WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:35.500 Today's scripture reading is Psalm 103 as printed in your liturgy, a Psalm of David. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:41.900 Praise the Lord, my soul, all my inmost being. Praise his holy name. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:46.000 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:49.920 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:54.900 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 00:00:55.260 --> 00:01:01.040 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:05.560 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:11.120 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel. 00:01:11.820 --> 00:01:17.540 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:21.620 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever. 00:01:22.240 --> 00:01:26.880 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:33.560 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:39.719 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 00:01:40.260 --> 00:01:42.740 As a father has compassion on his children, 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:48.199 so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we are formed. 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:50.379 He remembers that we are dust. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:52.939 The life of mortals is like grass. 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:55.239 They flourish like a flower of the field. 00:01:55.699 --> 00:02:00.479 The wind blows over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 00:02:00.919 --> 00:02:05.659 But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord's love is with those who fear him, 00:02:05.979 --> 00:02:08.479 and his righteousness with their children's children, 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:12.780 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:17.719 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:24.179 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:29.319 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:33.679 Praise the Lord, all his works, everywhere in his dominion. 00:02:34.179 --> 00:02:36.079 Praise the Lord, my soul. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:42.240 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. 00:02:43.040 --> 00:02:44.420 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:49.400 I want to say as we begin that that new song, I felt like this side did a pretty good job, 00:02:49.860 --> 00:02:52.280 but this side did a lot better. 00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:56.480 It's just, that's just kind of how I felt being on this side. 00:02:57.080 --> 00:03:02.420 So, we're 22 days out from an election. 00:03:02.540 --> 00:03:03.780 Maybe you've heard about this election. 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:09.300 And I thought I'd begin today with a prediction of the outcome of this election. 00:03:10.199 --> 00:03:14.099 And some of you are like, wow, my anxiety just went really far. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:15.920 But here's my take. 00:03:16.120 --> 00:03:19.920 You know, in the days following the election, half the country is going to be really glad, 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:25.080 and half the country is going to be really sad and mad and anxious. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:26.979 How's that for a prediction? 00:03:26.979 --> 00:03:30.560 I'm pretty confident that that's what's going to happen. 00:03:31.359 --> 00:03:33.639 And you know what our nation's going to need? 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:37.060 You know what the Bay Area is going to need, regardless of the outcome? 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:42.599 They're going to need Jesus, and they're going to need people who know how to pray to Jesus. 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:46.879 They're going to need people who've cultivated a daily habit of prayer, 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:52.479 who have the ability to access heaven, who know how to engage the presence and the power of God, 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:53.400 who know how to pray, 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:58.840 Father, your name be hallowed over all the other names that are out there. 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:02.319 Your kingdom come over all the other kingdoms that are out there. 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:06.099 Your will be done over all the other agendas that are being jockeyed about. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:11.539 The religious right and the religious left, right now they're very focused on power 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:15.299 and following either the elephant or the donkey. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:21.259 And what we really need are serious godly Christians who are focused not on power but on prayer, 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:25.560 following not the donkey or the elephant, but following the Lamb of God 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:27.879 who takes away the sins of the world. 00:04:28.719 --> 00:04:31.759 We need people who know how to pray to the king 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:36.139 and people who know how to pray that his kingdom would come down 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:38.860 in a place like this as it is in heaven. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:39.620 Amen? 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:43.500 So we're talking about the holy habits of grace. 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:46.339 That's what our sermon series is all about. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:51.379 And it's these Christian practices, these predictable patterns in our lives 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:54.980 that enable us not to earn God's grace but just to respond to God's grace 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:58.980 and to receive and experience more and more of his grace. 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:03.400 And we talked so far about the practices of solitude and silence 00:05:03.400 --> 00:05:06.379 and a culture of hurry and busyness and noise. 00:05:07.080 --> 00:05:12.680 We talked about the practice of Scripture meditating on and reading Scripture 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:15.480 and a culture of ideological idolatry. 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:20.240 And today we want to talk about cultivating this holy habit of prayer. 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:21.100 What is prayer? 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:23.960 How do we define and understand prayer? 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:28.460 I would like to suggest that prayer is answering God. 00:05:29.340 --> 00:05:34.819 That God speaks to us through his word and we simply answer him in prayer. 00:05:35.400 --> 00:05:37.939 That God initiates and we respond. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:43.120 That we inhale God's grace through his word and through his spirit 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:47.640 and then we exhale our response to that grace in prayer. 00:05:48.700 --> 00:05:53.920 And we're looking in the Psalms because the Psalms is the prayer book of the Bible. 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:57.600 And it teaches us how to answer God. 00:05:58.220 --> 00:06:00.900 Eugene Peterson wrote a book called Answering God. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:02.160 It's all about the Psalms and prayer. 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:03.560 And here's how he intros that book. 00:06:03.640 --> 00:06:04.220 He says this, 00:06:04.220 --> 00:06:09.820 If we wish to develop the life of faith, to mature in our humanity, 00:06:09.820 --> 00:06:14.160 and to glorify God with our entire heart, mind, soul, and strength, 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:15.340 the Psalms are necessary. 00:06:16.020 --> 00:06:17.980 We cannot bypass the Psalms. 00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:22.980 They are God's gift to train us in prayer that is comprehensive and honest. 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:27.460 The Psalms are necessary because they are the prayer masters. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.480 Christ prayed the Psalms. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:35.319 The Christian community was early convinced that he continues praying them through us as we pray them. 00:06:36.280 --> 00:06:43.040 It is imperative to recover the Psalms as the primary tool for developing a life of prayer. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:47.759 And so today our prayer master is going to be King David. 00:06:48.460 --> 00:06:54.100 And he's going to teach us how to pray today through this 3,000-year-old hymn 00:06:54.100 --> 00:06:55.939 that was sung by the Son of God himself. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:59.779 It's one of the most familiar, one of the most beloved of all the Psalms. 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:04.160 And I'm just going to follow the three stanzas of this poem, 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:07.079 the three principal parts of this prayer. 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:10.360 And I want to talk about praying God's benefits, 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:12.439 praying God's attributes, 00:07:12.980 --> 00:07:14.300 and praying God's promises. 00:07:15.159 --> 00:07:17.180 Okay, praying God's benefits, 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:18.159 his attributes, 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:19.939 and his promises. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:23.279 First of all, let's think about praying God's benefits. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.979 If you just look again at verse 1. 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:27.319 Praise the Lord, my soul, 00:07:27.419 --> 00:07:28.599 all my inmost being. 00:07:29.359 --> 00:07:30.619 Praise his holy name. 00:07:30.679 --> 00:07:32.159 He's summoning his soul. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:36.479 He's calling his whole being to be spiritually engaged with God. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:40.779 You know, part of pouring out our soul to God 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:43.739 involves dialoguing with our soul about God. 00:07:44.119 --> 00:07:44.399 Right? 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:46.639 It's not just listening to our heart, 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:48.119 but talking to our heart. 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:53.240 And actively exercising faith by taking your soul in hand 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:54.759 and saying, soul, listen up. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:58.019 Soul, right now is the time to praise the Lord. 00:07:58.280 --> 00:08:00.000 And I know you're focused on yourself, 00:08:00.699 --> 00:08:03.040 but right now is the time to focus on one 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:05.060 who's much greater than yourself. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.040 David says, 00:08:07.139 --> 00:08:08.220 all my inmost being. 00:08:08.340 --> 00:08:10.360 Praise his holy name. 00:08:11.259 --> 00:08:12.360 Here's the king of Israel, 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.720 and he's urging himself, 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:18.220 and he's urging us to give all that is deep down inside of us 00:08:18.220 --> 00:08:19.660 entirely to God 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:23.080 with boundless enthusiasm and praise. 00:08:23.940 --> 00:08:25.880 Now, how in the world do we do that? 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:29.240 Well, David tells us it's by remembering 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:31.760 all of God's benefits to us. 00:08:33.040 --> 00:08:33.300 Right? 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:35.220 When he says, forget not, 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:37.460 that's a strong double negative 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:40.780 where he's warning his soul not to forget 00:08:40.780 --> 00:08:42.879 because it's far too easy to forget 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:45.480 what God has done for us. 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:47.180 And think about it. 00:08:47.180 --> 00:08:48.240 How much of our fear, 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:50.639 how much of our anxiety 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:53.420 and anger and discouragement 00:08:53.420 --> 00:08:55.280 is due to forgetting 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:58.139 all that has been given to us 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.580 and all that's been promised to us 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:01.180 by God in Jesus Christ? 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:04.240 Or another way to think about this 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:06.539 is that if your first habit, 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.180 the first thing that you do in the morning 00:09:09.180 --> 00:09:11.740 is to coat your brain with cortisol, 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:14.320 you know, that stress hormone cortisol, 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:16.240 is to go down and you go downstairs 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:17.659 and you pick up your phone 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:19.539 and you just coat your brain with cortisol 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:22.759 by reading news about violence and injustice. 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:24.080 And then you go from there 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:26.899 to read some tweets about people's outrage 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.620 over their political enemies. 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:29.740 And then you go from that 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:31.799 to scrolling through social media 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:33.000 to see how everybody else 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.059 is living a better life than you 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:36.580 and there's photo evidence for that 00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:37.600 and you are missing out. 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:38.500 And then you go 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:40.259 and you just read your fantasy novel 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:41.240 to sort of numb out 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.279 and live in denial 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:43.220 and put in your AirPods 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:44.299 and listen to Spotify. 00:09:45.100 --> 00:09:46.080 And then you think to yourself, 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:47.639 gosh, why am I so depressed? 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:49.759 Why am I so anxious? 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:52.220 Why do I feel so stressed out 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.620 and so lonely in this world? 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:55.419 Well, I want to suggest to you 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:57.360 an alternative habit to that one. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:00.039 And that is to just simply ask the question, 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:02.799 what are all God's benefits toward me? 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.399 If I were just to sit down 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.679 and write a quick list, 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:09.939 like what are six benefits 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:12.779 that God has given to me? 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:15.139 And of course, that's not my idea. 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:16.259 It's King David's idea. 00:10:16.339 --> 00:10:18.139 He lists six benefits right here 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:19.360 starting in verse three. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:20.439 He says, 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:22.120 He forgives all of your sins. 00:10:22.760 --> 00:10:24.360 He heals all your diseases. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:26.120 He redeems your life from the pit. 00:10:26.260 --> 00:10:27.860 He crowns you with love and compassion. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:30.440 He satisfies your desires with good things 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:33.000 so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:35.500 Now in David's story, 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:37.200 if you know his story, 00:10:37.260 --> 00:10:39.420 it seems likely that all those benefits 00:10:39.420 --> 00:10:40.500 and blessings from God 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.700 flow from the very first of those benefits 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:44.220 because you might recall that 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:48.200 he had this moment of grievous adultery 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:49.720 with Bathsheba, right? 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.379 And then from there, 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:53.600 he moved on to eliminate her husband, Uriah. 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:55.440 And because of that, 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:59.580 the army of Israel suffered incredible losses. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.519 And the prophet Nathan, 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.720 he comes to the king 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:05.639 and he tells David, 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:06.000 he says, 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.019 you deserve to die 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:11.700 because you broke God's commands 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:14.620 and you abused your position 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:16.420 of authority and power. 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:19.319 And this loving accountability 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:22.479 is what led David to humbly repent 00:11:22.479 --> 00:11:25.579 and to put his faith in the grace of God. 00:11:26.339 --> 00:11:27.559 And here in the psalm, 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.079 David's saying, 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:28.279 you know, 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.500 that experience is what led me then 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:33.439 to experience God's forgiving of my sins. 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:36.240 And then that led me to experience 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.920 God healing me soul and body 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:40.960 or at least having a fresh hope 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.720 that God is one day going to eliminate 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:45.400 all the disease and suffering in our lives. 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:48.060 And that realization led me to an awareness 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:51.520 that God has actually redeemed my life from the pit. 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:53.220 He's redeemed my life from Sheol, 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:55.260 which is that place where the unrighteous go 00:11:55.260 --> 00:11:55.880 when they die. 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:58.500 And that realization has caused me 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:00.659 to see that God has actually crowned me 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:01.919 with his steadfast love 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:03.679 and his merciful compassion. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.080 And that has led me to see 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:07.919 that I've been so satisfied 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:11.240 in all my desires for goodness in my life. 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:13.600 And God has been so good to me. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:15.860 And all this realization of these things, 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.679 these benefits, 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.139 is causing me, 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.200 the result of all that 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.759 is my inner strength, 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:25.600 my inner vitality deep inside of my soul 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.600 is being renewed. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:29.720 So that just as the eagle is fearless 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.100 and majestic and soaring, 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:32.960 that's how my soul feels. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:35.819 It feels fearless and majestic and soaring. 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:40.600 Do you follow David's progression of praise? 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.899 Now if you're like me, 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.360 often my mind knows, 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.960 but my heart forgets 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.879 that in Jesus Christ, 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:49.600 I'm forgiven. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:52.300 That I have been, 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:53.440 by the Holy Spirit, 00:12:53.540 --> 00:12:54.420 I've been given access 00:12:54.420 --> 00:12:55.980 to God's healing power. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.159 That I'm delighted in 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:01.399 by God the Father's redeeming grace. 00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:03.759 That I've been crowned 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:05.279 with the love and the mercy 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.440 of Almighty God. 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.800 That the goodness 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:09.860 that I'm experiencing now in my life, 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.519 all of that's just a mere foretaste. 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.720 It's just a signpost 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:15.240 to all the goodness 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.420 and abundant life 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:17.360 and resurrection life 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.240 that's coming for me 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.340 in the kingdom of God. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.580 And so the question today is, 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:23.540 you know, 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.659 how can we drive 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:26.600 the reality of these benefits 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:28.420 from our head 00:13:28.420 --> 00:13:30.159 down into our heart? 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:33.180 How can you apply this tomorrow morning? 00:13:33.300 --> 00:13:34.800 Perhaps you literally 00:13:34.800 --> 00:13:36.540 just need to write down this list 00:13:36.540 --> 00:13:37.279 and pray it. 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:38.460 And say, 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:38.659 Lord, 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.879 I gratefully praise you 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.899 for forgiving me, 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:41.920 healing me, 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.899 redeeming me, 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.660 crowning me, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.700 satisfying me, 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:45.660 and renewing me, 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:46.480 and then just sit there 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:48.020 and meditate on all the ways 00:13:48.020 --> 00:13:49.060 He's done that for you. 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.200 Last week, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.240 some of you came 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.180 and took my handouts, 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.700 which has really made me feel great 00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:55.300 as a pastor. 00:13:55.780 --> 00:13:57.340 And so I have another handout today. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.140 If you'd like to come get it, 00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:00.280 you can after the service. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:00.780 It's called 00:14:00.780 --> 00:14:02.740 Guide for Morning Prayer 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.620 or something like that. 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.379 And you'll see 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.560 that the first thing on there 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:07.600 is a Trinity prayer 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.300 that I got from a pastor 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:10.080 named John Stott. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:11.379 I think we have some slides 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:13.160 if we can pull that up. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.639 But basically, 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.100 I just, 00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:15.300 I get up in the morning 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:16.300 and I go outside, 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:17.400 I take my cup of coffee, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.600 I walk around our block, 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.420 and I pray something 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:21.240 like this prayer. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:21.580 And I say, 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.500 good morning, 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:23.180 Heavenly Father. 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.560 Good morning, 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.400 Lord Jesus. 00:14:25.520 --> 00:14:25.920 Good morning, 00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:26.600 Holy Spirit. 00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:28.240 Heavenly Father, 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:28.960 I praise you 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.660 as the creator 00:14:29.660 --> 00:14:30.580 and sustainer 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:31.259 of the universe. 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.400 And I pray that today 00:14:33.400 --> 00:14:33.940 you'd enable me 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.840 to live in your presence 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.879 and please you more and more, 00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:36.320 to love you 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.100 with all my heart, 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:37.720 soul, 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:37.980 mind, 00:14:38.020 --> 00:14:38.440 and strength. 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:39.400 And Lord Jesus, 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.319 I worship you 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:41.220 as the savior 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:43.000 and king of this world 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.199 and I pray that you'd enable me 00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:45.539 to deny myself, 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.519 take up my cross, 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.579 and follow you today. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.360 And Holy Spirit, 00:14:49.439 --> 00:14:50.079 I worship you 00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:52.779 as the Lord and giver of life, 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:54.059 the sanctifier and guide 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:55.179 of all the people of God 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:56.039 and I pray that today 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.740 you'd cause 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:58.720 the fruit of Christ's character 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.539 to ripen in me, 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:00.039 love, 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:00.500 joy, 00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:01.059 peace, 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:01.980 patience, 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.039 kindness, 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:03.519 goodness, 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.139 faithfulness, 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:04.500 gentleness, 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.279 and self-control. 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:07.139 Oh, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.240 most holy, 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:08.840 blessed, 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:08.879 blessed, 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.940 and glorious Trinity. 00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:11.000 I worship you. 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.800 Have mercy on me. 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.639 But what I do 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.860 is I kind of just, 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.920 I get to each person 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:17.320 of the Trinity 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.759 and I kind of can't help myself, 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:22.100 but just marinating 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:23.540 on all the benefits 00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:24.940 that I've received 00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:25.660 from each person 00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:26.139 of the Trinity. 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:27.899 And so typically, 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:30.360 my mind will go to like Luke 15 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.460 and I'll say, 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:31.879 Father, 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.759 this is the story 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.879 of the prodigal sons, 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.160 right? 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.180 And I'll say, 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:35.540 Father, 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:35.620 Father, 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.039 I praise you today 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.740 because when I was 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.819 way off in that far country 00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:41.779 by myself 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:43.759 and I was filthy 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.559 and I was starving 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.019 and I was filling myself 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.579 with pig's food, 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.659 you awakened my heart 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.259 to your love 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.120 and you were searching 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.179 the horizon for me 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:55.079 and you came running for me 00:15:55.079 --> 00:15:56.480 and took my shame upon you. 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.620 You gave me your hug, 00:15:58.699 --> 00:15:59.620 you gave me your kiss, 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.539 you put your robe 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.159 and your ring 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.259 and your sandals on me, 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.519 you killed the fattened calf 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:05.860 for me, 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.120 you set the house 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.379 to music and dancing 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.200 and rejoicing 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:11.200 because I was lost 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.899 and now I'm found, 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.580 I was dead 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.000 and now I'm alive 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.360 and Father, 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.019 you promised 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.519 that I'm always with you 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.379 and everything 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:19.019 that's yours is mine 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.560 and so Father, 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.139 thank you 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.240 for the benefit 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.700 of coming home. 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:24.659 And then usually, 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.659 my mind will go off 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.960 to something like Romans 5 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:27.539 and Romans 8 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:27.799 and I'll say, 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.060 Father, 00:16:28.059 --> 00:16:28.979 thank you so much 00:16:28.979 --> 00:16:30.659 for that golden chain 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.339 of salvation 00:16:31.339 --> 00:16:33.439 that before the foundation 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:33.839 of the world, 00:16:33.959 --> 00:16:34.819 you predestined me 00:16:34.819 --> 00:16:35.619 and elected me 00:16:35.619 --> 00:16:36.459 to be yours 00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:38.179 and that one, 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.419 at that one moment in time, 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.099 you called me 00:16:40.099 --> 00:16:41.500 by the gospel of your grace 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:43.639 and you regenerated my heart 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.699 and gave me new life 00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:46.519 and you gave me the gift 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.099 of repentance 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:49.039 and saving faith 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:51.859 and you justified me 00:16:51.859 --> 00:16:53.259 by the righteousness of Christ, 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:53.919 you caused me 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:54.859 to reign with him 00:16:54.859 --> 00:16:56.159 in righteousness and life, 00:16:56.859 --> 00:16:57.859 you've adopted me 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:58.720 into your family, 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.340 Heavenly Father, 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.379 you've empowered me 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.419 with your Holy Spirit, 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.779 you're sanctifying me now, 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.099 you've prepared for me 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.740 a future 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.660 where I'm going 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.559 to be glorified 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.980 with a resurrected body 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.620 and a beautified soul 00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:11.000 to be like Jesus. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.420 Father, 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.099 thank you. 00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:14.160 Thank you for making me 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.099 more than a conqueror. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.099 Thank you that there's nothing 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.400 that can separate me 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.599 from your love. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.519 And I just do that, 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.380 I do that when I get to Jesus, 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.200 I do that when I get 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.920 to the Holy Spirit. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.680 If you want to know more 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.279 about how I pray, 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.120 I'm happy to teach you 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.859 after the service. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.839 But I want to say 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:30.479 that that's a way better thing 00:17:30.479 --> 00:17:33.719 than coating my mind 00:17:33.719 --> 00:17:34.279 with cortisol 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.619 in the morning. 00:17:36.139 --> 00:17:36.579 Right? 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:39.619 Because there I'm remembering 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:40.919 who I am 00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:43.599 and who I belong to 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:45.539 and who God is 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:48.099 and what he's done for me. 00:17:49.979 --> 00:17:50.799 That's what it means 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:53.399 to pray God's benefits. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:55.140 And maybe that's something 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.320 we could grow in a little bit 00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:56.940 as a church. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.140 But I want to also think together 00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:00.860 about praying God's attributes. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.980 Praying God's attributes. 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.700 I didn't start my timer, 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.620 so this could be 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:07.660 an interesting sermon today. 00:18:07.820 --> 00:18:09.300 I have no idea where I am 00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:11.300 and who knows 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:12.000 what's going to happen today. 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:13.380 But praying God's attributes. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.380 Many people persist 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.400 in contrasting 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.080 the wrathful God 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:19.880 of the Old Testament 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.820 with the loving God 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:21.519 of the New Testament. 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.960 And when you hear people say that, 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.000 you just know 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.460 they've never read Psalm 103. 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:27.619 In fact, 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.619 they've probably never read 00:18:28.619 --> 00:18:29.379 the Hebrew Bible. 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.500 They don't know much 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.720 about Jesus' Bible. 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.440 Right? 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.759 And his theology 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.779 of who God is. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.519 They probably haven't read 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.680 much of the New Testament either. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.940 But this second stanza 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:41.240 of the psalm 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.160 unfolds for us 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:42.799 the beauty 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.859 and the fragrance 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:45.539 of God's grace 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.359 that informs 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:47.759 the forgiveness 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.000 that David has experienced. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.759 And he begins 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.779 by saying in verse 6, 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.220 he says, 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:54.480 the Lord works righteousness 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.099 and justice 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.980 for all of the oppressed. 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.940 And the main illustration 00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.559 of this 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.259 in the Old Testament 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.099 is the Lord 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:03.259 liberating his oppressed people 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.200 from their bondage 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.160 in Egypt. 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:06.980 When he came 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.539 and he met 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.579 the unrighteousness 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.380 and the injustice 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.019 of Pharaoh 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:12.039 and he met it 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.099 with a greater power 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.140 that just unraveled 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.880 and dismantled 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.900 his empire. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.519 And David's taking us 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.740 back to that great moment 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.839 in the scriptures. 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.539 And then he says 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.059 in verse 7, 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:23.319 he made known 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.359 his ways to Moses, 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:24.980 his deeds 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.660 to the people 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.639 of Israel. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.299 King David 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.259 loves his Bible. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.220 He takes us back 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.660 to Exodus. 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.519 He takes us back 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.160 actually specifically 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.900 to Exodus chapter 33 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:35.220 where Moses prayed, 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.099 Lord, 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.279 show me your ways. 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:37.539 Lord, 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.240 make known 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:38.960 to me 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.960 your ways. 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.680 And that prayer 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.720 comes right in the middle 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.440 of the story 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.740 of the golden calf. 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.099 And just so we can remember 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.779 what that story 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.339 is all about, 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.759 while Moses is going up, 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.099 he's on Mount Sinai 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.940 and he's receiving 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.299 the Ten Commandments, 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.259 the people of God 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.379 are down at the foot 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:55.779 of the mountain 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.299 and they've made 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:58.420 this gold-plated image 00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.119 of a calf 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.660 and they start 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.519 to worship it. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.139 And you know, 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:04.339 a more blatant breaking 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.700 of the first two commandments 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.480 could hardly be imagined, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:07.740 right? 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.680 The first commandment, 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.019 you should have 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:09.920 no other gods, 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.279 no counterfeit gods 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:11.980 before me 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.799 and you should not 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.799 make any image 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.680 that would limit 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.660 my majesty 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.359 and my glory 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.900 in any way. 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.420 And they say, 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.640 well forget about that, 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.460 we're going to make 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.259 this golden calf. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.440 And God is angry 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:23.780 and Moses is angry. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.360 And so as Moses 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.300 comes down the mountain, 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:28.040 he smashes the tablets 00:20:28.040 --> 00:20:28.720 on which those 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.440 Ten Commandments 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.880 are written 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.180 as a symbol 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.580 of the idolatry 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:34.140 of God's people 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:34.880 that has smashed 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:36.200 God's covenant. 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.299 covenant. 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.740 And the Lord 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.920 threatens to destroy 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:40.220 the whole nation 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.740 of Israel 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.640 except for Moses 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.299 with whom he's going 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.660 to make a fresh start 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.940 and Moses falls down 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.559 on the ground 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.860 and begins to plead 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:47.319 with God 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.180 in passionate prayer 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.519 and he says, 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.100 oh Lord, 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.200 please don't do that. 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.140 Please relent. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.440 And God does relent 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:54.900 and in the midst 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.799 of that prayer, 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.299 Moses says, 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:57.500 Lord, 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.600 show me your glory. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.680 Show me your glory. 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:03.220 And what Moses hears 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.960 in that moment 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.460 is the most significant 00:21:05.460 --> 00:21:07.200 theological statement 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.299 in the Bible 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.820 because it's God's 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.680 own definition 00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.640 of himself. 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.759 And here's what God says. 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.160 He says, 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.360 I am the Lord, 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:15.940 the Lord, 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.200 compassionate 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.299 and gracious God, 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:20.080 slow to anger, 00:21:20.840 --> 00:21:21.299 abounding 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.220 in loving kindness 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.080 and faithfulness, 00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:24.820 maintaining love 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.400 to thousands, 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.539 forgiving wickedness, 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.019 rebellion, 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.720 and sin, 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.360 yet I do not leave 00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:30.660 the guilty unpunished. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.519 Because I'm absolutely 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.160 righteous and just. 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.320 That is, 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:37.060 that statement 00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:38.240 reveals the character 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:40.060 of God definitively 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:41.960 and that's why 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.560 the Old Testament 00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:43.740 quotes that statement 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.440 constantly. 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:44.980 And anywhere 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.220 you see 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.460 the phrase 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.740 steadfast love 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:50.039 mentioned in the Bible, 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.140 Exodus 34 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:52.160 is ringing there 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.799 in the background. 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.340 If you're looking 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:53.860 for a scripture 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.320 to memorize, 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.600 that is the one. 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.140 Exodus 34 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.320 illustrates more clearly 00:21:59.320 --> 00:22:00.660 than anywhere else 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:02.279 what God's steadfast love, 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.680 what his unfailing love 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.720 is all about. 00:22:04.800 --> 00:22:05.960 And that's what David 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.140 is meditating on 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.800 in verse 8. 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:10.440 The Lord is compassionate 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.960 and gracious, 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.800 slow to anger, 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.860 abounding in love. 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:15.300 He will not always accuse, 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.080 nor will he harbor 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:17.019 his anger forever. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.900 He does not treat us 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:19.940 as our sins deserve 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.700 or repay us 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.580 according to 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:23.000 our iniquities. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:25.720 See, this speaks of a God 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.579 who's righteous and just 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.579 and yet he allows 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.859 his mercy and his grace 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:32.000 to outrun his justice. 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.339 Right? 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.539 He's prepared to forgive 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.980 the most grievous 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.900 and the gravest 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.720 of our sins 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.079 in response to our prayer 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.259 and our repentance. 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.759 And, you know, 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.720 the prophet Micah, 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:46.519 he's reflecting on this 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.940 and he's blown away by it. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.500 Here's what he says. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.079 He uses this vivid image 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:51.039 in Micah chapter 7. 00:22:51.039 --> 00:23:21.019 He says, 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.779 long ago. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.519 See, what Moses is saying 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.599 and David is saying 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.519 and Micah is saying 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.680 and the whole Bible is saying 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:29.399 is that God's anger 00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:30.819 is different 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.700 from our anger. 00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:34.220 Right? 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.379 Because we are quick 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.440 to become angry. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:39.039 And most of the time 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.279 our anger is triggered 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.659 by our hurt ego, 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.460 isn't it? 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:46.099 And we make people pay 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.039 who wrong us 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.779 and then even after 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.599 we've made them pay, 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:50.220 we nurse our grievances 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.380 with resentment. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.579 Maybe it's just me. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.019 But the scriptures tell us 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:59.180 that God is slow to anger. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.779 And in the midst of that, 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:03.740 he provides forgiveness 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:05.039 for sinners 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.319 and then he remembers 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.480 our sins no more. 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.400 He hurls them 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.240 into the depths 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.440 of the sea. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.819 See, King David 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.000 is marveling here 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.220 at the comprehensiveness 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:17.039 of God the Father's 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:18.000 pardoning mercy 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:19.940 and his forgiving grace. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:20.660 In verse 11, 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.039 he says, 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.920 For as high 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:23.600 as the heavens are 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.279 above the earth, 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.759 so great is his love 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:27.700 for those who fear him. 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.759 And as far as the east 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.400 is from the west, 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:31.299 so far has he removed 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.360 our transgressions 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.380 from us. 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.380 He's using 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:37.299 immeasurable distances 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:39.839 to just try to convey 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.440 to us the immeasurable 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.680 love that the Lord 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.580 has for us. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.560 The vertical 00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:48.120 and horizontal axes 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:49.420 of God's love 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.019 for sinners 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:52.360 has no limits. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.180 And really, 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.100 it's only on the vertical 00:24:56.100 --> 00:24:57.700 and the horizontal beams 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.920 of the cross 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.860 of Jesus Christ 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:01.400 that we see 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.220 what it costs 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.720 for God to do this, 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.400 what it costs 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:06.620 for God to punish sin 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:08.640 without punishing us. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.840 It's only on the cross 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.920 that we see there 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.360 the perfect son of God 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.819 being treated 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.379 as our sins deserve. 00:25:17.959 --> 00:25:19.740 Jesus being repaid 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:21.279 according to our iniquities. 00:25:21.459 --> 00:25:22.839 It's as if Jesus 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:24.279 is stretching out 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.240 his arms 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.039 on the hardwood 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.479 of the cross 00:25:26.479 --> 00:25:26.819 and saying, 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.819 look to the east 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:30.259 and look to the west 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:32.000 and know that 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:33.279 that is how far 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.959 God is removing 00:25:34.959 --> 00:25:35.979 your transgressions 00:25:35.979 --> 00:25:36.339 from you 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.339 by laying them 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.500 onto me. 00:25:40.699 --> 00:25:40.939 See, 00:25:40.979 --> 00:25:41.759 verse 13 says, 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.279 the father has compassion 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.960 on his children, 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.440 so the Lord has compassion 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.720 on those who fear him 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.799 for he knows 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.599 how we are formed. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.240 He remembers 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.480 that we are dust. 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:50.819 Parents, 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.359 you know this. 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:53.180 The more weak 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.740 and needy 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.660 your child is, 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:57.000 the more your heart 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.819 goes out to him 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.400 or her, right? 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.140 And on the cross 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.640 of Jesus, 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.680 we have a demonstration 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.779 that our good 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.879 and gracious father, 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.759 even though he knows 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:09.019 us all the way down 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.240 to the very bottom, 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.000 way better than 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.079 we even know ourselves. 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:14.039 It says he loves us 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.119 to the skies 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.720 and beyond. 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.940 He doesn't just 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.859 pardon our sins 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.420 by the blood 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:19.960 of his son, 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.200 but he adopts us 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:21.960 into his family 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.660 as precious daughters 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.579 and treasured sons. 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:27.079 He fills us 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.859 and empowers us 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.799 with his Holy Spirit. 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.700 He grants us 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:31.079 24-7 access 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.680 to him 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.700 in prayer. 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.700 He guarantees 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.220 to us 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:34.779 an inheritance 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.460 for us 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.619 in his kingdom. 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:37.339 And what I want you 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.659 to see 00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:39.459 is that Psalm 103 00:26:39.459 --> 00:26:41.579 is giving us 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.319 the vocabulary, 00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:43.199 it's giving us 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:44.019 the language 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.659 to rejoice 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.639 in the attributes 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:47.939 of God's character 00:26:47.939 --> 00:26:49.819 from which flows 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.879 all the benefits 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.919 of his salvation 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:52.559 to us. 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.519 And the question is, 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.459 don't we want 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.299 to pray this way? 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:57.719 If this is true, 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.039 if it's real, 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.519 don't we want 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.219 to pray it 00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:02.339 into our lives? 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:06.379 I want to end 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.919 by talking 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:07.559 a little bit 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.419 about praying 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.579 God's promises. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.159 We talked about 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:11.199 praying God's benefits, 00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:12.359 praying God's attributes. 00:27:14.419 --> 00:27:15.399 But I want to talk 00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:15.859 about praying 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.599 God's promises. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.379 If you look again 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:18.919 at the Psalm 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:20.439 in verses 14-16, 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.139 it says, 00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:22.779 God the Father 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.939 has compassion on us 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.699 because he knows 00:27:24.699 --> 00:27:25.279 we're dust, 00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:25.759 he knows we're 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.379 these dependent 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.339 and fallen creatures. 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.500 And it talks about 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.059 these images 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.779 of grass 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.419 and flowers 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.100 and wind, 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.120 which speak 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:33.779 of how our lives 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.580 are so short 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.259 and transient. 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.100 We're here today 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:37.360 and tomorrow 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:37.920 we're gone. 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.840 And then in verses 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.700 17-18, 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:41.400 in contrast 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.320 to the frail 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:43.140 and transitory 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.519 nature 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:45.519 of our existence 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.980 is the enduring 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:48.380 love of God. 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:48.960 And hear what 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.900 David says. 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.340 He says in verse 17, 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.240 but from everlasting 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.039 to everlasting, 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.039 again, 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:54.700 this side's saying 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.039 it better, 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.300 but from everlasting 00:27:57.300 --> 00:27:57.800 to everlasting, 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.640 the Lord's love 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.220 is with those 00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.900 who fear him 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.820 and his righteousness 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.679 with their children's 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:01.960 children, 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.339 with those 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.159 who keep his covenant 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:04.740 and remember 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:07.159 to obey his precepts. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.899 But that right there 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:10.439 is a massive promise 00:28:10.439 --> 00:28:11.000 of God 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:14.099 that the saving power 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.960 of my love 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.799 will extend 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:16.960 beyond just you 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:18.759 and it will go out 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.419 to your children 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:21.139 and to their children 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:23.079 and to future generations. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.139 But I do want to say, 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:26.759 as amazing as that promise is, 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.119 it's not automatic. 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:31.139 It's not inevitable. 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:34.019 Because who is this promise for? 00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:35.279 It's not for everyone. 00:28:36.679 --> 00:28:37.879 It says it's for those 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.859 who fear the Lord, 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.699 who keep his covenant, 00:28:41.459 --> 00:28:43.919 and who obey his precepts. 00:28:43.919 --> 00:28:44.779 And what I want to suggest 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.759 to you is that this is 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.719 one of those promises 00:28:46.719 --> 00:28:47.319 of God 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.679 that needs to be prayed 00:28:48.679 --> 00:28:49.500 into reality. 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.639 This is a promise of God 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:53.099 not to be presumed upon, 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:54.539 but to be prayed upon. 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:57.319 I read a book last summer 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.460 by Jean Twenge, 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.920 who's a psychologist 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.139 at San Diego State. 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.099 And she wrote a book 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.700 in 2023 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:05.000 called Generations. 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.980 And she says 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.960 at the end of that book, 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.379 she says in 2017, 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.259 for the first time, 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.119 fewer than half 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.200 of high school seniors 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.059 said that religion 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.680 was important 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.420 in their lives. 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.159 And in 2018, 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.259 for the first time, 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.220 fewer than one 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.700 out of four 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.619 high school seniors 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:22.399 attended religious services 00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:23.460 at least once a week. 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:25.079 It's not just 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.940 high school students. 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.579 Young adults 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.319 have also become 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.559 progressively less religious 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.360 in both public 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:31.079 and private ways. 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.840 And if you want to 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:34.059 study her charts 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:35.600 or Ryan Burge's 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.920 graphs about religion, 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:39.460 it'll wake you up 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.740 from your slumber 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:44.559 and your sleep. 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.220 And what it's done for me 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.059 is it's caused me 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.039 to begin to pray 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.700 this promise of God 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.759 into reality 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:53.379 where I've begun 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:54.839 to humble myself 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.599 before God 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.019 and say, 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.339 Lord, 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.500 you know 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:59.259 that I'm just dust 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:01.119 and I'm just grass. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.519 You know that I don't 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.259 have the power 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.559 to guarantee 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.559 that your love 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.519 is going to be transmitted 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.579 from this generation 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.599 to the next generation. 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.660 You know, Lord, 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.240 that I don't have 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.859 the ability 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:14.039 nor the authority 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.799 to ensure 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.980 that even my own children 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:17.220 and their children 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:18.279 will be part 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.480 of God's covenant people. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.380 I can't change 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.319 these social trends. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.259 I can't even change 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.519 one human heart. 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.599 God, you know how hopeless 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:26.680 and helpless I am. 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.740 And then I remember 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.420 verse 19. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.660 The Lord has established 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.640 his throne in heaven 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.720 and his kingdom rules 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.660 over all. 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.360 And I begin to pray, 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:35.680 Lord, 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.160 you're the everlasting king. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:38.880 Your throne 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:40.039 is established in heaven. 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:41.240 You have all authority 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.259 and all power. 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.700 You promised your love 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.460 and your righteousness, 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.660 your covenant 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.680 and your precepts 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.440 to be passed on 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:48.200 to our children 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.360 and to their children. 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.039 You promised 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.100 that your unfailing love 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:52.920 will go out 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.559 to future generations 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:56.200 and we cannot do it. 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.059 I cannot do it. 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.840 I'm just dust. 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.840 I'm just grass. 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.160 But Lord, 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.100 you can do it 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:03.799 because you're enthroned 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.279 on high 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.140 and you're in control 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.680 of everything. 00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.140 And so, 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:06.680 Lord, 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.460 I'm pleading. 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.420 I'm pleading with you 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.740 that your sovereign rule 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.200 and reign 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.180 would break in 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:13.440 with new light 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.620 and new glory 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.880 in the next generation. 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.740 And I'm contending 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.420 with you, Lord, 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:19.100 that more and more 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:19.660 young people 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.759 would open their hearts 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.519 to the presence 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.580 of the king, 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.560 that more and more people 00:31:23.560 --> 00:31:24.300 would be awakened 00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:25.740 to the power 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.279 of your kingdom. 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.460 I'm begging you, Lord, 00:31:28.100 --> 00:31:29.000 that your kingdom 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.720 would come 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:31.400 in the lives 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.660 of the next generation 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:34.240 as it is in heaven. 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.900 And I don't know 00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.640 if I'm the only one 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.779 starting to pray that way, 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.920 but I would love 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:41.920 for this church 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.759 to join me 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.759 in praying 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.980 the promises of God 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.900 into reality. 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.600 You guys want to pray 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.019 that way? 00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:48.559 We are, 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.199 this Friday, 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.500 October 18th, 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.599 we have a day of prayer. 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:53.659 We've been doing this quarterly 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.839 for the past couple years. 00:31:55.659 --> 00:31:56.519 And if you're new with us, 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.139 the way it works 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.699 is we have 00:31:57.699 --> 00:31:59.240 one-hour slots 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.059 where you can pray 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:02.719 from 6 a.m. 00:32:02.719 --> 00:32:03.579 to 9 p.m. 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:03.899 We have these 00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:04.759 one-hour slots 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:06.259 from before sunrise 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.319 to after sunset. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.659 We hope that 00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:09.519 those who can 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.579 would come on site 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.539 and pray with others. 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:12.299 Those who can't, 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:13.919 you're free to pray remotely 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:15.100 and hopefully find 00:32:15.100 --> 00:32:15.920 a buddy in the church 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.720 you can Zoom with 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.600 and pray with. 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.440 We created a guide 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.580 for how to pray. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.100 You're not just 00:32:21.100 --> 00:32:22.060 left on your own, 00:32:22.560 --> 00:32:23.700 but we've shown you 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.160 how to pray 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:25.180 the first 30 minutes 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:25.920 of that hour 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:27.180 for revival 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.060 and for the outpouring 00:32:28.060 --> 00:32:28.840 of the Holy Spirit 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:29.800 here in this place. 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.640 The second 30 minutes 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.200 is all about 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:33.180 our alpha course 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.779 and our attempt 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.600 to invite people 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.100 to come 00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:37.800 and ask their questions 00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:38.420 about God. 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.100 If you're not able 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:40.820 for whatever reason 00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:42.259 to pray for one hour straight, 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.700 you can pray for 30 minutes 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.319 in the first half 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.759 in the morning, 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:46.660 30 minutes in the second half 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.640 in the evening. 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:48.879 Right now, 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:50.559 we have 13 folks signed up 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:52.720 and we have 37 spots open 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.220 and my hope is that 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.940 we'd have 50 people there, 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.720 which would be the most 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.440 we've ever had 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:58.779 at a day of prayer 00:32:58.779 --> 00:33:00.819 and if you want to make 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:02.019 your pastor's year, 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:04.059 sign up. 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.460 Seriously, 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:06.119 it would encourage me massively, 00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.019 but it will strengthen 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.900 you spiritually 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:09.680 and it will change 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:11.599 our world significantly. 00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.180 If the church 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.640 would just do 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.500 this basic thing 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.200 that we're called to do, 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.359 which is just to pray. 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:18.940 And so if you take 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.819 your QR code 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:21.079 on your worship folder 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:23.140 and you're welcome 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:23.900 to pull out your phone 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.299 right now, 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.119 permission granted, 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:26.660 you can scan 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:27.539 that QR code. 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.160 The first thing 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.920 that's going to come up 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.960 is that sign up sheet 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:32.859 and if God's leading you 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.720 either right now 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.400 or later on 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.200 at the end of the service 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.180 to sign up, 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:38.440 I encourage you 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.019 to do that. 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:39.799 If you're an elder 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.460 of this church, 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.019 a deacon, 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:42.200 a staff member, 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.579 community group leader, 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.700 a ministry team leader, 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.559 consider yourself 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.240 called to prayer. 00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:48.119 If you're part 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:48.759 of our youth, 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.339 if you're in middle school 00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:50.799 or high school, 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:51.539 consider yourself 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.200 called to prayer. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.119 If you're a parent, 00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:53.940 consider yourself 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.579 called to help 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.599 your kids learn 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.160 how to pray. 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:58.279 I just love to see 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.259 our church grow 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:01.079 in this kind of praying 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:03.039 because it's biblical prayer. 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.879 It's King David prayer. 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:06.240 It's Messiah Jesus prayer. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:09.300 Moses and David 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.420 and Jesus and the apostles, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.340 they prove that 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:13.320 praying the promises of God 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.039 is a powerful 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:15.300 and effective way to pray. 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.559 And so I wonder, 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.300 what if we were to prove 00:34:19.300 --> 00:34:20.159 in our own time, 00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:20.920 in our own place, 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.460 that this kind of prayer 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.840 actually works? 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:26.639 What if we gave God 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.300 the opportunity 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:28.199 to be faithful 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.960 to his promises 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:30.679 by believing in them 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:32.819 and then showing 00:34:32.819 --> 00:34:33.799 that we believe in them 00:34:33.799 --> 00:34:35.019 by humbly asking him 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:36.059 to make his promises 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.679 a reality 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:37.579 in the next generation? 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:39.919 We can't just presume 00:34:39.919 --> 00:34:40.639 and sit back 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.219 and be comfortable. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.079 We've got to engage 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.000 in prayer. 00:34:46.379 --> 00:34:46.859 And so Lord, 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.980 may your love 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.739 and your grace, 00:34:48.879 --> 00:34:50.339 your steadfast love 00:34:50.339 --> 00:34:51.039 and grace 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.819 be poured out 00:34:51.819 --> 00:34:53.159 on Christ's church. 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:53.779 And Lord, 00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:55.239 may your kingdom, 00:34:55.419 --> 00:34:56.699 which is an everlasting kingdom 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:57.639 and a very gracious 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:58.659 and merciful kingdom, 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.639 may it come to rule 00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:02.619 over this city? 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.299 We pray in the name 00:35:04.299 --> 00:35:04.719 of the Father, 00:35:04.859 --> 00:35:05.699 Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:06.659 Amen.