WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.820 Isaiah 43, verses 1-7, but on to 1-21. I wonder what passages you give to people and you read 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:26.199 ! when they're suffering, when they're in trouble. The last pastoral visit that I did with David Barnes, 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:33.420 we went to see someone, someone who was suffering, and the passage that we read to that person was Isaiah 43. 00:00:34.439 --> 00:00:39.780 It's often a passage that I tune to and read with people who are going through the mill. 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:48.439 It's one of those mountain peaks of the Bible. It's an incredible passage, isn't it, of comfort and strength 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:55.019 and encouragement in the midst of all sorts of challenges and difficulties that you and I go through in life. 00:00:55.020 --> 00:01:01.820 And in many ways the passage speaks for itself. But I want to try and mind the depths of it today 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:08.219 as we think about the context. As we read through a passage like this, I hope that we will see 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:16.920 that there is never any need for fear for those who God calls his own. There's never any need 00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:25.079 to fear for those who God calls his own. And we're going to think about that by picking up a word that God uses 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:32.420 here in verse 1. Can you see it? I am the fear not, for I have redeemed you. We're going to think about 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:40.520 redemption as it's spelled out in Isaiah chapter 43. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. You do not need to be 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:47.479 afraid because I have rescued you already. I purchased you for a price. I redeemed you. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:51.340 And so we'll think about three things. We'll think about the object of that redemption. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:56.739 We'll think about the commitment of that redemption. And then lastly the consequence of that redemption. 00:01:57.699 --> 00:02:03.340 So we can see that there's never any need to fear for those whom God has called. 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:10.780 So firstly the object of redemption. Look at verse 1. But now that says, the Lord, 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:17.199 He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel, 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:24.520 Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:30.039 Now I think the question that you've got to deal with right away is, who is the you? 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:37.159 Who is the you that God is referring to here? Who is the you that God has redeemed? 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:44.159 And we would say right away that this verse tells us, the you is referring to those whom God has created. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:51.199 Those whom God has formed. Those who are named here as Jacob or Israel. 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:54.199 That is, He's referring to the people of God. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:03:00.739 And we saw in chapter 40 that God has promised to rescue Israel out of exile in Babylon. 00:03:02.179 --> 00:03:06.479 Well we might think that, is what God is saying here, that He's going to redeem them, 00:03:06.519 --> 00:03:09.299 He's going to just bring them back from that foreign land. 00:03:09.619 --> 00:03:11.259 And I think that it's bigger than that. 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:18.899 I think we're clued into the fact that it's bigger by the very first word in chapter 43, but. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:21.800 That is, but now. 00:03:22.980 --> 00:03:26.219 You don't have anything to fear because I've redeemed you. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:32.640 It almost seems to indicate that just prior to this, Israel, Isaiah has given evidence 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:35.599 for why they might think that they need to fear. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:38.560 Why they do need to be afraid. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:43.879 And sure enough, if you just look back to the end of chapter 42, you'll see that that is the case. 00:03:43.879 --> 00:03:45.819 So look at verses 18 to 20. 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:50.659 Hear you deaf, look you blind, that you may see. 00:03:50.959 --> 00:03:54.159 Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger or my son? 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:56.539 Who is blind as my dedicated one? 00:03:57.079 --> 00:03:58.959 As blind as the servant of the Lord. 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:01.959 He sees many things, but he does not observe them. 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:04.560 His ears are open, but he does not hear. 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:10.019 And God's people, at the end of Isaiah chapter 42, at the start of 43, have got a big problem. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:13.959 They've got problems which they need to be rescued from. 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:19.300 Which is that they are spiritually dense and senseless. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:24.960 And God has called Israel to be his messenger to the world. 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:26.259 To be his servant. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:30.400 They have the capacity, don't they? 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:33.860 They have the capacity to hear and to see. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:36.139 But he says, you are deaf and you are blind. 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:41.079 So the reason we saw last week, where God has to send a new servant. 00:04:42.099 --> 00:04:45.319 An individual servant, who we've discovered is Jesus. 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:51.699 Because this servant, the servant that God had wanted of the people of Israel, they have failed completely. 00:04:52.699 --> 00:04:55.060 They have failed completely to do what he wanted them to do. 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:58.099 Israel have become like their idols, Isaiah says. 00:04:58.100 --> 00:05:01.540 They have become deaf and blind. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:05.939 And that's the threat, all the way through the book of Isaiah. 00:05:06.260 --> 00:05:08.820 That the Israelites are becoming like their idols. 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:11.920 Greg Beal, in his book on Idolity, says. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:15.180 We become like what we worship. 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:17.500 We become what we worship. 00:05:17.760 --> 00:05:20.460 He says, we end up resembling what we revere. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.780 Either for ruin or for restoration. 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:28.199 And the Israelites, as they worshipped idols. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:31.399 That they had begun to revere. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:34.419 And it had become their ruin. 00:05:35.699 --> 00:05:39.239 And they had become completely insensitive to their condition. 00:05:40.859 --> 00:05:42.939 I don't know if you've heard of Dr. Paul Brand. 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:46.039 Dr. Paul Brand was a medical missionary in India. 00:05:46.559 --> 00:05:51.919 And he did some amazing work amongst the leper communities in that country in the 1950s. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:55.000 Lepercy, of course, it's a terrible disease. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:59.040 And it creates in its victims a lack of sensitivity. 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.400 And lepers have an inability to feel pain. 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:08.580 And Brand would look at lepers working during the day. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:11.160 Lepers would be working with shovels. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:16.060 And in some of those shovels, he would notice that there was a nail sticking out on the handle. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:20.120 And it would cause the hands of the operators to start bleeding. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:22.600 But of course, they didn't have sense of feeling. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:26.180 So they had no sense of them being injured. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:30.680 They would just continue to dig with blood pouring down their hands. 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:35.699 What puzzled Brand is that when they came back to work the next day, 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:41.379 those parts of their extremities, their fingers and their toes, would actually be missing. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:49.319 And for years, it was believed that leprosy literally kind of attacked at the bones of the fingers and the toes. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:53.980 But Brand discovered that it wasn't actually leprosy itself. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:59.079 But rather, while the lepers were sleeping in their open dormities, rats would come in. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:02.939 And literally eat the wounded fingers of the lepers. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:08.199 And because there was no tactile feedback whatsoever, they never felt it. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:11.180 So they woke up on the rats at a feast in the mud huts of India. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:16.399 I think that's probably the grossest illustration that I've ever given in 13 years. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:22.360 But Isaiah is reminding Israel, you need rescue. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:30.500 Because Israel's idolatry had rendered her completely insensitive to their spiritualness of sin. 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:31.639 They were like the lepers. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:32.699 They didn't know they were bleeding. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:35.520 They didn't know the rats were eating their fingers. 00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:36.800 They'd become deaf. 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:37.920 They'd become blind. 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:40.259 And they were oblivious for the situation. 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:46.220 That even when God would bring serious judgment upon them, they still didn't get it. 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:48.040 So look at chapter 42, verse 25. 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:52.900 So he poured on him the heat of his anger and the night of his battle. 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:56.120 It set him on fire all around, but he did not understand. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.379 It burned him up, but he didn't take it apart. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:04.420 And the Israelites were not going to get it on their own. 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.900 They were too dense, so God has to redeem them. 00:08:07.820 --> 00:08:08.640 And that is what he does. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:09.320 He steps in. 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:11.540 And he rescues them. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:15.220 From themselves. 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:21.520 Because unless he is going to rescue them, he's not going to have a people for himself. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:24.940 Of course, that has always been the case. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:29.980 You mustn't make the mistake this morning of looking down your nose at the Israelites thinking, 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.020 well, we know much better. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:35.180 The fact is, the object of God's redemption, God's rescue, 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:38.300 has always been those who could never rescue themselves. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:43.300 They could never rescue themselves, but they need rescue. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:45.459 From idolatry. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:52.419 God has never redeemed anyone outside the category of idolatry. 00:08:53.359 --> 00:08:58.479 Because there is no one outside that category of idolatry. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:04.299 John Payton was a Scottish missionary to the New Hebrides in the South Pacific in the late 1800s. 00:09:04.859 --> 00:09:06.719 It was a magnificent autobiography. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:11.019 It was not a missionary call to the faint-hearted. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.940 The natives were cannibals. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:17.680 They were cannibals who would occasionally eat the flesh of their defeated foes. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:19.160 They practiced infanticide. 00:09:19.960 --> 00:09:20.860 And widow sacrifice. 00:09:21.160 --> 00:09:25.480 They sacrificed widows because they thought if they killed the widow of the deceased man, 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:28.399 those women would go to save their husbands in the next world. 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:36.199 And despite the obvious risks, John and Margaret Payton learned the language of the people. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:39.659 And they set up homes there. 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:44.419 And they set up a number of orphanages and schools and a couple of churches. 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:49.799 And within 15 years of their arrival, the whole island professed faith in Jesus Christ. 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:55.500 And after their very first communion service that he held with new converts, he wrote this. 00:09:56.859 --> 00:09:57.399 He said, 00:09:57.399 --> 00:10:00.979 The moment I put the bread and the wine into those dark hands, 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:04.359 once stained with the blood of cannibalism, 00:10:04.719 --> 00:10:09.479 now stretched out to receive the emblems and seal of the Redeemer's love, 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:15.120 I had a foretaste of the glory that well nigh broke my heart to pieces. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:22.539 I shall never taste a deeper bliss until I gaze on the glorified face of Jesus himself. 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:25.759 How does God gather people? 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:29.860 How does God gather people that he can call his own? 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:31.820 Who belong to him? 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:34.200 He redeems cannibals. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:35.779 That's how he does it. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:39.879 He redeems the spiritually deaf and the spiritually blind. 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:42.180 That's how he does it. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:45.579 He redeems people like you and like me. 00:10:47.099 --> 00:10:48.500 That's how he gets himself people. 00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:52.539 Because you and I are hopeless cases too. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:55.519 We may not be cannibals. 00:10:56.719 --> 00:10:57.879 No one's ever told me that they are. 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:01.519 But spiritually we are in exactly the same place. 00:11:02.859 --> 00:11:04.199 We are deaf and blind. 00:11:04.359 --> 00:11:05.419 We've run after idols. 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.859 And we've become like our idols. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:12.779 Thinking these things can give me what I look for. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:17.360 I've got a friend in London who I met with not long ago. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:22.899 And he has deliberately decided to stay in London with his family in a small little house. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.379 Because he believes that it's right. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:29.860 And it's God's calling on his life for him to stay in central London. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:34.539 And that part of that church has kingdom significance. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:40.340 But he said every now and then my wife and I will go online and we'll look at property in South Wales. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:45.879 And we say to ourselves look what we could buy for the money we're paying rent for. 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:50.960 And then they realise that's temptation isn't it? 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:53.639 It's not that there's anything wrong with living in South Wales. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:59.439 But they recognise that for them that could become an idol. 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:07.980 That for them that could be something more significant to them than God's call on their lives. 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:13.679 And every single one of us has an idol like that. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:18.399 Or several which can render us spiritually deaf. 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:24.979 But something or someone becomes more important to us than God. 00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:27.639 And so we cease to hear. 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:31.139 And we cherish our own God. 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:38.359 And we become deaf and blind so that we will never come to God unless he would first redeem us. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:41.299 But praise God that is what he does. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:47.599 So the object of redemption here that God is speaking of is those who are spiritually deaf and blind. 00:12:47.979 --> 00:12:49.719 But what is God's commitment secondly? 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:52.000 Look at God's commitment verses 2 and 3. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:55.779 When you pass through the waters I will be with you. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:58.959 And through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you. 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:01.819 And when you walk through the rivers they shall not be burned. 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:03.859 And the flame will not consume you. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:06.159 For I am the Lord your God the Holy One of Israel. 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.079 Your Saviour. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:09.220 I gave Cush. 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:10.960 I gave Egypt as a ransom. 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:13.280 Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.900 The Lord says I have redeemed you. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.639 Because you belong to me. 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:22.000 I guarantee you God says there are no circumstances that will derail you. 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:24.720 I can and I will take you through anything. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:31.920 Some commentators think that this is a promise to the Israelites of their return from exile in Babylon. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:41.320 But Alec Matea, one of the commentators, makes the point that the language here points to hardship being experienced from their captors on the way to captivity. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.980 Rather than on the way back. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:45.440 And that helps us. 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:51.700 Because the New Testament speaks about us being in exile in this world as God's people are. 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:53.519 So there is a definite promise to you. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.820 It has as well this morning. 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:59.940 That in these verses there is a promise to us that God says I will be with you. 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:01.340 You are part of my people. 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:04.300 I will be with you on every conceivable kind of trial. 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.220 That you will ever face. 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:12.779 So he gives the extreme example of raging waters on the one hand and blazing fire on the other. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:17.680 And God commits himself to go with us through all those circumstances. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:22.360 But notice God does not say I will remove you from those troubles, does he? 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.740 And those trials. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:29.060 God doesn't say you will never experience deep waters. 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.840 You will never experience the fire. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:33.800 No, the promise is he will preserve us in the middle of it. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.659 Hear that promise this morning. 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:36.759 Amen. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:42.159 God says no matter what trial or trouble you go through. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.659 I am committed to you. 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:46.419 And I will be with you in it. 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.919 There will be trials. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:51.639 You will stand at the graveside of love. 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:54.399 You will get the diagnosis from the doctor. 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.960 But God says I will be with you. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:04.259 I wonder what you would identify as your biggest trial in your life right now. 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:08.620 I wonder what struggle it would be. 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:15.279 For the Christian, God has staked his reputation on seeing you through it. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:20.220 On carrying me through the torrents. 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:23.000 On protecting you through the flames. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:26.980 And specifically what he is promising in you. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:29.919 Is he will preserve your faith and your trust in him. 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:32.620 Ultimately physical death will come to you and I. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.559 It will come to every single one of us. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.940 And then Jesus Christ comes back. 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:39.860 But first God has committed that he will guard our hearts. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.980 So that we will never lose. 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:45.720 Never lose the love of the one who has redeemed us. 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:47.139 That is his commitment. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.740 And you say how do I know that's true? 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:55.500 How do I know that that's just not kind of religious talk? 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:58.399 How do I know that he will keep that kind of promise? 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.220 Well look at the guarantee he gives in verse 3. 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.120 Can you see verse 3? 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:04.560 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:06.060 I gave Egypt as your ransom. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:09.419 Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:13.560 God says this promise that I make to you is ground in my very character. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.379 I am the Lord your God. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:17.039 That's the name he introduced himself. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:19.720 All the way back in Exodus. 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:22.399 In chapter 3 of Exodus. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:24.200 Where he says I am Yahweh. 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.600 I am your God. 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.720 I am your God. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.120 Not in the sense that he is. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.960 That God is our God. 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:31.580 But because. 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.300 And that he belongs to us. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:35.360 But in the sense he is our God. 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:37.340 Because he's pledged himself to us. 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:39.420 He has given himself to us. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:43.600 And he's pledged to be our God in every situation. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:46.460 In every circumstance of life. 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:50.680 The R.A.F. 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:53.239 When they flew in World War II. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:55.719 And they flew in formations. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:17:00.439 And if they saw an enemy plane coming behind them. 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.759 To attack. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:04.899 The plane that was behind the front plane would say. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.839 I've got your six. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.299 I've got your six. 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.519 Basically I've got your back. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.720 I've got your six. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.359 I'm behind you. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.379 Don't worry about it. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.460 I'll take him out. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.599 I've got your six. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:18.519 And God says to us. 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.379 I've got your six. 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:21.819 And I've got your two. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.259 And I've got your nine. 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:26.799 And I've got your four. 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.000 I've got you covered. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.000 I've got your back. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.980 I've got your six. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.980 I'm watching over you. 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:35.779 Why? 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:37.019 Why? 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:39.159 Because I have come and I'm to be your God. 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.480 And you will be my people. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.659 And I will be your God. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.379 And then he gives them an illustration. 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.720 Of what that had meant to them in the past. 00:17:45.780 --> 00:17:46.580 So in verse three. 00:17:47.040 --> 00:17:47.380 He says. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.840 I gave Egypt as your ransom. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.780 Cushion, cedar in exchange for you. 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.720 Because you are precious. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.840 In my eyes. 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.280 And honoured. 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:55.860 And I love you. 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:57.260 I gave men in return for you. 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.900 Peoples in exchange for your life. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.660 Fear not. 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:01.460 For I am with you. 00:18:05.040 --> 00:18:06.380 The ESV says. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:06.720 Isn't it? 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:08.320 I give Egypt. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.260 Doesn't it? 00:18:12.280 --> 00:18:13.200 I give Egypt. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:15.500 But actually that isn't right. 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:17.580 It's a past tense he's speaking to. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.819 He's referring. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:22.440 To how God has redeemed Israel. 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.860 At the expense of Egypt. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.940 In the Exodus. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.600 Do you remember? 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.920 Judgment came in the Exodus. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:29.340 And it meant salvation for Israel. 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:30.660 But it meant death for Egypt. 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:35.240 Because redemption always involves a price. 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:37.080 It involves a ransom price. 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:41.460 And the price for Israel's redemption was Egypt. 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:44.639 That's the level of God's commitment. 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.000 To Israel. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.259 Because you are precious. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.299 Because you are honoured in my sight. 00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:49.799 God says. 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.859 Because I love you. 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.019 Because I love you. 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:52.599 Literally. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.859 I would give humanity in your place. 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:59.019 I would give the rest of mankind in your place. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:00.879 God says. 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:02.679 I've already given up Egypt in your place. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:05.420 I would give all peoples if I had to redeem you. 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.160 To rescue. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.539 To save you. 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.900 Now the truth is of course. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.720 That redemption that the Israelites needed. 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:17.100 That the new Hebridean cannibals needed. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.180 That you and I need. 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:21.460 That spiritual redemption from blindness and deafness. 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:24.860 Would come not by the exchange of men. 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:28.519 Not the middle of verse 4. 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:30.099 Not by the exchange of men. 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.299 Not of any man. 00:19:34.219 --> 00:19:35.299 But only one man. 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:40.079 Only one man who was qualified to stand in our place. 00:19:40.219 --> 00:19:42.039 And to redeem us from sin. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:45.859 So let me read to you from Romans chapter 3. 00:19:48.979 --> 00:19:49.699 Where it says. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:52.519 Now the righteousness of God has been manifest. 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.399 Has been shown. 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.380 And apart from the law. 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.800 Although the law and the prophets bear witness to it. 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.940 The righteousness of God. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.180 Through Jesus Christ. 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:03.000 For all who believe. 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.320 For there is no distinction. 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.320 For all have sinned. 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:08.140 And fallen short. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:09.860 Of the glory of God. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.900 And are justified by His grace. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.060 As a gift through the redemption. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.360 That is in Christ Jesus. 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.200 Do you see what Paul says? 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:21.259 He says all have sinned. 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:23.900 All are spiritually deaf. 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.079 And blind. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:28.420 None of us are exempt from the diagnosis. 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.200 But he says. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:32.700 All who have been made right with God. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.660 By His grace. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:36.000 Are made right in only one way. 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:39.420 There is one mediator. 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.119 Between God. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.960 And Christ Jesus. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.619 Between God and man. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.519 The man. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.299 Christ Jesus. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:48.379 There is only one way to be made right with God. 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.300 And that is through redemption. 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.240 And that came how? 00:20:51.280 --> 00:20:52.160 By Jesus Christ. 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.600 But as Jesus hung on the cross. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.400 And died. 00:20:56.760 --> 00:20:57.900 This mind blowing. 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:58.920 Earth shattering. 00:20:59.060 --> 00:21:00.260 Exchange takes place. 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.780 That in Jesus. 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:03.940 Death. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.240 He took our curse. 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.820 He took our curse. 00:21:07.820 --> 00:21:08.760 In His death. 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:10.280 So that we might receive His blessing. 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.600 In His death. 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.140 Jesus became sin. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.140 With our sin. 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:17.140 So that we might become righteous. 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.280 With His righteousness. 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:21.020 And that is the great exchange. 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.300 Where we would receive. 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.420 What is His. 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:26.000 And He takes what is ours. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.220 And you see. 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.400 Why that is such good news. 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:31.040 Because you and I deserve condemnation. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:31.820 Isaiah says. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.780 We are all spiritually deaf. 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.540 And blind. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:38.120 We all become like the idols we worship. 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:41.200 Because Jesus came into this world. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.200 To stand in your place. 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.820 To exchange places. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.780 He bore the wrath of hell. 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.800 So that all who trust in Him. 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:51.220 Would enjoy the blessing of heaven. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:55.120 And when you take this in. 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.520 God says to Israel. 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:57.560 And now He says to us. 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.640 You are precious. 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.160 You see that? 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:04.380 Verse 4. 00:22:06.520 --> 00:22:08.140 Because you are honoured in my sight. 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.060 Because I love you. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:12.540 He says I will give humanity in your place. 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:16.299 And now He says to His church. 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.359 Because you are precious. 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.720 Because you are honoured in my sight. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.899 Because I love you. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.859 I have given my most precious one. 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:27.079 I have given my most dearly beloved. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.220 Already in your place. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:28.839 My son. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.960 That is the commitment of God. 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:33.359 To our redemption. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:35.519 But lastly. 00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:37.439 We see these opening seven verses. 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:39.159 The consequences of the redemption. 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.879 Look at verses 5. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.039 Verse 7. 00:22:42.979 --> 00:22:43.459 He says. 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.419 Do not be afraid. 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.119 Fear not. 00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:46.359 For I am with you. 00:22:47.479 --> 00:22:48.619 I will bring your offspring. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.219 Your children. 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.839 From the east. 00:22:49.939 --> 00:22:50.659 And from the west. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.859 I will gather you. 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:55.939 I will say up to the north. 00:22:56.439 --> 00:22:56.919 Give me up. 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:58.819 And to the south. 00:22:58.959 --> 00:22:59.639 Do not withhold. 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.819 Bring my sons. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.059 From afar. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.779 And my daughters. 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:06.019 From the ends of the earth. 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.939 Come everyone. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.659 Everyone is called by my name. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.219 Whom I created for my glory. 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:13.119 Whom I formed and made. 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.459 And God repeats the command. 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.299 Do you see that again? 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:18.179 Fear not. 00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:19.339 He says. 00:23:19.459 --> 00:23:20.199 Because I am with you. 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.759 Don't be afraid. 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:24.240 I am always with you. 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.659 He says. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.759 And then he points beyond. 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:28.399 This immediate homecoming parade. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.559 From exile to Babylon. 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:32.399 He describes the greater homecoming. 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.799 He describes those. 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.879 Who will be brought home. 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:36.699 From the four corners of the earth. 00:23:38.439 --> 00:23:39.839 And they will be his sons. 00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:40.599 And his daughters. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.219 And they will be everyone. 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:43.759 Who is called by the name of the Lord. 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:45.299 And God is asking you this morning. 00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:46.119 Not to be afraid. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.179 Not only because he is. 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.219 Unfailingly with us. 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.899 But because. 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:55.740 As we see in this final chapter of history. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.240 God is going to bring us. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:59.359 Out of exile into this world. 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:01.419 Into a perfect new world. 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:04.039 To a new heavens and a new earth. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.799 And Jesus picks up this language. 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.159 Doesn't he? 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.039 Matthew 24. 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:08.500 31. 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.000 And he says. 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.679 The son of man. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.519 Referring to himself. 00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:11.919 Will send his angels. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.179 With a loud trumpet call. 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:15.259 And they will gather his elect. 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:16.399 From the four winds. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.399 From one end of the heavens. 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:18.939 To the other. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:21.740 And because of our redemption. 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.480 We are assured. 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.299 That one day. 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.900 God is going to bring you home. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.039 And I want to close. 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.460 By focusing on the last part. 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:30.180 Of verse 7. 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.039 Can you see that? 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.279 Look how those. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.799 Who are called by God's name. 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.380 Are described. 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.320 He says. 00:24:37.320 --> 00:24:38.720 Everyone who is called. 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.860 By my name. 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.320 Whom I created. 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.140 For my glory. 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:45.480 Whom I formed and made. 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:48.339 So what is the consequence. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.259 Of this redemption. 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.980 Once you have been rescued. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.120 By God. 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.860 You and I. 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.240 Finally grasp. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:58.059 Why we were put on this earth. 00:24:58.339 --> 00:25:00.039 Why were you created. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:05.240 And we finally get it. 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.860 That God created us. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.920 For his own glory. 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.920 Why were you made. 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:11.839 What is your chief end. 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.099 Your chief end. 00:25:13.199 --> 00:25:14.339 Is to glorify God. 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.519 And to enjoy him forever. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.699 That raises the question. 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.019 Doesn't it. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.419 How do you glorify God? 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.859 How do you magnify God? 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:28.279 When you magnify something. 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.639 You can magnify it in two ways. 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.980 You can magnify it like a microscope. 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.059 You know a little microscope. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:36.000 Or you can magnify it like a telescope. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.839 In the microscope. 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.019 What do you do? 00:25:39.179 --> 00:25:40.179 You put something that is. 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:42.440 Infinitesimally small. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.180 Under the microscope. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.880 And suddenly it becomes. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.539 A monster. 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:45.860 Doesn't it? 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.620 It becomes huge. 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.880 With a telescope. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.880 What you do. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.480 Is that you make something. 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.779 Unimaginably great. 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:57.580 Look like what it really is. 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:01.160 So you know the Hubble telescope. 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:03.000 Hubble Space Telescope. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:03.980 It is revealed. 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:04.360 Doesn't it? 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:07.259 Pinprick galaxies in the sky. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:11.579 For the billion star giants. 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.619 Which they are. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.779 Well there's no prizes for guessing. 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.039 Isn't it? 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.539 What are we to be? 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.339 Are we to be a microscope? 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.519 Or are we to be a telescope? 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:23.200 God is calling you to magnify. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.440 And honor him. 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.339 And to glorify him. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.059 Like a telescope. 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.500 We are to live. 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.559 In such a way. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.619 That we're not afraid. 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:33.319 But that we trust him. 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.679 In all circumstances. 00:26:34.939 --> 00:26:36.239 And we obey his commands. 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:38.039 Because they are so good for us. 00:26:39.439 --> 00:26:40.619 And we are to live. 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.259 In such a way. 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.539 That makes God. 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:44.500 Look more like. 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.439 The great. 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.919 And glorious. 00:26:47.239 --> 00:26:47.979 And beautiful. 00:26:48.199 --> 00:26:49.359 And infinite being. 00:26:49.479 --> 00:26:50.759 That he really is. 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.279 That in the night sky. 00:26:54.419 --> 00:26:55.099 Of this world. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.979 God appears. 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.399 Doesn't he? 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.339 To most people. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.919 If not all. 00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:59.099 Like a pinprick of light. 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.819 In the heavens. 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:04.299 And God is reminding you. 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:05.139 That God. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.119 He created it. 00:27:07.239 --> 00:27:07.479 You. 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.839 He created us. 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.659 To make God. 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:11.339 Look like he really is. 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.699 In all his beauty. 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.659 And all his majesty. 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.459 And some of you. 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.159 Might have a big question. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.599 With this. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:19.739 In fact. 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.379 I'm going to ask you. 00:27:20.399 --> 00:27:20.759 This question. 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.619 Because you think. 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.979 If God has created us. 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:24.179 For his own glory. 00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.599 God sounds like. 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.019 One of the most. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:26.939 Egotistical. 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:27.779 Arrogant. 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.059 Self-centered. 00:27:29.219 --> 00:27:29.579 Beings. 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.319 In the universe. 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:33.379 Any time. 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:33.879 That you or I. 00:27:33.959 --> 00:27:34.639 Come across somebody. 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:34.939 Who is. 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:37.079 Egotistical. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.919 Or arrogant. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.039 And self-centered. 00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:40.139 You are not impressed. 00:27:40.239 --> 00:27:41.099 By that kind of person. 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:43.659 And so. 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.279 Why would God. 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.319 Be any different to that? 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:47.039 Why is God. 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.599 Obsessed. 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.719 With his own glory? 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.399 And the reason. 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:52.359 God is different. 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.000 Is because. 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:54.779 God needs nothing. 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:56.939 And God. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.919 Has no deficiency. 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:58.599 God does not. 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.219 Lack anything. 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.559 The reason. 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.099 You and I. 00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:02.619 Come across. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.480 As egotistical. 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.019 And arrogant. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.539 Is because. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.619 We push ourselves. 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.099 Forward. 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.199 We want to build. 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.219 Ourselves up. 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.759 We want to fish. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.480 For compliments. 00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:11.679 From other people. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.759 We want to try to. 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.980 Overcome those feelings. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.459 We have. 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.500 Insecurity. 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.559 And weakness. 00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:17.659 And inferiority. 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.619 And we need. 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:19.619 People's affirmation. 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:20.619 God. 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:22.500 But God isn't like that. 00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:24.919 Isaiah. 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:25.899 All the way through. 00:28:25.979 --> 00:28:26.879 Keeps hammering home. 00:28:26.979 --> 00:28:27.819 That God is totally. 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.599 God is totally. 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.039 Sufficient. 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.839 He lacks nothing. 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:38.259 Everything he needs. 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.879 He has. 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:42.000 So why has he created us. 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.759 For his own glory? 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.879 It cannot be. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.959 Because he needs us. 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.399 God does not. 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.220 Need you. 00:28:51.300 --> 00:28:52.280 This is how John Piper. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.360 Answers the question. 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.019 He says. 00:28:55.080 --> 00:28:55.960 God is most. 00:28:56.180 --> 00:28:56.780 Glorified. 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.800 In us. 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.600 When we are. 00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.800 Most satisfied. 00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.440 In him. 00:29:03.540 --> 00:29:04.680 What he means. 00:29:04.780 --> 00:29:05.040 Is that. 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:05.900 God. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.080 Is the source. 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.580 Of our ultimate joy. 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.759 He is beauty. 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:12.880 With a capital B. 00:29:13.300 --> 00:29:14.840 He is the only one. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.980 In whom you and I. 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.920 Can find. 00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:18.380 Our true satisfaction. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:21.900 That if God sought to glorify. 00:29:22.060 --> 00:29:23.500 Anything other than himself. 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.540 As the ultimate. 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:26.280 As our greatest satisfaction. 00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:27.340 And joy. 00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:28.460 He would be implying. 00:29:28.580 --> 00:29:29.560 That there is something. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.820 Or there is someone. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:32.180 More valuable than himself. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.980 And there is not. 00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.780 He would be leading us. 00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:37.500 To things that would never satisfy. 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:39.080 In fact. 00:29:39.140 --> 00:29:39.860 God himself. 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:40.600 Would be committing. 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.519 Idolatry. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.019 God. 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:44.779 But because he is God. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.460 Because he is the one. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.259 True God. 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.099 There is no one. 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.119 There is nothing. 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.139 There is nothing. 00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:51.940 More valuable. 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:52.859 Or more precious. 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.799 Or more beautiful. 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.740 Than he is. 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.920 And so God. 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.119 Has to lead us. 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.839 To himself. 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.259 He knows. 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:02.259 That you and I. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.460 Created. 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.559 In the image of God. 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:06.399 Will only find satisfaction. 00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:07.960 As you find. 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.799 And discover. 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.339 And magnify. 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.039 His glory. 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.559 It means. 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.240 That there is. 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.919 Nothing. 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.819 More loving. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.139 For God. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.619 To do. 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.519 Than to create. 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.019 You and me. 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.759 For his own glory. 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.899 God gets. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.779 The most glory. 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.980 From us. 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.759 When we find. 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.679 Most satisfaction. 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.139 In him. 00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:34.120 It's why. 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.420 The greatest tragedy. 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.200 In Eden. 00:30:36.300 --> 00:30:36.780 This morning. 00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.300 Is what? 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:40.840 What is the greatest tragedy. 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.200 In Eden. 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.720 This morning. 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.140 Is it. 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.240 That people are going to hell. 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:44.860 No it's not. 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.340 It's the people. 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.920 Who were created. 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:49.040 In the image of God. 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.100 To know God. 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:53.380 To glorify God. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:56.240 And to enjoy God. 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:58.620 I'm not doing that. 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.339 I've given you the illustration before. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.180 Is it the ugly duckling? 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.160 The ugly duckling. 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:05.019 He goes around life. 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:05.359 Doesn't he? 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.839 And. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.240 He lives life. 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.120 As a duckling. 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:09.160 But. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.200 But he's not a duckling. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.500 Is he? 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.980 He's a swan. 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.440 And it's as he becomes a swan. 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.359 He lives. 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.240 As he's meant to do. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.420 And you are a human being. 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:20.259 Created in the image of God. 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.380 To know God. 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.339 And to glorify him. 00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:24.279 And you live as an earthly. 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:27.819 And you foolishly think. 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.559 That you will get satisfaction that way. 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:31.160 You'll do well in your results. 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.440 You'll get the boyfriend. 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.019 Or the husband. 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:35.039 Or the wife you want. 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.680 You'll get the ideal home. 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.519 And it will not satisfy. 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:44.680 What's the consequence of our redemption? 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:46.400 The consequence of our redemption. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.759 Is our eyes are finally opened. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.620 And our ears are unblocked. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.319 And so we get this. 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:57.500 This is what the Lord says. 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:57.980 He said. 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.980 He who created you. 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:00.480 O Jacob. 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:03.159 He who formed you. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.839 O Israel. 00:32:04.980 --> 00:32:06.220 Fear not. 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:09.220 Fear not. 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.740 For I have redeemed you. 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:15.319 I have called you by name. 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.599 And you are mine. 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:22.000 And they are words. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.359 Aren't they? 00:32:22.419 --> 00:32:24.240 They are words for the suffering. 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:25.319 Of this world. 00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:29.000 They are words for Leslie Barnes. 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.559 This morning. 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.319 On the anniversary of David's death. 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:34.240 They are words for you. 00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:37.579 And they are words for me. 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.819 Let's pray. 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:40.399 Let's pray. 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399 00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.399