WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:18.300 We are returning to the book of Daniel this morning, Daniel chapter 9 to be exact, if 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:19.960 you want to turn there with me. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:25.940 Two more messages left to close out our study of this challenging book. 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:36.039 We have seen the lions and fires of Babylon responded to by the prayers of Daniel and 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:42.640 his friends as they seek to follow the true king in a land that honors other kings. 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:47.480 Now this morning we come to the longest of Daniel's recorded prayers. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:53.359 It's a prayer that shows us a lot about what I'll call corporate confession. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:01:01.240 It's a counter-cultural idea in our individualistic American society, but we're going to see the 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:06.500 Bible challenge our every man for himself American culture. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:14.680 Notice the corporate, the group aspect of Daniel's prayer as I read beginning in verse 1. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:19.340 This is God's holy, inerrant, infallible word. 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:27.159 In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, by descent Amid, who was made king over the 00:01:27.159 --> 00:01:32.700 realm of the Chaldeans, in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books 00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:38.240 the number of years that according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet must 00:01:38.240 --> 00:01:44.120 pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely 70 years. 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:51.719 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:53.439 and sackcloth and ashes. 00:01:54.240 --> 00:01:57.580 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession saying, 00:01:58.040 --> 00:02:04.300 O Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love 00:02:04.300 --> 00:02:05.740 him and keep his commandments. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:13.700 We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:14.579 and rules. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:20.399 We have not listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, 00:02:20.679 --> 00:02:24.500 our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:32.359 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day to the men of 00:02:32.359 --> 00:02:37.500 Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:42.219 are far away, and all the lands to which you have driven them because of the treachery that 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:43.740 they have committed against you. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:52.520 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:55.099 we have sinned against you. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:01.860 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:08.099 obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws which he set before us by his servants, 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:38.079 the prophets. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:43.360 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us, yet we have 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:49.680 not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:50.720 by your truth. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:55.980 Therefore, the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:02.140 For the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:02.779 his voice. 00:04:03.899 --> 00:04:08.959 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, 00:04:08.959 --> 00:04:15.679 and have made a name for yourself, as at this day we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:21.600 O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:27.319 your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers, 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:32.579 Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:39.120 Now, therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy. 00:04:39.359 --> 00:04:44.500 And for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:47.479 O my God, incline your ear and hear. 00:04:47.919 --> 00:04:52.399 Open your eyes and see our desolations in the city that is called by your name. 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:59.959 For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:01.560 O Lord, hear. 00:05:02.239 --> 00:05:03.259 O Lord, forgive. 00:05:04.359 --> 00:05:06.939 O Lord, pay attention and act. 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:16.239 Delay not for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name. 00:05:17.299 --> 00:05:19.399 Thus far, God's holy word. 00:05:19.799 --> 00:05:20.379 Pray with me. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:25.359 Father, we do thank you for your word. 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:29.319 We ask that you would teach us from it this morning. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:33.079 That you would show us more of yourself. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:35.279 That you would show us even our sin. 00:05:35.419 --> 00:05:42.359 And that you, through the work of your spirit in our hearts, would turn us back to you. 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:45.099 And we ask it in Jesus' name. 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:46.339 Amen. 00:05:46.339 --> 00:05:46.519 Amen. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:52.919 I think we are going sans technology at this point. 00:05:53.859 --> 00:05:59.159 So if you have your Bibles, you can look at Daniel chapter 9 there. 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:06.500 And I promise I will try to think as I go what things to cue you on that are not on the screen behind me. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:10.420 But let me start with this. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:20.620 One year ago, at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America, that's the annual meeting of the denomination that Southwood is a part of, 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:31.759 individuals, churches, and presbyteries were urged to consider present and past racial sins and the need for racial reconciliation. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:40.480 As a result of that year of consideration that we have taken together and wrestling through some of those things, 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:49.159 ten days ago in Mobile, we made the following statement, of which I will read only a part for sake of time. 00:06:49.160 --> 00:07:01.980 The 44th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America does recognize, confess, condemn, and repent of corporate and historical sins, 00:07:02.440 --> 00:07:05.060 including those committed during the civil rights era, 00:07:05.820 --> 00:07:09.980 and continuing racial sins of ourselves and our fathers, 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:13.080 such as the segregation of worshipers by race, 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:18.060 the exclusion of persons from church membership on the basis of race, 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:24.660 the exclusion of churches or elders from membership in the presbyteries on the basis of race, 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:31.639 the teaching that the Bible sanctions racial segregation and discourages interracial marriage, 00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:37.199 the participation in and defense of white supremacist organizations, 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:44.220 and the failure to live out the gospel imperative that love does no wrong to a neighbor. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:55.460 This General Assembly does recognize, confess, condemn, and repent of past failures to love brothers and sisters from minority cultures 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:58.080 in accordance with what the gospel requires, 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:05.920 as well as failures to lovingly confront our brothers and sisters concerning racial sins and personal bigotry 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:11.759 and failing to learn to do good, seek justice, and correct oppression. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:20.000 This General Assembly praises and recommits itself to the gospel task of racial reconciliation, 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:28.560 diligently seeking effective courses of action to further that goal with humility, sincerity, and zeal 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:32.799 for the glory of God and the furtherance of the gospel. 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:38.039 There was more to this statement than I've read there, 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:43.919 and you'd be encouraged to know there were more than just words said a couple of weeks ago. 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:47.879 There's a great sense, if you're there at gatherings like this, 00:08:47.940 --> 00:08:52.000 of the Spirit moving in our denomination on these racial issues. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:59.539 We also approved a multi-ethnic committee to continue advising us on racial realities moving forward. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:07.259 We approved a fund to support minority training in our seminaries to prepare more minority gospel ministers, 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:09.259 which are much needed. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:11.299 It's all very, very exciting. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:14.940 You should be very encouraged at what God is doing. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:19.120 But I want us to notice particularly this morning, 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.980 back to the first part of the statement, 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:29.280 that we were confessing and repenting of sins both past and present, 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:34.040 during the civil rights era and continuing sins. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:41.560 That we were confessing and repenting of sins both individual and corporate of ourselves 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:46.639 and corporate ones of our fathers even. 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:56.479 Many of the specific examples that I read come from before the PCA was founded in 1973. 00:09:57.979 --> 00:10:02.879 Many men who voted a couple weeks ago to confess these sins 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:08.239 have never done some of these particular things in their churches. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:11.560 Does that seem odd? 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:17.899 Is that a little bit strange to confess something that you haven't personally done? 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:24.080 Did it seem odd to you when I read Daniel's prayer to hear this faithful prophet, 00:10:24.799 --> 00:10:29.320 himself confessing sins time and again with we? 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:31.299 Did you notice that word? 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:32.080 We. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:38.740 You'll notice he's very clear about this corporate aspect of confessing the sins of God's people. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:43.500 We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled. 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:44.520 Verse 5. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:49.660 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:51.440 refusing to obey your voice. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:52.100 Verse 11. 00:10:53.040 --> 00:10:54.200 We have sinned. 00:10:54.540 --> 00:10:56.420 We have done wickedly. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.400 Verse 15. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:02.620 And so it's for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:07.000 that God's people in this generation have been sent into exile. 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:12.199 Yes, because they are sinners, but also for what their fathers had done. 00:11:14.059 --> 00:11:17.240 Now, you may be okay with Daniel confessing sin in general. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.679 I mean, we're all sinners, right? 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:20.980 So we can all confess sin. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:24.679 But he handles specific sins the same way. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:28.299 The example that takes the cake for me is in verse 6. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:33.000 We have not listened to your servants, the prophets. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.699 Seriously, Daniel. 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.959 You are a prophet. 00:11:38.859 --> 00:11:42.979 They are the ones who have not listened to the prophets, right? 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.799 But Daniel says we. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:49.099 Again, we have not. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:55.259 I don't know about you, but I don't really like confessing someone else's sin as my own. 00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:57.680 I've got enough of my own to deal with already. 00:11:57.940 --> 00:11:58.460 Thank you. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:03.420 I didn't need to bring on a corporate dynamic to it. 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:09.700 But we see from Daniel's prayer a biblical principle runs all through the scriptures 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:16.100 that corporate confession is grounded in our connectedness as God's people. 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:19.620 Our connectedness as God's people. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:25.460 See, unlike other parts of the world that have a more corporate emphasis in their culture, 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:26.820 in their religion, 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:35.700 we in individualistic America don't naturally think about confessing sin in the church as a team activity, do we? 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:43.379 But we do know this corporate connectedness and how it works in another arena, sports. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.460 Let me explain. 00:12:45.980 --> 00:12:53.360 You see, when Alabama narrowly defeated Clemson in the national championship game this year, 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:56.520 many of my friends were very happy. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.540 They were rejoicing. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.640 We won. 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:02.180 We beat y'all. 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:07.959 We won our, like, 49th national championship or something. 00:13:07.979 --> 00:13:08.939 They have trouble counting. 00:13:09.699 --> 00:13:15.259 Side note, it's so much easier to keep, there's less controversy if you just keep the number lower. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.299 Like, one. 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:17.399 We won. 00:13:17.739 --> 00:13:19.219 It's easier to count that way. 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:22.099 We did that. 00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:26.099 But regardless of how many national championships, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:30.059 regardless of that, there's a deep sense of corporate identity, isn't there? 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:31.259 There is. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.860 It's deeply felt. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:37.340 When we cheer for our teams, don't we? 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:43.039 The actual connectedness may be as strong as a degree from the institution, 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:46.399 or it may be as thin as some money given, 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:50.000 or a red shirt worn on Saturdays. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:57.319 But regardless, many of us feel we win or we lose with our team. 00:13:57.320 --> 00:14:04.900 Many of us will feel that corporate connectedness on a national level watching the Olympics in a few weeks 00:14:04.900 --> 00:14:08.440 and asking, how many medals have we won? 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:15.640 Or this fall, you'll watch election returns from states you didn't vote in, like Ohio and Florida, 00:14:15.640 --> 00:14:20.680 and you'll be anxious and you'll say, oh, we won or we lost 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:27.840 because of the connection you feel to a particular party or candidate that you've connected yourself to. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:36.180 Again, it's yet another area where we understand and deeply feel a corporate sense of connectedness. 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:48.919 And I have you ask yourself this morning, why do I feel more deeply connected with sports and politics than I do with the church? 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:57.399 How much more should we appreciate the connection that we have in Christ that we actually have because of Him? 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:03.139 If you remember Ephesians when we talked last year about being connected in Christ, 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:10.419 that the reality of our connectedness with each other because of our identity in Christ 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:15.299 far outweighs all the other differences that would set us apart, right? 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:18.439 It's not artificial or theoretical. 00:15:19.359 --> 00:15:24.079 It's far beyond the bond of team or party loyalty. 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:32.620 It's an actual connection in one body, one family by our union with Christ. 00:15:32.719 --> 00:15:35.939 And it matters more than all of our differences. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:41.859 Daniel models that reality for God's people as he says, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:46.919 we, we, we, we, our sins. 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:51.080 Whether God's people is a particular congregation, 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.759 a national denomination, 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:56.399 or the universal church, 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:59.100 we are called to rejoice together 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:01.240 and weep together. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:04.860 When one part of the body is honored, all are honored. 00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:07.639 When one suffers, all suffer. 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:09.639 1 Corinthians 12. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:14.220 It's why we value being together like next Sunday night 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:16.059 when we're gathering for ice cream 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:21.100 and just to celebrate nothing more but nothing less than each other. 00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:27.080 The connectedness, the fellowship that we have in Christ. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:32.080 It's why we see Christians beheaded across the globe 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.539 and we mourn 00:16:34.539 --> 00:16:38.240 and say we were attacked. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:43.120 It's why we confess particular racial sins 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.159 committed by our brothers and sisters, 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.240 fathers and mothers, 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:49.139 some of them before we were born 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.980 or in other congregations 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:54.500 because we have sinned. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:59.919 This is a biblical pattern all the way back to Adam, isn't it? 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:03.960 Adam's first sin affects the entire human race 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:06.539 all connected to him by birth. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.660 Romans 5 tells us that in Adam, 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:13.340 death came to all men because all sinned. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:17.819 Many died through one man's trespass. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:23.980 So while I will admit there is a difference in individual sins 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:26.059 that we confess particularly 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:28.259 and corporate sins, 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:31.879 we confess the sins of our fathers 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:35.339 and should expect that because they're our fathers, 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.579 just like with Adam, 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.639 in many ways, 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:40.259 those sins still impact us 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:44.960 and those same heart attitudes are found in us. 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:49.180 The Presbyterians in the 1860s 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:51.539 and the 1960s 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:55.599 may have done things that we personally haven't done. 00:17:56.599 --> 00:18:00.299 But their prejudices against those different from them 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:04.180 and pride in their own social standing 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:07.700 are idols and sins we know quite well 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:12.940 and must confess alongside their particular sins. 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:15.440 So we need to be challenged here. 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:19.120 It's a cultural blind spot for American Christians. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:24.480 We often feel more connected to a football team 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:26.120 than a family of God. 00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:29.320 More connected to a political party 00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:32.140 than to the people of God. 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:34.759 And part of following the true king, 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.000 if that's what God is calling us to do, 00:18:37.040 --> 00:18:37.700 and he is, 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.380 part of that is realizing 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:41.440 that following that king 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:43.440 connects you inextricably 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.380 and beyond anything else 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.740 that you're connected to, 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:49.900 to the joys and sorrows, 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:53.140 the victories and defeats 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.580 of many others 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:57.640 following the true king with you. 00:18:57.640 --> 00:19:02.100 Not only is corporate confession 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:04.080 grounded in our connectedness 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.280 as God's people, 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:08.140 but Daniel also shows us in his prayer 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:10.380 it is based on sins of omission 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:13.520 as well as sins of commission. 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:15.320 The things we neglect, 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:18.220 not just the actions that we take. 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:21.220 Certainly we see Daniel confessing 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.640 that God's people have acted wickedly, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.900 rebelled against God 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.980 and transgressed God's law. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:29.840 They've committed particular sins, 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.780 violating God's commands 00:19:31.780 --> 00:19:33.460 where he specifically told them 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:35.100 to do something different. 00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:38.320 But it's also vital for us 00:19:38.320 --> 00:19:39.840 to consider the duties 00:19:39.840 --> 00:19:42.400 that we have neglected doing. 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:44.400 The ways we have not shared 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:46.500 God's heart and priorities. 00:19:47.040 --> 00:19:49.019 Notice this twice in his prayer. 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:51.140 What they have not done. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.480 First verse six, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.360 where we have not listened 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.380 to your servants, 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.099 the prophets, 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.360 who spoke to all the people 00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:58.880 of the land. 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.519 We have not listened. 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.660 And then later verse 13, 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.720 yet we have not entreated 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:06.779 the favor of the Lord our God, 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:08.279 turning from our iniquities 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:10.860 and gaining insight by your truth. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:13.279 Even when called to it repeatedly, 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:16.980 we have not done these things. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:20.099 See, when the people of God 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:23.379 lose their zeal for the heart of God, 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:27.139 when they fail to heed his word 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:29.379 and have it shape their lives, 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:32.139 when they neglect to form their lives 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:35.459 around his truth and his priorities, 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:38.179 that is just as grievous to God 00:20:38.179 --> 00:20:41.139 as specific violations of his commandments. 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:44.740 That's what these verses are telling us. 00:20:44.939 --> 00:20:47.399 And Daniel confesses that 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.920 from the people of Israel, 00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:50.620 that over and over again, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.340 they have omitted things 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:53.500 they should have done. 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:56.240 They've neglected God's heart 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.019 for the poor, 00:20:57.540 --> 00:20:58.240 the oppressed, 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.320 and the alien. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:02.040 They have failed to truly 00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:04.140 be a kingdom of priests, 00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:05.580 spreading his light 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.780 to the nations. 00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:11.320 I want to help us think corporately 00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:13.640 about broad sin patterns 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.220 in our lives this morning 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:17.440 that are or have been 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:19.420 both sins we have committed 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:23.000 and opportunities to share God's heart 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.200 that we have neglected. 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.460 Some of these, 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.980 as we talk about them, 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.460 you may feel uniquely 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:31.200 in a personal way. 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.620 I certainly do. 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:36.480 It's a hard but needful thing 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.059 when God's word and spirit 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:39.579 convict us of our sin, 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.000 isn't it? 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:42.319 But when you don't feel 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:44.759 that same conviction personally, 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.980 I'd urge you to remember 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.079 that the idea here 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:49.259 is corporate confession. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.859 To let these corporate realities 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:53.240 break your heart 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:55.079 before your Father. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.220 I'm just going to mention 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:59.259 three areas for us to consider. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.339 The first to follow 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.740 the lead of our denomination 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:05.619 is racism and racial brokenness. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.779 Some have observed 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.759 that in our society, 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:11.059 Sunday is the most segregated 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.240 day of the week. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:15.039 And that sad reality 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.579 is partly due 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.359 to the attitudes 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.700 in our hearts 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.799 that emphasize 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.599 and focus on our racial 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:23.299 and cultural differences 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.599 rather than allowing 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:26.220 the gospel to break down 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.940 those barriers 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.200 in beautiful ways 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.839 like God has promised 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.420 it will. 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:34.279 We harbor underlying prejudices. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:38.359 relationships with people 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.139 like us 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:41.279 and so subtly elbow out 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:43.119 those who look different. 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.660 We're content 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.799 with the comfortable 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.940 status quo 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.660 and don't make room 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.299 at the table 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.779 for others who are different 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:53.180 because we are so full 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:55.359 of those just like us. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.899 If you look back 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:59.440 at the denominational statement, 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:00.920 the whole second paragraph 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:02.400 is about our sins 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.080 of omission 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:04.600 in this regard. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.940 All we've neglected 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:07.460 while sitting around 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:09.279 denying that we're racist, 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:12.720 we've said these things 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.480 in this statement. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:15.240 It's our failures 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:18.000 to love brothers and sisters 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.360 from minority cultures 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.779 as the gospel requires. 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.240 Failures to confront 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.720 brothers and sisters 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.740 who are in racial sin 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.180 and have personal bigotry 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.460 and we've let it go 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.980 without challenging them. 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.820 Failing to learn 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.340 to do good, 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.120 seek justice 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.720 and correct oppression. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.140 Maybe not actively 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.480 going to do something 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.980 but not taking up 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.200 the cause 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:43.019 as God would call us 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.279 to in His Word. 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.180 Do we long 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.220 as we should 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:50.279 for every tribe 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.980 and tongue 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.700 and people 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.380 and nation 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:53.620 vision of the kingdom 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.519 in Revelation? 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.279 Do we long 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.079 for that kingdom 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:58.539 to come today? 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.660 Our relationships 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.879 today tell me 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.559 we don't. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.200 We're in the state 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.160 of Alabama, y'all, 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.200 where we're reminded 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.220 regularly 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.759 just by names 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.420 of cities 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.639 and events 00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:14.460 on the news 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.259 of the pain 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.940 and oppression 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:17.579 of our African-American 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.859 brothers and sisters 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:20.720 and fellow image bearers 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:22.240 that they've undergone 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.279 for centuries 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.759 all around us 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:26.160 right here 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.519 in our towns 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.519 and cities 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:30.259 and we have not 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.279 sought aggressively 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.799 to correct oppression 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:35.539 and listen to their pain 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.900 and their experience 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:38.160 to enter in 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.700 to listen 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.500 and mourn 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.839 and grieve 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:42.299 with them. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.759 We know 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.680 there are systems 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:46.299 that benefit us 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.579 and exclude them 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.500 and others 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.740 but we don't 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.779 sacrificially 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.700 seek to remedy that. 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:56.160 An Asian-American 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:57.299 PCA pastor 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.500 named Duke Kwan 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.460 spoke to a couple 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.360 hundred of us 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.700 gathered to talk 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.620 about these issues 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.240 one evening 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.580 during General Assembly 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:05.559 a couple weeks ago 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.779 and among other 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.620 great challenges 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.420 he said 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.960 I call you tonight 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.720 dear friends 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.500 not simply 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.900 to repent corporately 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.799 for past 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:15.019 overt acts 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.740 of racism 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.480 which we must do 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.380 and Lord willing 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.480 which we will do 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:21.059 I call you 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.559 to commit 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.740 to the dismantling 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.099 of white cultural 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.720 normativity 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.920 in the PCA 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.599 and I call you 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.500 to the establishment 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.480 of a new norm 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:31.059 a new vision 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.120 for our denomination 00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.220 that might be called 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:35.360 multicultural normativity 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:37.000 he's saying 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.759 a vision 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.419 that you would 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:39.119 commit to 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:40.179 that your kitchen 00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:40.719 table 00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:42.119 and your church 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.819 would look more 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.519 like heaven 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.740 like the throne room 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.519 in Revelation 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.619 than it does 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.419 today 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:50.079 amen to that 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:52.559 that's what he means 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:54.139 that we would long 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:54.759 for that 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.639 that we would want 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.139 our church 00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:56.919 to look like that 00:25:56.919 --> 00:25:57.519 and so that it would 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.619 start in our hearts 00:25:58.619 --> 00:26:00.139 and in our homes 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:03.160 we've worshipped 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.660 a God 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.100 made 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:05.540 in our own image 00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:07.420 and neglected 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:08.580 others created 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.280 different 00:26:09.280 --> 00:26:10.420 in his image 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:14.340 secondly 00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:15.340 we have worshipped 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:15.940 the idol 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.700 of materialism 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:19.880 and neglected 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.860 the poor 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.720 and the oppressed 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:25.220 money is not evil 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:27.259 but our hearts are 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:29.380 we're proud 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:30.320 of what we have 00:26:30.320 --> 00:26:31.320 earned for ourselves 00:26:31.320 --> 00:26:31.820 aren't we 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:33.180 and honestly 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.000 in our hearts 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.100 we feel it proves 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.800 we're better 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:37.120 smarter 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.600 harder working 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:40.100 more deserving 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:42.080 than those who have 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:42.740 less 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:45.320 we shape our lives 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.680 around consumerism 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.720 demanding more features 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.840 better service 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:51.300 and increased choices 00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:52.560 we debate 00:26:52.560 --> 00:26:53.700 which restaurant 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.780 to eat at 00:26:54.780 --> 00:26:56.400 or which outfit 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.560 would look better 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:59.579 while others 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.619 are neither fed 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.919 nor clothed 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:04.919 and we know 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.379 we have been 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:06.579 worshipping self 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.759 instead of God 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.759 because we neglect 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.000 to have his heart 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.980 for the poor 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.440 God wrote laws 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.919 to care for the oppressed 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.279 and the marginalized 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.900 Jesus loved 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.640 the poor 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:19.279 and the downtrodden 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:21.320 but we have been 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:22.620 quicker to lecture 00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:23.420 and criticize 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.700 than we have been 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.560 to sacrifice 00:27:25.560 --> 00:27:27.019 and love 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.580 we have been 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:29.259 fearful 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.759 and self-protective 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:32.060 rather than humble 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:34.560 and self-sacrificing 00:27:34.560 --> 00:27:37.080 when we consider 00:27:37.080 --> 00:27:37.580 a day 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:38.820 where no one 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:40.460 is truly impoverished 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.560 in the entire city 00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.220 of Huntsville 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.420 no one homeless 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.860 no one hungry 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:46.600 can you imagine that? 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:49.920 our first thought 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.839 is how nice 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.799 that would be 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.900 for us 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:57.220 not what a joy 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.019 it would be 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.960 for them 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:04.819 finally this morning 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.319 because 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.339 my heart 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.039 could only take 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.019 so much conviction 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.039 in one week 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:12.059 we worship 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.720 the comfort 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:14.119 of a busy silence 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:16.279 and neglect 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.119 the lost 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.639 all around us 00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:20.799 our lives 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.680 y'all are packed 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:23.000 full of things 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.539 that we do 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.440 for ourselves 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:26.259 for our kids 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.539 for our futures 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:29.059 we're just 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:30.099 packed to the gills 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.960 there's not room 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.259 for anything else 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.940 meanwhile 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.940 the only hope 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.579 for a world 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.839 desperately in need 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.359 of hope 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:37.220 is kept 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.240 consistently 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:40.099 to ourselves 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.500 eternity 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:43.139 hangs in the balance 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.000 and we are 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.839 too comfortable 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:45.919 in what I'll call 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:47.539 our busy silence 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:49.299 to be inconvenienced 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.000 by the risk 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.759 of rejection 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:52.079 embarrassment 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.619 or failure 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.859 you see 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.379 it's often 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.459 not that we plan 00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:57.339 to avoid 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.199 the lost 00:28:58.199 --> 00:28:59.679 but that we plan 00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:00.559 so many other 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.500 things first 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.519 that we can't help 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.399 but miss 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:04.179 the lost 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:04.700 and we're not 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.140 bothered 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:07.200 when it happens 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:09.799 God so loved 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.600 the world 00:29:10.600 --> 00:29:11.480 that he sent 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.299 his son 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:13.420 from heaven 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.400 to earth 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.299 to rescue 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:17.180 lost souls 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.160 but we have 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.799 neglected 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.900 that passion 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.460 of God's heart 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:23.279 we can't be bothered 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.779 to walk next door 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:26.019 to alter 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.259 vacation plans 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.180 to share 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:28.880 that same 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.740 good news 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:32.259 we've worshipped 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.860 ourselves 00:29:32.859 --> 00:29:34.159 and lost 00:29:34.159 --> 00:29:34.679 sight 00:29:34.679 --> 00:29:36.019 of the heart 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.139 of God 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:39.119 we have loved 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:40.439 and prioritized 00:29:40.439 --> 00:29:41.099 ourselves 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:42.299 and we have 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.879 neglected 00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:44.179 the ethnically 00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:45.159 materially 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:46.379 or spiritually 00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:47.539 different 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:51.279 sounds actually 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.799 if you read 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.579 the Old Testament 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.539 like the people 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.179 of Israel 00:29:54.179 --> 00:29:55.619 especially in 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.439 Daniel's day 00:29:56.439 --> 00:29:57.539 just read through 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.359 any of the prophets 00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:58.559 prophets 00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:00.199 I'm going to let us 00:30:00.199 --> 00:30:01.439 confess these things 00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:01.939 together 00:30:01.939 --> 00:30:03.479 in just a minute 00:30:03.479 --> 00:30:05.639 but first one more 00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:07.059 question from this 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.479 passage 00:30:07.479 --> 00:30:08.879 is there any hope 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:10.979 it's just sin 00:30:10.979 --> 00:30:11.419 sin 00:30:11.419 --> 00:30:12.019 sin 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.919 failure 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:13.379 failure 00:30:13.379 --> 00:30:13.779 failure 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.899 is there any hope 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:16.779 when we consider 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.799 these realities 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.679 in our hearts 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.479 and in our churches 00:30:19.479 --> 00:30:21.799 the last thing 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.519 about corporate 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.079 confession 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.659 this morning 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.379 from Daniel 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:25.520 is that it is 00:30:25.520 --> 00:30:25.980 fueled 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:27.540 by hope 00:30:27.540 --> 00:30:28.620 in God's promises 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:30.340 to his people 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:30.960 that's what 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.460 drives corporate 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.060 confession 00:30:33.060 --> 00:30:33.840 and makes it 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.860 a reality 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:36.140 just as we know 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.680 personally 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.340 that it is the 00:30:37.340 --> 00:30:38.600 kindness of God 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.640 that leads us 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.380 to repentance 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:42.000 so corporately 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.220 we cling 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.160 to his promises 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.500 and his faithful 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.080 character 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:47.360 as we confess 00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.980 our failings 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:50.480 Daniel 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.220 in this passage 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.180 is driven 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.720 we're told 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:54.180 by reading God's word 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.940 through the prophet 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.660 Jeremiah 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.900 to pray 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.779 and confess 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.579 sin 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.799 he reads God's 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.740 covenant promises 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:02.100 to restore 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:03.480 his exiled people 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.579 after they've been 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.400 gone from the 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.279 promised land 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.620 and he opens 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.200 his prayer 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.920 by claiming 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.059 these covenant 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.920 promises 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:12.059 verse 4 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.299 I prayed to the 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:13.880 Lord my God 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:14.720 and made confession 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.799 oh Lord 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.819 the great and 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.440 awesome God 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.500 who keeps covenant 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:20.460 and steadfast love 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.480 with those who love 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.100 him and keep 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.819 his commandments 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:26.000 we are your people 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.859 he says 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:28.639 the ones you set 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.679 your love upon 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.740 your faithful 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:32.059 covenant love 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.819 the ones you rescued 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.559 out of Egypt 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.759 verse 15 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:37.699 the ones you promised 00:31:37.699 --> 00:31:38.319 to redeem 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.559 with your faithful 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.459 covenant love 00:31:40.459 --> 00:31:41.799 the love that promises 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.000 you will be reliable 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:44.240 even when we 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.919 aren't 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:46.059 even when we 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.559 fail 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:48.039 it's your promise 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.119 to come through 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.379 for us 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:53.020 one commentator 00:31:53.020 --> 00:31:54.180 Dale Ralph Davis 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.680 says 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:56.440 the Lord's promises 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.540 drive his 00:31:57.540 --> 00:31:58.540 servants prayer 00:31:58.540 --> 00:32:00.840 here's this picture 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.480 it's as if 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.520 God's promises 00:32:02.520 --> 00:32:03.600 have velcro 00:32:03.600 --> 00:32:04.460 on them 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.880 and our prayers 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.720 are meant to 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.880 get stuck there 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:09.640 I love that picture 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:11.180 our prayers 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:11.920 stuck 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:13.120 on the promises 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.720 of God 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:17.380 and then Daniel 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.339 appeals to God's 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:18.860 character 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.700 as a merciful God 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:21.660 who delights 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.779 to forgive 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.779 verse 8 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.079 look 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:24.819 it's the 00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:26.319 open shame 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.259 that is ours 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.880 because we've 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:29.100 sinned against God 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:30.120 but to the Lord 00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.700 our God 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.240 belong 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.039 mercy 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:33.420 and forgiveness 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.860 that's the kind 00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:35.320 of God 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:35.860 he is 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.380 look down 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.240 to verse 18 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.440 we don't present 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.019 our pleas 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.640 before you 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.220 because of 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.060 our righteousness 00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:42.380 but because of 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:43.680 your great 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.600 mercy 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:46.259 do you see 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.820 what Daniel's 00:32:46.820 --> 00:32:47.320 down to 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:48.140 as he goes 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:48.480 through and 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.279 confesses the 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.800 sin of his 00:32:49.800 --> 00:32:50.160 people 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:52.140 his only hope 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:53.620 is God's 00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:54.200 great 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:55.060 mercy 00:32:55.060 --> 00:32:57.500 he's broken 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.140 hearted over 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.900 the sin of his 00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.320 people 00:32:59.320 --> 00:33:00.519 and he pleads 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.120 for mercy 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:02.180 from a faithful 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:03.759 merciful father 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.640 who loves 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.220 to forgive 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:07.220 it's that mercy 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:07.920 from God 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.440 toward his 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.660 covenant people 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:11.000 that is our 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.440 hope 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.940 as we confess 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.580 our sin 00:33:13.580 --> 00:33:14.060 in fact it's 00:33:14.060 --> 00:33:14.840 what drives us 00:33:14.840 --> 00:33:15.759 to confess 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:17.900 one of the 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.720 primary things 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.200 I believe 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.840 has sparked 00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:21.000 this renewal 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.820 and repentance 00:33:21.820 --> 00:33:23.080 in the PCA 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:24.299 is the way 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:24.920 our African 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.380 American 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.160 brothers and 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:26.539 sisters 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.560 have patiently 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.160 modeled 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.460 the merciful 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.299 and forgiving 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.000 heart 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.960 of God 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.259 to us 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.740 they have 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.840 been unrelenting 00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:36.799 in their work 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.920 for justice 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:39.740 and equally 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.640 unrelenting 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.360 in their 00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:42.140 gracious 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:42.860 commitment 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:44.120 to forgiveness 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:46.500 that's prompted 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.180 us to feel 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.840 safe 00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:48.799 to confess 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.579 it's that 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:51.180 mercy of God 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.220 his kindness 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.420 that leads us 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.380 to repentance 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:56.000 you see 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.559 God didn't 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.319 just use 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.019 the principle 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.799 of corporate 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.559 connectedness 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.259 one time 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.839 he didn't 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.339 just have 00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:02.759 someone 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.720 stand in 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.539 our place 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.180 once 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:06.680 he didn't 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.259 just have 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:08.139 Adam's 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.780 sin 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.460 counted 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.679 to our 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:11.199 account 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:12.039 as sin 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.099 and death 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.340 now in 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:14.840 Christ 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.460 he has 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:15.940 credited 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.039 righteousness 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:18.539 and life 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.460 to our 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:19.960 account 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.800 Romans 5 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.300 is all 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:21.820 about this 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.099 read the 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:22.500 whole thing 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:22.800 later 00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.960 verse 15 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.320 says 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:24.940 if many 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.440 died 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:25.719 through 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.559 one man's 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.199 trespass 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:27.519 that's 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:27.880 Adam 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:29.539 much more 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:29.960 have the 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.519 grace of 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.800 God 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.119 and the 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.480 free 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:31.940 gift 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.360 by the 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.739 grace 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:33.119 of that 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.699 one man 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:34.039 Jesus 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.739 Christ 00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:35.639 abounded 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.360 for many 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:37.619 and the 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.059 free gift 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.400 is not 00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:38.800 like the 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:39.199 result 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.559 of that 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.300 one man's 00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:40.579 sin 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.019 for the 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.780 judgment 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.400 following 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.759 one 00:34:42.759 --> 00:34:43.460 trespass 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.780 brought 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:44.679 condemnation 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.860 but the 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.460 free gift 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.920 following 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.259 many 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.059 trespasses 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.420 brought 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.360 justification 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:50.739 for if 00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.360 because of 00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:52.199 one man's 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:53.000 trespass 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.739 death 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:54.139 reigned 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.340 through 00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:54.579 that 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.099 one man 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.719 much 00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.159 more 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:56.659 will those 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.259 who receive 00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:57.940 the abundance 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.719 of grace 00:34:58.719 --> 00:34:59.099 and the 00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.779 free gift 00:34:59.779 --> 00:35:00.579 of righteousness 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:01.619 reign in 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:01.940 life 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.299 through the 00:35:02.299 --> 00:35:02.879 one man 00:35:02.879 --> 00:35:03.219 Jesus 00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:03.899 Christ 00:35:03.899 --> 00:35:04.719 therefore 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.399 as one 00:35:05.399 --> 00:35:06.079 trespass 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.519 led to 00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.239 condemnation 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:07.819 for all 00:35:07.819 --> 00:35:08.159 men 00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:09.259 so one 00:35:09.259 --> 00:35:09.659 act of 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.139 righteousness 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:10.799 leads to 00:35:10.799 --> 00:35:11.420 justification 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.899 and life 00:35:12.899 --> 00:35:13.719 for all 00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:14.059 men 00:35:14.059 --> 00:35:15.079 for as 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.460 by the 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.119 one man's 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:16.980 disobedience 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.659 the many 00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.159 were made 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:18.559 sinners 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.819 so by the 00:35:19.819 --> 00:35:20.519 one man's 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:21.019 obedience 00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:22.000 the many 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.699 will be 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:23.039 made 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.639 righteous 00:35:23.639 --> 00:35:24.619 glory 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:25.199 hallelujah 00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:26.599 by one 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:27.039 man's 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.480 obedience 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:28.500 the many 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.319 will be 00:35:29.319 --> 00:35:29.799 made 00:35:29.799 --> 00:35:30.719 righteous 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:32.399 the many 00:35:32.399 --> 00:35:33.279 sinners 00:35:33.279 --> 00:35:33.919 the many 00:35:33.919 --> 00:35:34.319 who had 00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:35.799 fallen apart 00:35:35.799 --> 00:35:36.419 who'd 00:35:36.419 --> 00:35:36.779 sinned 00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.379 themselves 00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:37.819 and their 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.359 fathers 00:35:38.359 --> 00:35:39.439 and they'd 00:35:39.439 --> 00:35:40.119 failed to do 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:40.460 what God 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:40.960 had called 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.799 them to do 00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:42.659 Jesus 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:43.779 in one 00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:44.639 man 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.460 brings 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:45.919 them 00:35:45.919 --> 00:35:46.960 life 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:48.379 and righteousness 00:35:48.379 --> 00:35:49.419 that they 00:35:49.419 --> 00:35:49.980 didn't 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.879 deserve 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:52.660 that is 00:35:52.660 --> 00:35:53.039 great 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.559 mercy 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:55.160 mercy 00:35:55.160 --> 00:35:55.980 that frees 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.440 us to 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:57.000 confess 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.300 our 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:57.820 deep 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.900 sin 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.760 that's 00:35:59.760 --> 00:35:59.900 why 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.460 confession 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.960 is a 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:01.420 unique 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.280 mark 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:03.000 of the 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.500 church 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:04.460 because 00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:05.000 we have 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.780 a God 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.220 who 00:36:06.220 --> 00:36:07.300 forgives 00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:08.019 because 00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.460 we have 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.280 a righteousness 00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:10.180 that's not 00:36:10.180 --> 00:36:11.119 our own 00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:11.519 it's not 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.200 based on 00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:12.660 our 00:36:12.660 --> 00:36:13.640 record 00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:15.720 it's 00:36:15.720 --> 00:36:16.059 mercy 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.559 that gives 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:16.860 us 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.539 hope 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.360 because 00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:19.900 we may 00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.440 well 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.019 initially 00:36:21.019 --> 00:36:21.480 feel 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:21.900 that this 00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.179 whole 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:22.659 corporate 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.219 connection 00:36:23.219 --> 00:36:23.659 thing 00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:23.860 is 00:36:23.860 --> 00:36:24.380 unfair 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:26.400 we'd 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:26.539 rather 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:26.920 just be 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.320 judged 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:27.759 like we 00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:28.199 always 00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:28.460 are 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:28.779 on our 00:36:28.779 --> 00:36:29.039 own 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.659 merits 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:31.119 that's 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:31.340 what we're 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:31.820 used to 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:32.139 in our 00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:32.480 culture 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:32.820 right 00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:34.619 but in 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.039 fact 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.519 it's our 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.000 corporate 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.820 connectedness 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.320 that is 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:37.699 our 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.380 only 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:39.420 hope 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.219 on our 00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:40.519 own 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:40.900 merits 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.400 we are 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:42.039 hopeless 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:43.400 unrighteous 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:44.340 and facing 00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:45.139 death 00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.920 but being 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.460 connected 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.099 to Jesus 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:47.659 changes 00:36:47.659 --> 00:36:48.739 everything 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:49.599 by the 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:50.400 one man's 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.900 obedience 00:36:50.900 --> 00:36:51.639 many 00:36:51.639 --> 00:36:52.279 will be 00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:52.659 made 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:53.219 righteous 00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:54.019 will receive 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:54.759 the abundance 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.559 of grace 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:56.259 and the 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:56.759 free 00:36:56.759 --> 00:36:57.519 gift 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:58.259 of 00:36:58.259 --> 00:36:58.839 righteousness 00:36:58.839 --> 00:37:00.799 let's pray 00:37:00.799 --> 00:37:01.219 and then we'll 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:01.619 confess 00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.119 together 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:04.219 father we 00:37:04.219 --> 00:37:05.059 praise you 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:06.980 for the 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.519 grace 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.860 that is ours 00:37:08.860 --> 00:37:09.639 in Christ 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.259 Jesus 00:37:10.259 --> 00:37:12.819 we thank 00:37:12.819 --> 00:37:13.219 you for 00:37:13.219 --> 00:37:14.219 his sacrifice 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:14.940 on our 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.420 behalf 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:16.179 taking the 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:17.259 punishment 00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:17.899 that our 00:37:17.899 --> 00:37:18.299 sin 00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:18.919 deserved 00:37:18.919 --> 00:37:19.480 once 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:19.919 and for 00:37:19.919 --> 00:37:20.159 all 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:20.539 the 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.019 righteous 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.699 for the 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:22.619 unrighteous 00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:24.839 father would 00:37:24.839 --> 00:37:25.639 it lead us 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.359 even this 00:37:26.359 --> 00:37:26.759 morning 00:37:26.759 --> 00:37:27.379 into 00:37:27.379 --> 00:37:28.079 repentance 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:30.879 that we 00:37:30.879 --> 00:37:31.639 might hate 00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:32.960 our sin 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:35.019 and love 00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:36.000 our 00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:36.519 savior 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:38.759 holy 00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.199 spirit 00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:40.000 even now 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:40.879 work in 00:37:40.879 --> 00:37:41.480 our hearts 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:42.440 to show us 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:43.159 our sin 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:44.420 and our 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:44.860 savior 00:37:44.860 --> 00:37:45.579 as we 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:46.200 take a few 00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:46.700 moments 00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:47.519 silently 00:37:47.519 --> 00:38:11.179 amen 00:38:11.179 --> 00:38:13.279 we 00:38:13.279 --> 00:38:13.960 skipped our 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:14.419 typical 00:38:14.419 --> 00:38:15.000 confession 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:15.759 of sin 00:38:15.759 --> 00:38:16.539 earlier in 00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:17.259 the service 00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:17.899 so we 00:38:17.899 --> 00:38:18.319 could do it 00:38:18.319 --> 00:38:19.119 after wrestling 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.579 with our 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:20.000 need 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:21.480 for confession 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.079 from this 00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:22.659 passage 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:24.000 I've written 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.719 an extended 00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:25.500 corporate 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.079 confession 00:38:26.079 --> 00:38:26.679 for us 00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:27.239 this morning 00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:28.000 taken from 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.799 some of the 00:38:28.799 --> 00:38:29.440 issues we've 00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:30.059 talked about 00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:30.599 and some of 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.539 Daniel's words 00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:32.799 in Daniel 9 00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:33.659 let's stand 00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:34.299 together and 00:38:34.299 --> 00:38:34.919 confess 00:38:34.919 --> 00:38:35.639 our 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.699 sin 00:38:36.699 --> 00:38:41.519 heavenly 00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:42.039 father 00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:43.639 we confess 00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:44.559 that we 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:45.579 have sinned 00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:46.279 and turned 00:38:46.279 --> 00:38:46.960 aside 00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:47.819 from your 00:38:47.819 --> 00:38:48.519 commands 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.279 and your 00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:49.759 heart 00:38:49.759 --> 00:38:51.019 we have 00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:51.759 thought more 00:38:51.759 --> 00:38:52.579 highly of 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.219 ourselves 00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:54.259 than of 00:38:54.259 --> 00:38:54.719 others 00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.279 different 00:38:55.279 --> 00:38:56.159 from us 00:38:56.159 --> 00:38:57.439 we have 00:38:57.439 --> 00:38:58.000 harbored 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.579 prejudice 00:38:58.579 --> 00:38:59.399 in our 00:38:59.399 --> 00:38:59.939 hearts 00:38:59.939 --> 00:39:00.980 we have 00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:01.539 spoken 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.480 carelessly 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.980 we have 00:39:03.980 --> 00:39:04.599 laughed 00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.419 hurtfully 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:07.119 and God 00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:07.680 we have 00:39:07.680 --> 00:39:08.500 failed to 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:09.280 love our 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:09.659 neighbor 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:11.119 by defending 00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:12.280 our minority 00:39:12.280 --> 00:39:12.920 brothers 00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:13.900 and sisters 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:15.400 we have 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:15.980 neglected 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:17.059 to address 00:39:17.059 --> 00:39:17.720 broken 00:39:17.720 --> 00:39:18.380 systems 00:39:18.380 --> 00:39:19.659 we have 00:39:19.659 --> 00:39:19.920 been 00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:20.639 satisfied 00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:21.220 with 00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:22.099 relationships 00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:23.340 with others 00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.300 like us 00:39:24.300 --> 00:39:25.460 we have 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:26.460 not longed 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:26.900 for a 00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.780 multicolored 00:39:27.780 --> 00:39:28.260 kingdom 00:39:28.260 --> 00:39:29.240 that you 00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:30.059 have promised 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.900 us your 00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:31.400 kingdom 00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:32.159 is 00:39:32.159 --> 00:39:32.980 oh 00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.480 Lord 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.159 have 00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:34.800 mercy 00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:35.780 on us 00:39:35.780 --> 00:39:37.400 heavenly 00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:37.980 father 00:39:37.980 --> 00:39:39.240 to us 00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:39.980 belongs 00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:40.500 open 00:39:40.500 --> 00:39:41.180 shame 00:39:41.180 --> 00:39:41.740 because 00:39:41.740 --> 00:39:42.539 of our 00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.400 unbridled 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:44.539 materialism 00:39:44.539 --> 00:39:45.780 we have 00:39:45.780 --> 00:39:46.180 sought 00:39:46.180 --> 00:39:47.000 security 00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.920 and created 00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:48.660 things 00:39:48.660 --> 00:39:49.900 rather than 00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:50.680 the creator 00:39:50.680 --> 00:39:52.060 we have 00:39:52.060 --> 00:39:52.820 been proud 00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:53.220 in our 00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:53.539 own 00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.360 accomplishments 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:55.720 rather than 00:39:55.720 --> 00:39:56.280 grateful 00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:56.980 for your 00:39:56.980 --> 00:39:57.580 gifts 00:39:57.580 --> 00:39:59.120 and God 00:39:59.120 --> 00:39:59.680 we have 00:39:59.680 --> 00:40:00.300 neglected 00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:01.340 the poor 00:40:01.340 --> 00:40:02.019 and the 00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:02.620 oppressed 00:40:02.620 --> 00:40:03.900 in our 00:40:03.900 --> 00:40:04.440 fear 00:40:04.440 --> 00:40:05.680 and selfishness 00:40:05.680 --> 00:40:06.620 we have 00:40:06.620 --> 00:40:07.460 not cried 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.180 over their 00:40:08.180 --> 00:40:08.940 suffering 00:40:08.940 --> 00:40:10.180 or shown 00:40:10.180 --> 00:40:11.200 your benevolent 00:40:11.200 --> 00:40:11.660 heart 00:40:11.660 --> 00:40:12.360 at all 00:40:12.360 --> 00:40:13.039 times 00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:13.880 oh 00:40:13.880 --> 00:40:14.340 Lord 00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:14.920 have 00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.579 mercy 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:16.559 on us 00:40:16.559 --> 00:40:18.240 heavenly 00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:18.800 father 00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:19.840 we have 00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:20.519 rebelled 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:21.360 and failed 00:40:21.360 --> 00:40:22.120 to obey 00:40:22.120 --> 00:40:23.100 your voice 00:40:23.100 --> 00:40:24.360 you have 00:40:24.360 --> 00:40:25.019 called us 00:40:25.019 --> 00:40:25.620 to share 00:40:25.620 --> 00:40:26.600 the good news 00:40:26.600 --> 00:40:27.240 of Jesus 00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:28.039 with all 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.539 people 00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:29.659 to make 00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:30.339 disciples 00:40:30.339 --> 00:40:31.159 of all 00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:31.679 nations 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:33.059 but we 00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:33.279 have 00:40:33.279 --> 00:40:33.739 busied 00:40:33.739 --> 00:40:34.379 ourselves 00:40:34.379 --> 00:40:35.159 with the 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:35.599 temporal 00:40:35.599 --> 00:40:36.239 pleasures 00:40:36.239 --> 00:40:37.339 we desire 00:40:37.339 --> 00:40:38.799 and avoided 00:40:38.799 --> 00:40:39.659 the eternal 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.399 souls 00:40:40.399 --> 00:40:41.279 of people 00:40:41.279 --> 00:40:41.919 created 00:40:41.919 --> 00:40:42.599 in your 00:40:42.599 --> 00:40:43.199 image 00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:44.719 and God 00:40:44.719 --> 00:40:45.179 we have 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:45.899 refused 00:40:45.899 --> 00:40:46.619 to risk 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.459 discomfort 00:40:47.459 --> 00:40:48.679 rejection 00:40:48.679 --> 00:40:49.879 or even 00:40:49.879 --> 00:40:50.739 persecution 00:40:50.739 --> 00:40:51.779 for the 00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.199 sake 00:40:52.199 --> 00:40:52.719 of your 00:40:52.719 --> 00:40:53.199 name 00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.179 oh 00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:54.599 Lord 00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.079 have 00:40:55.079 --> 00:40:55.759 mercy 00:40:55.759 --> 00:40:56.719 on us 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:58.179 forgive 00:40:58.179 --> 00:40:58.699 us 00:40:58.699 --> 00:40:59.179 Lord 00:40:59.179 --> 00:41:00.500 for these 00:41:00.500 --> 00:41:01.139 and many 00:41:01.139 --> 00:41:01.599 other 00:41:01.599 --> 00:41:02.399 violations 00:41:02.399 --> 00:41:03.099 of your 00:41:03.099 --> 00:41:03.980 holy law 00:41:03.980 --> 00:41:04.839 we have 00:41:04.839 --> 00:41:05.339 done 00:41:05.339 --> 00:41:06.359 as well 00:41:06.359 --> 00:41:06.959 as many 00:41:06.959 --> 00:41:07.379 other 00:41:07.379 --> 00:41:07.839 duties 00:41:07.839 --> 00:41:08.599 we have 00:41:08.599 --> 00:41:09.119 left 00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:09.919 undone 00:41:09.919 --> 00:41:11.019 oh 00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:11.439 Lord 00:41:11.439 --> 00:41:11.959 hear 00:41:11.959 --> 00:41:13.000 oh 00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:13.439 Lord 00:41:13.439 --> 00:41:14.059 forgive 00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:15.519 oh 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:16.019 Lord 00:41:16.019 --> 00:41:16.379 pay 00:41:16.379 --> 00:41:17.019 attention 00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:18.039 and act 00:41:18.039 --> 00:41:19.039 delay 00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:19.759 not 00:41:19.759 --> 00:41:20.399 for your 00:41:20.399 --> 00:41:20.739 own 00:41:20.739 --> 00:41:21.279 sake 00:41:21.279 --> 00:41:21.619 oh 00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:22.099 God 00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:23.299 for we 00:41:23.299 --> 00:41:23.819 do not 00:41:23.819 --> 00:41:24.459 present 00:41:24.459 --> 00:41:24.859 our 00:41:24.859 --> 00:41:25.399 pleas 00:41:25.399 --> 00:41:25.939 before 00:41:25.939 --> 00:41:26.339 you 00:41:26.340 --> 00:41:27.100 because 00:41:27.100 --> 00:41:27.780 of our 00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:28.420 righteousness 00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:29.800 but because 00:41:29.800 --> 00:41:30.740 of your 00:41:30.740 --> 00:41:31.280 great 00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:31.900 mercy 00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:32.980 amen 00:41:32.980 --> 00:41:34.559 let's 00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.180 continue in 00:41:35.180 --> 00:41:35.980 confession now 00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:36.680 as we sing 00:41:36.680 --> 00:41:37.600 the words of 00:41:37.600 --> 00:41:38.460 David's psalm of 00:41:38.460 --> 00:41:38.920 confession 00:41:38.920 --> 00:41:39.800 psalm 51 00:41:39.800 --> 00:41:44.700 for more information 00:41:44.700 --> 00:41:45.960 visit us online 00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:46.320 at 00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:47.260 southwood.org 00:41:47.260 --> 00:42:17.240 Thank you.