00:24:00.559 knows 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.039 nothing 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.279 of 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.000 taxes. 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.539 Real 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:03.919 love 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.139 is 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.039 lavish. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:05.899 It's 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.419 glad. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:06.740 It's 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.200 joyful. 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.000 It takes 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.379 the very 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:09.180 best that 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.700 I have 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.240 and says 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.779 God 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.279 this is 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.059 for you. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.279 That 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.680 is what 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.099 pleases 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.379 me 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.639 says 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.099 God. 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.919 Is 00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:23.279 ritual 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.919 the 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.480 sum 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.140 total 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.539 of your 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:26.940 religion 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.240 this 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.580 morning. 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.420 Not 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.900 all 00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.440 religions 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:31.920 reach 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.400 God. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:33.980 And 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.800 sometimes 00:24:34.800 --> 00:24:35.060 the 00:24:35.060 --> 00:24:35.519 very 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.039 religion 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.360 which 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:36.680 God 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.259 himself 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.580 has 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:38.060 created 00:24:38.060 --> 00:24:38.680 can 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.100 end 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.380 up 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:39.800 falling 00:24:39.800 --> 00:24:40.080 the 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:40.660 most 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.259 short. 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.620 The 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.140 worst 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.660 kind of 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:44.940 false 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.320 religion 00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:46.060 is not 00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:46.279 the 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:46.940 idolatry 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.220 in the 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.700 forest. 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.300 The 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:49.740 worst 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.200 kind of 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.460 false 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.880 religion 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.400 is when 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:51.820 God 00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.360 himself 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.019 reaches 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.400 down 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.660 to 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.060 us 00:24:54.060 --> 00:24:54.880 and 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:55.060 we 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:55.480 take 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:55.680 what 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:55.840 he 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:56.300 gives 00:24:56.300 --> 00:24:56.800 and 00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:57.320 turn 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:57.480 it 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.740 into 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:57.920 a 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.080 way 00:24:58.080 --> 00:24:58.259 of 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.820 rejecting 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.259 him. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.519 Not 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:00.880 because 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.120 we've 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.320 turned 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:01.519 our 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:01.840 back 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:02.060 on 00:25:02.060 --> 00:25:02.300 him 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:04.240 but 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.860 precisely 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:05.360 because 00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.000 all we 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.180 have 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.440 turned 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.860 towards 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:07.060 him 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.240 is 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.680 simply 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:07.940 our 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.360 faces 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.620 and 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:08.880 nothing 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.320 more. 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.400 The 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.160 tragic 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:13.860 folly 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.400 of knowing 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:14.660 the 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:14.920 true 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.400 God 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.060 and 00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:16.280 yet 00:25:16.280 --> 00:25:16.519 not 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:16.839 knowing 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.160 him. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.639 So 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:20.819 what 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:20.960 do 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.099 we 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.440 do? 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:22.700 What 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:22.839 do 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.000 we 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.700 change? 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.299 Well 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.559 I want 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:25.700 to 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:25.980 finish 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.220 with 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.519 this. 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.799 There 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:26.980 are 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.299 three 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.019 commands 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.460 here 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.299 for 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.639 us 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.559 in 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:30.759 this 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.059 passage. 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:31.220 You 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.559 probably 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:31.940 missed 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.119 them 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:32.519 in 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:32.700 the 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.079 size 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.220 of 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.339 the 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.619 reading. 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.079 Three 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.779 things 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.460 God 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.819 tells 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.019 us 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.200 to 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.440 do 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.599 and 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:36.740 they 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.879 are 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:37.119 all 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:37.559 connected 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.799 to 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.220 him. 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.660 Verse 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.519 26 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.299 of 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.599 chapter 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.259 43. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.160 Here's 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.299 the 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.579 first 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:44.980 one. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.019 Remind 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.379 him 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:49.120 God. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.440 Put 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:51.660 me 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:51.860 in 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.380 remembrance 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.220 God 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.580 says 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:53.820 verse 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.500 26. 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.300 Let 00:25:55.300 --> 00:25:55.520 us 00:25:55.520 --> 00:25:55.960 argue 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.540 together. 00:25:57.300 --> 00:25:57.540 Set 00:25:57.540 --> 00:25:57.860 forth 00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.080 your 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.500 case 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.680 that 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:58.820 you 00:25:58.820 --> 00:25:59.020 may 00:25:59.020 --> 00:25:59.200 be 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.560 proved 00:25:59.560 --> 00:25:59.980 right. 00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:01.520 You 00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:01.620 see 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:01.880 what 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.120 does 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.280 it 00:26:02.280 --> 00:26:02.700 mean? 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:02.980 How 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.120 do 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.360 we 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.640 not 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.020 fall 00:26:05.020 --> 00:26:05.260 into 00:26:05.260 --> 00:26:05.440 the 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:05.760 trap 00:26:05.760 --> 00:26:05.920 of 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.140 verse 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.840 23? 00:26:07.540 --> 00:26:07.980 Empty 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.500 religious 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.860 ritual. 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.120 How 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.280 do 00:26:09.280 --> 00:26:09.420 we 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:09.700 stop 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:09.840 it 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.180 happening? 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:10.700 Because 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.580 here 00:26:11.580 --> 00:26:11.880 you 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.240 are 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.580 in 00:26:12.580 --> 00:26:12.800 your 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.180 church 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.600 family 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:14.120 again 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.440 like 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.620 you 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:14.780 were 00:26:14.780 --> 00:26:15.140 last 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.520 week. 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.039 Like 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.220 you'll 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.359 be 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:16.759 next 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.180 week. 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.480 Like 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.799 you were 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.180 last 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.440 year. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.839 Hopefully 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.160 like 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.359 you'll 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.519 be 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.900 next 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.279 year. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.099 Here 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.440 we are 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:22.960 saying 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.639 and doing 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.379 the same 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:24.960 things 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.559 week in 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.299 week out. 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.139 You'll 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.720 try and 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.259 pray and 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.619 read your 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.220 Bible this 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.420 week. 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:30.920 Just like 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.460 last week 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:31.859 with all 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.420 the same 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.279 ups and 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.900 downs and 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.660 successes and 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.279 failures of 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:35.879 doing so. 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:39.020 God 00:26:39.020 --> 00:26:39.260 So 00:26:39.260 --> 00:26:39.780 what 00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:40.620 does 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.240 reality 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.580 with 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:41.960 God, 00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:42.160 an 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.700 authentic 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.380 relationship 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.700 with 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:43.940 God, 00:26:44.020 --> 00:26:44.200 what 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.440 does 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:44.580 it 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:44.920 look 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.360 like? 00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:48.140 Well 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.480 look at 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.360 verse 26. 00:26:49.520 --> 00:26:49.780 God 00:26:49.780 --> 00:26:50.260 says it 00:26:50.260 --> 00:26:50.840 looks like 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.280 this. 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.160 Get 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.160 last 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:53.660 week's 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.020 photo 00:26:54.020 --> 00:26:54.380 album 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:54.960 out and 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.380 let 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:55.960 God 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.500 see 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.820 it. 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:58.980 Not 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.900 what you 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.500 posted on 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.980 Instagram 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.820 but 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:03.640 everything 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.220 about 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.600 you 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.020 out 00:27:06.020 --> 00:27:06.660 into 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:06.880 the 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.320 open. 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.160 The 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.660 things in 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:09.820 your 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.280 heart 00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:10.640 and your 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.200 head 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.600 that sum 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.020 up 00:27:13.020 --> 00:27:13.759 what you 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.220 are really 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.780 like. 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.500 The 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:16.940 things you 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.560 saw 00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:19.120 and said 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.600 and did 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.080 and thought 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:20.580 that no 00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:21.140 one else 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.840 knows that 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:22.460 you saw 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.400 or said 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:23.780 or did 00:27:23.780 --> 00:27:24.420 or thought. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.420 Put 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:28.940 me in 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.700 remembrance 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.440 God 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:30.980 says. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:31.820 Just 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.640 remind me 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.120 what's 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.580 been going 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.019 on with 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.259 you? 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:35.779 How 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:35.939 did 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.199 you get 00:27:36.199 --> 00:27:36.619 to this 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:36.980 point? 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.199 How 00:27:38.199 --> 00:27:38.379 did 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.720 you get 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.079 here? 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.500 What's 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.839 happened? 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.439 It's a 00:27:43.439 --> 00:27:43.720 lovely 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.159 phrase 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:44.379 isn't 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:44.619 it? 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.099 Put 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.419 me in 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:45.899 remembrance. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.500 God 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.899 hasn't 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.339 forgotten 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.000 of course. 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.439 It's 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:49.919 a lovely 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.460 gentle 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:50.960 way of 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.399 saying I 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:51.779 don't need 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.059 to be 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.460 reminded 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.000 about the 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.460 past 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:55.019 but you 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.379 do. 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.720 Because 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.059 here's 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.539 the thing 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.240 here is 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.619 the hinge 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:03.019 of true 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.519 religion. 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.920 It is 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.099 all about 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:06.720 forgiveness 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.480 of sin. 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:09.420 That is 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.079 the heart 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.559 of true 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.039 religion. 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.180 That is 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.539 the whole 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.200 point of 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.539 what I 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.099 gave you 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.400 God 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.839 says. 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.119 The 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.779 lambs, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.879 the grain, 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.920 the incense, 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.639 the punishment 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.700 falling on 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.819 someone else 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.400 instead of 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:22.779 you. 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:25.480 it's 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.599 because my 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.420 past, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.000 my guilt 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.240 needs to 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.660 be dealt 00:28:30.660 --> 00:28:31.079 with, 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.859 needs to 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:33.460 be forgiven. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.839 Lose that 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.619 sense of 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.359 need and 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.779 you will 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.619 very soon 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:39.019 lose your 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.980 need of 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.359 Jesus. 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.119 It's 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.579 why you 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.200 confess 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.399 sins, 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.019 why we 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.660 confess our 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.399 sins together 00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:48.779 in our 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.599 services week 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.240 by week. 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.119 It is 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:52.779 the essence 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.339 of true 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.839 religion. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.919 A review 00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:56.319 of the 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.039 past which 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.019 states things 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.539 to God 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.099 as they 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.779 really are 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.519 and comes 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:00.839 to him 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.319 with open 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:01.939 hands to 00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:02.559 receive his 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.039 grace. 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.659 If you 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:05.919 look at 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.679 verse 26 00:29:06.679 --> 00:29:07.000 again, 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.480 let me put 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:07.799 it like 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.199 this. 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.459 For real 00:29:11.459 --> 00:29:12.179 religion to 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:12.759 be alive 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.139 in your 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:13.639 heart, 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.619 come to 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.059 church 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.939 every single 00:29:15.939 --> 00:29:16.899 week to 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.579 state the 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.059 case for 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.679 your innocence. 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.940 come to 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.539 do that. 00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:23.240 Then let 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.120 yourself be 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:25.400 found guilty 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:27.759 and then go 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.560 home justified. 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.620 That is 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:31.380 real religion. 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.960 I'm here, 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.539 Lord. 00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:35.740 Here's what's 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.100 happened. 00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.980 I'm guilty 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:40.100 and because of 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.539 you I'm 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.920 forgiven. 00:29:44.120 --> 00:29:44.720 Secondly, 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.600 real religion 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.320 also does 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:46.600 this. 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:46.940 Look at 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.820 verse 21 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.879 of chapter 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.480 44. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:50.480 It 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.179 remembers. 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.119 It 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:53.919 remembers 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:55.059 God. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.839 Look at 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.460 that verse. 00:29:59.460 --> 00:29:59.899 Remember 00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.599 these things, 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.139 O Jacob, 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.700 and Israel, 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.339 for you are 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:02.980 my servant. 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.480 I formed 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:04.740 you. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.519 You are 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.179 my servant. 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.379 O Israel, 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.200 you will not 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.919 be forgotten 00:30:08.919 --> 00:30:09.599 by me. 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.079 Short-term 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.899 memory loss 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:14.079 is the fast 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.960 track to 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.819 false religion. 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.579 Forgetting 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.039 who God 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.460 is and 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.860 what he's 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.240 done. 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.559 Lovely 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.460 contrast here, 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:23.740 isn't there, 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.480 in that verse, 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.759 verse 21. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:26.440 We've just 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.039 had the man 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.700 making his 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.019 idol, 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:28.819 his fuel, 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.200 his food, 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.740 his worship. 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:31.340 We've had a 00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:32.620 human making 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.299 the thing that 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.259 he worships. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.920 And how does 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.620 God follow it? 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.120 Straight away 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.940 in verse 21. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:39.079 Never forget, 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:40.559 I made 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.359 you. 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.440 I made 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:43.740 you, 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.200 my child. 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.460 But not 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.879 just that. 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.279 Look at the 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:48.980 contrast between 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.740 the start and 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.220 the end of 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.740 the verse. 00:30:51.419 --> 00:30:51.859 Israel, 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.519 my servant, 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.240 my child, 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:55.359 always remember 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.220 that I 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.179 never forget. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.440 Don't 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.399 forget that 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.299 I always 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.799 remember. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.480 You see 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.079 the principle? 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.200 Real religion 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:07.099 is never about 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:07.899 what we do 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.740 for God, 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:10.140 but what 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:10.799 he does 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.539 for us. 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.440 We don't 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.180 make things 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.720 for him. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.339 He made 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.440 us for 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:17.779 him. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.380 We don't 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:20.099 make things 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.680 to worship. 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.019 He made 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.759 us to 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.579 worship him. 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.500 Alec 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.019 Matir, 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.019 last time, 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:30.440 he says 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:30.859 this, 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:32.120 there is a 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:33.120 narrow dividing 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.920 line between 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.759 giving our 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.440 all in 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.400 devoted service 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:37.079 to Jesus 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.660 and 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:40.060 finding our 00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:41.220 all in 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.779 our devoted 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.560 service to 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:42.920 Jesus. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.940 There is a 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.740 narrow dividing 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.480 line between 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.160 giving our 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.560 all in 00:31:48.560 --> 00:31:49.360 devoted service 00:31:49.360 --> 00:31:49.940 to Jesus 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.279 and finding 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.019 our all 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:53.000 in our 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.800 devoted service 00:31:53.800 --> 00:31:54.340 to him. 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.259 Giving our 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.220 all is good, 00:31:57.040 --> 00:31:58.019 but finding 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.120 our all in 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:01.060 giving is 00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:01.820 not good. 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.480 Then Alec 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.060 Matir says 00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:05.340 this, 00:32:05.340 --> 00:32:05.920 it is why 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.820 many ministers 00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:08.019 struggle to 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.659 retire. 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:09.740 They have 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.720 lost that 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.139 which they 00:32:11.139 --> 00:32:11.679 were devoted 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:12.019 to. 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.599 They become 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.319 devoted to 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.059 the ministry, 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.359 not the 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.839 master. 00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.480 If you're 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.000 like me, 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.460 you will 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.019 know this 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.679 morning that 00:32:23.679 --> 00:32:24.220 you know 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:24.799 what it is 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:26.220 like to 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.619 slowly drift 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:29.079 from the 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.599 depths of 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.319 God's love 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.059 and compassion 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.819 and care and 00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.539 friendship for 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:33.859 you. 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.399 Do you 00:32:36.399 --> 00:32:36.639 know what 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.259 it's like to 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.059 lose that? 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.539 God's sense 00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:40.559 of delight in 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.200 you as his 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.599 child? 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.059 It's so easy 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.500 to do, 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:44.899 isn't it? 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.539 It happens 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.119 slowly. 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.460 God's grace 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.359 in our hearts 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.139 kind of 00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:50.579 leaks out 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.279 and goes 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.019 faint and 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.799 runs low. 00:32:56.639 --> 00:32:57.519 So we all 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:57.960 need to do 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.879 the final thing. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.200 Look at 00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.099 verse 22, 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:02.420 chapter 44. 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.000 I have 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.740 blotted out 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.799 your transgressions 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.680 like a cloud 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.960 and your sins 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.759 like mist. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.420 Return to 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:10.759 me, 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.440 for I have 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.159 redeemed you. 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.619 Remind God, 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.559 remember God, 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.759 return to 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.220 God. 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.859 Confession of 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.839 sin every week. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.159 Paul said 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:25.399 this, 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.200 didn't he? 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.139 It is never 00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:28.220 about entering 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.980 a world of 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.500 morbid 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.319 introspection 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:32.259 or self-hideal 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.859 gloominess. 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.939 How can it 00:33:33.939 --> 00:33:34.500 be when our 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.119 God is like 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:35.619 this in 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.419 verse 22? 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:39.259 Clouds that 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.779 roll through 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.399 the sky, 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.559 everything that's 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:41.979 happened in 00:33:41.979 --> 00:33:42.459 your past, 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:42.959 God says, 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:44.459 I just roll 00:33:44.459 --> 00:33:45.000 it out of 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.419 the way. 00:33:46.699 --> 00:33:47.599 That mist 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.299 in the morning 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:49.000 that's here 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:50.099 when you first 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:50.639 wake and then 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:51.319 is gone in 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:51.719 no time. 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:51.979 You don't 00:33:51.979 --> 00:33:52.500 even notice 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:52.959 it going. 00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:55.579 I treat 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.699 your sins 00:33:56.699 --> 00:33:57.759 like that. 00:33:57.759 --> 00:34:03.000 here is a 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.519 God who 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.460 always, 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:06.180 always leaves 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:06.640 the light 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:06.940 on. 00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:08.519 A God who 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.519 always puts 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:11.599 water by 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.420 the door for 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.099 us to wash 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.340 in. 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:14.840 A God who 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.900 always leaves 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.500 food on the 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.380 table, bread 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:19.039 and wine. 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.119 A God who 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:22.739 always, always 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:24.239 points back to 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.879 the cross of 00:34:24.879 --> 00:34:25.599 his son and 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:27.119 says, I 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:29.059 have redeemed 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.399 you. 00:34:30.819 --> 00:34:31.719 Look what I've 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.799 done, what 00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:33.319 I've given. 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:35.639 So won't you 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:37.539 return and 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.179 come back to 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.399 me? 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:40.919 Amen. 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.859 Let's pray 00:34:42.859 --> 00:34:43.679 briefly together.