WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:02.879
 Good morning, brothers and sisters.

00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:05.740
 What a joyful day.

00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:14.820
 Today we'll be looking at Psalm 1 as we take a break from our series in Revelation.

00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:18.019
 So let's go to the Lord in prayer before we begin.

00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:23.440
 Father, help us.

00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:26.920
 Show us the way of life.

00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:33.100
 Father, help me.

00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:39.740
 Help me to declare your words and to declare the glory of your great name.

00:00:41.500 --> 00:00:48.900
 And by so doing, Lord, transform us into the image of Christ, our God and our King.

00:00:49.660 --> 00:00:50.680
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:00:51.620 --> 00:00:51.939
 Amen.

00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:52.079
 Amen.

00:00:52.079 --> 00:01:02.739
 Allow me to tell you a story of a man who soared in godliness later in life.

00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:09.620
 But if you hit the rewind button, you'd see his family upbringing was difficult.

00:01:10.900 --> 00:01:12.359
 His mother was a Christian.

00:01:13.460 --> 00:01:14.659
 His father was not.

00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:18.359
 His father often mistreated his mother.

00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:25.060
 Even at a young age, this young man's mind was brilliant.

00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:31.100
 He could persuasively argue a legal case on each side of the issue.

00:01:31.960 --> 00:01:33.520
 A great public speaker.

00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:39.460
 And in his mind, he was much too smart for Christianity.

00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:44.520
 Christians were ignorant and uneducated.

00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:49.039
 He left for the university to seek his fortune and fame.

00:01:50.899 --> 00:01:53.859
 And when getting there, he did what many do.

00:01:54.539 --> 00:01:59.619
 He threw off the faith, mocking the teaching that he learned from his mother.

00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:09.719
 Besides his proud heart, one paralyzing problem plagued him that he couldn't shake off.

00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.219
 He was sex crazy.

00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:16.819
 Something he couldn't control, no matter how hard he tried.

00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:18.360
 He would write,

00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:23.319
 I could not distinguish the white light of love from the fog of lust.

00:02:25.460 --> 00:02:29.979
 And for the next several years, his life went into a dark, downward spiral.

00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:34.240
 Underneath all of his success, he was empty.

00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:37.079
 Rotting from the inside out.

00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:41.160
 And sinking deeper into darkness, he would write,

00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:49.660
 I was unhappy, proud in my self-pity, and incapable of rest in my exhaustion.

00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.560
 Later in his life, he was attracted to Christianity,

00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:58.340
 but he was terrified about the prospect of giving up this sin that he loved.

00:02:58.880 --> 00:03:00.920
 He would pray things like, Lord, save me.

00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:02.140
 But not yet.

00:03:03.720 --> 00:03:04.480
 Not yet.

00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:07.979
 But God has been called the hound of heaven,

00:03:08.859 --> 00:03:13.299
 relentlessly pursuing him, tracking him down, seeking him when he was lost.

00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:18.099
 It wasn't until he was in his 30s that God sovereignly intervened.

00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:24.659
 While sitting in a garden, he heard children on the other side of a wall sing us a song.

00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:25.959
 Take up and read.

00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:27.079
 Take up and read.

00:03:28.179 --> 00:03:31.780
 He picked up the scripture, and he read Romans 13, verse 13.

00:03:31.780 --> 00:03:39.120
 Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.

00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:43.400
 And by grace, God transformed him.

00:03:43.879 --> 00:03:46.560
 He would write this famous line in his biography,

00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:54.099
 You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

00:03:54.099 --> 00:04:02.439
 This is the story of Augustine, who lived 1,500 years ago in North Africa.

00:04:02.979 --> 00:04:06.539
 And God will make him a scholar, soaring in godliness.

00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:09.939
 Somebody needs to hear this.

00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:13.539
 You're in a difficult battle, but there is hope for you.

00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:17.680
 God can do more than all you can ask or think or imagine.

00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:25.980
 You know, we sometimes believe the lie that slithered into the garden that God is the ultimate cosmic killjoy.

00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:30.019
 You know, he says he's generous, but can you really trust him?

00:04:31.280 --> 00:04:36.000
 Like a twisted father taking his son into the toy store before Christmas.

00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:37.840
 You say, you see all this?

00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:39.000
 You'll have none of it.

00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:41.980
 But listen to what Augustine would write.

00:04:41.980 --> 00:05:00.819
 He experienced Psalm 1611.

00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:06.700
 You make known to me the path of life, and in your presence there is fullness of joy.

00:05:08.840 --> 00:05:11.000
 I wonder if you can relate to Augustine's life.

00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:12.199
 Have you been there?

00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:13.699
 Are you there now?

00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:16.360
 Underneath all this excess?

00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:18.759
 Feeling of emptiness.

00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:24.480
 Outwardly prosperous, inwardly unable to rest.

00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:29.360
 An inner ache that you cannot shake off no matter how hard you try.

00:05:31.660 --> 00:05:36.220
 You know, how do we go from emptiness to true, lasting joy?

00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:38.720
 Well, let me invite you to turn to Psalm 1.

00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:41.520
 It has much to teach us.

00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:45.580
 And you can find Psalm 1 on page 418 of the Pew Bible.

00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:54.320
 And if you're not familiar with the Bible, the big numbers are the chapter numbers, and the smaller numbers are the verse numbers.

00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:57.040
 Let's read Psalm 1 together.

00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:09.720
 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.

00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:13.540
 But his delight is in the law of the Lord.

00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:17.300
 And on his law, he meditates day and night.

00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:25.720
 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.

00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:27.900
 In all that he does, he prospers.

00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:35.120
 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:42.439
 Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

00:06:43.539 --> 00:06:49.579
 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:53.620
 This is God's word.

00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:58.899
 Now, before we dive in, let me give you some context.

00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:04.459
 Within the book of Psalms, you can see this is the lead-off hitter in the batting order.

00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:12.079
 Intentionally so, many have noted Psalm 1 was placed as a preface to the entire book.

00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:18.360
 And the themes we find in this chapter are like golden threads that run through the rest of the Psalms.

00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:23.819
 And you'll notice, as many commentators have noted, that Psalm 1 and 2 are a unit.

00:07:24.580 --> 00:07:31.480
 If you look down, you'll see the word blessed brackets the beginning of Psalm 1 and the end of Psalm 2.

00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:34.560
 Psalm 2 ends with this line,

00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:37.879
 Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:42.540
 Referring to the Messianic king in verse 6 of that chapter,

00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:44.560
 which says,

00:07:44.760 --> 00:07:48.980
 As for me, I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.

00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:51.640
 And there are several other parallels.

00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:58.860
 But these two chapters are two gatekeepers at the entrance of a magnificent gateway

00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:02.480
 that you must pass through as you enter into the book of Psalms.

00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.540
 And Psalm 1 has been called a wisdom psalm.

00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:10.720
 Like a master painter, the psalmist paints two portraits,

00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:14.720
 one bright light and the other in a dark shadow.

00:08:15.640 --> 00:08:18.020
 With bright light, there is the way of the wise,

00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:22.900
 painting the portrait of an ideal person,

00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:26.540
 a wise, blessed man,

00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:30.860
 a way of contentment and soul-satisfying joy.

00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:34.779
 Contrast with the dark way of the wicked,

00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:38.600
 a life of emptiness, of darkness,

00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.980
 death now and hell later.

00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:47.899
 The message emblazoned over the door of the temple to worship as you enter is this,

00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:50.620
 there are two ways to live,

00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:52.259
 and only two.

00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.920
 And as you enter into the sanctuary,

00:08:55.180 --> 00:08:56.560
 you are confronted with this question,

00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:58.480
 which of these are you?

00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:02.700
 I beg you to consider that question with me this morning.

00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:06.259
 The main theme is found in verse 6.

00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:08.620
 It reads,

00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:11.080
 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:14.779
 but the way of the wicked will perish.

00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:18.460
 Now this word knows is rich with intimacy.

00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:21.460
 The Lord knows the righteous.

00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:24.980
 The way a faithful husband knows his bride.

00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:28.039
 The righteous are the apple of his eye.

00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:31.039
 Pledging himself to her forever.

00:09:31.719 --> 00:09:34.620
 Her name graven on the palms of his hands.

00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:37.259
 And who are these righteous ones?

00:09:38.099 --> 00:09:39.539
 Well, look down at the end of verse 5.

00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:41.399
 It's the congregation.

00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:44.419
 Or what we would call the church.

00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:49.259
 The ones whom God has called out for himself.

00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:54.620
 In Christ, God gives us the righteousness we need by faith.

00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:57.840
 And it's a church standing by grace,

00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:00.279
 clothed in Christ's righteousness.

00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:03.439
 So friend, if you are in Christ,

00:10:05.179 --> 00:10:05.939
 how marvelous.

00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:06.879
 He knows you.

00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:09.039
 He cares for you.

00:10:09.319 --> 00:10:10.259
 He sees you.

00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:14.539
 He watches over you and is concerned with your welfare.

00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:16.799
 He takes you under his wings.

00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:21.579
 He is a strong tower, a refuge, and a fortress in times of trouble.

00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:24.740
 And not only for the present, but he knows their way.

00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:27.960
 He is concerned with where you are going and your future.

00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:31.340
 The Lord knows the righteous intimately.

00:10:33.180 --> 00:10:38.500
 In stark contrast, the way of the wicked will perish.

00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:41.279
 A way of darkness.

00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:43.759
 Like grass that withers away.

00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:46.059
 Here one day, gone the next.

00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:50.700
 God will take his lethal blade and cuts them down

00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:53.779
 and cast them out into the eternal dungeon of darkness.

00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.460
 They will perish.

00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.639
 There are only two ways.

00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:02.340
 We all tend to think there is a third way.

00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:05.740
 You know, we have Republicans and Democrats,

00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:07.840
 and then there are independents.

00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:11.279
 Neutral third parties who say,

00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:14.980
 you know, all religions are pretty much teaching the same thing.

00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:18.240
 The psalmist is telling you and me,

00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.320
 no, there is no middle ground.

00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:22.600
 There are only two ways.

00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:26.919
 You know who taught this more than anyone?

00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:28.740
 Jesus.

00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.879
 In the passage that Bonnie read,

00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:34.159
 in the greatest sermon ever preached,

00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.559
 Jesus is unpacking Psalm 1

00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:38.259
 and his Sermon on the Mount.

00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.019
 Jesus would say,

00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.740
 there are two kinds of foundations.

00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:45.519
 One built on sand and another built on the rock.

00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.679
 And when the storm comes,

00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:49.279
 only one of them will stand.

00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:50.919
 But not only that,

00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.480
 there are two kinds of trees

00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:53.860
 and two kinds of fruits,

00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:55.639
 two gates, two destinations,

00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:57.200
 only two ways.

00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.460
 An easy way.

00:11:59.460 --> 00:11:59.480
 An easy way.

00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.600
 And a hard way.

00:12:02.640 --> 00:12:03.480
 Jesus would say,

00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.040
 choose the hard way.

00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.540
 Choose the gate to life,

00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:07.879
 no matter the cost.

00:12:08.900 --> 00:12:10.440
 He puts it like this in Matthew 7,

00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:11.160
 verse 13.

00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.179
 Enter by the narrow gate.

00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:15.059
 For the gate is wide,

00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.000
 and the way is easy.

00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.019
 It leads to destruction.

00:12:17.439 --> 00:12:21.059
 And those who enter by it are many.

00:12:21.059 --> 00:12:24.779
 On the other hand,

00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:25.619
 the gate is narrow,

00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:28.339
 and the way is hard that leads to life,

00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:30.739
 and those who find it are few.

00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:33.419
 There are only two ways.

00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:34.779
 And so,

00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:36.879
 we'll look at this text in two parts.

00:12:37.419 --> 00:12:38.759
 Point number one is the tree,

00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:41.899
 and point number two is the chaff.

00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:45.479
 The tree and then the chaff.

00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.500
 In verse one,

00:12:46.599 --> 00:12:48.500
 this tree is the blessed man.

00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.879
 This ideal person.

00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:53.240
 Like the Sermon on the Mount,

00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:55.439
 this begins with a beatitude.

00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:56.579
 Blessed.

00:12:57.579 --> 00:12:58.819
 Now what does that word mean?

00:13:00.099 --> 00:13:01.539
 Normally when we see the word blessed,

00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:03.219
 someone's hashtagging a photo

00:13:03.219 --> 00:13:04.240
 of their morning coffee

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.699
 overlooking the sunrise.

00:13:07.339 --> 00:13:08.519
 Well, the word blessed

00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:12.339
 has been translated as divinely happy.

00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.779
 It is how the Queen of Sheba

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.179
 would describe the glory

00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:18.000
 of Solomon's palace in 1 Kings,

00:13:18.599 --> 00:13:18.939
 saying,

00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:20.819
 your wisdom and prosperity

00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:22.480
 surpass the report that I heard.

00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:24.199
 Happy are your men.

00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.959
 Happy are your servants

00:13:25.959 --> 00:13:27.980
 who continually stand before you

00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.159
 and hear your wisdom.

00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:31.059
 This is the same word.

00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:32.819
 word divinely happy.

00:13:34.199 --> 00:13:35.279
 And it's as if the psalmist

00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:36.879
 circles, highlights,

00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.379
 and then underlines this reality.

00:13:38.719 --> 00:13:39.939
 Because the word blessed

00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.879
 is in the plural.

00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.719
 This is like heaven

00:13:42.719 --> 00:13:43.719
 is opening up,

00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:44.679
 pouring out blessing

00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.079
 upon blessing

00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:46.979
 upon blessing

00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:48.119
 on this person.

00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.479
 As Paul would say

00:13:49.479 --> 00:13:50.359
 in Ephesians 1,

00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:52.519
 this person has been blessed

00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.659
 with every spiritual blessing

00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:54.699
 in the heavenly places.

00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:57.160
 You know,

00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.160
 but our word happy

00:13:58.160 --> 00:13:58.940
 doesn't really do

00:13:58.940 --> 00:14:00.500
 capture the meaning.

00:14:00.640 --> 00:14:01.680
 It doesn't do the word justice,

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.120
 does it?

00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:04.940
 Because all of our happiness

00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.160
 so often is like

00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:07.220
 a fragile leaf

00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.140
 that blows away

00:14:08.140 --> 00:14:09.480
 when the winds of trial

00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.240
 begin to blow.

00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:11.980
 Rather,

00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.020
 this word is what Paul

00:14:13.020 --> 00:14:13.520
 would write

00:14:13.520 --> 00:14:15.140
 as he sat in a prison cell

00:14:15.140 --> 00:14:16.100
 awaiting execution.

00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.100
 He writes,

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.759
 rejoice in the Lord always.

00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.320
 Again,

00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.240
 I say rejoice.

00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.940
 This word describes

00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.680
 that kind of joy.

00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:24.760
 One that cannot be taken

00:14:24.760 --> 00:14:25.740
 away from you.

00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:28.360
 You could be in a dark dungeon,

00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:30.220
 but the Lord can put a crown

00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:31.840
 of rejoicing on your head.

00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.940
 You're often called

00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:35.820
 the greatest intellect

00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.500
 ever produced

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.400
 on American soil.

00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.740
 Jonathan Edwards,

00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:41.120
 after 23 years

00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.120
 of faithful ministry,

00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:43.640
 was maligned,

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.700
 slandered,

00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.120
 and thrown out

00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:46.720
 of his church.

00:14:48.260 --> 00:14:49.180
 Although shocked,

00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:49.959
 he was unshaken.

00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:52.359
 One observer wrote this,

00:14:52.859 --> 00:14:53.559
 he appeared like

00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.359
 a man of God

00:14:54.359 --> 00:14:55.299
 whose happiness

00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:56.899
 was out of the reach

00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.859
 of his enemies.

00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.399
 Oh, to have that kind

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.879
 of soul-satisfying joy,

00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.639
 contentment,

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.459
 and peace,

00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.199
 joy that is high

00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.359
 even when circumstances

00:15:07.359 --> 00:15:08.019
 are low.

00:15:09.359 --> 00:15:10.379
 How do we obtain

00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.799
 this unshakable joy?

00:15:12.339 --> 00:15:13.240
 Well, that's what Psalm 1

00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.500
 wants to teach you and me.

00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.439
 The psalmist puts it

00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.099
 in the negative,

00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.539
 then the positive,

00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:19.299
 and then he gives

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:19.959
 a metaphor.

00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.539
 And this negative

00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.120
 and positive

00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.339
 are the heads and tails

00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:24.699
 of finding this joy.

00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:25.799
 So let's start

00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.299
 with the negative.

00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:27.839
 Verse 1,

00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:28.779
 to have this height

00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.360
 of joy,

00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:30.799
 you need to avoid

00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.860
 the way of the crowd.

00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:34.019
 It reads like this,

00:15:34.219 --> 00:15:34.980
 blessed is the man

00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.759
 who walks not

00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.399
 in the counsel

00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:36.959
 of the wicked,

00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:38.079
 nor stands

00:15:38.079 --> 00:15:39.240
 in the way of sinners,

00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:40.120
 nor sits

00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.839
 in the seat of scoffers.

00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.399
 Notice he doesn't

00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.399
 begin by saying,

00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:46.779
 blessed is the man

00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.659
 or woman who seeks

00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.539
 after their own happiness.

00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:50.039
 That's not the way.

00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.019
 That's not the way.

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.720
 Rather, it's indirect.

00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.259
 It first involves

00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.679
 not doing something.

00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.519
 But someone might object,

00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.279
 Tyler, isn't that legalism?

00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.279
 Rules?

00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.019
 Are we under grace?

00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.819
 Well, friend, you're right.

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.819
 This doesn't save us.

00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.939
 That would misunderstand

00:16:10.939 --> 00:16:11.939
 cause and effect.

00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:13.480
 We are saved

00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.280
 by trusting

00:16:14.280 --> 00:16:15.400
 in Christ alone.

00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:17.500
 But this is the path

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.380
 of sanctification

00:16:18.380 --> 00:16:19.300
 and obedience.

00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:23.140
 God calls you and I

00:16:23.140 --> 00:16:24.340
 to walk in holiness.

00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.040
 When God raises you

00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:26.880
 up to new life,

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.460
 he puts a reserve sticker

00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.120
 on your soul

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.200
 and he sets you apart.

00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:31.500
 And holiness

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:33.820
 leads divine happiness.

00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:36.740
 So think of it this way.

00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.760
 If you were driving

00:16:38.760 --> 00:16:39.400
 around New Haven,

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:41.399
 how long do you think

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:41.919
 you'll last

00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:43.939
 if we fail to follow

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.899
 the laws that were

00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.819
 put in place

00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:46.679
 for our protection

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.539
 and flourishing?

00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.639
 No lane markers?

00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.699
 No traffic lights?

00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.620
 People decided to drive

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.459
 on whichever side

00:16:54.459 --> 00:16:55.480
 of the road they chose.

00:16:57.079 --> 00:16:58.079
 Blinkers are out

00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:58.639
 of the question.

00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.199
 Some of you are shuddering.

00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.799
 You wouldn't last long.

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.180
 You would get

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.099
 into a car wreck.

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.779
 Put in another way,

00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.240
 this is a firewall

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.539
 preventing viruses

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.759
 from infecting

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.000
 the software of your soul.

00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.359
 Now, the psalmist

00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:16.420
 doesn't say never speak

00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.500
 or dialogue to the wicked.

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.900
 If that were the case,

00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.140
 none of us would have hope.

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.400
 Look again,

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.720
 it says,

00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.500
 by God's grace,

00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:24.019
 don't walk in their counsel.

00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:27.319
 The wicked have counsel for you.

00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.120
 Did you know that?

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.740
 Advice for life

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.579
 that appears wise

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.099
 and coherent.

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.180
 Your joy is contingent

00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.120
 upon your discernment.

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:37.259
 sin always comes

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.199
 like a Judas

00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:39.839
 with a kiss,

00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.679
 flattering words,

00:17:42.239 --> 00:17:43.419
 but it means to destroy you,

00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:44.819
 hiding the dagger.

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:47.219
 The counsel might taste sweet,

00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.959
 but it's poisonous.

00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:50.019
 Don't buy what they're selling.

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.479
 Don't buy the lie.

00:17:53.459 --> 00:17:53.959
 They say,

00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.279
 you know,

00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.079
 you're missing out.

00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.219
 Christian,

00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.779
 what you were doing

00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.819
 is so hard.

00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:58.759
 Come join us

00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.719
 on the easy way.

00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.419
 It's so wonderful

00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:02.979
 and exciting,

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.779
 you're missing out.

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:06.200
 This comes in a thousand forms.

00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:07.720
 Counsel that says

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.319
 life is about

00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.180
 acquiring wealth

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.120
 and entertainment,

00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.000
 money,

00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.259
 fulfilling your own desires.

00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:15.039
 But I think for us

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.759
 in this church,

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.579
 we know life

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.120
 doesn't consist

00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:18.900
 of how much paper

00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.980
 we have in our wallets.

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.339
 I think for us,

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.400
 the counsel of the wicked says,

00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:23.700
 live for the paper

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.079
 that's on your wall.

00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.220
 Degrees,

00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:28.839
 diplomas,

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.480
 awards,

00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.259
 and accolades.

00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:31.819
 Being at the top

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.419
 of your field,

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.619
 climbing the ladder,

00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.200
 career accomplishments,

00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.480
 gain the respect

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.079
 of your peers

00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.059
 at all costs.

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.500
 Now, friends,

00:18:40.639 --> 00:18:40.980
 graduates,

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.960
 by all means,

00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.960
 strive for excellence.

00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.159
 Be a good steward

00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:46.679
 of the training

00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.500
 you received here.

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.960
 But the lie

00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.819
 is that the quality

00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.799
 of your work

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:53.339
 is the measure

00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.220
 of your worth.

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.919
 It's not a desire

00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.819
 for something,

00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.099
 it's a consuming desire

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.199
 to be something

00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:03.000
 in the world's eyes.

00:19:04.719 --> 00:19:05.500
 It's a form

00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.319
 of self-worship.

00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.199
 The problem is,

00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.199
 you get the recognition,

00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:11.859
 but you're happy

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.819
 for just a moment.

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.759
 It never lasts.

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.399
 They don't tell you

00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.480
 where that life leads.

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.899
 You're busy,

00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:19.099
 but empty,

00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.719
 seeking rest

00:19:20.719 --> 00:19:21.919
 and never finding any.

00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.059
 You know,

00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.579
 pride promises a palace,

00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:26.179
 but it's a mirage

00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:26.679
 in the desert.

00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.940
 You end up living

00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:29.180
 in a spiritual rat hole.

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.460
 Now, pride always loses

00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.360
 what it seeks to gain.

00:19:34.060 --> 00:19:35.120
 And this type of thinking

00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:36.160
 slithers into the church

00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:36.600
 as well.

00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.640
 Friends,

00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.320
 only God

00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:40.140
 can give us

00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:40.759
 these things.

00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.200
 The desire

00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.940
 to be something.

00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.539
 He is our treasure.

00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.840
 The measure

00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:46.640
 of our worth

00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.180
 is a measure

00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.220
 of the Father's

00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.080
 love for you.

00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.299
 He would give

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.200
 His only Son

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.660
 for you.

00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:53.240
 If you are in Christ,

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.779
 your life

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:55.299
 does have meaning.

00:19:55.299 --> 00:20:00.000
 live for His applause,

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.940
 not the world's.

00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:01.879
 Now,

00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:02.500
 one of the questions

00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:03.639
 people typically have

00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:05.700
 is if this is a downward spiral

00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.419
 in verse 1

00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:07.359
 or is the psalmist

00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.579
 saying the very same things.

00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:09.539
 You'll notice

00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.519
 there's a progression

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.220
 to movement,

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.019
 walking,

00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.980
 standing,

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.639
 and then sitting.

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.379
 You see a progression

00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.799
 in ungodliness.

00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.619
 It gets ratcheted up.

00:20:19.159 --> 00:20:19.980
 After picking up

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.779
 the counsel of the wicked

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.639
 or their worldview,

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.819
 now you stand

00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.619
 in the way of sinners.

00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:25.539
 It doesn't mean

00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.579
 you are opposing them

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.679
 by standing in their way.

00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.479
 What it means

00:20:28.479 --> 00:20:29.079
 is you stand

00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:29.879
 where they stand.

00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.299
 Your colleagues

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.019
 are gossiping,

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.500
 and now you join in.

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.219
 You're standing with them.

00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.079
 If that continues

00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.679
 long enough,

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.259
 the downward spiral

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.779
 continues.

00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.219
 You'll find yourself

00:20:42.219 --> 00:20:43.000
 in the third line.

00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:44.359
 You sit in the seat

00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.219
 of scoffers.

00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:47.559
 To sit in the seat

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.239
 of scoffers

00:20:48.239 --> 00:20:50.000
 is to openly ridicule

00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.739
 the ways of God.

00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:52.699
 The London pastor,

00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.480
 Charles Spurgeon,

00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.660
 calls them doctors

00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.519
 of damnation

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:57.039
 with a degree in vice.

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.860
 Those who mock,

00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.519
 scoff,

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.160
 and sneer

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.019
 at God and His people.

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.440
 You'll find many

00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.259
 scoffers today.

00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:05.480
 You know,

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.100
 people who say,

00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:06.519
 you know,

00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.059
 those stupid,

00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.480
 bigoted,

00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.240
 ignorant Christians

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.680
 over there.

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.880
 Political pundits,

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.380
 professors,

00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:14.759
 even some of the church pews.

00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.840
 We're not exempt.

00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.259
 Rarely,

00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:17.680
 if ever,

00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.480
 will you find

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.240
 one that has

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.100
 contentment and joy.

00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.039
 As Jesus would say,

00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.980
 wisdom is justified

00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:24.359
 by all her children.

00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.579
 So that's a negative.

00:21:27.459 --> 00:21:28.059
 Then he puts it

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.519
 positively.

00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:29.459
 Look down,

00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:29.799
 he says,

00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:30.799
 but his delight

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.619
 is in the law

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.399
 of the Lord.

00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.980
 And on his law,

00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.679
 he meditates

00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:35.839
 day and night.

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.740
 The psalmist

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.119
 doesn't say,

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.059
 blessed are those

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.959
 who obey the law.

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.519
 It's blessed

00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:42.980
 are those

00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.259
 who delight in it.

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.259
 It's not enough

00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.339
 not to do something.

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.559
 The measure

00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:49.480
 isn't what you know

00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:50.439
 or what you avoid,

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.299
 it's what you love.

00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.659
 The picture here

00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.240
 is delighting

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.839
 in a treasure.

00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:57.939
 On just Sunday mornings?

00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.659
 No,

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.159
 he meditates

00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:00.859
 on it day

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.799
 and night.

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:04.119
 In a world of trouble,

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.679
 his soul

00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:05.419
 is resting

00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:07.220
 and delighting.

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.059
 Not empty

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.980
 religious rituals,

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.240
 he knows

00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.359
 the reality.

00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:14.839
 Now,

00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:15.459
 this is confusing

00:22:15.459 --> 00:22:16.179
 at first glance.

00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.840
 I mean,

00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.500
 who delights

00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.320
 in laws?

00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.220
 Do you delight

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.400
 in 28 U.S. Code

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.680
 section 1332?

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.759
 I don't think so.

00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.180
 None of us do.

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.940
 I think it helps

00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.460
 to understand

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.259
 that the word law

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.700
 here is the Hebrew

00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.640
 word Torah.

00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.640
 So it's not only

00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.279
 the commandments,

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.900
 but it's the promises,

00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.880
 the teachings,

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.820
 the instructions.

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.039
 The law paints

00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.779
 the lawgiver's portrait.

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.960
 The law was a window

00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:46.259
 into the lawgiver.

00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.120
 And this man

00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:48.759
 is delighting

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.319
 in God.

00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:51.240
 This is a God

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.019
 who speaks

00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.259
 and this man

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.059
 loves to listen.

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.460
 Now,

00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.019
 Psalm 19

00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.920
 begins by saying,

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:58.819
 the heavens declare

00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.960
 the glory of God.

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.120
 But you know

00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:01.620
 what's even better

00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.079
 than that?

00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:03.680
 Verse 7,

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.980
 the law of the Lord

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.700
 is perfect,

00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:07.019
 reviving the soul.

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.600
 The testimony

00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:08.059
 of the Lord

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.559
 is sure,

00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.920
 making wise

00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.579
 the simple.

00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.859
 friend,

00:23:12.939 --> 00:23:13.679
 there is no way

00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.240
 around this.

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.879
 To have joy,

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.779
 you must be a student

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.220
 of the scripture.

00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.279
 And certainly,

00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:18.899
 this implies

00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.799
 scripture memorization.

00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.220
 You must meditate

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.960
 on the word

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.079
 day and night.

00:23:23.939 --> 00:23:24.500
 This is what

00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.519
 you were created for.

00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:28.099
 And meditation

00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.679
 has been called

00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:29.720
 the gateway

00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.519
 from the head

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.379
 to the heart.

00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.819
 The more you meditate

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.659
 on the word,

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.019
 the more your joy

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.740
 and your amazement

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.419
 will increase.

00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:39.480
 There's an old axiom

00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.880
 that says,

00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.660
 this book will keep

00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.460
 you away from sin

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.559
 or sin will keep

00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.380
 you away from this book.

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.000
 It is true.

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:46.319
 It is true.

00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.240
 Now,

00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.500
 when we heard

00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.279
 the word meditation,

00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:48.920
 don't think of

00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.860
 Eastern mysticism,

00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.579
 you know,

00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.339
 telling you to empty

00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.920
 your mind.

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.420
 This is the exact opposite.

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.500
 Christian meditation

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:58.380
 is filling your mind

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.460
 with the truth.

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.339
 To think

00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.220
 and reflect

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.240
 on God's truth

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.079
 like a priceless

00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:05.120
 diamond.

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.940
 It's like going

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.579
 into the mine

00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.319
 and bringing

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.240
 the gold out

00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.539
 and viewing it

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.220
 in the sunlight

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:13.120
 and its dazzling

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.000
 array of beauty.

00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:16.380
 Oh,

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.880
 this church

00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.160
 would have

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.240
 a reputation

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.940
 of not how

00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.299
 nicely we are dressed,

00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.420
 not how much money

00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:21.960
 we have,

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.960
 not our politics,

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.240
 but people say

00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.960
 this church

00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.279
 delights in God's word.

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.200
 Like the people

00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.880
 in Ezra's day

00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.220
 who said,

00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.079
 bring us the book,

00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.279
 bring us the book.

00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.640
 Would that be

00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.500
 our cry?

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.440
 This is a solid

00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.240
 ground

00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.460
 to plant our feet.

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:40.220
 In an insane world,

00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.019
 the scriptures

00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.880
 make sense.

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.599
 It's like being

00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.099
 in the wilderness

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.299
 and you commune

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.059
 with God,

00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.980
 conversing with Him

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.740
 in a beautiful

00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.519
 garden of Eden.

00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.599
 This book

00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:52.120
 addresses life's

00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:53.680
 greatest questions.

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.980
 As Rob Dunlop

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.599
 likes to say,

00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.220
 this book

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.299
 asks better questions.

00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.559
 This book

00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.240
 is alive.

00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:01.539
 Psalm 119,

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.019
 the word

00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.720
 is my comfort

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.619
 in my affliction,

00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.259
 that your promise

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:07.200
 gives me life.

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.480
 Do you find comfort

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:12.399
 from the word

00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.000
 in your affliction?

00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.940
 Let me ask you,

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.899
 what do you do

00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:18.539
 when you are anxious

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.619
 and feel alone?

00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.299
 When you wake up

00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:23.099
 in the middle of the night

00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.440
 and your heart

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.579
 is just sinking?

00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.599
 You can't even breathe.

00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.879
 Anxiety has you

00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.759
 in its death grip.

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:32.400
 Do you meditate

00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.140
 on the word then?

00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.420
 Maybe you have someone

00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.400
 read it to you.

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.500
 In that moment,

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.339
 do you recall

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.319
 Psalm 23?

00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.519
 Lord,

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.599
 you are my shepherd.

00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:42.740
 God,

00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:44.200
 your care is all around me.

00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.859
 You will hold me up.

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.799
 You will never deceive me.

00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.740
 You lead me

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.799
 in paths of righteousness.

00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.599
 I will not fear

00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:52.539
 even though I walk

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:52.960
 through the valley

00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.859
 of the shadow of death.

00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.299
 And you are always

00:25:55.299 --> 00:25:55.900
 with me.

00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:57.220
 You will never forsake me,

00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.539
 God.

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.940
 You might have grown up

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.299
 in the church

00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:01.960
 and you can recite

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.299
 Psalm 23

00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.759
 at this podium

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.900
 with perfect diction.

00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.299
 But here's the more

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.980
 important question,

00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.339
 friends.

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.039
 Do you know the shepherd?

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.700
 Do you know the shepherd?

00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:15.140
 Can you say with Jack Lauer

00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:16.660
 in his baptism testimony

00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.519
 that he's not only

00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.200
 a savior,

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.539
 he's my savior.

00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.980
 God is the goal.

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.460
 And the psalmist

00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.180
 doesn't tell us

00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.839
 the way of the righteous.

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.279
 He illustrates it

00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.859
 in verse 3.

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:29.500
 And verse 3

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.139
 is a metaphor

00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:32.179
 of this ideal person.

00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.859
 And the image

00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.659
 is of a tree.

00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:36.539
 And this tree

00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.279
 that has roots

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:38.439
 that soak up the water

00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.339
 and it's bearing

00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.159
 abundant fruit.

00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.519
 The land around

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.199
 might be dry

00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:43.639
 and barren.

00:26:44.219 --> 00:26:45.219
 The winds are hot.

00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.799
 The sun is beating

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:48.519
 down on the tree.

00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.219
 But verse 3,

00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.839
 the leaf is green

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:52.179
 and does not wither.

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.359
 This is a person

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.240
 whose roots

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.139
 go deep

00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.139
 into God.

00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.579
 The tree

00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.099
 is not only

00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.639
 stable

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.659
 in the storm,

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.099
 but he is

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.339
 satisfied,

00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.659
 drawing upon

00:27:03.659 --> 00:27:04.599
 a hidden source

00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.259
 of strength,

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.779
 these streams

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.919
 of water.

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.419
 He's drinking

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.299
 from the fountain

00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:10.799
 of life

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.519
 and he's bearing

00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.719
 abundant fruit.

00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:14.859
 And the tree

00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.339
 doesn't get there

00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:15.899
 by accident.

00:27:16.559 --> 00:27:17.039
 The tree

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.679
 is planted

00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:18.279
 by another.

00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.319
 These are the

00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.000
 Lord's trees.

00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:21.919
 Trees that are

00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:22.459
 distinct

00:27:22.459 --> 00:27:23.759
 from their surroundings.

00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.459
 D.L. Moody

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.920
 once said,

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.880
 the Lord's trees

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.019
 are evergreens.

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.960
 When tragedy

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.480
 strikes,

00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:32.779
 God's trees

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.640
 are evergreens.

00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.279
 Their leaf

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.640
 does not wither.

00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.500
 God's word

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:36.860
 is there

00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.720
 giving you life.

00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.380
 Your preferred

00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:40.779
 candidate

00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.559
 loses the election.

00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.340
 Your leaf

00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:43.880
 does not wither.

00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.519
 Work and parenting

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.660
 is just out of control

00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.299
 and exhausting.

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:49.840
 Your leaf

00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:50.559
 does not wither.

00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.420
 Global pandemic,

00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.180
 your leaf

00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.779
 does not wither.

00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.259
 Now,

00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:56.660
 this is not

00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.039
 to minimize

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.779
 difficulties

00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.120
 or the absence

00:27:59.120 --> 00:27:59.940
 of sorrows.

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.840
 Keep reading

00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:01.420
 the Psalms.

00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.220
 It's saying

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.580
 no matter

00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.380
 what the conditions

00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.240
 are outside,

00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:04.799
 the tree

00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.279
 is brimming

00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.240
 with life.

00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.620
 Verse 3

00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.100
 ends up,

00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:09.120
 whatever it does,

00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.120
 it prospers.

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.019
 This is not

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.440
 teaching the

00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.360
 prosperity gospel,

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.340
 that God

00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:14.779
 will make you

00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.080
 healthy,

00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.500
 wealthy,

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:15.980
 and rich.

00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:16.840
 Don't buy

00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:17.640
 that lie either.

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.220
 The point is,

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.080
 this is a

00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:21.080
 prosperous tree.

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.779
 Its leaves

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.559
 are green

00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.579
 even in years

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.079
 of drought.

00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.039
 It's bringing

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.339
 forth fruit.

00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.359
 At the end

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:30.980
 of World War II,

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.980
 the Matthews

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.700
 were missionaries,

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:36.299
 unable to escape

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.099
 communist China.

00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.319
 The government

00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.099
 cut off all

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.619
 their funds

00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.059
 and refused

00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.420
 to grant

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.119
 their exit visa.

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.680
 Afraid to contact

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.779
 their Christian friends

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.639
 for fear of getting

00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.240
 them into trouble,

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.980
 they suffered

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.200
 from starvation,

00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.460
 isolation,

00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.700
 and persecution.

00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.340
 They lived

00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.000
 in desperate

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.840
 conditions.

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.620
 They lived

00:28:58.620 --> 00:28:59.279
 in a small

00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.860
 room with

00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.960
 one stool

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.880
 as its piece

00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.279
 of furniture.

00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.500
 And once a day,

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:04.200
 they were allowed

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.940
 to use a small

00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.860
 stove to boil

00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:06.500
 a little bit

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.740
 of rice for dinner.

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.319
 And the only

00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.299
 fuel they had

00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.180
 was animal

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.920
 refuse they

00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.460
 collected from

00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.039
 the streets.

00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:15.980
 Years after

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.559
 their experience,

00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.180
 they wrote a book

00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:19.279
 and they titled

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.779
 it Green Leaf

00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.980
 in Drought Time.

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.940
 All of the

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.420
 communists

00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.220
 cut off their

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.560
 funds.

00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.120
 They could not

00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.700
 cut off the

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.240
 true source

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.759
 of strength

00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:29.720
 that kept

00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.320
 them sweet

00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:31.080
 and cheerful

00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:31.940
 and joyful

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.560
 throughout their

00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:32.980
 trials.

00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.539
 Friends,

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.060
 is it possible

00:29:37.060 --> 00:29:37.360
 that we can

00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:37.759
 have green

00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.160
 leaves when

00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.820
 all of life's

00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:39.519
 joys dry up?

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.560
 Some of you

00:29:42.560 --> 00:29:42.700
 are like,

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.140
 oh, come on,

00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.080
 that's exaggerated.

00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:45.019
 That never

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.420
 happens.

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.220
 Well, go

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.079
 edify yourself

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.879
 maybe this week

00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.720
 and listen to

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.139
 Richard Wurmbrandt

00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:51.960
 on YouTube.

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:54.440
 Fourteen years

00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.299
 of torture

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:57.039
 in Eastern Europe

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.319
 and maybe the

00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.779
 worst of it

00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:00.019
 was three years

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.619
 of solitary

00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.200
 confinement.

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.160
 Incomplete

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.940
 darkness

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.720
 as a form

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.700
 of psychological

00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.460
 torture.

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.019
 Wurmbrandt

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.799
 describes this

00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.200
 as a time

00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.599
 of joy.

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.839
 He wrote,

00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.139
 because they

00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:16.700
 drugged him,

00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.259
 he couldn't

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.619
 even recite

00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.019
 the Lord's

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.299
 prayer.

00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.180
 And all he

00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.480
 could say

00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:19.740
 was,

00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.220
 Jesus,

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.619
 I love

00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:20.799
 you.

00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.599
 Jesus,

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:21.980
 I love

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.180
 you.

00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:23.980
 And he

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.480
 felt as if

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:26.119
 he was the

00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:26.799
 bride in the

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.240
 presence of

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.839
 the bridegroom.

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.420
 Complete joy.

00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:31.779
 Friend,

00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.240
 is it really

00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.819
 possible to

00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.359
 have a source

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:33.940
 of strength

00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.420
 that the

00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.019
 deadly drought

00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.859
 cannot reach?

00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.000
 Yes.

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.000
 But it

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.500
 depends on

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:39.920
 where your

00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.400
 roots are.

00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.819
 If you put

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.460
 your trust

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.379
 in Christ,

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.279
 he can make

00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:44.619
 the waste

00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.220
 places green

00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:45.440
 as the

00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:45.740
 garden of

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:45.899
 Eden.

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.200
 God is

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.819
 enough in

00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.299
 trials.

00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.160
 That is the

00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.500
 way of the

00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.759
 righteous.

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.299
 Trust is

00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.079
 laying your

00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:54.039
 burden down

00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.519
 and putting

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:54.859
 it upon

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.299
 Christ.

00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:55.879
 He will

00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.299
 not only

00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:56.779
 bear your

00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.180
 sins,

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.220
 he will

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.579
 bear your

00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:58.879
 burdens.

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:01.940
 Now,

00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.359
 I think some

00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:02.720
 of us can

00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.460
 read a passage

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.000
 like this and

00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.399
 feel really

00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:04.879
 discouraged.

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.220
 Because you

00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.480
 are in a

00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:06.859
 season where

00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.099
 you don't

00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:07.500
 really see

00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.019
 much fruit

00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.259
 in your

00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.579
 life.

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.440
 But notice

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.039
 it says it

00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.779
 yields its

00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.559
 fruit in

00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.440
 its season.

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.019
 So not

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.579
 every fruit

00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.079
 appears at

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.379
 the same

00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:16.740
 time.

00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:17.960
 Some of

00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.319
 us might

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:18.899
 be in

00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.680
 dry seasons,

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.000
 others in

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.819
 fruit-bearing

00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.299
 seasons.

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.779
 The point

00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.220
 is if you

00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.539
 continue trusting

00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.599
 and abiding

00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.259
 in Christ,

00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.319
 the grace of

00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.619
 the Holy

00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.279
 Spirit will

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.819
 appear in

00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.339
 your life.

00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:31.759
 Bearing the

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.039
 fruit of

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.399
 love,

00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.000
 joy,

00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:33.599
 peace,

00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:34.240
 patience,

00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:34.839
 kindness,

00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.440
 goodness,

00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.420
 and self-control.

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.859
 Jesus said,

00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.500
 I am the

00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:38.940
 vine and you

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.160
 are the

00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.500
 branches.

00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.079
 Whoever

00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.960
 abides in

00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.480
 me and I

00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:41.819
 in him,

00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:42.480
 he it is

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:42.860
 that bears

00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.740
 much fruit.

00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:44.759
 Keep

00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.279
 abiding in

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:45.680
 Christ,

00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.019
 friends.

00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:46.920
 Take the

00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.480
 long-term

00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:47.860
 view.

00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.740
 You will

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.539
 bear fruit

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.140
 at the

00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.840
 right time,

00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:52.079
 in the

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.019
 right season.

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.720
 This is the

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.100
 portrait of

00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:56.400
 the way of

00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:56.819
 the wise.

00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:57.860
 Then the

00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.140
 psalmist

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.559
 turns a

00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.220
 corner and

00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.559
 paints a

00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.779
 picture of

00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.100
 the way of

00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.380
 the wicked

00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.600
 in verses

00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:02.940
 four and

00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.220
 five.

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.559
 Point number

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:04.880
 one is a

00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.100
 tree,

00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:05.579
 point number

00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.299
 two is the

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:06.740
 chaff.

00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.519
 Look at

00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:08.840
 verse four

00:32:08.840 --> 00:32:09.100
 again.

00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:09.980
 The wicked

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.599
 are not

00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.000
 so,

00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.299
 but are

00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:12.900
 like chaff

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.120
 that the

00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.160
 wind drives

00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.559
 away.

00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.539
 Everything

00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:16.900
 that's been

00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.360
 said about

00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:17.799
 the righteous,

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.240
 the wicked,

00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:18.500
 are the

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.200
 exact opposite.

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.839
 Delighting in

00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.420
 God's law,

00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.759
 not so the

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:22.920
 wicked.

00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.440
 It's like a

00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.140
 tree bearing

00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:25.920
 abundant fruit,

00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.059
 not so the

00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.220
 wicked.

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.660
 Prospering,

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.420
 not so the

00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:30.620
 wicked.

00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.640
 Who are

00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.900
 these wicked

00:32:33.900 --> 00:32:34.319
 the psalmist

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.799
 speaks of?

00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:35.839
 Well,

00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.200
 in Psalm

00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:36.579
 two,

00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.939
 the wicked

00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.779
 are those

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.039
 who do

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.559
 not honor

00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.179
 the Son.

00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.259
 In verse

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.679
 12,

00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:42.759
 it says,

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.279
 kiss the

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.059
 Son lest

00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.359
 he be

00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:44.879
 angry and

00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.319
 you perish

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:45.980
 in the

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.220
 way.

00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:47.359
 It is

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.039
 anyone who

00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.519
 is opposed

00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:48.899
 to Jesus'

00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.279
 reign.

00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.720
 The wicked

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.259
 are those

00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.740
 who trust

00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.019
 in their

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.439
 own way.

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:52.939
 They don't

00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:53.359
 trust in

00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:53.599
 God.

00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:54.819
 And here

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.159
 he uses

00:32:55.159 --> 00:32:55.559
 the dark

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.220
 imagery of

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.599
 chaff.

00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.419
 Now,

00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.699
 what is

00:32:57.699 --> 00:32:58.139
 chaff?

00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.599
 The picture

00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.359
 is one

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:00.599
 of the

00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:00.919
 grain

00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.460
 harvest.

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.679
 In those

00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:03.119
 days when

00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:03.779
 food is

00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.119
 prepared,

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.639
 you go out

00:33:04.639 --> 00:33:04.919
 into the

00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.259
 field and

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.619
 collect the

00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:05.939
 sheaves.

00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.259
 And the

00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:08.019
 soft grain

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.919
 had hard

00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:09.439
 shells.

00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:10.319
 And so

00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.500
 what you

00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:10.699
 would do

00:33:10.699 --> 00:33:11.179
 to separate

00:33:11.179 --> 00:33:11.480
 them,

00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.099
 you threw

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.579
 the sheaves

00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:12.819
 on the

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.159
 threshing

00:33:13.159 --> 00:33:13.519
 floor,

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.619
 and it

00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:14.819
 would be

00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.259
 trampled

00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.759
 to separate

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.079
 out the

00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.439
 parts.

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:17.539
 And then

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:17.939
 you brought

00:33:17.939 --> 00:33:18.240
 in the

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.619
 winnowing

00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:18.939
 fork,

00:33:19.199 --> 00:33:19.519
 and you

00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:19.720
 threw

00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.139
 the pieces

00:33:20.139 --> 00:33:20.859
 high into

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.220
 the air.

00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:22.480
 The wind

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:22.879
 would blow

00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.399
 the chaff

00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:23.720
 away,

00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.039
 and only

00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.559
 the grain

00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.099
 would remain.

00:33:26.439 --> 00:33:27.259
 The chaff

00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.000
 are weightless,

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.419
 and a strong

00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:30.059
 wind blows

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.460
 them away.

00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:32.859
 You can

00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.220
 think of a

00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.779
 tumbleweed

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:35.500
 in those

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.019
 old western

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.480
 films.

00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:38.099
 It is dry,

00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:38.859
 it withers,

00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.480
 it is empty

00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:39.919
 and blown

00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:40.480
 around with

00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.099
 no depth.

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:41.899
 There are

00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:42.439
 no roots

00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:42.779
 like the

00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.159
 godly.

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.439
 Always

00:33:44.439 --> 00:33:44.960
 doing what

00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.519
 is popular,

00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:47.079
 always chasing

00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.439
 the latest

00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:48.559
 fashion trends,

00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:49.819
 tossed to

00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.379
 and fro by

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.220
 every cultural

00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:52.199
 and theological

00:33:52.199 --> 00:33:52.740
 trend.

00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.500
 And chaff is

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.859
 not only

00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.399
 weightless,

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.579
 chaff is

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.039
 worthless.

00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:57.980
 You can't do

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.359
 anything with

00:33:58.359 --> 00:33:58.500
 it.

00:33:59.359 --> 00:33:59.899
 Jesus would

00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.379
 say, this is

00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:01.179
 salt that's lost,

00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:01.759
 it's saltiness.

00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:02.659
 It's not good

00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.120
 for anything,

00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.560
 you throw it

00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:04.779
 out.

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.440
 John the

00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.680
 Baptist

00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.180
 picks up the

00:34:08.180 --> 00:34:08.619
 imagery of

00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.059
 chaff in

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.860
 Matthew 3.

00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.920
 Speaking of

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.300
 Jesus, he

00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:12.639
 says, the

00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.280
 winnowing fork

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:13.860
 is in his

00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.119
 hands, and

00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.659
 he will clear

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.200
 his threshing

00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:16.980
 floor and

00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.480
 gather his

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.180
 wheat into

00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:18.639
 his barn.

00:34:19.680 --> 00:34:20.019
 But the

00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:21.340
 chaff he

00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:21.740
 will burn

00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.539
 with unquenchable

00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.099
 fire.

00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.460
 A picture of

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.380
 utter destruction.

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.720
 Chaff has a

00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.480
 collision course

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.519
 with divine

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.960
 wrath.

00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:34.760
 In Psalm 73,

00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.900
 the author

00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.260
 there is

00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.960
 troubled at

00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.599
 the prosperity

00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.119
 of the wicked.

00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.159
 In the first

00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:42.079
 16 verses, he

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.099
 asks, why are

00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:44.059
 they so healthy

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.920
 and wealthy,

00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.800
 always at ease,

00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.840
 increasing in

00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.079
 riches?

00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:49.820
 He admits in

00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.679
 verse 3, I

00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.300
 was envious

00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:51.900
 of the arrogant

00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.960
 when I saw

00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:53.619
 the prosperity

00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.240
 of the wicked.

00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.240
 But then the

00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:57.800
 whole chapter

00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.400
 takes a turn

00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:59.059
 in verse 16.

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:01.119
 Things changed

00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:02.240
 when the

00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:03.079
 worshiper came

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.639
 into the house

00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:04.059
 of the Lord.

00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.000
 He writes in

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.980
 verse 16, when

00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.519
 I thought how

00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.039
 to understand

00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.800
 this, it

00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:09.380
 seemed like a

00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:10.159
 worrisome task.

00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:12.159
 Until I went

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.579
 into the

00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.300
 sanctuary of

00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.539
 God, then

00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.820
 I discerned

00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.400
 their ends.

00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.599
 Truly you

00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:18.980
 set them in

00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.659
 slippery places,

00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:20.519
 you make them

00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:21.300
 fall to ruin.

00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.699
 Maybe he read

00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.559
 verses 5 and 6

00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:25.179
 of Psalm 1,

00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.260
 where we are

00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:27.240
 given a window

00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:28.019
 into the

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.900
 wicked's future.

00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.500
 Therefore, the

00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.159
 wicked will

00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.900
 not stand in

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.320
 the judgment,

00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.980
 nor sinners in

00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.480
 the congregation

00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:35.179
 of the righteous.

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.139
 For the Lord

00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.679
 knows the way

00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:37.099
 of the righteous,

00:35:37.219 --> 00:35:37.619
 but the way

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.059
 of the wicked

00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:39.059
 will perish.

00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:42.000
 They stand

00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.460
 now, but they

00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.019
 will not be able

00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.539
 to stand when

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.320
 it matters the

00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:44.599
 most.

00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.559
 They will not

00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:47.900
 stand in the

00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.440
 last judgment.

00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.139
 Now, you and I

00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.599
 might be tempted

00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:51.380
 to think that

00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.240
 this refers to

00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:53.240
 people out there,

00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.599
 but look again.

00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.340
 This was spoken

00:35:56.340 --> 00:35:57.059
 in the house

00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:57.659
 of worship.

00:35:58.659 --> 00:35:59.259
 He is speaking

00:35:59.259 --> 00:36:00.199
 to us here

00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:00.699
 in this room.

00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:02.619
 The chaff are

00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.779
 mixed in with

00:36:03.779 --> 00:36:04.480
 the congregation

00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.480
 now, but one

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:05.940
 day they will

00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.340
 not be.

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:07.799
 The chaff are

00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:08.360
 those who make

00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:09.320
 empty professions

00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:09.779
 of faith.

00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.539
 In other words,

00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.039
 God will put

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.619
 an end to

00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.440
 religious hypocrisy.

00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:17.639
 That's why

00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:18.299
 John the Baptist

00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:19.480
 uses this imagery

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.519
 of chaff against

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.179
 the religious

00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.119
 Pharisees of his

00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.340
 day.

00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:24.519
 not all who

00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:24.920
 are in Israel

00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.360
 are the true

00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:25.680
 Israel.

00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.300
 And Jesus

00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:27.820
 made clear,

00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.360
 not everyone

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.320
 in the visible

00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:29.980
 church who make

00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.519
 professions of

00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:31.460
 faith are part

00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:32.400
 of my people,

00:36:32.620 --> 00:36:33.019
 the invisible

00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.440
 church.

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.300
 This is a call

00:36:36.300 --> 00:36:36.840
 to sober

00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:38.120
 self-examination.

00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.180
 Which am I?

00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:40.900
 Which are you?

00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.900
 This is a portrait

00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:44.500
 of the masterpiece.

00:36:45.640 --> 00:36:46.340
 It's the Mona

00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:46.600
 Lisa.

00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:48.039
 Its eyes are on

00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.700
 all of us in

00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:49.120
 this room.

00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:52.079
 Do you resemble

00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:53.079
 the chaff

00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:54.339
 or the tree?

00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.059
 Do you resemble

00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:56.719
 the sinless,

00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:58.000
 blessed man

00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.539
 who never

00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:59.319
 walked in the

00:36:59.319 --> 00:37:00.179
 counsel of the

00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:00.359
 wicked?

00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:02.299
 Or the weightless

00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:03.339
 chaff the Lord

00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:04.059
 will drive away

00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.460
 in judgment?

00:37:06.859 --> 00:37:07.699
 Here's the bad

00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:07.960
 news.

00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:10.279
 If we truly

00:37:10.279 --> 00:37:10.719
 assess their

00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:11.099
 lives,

00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:13.420
 we have no

00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.460
 claim to say

00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:14.960
 we are blessed

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.039
 men and women.

00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:18.219
 How often is

00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:18.900
 our service

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.579
 to God

00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.180
 half-hearted?

00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:22.059
 If our own

00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:22.400
 righteousness

00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:23.000
 was money,

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.980
 if you looked

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.619
 at it closely,

00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:26.280
 you'd find

00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:26.880
 it's monopoly

00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.240
 money.

00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:28.860
 It's not real.

00:37:29.680 --> 00:37:30.340
 Going to church

00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:31.079
 feels like a

00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:31.539
 new layer

00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:32.039
 of paint

00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:32.760
 on the same

00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:34.639
 old building.

00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:37.619
 But here's

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.320
 the best news.

00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.960
 Jesus can

00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.340
 transform chaff.

00:37:41.940 --> 00:37:42.480
 Look at the

00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.500
 last verse

00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.160
 of Psalm 2.

00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.740
 Blessed are

00:37:46.740 --> 00:37:47.559
 all who take

00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.619
 refuge in Him.

00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:51.019
 the king

00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:51.660
 described in

00:37:51.660 --> 00:37:52.220
 Psalm 2

00:37:52.220 --> 00:37:52.760
 as the

00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:53.460
 blessed man

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:54.380
 of Psalm 1.

00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.440
 This chapter

00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:57.099
 is a description

00:37:57.099 --> 00:37:57.700
 of Jesus.

00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:00.320
 If you find

00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:01.019
 your refuge in

00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:01.260
 Him,

00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:02.139
 He can make

00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:03.059
 you blessed.

00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:04.900
 You see,

00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:05.860
 we need refuge,

00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:06.320
 friends.

00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:08.039
 We need refuge

00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:08.579
 from what our

00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:09.539
 sins deserve.

00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:10.880
 You see,

00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.340
 God is a

00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:12.619
 majestic sovereign

00:38:12.619 --> 00:38:13.639
 whom we owe

00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:14.880
 perfect obedience.

00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.119
 obedience.

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:17.200
 He created you

00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:17.500
 and me

00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.140
 in His image.

00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:20.039
 And He has

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:21.039
 authority over

00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:21.420
 us.

00:38:22.260 --> 00:38:22.960
 And because of

00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.480
 His holiness,

00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.400
 His eyes are

00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.640
 too pure to

00:38:25.640 --> 00:38:26.360
 look upon evil

00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.140
 and not punish

00:38:27.140 --> 00:38:27.340
 it.

00:38:27.740 --> 00:38:28.619
 Not because He

00:38:28.619 --> 00:38:29.200
 is harsh,

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.360
 but because He

00:38:30.360 --> 00:38:30.980
 is good.

00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.180
 Standing on

00:38:33.180 --> 00:38:33.820
 our own merits,

00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:34.579
 the wind of

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.160
 God's wrath

00:38:35.160 --> 00:38:36.059
 will drive us

00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:36.640
 away.

00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:39.900
 You stand now,

00:38:39.960 --> 00:38:40.420
 but you will not

00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:41.000
 be able to stand

00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.539
 in that final

00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:41.880
 judgment.

00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:43.380
 We are by

00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:43.659
 nature,

00:38:43.800 --> 00:38:44.059
 chaff.

00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:45.679
 But here is the

00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:46.159
 good news,

00:38:46.280 --> 00:38:46.539
 friends.

00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:47.539
 Hear me.

00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.659
 In His great

00:38:48.659 --> 00:38:49.159
 love,

00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:49.639
 the Father

00:38:49.639 --> 00:38:50.079
 would send

00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:50.480
 the Lord

00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.139
 Jesus,

00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:52.400
 fully God

00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:52.820
 and fully

00:38:52.820 --> 00:38:53.179
 man.

00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.619
 He was

00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:55.079
 the blessed

00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:55.480
 man.

00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:57.219
 This ideal

00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:58.199
 King who

00:38:58.199 --> 00:38:59.219
 truly delighted

00:38:59.219 --> 00:38:59.980
 and meditated

00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:00.739
 on God's

00:39:00.739 --> 00:39:00.980
 law.

00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:02.500
 Every single

00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.320
 thought was a

00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:04.320
 perfect God

00:39:04.320 --> 00:39:05.059
 glorifying thought.

00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:06.900
 Perfect in

00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:07.679
 love and

00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:08.019
 wisdom.

00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.579
 He never

00:39:09.579 --> 00:39:10.159
 walked in the

00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:10.619
 counsel of the

00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:10.800
 wicked.

00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:12.159
 Not even for a

00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:12.699
 millisecond.

00:39:14.099 --> 00:39:14.699
 But despite

00:39:14.699 --> 00:39:15.340
 never sinning,

00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:16.119
 He goes to a

00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:16.480
 cross.

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:17.639
 The sinless

00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.079
 one was

00:39:18.079 --> 00:39:18.800
 treated as if

00:39:18.800 --> 00:39:19.219
 He were

00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:19.780
 chaff.

00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.500
 Treated as if

00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:21.739
 He had

00:39:21.739 --> 00:39:23.079
 wicked desires.

00:39:23.780 --> 00:39:24.099
 Willingly

00:39:24.099 --> 00:39:24.699
 putting Himself

00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:25.340
 under the

00:39:25.340 --> 00:39:25.980
 curse that you

00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.239
 and I

00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:26.719
 deserve.

00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:28.159
 Crust beneath

00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:28.659
 the weight of

00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:29.719
 God's wrath.

00:39:30.440 --> 00:39:30.980
 He did this

00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:31.800
 for all who

00:39:31.800 --> 00:39:31.920
 would have

00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:32.440
 returned from

00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:33.179
 their sin and

00:39:33.179 --> 00:39:33.559
 put their

00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.320
 trust in

00:39:34.320 --> 00:39:35.360
 Christ alone.

00:39:36.139 --> 00:39:36.920
 Nailed to a

00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.480
 tree so that

00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:37.739
 you,

00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:38.019
 friend,

00:39:38.079 --> 00:39:38.480
 could be a

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:39.079
 tree planted

00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:39.659
 by streams of

00:39:39.659 --> 00:39:39.920
 water.

00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:42.940
 And on the

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.300
 third day,

00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:44.800
 Jesus rose from

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.340
 the dead.

00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:46.159
 In His one

00:39:46.159 --> 00:39:46.920
 hand, Jesus

00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.619
 takes the curse

00:39:47.619 --> 00:39:48.139
 that you and I

00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:48.500
 deserve.

00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:49.079
 And with His

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.920
 other hand, He

00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:50.639
 gives the

00:39:50.639 --> 00:39:51.360
 blessings that

00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:52.400
 He deserved

00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:53.539
 forever secured

00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:53.880
 by the

00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.320
 resurrection.

00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:55.880
 He is the

00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:56.380
 King that we

00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:56.800
 can find

00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.380
 refuge.

00:39:58.800 --> 00:39:59.260
 Friend, if you

00:39:59.260 --> 00:39:59.740
 are not a

00:39:59.740 --> 00:40:01.039
 Christian, you

00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:01.480
 could have been

00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:02.099
 on the path of

00:40:02.099 --> 00:40:02.599
 the wicked your

00:40:02.599 --> 00:40:04.619
 whole life, a

00:40:04.619 --> 00:40:05.680
 billion miles away

00:40:05.680 --> 00:40:06.139
 from God.

00:40:06.260 --> 00:40:07.159
 But there is hope

00:40:07.159 --> 00:40:07.539
 for you.

00:40:08.339 --> 00:40:09.299
 But you must

00:40:09.299 --> 00:40:10.239
 run to the

00:40:10.239 --> 00:40:10.659
 cross.

00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:12.259
 Do not go the

00:40:12.259 --> 00:40:13.059
 easy way that

00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:13.839
 leads to

00:40:13.839 --> 00:40:14.319
 destruction.

00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.039
 Enter by the

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:16.579
 narrow gate.

00:40:16.799 --> 00:40:17.619
 It is hard.

00:40:17.859 --> 00:40:18.500
 You must die to

00:40:18.500 --> 00:40:19.440
 yourself, and only

00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:20.239
 a few find it.

00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:22.079
 But Jesus stands

00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:23.279
 saying, come to

00:40:23.279 --> 00:40:24.559
 me, and I will

00:40:24.559 --> 00:40:25.139
 give you rest.

00:40:26.299 --> 00:40:28.000
 There is hope.

00:40:28.379 --> 00:40:29.019
 Put your burden

00:40:29.019 --> 00:40:30.039
 upon Christ.

00:40:31.779 --> 00:40:32.399
 There is a

00:40:32.399 --> 00:40:32.899
 hand, what can

00:40:32.899 --> 00:40:34.239
 make you whole

00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:34.539
 again?

00:40:34.539 --> 00:40:35.779
 Nothing but the

00:40:35.779 --> 00:40:36.460
 blood of Jesus.

00:40:37.259 --> 00:40:38.340
 There is a way to

00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:39.099
 go from emptiness

00:40:39.099 --> 00:40:41.199
 to joy, but you

00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:41.739
 must put your

00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.840
 weight upon Christ

00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:43.599
 and give him

00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:43.980
 everything.

00:40:46.539 --> 00:40:47.400
 To close, there

00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:47.860
 was a missionary

00:40:47.860 --> 00:40:49.259
 from the South

00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:51.880
 Sea Island in

00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:52.460
 John Patton.

00:40:53.099 --> 00:40:54.019
 And John Patton

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.820
 translated the

00:40:54.820 --> 00:40:55.800
 scripture for the

00:40:55.800 --> 00:40:56.099
 natives.

00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:58.019
 When he came to

00:40:58.019 --> 00:40:58.840
 the word believed,

00:40:59.019 --> 00:41:00.239
 he searched for a

00:41:00.239 --> 00:41:00.739
 word that the

00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:01.119
 natives would

00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:01.679
 understand.

00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:03.800
 But he couldn't

00:41:03.800 --> 00:41:04.420
 find the right

00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:04.639
 word.

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.400
 And one day, as

00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:09.180
 Patton was working,

00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:10.559
 a message arrived.

00:41:11.760 --> 00:41:12.820
 The messenger had

00:41:12.820 --> 00:41:13.460
 to run from the

00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:14.099
 other side of the

00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:14.800
 island, and he

00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:15.400
 was out of breath.

00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:17.639
 He sank down into

00:41:17.639 --> 00:41:18.579
 a chair in Patton's

00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:19.880
 room, leaned back,

00:41:20.460 --> 00:41:21.099
 and relaxed.

00:41:22.780 --> 00:41:23.340
 Startled and

00:41:23.340 --> 00:41:24.099
 thrilled, Patton

00:41:24.099 --> 00:41:24.500
 realized a

00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:24.800
 connection.

00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:25.480
 What are you

00:41:25.480 --> 00:41:25.700
 doing?

00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:26.300
 Give me a word

00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:26.659
 for that.

00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.260
 Patton used it to

00:41:29.260 --> 00:41:29.960
 translate the word

00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:30.340
 belief.

00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:31.900
 A word that meant

00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:32.720
 to put your weight

00:41:32.720 --> 00:41:34.320
 on another and then

00:41:34.320 --> 00:41:34.760
 relax.

00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:36.320
 That is what you

00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:37.559
 must do to put your

00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:38.580
 weight upon Christ.

00:41:39.240 --> 00:41:40.100
 What you will find,

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.600
 what will you find if

00:41:41.600 --> 00:41:42.680
 you do that?

00:41:43.680 --> 00:41:44.600
 Everything your soul

00:41:44.600 --> 00:41:45.280
 has been looking for.

00:41:46.100 --> 00:41:47.480
 Blessed are all and

00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:48.580
 take refuge in him.

00:41:49.120 --> 00:41:49.620
 Let's pray.

00:41:53.220 --> 00:41:54.240
 Father in heaven, we

00:41:54.240 --> 00:41:58.080
 pray that you work in

00:41:58.080 --> 00:41:58.480
 our hearts.

00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:01.640
 Help us to be trees

00:42:01.639 --> 00:42:02.900
 planted by streams of

00:42:02.900 --> 00:42:03.199
 water.

00:42:04.339 --> 00:42:05.119
 Oh Lord, help us to

00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:06.119
 glorify you, we pray.

00:42:06.420 --> 00:42:07.019
 In Jesus' name.

00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:07.940
 Amen.

00:42:10.719 --> 00:42:11.179
 Amen.

00:42:11.179 --> 00:42:11.679
 Amen.

00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:12.199
 Amen.

00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:12.920
 Amen.

00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:13.239
 Amen.

00:42:13.239 --> 00:42:14.099
 Amen.

00:42:14.099 --> 00:42:14.539
 Amen.

00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:14.699
 Amen.

00:42:14.699 --> 00:42:14.980
 Amen.

00:42:15.539 --> 00:42:15.960
 Amen.