WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.879 Country music legend Ronnie Millsap is coming to Pickens next May for the Blue Ridge Fest. 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:21.160 He was supposed to come this year, but he's coming back next year, right? 00:00:21.740 --> 00:00:22.160 Right. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:22.740 Okay. 00:00:23.480 --> 00:00:28.280 One of his hit songs was Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends. 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:33.700 If you don't know it, come up to me afterwards and I'll sing it for you and let you hear the good stuff. 00:00:35.120 --> 00:00:43.700 That song describes a man's fear that the story of him and his girlfriend might not end well. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:53.700 If you're a Christian, you never have to worry how the story of your life will end. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:57.220 You never have to worry. 00:00:57.380 --> 00:01:01.100 It will be a good ending if you're a Christian. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:06.600 Now, there are chapters in our lives that do not end well. 00:01:08.020 --> 00:01:11.300 Everybody has difficult times. 00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:16.640 We talked last week from Psalm 23, verse 4 about dark valleys in life. 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:18.320 But those are chapters. 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:33.140 We have assurance from Psalm 23, the most well-known chapter in the Bible that our lives, if we're Christians, will end well. 00:01:34.099 --> 00:01:37.120 We will live in the house of the Lord forever. 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:39.780 Last verse of Psalm 23. 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:42.799 For the past four weeks, this is what we've been looking at. 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:47.280 This most loved psalm. 00:01:48.079 --> 00:02:00.400 David has been describing how God is our good and faithful shepherd who takes care of us, his needy sheep, and provides everything that we need always. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:08.879 Well, today, we're going to begin in verse 5 and see that David makes a change in the way that he describes God and us. 00:02:08.879 --> 00:02:23.719 Now he pictures our heavenly father as a gracious host, a king who is hosting us as his special people at a great banquet. 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:32.319 But the point of verse, or the point of chapter of the 23rd Psalm remains the same whether God is a shepherd or a great host. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:36.379 He always takes care of us, his people. 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:38.340 Let's read it one more time. 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:39.439 We're going to finish it up today. 00:02:39.920 --> 00:02:40.960 Psalm 23. 00:02:41.860 --> 00:02:44.060 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 00:02:44.480 --> 00:02:46.620 He makes me to lie down in green pastures. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:48.840 He leads me beside still waters. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:50.460 He restores my soul. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:54.000 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 00:02:54.640 --> 00:03:00.500 Even though I'll walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:02.920 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:06.140 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 00:03:06.139 --> 00:03:08.079 You anoint my head with oil. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:10.339 My cup overflows. 00:03:10.859 --> 00:03:15.159 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:19.159 And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:30.900 In these verses, David is describing how the Lord takes care of his people now, our life here on earth, and forever. 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:35.340 In the world to come, in heaven as Christians. 00:03:35.340 --> 00:03:41.840 That's why we never have to worry how the story of our life is going to end. 00:03:43.140 --> 00:03:48.740 Let me add to that if we know Jesus is our Lord and Savior and God is our Heavenly Father. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:50.099 Let's look at it. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:51.960 The Lord takes care of us now. 00:03:52.640 --> 00:03:56.580 That's what he's talking about in verse 5 and the first part of verse 6. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:58.340 The Lord takes care of us graciously. 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:00.819 Let's look at that in verse 5. 00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:03.719 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 00:04:04.019 --> 00:04:05.439 You anoint my head with oil. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:07.280 My cup overflows. 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:19.800 David is describing the Lord in terms of a gracious king who is hosting a banquet for us as his honored guests. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:25.519 There's three things that the Lord does or provides at this banquet. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:26.159 Look at it. 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:28.300 You prepare a table before me. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:31.319 A king would prepare a great feast, wouldn't he? 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:33.360 That's the idea. 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:39.460 The next one's not as, it's not something we would think about. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:41.360 You've anoint my head with oil. 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:46.040 Many commentators say this was a common act of hospitality in ancient days. 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:52.900 The idea was that a host would provide perfumed oil for a guest. 00:04:52.899 --> 00:05:01.899 Because living in the Middle East and those arid places, when they came in, their skin's going to be wind and sunburned. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:05.139 And so the oil was for their face and forehead. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:06.500 It was soothing. 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:10.399 And it was perfumed. 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:19.299 And don't you know in a day with no deodorant and not taking showers regularly, that was appreciated more than anything by the guests. 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:22.399 Third, my cup overflows. 00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:24.779 All they could drink was provided. 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.419 The gracious host. 00:05:27.419 --> 00:05:29.399 Talking about his provision. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:32.019 How it's abundant. 00:05:32.239 --> 00:05:33.099 It's special. 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:35.100 It's just gracious. 00:05:36.700 --> 00:05:40.460 Note that David says, the Lord did this in the presence of my enemies. 00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:43.260 That's something we need to make note of. 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:52.780 He doesn't just provide for us, but he provides for us in the very presence of those who oppose us. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:54.420 What was David thinking? 00:05:54.420 --> 00:06:06.759 Maybe he was picturing a victory banquet where his enemies had been defeated and they were forced to watch this great banquet like prisoners of war. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:16.960 Or it could be that David is thinking about some of the people sitting around the table who just pretend to be his friends. 00:06:17.700 --> 00:06:20.180 But in time, they're going to be shown to be enemies. 00:06:20.740 --> 00:06:22.200 You know, that happened in David's life. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:30.240 There were people who were his friends, even family members, even sons who turned against him at various times. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:43.719 Either way, the point is that our Lord graciously takes care of us even in the presence of anyone or anything that we would consider our enemy. 00:06:43.919 --> 00:06:49.180 In other words, no enemy can ever stop God from doing what he wants to do in our life. 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:58.560 No enemy can ever stop God from accomplishing his good plan, Romans 8, 28, that he is working out in our lives. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:01.240 And that includes every kind of enemy. 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:04.060 No spiritual enemies, even the devil. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:15.920 The devil is powerful, but he is always, always under the hand of God. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:18.560 You can only do what God allows. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.500 We have human enemies, don't we? 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:33.300 Now what we're talking about here would be people who oppose us because we are Christians and believe God's word and seek to live by it. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:34.980 That would be the idea here. 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:38.360 And we're not talking about just an enemy who doesn't like you for various reasons. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:42.560 We're talking about enemies who would oppose us as God's people. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:46.360 No other kind of enemy can thwart God's plan. 00:07:46.620 --> 00:07:48.040 Think of things like sickness. 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:49.439 That's an enemy. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:53.720 Depression, fear, or even death. 00:07:55.399 --> 00:08:03.620 Nothing can stop God from working out his good plan in your life, in this world even. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:09.240 This is a good place to note, if we are Christians, we should have enemies. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:13.720 If you say, I have no enemies, that's not good. 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:26.600 That must mean that you're sort of a nothing in this world, never taking a stand, never believing anything, standing on any truth. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:36.680 Charles Spurgeon said, even if the good man has enemies, he would not be like his Lord if he did not. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:39.079 Spurgeon got that from Jesus. 00:08:39.819 --> 00:08:42.059 Here's an example from John 15. 00:08:42.859 --> 00:08:47.719 Jesus said, if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:55.699 But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:59.139 Remember the word that I said to you. 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:01.740 A servant is not greater than his master. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:06.159 If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:09.200 Think about this. 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:19.799 If we believe and obey God's word, we're going to be opposed by those who don't believe it. 00:09:20.620 --> 00:09:26.060 And just reject it as true and right. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:28.480 We see that happening more and more in our country, don't we? 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:30.139 Think about it. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:37.620 Issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, gender identity. 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:46.759 If we call sin what God calls sin, we're going to have many enemies. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:52.039 There's going to be times it could be costly. 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:55.899 You know what our response should be? 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.039 So be it. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:01.379 And Lord help me. 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:03.099 Help me to be faithful. 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:06.819 Help me to speak the truth in love. 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:12.279 Help me not to become like the world. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.699 Help me not to compromise. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:18.180 Help me to stay true to you. 00:10:18.180 --> 00:10:21.180 And never be ashamed. 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:31.420 Here in verse 5, David is picturing God as a gracious king and host who provides so much more than the basics for us. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:39.379 He's describing God as providing abundantly for us, his people. 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:46.059 This picture of God's graciousness is pictured in various ways throughout the whole Bible. 00:10:46.719 --> 00:10:50.679 Haddon Robinson, I think, does a great job in explaining this. 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:56.979 And if you're a Bible reader, you'll see exactly what he's talking about. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:04.339 He says, talking about God, with him, the calf is always the fatted calf. 00:11:04.599 --> 00:11:06.979 The robe is always the best robe. 00:11:07.339 --> 00:11:09.219 That comes from the story of the prodigal son. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:14.960 The joy is unspeakable and the peace passes understanding. 00:11:15.560 --> 00:11:17.879 There is no grudging in God's goodness. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:22.279 He does not measure his goodness by drops like a druggist filling a prescription. 00:11:22.660 --> 00:11:24.500 It comes to us in floods. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:29.180 If only we recognize the lavish abundance of his gifts. 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:33.480 What a difference it would make in our lives. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:51.620 God is being pictured here as someone who doesn't hold back in providing for us his gifts at his house at a great banquet. 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:57.759 Now, it is important that we understand this is not all the Bible says about how God works in our lives. 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:01.159 David is not saying life's always a party. 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:09.480 David is certainly not saying that we always have a super abundance. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:14.919 We're always treated like we're the special guests of honor at a party. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:22.219 Last week, in verse 4, we saw, talked about how God sometimes leads us through dark valleys. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:34.779 There are times in life that we are not experiencing life as an honored guest at a great banquet. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:44.180 There are times that we struggle and stumble through dark valley experiences. 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:53.459 So understand, there's a lot of different things that we experience in life, and Psalm 23 even points it out. 00:12:53.739 --> 00:13:02.579 But here, in verse 5, he's talking about how God does graciously bless us with good things. 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:11.420 And when you know that, when you experience that, you need to acknowledge this is a gift from God. 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:15.440 God is showing his grace to me. 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:18.580 God is blessing me. 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.580 Be thankful. 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:23.920 Enjoy his good gifts. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:31.799 But at the same time, enjoy him, the giver of those good gifts. 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:35.479 Now, let's just pause here and think about. 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:40.259 What do we usually dwell on? 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.419 Think about. 00:13:43.959 --> 00:13:44.879 Talk about. 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:48.379 It's just a general rule of life. 00:13:48.379 --> 00:14:01.779 Do you make it a point to regularly count your blessings and think about the gifts that God has given you graciously? 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:05.519 You didn't deserve it, but he's blessed you that way anyway. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:17.620 Do you stop and think more often than not about what all God has graciously done for you? 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:21.019 Out of his mercy and love and goodness? 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:27.899 And just thank him and enjoy him and what he's given you? 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:36.919 Or do you spend more time thinking about what you don't have? 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:40.919 About how bad life is? 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:46.580 And complain about what's going on? 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:49.740 And gripe about how unhappy you are. 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:53.160 What do you? 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:55.000 Which is you? 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:59.000 Ask your spouse. 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.000 Ask your children. 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:00.860 Ask your parents. 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.840 Which is you? 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.580 Which do you want to be known as? 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:09.639 Well, that's a decision you make. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:15.539 We can go through life counting our blessings. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.059 Enjoying them. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:23.340 Talking about God in this kind of positive way. 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:26.000 Giving us what we don't deserve. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:34.399 Or we can go around being negative, critical, never even acknowledging the good things kind of person. 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:47.240 If we're Christians, it should be obvious that even though we go through times of dark valleys, the Lord does take care of us. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.179 And he does it graciously. 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.740 He doesn't have to. 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.120 We don't deserve it. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:55.139 David also makes clear that he always will. 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.639 Look at this. 00:15:55.939 --> 00:15:57.399 The Lord takes care of us continuously. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:02.220 He says, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:07.240 Mercy is often translated love or loving kindness or steadfast love. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.060 It's there in some of your translations. 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:15.100 One commentator describes God's goodness as giving us what we do not deserve. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.139 That's like grace. 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:19.700 And mercy as withholding what we do deserve. 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:30.379 Several commentators really try to emphasize that the word follow doesn't mean sort of passively, 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:33.379 you know, dragging along. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:40.279 But the word follow actually means to pursue, to chase, to run after. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:43.320 That makes a difference to think about it that way. 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:46.379 Stephen Lawsley explains it in a real good way. 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.000 Look at this. 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:51.259 These two attributes of God, goodness and loving kindness, 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:57.139 actually represent God himself who is continually pursuing David. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:17:00.399 It is the figure of speech known as personification, 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:04.139 which assigns human-like qualities to inanimate objects. 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:08.420 To be sure, these two attributes represent God, 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:14.539 who is personally following David and caring for his every need. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:20.079 The idea is, this is how God pursues us. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:31.559 Here's an illustration of how God follows us, pursues us out of his goodness and mercy. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.899 Imagine yourself driving down the interstate. 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.579 Not much traffic. 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.980 You're just cruising along. 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:44.460 And all of a sudden, you glance up in your rearview mirror and there's that blue light right on your tail. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:49.079 You think to yourself, what is going on? 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:53.400 And as soon as you see that blue light, you glance down at your speedometer and it's on 90 miles an hour. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:56.860 You didn't mean to go that fast. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.460 There wasn't much traffic. 00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.700 The road was straight. 00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.840 The weather was clear. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.940 The car just sort of floated. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:07.059 90 miles an hour and the blue light flashing. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.680 Your heart sinks. 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:13.880 Because this is not the first time you've done 90 miles an hour on the interstate. 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:22.759 In fact, truth is, you've had so many tickets that if you get one more, you're going to lose your driver's license. 00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:30.700 And in these seconds, all this is going through your mind and you think, I'm going to lose my license. 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:39.480 And I'm not going to be able to take my spouse on that special vacation anytime soon that I promised we will go to Hilton Head this year. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.220 Well, you pull over. 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.819 You're sick at your stomach. 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:48.539 The patrolman walks up to your window. 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:52.519 But then he says something that just puts you in total shock. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:59.700 He looks at you and says, that motel you just left, I was there as well. 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:07.460 Well, they asked me to catch up with you if I can and give you your wallet that you left on the counter. 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:16.220 They also asked me to let you know that the drawing that you entered last night when you checked in, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:23.759 Well, they've had it this morning and you have won a free trip for two to Hilton Head. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:32.799 The patrolman pursued with good news. 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:42.200 The patrolman pursued and was merciful and didn't give you the ticket that you deserved. 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:45.940 That's the idea of how God pursues us. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.059 His people. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:53.039 And he promises, look at the passage, to do it all the days of our lives. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.240 Think about that. 00:19:56.120 --> 00:20:03.660 God pursues us with goodness and mercy or goodness and love, goodness and steadfast love. 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:06.640 Now, we've got to look at the big picture. 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:14.740 Sometimes God's steadfast love compels him to exercise tough love and discipline him, 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:19.180 discipline us because we won't listen to him. 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:23.480 That's what the writer of the Hebrews is describing in Hebrews 12. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.920 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves. 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:29.480 Sometimes one of the ways that God pursues us, 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:31.880 because we're hard-headed, bull-headed, 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:34.000 we won't listen, we won't cooperate. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:40.339 Sometimes he pursues us out of love to discipline us. 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:43.519 Think about that. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:47.259 That's not God's preferred way. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.000 Think about it as a parent. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:59.439 As a parent, you want to be able to speak to your child kindly, nicely, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:03.200 and let them know what they need to do 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:07.580 with the hope that they'll listen and they'll obey 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:09.660 and there's no conflict. 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.640 There's no frustration. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:15.620 There's no sticks involved. 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:18.180 But if you're a good parent, 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:23.360 if they don't listen to the kind words, 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:26.180 you're not going to let them get by. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.600 You love them too much. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:31.140 So you're going to be more stern. 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:34.480 You may need to bring out the stick. 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:39.580 You may need to discipline very firmly. 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:42.340 But the preferred way 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:45.799 is the grace and mercy and things like that. 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:48.200 That's God's preferred way. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.799 I want you to look at a passage in Romans chapter 2. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:56.379 It's in the context, beginning in Romans 1, 18 through about chapter 3, verse 20. 00:21:57.059 --> 00:22:01.759 Paul is describing how all people are guilty of sin against God 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.359 and all people are without excuse. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:08.119 But in the context of describing people's sinfulness and things like that, 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.740 look at what he says. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:28.940 God works in us like the psalmist is talking here. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.099 Goodness. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.539 Mercifully. 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:39.740 Wanting to teach us. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.139 Lead us. 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.659 Correct us. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.960 He does this. 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:49.259 His preferred way is way of love. 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:52.539 I think one of the best descriptions of how our Heavenly Father pursues us 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.920 with goodness and mercy 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:56.180 is found in the story of the prodigal son. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:59.920 Chuck Swindoll describes this very well. 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:00.720 Look at this. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:01.920 He says, 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:05.200 I am convinced that one of the reasons the prodigal son came to himself 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.400 and finally returned home 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:11.920 was because of the kind of father he had. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:13.539 And I know this is Father's Day. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:17.140 This is the ideal father here. 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:22.580 There is no magnet with a stronger pull than genuine love. 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.140 Love has drawn back more wanderers 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:29.740 and softened more hearts than this world will ever know. 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:35.940 It is fitting then that you and I are followed all the days of our lives 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:38.599 by goodness and loving kindness. 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:41.880 God knows what will best do the job. 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.240 Mark it down, my friend. 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:45.559 God knows how to deal with his children. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:48.240 More specifically, he knows how to deal with you. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:52.319 His dealings follow you all the days of your life. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:57.259 Your circumstances right now are part of his plan for you. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:24:00.379 How is God dealing with you right now? 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.200 Today. 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:06.440 This period of time in your life. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:11.279 Is he pursuing you with goodness and love? 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:14.519 Or respond to him likewise. 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.960 And keep in mind that Jesus said, 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:21.819 the way you express your love is through obedience. 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:24.799 Look at what Jesus said in John 14. 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:27.519 Jesus answered him, if anyone loves me, 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:32.259 he will keep my word and my father will love him 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:36.079 and we will come to him and make our home with him. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:42.079 God can exercise tough love. 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.399 He knows how. 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:47.559 We've all experienced it at various times. 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:51.960 So we can exercise tough love if necessary and discipline us. 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:56.299 But we can avoid some of God's discipline 00:24:56.299 --> 00:25:01.779 by willingly responding to his goodness and mercy 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:04.360 with obedience. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.500 A good attitude. 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.779 Loving him in return. 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:14.559 If we belong to the Lord, 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:17.839 he promises to take care of us now. 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:20.339 All the days of our life. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.779 But that's not the final word of this psalm. 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.440 Look at this. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:26.000 The Lord takes care of us forever. 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.859 The last part of verse six. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:30.000 And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.980 David found comfort 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.940 in the thought 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:36.639 of living in the house of the Lord 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:36.779 forever. 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.379 Forever. 00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:37.579 Forever. 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:40.119 What was he talking about? 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:43.420 Well, I think Jesus has the best commentary 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:45.279 on what David's talking about 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.619 in John chapter 14. 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.259 Look at this. 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.500 Jesus said, 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.759 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.319 Believe in God. 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.539 Believe also in me. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.759 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.160 If it were not so, 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.379 would I have told you 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:59.700 that I go prepare a place for you? 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.859 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.240 I will come again 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:05.899 and will take you to myself. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.980 that where I am, 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.940 you may be also. 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:13.980 You see the source of the comfort 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:17.220 that both David and Jesus describes 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:19.880 in terms of the house of the Lord 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.860 or the Father's house? 00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:24.519 It's not a real structure, 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.960 a building. 00:26:27.560 --> 00:26:28.700 It's all about 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.840 who is in the house 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:33.280 that makes it special. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:36.740 What makes my house special 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:39.920 is the fact that Lisa lives with me. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:43.059 What makes my house special 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:45.139 is that my children and grandchildren 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:46.420 come there every Sunday 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.519 and we eat lunch together. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:51.680 That's what makes your house special. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.500 The people. 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:56.559 It has nothing to do with 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:58.379 the building materials, 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.299 the layout, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.220 without the design. 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.599 What makes a home 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:07.000 special 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:10.139 are the people 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:12.220 who are there. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:15.220 What makes heaven special 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:18.339 is the presence of Jesus 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:21.099 first and foremost. 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:23.299 But there will also be 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.319 Christians in heaven 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:26.879 that we know and love 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.539 who've died 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.519 and got there 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.480 before we did. 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:33.019 That's comforting to me. 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.519 You know, 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.819 every single one of us 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.299 in this room, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.139 we're going to die 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:38.599 and we don't know 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.299 when it's going to be. 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.740 I don't want it to be today. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.519 But if it is, 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:47.579 I'm not really afraid. 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.240 I don't want to hurt. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:49.980 You know, 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:51.259 I don't want it to be bad 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.900 when it happens. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.140 I don't know 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.779 what it'll be like. 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:57.099 But whenever it happens, 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.099 I am confident 00:27:59.099 --> 00:28:00.740 based on 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:02.200 the Word of God 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:05.079 that when I close my eyes 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.880 to life in this world, 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.900 I'm going to open them 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.420 immediately 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.140 in the presence 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:10.519 of the Lord Jesus Himself 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:13.799 and family members 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.440 and friends 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:15.380 that I know 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.980 and love 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:18.500 who've gone to heaven 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.119 before me, 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.500 you can have 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.900 that same confidence, 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.099 assurance. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.920 The 23rd Psalm 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.440 is one of the most 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.180 comforting passages 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.779 in Scripture. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.619 If you know the Lord 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.920 as you're a good shepherd 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.960 and gracious host. 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.660 And the only way 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.579 that that can ever be 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.400 is if Jesus Christ 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:41.599 is your Savior and Lord. 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:41.900 In fact, 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.240 Jesus is the way 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.039 to a right relationship 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.539 with the Father. 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.440 On in John 14 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.180 that we read from 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.740 a moment ago, 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.940 Jesus said to him, 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:49.940 I am the way 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.460 and the truth 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.019 and the life. 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.279 No one comes 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.799 to the Father 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.779 except through me. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.480 No one earns heaven. 00:28:58.060 --> 00:29:00.180 No one does good 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.380 and gets heaven. 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.799 The only way to heaven 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:05.039 is to admit 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:06.120 we don't deserve it. 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.420 We cannot earn it. 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.500 That we are sinners 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.360 and we've separated 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:10.480 ourselves from God 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.759 by our sin. 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:14.660 And we hate that. 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.480 So we repent of that. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.440 We change our minds 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.359 about living that way. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.319 And we put our trust 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.779 in Jesus 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.519 and he's done everything 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.640 necessary to make us 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.400 right with God. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.480 He paid the penalty 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.099 for our sins 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.960 when he died on the cross. 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.319 He lived a perfect life 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.039 and that is credited 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.980 to us as well. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.599 If you don't know Christ 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.400 as your Lord and Savior, 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.180 call upon him 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:34.160 to save you now. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.420 That is the only way 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.619 you can be right with God 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.720 and live with him forever. 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:42.140 Make sure you know him now. 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.420 Make sure you are 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:46.220 close to him now. 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.620 Make sure you are expressing 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:51.059 your love to him 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:52.220 in the way 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.660 that he said 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:55.000 it must be expressed 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:57.519 by obeying him. 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:59.240 Let's pray together. 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.460 Father, 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.120 show us now 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:05.000 how we need to respond 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:07.980 that we might 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:09.680 be able to read 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:11.259 the 23rd Psalm 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:14.559 and really experience 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.819 your presence 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.900 and your comfort 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.779 and your assurance 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.779 that we'll live for you, 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:22.400 we'll live with you forever. 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.599 Father, 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.200 if there's Christians 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.759 in this room 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.680 who have drifted away 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.740 or rebelled, 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:33.279 help them to know 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.819 that if they really 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.579 belong to you, 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:36.519 you won't let them go. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.579 You will exercise 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.519 tough love 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.960 and discipline them. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.599 But Lord, 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.880 help every Christian 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.299 in this room 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:46.859 to understand 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:48.160 that's not your preferred way. 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.339 You prefer 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:54.559 to love us, 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.900 show us mercy 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.660 and grace, 00:30:58.660 --> 00:31:01.279 and bless us 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.119 in those ways. 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:07.119 Father, 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.180 we need your help 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.900 to know the truth. 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.940 We need your 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:14.160 enablement 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:17.599 to respond 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.140 to the truth, 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.980 to live it, 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:21.339 even to desire it. 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:24.059 Give it to us. 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.200 Help us. 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.440 Let's just be 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:28.619 still and quiet 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.220 and prayerful 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.779 and respond to the Lord 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:32.000 as he's speaking 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.680 during this time. 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.660 if the Lord 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:36.240 will good 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.060 and España 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.240 do 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.120 and 00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:42.320 help us 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:42.539 know, 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.620 a retractable 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:43.680 means 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.060 that we 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:44.220 deliver it 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.200 to the Lord 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.140 and they 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.640 come ali 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:46.860 to God 00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:48.140 and irrump 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.140 it. 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:51.560 Tell us 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.500 he said a evil 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.120 Emer dope 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:53.279 e 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.660 ever 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:53.860 광 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.299 ago 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.840 in 00:31:54.840 --> 00:31:55.200 Indiana 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.299 and 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.299 there's just 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:58.180 that he's 00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.460 going to 00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.560 do 00:31:59.560 --> 00:32:00.080 for