WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.359 I hope it didn't scare anyone there just now. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:43.679 But if you're, I don't know if there's anyone in this room that's old enough who might have actually heard that in person. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.460 Anybody? Anybody know what that sound is? 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:52.100 Steven, you must have been old enough. What is that? 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:59.240 Airstrike. Very good. You must have heard, where did you learn that? 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Hmm. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:10.260 I guess they still might use that sound in different places. 00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:16.700 But that should be a replica sound, what you heard of an air raid siren. 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:23.700 And if you lived in Britain during the Second World War, that would have been a very familiar sound. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:28.100 The sound of enemy aircraft coming. 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:32.400 A warning, a call for you to stop. 00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:35.920 Because danger is imminent. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:39.100 Destruction is at your doorstep. 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:44.980 A call to stop, to listen, to respond. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:51.800 And even though I'm guessing in Isaiah he did not have the benefit of an air raid siren, 00:01:51.799 --> 00:02:00.819 there's a very familiar, very similar sense of urgency that we see in the opening of our scripture passage today. 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:06.219 God tells Isaiah, cry aloud. 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:09.019 Don't hold back. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:11.400 Lift up your voice like a trumpet. 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:18.680 Now in biblical times, the trumpet was used as a warning, as an alarm, 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:25.459 as a sound to call, to rally the people of Israel, to listen, to get people's attention. 00:02:25.460 --> 00:02:30.340 Because God's message to his people is very serious. 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:37.780 Like the British in World War II, the Israelites were in the midst of war. 00:02:38.420 --> 00:02:41.740 But it wasn't a war from a foreign invasion. 00:02:41.980 --> 00:02:44.700 It wasn't a war from someone coming from outside. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:47.520 It was a war brewing within them. 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:50.439 The enemy was within their own hearts. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:55.520 And that is why God says, declare to my people their transgression. 00:02:56.599 --> 00:03:00.259 Because the people, they are in rebellion. 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:10.879 The series that we're in on Isaiah and on mission, different calls to mission, 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:18.879 it's all set in the backdrop of this time in the Old Testament where Isaiah is prophesying to Israel. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:23.019 Because God, here's the back story if you've missed the last couple weeks. 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:29.299 God has brought Israel, his people, into relationship with him. 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:32.259 And he has called his people to be a servant. 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:36.620 His servant to serve him and to serve all the nations. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:41.120 That's what the call, the message of Isaiah is. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:47.360 But as we know, as we've probably heard if you've read any of the Old Testament, 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:52.500 the people constantly fail over and over again. 00:03:52.580 --> 00:03:54.400 They go and they find their idols. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:58.719 They get, you know, tempted away and lured away. 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:00.219 And they forget their God. 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:05.560 And they keep failing this call to be the servant to the nations, to serve God. 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:09.159 But God's plans are never thwarted. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:15.379 And he graciously, lovingly brings them back again and again and again. 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:20.939 And towards the end of the book, towards the end where we're reading in these last few weeks, 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:27.939 from chapter 50 onwards, we get these amazing images of salvation. 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:30.779 Not just for Israel, but to all people. 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:37.179 And so if you were here the last few weeks, you've heard that we have this call to the thirsty. 00:04:37.379 --> 00:04:40.539 God is saying, come to me, all who are thirsty. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:43.359 There's a call to the outsider. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:51.559 God is using his people to bring restoration, to bring healing to all the nations. 00:04:52.619 --> 00:04:53.779 All of the earth. 00:04:55.059 --> 00:04:58.839 But even as we unpack this passage that we read today, 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:04.519 we see that there is still this massive discrepancy, 00:05:04.619 --> 00:05:11.699 this massive gap between the mission that God has called us to and the people of God 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:14.779 and whether they're actually living out that mission. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:25.359 And this disconnect, this gap, this discrepancy is why Isaiah or Isaiah is sounding the alarm. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:31.879 He's blowing the trumpet, the air raid siren for us to stop and listen 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:35.680 because the situation is really, really bad. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:43.960 And we as God's people, just like in those days, we need to stop. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:45.639 We need to listen. 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:48.720 And the call for us is to respond. 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:52.880 Because the people of God appear to be serving him. 00:05:54.140 --> 00:05:56.280 They appear to be worshiping him. 00:05:56.720 --> 00:06:01.780 But whether they realize it or not, they're actually living in sin. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:04.060 And that's why God says to Isaiah, 00:06:04.760 --> 00:06:08.460 declare to my people their transgression. 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:15.180 So let's begin with a few questions here. 00:06:15.299 --> 00:06:18.500 This little interactive poll here. 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:20.099 How many of you fast? 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.859 Anybody fast regularly? 00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:30.039 Not just fasting for, you know, dietary purposes or to lose weight. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:35.099 Like fasting as a spiritual practice, as religious practice. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:40.120 If any of you guys are not familiar, fasting is basically, in a spiritual sense, 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:43.300 it's basically where you stop eating for a time. 00:06:44.260 --> 00:06:48.240 And during that time, it's really a time for you to focus on God, to pray. 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:50.080 So does anybody do that regularly? 00:06:50.280 --> 00:06:51.180 I know I don't. 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:54.360 Okay, maybe that's a little foreign to some of us. 00:06:54.460 --> 00:06:57.040 But how about, how many of you guys take communion? 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:59.520 You know, when we have the Lord's Supper, the bread. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:00.280 How many of you guys? 00:07:01.740 --> 00:07:02.400 Okay, okay. 00:07:02.640 --> 00:07:03.379 Don't be bashful. 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:04.439 I can see some hands there. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:07.899 How many of you guys attend worship services regularly? 00:07:09.459 --> 00:07:10.399 Okay, okay. 00:07:11.719 --> 00:07:13.600 Everybody's hands are pretty much be up there. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:18.459 So the point is, the point is with these, because in the passage, 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:22.079 actually fasting isn't really the main issue. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:26.240 So today we're not really going to delve into the issue of fasting. 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:31.740 So if you have no idea what fasting is, and if you've never done it in your life, it's okay. 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:37.620 Because fasting in this passage is actually an example. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:42.699 It's just an indication of a religious practice, a spiritual discipline. 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:44.519 And why do we know that? 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:51.060 Because later on in the passage, Isaiah talks about Sabbath, another really important spiritual observance. 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:57.300 So the issue here isn't really fasting and Sabbath or whatnot. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:08:04.620 Because we can replace that with a number of religious activities or rituals that we just talked about. 00:08:05.020 --> 00:08:06.620 Just like the questions I asked you. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:12.620 So if you're here today and you're not a Christian or you've never done any of those practices before, 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:16.459 Isaiah still has a message for you. 00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:18.620 He still has a message for us. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:24.819 Because he wants you to know that God isn't more or less happy just because you're sitting here in church. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:32.319 These aren't holy chairs where you sit and suddenly you kind of start absorbing God's grace. 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:34.960 That's an external activity. 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:36.860 And God is concerned about your heart. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.439 So there's a message for you. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:41.220 So please continue to listen. 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:45.179 And I want to just be clear before we really dig in. 00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:50.299 I'm not saying in the passage any of these activities are bad. 00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:59.159 Isaiah is not saying that fasting is bad or reading your Bible is bad or taking communion is bad or observing the Sabbath is bad. 00:08:59.219 --> 00:09:01.259 Those are actually all good things. 00:09:01.359 --> 00:09:03.659 So he's not knocking those things. 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:14.779 But Isaiah is saying, he's saying to the people of God, to Israel, that something can be very missing even when you're doing all these great things. 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:21.539 Something crucial is missing from the religion of God's people. 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:25.240 And that missing ingredient is righteousness. 00:09:26.199 --> 00:09:28.019 There's no righteousness. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:32.100 And that's the first point of our sermon today. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:34.339 Unrighteous religion. 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:36.899 Unrighteous religion. 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:39.620 Because God's people are very sincere. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.679 They're very religious. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:41.839 Unrighteous. 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:45.879 But it's fundamentally unrighteous. 00:09:47.319 --> 00:09:49.719 So let's take a look at the word unrighteous. 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:50.299 The concept. 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:51.539 You know, it's a big word. 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:56.479 But if you really boil it down, if you really distill it, it's actually pretty simple. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:00.379 Righteousness is ultimately about right relationships. 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:02.359 Right relationships. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:08.299 Relationships where all the expectations, all the requirements are being fulfilled. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:11.479 And that's why we easily call God righteous. 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.039 A righteous God. 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:17.459 Because the way he relates to us, the way he treats us is perfect. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:23.959 You know, in the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Spirit, there's this perfect community. 00:10:24.219 --> 00:10:26.139 A righteous community. 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:30.599 And if you can imagine with me an earthly community. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:32.219 Maybe a church. 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:36.019 That is where people are perfectly loving. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:40.519 Where no one is in any need whatsoever. 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:43.000 I know that might be hard to imagine. 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:47.899 But just imagine with me a neighborhood, a community of people. 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:50.800 That's a righteous people. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:55.840 Because they are relating with each other in perfect harmony. 00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:57.340 Perfect peace. 00:10:58.060 --> 00:10:58.800 Perfect love. 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:09.679 So when we think about the issue of righteousness, the first thing we need to reckon with as people is our relationship with God. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:14.559 You know, God tells us that we've failed to love him. 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:18.299 We've failed to serve him the way that we've been created to do. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:24.299 As we've been learning the last couple weeks, we're all created to thirst for something. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:30.639 We're all thirsting for something that will truly quench that desire in our hearts. 00:11:30.719 --> 00:11:34.099 And God is telling us only he can quench it. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:38.720 He is the relationship of relationships that we need. 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:42.820 And that's what we've been learning about the last couple weeks. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:50.420 That's what we need to remember before we think about anything to do with righteousness or justice. 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:53.340 Our relationship with God. 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:57.600 And that's why in verse 2, we see so clearly that it makes sense. 00:11:57.700 --> 00:11:59.279 It's an issue of righteousness. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:01.939 Verse 2, God says, 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:11.179 They delight to know my ways as a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:14.779 They ask of me righteous judgments. 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:19.220 They delight to draw near to God. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.759 The people delight to draw near. 00:12:22.819 --> 00:12:25.699 It really seems great on the surface, doesn't it? 00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.959 You know, these people seek God. 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:30.280 They delight to know their ways. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.160 They delight to know his ways. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:38.740 But obviously something is wrong here, isn't there? 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:49.860 Because we can be very sincere in our religion, but at the same time still be completely unrighteous. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:58.259 On some level, we think, you know, we can be doing the right thing with all these Christian activities. 00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:02.019 And supposedly seeking God. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:05.220 You know, I'm playing music up here. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.600 I'm worshiping God. 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:08.560 I'm singing with a clear voice. 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:10.039 I'm lifting my hands. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:12.580 I'm putting money in the offering box. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:14.200 I'm fasting. 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:14.920 I'm praying. 00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:16.740 I'm reading my Bible. 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:19.680 One chapter a day without fail. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:22.840 Ten chapters for some of you without fail. 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:26.400 I'm on the one chapter side, to be honest. 00:13:27.520 --> 00:13:28.400 I'm a pagan. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:28.480 I'm praying. 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:34.579 I can still see times in my life where I was trying to do the right thing. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.100 And maybe you can identify, too. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.340 I was trying to do the right thing. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.899 I thought I was righteous. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:45.360 And just like those Israelites, I was like, God, look at what I did. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:48.740 And I'm like, God, why haven't you seen what I'm doing? 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.519 Why isn't this making a difference? 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.059 Don't you hear? 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.179 Don't you see what I'm doing? 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:58.179 Don't you see what I'm doing? 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:05.539 But then I realized I had failed to grasp that true righteousness is something different. 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:08.620 Yes, yes, I was going to God. 00:14:08.739 --> 00:14:10.819 Yes, I was looking at the cross. 00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:15.079 Yes, I was even seeking his righteous judgments. 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:19.879 Yes, I was even delighting to know his ways. 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:25.139 But the reason I went to him ultimately was to serve my own agenda. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.939 It was selfish. 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:35.359 And so in this passage, God exposes those selfish motives. 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:39.079 He says to the people in verse 3, 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:44.939 Behold, in the day of your fast, you seek your own pleasure. 00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:54.440 In all your religious practices, you're actually seeking your own agenda, your own heart, your own desires, not mine. 00:14:54.440 --> 00:15:01.020 All those outward acts of fasting, they're all selfish rituals. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:04.980 So the people can say to God, God, look, look at what we're doing. 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.680 We deserve your blessing. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.820 We've earned it. 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:11.380 And you may never have actually said that to God. 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:14.960 I think very few people would so outwardly declare that. 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:16.000 But think about it. 00:15:16.440 --> 00:15:21.920 Think about it in your heart when you felt that discontentment because God has not satisfied. 00:15:22.680 --> 00:15:24.440 God has not provided what you wanted. 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:28.500 Even though you did all the right things, you checked off all the religious boxes. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:38.379 But true righteousness, that right relationship with God, it's about delighting in God himself. 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:41.940 It's about receiving his love. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:48.139 It's about receiving his unconditional love and responding to him in love. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:55.779 And the way you love someone, think about it, the way you love someone, isn't it about getting to know them? 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:59.559 Isn't it about understanding them? 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.019 And church, I'm afraid. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:11.480 I'm afraid in my own heart and in our hearts that we get so wrapped up in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:15.840 You know, it's 95% about personal and 5% about Jesus. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:24.039 That relationship is apparently there, but all I'm thinking about deep down is me. 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:26.480 It's more about us than God. 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:32.159 Think about someone you love, you really love. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:35.139 Hopefully everyone can at least think about one person here. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:40.960 You know, it could be a parent, a sibling, a child, a spouse, a close friend. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:51.860 A right relationship is about just discovering and getting to know that person's character and what they love, isn't it? 00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:55.620 And really letting that resonate with you. 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:59.519 So that's our second point. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:02.920 It's a righteous religion. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:06.420 A righteous religion that God is pointing us to. 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:13.660 Because a righteous religion looks to God and says, God, you've already given me everything. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.800 I don't have to earn your love. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:20.000 So what do you care about, God? 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.580 What do you love? 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.680 Who do you love? 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.320 God. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:24.960 God. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.000 God. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.319 God. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.319 God. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:34.939 And while God tells us that he loves all people, he loves all creation, there's an unmistakable pattern in his word. 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:44.079 An unmistakable clarity in what he tells us is that he has a particular heart for the poor and the oppressed. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:49.439 He has a particular heart for issues of justice and injustice. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:18:04.000 The poor and the oppressed, they are the people who suffer because of unrighteousness, because of a broken relationship in society, in our city, in our world, just like we prayed about. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:14.680 In Deuteronomy 10, God says that he is a God who defends the cause of the fatherless, defends the cause of the widow. 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:21.240 He loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:32.200 And in ancient times, the orphan, the widow, the immigrant, those were the poorest and most vulnerable groups in society. 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:38.100 And God is categorically saying, I love every single one of these vulnerable groups. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:43.059 The weakest of the weak, the most marginalized, the most voiceless. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.660 I love them. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:51.720 Proverbs 14, God says, whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their maker. 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:57.500 But whoever is kind to the needy, he honors God. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:01.380 It's pretty profound, don't you think? 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:13.360 That God identifies with the poor to such an extent that the way we treat them is equivalent to how we treat God. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:20.600 That might sound familiar to some of you who are familiar with the Gospels. 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:25.559 Because in Matthew 25, Jesus describes judgment day. 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:33.099 A judgment day when we'll all stand before him and he'll divide us into two groups. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.119 A clear division. 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:38.579 The goats on one side and the sheep on the other. 00:19:39.179 --> 00:19:44.799 The righteous on one side and the unrighteous on the other. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:49.339 I'm not saying this half is unrighteous, but just bear with me with the illustration. 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.639 Imagine with me. 00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:55.419 Imagine with me if this half were the goats. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.059 And what will he say? 00:19:58.059 --> 00:20:09.079 The issue, the foundation, the basis of that division is that the righteous loved the poor and the unrighteous did not. 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:22.980 And no matter what the unrighteous say, the Lord will say to them, if you did not love the poor, if you did not feed them, if you did not clothe them when they were naked, if you did not visit them when they were sick, 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:27.059 then no matter what you say, you cannot say that you love me. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.980 Those words don't matter. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:45.640 And we know in that passage, Jesus was probably referring to poor Christians, but the heart, the principle of that is God's looking to see if we have his heart for the poor. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:50.299 If we have his heart for the marginalized. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:57.759 And I want to be very clear here, lest there's any misunderstanding. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:03.980 Jesus isn't saying that our love for the poor saves our souls. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:16.119 He's not saying that, you know, if we give enough to the poor, if we've reached that $10,000 or $1 million plateau in our lifetime, we've suddenly entered into heaven. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:20.200 It's not our acts that make us acceptable to God. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:32.519 But God says if you have genuine faith, if you have that right relationship within, if you love the way he loves, if you've understood his heart for the poor, then it is inevitable. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:38.200 It is inevitable that you will respond to the things that he cares about. 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:49.039 So the hard question that we have to ask ourselves this morning is that if you don't see that active love for the poor in your life today, 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:55.779 do you really know the God that you claim to worship? 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:59.400 Do you really understand him? 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:11.080 And that's why in this passage, Isaiah now claims and proclaims that there is a thing called true fasting, 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:18.240 the right way to respond to God's love and his heart, his call for people. 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:23.820 And it's not just to do these personal spiritual things as good as they may be. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:29.980 Verse 6, true fasting is to loose the bonds of wickedness. 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:32.480 Undo the straps of the yoke. 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:37.159 Let the oppressed go free to break every yoke. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:44.159 A yoke is an agricultural concept, the yoke that covers the oxen to guide them. 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.759 But it's also a burden. 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.960 That's why we call them beasts of burden. 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:55.600 So there's all these metaphorical yokes that are basically trapping people, that are forcing them to go a certain path. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.360 And God is saying, break those yokes. 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:59.240 Proclaim freedom. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:05.200 Isaiah continues, share your bread with the hungry. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.160 Bring the homeless in. 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.460 Cover the naked. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:12.100 And don't hide yourself from your own flesh. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:19.019 Because righteous religion is not just personal piety. 00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:24.319 It's not just this thing we do at home to look good, to feel good. 00:23:25.219 --> 00:23:28.219 Righteous religion is a call for justice. 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.359 And that's the third point. 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.319 It's a call for justice. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:45.159 So the reason why a love for the poor is actually an issue of justice, you know, it's not just the thing where we're like, yeah, let's give a little bit of money to the person on the street. 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.359 Let's show some mercy to them. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.619 Let's be charitable. 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:52.519 I'm not saying those things are bad. 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:55.740 But God's saying it's an issue of justice. 00:23:56.639 --> 00:24:00.079 Because God is all about righteous judgments. 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:03.759 And that's what the people are seeking in verse 2, remember? 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:07.399 They're seeking God's righteous judgments. 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:11.039 And we can have a negative impression of the word judgment. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:14.559 You know, don't be so judgmental, etc., etc. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:19.460 But actually, the Hebrew word for judgment is the same word for justice. 00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:20.559 Mishpat. 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:27.000 So if we're doing justice, if we're actually making these righteous judgments, 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:36.980 we're actually understanding God's heart to make right all the relationships of the world all throughout creation. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:49.279 And the problem with poverty, the problem with oppression and vulnerability and marginalization is they actually break those relationships. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.980 They actually fracture society. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:55.980 They actually fracture the right relationships that God desires. 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:59.220 And that's not how he created the world. 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:05.720 So therefore, justice is how we get back to right relationships. 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:10.759 It's what corrects the brokenness and brings us back to righteousness. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:14.319 So how do we answer the call to justice? 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:18.220 Verses 6 and 7. 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:25.019 And at first glance, that list can seem pretty daunting, doesn't it? 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:27.819 All those things that Isaiah is calling us to do. 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:36.259 But if we break it down, we can basically see four major areas of human need that Isaiah identifies here. 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:37.639 And I think it's very poignant. 00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.720 Four major areas. 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:42.000 The first and foremost, it's the need for freedom. 00:25:42.679 --> 00:25:43.819 A freedom from bondage. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.919 A freedom from oppression. 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:50.679 And then there's the need for food, right? 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.399 He said feed the hungry. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:54.059 There's a need for shelter. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.939 Bring the homeless in. 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:58.740 And there's a need for clothing. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.000 Cover the naked. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:04.900 I think food, shelter, and clothing are pretty self-explanatory. 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:07.420 So I really want to just zero in on freedom. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.779 Because freedom is that big one. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:13.720 And note how Isaiah, he repeats it four times in verse 6. 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.820 Loose the bonds of wickedness. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:18.120 Undo the straps of the yoke. 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:22.320 Let the oppressed go free and break every yoke. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.580 So what do we make of that? 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:27.099 What is this freedom all about? 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:35.359 I mean, the straightforward answer is there's millions of modern-day slaves in the world today. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:37.659 That's a very easy example. 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.639 That's straightforward. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:48.259 And even in Hong Kong, you know, a recent report said that one in six domestic helpers are living in conditions of forced labor. 00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.319 One in six. 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:51.460 Is that someone you know? 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:54.240 Is that someone you've heard about? 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:58.379 Is that someone in your own sphere of influence? 00:26:58.380 --> 00:27:04.900 And bondage and oppression, it can come in so many forms, right? 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:08.400 So maybe we need to step out. 00:27:08.540 --> 00:27:15.780 We need to open our eyes and see where is the oppression, the bondage in my life today. 00:27:16.780 --> 00:27:22.200 You know, we're not just racehorses with these blinders kind of chasing after this one personal goal. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:24.980 The spiritual journey is meandering. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.539 It's a journey. 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.360 It's step by step. 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:37.240 So we're able to look around at the world, at the city, at our workplaces, and see where maybe is the abuse happening, the addictions happening. 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:45.380 Where perhaps is there oppression and justice even in my company, even in my workplace, even in my home? 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:50.000 Where might that injustice be? 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:57.480 And guys, when I was thinking about this, let's be honest, I felt really just overwhelmed because I love reading the news. 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:59.680 I'm kind of a news junkie. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.640 I love reading articles. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:09.940 And there's just so many stories, so many stats about the brokenness and the hurt and the injustice in our world today. 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:16.299 And it can be kind of paralyzing if we just let that fall on us. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:22.180 But I think we can all start with one step, one baby step even. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:26.259 You know, maybe it's giving generously to that love offering that we're collecting. 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:28.160 Today is the final day. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:36.099 We're collecting this love offering to support ministries in Asia, in Hong Kong, that are helping the poor, that are helping the broken. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:38.599 So maybe that's the first step for you. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:46.160 Maybe it's just for you to find a specific outreach ministry and find out, hey, how can I volunteer with you? 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:55.660 Maybe it's just to stop and think about, keep your eyes open, do some research about why is there poverty in Hong Kong? 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:57.700 Why is there housing issues? 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:59.920 Why is there beggars on the street? 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:04.420 I mean, there's almost no excuse with Google these days in there. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:07.000 And if you don't like the internet, come ask me. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:12.420 I might not be able to tell you the answers, but maybe we can journey together and figure it out. 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:30.440 There is all a next step for us because if our worship of God in these two, three hours on every Sunday, if that is genuine, if that is authentic, then that will inevitably lead us to pursue justice this week. 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:34.000 You know, it might start really small. 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:36.440 It might start as a mustard seed. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:45.759 But it must happen because Isaiah is telling us that there's no such thing as a Christian who does not pursue justice. 00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:47.539 That's an oxymoron. 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:49.220 There's no such thing. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:30:02.100 Guys, I know, I'll be honest, I know, even if I'm honest with my own heart, I know there's so many obstacles, so many obstacles to the pursuit of justice. 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:06.220 Sometimes I just feel busy, just plain busy. 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:08.000 Hong Kong is a busy place. 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.140 I have family. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.940 I have friends. 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.799 I have relationships. 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:13.100 I have people to keep in touch with. 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:15.379 And those are important things. 00:30:15.459 --> 00:30:16.139 I understand. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:21.179 But sometimes I'm just apathetic and I just honestly don't really care. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:26.399 I'm so comfortable with my community. 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.959 I'm so, I love my CG. 00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:28.980 I love my church. 00:30:29.439 --> 00:30:30.480 I love my family. 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.939 I'm so comfortable with them. 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:34.299 I'm so happy with my circumstances. 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:36.299 I don't want to get involved with the poor. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.899 It can be so messy. 00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:42.059 It can be so difficult. 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.899 Maybe even dangerous sometimes. 00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:57.379 And here is where we all need to remember that the call for justice, it's not just about doing stuff for the poor. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:04.819 It's not about just doing all these things and giving and giving and giving. 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:21.299 The call for justice is actually a call to remember that the greatest issue of justice, the greatest issue of righteousness is still our relationship with God. 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.299 Because when we all. 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:32.399 Because when we chose to reject God, when we chose to worship all these other things, we actually all became poor. 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:38.759 We all fell into poverty, into spiritually poverty. 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:41.540 We lost our righteousness. 00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:46.019 That relationship with God was severed. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:51.900 It's broken and we deserve to die, to be eternally separated from him. 00:31:51.900 --> 00:32:03.960 But God did the greatest act of justice by coming to us, by sending his son Jesus. 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:12.079 And so can you imagine, can you imagine what it would have been like if Jesus made the excuses? 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:17.880 If he saw those obstacles to pursuing justice? 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:20.460 I mean, let's be honest. 00:32:20.540 --> 00:32:24.160 I think Jesus was probably pretty busy ruling the universe. 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.160 Right? 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.600 If we're honest with ourselves. 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:31.920 If anyone had an excuse, Jesus probably had it. 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:35.840 I'm ruling the universe, all the cosmos, all of creation. 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:40.320 I can imagine he had pretty amazing community with the Trinity. 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.880 Perfect love. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:47.000 I can imagine he probably had an amazing time every day with the angels. 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:51.440 It would have been bliss because that's heaven. 00:32:52.840 --> 00:32:59.560 I think our sin-filled world probably felt like a disgusting, dirty slum to him. 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:08.500 He probably could have looked over to these filthy, dirty people mired in their sin and said, 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.800 Eh, not my problem. 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.780 I'm happy where I'm at. 00:33:15.100 --> 00:33:16.100 I'm happy. 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:28.820 But Paul tells us in Philippians that Jesus, though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 00:33:29.760 --> 00:33:32.920 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. 00:33:34.060 --> 00:33:37.640 He took the humble position of a slave. 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:40.800 He was born as a human being. 00:33:40.800 --> 00:33:47.340 And when he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God, 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:53.120 even to the point of dying a criminal's death on the cross. 00:33:54.720 --> 00:34:02.440 The almighty God who created the universe and created us, he actually chose to become poor. 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:06.620 Jesus was literally poor. 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:12.920 He was born into a feeding trough for animals in a barn, in a stable. 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:21.260 Jesus was literally a refugee fleeing to Egypt from Herod's massacre. 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:25.139 Jesus was literally homeless. 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:30.240 Foxes and dens have dens, have holes. 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:33.139 Foxes and they have a place to rest. 00:34:33.260 --> 00:34:37.059 But the Son of Man has no place because in his earthly ministry, 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:40.000 he was going from place to place and place. 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.960 And he was homeless. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.960 He was a vagrant. 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:48.219 Jesus was literally naked, stripped and beaten and hung on that cross. 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:57.320 Jesus was literally oppressed, tortured, executed for a crime that he was not guilty of. 00:34:59.079 --> 00:35:02.920 So God became poor for us. 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:08.119 God became poor to show us how much he loves us. 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:12.380 Both the physically poor and the spiritually poor. 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:19.220 Man, we were so poor and so helpless that Jesus had to come to save us. 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:21.220 And how humbling is that? 00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:23.220 That you were helpless. 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.059 I was helpless. 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.619 I could do nothing. 00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.700 And Jesus came to us. 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:33.659 And if the God of the universe loves the poor so much that he came to be one of them, 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:36.279 how could we not love them too? 00:35:36.419 --> 00:35:40.759 How could we not see that we're no better than that beggar on the street? 00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:47.139 So guys, the call for justice always begins with a cross. 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:55.539 God did the ultimate act of justice by paying the cost of sin so that we could be pardoned. 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:59.279 So today, regardless of whether you're a Christian or not, 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:04.079 wherever you fall in the spiritual spectrum in this room, the message is the same. 00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:09.360 I hope you realize the futility, that futility of trying to earn God's favor. 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:13.719 There's nothing you can do when you're spiritually bankrupt. 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:19.059 I hope you realize that God created you for a purpose. 00:36:19.879 --> 00:36:22.019 To be in relationship with him. 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:24.779 To be satisfied by him perfectly. 00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:28.799 To be loved unconditionally by him. 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:35.500 And to show his love to the world around you. 00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:38.859 So we simply accept God's pardon. 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:41.380 And we turn away from our old life. 00:36:41.660 --> 00:36:44.120 And we walk into that new life of righteousness. 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:47.340 That right relationship with him. 00:36:49.160 --> 00:36:51.400 And if you're a Christian here today, 00:36:52.160 --> 00:36:55.740 there's also a specific calling for us to remember. 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:59.960 Do you really understand now God's heart for the poor? 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:07.420 Isaiah is saying, do you see how God became poor for you? 00:37:07.420 --> 00:37:16.260 Is your faith in Jesus a genuine faith that inevitably leads to a passion for God's justice? 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:24.220 I want to conclude with one final point. 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:29.180 Because everything we do, everything we reflect on, 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:31.559 God is also saying there is a vision. 00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:35.940 You don't kind of just do this with your head in the ground. 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:38.440 I've given you an amazing vision. 00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:40.460 A vision for justice. 00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:42.860 And that's the fourth point. 00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:47.340 Because when you're taking your first step in doing justice today, 00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:52.920 you know, whether you've maybe labored for your whole life in pursuing justice, 00:37:53.019 --> 00:37:55.280 or today is the first day you step out. 00:37:56.700 --> 00:37:58.900 And that amazing journey of justice. 00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:00.880 Verses 8 to 12. 00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:03.980 I encourage you guys, go home and read it in detail. 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:05.300 But I'll give you just a snapshot. 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:10.599 Because it's an amazing vision of what happens when we understand God's love for us. 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:15.280 Isaiah says that God makes us a light. 00:38:16.260 --> 00:38:17.340 He heals us. 00:38:17.700 --> 00:38:19.420 His presence is with us. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.059 He hears us. 00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.400 He guides us. 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:25.160 He satisfies our deepest needs. 00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:27.339 He strengthens our bodies. 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:30.219 He makes us a spring of living water. 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:35.339 He uses us to repair and to restore brokenness. 00:38:37.379 --> 00:38:41.599 These are the ongoing blessings that come from righteousness, 00:38:41.859 --> 00:38:44.679 from living at a right relationship with God. 00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:51.460 But Isaiah is also pointing us to a future eternal vision. 00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:53.119 And this is really important. 00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:53.920 He says, 00:38:54.099 --> 00:38:56.119 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt. 00:38:56.599 --> 00:38:59.880 You shall raise up foundations of many generations. 00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:03.440 You shall be called the repairer of the breach, 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:06.539 the restorer of streets to dwell in. 00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:12.599 The work of justice is hard. 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:15.799 If you've done it, it can be messy. 00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:17.880 You know what I'm talking about. 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.219 There will be struggles. 00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:20.679 There will be failure. 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:22.259 There will be heartbreak. 00:39:22.260 --> 00:39:26.540 People may not respond in the way that you lovingly want them to. 00:39:28.640 --> 00:39:31.580 But again, Jesus did justice for us. 00:39:31.660 --> 00:39:33.820 And this is the vision that Isaiah gives us, 00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:39.780 that we're actually playing a little part in God's plan to restore all things. 00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:45.260 And Jesus will bring that into completion when he returns. 00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:51.120 And so for now, it's an encouragement for us to not despair, 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.740 to not lose hope. 00:39:52.739 --> 00:39:57.159 When fire breaks out in the community that we've been serving. 00:39:57.159 --> 00:39:59.239 To say, God, you are sovereign. 00:39:59.359 --> 00:40:00.159 We will continue. 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:02.059 Even though there are setbacks, 00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:06.259 we know that we are obeying you and you will make all things right. 00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:09.139 There is an eternal vision. 00:40:09.139 --> 00:40:13.039 And as we answer that call to justice, 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:16.500 we answer it in light of this vision for justice. 00:40:17.199 --> 00:40:20.460 That we will be called repairers and restorers 00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:23.019 because we're following Jesus Christ, 00:40:23.179 --> 00:40:24.719 who is the ultimate repairer, 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.759 the ultimate restorer. 00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:34.680 So church, let's turn away from that unrighteous religion 00:40:34.680 --> 00:40:39.960 that says, God, I want to manipulate you in doing what I want. 00:40:41.120 --> 00:40:45.660 That unrighteous religion where your personal relationship with Jesus 00:40:45.660 --> 00:40:48.680 is 90% about you and 10% about Jesus. 00:40:49.040 --> 00:40:53.100 Let's turn away from that, as Isaiah is calling us. 00:40:53.099 --> 00:40:57.759 Let's turn to a righteous religion that is about God, 00:40:57.860 --> 00:40:59.920 that is about our relationship with him, 00:41:00.159 --> 00:41:03.500 that delights in his love for us, 00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:08.059 that recognizes us that we are loved unconditionally. 00:41:10.960 --> 00:41:13.659 And let's answer that call for justice. 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:18.000 Let's love the poor just like Christ did, 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:22.599 with a vision that one day Christ will return. 00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:24.759 And make all things right. 00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:27.279 He will bring complete restoration. 00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:30.019 And we'll have the privilege of being part of it. 00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:36.099 And above all, church, let's remember that justice, again, 00:41:36.679 --> 00:41:38.360 always begins with the cross. 00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:42.599 Because that was the greatest act of justice 00:41:42.599 --> 00:41:45.759 that the world will ever see. 00:41:45.760 --> 00:41:57.040 God's not asking you to run out and start throwing your money at the poor 00:41:57.040 --> 00:42:00.680 and do this and that and this and that and this and that. 00:42:03.040 --> 00:42:06.840 He's not asking you to do those things as if it was just another item 00:42:06.840 --> 00:42:11.920 on your spiritual religious checklist to make him happy. 00:42:13.840 --> 00:42:17.539 Church, God is saying, gaze at the cross of Jesus. 00:42:19.120 --> 00:42:22.539 He's asking you to remember what he did for you 00:42:22.539 --> 00:42:26.780 so that you begin to ask yourself this. 00:42:26.780 --> 00:42:31.160 If my Savior did this for me, 00:42:32.160 --> 00:42:36.380 if my God humbled himself and loves me so, 00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:40.500 then how could I not do the same? 00:42:41.640 --> 00:42:43.900 How could I not love the same way? 00:42:44.900 --> 00:42:46.640 How could I not love the poor? 00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:49.840 How could I not do justice? 00:42:49.840 --> 00:42:52.460 How could we not? 00:42:56.120 --> 00:43:01.380 I want to invite the communion stewards and the band to come up. 00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:05.700 And we're going to observe communion right now. 00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:10.019 And if there was ever a time to say, 00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:12.160 this is not just a ritual. 00:43:13.160 --> 00:43:16.059 This is not just a cracker and grape juice 00:43:16.059 --> 00:43:20.380 that I consume every two weeks in worship service. 00:43:20.519 --> 00:43:21.779 This is the time to do it. 00:43:23.599 --> 00:43:28.599 This is an opportunity for us to gaze at the cross 00:43:28.599 --> 00:43:33.980 and let the ritual overflow into reality, 00:43:34.820 --> 00:43:36.159 into a life changed. 00:43:38.099 --> 00:43:39.920 It's an opportunity to say, 00:43:40.239 --> 00:43:43.159 what is the true fast? 00:43:43.159 --> 00:43:46.799 What is the true communion in our lives? 00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:50.139 Is it really just to have a piece of bread 00:43:50.139 --> 00:43:52.319 and to take the cup? 00:43:54.879 --> 00:43:58.460 Or is that a life changed because God changes our life?