WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.179 So let's have a look at verse 1 of 2 Samuel chapter 17. 00:00:07.620 --> 00:00:14.320 Ahithophel said to Absalom, I would choose 12,000 men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:16.559 I would attack him while he's weary and weak. 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:21.280 I would strike him with terror and then all the people with him will flee. 00:00:21.859 --> 00:00:25.060 I would strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.320 The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all. 00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:30.539 All the people will be unharmed. 00:00:31.060 --> 00:00:34.039 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 00:00:34.659 --> 00:00:40.100 But Absalom said, summon also Hushai the archite so that we can hear what he has to say as well. 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:44.840 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, Ahithophel has given this advice. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:48.379 Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion. 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:54.799 Hushai replied to Absalom, the advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 00:00:55.120 --> 00:00:57.700 You know your father and his men, they are fighters. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:00.980 And as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. 00:01:01.659 --> 00:01:03.740 Beside your father is an experienced fighter. 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:05.960 He will not spend the night with the troops. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:09.060 Even now he is hidden in a cave or some other place. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:13.180 If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:15.659 there has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom. 00:01:15.659 --> 00:01:21.179 Then even the bravest soldier whose heart is like the heart of a lion will melt with fear. 00:01:21.180 --> 00:01:26.380 Therefore, all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and those with him are brave. 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:34.159 So I advise you, let all Israel from Dan to Beersheba, as numerous as the sand on the seashore, be gathered to you, 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:36.979 with you yourself leading them into battle. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.719 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found. 00:01:40.979 --> 00:01:43.560 And we will fall on him as Jew settles on the ground. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:46.280 Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:55.260 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left. 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:58.560 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:02.200 The advice of Hushai the archite is better than that of Ahithophel. 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:09.840 For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom. 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:13.420 Hushai took Zadok and Abithar the priests. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:19.659 Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:24.259 Now send a message at once and tell David, do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness. 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:29.199 Cross over without fail or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:33.359 Jonathan and Ahimaz were staying at Enrogel. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:37.719 A female servant was to go and inform them and they were to go and tell King David, 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:40.919 for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:47.839 But a young man saw them and told Absalom, so two of them left at once and went to the house of a man called Burrim. 00:02:48.979 --> 00:02:52.519 He had a well in his courtyard and they climbed down into it. 00:02:52.879 --> 00:02:56.879 His wife took a covering and spread it over the opening of the well and scattered corn over it. 00:02:57.239 --> 00:02:59.299 No one knew anything about it. 00:02:59.959 --> 00:03:02.839 When Absalom's men came to the woman at the house, they asked, 00:03:02.959 --> 00:03:04.779 Where are Ahimaz and Jonathan? 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:07.879 The woman answered, They've crossed over the brook. 00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:10.300 The men searched but found no one. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.620 So they returned to Jerusalem. 00:03:12.580 --> 00:03:16.500 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.979 They said to him, Set out and cross the river at once. 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:22.900 Ahithophel has advised such and such against you. 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:27.479 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:31.060 By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:37.960 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:42.460 He put his house in order and then hanged himself. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:46.219 So he died and was buried in his father's tomb. 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:52.080 David went to Mahanaim and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:55.719 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in the place of Joab. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:04:03.719 Amasa was the son of Jethar, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, and sister of Zariah, the mother of Joab. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:07.039 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:20.740 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi, the son of Nahash from Rabbah, the Ammonites, and Machia, the son of Amiel from Lodibar, and Barzillia, the Gileadite from Rogalem, brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. 00:04:21.599 --> 00:04:31.699 They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep and cheese from cow's milk for David and his people to eat. 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:37.779 For they said, the people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness. 00:04:38.920 --> 00:04:42.139 Well, let me pray and ask for God's blessing as we look at his word together. 00:04:42.219 --> 00:04:42.639 Let's pray. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:51.819 Heavenly Father, we confess that these ancient words are your words. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:54.000 This is the story of your work. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:59.779 And this is not just simply what you have said in the past, but is what you're saying to us today. 00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:07.019 So we pray that with both tender hearts and eager ears, we might listen to hear what you are saying to us. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:11.500 Oh, Lord, we are in great need of your word to us. 00:05:12.059 --> 00:05:17.819 So by your spirit, be at work in our hearts, be at work in me, I pray for the glory of your name. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:19.199 Amen. 00:05:19.679 --> 00:05:20.079 Amen. 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:24.279 There's a way of thinking. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:25.099 I don't know. 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:26.839 Perhaps you might think like this this morning. 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:34.199 That assumes that if something is easy or it comes naturally, it must therefore be right. 00:05:35.719 --> 00:05:41.120 I think in our modern speak, we tend to call it being true to ourselves. 00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:45.659 And it is the trump card of modern culture, isn't it? 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:59.580 If you do something that might otherwise be considered really immoral and really objectionable and horrendous, if you do it because you're, quote, being true to yourself, well, then you'll let off the hook. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:05.680 So if you abandon your children and your partner, it would be considered a bad thing to do. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:15.300 But if you're doing it because you have discovered your true sexuality, which you had repressed for years, well, then that might be OK, because you are being, quote, true to yourself. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:24.020 If you drop out of school and flunk your exams and do no work at all, generally, that would be considered a very bad idea. 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:30.240 But if you're doing it to chase a dream, even an unrealistic dream, well, then that's OK, isn't it? 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:31.720 Because you're being real. 00:06:32.460 --> 00:06:33.740 You're being true to yourself. 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:51.500 I think we find ourselves as a culture, perhaps in a place that no culture has ever been before, where for the very first time, desires and longings are not seen as something to channel and curb, but seen instead as the authority in life, the teachers of what we are to do. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:56.980 Because life is really about, in our culture, being who I really am. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:00.240 And my desires are my map in life. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:12.100 Now, it won't surprise you, perhaps, that this morning, 2 Samuel chapter 17 is going to give you a very different version of what life is for and what life is about to that version of events. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:26.800 2 Samuel chapter 17 suggests that you live in a world not so much governed by your desires as the dictation of what is right or wrong, but in a world which is ruled by a sovereign God who rules over all things. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:40.740 In fact, 2 Samuel 17 introduces us to a God who is so sovereign that even the desires of my own heart and what I want to do are also in his hands. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:50.060 And that the opportunity to follow my desires might not be a sign of his blessing, but might be, like they were for Absalom, a sign of his judgment. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:55.960 Here is, if you like, is the alternative version of reality that's set out in 2 Samuel chapter 17. 00:07:55.959 --> 00:08:08.719 Just because you want to do something and just because you have the opportunity to do it does not mean that it is right for you to do it and could mean that you are under God's judgment. 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:11.680 So perhaps it's an immoral relationship. 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:15.860 Perhaps it's a driving attitude that puts yourself first and puts others down. 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:22.760 Perhaps it's an easy come, easy go spiritual laziness that takes the plans and wishes of God with a pinch of salt. 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:26.700 Maybe it's the open door to self-glory and success. 00:08:27.140 --> 00:08:30.900 That, says 2 Samuel 17, is not the blessing you think it is. 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:36.300 In fact, it is God handing us over to a judgment he has planned for us. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:39.319 Now, that is sobering truth, isn't it? 00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:43.359 Let me try and prove that to you from 2 Samuel 17 and then we'll come on to think about it some more. 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:48.979 If you've not been with us before in the series of 2 Samuel, let me try and catch you up with what's going on. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:55.639 King David, God's King David over Israel, is on the run from his rebel son Absalom. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:59.879 Absalom has booted his dad out of Jerusalem and out of his palace. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:05.740 And in last week's story, had sex with his father's wives in a public act of defiance against him. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.799 That's all in the previous chapters. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:12.240 And chapter 17 is all about what's happening next and where all this is going. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:16.039 And it starts with a man with a plan, the man Ahithophel. 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:20.299 Ahithophel is formerly David's most trusted counselor and advisor. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:22.659 And he's now a defector to Absalom. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:26.639 And he's worked out exactly how David is going to be defeated. 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:30.159 So Ahithophel has worked out that David will be tired. 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.819 He knows David's been on the run for days. 00:09:32.980 --> 00:09:36.620 He knows that he was poorly prepared for leaving Jerusalem and he's ill-equipped. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:42.439 He knows that David's defensive troops have yet to be organized, probably not even fed. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:47.100 And he also knows that only one man needs to die for Absalom to win the kingdom. 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:48.740 And that man is David. 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:52.799 So his advice is, listen, chapter 17, right at the beginning. 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:54.779 Don't waste any time, Absalom. 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:55.560 Don't waste any time. 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:57.799 Let me lead a small band, just about 12,000 men. 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.440 That's all I need. 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:00.480 And we'll go, we'll kill David. 00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:01.580 We'll only kill David. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:02.379 That's all we need to do. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:04.399 We'll kill David and the kingdom will be yours. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:11.399 Now, before we move on, you've got to notice this is an absolutely brilliant plan by Ahithophel. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:16.519 The writer goes out of his way to make sure that you know that Ahithophel is absolutely right, 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:18.799 that David and his men are weak and vulnerable. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.559 The writer has underlined it to us at least twice. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:26.819 So once in chapter 16, verse 14, and again at the end of chapter 17, in verse 29, 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:30.139 it is underlined how tired David is. 00:10:30.939 --> 00:10:31.740 Ahithophel is right. 00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:34.960 Then the elders of Israel all agree with the plan in verse 4, 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:40.759 and it seems as if the messengers in verse 21 just assume that Ahithophel's plan is going to be implemented. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:44.840 But despite all that, his plan fails. 00:10:45.540 --> 00:10:46.680 Why does his plan fail? 00:10:47.180 --> 00:10:48.000 Verse 14. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.420 This is the key verse. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.519 We looked at it with the children. 00:10:51.160 --> 00:10:55.160 For the Lord had determined, literally the word there is ordained, 00:10:55.159 --> 00:11:01.459 to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom. 00:11:02.719 --> 00:11:05.000 If you're in the habit of underlining verses in your Bible, 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.860 that is the verse to underline in this chapter. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.639 If you're in a church Bible, please don't do it. 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:11.360 But if you're in your own Bible, you can underline that verse. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:15.860 Chapter 17 is the display of God's power 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:21.899 to ordain what happens even against Ahithophel's advice. 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:25.299 Really, in a sense, this is God versus Ahithophel. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:26.939 Let me show you what I mean. 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:30.019 If you take a look at chapter 16 and verse 23, 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:34.959 you'll notice that Ahithophel's advice in Israel is like one who has inquired of God. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:37.240 Ahithophel is right up there. 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.279 He's no dumb upstart. 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:41.279 He's no intern in the palace. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.699 He is like the guy, right? 00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:44.860 He is the man who knows what he's doing. 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:48.319 He's the Sue Gray or the Dominic Cummings of his day. 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:51.860 He's the Arnie slot of football, right? 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.759 He knows exactly what's going on. 00:11:53.819 --> 00:11:55.319 He knows what to say and what to do. 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:59.019 He's that smart kid in class who always has the answers to the questions. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:03.259 But chapter 17 tells you that for all the respect that he has, 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:07.399 despite his advice being thought of like the word of God, 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:11.019 still in chapter 17, Ahithophel finds himself powerless. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:15.620 And that contrast comes out, especially in the use of the word in verse 14, 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:18.360 of determined or ordained or command. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:21.460 It's a contrast word. 00:12:21.820 --> 00:12:27.100 So it's used of God in verse 14, the word command or give instruction or determination. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:30.019 But it is used again in verse 23 of our chapter, 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:33.100 when if you notice Ahithophel goes back to his house, 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:34.600 he saddles his donkey, he goes home, 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:38.440 and he, we're told, puts his house in order. 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.800 It's the same word. 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:41.980 He determines, he ordains. 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:46.220 He ordains the things in his house and kills himself. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:52.279 The comparison here is, is God ordains what is going to happen 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:56.320 while Ahithophel is organizing the pencils on his desk, right? 00:12:56.800 --> 00:13:00.399 All that Ahithophel can do is like organize his desk. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:03.200 God is ordaining what is happening in the world. 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:04.580 God commands everything. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.159 Ahithophel commands nothing. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.420 God is big and super smart. 00:13:08.420 --> 00:13:11.100 Ahithophel is very, very small. 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:15.279 And that background work of a sovereign God to defeat Ahithophel 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.779 and through him Absalom stands behind this whole story. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:21.980 So it's God's sovereignty there in verse 5, 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:26.180 when Absalom decides to take Hushai the archite 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:28.480 to give his opinion on Ahithophel's plan. 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:30.740 Again, if you don't know the story, 00:13:30.860 --> 00:13:33.960 Hushai is David's insider in the palace. 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:38.100 David sent Hushai back in order just to spy on what was going on 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:40.399 and to try and frustrate Absalom and Ahithophel. 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:45.740 And so Absalom gives Hushai an overview of Ahithophel's plan in verse 6 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:50.360 and says, Hushai, what do you think about this plan of Ahithophel? 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:56.080 And Hushai is on a mission, isn't he, to defeat Ahithophel. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:59.680 And so he accuses Ahithophel of underestimating David. 00:14:00.540 --> 00:14:02.759 He says, oh no, listen, this is a bad plan. 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.519 Ahithophel hasn't realized that David's like a man, 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:07.600 you know, who is angry. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.860 He's like a raging bear robbed of his cubs. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:13.819 But I want you just to notice with me just how clever this is 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:14.819 and what's going on here. 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:17.419 Notice the difference between what Ahithophel says 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:20.179 and what Hushai says. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:23.139 So have a look at verse 1 and notice what Ahithophel says. 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:27.379 I think there's only so many times in a sermon you can say Ahithophel 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:30.720 before you just kind of lose the power of speech, right? 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:32.120 I'm getting there slowly. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:35.059 He says this, notice all the I words. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.960 This is Ahithophel speaking. 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:42.300 I would choose 12,000 men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:45.019 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:47.160 I would strike him with terror. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:49.040 Then all the people with him will flee. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:53.100 I would strike down only the king and bring back the people to you. 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:56.259 The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all. 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:58.300 All the people will be unharmed. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.540 That's what Ahithophel says. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:03.440 Notice the difference between what Hushai says in verse 11. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:09.520 I advise you, says Hushai, let all Israel, all Israel, everybody from Dan to Beersheba, 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:13.060 as numerous as the sand on the seashore, be gathered to you, Absalom. 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.860 Let them all come to you. 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:20.180 Then you yourself, you, Absalom, you can ride them all into battle. 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:23.860 Then we will attack wherever he may be found and we will fall on him 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.620 as the Jew settles on the ground. 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:27.580 Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 00:15:27.640 --> 00:15:29.780 It will be a great, great victory, Absalom. 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:34.120 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:38.319 and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.459 See, here's the thing, right? 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:44.819 Ahithophel knows exactly how to defeat David, right? 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:48.759 Hushai knows exactly how to play Absalom. 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:50.679 He knows Absalom is vain. 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.299 And so he plays him, doesn't he? 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:55.899 He flatters him, places him at the center of this great victory 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:58.779 with all of Israel behind him, pulling down every stone, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.379 not leaving any supporter alive. 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:02.679 You know, Absalom just can't resist that kind of talk. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:04.079 Oh, yes, that sounds fantastic. 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:04.600 I love that. 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.439 That's a great plan. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:10.620 And then what happens is that Hushai uses the communication link 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.019 that he'd set up when David fled. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:14.100 He tells the priests, Zadok and Abathar, 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:17.259 who then pass the message to their sons, Jonathan and Himaz, 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.899 via a servant girl. 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.860 But they're seen doing it and Absalom sends men after them. 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:24.899 So they run, dive down a well in Bahurim 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:27.319 before getting the message eventually to David, 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:30.159 who then crosses the Jordan River at night to be safe. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:33.100 Now, that's a quick run through the story. 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:35.159 But I want you just to zoom out for a moment. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.159 Okay, that's what's going on. 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:39.039 Just kind of, let's come to kind of 10,000 feet 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.860 and zoom out and have a look at what's going on. 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:43.459 What you notice in 2 Samuel 17 00:16:43.459 --> 00:16:45.459 is that God is hardly mentioned, right? 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.879 He hardly mentioned. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:49.360 But still, because of verse 14, 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:52.320 you know that God stands behind all of this, 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:55.759 accomplishing the judgment of Ahithophel and Absalom. 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:57.740 You know, there's no lightning strikers there. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.720 There's no voice from heaven. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.720 There's no angel of death. 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:01.019 There's no giant hailstones. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:03.360 In fact, what happens here is Absalom 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:06.019 gets exactly what he wants in chapter 17. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:09.440 He gets exactly what he wants. 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.500 But because of verse 14, 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:14.519 it tells you that God is in charge 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:17.259 and he commands the judgment of Absalom 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:20.579 through him getting what he wants. 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:23.000 Think about what that means. 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:25.039 It means, doesn't it, 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.819 that the story of 2 Samuel 17 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:29.259 is the story of God commanding history 00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:32.559 to bring the exaltation of his own king. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:35.259 And that means that God is behind 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:37.539 all of the details of 2 Samuel 17. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:40.579 Notice that God has determined 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:42.720 the vanity of Absalom's heart. 00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:44.000 Notice that. 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:46.759 It's not just that God knows 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.980 that Absalom is vain. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:50.659 It is instead that he has determined, 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.419 he has commanded, instructed, 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:56.220 he stands over the vanity of Absalom's heart. 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:59.439 Not that Absalom is forced in any way 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:00.599 to be vain. 00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.859 He is free. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:04.759 Still, God commands it and ordains it 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.960 that Absalom be vain enough 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:07.279 to listen to a faulty plan 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.179 instead of a good one. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.099 Don't mistake it. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:13.500 This is not a case of like human freedom 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.899 versus God's plan, 00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:16.759 as if those two things are kind of 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.659 antagonistic towards one another. 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:21.039 What you've got going on in 2 Samuel 17 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:23.379 is not human freedom versus God's sovereignty. 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:25.299 What you've got is human freedom 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:27.500 and a God who is so sovereign 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:30.240 that he can allow us to be free 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.799 whilst also commanding the ends 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.699 to which he's working. 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:35.799 It's utterly mind-blowing. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:39.419 So just because he wanted the big army to follow him, 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.099 just because he wanted to get the glory, 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:44.839 just because he chose what seemed to seem best to him, 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:47.119 does not for a moment mean that God 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:48.960 in his sovereign power is out of control. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.099 He's in control, 00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:53.899 even over the inclinations of Absalom's heart. 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:56.720 God is at work bringing judgment 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.259 and David to the throne. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.279 Think about the empty well. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:02.240 God determines the empty well as well, doesn't he? 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:05.859 You imagine these two young men telling the story. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.700 Oh yeah, do you know what? 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.899 Super risky. 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.339 We were on the run. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.440 We got spotted. 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:13.579 So we went into this kind of like courtyard area 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:16.139 and we did this amazing like dive down the well 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:18.539 and then we were like ninjas. 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:19.139 It was amazing. 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.859 You should have seen it. 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:20.500 It was brilliant. 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:21.879 No, no, no, no. 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:23.000 You've misunderstood the story. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.660 God provided an empty well 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.960 for them to be hidden 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:28.039 and a lying woman to cover it 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.640 so that they could get away. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:31.779 God was behind all of that. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.500 That's what's going on. 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:36.120 Or what about the support of the foreign kings? 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.340 It's amazing, isn't it? 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:38.279 At the end of the story, 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.240 you haven't really looked at it, 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:42.759 but the foreign kings who come with a long list of supplies 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:44.259 of all of David's needs. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:46.840 Israel and Absalom are getting ready for the war 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:48.740 while the Ammonites and the Gileadites 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:50.799 are coming and supplying David's strength 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:52.340 for a war that's bound to follow. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:55.340 God has ordained support for his king, 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:57.199 even down to the level of cheese and honey 00:19:57.199 --> 00:19:58.379 and lentils and beans. 00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:01.879 Everything there being commanded by God 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:04.379 so that David's army will be ready for the battle 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.619 that Absalom in his vanity 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.959 has been tricked into fighting 00:20:06.959 --> 00:20:09.000 because God ordained it. 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:12.779 So notice that God is in control of all things. 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:14.699 We're free, but God is so sovereign 00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:16.799 that Absalom is allowed his freedom, 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.939 but God is in control. 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.480 But notice that God's control 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:21.119 is heading in a certain direction 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:24.399 so that the lying, the vanity, the charity, the loyalty, 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:26.259 both intended and unintended 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.720 are all working together 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:30.100 under the hand of a sovereign God to do what? 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:34.780 Defeat enemies and exalt God's king, 00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:37.640 working to bring disaster on Absalom 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:39.780 and victory to David. 00:20:40.840 --> 00:20:41.660 And like I said earlier, 00:20:41.780 --> 00:20:43.700 that's the story of the Bible, right? 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:45.620 The story of God's word. 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:49.420 1,500 years later, after King David, 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:51.480 King Jesus comes along. 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:55.180 And through the wicked betrayal of a friend, 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:59.599 he brings what he thinks is going to be defeat to Jesus, 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:02.259 but turns out to be victory for Jesus, 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:05.920 where God silently ordains even the evil intentions 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:07.779 and the vanity of the hearts of the Jewish leaders 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:10.299 so much that they are freely shouting out, 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:12.620 crucify him, crucify him, crucify him, 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:15.220 when really what God is doing is exalting him, 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.860 exalting him, exalting him, 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:20.619 destroying the devil, defeating sin once for all. 00:21:21.459 --> 00:21:23.039 That dynamic continues today. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.479 All things in history are working out 00:21:25.479 --> 00:21:26.839 for the exaltation of Jesus, 00:21:26.959 --> 00:21:28.419 the one who will return in power 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:31.059 and be seen to be king of kings and lord of lords, 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:34.039 taking his rightful place to rule and reign forever 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:36.619 in a world remade by his power and his glory. 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.899 Every rebellion will be squashed. 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:41.159 Every false religion will be destroyed. 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:43.879 Every pretend to success will come to an end 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:45.440 and king Jesus will be exalted. 00:21:46.820 --> 00:21:47.980 You could put it this way, couldn't you? 00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:49.680 At 2 Samuel chapter 17, 00:21:50.100 --> 00:21:53.020 God is silently working for the exaltation of king David 00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:54.180 and the destruction of Absalom. 00:21:54.520 --> 00:21:56.000 But in the giant sweep of the Bible, 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.320 God is working in all things 00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:58.980 for the exaltation of king Jesus 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.860 and the destruction of sin. 00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:03.660 This is the point of 2 Samuel 17. 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:09.200 Absalom, in his free desires, brought to judgment. 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:12.560 He freely follows his own desires 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.919 and is brought to judgment 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:15.559 because God is so sovereign 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:18.819 and is using Absalom's desires to undo him. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:22.940 Now, I think you could spend all day thinking about 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.960 what are the implications of a view of God 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.460 that he is so sovereign 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:29.759 that you and I are allowed to freely follow our desires 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:31.859 even when it brings us into judgment 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:34.399 because he's exalting his king Jesus 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.839 and defeating our sin. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.179 You can spend all day thinking about that, 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.819 but we're not going to. 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:39.559 I'm going to just draw out two things 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:41.859 for us as we close. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.980 The first thing is this. 00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:43.940 I want you to know, 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:47.379 beware you are free to sin. 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:50.839 This is the grave warning of 2 Samuel 17. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:52.200 If you've never thought about this before, 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.240 think about this with me. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.819 That in his freedom to sin 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:58.119 and even in his measure of success, 00:22:58.359 --> 00:23:01.299 Absalom is not being blessed by God, 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:03.659 but is being ruined by him. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.419 God lets him get on with it. 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:08.139 He grants him this level of success, 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:10.000 but it is not a sign that he is right. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.220 And so for you and I, 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:16.140 we are not to assume that just because we are doing what we want to do, 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:18.500 just because we are being true to ourselves 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:20.759 and just because we're not being struck by lightning, 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.759 when that happens, 00:23:22.340 --> 00:23:25.540 it doesn't mean that we're doing the right thing. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.740 It turns out that every desire is not to be followed. 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:30.360 Our vanity, our covetousness, 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:32.020 our lust, our pride, our anger, 00:23:32.280 --> 00:23:34.180 all of those internal motivations, 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:37.539 I am absolutely free to indulge in. 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:41.299 I can go mad and nothing will stop me, 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:45.320 but it will never threaten God's power to hold me to account. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.620 Absalom is free to sin, 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:51.600 but God is still in control and it brings him to disaster. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:54.679 Let me say to you this morning, 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.139 becoming a Christian, 00:23:56.559 --> 00:24:00.699 becoming a Christian is not accepting a few truths that you didn't know before 00:24:00.699 --> 00:24:01.240 and just going, 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.799 oh yeah, okay, 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.939 I now believe those tick, right? 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.559 Becoming a Christian is not that. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:08.539 Becoming a Christian is surrender. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:10.139 That's what becoming a Christian is. 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:12.439 It is surrendering to Jesus. 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.059 You know, 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.439 I think we often think, 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:15.699 don't we, 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.459 that becoming a Christian, 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:19.079 maybe it's a promise to turn over a new leaf and say, 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.359 actually, 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:22.519 I'm going to be better than I was before and God's going to be happy with me. 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:25.460 I'm going to come to church more regularly and God's going to like that. 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:28.240 Maybe you even think that becoming a Christian is about saying, 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.639 actually, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.599 in my life, 00:24:29.699 --> 00:24:30.919 God is on my side. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:31.779 You know, 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:35.859 I've got all these things that I want to do and God is on my side to bless me. 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.139 We even talk, 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.500 don't we, 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:40.079 about inviting Jesus into our hearts. 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.539 But you know, 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:43.039 that's not what a Christian is. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:47.519 Being a Christian is not about God surrendering to my plans. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:50.779 It's about me surrendering to his, 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:53.000 me surrendering to him. 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:55.720 Becoming a Christian is, 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.599 is this, 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.639 it starts like this, 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.240 becoming a Christian. 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.559 Actually, 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:00.539 this is how being a Christian carries on. 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.319 If you're a Christian this morning, 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:03.900 this is what you pray every day. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.119 You know, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.259 Lord, 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.440 that freedom that you've given me, 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.660 that ability that I have to do what I want to do. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:10.379 I'm making a terrible mess of that. 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:10.900 Lord, 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.539 please forgive me. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:16.440 I give up any pretense that I'm in charge of my own life. 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:16.879 I give, 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:20.559 give up any claim I have on my own life. 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:20.899 Lord, 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.899 I submit to you. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.079 Lord, 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:24.079 I give up to you. 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:24.940 Lord, 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:28.480 I want to live under your good rule and I don't want to live for myself anymore. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.059 Lord, 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.079 I surrender. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.940 I give up. 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.000 You know, 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:35.099 the truth is in the story of the Bible, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.460 the choice is, 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.299 will you surrender today? 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:42.240 Or will you wait until the day when everybody has to surrender? 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.680 That's the choice. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.500 There is a day coming. 00:25:45.659 --> 00:25:46.720 Jesus wins, 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.240 right? 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:50.500 And there's a day coming when you will meet King Jesus, 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.579 King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:25:52.879 --> 00:26:00.200 And you will either submit to him in eternal torments of hell or in the glories of heaven, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:02.579 because you submitted to him before you met him. 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.259 So let me ask you, 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:08.119 and can I invite you this morning to surrender to Jesus? 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.240 Maybe you've never done that before. 00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:13.359 Perhaps you've done it a million times before, 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.399 but let's do it again. 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.180 In our hearts, 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:16.839 let's say, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.220 Jesus, 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.799 you're King, 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.319 not me. 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.839 I surrender to you. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.659 I lay it all down for you. 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:25.059 We're free to sin. 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.839 So we must surrender. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.119 Finally, 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.480 then, 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:30.559 Jesus will always win. 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:32.039 Jesus will always win. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:33.399 This is clearly the main point of the passage. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:35.079 I hope that's ringing in your ears, 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.500 at least. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.980 2 Samuel chapter 17 tells you that God, 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.940 God in his sovereign power, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:44.140 will command or determine all things to establish the rule of his anointed king. 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:47.680 All things will establish the rule of King Jesus. 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:50.200 Even death and hell cannot stand in his way. 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:53.759 The wicked motives of our hearts, 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:56.559 the jealous motives of the religious leaders of his day, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:59.100 the clever plans of wise Ahithophel's, 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:01.080 none of those can stand in God's way. 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.519 In fact, 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:02.059 the opposite. 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.980 God is so close to his creation. 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:07.180 He is so involved in his world by his spirit. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:13.140 So great is his power that all things can only ever accomplish his purposes in glory. 00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:15.160 Jesus will always win. 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:16.840 It means, 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.160 doesn't it, 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.320 that the safest place in the world, 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:20.320 really the only safe place in the world, 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:20.940 is where? 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.360 With Jesus. 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.500 Think about it like this. 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.480 Imagine for a moment, 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:28.259 like a double-sided postcard. 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:36.839 On the front side of the postcard is the picture of the savage war of wicked betrayal and scheming wise men. 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.500 And as you look at the picture, 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.480 as far as you can tell, 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.500 it seems like the wicked are winning, right? 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:47.900 It seems like there is wars and wickedness and evil and deceit and folly. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:52.940 The war seems to be won by wiser Hithophels, perhaps, 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.940 or powerful people like Absalom. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:59.240 But in the corner of the postcard is that with this terrible picture on the front, 00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:00.980 there's a little symbol on the side that says, 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:04.600 please turn over to Samuel chapter 17, 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.440 verse 14, 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.799 and you flip the card over. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.660 And there's a different picture. 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.799 The same wicked men are there, 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.940 the same savage war, 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.019 the same wicked betrayal, 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:15.860 but above it are golden rays of sunshine, 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:19.700 the radiance of the glorious providence of God, 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:22.039 the one who rules over all things, 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:26.119 and written in the sky is Jesus will always win. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:29.339 And then there's an invitation, isn't there? 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.680 Will you follow Jesus? 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.859 Will you join Jesus? 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.980 Will you surrender to him and enter his kingdom? 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:38.399 To see that behind everything, 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:40.019 above all things, 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:42.139 is a God that you cannot see, 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:44.059 who is working out his plan 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:46.139 to exalt his son, Jesus. 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:48.040 And you and I this morning, 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.860 we're invited, aren't we, 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.640 to die with him, 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.580 to rise with him, 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.380 to belong to him, 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:53.200 to lay down our schemes and our plans, 00:28:53.540 --> 00:28:55.040 to give up our own ambitions, 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:57.600 to forget this idea that being true to ourselves 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:58.840 is the meaning of our lives, 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.700 and to say, 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:03.020 actually the point of our lives is to follow Jesus. 00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:05.320 To pick up bigger ambitions, 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:07.300 more glorious than fancy clothes, 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.200 or well-paid jobs, 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.000 or good education. 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:12.800 To dream about an eternity with a person that we were made for. 00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:15.120 To be ambitious for the growth of his kingdom, 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.759 and not our own. 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:18.699 To lose my little plans in his big ones. 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:21.879 To find my joy and delight in the fact that with Jesus, 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:24.759 no one and nothing can be defeated. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:28.759 There's no robbery that can take my treasure. 00:29:29.219 --> 00:29:31.339 There's no accusation which can rob my confidence. 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:34.079 There's no plan that can derail my future in Jesus, 00:29:34.179 --> 00:29:37.119 because God ordains all things for the victory of his son, 00:29:37.479 --> 00:29:38.719 and the defeat of his enemies. 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:42.279 Submit to Christ in all things. 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.199 Let me pray, 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.579 and then we'll sing as we respond. 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:49.819 Heavenly Father, 00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:51.339 we thank you so much 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:53.799 that the story of our world 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:57.579 is not the story of the victory of wicked men and women. 00:29:58.459 --> 00:29:59.779 The story of our world 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:02.679 is not the story of the victory of our desires, 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:05.159 and our being true to ourselves. 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:07.299 But the story of our world 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.239 is your sovereign power 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:14.819 to exalt King Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:17.679 And so we say together this morning, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.460 humbly, 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.899 honestly, 00:30:20.439 --> 00:30:22.839 we submit to Jesus. 00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:26.619 We want to love him 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:28.700 and live our lives for him. 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:32.179 We want to lay down every pretense that we have 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.679 that we can dictate our future 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:35.960 or determine what is going to happen. 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:39.920 We want to say rule and reign 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:41.559 as Lord of our lives 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.880 and Lord of our church. 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:44.700 Jesus, 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.779 King Jesus, 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:48.220 rule and reign for your glory's sake. 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.559 Amen. 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:49.759 Amen. 00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:50.559 Amen. 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:50.700 Amen.