WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.440 And the rest of you, you can grab your Bibles and turn to 2 Samuel chapter 7 or keep it open in front of you. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:08.339 And Clifford is going to come and read for us. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:15.540 Let's read and hear God's word as is found in 2 Samuel chapter 7, reading from verses 1 to 17. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:25.740 After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:33.500 he said to Nathan the prophet, here am I living in the house of Cedar while the ark of God remains in the tent. 00:00:34.820 --> 00:00:40.979 Nathan replied to the king, whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it for the Lord is with you. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:49.879 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan saying, go and tell my servant David, this is what the Lord says. 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:53.379 Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 00:00:53.380 --> 00:00:59.060 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt to this day. 00:00:59.700 --> 00:01:04.079 I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:14.340 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any one of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people, 00:01:14.820 --> 00:01:19.420 Israel, why have you not built me a house of cedar? 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:26.120 Now then, tell my servant David, this is what the Lord Almighty says. 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:36.099 I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:43.379 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. 00:01:43.379 --> 00:01:50.019 Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest of men on earth. 00:01:50.759 --> 00:01:57.879 And I will provide a place for my people Israel, and will plant them so that they can have a home for their own, 00:01:58.259 --> 00:01:59.879 and no longer be disturbed. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:07.519 Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning, 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:12.740 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:17.139 I will also give you rest from all your enemies. 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:23.740 The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself would establish a house for you. 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:28.919 When your days are over and your rest with your ancestors, 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:35.439 I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:37.639 and I will establish his kingdom. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:42.699 He is the one who will build a house for my name, 00:02:43.159 --> 00:02:46.659 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:52.399 I will be his father, and he will be my son. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:57.520 When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:01.099 with floggings inflicted by human hands. 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:05.040 But my love will never be taken away from him, 00:03:05.540 --> 00:03:09.759 as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 00:03:11.140 --> 00:03:14.520 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me. 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:18.159 Your throne will be established forever. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:25.060 Nathan reported to David all the words of the entire revelation. 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:26.159 Amen. 00:03:26.579 --> 00:03:26.900 Amen. 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:29.240 Thank you, Clifford. 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:33.019 Well, do keep that passage open in front of you, 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:36.300 and we're going to try and work our way through it together. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:42.259 I think if you want to know what 2 Samuel chapter 7 is about, 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:45.879 then what you really need to look for is the word house. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:49.680 It comes eight times in our passage. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:54.639 So in verse 1, you find that David is living in his house, 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:56.960 translated palace by the NIV. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:01.439 A house that we're told in verse 2 that is made of cedar, 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:04.620 which is very fancy building material. 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:07.979 And while David lives in his cedar palace, 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:09.579 the ark of God dwells in it. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.019 And this is the shock, because the word is not house. 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:15.200 The word is tent, tent. 00:04:16.340 --> 00:04:17.680 David doesn't think that's right, 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:22.620 so he plans to build a permanent house for God in verse 5. 00:04:24.460 --> 00:04:26.500 But God replies to him through Nathan the prophet 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:31.060 and says that God has never lived in a house in verse 6. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:34.939 He's never asked anyone to build him a house of cedar in verse 7. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:37.980 And then in an amazing reversal, God says to David, 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:40.639 that David who has said, I'm going to build you a house, 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.160 God says to him, no, I will build you a house. 00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:49.000 A house not made of cedar, but a house built in offspring. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:51.720 Your offspring who, verse 13, will, as it happens, 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.500 build my house, a temple. 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:56.759 But still that house, that temple, 00:04:56.839 --> 00:04:59.180 will be nothing compared to the house that God builds, 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:01.360 which verse 16 will last forever. 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:02.780 You get it? 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:06.600 House, house, house, house, house, house. 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:10.720 That is a brief summary of 2 Samuel chapter 7. 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:12.360 Now there's loads of detail in here, 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:13.460 and I think in some ways, 00:05:13.960 --> 00:05:16.980 2 Samuel chapter 7 is one of the most important chapters 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:18.060 in the story of David, 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:20.259 as he gets this covenant promise 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:22.340 about his ancestors to come. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:24.980 But I want instead just to try and give us 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:27.240 essentially a sort of an overview 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:29.460 of what's going on here. 00:05:29.459 --> 00:05:31.779 David says, from his house, 00:05:31.919 --> 00:05:33.079 I will build the Lord a house. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:34.159 God says, from his tent, 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:36.259 I will build David an eternal house. 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:39.219 Now let's get on with the first thing 00:05:39.219 --> 00:05:40.379 that I want you to notice, though, 00:05:40.419 --> 00:05:41.079 from this passage. 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:43.399 It's this, God is free to do what he wants. 00:05:44.019 --> 00:05:45.379 God is free to do what he wants. 00:05:45.539 --> 00:05:48.359 Now, I know that's a really obvious thing 00:05:48.359 --> 00:05:49.299 for me to say to you. 00:05:49.379 --> 00:05:50.699 Of course, you understand, don't you, 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:51.560 that God is free. 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:53.620 What I mean by that is not that God 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:55.019 doesn't cost you anything, 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:55.899 not saying that, 00:05:55.979 --> 00:05:58.019 rather that God is free to act. 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:01.500 God is the one who is free to do 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:03.459 whatever he wills to do. 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:05.000 Yeah, you understand that? 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:07.459 In other words, history, 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:09.419 the events of our time, 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:10.899 the space in which we live, 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:13.859 is literally his story. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:15.719 Not our story, not your story, 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:17.620 not my story, not even David's story. 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:20.079 History is his story. 00:06:20.919 --> 00:06:22.359 See this with me in the passage. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:24.959 God's first response to David's house building plan 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:27.939 in verses six to seven is to remind David 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:29.959 that he has been moving about in a tent 00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:32.739 ever since he was brought up by the people from Egypt. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:35.379 But notice all the eyes in the passage. 00:06:36.299 --> 00:06:36.699 God says, 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:39.299 I brought up the Israelites out of Egypt. 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:42.099 I have been moving from place to place in a tent. 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:42.679 He goes on, 00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:45.379 I never said anything about a house building 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:47.279 to any of the rulers or judges. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:49.899 I commanded to rule Israel. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:51.620 In other words, David, listen, 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:54.060 what you need to understand, David, 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:57.600 is that I am in a tent 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:00.720 because I have chosen to be in a tent. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:04.579 Because the story of the story of God's people 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.500 is my story, says God. 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:10.259 It's the story of what I have done as I have acted. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:14.920 So much so that when I need a house, 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:16.459 you can be sure that it will happen 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:18.459 because I will make it happen. 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:22.000 You see, David needs to understand that God is free. 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:24.439 God is free to do what he wants. 00:07:25.039 --> 00:07:27.779 And David acts in response to the commands of God, 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:29.239 not the other way around. 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:32.379 David doesn't get to tell God what to do. 00:07:32.859 --> 00:07:35.740 God gets to tell David what he is doing. 00:07:36.539 --> 00:07:38.459 It gets underlined with some more eyes. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:40.859 Notice from verse eight, all the eyes there. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:43.120 I took you, he says, 00:07:43.479 --> 00:07:44.379 getting more personal, 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:46.839 from the pasture to make you ruler over my people, 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:47.399 verse eight. 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:49.699 I have been with you wherever you've gone, 00:07:49.799 --> 00:07:50.179 verse nine, 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:51.739 cutting off the enemies and winning victories. 00:07:52.539 --> 00:07:54.579 David, don't think that your personal story, 00:07:54.659 --> 00:07:55.659 not just the story of Israel, 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:58.139 don't think that your personal story 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:00.219 is the story of you, you, you. 00:08:00.799 --> 00:08:03.139 It's the story of God, God, God. 00:08:04.179 --> 00:08:05.620 God is free to act. 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:07.659 He can do whatever he wants to do. 00:08:07.739 --> 00:08:09.620 The history is the story of what he does, 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:11.739 which means significantly for David 00:08:11.739 --> 00:08:13.319 that he shouldn't think that he is capable 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.679 of building a house for God, 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:16.319 as if he could contain God 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.379 or as if God needs him 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.560 to put a roof over his head. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:20.860 David mustn't limit God like that. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:23.540 Now, let me just ask you 00:08:23.540 --> 00:08:25.240 just to think about that with me for a moment. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:26.160 It's a big idea. 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:28.120 It's obvious and it's plain, 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.600 but it is really significant. 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:32.940 It should be plain to us 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:34.019 that the real God 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:36.700 does not do everything that we would do. 00:08:37.419 --> 00:08:39.320 God is surprising to us. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:41.039 He doesn't do everything that we would do 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:41.779 and he doesn't do everything 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:43.240 that we would want him to 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.399 or expect him to 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:46.120 because fundamentally God, 00:08:46.219 --> 00:08:46.939 the God of the universe, 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:47.939 the God who made us, 00:08:48.079 --> 00:08:50.059 the triune God of Father, Son and Spirit 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:51.860 is not subject to my plans, 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:54.199 my rules, my expectations or yours. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:57.379 He is free to do what he wants to do. 00:08:57.839 --> 00:08:59.379 He's not threatened by our decisions 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.480 or limited by our ideas. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:02.899 God is free above all overall, 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:04.899 doing all things in accordance 00:09:04.899 --> 00:09:05.980 with the purpose of his will. 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.579 And you and I really quickly forget that, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:08.899 don't we? 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:11.679 We quickly question God's goodness 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:12.480 or his wisdom 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.840 when he doesn't do what we would do. 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:15.480 Oh, wait a minute. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:16.699 Why have you done that? 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:17.759 I wouldn't have done that. 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:19.259 Are you still good, God? 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:21.459 You know, David thinks that God should be 00:09:21.459 --> 00:09:23.319 not in a tent, but in a house 00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:24.279 and God doesn't agree. 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:25.379 So he stays in the tent. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:27.059 Now, you and I might not be trying 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:27.879 to build God a house, 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:29.740 but we might try and contain him in other ways. 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:32.419 Now, God, why haven't you not made it easier 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:32.899 to be a Christian? 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:33.759 You should make it easier 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:35.259 to be a Christian, shouldn't you? 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.059 Why have you permitted us 00:09:37.059 --> 00:09:38.759 to face the suffering that we face? 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:40.899 Why don't you stop the godless side 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:41.679 of Western culture 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:43.740 away from Bible morality and values? 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.059 Oh, God, why don't you let us 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:48.340 get the freehold to our building more easily? 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:50.459 Why don't you enlarge the size of our church? 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:51.980 Why don't you give us better health, 00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:53.659 better looks, better mental health? 00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:55.659 But the truth is, the bottom line, 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:57.779 before we even get to ask the why question, 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:59.100 which is a fair question to ask, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.860 before we ask the why question, 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:02.980 we must admit that God is free 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.299 to do what he wants to do, 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.960 free to do what he decides to do 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:07.560 in the world, 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.740 because that's what it means 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:12.040 for God to be God. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:14.000 Now, that doesn't mean, does it, 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:15.720 that tomorrow God to choose to be bad? 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:16.620 That's not what we're saying. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.000 The Bible is really clear 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.620 that God's freedom is in line 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.560 with his nature, 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:23.139 and his nature is goodness itself. 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:25.639 Goodness is defined by the nature of God. 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:27.700 So God is free to act in line 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:29.600 with his nature at all times. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.680 God is the definition of good. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.019 But what it does mean 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:34.359 is that the story of our lives, 00:10:34.459 --> 00:10:35.419 the story of history, 00:10:36.199 --> 00:10:37.379 is the freedom of God 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.979 deciding what to do. 00:10:40.319 --> 00:10:42.000 Now, I think if we understand that, 00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:42.919 it should help us see 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:44.000 that God is a lot bigger 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:46.399 than we're inclined to think, right? 00:10:47.239 --> 00:10:48.239 At 2 Samuel 7, 00:10:48.359 --> 00:10:49.099 David is realizing 00:10:49.099 --> 00:10:50.279 that he is smaller 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:52.039 and God is greater. 00:10:52.239 --> 00:10:53.159 That's what he's realizing. 00:10:53.859 --> 00:10:55.079 His plan to build a house 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:55.779 comes to nothing 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:56.779 because God is bigger 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:58.379 and more free than David thought. 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:00.860 And God's plan to build a house for David 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.019 is what's going to happen, 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.159 not the other way around. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:04.879 It's interesting. 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:05.600 I think, obviously, 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:07.240 David taught this lesson to Solomon. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.679 Solomon is David's son. 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:09.779 Solomon is the guy 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.179 who actually builds the temple. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.899 And when he builds the temple, 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.639 he prays a prayer of dedication. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:16.159 And he's clearly learned this lesson 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.000 from his father, David. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:18.779 So listen to what he prays 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:20.659 when the temple is dedicated. 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:21.980 He says this, 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:23.879 But will God really dwell on earth? 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.460 The heavens, 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:26.539 even the highest heaven, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.360 cannot contain you. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.720 How much less this temple 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.460 that I have built, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:31.340 this house that I have built. 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.180 God is free. 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:34.500 And we cannot contain him 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.340 to live in a building 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.460 or dictate plans to him 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.320 or tell him what to do. 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.620 God is not limited 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:40.039 by our thoughts of him. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.180 Not bound to do 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:44.460 what we should think he should do. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.700 Now, given that, 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:48.080 given the freedom of God, 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:48.960 what comes next? 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:49.980 And really the big idea 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.620 in the passage is surprising. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:52.120 Okay? 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.580 God is free to do 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.360 what he wants to do. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.360 The story of history 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.480 is the story of his actions. 00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:57.779 And yet, 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:59.399 the free God does what? 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:02.080 He binds himself to a promise. 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:04.180 He binds himself to a promise. 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.960 The whole chapter really 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:08.320 reads like an ancient legal document. 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.060 Ancient legal documents 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.659 had a particular structure 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.320 and order. 00:12:12.420 --> 00:12:13.440 They start with a sort of 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:14.460 a preamble 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.580 which introduces 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.960 the parties making the agreement. 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.320 And that's God. 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.779 We're told who God is 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.940 and what he's done in the past. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.759 Next come the commitments 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.940 that the party makes 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:25.560 with references to blessings 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:27.200 and curses associated with it. 00:12:27.520 --> 00:12:28.180 And that's exactly 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:29.000 what's going on here. 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:29.860 You've got the preamble. 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:30.840 You've got the past action. 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:31.860 You've got the present commitments. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.040 And then you've got the blessings 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:33.920 and the curses. 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:34.920 You know, 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.460 if you were to receive it 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.060 through the post, 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.860 it would look like, 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:38.380 you know, 00:12:38.420 --> 00:12:40.000 like a legal document. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:40.700 Like something 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:43.040 containing a promise. 00:12:43.140 --> 00:12:44.460 Something binding. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.080 A covenant. 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:48.220 And here in 2 Samuel chapter 7, 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.100 that's exactly what it is. 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.120 It's the free God. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.540 The God who can do 00:12:51.540 --> 00:12:52.560 whatever he wants to do 00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.960 whenever he chooses to do it. 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:57.240 That God is binding himself 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.740 to a covenant, 00:12:59.160 --> 00:12:59.980 a promise, 00:13:00.400 --> 00:13:01.580 a commitment to David. 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:03.320 And look at the detail 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:03.920 of it with me. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.080 Notice how 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:07.080 gone are the sort of 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:08.160 I have's. 00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:08.420 You know, 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.080 I did this, 00:13:09.140 --> 00:13:09.640 I did that. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.640 And now what you get 00:13:10.640 --> 00:13:11.160 in verse 9 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:12.800 is the I will's. 00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:14.240 So God is not just describing 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:15.180 what he's done in the past. 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.820 He's now saying 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:16.879 what he's promising to do 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.320 in the future. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.159 I will, 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:18.899 verse 9, 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:19.700 make your name great. 00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:20.639 I will, 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.299 verse 10, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.180 provide a place. 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:22.879 I will, 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.460 verse 11, 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.740 give you rest from your enemies. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.700 I will, 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:26.379 verse 12, 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.320 raise up your offspring 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.740 and I will establish 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:29.259 his kingdom. 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.399 I will, 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:31.340 verse 13, 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:32.340 establish the throne 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.220 of his kingdom forever. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:34.539 I will, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:35.299 verse 14, 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.560 be to him a father, 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:37.799 disciplining him 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.220 but loving him steadfastly. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.279 This must be mind-blowing 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:41.740 for David 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.279 and we'll see 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.080 in the second half 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:43.700 and we'll look at this 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:44.159 next week, 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.320 how he responds 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:46.419 but just notice 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.279 what God is doing. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.840 Despite his freedom, 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.379 tying himself 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.120 to work 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:53.419 through the line of David 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:55.139 to build a kingdom, 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.700 a kingdom that will be planted 00:13:56.700 --> 00:13:57.840 in a particular place, 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.539 a kingdom that will have rest 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.299 from its enemies, 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:02.060 a kingdom that will last 00:14:02.060 --> 00:14:02.639 forever 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.700 and ever and ever. 00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.180 In other words, 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.480 David, 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:05.899 you think, 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.279 don't you, 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:06.759 you know, 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.279 David, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.139 you look at the tent 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.019 in which the ark is 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.360 and you think 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.159 God is dwelling 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.039 in a very temporary 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:11.960 arrangement here 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:12.940 and you look 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.600 at your house 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.000 and think, 00:14:14.160 --> 00:14:15.200 I've built myself 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:15.960 a cedar house 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:16.639 that's going to last 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:17.440 a very long time 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:18.259 and God says, 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:18.379 no, 00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:19.180 let me show you something 00:14:19.180 --> 00:14:20.379 that will really last forever. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.700 It's the house 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:22.660 that I will build. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.660 It's the promise 00:14:23.660 --> 00:14:24.360 that I will make, 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.320 a forever kingdom 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:25.920 of blessing 00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:27.080 and peace 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.780 with a king 00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:29.379 from your own family line, 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:29.840 a king 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.940 who I promise 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:31.400 to love 00:14:31.400 --> 00:14:32.120 and never let go. 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.580 Now, 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:33.940 of course, 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.379 we know 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.399 and we looked at this 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:35.600 earlier, 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:35.860 didn't we, 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.480 that this promise 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.179 is fulfilled 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.419 in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:38.940 --> 00:14:39.960 Jesus is the one 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.659 who will be king 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.519 on David's throne. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.779 As you read through 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.120 the promise, 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:43.820 you can see how 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.480 some of it 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.440 is kept by Solomon, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:45.980 don't you? 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.600 You can see that 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.700 but really, 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.440 it's pointing beyond Solomon 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.539 to someone greater 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:51.679 than Solomon even, 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:53.620 someone who will be born 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.840 in David's town, 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:56.159 someone who will be born 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.060 in David's line, 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:57.919 given the throne 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.799 of his father David. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.600 Christ will have 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.460 the great name, 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:01.840 won't he, 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.620 at which every knee 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.019 will bow. 00:15:03.420 --> 00:15:04.399 Christ will bring us 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.660 final rest from our enemies. 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:06.820 He is the one 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.560 who is appointed 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:09.019 king of an eternal kingdom, 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.480 a kingdom not of this world 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.420 but a kingdom of heaven. 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.040 Christ is the king 00:15:13.040 --> 00:15:13.820 who is disciplined 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:15.399 not for his iniquity 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:17.540 but for our iniquity 00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.560 as he is punished 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.080 not for his sins 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.460 with rods and stripes 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:23.060 but bearing in his body 00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:24.660 the penalty for our sin 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:25.560 and our wrongdoing, 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.400 building a house of God, 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.540 not of cedar or bricks 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:29.040 or mortar 00:15:29.040 --> 00:15:30.639 but a house of people 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.500 placed like living stones 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:35.059 with him the cornerstone, 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:36.179 a dwelling place of God 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.960 for all eternity. 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.299 So here again 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.360 in 2 Samuel chapter 7, 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.259 God binds himself 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:40.799 to a promise 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.879 that will only be fulfilled 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.699 when Christ comes. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:44.699 You know, 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.720 all the mini-fulfillments 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.220 before then 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.000 in the life of David 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:47.480 and his sons 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.639 are just signposts 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.220 to this greater fulfillment 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:51.179 in Jesus Christ. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.699 I don't know 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.240 whether you've thought 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:53.980 about this before 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:57.019 but you know this promise 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.060 that runs all the way 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.659 through the Bible 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:00.000 that we're getting expanded 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.259 on in 2 Samuel chapter 7. 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.460 You realise, 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.039 don't you, 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:05.120 it starts back in Genesis 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.519 chapter 3 verse 15 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.980 when God promises 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.840 to send someone 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.620 who will crush 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.600 the head of Satan, 00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:11.620 the serpent. 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:13.420 You know what he's doing 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:14.039 then, don't you? 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:16.279 He is binding himself 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.440 by a promise 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:19.340 to send his own son 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.220 to the cross. 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.080 You know that, don't you? 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:24.040 God is binding himself 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:25.040 to a promise 00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:26.320 to send his own son 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.680 to the cross 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:29.000 and that's what's going on here, 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.480 isn't it? 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.259 He is saying, 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.980 listen, I will do this. 00:16:33.680 --> 00:16:34.780 You can be sure. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.680 So God, the free God 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:39.060 who can do whatever he pleases, 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.879 not subject to us 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.620 in any way, 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:42.680 voluntarily 00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:44.379 through no compulsion on him, 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:46.080 not because David deserved it, 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.020 not because he owed it 00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:48.060 to humanity in any way, 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:48.900 yet quite the opposite. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:49.460 He still, 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.300 he binds himself 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.060 to a promise 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:52.379 to save 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:52.919 through the blood 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.739 of his own son. 00:16:54.739 --> 00:16:55.339 Let me just try 00:16:55.339 --> 00:16:55.739 and illustrate 00:16:55.739 --> 00:16:56.319 the kind of, 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.479 the wonder 00:16:57.479 --> 00:16:58.439 of what's going on here, 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.739 just so that we can grasp this, 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.219 if you can, 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.219 with me for a moment. 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.039 I want you to imagine 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.159 that this afternoon 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.980 you go to Battersea Dogs' home 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.200 to pick up a new dog. 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:06.799 Okay? 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.679 You go to the dog shelter 00:17:07.679 --> 00:17:08.319 to pick up a new dog. 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.619 Not a bad idea, is it, Alvina? 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.179 A dog is a great thing, right? 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.039 So you go there, 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:14.599 you look at all 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.659 the different kinds of dogs 00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:16.299 and what you do 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.839 is you find 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.679 a particularly nasty dog. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.759 It's jumping 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:21.680 at the cage door. 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:22.560 As you go in, 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:23.220 it's barking 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.140 and snapping 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.660 and generally 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.620 being a nuisance. 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.160 Crazily though, 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.060 as you're walking 00:17:29.060 --> 00:17:29.820 down this line 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:31.320 of beautiful looking dogs 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:31.880 and you get to this 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.820 crazy snapping dog, 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.940 you stop at the cage 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.680 and you look at it. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:37.440 You even reach 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.320 your hand in 00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:39.519 to give the dog 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.180 some attention, 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.320 show it a bit of affection. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.560 The affection 00:17:42.560 --> 00:17:43.299 is not appreciated 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.840 by the dog 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:44.740 who bites the hand 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.779 that you put in the cage. 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.200 But undeterred, 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:47.899 you say, 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:48.359 is it okay 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:49.779 if I climb in there 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.119 with him? 00:17:51.399 --> 00:17:51.859 Oh, well, 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.160 if you really want to, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.000 yeah, go for it. 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:56.099 So you climb in 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.599 and the dog bites you again 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.660 and wheezes on your leg 00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.319 and puts a hole 00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.920 in your trousers. 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.279 Still though, 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.920 you're not put off 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:03.079 and you say to the person 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.599 who owns the shelter, 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:05.720 I'm going to take 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.440 that dog home. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.200 That dog 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.740 is going to be my dog. 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.920 And the person 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.420 who runs the shelter 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:11.859 looks at you 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.119 and says, 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.839 wait a minute, 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.420 do you know 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.019 what you're doing? 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.139 Do you know 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.259 if you take that dog 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.819 away from here, 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.359 you know you're not 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:19.980 bringing them back, 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.420 don't you? 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.899 You're taking that dog away 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.619 and that dog 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:24.720 will belong to you. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.879 It will ruin your life. 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.519 It will destroy 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.119 your property. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.180 It will ruin everything 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.819 that you've hoped to do. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:35.079 Are you sure 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:36.539 you want to do it? 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:37.920 Have you ever seen 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.960 a vet bill before? 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.059 Once you've taken that dog, 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.839 our policy is 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:43.759 you cannot return it. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:44.660 Oh, no, I know, 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.019 you say, 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:46.920 but I love that dog. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.059 I have chosen 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.779 to love that dog 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.519 and I will have him 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.839 and I promise 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.500 to take it home. 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.299 Bring me the paperwork. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.420 I'm going to sign on the line. 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.460 Now, of course, 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.539 it's a stupid story, 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:58.819 isn't it? 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.619 Because you would never do it, 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:00.940 right? 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.339 You would never go 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.440 to the dog's home 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.019 and choose a nasty dog 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.000 that bites you, 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.539 ruins your house 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.180 and costs you 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:08.940 all that you have 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:10.379 and bind yourself 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.599 to take it home 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.099 and live with it 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.900 for the rest of your life, 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.160 would you? 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.000 You wouldn't do that, 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.200 would you? 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.819 That would be crazy. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.220 That, though, 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.720 is exactly what's going on 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.740 in 2 Samuel chapter 7. 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:20.980 God is doing that 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.059 and you and I 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.259 are the snappy dog, 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:23.740 right? 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:26.240 God is promising, 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:26.920 isn't he? 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.599 Binding himself 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.279 to a promise 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:32.119 to bring us home, 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.299 though it costs him 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.000 everything, 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.539 the life of his son. 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:39.399 I will have that people. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.180 They will be mine. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.480 That kingdom 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.519 will belong to me. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.700 I want to labour this point 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.399 a little bit this morning 00:19:46.399 --> 00:19:47.079 because it's right 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.859 at the heart of the passage. 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.740 If you're not a Christian 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.319 this morning, 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.339 it's brilliant that you're here. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.099 Thanks for coming. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.799 This is a really great 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.779 explanation for you 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.339 of what it means 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:54.920 to be a Christian. 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.859 The Bible tells us this, 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.980 that the truth of the universe 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.079 is not that people 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.319 are searching for God. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.019 I know that's what we think, 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.220 right? 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.240 I know that's how we talk, 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.819 you know, 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.859 as if people are on a journey 00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.700 looking for God 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.339 and, you know, 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.059 maybe he's hiding 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.900 underneath that rock 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.279 or that rock over there. 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.319 That's what people think, 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:10.519 isn't it? 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:10.980 But that's not what 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.940 the Bible says is happening. 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.579 Nor is the story 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.079 of the universe 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.079 about people working 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.859 really hard 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.400 so that God 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:18.039 owes them something. 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.160 You know, 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.579 as if we could do 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.559 certain kind of 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.359 moral actions 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:24.140 and God then has to act 00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:24.900 in a certain way 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.279 towards us. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.480 That's what religion 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.420 tells you, right? 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.259 You know, 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.880 do this, 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.000 pray like this, 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.079 fast like this 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.120 and God will have 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:32.880 to bless you 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:33.960 because you will 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.900 bind God. 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.700 That's nonsense. 00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:38.200 The message of the Bible 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.380 is that God is free. 00:20:39.520 --> 00:20:40.140 He has to be. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.660 To be God, 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.480 he has to be free. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.840 But the heart 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.640 of the Christian gospel, 00:20:43.780 --> 00:20:44.680 the truth at the center 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.200 of the universe 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.960 is that in 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:48.620 an inexplicable love, 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:51.320 he has bound himself 00:20:51.320 --> 00:20:53.120 through a free choice 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:53.680 of his own 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:55.280 to love you, 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.700 me, 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.760 and save us 00:20:58.760 --> 00:20:59.720 that we might belong 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.220 to him. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:02.460 That plan 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:02.960 isn't entered 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.460 into lightly. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.200 It's not invented 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.900 by the New Testament 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.279 writers. 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.220 It wasn't hatched 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.000 just as the build-up 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.480 to the cross 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.100 of Jesus Christ. 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.819 It's right here 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.299 from the beginning 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.720 of the Bible. 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.160 It's here 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.740 in 2 Samuel chapter 7 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:13.059 as God commits himself 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.539 to David 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.220 to put someone 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.900 on his throne 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:16.140 forever and ever 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.500 and ever. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.839 Now that leads us 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.920 to the one application 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.420 for David 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.339 and for us this morning. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.559 If God is free, 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.559 he binds himself 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.079 to a promise. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.900 The one application 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.420 is this, 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.440 trust. 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.900 Trust in the promise. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:28.759 Trust in the promise. 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.539 Now imagine 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.059 if the story 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.819 went something like this. 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:33.180 David says to Nathan, 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:33.539 you know, 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.579 I'm going to build 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.400 a permanent house 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:35.940 for God. 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:36.980 Nathan says, 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.859 no, don't do that. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.099 God's not interested 00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:40.619 in you building 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.140 a house for him. 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.819 He will build 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.599 a house for you. 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.440 David says, 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.519 oh, come on, Nathan, 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.140 forget that. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.400 I've got some 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.279 brilliant plans. 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:48.819 I've bought 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.839 the curtains already. 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.119 Pharaoh and Ball 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:51.519 have got some 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.819 lovely, lovely colours 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:54.019 and I've decided 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.859 to use them already. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.200 So forget that. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.940 I'm just going 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.319 to go ahead 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:58.819 and build the house anyway. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.859 What would you think? 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:01.819 Well, I mean, 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.480 you'd think that David 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.379 had lost his mind, 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.599 but you'd probably 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:05.539 rightly conclude 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.259 that David was going 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.019 to be in a lot of trouble, 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.179 but a lot of trouble 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:09.039 for what? 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.700 For what? 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.039 Well, not simply 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.220 for the wrong action 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.079 of building the temple 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.220 when he was not supposed to, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.759 but for the wrong action 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.220 of failing to trust 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.379 the promise of God. 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.720 That's what. 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.519 Because this is it. 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:24.079 The gospel is God 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.879 freely making 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.859 a generous promise 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:27.059 and our response 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.579 is not to insist 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.559 on our own plans, 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.799 but to trust him 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.480 to follow through 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.059 with his. 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.480 You see, 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.000 the implication 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.139 of 2 Samuel chapter 7 00:22:35.139 --> 00:22:36.059 is that the only place 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:36.940 of safety in our world 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.720 is knowing what God's plan is 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.039 and trusting it. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.220 That's the only safe place. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.980 All your other ideas 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.299 and plans for your life 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.819 are wobbly, 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.339 aren't they? 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.839 Don't build on those 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.900 because they may not happen. 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:50.039 The safe place 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.539 in our world 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.579 is knowing what God 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.000 has promised 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.480 and trusting him to do it. 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.700 It means, 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.139 doesn't it, 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.899 for us as Christians 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.960 our two big dangers 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.119 in life are these. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.700 One is a preoccupation 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.519 with our own plans 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.680 and the second 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.500 is the assumption 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.240 that God should do 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.799 what I would do 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.440 if I was him. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.740 Think about that first one. 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.980 There is a terrible 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.599 spiritual danger 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:12.119 in self-preoccupation. 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.119 You know that, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.399 don't you? 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.099 You know, 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:16.599 if we are so preoccupied 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.659 with what we want to do, 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.200 with what we want to achieve 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.980 with our lives, 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.420 if we think this world 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.380 is really about my story, 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.880 about what I am doing, 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:27.420 then actually that's the opposite 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.740 of trusting in Christ 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.720 and following him. 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.259 Jesus summarizes 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.940 the Christian life 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.339 as taking up our cross 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.220 and following him, 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.360 which is by definition 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.599 the laying down 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.900 of our own plans 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.700 to follow him 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.819 and trust in his. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.400 The apostle Paul 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.420 says to the Ephesian elders 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.339 in Acts chapter 20 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.440 that he counts his life 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:46.420 as little to him, 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.840 if only he may finish 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.340 the race 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.279 that the Lord 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.960 has set out for him. 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:51.880 Listen, 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.580 what I want 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.680 doesn't really matter anymore. 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.840 It's what he wants. 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.600 I'm trusting him. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.480 I'm living for him. 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.500 Galatians 2 verse 20 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.500 says the same sort of thing. 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.340 I've been crucified 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.900 with Christ 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.820 and I no longer live, 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.200 but Christ lives in me. 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.420 The life I now live 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.779 in the body, 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.800 I live by faith 00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:06.700 in the Son of God 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.340 who loved me 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.380 and gave himself for me. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.860 This life I live 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.300 trusting his promise, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.140 doing what he wants, 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.160 following his way. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.920 Because trusting God, 00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.740 trusting the promise 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.279 that he makes 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.980 goes along 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.960 with abandoning 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.660 our own plans, 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:22.060 just as it did 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:22.720 for David here. 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.560 So if you're not 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.340 a Christian this morning, 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.600 again, 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.200 this is the point 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:27.700 for you, isn't it? 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.800 This is your David-like 00:24:28.800 --> 00:24:29.800 moment, if you like. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.560 You know, 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.160 it's not the prophet 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:32.240 Nathan speaking to you. 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:33.060 I'm speaking to you 00:24:33.060 --> 00:24:33.640 from God's word, 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.700 but this is the message, 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.140 isn't it? 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.300 Those things 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:37.360 that you've planned to do, 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.960 just pause on those 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.440 for a moment 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.500 and listen to what 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.580 God has planned to do. 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.160 God says to you this morning, 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.100 I know that you've planned 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.599 to go here, 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.159 to go there, 00:24:45.219 --> 00:24:45.699 to do this, 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.179 to do that, 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.039 but I am promising 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:49.799 to say through Jesus Christ, 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.639 will you trust me? 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.959 Will you trust me? 00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.539 Come follow me. 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.019 The second danger 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.839 for us if we're Christians 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.279 this morning 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.939 is this assumption 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.699 that God would have 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.719 to do what we would do, 00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:01.699 as if God's priorities 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:02.339 for our lives 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:02.779 are the same 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.699 as our priorities, 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.559 that his aspirations 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.319 for my career 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.240 are the same as mine. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.059 But that's really, 00:25:08.219 --> 00:25:08.859 that would be another 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.579 alternative ending 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.119 to the story, 00:25:10.179 --> 00:25:10.579 wouldn't it? 00:25:11.219 --> 00:25:11.399 You know, 00:25:11.439 --> 00:25:12.000 imagine this, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:14.180 David says to Nathan 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.539 the prophet, 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.299 I'm going to build 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.180 a house for God. 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.839 Nathan says, 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.000 well, 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.220 let me ask God 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.920 what he says. 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:20.940 God says, 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.200 oh, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.660 what a brilliant idea, 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:22.980 David. 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:24.019 I've never thought of that. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:24.920 Please do, 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.440 go ahead. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.619 Tell me what else to do. 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.539 Tell me what next. 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.259 That would be a total disaster, 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.680 wouldn't it? 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.799 All of a sudden, 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.539 David would have 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.220 a responsibility 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.100 way above his wisdom 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:33.519 or power 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.860 because for David's joy, 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.039 for God's glory, 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.779 for David's hope, 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.880 God must be God 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.620 and David must be David. 00:25:41.580 --> 00:25:42.440 But the truth is, 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.560 sometimes we treat God 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.460 as if God must do 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.200 what we say. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.779 We assume that God 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.740 needs to hear 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.580 our good ideas 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.320 and our plans 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.000 and our hopes 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.600 and our dreams 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:51.500 as if God doesn't have 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.340 an agenda of his own 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:52.820 for our lives, 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.539 but he does. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.480 God in Christ 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.019 has a promise 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.600 for the future. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.759 It's a solid one, 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.779 one that he's committed to. 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.279 It's a plan 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.220 not for our pleasure 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.039 or for our ease 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.579 in this life, 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.940 but for a glorious 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.879 eternal kingdom 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.579 in the next. 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:06.920 Listen, 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.559 if we've been taught 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:09.099 anything this week 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.279 and if we're going to think 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.920 about one thing 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.319 this evening, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.059 it's this, 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.480 isn't it? 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.500 God has a way 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.779 of surprising us 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:16.379 and reminding us 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.539 that he is God 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:19.259 and we are very, 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.619 very temporary. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.619 Our lives are short. 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:24.720 Where is the solid ground 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.599 in this life? 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.059 Trusting God 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.619 and his promise. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.460 It's the only solid ground 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.619 because the only thing 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.279 that you know 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.879 will happen in life 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.879 is that God 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.779 will save his people 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.759 through Jesus Christ. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.079 That you know to be true. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.339 And you and I 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.319 are invited this morning 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.339 to find our joy 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:41.079 and our hope 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.859 and our confidence, 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.819 our consolation 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.519 and our comfort 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:45.240 in trusting God's 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.379 unfailing promise 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:48.299 kept in Jesus Christ. 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.460 Let me pray 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.460 as I close. 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:50.879 Let's pray. 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:58.800 Heavenly Father, 00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.980 we thank you so much 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:01.740 for this wonderful promise 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.700 that you will send 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.980 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.080 to be king 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:07.380 forever and ever. 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:08.760 We thank you 00:27:08.760 --> 00:27:09.200 that we see 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.460 with even greater clarity 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.000 than David 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.160 how you've kept that promise 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.100 in the first coming 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:13.780 of the Lord Jesus. 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:16.140 You died for our sin 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:17.000 and rose again 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.140 and ascended into heaven. 00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:19.360 And thank you 00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:20.540 that you have promised 00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:22.820 that he is returning one day. 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:23.880 And Lord, 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.520 we pray now 00:27:24.520 --> 00:27:25.240 that you would help us 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.000 to live our lives 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:27.200 trusting in him 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.000 and his promise, 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.880 not in us 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.860 and our own brilliant ideas. 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:31.800 Lord, 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:32.960 we pray that increasingly, 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.880 day by day, 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.240 we would take a back cross, 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.820 die to ourselves 00:27:36.820 --> 00:27:38.280 and live for you 00:27:38.280 --> 00:27:38.900 and your glory. 00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:40.120 Forgive us 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.240 that so often 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.300 we are preoccupied 00:27:42.300 --> 00:27:42.940 with ourselves 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:44.100 and our own ideas 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:45.820 and we cast rather 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:47.460 just light thoughts 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.060 to you and yours. 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.400 Help us to have big thoughts 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.520 about who you are 00:27:50.520 --> 00:27:51.960 and little thoughts 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.740 about us. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.980 In Jesus' name. 00:27:54.520 --> 00:27:54.880 Amen.