It's a profound song.
You think about the implications of that song?
! Christ alone, Cornerstone, He's Lord of all.
! What does that mean for you today?
What does that mean for this week?
To call Him Lord of all,
supreme,
all-sufficient, all-satisfying Lord?
If He really is Lord of all, what does that mean?
We sing the words, it's a great song,
amazing truths, but what does it really mean?
I think we know what it means,
but connecting the dots to the day-to-day parts of our life,
that's where things begin to break down a little bit, I think.
At least for me.
I was reminded this week of Jesus' ministry
throughout the time of His time here on this planet.
And through the flow of His ministry,
there were a number of occasions where Jesus was invited to participate in a meal.
He was invited to come over and to sit down,
to enjoy fellowship,
and many of those times actually were for the sake of making Him look foolish
or exposing Him in some way.
And that's what's happening in Luke chapter 14.
Jesus was invited to the home of a Pharisee.
And through the course of the meal,
it's interesting that Jesus continues to expose the host
and then expose the people who are participating in this meal,
and then drawing their attention to the kinds of individuals
they should be really inviting to the great celebration,
the feastings that they're doing as a people.
And to change the subject,
somebody who is a part of the crowd,
because things are a little tense,
and there's a little tension in the room,
and to try to divert the subject on something they can all agree on,
someone says,
well, tell us about the kingdom.
The kingdom is coming, certainly.
That'll be a happy thought, right?
And Jesus says,
well, let me tell you a parable.
There's this parable of this great man
who invites a number of people to come
and participate in this great feast that he has.
And he sends this invitation out ahead of time
so that they can get prepared
and so they can all be ready
when it's actually time to feast together.
Well, preparations are made,
and finally the mealtime comes,
and now he sends out his servants
so that they can know now is the time
to show up and to enjoy this meal.
And if you remember the story,
you remember that in this parable that Jesus tells,
it says that the servants went out
and everyone who is invited
begins to make excuses.
There's any number of reasons
why they can't come
and participate in this great feast.
One says,
well, I've just bought some property.
I need to go and inspect it.
Another says,
well, I've just bought five oxen
and I need to test it out.
I need to take my oxen for a test drive.
Somebody says,
well, I've just gotten married
and so I'm preoccupied.
And one by one,
down the list,
everyone seems to have a reason
not to come to this great celebration.
Now, in the Jewish mind
in the first century,
this was unimaginable.
This never happens.
And the reason is because
when anyone of significance in a community
invites people to come
and participate and to fellowship with him,
you would be a fool not to comply
because business dealings
and trade and buying and selling
and position in the community
are all based upon acceptance
acceptance to these kinds of gatherings.
It would have been unimaginable
for people in that day
to have resisted such a great invitation.
And then to shock the crowd
of the hearers that Jesus is talking to
even more,
he continues to elaborate on this story
and says,
well,
in order for Jesus
to then have
the right kind of people,
the right numbers of people
at this party that he's throwing,
all the preparations have been made.
Now he sends out word
to anybody in the streets.
He says,
invite the blind
and the maimed
and the deaf
and the mute.
Let them participate
in this great celebration.
It uses the language.
It says,
go and tell them to come.
Implore them to be part
of this great feasting.
This great celebration.
This great invitation
that has been made
to them as a people.
In considering this story,
perhaps we say,
how in the world
could somebody think,
think or imagine
to deny this great invitation?
Certainly that was the thought
of those who were in the audience
listening to this story.
And yet,
there they were
looking at Jesus
in the eyes.
Looking into the face
of the Messiah
who was giving them
the greatest invitation of all.
The invitation
to participate
in relationship
with God.
They wanted nothing
to do with that invitation.
And that's the correlation
that Jesus is beginning
to draw
as he tells this story.
the unimaginable
was taking place
in the very company
in which he was telling
the story.
It harkens back
to what I want
to talk about
this morning
in terms of
the great invitation
that has been given
to you.
The great invitation
that has been given
to me.
And we find that invitation
in Isaiah chapter 55.
Truth be told,
every yes
that we make
in life
is actually
a no
to something else.
And so often
the yeses
in life
are yeses
to property
and yeses
to oxen
and yeses
to marriages.
And those are good yeses.
Don't get me wrong.
But the greatest
yes
this morning
is the yes
to Christ.
And through
the last couple
of weeks
you're
coming along
on a journey
with me
because really
this is God
working in my own life
helping
to create
within me
an affection
for the things
of the Lord
and to put aside
the things
of this life
as important
as they are
so that there can be
a yes
to the most
important thing.
A yes
to the Lord.
That is the great
invitation
this morning.
Last week's
passage
in Isaiah
chapter 30
went something
like this.
It says,
Thus says
the Lord God
the Holy One
of Israel
in repentance
in rest
is salvation.
In quietness
in trust
is your strength.
But you
were unwilling.
Just as those
who Jesus
held out
the invitation
to in that parable
the invitation
to participate
in the great
fellowship
with himself
he offers
the same
to the people
in Jerusalem
in 700 years
before Christ
he offers
them the
invitation
to participate
in him.
But at least
in the moment
in the immediate
time
it says
they were
unwilling.
The same
invitation
is to us.
Is there
willingness?
Is there
tenderness?
Is there
receptivity
on our part?
A willingness
to surrender
over the
things
that we
hold so dear
so that we
can embrace
the wonder
of our
great God?
It's almost
imaginable to me
that
unimaginable to me
that God
has to plead
with us
to embrace
something so
amazing
as relationship
with him
but that is
what he does
time and time
and time again.
He shows up
to extend
this great
invitation.
So turn
with me
to Isaiah
chapter 50
55.
We can see
again this
invitation of
our Lord.
Beginning in
verses 1
to 3.
Isaiah
55
1
to 3
it says
this.
Come
everyone
who thirsts
come to
the waters
and he
who has
no money
come
and buy
and eat
come
buy wine
and milk
without money
and without
price
why do you
spend your
money for that
which is not
bread
and your
labor for that
which does not
satisfy
listen
diligently
to me
and eat
what is
good
and delight
yourselves
in rich
food
incline
your ear
and come
to me
hear
that your
soul
may live
and I
will make
with you
an everlasting
covenant
my
steadfast
sure
love
to David
here we
find again
an invitation
a great
invitation
immediately
to the
people of
Jerusalem
immediately
to the
people living
700 years
before Jesus
but I want
to demonstrate
that that
invitation
that great
invitation
during Isaiah's
day
and to the
people there
in immediate
earshot
of these
words
was just
the beginning
of what God
intends
and desires
to work
through in
all of our
lives
even here
today
it is
God's
desire
for us
to set
aside
the scheduling
and the
saturated
agenda
that we
have
that is
so
built up
with good
things
with our
working for
God
even
perhaps what
God is telling
us this
morning is
that instead
of working
we just
need to be
waiting
we just
need to be
trusting
we just
need to be
to be
offering
ourselves
yielding
ourselves
to his
invitation
enjoying
the benefits
of all
that God
would have
to give
and then
we'll experience
the salvation
and strength
of God
in a couple
of weeks
from now
we'll look
at Isaiah
chapter 40
it says
those who
wait upon
the Lord
will renew
their strength
real
strengthening
comes
as we
begin
with waiting
so we
saw
last week
in Isaiah
chapter 30
that's what
we'll see
again this
morning
in Isaiah
55
my guess
is as we
continue to
look at
the themes
of scripture
they'll continue
to scream
out
wait on
me
trust me
stop
taking matters
in your own
hands
and begin
experiencing
the presence
and the power
of God
in every
part
of your
life
and here
again
God
is calling
us
to the
most
significant
things
he is
calling
us
to what
truly
matters
I was
reminded
even this
week
as I was
reading
through
Facebook
and some
of you
as you
were
posting
reminded
me
of the
story
in Luke
chapter 10
Jesus'
words
to Martha
he says
Martha
you are
worried
and troubled
about many
things
troubled
about many
things
but one
thing
is needed
and Mary
has chosen
what is
good
which will
not be
taken
from her
there is
one
thing
this morning
that matters
and so
often
my life
is about
doing
everything
else
but what
really
matters
there is
a great
invitation
this morning
an invitation
for us
to participate
to experience
to enjoy
to delight
to savor
the relationship
that God
intends
and desires
to give
to each
of us
today
the question
is
will we
come
will we
come
I want
to look
at this
passage
in
three
different
movements
first I
want to
take a
look at
the urgency
of the
invitation
that we
see in
verses
one to
three
I want
us to
look at
the
urgency
of the
invitation
look again
as it
says
at verse
one
come
everyone
who thirsts
come to
the waters
and he
who has
no money
come
buy
and eat
come
buy
wine
and milk
without
money
and without
price
now
what you
can't see
in the
Hebrew
text
is
what
begins
this
passage
is an
interjection
the
ESV
doesn't do
a very
good job
translating
it for
us
but the
New
King
James
actually
does
I
believe
the
word
in the
New
King
James
is the
word
ho
or
lo
or
it's
really
the
word
hey
listen
up
pay
attention
you
can't
miss
this
don't
let
this
pass
you
by
this
is
important
hear
me
hear
what
I
have
to
say
there
is
an
urgency
to
the
invitation
not
only
described
by
the
way
this
passage
begins
it
it's
beginning
with
an
exclamation
point
you
can't
miss
what's
coming
next
this
is
essential
for
Christian
life
don't
let
it
pass
you
by
so
the
call
of
God
in
our
life
is
to
listen
up
there
is
an
urgent
call
and
we're
going to
see
throughout
this
passage
there
are
there
are
12
commands
in
the
first
three
verses
and
they
kind
of
fall
within
three
groups
the
first
group
is
the
call
to
come
we're
going to
look at
these
briefly
one
at a
time
but
first
the
call
to
come
we
see
that
here
come
everyone
who
thirsts
come
to
the
waters
come
by
and
eat
come
by
wine
and
milk
and
then
later
on
we
see
in
verse
three
it
says
incline
your
ear
and
come
to
me
there
should
be
no
misunderstanding
what
the
call
on our
life
is
to
do
and
that
is
to
come
to
come
to
him
for
our
lives
to
be
bowed
down
for
our
attention
to
be
fixated
on
him
and
notice
how
broad
this
invitation
is
we
see
it
there
the
very
first
line
come
everyone
who
thirsts
does that
include
everyone
in the
world
at
some
point
or
the
other
there
is
a
thirsting
not
only
a
physical
thirsting
but
as
we
begin
to
see
through
this
passage
there
is
a
spiritual
thirsting
that
happens
for
everyone
in
this
life
there
is
a
broadness
to
this
invitation
notice
it
says
in
verse
one
buy
and
eat
those
who
are
hungry
also
can
be
satisfied
in
some
way
as
they
come
notice
in
verse
four
it
says
I
have
made
him
a
witness
to
the
peoples
who
are
those
peoples
it
elaborates
in
verse
five
surely
you
will
summon
the
nations
you
know
not
and
that's
where
you
and
I
come
in
that's
the
wonder
of this
passage
this
morning
is that
the initial
call is
for the
people of
God
in
Israel
but as
they begin
to recognize
and embrace
the call
on their
lives
as they
begin to
experience
the benefits
of
God's
calling
on their
life
now
the
nations
are brought
in
the nations
are affected
and you
and I
as part
of
those
outside
of the
covenant
Israel
have been
blessed
because
of this
promise
and so
the invitation
is to us
as well
the invitation
for us
to come
but there
is also
conditions
the first
condition
is that
they
come
and it's
an all
inclusive
list
of invitees
those who
are thirsty
and those
who have
no money
but the
condition
is
first of
all
you must
recognize
your need
you must
recognize
that there
is thirstiness
in you
that can
only be
satisfied
in him
and second
there is
an exchange
that is being
referred to
it says
come
and buy
we'll talk
about that
in a moment
we need
to understand
our bankruptcy
that we're
buying
without
the
collateral
that really
is meaningful
in the
spiritual realm
there is
personal
bankruptcy
but there
is an
exchange
nonetheless
but fundamentally
this is what
keeps us
from enjoying
the invitation
is it not
what keeps
us from
experiencing
the invitation
is that
we get
in the way
we refuse
to come
as we've
been invited
to come
it's not
as though
the invitation
was not
given
it's not
as though
the offer
was not
extended
to all
of us
the
difficulty
is that
we refuse
to do
what we've
been
encouraged
and commanded
to do
we have
really no
taste
for the
things of
God
and we
have no
time
for the
things of
God
that is
what stands
in our
way
but he
calls us
to come
I don't
know about
you but
the thought
of a
supreme
being
begging
and pleading
and yearning
with his
people
to come
to him
how does
that strike
you
this morning
doesn't
sit well
with me
and yet
this is
the posture
of God
the posture
of God
to call us
in to
what is
truly
significant
it marked
the ministry
of Jesus
as we
see in
Matthew
chapter 23
as he's
weeping
for this
same city
this city
of Jerusalem
and he
says
oh Jerusalem
Jerusalem
the one
who kills
the prophets
and stones
those
who are
sent to
her
how often
I wanted
to gather
your children
together
as a hen
gathers
her chicks
but you
were
not
willing
sound
familiar
is there
a willingness
in us
to participate
in the
great
feast
this great
invitation
of experiencing
our God
what keeps
us
from the
nourishment
and the
life that
is offered
by God
is that
we refuse
to come
there is
not
willingness
in us
there is
a call
to come
but there is
also a call
to buy
notice that
here too
come
buy
and eat
come
buy wine
and milk
without
money
and without
price
on the
surface
this is a
confusing
statement
how does
a purchase
take place
how does
a transaction
happen
without
money
and without
price
what is
this exchange
that
Isaiah
the prophet
is talking
about
how do
you make
this purchase
without
money
well maybe
it would be
helpful to
see this
from a
New Testament
perspective
I think it's
easier in
terms of
proximity
and familiarity
with the
New Testament
to understand
what God
is talking
about
how about
the familiar
verse in
John 3
16
for God
so loved
the world
that he
gave his
only begotten
son
that
whoever
believes
in him
thank you
kids
for helping
whoever
believes
in him
should not
perish
but have
everlasting
life
who is
the invitation
given to
whoever
believes
it's an
open
invitation
there's
accessibility
it is
broad
it's
expansive
in its
ability to
be applied
directly to
life
but what
was the
cost
what is
the cost
to you
well
the cost
to us
is
free
right
it's a
free gift
of God's
grace
but the
cost
to him
was
everything
it cost
him
his life
now what
we don't
have the
benefit
of in
Isaiah
chapter
55
is
understanding
the
context
it flows
from
Isaiah
chapter
53
and those
of you
who know
what Isaiah
53
is talking
about
you'll
recognize
the
connection
the
connection
of the
crucified
savior
the
crucified
servant
leading to
the joy
and the
benefit
of this
broad
and
expansive
invitation
Jesus
in coming
to the
earth
so many
years ago
the cost
for him
was great
the cost
to us
is free
the free
gift
of grace
and yet
there is
an exchange
to be
made
when
speaking
about
discipleship
Jesus
doesn't
mince
words
the
marks
of
discipleship
will
play
out
in
life
whoever
builds
a
tower
and
doesn't
consider
the
cost
who
does
that
Jesus
says
what
king
goes
to
war
and
doesn't
consider
whether
or not
he's
able
to
stand
so
likewise
whoever
of you
does
not
forsake
all
that
he
has
cannot
be
my
disciple
that's
the
exchange
that's
the
exchange
for
every
believer
who
desires
to be
a
disciple
of
God
to
be
part
of
this
great
invitation
there
is
a
great
exchange
not
something
that
can
be
bought
with
money
but
a
price
of
surrendering
your
life
completely
to
him
what
stands
in the
way
of
your
enjoyment
this
morning
it's
not
that
the
offer
the
invitation
has
not
been
extended
it
is
that
you
refuse
!
to
take
it
up
that's
what
stands
in
the
way
of
enjoying
the
benefits
and
the
pleasures
of
God
you
stand
in
the
way
I
stand
in
the
way
of
myself
enjoying
the
pleasures
of
God
my
ideas
my
passions
my
desires
my
love
for
comfort
my
infatuation
with
immediate
gratification
that
stands
in the
way
of
true
satisfaction
but
what
stands
in
the
way
of
true
satisfaction
is
keeping
us
this
great
exchange
is
so
amazing
that
we
if we
really
understood
what the
exchange
was
we
would
be compelled
to it
exchanging
corruption
for
immortality
exchanging
futility
for
fruitfulness
exchanging
captivity
for
freedom
and guilt
for
cleansing
aimlessness
for
purposefulness
isolation
for
fellowship
folly
for wisdom
sorrow
for joy
anxiety
for peace
and judgment
for grace
that is the
exchange
and it's
worth
every cost
it's worth
every cost
it is a
happy exchange
but it is
an exchange
nonetheless
there is a
come to
buy
there is a
called
there's a
called to
come
being called
to buy
there's also
being called
to listen
now there seems
to be a shift
in the language
as we get to
verse
at the end
of verse 2
where we
move from
from the
dining room
to the
classroom
it seems
we move
from the
table
to the
lecture
hall
we move
from eating
to listening
from
enjoying
and participating
in fellowship
to this
learning
that seems
to be
happening
now in
the end
of verse 2
and 3
and as
the shift
in language
is taking
place here
the prophet
Isaiah
and God
himself
wants us
to understand
that what
he is
talking
about
are not
two
competing
truths
but two
companion
truths
because as
we come
to understand
what this
invitation
is all
about
we begin
to realize
that you
can't have
one without
the other
you can't
have true
joy without
experiencing
the benefits
of fellowship
but also
the benefits
of learning
and growing
and abiding
and being taught
by him
and in
three different
ways
it's being
emphasized
at three
different times
and three
different words
word constructions
are being used
to help
describe
the kind
of listening
that we're
to be doing
as God's
people
it begins
with
listen
diligently
to me
listen
diligently
to me
now
those of
you who
have the
NIV
you might
have
it says
listen
to me
and that
is to try
to emphasize
what is really
taking place
in grammatically
is these
two words
side by
side
that are
reinforcing
one another
to help us
recognize
the significance
of listening
diligently
listening
diligently
it needs
to be
something
that we
work at
do you
find yourself
being
distracted
your mind
is kind
of going
from one
thought
to the
next
is kind
of this
ADD
thing
that happens
we can't
seem to
keep
our mind
focused
on any
one thing
at a
time
partly
because of
the culture
in which
we live
but also
partly
because we
just don't
put it
to practice
and Isaiah
wants us
to understand
that if we're
going to
really listen
God's
way
we're
going to
listen
diligently
then he
moves on
and he
says in
verse 3
incline
your ear
and come
to me
this is
the
listening
earnestly
listening
eagerly
it is
the idea
the expression
of bending
towards
do you
ever do
that
I'm
finding
myself
doing
that
more
and more
the older
I get
what was
that
there's a
leaning in
that happens
because
there's an
interest
in what is
being said
there's a
an extending
of self
that
demonstrates
the
significance
of what
is being
communicated
is there
listening
diligently
is there
listening
earnestly
in your
life
setting
aside
the time
on your
day
so you
can really
hear the
voice of
God
speaking
through
his
word
to you
speaking
to you
through
prayer
God I
want to
get your
wisdom
on this
because
I'm about
to make
a big
decision
here
I'm
listening
to your
voice
God
help me
to do
what is
right
I'm
waiting
for you
I'm
listening
for you
I want
to get
the green
light
before I
move
before I
move
forward
then
it says
incline
your ear
and come
to me
hear
that your
soul
may
live
another
command
that is
the listening
actively
it is
in the
present
tense
it
describes
this
activity
that
is
happening
perpetually
they're
never
satisfied
with
what
God
is
trying
to
say
there's
a desire
to
listen
up
to him
to hear
his
voice
whose
voice
are you
listening
to this
morning
you
listening
to the
voice
of
good
friends
philosophies
of this
world
the
priorities
of
this
life
past
experiences
whatever
it might
be
my guess
is
they
compete
they
compete
with
the
true
word
of
God
he
seeks
to
instruct
you
because
he
has
a
great
plan
for
your
life
he
wants
you
to
experience
all
that
is
involved
in
this
great
invitation
but
it
only
happens
through
the
context
of
listening
will
you
listen
to
him
listen
what's
at
stake
here
is
what's
at
stake
in
verse
3
it
says
incline
your
ear
and
come
to
me
hear
that
your
soul
may
live
hear
that
your
soul
may
live
that
is
what
is
at
stake
there
is
refreshment
to be
had
in
him
there
is
satisfaction
to be
had
in
him
there
is
soul
survival
that
is
to be
had
in
him
if
you
listen
and
come
and
buy
at
the
table
of
God
Jesus
says
something
similar
in
John
chapter
10
he
says
my
sheep
hear
my
voice
and
I
know
them
and
they
follow
me
and
I
give
to
them
eternal
life
and
they
shall
never
perish
their
soul
will
be
satisfied
there
will
be
soul
revival
that
takes
place
for
those
who
make
the
great
shepherd
their
voice
whose
voice
are we
listening
to
this
morning
so
we've
seen
the
urgency
of
the
invitation
next
we
turn
to
the
substance
of
the
invitation
we
can
recognize
that
there
is
a
sense
of
immediacy
there's
urgency
to
this
call
but
what
are we
being
called
to
what
is
the
substance
of
this
call
and
first
we
find
in
verses
3
to
5
we
see
that
there
is
an
invitation
to
savor
God
the
substance
of
the
invitation
and
the
invitation
first
of
all
to
savor
God
we
can
see
this
as
we
move
through
verses
2
talks
about
why
are
you
investing
in
things
which
don't
satisfy
listen
eat
what
is
good
delight
yourself
in
rich
food
there
is
a
satisfaction
that
will
come
as
we
come
to
the
table
it
says
incline
your
ear
come
to
me
hear
that
your
soul
may
live
and
I
will
make
with
you
an
everlasting
covenant
my
steadfast
sure
love
to
David
an
invitation
to
savor
God
so
what
are
we
being
called
to
we
we've
seen
some
of
the
clues
and
some
of
the
markers
but
now
it
should
be
pretty
clear
what
the
invitation
is
all
about
what
begins
to
this
general
call
come
to
the
waters
now
begins
to be
a little
bit more
specific
as it
says
in verse
3
incline
your
ear
and
come
to
me
!
Jesus
is the
end
point
of
everything
good
God
is
the
culmination
of
all
that
satisfies
coming
to
him
is
where
we'll
begin
to
enjoy
and
to
know
and
to
experience
all
that
God
has
for
us
knowing
him
fellowship
with
him
delighting
in
him
and
savoring
him
now
I
use
this
word
savor
for
several
reasons
first
I
use
the
word
savor
because
it's
not
corrupted
by
my
idea
of
pleasure
and
delight
now
do you
ever
find
yourself
taking
pleasure
in
something
and
then
later
on
you
are
ashamed
that
you
ever
took
pleasure
in
that
you
see
when I'm
talking
about
savoring
something
I'm
talking
about
understanding
the true
value
of
something
and
reorienting
all of
my
perspective
it's
not
what
satisfies
me
as
much
as
understanding
the value
and the
worthiness
of him
finding
that he
is
valuable
not
because
it
makes
me
feel
happy
but
because
he
is
valuable
he
is
supreme
savoring
recognizes
the
inherent
value
of
the
God
who
is
valued
savoring
is also
important
because
it
helps
to provide
the idea
of the
time
it takes
in
enjoying
something
like
I find
it's
really
amazing
of the
Lord
that
instead
of
just
eating
to get
nutrition
if that
was all
it was
for
we'd
be
just
going
outside
and
eating
some
cockroaches
and maybe
some
grubs
because that
would provide
the nourishment
that we need
in terms
of protein
right
but how
many of
us
want
to
do
that
if
it
came
down
to
that
we'd
be
wolfing
it
down
there'd
be
no
savoring
okay
but we're
called
to
savor
because
God
wants
us
to
enjoy
the
process
of
him
it's
not
just
about
the
knowledge
or
the
instruction
the
information
it's
about
coming
to
appreciate
the
experience
of
fellowship
with
him
that's
why
the
psalmist
says
taste
and
see
that
the
Lord
is
good
put
your
senses
to
work
and
experience
him
that
can't
be
done
by
checking
the
boxes
of
life
by
doing
all
that
God
expects
we're
not
talking
about
discipline
here
we're
talking
about
having
a
deep
dependence
that
is
soaking
in
and
savoring
the
Lord
like
when
we
savor
something
what
does
the
experience
usually
look
like
how
would
you
describe
it
I
had
some
meat
the
other
day
and
it
was
so
succulent
and
so
I
put
it
in
my
mouth
and
I
didn't
just
gulp
it
down
just
let
it
sit
there
and
my
eyes
closed
and
I
just
thought
about
those
tastes
as
they
were
kind
of
swishing
around
in
my
mouth
do
you
know
how
much
of
a
grace
it
is
that
God
doesn't
call
us
just
to
this
information
dump
every
Sunday
and every
day
you do
your
devotions
he's
calling
you
to
experience
he's
calling
you
to
relationship
he
wants
you
to
taste
him
and
as
the
psalmist
says
in
Psalm
19
he says
it's
sweeter
than
honey
can I
just
tell
you
how
wonderful
the
experience
of
God
is
through
his
word
taste
of
him
enjoy
him
and
know
him
that
way
he
is
truly
savory
but
it
also
implies
this
process
this
process
that
involves
time
it
involves
meditation
that's
how
it's
described
in so
many
places
through
the
scripture
it
can't
happen
in the
hurry
and the
flow
of
life
it
can
only
happen
as
we
allow
ourselves
to
soak
him
in
to
let
his
truths
cultivate
the
hard
soil
of
our
life
and
infiltrate
and
to
make
their
roots
down
deep
so
they
can
begin
to
grow
and
to
flourish
in
us
we
can
delight
in the
richest
of
foods
and
even
in
the
foods
that
are
offered
the
prophet
begins
to help
us
understand
the
expansive
experience
that we
can have
with
him
did you
see that
what
is
offered
to us
in
our
drinking
did
you
notice
the
water
in
the
milk
in
the
wine
the
richness
of
the
foods
that
are
being
offered
water
that
helps
us
understand
the
necessities
of
life
really
the
nourishment
that we
need
the
life
sustaining
force
of
water
I
think
about
the
milk
and
the
strengthening
process
that
milk
gives
to
little
infants
especially
but
there
is
also
not
just
the
life
giving
experience
and the
strengthening
experience
but notice
the
wine
why
does
God
put
the
wine
there
because
he
wants
your
life
to be
marked
by
exhilaration
by
enthusiasm
by
excitement
not in
drinking
wine
don't get
me wrong
and I'm
not saying
that that's
wrong
or right
that's
a different
subject
for a
different
time
but
he's
calling
us
to
the
exhilaration
of the
Christian
life
it doesn't
have to
be
marked
with
mundaneness
or drudgery
it can be
marked
by
enthusiasm
by
excitement
taste
of him
and maybe
there will
be a
smile
on your
face
when you
go to
work
tomorrow
and notice
this
faithful
love
this
faithful
love
that he's
promised
to David
and extends
to us
that
happening
that happens
through
the listening
process
it happens
through the
savoring
process
as we
experience
the wonder
of all
that God
has to
give to
us
his
incredible
love
to us
are you
savoring
the
savior
and in
verses
six to
seven
there is
an invitation
to seek
God
an invitation
to seek
God
notice it
says
seek
the Lord
while he
may be
found
call
upon
him
while
he
is
near
let
the
wicked
forsake
his ways
and the
unrighteous
man
his thoughts
let him
return to
the Lord
that he
may have
compassion
on him
and to
our God
for he
will
abundantly
pardon
seeking
it's another
one of the
the commands
in this
passage
the things
that God
is beckoning
us to do
to seek
after him
is not a
sense of
looking for
what is
not discoverable
but looking
for that
which has
made himself
available
so that we
can find
and appreciate
all that he
has to give
but seeking
implies
orientation
it implies
direction
it implies
focus
for us
there is
an objective
and that is
to seek
the Lord
unfortunately
so much
of our
seeking
today
is self
oriented
even the
good things
that I
do
in order
for
me to
seek
after God
really
have at
their
end point
a seeking
that is
oriented
to self
not a
seeking
that is
oriented
to God
we talked
about this
a little
last week
God
I have
done
all of
my
devotions
I have
attended
every
service
I have
given
you
all the
money
that I am
supposed
to give
to you
I am
kind
to my
neighbors
I am
a good
employee
at my
work
why in
the world
are things
so crazy
in my
life
you are not
keeping
your end
of the
bargain
here
and when
we do
that
we show
that all
of our
seeking
really has
self
as its
motivation
not seeking
for the
sake of
him
seeking
for the
sake
of me
instead
of saying
God
I am
seeking
you so
whatever
you invite
into my
life
is a way
for me
to know
you more
so if my
children walk
away from
the faith
I realize
you are
pressing me
in to
trusting in
you
and not
entrusting
in this
world
or trusting
in my own
formulas
for making
my family
better
and Lord
if my
health
is
falling
away
I am
not going
to be
disappointed
because I
understand
that you
are just
helping me
know you
more
and giving
me
opportunity
for the
witness of
God to
show up
in my
life
and to
make it
resound
my focus
my desire
is to
seek you
not to
seek myself
if we
seek him
we come
to discover
that finding
him
involves
every twist
and turn
seeing
his grace
and favor
in the
moments
of sheer
joy
seeing
his
compassion
and mercy
in the
moments
of my
deepest
failures
seeing
his comfort
and peace
in the
moments
of greatest
sorrow
seeing
his strength
and stability
in the
moments
of inadequacy
and weakness
but in
seeking
him
it says
we will
find him
but there
are certain
conditions
here that
express a
true seeking
heart
what does a
true seeking
heart look
like
in verse
seven
you shouldn't
be surprised
to see
that involves
repentance
a repentant
heart
that turns
away
from all
that will
not satisfy
so that it
can turn
its focus
to the one
who truly
satisfies
and when
we do
when we do
God doesn't
squash us
like a bug
notice
what shows
up
the tender
mercies
of God
show up
the compassion
of God
the pardoning
of God
comes abundantly
on all
who will turn
to him
forsake
your way
correct
your thinking
return to
the Lord
and mercy
will come
and God
will be
found by
you
finally
the benefits
of the
invitation
if all
of these
things
were not
enough
now
from verses
8 to
13
we see
benefits
and I
just need
to go
through
these
quickly
because we
don't have
time
to expound
I'm sure
we'll have
a chance
to do
that
as the
year
continues
but I
want to
draw your
attention
to three
benefits
to this
invitation
the first
is found
in verses
8 and
9
it says
for my
thoughts
are not
your
thoughts
neither
are your
ways
my
ways
declares
the
Lord
for as
high
as
the
heavens
are
above
the
earth
so
my
ways
are
higher
than
your
ways
and
my
thoughts
than
your
thoughts
here we
find the
benefit
of his
wisdom
the
benefit
of his
wisdom
this
unrivaled
greatness
of wisdom
that can
be yours
and can
be mine
if we
come
verses
10 and
11
give us
another
benefit
it says
for as
the rain
and the
snow
come down
from heaven
and do
not return
there but
water
the earth
making it
bear fruit
that sprouts
forth
giving seed
to the
sower
and bread
to the
eater
so my
word
that goes
out from
my mouth
it shall
not return
empty
but it
shall
accomplish
that which
I purpose
and shall
succeed in
the things
for which
I sent
it
the benefit
of his
word
the benefit
of a
fruitful
productive
enduring
legacy
as the
word of
God is
working in
your life
and having
its way
not only
in you
but in
the people
around you
the joy
of his
word
and then
finally
in verses
12-13
for you
shall go
out
in joy
and be
led forth
in peace
the mountains
and the hills
before you
shall break
forth into
singing
and all the
trees of the
field shall
clap their
hands
instead of
the thorn
shall come
up the
cypress
instead of
the briar
shall come
up the
myrtle
and it
shall make
a name
for the
Lord
an everlasting
sign
that shall
not be
cut off
and that
is
the benefit
of his
beauty
the benefit
of his
beauty
now we
often think
about joy
and peace
at least
I have
I think
about joy
and peace
as a fringe
benefit of
being part
of the
family
of God
we're
commended
to joy
and peace
and it
seems to
be
this
blessing
that comes
the favor
of God
is on a
life
where joy
and peace
reign
but this
passage has
made me think
about joy
and peace
a little
differently
because of
this last
phrase
it shall
make a
name
for
the
Lord
when we
wear
joy
and peace
when we
wear
productivity
and
fruitfulness
when you
wear
and adorn
this
satisfaction
in God
and when
we
experience
the love
of Christ
as we
find in
verses
4 and
5
notice
at the
end of
verse 5
it says
behold
you shall
call a
nation
that you
do not
know
and
nations
that did
not
know
you
shall
run
to
you
because
of
the
Lord
your
God
and
of
the
Holy
One
of
Israel
for
he
has
glorified
you
he
has
made
you
beautiful
and
when
you
are
beautiful
you're
making
much
of
him
when
peace
reigns
in
your
life
not
the
turmoil
and
frustration
and
hardship
heartache
when
there
is
confident
waiting
and
trusting
you
might
look
beautiful
but
not
because
you
have
made
yourself
beautiful
but
because
he
has
made
you
beautiful
and
your
life
points
to
him
that's
what
we
were
made
for
to
make
him
look
beautiful
it
happens
when
we
come
it
happens
when
we
experience
it
happens
when
we
come
to
know
and
love
our
God
may
we
love
him
so
we
can
make
him
look
beautiful
in
this
world
let's
pray
God
is our
desire
this
morning
to
make
much
of
our
beautiful
and
glorious
God
who
extends
to
us
this
amazing
invitation
the
supreme
God
who
condescends
to
us
to
plead
with
us
for
fellowship
not
because
you
need
it
from
us
but
because
we
so
desperately
need
it
from
you
in
order
to
be
satisfied
we
thank
you
for
the
promise
the
promise
that
your
word
will
never
return
to
you
void
it
will
always
accomplish
its
work
and
then
as
we
have
looked
through
this
passage
we
see also
that
the
nations
that
don't
know
you
shall
run
to
you
are
the
magnet
that
will
draw
the
nations
to
yourself
you
will
have
your
way
in
this
world
so
have
your
way
in
us
first
have
your
way
in
us
Lord
in
Jesus
name
Amen