WEBVTT

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 Well read and treasured in your heart, and turn with me to Psalm 115.

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 Before I read, let me remind you that this is God's Word to us.

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 It was written for His glory and our good.

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 And we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name,

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 give glory for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness.

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 Why should the nations say, where is their God?

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 Our God is in the heavens. He does all that He pleases.

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 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

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 They have mouths, but do not speak, eyes, but do not see.

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 They have ears, but do not hear, noses, but do not smell.

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 They have hands, but do not feel.

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 They have feet, but do not walk.

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 And they do not make a sound in their throat.

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 Those who make them become like them.

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 So do all who trust in them.

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 O Israel, trust in the Lord.

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 He is their help and their shield.

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 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord.

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 He is their help and their shield.

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 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord.

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 He is their help and their shield.

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 The Lord has remembered us.

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 He will bless us.

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 He will bless the house of Israel.

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 He will bless the house of Aaron.

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 He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.

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 May the Lord give you increase, you and your children.

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 May you be blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth.

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 The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.

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 The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.

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 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

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 Praise the Lord.

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 This is one of the psalms sung by the Jews at the feast of the Passover.

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 Which likely means that it was sung by our Lord on the night that he was betrayed and arrested.

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 It is not certain who or at what time this psalm was penned.

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 And therefore I'll refer to its writer as the psalmist from here on.

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 But we can, however, see from its contents that the occasion for its writing is summed up in the question of verse 2.

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 Why should the nation say, where is their God?

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 It would seem that God's people have once again found themselves afflicted.

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 And the psalmist implores God to make himself known for the sake of his name.

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 In the midst of their suffering, whatever that was, whatever the occasion was.

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 The psalmist does not wish that God's people would be given glory.

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 That their name would be made great.

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 But that God would be given glory.

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 That he would be beheld as the loving and faithful God that he is.

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 The psalmist writes in verse 1,

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 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

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 The psalmist pleads with God to act.

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 Not on any merit of God's people as they have none.

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 But rather on the merit of God's character and zeal for his own glory.

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 John Calvin in writing concerning verse 1 of Psalm 115 said,

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 This is a point to which we ought carefully to attend.

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 That altogether, unworthy as we are of God's regard,

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 we may cherish the hope of being saved by him.

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 From the respect that he has for the glory of his name.

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 And from his having adopted us on condition of never forsaking us.

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 The psalmist answers the question,

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 Where is there God?

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 With confident and holy derision in verse 3.

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 He writes,

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 Our God is in the heavens.

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 He does all that he pleases.

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 God is in a place where he cannot be seen.

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 But all of his loving kindness and faithfulness toward mankind can be seen.

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 And he does all that he pleases.

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 What an astounding statement that is.

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 What a limitless statement.

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 Our God does all that he pleases.

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 If God wills that something should happen, it happens.

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 If he does not intend for something to happen, it will not happen.

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 Beloved, this reality is such a comfort to the afflicted church.

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 The church militant.

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 Nothing happens apart from God's providence.

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 Nothing.

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 We worship the one true and living God.

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 There are no other gods.

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 And the psalmist is going to show us the futility of worshiping any other than our God.

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 But before we consider verses 4 and following,

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 I want to show you something about the structure of Psalm 115.

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 We've looked at verses 1 through 3 in brief.

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 Verse 1.

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 The psalmist makes an appeal for God himself to glorify himself.

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 For him to act in a way that brings his name honor.

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 In verse 2, we see this expression of wickedness.

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 The wicked, the nations say, where is your God?

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 And in verse 3, we see a declaration of God's place, where he is.

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 He's in the heavens and of his power.

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 He's sovereign.

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 He does whatever he pleases.

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 Now look at verses 16, 17, and 18.

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 We find these three points made in verses 1, 2, and 3 in reverse in verses 16, 17, and 18

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 with some small variations.

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 In verse 16, so track me backwards,

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 we see a declaration of God's place.

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 The heavens are God's heavens.

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 With the addition of man's place, right?

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 It's granted to him by God.

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 So man is in the earth.

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 The earth has been given to man.

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 In verse 17, we see.

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 In verse 2, the wicked ask this wicked question.

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 Here we see that they do not worship God at all.

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 In no way at all do they worship God.

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 And then verse 18, in verse 1,

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 there is an appeal for God to glorify himself.

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 But in verse 18, we see that God's people are meant to,

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 are created to, ascribe glory to God in the praise of him.

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 So you see how it's reflexive in that way.

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 So in verses 1 through 3, we see the sovereignty of God

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 bringing about the praise of his name.

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 And in verses 16 through 18, we see, as God's people,

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 our image-bearing responsibility to do the same.

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 There is much talk today about finding God's purpose for your life.

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 Here it is in this text.

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 That we would bring him great glory.

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 That we would leverage all that we have and do

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 in order to show God more as he is.

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 You are never more as God intended you to be

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 than when you are working in his strength

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 for the praise of his name.

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 You are never further from God's intention for you

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 when you are worshiping lesser things.

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 These two sets of three verses each serve as an inclusion.

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 There's a literary term for you today.

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 As an inclusion bookends for verses 4 through 15.

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 And they bookend a juxtaposition between the worship of false gods

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 and the strong confidence that we can have

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 in worshiping the one true and living God.

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 So, this has been my prayer for you this morning.

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 If you are of the nations,

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 one of those who do not belong to God,

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 who worship the creation rather than the creator,

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 my prayer for you is that you will behold

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 the steadfast love and faithfulness of God this morning

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 toward his people,

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 and that you will be moved to place saving faith

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 in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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 If you are of God's people,

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 if you have placed saving faith

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 in the person and work of Jesus Christ,

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 my prayer for you is that you will behold

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 the steadfast love and faithfulness of God

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 afresh this morning,

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 and that he will show you how inclined you still are

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 to worship at the feet of the creation.

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 Having been adopted into the family of God,

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 how likely you are to turn back from him

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 to lesser forms of worship.

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 So, in order to do that,

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 in two points,

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 number one, verses four through 15,

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 the futility of false gods,

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 and number two,

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 the glory of the one true and living God.

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 So, number one,

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 the futility or uselessness of false gods.

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 Look what the psalmist says about them.

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 Their idols, the nation's idols,

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 are silver and gold,

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 the work of human hands.

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 Idols are created things.

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 The psalmist tells us in verse four,

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 they are the work of human hands.

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 They are made of precious metals in this case,

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 the specific idols he's referring to,

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 but they are made all the same.

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 And he goes on and he elaborates this point

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 with accusations of their uselessness.

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 Verse five, beginning,

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 they have mouths,

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 but they do not speak.

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 These graven images have the image of a mouth,

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 but they say nothing.

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 Genesis chapter one tells of God creating the world

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 with mighty words.

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 But idols are dumb.

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 They can utter nothing.

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 They cannot speak words of promise

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 or encouragement or warning.

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 They have, verse five,

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 eyes, but do not see.

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 When Hagar is told by an angel of the Lord

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 that she will bear a son,

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 it is recorded in Genesis 16, 13.

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 So she called the name of the Lord

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 who spoke to her.

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 You are a God of seeing.

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 For she said,

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 truly here I have seen him

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 who looks after me,

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 who is caring for us

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 as he observes us

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 and then interacts with us.

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 It is a contradiction altogether

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 to have a God who cannot see.

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 Verse six,

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 they have ears,

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 but they do not hear.

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 There is no sense

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 in offering up prayers

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 to a God that cannot hear your prayers.

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 Exodus 2, 24

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 records that God heard their groaning

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 and God remembered His covenant

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 with Abraham, with Isaac,

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 and with Jacob.

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 Our God is a God who hears.

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 Idols hear nothing.

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 On in verse six further,

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 they have noses,

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 but do not smell.

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 This is likely a reference

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 to God's acceptance of sacrifice.

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 Genesis 8, 21 records,

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 verse 7,

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 and when the Lord smelled

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 the pleasing aroma

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 of the sacrifice,

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 the Lord said in His heart,

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 I will never again curse the ground

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 because of man,

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 for the intention of man's heart

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 is evil from his youth.

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 Neither will I again

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 strike down every living creature

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 as I have done.

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 A God who cannot smell

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 cannot receive

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 an acceptable sacrifice.

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 Verse 7,

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 they have hands,

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 but do not feel.

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 False gods cannot sympathize

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 with our weakness,

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 nor can they bring us comfort.

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 The writer of Hebrews,

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 in Hebrews 4, 15 says,

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 for we do not have a high priest

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 who is unable to sympathize

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 with our weaknesses,

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 but one who in every respect

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 has been tempted as we are,

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 yet without sin.

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 Our God became a man

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 in order that He might

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 sympathize with us,

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 understand our suffering,

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 and come to us in it.

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 Further in verse 7,

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 they have feet,

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 but they do not walk.

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 False gods have no activity.

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 They just sit.

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 The one true and living God

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 does all that He pleases.

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 But false gods do nothing.

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 Isaiah 41, 7,

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 the craftsman strengthens

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 the goldsmith,

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 and he who smooths

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 with the hammer,

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 him who strikes the anvil,

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 saying of the soldering,

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 it is good,

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 and they strengthen it

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 with nails

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 so that it cannot be moved.

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 The idol gets nailed down

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 to the floor

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 so it cannot be taken.

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 They have feet,

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 but they do not walk,

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 and they do not make a sound.

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 In their throat.

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 More literally, I think,

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 they do not muse.

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 They do not have thought.

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 False gods are lifeless

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 and useless.

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 This is a comprehensive charge list.

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 There are seven charges

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 that are being made here.

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 Idols are utterly useless,

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 useless,

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 and the worship of them

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 is an exercise

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 in futility.

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 In studying these charges

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 against false gods,

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 my mind was drawn

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 to the taunting words

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 of Elijah

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 to the prophets of Baal.

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 You may recall

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 1 Kings 18, 27

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:10.000
 from our reading together

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.000
 not too long ago.

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.340
 Elijah says,

00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:13.780
 I'm sorry,

00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.400
 that's in the future.

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.540
 It's been one of those weeks.

00:16:17.540 --> 00:16:19.840
 He says to the prophets of Baal,

00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:22.200
 cry aloud,

00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.660
 for he is a God.

00:16:25.660 --> 00:16:27.420
 Either he is musing,

00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.759
 or he is relieving himself,

00:16:30.280 --> 00:16:31.700
 or he is on a journey,

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.399
 or perhaps he is asleep

00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.860
 and must be awakened.

00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:39.759
 False gods have nothing

00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:42.160
 to offer us.

00:16:43.280 --> 00:16:44.500
 But the psalmist continues

00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:47.160
 by telling us in verse 8,

00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:49.659
 those who make them

00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:51.799
 become like them.

00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:55.399
 So do all who trust in them.

00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:59.799
 This is the one-two punch

00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.419
 of the point

00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.019
 that the psalmist

00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.819
 is trying to make

00:17:01.819 --> 00:17:05.059
 about false gods.

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.319
 Let me elaborate on that

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.059
 a bit more.

00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:10.000
 There's lots of this kind of language

00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.519
 in the Scripture

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:12.259
 about having eyes

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.099
 but not seeing,

00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:15.460
 and ears but not hearing.

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:17.140
 Let me give you a couple

00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:18.700
 of examples of this.

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.920
 Jeremiah 5,

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:22.200
 21-24.

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.740
 God says,

00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.180
 Hear this,

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.660
 O foolish and senseless people,

00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.940
 who have eyes

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.940
 but see not,

00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:29.299
 who have ears

00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.720
 but hear not.

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.620
 Do you not fear me,

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.360
 declares the Lord?

00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:35.140
 Do you not tremble before me?

00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.779
 I place the sands

00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:38.000
 as the boundary of the sea,

00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:39.240
 a perpetual barrier

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.519
 that it cannot pass.

00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:42.480
 Though the waves toss,

00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.539
 they cannot prevail.

00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:44.660
 Though they roar,

00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.320
 they cannot pass over it.

00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:47.660
 But this people

00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.460
 has a stubborn

00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.820
 and rebellious heart.

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.340
 They have turned aside

00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.259
 and gone away.

00:17:52.800 --> 00:17:53.420
 They do not say

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.920
 in their hearts,

00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:55.300
 Let us fear the Lord our God

00:17:55.300 --> 00:17:56.080
 who gives the rain

00:17:56.080 --> 00:17:56.700
 in its season,

00:17:56.800 --> 00:17:57.660
 the autumn rain

00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:59.120
 and the spring rain,

00:17:59.300 --> 00:18:00.380
 and keeps for us

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.900
 the weeks appointed

00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:03.340
 for the harvest.

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.140
 But God says

00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.740
 to people of Israel,

00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.920
 as rebellious people of Israel,

00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:10.900
 You have failed to see me

00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.880
 as the creator,

00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:12.700
 as the emphasis

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.400
 that He's making

00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.600
 throughout this passage

00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.500
 in Jeremiah.

00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:17.759
 Who has held the sea

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.559
 in its boundaries?

00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.759
 Who set the shore?

00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:21.279
 And no matter how hard

00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.640
 the sea tries,

00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.539
 it cannot come past

00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.160
 the place

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.980
 I have told it.

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.400
 I give the rain

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:29.700
 in its season,

00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:31.360
 the autumn and the spring.

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.440
 I schedule out

00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.740
 when the harvest

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.680
 will happen.

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.140
 Verse 21 says,

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.160
 You are a foolish

00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:39.200
 and senseless people.

00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.279
 Have eyes,

00:18:40.340 --> 00:18:41.019
 but do not see.

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.060
 Have ears,

00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:43.360
 but hear not.

00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.300
 You are like

00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:45.820
 the very things

00:18:45.820 --> 00:18:47.300
 that you worship.

00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.500
 Another place,

00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:51.500
 Ezekiel 12, 2.

00:18:52.820 --> 00:18:53.660
 Son of man,

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.920
 you dwell in the midst

00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:56.880
 of a rebellious house,

00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:58.740
 who have eyes to see,

00:18:58.860 --> 00:18:59.660
 but see not,

00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.440
 who have ears to hear,

00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:02.880
 but hear not,

00:19:03.300 --> 00:19:06.840
 for they are a rebellious house.

00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:10.180
 All of us

00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:12.640
 were once these people.

00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:14.700
 Eyes that did not see.

00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:17.840
 Ears that did not hear.

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.620
 Praise God

00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.519
 that by His Spirit

00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.980
 He works faith

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:24.960
 in blind and deaf people.

00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:27.640
 We once were blind,

00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.259
 but now we see.

00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.180
 We once were deaf.

00:19:31.300 --> 00:19:32.500
 I'm going outside the song now,

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.300
 but now we hear.

00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:37.140
 In Matthew chapter 13,

00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:40.080
 verses 11 and following,

00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.400
 Jesus responds

00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.140
 to the apostles

00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.960
 asking why He speaks

00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.420
 in parables,

00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:46.420
 and He says this,

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:49.140
 To you it has been given

00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:50.360
 to know the secrets

00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.900
 of the kingdom of heaven,

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.360
 but to them

00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:55.100
 it has not been given.

00:19:55.800 --> 00:19:56.740
 For to the one who has,

00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.420
 more will be given,

00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:59.180
 and he will have an abundance,

00:19:59.300 --> 00:20:00.660
 but from the one who has not,

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.680
 even what he has

00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:03.160
 will be taken away.

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:05.680
 This is why I speak to them

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.700
 in parables,

00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.900
 because seeing,

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.420
 they do not see,

00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.840
 and hearing,

00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.460
 they do not hear,

00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:15.300
 nor do they understand.

00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.500
 Indeed, in their case,

00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:19.120
 the prophecy of Isaiah

00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.740
 is fulfilled that says,

00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:23.000
 and this is Isaiah 6, 9, and 10,

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.720
 you will indeed hear,

00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:25.900
 but never understand,

00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.480
 and you will indeed see,

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.920
 but never perceive.

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.960
 For this people's heart

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.779
 has grown dull,

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.799
 and with their ears

00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:34.140
 they can barely hear,

00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.099
 and their eyes

00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.359
 they have closed.

00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.720
 Lest they should see

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.519
 with their eyes,

00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.680
 and hear with their ears,

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.119
 and understand with their heart,

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.880
 and turn,

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.440
 and I would heal them.

00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:46.500
 But blessed are your eyes,

00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.480
 for they see,

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.100
 and your ears,

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.240
 for they hear.

00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.440
 For truly,

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.680
 I say to you,

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.120
 many prophets

00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.240
 and righteous people

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.259
 long to see

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.240
 what you see

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.960
 and did not see it,

00:20:59.200 --> 00:20:59.900
 and to hear

00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:01.059
 what you hear

00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:04.080
 and did not hear it.

00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.580
 Oh, beloved,

00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:08.420
 we have much reason

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.360
 to praise God

00:21:09.360 --> 00:21:10.180
 for his grace

00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:12.120
 to us in Christ.

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:14.279
 He has caused us

00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:16.159
 to be born again.

00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.139
 He has given us

00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:18.959
 our sight,

00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.819
 and given us

00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:21.439
 the ability to hear.

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.839
 He had made us

00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:24.699
 not like idolaters

00:21:24.699 --> 00:21:26.299
 any longer.

00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:28.359
 He's restored in us

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.759
 our imago Dei,

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.899
 our willingness

00:21:30.899 --> 00:21:31.879
 and our ability

00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:33.119
 to praise him

00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:34.559
 and worship him

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.719
 as we should.

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.059
 Now,

00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:40.579
 most of us

00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.059
 I would presume

00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:43.079
 to think all of us

00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.299
 do not find ourselves

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.220
 in a position

00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.919
 to bow down

00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:48.460
 to carved images.

00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.139
 I did not grow up

00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.799
 in a house

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.039
 where as a follower

00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.759
 of Jesus Christ

00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.759
 I had to neglect

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.480
 the shrine

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.399
 that was held

00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.039
 someplace.

00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.199
 However,

00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.899
 the Bible

00:21:59.899 --> 00:22:01.199
 is relentless

00:22:01.199 --> 00:22:03.159
 about the idolatry

00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:04.779
 of our hearts

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.839
 because we were created

00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.539
 to worship

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:09.259
 God alone.

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.180
 and idolatry

00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.740
 takes all

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.640
 types

00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.079
 of forms.

00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.480
 God says to his people,

00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.279
 good command,

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.160
 a command we need

00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.500
 to keep,

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.920
 Exodus 23,

00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.119
 you shall have

00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.740
 no other gods

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:24.180
 before me.

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.720
 Charles Spurgeon said,

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.500
 and this is on your bulletin

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.680
 if you want to look at it,

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.019
 if you love anything

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:31.420
 better than God,

00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:33.279
 you are idolaters.

00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.460
 I'll repeat that part of it.

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.680
 If you love anything

00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.960
 better than God,

00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.700
 you are idolaters.

00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.460
 If there is anything

00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.860
 you would not give up

00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.500
 for God,

00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:45.840
 it is your idol.

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.340
 If there is anything

00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:48.039
 that you seek

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.360
 with greater fervor

00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.100
 than you seek

00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:51.480
 the glory of God,

00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:54.120
 that is your idol.

00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.000
 And conversion

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.579
 means a turning

00:22:57.579 --> 00:23:00.740
 from every idol.

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:02.460
 It means that we take

00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.500
 all things

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.120
 and count them

00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.819
 as loss

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:06.500
 for their surpassing

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.980
 worth

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.900
 of knowing

00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.180
 Jesus Christ,

00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.599
 our Lord.

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.460
 And beloved,

00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.120
 our hearts

00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:14.960
 are so inclined

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.579
 to idolatry.

00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.799
 And I believe

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.180
 that Satan

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.819
 loves nothing more

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.720
 than to get

00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.559
 in the mix

00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.880
 and have us

00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:24.140
 be acceptable

00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:25.420
 of our idolatry.

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.220
 To think,

00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:26.759
 yeah, yeah,

00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.220
 Jesus,

00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.079
 and,

00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.419
 I can still have,

00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.500
 I can still enjoy,

00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:32.279
 I can still do,

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.379
 and in that

00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:35.000
 we so regularly

00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.539
 put those things

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.279
 in places

00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.639
 of prominence

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.460
 in our lives.

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.500
 Most of us,

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:41.939
 again,

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.720
 I would dare say

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.699
 all of us,

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.500
 don't have a closet

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.259
 in our home

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.359
 with a shrine set up,

00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:48.659
 a thing that we bow to.

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.799
 It's not so on the surface

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.240
 for us,

00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.500
 but it's rather

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.619
 more about

00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:56.159
 the attitudes

00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:57.220
 and the intentions

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.819
 of our heart.

00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.339
 What are your

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.460
 affections

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.559
 set on?

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.900
 What do you seek,

00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.579
 as Spurgeon said,

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.900
 with fervor?

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.620
 What do you talk about?

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.319
 What do you spend

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.519
 your money on?

00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.779
 Where is your time

00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:12.299
 aimed at?

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.339
 If it's not

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.799
 the glory of God,

00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.319
 then it's an idol.

00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.600
 An idol is anything

00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.600
 that we place

00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:23.700
 as the primary focus

00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:25.360
 of our lives.

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:27.099
 And we regularly

00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.599
 take good things,

00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.659
 good things,

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.500
 meant to be good,

00:24:30.719 --> 00:24:31.339
 meant to be given

00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:33.119
 as gifts from the creator

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.639
 for our enjoyment.

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.559
 And we make them idols

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.619
 by loving them

00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:40.139
 above God himself.

00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:42.359
 And this comes out of us

00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.399
 in all kinds

00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:45.359
 of ugly ways.

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.679
 Let me give you

00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:47.339
 just some examples

00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.539
 of some things

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.959
 that can be good,

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.699
 but can be idols

00:24:51.699 --> 00:24:52.719
 in your life.

00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.579
 security.

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.380
 Feeling safe

00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.680
 can be an idol

00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.380
 in your life.

00:24:59.079 --> 00:24:59.880
 Material possessions

00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.940
 of all kinds.

00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.059
 Aren't we Americans?

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.120
 Revving up

00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:05.319
 into Christmas season.

00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.400
 Really watch our hearts,

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:07.799
 beloved.

00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.259
 What is it

00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.920
 that we worship?

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.680
 Knowledge.

00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.900
 Knowledge can be

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.839
 an idol in your life.

00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.620
 You can worship

00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.980
 how much you know

00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:18.240
 or how much you don't know

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.960
 but want to know.

00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:22.799
 your political ideology

00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.840
 can be an idol

00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.840
 in your life.

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:27.180
 Having control

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.319
 of the situation

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.519
 can be an idol

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.299
 in your life.

00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:31.980
 Comfort

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.180
 and leisure

00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.740
 can be idols.

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.100
 Good health

00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:38.500
 can be an idol.

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.100
 Hear me,

00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.720
 those of you,

00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.259
 our family included,

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.019
 who strive

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.940
 to be healthy

00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.980
 and to eat healthy,

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.180
 this can become

00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.620
 idolatry for us.

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:49.319
 pleasure,

00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.839
 success,

00:25:51.399 --> 00:25:53.439
 our physical appearance.

00:25:54.219 --> 00:25:54.619
 Guys,

00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.239
 I know some of you

00:25:55.239 --> 00:25:56.419
 really want to be swole.

00:25:56.679 --> 00:25:57.779
 That could be idolatry.

00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.799
 Your ambition

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:03.079
 and dare I even say

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.519
 your family

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:06.479
 seems to be

00:26:06.479 --> 00:26:07.000
 the last

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.599
 acceptable idol

00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.339
 often

00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.699
 in the church.

00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.399
 Anything

00:26:11.399 --> 00:26:12.699
 that's placed above

00:26:12.699 --> 00:26:14.000
 the prominence

00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.579
 of God

00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.779
 in our lives

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.680
 can be an idol.

00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:18.740
 And beloved,

00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.200
 it comes at us

00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:21.639
 from all directions

00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:23.099
 all the time.

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.839
 The Christian life

00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.859
 is meant to be a life

00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.879
 of repentance

00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.700
 and faith

00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.920
 turning from

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.579
 our sinful idolatry

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.639
 into God.

00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.980
 We will not be done

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.399
 with this

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.420
 in this lifetime.

00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.279
 But,

00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.339
 I can tell you,

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.460
 by faith,

00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:39.059
 by the grace of God,

00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.319
 we can get better.

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:42.379
 We can improve

00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:42.839
 upon

00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:44.539
 true worship

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.179
 of the one

00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:46.619
 living God.

00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.779
 We can

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.619
 put away

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:50.299
 our idolatry.

00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.799
 And I want to show you

00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.740
 just a little bit,

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.379
 just a brief glimpse

00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.559
 of how it is

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.039
 that we

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.319
 identify idolatry

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.819
 in our lives

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.339
 and how it is

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.179
 that God works

00:26:59.179 --> 00:27:01.039
 to strip idolatry

00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:03.399
 out of our lives

00:27:03.399 --> 00:27:05.279
 by looking at

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.399
 James chapter 4.

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.419
 So mark somehow

00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:08.480
 Psalm 115,

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.680
 your finger,

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.299
 bookmark it,

00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:11.740
 and turn to

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:13.180
 James chapter 4.

00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.059
 In verse 1,

00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.140
 James asks

00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:38.339
 an astounding question.

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.579
 What causes

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.960
 quarrels

00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.519
 and what causes

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.460
 fights

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.799
 among you?

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.819
 What causes

00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.860
 our relational

00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.819
 disagreements?

00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.839
 And this isn't

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.620
 necessarily

00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:53.680
 just what's happening

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.720
 inside of a church

00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.140
 fellowship.

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.860
 This is with

00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.660
 our spouses.

00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.000
 This is with

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.960
 our co-workers.

00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.660
 This is with

00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.640
 the guy that pulls

00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.480
 out in front of you

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.360
 on the road.

00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.400
 What's causing

00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.200
 the quarrels

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.960
 and causing

00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.180
 the fights

00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:09.420
 among you?

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:10.920
 And he says this,

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.100
 is it not this

00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:14.180
 that your passions

00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.980
 are at war

00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.080
 within you?

00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.580
 Your passions.

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.880
 Things that you

00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:21.680
 desire to have

00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:24.019
 and it's not

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.660
 being had the way

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.620
 you want it to be

00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.180
 had.

00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.900
 And so

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:30.299
 things happen

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.960
 as a result

00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.519
 of that.

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.740
 anxiety

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.119
 or anger

00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:34.599
 which we

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.500
 mask with

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.359
 terms like

00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.960
 frustration

00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.759
 and stress.

00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.420
 These are not

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:41.900
 things that

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.859
 God's people

00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.599
 are meant to be

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.259
 living in.

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:44.799
 These are not

00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:46.139
 emotions that are

00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:47.319
 meant to be felt

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.920
 by God's

00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.680
 people.

00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.420
 Your passions

00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:53.039
 are at war

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.339
 within you.

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.160
 Verse 2,

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.880
 you desire

00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.480
 and do not

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.080
 have

00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:58.460
 so you

00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:58.980
 murder

00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.800
 your anger

00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.540
 in your heart.

00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:02.100
 You covet

00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:02.860
 and cannot

00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.400
 obtain

00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.160
 so you

00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:04.700
 fight

00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.800
 and you

00:29:05.800 --> 00:29:06.259
 quarrel.

00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.860
 You do not

00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.200
 have

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.519
 because you

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.240
 don't ask.

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.360
 You ask

00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:10.700
 and do not

00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.019
 receive

00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.460
 because you

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.360
 ask wrongly

00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:12.980
 to spend

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.540
 it on

00:29:13.540 --> 00:29:14.420
 your passions.

00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.380
 You don't

00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:15.740
 aim these

00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.080
 things at

00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.380
 the glory

00:29:16.380 --> 00:29:16.779
 of God.

00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.140
 You aim

00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.519
 them at

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:19.259
 your self.

00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:20.500
 You

00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.440
 adulterous

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.200
 people.

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.000
 So here's

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.279
 a people

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.920
 turning back

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.220
 from their

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.660
 God

00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.540
 to their

00:29:25.540 --> 00:29:25.880
 idols.

00:29:26.300 --> 00:29:26.420
 Right?

00:29:26.620 --> 00:29:27.060
 This is

00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.540
 in our

00:29:27.540 --> 00:29:28.500
 Bible reading.

00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:28.759
 We've been

00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:28.940
 in the

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.360
 book of

00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.279
 Judges.

00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:31.540
 We've just

00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:31.940
 gotten through

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.259
 the book

00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.320
 of Judges.

00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.000
 And you

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.279
 see a

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.720
 people

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.019
 devoting

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.279
 themselves

00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.600
 in worship

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.100
 to God.

00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.640
 Things get

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.100
 restored.

00:29:38.300 --> 00:29:38.540
 A judge

00:29:38.540 --> 00:29:39.019
 comes along

00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.460
 and sorts

00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.100
 things out.

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.720
 And then

00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.660
 how quickly

00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:41.940
 do they

00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.640
 go back

00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.300
 to the

00:29:43.300 --> 00:29:43.700
 idols

00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.140
 of the

00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.460
 land?

00:29:44.580 --> 00:29:45.060
 They go

00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.700
 back to

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:45.840
 the

00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.440
 Canaanite

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.320
 Baals

00:29:47.320 --> 00:29:48.120
 to worship

00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.560
 them once

00:29:48.560 --> 00:29:48.800
 again.

00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:49.060
 That's

00:29:49.060 --> 00:29:49.220
 what's

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.560
 happening

00:29:49.560 --> 00:29:49.940
 here.

00:29:50.040 --> 00:29:50.120
 You

00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.920
 adulterous

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:50.920


00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.720
 People!

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.180
 Do you

00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.540
 not know

00:29:53.540 --> 00:29:54.000
 that friendship

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.359
 with the

00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:54.619
 world

00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.319
 is enmity

00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:55.980
 with God?

00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:56.859
 Therefore

00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.500
 whoever wishes

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:57.880
 to be a

00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.180
 friend of

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.599
 the world

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.819
 makes himself

00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:00.700
 an enemy

00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.839
 of God.

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.299
 As people

00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.640
 who have been

00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.619
 delivered by

00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.000
 God,

00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.480
 who are

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.200
 his people,

00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.240
 we are so

00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:08.140
 very apt

00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.820
 to do

00:30:08.820 --> 00:30:09.200
 this.

00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.480
 Let me

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:14.520
 to make

00:30:14.520 --> 00:30:14.960
 the point.

00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:16.060
 I had

00:30:16.060 --> 00:30:16.420
 another

00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:16.880
 example

00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.640
 in mind

00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.400
 at this

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.700
 point in

00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.040
 the sermon,

00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:20.160
 but I

00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.620
 thought because

00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:20.840
 it was

00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.360
 yesterday,

00:30:21.520 --> 00:30:21.840
 it was a

00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.120
 better

00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.860
 example.

00:30:24.840 --> 00:30:25.500
 This was a

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.000
 really tiring

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.560
 week for me.

00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.200
 It was an

00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.660
 exhausting

00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.280
 week.

00:30:28.540 --> 00:30:29.380
 A great

00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:29.720
 week,

00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:30.080
 but it was

00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:30.400
 a go,

00:30:30.520 --> 00:30:30.700
 go,

00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:31.020
 go,

00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:31.680
 go week.

00:30:31.780 --> 00:30:32.380
 We had

00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.160
 across two

00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.460
 days,

00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:33.900
 three different

00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.259
 Thanksgiving

00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.519
 events.

00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.740
 On Friday,

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.200
 I've got

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.119
 family from

00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.500
 in town.

00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:38.819
 Chris is

00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:38.960
 going to

00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.259
 come share

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.539
 with us

00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.160
 in just a

00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.259
 moment at

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:41.440
 the end

00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:41.579
 of the

00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:41.940
 service.

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.039
 We decided

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.539
 to do some

00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:44.980
 work out

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.160
 of my

00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.420
 parents'

00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:45.819
 property.

00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.059
 They had

00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.619
 a huge

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:46.960
 oak tree

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.440
 come down.

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:47.599
 It was

00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.079
 like four

00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:48.460
 oak trees

00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:48.759
 it seemed

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.839
 like from

00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.180
 that wind

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.539
 storm.

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.240
 We used

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.720
 chainsaw

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:51.980
 all day.

00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.180
 I was

00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.879
 really sore,

00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.799
 really tired

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.480
 at the end

00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.000
 of all that.

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:55.779
 Saturday,

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.359
 I worked

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.920
 up here

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.279
 trying to

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.640
 get ready

00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.519
 for this

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.940
 morning.

00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.759
 All I

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.079
 wanted to

00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.339
 do was

00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:00.839
 sleep or

00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.400
 soak in

00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.660
 a hot

00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:01.920
 tub.

00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.340
 I was

00:31:03.340 --> 00:31:03.779
 tired.

00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:04.480
 Saturday

00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:04.960
 evening,

00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.519
 the plan

00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:05.880
 was to

00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:06.360
 go home

00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:06.620
 and put

00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:06.840
 our

00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.160
 Christmas

00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.420
 tree

00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:07.660
 up.

00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.140
 Put our

00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:08.420
 tree up

00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:08.620
 at the

00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.320
 house and

00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:09.759
 spend some

00:31:09.759 --> 00:31:10.100
 time

00:31:10.100 --> 00:31:11.240
 decorating

00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.580
 it,

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.360
 watching

00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:13.600
 elf and

00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:13.920
 drinking

00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.100
 cider while

00:31:15.100 --> 00:31:15.360
 we put

00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:15.860
 together the

00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:16.200
 tree.

00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:17.940
 A good

00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:18.380
 plan,

00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.019
 an enjoyable

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.660
 time to

00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.259
 spend with

00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.700
 the family.

00:31:21.300 --> 00:31:22.560
 I was

00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.140
 frustrated

00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:23.840
 because I

00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:24.420
 really wanted

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:24.660
 to be

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.060
 comfortable.

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:25.900
 I just

00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.400
 really wanted

00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:26.840
 comfort.

00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.720
 I wanted

00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.279
 to be done

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.560
 with the

00:31:28.560 --> 00:31:29.380
 project of

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:29.660
 it all.

00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:30.519
 Our

00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:30.759
 Christmas

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.259
 tree stand

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.540
 has been

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.079
 a frustration

00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:32.559
 to me.

00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.619
 It's not

00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:33.940
 a stand

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.220
 I have

00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.619
 particularly

00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.480
 enjoyed

00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.000
 across the

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.279
 years.

00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:36.940
 I go

00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:37.220
 through all

00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.539
 the work

00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:37.819
 though,

00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:38.119
 get the

00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.480
 tree trimmed

00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:38.720
 up,

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.039
 get it put

00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.359
 together,

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.799
 get it in

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.259
 the house,

00:31:40.379 --> 00:31:40.799
 water in

00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.139
 the tree,

00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:41.740
 get the

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.119
 lights on

00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.559
 the tree,

00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.159
 and I

00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:43.519
 look down

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:43.859
 and there's

00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.539
 a puddle

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:44.920
 on the

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.200
 floor,

00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:46.460
 and the

00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.259
 stand was

00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.779
 cracked.

00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.539
 Apparently,

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.180
 I hit it

00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.500
 with a hammer

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.899
 a little too

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.220
 hard,

00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:50.819
 and I cracked

00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.159
 the bottom

00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:51.460
 of it,

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:51.740
 and it was

00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.039
 leaking

00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.559
 everywhere.

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:52.960
 So,

00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.159
 we had to

00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.559
 take the

00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.220
 tree with

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.680
 the stand

00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.059
 now with

00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.599
 water in it

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:01.819
 standoff,

00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.680
 discover what's

00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:02.980
 wrong with

00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.139
 it,

00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:03.779
 go to

00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.480
 Walmart on

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.819
 a Saturday

00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.519
 night in

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:05.879
 Gainesville,

00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.139
 which is

00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:06.619
 super fun,

00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:07.700
 buy a new

00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.559
 tree stand,

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.099
 come back,

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:10.940
 put the whole

00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.539
 thing back up

00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:11.899
 again,

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.399
 go through the

00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:12.700
 process.

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.460
 So,

00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.139
 you're picturing

00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:14.960
 what's going

00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.299
 on.

00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.059
 We have

00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.559
 little ones

00:32:16.559 --> 00:32:17.079
 running around

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.299
 who are

00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.599
 bouncing,

00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.220
 jumping off

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.519
 things,

00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.180
 really excited

00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:19.619
 that the

00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:20.099
 tree's back

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.319
 in the

00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.879
 house now,

00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:23.299
 and Sam,

00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:23.759
 with a great

00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.139
 deal of

00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:25.460
 foresight and

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.279
 thoughtfulness,

00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.000
 had already

00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.680
 gotten a cup

00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:28.099
 of water.

00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.720
 She's concerned

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.920
 about now

00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:30.680
 water being back

00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.299
 in the stands,

00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.639
 so the tree

00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:32.399
 doesn't die.

00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.119
 So,

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.440
 she brought

00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:33.819
 this big

00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.119
 cup of

00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:34.359
 water,

00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:34.619
 and she

00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:34.899
 set it

00:32:34.899 --> 00:32:35.240
 down next

00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:35.440
 to the

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:35.619
 edge of

00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.059
 the couch,

00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.599
 and then

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.059
 she stepped

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:37.419
 back to

00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:37.779
 make sure I

00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.039
 was getting

00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.359
 the tree

00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:38.720
 right,

00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.399
 and our

00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:39.899
 one-and-a-half

00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:40.379
 year old

00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.079
 walked along

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.419
 and kicked

00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:41.720
 the cup

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.039
 of water

00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.379
 over.

00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:43.039
 So,

00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:43.359
 in the

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.200
 place that

00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:44.740
 we had

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.000
 already

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.379
 cleaned up

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:45.659
 water,

00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.019
 now there

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.259
 was a

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.440
 whole

00:32:46.440 --> 00:32:46.619
 other

00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:46.859
 cup

00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:47.259
 of water

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.579
 on the

00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:47.859
 floor,

00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.680
 and I

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.180
 went,

00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.379
 really,

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.099
 in the

00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.480
 middle of

00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:51.919
 the floor,

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.599
 water,

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:53.680
 like that.

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.139
 And Sam

00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:56.599
 said,

00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.699
 you go

00:32:57.699 --> 00:32:58.179
 sit down,

00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:58.599
 I'll

00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:58.959
 clean it

00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.179
 up.

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.039
 Okay,

00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:03.519
 so what

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.480
 came out

00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:04.879
 of me,

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.419
 right,

00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:06.519
 this anger

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:06.899
 that came

00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.179
 out of

00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:07.419
 me,

00:33:07.719 --> 00:33:08.379
 which she

00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:08.799
 certainly

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.179
 did not

00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:09.559
 deserve,

00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.119
 was my

00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.759
 frustration,

00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:12.439
 my inner

00:33:12.439 --> 00:33:12.799
 brewing,

00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:13.539
 with my

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.119
 desire to

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.939
 be comfortable,

00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.719
 right,

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.439
 I wanted

00:33:16.439 --> 00:33:17.219
 to be done,

00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:17.579
 I wanted

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.000
 to sit

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.459
 and do

00:33:18.459 --> 00:33:19.199
 nothing,

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.500
 and confounded,

00:33:21.659 --> 00:33:22.099
 all of these

00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:22.679
 little things

00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.059
 were getting

00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:23.779
 in the way

00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.399
 of that

00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.019
 happening,

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:25.359
 and it

00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.939
 made me

00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.680
 mad,

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.140
 because I

00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:27.740
 wanted my,

00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.200
 you see how

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.559
 I'm worshipping

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.200
 myself,

00:33:29.320 --> 00:33:29.580
 and this

00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.180
 comfort that

00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.640
 I have,

00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:31.440
 right,

00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:31.920
 so these

00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.860
 little events,

00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:33.539
 I have this

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.140
 little effigy

00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:34.880
 of me built,

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.460
 and these

00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.039
 little events

00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.380
 are coming

00:33:36.380 --> 00:33:36.799
 along and

00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.340
 hacking the

00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:37.940
 leg off my

00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.279
 idol,

00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:38.539
 and it's

00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:38.920
 starting to

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.559
 fall over,

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.080
 and it

00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:40.640
 made me

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.200
 mad,

00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:41.900
 right,

00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:42.799
 clearly,

00:33:43.320 --> 00:33:43.620
 sin,

00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.160
 and the

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.600
 temptation

00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:46.840
 in me is

00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:47.380
 to immediately

00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:48.320
 justify it,

00:33:48.580 --> 00:33:48.720
 right,

00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.059
 and we all

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.580
 do this,

00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:49.740
 well,

00:33:49.820 --> 00:33:50.200
 of course,

00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:50.880
 of course I'm

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.180
 upset,

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:51.920
 this is taking

00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.240
 forever,

00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:52.900
 I'm so tired,

00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:53.360
 I've had so

00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:53.779
 much work to

00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.039
 do this

00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.220
 week,

00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:54.700
 I can't

00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:54.920
 believe,

00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.980
 the water,

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.759
 right,

00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:59.220
 and the

00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.039
 proper response,

00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:00.619
 which I'm

00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:01.680
 thankful by the

00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.379
 grace of God,

00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.379
 I got to in

00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.460
 the span of

00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:04.680
 time,

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.019
 because I've

00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.680
 practiced this a

00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:05.980
 ton,

00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.899
 was to

00:34:07.899 --> 00:34:08.480
 apologize to

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:08.719
 Sam,

00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.239
 I'm really

00:34:09.239 --> 00:34:09.579
 sorry,

00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.460
 I'm really

00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:10.739
 sorry,

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.719
 I'm so

00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.639
 tired,

00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:13.079
 but that's

00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:13.500
 not my

00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.000
 excuse,

00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:14.779
 it was sin,

00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:15.400
 right,

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.099
 you forgive me,

00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:16.360
 she said,

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.579
 yes,

00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:16.980
 of course,

00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.659
 I forgive you,

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.340
 because I know

00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:18.679
 you're beat

00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:18.940
 down,

00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.480
 I know you're

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:19.940
 exhausted,

00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:22.019
 all the same,

00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:22.559
 right,

00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:23.139
 what is going

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.719
 on in my

00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:24.380
 heart when I

00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.119
 get upset,

00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.079
 like that,

00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.219
 it's idolatry,

00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.799
 it's idolatry,

00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.619
 right,

00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:31.380
 so how is it

00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:31.719
 that God

00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.480
 exposes our

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.039
 idolatry,

00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.480
 right,

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.039
 how is it that

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.519
 we come to

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:34.940
 realize,

00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.820
 how is it that

00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:36.719
 I've learned,

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.420
 like when I

00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.059
 fail in that

00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.380
 way,

00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:38.779
 to go,

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.599
 wait a second,

00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:40.259
 this is not

00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:41.099
 justifiable,

00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.279
 I can't just

00:34:42.279 --> 00:34:43.179
 go around saying,

00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:44.000
 well of course I'm

00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.679
 getting upset,

00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:45.699
 right,

00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:48.019
 I want to give you

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:49.119
 four quick ways

00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:49.639
 that he does it,

00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.059
 and I know we're

00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.000
 getting short on time,

00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:51.519
 so I'm going to move

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.159
 pretty quick here,

00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:54.039
 how is it that

00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.440
 God exposes our

00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:57.000
 idolatry,

00:34:58.159 --> 00:35:01.480
 number one,

00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.500
 by his word

00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.840
 and his spirit,

00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.059
 by his word

00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:06.539
 and his spirit,

00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:06.860
 beloved,

00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.679
 if you want to be

00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.199
 a true worshiper

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.299
 of the one,

00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.340
 true,

00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.299
 only God,

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.480
 you must read

00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.000
 his word,

00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.599
 right,

00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:15.659
 he's not a

00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.320
 dumb God,

00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.440
 he's spoken to us,

00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:18.519
 he's given us a

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.000
 text,

00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:20.599
 he's handed it to us,

00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.299
 and we have it in

00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.699
 plenty,

00:35:21.699 --> 00:35:22.379
 right,

00:35:22.919 --> 00:35:24.399
 know this word,

00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.599
 it will begin

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.619
 to sift you

00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.819
 like sand,

00:35:27.879 --> 00:35:28.299
 it will begin

00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:29.519
 to help expose

00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:31.519
 your idolatry,

00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:33.079
 Hebrews 4.12,

00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:33.719
 for the word of God

00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.539
 is living and active,

00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.500
 sharper than any

00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.460
 two-edged sword,

00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.059
 piercing the division

00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:39.139
 of soul and of spirit,

00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:40.839
 of joints and of marrow,

00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:42.399
 and discerning the thoughts

00:35:42.399 --> 00:35:43.779
 and intentions

00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:45.319
 of the heart,

00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:47.839
 so as I'm dealing

00:35:47.839 --> 00:35:48.500
 with this emotional

00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.079
 response,

00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:51.179
 what's running

00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.880
 through my mind

00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:53.480
 is James 1.8,

00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:55.079
 that I'm meant

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.940
 to be quick

00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.259
 to hear

00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:56.900
 and slow

00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:57.299
 to speak

00:35:57.299 --> 00:35:57.900
 and slow

00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.420
 to anger,

00:35:59.299 --> 00:36:00.159
 for the anger

00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:00.799
 of man does not

00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:01.480
 produce the righteousness

00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:01.980
 of God,

00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:02.679
 this is what pops

00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.400
 into my head,

00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:03.639
 right,

00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:04.400
 the spirit of God

00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:04.699
 goes,

00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:05.659
 I got one on file

00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.059
 for you,

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.179
 right,

00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.619
 you've read

00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.299
 and studied it,

00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.960
 you've memorized it,

00:36:10.199 --> 00:36:11.059
 and it's right there,

00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.079
 and he throws it up,

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.420
 and I go,

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:12.900
 ah,

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.659
 idolater,

00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.199
 right,

00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:16.419
 I need to repent,

00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.480
 I need to turn

00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.199
 from my sin

00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:19.659
 and back to God,

00:36:19.699 --> 00:36:20.259
 the word of God

00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:21.699
 does this,

00:36:22.859 --> 00:36:23.739
 so God exposed

00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:24.179
 our idolatry

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:24.619
 by his word

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:24.980
 and his spirit,

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.339
 secondly,

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:28.919
 he may expose

00:36:28.919 --> 00:36:29.480
 our idolatry

00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:31.119
 by frustrating

00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:31.799
 our idols,

00:36:32.339 --> 00:36:33.319
 by withholding

00:36:33.319 --> 00:36:33.579
 them,

00:36:34.839 --> 00:36:35.339
 the things

00:36:35.339 --> 00:36:36.239
 that you want,

00:36:36.359 --> 00:36:36.899
 things that you

00:36:36.899 --> 00:36:37.779
 think you need

00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:38.579
 to make you

00:36:38.579 --> 00:36:39.099
 happy,

00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:39.980
 for you to be

00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.500
 fulfilled,

00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:43.119
 he may not

00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:43.480
 give you,

00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:45.059
 or,

00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:46.800
 giving them

00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:47.340
 to us

00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.539
 and allowing

00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.960
 us to experience

00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:51.519
 their futility,

00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.500
 letting you

00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.139
 have the thing

00:36:54.139 --> 00:36:54.900
 you asked for

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.119
 and run it

00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.659
 out to its

00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.460
 very end

00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:57.880
 and to say

00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:58.559
 there's no

00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.440
 value in

00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.240
 this thing

00:37:00.240 --> 00:37:00.619
 that I

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.039
 thought

00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:02.780
 was a thing

00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:03.300
 worth

00:37:03.300 --> 00:37:03.880
 worshipping.

00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.360
 In Psalm

00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:07.199
 106,

00:37:07.260 --> 00:37:08.000
 verse 13

00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.639
 through 15,

00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:09.119
 this is

00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:10.500
 in referencing

00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:11.480
 to Korah's

00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:11.860
 rebellion

00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.420
 from number

00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:12.880
 16,

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:16.480
 the psalm

00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:16.639
 says,

00:37:16.740 --> 00:37:16.900
 but they

00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:18.000
 soon forget

00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.880
 his works,

00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:19.840
 they did

00:37:19.840 --> 00:37:20.380
 not wait

00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:20.740
 for his

00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:21.079
 counsel,

00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.420
 but they

00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:21.760
 had a

00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.340
 wanton

00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:22.820
 craving

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.119
 in the

00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:23.440
 wilderness

00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:24.400
 and put

00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:24.699
 God

00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:24.980
 to the

00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:25.320
 test

00:37:25.320 --> 00:37:25.639
 in the

00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:25.960
 desert.

00:37:26.740 --> 00:37:26.820
 He

00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:27.240
 gave

00:37:27.240 --> 00:37:27.519
 them

00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:27.940
 what

00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.179
 they

00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:28.699
 asked,

00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:29.679
 but sent

00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:30.240
 a wasting

00:37:30.240 --> 00:37:30.920
 disease

00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.780
 among them.

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:32.719
 Let them

00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:33.380
 see the

00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.280
 very futility

00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:34.780
 of the

00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:35.079
 thing

00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:36.420
 that they

00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:36.900
 worshipped.

00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:38.940
 God

00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.280
 exposed

00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:39.400
 their

00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:39.940
 idolatry

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.579
 by

00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:41.019
 frustrating

00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.220
 our

00:37:41.220 --> 00:37:41.480
 idols,

00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.079
 by withholding

00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:42.220
 them,

00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:42.660
 or allowing

00:37:42.660 --> 00:37:42.960
 us to

00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.320
 experience

00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:43.480
 their

00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:43.840
 futility.

00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:44.820
 Third,

00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:45.840
 God

00:37:45.840 --> 00:37:46.119
 exposed

00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:46.240
 their

00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:46.720
 idolatry

00:37:46.720 --> 00:37:47.300
 possibly

00:37:47.300 --> 00:37:47.940
 by giving

00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.440
 us

00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:49.680
 an example

00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:51.199
 of true

00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:51.819
 worship.

00:37:52.799 --> 00:37:53.460
 So this

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:53.739
 is where

00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:54.239
 the church

00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:54.839
 is extremely

00:37:54.839 --> 00:37:55.579
 helpful.

00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:57.179
 We come

00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:57.899
 around people

00:37:57.899 --> 00:37:58.699
 who deal

00:37:58.699 --> 00:37:58.919
 with the

00:37:58.919 --> 00:37:59.319
 same things

00:37:59.319 --> 00:37:59.679
 that we

00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.359
 deal with,

00:38:00.419 --> 00:38:00.679
 who are

00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:01.179
 willing to

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.519
 share with

00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.039
 you their

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:02.399
 very

00:38:02.399 --> 00:38:03.019
 experienced.

00:38:03.259 --> 00:38:03.440
 Let me

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:03.739
 tell you

00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:04.279
 about my

00:38:04.279 --> 00:38:04.619
 idols,

00:38:04.919 --> 00:38:05.219
 that you

00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:05.619
 might not

00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.460
 be an

00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:06.940
 idolater,

00:38:07.219 --> 00:38:07.500
 that you

00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.079
 might learn

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.179
 to purge

00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:10.359
 idols from

00:38:10.359 --> 00:38:11.279
 your living.

00:38:11.399 --> 00:38:11.839
 This is a

00:38:11.839 --> 00:38:12.940
 wonderful place

00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:13.559
 in which to

00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.480
 read biography,

00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:15.460
 to see men

00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.839
 and women

00:38:15.839 --> 00:38:16.119
 who have

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:16.739
 gone before

00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:17.000
 us,

00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.239
 who have

00:38:17.239 --> 00:38:17.980
 been faithful

00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.539
 worshippers,

00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:20.199
 of God.

00:38:21.259 --> 00:38:22.199
 We also

00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:22.980
 get wonderful

00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.920
 examples from

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:25.079
 the scripture.

00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.420
 1 Kings

00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:26.860
 18,

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.559
 36.

00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.019
 This is back

00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.519
 to Elijah,

00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:30.279
 as I mentioned

00:38:30.279 --> 00:38:30.820
 earlier.

00:38:31.719 --> 00:38:32.279
 At the time

00:38:32.279 --> 00:38:32.920
 of the

00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:33.340
 offering,

00:38:33.480 --> 00:38:34.000
 Elijah the

00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:34.699
 prophet came

00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.219
 near and

00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:35.539
 said,

00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.199
 O Lord,

00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:37.059
 God of

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.480
 Abraham,

00:38:37.759 --> 00:38:38.099
 Isaac,

00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:38.719
 and Israel,

00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:39.179
 let it be

00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:39.599
 known this

00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:39.880
 day that

00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.219
 you are

00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:40.900
 God in

00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.300
 Israel,

00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:41.659
 and that

00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.039
 I am

00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:42.480
 your servant,

00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.320
 and that

00:38:43.320 --> 00:38:43.699
 I have

00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.480
 done all

00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.559
 these things

00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:46.219
 at your

00:38:46.219 --> 00:38:46.699
 word.

00:38:46.779 --> 00:38:46.940
 And we

00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:47.980
 know that

00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.320
 he called

00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:49.059
 down fire

00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:49.539
 of God

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.400
 that lapped

00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:50.700
 up the

00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:51.220
 water and

00:38:51.220 --> 00:38:51.660
 lit the

00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.200
 sacrifice

00:38:52.200 --> 00:38:53.780
 on fire.

00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:54.680
 We see

00:38:54.680 --> 00:38:55.039
 that he

00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:55.740
 had devoted

00:38:55.740 --> 00:38:56.460
 himself to

00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:56.980
 the one

00:38:56.980 --> 00:38:58.039
 true living

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:58.800
 God and

00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.539
 had obeyed

00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:00.559
 his word.

00:39:00.720 --> 00:39:01.160
 So God

00:39:01.160 --> 00:39:02.180
 can expose

00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:02.840
 our idolatry

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.360
 by giving

00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:03.980
 us examples

00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:04.480
 to look

00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.080
 around at

00:39:05.080 --> 00:39:05.480
 people who

00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.460
 were godly

00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:06.900
 and serving

00:39:06.900 --> 00:39:08.200
 God well.

00:39:09.320 --> 00:39:10.059
 God also

00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.480
 exposed our

00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:10.900
 idolatry,

00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.320
 number four,

00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:11.660
 and this is the

00:39:11.660 --> 00:39:12.100
 last one,

00:39:12.240 --> 00:39:13.700
 by administering

00:39:13.700 --> 00:39:14.440
 loving

00:39:14.440 --> 00:39:15.800
 discipline.

00:39:15.800 --> 00:39:18.820
 If you

00:39:18.820 --> 00:39:19.740
 belong to

00:39:19.740 --> 00:39:20.060
 God,

00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:21.060
 you will

00:39:21.060 --> 00:39:21.920
 experience

00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.640
 the

00:39:22.640 --> 00:39:23.100
 discipline

00:39:23.100 --> 00:39:24.680
 of God.

00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:26.060
 The writer

00:39:26.060 --> 00:39:26.480
 of Hebrews

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:26.880
 says in

00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:27.580
 chapter 12,

00:39:27.740 --> 00:39:28.300
 verses 5

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:28.840
 and 6,

00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.840
 verse 6,

00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:30.480
 and have

00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:31.039
 you forgotten

00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:32.039
 the exhortation

00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.640
 that addresses

00:39:32.640 --> 00:39:33.500
 you as

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:34.200
 sons?

00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:35.620
 My son,

00:39:35.720 --> 00:39:36.000
 do not

00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.920
 regard lightly

00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.760
 the discipline

00:39:37.760 --> 00:39:38.320
 of the

00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:38.660
 Lord,

00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:40.019
 nor be

00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:40.480
 weary

00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.360
 when reproved

00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:41.860
 by him.

00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:42.940
 For the

00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.579
 Lord disciplines

00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:44.120
 the one

00:39:44.120 --> 00:39:44.760
 he loves

00:39:44.760 --> 00:39:46.280
 and chastises

00:39:46.280 --> 00:39:47.120
 every son

00:39:47.120 --> 00:39:48.100
 whom he

00:39:48.100 --> 00:39:49.079
 receives.

00:39:49.160 --> 00:39:49.579
 So God

00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:49.820
 in his

00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:50.120
 great,

00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.019
 steadfast,

00:39:51.140 --> 00:39:51.780
 loving kindness

00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:53.000
 toward us

00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:53.960
 disciplines

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.600
 us to

00:39:54.600 --> 00:39:55.559
 expose

00:39:55.559 --> 00:39:56.799
 those things

00:39:56.799 --> 00:39:57.139
 that we

00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:57.579
 pick up

00:39:57.579 --> 00:39:58.099
 and worship

00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:58.779
 that are

00:39:58.779 --> 00:39:59.860
 lesser things

00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.619
 and therefore

00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:02.119
 damaging things.

00:40:02.299 --> 00:40:02.940
 God is our

00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.519
 greatest and

00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:04.840
 highest good

00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:05.480
 and so God

00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:06.219
 helps to

00:40:06.219 --> 00:40:06.980
 strip away

00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:07.920
 idols

00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:09.159
 in our

00:40:09.159 --> 00:40:09.619
 lives.

00:40:11.219 --> 00:40:11.659
 So,

00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:12.860
 the four ways

00:40:12.860 --> 00:40:13.199
 that he

00:40:13.199 --> 00:40:13.920
 works at that.

00:40:13.980 --> 00:40:14.340
 Go back to

00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:15.799
 Psalm 115.

00:40:19.739 --> 00:40:20.500
 So what

00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:21.480
 then is the

00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:22.059
 remedy

00:40:22.059 --> 00:40:23.259
 of this

00:40:23.259 --> 00:40:23.960
 idolatry?

00:40:25.559 --> 00:40:28.320
 How is it

00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:28.519
 that we're

00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:29.320
 not idolaters

00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:29.940
 when we

00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:30.400
 worship

00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:31.159
 God?

00:40:32.259 --> 00:40:33.980
 We aim

00:40:33.980 --> 00:40:34.699
 our worship

00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:35.679
 as people

00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:36.380
 will worship

00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:36.880
 something,

00:40:37.360 --> 00:40:38.179
 so we aim

00:40:38.179 --> 00:40:38.739
 our worship

00:40:38.739 --> 00:40:39.320
 where our

00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:40.279
 worship belongs,

00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:40.820
 the one

00:40:40.820 --> 00:40:41.519
 true

00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.360
 and living

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.779
 God.

00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:43.099
 So this is

00:40:43.099 --> 00:40:43.480
 the second

00:40:43.480 --> 00:40:44.380
 overall point,

00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:44.900
 the glory

00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.400
 of the one

00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:45.699
 true

00:40:45.699 --> 00:40:46.799
 and living

00:40:46.799 --> 00:40:47.320
 God.

00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:47.779
 The psalmist

00:40:47.779 --> 00:40:48.980
 tells us

00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:51.799
 that the

00:40:51.799 --> 00:40:52.239
 remedy of

00:40:52.239 --> 00:40:52.880
 this idolatry

00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:53.239
 is to

00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:53.759
 trust,

00:40:53.960 --> 00:40:54.299
 to place

00:40:54.299 --> 00:40:55.019
 our faith

00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:56.400
 in this

00:40:56.400 --> 00:40:57.179
 God.

00:40:57.280 --> 00:40:57.840
 Our God

00:40:57.840 --> 00:40:58.159
 who is in

00:40:58.159 --> 00:40:58.519
 the heavens

00:40:58.519 --> 00:40:58.840
 who does

00:40:58.840 --> 00:41:00.000
 all that

00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:01.460
 he pleases.

00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:02.780
 And we

00:41:02.780 --> 00:41:03.019
 get these

00:41:03.019 --> 00:41:03.639
 wonderful

00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:04.460
 repetitions.

00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:05.199
 O Israel,

00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:05.880
 O house

00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:06.360
 of Aaron,

00:41:06.699 --> 00:41:07.360
 you who

00:41:07.360 --> 00:41:08.039
 fear the

00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:08.320
 Lord,

00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:08.719
 so the

00:41:08.719 --> 00:41:09.500
 people and

00:41:09.500 --> 00:41:10.480
 the people

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.239
 set aside

00:41:11.239 --> 00:41:11.519
 for the

00:41:11.519 --> 00:41:12.320
 specific task

00:41:12.320 --> 00:41:12.940
 and then

00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:14.119
 all of us

00:41:14.119 --> 00:41:14.920
 who fear

00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:15.559
 the Lord,

00:41:16.179 --> 00:41:17.360
 trust in

00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:18.099
 the Lord.

00:41:18.539 --> 00:41:18.920
 Place your

00:41:18.920 --> 00:41:20.159
 faith in

00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:21.000
 the Lord.

00:41:21.400 --> 00:41:21.940
 Believe in

00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:23.259
 his promises

00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:24.400
 to you.

00:41:24.720 --> 00:41:25.160
 He is

00:41:25.160 --> 00:41:26.360
 their help

00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:27.300
 and he

00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:27.960
 is their

00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:28.740
 shield.

00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.320
 He is both

00:41:29.320 --> 00:41:30.300
 actively

00:41:30.300 --> 00:41:31.220
 pursuing our

00:41:31.220 --> 00:41:32.460
 good and

00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:33.020
 he's also

00:41:33.020 --> 00:41:34.480
 shielding us

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.120
 from harm.

00:41:35.200 --> 00:41:35.960
 He's passively

00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.600
 pursuing our

00:41:36.600 --> 00:41:37.280
 good as well.

00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:38.300
 He's stopping

00:41:38.300 --> 00:41:39.000
 things that

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.620
 would be to

00:41:39.620 --> 00:41:41.080
 our detriment.

00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:42.360
 And we are

00:41:42.360 --> 00:41:43.480
 so quick to

00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:44.460
 define our

00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:45.360
 good or our

00:41:45.360 --> 00:41:46.140
 bad in

00:41:46.140 --> 00:41:47.400
 human terms.

00:41:47.860 --> 00:41:48.680
 We must get

00:41:48.680 --> 00:41:49.320
 it clear in

00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:49.940
 our minds

00:41:49.940 --> 00:41:50.940
 that as we

00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:52.059
 worship God,

00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:52.539
 as we set

00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:53.200
 our aim on

00:41:53.200 --> 00:41:53.460
 him,

00:41:53.519 --> 00:41:54.119
 as he works

00:41:54.119 --> 00:41:54.760
 our good,

00:41:54.940 --> 00:41:55.559
 that it's

00:41:55.559 --> 00:41:56.659
 his good

00:41:56.659 --> 00:41:57.159
 he intends

00:41:57.159 --> 00:41:58.039
 to work in

00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:58.320
 us.

00:41:58.720 --> 00:41:59.340
 It's for our

00:41:59.340 --> 00:41:59.659
 good,

00:41:59.820 --> 00:42:00.420
 it's his

00:42:00.420 --> 00:42:00.659
 good.

00:42:00.720 --> 00:42:01.119
 Romans 8,

00:42:01.139 --> 00:42:01.420
 28,

00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:01.800
 29.

00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:02.240
 I hope this

00:42:02.240 --> 00:42:02.559
 doesn't get

00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:03.099
 old to you.

00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.519
 And we know

00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:03.940
 that for those

00:42:03.940 --> 00:42:04.220
 who love

00:42:04.220 --> 00:42:04.539
 God,

00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:06.019
 all things,

00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:06.820
 this is our

00:42:06.820 --> 00:42:07.300
 God who's in

00:42:07.300 --> 00:42:07.579
 the heaven,

00:42:07.639 --> 00:42:07.860
 who does

00:42:07.860 --> 00:42:08.519
 all that he

00:42:08.519 --> 00:42:08.900
 pleases,

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.320
 all things

00:42:10.320 --> 00:42:10.880
 work together

00:42:10.880 --> 00:42:11.400
 for good.

00:42:11.740 --> 00:42:12.240
 For those who

00:42:12.240 --> 00:42:12.500
 are called

00:42:12.500 --> 00:42:12.860
 according to

00:42:12.860 --> 00:42:13.220
 his purpose.

00:42:13.300 --> 00:42:13.559
 A lot of

00:42:13.559 --> 00:42:14.380
 people love

00:42:14.380 --> 00:42:14.860
 28,

00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:15.519
 right?

00:42:16.079 --> 00:42:16.740
 And then they

00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.159
 walk around

00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:17.720
 trying to figure

00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:18.159
 out what

00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:18.639
 the good

00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:19.179
 is,

00:42:19.419 --> 00:42:19.579
 right?

00:42:19.719 --> 00:42:19.980
 Oh,

00:42:20.099 --> 00:42:20.799
 someday I'll

00:42:20.799 --> 00:42:21.359
 figure out

00:42:21.359 --> 00:42:21.839
 the good.

00:42:21.899 --> 00:42:22.419
 In hindsight,

00:42:22.419 --> 00:42:23.139
 I'll understand

00:42:23.139 --> 00:42:24.019
 the good.

00:42:24.399 --> 00:42:25.279
 But Paul tells

00:42:25.279 --> 00:42:25.899
 us in verse 29

00:42:25.899 --> 00:42:26.679
 what the good

00:42:26.679 --> 00:42:27.259
 is.

00:42:27.899 --> 00:42:28.259
 We don't have

00:42:28.259 --> 00:42:28.739
 to wonder

00:42:28.739 --> 00:42:29.299
 about it,

00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:29.619
 just like we

00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:29.779
 don't have to

00:42:29.779 --> 00:42:30.000
 wonder about

00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:30.379
 our purpose.

00:42:30.439 --> 00:42:30.699
 Our purpose

00:42:30.699 --> 00:42:31.119
 is to glorify

00:42:31.119 --> 00:42:31.519
 God.

00:42:31.659 --> 00:42:32.199
 What is the

00:42:32.199 --> 00:42:32.599
 good that

00:42:32.599 --> 00:42:33.359
 he's seeking

00:42:33.359 --> 00:42:34.359
 in our

00:42:34.359 --> 00:42:35.159
 living,

00:42:35.459 --> 00:42:35.679
 right?

00:42:36.239 --> 00:42:36.759
 Verse 29,

00:42:36.839 --> 00:42:37.239
 for those whom

00:42:37.239 --> 00:42:37.719
 he foreknew,

00:42:37.839 --> 00:42:39.019
 he also predestined

00:42:39.019 --> 00:42:40.759
 to be conformed

00:42:40.759 --> 00:42:41.839
 to the image

00:42:41.839 --> 00:42:43.179
 of his son.

00:42:44.559 --> 00:42:44.899
 That's the

00:42:44.899 --> 00:42:45.199
 answer.

00:42:45.399 --> 00:42:45.679
 What's the

00:42:45.679 --> 00:42:46.159
 good that God

00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:46.559
 is seeking

00:42:46.559 --> 00:42:47.159
 in all of

00:42:47.159 --> 00:42:47.319
 our

00:42:47.719 --> 00:42:47.959
 circumstances,

00:42:48.439 --> 00:42:48.939
 all of this

00:42:48.939 --> 00:42:49.599
 working in

00:42:49.599 --> 00:42:49.959
 us,

00:42:50.759 --> 00:42:51.299
 seeking our

00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:51.879
 praise,

00:42:52.679 --> 00:42:53.339
 Christlikeness.

00:42:53.939 --> 00:42:54.319
 This is what

00:42:54.319 --> 00:42:54.659
 he's working

00:42:54.659 --> 00:42:55.019
 in us,

00:42:55.179 --> 00:42:55.599
 trying to

00:42:55.599 --> 00:42:56.379
 work out

00:42:56.379 --> 00:42:56.959
 of us,

00:42:57.599 --> 00:42:59.039
 is Christlikeness.

00:42:59.179 --> 00:42:59.659
 So this is

00:42:59.659 --> 00:42:59.980
 the way that

00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:00.500
 God works

00:43:00.500 --> 00:43:00.879
 as both

00:43:00.879 --> 00:43:01.519
 our help

00:43:01.519 --> 00:43:03.219
 and our

00:43:03.219 --> 00:43:03.579
 shield.

00:43:04.159 --> 00:43:04.659
 And certainly,

00:43:05.500 --> 00:43:06.159
 God has

00:43:06.159 --> 00:43:07.059
 not forgotten

00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:08.000
 us.

00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:08.980
 The Lord

00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:10.319
 has remembered

00:43:10.319 --> 00:43:10.559
 us.

00:43:10.799 --> 00:43:11.819
 He has

00:43:11.819 --> 00:43:12.839
 blessed us,

00:43:13.019 --> 00:43:13.859
 both now

00:43:13.859 --> 00:43:15.059
 and forever

00:43:15.059 --> 00:43:16.159
 more in

00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:16.579
 Christ.

00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:16.719
 Christ.

00:43:17.380 --> 00:43:18.119
 I hope

00:43:18.119 --> 00:43:18.400
 that you've

00:43:18.400 --> 00:43:18.759
 experienced

00:43:18.759 --> 00:43:19.279
 this morning

00:43:19.279 --> 00:43:19.579
 that you

00:43:19.579 --> 00:43:20.000
 can say

00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:20.519
 with me,

00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:21.119
 yes and

00:43:21.119 --> 00:43:21.500
 amen,

00:43:21.739 --> 00:43:22.440
 God has

00:43:22.440 --> 00:43:22.920
 blessed me

00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:23.759
 in Christ.

00:43:24.119 --> 00:43:24.460
 I have

00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:25.319
 joy and

00:43:25.319 --> 00:43:25.960
 satisfaction

00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:27.079
 and identity.

00:43:27.719 --> 00:43:28.579
 I can say,

00:43:28.739 --> 00:43:28.940
 yes,

00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:29.440
 the things of

00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:30.059
 this world

00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:31.519
 grow strangely

00:43:31.519 --> 00:43:32.519
 dim in the

00:43:32.519 --> 00:43:32.840
 light of his

00:43:32.840 --> 00:43:33.539
 glorious grace.

00:43:33.539 --> 00:43:34.960
 I can see

00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:35.779
 and have seen

00:43:35.779 --> 00:43:36.380
 in my life

00:43:36.380 --> 00:43:37.300
 that I want

00:43:37.300 --> 00:43:38.039
 to turn away

00:43:38.039 --> 00:43:38.860
 from idols.

00:43:39.019 --> 00:43:39.539
 They are,

00:43:39.679 --> 00:43:40.079
 in fact,

00:43:40.139 --> 00:43:41.539
 lesser things

00:43:41.539 --> 00:43:42.079
 and I want

00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:42.579
 to turn

00:43:42.579 --> 00:43:43.539
 to the living

00:43:43.539 --> 00:43:43.980
 God.

00:43:44.139 --> 00:43:44.460
 I want to

00:43:44.460 --> 00:43:45.340
 leverage all

00:43:45.340 --> 00:43:45.960
 that I have

00:43:45.960 --> 00:43:46.659
 and all

00:43:46.659 --> 00:43:47.360
 that I am

00:43:47.360 --> 00:43:48.300
 for his

00:43:48.300 --> 00:43:49.500
 glory.

00:43:50.539 --> 00:43:51.239
 He has

00:43:51.239 --> 00:43:53.079
 blessed us.

00:43:53.980 --> 00:43:54.259
 May you

00:43:54.259 --> 00:43:55.699
 be blessed

00:43:55.699 --> 00:43:56.259
 by the Lord

00:43:56.259 --> 00:43:56.800
 who made

00:43:56.800 --> 00:43:57.980
 heaven and

00:43:57.980 --> 00:43:58.420
 earth and

00:43:58.420 --> 00:43:59.099
 may we

00:43:59.099 --> 00:43:59.900
 bless his

00:43:59.900 --> 00:44:00.380
 name

00:44:00.380 --> 00:44:01.460
 forever

00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:03.059
 more.

00:44:03.980 --> 00:44:04.740
 Just as God

00:44:04.740 --> 00:44:05.840
 promised Joshua

00:44:05.840 --> 00:44:07.200
 in Joshua 1.

00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.079
 This is from

00:44:08.079 --> 00:44:08.460
 our recent

00:44:08.460 --> 00:44:09.019
 Bible reading.

00:44:10.160 --> 00:44:10.740
 I will never

00:44:10.740 --> 00:44:11.599
 leave you

00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:13.360
 or forsake

00:44:13.360 --> 00:44:13.579
 you.

00:44:14.140 --> 00:44:14.539
 He has

00:44:14.539 --> 00:44:15.140
 promised the

00:44:15.140 --> 00:44:15.840
 same to us

00:44:15.840 --> 00:44:16.579
 who believe

00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:18.559
 in Christ.

00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:20.019
 Hebrews 13

00:44:20.019 --> 00:44:21.099
 5 says

00:44:21.099 --> 00:44:21.700
 the very

00:44:21.700 --> 00:44:22.160
 same.

00:44:22.280 --> 00:44:23.019
 I will never

00:44:23.019 --> 00:44:24.340
 leave you

00:44:24.340 --> 00:44:26.200
 nor forsake

00:44:26.200 --> 00:44:26.440
 you.

00:44:27.019 --> 00:44:27.340
 And in

00:44:27.340 --> 00:44:27.660
 closing,

00:44:27.840 --> 00:44:28.300
 let me put

00:44:28.300 --> 00:44:30.240
 that phrase

00:44:30.239 --> 00:44:31.000
 from Joshua

00:44:31.000 --> 00:44:31.259
 1.

00:44:31.319 --> 00:44:32.079
 5 in

00:44:32.079 --> 00:44:32.839
 its context

00:44:32.839 --> 00:44:33.379
 in Hebrews

00:44:33.379 --> 00:44:33.979
 13.

00:44:34.379 --> 00:44:34.739
 5.

00:44:35.500 --> 00:44:35.779
 Let's

00:44:35.779 --> 00:44:35.939
 know what

00:44:35.939 --> 00:44:36.119
 the writer

00:44:36.119 --> 00:44:36.339
 of Hebrews

00:44:36.339 --> 00:44:36.699
 says.

00:44:37.559 --> 00:44:37.979
 Keep your

00:44:37.979 --> 00:44:39.239
 life free

00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:40.459
 from love

00:44:40.459 --> 00:44:41.119
 of money.

00:44:41.659 --> 00:44:41.939
 He's talking

00:44:41.939 --> 00:44:42.179
 about a

00:44:42.179 --> 00:44:43.139
 particular form

00:44:43.139 --> 00:44:43.899
 of idolatry.

00:44:44.019 --> 00:44:44.359
 So read

00:44:44.359 --> 00:44:44.559
 that.

00:44:44.639 --> 00:44:44.919
 Keep your

00:44:44.919 --> 00:44:45.979
 life free

00:44:45.979 --> 00:44:47.599
 from idolatry

00:44:47.599 --> 00:44:48.000
 in this

00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:48.659
 particular

00:44:48.659 --> 00:44:49.319
 form and

00:44:49.319 --> 00:44:50.019
 be content

00:44:50.019 --> 00:44:50.599
 with what

00:44:50.599 --> 00:44:51.519
 you have,

00:44:52.879 --> 00:44:53.399
 who you

00:44:53.399 --> 00:44:53.799
 have.

00:44:53.859 --> 00:44:54.059
 I think

00:44:54.059 --> 00:44:54.379
 the writer

00:44:54.379 --> 00:44:54.779
 of Hebrews

00:44:54.779 --> 00:44:55.319
 could have

00:44:55.319 --> 00:44:55.939
 said with

00:44:55.939 --> 00:44:56.359
 who you

00:44:56.359 --> 00:44:56.659
 have.

00:44:57.179 --> 00:44:57.559
 For he

00:44:57.559 --> 00:44:58.259
 has said,

00:44:58.859 --> 00:44:59.039
 I will

00:44:59.039 --> 00:44:59.619
 never leave

00:44:59.619 --> 00:44:59.819
 you.

00:45:00.239 --> 00:45:01.319
 nor forsake

00:45:01.319 --> 00:45:01.500
 you.

00:45:01.879 --> 00:45:02.279
 Let's

00:45:02.279 --> 00:45:02.659
 pray together.