WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.680 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all here. 00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:10.300 When we fail in a relationship, we wonder what happens next. 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:12.099 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.640 What happens next with your teacher? 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:43.679 If you ignored your coach's instructions, ran your own play, and lost the game, what happens next? 00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:58.060 If you proudly insisted on your own plan and lost the client, what happens with you and your boss going forward? 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:03.260 In these circumstances, we may feel all sorts of different reactions and feelings. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:08.280 We may want to deny that we did wrong or try to cover it up or minimize how bad it was. 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:15.219 We may want to run away, just give up on the relationship altogether in guilt and shame. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:19.379 Sometimes we say, well, tell me what I can do to make it right. 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:21.180 How can I atone for this? 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:25.180 Punish me somehow so that then we can somehow move forward. 00:01:25.180 --> 00:01:35.360 Whatever it is, we expect that there will be consequences, but deep down, the question that we ask ourselves is, 00:01:35.580 --> 00:01:39.300 what will our relationship look like going forward? 00:01:41.360 --> 00:01:48.020 This, maybe surprisingly, is the question that Numbers 15 is going to answer for us today. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:52.319 If you're visiting, we are in a series this summer in the book of Numbers, 00:01:52.819 --> 00:02:02.519 and the people of God as they journey from Mount Sinai to the edge of the promised land. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:11.859 And as we have seen in the last couple of weeks, the launch out from Sinai has not gone well. 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:19.340 Rebellion in the hearts of God's people has been the theme of the day. 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:22.880 Grumbling and complaining about God's provision. 00:02:23.140 --> 00:02:28.060 Envy and jealousy about God's sovereignty and his roles that he's determined. 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:38.360 Distrusting God and not obeying him to go in and to take the land that God had promised that he would give to them. 00:02:38.360 --> 00:02:43.440 They had sinned against God over and over again. 00:02:44.440 --> 00:02:47.180 And if you remember last week, they had received a consequence. 00:02:47.420 --> 00:02:48.160 There was a judgment. 00:02:48.660 --> 00:02:57.980 The generation of those above the age of 20, at the present time, as they're launching out from Sinai, 00:02:58.440 --> 00:03:00.620 they would not enter into the promised land. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.580 And the people are asking, where do we go from here? 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:11.900 And so God gives us a chapter of laws, which is surprising. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:13.340 Why laws? 00:03:13.760 --> 00:03:21.820 Because in these laws, in this chapter, God is instructing his people on how they will go forward together. 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:25.000 And that's what we're going to see in this chapter. 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:32.219 So we'll see God speaking to his people back then, and probably to us, too, 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:40.800 as we recognize that we also, like them, sin and rebel and ask the question, how do we go forward together? 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:47.500 So with that, let me invite you to turn to Numbers 15, if you haven't done so already. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:50.180 I forgot the page number. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:52.620 It's like 112, 115. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:53.860 There you go. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.379 115 in most of the Pew Bibles. 00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:01.159 And what I'm going to do is read the whole chapter. 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:06.780 It's a little long, but I'm going to pull themes and threads out rather than walking through it. 00:04:06.920 --> 00:04:09.599 So we're going to read the whole chapter together. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.060 And you know what? 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:13.060 It's really hot. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:13.979 I'm going to say this. 00:04:14.079 --> 00:04:19.959 If you're able to do this, why don't we stand for the reading of God's Word just to give you something to do, 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:23.600 keep you awake, and then we'll sit down again as we… 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:25.519 If you're not able to stand, that's fine. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:29.040 But Numbers 15. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.660 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:35.200 Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:40.060 When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you, 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:47.480 and you offer to the Lord from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice 00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:54.700 to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feast to make a pleasing aroma to the Lord, 00:04:54.699 --> 00:05:06.839 then he who brings his offering shall offer to the Lord a grain offering of a tenth of ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil, 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:17.959 and you shall offer with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice a quarter of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb or for a ram. 00:05:17.959 --> 00:05:26.579 You shall offer a grain offering, two-tenths of an ephah for fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil, 00:05:27.739 --> 00:05:33.519 and for the drink offering you shall offer a third of a hin of wine, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:05:34.019 --> 00:05:40.000 And when you offer a bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice to fulfill a vow or for peace offerings to the Lord, 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:49.199 then one shall offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a hin of oil, 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:58.959 and you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine as a food offering a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:04.660 Thus it shall be done for each bull or ram or each lamb or young goat, 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:09.520 as many as you offer, and so shall you do with each one as many as there are. 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:13.120 Every native Israelite shall do these things in this way, 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:16.680 in offering a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:06:17.020 --> 00:06:21.740 And if a stranger is sojourning with you or anyone is living permanently among you 00:06:21.740 --> 00:06:27.100 and he wishes to offer a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord, 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:29.020 he shall do as you do. 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:34.879 For the assembly there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:37.939 a statute forever throughout your generations. 00:06:38.659 --> 00:06:41.159 You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord. 00:06:41.299 --> 00:06:46.000 One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:48.199 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 00:06:48.359 --> 00:06:50.560 Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:53.680 When you come into the land to which I bring you, 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:55.859 and when you eat of the bread of the land, 00:06:55.979 --> 00:06:58.579 you shall present a contribution to the Lord. 00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:03.899 Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:08.959 Like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:12.500 Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the Lord 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:15.240 as a contribution throughout your generations. 00:07:16.299 --> 00:07:19.979 But if you sin unintentionally and do not observe all these commandments 00:07:19.979 --> 00:07:21.799 that the Lord has given to Moses, 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:24.719 all that the Lord has commanded you by Moses, 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:29.520 from the day that the Lord gave commandments and onward throughout your generations, 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:34.560 then if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:38.240 all the congregation shall offer one bull from the herd 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:41.520 for a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:45.399 And with its grain offering and its drink offering, 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:48.919 according to the rule, one male goat for sin offering. 00:07:49.859 --> 00:07:54.620 And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the people of Israel, 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:57.899 and they shall be forgiven because it was a mistake. 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:00.519 And they have brought their offering, 00:08:00.599 --> 00:08:05.359 a food offering to the Lord and their sin offering before the Lord for their mistake. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:09.500 And all the congregation of the people of Israel shall be forgiven, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:11.420 and the stranger who sojourns among them, 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:14.180 because the whole population was involved in the mistake. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:17.840 And if one person sins unintentionally, 00:08:17.960 --> 00:08:22.560 he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering, 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:25.060 and the priest shall make atonement before the Lord 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:27.240 for the person who makes a mistake 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:30.939 when he sins unintentionally to make atonement for him, 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:32.539 and he shall be forgiven. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:36.000 You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:38.500 for him who is native among the people of Israel, 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:40.899 and for the stranger who sojourns among them. 00:08:41.959 --> 00:08:46.120 But the person who does anything with a high hand, 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:50.339 whether he is native or sojourner, reviles the Lord, 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:53.299 and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 00:08:54.199 --> 00:08:56.579 Because he has despised the word of the Lord 00:08:56.579 --> 00:08:58.279 and has broken his commandment, 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:00.899 that person shall be utterly cut off. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:03.340 His iniquity shall be on him. 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:07.220 Now while the people of Israel were in the wilderness, 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:09.759 they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:13.620 And those who found him gathering sticks 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:17.039 brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:18.779 They put him in custody, 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:21.639 because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.299 And the Lord said to Moses, 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.860 The man shall be put to death. 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:28.819 All the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp. 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:31.800 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:33.720 and stoned him to death with stones, 00:09:33.780 --> 00:09:35.260 as the Lord commanded Moses. 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:37.720 The Lord said to Moses, 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.280 Speak to the people of Israel 00:09:39.280 --> 00:09:42.720 and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:44.940 throughout their generations, 00:09:45.260 --> 00:09:49.240 and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:53.080 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:55.460 and remember all the commandments of the Lord, 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.340 to do them, 00:09:56.779 --> 00:10:00.680 not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:03.700 which you are inclined to whore after. 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:07.200 So you shall remember and do all my commandments 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:09.120 and be holy to your God. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.460 I am the Lord your God, 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:13.220 who brought you out of the land of Egypt 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:14.620 to be your God. 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:17.480 I am the Lord your God. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.259 This is God's word. 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:20.399 Go ahead and take a seat. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:25.740 So friends, I want to be clear. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:28.440 I have two goals this morning. 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:31.279 One is to help you as you're reading a book 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:32.340 like the book of Numbers 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:35.200 to figure out what the heck. 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:37.700 Like, what does this mean? 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:40.620 What does this chapter in this part in the book, 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:42.600 why is it there and how does it fit? 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:45.220 And then to see that 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:48.060 in all of the richness of the Old Testament, 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:51.159 it points us to the glorious work of God 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:53.759 in the redemption of Christ that we have 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.779 and to see that. 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:56.139 So that's what we're going to see. 00:10:56.540 --> 00:10:58.379 Break it down into four things. 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.580 We're going to see four things 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:01.460 that God says to his people 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:03.100 after they've blown it. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:06.060 They've done the worst that they could do 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:08.700 and they've borne consequences for it 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:09.540 and now they're wondering, 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:10.779 how do we move forward? 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:13.899 God says to them in this chapter four things. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:17.360 First, he confirms his promise with his people. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:21.839 Secondly, he calls his people to wholehearted worship. 00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:26.000 Thirdly, he warns his people of his holiness 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.879 and his righteous judgment. 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:33.220 And finally, he reaffirms his plan of redemption 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:36.299 for his people in Christ. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.240 So those are our four points. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:41.180 If you're taking your outline, there it is. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.919 God confirms first. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:46.159 God confirms his promises with his people. 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:48.700 Did you notice in verse one? 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:52.019 Sorry, the wind is getting my pages here. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.600 We'll figure this out. 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:54.060 All right. 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.620 In verse one. 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:57.759 Nope. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.620 In verse two. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:01.019 Speak to the people of Israel 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:02.079 and say to them, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:04.939 when you come into the land. 00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:10.399 Friends, you have to get this in context of the story 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.740 to see how momentous this is. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:14.740 Because God is not saying, 00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:17.659 if you will continue to obey me, 00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:19.500 then you're going to come into my land. 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:23.620 He says, when I fulfill my promise to you, 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:27.779 the promise that he gave back in Exodus chapter three, 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.899 Sam, if we can put it up, 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:30.259 Exodus chapter three, 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:34.159 when God came to Moses and he said this, 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:36.879 I have surely seen the affliction of my people 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.720 who are in Egypt 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:40.779 and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.519 I know their sufferings 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:45.279 and I have come down to deliver them 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:47.100 out of the hand of the Egyptians 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:50.079 and to bring them up out of that land 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:52.860 to a good and broad land, 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:55.899 a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:13:03.120 The first thing that God says to his people is, 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:06.959 I have not forsaken my promises to you. 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:09.639 I will accomplish this plan. 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.019 And this isn't new 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:13.879 because Nick talked about it last week. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:16.759 The next generation, God said, 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.819 I will take them in. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.679 But he reaffirms it here. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:22.980 He says, when you enter into the land. 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:26.120 And then says, when you enter the land, 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.500 this is how you want to live. 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:29.039 And he gives all these laws 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:31.300 and all these very particular instructions 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:33.600 about how they're to be his people 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.100 because he is their God. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:39.980 But the most important part is that 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:43.060 he's saying, this will happen. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.560 I have not forsaken you. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:48.480 My relationship with you is not broken forever. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.159 We will go ahead. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:54.179 And this is reaffirmed in all sorts of little cool details 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.179 throughout this. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:58.679 When God says, hey, when you bring these offerings, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.839 like a peace offering or a free will offering, 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:06.839 you should add to it grain with oil and wine. 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:08.179 Now, do you know what? 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:12.919 Grain and oil and wine are all fruit of agriculture, 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:18.240 of settled societies, not nomadic people, right? 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:20.799 And so part of what God is saying is, 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:24.759 I'm leading you into a place flowing with milk and honey. 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:26.220 It will be a place of abundance. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.759 And you will have all of these things, 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:32.279 crops to harvest, grapes to harvest, 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:36.039 olives to press to have oil. 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:39.440 You will have all of this to worship me with 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:43.659 because I'm going to take you into the promised land. 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:46.860 He says, you will have bread. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:51.079 Remember in the wilderness, they're eating unleavened bread. 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.379 This is kind of the pattern. 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:54.799 They're eating basically unleavened bread 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:56.480 because they don't have time to sit around 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.839 and wait for the yeast to rise. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:01.719 But when you come into the land, you will have this. 00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:06.719 And remarkably, remember how God provided for food 00:15:06.719 --> 00:15:07.919 for the people in the desert? 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:10.779 He gave them manna from heaven. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.819 But you know what? 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:13.519 When they enter the land, 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:17.539 the land will produce fruit that will provide for God 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:21.019 just as miraculously as the manna in some ways, 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.919 and yet much more normally. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:27.500 Reminding the people of this is the abundance 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.679 that you have to look forward to 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:33.159 because of my faithfulness to my promises, 00:15:33.699 --> 00:15:35.279 says God to his people. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:38.620 What a remarkable thing. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:47.659 Imagine if your grandpa promised you on your 16th birthday 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:50.620 that he would give you a car when you turned 21. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:56.459 But then in high school, you drove foolishly 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:58.819 and you wrecked his car. 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:03.679 And then he comes to you on your 18th birthday, 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:05.799 and do you know what he gives you? 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.859 He gives you a keychain, 00:16:08.579 --> 00:16:10.019 and he gives you a cell phone holder, 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:12.239 and he gives you a car wash kit. 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:14.979 Now, you don't have the car yet, 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:17.599 but what has grandpa said to you? 00:16:20.079 --> 00:16:21.799 I'm going to fulfill that promise to you. 00:16:22.239 --> 00:16:23.419 You're going to get the car. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.919 God says, 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:30.120 I'm going to fulfill my promises to you. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:33.340 I will bring you in to a land of abundance. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:37.460 I will bring you in to a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:40.200 Even though you have been rebellious, 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.980 even though you have blown it, 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.340 this is who I am, 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:46.460 and I will continue to be so. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:49.440 So that's the first thing that God says to his people. 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:51.259 I will be faithful. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:53.940 I will confirm that my promises to you, 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.100 I will fulfill. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:57.980 Then the second thing that he says is, 00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.940 flowing from this, 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:03.860 therefore, I call you to a wholehearted worship. 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.299 Why do I say this? 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:11.980 Well, because the whole sacrificial system 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:14.400 is a key. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.940 It's actually a language, 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:19.019 and we don't speak sacrifice very well, do we? 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.680 There's actually a great article on desiringgod.org 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:24.120 called The Syntax of Sacrifice. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.359 I highly recommend it. 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:27.479 It'll just give you a good breakdown 00:17:27.479 --> 00:17:29.619 of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:32.319 and what it's actually speaking to. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.539 And I will confess to you 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.419 that I don't even know 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:38.119 if I have it completely clear, 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:40.099 because I'm not sure that it's always 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:42.179 as precise as we want it to be, 00:17:42.239 --> 00:17:43.739 that this always means this, 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.199 and these words are always meaning this. 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:48.599 I think God, throughout the Old Testament, 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:52.059 uses it sometimes in overlapping categories. 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:56.619 But what we can say is 00:17:56.619 --> 00:18:00.579 that there is a call to wholehearted worship 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:06.419 that has caught up in all of the instructions 00:18:06.419 --> 00:18:09.779 for them to offer things to God, right? 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:14.980 And so when God commands them 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:17.279 with food sacrifices and peace offerings 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.859 to bring grain and wine and oil with it, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:23.200 this is all meant to be not a ritual 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:25.559 in order to make sure things are right with God, 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:30.059 but a joyful worship that God has provided for them. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:34.420 So every time they bring these sacrifices to God, 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:37.680 the intent is that they would come 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:40.500 with a heart of thanksgiving and of gratitude 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.880 to exalt God and to say, 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.680 God, you are the one who's provided 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:47.640 and you are a great God for us. 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:50.779 What a beautiful thing that is. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:53.880 And notice that in these instructions, 00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:57.580 God gives all sorts of particularities. 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:58.820 And you know what? 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:00.579 I don't have a good answer for you 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:03.439 on why it's one hen or two hens 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:05.179 or a half a hen or a third of a hen. 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:08.839 You can see that there's a graduated system. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.379 And what it might be, 00:19:10.679 --> 00:19:11.759 this is my speculation, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.159 what it might be is that 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:16.379 the wholehearted worship we give 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:18.460 is related to our capacity. 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:20.079 If we have lots of things, 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.299 if I have lots of bulls, 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:22.859 then I have lots of things to offer 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:24.579 and I'm going to give all of those things to you. 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.799 If I have very little, 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:27.500 then I'm going to give all that I have to you, 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.400 but it might be little. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.319 But God graciously says, 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.779 all of us can come to Him 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:36.640 in a wholehearted worship through this. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.759 And that's what we see 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.039 through these food offerings. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.779 Through the burnt offerings, 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:46.380 we recognize that wholehearted worship 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:48.539 includes a regular confession 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:51.359 of our sinfulness and our need for atonement. 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:52.660 Right? 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:56.819 By offering these burnt offerings, 00:19:56.819 --> 00:20:00.919 we are recognizing that our sin must be judged. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:01.859 Right? 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:05.379 And it's this picture that God gives us 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:08.619 of these offerings which are burnt up. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.500 That means they're not eaten by other people. 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.399 The other offerings, 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.579 they get offered to the Lord, 00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.500 but then they get shared. 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.819 The priests get to eat some 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.939 and people get to eat some 00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.379 and it's great. 00:20:16.679 --> 00:20:17.559 But the burnt offerings, 00:20:17.659 --> 00:20:18.659 they're burnt up completely. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:21.880 But as they're burnt up completely, 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:25.360 there's an aroma that's lifted up to the Lord 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:27.040 that is pleasing to God. 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.140 Why is that? 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:33.120 Because this picture of sin being atoned for 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:38.200 by death being enacted in this burnt offering 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:43.720 is this picture of how God has promised 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.540 that He will redeem His people. 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.680 And so in our wholehearted worship, 00:20:47.899 --> 00:20:50.599 we continue to do this over and over again. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.159 Right? 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:54.099 We recognize, God, we are sinful, 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:57.799 but You are a merciful and a gracious God. 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:01.279 And we want to please You. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.680 And so in our pleasing, 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:05.539 it doesn't mean we have to be perfect 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.659 in order to please Him. 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:09.740 And part of the perfection is our recognition 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.720 that we sin, 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:12.480 that we confess our sins, 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:14.279 and He is faithful and just 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:16.380 to forgive us of our sins 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:18.880 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:22.259 So that's the second part 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:23.519 of wholehearted worship we see. 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:26.340 The dough offering is a firstfruits offering. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.060 And again, this is one of the themes 00:21:28.060 --> 00:21:29.320 that we see in the Old Testament. 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:31.060 Firstfruits, right? 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.380 It's the firstborn children. 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:34.660 It's the first oil pressing, right? 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:36.200 It's the first of the harvest. 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:38.420 And God constantly reminds us to say, 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:41.759 take the firstfruits of our lives 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.380 and offer them to God. 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:44.779 Dedicate them. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.519 Consecrate them. 00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:47.300 Set them aside to recognize 00:21:47.300 --> 00:21:50.320 that all that we have has come from God. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.740 And all that we have, 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.960 we are merely stewards of it 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:57.120 to use for His glory 00:21:57.120 --> 00:22:00.380 and for His kingdom in the world. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:04.000 So these are the ways 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.800 that the sacrifices picture 00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:07.560 this wholehearted worship. 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:08.680 And then at the end, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.020 did you notice what happened? 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.560 God says, oh yeah, 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.320 and one more thing. 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.780 Because I know that you're 00:22:13.780 --> 00:22:14.820 a forgetful people 00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:17.340 and because you don't worship me every day, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.880 I'm going to give you this command. 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:19.940 And you know what? 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.880 I live in a neighborhood in New Haven 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.600 where we have a lot of Orthodox Jews 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:24.320 in our community. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.220 And do you know what? 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.480 I can always recognize them. 00:22:26.520 --> 00:22:26.940 You know why? 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.600 Because they have tassels 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:30.039 sticking out of their shirts, 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.759 under the bottom of their shirts. 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:32.480 Right? 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:34.660 God says, I know that you're 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.880 a forgetful people, 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:37.259 so I'm going to graciously 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:39.279 give you this sign. 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:41.180 Put this on all your clothing. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:43.400 These tassels with a blue thread. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.360 Blue being a very precious, 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:49.160 a very precious and rare color. 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:50.820 And therefore, there was a sense 00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:51.960 in which you were putting 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.240 something valuable 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.640 into this reminder. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:56.840 And these tassels are meant 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.340 to remind you. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.620 And do you remember what he said? 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.960 To remind you what? 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.900 To do all my commands 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:04.980 and be holy to your God. 00:23:05.280 --> 00:23:06.660 That is, be set apart. 00:23:07.020 --> 00:23:09.300 That is, orient your whole life 00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:10.800 not around what the world 00:23:10.800 --> 00:23:11.640 says is important 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:13.080 or what you want to do, 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.560 but around who God is 00:23:14.560 --> 00:23:16.860 and what he wants for your life. 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:20.319 This is the picture 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:23.519 of wholehearted worship 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.479 that God is saying, 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.759 though you've blown it, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.879 return and keep going. 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.419 Keep going in this pattern. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.099 And this is what I want for you. 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:36.599 How do we today do this? 00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:38.219 Well, the Apostle Paul 00:23:38.219 --> 00:23:39.959 reminds us in Romans 12 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:42.559 of what are the sacrifices today? 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.419 Because we know that 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.199 in the Old Testament, 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.419 there are all these sacrifices, 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.240 but those systems 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.600 were finished in Christ. 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:49.200 And we'll return to that again 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.259 at the end of the sermon, 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.220 but we read it earlier as well. 00:23:52.300 --> 00:23:53.580 Felicia read about 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:54.480 how the sacrifices 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.860 were never fully sufficient 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:57.360 to accomplish redemption, 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.500 but there were pictures, right? 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.900 And the fulfillment is in Christ. 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:03.100 And so, Paul says this 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:04.860 in Romans 12, 1. 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.920 I appeal to you, therefore, 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.039 brothers and sisters, 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.380 by the mercy of God, 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:11.480 to present your bodies 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.960 as a living sacrifice, 00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:16.560 holy and acceptable to God, 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:18.680 which is your spiritual worship. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:21.860 Do not be conformed to this world, 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.480 but be transformed 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:25.380 by the renewal of your mind, 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.860 that by testing, 00:24:28.020 --> 00:24:28.740 you may discern 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.000 what is the will of God 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.460 and what is good 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:33.540 and acceptable and perfect. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:39.440 Friends, the sacrifices 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.740 we offer to God 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.980 are not little things, 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:44.319 but it's everything. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.740 Everything we do, 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.980 all of our lives, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.899 we are meant to come to God 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.279 daily and say, 00:24:53.159 --> 00:24:56.039 God, here's my life. 00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:00.619 May it be to your glory. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:03.079 May I worship you wholeheartedly. 00:25:03.679 --> 00:25:05.359 And this does mean things, right? 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:06.659 It means that we value 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.960 our regular gatherings 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.939 of worship together 00:25:08.939 --> 00:25:10.539 because we need to be reminded, 00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:11.500 like the tassels, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.879 of the goodness of God, right? 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:16.379 This is why we celebrate 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.240 the Lord's Supper 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:19.099 because that's God's reminder 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.339 in the new covenant 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.960 of the thing 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.139 that we most need to remember, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:25.139 which is Christ's sacrifice for us. 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:28.839 But it's also the daily practice 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:31.079 of offering ourselves up to the Lord. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:34.079 It may be daily dying 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:36.379 to our selfish and sinful desires. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:40.199 It may be daily seeking Him. 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:43.699 It means daily thinking about 00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:44.919 what are the firstfruits, 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.619 the firstfruits of our time, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:49.240 the firstfruits of our love, 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:51.919 the firstfruits of our affection, 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:54.339 the firstfruits of our money, 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:56.679 small and large choices 00:25:56.679 --> 00:25:59.019 of putting God first 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.500 in our lives in worship. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.939 As God is instructing Himself 00:26:03.939 --> 00:26:04.579 to do this, 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.720 He not only assures 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:07.779 His people of this call, 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:10.679 but He also does warn them, right? 00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:11.699 This is what we see 00:26:11.699 --> 00:26:13.559 in verses 22 through 31, 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:18.359 or actually 22 through 36, right? 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.859 He has this whole section 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.919 on unintentional and intentional sins. 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.340 And we're like, 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.460 what is this all about? 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:25.060 Well, here's the thing. 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.940 God cares. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.920 God doesn't just care 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:30.620 are we externally performing properly, 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.740 but God cares about our hearts. 00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:34.039 What is our motivation 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:36.900 as we do things, right? 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.759 And one part is about the community. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.620 If someone in the community sins 00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.560 and the whole community 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:42.680 is affected by it, 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.840 how do we respond? 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.940 And then verses 27 through 29 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.240 is about an individual sin, 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:50.600 one person who makes a mistake, right? 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:52.619 And what we are reminded of 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.839 is that all of these sins 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.459 require atonement, 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:58.740 but forgiveness is possible, right? 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:02.199 That God knows that we may sin, 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:06.079 but He's provided a way for us. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.819 But then the warning 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.679 has a sting at the end, doesn't it? 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:11.159 Because in 30 and 31, 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.559 He uses these words, 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:14.659 but when there is intentional, 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.159 high-handed sin, 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:20.500 when we look God in, 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.880 and if you're a parent, 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.600 you've known it 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.960 when your child has done this, 00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:26.460 when you look God in the face 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.840 and say, 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.880 I don't care what you think. 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.840 I don't want to do 00:27:30.840 --> 00:27:31.920 what you want me to do. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:34.140 I'm going to do it my way. 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:38.040 That kind of high-handed sin, 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:42.660 that kind of rebellion against God, 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:46.620 that rejection of His sovereign, 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:50.100 fatherly authority in our lives, 00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:52.300 asserting ourselves, 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:54.000 we're going to do it our way, 00:27:54.600 --> 00:27:55.759 He says, 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:59.820 this is a very, very serious thing. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:02.140 He then goes on and tells an example 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.519 about this man who went out 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.960 and picked up sticks on the Sabbath. 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.680 And we think, 00:28:05.800 --> 00:28:06.680 what is the big deal? 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.000 In the Old Testament, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.700 keeping the Sabbath 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:12.340 was such a clear command 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:14.779 on how the people of God 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:17.200 would be set apart, 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:19.460 would be the wholehearted people 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:21.140 who would worship Him alone 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:23.519 by simply obeying the commands. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.920 Don't do work on Sunday. 00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:26.660 For Him to go out 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.940 and pick up sticks 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.880 was saying, 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.000 God, I don't really care 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.660 what you think. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.240 I need fire today, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.840 and I'm going to go get sticks. 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:36.580 Right? 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:39.960 He simply wanted to do life His way. 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:44.119 And maybe He wasn't consciously thinking, 00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:45.759 I'm going to just, you know, 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.960 flip God the finger 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:48.319 and go and do what I want. 00:28:48.419 --> 00:28:48.619 Right? 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.079 It may just be that 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:53.639 He was thinking of Himself 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:55.720 and not living a daily life 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.799 of worship to God. 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.439 But in doing so, 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:01.839 it was an act of severe rebellion. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:05.199 And in that moment, 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.919 there was consequence. 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:10.119 There was no repentance 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:11.480 on behalf of the man. 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.879 There was no sign 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:14.279 of recognition 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.539 that he had done wrong. 00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.819 No seeking the Lord. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.779 And there was judgment. 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.599 And friends, 00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.779 I wonder, 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:27.039 I wonder if we drift 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.819 into high-handed sin 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:30.599 far more often. 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:32.559 When we know 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.740 that something's wrong, 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:36.319 but we do it anyway. 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:39.559 Or when we wonder 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.539 if something's wrong, 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.980 we don't want to know 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.700 what God says, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.299 so we just ignore Him 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:46.099 because I'd rather 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:47.200 just not know 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.359 than to know 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.119 and maybe 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.720 not get to do 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.539 what I want. 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.859 Maybe we look 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.599 at God's Word 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.919 and we just say, 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.960 I don't like it. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.019 I don't like 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.840 what that says. 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:01.500 And so we do 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.840 our own thing. 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.720 Set ourselves up 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.940 as the ultimate decider 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.120 of what is good and bad. 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.100 This is the spirit 00:30:10.100 --> 00:30:11.319 of intentional 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.759 and high-handed sin 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.299 and the consequences 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.900 are great. 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.480 The people are saying, 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.559 how do we go forward? 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.819 God says, 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.460 this is the one thing. 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:21.940 If you do this, 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.380 you will be cut off. 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:26.460 Now, 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:29.740 this probably sounds harsh. 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:32.800 We're trying to mix this 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:33.900 with what we just learned 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.500 in Galatians 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.520 for the last six months 00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:37.160 about the gracious God 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.200 who saves us apart 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.380 from any of our works 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:41.780 and all of those things. 00:30:43.280 --> 00:30:44.940 But we need to recognize, 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.900 first and foremost, 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.820 that this message 00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:47.560 is a reminder 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:49.139 that sin against 00:30:49.139 --> 00:30:50.480 an infinitely holy 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.259 and glorious 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.379 and majestic God 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:54.139 is infinitely horrible. 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:56.500 And it deserves 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.059 a judgment 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:59.700 that we just don't like 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:01.159 and we want to avoid. 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:05.180 We like to think of sins 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:06.000 as slip-ups, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.000 as foibles, 00:31:07.300 --> 00:31:08.100 as oops. 00:31:10.540 --> 00:31:11.500 But it's not. 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.720 It's rebellion. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.540 It's rejection. 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.560 It's a heart 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.960 to live independently 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.759 from God. 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.460 Now, 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.519 some of you are now, 00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:25.320 particularly those of you 00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:26.320 with tender consciences, 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:27.040 are thinking, 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:27.680 oh no, 00:31:28.040 --> 00:31:28.779 that's me. 00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:30.140 I'm outside the camp. 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.820 I'm done for. 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.559 There is nothing. 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:33.879 There's nothing more for me. 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:34.879 Friends, 00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:36.700 the reality is 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:38.059 that the Bible 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:39.039 as a whole 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.779 tells us 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:41.119 that the wages of sin 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:42.419 is truly death 00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:43.779 and it is truly great 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:45.579 and we need to reckon that 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.619 and to own that. 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:49.639 But our individual sins, 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:52.279 there is always 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.700 a chance 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.679 while you are living 00:31:54.679 --> 00:31:56.599 for repentance. 00:31:57.619 --> 00:31:58.220 Right? 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.859 And if you're sitting here 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.299 and you're thinking, 00:32:00.419 --> 00:32:00.720 oh no, 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.559 I sinned against God 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.000 this morning 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.559 because I didn't have 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.259 my quiet time 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.140 because I overslept, 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.000 be of good cheer. 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.900 The fact that you 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:09.519 even think that thought 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.200 means that God 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.079 is at work in you 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:12.680 and recognize it 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.600 and repent of it. 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:13.900 Say, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.140 God, 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.059 I don't want to do that. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.279 God, 00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:16.539 I want to honor you today. 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.279 But then receive 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.660 forgiveness from him. 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.660 God, 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:22.720 this high-handedness, 00:32:22.820 --> 00:32:24.000 I believe in the Bible 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.440 is not a category. 00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:27.060 Which side of the line 00:32:27.060 --> 00:32:27.540 are you on 00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:28.279 and you sin once 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.300 and you get on the bad side 00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:31.080 and then you confess your sin 00:32:31.080 --> 00:32:31.580 and you get back 00:32:31.580 --> 00:32:32.300 on the good side. 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.880 It's about a trajectory. 00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:35.700 It's about which direction 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.420 are we going. 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.220 Right? 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:38.279 And when we're heading 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.039 towards God, 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:41.339 we may sin along the way 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:42.160 and there's forgiveness 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:42.600 for that 00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.700 and we pursue God. 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:46.039 And when we don't, 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.640 and as this continues, 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.480 as the trajectory 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.799 goes further and further, 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.400 our hearts become 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.059 more hardened, 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:54.039 our trajectory 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.920 becomes clear, 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.339 and our high-handed sin 00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:57.539 increases. 00:32:57.539 --> 00:33:01.740 So it's not about 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:03.920 where are we right now, 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.399 today, 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.579 but it's about 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.420 where are we headed 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.440 and what is it 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.559 that fills our hearts 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.299 and our minds. 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.339 Right? 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.460 So, 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:14.159 when we're facing this sin, 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.359 how do we think about it? 00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:16.980 Do we have a heart 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.319 to repent of our sin 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.859 or do we choose 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:21.159 to justify or excuse 00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:22.079 or minimize it? 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.359 Do we have a heart 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.559 to please God 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.940 or is it to, 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:26.779 ultimately, 00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.799 to please ourselves? 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:30.839 Do we want to worship God 00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:32.000 and make Him 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.799 the greatest treasure 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.480 of our lives 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.759 or do we make 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.759 our own pleasures 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.960 and our own treasures 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:38.759 the things that we 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:40.440 prioritize the most? 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.539 Do we think about 00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.720 the honor of God 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:46.759 in our everyday life 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:49.099 or do we seek 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:50.139 to honor ourselves 00:33:50.139 --> 00:33:51.399 and others 00:33:51.399 --> 00:33:52.460 and what they want us 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.000 to honor? 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:58.220 we need to sit 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.079 with this warning 00:33:59.079 --> 00:34:00.160 because it's real 00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:02.819 and we need to recognize 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.920 that if you are 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:05.440 under the mistaken idea 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:07.180 that the Old Testament God 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.159 is a fierce 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:09.199 and judgmental 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:09.960 and harsh God 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:11.059 and the New Testament God 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.940 is a God of mercy, 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:13.500 recognize that 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.099 that is just 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.179 completely wrong 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:17.519 because the God 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.360 of the Old Testament 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.519 is a God of justice 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.320 and mercy 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.400 and the God 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.139 of the New Testament 00:34:22.139 --> 00:34:23.300 is a God of justice 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.240 and mercy 00:34:24.240 --> 00:34:26.660 and we need to hear 00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:27.280 the warning. 00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:29.500 Here's Hebrews 10, 26 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.280 and following. 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.960 This was written 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.700 to the church 00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:34.600 after Christ 00:34:34.600 --> 00:34:35.940 ascended into heaven. 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:37.400 It says, 00:34:37.560 --> 00:34:38.660 For if we go on 00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:39.920 sinning deliberately 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:41.080 after receiving 00:34:41.080 --> 00:34:41.660 the knowledge 00:34:41.660 --> 00:34:42.280 of the truth, 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.620 there no longer remains 00:34:43.620 --> 00:34:44.960 a sacrifice for sin 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:47.240 but a fearful expectation 00:34:47.240 --> 00:34:47.980 of judgment 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:49.300 and a fury of fire 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.280 that will consume 00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.380 the adversaries. 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:53.360 anyone who has set aside 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.039 the law of Moses 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.320 dies without mercy 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:56.300 on the evidence 00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:57.519 of two or three witnesses. 00:34:58.220 --> 00:35:00.019 How much worse punishment 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.820 do you think 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.880 will be deserved 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.700 by the one 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.920 who has trampled 00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:05.559 underfoot the Son of God 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.920 and has profaned 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:08.119 the blood of the covenant 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:10.160 by which he was sanctified 00:35:10.160 --> 00:35:11.800 and has outraged 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:13.140 the Spirit of grace? 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.519 For we know him 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.039 who said, 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.360 Vengeance is mine, 00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.340 I will repay. 00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.360 And again, 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.640 the Lord will judge 00:35:20.640 --> 00:35:21.260 his people. 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:23.320 It is a fearful thing 00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:25.380 to fall into the hands 00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:26.760 of the living God. 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:29.740 Friends, 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:30.780 to move ahead 00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:31.740 as God's people 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.820 is to recognize 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:35.380 how bad sin is. 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.200 To recognize 00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:38.240 that our sin 00:35:38.240 --> 00:35:39.559 is a trampling 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.680 of the blood 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:41.760 of Jesus Christ. 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.619 It is an ignoring of it. 00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:45.099 It is a rejecting of it. 00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:46.660 It is devaluing it. 00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:51.299 And friends, 00:35:51.379 --> 00:35:52.319 when we've broken faith 00:35:52.319 --> 00:35:52.940 with God, 00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:55.099 it is a serious matter. 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:57.579 But this passage 00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:58.599 reminds us 00:35:58.599 --> 00:36:00.019 that in that moment, 00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:01.699 while we still have breath, 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:03.539 we can turn to him. 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:05.339 Because this passage 00:36:05.339 --> 00:36:07.819 closes with a reaffirmation 00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:10.159 of God's redemptive purposes 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:11.159 for his people 00:36:11.159 --> 00:36:12.299 in Christ. 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:13.400 There is still 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.039 a way forward 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.660 if you're like, 00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:15.580 I've sinned. 00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:17.060 That's where I am at. 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:18.460 I'm living a life 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:19.500 that rejects God. 00:36:19.620 --> 00:36:20.380 It is high-handed 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:21.780 and I'm in a terrible place 00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:22.320 right now. 00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:24.600 I want you to hear 00:36:24.600 --> 00:36:26.080 God's call and invitation. 00:36:26.600 --> 00:36:27.420 You are not done 00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:28.640 because you are here today 00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:29.600 listening to this message 00:36:29.600 --> 00:36:31.440 so you can respond to it. 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:33.620 Respond in faith 00:36:33.620 --> 00:36:34.860 to the God 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:36.760 who has rescued 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:37.420 his people. 00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:39.740 When you're reading 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:41.340 a narrative like Numbers, 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.460 the very beginnings 00:36:42.460 --> 00:36:43.360 and the very ends 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.119 of these chapters 00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:45.599 are often very important. 00:36:46.300 --> 00:36:47.700 If you have the Bible open, 00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:48.320 look with me 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.200 at the very end 00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:50.579 of chapter 15. 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.360 What does he remind 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:53.740 his people again? 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.900 Verse 41. 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:57.700 I am the Lord your God 00:36:57.700 --> 00:36:58.740 who brought you 00:36:58.740 --> 00:37:00.099 out of the land of Egypt 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:01.920 to be your God. 00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:04.460 I am the Lord your God. 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.079 Again, 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:07.460 this is the promise. 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:10.819 But it's specifically 00:37:10.819 --> 00:37:11.759 about the fact 00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:13.159 that God has redeemed 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:13.779 his people. 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.079 Right? 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:16.880 Remember the Exodus story. 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:18.539 They were enslaved 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:19.699 and oppressed 00:37:19.699 --> 00:37:22.319 by the Egyptian people 00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:23.360 and God worked 00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:24.539 with a mighty hand 00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:26.079 doing miraculous things 00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:27.199 through Moses. 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.079 Right? 00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:29.239 Including judgment 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:30.079 on Egypt 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:31.079 for its sin. 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.860 Breaking their power 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:33.960 so that his people 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:35.279 might be free. 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:37.500 And he delivered them 00:37:37.500 --> 00:37:38.259 from the army 00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:39.159 and he delivered them 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.400 through the Red Sea. 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:43.159 This is the God 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:44.380 who delivered his people 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.159 from Egypt. 00:37:45.759 --> 00:37:46.500 And friends, 00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.420 the good news 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.199 of the gospel 00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:49.480 is that Jesus 00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:50.380 is a second 00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:51.340 and a greater 00:37:51.340 --> 00:37:52.819 Exodus story 00:37:52.819 --> 00:37:53.759 where God 00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:54.319 has redeemed 00:37:54.319 --> 00:37:54.980 his people 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:56.659 not from human oppressors 00:37:56.659 --> 00:37:57.579 but from the oppression 00:37:57.579 --> 00:37:59.259 of sin and death 00:37:59.259 --> 00:38:00.759 that has been our lot 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:02.219 since the very beginning, 00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:03.259 since Adam and Eve 00:38:03.260 --> 00:38:04.280 fell in the garden. 00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:07.800 And Christ came 00:38:07.800 --> 00:38:08.540 and said, 00:38:09.040 --> 00:38:10.160 I will be a sacrifice 00:38:10.160 --> 00:38:11.440 for you. 00:38:12.540 --> 00:38:13.980 I will be cut off 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.800 from the camp. 00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:16.160 You who sin 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:16.880 heinously 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:17.980 and high-handedly 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.820 against me, 00:38:19.100 --> 00:38:20.800 I will take that sin 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.660 upon myself 00:38:21.660 --> 00:38:22.700 and be counted 00:38:22.700 --> 00:38:24.160 among the transgressors. 00:38:24.540 --> 00:38:25.680 And I will hang 00:38:25.680 --> 00:38:26.460 on the cross 00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:27.680 for you. 00:38:27.679 --> 00:38:30.940 I will be the sacrifice 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:33.019 that is truly needed 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:35.259 because by my blood, 00:38:35.699 --> 00:38:38.119 your sins 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:39.739 are now atoned for. 00:38:41.639 --> 00:38:43.879 By my death, 00:38:44.399 --> 00:38:47.859 justice is now satisfied. 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:50.799 By my resurrection, 00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:53.319 there is now hope 00:38:53.319 --> 00:38:55.419 and life for you. 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:57.720 this is why 00:38:57.720 --> 00:38:59.400 Christ came. 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:01.440 To rescue 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.559 sinners 00:39:02.559 --> 00:39:03.519 like you 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.300 and me. 00:39:05.420 --> 00:39:06.840 To redeem us 00:39:06.840 --> 00:39:07.559 out of our 00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.860 former ways of life 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:10.539 and to be 00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:11.180 his people. 00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.180 And so, 00:39:13.340 --> 00:39:13.539 friends, 00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:14.360 when we have 00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:14.980 blown it, 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.380 and some of us 00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:17.139 here today 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:18.280 feel that 00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:19.539 very poignantly 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.200 this morning, 00:39:20.539 --> 00:39:21.159 that we've 00:39:21.159 --> 00:39:21.639 blown it 00:39:21.639 --> 00:39:22.860 yesterday, 00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:24.599 the day before, 00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.799 some of us 00:39:25.799 --> 00:39:26.460 may be thinking, 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:27.259 I've blown it 00:39:27.259 --> 00:39:28.039 for years. 00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:32.119 Some of you 00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.819 may be thinking, 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:34.259 I've never done 00:39:34.259 --> 00:39:35.460 anything but blow it. 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:38.759 God calls you 00:39:38.759 --> 00:39:40.519 to come to Christ, 00:39:41.059 --> 00:39:41.960 to remember 00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:42.860 what God 00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:43.719 has done for you, 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:44.960 that he who is 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:46.099 faithful and said, 00:39:46.219 --> 00:39:46.880 I will fulfill 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:47.519 my promises, 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.860 this is the way 00:39:48.860 --> 00:39:49.839 that he calls us 00:39:49.839 --> 00:39:50.319 to do it, 00:39:50.319 --> 00:39:51.440 by trusting 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.339 in what Christ 00:39:52.339 --> 00:39:53.440 has done for us. 00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:54.760 And so, 00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.400 the writer of 00:39:55.400 --> 00:39:56.480 Hebrews tells us 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:58.619 this great good news. 00:39:59.619 --> 00:39:59.940 Therefore, 00:40:00.200 --> 00:40:01.079 brothers and sisters, 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:01.900 since we have 00:40:01.900 --> 00:40:03.300 confidence to enter 00:40:03.300 --> 00:40:05.039 the holy places 00:40:05.039 --> 00:40:06.420 by the blood of Jesus, 00:40:06.599 --> 00:40:07.260 by the new 00:40:07.260 --> 00:40:08.119 and living way 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:09.220 that he opened 00:40:09.220 --> 00:40:10.579 for us 00:40:10.579 --> 00:40:11.619 through the curtain 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.200 that is through 00:40:12.200 --> 00:40:12.820 his flesh, 00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:14.280 and since we have 00:40:14.280 --> 00:40:15.420 a great high priest 00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.599 over the house of God, 00:40:17.019 --> 00:40:18.240 let us draw near 00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:19.519 with a true heart 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:21.019 in full assurance 00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:21.559 of faith, 00:40:21.639 --> 00:40:22.260 with our hearts 00:40:22.260 --> 00:40:23.220 sprinkled clean 00:40:23.220 --> 00:40:24.580 from an evil conscience 00:40:24.580 --> 00:40:25.400 and our bodies 00:40:25.400 --> 00:40:26.920 washed with pure waters, 00:40:27.160 --> 00:40:28.440 let us hold fast 00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:30.440 to the confession 00:40:30.440 --> 00:40:31.100 of our hope 00:40:31.100 --> 00:40:32.960 without wavering, 00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:35.040 for he who promised 00:40:35.040 --> 00:40:36.540 is faithful. 00:40:38.040 --> 00:40:38.540 Friends, 00:40:38.640 --> 00:40:39.380 this is what God 00:40:39.380 --> 00:40:40.260 says to us 00:40:40.260 --> 00:40:41.180 when we've blown 00:40:41.180 --> 00:40:41.960 it that badly. 00:40:42.660 --> 00:40:43.900 He who promised 00:40:43.900 --> 00:40:44.820 is faithful. 00:40:45.580 --> 00:40:46.680 Look to the cross, 00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:48.160 be renewed, 00:40:48.540 --> 00:40:50.040 and follow him. 00:40:50.039 --> 00:40:50.759 Let's pray. 00:40:51.739 --> 00:40:52.039 Lord, 00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:53.239 thank you for this word. 00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.139 Thank you for 00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:55.500 the richness of it. 00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.059 Lord, 00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:57.860 thank you that 00:40:57.860 --> 00:41:00.659 you reveal yourself, 00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:02.159 even in some of the 00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:03.599 most unlikely places. 00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:05.340 Lord, 00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:06.000 we pray that we 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:06.739 would worship you 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:07.440 this morning. 00:41:08.779 --> 00:41:10.019 I pray for those 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:10.860 who may be 00:41:10.860 --> 00:41:12.539 feeling now 00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:13.079 a burden 00:41:13.079 --> 00:41:13.860 of conviction, 00:41:15.159 --> 00:41:15.340 Lord, 00:41:15.380 --> 00:41:15.980 or of guilt 00:41:15.980 --> 00:41:16.619 or shame. 00:41:16.619 --> 00:41:18.839 Lord, 00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:19.619 I pray that 00:41:19.619 --> 00:41:20.380 by your spirit 00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:20.900 you would 00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:22.359 remind them 00:41:22.359 --> 00:41:24.319 that Jesus 00:41:24.319 --> 00:41:24.839 has borne 00:41:24.839 --> 00:41:25.279 their guilt 00:41:25.279 --> 00:41:25.799 and shame 00:41:25.799 --> 00:41:26.920 and that 00:41:26.920 --> 00:41:28.559 by repentance 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.480 and faith, 00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:30.359 Lord, 00:41:30.519 --> 00:41:30.819 they, 00:41:31.819 --> 00:41:33.219 they can come 00:41:33.219 --> 00:41:33.779 to you 00:41:33.779 --> 00:41:35.380 with full assurance. 00:41:36.759 --> 00:41:37.519 Know your 00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:38.500 embrace 00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:40.019 and be your people. 00:41:41.279 --> 00:41:42.199 I pray this 00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:42.940 in Jesus' name. 00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:43.440 Amen.