WEBVTT 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:05.740 So in the beginning of the service, I oriented everybody to a few different changes. 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:07.440 There's been some people that have come in since then. 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:08.419 Let me do that again. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:09.400 I'm Dan Bielman. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:11.320 I'm an assistant pastor here at Church of the Advent. 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:14.220 You've also seen Wright Wall. 00:00:14.460 --> 00:00:17.519 Wright will be helping us celebrate communion. 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.879 Wright is the pastor of All Nations D.C. in the Northwest, a sister church of ours, 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:24.580 and Brian Wandel, an ordained deacon at Church of the Advent. 00:00:25.240 --> 00:00:29.379 He's usually at the Brooklyn worship service in the morning. 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:32.259 Also, a little bit of orientation. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:33.979 We're going to start a new sermon series today. 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:35.520 We're going to be in the book of Psalms. 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:42.620 No book of the Old Testament has been read so much throughout history as the book of Psalms. 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:49.299 They give voice to every state of the human heart, from joy to sorrow, from anger to gratitude, 00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:52.799 for both individuals and congregations. 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:57.740 Now, there's a group of Psalms that holds a special place in the history of God's people. 00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:00.960 Psalms 113 to 118. 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:04.560 These psalms can be considered as a single song. 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:07.159 The song has been called the Hallel. 00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:10.280 Hallel means praise. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:14.280 Now, you've heard the word Hallel countless times in your lives. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:15.620 Hallelujah. 00:01:16.020 --> 00:01:20.960 Hallelujah means praise Yahweh or praise the Lord. 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:27.259 For the nation of Israel, the Hallel was used on many joyful occasions and feasts throughout the year. 00:01:28.199 --> 00:01:31.399 Jesus would have sung the Hallel many, many times in his life 00:01:31.399 --> 00:01:36.719 and was probably the last song he sang before going to his crucifixion. 00:01:37.679 --> 00:01:40.919 Both Matthew and Mark record that after celebrating the Passover meal together, 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:45.280 they sang a hymn and then went out to the Mount of Olives. 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:47.419 That hymn is most likely the Hallel. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:51.140 And as they sing its dramatic conclusion, Psalm 118, 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:55.400 the disciples find that the psalm finds its fulfillment in Jesus. 00:01:56.420 --> 00:01:58.840 This song has been about him all along. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:03.420 Now, we'll hear more about that on September 4th. 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:06.240 We'll be in the Hallel for six weeks. 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:08.819 Tonight, we'll start with Psalm 113. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:12.159 Psalm 113 is a very direct call to praise God. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:16.039 Very simply, we praise him for who he is and what he has done. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:21.019 And when we ponder God and who he is and what he has done, 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:25.620 we're left with a question found at the center of this psalm, 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:28.319 which gives voice to our wonder. 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:30.959 Who is like the Lord our God? 00:02:32.599 --> 00:02:34.379 Who is like the Lord our God? 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:36.780 Let's pray. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:36.799 Let's pray. 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:47.500 Lord, we need both your help in asking that question 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:51.939 and in hearing an answer. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.840 And in hearing an answer, Lord, would you restore our sanity? 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:05.180 Would we find you more beautiful than when we came in here tonight? 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:11.780 Would we find you to be more glorious and majestic and wonderful and awe-inspiring? 00:03:14.659 --> 00:03:19.780 Would we also know you to be more near than we could have ever hoped or imagined? 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:24.680 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:25.280 Amen. 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:35.420 Have you ever been in dire need such that you experienced complete helplessness? 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:43.679 Now, I thought of that question as I was preparing this sermon, 00:03:43.799 --> 00:03:47.479 and I had a hard time coming up with examples from my own life. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:53.959 I mean, some things came to mind, but I realized they weren't quite total helplessness. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:59.019 Like, for one, this is probably a very common experience among people in this room, 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:07.580 because many have done graduate school and have been, like, without much on a graduate assistantship or whatever. 00:04:07.700 --> 00:04:10.580 I started one week with just $8 to my name. 00:04:12.939 --> 00:04:17.540 I had nothing except for $8, and I had no food, 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:22.079 and it felt a bit helpless at the time. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:27.899 But, I mean, when I look back on it, like, $8 is actually quite a lot of money. 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:30.560 I mean, especially with ramen noodles, right? 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:32.500 Like, you can go a month on $8. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:41.079 And when I think about it more, like, you know, I had friends and family, 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:44.519 a community surrounding me that could help me if I ran into trouble, 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:46.839 and I knew I was getting paid at the end of the week. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:49.299 So, I mean, that wasn't really helplessness. 00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:56.660 I experienced feelings of helplessness about a month ago. 00:04:57.520 --> 00:05:03.840 Our family took a vacation to Vermont, and we did a hike in Franconia, Notch. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:07.860 It was a much more difficult hike than we expected. 00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:11.480 We were told it would be an easy hike, and it ended up being seven miles, 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:16.439 three and a half miles uphill at about this kind of gradient, you know, 80 degrees. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:22.360 And my 11-year-old, and even my 6-year-old did the hike. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:23.360 I'm very proud of my sons. 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:24.740 They're great hikers, mountaineers. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.540 Now, the oldest two know that they're pretty good at hiking. 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:35.420 So, they often would go ahead of us, and then we would stop and wait. 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:39.439 There came a moment when they had gone ahead, 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:43.019 and I had stopped to talk to a couple that had come down. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:45.959 I noticed an accent, so, hey, where's your accent from? 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:46.399 Blah, blah, blah. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.240 And we talked for a while, and then we realized, 00:05:49.399 --> 00:05:50.540 man, we've been here for a long time. 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:52.480 I haven't seen our kids in a while, so we call out for them. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:53.199 We can't hear them. 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:54.240 This is our oldest two. 00:05:55.079 --> 00:06:00.060 So, I run ahead, call out their names, don't hear from them, run further, 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:04.040 and I'm now frantically running up this mountain. 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:07.280 I'm not in great shape, so it would have been funny to watch, I'm sure. 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:12.699 And while I'm doing that, I'm starting to feel a little helpless. 00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:16.680 You know, all of these worst-case scenarios start popping into my mind, 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:19.959 namely because I am running along this trail, 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.240 and there's a lot of cutbacks, right? 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:26.459 And some of these cutbacks, there is a phantom trail that shoots off from it. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.379 And I thought, oh, no. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:30.620 They started talking about Pokemon or Transformers or whatever, 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.420 and they just took this phantom trail, and they're going to be lost and gone all night. 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:35.480 Have we watched enough survival shows? 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:36.899 Will they be able to survive in the night? 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:40.259 Man, they're probably dehydrated already. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:42.079 What are we going to do? 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:45.360 I kept running and calling and running and calling. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:48.379 By the time I got to the top of the mountain, there they were. 00:06:49.219 --> 00:06:49.899 They're great. 00:06:50.219 --> 00:06:51.159 They ran ahead. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:52.480 They were so excited to get to the top. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:57.780 But, you know, when I look back on those feelings of helplessness, 00:06:58.020 --> 00:06:59.660 they were probably irrational, I know. 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:03.560 But also, like, I knew if I could just find a cell phone signal, 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:08.160 I could just make a call, and there'd be helicopters swarming the mountain 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:12.360 looking for my children, because that's the kind of land we live in. 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:16.379 And so that's not really helplessness. 00:07:19.900 --> 00:07:24.620 Now, this week I read an interview with Alan Gross. 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:26.259 It was written a couple years back. 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:27.600 Some of you may know that name. 00:07:29.080 --> 00:07:32.439 He was a government contractor that languished in a prison in Cuba. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:36.980 His cell was infested with ants and roaches. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:38.259 His diet was awful. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:41.399 He lost 100 pounds while he was in jail for several years. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:45.459 But the thing that he and his wife feared the most 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:48.420 was that our government forgot his name. 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:50.800 Isn't that awful? 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:54.180 When you're stuck like that, in jail, 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:56.019 and you feel forgotten, 00:07:57.099 --> 00:07:59.759 because no one cares. 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:03.480 Now that's helplessness. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:09.680 There's a gentleman at the church that my family used to belong to in Florida. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:12.160 He grew up as a ward of the state. 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:17.600 By age 11, he had bounced from foster home to foster home, 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:20.560 and he had had enough, just wanted to get out of the situation. 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:22.020 It was pretty bad for him. 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:24.240 So he ran away at age 11. 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:28.340 And for a whole year, he was changing his name, 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:30.000 trying to avoid detection, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.620 sleeping in train stations, 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.179 bus stations. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.360 And then he realized that 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.899 he was going through all those lengths for nothing, 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:41.820 because no one was looking for him. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:44.200 He was 12 years old, 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:45.480 penniless, 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:46.659 hungry, 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:48.080 completely alone, 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.460 and forgotten. 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:52.620 No one cared. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.220 Now that's helplessness. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:09:00.340 There was a woman in the Old Testament 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.000 named Hannah. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.620 You heard Wes read her story. 00:09:03.700 --> 00:09:05.340 Good job with the pronunciation, Wes. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.940 Hannah was barren, 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:11.120 month after month, 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:12.740 year after year. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:14.420 And on top of that, 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.379 she had to endure 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:17.500 the mocks and ridicule 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.580 of her rival. 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:21.320 Hannah knew exactly 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:22.420 what her status was. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.519 A woman in that culture, 00:09:23.719 --> 00:09:24.479 unable to conceive, 00:09:24.579 --> 00:09:25.620 was considered worthless. 00:09:27.099 --> 00:09:28.240 And did you hear her prayer? 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:30.299 She prayed, 00:09:30.579 --> 00:09:31.659 Remember me, Lord. 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:34.139 Do not forget me. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:37.259 Why would she pray those prayers? 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:39.019 Because she felt like God 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:39.959 had forgotten her. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:41.740 She felt like God 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.019 had not remembered her. 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:44.779 That no one cared. 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:46.839 And that's helplessness. 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:49.099 Except, 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:52.960 not only did God 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:54.300 not forget her, 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:57.920 but she's exactly 00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:59.820 the kind of person 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.440 that God remembers. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:04.920 Look at verses 7 and 8 00:10:04.920 --> 00:10:06.019 of Psalm 113. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:08.779 Verse 7 says, 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:09.860 He lifts the needy 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:10.639 from the ash heap. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:12.019 We are to picture 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.759 mounds of trash 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:15.040 piled outside 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:16.200 of a city. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:17.920 And we're to picture 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.979 the ones who sit 00:10:18.979 --> 00:10:20.120 on these mounds. 00:10:20.979 --> 00:10:21.419 Alone, 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:22.419 forgotten, 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:23.559 helpless, 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:24.620 hungry. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.019 The psalm says, 00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:28.479 He seats them 00:10:28.479 --> 00:10:29.779 with princes. 00:10:30.819 --> 00:10:31.839 He says that 00:10:31.839 --> 00:10:33.299 partly to show 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:34.699 that their lowliness 00:10:34.699 --> 00:10:35.939 involves not only 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:37.620 hunger and poverty, 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.779 but degradation 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.419 and shame. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:43.059 Similarly, 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:44.360 the barren woman 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.360 in this culture 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.419 finds herself 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:47.659 in a similar 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:48.899 position 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:49.960 of degradation 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.159 and shame. 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.279 But this, 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.800 this is who God loves. 00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:56.100 Who He pours out 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.399 His love 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.639 and affection upon. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:10:59.919 The poor, 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:01.180 the helpless, 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:03.080 the barren woman, 00:11:03.680 --> 00:11:04.180 the widow, 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.560 the orphan, 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.120 the sick, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.680 the alien, 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.060 the refugee, 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:11.580 the one 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:12.519 in deep grief. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:14.480 who is like 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:16.000 the Lord our God. 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.720 The psalmist 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:21.639 first shows us 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:22.939 God's transcendence. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.220 Look at verse 4. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:25.759 The Lord 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.840 is high 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:28.220 above all nations 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:29.419 and His glory 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.539 above the heavens. 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:31.819 Who is like the Lord 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:32.340 our God 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:33.559 who is seated on high. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:34.699 What an image 00:11:34.699 --> 00:11:35.319 of majesty 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:36.579 above the heavens. 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:38.220 We're not talking 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:39.799 about clouds here, 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:40.579 right? 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:42.600 talking about 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.820 dimensions of time 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:44.720 and space 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.300 that can't contain 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:47.300 God's glory 00:11:47.300 --> 00:11:49.340 and no language 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.160 can adequately 00:11:50.160 --> 00:11:51.100 describe Him. 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.800 Now in my opinion, 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:54.580 the best attempt 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.540 at describing Him 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:57.900 is found in the 00:11:57.900 --> 00:11:59.000 Westminster Confession. 00:11:59.139 --> 00:11:59.660 It's a document 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.460 drawn up at 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.139 Westminster Abbey 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:02.420 in the year 1646. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.020 It says this, 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:05.220 There is but 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.720 one only living 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.539 and true God 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.679 who is infinite 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.319 in being 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:09.960 and perfection, 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:11.279 a most pure 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.840 spirit, 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:12.600 invisible, 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:13.779 without body, 00:12:13.939 --> 00:12:14.259 parts, 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:14.860 or passions, 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:15.679 immutable, 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:16.600 immense, 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:17.620 eternal, 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.059 incomprehensible, 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:20.059 almighty, 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:21.460 most wise, 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.519 most holy, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.639 most free, 00:12:24.079 --> 00:12:24.899 most absolute, 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.159 working all things 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:26.819 according to the 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:28.039 counsel of His own 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:29.220 immutable and most 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.159 righteous will 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:31.939 for His own glory. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:33.220 Who is like the Lord 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:33.900 our God? 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.240 Yet what really 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:43.020 makes Him unique 00:12:43.020 --> 00:12:45.400 and fills the 00:12:45.400 --> 00:12:46.860 psalmist with wonder 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:48.860 is that He is 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.800 seated on high 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:52.040 and He stoops. 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:54.940 Our translation 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.920 in verse 6 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:57.220 says He looks 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:57.940 far down. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:59.400 Another translation 00:12:59.400 --> 00:13:00.320 says that God 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:01.140 humbles Himself. 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:02.940 And yet another 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.980 translation says 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.340 that God 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:05.860 stoops. 00:13:06.640 --> 00:13:07.520 That's it. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.140 That's what God 00:13:09.140 --> 00:13:09.840 is doing here. 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.080 He stoops. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.460 What God 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.140 does that? 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:15.140 None. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.480 I love how 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.720 Anne Zaki 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.580 puts it. 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:21.380 She is a 00:13:21.380 --> 00:13:22.440 professor at the 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.700 Evangelical Theological 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.360 Seminary 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.160 in Cairo, 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:25.500 Egypt. 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:28.200 She says this. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:30.259 Have you ever 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.259 seen a statue 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.860 of a stooping 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:33.159 God? 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.379 Not in all 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:35.820 the ancient 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:36.460 gods of 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.620 Greece or 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.779 Egypt or 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:39.879 China or 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:40.980 Japan or 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.559 the tribal 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.960 African gods or 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:43.639 the gods of the 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.019 Amazon. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.639 Not one of them 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.340 will you find 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:46.980 stooping. 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.539 You find them 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.720 standing tall and 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.179 proud. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.440 And the greater, 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:52.860 the more powerful 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:53.620 the God is, 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.639 the taller they 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.100 stand. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.539 You won't find a 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:57.279 statue of a 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.059 stooping God 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:59.399 because stooping 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.860 is an inappropriate 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.960 posture for a 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.240 God. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:03.939 There is no 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:05.120 glory in 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:05.679 stooping. 00:14:06.819 --> 00:14:07.199 And yet, 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.799 our God 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:09.600 stoops down 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.819 to look past 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:11.819 the high and 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.600 mighty among 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:13.159 us and his 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.819 eyes rest on 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:16.139 the poor and 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:16.740 the needy. 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:18.240 Who is like 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.399 the Lord our 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:19.779 God? 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.419 For those of 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:24.759 you who at 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.240 the beginning 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.799 of this 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.399 sermon 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.019 succeeded 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.799 where I 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:30.439 failed and 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.279 identified with 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:31.979 feelings of 00:14:31.979 --> 00:14:32.679 helplessness, 00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:34.259 this psalm, 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.659 this kingdom 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.360 anthem, 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:37.959 shows us that 00:14:37.959 --> 00:14:39.079 God sees from 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.959 on high and 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:41.479 stoops for 00:14:41.479 --> 00:14:41.819 you. 00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:42.779 God stoops 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:44.179 for you. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:44.860 He looks past 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.860 the high and 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.639 the mighty and 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.500 his eyes rest 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.459 on you. 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:50.240 He will not 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:50.899 forget you. 00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:52.059 You are not 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:52.459 alone. 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:53.920 How do we 00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:54.580 know that? 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.360 Because this 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.120 psalm isn't a 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:56.780 theory about 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:57.180 God. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.000 It's not a 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.560 set of moral 00:14:58.560 --> 00:14:59.200 platitudes. 00:14:59.900 --> 00:15:00.240 It's a 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:00.759 concrete 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.259 description of 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.019 God which 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.280 has been 00:15:03.280 --> 00:15:04.680 manifested in 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.240 a concrete 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.040 event in 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.519 history. 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.180 We don't 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:07.440 have to 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:07.879 wonder what 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.240 it looks 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.600 like for 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.100 God to 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:09.519 stoop. 00:15:09.780 --> 00:15:10.259 He showed 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:10.519 us when 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:10.920 he became 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:11.420 man. 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:12.980 This psalm 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.460 is fulfilled 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.200 in Jesus. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:15.800 Jesus, 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.500 who being in 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.200 very nature 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.500 God, 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.019 did not 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.940 consider equality 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:19.400 with God 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:20.180 something to be 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:20.580 grasped, 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.259 but made 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.180 himself nothing, 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:23.120 taking the 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.720 very nature 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.360 of a servant, 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:25.360 being made 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:25.780 in human 00:15:25.780 --> 00:15:26.360 likeness. 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:27.520 And being 00:15:27.520 --> 00:15:28.160 found in 00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:28.660 appearance as 00:15:28.660 --> 00:15:29.020 a man, 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:29.740 he humbled 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.680 himself and 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:31.620 became obedient 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.259 to death, 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.520 even death 00:15:33.520 --> 00:15:34.940 on a cross. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.000 What is the 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.160 image of a 00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:38.580 God who 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:38.960 stoops? 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:40.300 Look to 00:15:40.300 --> 00:15:40.820 the cross. 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.080 The Son 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:43.600 of God 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.759 slain on 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.420 a cross 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:48.679 for us. 00:15:49.479 --> 00:15:49.899 It's the 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.339 God who 00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:50.899 stoops. 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.759 Now look at 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.179 this psalm 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:52.579 again and 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.299 notice who 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:53.719 takes the 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:54.139 initiative. 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:55.899 Notice who 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.399 does what. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:58.039 He raises 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:58.479 the poor 00:15:58.479 --> 00:15:58.839 from the 00:15:58.839 --> 00:15:59.179 dust. 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.360 Notice what 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.979 it doesn't 00:16:00.979 --> 00:16:01.339 say. 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.019 It doesn't 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.379 say the 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:02.919 poor person 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:03.219 has a 00:16:03.219 --> 00:16:03.599 moment of 00:16:03.599 --> 00:16:04.120 clarity. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.500 Gets up, 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.419 walks off 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:06.759 his mound 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.339 of trash, 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.279 cleans himself 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.620 up, 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:09.599 promises to 00:16:09.599 --> 00:16:09.879 do the 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.459 right thing, 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.399 and demonstrates 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:11.740 his 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.620 trustworthiness, 00:16:12.839 --> 00:16:13.360 and then 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:13.959 God seats 00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:14.259 him with 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:14.599 princes. 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:15.439 No, 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.380 he raises 00:16:16.380 --> 00:16:16.880 the poor 00:16:16.880 --> 00:16:17.620 from dust. 00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:18.460 It starts 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.240 with God 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:19.980 and his 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.440 initiative. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.400 God's 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:21.980 son 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.540 stooped, 00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:23.940 as it 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.360 says in 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:24.860 Luke 9, 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.540 in order to 00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:26.240 seek and 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.160 save the 00:16:27.160 --> 00:16:27.620 lost, 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:28.720 the helpless. 00:16:29.520 --> 00:16:30.000 God's 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.080 son stooped, 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:31.740 as it says in 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.420 Mark 2, 00:16:32.640 --> 00:16:33.180 not to call 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:33.660 the righteous, 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.660 but sinners. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.320 And that's 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.000 great news. 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:36.720 You know why? 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.400 Because nobody 00:16:37.400 --> 00:16:37.940 is righteous. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.120 God 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.680 stooped, 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.260 because the 00:16:41.260 --> 00:16:42.040 Bible describes 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:43.400 us as dead 00:16:43.400 --> 00:16:44.660 and trespasses. 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.639 Now that's 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.319 helplessness. 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.500 That's the 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:48.899 most helpless 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.459 person of 00:16:49.459 --> 00:16:49.779 all, 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:50.719 the one who's 00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:51.480 already dead. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.360 But hear what 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.000 Paul writes 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.740 in Colossians. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:56.959 When you were 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:57.519 dead in your 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:57.959 sins, 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.959 God made 00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:01.120 you alive 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.000 with Christ. 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:03.740 He forgave us 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.539 all our sins, 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.740 having canceled 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:06.539 the charge of 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.079 our legal 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.819 indebtedness, 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.619 which stood 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.299 against us 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.799 and condemned 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.099 us. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:10.940 He has taken 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.480 it away, 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.359 nailing it 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.599 to the 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:12.960 cross. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:14.980 That was 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.400 us, 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.620 helpless, 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:17.799 dead. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.360 And just 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.279 like Lazarus, 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.340 Jesus' 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.079 initiative, 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.340 he raised 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:24.880 us up. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.860 There are 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.819 many implications 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.779 to what we've 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.500 talked about, 00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:33.700 which would be 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.400 expected since 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:34.799 we've talked 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.180 about the 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.559 nature and 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.059 attributes of 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.259 God. 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:36.519 We could 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.240 spend years 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.880 talking about 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:39.559 the implications 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.120 of that. 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.939 and we've 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:42.259 talked about 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:42.759 the gospel, 00:17:42.979 --> 00:17:43.399 which is 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:43.879 really the 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.559 history of 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.079 the universe. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.459 We could 00:17:45.459 --> 00:17:46.179 spend years 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:47.479 talking through 00:17:47.479 --> 00:17:48.279 those implications. 00:17:49.239 --> 00:17:49.979 But we'll 00:17:49.979 --> 00:17:50.939 talk about 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:52.259 one implication, 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.679 and I'll 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:54.399 suggest three 00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:54.979 applications. 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.479 First, 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.799 an implication. 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:00.719 This is for 00:18:00.719 --> 00:18:01.279 those of you 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.000 who even 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.539 though you've 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.259 been rescued 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.919 and been 00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.699 made alive 00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:06.419 and you know 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:06.739 you are 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.319 God's 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:07.940 child, 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.299 yet you 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.980 are still 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.640 in a dark 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.120 night of 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:12.559 the soul. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:15.880 You've 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:16.519 done all 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.000 you can, 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:17.319 but you 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.880 can't find 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.319 a job. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.720 You've 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:20.980 poured 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.359 yourself 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:21.980 into the 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.420 job that 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.019 you have, 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.500 but you 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:23.819 are being 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.440 undermined 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:24.920 by your 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.559 co-workers 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.579 and your 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.039 boss, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.380 and you're 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:29.279 experiencing 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:31.240 complete 00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:31.680 loneliness. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.220 You feel 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.620 hurt by 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.140 the church. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.819 and are 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.339 unsure if 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:38.559 you can 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.339 trust anyone 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:39.700 again. 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.640 You hate 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.180 being single. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:46.759 You're 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.579 grieving a 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.200 loved one 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.839 who died 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.299 and the 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.660 emptiness 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:50.160 is not 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.720 going away. 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.059 You're 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.700 so depressed 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.000 that the 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.539 whole world 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.200 looks and 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.079 feels gray 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.880 and drab 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.599 all the 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:57.880 time. 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.220 You feel 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:00.700 crushed 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.660 by regret. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.039 You're 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.539 a wife, 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.740 but you're 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.140 not a 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:06.339 mother. 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.240 And you 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.740 can't have 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.099 children. 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:12.920 We look 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.259 at Psalm 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.960 113, 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.420 and we 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.799 look at the 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.140 world, 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.559 and we 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.960 know there's 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.339 not a 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:18.799 one-to-one 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.480 correlation. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.359 Not every 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.259 barren woman 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:22.700 in the world 00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.380 becomes a 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:23.620 mother. 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.059 Not every 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.579 person in 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.180 poverty is 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.700 lifted out 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:26.960 of that 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.559 situation. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.079 So how 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.299 do we 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:29.920 receive this 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.279 promise? 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.799 I think 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.240 it's by 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.120 knowing that 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.160 God reverses 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.539 hopeless 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.240 situations. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.380 But not 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:38.720 always in 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.200 the precise 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.640 way we 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.160 expect. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.640 I also 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:42.960 think it's 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.640 by understanding 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:45.140 your story 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.920 as it is 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.559 united to 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.160 the story 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.640 of Jesus. 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.660 Your life 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:51.200 is united 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.920 to His. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.779 And so you 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.319 know that in 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.120 His suffering, 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.940 He understands 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.799 your suffering. 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.200 You share in 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:01.160 Christ's 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.940 sonship. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.559 When the 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.000 Father looks 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.660 on you, 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.720 He sees 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.800 His beloved 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:06.240 child. 00:20:06.300 --> 00:20:06.640 Not just 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:07.060 His beloved 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.600 child, 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.100 He sees 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.840 His favorite. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.700 And as 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.180 Jesus has 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.180 been glorified, 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.180 you are 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.960 becoming more 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.440 and more 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.180 transformed 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.420 into the 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.019 image of 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.720 the glorified 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.200 Christ. 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.580 That means 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.340 different things 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:24.420 for different 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.000 people. 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:25.860 But in the 00:20:25.860 --> 00:20:26.380 meantime, 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:28.060 for everyone, 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.860 pray in a 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:31.080 way that puts 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:32.240 God in 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.919 the vice 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.000 of His 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.879 own promises. 00:20:37.199 --> 00:20:37.839 God 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.539 reverses 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.059 the hopeless 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.799 situation. 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.759 So pray 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.659 in a way 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.619 that puts 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:45.720 God in 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.480 the vice 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.359 of His 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.720 own promises. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:49.899 That's what 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:50.220 He wants 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.779 from us. 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.720 That's how 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.099 He wants 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.699 us to pray. 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.720 Now finally, 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.439 three quick 00:20:58.439 --> 00:20:59.119 applications. 00:20:59.339 --> 00:20:59.659 The first 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.220 is simple. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.819 The first 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.339 is read 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:01.640 the book 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.180 of Luke. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.940 We find 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.120 at the 00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:03.380 beginning 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:03.620 of the 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:03.759 book 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.240 of Luke, 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.100 Mary, 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.400 and she 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.799 sings a 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.240 song which 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.700 the church 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.079 has called 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.620 over time, 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.360 the Magnificat. 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:11.779 Magnificat 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.559 looks a lot 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.220 like Psalm 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:13.799 113. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.339 As we 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:15.920 proceed from 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.880 the Magnificat 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.360 and go 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.680 through the 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.180 book of Luke, 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:18.839 it feels 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.180 like the 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.779 book of Luke 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.279 is this 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.700 huge exposition 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.600 of Psalm 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.360 113. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.240 It's amazing. 00:21:25.100 --> 00:21:25.400 Jesus 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.039 seeking out 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.779 the outcast, 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.740 the outsider, 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.579 the crippled, 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.240 the blind, 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.240 the sick. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.539 Many of you 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.160 have read it 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.559 before, 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.380 so do it 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.120 differently this 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.299 time. 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:36.960 Try reading it 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.519 in one sitting. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.059 Carve out 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.480 one or two 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.480 hours and 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.220 just immerse 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.680 yourself in 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.000 the book. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.279 Some of you 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.680 have never 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.380 read Luke. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:43.759 Some of you 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.259 may never 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.559 have read 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.019 the Bible. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.480 And I think 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.839 this is a 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.299 great way to 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.839 be introduced 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.559 to Jesus. 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.519 Being introduced 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.099 to a God 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.779 who stoops. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.200 Read Luke. 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:55.859 Look on 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.219 Christ. 00:21:58.939 --> 00:21:59.379 If you 00:21:59.379 --> 00:21:59.659 don't have 00:21:59.659 --> 00:21:59.979 a Bible 00:21:59.979 --> 00:22:00.279 and would 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.839 like one, 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.399 we have 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:02.019 extras and 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.319 we'll be 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.019 very happy 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.299 to give 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.559 you one. 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:05.599 The second 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.319 application is 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.619 this. 00:22:06.719 --> 00:22:07.359 If we want 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.039 to be moved 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.799 to praise 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.119 him, 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:10.240 then we 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.599 are to be 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.319 where God 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.179 most clearly 00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:12.959 demonstrates his 00:22:12.959 --> 00:22:13.240 greatness. 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.519 I mean, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.159 we can go 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:16.459 into the 00:22:16.459 --> 00:22:16.740 mountains. 00:22:16.959 --> 00:22:17.359 I love to 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.659 do that. 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:18.399 We can go 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.919 to the sea 00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:20.059 and see God's 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.519 handiwork. 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.379 But God 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:21.759 shows his 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.619 universal power 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.519 in the mercy 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.359 which he extends 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.219 to those 00:22:25.219 --> 00:22:25.699 who are 00:22:25.699 --> 00:22:26.059 humbled 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.919 and lowly. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.519 So, 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:28.500 perhaps if we 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:28.939 want to see 00:22:28.939 --> 00:22:29.519 God at work, 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.359 we have to 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:30.779 hang around 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.519 rubbish heaps 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.500 and keep 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:32.939 the company 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.500 of women 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.439 weeping in 00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:34.899 the night 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.899 because they 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.679 cannot conceive. 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:39.240 Second 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.979 Corinthians chapter 00:22:39.979 --> 00:22:40.619 one says, 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.379 it is God 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:41.959 who comforts 00:22:41.959 --> 00:22:42.599 us in all 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.240 our troubles 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.099 so that we 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.559 can comfort 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.379 those in 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.000 any trouble 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.539 with the 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.079 comfort we 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.519 ourselves 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.139 receive from 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.439 God. 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.019 For just as 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.459 we share 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:51.119 abundantly in 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:51.659 the sufferings 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:52.259 of Christ, 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:54.099 so also 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.819 our comfort 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.319 abounds 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:55.980 through Christ. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.200 Doubtless, 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.819 if we truly 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.660 understand 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.279 the lowly 00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.819 position 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.680 from which 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.400 we have 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:01.980 been raised, 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.039 we would 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.000 be agents 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.319 of God, 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.240 bringing comfort 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.039 to those 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.799 who are closest 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.539 to his heart. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.839 The third 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.359 implication, 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.539 and that's 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:14.879 where the 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.519 psalm began, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.660 is this, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.420 as much 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.940 as it is 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.480 in your 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.019 power, 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.000 praise 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.319 ceaselessly. 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.400 Verse 2 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:23.779 says, 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.599 this time 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.539 forth and 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.160 forevermore. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:26.839 Verse 3 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.259 says, 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:27.759 from the 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.259 rising of 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.660 the sun 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.059 to its 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.420 setting, 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:29.839 the name 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.099 of the 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.379 Lord 00:23:30.379 --> 00:23:30.900 is to 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.480 be praised. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:31.960 There is 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.839 no temporal 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.099 or geographical 00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.839 limit to 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.420 the praise 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.140 that God 00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:36.660 receives. 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.579 St. Augustine 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.220 describes the 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.700 prayer of 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.220 the church 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.740 as the 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.299 unceasing 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:40.980 prayer of 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.379 a single 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:41.839 man, 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.400 unique 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.879 across 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.480 space 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.460 and time. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.160 It's a 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.700 description 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:49.740 of the 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.220 praise that 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.180 God receives, 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.279 a description 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:52.600 of his 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:52.960 greatness, 00:23:53.320 --> 00:23:53.820 and it's 00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:54.259 a command. 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.299 Therefore, 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.420 let your 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.160 prayers be 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.039 full of 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.720 blessings to 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.019 God. 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.940 Praise is 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.420 one of those 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.620 things that 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.380 works from 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.140 the outside 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.259 in. 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:05.660 So the 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.799 more we 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.519 praise him, 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.080 the more 00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:08.720 we'll see 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.400 his hand 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.259 at work 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:11.140 in creation, 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.360 in beauty, 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.340 in acts 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:13.840 of mercy, 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.560 and the 00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:15.200 more we 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.820 will wish 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.440 glory to 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.900 his name, 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:18.039 success to 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.600 his cause, 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:19.500 and triumph 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:19.880 to his 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.279 truth. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.779 And when 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.299 you praise 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.599 him, 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.259 praise him 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.539 with the 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.899 church. 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:27.000 The phrase 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.279 hallelujah, 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:29.819 praise the 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.139 Lord, 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.460 is here 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:31.859 found in 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.319 the second 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.879 person 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.839 plural. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.460 So our 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.899 praise is 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.099 to be 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.920 done in 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.299 the company 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.759 of those 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.000 who have 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.299 been 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.819 redeemed, 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.099 of those 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.619 to whom 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.240 mercy has 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.759 been shown, 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.579 to whom 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.559 God has 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.160 stooped 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.440 and raised 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.759 up. 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.879 in the 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:48.079 name of 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.220 the 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.539 Father, 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:48.900 and of 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.039 the 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.279 Son, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.000 and of 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.119 the 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:50.279 Holy 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.680 Spirit. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.559 Amen. 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.500 Let's 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:52.700 pray. 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.779 And let's 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.460 do that 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.299 now. 00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.339 Let's 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.940 praise him. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.819 So where 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.220 you are 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.500 in your 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:01.819 seat, 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.440 quietly, 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.059 praise him. 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:05.559 Give him 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:05.960 praise. 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:07.140 Tell him 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.559 how great 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:07.980 he is, 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.119 and glorious, 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.299 and beautiful, 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:10.940 and majestic. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:18.519 Now praise 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:18.980 him for 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.600 his love, 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.080 and his 00:25:21.080 --> 00:25:21.600 grace, 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.400 and his 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.000 mercy, 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.680 and his 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.799 nearness. 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.440 God, 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:37.740 you are 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.480 so great. 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.559 And so 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:41.920 good. 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.680 Who is 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.240 like you? 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.500 Who is 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:46.960 like you, 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.299 God? 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:49.940 There's no 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.279 one like 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.460 you. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.340 And for 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:52.759 that, we 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.259 give you 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.980 our thanks, 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.180 and our 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.680 praise. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.200 In 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.559 Jesus' 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.080 name, 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.160 Amen.