WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.919 Thanks very much, Al, for reading that for us. I'm just going to pray very briefly before we get going in this psalm. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:18.580 Heavenly Father, we do ask you to draw near to us this morning and open our ears, give us soft hearts as you speak to us. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:25.260 And I just pray that you would give me the right words to say, Lord, as I share this psalm with everybody here. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:27.100 And we ask that in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:34.800 Amen. So I wonder if you in life, if you've ever found yourself going through the motions. 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:44.540 I wonder if you've ever found it easy to coast along in life, just getting by day to day. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.380 Maybe you've slipped into the mentality at times of living for the weekend. 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:55.480 We've heard that people speaking that way, living for the weekend. 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:59.119 Or maybe you have found yourself living for the holidays. 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:05.739 And maybe if you're a teacher, that's quite an easy thing to do with those big holidays. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:10.120 Maybe you've slipped into that mentality of going through the motions. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:13.659 Maybe your view of work isn't the best. 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:19.920 Maybe your heart just isn't in your work or in what you're doing. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:22.320 I wonder if you've ever felt that way. 00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:26.820 I remember, so before I did this job, I worked as an engineer for a while. 00:01:26.820 --> 00:01:37.980 And I remember very early on in my work as an engineer, in the coffee station, a few of us from our team were going through and making some coffees. 00:01:37.980 --> 00:01:42.159 And I remember one of my colleagues saying, isn't it just wonderful? 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:44.100 We've made it to Wednesday. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:47.439 Oh, we're on our way to the weekend. 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:48.420 We're more than halfway. 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:55.400 And I just remember thinking, gosh, how have you slipped into that mentality of living for the weekend? 00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:00.280 We've still got a whole two days, three days if you include today. 00:02:00.380 --> 00:02:04.380 There's more days left in this week than there is in the weekend. 00:02:05.100 --> 00:02:06.900 How have you slipped into that mentality? 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:11.740 I think her heart just wasn't in it in her work. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:13.620 She was going through the motions. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:16.580 And it can be really easy for us to do that as well. 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:21.480 But I wonder if you've ever gone through the motions in your faith. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:24.460 Is your heart in it? 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:29.780 Are you going through the motions when God is trying to speak to you? 00:02:31.540 --> 00:02:36.400 Maybe you have found it quite tempting to coast through a Sunday message. 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:39.360 Maybe not paying any attention at all. 00:02:40.260 --> 00:02:41.900 Happily daydreaming along. 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:47.360 Are you going through the motions when you praise God? 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:49.960 When you sing to God? 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:52.259 Are you just singing for singing's sake? 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:54.819 Are you thinking about what you're singing? 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:58.680 Are you going through the motions when you serve him? 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:03.000 When you serve God, are you doing it because you love him? 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:07.020 Are you going through the motions in your faith? 00:03:07.980 --> 00:03:13.920 Are you content to crack on with life and not care about being transformed by the word of God? 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:20.060 Or maybe you're here this morning and you're pretending to be a Christian. 00:03:20.839 --> 00:03:22.500 You say all the right things. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:24.879 You do all the right things. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:28.979 To all intents and purposes, you look like a genuine believer. 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:32.259 But deep down, you're rejecting Jesus. 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:41.280 I think we all need to sit up and take notice this morning because God cares about where our hearts are this morning. 00:03:41.579 --> 00:03:44.120 Whether we are genuine believers or not. 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:50.139 God has left us Psalm 50, which speaks all about our heart posture. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:56.219 And Psalm 50 cuts straight through our congregation this morning. 00:03:56.359 --> 00:04:01.399 And it divides the collective people of God who gather together before him. 00:04:02.519 --> 00:04:06.399 And it speaks to the two camps who are here this morning. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:11.119 Those who are faithfully following Jesus and those who are not. 00:04:12.579 --> 00:04:15.419 And I think there's a possible third category. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:17.459 And I just want to say a word to you. 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:21.639 Maybe you are here this morning and you are earnestly seeking the Lord Jesus. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:24.099 But maybe you're not quite sure yet. 00:04:24.799 --> 00:04:26.379 You're exploring these things. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:29.339 And that is wonderful. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:31.180 And you're really welcome here this morning. 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:38.359 And I say to those people in that third camp, do sit and listen to what we have to say today. 00:04:38.359 --> 00:04:46.879 And yeah, maybe that will give you some more things to consider as you weigh up whether to follow this Jesus or not. 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:50.500 But we're going to look at this Psalm in three parts. 00:04:50.799 --> 00:04:51.739 So do keep it open. 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.099 We're going to look, first of all, verses 1 to 6. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:57.519 How God summons and speaks to his people. 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:03.099 Then in verses 7 to 15, God testifies against coasting Christians. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:09.240 And then verses 16 to 21, God testifies against pretend Christians. 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:11.980 So God is pulling no punches here in Psalm 50. 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:13.980 It's a serious word this morning. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:16.800 But let's look at the first six verses. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:21.120 God summons and speaks to his people. 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:26.720 So you may have noticed Psalm 50 has a really dramatic and powerful opening. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:31.400 Let's have a closer look at these verses. 00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:39.440 So God is drawing back the curtain of reality so that we can see into the spiritual realm. 00:05:39.760 --> 00:05:40.920 That is what God is doing. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:43.120 And we see a heavenly courtroom. 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:46.100 Have you ever been to court? 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:47.460 I wonder. 00:05:47.459 --> 00:05:51.120 This is Inverness Castle. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:53.500 I grew up just north of Inverness. 00:05:54.579 --> 00:05:58.259 And people would joke in Inverness that the only way to see inside this castle 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:03.799 was by committing a crime and attending the court that was inside it. 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:06.779 I've still never seen the inside of Inverness Castle. 00:06:07.919 --> 00:06:09.379 Have you ever been to court? 00:06:09.479 --> 00:06:11.379 Well, hopefully you weren't in the dock. 00:06:12.139 --> 00:06:13.599 But maybe as a juror. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:20.760 And here in this powerful prophetic vision of this heavenly realm, 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:24.400 we see God, the mighty judge. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:29.760 And we see in verse 1 that God speaks and he summons the earth. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:31.939 We read in verse 4, 00:06:32.080 --> 00:06:38.040 he summons the heavens above and the earth that he may judge his people. 00:06:38.820 --> 00:06:40.140 And then in verse 6, 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:43.500 the heavens proclaim that he's a righteous God of justice. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.560 God is a judge. 00:06:47.320 --> 00:06:52.660 And he summons his gathered people to come and be judged. 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:55.600 But he is no human judge. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:59.800 He's not the fellow that sits up the front of the woman with the curly wig. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:04.140 In verse 1, he's called by three of his names. 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:05.379 Not just one, but three. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:06.240 Did you notice that? 00:07:06.340 --> 00:07:07.860 He is the mighty one. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:10.139 He is God himself. 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:14.259 And he is the capital L-O-R-D. 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:15.040 The Lord. 00:07:15.580 --> 00:07:20.560 The one who makes and keeps covenant promises with his people. 00:07:21.960 --> 00:07:25.420 Then in verse 2, it tells us a little bit more about what he's like. 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:28.819 His glory is bursting out of his heavenly realm. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:31.960 He is perfect in beauty. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:36.099 Verse 3, he comes with fire. 00:07:36.739 --> 00:07:40.579 A fire which devours everything before it. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:43.899 Think of those wildfires that we sometimes see on the news 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:47.199 that rip through tender dry forests, 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:48.359 tender dry forests, 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:50.779 and they devour everything in their path. 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:58.759 Our God is surrounded by a raging, tempestuous fire. 00:07:59.799 --> 00:08:04.219 He is an all-powerful, beautifully glorious, 00:08:04.599 --> 00:08:07.899 yet terrifying and awesome judge. 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:10.639 And if we were to see a vision like this one, 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:14.799 we would be absolutely petrified before him. 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:22.160 And he is the same judge who summons us to come and listen to him today. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:28.879 Now, these verses, the first six verses of Psalm 50, 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:32.240 they're supposed to remind us of two scenes from the Bible. 00:08:32.820 --> 00:08:34.759 So the first one is from the past. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:38.600 So there's one from the past, which we'll look at first of all. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:41.639 And then there's a vision, sorry, a scene from the future 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:44.040 that we are also reminded of. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:48.920 So here's some verses from Exodus 19. 00:08:48.920 --> 00:08:53.480 And in Exodus 19, God gathered his people before him at Mount Sinai, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:59.220 and they were utterly terrified by his presence on the mountain. 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:01.820 They were petrified before him. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:05.519 And it says these words in verse 18. 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:14.000 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire. 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:18.939 The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:23.059 and the whole mountain trembled violently. 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:27.259 So God came to them on the mountain. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.799 His presence was there. 00:09:29.319 --> 00:09:30.120 They were terrified. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:32.799 And God made a covenant with them, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:36.299 a commitment to be their God 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:40.879 and to make them his treasured possession 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:45.340 if they will likewise dedicate themselves to him, 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:48.759 him alone, and live according to his rules. 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:52.379 So this was a covenant that God made with his people at Mount Sinai. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:57.879 And this covenant was sealed by offering sacrificial animal blood. 00:09:57.879 --> 00:10:01.320 That was what they did to seal these promises. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:07.139 So that was Exodus 19, a scene from the past that we're reminded of. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:09.399 And now for a scene in the future, 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:14.299 a day in the future that we read about in Revelations chapter 20. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:16.919 And I'm just going to read these verses. 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.639 Then I saw a great white throne, 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:23.919 And him who was seated on it. 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:26.000 And then just skipping on a few words. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:29.319 And I saw the dead, great and small, 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:31.039 standing before the throne, 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:33.259 and books were opened. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.620 Another book was opened, 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:37.319 which is the book of life. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:41.519 The dead were judged according to what they had done 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:44.700 as recorded in the books. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:47.860 So Psalm 50 is also a picture of the day to come 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:50.720 when God will judge all people 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:53.140 according to how they lived their lives. 00:10:53.640 --> 00:10:55.520 Whether they've lived for Jesus 00:10:55.520 --> 00:10:57.940 or whether they've lived for themselves. 00:10:59.540 --> 00:11:02.560 So this God who is dazzlingly glorious, 00:11:03.040 --> 00:11:04.520 who's fiercely mighty, 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:07.640 whose presence is a literal furnace, 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:10.120 this is the one that we worship 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:12.700 and who speaks to us this morning. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:15.899 And he is the one who we will have to give an account to 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.440 on that final day. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.720 So are we paying attention to him? 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:24.500 Or are we content to keep going through the motions? 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:29.200 Okay, let's look at our next point. 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:33.100 So God testifies against coasting Christians. 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:36.799 So we've already seen that God is an awesome judge. 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:40.959 He summons and he speaks to his people. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.099 But now in verse seven, 00:11:42.199 --> 00:11:43.719 he takes the witness stand 00:11:43.719 --> 00:11:48.419 and he testifies against his covenant people. 00:11:49.439 --> 00:11:52.959 God says, listen, my people, and I will speak. 00:11:53.459 --> 00:11:56.179 I will testify against you, Israel. 00:11:56.699 --> 00:11:58.519 I am God, your God. 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:01.740 I'm the God you entered into a covenant 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:04.559 committed relationship with. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:08.079 But there is something I'm not happy about. 00:12:09.099 --> 00:12:13.379 Why is God taking issue with his people in this psalm? 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:16.879 What does he seek to correct in his people? 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:20.839 Well, we see in verse eight that God says, 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:22.979 I'm not rebuking for your sacrifices 00:12:22.979 --> 00:12:24.959 or your burnt offerings. 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:29.539 So that's just a wee image of the temple worship, 00:12:29.839 --> 00:12:33.199 burnt offerings that were offered for sin. 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:36.140 And God says, I'm not rebuking you for these things, 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.700 for your sacrifices. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:39.500 You're actually very good 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:42.200 at offering your sacrifices to me. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:47.580 Now, I don't need your bulls or your goats. 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:50.200 Don't you remember that they are mine already? 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:53.259 Every animal of the forest, 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:55.800 all the cattle on a thousand hills. 00:12:56.020 --> 00:12:57.340 And if you think about that for a moment, 00:12:57.420 --> 00:12:58.379 that is a lot of cattle. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:01.379 Every bird in the mountains, 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.879 every insect in the fields, 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.820 all animals in every place on this earth, 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:09.639 they are mine already, he says. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.740 Verse 12, we read, 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:14.320 the whole world is mine and everything in it. 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:18.340 This is not about the sacrifices that you offer, 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:20.700 that my law stipulates. 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:23.600 You're very good at offering me those sacrifices. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:28.480 But don't you know that I own it all already? 00:13:29.640 --> 00:13:31.160 This isn't just about the animals. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:34.259 And then he goes on in verses 12 and 13, 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:37.400 and he's talking about the people feeding him. 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:39.520 And that's quite a strange image 00:13:39.520 --> 00:13:42.100 because we know that God is spirit and he doesn't eat. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.820 But what does God mean when he says this? 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:46.600 What God is saying is, 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:48.060 I don't need you to feed me. 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:52.520 I won't wither away if you fail to give me your bulls and goats. 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:57.540 So under this old covenant that we thought about a minute ago, 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.340 when God came down to them on the mountain, 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:02.700 he made them this covenant promise to be their God. 00:14:03.260 --> 00:14:04.520 Under this old covenant, 00:14:05.180 --> 00:14:07.840 sacrificing animals and offering their blood 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:12.080 was the means that God chose to cover over sin. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.080 But he says in Psalm 50, 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:15.980 it's never been about the animals. 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:20.580 What God really cares about in his people 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:23.540 is the heart behind the sacrifice. 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:29.520 Now we see parallels to this in some other Psalms 00:14:29.520 --> 00:14:32.080 and perhaps the most memorable similarity 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:35.040 to this idea of it being about the heart, 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:37.000 we see in Psalm 51. 00:14:37.140 --> 00:14:38.840 And we're actually going to go there next Sunday 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:42.519 and Colin Adams is going to come and preach Psalm 51 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.460 to us next week. 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:45.879 But it says in Psalm 51, 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:50.720 you do not delight in sacrifice or I would bring it. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:53.879 You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 00:14:55.280 --> 00:14:59.019 My sacrifice, oh God, is a broken spirit, 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:01.580 a broken and contrite heart. 00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:04.440 You, God, will not despise. 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:06.960 So David in this moment, 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:11.020 he has sinned terribly before God 00:15:11.020 --> 00:15:12.880 and he's utterly broken before God. 00:15:13.900 --> 00:15:15.960 And David recognizes that God cares 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:19.880 about the heart posture behind the religious action. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:25.420 In this case, God cares about David's repentant heart 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:29.920 rather than David offering the right sacrifice for his sin. 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:32.819 So it's Psalm 51. 00:15:32.979 --> 00:15:36.759 But what heart posture is God seeking in Psalm 50? 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:40.059 Well, I think the key verses are verse 14 and 15. 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:42.699 You can look at them again now. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.099 God says, 00:15:45.599 --> 00:15:48.559 sacrifice, thank offerings to God. 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:51.579 Fulfill your vows to the Most High 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:55.779 and call on me in the day of trouble. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:59.279 God desires gratitude. 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.919 God desires commitment. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:06.279 God desires dependence in his people. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.339 God says, 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:11.799 instead of offering bull after goat after bull, 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.600 give me your heart. 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.939 Serve me because you love me. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:21.659 Depend on me because you can't depend on yourself. 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:26.319 By going through the motions of worship 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:29.579 without giving God the devotion he desires, 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:33.480 the Israelites' worship has become empty. 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:39.839 Now, here today, I think that maybe 00:16:39.839 --> 00:16:42.600 our worship has become empty. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:47.039 Are we going through the motions in our faith? 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:50.360 Are we just coming to church because we know we should 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:52.820 rather than because we want to? 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:56.120 Maybe it would look bad if we didn't show up. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:00.539 Are we nodding along and saying our amens in church 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:03.519 without giving any thought to what is being prayed? 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.900 Are we singing to God mindlessly? 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.980 Are we thinking about what we're singing? 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:12.380 Are we offering him empty words? 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:15.960 Are we serving him on the church rota 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:17.560 because we love Jesus? 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:22.500 Or because we think our church needs us? 00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:26.560 Do we serve God because God needs us? 00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:28.540 Does he need our skills? 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:33.220 Remember, God has said he doesn't need anything from us. 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.320 He owns it all already. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:39.480 We ought to examine ourselves this morning. 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.779 And I find this a challenge as well. 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:45.799 As I serve you guys as a pastor in training, 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.839 am I doing this role because I love Jesus? 00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:52.099 Or am I just going through the motions, 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.439 just trying to get by, 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.559 just getting through that next sermon? 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:58.960 This is a challenge to us all. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:03.379 And earlier we thought about the difference that Jesus makes. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:06.399 So Jesus makes a big difference to us today 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:08.960 as Christians living after the cross. 00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:12.599 I actually meant to say this paragraph, 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:16.200 but in the excitement of the moment I skipped it. 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:18.299 But basically what I was going to say a little bit early on 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:21.259 when we thought about that old covenant, new covenant, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:23.259 we know today that Jesus, 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:26.000 by offering himself as a sacrifice, 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.539 by offering his blood on the cross, 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:30.539 Jesus seals this new covenant. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.319 Jesus' blood seals this new covenant for us today. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:37.319 God commits to forgiving us and calling us his people 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.619 and helping us through life 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:41.440 and preserving us and bringing us to be with him in heaven 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:43.640 if we will trust in his son Jesus. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:46.180 And Jesus' blood seals that promise, 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.559 this new covenant. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:52.480 Now, so Jesus makes a big difference for us 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:55.119 living today as Christians post-cross, 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:57.440 so living after the events of the cross. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:01.000 And we know that in Jesus' life, 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:03.039 he never went through the motions. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:10.279 His life was marked with total gratitude to the Father, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:13.179 total commitment to God's will, 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:16.440 and complete dependence on the Father. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:22.099 And we, living today as Christians, as his people, 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:26.019 we are covered by his perfect record. 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:30.480 Now, we know we struggle to live as God desires. 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.200 Sometimes we do lose focus. 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:34.379 Sometimes we're not thinking about what we're saying, 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:36.299 what we're reading, what we're praying. 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.759 And that's okay. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:43.419 Jesus knows that we struggle to live as God desires. 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:46.100 But when God looks at us, 00:19:46.300 --> 00:19:48.279 he sees Jesus' perfection, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:50.120 that unblemished life, 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.779 that perfect record. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:56.259 But also, Jesus has left us his Holy Spirit 00:19:56.259 --> 00:20:02.080 to help Christians to live a life of complete devotion to God. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:08.740 So look to him for help as you seek to live in devotion to God. 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:11.460 Not having empty worship before him. 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:14.240 Not saying empty words, but giving him your heart. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.679 So God speaks to coasting Christians, 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:23.960 but now God testifies against pretend Christians. 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:28.500 We're going to look at the last few verses. 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:32.100 And the psalmist could easily have stopped at the end of verse 15. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:35.140 That would have been quite a succinct ending, 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.240 quite complete. 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.680 But God has not finished speaking. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:42.480 He remains in the witness stand in that court. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:45.120 And in verse 16, he says, 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:48.000 I'm going to testify against the wicked person now. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.659 I have some words for you. 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:53.559 When God testifies against the wicked person, 00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:54.759 who are we talking about? 00:20:55.679 --> 00:20:56.699 Who are the wicked? 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:59.679 Well, I think in the context of this passage, 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.879 the wicked were Israelites 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:03.959 who were part of the people of God, 00:21:04.219 --> 00:21:06.799 part of the gathered congregation of God. 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:10.439 But in their hearts, they were rejecting God. 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:12.619 That is key. 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:14.739 They were part of the people of God, 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:16.299 but deep down, they didn't believe it. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:18.099 They didn't believe that God was good. 00:21:19.479 --> 00:21:21.959 In verses 16 and 17, God says, 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:25.819 What right have you to recite my laws 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:28.239 or take my covenant on your lips? 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.599 You hate my instruction. 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:33.079 You cast my words behind you. 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:37.179 You are a hypocrite if you call me one of your people. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:40.079 Yet you do these things. 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.759 You cast my word behind you. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.879 You shut down your ears and your heart 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.839 and you say, 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:47.299 No, I don't want to hear what you have to say. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:50.680 When God's word is spoken, 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.779 he speaks it to our hearts. 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:54.839 There's something supernatural going on 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.960 when we read his word, 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:58.039 when we have it taught to us. 00:21:58.619 --> 00:22:00.460 He speaks it to our hearts. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.759 He convicts us of our sin. 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:05.140 He draws us near to himself. 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:08.280 But the wicked person hates it 00:22:08.280 --> 00:22:10.080 when God speaks to their heart, 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.100 when he convicts them. 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:14.400 They hate it and they reject it. 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.140 They cast it behind them, 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:17.460 as the psalm says. 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.000 I don't want to hear it. 00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:23.840 Now, I distinctly remember a time in my life 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:27.080 when God was speaking to my heart. 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:31.779 He was telling me to submit myself to him. 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:32.759 He said, 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:34.779 Craig, give me your heart. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:36.639 Listen. 00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:40.199 But I would keep drawing down the shutters. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:43.000 I remember drawing down the shutters 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.919 Sunday after Sunday 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:44.379 and saying, 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:46.720 No, I don't want to do it. 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.559 I don't want to listen. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:51.319 God wanted to soften and soften my heart 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:53.299 and for me to submit myself to him. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.659 And he was persistent. 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:58.740 When God challenges you about something, 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:01.039 when he convicts you in your heart, 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.059 when he asks you to submit, 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.359 do not cast it behind you. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.399 This is a serious word that he speaks to us 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:10.319 in verse 50, Psalm 50. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:14.099 God continues in verse 17. 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.579 He says, 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.059 You're a hypocrite. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.559 If you call yourself one of my people, 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:20.579 yet behind the scenes, 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.659 you are doing everything 00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:25.039 that the other wicked people are doing. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.399 Do we see that? 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.639 In the verses, 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.440 you are stealing from others. 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:32.440 You're committing adultery. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.579 Behind the scenes, 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:37.319 you are using your words to deceive people. 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.619 You're lying to people. 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:41.319 You're using your words to harm people 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:43.000 and throw them under the bus. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.859 You're using your words 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:46.179 to slander those people 00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:47.259 who are close to you, 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.899 even those that you love. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:51.079 You're willing to throw them under the bus. 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:54.740 Now, these actions are obviously wicked. 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:58.759 But what God says is truly wicked 00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:01.359 is to call yourself a Christian 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:03.079 while you're doing all these things in secret. 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:07.740 God continues his rebuke 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.960 to pretend Christians. 00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:10.599 And that's key. 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:12.500 God is speaking to pretend Christians 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.199 in these verses. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:16.159 And in verse 21, he says, 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:18.220 When you do all these things 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.839 and I keep silent, 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.399 you think you're getting away with it. 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.019 If God isn't confronting me 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.079 as I do these things, 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.679 maybe it must be fine. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.679 I'm getting away with it. 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:34.900 I think it's extremely sobering 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:36.740 when we stop and we imagine 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:39.900 how much evil has been done on this earth 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:41.440 that nobody has witnessed 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.100 and nobody will ever know about. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.980 And I wonder how many wicked people 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:48.600 in this earth have done these things 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:51.100 and who think they've gotten away with it. 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:54.259 Well, we know that God sees everything. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:57.579 And God says to wicked pretend Christians 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:59.619 who've been doing all sorts of evil 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.319 behind the scenes 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.799 while presenting themselves 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:03.480 as one of God's people, 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.379 God says, 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.480 I have been silent, 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.920 but now I rebuke you. 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:13.119 And I set my accusations before you. 00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:16.039 Don't take God's silence 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.879 to mean that you're in the clear. 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:20.279 God has been gathering evidence 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.900 of your evil hypocrisy 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.060 and he's going to lay it out. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:26.660 He's preparing the case 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.480 for the prosecution. 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.880 Now we're just going to 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.180 bring this psalm to a close. 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:34.759 And this has been some 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:36.440 hard words from the Lord, 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.500 but we're going to conclude 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.860 the psalm in the same way 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.820 that the psalmist does, 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:42.480 looking at the last two verses. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.080 He wraps things up 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:45.420 in verses 22 and 23. 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.220 And he's got a word, 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.480 first of all, 00:25:48.540 --> 00:25:49.640 for pretend Christians, 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.500 those who are part of God's people, 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.440 but inwardly, 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.099 they reject the Lord Jesus. 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.759 And then he has a word 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.559 for those Christians 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.200 who are maybe going 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.839 through the motions. 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:02.259 And he wants to speak 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:04.500 to the wicked, 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.299 pretend Christians, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.759 first of all. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.700 And he wants to stop them 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.319 in their tracks. 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.819 And he says, 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:09.940 verse 22, 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.440 consider this, 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.660 you who forget God, 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.619 or I will tear you to pieces 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.980 with no one to rescue you. 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:19.599 God says, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.519 consider, 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:24.160 consider what I have just said to you. 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:27.000 I have seen what you're doing. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.779 I know you're only pretending 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.920 to be one of my people. 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.579 Yet I've witnessed 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:36.120 what you have been doing 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.940 behind the scenes. 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:40.360 we looked at that terrifying, 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.380 awesome, 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:42.680 fiery judge 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.779 at the beginning. 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.799 Jesus is coming back 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:48.340 in blazing glory 00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:50.259 as the judge. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.200 And he will judge 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.059 the living and the dead 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.380 according to what they've done 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.759 and whether they've trusted 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.000 in him or not. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.019 God says, 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.920 turn around. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.320 Trust in my son, 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.840 Jesus, 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.380 before it's too late. 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.920 And there will come a day 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.760 when it's too late. 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.080 But the good news 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:08.680 of the gospel 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:11.160 is that there is still time 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.820 for the wicked 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:14.440 to turn to Jesus 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:16.280 and ask for his forgiveness 00:27:16.280 --> 00:27:17.220 and salvation. 00:27:18.020 --> 00:27:19.540 Jesus has already suffered 00:27:19.540 --> 00:27:20.200 the punishment 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.400 that the evil hypocrite 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.880 deserves. 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:24.320 He was torn to pieces 00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:25.580 on the cross, 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:27.400 but now he offers 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.460 rescue 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:30.420 even to the vilest sinner. 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.300 That's the good news 00:27:32.300 --> 00:27:32.840 of the gospel. 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.560 Consider what God says. 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.880 Turn around. 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.260 Trust in him 00:27:38.260 --> 00:27:39.300 before it's too late. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.560 But then the psalmist 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.920 continues in verse 23 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.700 with a word 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.780 for believers 00:27:44.780 --> 00:27:46.240 who are going through 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.700 the motions 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.440 in their faith. 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.420 God says, 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.680 those who sacrifice 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.540 thank offerings, 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.480 honor me, 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:56.600 and to the blameless 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.520 I will show 00:27:57.520 --> 00:27:58.500 my salvation. 00:27:59.760 --> 00:28:00.380 Remember, 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:02.340 it's not about 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:03.660 your religious activity. 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.080 It's not about 00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:05.580 the rotas 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.500 that you're serving on. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.160 It's about 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:09.280 your heart posture 00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:10.420 behind everything 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.080 that you do 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:11.920 for the Lord. 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.540 God says, 00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.880 offer your heart 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.800 to me. 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.700 Not empty worship. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:20.019 And there's a promise 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.860 in these verses 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:21.400 as well. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.180 Those who are blameless 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:25.920 will see God's salvation. 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.779 For Christians 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:29.019 living this side 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.660 of the cross, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.980 those who have trusted 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.180 in Jesus' work 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.380 on the cross, 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.960 God looks on them 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.360 and he sees 00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:39.220 Jesus' perfection. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.120 Those who trust 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.740 in Jesus 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:43.519 have been made 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.680 blameless 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:46.600 and they will see 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.460 God's salvation 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.140 in action. 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:49.799 Yes, 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.960 Jesus will return 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.860 as that same 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.940 awesome, 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.240 fiery 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.519 judge, 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.200 but the blameless 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:59.700 will receive him 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.220 with joy 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.279 because he will be 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.660 coming 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:03.420 to rescue them. 00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.079 Let's pray. 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:08.700 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.600 we just thank you 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.340 for these words 00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:10.980 that you've left 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.079 for us in Psalm 50 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.400 that you've preserved 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.180 for us, Lord. 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.539 Lord, 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.019 I appreciate 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.140 these are hard words 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:20.319 but thank you 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:21.100 that you do not 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.940 let us just 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:23.200 sit along 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:23.720 and coast 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:25.700 but you do 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.539 speak to us 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.420 into our minds 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.160 and in our hearts 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:29.279 in church 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.039 and we thank you 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.460 that you are 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.420 persistent as well 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:33.840 and we thank you 00:29:33.840 --> 00:29:34.400 for giving us 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.019 these words 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.160 from Psalm 50 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:38.759 and to your 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.379 gathered people, 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:39.639 Lord, 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.559 those that are 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.480 maybe going through 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.940 the motions 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.279 and Lord, 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:44.059 we know that we all 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:46.059 lose focus 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.619 and we take our eyes 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:47.980 off you 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.599 and we do, 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:50.319 we live for you 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:52.119 for other reasons, 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.420 Lord. 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.480 We do it for ourselves. 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.900 We sometimes look 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.960 to worship ourselves 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:58.680 but thank you 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.359 for this reminder 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.099 to stop 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.460 and to look 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:02.000 on your son, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:02.299 Jesus, 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.099 his perfect 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.000 blameless life 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:06.759 and he has given us 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:08.220 his spirit 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.039 to help us 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.099 to walk 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:10.960 with gratitude, 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:13.059 with wholehearted 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.559 commitment 00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.480 to you 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:16.779 and expressing 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.400 our dependence 00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:17.920 to you 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.480 in prayer, 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:18.759 Lord, 00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.200 and we know 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.759 that we can't 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.480 depend on ourselves 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.299 so thank you 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.319 for giving us 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.779 your spirit 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.519 and for these words 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.119 and help us 00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.500 to just offer you 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.259 our hearts 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.779 and not empty worship, 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.119 Lord. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.140 And Lord, 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.660 for those 00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.580 that are maybe here 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.940 who've been putting 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.600 on a good show, 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:32.940 Lord, 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:35.080 who are calling 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:35.779 themselves one 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.279 of your own 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.960 yet behind the scenes 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.900 they don't believe it. 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.140 God, 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.240 I do just pray 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.660 that you would 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.240 have mercy 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.440 and that you would 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:45.720 just help these people 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.720 to come back to you 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.420 and you know 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:48.040 who they are 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:50.080 and would you help 00:30:50.080 --> 00:30:50.660 them to trust 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.160 in your son, 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.420 Jesus. 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.340 Would you open 00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:53.000 their eyes 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:55.120 and that they would 00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:56.680 trust and believe it, 00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:58.320 believe in your son. 00:30:58.319 --> 00:31:00.259 We thank you 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:00.839 for your mercy 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.859 in giving us this psalm 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.839 and we pray 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.559 that you'd help us 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.299 as we turn 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.200 to sing to you now. 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.599 Would you help us 00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:08.980 to offer you 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.500 our wholehearted praise 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.399 because you've done 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.339 so much for us 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:14.119 and you've suffered 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.899 on the cross for us 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.960 and we thank you so much. 00:31:16.439 --> 00:31:17.079 We ask all this 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.779 in Jesus' name. 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.119 Amen.