WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.439 It astounds you to hear it. 00:01:01.500 --> 00:01:05.799 The shock and surprise is evident on all of your faces at this very moment. 00:01:06.299 --> 00:01:07.019 But it's true. 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:09.700 Sometimes they lie to you. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:14.599 Now, we are even now in the middle of an election cycle. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:22.939 And I would wager if you pay close attention and keep both your eyes open and both of your ears open, you might catch a lie like this. 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:25.599 You might catch one or two half-truths. 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:29.039 A few exaggerations of fact. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:32.599 A few hyperbolic detours. 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:33.119 Detours. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:35.699 A few taking of liberties. 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:39.260 I know it surprises some of you. 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:48.320 But for those of you who are not surprised by this, perhaps there are a few of you who came into church tonight knowing this particular secret already. 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:56.619 Perhaps the greater surprise would be to hear that there may be a ruler who tells the truth. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:01.280 Perhaps you listen to the news every night. 00:02:01.759 --> 00:02:04.679 Perhaps on your way home or once at home. 00:02:05.139 --> 00:02:07.500 You listen to the news with your defenses held high. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:13.780 With thoroughgoing suspicion about all the words that come out of politicians' mouths. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:23.719 Now, if this more accurately describes you, then I suspect our text and this sermon tonight may actually surprise you. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:32.300 For this sermon is about a ruler who comes and causes to make, he causes his people to flourish. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:37.660 A ruler who rules in justice and righteousness. 00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:41.640 A ruler who keeps every promise he makes. 00:02:44.140 --> 00:02:47.840 If you were to find such a ruler, would you vote for him? 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:50.720 Would you even campaign for him? 00:02:51.320 --> 00:02:53.420 Would you put a bumper sticker on your car about him? 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:55.980 Would you put a lawn sign out about him? 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:02.000 What precisely would you do if you found a ruler who never lied to you? 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:08.380 Tonight, I want to speak with you about a ruler who keeps every promise he ever made. 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:11.920 You won't find the stories about him in the newspaper. 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:14.719 Instead, we have to go to a different text. 00:03:15.660 --> 00:03:23.240 The text we're going to look at to discover this ruler is 2 Samuel 23, verses 1 through 7. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:26.040 You can turn there with me. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:28.220 We'll be there the whole evening. 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:30.780 2 Samuel 23, 1 through 7. 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:36.920 And my hope tonight is that as we read this text together, we'll see one major point. 00:03:37.020 --> 00:03:38.140 This is the one point. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:43.780 God's children celebrate when God's king is crowned. 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:49.840 God's children celebrate when God's king is crowned. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:51.840 God's king is crowned. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.520 Let's look at the text. 00:03:53.580 --> 00:03:56.960 2 Samuel 23, verses 1 through 7. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:01.860 Now, these are the last words of David. 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:04.080 The oracle of David. 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:05.939 The son of Jesse. 00:04:07.140 --> 00:04:09.920 The oracle of the man who was raised on high. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:13.020 The anointed of the God of Jacob. 00:04:13.020 --> 00:04:16.280 The sweet psalmist of Israel. 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:20.460 The spirit of the Lord speaks by me. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:22.660 His word is on my tongue. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:26.660 The God of Israel has spoken. 00:04:27.780 --> 00:04:29.579 The rock of Israel has said to me, 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:36.000 When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.139 he dawns on them like the morning light, 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:45.659 like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, 00:04:46.219 --> 00:04:51.799 like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:56.860 For does not my house stand so with God? 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:00.540 For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, 00:05:01.180 --> 00:05:03.720 ordered in all things and secure. 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:06.340 For he will not cause, 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:09.860 will he not cause to prosper all of my help and my desire? 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:16.379 But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:20.180 For they cannot be taken with the hand, 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:23.579 but the man who touches them arms himself with iron 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:25.900 and the shaft of a spear, 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:29.920 and they are utterly consumed with fire. 00:05:34.460 --> 00:05:37.460 Now in order to understand this text before us this evening, 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:39.100 a bit of context might be useful. 00:05:39.960 --> 00:05:44.300 This text tells us that these are the last words of David, 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:46.519 which is a strange designation 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:49.300 because after these last words of David, 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:51.000 David keeps on talking. 00:05:51.319 --> 00:05:53.740 He's got plenty more to say after this. 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:58.939 You could read this as a simple error by the narrator, 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:03.439 but even if a cursory proofreading shows us that this is not the case, 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:05.540 these are not in fact the last words of David, 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:07.600 perhaps something else is intended. 00:06:08.420 --> 00:06:10.460 And I suggest that's exactly what is intended. 00:06:10.900 --> 00:06:14.259 These are not chronologically the last words of David. 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:17.580 These are rather the culminating words of David. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:26.379 These words are supposed to describe in a capsule form the entirety of David's reign. 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:29.199 They epitomize his rule. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:37.060 These words are presented to us as an oracle, 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.719 which is a rare thing for David. 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:46.659 An oracle or a prophetic utterance that David makes under the influence of the Spirit of God. 00:06:46.919 --> 00:06:47.800 Do you see that there? 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:48.959 A long introduction. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:50.319 The oracle of David. 00:06:50.539 --> 00:06:52.399 The oracle of the man who was raised on high. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:53.659 And then in the second verse, 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:55.779 the Spirit of the Lord speaks by me. 00:06:56.479 --> 00:06:58.339 These are not only David's words. 00:06:58.439 --> 00:07:00.339 These are God's words. 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:06.339 David is looking back as a historian over his rule. 00:07:07.479 --> 00:07:13.620 But the Spirit might be saying something prophetic as well as historical. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:16.259 We'll come back to that toward the end. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:20.339 So there's a little context for what's going on here. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:26.480 The centerpiece of this passage is verses 3 and 4, 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:34.740 where we find the reason that God's children rejoice when God's king is crowned. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:37.719 And that's where I want to spend most of our time this evening tonight, 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:39.439 looking at 3 and 4. 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:40.839 Look at these verses again. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:43.039 The God of Israel has spoken. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:46.279 The rock of Israel has said to me, 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:50.339 when one rules justly over men, 00:07:50.679 --> 00:07:52.879 ruling in the fear of God, 00:07:53.259 --> 00:07:55.779 he dawns on them like the morning light, 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:59.719 like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, 00:08:00.539 --> 00:08:04.259 like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.559 These words David speaks about himself. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:12.240 He is the Lord's anointed one in this passage. 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:15.259 He is the one who deals justly with his people. 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:15.680 Why? 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:18.660 First off, because he fears God. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:23.980 He knows himself to be one who is himself under authority. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:31.939 And therefore, he is supposed to rule over those over whom he has authority with justice. 00:08:33.100 --> 00:08:37.000 And look at the metaphors that are used here for the reign of this king. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:40.399 He dawns on them like the morning light, 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:44.299 the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:48.159 rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:53.120 These are metaphors of flourishing as in a garden, 00:08:54.220 --> 00:09:00.600 the things that are required to make the plants that this king is husbanding flourish, 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.899 the unmitigated, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.600 unclouded sun, 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:08.600 the mist of rain that waters this garden. 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:12.639 This is a king who serves his people, 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:15.000 who rules on behalf of his people. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.860 That's how you tell a good king, 00:09:18.540 --> 00:09:22.800 that he rules on behalf of the people over whom he has authority. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:27.339 He does not use the people over whom he has authority for his own purposes. 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:30.279 He causes them to flourish. 00:09:34.099 --> 00:09:36.399 This flourishing metaphor, 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.779 this garden metaphor, 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:39.240 I don't think is accidental. 00:09:40.699 --> 00:09:45.419 Do you remember what man and woman's first task was? 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:49.719 To go and have dominion, 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:50.919 caring, 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:53.159 husbanding of a garden. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:58.039 To bring forth the fruits of the earth. 00:09:58.199 --> 00:10:02.000 To cooperate with God in making the world flourish. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:05.419 To be his agents in the world, 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.759 causing goodness and justice 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:09.980 and beauty and love 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:12.179 to reign over all the earth. 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:15.039 This is what we were meant for. 00:10:15.719 --> 00:10:17.259 This was our first task. 00:10:18.479 --> 00:10:21.019 And the good king has not forgotten that. 00:10:21.699 --> 00:10:23.859 The good king remembers that he, 00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:25.439 as a descendant of Adam, 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:27.819 is charged with the task of 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:30.259 being God's agent in the world. 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:33.879 Of causing the world to bring forth much fruit. 00:10:34.939 --> 00:10:36.679 To beautify the world. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:40.359 To cause it to abound with goodness. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:44.319 This is why 00:10:44.319 --> 00:10:47.179 God's children celebrate 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:49.359 when God's king is crowned. 00:10:49.359 --> 00:10:51.739 Because God's king is one who knows 00:10:51.739 --> 00:10:52.879 that he is charged 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:55.199 with bringing the earth to flourishing. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:58.699 And the people over whom he rules 00:10:58.699 --> 00:11:01.259 rejoice when they see the world 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:03.819 righted from its wrongs, 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:06.519 beautified from its ugliness, 00:11:07.839 --> 00:11:09.120 encompassed in love 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:11.259 rather than wrapped in violence. 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:13.819 How could God's children 00:11:13.819 --> 00:11:15.220 not celebrate 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.360 that sort of thing? 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:20.600 Now, you may be skeptical 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.539 about this claim 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:23.360 that freedom and flourishing 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.399 come from submission 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:26.179 to good authorities, 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.139 rulers. 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.299 I'm even using the word 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:29.740 kings over and over. 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:30.939 Those of us in the audience 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:31.639 who are Americans, 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:33.200 we are taught from our youth 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.899 that kings are bad things 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:36.419 and we're supposed to revolt against them. 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:38.139 And here I am preaching to you 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.419 about the goodness of a king, 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:40.979 that we should indeed even celebrate 00:11:40.979 --> 00:11:43.500 when certain kings are around. 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:48.139 Isn't that treasonous to my American citizenship? 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.599 Well, I don't think so. 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:53.240 I do think the American ethos 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:54.620 does not train us well 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.439 to sympathize with this idea. 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:59.939 We think that freedom and flourishing 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:03.199 mean doing what is right in our own eyes. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:08.120 But the Bible has something to say about this. 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:09.040 Even this story, 00:12:09.780 --> 00:12:12.440 when we remember where this story is 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:14.240 in the overall narrative of the Bible, 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.840 we have reason to doubt 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:17.580 our American idea 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:19.000 that freedom and flourishing 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.820 are doing whatever is right 00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:22.080 in our own eyes. 00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:25.660 Do you remember where this story begins? 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.220 Even back before the king, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.800 in the book of Judges. 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:32.939 Judges is one of those 00:12:32.939 --> 00:12:34.159 really depressing books 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:35.559 over and over. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:37.179 They come into the land 00:12:37.179 --> 00:12:38.879 and it's racked in evil 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.139 and a judge comes up 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.339 and takes care of business. 00:12:41.599 --> 00:12:42.479 The judge dies 00:12:42.479 --> 00:12:43.459 and the text says 00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:45.299 there was no judge in Israel. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.259 Every man did what was right 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.319 in his own eyes. 00:12:48.859 --> 00:12:50.359 We think this is a utopia. 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:53.120 The Bible clearly depicts it 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.139 as anarchy, 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.799 violence. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:59.979 The poor and the weak 00:12:59.979 --> 00:13:01.719 are not taken care of 00:13:01.719 --> 00:13:04.159 when everyone does what he wants. 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.759 Something is needed 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:08.399 to solve the problem 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:10.159 of human violence. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:12.779 And anarchy is not the answer. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:15.379 And that's where 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:17.259 1 and 2 Samuel come in. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:20.299 The people want a king. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.699 And God says, 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.179 okay, 00:13:22.839 --> 00:13:23.899 you need a ruler. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:26.139 I want it to be your king. 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.100 But if the people 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:29.779 yearn so much for a king, 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:30.659 Samuel, 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.439 give them one. 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.340 And at first, 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:35.439 it seemed like it was going to work. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.480 Saul, 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.459 this stalwart man 00:13:38.459 --> 00:13:40.059 who inspired hope 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:41.039 and strength 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.840 into his people, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.079 flourished for a while. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.919 And then he fell away. 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:49.919 And David came. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.839 David, 00:13:52.719 --> 00:13:54.500 the good king, 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.699 the man after God's own heart. 00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:57.979 Surely, 00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:59.379 he is the answer 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.759 to the problems 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.139 of the wickedness 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.699 of his people. 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.679 Except when you read 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:08.059 the stories of David, 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.860 it seems like 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.740 he is wracked 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.959 by the same wickedness 00:14:11.959 --> 00:14:12.519 of his people. 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:15.219 We know the Bible, 00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:15.879 the narrative, 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:16.899 the long arc 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.419 of the Bible 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.399 has said that somehow 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.819 the answer to our problems 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:20.699 is a king, 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:22.600 but not Saul 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:24.019 and not David. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.100 So who? 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.079 At the beginning 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.620 of 1 Samuel, 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:38.100 the passage that brackets 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.240 these ending songs 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.620 in 2 Samuel, 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.180 you see the woman 00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:44.340 named Hannah, 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.120 a barren 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.340 and lonely 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:48.200 woman 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:50.560 who pleads 00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:51.120 with God 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.000 for deliverance 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.220 for a child. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.220 And when God 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.379 provides a child, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.620 she sings a song, 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.560 a song of prophecy. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.460 And she says this, 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:22.280 She sees the Lord 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:23.480 is going to do something 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.300 through one 00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:25.460 whom she calls 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.440 the anointed. 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.680 And here in this text, 00:15:28.780 --> 00:15:29.540 we see David 00:15:29.540 --> 00:15:30.480 takes this on 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.080 for himself. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:32.659 Look there 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.700 in verse 5, 00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:35.980 Does not my house 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.500 stand so with God? 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.879 David sees this 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.060 as applying to himself. 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.100 This is why 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.220 he sings this song 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:42.899 toward the end 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.480 of his life. 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.980 David is a historian 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.259 chronicling 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.759 his own reign. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.539 What's the grounds 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.480 for him saying 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.879 that this applies 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.899 to his kingship? 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.659 Verse 5 again, 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.019 He has made with me 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.300 an everlasting covenant, 00:15:58.299 --> 00:16:00.259 ordered in all things 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.979 and secure. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:05.539 What's David's reason 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.579 for saying this? 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:07.719 What's the proof 00:16:07.719 --> 00:16:08.259 that God has made 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.099 a covenant with him? 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:10.079 Well, first off, 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.359 God has spoken to him. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:13.139 Second and thirdly, 00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:13.819 David, 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:14.459 over the course 00:16:14.459 --> 00:16:15.719 of the last several chapters, 00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.359 has destroyed 00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:18.479 the enemies of God. 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:19.859 Something that today 00:16:19.859 --> 00:16:20.419 looks to us 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.519 like a needless, 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.740 senseless bloodbath. 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.459 But here's what he's done, 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.419 little by little. 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:27.139 He has cleared out 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.599 a space of peace 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:30.500 for his son 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.639 to construct the temple. 00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:34.979 Solomon will not need 00:16:34.979 --> 00:16:36.419 to marshal grand armies 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:36.860 to defeat 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.899 any more Philistines. 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.979 David's already done that. 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.899 Solomon can muster 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.860 the strength of Israel 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:45.059 to build the dwelling place 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:45.519 of God. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.000 This is one of David's 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.839 greatest feats. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:48.960 things. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.360 But, 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.399 if we read this passage 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.379 only as history, 00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:00.040 then it certainly 00:17:00.040 --> 00:17:00.700 must be 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.200 pure mockery. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.160 For we've already seen 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.019 the dreadful things 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.000 that David has done. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.759 And this next chapter, 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.460 after this one, 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.340 will be no different. 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:12.340 The list of his mighty men, 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.220 those come next. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.140 The mighty men 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.279 that did all these things, 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.500 that won all these battles 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.980 with David. 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:19.640 Do you know who that last name 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.440 in that list is? 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.400 Uriah the Hittite. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.940 The narrator mentions last 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.519 Uriah the Hittite, 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.880 ensuring that no matter 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:31.059 who else the listener 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.720 remembers, 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.720 what other names 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.839 in this long list of names 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.559 the listener remembers, 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.660 he will remember 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.880 Uriah the Hittite. 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.420 What's so special 00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.519 about Uriah the Hittite? 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:39.819 Well, 00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.559 this one 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.960 of David's mighty men 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.660 had the prestige 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.539 of being killed 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.440 by his king, 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.900 of having his wife 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.180 stolen by his king. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.940 David is guilty 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.720 of the blood 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.839 of Uriah the Hittite, 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.579 and the narrator 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.740 won't let us forget it. 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.120 He puts his name 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.980 right at the end 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.620 of the list. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.279 And right after that, 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.420 David will take a census, 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.259 which shows his desire 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.519 to trust in his own 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.519 military strength 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.240 rather than God, 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.279 and God is angry 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.880 about this 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.360 and causes a pestilence 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.059 to come and kill 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:10.339 70,000 of David's men. 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:12.939 David is the one 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:13.579 who rules 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.899 in perfect uprightness. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.859 The narrator 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.619 does not want us 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:19.059 to read it 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.779 so simply. 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.839 When these two 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.919 contradictory pieces, 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.859 apparently contradictory 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.759 pieces of information 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.699 are presented to us 00:18:26.699 --> 00:18:27.519 side by side, 00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:28.639 the narrator 00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.839 wants us to think. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.319 On the one hand, 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.439 the just one 00:18:34.439 --> 00:18:35.379 rules over men. 00:18:35.459 --> 00:18:36.199 This is David 00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:37.559 ruling in the fear of God, 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:38.179 causing the people 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.740 to flourish. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.799 On the other hand, 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.759 he's imperfect 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.220 at best. 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.620 What the narrator, 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:50.019 I think, 00:18:50.080 --> 00:18:50.840 wants us to see 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:51.360 is this. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.600 That David 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.620 in this passage 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.960 is pointing 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.019 beyond himself. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.100 Indeed, 00:18:59.340 --> 00:19:00.680 all of Samuel 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.440 is pointing 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.539 beyond itself. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.000 It ends 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.759 and culminates 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.340 with David, 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.039 but it ends 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.400 with David's failures 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:08.039 as well as 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.659 his successes. 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.279 The Bible 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.079 has told us 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.799 that a king 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.500 is necessary 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.440 to restrain 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.259 human wickedness 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.240 and to cause 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.639 the earth 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:16.440 to flourish. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.879 But David's 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:19.420 not a great, 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.759 a perfect candidate 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.420 for this. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.879 Do you remember 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.859 what I said here? 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.839 That David 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.779 speaks not only 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.559 as a historian, 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:31.619 but in the Holy Spirit, 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.599 speaks also 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.359 as a prophet. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:36.579 David is looking 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.439 forward to 00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:38.899 another king 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.139 that is to come 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:41.479 that rules 00:19:41.479 --> 00:19:42.959 in justice 00:19:42.959 --> 00:19:44.219 and righteousness. 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.259 Look here 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.419 in verse 5 00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:49.879 again. 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:51.559 David says, 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.740 God has made 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.099 with him 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.839 an everlasting 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.719 covenant, 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.559 ordered in all 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.119 things 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.959 and secure. 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.079 more. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.779 Historically, 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.160 we know 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.700 that a united 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.380 kingdom only 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.200 lasted for about 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.079 one more generation 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:04.680 after David 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.640 and the whole 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.380 thing went to pot. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.559 How can this 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.299 be said to be 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.100 an everlasting 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.660 covenant? 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:14.200 Christians know 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.540 the answer 00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:14.940 to this. 00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:16.140 The answer 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:17.140 is that 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.940 David was 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.680 always supposed 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.380 to point 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.279 to somebody, 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.360 the better 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:21.779 David, 00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.500 the true 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:23.980 king, 00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.100 who would 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:26.259 truly cause 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.140 justice 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.540 to reign 00:20:28.540 --> 00:20:29.220 on the earth, 00:20:29.560 --> 00:20:30.220 who would 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.360 restore the 00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:32.040 garden that 00:20:32.040 --> 00:20:33.140 once was lost, 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.759 that would 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.620 cause the 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.360 earth and 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:36.060 all the people 00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.680 in his care 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.800 to flourish. 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:41.379 And this 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.980 king came 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.680 in riding 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.440 on a donkey, 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:46.359 was crowned 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:46.940 not in gold 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.799 but in thorns, 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.619 was lifted 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.319 up not on a 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:50.819 throne but on 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.559 a cross, 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.139 and did not 00:20:54.139 --> 00:20:55.259 live over his 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.399 people but died 00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.319 for his people. 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.799 How can this 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.240 one be a 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.500 king? 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.519 Jesus can be 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.139 a king because 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:06.619 he did not 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.500 stay dead. 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.359 And after 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.079 his death, 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:11.359 he rose again, 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.079 and after his 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.519 resurrection, 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:13.700 he ascended. 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.159 He ascended 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:17.059 not simply 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.859 like a divine 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:19.159 elevator bumping 00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:19.639 up into the 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.119 basement of 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.319 heaven. 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.879 No, he 00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:21.500 ascended like 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.240 a king ascends 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.000 to a throne. 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.099 And all the 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.799 way back here 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.460 in Samuel, 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.480 hundreds and 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:27.980 hundreds of 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.680 years earlier, 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.339 we have it 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.359 foretold that 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.359 a true king 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:31.960 would come, 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.639 God's chosen 00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:34.519 king would be 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.299 crowned, 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.419 and God's 00:21:36.419 --> 00:21:37.379 cherished children 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.300 would celebrate. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.900 So when we 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.440 read this, 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.040 we ought not 00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:44.880 think only of 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.740 it as the 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.460 history of 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.240 David's reign, 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.200 but also as 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.880 the prophecy 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.640 of the coming 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.180 king, 00:21:51.020 --> 00:21:52.860 the one who 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:54.000 is the desire 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.340 of all nations, 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.740 the joy of 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.880 every longing 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.380 heart. 00:21:58.380 --> 00:22:02.520 what is in 00:22:02.520 --> 00:22:03.440 this text for 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.000 us? 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:05.060 What does 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:05.820 this mean for 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.540 us, who no 00:22:07.540 --> 00:22:08.140 longer search 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.740 for kings, 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.520 but nevertheless 00:22:10.520 --> 00:22:11.460 find ourselves 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.260 to be in an 00:22:12.260 --> 00:22:12.960 election cycle? 00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:16.260 I think this 00:22:16.260 --> 00:22:16.980 text tells us a 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.400 few things. 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:19.060 First, for 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:19.500 those who are 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:19.980 in authority. 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.400 Notice the 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.580 way a just 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:23.800 ruler exercises 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.620 authority. 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:24.679 authority, 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:27.019 they exercise 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:28.579 authority in 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.379 such a way as 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.419 to cause the 00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:30.919 earth to 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.459 flourish. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.819 Again, these 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.179 garden metaphors, 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.699 restoring Eden, 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.619 bringing the 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.699 fullness of 00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:40.119 earth, the 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.599 fullness of 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.399 God's creation 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.619 to blossoming. 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:44.619 those of you 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:45.059 who exercise 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.919 authority in 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.519 ways big or 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.179 small, either 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:47.579 in elected 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.059 office or 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.819 even in a 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.819 parent, being 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.079 a parent, or 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.959 even in an 00:22:51.959 --> 00:22:55.079 office, do 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.299 you have 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:55.959 anybody in 00:22:55.959 --> 00:22:56.619 your life whom 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.559 you serve over 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.139 whom you have 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.619 authority? 00:22:59.199 --> 00:23:01.779 If you do, you 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.179 have the 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:03.799 opportunity to 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.459 work with 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:06.019 God to cause 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.679 the earth to 00:23:06.679 --> 00:23:09.839 flourish, to 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.639 make it, like 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.279 David for 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.279 Solomon, easier 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.759 for your 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.460 children and 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:13.899 those who 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:14.559 come after 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.299 you to 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.259 worship God. 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.680 That's a 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.059 choice you 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.379 have. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:25.079 Or, you 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.559 can be like 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:25.960 those in 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.619 verse 6 and 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:26.960 7. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.740 Worthless men 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.339 are like 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.420 thorns that 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:31.799 are thrown 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.240 away. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.359 Do you 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:34.720 remember what 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.399 Adam's curse 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:35.980 was in the 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.240 garden? 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:37.759 That his 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.480 work would be 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.079 marked by 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:39.819 thistles and 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.259 thorns. 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.519 that now 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.799 Eden would 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.440 be overcome 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.559 with these 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.059 thorns. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.259 And here 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.039 David speaks 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.799 of worthless 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.599 men as 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.460 these thorns. 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.599 The very 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.420 thorns that 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.200 the one who 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:55.660 is to 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.700 shepherd and 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.500 husband the 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:59.200 garden needs 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.480 to cut down 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.839 with iron and 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.879 steel and 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.539 throw into 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.200 the fire. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.940 For those of 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.599 us who exercise 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.539 authority, this is 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.099 our choice. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.940 To work with 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.940 God in causing 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.680 the earth to 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:14.119 flourish or to 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.819 be one of those 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.740 thorns that needs 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.579 to be pulled up 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.180 and thrown into 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.700 the fire. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.240 Use your 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.740 authority, 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:22.039 therefore, to 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.859 cause the earth 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.579 to flourish. 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.420 To cause your 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:27.039 children and 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.619 your coworkers and 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.339 your family and 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.079 all those around 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.460 you, over whom 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.099 you have authority 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.539 or not, to 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.019 flourish. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.680 set an example 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.460 in your life 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.700 of justice 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.819 and mercy 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.779 and love. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.559 Ruling like 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.359 this king in 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.000 the fear of 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.519 God. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.619 Is your life 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:48.299 lived in the 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.160 tangible fear 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.099 of God, knowing 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.639 that you will 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.259 give an account 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.240 one day to 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:52.740 this king 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.379 Jesus who 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:53.940 now sits 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.119 enthroned over 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:55.519 heaven and 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.819 earth? 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.900 This choice 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:59.139 is yours and 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.759 David would 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.639 beg you, 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.920 exercise your 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.240 authority in 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.779 the fear of 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.980 God, causing 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.539 those around 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.960 you to 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.599 flourish. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.759 Pray for the 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.139 people that 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:10.680 surround you. 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.720 Be a good 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.799 example for 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.059 them. 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:16.019 Encourage them 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.099 and strengthen 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.420 them. 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.700 What about 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.160 those of us 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.700 who don't have 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.259 authority or 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.859 who are under 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.319 authority? 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.059 None of us 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.000 is president 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.720 in this room 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.220 and that means 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.859 we are all at 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.379 least under 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.259 one authority. 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.779 What should 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.160 we do? 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.420 What does 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.220 this text teach 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.859 us about how 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.440 we are to 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:36.539 behave under 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.039 authority? 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.279 The first 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:39.700 thing it tells 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.240 us is this. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:41.880 Do not be 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.380 cynical. 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.299 Do not be 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.019 cynical about 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.019 your leaders. 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:47.680 A cynic is 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.279 one who has 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.120 given over to 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.519 despair, who 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.120 has thought our 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.860 leaders are so 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.840 corrupt that 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.580 there is nothing 00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.279 for which to 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.000 rejoice any 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.380 longer. 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:57.220 I will never 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.880 get my hopes 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.160 up. 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.559 I won't be 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.180 fooled again. 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.240 men. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.360 But this 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:03.940 passage talks 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.680 about just 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.320 rulers who 00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:06.080 bring flourishing 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:06.340 to their 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.140 people and 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.100 worthless men 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.660 who grow up 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.560 like weeds and 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.360 are fit only to 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:10.960 be cut down 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.440 and burned. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.640 This text thinks 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.279 there is a real 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.120 difference between 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:14.720 these people. 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.220 We should pray 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.039 that God 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.140 might send 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.940 good rulers 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.500 so that the 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.200 lands in which 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.340 we dwell might 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.320 flourish like a 00:26:25.320 --> 00:26:26.720 garden, not 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.440 wither like a 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:27.680 desert. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:27.779 desert. 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.340 We ought to 00:26:29.340 --> 00:26:30.279 pray to God 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.920 that we have 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.740 occasion to 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.320 celebrate the 00:26:33.320 --> 00:26:34.580 crowning of 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:35.400 one whom God 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.120 has chosen to 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.680 lead us. 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:39.100 We cannot be 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.039 despairing. 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.460 The Christian is 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.380 commanded to 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:42.759 hope. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.140 Hope for what? 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.200 Not that this 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.779 world will be 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.880 somehow transformed 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:48.000 into heaven little 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.440 by little. 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:48.860 No. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.860 We cannot be 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.779 given over to 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.360 despair. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.940 So this text 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.660 teaches us 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.080 that we 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:58.500 ought not 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.220 despair. 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.860 It also 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.539 teaches us 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.140 that we 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.779 ought not 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:04.019 follow false 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.000 messiahs. 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.019 Humans 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:09.279 are hard 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.380 wired to 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.019 seek for 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.680 messiahs. 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.680 That's why 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.360 we believe 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.240 high-flying 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.160 rhetoric every 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.200 four years. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:20.000 But that 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.960 rhetoric and 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.080 those messiahs 00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:23.299 will always 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.279 disappoint us. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.279 messiahs. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.160 Those 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.240 messiahs share 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.220 our sins. 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.160 They 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:30.119 participate in 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:31.099 our flaws. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.579 You know, 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.200 the only way to 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.940 ensure that you 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.599 will never be 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.279 disappointed by 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.779 your rulers is 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.799 to plan to be 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.519 disappointed by 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.000 your rulers. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.000 The only way 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.559 never to be 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.079 disappointed by 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.639 your rulers is 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.500 to plan to be 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.160 disappointed by 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:46.599 your rulers. 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.359 They won't let 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.799 you down if you 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.359 plan on them 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.000 letting you down. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:53.700 don't make 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.039 them into 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.759 messiahs. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.619 We 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.480 incline toward 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:57.880 one of these 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.319 directions, 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.759 either being 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.859 messianic about 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.400 our favorite 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.019 person, our 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.779 favorite elected 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.599 official, or 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.240 being cynical. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.220 They're all the 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.599 same. 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.759 Crooks, thieves, 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.579 bums, throw 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:07.960 them out. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.920 We're tempted 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.359 to think this 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:11.400 way about all 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.039 of those in 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.740 authority over 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.180 us. 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.180 Our bosses, 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.839 probably even 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.779 more proximate 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.799 to us than 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.339 the president, 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.240 are the 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.339 particular objects 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:21.960 of our 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:23.140 scorn. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.660 Don't 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.599 mess, don't 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.480 make a 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.319 messiah out 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.740 of anybody 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.460 above you. 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.420 Don't be 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.759 cynical claiming 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.299 that there is 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:34.099 no real 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.859 justice in 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.400 this world. 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.940 Instead, pray 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.019 for your 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.319 leaders. 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.059 Pray for 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.519 your leaders. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.500 Pray that 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.120 God would 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:45.160 give us the 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.920 occasion to 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:47.220 celebrate the 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.660 rule of 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.220 justice. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:50.740 God would 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.640 send ones 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.600 to us who 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.039 would come 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.039 to us like 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.519 the morning 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.740 light, like 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.660 sun shining 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.279 forth on a 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.759 cloudless 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.259 morning and 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.059 rain that 00:28:59.059 --> 00:29:00.319 makes the 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.940 earth bring 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.980 forth grass. 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:03.839 Be thankful 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.100 for the small 00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:06.000 ways we see 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.740 that now. 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.120 Christians are 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.539 taught to 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.360 expect very 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:11.339 little from 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.039 the rulers of 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.519 this world. 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:12.599 God. 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.700 We are also 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.200 taught to 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.680 thank the 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.160 Lord for 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.480 every shred 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.139 of grace 00:29:19.139 --> 00:29:19.720 that we 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.039 see. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.799 And for 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.220 those who 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.839 have eyes 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.700 to see and 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.099 ears to 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.200 hear, there 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.660 are millions 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.599 of shreds 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.400 of grace for 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:28.900 which to be 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.279 thankful. 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.539 Do you 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.039 thank the 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.579 Lord when 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.099 you come 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.579 to a red 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:35.440 light, which 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.240 has prevented 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.660 you from 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.440 smashing into 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.960 another car, 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:38.819 coming in the 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.339 opposite direction? 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.139 There's a sign 00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:41.440 of good 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:41.900 governance. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.220 Do you 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.980 praise the 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.019 Lord with 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.379 eager rejoicing 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.359 when in the 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:47.819 middle of the 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.759 night, in a 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.519 thunderstorm, you 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.480 are awoken by 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.559 the scraping of 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.819 a snowplow out 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.400 on the street, 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.440 doing a job to 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:54.879 make sure you 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:55.500 can get to 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.180 work the next 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.420 day? 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.859 This is a 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.539 little shred 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.220 of grace. 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.680 Good governance 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.319 is happening. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.740 When the mail 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.720 arrives at your 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.579 home, assuming 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.000 it doesn't 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.700 include only 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.859 bills, we 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.579 should rejoice. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.960 Something has 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.799 gone right in 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.259 the world. 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:12.259 Today I was 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.019 not falsely 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.500 imprisoned. 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.440 There are 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.940 plenty of 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.539 countries in 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:16.980 which that's 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.359 not the 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.779 case. 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.660 We ought to 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.740 rejoice and 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.980 be thankful for 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.859 every shred of 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:24.059 grace we see. 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.819 In a world that 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:28.180 is given over to 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:30.059 cynicism, what 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:31.259 kind of people 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.960 would we be if 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.240 we were pervasively 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.879 thankful for all 00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.660 of the shreds of 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.579 grace that we see? 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:41.379 we can in fact 00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:42.159 in this world 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.960 get dim visions 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.059 of what it would 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.059 look like for 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.839 the dawn to 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.339 come on us 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.919 like a morning 00:30:47.919 --> 00:30:49.419 light and for 00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.559 the sun to rise 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.319 on cloudless 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.339 mornings and the 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.659 waters to water 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.980 the earth bringing 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.159 forth grass. 00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:57.259 We can see 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:58.039 these things. 00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.639 When we see 00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.319 them we ought to 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:00.799 rejoice. 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:11.119 hope for the 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:12.339 coming king. 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:15.240 The king that 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.180 David himself 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.000 looked forward 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.379 to. 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.659 Because this 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:21.359 king is coming. 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:24.599 this king 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.879 has said behold 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.639 I am coming 00:31:26.639 --> 00:31:27.459 quickly. 00:31:29.459 --> 00:31:30.379 With a real 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.039 crown on his 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.759 head this time. 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:33.039 And a real 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.299 white horse upon 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.839 which he is 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.139 riding. 00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:35.859 This king is 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.179 coming. 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.240 The flourishing 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:40.939 garden of Eden 00:31:40.939 --> 00:31:41.619 that our parents 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.819 forsook will one 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:44.019 day flourish again. 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.779 And those who 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.979 love Christ can 00:31:47.979 --> 00:31:48.639 live there. 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.519 There in this 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.240 garden in the 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:51.960 middle of the 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.500 city of the 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.120 new Jerusalem 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:54.200 where God 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.400 himself sits 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:56.240 enthroned. 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.920 This is the 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:59.059 king that our 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:00.599 hearts yearn for 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:02.279 every election 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.799 cycle. 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.960 Every campaign 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:07.019 promise we hear 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.920 that we allow 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.400 ourselves to 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.059 believe even 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:10.799 slightly is a 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.539 picture of our 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.660 yearning for this 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.420 good king. 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:17.059 The failures 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:18.480 and the 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.900 successes of 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.579 this world's 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.379 leaders are 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:21.939 are both 00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:22.939 designed to 00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.539 point our 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.399 minds to the 00:32:24.399 --> 00:32:25.480 coming of God's 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.299 true anointed 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.699 one. 00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:29.000 The successes of 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.460 these leaders 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.939 because they're 00:32:29.939 --> 00:32:30.919 only a dim 00:32:30.919 --> 00:32:32.000 picture of what 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.240 full flourishing 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.019 will look like 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.220 when Christ is 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:36.819 finally enthroned 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.919 and subdues all 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.480 of his enemies. 00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:40.879 And the failures 00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.939 of this world's 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.859 leaders ought to 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.599 cause us to 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:45.059 raise our eyes 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.859 higher up to 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.619 that divine 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:47.960 king as well 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.960 knowing that 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:50.079 he will never 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:51.640 let us down. 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.700 None who 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.579 trusted in the 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.360 Lord were ever 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.100 put to shame. 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:00.500 This Messiah 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:00.840 does not 00:33:00.840 --> 00:33:01.240 disappoint. 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:03.140 This is the 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.799 ruler who keeps 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.700 every campaign 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.440 promise he's 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:06.180 ever made. 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.740 This is the 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.460 Messiah our 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.680 hearts truly 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.720 yearn for. 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.240 And this 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.259 Messiah is 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.620 coming. 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:16.279 And when 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.259 this chosen 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.379 king of God 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:20.379 comes, God's 00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:21.000 children will 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.019 celebrate at his 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.599 coronation. 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.279 How will we 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:26.619 celebrate? 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.699 Well we are 00:33:28.699 --> 00:33:29.239 told in the 00:33:29.239 --> 00:33:30.559 Bible that not 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.279 only will this 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.779 king come and 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.759 rid the world of 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:35.379 his enemies, but 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.339 he will also wed 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.339 himself to his 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:37.819 bride. 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.939 This is a 00:33:39.939 --> 00:33:41.359 king betrothed 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:42.039 to a bride. 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:44.680 And we who 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.299 are in his 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.500 church are 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.220 that bride. 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.920 The celebration 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.559 that will be 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.700 ours when 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.420 this king 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:54.659 comes is 00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:55.220 a bridal 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.619 feast. 00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:57.519 It's a 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.220 wedding supper. 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.559 It's a 00:33:59.559 --> 00:33:59.859 meal. 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.879 With bread 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:03.059 and wine 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.700 there for 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.240 the taking 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.740 and union 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.500 with our 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:06.980 king. 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.800 What a 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.400 celebration 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.259 that will 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:10.559 be. 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:13.139 And that 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:14.039 celebration is 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.960 precisely what 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.579 we look forward 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.199 to now. 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.820 As we come to 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.199 the Lord's 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.440 table to 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.000 drink the 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.759 cup and 00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:21.199 take the 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:21.519 bread. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.820 So as we 00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.779 come, think 00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:26.579 on the fact 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:27.179 that this 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:28.199 king died 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:29.239 for us to 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:29.980 cleanse us of 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:31.599 our sins and 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.199 to give us 00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:32.960 new life. 00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:34.980 Think also 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.840 of that great 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:37.460 wedding feast 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.179 that it 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.960 foreshadows 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:42.399 to which 00:34:42.399 --> 00:34:43.759 all those 00:34:43.759 --> 00:34:44.259 who love 00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:45.739 Jesus are 00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:46.559 invited to 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:46.839 come. 00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:48.539 Let's pray. 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.219 Lord, we do 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:53.779 thank you for 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:54.500 this promise that 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:55.019 you will come 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.219 and right all 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.859 of the world's 00:34:56.859 --> 00:34:57.440 wrongs. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.980 That when your 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.719 king is 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.639 coronated, your 00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:02.399 children will 00:35:02.399 --> 00:35:02.879 celebrate. 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.039 great. 00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:05.119 Thank you that 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.519 you have put 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.660 before us the 00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:07.519 possibility of 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.300 real joy. 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:08.980 Know the 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.720 promise of 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:10.420 real joy. 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.740 Promises from 00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:12.539 a king who 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.539 never broke a 00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:14.019 promise. 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.640 Stir our 00:35:16.640 --> 00:35:17.619 hearts with 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.539 eager longing 00:35:18.539 --> 00:35:19.160 for your 00:35:19.160 --> 00:35:20.140 reign, Lord 00:35:20.140 --> 00:35:21.740 Christ, even 00:35:21.740 --> 00:35:22.360 now as we 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:23.240 come to your 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:23.559 table. 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.400 I pray these 00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:25.820 things in the 00:35:25.820 --> 00:35:26.480 name of Jesus. 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:27.500 Amen. 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:27.599 Amen.