WEBVTT

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 If you'd like to obey your heads and pray with me.

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 Gracious Father, we ask that you might send your spirit to us now as we have your word

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 in front of us so that as we hear, give us this blessing we pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 On the eve of a desert storm in January 1991, President Bush Sr. said it was America's

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 responsibility as the leader of the world to protect Kuwait.

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 It would seem from that statement that the United States had a particular view of itself.

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 Before they, and I think that view flows out of a little bit of their history, because

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 they had won the Second World War, they were the economic powerhouse of the world at the

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 time and they had Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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 Maybe there was a culture of arrogance and presumption that they would always be on top

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 of the world.

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 Is it justified?

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 When you think about in reality, in terms of the world history, they had been a world player

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 for about 90 years.

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 In that time, they were defeated in Vietnam.

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 They'd been sorely bruised in Korea, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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 And yet you get a sense, if you've ever visited the United States, that there will always be

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 on top of the world.

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 Part of it is also of their theological framework, where, like on their banknote, in God we trust,

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 but the assumption is that God is always on our side.

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 We are the good guys against the bad guys.

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 Now, United States, in the grand scheme of things, might not be justified thinking the

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 way that they do, but two and a half thousand years ago, God's people did.

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 They had, in fact, had the promised land and they had been on top of the world for a thousand

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 years.

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 Something that Hitler wanted to do.

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 And Israel had been there for a thousand years.

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 And maybe they thought they were always going to be on top because in the middle of their

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 capital, Jerusalem, stood a temple.

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 And in that temple, God ruled and God would never allow his city to fall.

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 Such was their arrogance and their complacency and apathy as the people of God.

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 It, in fact, came to an abrupt ending, as we saw last week in 597 BC.

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 The Babylonians swept through Judah, captured large elements of the aristocracy and the

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 academics and the leaders, and they took them off to Babylon, one of which was Ezekiel.

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 And so the question is that, well, what's going back in Jerusalem?

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 What's happening back there in Jerusalem?

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 How are they getting on?

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 Those who weren't deported, how are they getting on?

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 Well, as it turns out, they thought that everything was still okay.

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 As I mentioned last week, there are people like the prophet Hananiah back in Jerusalem

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 saying things like, don't worry, be happy.

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 We've still got the temple.

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 It's still there.

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 God's still with us.

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 We'll never be defeated.

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 Those who were deported were probably the ungodly ones.

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 It's a terrible arrogance.

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 Because as we discover here that all is not peace and safety back in Jerusalem.

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 Ezekiel is commissioned.

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 We're doing basically chapters 2 to 32 today.

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 So it would be great if you had your Bibles in front of you.

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 And my extensive reading is going to be hopefully packaged down into something slightly over 30 minutes today.

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 So have your Bibles in front of you.

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 Ezekiel is commissioned in chapter 2.

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 He is told that what is in front of him is an extremely difficult task.

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 In fact, it says that if he'd been called to be a cross-cultural missionary,

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 it would have been a whole lot easier job than being the pastor of these people.

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 It says this in chapter 3, verses 5 to 7.

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 You are not being sent to a people who are obscure speech and difficult language,

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 but to the house of Israel.

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 Not too many peoples are obscure speech and difficult language,

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 whose words you cannot understand.

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 Surely if I sent you to them,

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 they would have listened to you.

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 But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you,

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 because they are not willing to listen to me.

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 For the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate.

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 The message of these chapters that we're scanning today is that God is angry with his people.

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 They are hardened to his word.

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 And in chapter 16, you can see why God was feeling the way he was.

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 You don't need to move there.

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 I'll give you a bit of a picture.

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 He paints a terrible picture in chapter 16 of this relationship between God and his people.

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 The story there in chapter 16, the analogy is of a baby.

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 A little baby girl that's cast aside in her birth.

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 She's been born and thrown aside into the bushes.

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 She's still covered in all the muck from birth,

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 crying out, just dumped there, uncared for, unloved, abandoned.

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 And then God comes along and takes up this little girl.

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 He washes her.

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 He nurtures her.

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 He protects her and comforts her.

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 Nourishes her as she grows up.

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 God, watch this little girl grows up into her childhood and then into adulthood.

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 And God adorns her with jewellery and lavishes love on her.

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 But instead of love and appreciation and faithfulness in return, she becomes a prostitute.

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 She, in fact, rejects her divine lover, if you like.

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 And so God feels like the husband's scorned, the rejected husband.

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 Chapter 8, flick over there, describes, if you like, how their unfaithfulness to God works itself out.

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 But the first three verses reveal that Ezekiel receives visions of God,

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 where he's taken from the Kibar River to Jerusalem.

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 And he gets a vision of what God wants him to see back in Jerusalem.

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 And he's taken to the temple in Jerusalem.

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 He's shown three things in the temple in Jerusalem.

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 The first is in verse 5.

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 Then he said to me, son of man, look towards the north.

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 And so I looked.

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 And in the entrance north of the gate of the altar, I saw this idol of jealousy.

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 And so he's standing inside the north gate.

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 Ezekiel looks to the north as instructed.

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 And he sees what is most likely the statue of a Canaanite mother goddess.

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 A crude Canaanite symbol of fertility.

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 It is referred here as the idol of jealousy.

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 Because if Ezekiel had instead looked to the south,

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 he would have seen, standing there in the opposite from this idol,

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 in full view of this idol, a symbol that represented God's presence in his place.

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 You see, Yahweh, the husband of Israel, joined to her by solemn covenant,

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 had demanded exclusive allegiance from his people.

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 Exclusive devotion.

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 And yet, like a brazen hussy, she was openly committing adultery in his house.

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 In fact, in the living room of the house, in full view of her husband, as it were.

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 Then down in verse 10, Ezekiel has shown another thing.

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 So I went in and I looked and I saw portrayed all over the walls,

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 all kinds of crawling fiends and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel.

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 And so, not only this crude fertility symbol, but in God's temple,

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 Egyptian animal gods are being worshipped.

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 It also says there, linked with that, that while they are appearing,

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 there are priests there while appearing to perform service to Yahweh,

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 each one of these priests, the elders of the people,

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 are pursuing their own personal idols and preferences in his house.

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 And so, bit by bit, Ezekiel was just more shocked by what he saw.

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 Behind each door of the temple, gradually, God was bringing him in,

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 showing him more and more detestable things.

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 He showed another thing in verse 16.

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 So, step by step, God is bringing his prophet Ezekiel closer to the central sanctuary of the temple,

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 the holy of holies, and God draws Ezekiel's attention to a group of men,

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 standing, most likely the priests again,

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 standing on the very threshold of the temple buildings.

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 This is the place where these people would normally plead to Yahweh for the pardon of the people for their sin.

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 Forgive us, Lord, for our idolatry and our arrogance and our sinfulness.

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 And here they are, standing there, but instead they've got their backs to the altar,

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 and instead they're looking to the east and they are worshipping their son.

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 Verse 17 sums it up.

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 Have you seen this, son of man?

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 Is it a trivial matter for the house of Judah to do detestable things they are doing here?

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 Must they also fill the land with violence and continually provoke me to anger?

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 Look at them putting the branch to their nose.

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 Now that last phrase is pretty difficult to understand,

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 but it most likely means they're a stench to my nose.

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 Instead of being in the temple and in their worship,

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 being a fragrant offering to the Lord,

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 they are a stench to his nose.

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 They're rebelling against God,

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 they've got their backs to God,

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 they're prostituting themselves with God,

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 and they're doing it all in the name of their religion.

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 And it stinks, is what God says.

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 And so in chapter 9,

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 the glory of God is avenged.

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 It was what was read out to us a moment ago.

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 And it is a terrible chapter that describes

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 God devastating his people in judgment.

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 In verses 1 and 2,

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 we're introduced to seven soldiers.

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 These are not human soldiers.

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 They are seven archangels

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 whose normal function is to defend God's people.

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 And here they are, given new orders.

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 Their job now is to, in fact,

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 stop protecting God's people

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 and to attack God's people.

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 It is to execute judgment on them.

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 And then we notice something happens in verse 3.

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 This is, take note of verse 3.

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 Now the glory of the Lord of Israel

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 went up from above the cherubim,

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 where it had been,

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 and moved to the threshold of the temple.

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 Notice that.

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 Notice that point.

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 It's the first step of God withdrawing from his people.

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 And what happens when God withdraws from his people?

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 Verse 5,

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 Five, the seven soldiers execute judgment on them.

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 Without showing pity or compassion,

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 slaughter old men, young men and maidens,

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 women and children,

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 but do not touch anyone who has the mark.

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 Notice verse 4.

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 The godly are afforded protection.

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 Then the Lord called to the man,

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 clothed in linen,

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 who had the riding kit at his side,

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 and said to him,

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 Go throughout the city of Jerusalem

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 and put a mark on the foreheads of those

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 who grieve and lament

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 over all the detestable things that are doing in it.

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 Notice the criteria that God uses

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 to instruct these men

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 to distinguish between those who receive judgment

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 and those who receive the mark.

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 Notice the criteria.

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 It is those who grieve and lament

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 over all the detestable things that are done.

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 That's the difference.

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 What God expects of his faithful people

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 in days of national, moral, and spiritual degeneration

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 is descent.

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 That's what he expects of his people.

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 He expects us to emphatically reject the values

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 and the practices of a pagan, irreligious, secular world.

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 That is, a refusal to be conformed by them.

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 He looks for a measure of disgust

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 and a deeply felt sense of horror and outrage

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 of what is happening in his world.

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 A feeling of distress and grieving and lamenting.

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 Let me just clarify that, what I've just said.

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 God is not impressed by Pharisees.

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 What God seeks are people who express their rejection

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 and their moral outrage

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 not by a sanctimonious, holier-than-thou attitude

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 but by an agonizing sorrow of heart.

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 A person who has an agonizing sorrow of heart

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 actually recognizes there is, in fact,

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 solidarity in all sin.

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 That is, I am a sinner too.

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 That is, they feel ashamed and disgusted

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 with their society

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 rather than simply for their society.

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 When you're disgusted with your society,

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 you will do whatever you can,

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 like we looked at last week,

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 Jeremiah 28, 29,

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 I can't remember exactly where it is,

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 seek the blessing of the city.

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 You will work for God's glory in the city.

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 When you're disgusted for your society,

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 you withdraw away from them

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 and have your little holy club.

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 And the picture here, as we can see,

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 moving to chapter 10,

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 goes from bad to worse.

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 As the slaughter continues

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 and the fire takes hold,

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 Ezekiel watches the glory of God

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 makes its next move

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 in departing from the people.

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 Chapter 10, verse 4

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 describes what we already know.

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 God has moved from the most holy place

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 to the edge of the temple precincts.

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 Then down in verse 18,

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 then the glory of the Lord

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 departed from over the threshold of the temple

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 and stopped above the cherubim.

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 And then there's a further move in verse 19,

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 while I watched the cherubim spread their wings

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 and rose from the ground,

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 as they went,

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 the wheels went with them.

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 They stopped at the entrance

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 to the east gate of the Lord's house

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 and the glory of the Lord of Israel

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 was above them.

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 And so the unthinkable has happened.

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 God has left his temple via the east gate.

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 God is not there.

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 It is shocking.

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 And notice what happens

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 when God leaves through the east gate.

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 Standing at the east gate

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 is a group of pompous men

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 engaging,

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 they're engaged in planning their future,

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 apparently unaware

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 of the mayhem in the city

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 that's soon going to be upon them.

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 They are there

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 complacently assuming their safety.

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 When the Lord himself,

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 their only possible protector,

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 passes straight by them

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 as he exits the temple

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 and they didn't even notice.

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 How easy it is

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:12.039
 to be so involved in religion

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:14.659
 and not have God,

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:17.099
 not even notice that he's not in it.

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:20.439
 how easy it is

00:17:20.439 --> 00:17:21.719
 to sing the songs

00:17:21.719 --> 00:17:23.019
 and pray prayers

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.439
 and say confessions

00:17:24.439 --> 00:17:26.599
 and not even

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:29.179
 notice that God's not in it.

00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:33.619
 And then in chapter 11,

00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:35.399
 flick over there,

00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:37.799
 chapter 11 verses 22 to 23

00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:39.259
 comes the final move.

00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.019
 Then the cherubim

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:43.240
 with the wheels beside them

00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.459
 spread their wings

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.519
 and the glory of God

00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.720
 of Israel was above them.

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.360
 The glory of the Lord

00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:50.400
 went up from within the city

00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:52.960
 and stopped above the east,

00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:55.140
 the mountain east of it.

00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.039
 The glory of the Lord

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.420
 went up from within the city

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.740
 and stopped above the mountain

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:01.740
 east of it.

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.620
 We are to conclude from there

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:06.079
 that it was from that east mountain

00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.799
 that the glory of the Lord

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.380
 departed

00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:11.420
 from his land.

00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:14.019
 And with his departure

00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:15.320
 from the mountain

00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:16.480
 east of Jerusalem,

00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.480
 God handed his city

00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.340
 and his nation

00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:21.039
 over to be destroyed

00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:22.140
 and it happened

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.740
 in 586 BC.

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.380
 Nebuchadnezzar had had enough

00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:28.580
 and so had God.

00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.039
 Do you remember

00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.080
 what I said last week?

00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.279
 That I said that the whole

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.300
 prophecy of Ezekiel

00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:37.279
 is bookended by

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:39.039
 by one word.

00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.420
 It is the Lord is there.

00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:46.060
 In chapter 1 verse 4,

00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:48.180
 even in pagan Babylon,

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.220
 God was there

00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.560
 for his prophet Ezekiel.

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:53.400
 And the last phrase

00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.320
 of Ezekiel

00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:55.960
 names the city

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.940
 where God permanently

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.920
 dwells with his people.

00:18:58.060 --> 00:18:59.800
 It is the Lord is there.

00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.640
 And these chapters here

00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.039
 that we've just read out to us

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:06.240
 in chapter 9 especially

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.279
 is a picture

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:08.320
 of what happens

00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.000
 when God is

00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.700
 not there.

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:15.839
 The glory of the Lord

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.779
 has departed

00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:18.480
 and so chapter 9

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:20.079
 is barbaric.

00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.579
 It is awful.

00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.759
 But perhaps it is

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.899
 only by painting

00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:29.659
 such a barbaric

00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:31.679
 and a gory scene

00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:32.859
 that the reality

00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.179
 of God's judgment

00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:35.339
 can be brought home

00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:35.859
 to us

00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:37.179
 with sufficient

00:19:37.179 --> 00:19:38.799
 emotional force.

00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.720
 Ezekiel doesn't

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.179
 just want us

00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:43.000
 to think about

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.639
 this message.

00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.319
 He wants us

00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:45.259
 to feel

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.399
 its reality.

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.480
 Multiply this

00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:51.119
 massacre

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.099
 in chapter 9

00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.559
 millions of times

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.480
 and you get

00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.539
 something of the

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.399
 reality of the

00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.419
 nightmare of hell.

00:19:57.419 --> 00:19:57.519
 Hell

00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:02.700
 hell is where

00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:04.240
 God is not

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:06.539
 for all of

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:06.980
 eternity.

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.400
 It's not just

00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:10.920
 a matter for

00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.319
 debate.

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:13.019
 It's a reality

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.359
 to be felt.

00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:15.720
 My friends,

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.660
 the plight of the

00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.440
 lost should

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.299
 profoundly

00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.359
 disturb us.

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.440
 It should

00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.039
 drive us to

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.319
 your knees.

00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.019
 See what Ezekiel

00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.480
 does in response

00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.000
 to the slaughter

00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.740
 in chapter 9?

00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:30.039
 Verse 8,

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.019
 while they were

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.859
 killing and I

00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:33.660
 was left alone,

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.619
 I fell face

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.619
 down crying out,

00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.220
 Oh,

00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.740
 sovereign Lord,

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.379
 are you going

00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:40.220
 to destroy

00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.460
 the entire

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.339
 remnant of

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.660
 Israel in

00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.660
 this outpouring

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.440
 of your wrath

00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.160
 on Jerusalem?

00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.480
 Even the

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.599
 prophet expresses

00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.839
 identification

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.779
 with the people

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.539
 under judgment.

00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.319
 Are you going

00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.920
 to destroy

00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.819
 all of us?

00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:59.559
 He feels

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.119
 the burden

00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:00.700
 of judgment

00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.139
 and it

00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:01.660
 moves into

00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.420
 crying out.

00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.599
 I don't

00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.180
 believe that

00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:07.859
 we can speak

00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.740
 about judgment

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.579
 without praying

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.240
 for mercy.

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.539
 And if we

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.160
 can speak

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.799
 with judgment

00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.519
 without praying

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.200
 for mercy,

00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.720
 I don't believe

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.379
 we've actually

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.279
 felt the weight

00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.879
 of judgment

00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:20.319
 in our own

00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.799
 hearts.

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.799
 God's

00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.319
 judgment

00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.799
 is

00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.500
 and so

00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:24.740
 friends,

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.079
 let us

00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.720
 not forget

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:27.319
 here that

00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.779
 judgment

00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.740
 begins with

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.200
 the people

00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.079
 of God.

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.259
 It is

00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:32.379
 their sin

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.259
 that has

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.980
 been exposed

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.019
 and they

00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.399
 are now

00:21:35.399 --> 00:21:36.039
 faced with

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.519
 a choice

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:36.879
 here.

00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.859
 They can

00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:38.440
 either be

00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.519
 moved in

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.559
 grief and

00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.000
 repentance

00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.659
 for their

00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.899
 sin or

00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.419
 they can

00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:44.299
 brazenly

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.220
 deny the

00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.720
 truth,

00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.899
 mock the

00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.339
 messenger,

00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.599
 harden their

00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.179
 hearts against

00:21:50.179 --> 00:21:50.939
 God and

00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:51.559
 further their

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:51.959
 rebellion.

00:21:55.199 --> 00:21:56.439
 No doubt

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:58.339
 it is a

00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.000
 terribly

00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.199
 painful and

00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:00.859
 a threatening

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.000
 thing to

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.740
 be faced

00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.639
 with personal

00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.119
 sin.

00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.539
 There is a

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:07.980
 fear,

00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:10.259
 I believe,

00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.079
 in us all

00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.599
 that our

00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.339
 true sins

00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:12.879
 might be

00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.799
 exposed and

00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.419
 therefore our

00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.039
 reputation

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.659
 might be

00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.539
 heart-tarnished.

00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:18.579
 to be

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.319
 confronted with

00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.420
 sin is a

00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.059
 devastating

00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.980
 encounter with

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.599
 reality.

00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.500
 When God

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:25.460
 really reveals

00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.779
 the blackness

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.079
 of our

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.899
 hearts, it

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.940
 is devastating.

00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:33.480
 It is a

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.119
 ruthless

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.639
 ripping away

00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.259
 of our

00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.119
 mass of

00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.859
 pretense,

00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.000
 mass that

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.759
 are so easily

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.920
 put up with

00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.440
 religion,

00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:45.440
 but it

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.220
 is also a

00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.720
 profoundly

00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.680
 defining moment

00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.039
 with our

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.539
 relationship

00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.100
 with God.

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.759
 In that

00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.380
 moment we

00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:52.860
 are faced

00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.259
 with a

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.559
 stark

00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.140
 choice.

00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.799
 One

00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:59.279
 option is

00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.000
 to fall

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.580
 face down

00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:02.440
 before God

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.220
 in grief

00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.259
 and shame

00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:06.440
 and be

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.120
 comforted

00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:09.039
 only by

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.759
 the humility

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.720
 and repentance

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.480
 that led

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.079
 the psalmist

00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.700
 to plead,

00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.000
 remember not

00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.440
 the sins

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.759
 of my

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.180
 youth and

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.879
 my rebellious

00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.279
 ways.

00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:16.980
 According to

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.579
 your love,

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.519
 remember me

00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.619
 for you,

00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.799
 O God,

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.279
 are good.

00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.420
 How could

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:25.980
 the psalmist

00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.519
 make that

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.160
 request?

00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.879
 Because he

00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.559
 was secure

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.039
 in the

00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.680
 reassurance

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.420
 that if

00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:32.039
 you, O

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.359
 Lord,

00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:32.839
 kept the

00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.400
 record of

00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.079
 sins, O

00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.400
 Lord,

00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.220
 who could

00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.720
 stand?

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.440
 But with

00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:36.920
 you there

00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.599
 is forgiveness,

00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.779
 therefore you

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.259
 are feared.

00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:41.959
 And so

00:23:41.959 --> 00:23:42.779
 their option,

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.939
 two options,

00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:45.939
 fall down

00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.619
 in repentance,

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.519
 second option

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:49.919
 is to

00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:50.639
 continually

00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:54.439
 move

00:23:54.439 --> 00:23:55.139
 stubbornly

00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:55.799
 in sin,

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.339
 ignoring all

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.519
 warnings and

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.379
 all pleadings

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.119
 and face the

00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:00.819
 consequences

00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.740
 to fall

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.759
 on those

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.679
 who arrogantly

00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.599
 unrepent.

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:08.219
 that is

00:24:08.219 --> 00:24:08.959
 the choice

00:24:08.959 --> 00:24:09.319
 that we

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.199
 face today.

00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.279
 Did you

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.779
 hear my

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.259
 prayer when

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.859
 I began?

00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.599
 I wasn't

00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:14.959
 just trying

00:24:14.959 --> 00:24:15.539
 to make a

00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.059
 filler here

00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.339
 so that

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:16.779
 we're lined

00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.019
 up with

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.759
 the Mandarin

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.579
 congregation.

00:24:20.919 --> 00:24:21.579
 As we

00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.099
 open your

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.939
 word today,

00:24:24.179 --> 00:24:24.719
 do not

00:24:24.719 --> 00:24:26.319
 harden our

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:26.759
 hearts.

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:31.079
 That is

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.500
 the choice

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:31.759
 that we

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.079
 face.

00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:32.639
 Whenever we

00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.419
 are challenged

00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:34.940
 by other

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:36.279
 people or

00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.300
 directly by

00:24:37.300 --> 00:24:37.700
 the Holy

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.360
 Spirit over

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.840
 our sinful

00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:39.500
 actions.

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:41.700
 So,

00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.460
 friends,

00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:43.420
 perhaps even

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.220
 today as

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.960
 we've read

00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.420
 God's

00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:45.779
 word,

00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.039
 these

00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.940
 scorching

00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.460
 chapters,

00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.080
 maybe our

00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.080
 hearts have

00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.720
 been moved

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.340
 to a more

00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.060
 profound

00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:52.860
 awareness of

00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.380
 the sin

00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:54.240
 that lurks

00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.080
 in the

00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:55.360
 hidden

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.220
 recesses of

00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.800
 the present

00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:57.480
 of our

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.960
 hearts or

00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.480
 the past

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:58.759
 of our

00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:58.960
 hearts.

00:24:59.080 --> 00:24:59.360
 Perhaps

00:24:59.360 --> 00:24:59.940
 we have

00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.519
 been convicted

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:00.920
 by the

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.620
 idolatry

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.240
 that is

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.200
 our drive

00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.380
 consistently

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.839
 for security

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.299
 in the

00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.599
 West.

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.440
 Maybe the

00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.160
 flirtation

00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.779
 with sexual

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.460
 license that

00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:09.839
 we call

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.279
 freedom.

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.200
 Maybe the

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.900
 arrogance and

00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.740
 the complacency

00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.000
 and the

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.759
 false security

00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:15.240
 that feed

00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.920
 off our

00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.359
 relative

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.500
 wealth and

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.059
 comfort.

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.500
 If the

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.079
 Holy Spirit

00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.759
 has exposed

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.940
 any parts

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.220
 of our

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.579
 hearts,

00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.099
 past or

00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.339
 present

00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.759
 of sin,

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.599
 then deal

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.000
 with it

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.839
 as such.

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.920
 Do not

00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.799
 like the

00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.460
 exiles,

00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.519
 blame other

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.480
 people or

00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.400
 blame God.

00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.420
 Do not,

00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.160
 like so

00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.879
 many today,

00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.779
 explain it,

00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.619
 excuse it,

00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.240
 or try to

00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.779
 put it into

00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.319
 some kind

00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.660
 of modern

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.220
 perspective.

00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.259
 Sin is

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.220
 sin and

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.759
 when it is

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.240
 exposed,

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:44.799
 we are left

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.339
 to one of

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.059
 two mutually

00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.740
 exclusive

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.740
 alternatives,

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.759
 repentance

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:51.059
 or hardening.

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.500
 And so

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.039
 today,

00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.220
 if you hear

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.980
 his voice,

00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.180
 do not

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.740
 harden your

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.660
 hearts as

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.500
 Israel did.

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:06.059
 for those

00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.519
 of us who

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:08.599
 are acutely

00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.599
 aware of

00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.519
 the Holy

00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.059
 Spirit's

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.700
 conviction of

00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.139
 sin,

00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.539
 aware of

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.019
 failure,

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.519
 desiring to

00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.940
 walk with

00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.339
 the Lord

00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.019
 with confession,

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.759
 repentance and

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.240
 obedience,

00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.639
 and you're

00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.139
 feeling the

00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:22.500
 weight of

00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.059
 their sin,

00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:23.420
 there is

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:23.839
 something

00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.599
 absolutely

00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.339
 essential that

00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:25.799
 you need to

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.200
 hear from

00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.879
 this text.

00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:28.639
 It is

00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.080
 true that

00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:30.560
 there is

00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:31.380
 anger in

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.800
 God's

00:26:31.800 --> 00:26:33.200
 heart that

00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:33.820
 will bring

00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.380
 judgment,

00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.860
 but there is

00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.980
 also pain

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.960
 and a

00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.900
 great desire

00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.800
 for reconciliation.

00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.480
 There are,

00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:41.860
 in fact,

00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.580
 glimpses of

00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:43.100
 hope in

00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:43.720
 these chapters

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.400
 as well.

00:26:45.040 --> 00:26:45.460
 Back in

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.040
 chapter 3,

00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.640
 for instance,

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.759
 when God

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.460
 commissions

00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.560
 Ezekiel as

00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:50.480
 his mouthpiece

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.860
 to his

00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.380
 people,

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.400
 he says

00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.920
 this to

00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.160
 them,

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.380
 to him,

00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.120
 to Ezekiel,

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.220
 son of

00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.640
 man,

00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:57.940
 I have

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.599
 made you

00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.539
 a watchman

00:26:59.539 --> 00:26:59.980
 for the

00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.720
 house of

00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.420
 Israel.

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.799
 Ezekiel

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.440
 there is

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.940
 called a

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.579
 watchman by

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.079
 God.

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.360
 A watchman

00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.620
 is needed

00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.700
 only in

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.299
 times of

00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:10.759
 danger.

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.620
 They're the

00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.240
 person who

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.779
 stands on

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.200
 the city

00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.920
 wall as

00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.380
 a lookout

00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.559
 and warns

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.240
 the city

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.460
 of any

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.279
 enemy

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.940
 approaching.

00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.579
 That's

00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.220
 their job.

00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.519
 They push

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.079
 the alarm

00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.480
 button.

00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.319
 And so

00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:25.059
 there's a

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.079
 profound

00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.439
 irony here.

00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:29.519
 As the

00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.399
 watchman for

00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:31.299
 Israel,

00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:33.019
 Ezekiel

00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:34.099
 is being

00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:35.539
 appointed as

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.279
 such to

00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.059
 that position

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.199
 by

00:27:38.199 --> 00:27:40.399
 Israel's

00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.419
 enemy.

00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.319
 It is

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.519
 God who

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.559
 is Israel's

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.059
 enemy at

00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.720
 this point,

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.559
 but it

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.419
 is God

00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.059
 who puts

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.059
 Ezekiel in

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.539
 the position

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.240
 of watchman

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.220
 in that

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.220
 place to

00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.200
 ring the

00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.000
 alarm bell

00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.679
 to tell

00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.179
 the people

00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:58.539
 of his

00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:58.940
 hostile

00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.599
 intent.

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.099
 And this

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.119
 tells us

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.579
 that while

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.259
 God is

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.319
 glorified in

00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.839
 judgment,

00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:05.899
 he never

00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.759
 delights in

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.359
 the destruction

00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:07.700
 of the

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:07.899
 wicked.

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.240
 You see,

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.220
 God's anger

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.740
 is not one

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.079
 of his

00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.200
 eternal

00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.000
 attributes.

00:28:15.659 --> 00:28:16.379
 It is a

00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.000
 function of

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.639
 his holiness.

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:17.860
 sin.

00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:20.180
 His anger

00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.980
 comes into

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.660
 existence

00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.620
 because of

00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.620
 sin and

00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.420
 his anger

00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.620
 is quenched

00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:27.140
 when sin

00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.860
 is dealt

00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.320
 with to

00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:28.580
 his

00:28:28.580 --> 00:28:29.240
 satisfaction.

00:28:32.040 --> 00:28:33.240
 His love,

00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:33.920
 on the other

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.320
 hand, is an

00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:36.720
 innate divine

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.440
 attribute,

00:28:38.280 --> 00:28:38.860
 which is why

00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:39.520
 the psalmist

00:28:39.520 --> 00:28:40.240
 says in

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.840
 number 30

00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:41.680
 verse 5,

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.060
 his anger

00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:44.240
 lasts only a

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.600
 moment,

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.659
 but his

00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.159
 favour

00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:46.879
 lasts a

00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.240
 lifetime.

00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:52.099
 There's also

00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.919
 further hope

00:28:52.919 --> 00:28:54.759
 in chapter

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.219
 11.

00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.879
 Right before

00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.980
 the glory

00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.519
 of God

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.119
 makes his

00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:01.319
 final departure

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.579
 to that

00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.679
 mountain east

00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.919
 of Jerusalem,

00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:05.980
 he makes

00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.659
 this promise

00:29:06.659 --> 00:29:07.599
 in verse 17,

00:29:07.719 --> 00:29:08.299
 chapter 11.

00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.299
 This is what the

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.799
 sovereign Lord

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.179
 says,

00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:10.959
 I will gather

00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:11.559
 you from the

00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.139
 nations and

00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:12.859
 bring you back

00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.559
 from the

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.259
 countries where

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.799
 you have been

00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.240
 scattered,

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.139
 and I will

00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:17.119
 give you back

00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.059
 the land of

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:19.099
 Israel again.

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.359
 They will

00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.939
 return to

00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:22.779
 it and remove

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.759
 all its vile

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.379
 images and

00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.419
 detestable idols.

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.500
 I will give

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:26.819
 them an

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.819
 undivided heart

00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.339
 and put a

00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:28.919
 new spirit

00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.319
 in them.

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.359
 I will remove

00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:30.799
 from them

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.500
 their heart of

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.119
 stone and give

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.619
 them a heart

00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.139
 of flesh.

00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:34.639
 Then they will

00:29:34.639 --> 00:29:35.240
 follow my

00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.059
 decrees and be

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.019
 careful to keep

00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.740
 my laws.

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.639
 They will be

00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.899
 my people and

00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:41.039
 I will be

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.079
 their God.

00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:44.139
 what God

00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.879
 promises there

00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.539
 before his

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.579
 final exit,

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.799
 he says,

00:29:48.679 --> 00:29:49.319
 I will

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.899
 return.

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.279
 He promises

00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.939
 to return.

00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:52.639
 He promises

00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.939
 to be

00:29:53.939 --> 00:29:55.519
 there again.

00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:58.799
 And true

00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.099
 to his

00:29:59.099 --> 00:29:59.500
 promise,

00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.179
 five centuries

00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:00.579
 later,

00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:01.299
 the glory of

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.799
 God came

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.159
 back.

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.079
 John 1.1

00:30:06.079 --> 00:30:06.379
 says,

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.039
 in the beginning

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.559
 was the

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:07.980
 word,

00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:09.000
 and the

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.519
 word was

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.339
 with God,

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.299
 and the

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.779
 word

00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:13.940
 was God.

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.799
 And then

00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.299
 down in

00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.160
 verse 14,

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.899
 it says this,

00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.619
 this word

00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.599
 who is

00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.079
 God,

00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.139
 this word

00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:22.279
 became flesh

00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.319
 and he made

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.899
 his dwelling

00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:24.740
 amongst us.

00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.819
 We have

00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.799
 seen his

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.579
 glory,

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.720
 the glory

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.220
 of the

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.819
 one and

00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.220
 only,

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:30.799
 the glory

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.680
 which departed

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.579
 five centuries

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.139
 earlier,

00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.000
 has come

00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.599
 back,

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.619
 and he

00:30:36.619 --> 00:30:37.200
 has come

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.119
 from the

00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.819
 father full

00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.440
 of grace

00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.000
 and truth.

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.380
 So who

00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:40.900
 is this

00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.720
 word?

00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.220
 Who

00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.779
 is God?

00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:42.940
 Who

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.279
 is this

00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.660
 word?

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:43.819
 Who

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.140
 has come

00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:44.539
 to us?

00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:44.680
 Who

00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.000
 is this

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.359
 word?

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.700
 Who

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.059
 is full

00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.200
 and

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.559
 grateful

00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:46.880
 of

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.180
 grace

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.400
 and

00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:47.759
 truth?

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.019
 Verse 17

00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.039
 tells us,

00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:50.839
 grace

00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.940
 and truth

00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.839
 came

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.380
 through

00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.799
 Jesus

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.460
 Christ.

00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.920
 God

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.619
 returns

00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.319
 in all

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.099
 his glory

00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.759
 to fulfill

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.619
 his promise

00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:01.440
 in the

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:01.940
 person

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.579
 of Jesus

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.279
 Christ.

00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:03.740
 God

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.099
 but as

00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.660
 the glory

00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.180
 of God

00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:05.819
 departed

00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:07.000
 unnoticed

00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.940
 by most

00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:09.519
 so it

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.299
 came back

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.539
 unnoticed

00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.440
 by most.

00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.339
 John

00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.079
 says he

00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.480
 was in

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.000
 the world

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.299
 and the

00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.799
 world was

00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:17.740
 made through

00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.359
 him and

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.700
 the world

00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.099
 did not

00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.720
 recognize

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.319
 him.

00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:22.819
 He came

00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.180
 to that

00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.599
 which was

00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.119
 his own

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:25.019
 but his

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.399
 own

00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.019
 rejected

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.379
 him.

00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.339
 Even

00:31:27.339 --> 00:31:29.059
 the historic

00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.059
 people of

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.480
 God

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.160
 rejected

00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:32.180
 him just

00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.880
 like they

00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.299
 did

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.460
 in

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.220
 Ezekiel's

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.000
 day so

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.620
 they did

00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.240
 it again

00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.700
 when he

00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.140
 came back

00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:38.880
 to Jerusalem

00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:40.019
 they rejected

00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.740
 him again.

00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.140
 But instead

00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.700
 of taking

00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.200
 up his

00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:45.860
 sword and

00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.440
 executing

00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:48.039
 God's

00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.500
 judgment

00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.019
 on the

00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.560
 streets of

00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.019
 Jerusalem

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.980
 again this

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.960
 time he

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.360
 took up

00:31:52.360 --> 00:31:52.920
 a cross.

00:31:54.820 --> 00:31:55.580
 He

00:31:55.580 --> 00:31:55.960
 willingly

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.580
 turned

00:31:56.580 --> 00:31:57.039
 God's

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.420
 anger

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.140
 away

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.380
 from his

00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.299
 rebellious

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:01.840
 by placing

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.500
 himself

00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.099
 under the

00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.419
 white

00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:03.899
 hot

00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:05.179
 judgment

00:32:05.179 --> 00:32:06.019
 and anger

00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.720
 of God

00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.099
 for the

00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:07.399
 sin of

00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:07.899
 the world.

00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:09.939
 And as

00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:10.500
 he climbed

00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.899
 up that

00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.339
 hill and

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.659
 hung on

00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:12.339
 that cross

00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.139
 for the

00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:13.439
 sin of

00:32:13.439 --> 00:32:13.819
 the world

00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.679
 he cries

00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.199
 out in

00:32:15.199 --> 00:32:15.539
 a loud

00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:15.899
 voice

00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.619
 my God

00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.639
 my God

00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.819
 why have

00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:19.579
 you forsaken

00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.039
 me?

00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:22.899
 As

00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:24.779
 his

00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.259
 judgment

00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.099
 fell the

00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.759
 father turned

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.240
 his back

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:27.579
 on his

00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:27.879
 son.

00:32:29.419 --> 00:32:29.819
 God was

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.019
 not

00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.439
 there

00:32:30.439 --> 00:32:32.779
 for him.

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.659
 But when

00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.079
 God's

00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.679
 anger for

00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:37.439
 our sin

00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:37.720
 was

00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.659
 satisfied

00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:41.039
 he was

00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.339
 there

00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:41.939
 three days

00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.480
 later when

00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:42.899
 he brought

00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:43.619
 Jesus back

00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:43.960
 from the

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.460
 grave

00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:45.779
 triumphant

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.639
 over death

00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.359
 and the

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.059
 consequences

00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.740
 of Christ

00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.359
 taking up

00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:50.000
 that cross

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.399
 and not

00:32:50.399 --> 00:32:51.059
 his sword

00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.679
 is as

00:32:52.679 --> 00:32:53.279
 John writes

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:53.700
 a little bit

00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:53.960
 later

00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.379
 for God

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.000
 so loved

00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.399
 the world

00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:55.679
 that he

00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.139
 gave his

00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.579
 one and

00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.259
 only son

00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:58.140
 that whoever

00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:59.019
 believes in

00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.720
 him shall

00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.759
 not perish

00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:02.059
 but have

00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.960
 eternal

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.559
 life.

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:05.099
 Those who

00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.920
 mourn their

00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.039
 sin have

00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.799
 a safe

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.119
 refuge

00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:10.539
 from that

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.519
 sin and

00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.480
 its consequences

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.460
 in Jesus

00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.839
 and so if

00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.579
 that is

00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.000
 you

00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:18.099
 you are

00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.599
 marked

00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:20.059
 with the

00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:20.440
 sign of

00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:20.980
 the cross

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.980
 and as a

00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.339
 little bit

00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:24.339
 of information

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:26.099
 the mark

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.379
 that was

00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.039
 placed on

00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:28.000
 the foreheads

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.779
 of the

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.399
 people in

00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.879
 Jerusalem

00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:30.720
 in Ezekiel's

00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.359
 day was

00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:31.959
 a Hebrew

00:33:31.959 --> 00:33:32.799
 symbol for

00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.379
 the cross.

00:33:38.439 --> 00:33:39.220
 If you're

00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.919
 someone who

00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:40.559
 mourns your

00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:40.980
 sin and

00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.339
 feels the

00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:41.679
 weight of

00:33:41.679 --> 00:33:42.199
 your sin

00:33:42.199 --> 00:33:42.559
 you are

00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:43.059
 marked with

00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:43.399
 the sign

00:33:43.399 --> 00:33:43.619
 of the

00:33:43.619 --> 00:33:43.819
 cross

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.139
 you are

00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:44.599
 safe in

00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:44.819
 him

00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.500
 and so

00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:45.959
 remember

00:33:45.959 --> 00:33:46.480
 this

00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.720
 some 40

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.279
 days

00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:49.339
 after Jesus

00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.000
 rose

00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.720
 again

00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:52.600
 he

00:33:52.600 --> 00:33:53.299
 departed

00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.839
 again

00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:56.700
 the glory

00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.140
 of God

00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:57.779
 departed

00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.660
 again

00:33:58.660 --> 00:34:00.920
 in exactly

00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.460
 the same

00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.120
 place it

00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:02.740
 did five

00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.180
 centuries

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:03.579
 earlier

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.339
 just east

00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:04.759
 of the city

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.319
 of Jerusalem

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.140
 on the

00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:06.480
 Mount of

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:06.900
 Olives

00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:09.240
 and as it

00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:09.720
 departed

00:34:09.720 --> 00:34:10.220
 it didn't

00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:10.619
 part in

00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:10.940
 judgment

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.579
 this time

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.099
 it departed

00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.820
 with blessing

00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:14.280
 and he

00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:14.639
 says to

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:14.800
 his

00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.380
 disciples

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:18.240
 surely I'm

00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:18.579
 with you

00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.099
 always

00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.900
 to the

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.380
 very end

00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:20.619
 of the

00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.039
 age

00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:22.579
 God is

00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:22.880
 here with

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.360
 us now

00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:24.339
 Amen