WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 God, truly, no tongue can say, no words can convey, no song can convey, as we sang, the greatness of our God. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:12.240 God, you are so great, and you are so good, and your love is steadfast. 00:00:12.599 --> 00:00:14.640 You are the God of justice and mercy. 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:16.240 You are our God. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.859 Now, as we open your word, we pray that you would speak through your word once again. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:24.560 Lord, as you've spoken through the centuries, we ask that you would speak once again. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:27.920 Lord, I'm barely more than a child. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:36.160 Lord, for us to actually hear not just my thoughts and stories and whatever, but to hear from you, we need you to speak through the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:39.000 So please do pour out your spirit afresh upon us. 00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:42.780 Make us disciples of Jesus, gripped by the gospel, living for your glory. 00:00:43.240 --> 00:00:44.160 In his name we pray. 00:00:44.380 --> 00:00:44.640 Amen. 00:00:45.579 --> 00:00:46.859 Please be seated if you're not ready. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:51.000 Just before we get into the word, Steve Griffin, are you still here? 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:52.719 Yeah, do you want to stand up, you and your family? 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:54.480 Guys, this is the Griffin family. 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:01.259 A lot of us have been praying for them like multiple times a week for the past years, and just shaking hands before the service, hugging people, whatever. 00:01:01.779 --> 00:01:05.479 And yeah, all of a sudden they said, yeah, I realized it was them that we've been praying for. 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:11.400 They've been missionaries in Guatemala, and now they're going to Nigeria, and they just continue to serve God wherever the Lord takes them. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:15.219 Just want to say we love you guys, and it's awesome to have you with us in body. 00:01:15.479 --> 00:01:16.959 So feel free to take a seat. 00:01:17.039 --> 00:01:18.179 But guys, we love you so much. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:20.959 Also, I know a lot of people are praying for Paul Rudenberg. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:22.319 Paul, do you want to stand up for a second? 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:23.199 Paul's back. 00:01:23.639 --> 00:01:29.579 He's been in Turkey and Greece, and he's working with refugees and all sorts of crazy stuff, and traveled a lot of other places besides that. 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:35.459 And Paul, we're just so proud of you and just giving yourself to the service of God, whether that's overseas or also back in Ottawa. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:37.439 So yeah, feel free to be seated, too. 00:01:37.479 --> 00:01:39.099 I don't want to make you stand longer than you want. 00:01:39.379 --> 00:01:42.299 But yeah, let's just pray for them, and then we'll continue. 00:01:42.419 --> 00:01:47.399 God, it has been such a joy to get to be praying for them and the other missionaries of our church all over the world. 00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:53.760 Lord, it's so sweet that we have this bond of brotherhood in you, and we haven't even met. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:55.440 A lot of us haven't met them until today. 00:01:56.060 --> 00:02:00.460 But God, we're just so grateful for the Griffins, for Paul, and for the other missionaries of our church. 00:02:00.520 --> 00:02:08.280 And we pray that even as we get into Amos 6 now, that you would help each one of us more fully be the missionaries that you've called us to be, 00:02:08.540 --> 00:02:14.740 wherever that is, whether our schools or our families, homes, Ottawa, Kingston, or wherever else you've called us to. 00:02:14.740 --> 00:02:16.420 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:23.659 When I was a little boy, my brothers and I loved to have Who Can Hold Your Breath competitions. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:25.180 Who Can Hold It the Longest? 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:29.920 I think we may have mentioned this here before, but if any of you have experienced the same kind of competition, 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:33.439 if you're really committed, like me, you're there to win. 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:34.560 You're not just there to play. 00:02:34.640 --> 00:02:35.200 You're there to win. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:37.560 So you're holding your breath, and time's going by. 00:02:37.760 --> 00:02:39.340 The clock is ticking ever so slow. 00:02:39.660 --> 00:02:41.180 Those seconds seem more like hours. 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:47.120 And then as you get past two minutes, your leg will start to kick against itself, and your body starts doing weird things, and you're going to win. 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:54.439 I wasn't faster, stronger, better looking, or anything than my brothers, but holding my breath, I was going to win this one. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:58.819 And I could actually do it, so I'd just be fighting against myself to try to win. 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:01.520 My body fighting against itself as I'm holding my breath. 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:02.560 What's that fight? 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:03.500 What's that internal fight? 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:07.600 One of the most basic human instincts is self-preservation. 00:03:08.020 --> 00:03:10.540 One of the most basic human instincts is self-preservation. 00:03:10.539 --> 00:03:15.699 As a result, when we try to do things that are uncomfortable, when we try to do things that might be dangerous, 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:22.519 for most of us, well, not all, for most of us, we end up fighting against ourselves to try to keep ourselves away from discomfort. 00:03:23.079 --> 00:03:32.099 And so in light of that, it's with great sympathy that I read these words of great warning, of great rebuke from God to his people. 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:34.079 Amos chapter 6, verse 4. 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:46.340 I don't know about you, but my mouth waters as I read these words. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:47.580 I love lamb. 00:03:48.820 --> 00:03:49.220 Delicious. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:50.900 Calves, veal. 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:52.260 That's my jam. 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:57.719 And so we read these words, and God seems so upset with his people. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:02.699 But if we stop and just are honest with ourselves, there's a lot we have in common with these people. 00:04:02.799 --> 00:04:06.759 If you've been here for the other weeks, you know that Amos is writing in around the year 800 BC. 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:12.500 This is a time in the northern kingdom of Israel, who he's speaking to, a time of peace and prosperity. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:14.079 The middle class is doing very well. 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:20.939 And not only was it a time of peace, even while nations around them were at war and were crumbling, Israel was actually doing really well. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:24.060 And not only that, but it was a very spiritual time in the land. 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:27.080 There were times when they'd become very pagan, very this. 00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:30.520 But at this time, they were doing a lot of spiritual activity. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:33.639 And not just the stuff of the Canaanites and the Hittites and whatever around them, 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:40.199 but they were actually doing a lot of very biblical religious observances, celebrating the feasts. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.420 And yet they were so far from God. 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:59.740 I moved into a new home in January. 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:00.660 Well, it was new to me. 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:01.860 It was not that new. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:06.460 But I moved in, and I'm subletting from some missionaries overseas. 00:05:07.200 --> 00:05:08.160 And they're a married couple. 00:05:08.280 --> 00:05:10.180 And they had, I don't even think it's a king-sized bed. 00:05:10.200 --> 00:05:12.180 It was like an emperor-sized bed, if that's a thing. 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:15.160 And I'm a single dude, so I don't need a bed that big. 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:18.520 But I wanted, because I study and all that kind of stuff, I wanted a desk. 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:24.000 And so I traded my bed to hostmates, like up on one of the floors above it. 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:25.439 They're not apartment mates, I guess. 00:05:25.520 --> 00:05:25.740 Whatever. 00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:26.860 They're apartment up there. 00:05:27.080 --> 00:05:27.800 So we traded beds. 00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:29.780 I gave them my massive emperor-sized bed. 00:05:30.020 --> 00:05:31.020 I got a smaller bed. 00:05:31.400 --> 00:05:36.819 And I was very happy with that, because I can fit a lot more stuff into my room, bookshelves and all that kind of stuff, 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:38.600 that pastor people kind of need. 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:44.800 But what I didn't anticipate is the bed that I got in the exchange is, in the words of one person who I let my bed to, 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:48.300 and I was elsewhere in the world, so they stayed at my house. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:52.260 And in their words, it is the worst bed that they've ever slept on. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:57.900 It actually took like multiple months to be able to be confident that I can lie down and sleep on this bed. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:59.220 It's not that great. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:02.460 But I guarantee you, it's more comfortable than a bed of ivory. 00:06:02.960 --> 00:06:03.040 Okay? 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:05.580 When God is speaking to these people, verse 4, 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:07.220 woe to those who lie in beds of ivory. 00:06:07.320 --> 00:06:10.700 He's speaking to these people who are so comfortable and secure in their wealth. 00:06:11.080 --> 00:06:16.180 And even though my bed isn't the best bed we have in 2016, it's still more comfortable than a bed of ivory. 00:06:16.700 --> 00:06:19.280 Today, it's not that we live like the ancient kings of old. 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:21.940 We actually live much better than the kings of old. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:26.120 An example of that would be, there's some of us who don't like the humidity. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:28.219 Some of, I'm not one of them. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:30.639 I actually love, the hotter it gets, the more I'm happy. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:35.139 But I know there's a number of my colleagues and stuff who have been struggling with how hot it is day after day. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:40.079 But our frustration with the weather has more to do with the fact that we're sweating a little too much. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:43.100 We're not actually concerned for what this is going to mean for what we eat. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.899 But at the time that these words were written, and for most of human history, 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:51.819 the temperature affected dramatically whether or not you're going to have food on the table. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:54.839 They would be looking to see, you know, what's the weather going to be like? 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:56.920 If we don't get enough rain, we're not going to get enough food. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:58.719 We're actually maybe even going to starve. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:04.120 And not only is that the case throughout the centuries of time, but not the case for most of us in this room, 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:07.920 where we actually are living lives that, regardless of what the weather is like, 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:11.579 we're going to eat nice food, veal, lamb, all that good stuff. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:16.519 But there's even people in our city today who the weather actually affects whether or not they're going to live or die. 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:20.819 When it gets far too hot, there's warnings for those who are living on the streets 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:23.779 because it's actually, some of them will pass away. 00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:28.279 And in Ottawa, when it gets to minus 40 and beyond, there are people who are living on the streets 00:07:28.279 --> 00:07:32.399 and their very life is in jeopardy because of the temperature. 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:35.659 But for most of us, maybe not all, for most of us in this room, 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:40.339 our lives are completely isolated from the temperature and from all that stuff. 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:43.379 And that's an indication that we are actually more secure. 00:07:43.679 --> 00:07:44.639 We're more comfortable. 00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:50.579 Our lives are a lot more glorious than those who God is writing to right here, 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.279 saying, you guys are so comfortable. 00:07:52.659 --> 00:07:54.359 So God is speaking to them about their comfort. 00:07:54.859 --> 00:07:56.739 And he is so heartbroken over it. 00:07:56.740 --> 00:08:00.460 Woe to those who lie in beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches 00:08:00.460 --> 00:08:02.800 and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:08.379 who sing idle songs with the sound of the harp and, like David, invent for themselves instruments of music, 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:11.879 who drink wine and bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.340 but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph. 00:08:14.960 --> 00:08:18.199 Now, all these things that God lays out here are actually really good things. 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:19.120 They're gifts from God. 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:20.480 Lamb, meat. 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:24.000 We thank God before we eat our food generally because it's a gift from God. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:27.160 The scriptures say in the Psalms that God gives sleep to those he loves. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:29.959 To be able to have the opportunity to sleep on a bed, 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:33.419 whether it's a bed of ivory or whatever my mattress is made out of, 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:35.159 is actually a gift from God. 00:08:35.659 --> 00:08:36.539 These are all good things. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:40.980 Wine, as much as one Graham Cook once said, he's from England, a pastor, 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:43.240 and he said, Jesus turned water into wine, 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:46.259 and evangelicals have been trying to turn it back into water ever since, right? 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:49.120 Like, in the Bible, wine is actually a gift from the Lord. 00:08:49.179 --> 00:08:50.679 Just don't abuse it like anything else. 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:52.460 Anointing of oil. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.419 This is a precious. 00:08:53.419 --> 00:08:55.000 These are all very good things. 00:08:55.579 --> 00:08:57.799 And yet, why is God so grieved over his people? 00:08:58.339 --> 00:08:58.979 Verse 6. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:02.659 Who drink wine and bowls, anoint themselves with the finest oils, 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:05.360 but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph. 00:09:06.219 --> 00:09:08.799 The language here is very specifically chosen 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:13.479 because Amos is speaking to people who know their Bibles very well. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:15.399 And they would know the story of Joseph. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.379 That Joseph, he came to his brothers. 00:09:17.459 --> 00:09:18.019 You know the story. 00:09:18.099 --> 00:09:19.039 He came to his brothers. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:22.179 And his brothers, envious of him, they took his robe, 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:26.939 and they put animal blood on it so their father would think that Joseph was dead. 00:09:27.099 --> 00:09:28.899 And they threw Joseph into a well. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:32.379 And at first, they were actually going to have him be just left there to die. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:34.099 And as they left him there to die, 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:36.659 before eventually they changed their mind and sold him into slavery, 00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:38.219 which is not okay either, 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.680 but they left him there to die. 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:42.259 And then they sat down and broke bread together and just ate food. 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:45.379 That's a disturbing image, is it not? 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:46.519 Their own brother. 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:49.980 Not just some poor person that they should have a heart for and they don't. 00:09:50.180 --> 00:09:51.460 Their own flesh and blood. 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:52.000 Their brother. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:54.340 I know some here are older brothers, 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:56.519 and you probably get frustrated with your younger brother, 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:58.259 just like my older brother sometimes gets annoyed with me, 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:00.080 but he's never thrown me in a well 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:02.379 and then just sat down to eat some mac and cheese. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:02.600 Right? 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:04.460 Like that's a very disturbing image 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:05.779 that you can actually just eat. 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:08.559 Maybe they even said one of their, you know, ritual Jewish prayers 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.879 before they ate their food. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:12.980 But they sat down to eat food while their brother was languishing, 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.159 for they had thrown him there. 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:15.699 And God is saying, 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.659 in your comfort, 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:18.980 on your beds of ivory and your choice, 00:10:19.079 --> 00:10:20.259 food and all of this stuff, 00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:22.360 you're just like Joseph's brothers. 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:24.799 You don't care for the broken, for the poor. 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:28.419 Many of you, whether you are Christians or not, 00:10:28.459 --> 00:10:32.120 are familiar with the images of Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:34.799 When God destroyed those cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:36.539 And if you know the story, 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:38.099 you know that Sodom and Gomorrah 00:10:38.099 --> 00:10:40.779 was a place of great filth and sin and defilement. 00:10:41.179 --> 00:10:43.879 You're familiar with the stories of so much sexual immorality. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.659 One of the key characters then offers up his daughters to be raped 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:50.459 in order to provide hospitality to his guests. 00:10:50.859 --> 00:10:51.759 Disturbing stuff. 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:53.679 There's all manner of sexual immorality. 00:10:54.079 --> 00:10:55.500 Stuff that breaks God's heart, 00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:57.359 for he sees how people are destroying themselves 00:10:57.359 --> 00:10:59.699 with the gift of sexuality that God had given them. 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:01.779 They're destroying themselves with it by abusing it. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:04.399 Is that what the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was? 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.279 Is that why God brought destruction to their city? 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:06.899 It is not. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:10.019 As much as the term sodomy refers to specific things, 00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:12.139 what is real sodomy according to God? 00:11:12.199 --> 00:11:14.019 What is the great sin, 00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:16.620 worse, more grotesque to God 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:18.840 than all the other sins in Sodom and Gomorrah 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:19.539 that we read about? 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:22.579 God defines it in Ezekiel 16 verse 49 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:23.720 with these words, 00:11:23.819 --> 00:11:26.159 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom. 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:28.100 She and her daughters had pride, 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:30.460 excess of food, and prosperous ease, 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:33.200 but did not aid the poor and needy. 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:37.220 They had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.740 but they did not aid the poor and needy. 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:43.100 For all of the wickedness and defilement, 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:44.740 the debauchery of Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:46.500 the defining sin 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:50.320 that marked them as a city that God would destroy 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:53.320 was their pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:56.060 but they did not aid the poor and the needy. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:58.000 In the language there is not 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.899 that these were the guys trampling on the poor. 00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:01.860 These are the guys who are walking through town 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.779 and they see a guy with a cup of change 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.440 and they throw it over and it's like, 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:07.399 yo, sucks to be you, and keep walking with their life. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.259 These aren't those guys. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:11.320 These aren't the guys who are bribing the judges 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:13.080 in order to trample on the rights of the poor. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:13.639 They aren't. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:16.139 The sin of Sodom is complacency. 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.779 They were just living their comfortable life. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.740 They had their food. 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:21.539 Complacency. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.500 They just didn't give a rep. 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:26.759 That broke God's heart over the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.659 and it broke his heart to see the people, 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:30.700 his own people, living the same way. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:33.000 Woe to those who lie in beds of ivory 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:35.460 and stretch themselves out on their couches. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:39.379 It must be noted that what God is calling for 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:42.039 isn't simply that they care for Joseph, 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.679 that they care for the broken, 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:47.039 but that he wants them to be grieved with him over it. 00:12:48.819 --> 00:12:50.840 And that's partly because God is not just 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:55.220 some kind of robotic set of moral laws. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:59.360 But God is the most loving, 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:02.980 most compassionate being we can ever discover. 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:05.019 And his heart breaks. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:07.540 He grieves over those who are languishing. 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:09.700 He grieves over innocent bloodshed. 00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:11.220 He grieves for those exploited, 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.019 for those abused, 00:13:12.160 --> 00:13:12.879 for those who are bullied, 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.240 for those who are hurting. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.080 And what he wants for us 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.680 is not just that we would do these right things, 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:18.460 oh, care for the poor. 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:20.379 He wants us to grieve with him. 00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:22.879 God created the universe 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.360 and designed us human beings 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.300 to breathe his life in us 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:26.720 and gave us a choice to obey him or not 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:29.019 because he longs for us to love him 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.240 and know him and walk with him. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.320 He's given us a choice. 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:33.639 We can choose to surrender ourselves to him 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.759 and know him and walk with him 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:37.360 and be his children, his friends, or not. 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:38.639 And he longs for us, 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.580 not just to obey him, 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.639 but to love and to grieve with him. 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:44.340 This past week, a friend came to me 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.740 with tears coming down his face 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.420 because his grandfather had passed away. 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:49.219 And all he needed for me 00:13:49.219 --> 00:13:50.479 was for me to be with him in it. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:52.319 I hugged him, held him tight, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.219 and I just was sad with him. 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:57.079 He didn't need any inspiring words from me. 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:57.799 He didn't need me to go 00:13:57.799 --> 00:13:59.819 and try to whatever, save the day. 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:01.279 He just needed me to grieve with him. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.539 And I grieved with him 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.459 because he's my friend. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.459 I love him. 00:14:04.599 --> 00:14:05.539 And if his heart is broken, 00:14:05.599 --> 00:14:06.620 then I'm broken with him. 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:08.979 And that's the image here, 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:10.240 being grieved over Joseph. 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.719 God wants him to be grieved over 00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:13.120 the destitute and the hurting. 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.879 Day after day after day, 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.080 there are people in our city 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.759 and throughout the world 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:19.299 who are being sexually abused. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.559 And God wants us to take action 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.200 and care for them. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.639 But I believe he also wants us 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:23.600 to grieve with him. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.840 Some years ago, 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:27.399 I was invited to become part 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:29.299 of a campaign against human trafficking 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:31.159 and sexual abuse. 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:33.960 And an older mentor friend of mine said, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.220 Daniel, don't do it. 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:36.059 Don't get involved. 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.179 It's going to scar you. 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.779 Don't do it. 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:39.700 And I chatted with my sister, Naomi, 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:40.600 and she said, you know what? 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.340 Like, yeah, it'll probably scar you. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.779 But like, that's what God, 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.220 like, Jesus has scars 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.420 and he's bringing healing to the world. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.820 So go join him in it. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.659 And so I went, 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:49.659 it was part of the campaign. 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.580 And in the months after that, 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:52.680 when I would look at the time, 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.800 when I look at the time, 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.580 I couldn't help but see some, 00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:57.440 like, I'm not that good at math, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.040 but for some reason, 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.920 my mind was always able to see 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:00.920 what part of the world 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:03.340 was late evening, early night. 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:04.860 Because that was the part 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.879 of the time of the day 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:07.379 when little boys and girls 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.420 were being sexually abused. 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:09.879 The kids that we were helping rescue 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:11.299 in Thailand and Cambodia 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.360 from brothels, 00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:13.700 five and six-year-olds in brothels. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:14.799 I was scarred. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.559 If it was, whatever, 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.580 it would be 9 a.m. here, 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.299 I'd look at the time, 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.519 see, oh, like an hour to church, 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.000 and all of a sudden, 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.019 and I couldn't help it, 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:23.019 it's 9 p.m. in Cambodia right now. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.500 Or later in the day, 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:24.820 all of a sudden, 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.519 I know it's 9 p.m. in India right then. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.720 I was scarred. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.439 It's not healthy 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.539 to look at the time 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.200 and always know 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.019 where there's little kids 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:34.399 who are being raped. 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.600 It's not how we were made for. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.360 That's not the mind God gave us. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.340 I was wounded by the very fact 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:42.220 that it's trying to help bring healing 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:42.779 to the world. 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.759 And in that, 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.220 my heart began to break, 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.740 and I'd go to say grace before a meal, 00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:47.419 and I couldn't help 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:49.340 but just be sad with God. 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.940 I know there's a number of us 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.460 in this church 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.980 who have been involved 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.779 in pro-life work. 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:56.519 Some pray near the abortion clinic 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.180 on Bank Street. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.519 Others have been involved 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.680 in Christ's Parenting Center work 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.879 and involved in the University of Ottawa, 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.120 working with CCBR, 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:03.100 different stuff like that. 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:07.159 every single year in Canada, 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:09.060 100,000 babies are killed. 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.639 Every single year, 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.680 100,000. 00:16:13.040 --> 00:16:13.840 Every single day, 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:15.440 more than 300 babies are killed. 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.519 And God is there 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.740 in the language of Scripture, 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.519 knitting together 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.740 these babies in their mother's womb. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.480 They're not an idea to God. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:24.320 They're not just great potential to God. 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:26.700 They're precious people 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:28.120 who God is with 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.100 in the womb. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:31.080 And for a variety of reasons, 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:32.379 they're being killed. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.420 They're being put to death. 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.480 That breaks God's heart. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.280 And I cannot help but think, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.780 based on Amos 6, 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.480 that God is looking for us 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.820 not only to take action, 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:44.680 but as his friends, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.960 to grieve with him 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.720 over the lost lives, 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.740 over the innocent blood 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.300 that is shed. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.700 Working at a Christ's Parenting Center 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.080 years ago, 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:53.180 I saw that not only 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:55.180 do we have 100,000 babies 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:56.100 being killed in our country 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.520 every year, 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.060 but there are so many women 00:16:59.060 --> 00:16:59.820 who through that, 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.900 they've been lied to 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.939 about what their baby is. 00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:02.819 It's not actually a person, 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.220 whatever the case may be, 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.480 being coarsed into this, 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.359 all sorts of stories, 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.660 where there are also 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.019 100,000 mothers 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.359 of dead babies 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.440 who are being broken 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.139 through abortion, 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.379 who, 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.279 whether it's by the guilt 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:15.900 and shame, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.259 or it's by the coercion 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.879 that others have forced 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.139 and whatever, 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.359 there are so many. 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.400 There's so many 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.059 who are hurting 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:25.660 throughout this country, 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:26.680 in our own church, 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.879 who've been personally 00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:28.900 affected by this stuff, 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:30.080 whether it's sexual abuse 00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:31.100 or abortion, 00:17:31.780 --> 00:17:33.019 domestic abuse. 00:17:33.060 --> 00:17:33.920 There's so many 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.880 in our community 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.440 who are hurting 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:37.820 and God feels their pain. 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.140 He's hurting 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:39.800 and He's grieving 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:41.040 and He's calling us 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:41.759 not to just be those 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.580 who believe in Him 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:44.280 and sing happy songs to Him, 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.940 but people who will grieve with Him. 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.320 And so, 00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:48.340 for us to live out 00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:48.800 what it means 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:49.640 to walk with God, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.800 for us to live 00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:52.580 as really His followers, 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.759 it means that we join Him 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.040 in grief. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.280 And so, 00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:55.380 I want to take a minute today 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:56.900 to just be quiet with God, 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.300 to give a moment of silence, 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.660 to just remember with God, 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.140 to share in His grief 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:05.700 for those who've been trampled on, 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.240 for those who even right now 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.019 are being exploited, 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:08.900 for those who are 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:10.040 in harmful situations 00:18:10.040 --> 00:18:11.180 or those who've had 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.960 their own lives 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.140 be destroyed 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.940 through injustice. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.360 And so, 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.080 let's just take a minute 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:15.620 right now 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.460 and join God, 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.320 not just talk about this, 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.220 but actually live it out 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.420 and grieve with God. 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.800 Heavenly Father, 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:28.779 together with you, 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.460 we remember 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.579 those who 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:33.220 have been exploited, 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.339 abused, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.099 neglected, 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:36.940 and even killed. 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.700 We grieve with you. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.680 We don't know what to say. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:43.960 We don't know 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.659 what words of comfort 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:46.399 we can possibly offer you, 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:47.659 God. 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.960 But we want you to know 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.079 that we as individuals 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.799 and as a church, 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.839 that we grieve with you. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:56.480 we remember 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:58.299 with you. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.659 And we acknowledge 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.259 that not only 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.779 is this something 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.659 in the past, 00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:04.619 innocent bloodshed, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.579 people being hurt 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.159 and exploited 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.740 and abused, 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:07.759 but we know 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.279 this is something 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.980 that's ongoing 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.119 in our neighborhoods 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:12.279 and even has touched 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.199 many of us personally 00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:14.119 here in this church. 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.899 That we're not just 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.959 remembering the grief 00:19:16.959 --> 00:19:17.539 and the pain 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.279 of those outside 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.839 of these walls, 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.220 but even within 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.839 these walls, 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.100 we have been, 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:26.000 some of us 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:27.100 have been sexually abused, 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.700 others have faced 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.319 domestic violence, 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.160 been affected 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.059 in various ways 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.700 through abortion, 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:36.100 so many other ways 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.660 that you know 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.380 so intimately 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.039 and personally. 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:40.980 Lord God, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.339 we grieve with you 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:45.259 and we look to you 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.459 knowing that you 00:19:46.459 --> 00:19:47.019 are the God 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.000 whose very name 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.599 is Healer, 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:50.099 Jehovah Rapha, 00:19:50.939 --> 00:19:51.899 that you are the God 00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:52.539 of rescue, 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.740 that you are not 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.599 complacent, 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.399 that you are 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.079 compassionate, 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.980 that you suffer 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.579 with those who are 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.319 suffering and you 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.039 bring healing 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.679 and life. 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:03.179 And so we look to you 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:04.480 that you would bring 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.779 healing and rescue 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.679 and restoration 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:09.120 and we ask 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.420 that you would 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.400 help us as a church 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:13.259 join you in that, 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:13.920 that we would be 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.720 your hands and feet. 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.460 In Jesus' name, 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.180 Amen. 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.680 Even as we read 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.180 these words, 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.279 God calling them 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.320 to not be complacent. 00:20:25.060 --> 00:20:26.100 I was just looking 00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.640 around the churches 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.140 we're singing 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:27.980 and I knew 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.539 this message 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.259 is coming up 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.380 and I was looking 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.019 around and again 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.539 I'm seeing people 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.080 in our church 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:33.880 who are professors 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.620 of social work 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.140 who even in the 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.860 past few months 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.699 have helped 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:38.000 not only myself 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.659 but even others 00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.159 in Toronto 00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:40.399 have given 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:41.719 expert guidance 00:20:41.719 --> 00:20:42.240 in helping 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.699 deal with situations 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.359 of rescue 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.179 and restoration 00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:46.559 regarding sexual abuse. 00:20:46.719 --> 00:20:47.659 Amazing stuff. 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.579 I'm looking around 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.099 and seeing people 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.659 who have given 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:51.119 big chunks of their time 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.019 and still are involved 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.979 with helping 00:20:52.979 --> 00:20:54.359 rescue those 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.959 who are being 00:20:54.959 --> 00:20:56.179 hurt by abortion. 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.079 I'm looking around 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.559 and seeing people 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.240 who have gone overseas 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.819 and are preparing 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.619 to go overseas again 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.579 to parts of the world 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.119 where it's illegal 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.879 to be a Christian 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:03.500 and they're risking 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.579 themselves that people 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.379 might find healing 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:05.860 and restoration 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.500 in Jesus. 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.140 I'm looking around 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.440 the room 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.000 and seeing people 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.860 who have given 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:10.040 so much of their own 00:21:10.040 --> 00:21:11.240 money and time 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.040 and even their career 00:21:12.040 --> 00:21:12.900 dreams and everything 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:13.980 to be able to bring 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.640 the gospel to Parliament Hill 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.620 and to the homeless 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.280 in our place. 00:21:17.540 --> 00:21:18.000 I'm looking around 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.680 and seeing people 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.260 in our church 00:21:19.260 --> 00:21:19.600 who are going 00:21:19.600 --> 00:21:20.820 to Jericho Road Coffeehouse 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:22.040 and not only themselves 00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:23.220 but organizing for others 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.840 to be able to share 00:21:23.840 --> 00:21:24.500 in that ministry 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.560 among the homeless. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.960 As we read these words 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.900 and see God's heart 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.500 for the poor 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.420 see his heart 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.140 for the abused 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.900 and for the hurt 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:33.720 I'm just so filled 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.280 with gratitude 00:21:34.280 --> 00:21:34.860 for what God 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.340 has been doing 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.420 intermixed as a church 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.240 and yet it's important 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.220 that we don't become 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.220 comfortable with where we're at 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.940 but that we continue 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.700 to seek God 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.720 for his heart 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.640 and we see that 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.740 as we continue reading on 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.440 as disturbing 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.240 as the image 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.460 regarding Joseph is 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.500 in verse 10 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:51.560 is the most haunting image 00:21:51.560 --> 00:21:52.720 in this chapter 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.980 and possibly all of Amos. 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.019 You'll see that 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.880 just a little further on 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.580 in the same chapter 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:57.540 in the words that Ann read 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.359 that God warns them 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.200 that he is going to 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.259 remove his people 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.819 from the land 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.579 he promised them 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:04.000 that he is going to 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.059 put them into exile 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.720 and we know that 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.960 decades later it came true 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.059 but more haunting 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.700 than any of that 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.379 is verse 10. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.859 Is there still anyone 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.379 with you? 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.059 He shall say. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.420 No. 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.480 And he shall say. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:14.920 Silence. 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.619 We must not mention 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:18.279 the name of the Lord. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.000 Now regrettably 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.819 and we know it 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:22.440 this is not a full 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.519 translation of the verse 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.680 when it says 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.099 that the Lord 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.819 all in caps 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.700 that all in caps 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.460 is an indication 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:29.200 that this is God's name 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:29.740 but it's a name 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.720 we do not know 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.480 and we do not know 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.160 how to translate. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.860 For there is no one today 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.880 in the Jewish community 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.779 in the Christian community 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.819 there's no one today 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.799 who knows 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.140 the name of the Lord. 00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.000 I am who I am. 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.600 The name that God 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.460 revealed to Moses 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.840 and gave us 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.460 his people 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.960 we have forgotten it. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.279 And when this was written 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.380 it was not a forgotten 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.180 name of God. 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:50.000 This is the most common name 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.400 in the Bible. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.519 The name others 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.360 will use all sorts of 00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.880 good righteous names of God 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.980 but the name that God uses 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.900 when he is talking 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.680 regarding himself 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.860 more than any other name 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.900 is the name that some 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:00.160 today speak of as Yahweh. 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.360 Others use the term 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:01.799 Jehovah. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.900 We know that's definitely 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.740 not how you pronounce it 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.100 because Hebrew had no 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:05.420 J. 00:23:05.560 --> 00:23:06.200 So Jehovah 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.279 that's not a thing 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.640 but people are grappling 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.539 with how to be able 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.440 to say the name of God. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.400 They have forgotten it. 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.160 We have forgotten it. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.700 And this is one of the 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.400 as far as I know 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.460 this might be the only 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.039 prophecy 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.460 that is warning 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.060 that the people 00:23:19.060 --> 00:23:20.420 are actually going to 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:22.360 begin to do what they did. 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:22.799 Silence. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.480 We must not mention 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.079 the name of the Lord. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.460 The people of God 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:27.019 their most precious gift 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.379 they had 00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:28.680 wasn't just the land 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.379 or the 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:31.539 it was the name of God. 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.539 God had revealed himself 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.139 to them. 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:35.119 And over time 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.079 we're not exactly sure when 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.000 but God's people 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.159 began to say 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.940 something that the Bible 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.399 never said. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.139 They said God's name 00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:40.659 is so holy 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.980 we must not speak it. 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.000 And so they started to call 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.099 wherever the scriptures 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.159 said the Lord 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:45.940 they would begin to 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.839 they replace it with 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.000 Hashem the name. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.940 The name 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.639 basically the name 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:50.720 that shall not be mentioned. 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.000 Just as it says right here 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.420 silence. 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.100 We must not mention 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.700 the name of the Lord. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.900 It prophesies they will say. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.079 And that's exactly 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.660 what they did. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:58.319 They began to not mention 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.019 the name of the Lord. 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.140 Hashem they called him. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.019 And over time 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.759 they forgot 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.319 how to pronounce God's name. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.160 And to this day 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.140 none of us 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:05.900 there is no one 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.740 who knows God's name. 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:08.120 Whereas some centuries 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.759 and centuries ago 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.299 we knew it. 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.799 The heartbreaking thing 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.440 about that 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.519 is not just that 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.000 it's kind of rude 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.019 if you forget someone's name. 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:15.940 I'm at camp 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.400 and I remember 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.640 in the first week 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.839 we have 70 staff 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.279 and it hit me. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.279 I know all 70 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.119 of our staff name. 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.379 Like I've done this. 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.180 And then I realized 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.579 the next day 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.099 we're giving everyone 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.660 a camp name. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.019 So I had to relearn 70 names. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.399 And so even this past week 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.139 the kids were referring 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:28.940 to their cabin leader 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.660 and I had no idea 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.480 who they're talking about. 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.579 And I'm just glad 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.480 the cabin leader wasn't there 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.359 because I had no idea 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.460 who my friend's name is. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:34.720 Right? 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.680 Like it's rude 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.639 to forget someone's name. 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.500 That's not why 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:37.960 it's heartbreaking 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.519 that we've forgotten 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:38.920 God's name 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.480 because it's just 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.019 a little rude. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.119 In the Bible 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.879 in the ancient time 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.559 a name tells the story 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.420 and the character 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.279 the personality 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.180 of who someone is. 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:46.940 It wasn't just 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.519 to differentiate 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.740 this guy from that guy 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.359 but it was to tell their story. 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.460 And in God's sharing 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:51.859 of his name 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.680 I am who I am 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.420 to his people 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.440 he had revealed 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.880 the essence of who he is. 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.319 The people of God 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.900 to this day 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:59.460 not knowing God's name 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.359 is an indication 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.099 that they hadn't simply 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.940 forgotten how to pronounce 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.420 his name 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.400 but they did not know God. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.579 They were people 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.339 of liturgy 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.059 and they were people 00:25:07.059 --> 00:25:08.079 of sacrifice 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.720 and they were people 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.559 of all this great 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.660 religious observance 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:12.279 but they did not know 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.480 who God is. 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.819 They'd forgotten it. 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.839 And you see that 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.900 in their complacency. 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.940 These people who are 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:19.400 we've read in previous weeks 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:20.580 how they were going 00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.420 down to Beersheba 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:21.740 and they're going 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.759 to Bethel and Gilgal 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:24.279 and they were singing 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.059 these hymns 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.279 these amazing words 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:28.299 regarding God's design 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.200 of the constellations. 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.720 We looked at that 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.240 a few weeks ago. 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:31.080 Amazing stuff. 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.400 But they did not know 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.779 the God of whom they sang. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.519 In church 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.700 we will be the same 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.779 if we are people 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.759 of liturgy 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.440 and of song 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.299 and of prayer 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:40.980 and all these things 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.059 but we are complacent 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.000 regarding the broken. 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.660 Because God is a God 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.160 who is anything 00:25:45.160 --> 00:25:45.860 but complacent 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:46.660 regarding the broken. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:48.340 A greatest example 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:48.840 of what it means 00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:50.180 to actually live this out 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.060 this call to care 00:25:51.060 --> 00:25:51.500 for the broken 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.840 to grieve over Joseph 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.680 to be people 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.500 not of complacency 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.240 is Jesus 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.920 who he was in his 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.440 talk about a comfortable bed 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.460 he was in his throne 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.080 in heaven 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.259 a place where there is 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.980 no heartbreak 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.580 or homelessness 00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:03.680 where there's no rebellion 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.540 where there's none 00:26:04.540 --> 00:26:05.120 of that stuff 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:06.740 where all the angels 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.300 and the elders 00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:08.400 and everyone bowed down 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.100 crying out 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:10.240 as is right and fitting 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:12.100 holy, holy, holy are you God. 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.259 And he left that 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.480 amazing, comfortable, 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.540 secure place in heaven 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.700 to enter into the midst 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.339 of the muck 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.000 and the danger 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.740 and the frailty 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.960 of the human condition 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:22.039 to be able to rescue 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.899 those who are hurting 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:24.259 to rescue us 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.200 to life in him. 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.720 He is a great example 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.099 the scriptures speak 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.619 in Philippians 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:29.720 of how he didn't 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.559 account equality 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:30.899 with God 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.779 something to be grasped 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.579 but emptied himself 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.559 making himself nothing 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.980 to bring rescue. 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.000 He's anything 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.779 but complacent 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.379 he's a God 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.119 of compassion. 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.519 The word compassion 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.019 is a combination 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.659 of the word passion 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.220 to suffer 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.220 and the C-O-M 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.859 is a prefix 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.619 which means with 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.959 compassion is to suffer 00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:46.219 with those who are suffering. 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.099 God's grieving for the poor 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.899 his compassion 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.539 for the hurting 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.859 is never just sympathy 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.599 it's never just like 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.059 oh, I'm so sorry 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.739 you're going through that 00:26:53.739 --> 00:26:54.839 but it's an action 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:56.000 he's suffering 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.819 with those who are suffering 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.859 bringing life 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.899 in him. 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.659 And so God's call 00:27:00.659 --> 00:27:01.479 to be compassionate 00:27:01.479 --> 00:27:02.379 isn't just that we're 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.139 humanitarians 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:04.639 and people of nice hearts 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.579 but that we're actually 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.779 joining those who are hurting 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:08.219 and bringing them 00:27:08.219 --> 00:27:09.239 to helping them 00:27:09.239 --> 00:27:10.179 come to know Jesus 00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:10.819 and life in him 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.539 dealing with their 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.259 their issues 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.920 physically, 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.460 spiritually, 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.119 holistically 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:14.779 that's what God's 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.440 calling us to 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.480 through these words 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.799 and Jesus is a great 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.700 example of that 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.680 but he's more than 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.440 just a great example 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.180 because it is 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.220 you can look at someone 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.000 like Mother Teresa 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.039 and you can look at someone 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.859 whoever 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.779 Martin Luther King Jr. 00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.619 any of those great 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.420 heroes of ours 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.779 and we can be inspired 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.359 by what they did 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.000 but we're not actually 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.799 inspired to action 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.420 because we know 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.700 we're not as compassionate 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.779 as those people. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.639 You look at Jesus 00:27:34.639 --> 00:27:35.779 and see how amazingly 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.680 selfless he is 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.599 and we look at our own 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.480 comfort and our own way 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.539 that we always want 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.200 to self-preserve 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.759 and keep ourselves 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.359 from discomfort 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.240 and it's like 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.599 Jesus, 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.719 great for you 00:27:43.719 --> 00:27:44.500 and we'll sing songs 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.039 about you 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.559 but like I'm not 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.219 Jesus 00:27:47.219 --> 00:27:48.059 and it's right 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.679 we're not Jesus 00:27:48.679 --> 00:27:50.219 but the great hope 00:27:50.219 --> 00:27:51.000 of the gospel 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.619 is that Jesus 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.859 is not just a great example 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:54.379 but he is our great 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.279 sacrifice 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.699 that he both 00:27:56.699 --> 00:27:57.500 through his death 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.759 brings forgiveness 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.619 for our sin 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:01.019 and where any of us 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.679 reading these words 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:03.000 see that we are those 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:04.019 who are comfortable 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.219 in our comforts 00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:06.000 and are indifferent 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.899 to those who are hurting 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.559 and we see that 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.179 there is guilt 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:09.099 and there is shame there 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:10.019 rightly so 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:11.440 that we find forgiveness 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.619 and cleansing 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.460 purification 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.660 by asking Jesus 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.259 for forgiveness 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:17.180 but his sacrifice 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:18.059 not only provides 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.039 forgiveness for our sin 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.099 the removal of shame 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:20.599 and guilt 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:22.240 but it also provides 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.440 the empowerment we need 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.359 the grace 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.240 the strength 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.980 the dynamite power of God 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.099 to become ever more 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:28.799 like him 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:30.279 to become ever more 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.319 like him 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.619 in John 17 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:33.539 Jesus' prayer 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.619 for his disciples 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.839 and all who will follow him 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.779 he says 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.819 oh righteous father 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.639 even though the world 00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.399 does not know you 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:40.159 I know you 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:41.039 and these know 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.679 that you have sent me 00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:42.659 I made known to them 00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.519 your name 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.439 and I will continue 00:28:44.439 --> 00:28:45.299 to make it known 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.099 that the love 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.179 with which you have loved me 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.079 may be in them 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.939 and I in them 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.899 as God is praying 00:28:49.899 --> 00:28:50.859 for us to be people 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:52.199 defined by love 00:28:52.199 --> 00:28:53.579 this compassionate love 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.759 he speaks of how 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.519 he has made known 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.579 to us God's name 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.779 now he didn't tell us 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.279 the pronunciation 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.959 of the name of the Lord 00:28:59.959 --> 00:29:00.720 I am who I am 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:02.500 but he did reveal to us 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.779 and make it possible 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.439 for all of us 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.340 to know personally 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:06.960 the character of God 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.120 this God of love 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:08.660 and justice 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.299 and compassion 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.220 and life 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.920 Jesus reveals to us 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.640 God's name 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.860 and one day 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:14.680 when Jesus comes back 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.420 we'll fully know 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.500 how to pronounce God's name 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.320 but on this side 00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:18.059 of eternity 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:19.000 we're able to come 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.960 to know God 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.400 as we turn to Jesus 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:23.279 and receive his gift of life 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.759 as we sang as a church 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.759 just a few minutes ago 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.840 give me eyes 00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:27.539 to see more 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.380 of who you are 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.620 may what I behold 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:31.059 still my anxious heart 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.460 take what I have known 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.960 and break it all apart 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.200 you my God 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.019 are greater still 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.559 as we sang these words 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.100 I looked around 00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:38.700 I looked at myself 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:38.940 and I thought 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:40.100 do I mean these words 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:41.200 do I want God 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.200 to actually break apart 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.799 my understanding 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.240 of who he is 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.779 and give me a real 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:46.160 understanding of who he is 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.460 a God to be loved 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.079 and adored 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.660 and worshipped 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.160 and feared 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:50.240 and committed to 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.660 do we actually want that 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:53.840 no words can say 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.759 nor song convey 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.960 the greatness of our God 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.579 the reason we long 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.240 for that 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.340 and rightly so 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.380 is that that is 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.539 where life is found 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:03.399 as scary as it may be 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:03.940 for a God 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.859 to actually show us 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:06.099 who he really is 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.299 he's not just a God 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.920 to be believed 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.480 but he's a God 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.180 to be followed 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.480 to be fully committed to 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.279 that he's a God 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.940 who calls us 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:13.220 out of our beds 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.839 of ivory 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:15.359 into a broken world 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.019 to join him 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.759 in bringing life 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.259 and healing 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.059 even as we are 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.740 scarred and hurt 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.759 in the process 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:21.659 a God who calls us 00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.559 to pick up a cross 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.680 deny ourselves 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:25.180 and die to ourselves 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:25.619 deny ourselves 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.119 and follow him 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:27.119 every single day 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.720 of our lives 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:29.000 it's not comfortable 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.119 it's anything 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:31.140 but self-preservation 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:31.960 it's just the opposite 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.960 it's throwing ourselves 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.819 into a place 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:36.220 of discomfort 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.980 and risk 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.859 but in so doing 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.539 why would anyone 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.160 do that 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.220 because it is 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:43.619 where life is found 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.519 because it is 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:46.160 the most glorious adventure 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.819 it's the most fulfilling call 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:49.019 it is life 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.960 not just the best life 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.559 a better choice 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:51.880 than others 00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:53.299 it's the only way 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.180 to live 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.579 is to walk with Jesus 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.619 he's not 00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:57.140 he's not like 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:58.380 he's not the best option 00:30:58.380 --> 00:31:00.080 he's the only option 00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:00.900 of real life 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:02.540 anything less than that 00:31:02.540 --> 00:31:03.300 you can be a person 00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:03.940 of liturgy 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:04.860 and of church 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.620 and of tithes 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.500 and all of these things 00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.240 but if you haven't actually 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.960 looked to Jesus 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.920 to be your king 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:11.340 to be the boss 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.900 of your life 00:31:11.900 --> 00:31:12.380 look to him 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:13.080 for your forgiveness 00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:14.380 as well as 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.420 look to him 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.480 to surrender 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.300 your life to him 00:31:17.300 --> 00:31:18.920 then you will live 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:19.880 your whole life 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.940 in this place 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:22.400 of empty chaos 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.420 a place you're always 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.220 trying to find 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.100 fulfillment and meaning 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:25.720 and searching 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.540 for the next pleasure 00:31:26.540 --> 00:31:27.060 and whatever 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:28.280 and never finding 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.940 satisfaction 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:30.700 if you haven't 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.379 committed your life 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:31.799 to Jesus 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.500 do not wait 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.039 any longer 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.619 would you stand 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.000 with me 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.639 and pray 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:46.079 God you are 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:47.359 so much more 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.899 than we can 00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:48.759 ever understand 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:50.160 and you are 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.859 so much more 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.960 awesome and glorious 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.059 such a greater 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.779 adventure than 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.639 anything that any 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.599 song could ever 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:55.980 convey 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.599 it is true 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:59.279 and God 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.899 we confess 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.480 that as much 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:00.980 as we know 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.519 of you 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.299 there is so 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:02.839 much more 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.519 to be known 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:05.500 Lord we look 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:05.879 to you that you 00:32:05.879 --> 00:32:06.319 would help us 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.839 not just hear 00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.259 these words 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.859 from Amos 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.599 and then go 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.000 on with our 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.240 lives 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.639 but to be 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.039 people 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:12.480 people who 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:12.959 are 00:32:12.959 --> 00:32:14.779 constantly 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.419 turning from 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:15.899 ourselves 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.299 and our 00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:17.099 self preservation 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:17.399 and our 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.039 selfishness 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:20.179 turning to you 00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:21.000 for not only 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.539 forgiveness 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:21.740 forgiveness 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.579 but also 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.319 for transformation 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.319 that you 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:24.899 would save 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.240 us from 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.740 ourselves 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.619 that you 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:27.039 would save 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.339 us from 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.079 living for 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.799 ourselves 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.639 that you 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:30.099 would save 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.399 us from 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:30.700 trying to 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.240 self preserve 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.720 with all 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.079 of our 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:34.019 fake stuff 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.920 and false 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.440 fronts 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:35.940 and lies 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.319 and all the 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.839 things to try 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.180 to keep 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.539 our own 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:37.859 image 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.759 and whatever 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.519 comfort up 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.579 but rather 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.039 God would you 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.519 help us to be 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:41.920 people 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:44.059 who are so 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.759 fully alive 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.039 in you 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.480 people 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:47.059 who know 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.379 you 00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.539 who not just 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:48.859 know the 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.420 various names 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.879 of God 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.300 you've revealed 00:32:50.300 --> 00:32:50.800 to us 00:32:50.800 --> 00:32:51.360 God the 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.840 healer 00:32:51.840 --> 00:32:52.460 God the 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:52.920 provider 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:55.120 God of 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:55.540 armies 00:32:55.540 --> 00:32:56.480 the people 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.200 who actually 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.660 are living 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.160 life with 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.420 you 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.240 the true 00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.580 and living 00:32:59.580 --> 00:32:59.980 God 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:03.060 in Jesus 00:33:03.060 --> 00:33:03.480 name 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.220 amen