WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.280 And in fact, I have said the exact same things now for the last six or seven years. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:09.080 And this Sunday, for the first time, I have to edit it. 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:15.179 You may remember, I typically say, good morning, my name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:17.199 here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:19.460 I can no longer say that. 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:25.120 I actually need to say, my name is Matthew Capone, and I am one of the pastors here at 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:26.620 Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.840 Some of you know Andy Perch has been serving with us through the Skill Bridge Program. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:41.780 The Skill Bridge Program and Andy's full-time work as a chaplain came to an end on Friday, 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:43.539 January 31st. 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:48.700 And on February 1st, Andy began officially working for us as an assistant pastor. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:58.280 It's a sign of really of God's grace and mercy to our church. 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:03.820 You may not know this, but right now it's actually a very challenging time to hire pastors. 00:01:04.460 --> 00:01:05.900 Many men have left the ministry. 00:01:06.040 --> 00:01:10.120 The pipeline is not what it used to be, and so churches here in town, some of us spent over 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:11.480 a year looking for someone. 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:17.020 God just brought us Andy and brought us someone in such a good fit for our church with his 00:01:17.020 --> 00:01:18.620 military background and his gifts. 00:01:19.379 --> 00:01:25.060 And so I am very grateful now to only be one of the pastors at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:25.379 Church. 00:01:25.379 --> 00:01:30.699 And it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:34.840 What is the rest of the things I say? 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:40.859 I think I say we're following Jesus together as one community, and as we follow him together 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:45.399 as one community, we become convinced that there's no one so good, they don't need God's 00:01:45.399 --> 00:01:50.399 grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:53.980 to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:56.660 And we're continuing our short series. 00:01:56.859 --> 00:02:01.840 Actually, we're ending our short series this morning in the book of Psalms with Psalm 107. 00:02:02.440 --> 00:02:07.240 Next week, Jonathan Clark is going to begin a four-week sermon series on evangelism, which 00:02:07.240 --> 00:02:08.259 I'm excited about. 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:10.340 I hope you are as well. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:12.020 But we are not there yet. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:16.680 And so as we finish our series in the book of Psalms, we're in Psalm 107. 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:23.400 And I have the sad news that we are only going to skim the surface of that psalm this morning. 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:27.439 It is the type of psalm that we could camp out in for weeks. 00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:33.360 Someone asked me earlier this week, someone outside our church, if I was going to end with 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:37.820 a bang, and I make no promises to end with a bang. 00:02:37.920 --> 00:02:43.740 In fact, I'm going to tell you the same thing I told you around Advent, that the great English 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:49.280 writer Samuel Johnson in the 18th century said people need to be reminded more often than they 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:50.320 need to be instructed. 00:02:50.940 --> 00:02:53.460 And this morning is a reminder sermon. 00:02:54.220 --> 00:02:55.520 And so that might be a bang. 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:58.680 I'll let you figure that out. 00:02:59.220 --> 00:03:02.720 Some Sundays are reminder Sundays, and that's today. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:08.159 We're going to have a very simple sermon from Psalm 107, which is actually what a lot of 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:09.060 psalms are. 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:15.780 A lot of psalms simply are there for us to rehearse and remember what we already know is 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:16.159 true. 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:21.300 To rehearse and remember, remind ourselves of God's faithfulness. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:24.199 So our sermon this morning, our passage, is very simple. 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:31.280 You'll see the title on page nine, which I've already referenced, four pictures of God's 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:31.560 love. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:33.719 And it's as simple as that. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:41.199 This psalm gives us four different angles on God's faithfulness to his people, which remind 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:44.740 us of why we praise him. 00:03:45.180 --> 00:03:47.020 In fact, we're going to focus in on that this morning. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:50.659 So I'm going to read for us verses 33 through 42. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:55.939 But we're not even going to touch those this morning because there is so much here in this 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:56.379 passage. 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:00.000 So I invite you to turn with me now to Psalm 107. 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:02.240 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:04:02.680 --> 00:04:04.359 You can turn in your Bible. 00:04:04.859 --> 00:04:06.280 You can turn on your phone. 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:10.379 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:15.719 Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5 tells us, every word of God proves true. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:20.459 He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:24.259 And so that's why we read now Psalm 107. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:31.920 Oh, give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:37.560 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:46.240 Verse 4. 00:04:46.240 --> 00:04:51.560 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:55.579 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.740 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:06.759 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:14.500 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:22.599 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:24.459 Verse 10. 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:31.319 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:37.620 For they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.019 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor. 00:05:41.659 --> 00:05:44.259 They fell down with none to help. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:49.959 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:55.879 He brought them out of darkness in the shadow of death and burst their bonds apart. 00:05:55.879 --> 00:06:04.060 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man. 00:06:04.659 --> 00:06:10.300 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts into the bars of iron. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:12.139 Verse 17. 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:18.680 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction. 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:24.900 They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:30.300 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:35.840 He sent out his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:43.500 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:50.800 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:53.120 Verse 23. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:58.180 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:02.540 They saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:08.500 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:10.579 They mounted up to heaven. 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:12.560 They went down to the depths. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:15.800 Their courage melted away in their evil plight. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:20.720 They reeled and staggered like drunken men, and were at their wit's end. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:26.699 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:32.340 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:38.160 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:46.840 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:54.000 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:55.879 Verse 33. 00:07:55.879 --> 00:08:07.459 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:13.579 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:19.680 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:23.959 They sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:30.799 By his blessing, they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:32.559 Verse 39. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:37.740 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:44.079 he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes. 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:50.100 But he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:56.860 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:01.920 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things. 00:09:02.440 --> 00:09:06.980 Let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:11.639 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:19.360 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and thank you for your steadfast love, which endures forever. 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:25.740 We thank you that one way that you show that to us is through your word, which guides us and instructs us, 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:28.159 and most of all shows us Jesus Christ. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:32.300 And so we ask that you would do that by your Holy Spirit again this morning, 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:38.080 that you would use these words in a powerful way in our lives, 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:40.720 that you would grow our love and affection for Christ. 00:09:41.420 --> 00:09:43.399 You'd grow our reverence and awe for him. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:45.420 You'd grow our obedience to him. 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:48.459 And we ask all of these things in his mighty name. 00:09:48.959 --> 00:09:49.240 Amen. 00:09:54.620 --> 00:10:00.079 If you are not living under a rock, which I assume you're not since you're here this morning, 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:08.519 you, like me, probably find that more and more of your purchasing comes online through websites rather than stores. 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:16.220 And you can almost set your clock by the emails that you will receive after you make the purchase. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:21.740 Of course, you have emails confirming and emails telling you about the shipping and emails telling you about the delivery. 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:26.079 But even after it's delivered, there's one final email, 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:30.279 that email that asks you for a review. 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:35.439 And so here are some of the emails I've received from online sellers. 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:37.879 Share your two cents. 00:10:39.100 --> 00:10:39.699 It's okay. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:41.480 Here's another one. 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:44.299 Don't forget to rate and review your purchase. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.259 Maybe I want to forget. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:51.019 Your thoughts on product name are valuable. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.379 Leave a review. 00:10:53.339 --> 00:10:54.079 That's a little better. 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:56.919 I love, always love to hear that my thoughts are valuable. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:59.379 Flattery can go a long way. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.679 We're all ears. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:04.100 Leave a review and get rewarded. 00:11:04.939 --> 00:11:06.079 I opened that email. 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:09.579 It didn't say what the reward was, so I didn't leave a review. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.059 Here's another one. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:16.799 Review your recent purchase and win. 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:19.620 This time they told me what I could win. 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:21.699 Wasn't a guarantee, so I didn't fill it out. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:24.879 It was a $100 gift card. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:28.959 What are these emails asking for? 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:34.400 In a word, they are asking for praise. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:42.699 And I bring that up to remind you that praise is a normal, a constant part of the human life. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:47.220 Sometimes when people come to passages in the Bible that command us to praise God, they think, 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:49.779 man, what a strange, unnatural thing. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.399 Who is this God who needs praise? 00:11:52.540 --> 00:11:53.620 What does that say about him? 00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:56.200 Is he somehow tiny and small or insecure? 00:11:57.820 --> 00:11:58.300 No. 00:11:58.540 --> 00:12:01.940 This is actually something we do all the time. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:05.120 Praise is a normal part of being human. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:14.840 So much a normal part that you have and you will continue to receive emails requesting, asking, demanding it. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:18.899 Even, in some of the examples I've given you, bribing you for it. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.299 One time I got an email asking for review saying I would get a gift card. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:24.419 So I filled it out. 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:25.440 It wasn't a gift card. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.700 It was a discount code. 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:30.379 You can imagine my shock and upset. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:36.379 Verse 1 here in this psalm gets right to the point. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:40.080 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:43.080 Give praise to God. 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:51.460 Now, when we come to a passage of Scripture, really any passage of Scripture, our task, our goal includes many things. 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:54.280 But the primary thing really we're trying to get at is this. 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:56.660 What do we learn about God? 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:59.200 And what do we learn about ourselves? 00:13:00.020 --> 00:13:02.700 How does God meet us in his grace? 00:13:03.280 --> 00:13:05.680 Ultimately, how does he meet us in Jesus Christ? 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:08.100 And then how do we respond to that grace? 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:16.980 And those are the two questions that preachers, pastors, struggle with week after week as we prepare sermons and then deliver them to congregations. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.879 That's not just for pastors, really. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:21.080 That's the question of any good Bible student. 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:24.240 What is this passage revealing about God? 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:27.220 And what is it that I am supposed to do with it? 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.320 And sometimes that's a real struggle. 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:30.240 That's a real challenge. 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:37.279 You're working through commentaries and ideas and books trying to figure out what is God revealing in this passage. 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:44.360 Then, every once in a while, you'll hit a passage of Scripture where you don't have to do that work. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:46.019 Because it tells you. 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:50.700 And this morning, we are in one of those passages. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:56.279 We don't have to wonder what we're supposed to know about God and how we're supposed to respond. 00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:58.200 What do we learn about God? 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.860 How does he meet us in his grace? 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:00.680 Verse 1, 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:04.840 He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:10.320 And if you were listening, you heard that repeated over and over throughout the psalm. 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.660 How are we supposed to respond? 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:15.420 What is asked and commanded of God's people? 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:17.540 Well, we don't have to search for that either. 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.360 Verse 1, 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:21.100 Oh, give thanks to the Lord. 00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:25.980 What is the point of Psalm 107? 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:30.139 Praise God because he's good. 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:33.879 And how is he good? 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:38.639 He is good in his steadfast love. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:46.939 Now, this Hebrew word for steadfast love includes more than anything any of our English words have in it. 00:14:47.199 --> 00:14:53.519 And so we really need to dig deeper into it to understand the depth, the power, the significance of this. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:59.600 Some people will tell you that if you are starting on a topic, a subject, and you're doing some research, 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:04.679 and you want to learn as much as you can, the best place to start is a children's book. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:11.360 The best place to start is a children's book because it makes everything so simple. 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.819 You want to learn about the Civil War? 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:16.059 Find a children's book on the Civil War. 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:19.319 You want to learn about space exploration? 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.980 Find a book about space exploration. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:24.120 I'm not saying you stop there. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.519 I'm saying you start there. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:30.440 My favorite definition of God's steadfast love comes from a children's book, 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.740 and it's on page 8 of your worship guide. 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:35.300 God's steadfast love is this, 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:42.240 his never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:46.440 And so we could read Psalm 107, verse 1 like this, 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:50.320 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:59.280 For his never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love, endures forever. 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:06.920 Next question is this, how do we see God's steadfast love? 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:13.639 Well, this passage tells us, verse 2, it's because he has redeemed us from trouble. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:20.719 And then verse 3, he's gathered his people together from every corner of the earth. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:25.379 This is a reference, by the way, to God bringing his people back from the exile 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:29.699 when they had to leave the promised land because of their rebellion. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:38.120 Of course, we take that now in a fuller sense of God gathering his people, his church to himself 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:41.040 from every tribe, tongue, and nation, 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:46.340 and ultimately God gathering his people to the new Jerusalem, to heaven. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:51.540 And so that gets us to what I mentioned at the beginning. 00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:53.120 This is the introduction. 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:54.800 It tells us the point of the sermon. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:57.779 We're supposed to give thanks to God for his steadfast love. 00:16:57.979 --> 00:17:03.979 And then we are given four pictures of God's steadfast love. 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:09.379 Before we jump into that, I want you to take a look with me at the very last verse, 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:12.240 verse 43, which tells us this. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:17.759 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things. 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:23.000 Let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:26.420 Do you consider yourself to be wise? 00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:30.799 Would you like to be wise? 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:35.819 Then attend to these things. 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:41.460 Consider with me the steadfast love of the Lord. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:48.200 Picture one is a picture of God's people being brought from a desert to a city. 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:50.900 You'll find this in verses four through seven. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:53.920 Now, we could take this at times in a literal sense. 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:59.820 There were times when God's people were in a literal desert separated from his promised land, right? 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:06.780 They're crying out that they would be able to return to Jerusalem, God's holy city. 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:10.560 We think now, though, as Christians in the New Testament, 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:13.920 our hope is not tied to earthly Jerusalem. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:19.360 No, instead, we are thinking here of a spiritual desert, God's people, 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:25.019 as they are separated from God's presence and his blessing. 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:33.680 So this cry is coming from people who are experiencing the opposite of verse nine. 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:34.580 Look with me there. 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:44.899 What does it mean to be in the desert? 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:48.740 If you are in the desert spiritually, 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:56.339 you are trying to satisfy your soul with things that won't deliver. 00:18:56.339 --> 00:19:02.819 If you are in the desert, we might think of that common phrase, 00:19:02.939 --> 00:19:06.759 looking for love in all the wrong places. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:17.079 Those who are in the desert are those who are separated from God's people and his power and his presence. 00:19:17.439 --> 00:19:24.179 Those who need to be brought into God's church, into relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:28.100 Looking, of course, not ultimately to the church, but as I mentioned before, 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:30.240 the new Jerusalem, looking forward to heaven, 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:34.840 when God brings all his people from around the world and throughout time, 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:37.140 finally and fully together. 00:19:39.560 --> 00:19:41.620 And so what do we learn from this picture? 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:46.400 We praise God for gathering his church. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:50.380 We praise God for gathering his people. 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:59.960 That includes God gathering his people here on February 2nd, 2025 at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:06.340 That includes praising God for calling you to himself. 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.800 Right? 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:12.960 You were one of the people in the desert. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:24.460 To go from looking in all the wrong places for what can be only fulfilled by God is to be in that place. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:28.880 Finding no way to a city to dwell in, hungry and thirsty. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.620 This is verse 5. 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:33.980 You might say your soul fainted within you. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:45.880 God takes his people out of the desert and he brings them to a place of life and blessing and flourishing. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:51.240 Is that true of you? 00:20:51.240 --> 00:21:03.599 If it is, give thanks to the Lord for he is good for his steadfast love endures forever. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:10.900 I warned you during the announcements that we were going to go back to page 2. 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:14.660 We were going to look at our summary of this psalm that we already sang. 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:17.039 What is the first picture if not this? 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:21.659 We were wandering in the desert with our souls so starved and weak. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:26.519 We were hungry for a homeland we did not know how to seek. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:30.920 But we lifted up our voices to the only one who hears. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:34.759 And the God of mercy came and brought us near. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:42.119 If you are a Christian, the God of mercy has come and brought you near. 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:47.919 Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever. 00:21:49.239 --> 00:21:53.579 Of course, we see this fulfilled fully and finally in our Lord Jesus. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:59.919 The last time I preached on, I think it was Psalm 46, I reminded you of John chapter 14. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.419 Jesus says, 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:03.219 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:22:03.959 --> 00:22:04.939 Believe in God. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.559 Believe also in me. 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:09.559 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:15.519 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:22.279 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself. 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:27.200 That where I am, you may be also. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:34.759 He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.799 And how do we reach that city? 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:41.079 Jesus tells us also in John 14. 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:44.899 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:50.359 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:58.639 Jesus is the one who brings his people from desert wastes to a city to dwell in. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:01.280 That's picture one. 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:07.440 Picture one doesn't speak about sin explicitly, although of course it's there. 00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:11.120 That is part of God calling his people from the desert to the city. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:17.660 The second picture, what we see in verses 10 through 16, becomes much more direct. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:21.580 Picture one was a trip from the desert to the city. 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:24.460 Picture two is release from prison. 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:28.880 Verse 10, some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:31.340 We find out that these folks are prisoners. 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.000 And why are they prisoners? 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:37.319 Well, verse 11, because they rebelled against God and they spurned him. 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:42.720 Verse 12, it turns out now they are facing God's punishment. 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:44.600 What do they do? 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:46.460 Verse 13, they cry out. 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:51.620 Verses 13 and 16, God sets them free. 00:23:56.980 --> 00:24:01.380 Has God set you free? 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:10.579 The image here of a prisoner is one we're familiar with from the New Testament 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:15.220 when the Apostle Paul and others speak about being slaves to sin. 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:21.720 Has God set you free from your slavery to sin? 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:27.180 Remember, we've talked about the three Ps that we reference when it comes to sin. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:30.319 There's a presence, a power, and a penalty. 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:35.000 If you have been set free from slavery to sin, 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:40.500 sin no longer has power over you and you no longer face a penalty. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:47.799 Yes, the presence is there, less and less. 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:55.099 If you've been set free from the slavery to sin, 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:57.599 it doesn't mean you don't struggle with sin anymore. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.759 Actually, it means now you're able to struggle with it. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:05.140 Sin is no longer the dominating force in your life. 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:06.880 It's present. 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:10.440 It's not in control. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:17.380 Instead, since it is not in control, 00:25:18.060 --> 00:25:20.060 since you are now a son and a daughter of God, 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:23.680 the Holy Spirit is at work growing and multiplying 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:26.040 and increasing the fruit of the Spirit in you. 00:25:26.280 --> 00:25:28.920 You have, year by year, by God's grace, 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:43.519 sin is pushed back and is weakening year by year. 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:50.300 Righteousness and holiness are moving forward and advancing. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:59.000 Has God set you free from the slavery to sin? 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.319 Is that true of you? 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:04.019 That's the Christian life. 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:07.759 If you experience that, 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:12.460 you can say, 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:24.259 By the way, notice what it doesn't say. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:30.240 It doesn't say the prisoners pulled themselves up by their bootstraps 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:33.079 and figured out a way to destroy their chains. 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.380 No. 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.279 Verse 13, 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:47.460 That's God's grace, brothers and sisters. 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:51.920 God's grace here is that in all of these scenes, 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:56.359 none of these folks are able to deliver themselves. 00:26:57.379 --> 00:27:01.079 They must be rescued by someone else. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:03.200 They don't break their chains. 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.460 No. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.400 Verse 16, 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.420 For he, that is God, 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.600 shatters the doors of bronze 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:12.340 and cuts into the bars of iron. 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:16.019 We might describe it this way. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:19.240 We were locked out of the garden 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:22.460 and our backs bent down with pain. 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:25.700 In the shadow of death's darkness, 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:28.880 we were slaves to sin and blame. 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:31.940 Then we cried out in our labor 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:34.700 to the only one who hears, 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:40.000 and the God of mercy wiped away our tears. 00:27:41.260 --> 00:27:43.100 Oh, give thanks to the Lord 00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:46.380 for his love endures forever. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:51.080 Of course, we see this ultimately in our Lord Jesus. 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:54.020 Jesus tells us in John chapter 8, 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:56.079 Truly, truly, truly, I say to you, 00:27:56.700 --> 00:28:00.740 everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:04.440 The slave does not remain in the house forever. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:07.839 The son remains forever. 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:11.460 So if the son sets you free, 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:14.879 you will be free indeed. 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:21.079 Christian, the son has set you free. 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:24.899 You are free indeed. 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.799 You may have the presence of sin. 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:31.519 You have not the penalty nor the power. 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:35.899 Oh, give thanks to the Lord for he is good 00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:40.240 for his steadfast love endures forever. 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:45.519 The next picture we have here is even more specific. 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.720 The idea of slavery to sin, 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.319 that's kind of this general idea. 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:51.460 Now we're gonna dial in a little bit 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.939 and see not just the slavery, 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:54.740 but the damage of sin. 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:59.679 Verses 17 through 22 show us fools and sinners. 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:04.679 Verse 17, these are fools who are suffering affliction, 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.319 and they're suffering affliction. 00:29:06.439 --> 00:29:07.899 This has gotten so bad. 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.859 Verse 18 tells us, 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.700 excuse me, not, 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:15.019 yeah, verse 18, 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:18.059 they drew near to the gates of death. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:21.200 The presence of sin here 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:24.420 had become so destructive, in other words, 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:27.420 that they were almost gone. 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:30.460 One pastor puts it this way. 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:30.879 He says, 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:34.279 the picture is of those who have badly damaged 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:36.819 their spiritual and physical health 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:41.180 through foolish, self-indulgent lifestyles 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.320 and addictions. 00:29:45.320 --> 00:29:46.920 And so the psalmist here 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:49.080 is talking about a person 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:52.820 who has found himself or herself ensnared. 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:57.700 That their sin is in fact destroying them more and more. 00:29:58.039 --> 00:30:01.980 Could be the person who is buried in credit card debt, 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:05.160 chasing that feeling of fullness 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:07.220 and satisfaction from consumption 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.779 that never delivers. 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:12.160 Could be the person who's ensnared 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:13.960 in an addiction to pornography 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:16.140 or drugs in a desperate attempt 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:17.480 to numb the pain. 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:21.300 It could be the person who wakes up 00:30:21.300 --> 00:30:22.759 and because of their loth 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:24.360 and their sloth and their laziness, 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.820 they are avoiding life. 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.720 And they realize suddenly 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:30.660 there's not much of a future for them. 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:35.720 And so of course it says, 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.340 what do these people do? 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:40.160 They find a self-help book, 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.860 they get to work, right? 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:43.019 You see that in verse 20. 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.880 That was a joke, you can laugh. 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:48.360 Verse 19, 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:51.320 they cried to the Lord in their trouble 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:54.960 and he delivered them from their distress. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:58.259 Once again, brothers and sisters, 00:30:58.259 --> 00:31:00.879 this is God's grace. 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:04.400 The answer here is not 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:06.299 that suddenly they discovered 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.579 more focus and self-discipline. 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:10.339 No, the answer is that 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:12.740 they experienced and cried out 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:15.420 for the great and matchless mercy of God. 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:20.299 That is what caused them to break free. 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:24.339 So this psalm reminds us, 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:28.959 God offers freedom from these things too. 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:32.500 He doesn't offer us freedom 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:34.859 by muscling our way down, 00:31:34.959 --> 00:31:37.740 by exercising greater self-control 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:39.720 and listening to the right influencers 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.899 and podcasts. 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:44.459 No, he reminds us that these addictions, 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:47.299 these habits entice and seduce us, 00:31:47.419 --> 00:31:49.359 but they cannot fulfill us. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:53.179 And he reminds us of 00:31:53.179 --> 00:31:55.199 and provides for us 00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:58.319 what can only fulfill, 00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:03.519 which is the relationship with God 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:06.059 that flows out into healed relationships 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.979 with ourselves, 00:32:07.199 --> 00:32:08.199 with the world, 00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:09.299 with others. 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:15.339 We might say this, 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.740 as God fills us 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.659 in a variety of ways, 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:20.480 our hunger for these things 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:22.740 becomes less and less. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:26.379 We might summarize it in this way. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:29.159 We were fools in our rebellion 00:32:29.159 --> 00:32:31.919 with our hunger strike of pride. 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:34.460 We were sick and growing closer 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:37.119 to the death we should have died. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:39.679 Then he heard of our condition 00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:42.719 and he called us by our names 00:32:42.719 --> 00:32:44.819 and the God of glory 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:47.399 took away our shame. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:51.419 Has the God of glory 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:54.219 taken away your shame? 00:32:55.959 --> 00:32:56.979 If so, 00:32:57.699 --> 00:32:59.079 give thanks to the Lord 00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:00.399 for he is good, 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:03.279 for his steadfast love 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:05.199 endures forever. 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:10.859 Our final picture 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:15.019 comes in verses 23 through 32. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.379 This one's a little different. 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.799 This is not about people 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.679 trapped in the desert 00:33:18.679 --> 00:33:20.399 or necessarily experiencing 00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:22.639 direct affliction from sin. 00:33:22.739 --> 00:33:23.719 No, these are sailors 00:33:23.719 --> 00:33:26.559 and they hit a storm 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.779 that is too much for them. 00:33:28.479 --> 00:33:29.279 Verse 23, 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.279 some are going down 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:31.719 to the sea in ships. 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:34.740 They see the deeds 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.220 of the Lord, 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.539 his wondrous works 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.819 in the deep. 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:40.680 Then in 25 and 26, 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.940 this storm comes up 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:44.100 that is more 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:45.559 than they are able 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.740 to manage. 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:49.420 Verse 26 tells us this, 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:52.259 their courage melted away 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:54.940 in their evil plight. 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.480 Verse 27, 00:33:58.360 --> 00:34:00.720 they were at their wit's end. 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.819 Now that phrase, 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.759 at their wit's end, 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.440 if you're reading 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:06.000 an ESV translation 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.700 of the Bible, 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.759 you'll see a little note 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.340 at the bottom 00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.400 that says, 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.880 and all their wisdom 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:13.420 was swallowed up. 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:16.280 One version puts it this way, 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:18.119 all their skill 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.599 was useless. 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:22.199 The point is this, 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:24.879 no matter how strong 00:34:24.879 --> 00:34:26.299 or wise 00:34:26.299 --> 00:34:27.919 or experienced 00:34:27.919 --> 00:34:28.739 you are 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.859 in this world, 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:31.139 no matter how much 00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:32.519 power you have, 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.399 you will 00:34:34.399 --> 00:34:36.219 run up 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:37.219 against forces 00:34:37.219 --> 00:34:38.299 that are too 00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:39.139 much 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:40.039 for you. 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:43.119 There are some 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.839 things 00:34:43.839 --> 00:34:45.219 that you cannot 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.199 outrun. 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.899 run. 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:49.980 We might think 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.500 of economic 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.339 and political 00:34:51.339 --> 00:34:52.000 forces. 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.099 We might think 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:54.159 of the limitations 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:55.419 of our own bodies, 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:56.960 the tragedy 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:58.179 and chaos 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:59.419 that nothing 00:34:59.419 --> 00:35:00.739 can protect us 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.019 from. 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:03.980 These verses 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.839 are reminding us 00:35:04.839 --> 00:35:06.279 of a simple 00:35:06.279 --> 00:35:06.799 truth. 00:35:07.859 --> 00:35:09.299 You are just 00:35:09.299 --> 00:35:10.539 not that 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.199 powerful. 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:14.699 and there 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:15.480 are some 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.199 things 00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:17.719 that no 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.500 human 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:19.779 can stand 00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:20.779 against. 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.219 There are 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:23.579 moments 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.019 where we're 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.719 overwhelmed 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:25.659 by the power 00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:27.000 of nature 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.259 and of this 00:35:28.259 --> 00:35:28.659 world. 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.179 And our 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:32.079 only hope 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:33.679 is God 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.399 and His 00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:34.819 mercy. 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:37.199 Our wisdom, 00:35:37.460 --> 00:35:37.939 our wealth, 00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:38.839 our experience, 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.939 our influence 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:41.179 cannot 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:42.240 and will 00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:43.059 not 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.200 save us. 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:46.579 We might 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.099 say this, 00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.760 we were far 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.240 out on the 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:49.579 ocean, 00:35:50.059 --> 00:35:51.619 making wealth 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:52.240 and chasing 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:52.820 dreams, 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.720 but the waves 00:35:54.720 --> 00:35:55.200 of great 00:35:55.200 --> 00:35:55.860 destruction 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:57.280 brought us 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:57.920 trembling to 00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.380 our knees. 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.079 Then we 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:00.800 cried like 00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:01.740 drunken sailors 00:36:01.740 --> 00:36:03.320 to the only 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.039 one who 00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:04.579 hears, 00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:06.059 and the 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.420 God of 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:06.820 comfort 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:08.700 took away 00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:09.720 our fears. 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.740 God 00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:12.360 there is 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.539 only one 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.019 maker 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.220 of heaven 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.099 and earth. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.700 There is 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.920 only one 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.700 God 00:36:21.700 --> 00:36:22.800 more 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.579 powerful 00:36:23.579 --> 00:36:24.639 than the 00:36:24.639 --> 00:36:25.019 forces 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.280 of this 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:26.659 world. 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.780 We see 00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:31.340 this again 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:31.599 in our 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.139 Lord Jesus. 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.539 You may 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.139 remember when 00:36:34.139 --> 00:36:34.400 we were 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:35.119 together in 00:36:35.119 --> 00:36:35.860 the gospel 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.340 of Mark, 00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:36.659 we saw 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:37.220 this story 00:36:37.220 --> 00:36:37.539 in Mark 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.239 chapter 4 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:39.019 that Jesus 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.539 is with 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.179 his disciples 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:40.559 in the 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:40.900 boat and 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.360 this great 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.159 storm comes 00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:42.420 up. 00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:43.320 Jesus is 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:44.039 asleep and 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.500 the disciples 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.400 are afraid 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.320 that it is 00:36:46.320 --> 00:36:46.860 going to 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.400 kill them. 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.559 Jesus has 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:51.340 the audacity, 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.219 we're told in 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:53.079 verse 38, 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.219 to be in the 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:54.539 stern, 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.500 asleep on the 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:55.800 cushion. 00:36:56.920 --> 00:36:57.440 The disciples 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:58.000 woke him 00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.539 and said to 00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:58.739 him, 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.259 teacher, 00:36:59.759 --> 00:37:00.659 do you not 00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.820 care that 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.159 we are 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:02.659 perishing? 00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:06.159 Jesus awoke 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.920 and rebuked 00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.440 the wind 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:07.899 and said 00:37:07.899 --> 00:37:08.259 to the 00:37:08.259 --> 00:37:08.559 sea, 00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.399 peace, 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.659 be still. 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:13.379 The wind 00:37:13.379 --> 00:37:14.299 ceased and 00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:14.719 there was a 00:37:14.719 --> 00:37:15.460 great calm 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:16.599 and he 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.119 said to 00:37:17.119 --> 00:37:17.460 them, 00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:19.059 why are 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:19.899 you so 00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:20.639 afraid? 00:37:21.359 --> 00:37:22.039 Have you 00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:22.940 still no 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.460 faith? 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.159 Christian, 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:29.399 there are 00:37:29.399 --> 00:37:30.480 forces in 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.359 this world 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.140 that are 00:37:32.140 --> 00:37:33.340 greater than 00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:34.420 you can 00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:34.920 handle, 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:39.120 but they 00:37:39.120 --> 00:37:40.079 are not 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:41.460 greater than 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:42.039 our God. 00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:49.640 Verse 29, 00:37:50.220 --> 00:37:50.880 he made 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:51.660 the storm 00:37:51.660 --> 00:37:52.519 be still 00:37:52.519 --> 00:37:53.240 and the 00:37:53.240 --> 00:37:54.039 waves of 00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:54.780 the sea 00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:56.000 were hushed. 00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.440 Has 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.099 the God 00:38:00.099 --> 00:38:00.860 of comfort 00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:02.420 taken away 00:38:02.420 --> 00:38:03.940 your fears? 00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:06.079 If he 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:06.480 has, 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:08.099 give thanks 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.360 to the 00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:08.640 Lord, 00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:09.920 for he 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:10.360 is good, 00:38:11.160 --> 00:38:11.620 for his 00:38:11.620 --> 00:38:12.340 steadfast 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:12.980 love 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:14.120 endures 00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:14.940 forever. 00:38:19.800 --> 00:38:20.840 I started 00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:21.280 this morning 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:22.200 by talking 00:38:22.200 --> 00:38:22.860 about the 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:24.300 proliferation 00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:25.420 of online 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.140 reviews and 00:38:26.140 --> 00:38:26.559 the emails 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:26.780 and the 00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.200 requests 00:38:27.200 --> 00:38:27.460 that you 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.160 receive for 00:38:28.160 --> 00:38:28.420 them. 00:38:28.420 --> 00:38:29.900 why 00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:31.619 do you 00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:32.240 receive so 00:38:32.240 --> 00:38:32.460 many? 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.579 What is 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.099 the point 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:35.720 ultimately 00:38:35.720 --> 00:38:37.059 of a 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.360 review? 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.420 The point 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:41.019 is so that 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:41.420 when you 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:41.860 shop, 00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.539 you would 00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:44.159 know 00:38:44.159 --> 00:38:45.300 what is 00:38:45.300 --> 00:38:45.800 good. 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:47.680 You'd 00:38:47.680 --> 00:38:48.000 grow in 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:48.400 knowledge. 00:38:49.760 --> 00:38:50.800 You would 00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.480 make the 00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:51.980 right 00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.900 choice. 00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.900 know 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:55.579 what is 00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:56.079 the point 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.599 of this 00:38:56.599 --> 00:38:57.000 psalm? 00:38:57.680 --> 00:38:58.700 That you 00:38:58.700 --> 00:38:59.800 would know 00:38:59.800 --> 00:39:00.460 what is 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:00.820 good. 00:39:02.119 --> 00:39:02.980 That you 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:03.539 would grow 00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:04.519 in knowledge. 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.760 That you 00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.599 would make 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.539 the right 00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:09.360 choice. 00:39:10.039 --> 00:39:10.900 That you 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:11.480 would praise 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.760 God and 00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.079 you would 00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:14.019 follow him 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:16.019 because his 00:39:16.019 --> 00:39:17.800 steadfast love 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:19.300 endures 00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:20.300 forever. 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:20.380 forever. 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.960 We might 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.620 even go so 00:39:24.620 --> 00:39:25.160 far as to 00:39:25.160 --> 00:39:25.720 say this. 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:26.960 Oh, 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:27.600 give thanks 00:39:27.600 --> 00:39:27.860 to the 00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:29.560 Lord for 00:39:29.560 --> 00:39:30.440 his love 00:39:30.440 --> 00:39:31.140 endures 00:39:31.140 --> 00:39:31.600 forever. 00:39:32.500 --> 00:39:33.120 We were 00:39:33.120 --> 00:39:33.560 wandering 00:39:33.560 --> 00:39:34.240 and lost 00:39:34.240 --> 00:39:35.440 and our 00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:36.360 father brought 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:36.820 us home 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:38.519 to a safe 00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.740 dwelling place, 00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:41.500 to a feast 00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:42.039 of joy 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:42.700 and laughter. 00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:44.120 Oh, 00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.100 give thanks 00:39:45.100 --> 00:39:45.580 to the 00:39:45.580 --> 00:39:46.640 Lord for 00:39:46.640 --> 00:39:48.260 he is 00:39:48.260 --> 00:39:49.039 good. 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.119 God. 00:39:50.639 --> 00:39:51.139 Let's 00:39:51.139 --> 00:39:51.380 pray. 00:39:53.340 --> 00:39:53.840 Our 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:54.279 father in 00:39:54.279 --> 00:39:54.480 heaven, 00:39:54.579 --> 00:39:54.980 we do 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.699 praise you 00:39:55.699 --> 00:39:56.239 and thank 00:39:56.239 --> 00:39:56.619 you that 00:39:56.619 --> 00:39:57.259 you are 00:39:57.259 --> 00:39:58.059 good and 00:39:58.059 --> 00:39:58.980 your steadfast 00:39:58.980 --> 00:40:00.139 love endures 00:40:00.139 --> 00:40:00.639 forever. 00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:02.360 We ask 00:40:02.360 --> 00:40:02.619 that you 00:40:02.619 --> 00:40:03.139 would help 00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:03.480 us to 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.119 meditate on 00:40:04.119 --> 00:40:04.659 these things 00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:05.300 so that we 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:06.219 would become 00:40:06.219 --> 00:40:07.519 wise and 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:07.940 even more 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.279 than that, 00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:08.579 we would 00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:09.860 trust and 00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:10.519 follow you. 00:40:10.920 --> 00:40:11.360 We ask 00:40:11.360 --> 00:40:11.860 all of these 00:40:11.860 --> 00:40:12.279 things in 00:40:12.279 --> 00:40:12.639 the mighty 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:13.079 name of 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:13.779 Jesus Christ. 00:40:14.300 --> 00:40:14.519 Amen.