WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.620
 Friends, keep your Bibles open at Nehemiah 8.

00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:07.820
 We're looking at Nehemiah 8, 9 and 10 this morning.

00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:08.419
 Let's pray.

00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:16.460
 Gracious Lord, in the words of your psalmist,

00:00:16.980 --> 00:00:19.460
 we ask that you would open our eyes

00:00:19.460 --> 00:00:22.100
 that we might see wonderful things in your law.

00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:25.760
 Father, we pray that we would delight in your word

00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.320
 and that we would delight in obeying your word

00:00:29.320 --> 00:00:31.920
 and we ask it by your grace.

00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:32.939
 Amen.

00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:38.000
 Let me tell you about two court cases.

00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:41.460
 Both have to do with driving offences.

00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:47.120
 Case number one, a man is pulled over by the police

00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:49.939
 for driving at 191 kilometres an hour.

00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:53.760
 His breath test revealed his blood alcohol reading

00:00:53.760 --> 00:00:55.719
 was four times the legal limit.

00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:01.019
 He was charged and then eventually he was released on bail.

00:01:01.780 --> 00:01:04.400
 Four hours after being released on bail,

00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:06.519
 he was pulled over again.

00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:09.900
 His breath test result was exactly the same.

00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:12.439
 Four times the legal limit.

00:01:14.039 --> 00:01:18.159
 Case number two, 23-year-old man is in court

00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:20.659
 charged with manslaughter and culpable driving.

00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:25.739
 Trying to overtake, he ran into an oncoming car

00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:26.879
 that killed two people.

00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:30.200
 The judge said one thing was in his favour

00:01:30.200 --> 00:01:32.200
 and interestingly enough,

00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:35.780
 so did the family of those who he killed.

00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:39.819
 He said that they were struck by his genuine remorse.

00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:45.439
 We know there's a big difference between those two attitudes.

00:01:46.779 --> 00:01:51.819
 A difference between true repentance and empty words.

00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:57.839
 So what might that look like for the people of God

00:01:57.839 --> 00:02:01.159
 as they return from exile, settle back into their home

00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:04.739
 after a long, long history of ignoring God?

00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:08.539
 Have they learnt from their past mistakes?

00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:13.060
 Will their lies reveal genuine remorse?

00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:17.319
 The story so far is that the wars are built,

00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:21.039
 the city is populated, leadership is in place,

00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:22.500
 the community life is ordered,

00:02:23.079 --> 00:02:26.539
 people are setting back into normal life again,

00:02:27.019 --> 00:02:30.959
 but the work of Nehemiah that he had come to do

00:02:30.959 --> 00:02:32.199
 had only just begun.

00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:38.000
 Chapter 8 verse 1 says it's the first day of the seventh month.

00:02:38.959 --> 00:02:40.939
 It's the day of the Feast of the Trumpets,

00:02:41.659 --> 00:02:44.219
 something similar to our New Year's Day.

00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:47.459
 A good day for the people of God to have a new start

00:02:47.459 --> 00:02:49.000
 as they look forward to the future.

00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:53.699
 Very significantly we read in chapter 8 verse 1

00:02:53.699 --> 00:02:57.060
 that the people gather as one people

00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:03.340
 and they ask Ezra the priest to read to them the law of Moses,

00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:06.199
 the same law that they had neglected for so long.

00:03:07.020 --> 00:03:09.319
 And notice that there are men and there are women,

00:03:09.699 --> 00:03:11.460
 all who could listen and understand.

00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:13.219
 They gather for the reading.

00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:16.460
 There was potentially a creche,

00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:19.659
 but there certainly wasn't a Sunday school

00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:21.820
 and there wasn't a movie put on for the teenagers

00:03:21.820 --> 00:03:22.980
 down by the dung gate.

00:03:23.640 --> 00:03:25.219
 The whole community gathers

00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:27.140
 for the reading of the word.

00:03:28.760 --> 00:03:29.680
 Verse 3 says,

00:03:29.760 --> 00:03:32.100
 the reading went for five hours.

00:03:33.980 --> 00:03:37.900
 And verse 5 says that they stood for it the whole time.

00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:40.659
 And verse 3 says,

00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:43.580
 all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.

00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:49.259
 There is a respect here for God's word.

00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:53.439
 Notice too the response to the word of God in verse 6.

00:03:54.200 --> 00:03:56.420
 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God,

00:03:56.540 --> 00:03:59.140
 and all the people lifted their hands and responded,

00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:01.120
 Amen! Amen!

00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:01.420
 Amen!

00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:05.620
 Then they bowed down and they worshipped the Lord

00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:06.840
 with their faces to the ground.

00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:12.039
 Bowing down is a posture that signifies their submission,

00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:14.460
 corporate submission to the word of God,

00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:16.579
 the authority of the word of God.

00:04:17.620 --> 00:04:20.540
 The people of God are here relearning the law

00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:22.519
 that they had rejected for so long.

00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:24.439
 They are making the scriptures

00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:26.879
 the guiding principle of their lives.

00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:30.840
 Is that not what we confess here?

00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:34.960
 The Bible for us,

00:04:35.460 --> 00:04:37.180
 to be the guiding principle of our lives,

00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:38.459
 it's written on our walls.

00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:42.220
 One of our core values is Christ-centered Bible saturation.

00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:44.920
 It says the Bible alone is God-inspired,

00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:45.540
 infallible,

00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.100
 and unerring means of speaking to humanity.

00:04:48.259 --> 00:04:50.060
 The Bible is essential for knowing God

00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:51.280
 and transformation of life.

00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:54.360
 The Bible is our standard for faith and conduct

00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:57.139
 and leads us to treasure Jesus Christ.

00:04:57.540 --> 00:04:59.280
 We believe that right thinking

00:04:59.280 --> 00:05:00.519
 fosters right living,

00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:02.519
 and we value teachable hearts

00:05:03.099 --> 00:05:04.620
 that are earnest and intense

00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:07.219
 and passionate about the things of God.

00:05:10.979 --> 00:05:11.680
 Like them,

00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:13.419
 our response to the word of God

00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:16.159
 is not meant to be a mere intellectualism.

00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:18.740
 They praise God.

00:05:18.799 --> 00:05:20.539
 They want God to change them

00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:22.099
 and to change us.

00:05:23.099 --> 00:05:25.539
 God's word here is informing the minds

00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:28.100
 and reaching the hearts of these exiles.

00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:31.740
 These exiles start to grieve in verse 9.

00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:32.280
 It says,

00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:33.779
 all the people

00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:35.619
 had been weeping

00:05:35.619 --> 00:05:36.679
 as they listened

00:05:36.679 --> 00:05:37.939
 to the words of the law.

00:05:40.039 --> 00:05:42.259
 Everyone who gathered was guilty.

00:05:43.239 --> 00:05:45.559
 Their offense was tragically universal,

00:05:46.239 --> 00:05:47.179
 deeply serious,

00:05:47.659 --> 00:05:49.559
 and inescapably personal.

00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:53.519
 Amazingly though,

00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:55.039
 the gathering was urged

00:05:55.039 --> 00:05:56.679
 to dry their tears.

00:05:57.719 --> 00:05:58.919
 Verse 9 says that

00:05:58.919 --> 00:06:00.419
 Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levite

00:06:00.419 --> 00:06:01.019
 said to them,

00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:02.000
 whoa, whoa, whoa.

00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:04.299
 This day is a sacred day

00:06:04.299 --> 00:06:05.839
 to the Lord your God.

00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:07.959
 Do not mourn or weep.

00:06:09.479 --> 00:06:10.939
 They tell them to stop mourning

00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:12.699
 and instead

00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:14.899
 go off and have a party

00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:16.859
 with some great food

00:06:16.859 --> 00:06:18.419
 and the best drink

00:06:18.419 --> 00:06:19.719
 because the end of verse 10,

00:06:19.799 --> 00:06:22.079
 the joy of the Lord is your strength.

00:06:25.479 --> 00:06:26.939
 Why do they tell them

00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:28.159
 to stop weeping

00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:29.479
 and start rejoicing?

00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:31.420
 How can they find joy

00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:33.460
 when all the conviction

00:06:33.460 --> 00:06:34.600
 of their centuries

00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:35.620
 of rebellion

00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:37.819
 came flooding in

00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:40.360
 as the word of God is read?

00:06:41.700 --> 00:06:42.220
 How?

00:06:45.220 --> 00:06:45.860
 Well,

00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.580
 the same word of God

00:06:47.580 --> 00:06:48.759
 also reveals the remedy

00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:49.540
 to their sin

00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:52.480
 because every year,

00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:54.819
 10 days after celebrating

00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:56.300
 the Feast of the Trumpets,

00:06:56.900 --> 00:06:58.100
 the people of God

00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:58.879
 gathered together

00:06:58.879 --> 00:06:59.520
 to celebrate

00:06:59.520 --> 00:07:00.600
 the Day of Atonement.

00:07:01.960 --> 00:07:03.120
 This day

00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:05.060
 is the annual public declaration

00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:06.040
 of God's mercy.

00:07:07.200 --> 00:07:08.379
 The atoning sacrifice

00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:09.180
 was offered.

00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:10.820
 The people would

00:07:10.820 --> 00:07:12.460
 metaphorically

00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:13.540
 pin their sins

00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:15.640
 on a scapegoat.

00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:18.479
 The scapegoat

00:07:18.479 --> 00:07:19.360
 was cast out

00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:20.099
 into the wilderness.

00:07:20.919 --> 00:07:22.219
 It was a visible sign

00:07:22.219 --> 00:07:23.319
 that they were clean

00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:24.599
 from all of their sins.

00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.079
 All their sins

00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:27.099
 would be fully,

00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:28.019
 immediately

00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:29.740
 and irrevocably

00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:30.979
 pardoned by God

00:07:30.979 --> 00:07:32.259
 on the Day of Atonement.

00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:34.899
 Of course,

00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:35.339
 each year

00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:36.319
 the Day of Atonement

00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:37.879
 anticipated

00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:39.980
 a greater scapegoat

00:07:39.980 --> 00:07:41.800
 who would truly,

00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:42.219
 fully,

00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:43.099
 completely carry

00:07:43.099 --> 00:07:44.240
 the sins of all people

00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:45.959
 and that day came

00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:47.039
 on the first Good Friday

00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:48.719
 when God's Son,

00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:49.759
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:50.899
 carried our sins

00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:52.199
 on the cross

00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:54.079
 in his sinless body.

00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.639
 And that's why

00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:58.420
 for these returned exiles,

00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.599
 the weeping and sadness

00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:00.459
 of verse 9

00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:01.379
 is balanced

00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.740
 by the joy

00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:03.819
 and the gladness

00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:04.659
 of verse 12.

00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:09.480
 The people of God

00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:10.500
 are again starting

00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:11.120
 to live

00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.079
 under the control

00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:13.040
 of the Word of God.

00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:14.899
 Verse 14,

00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:15.240
 I think,

00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.139
 expresses it

00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:18.139
 with a beautiful simplicity.

00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:20.000
 They found written

00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:20.719
 in the law

00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:21.639
 which the Lord

00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:22.120
 had commanded

00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:22.759
 through Moses

00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:24.180
 that the Israelites

00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:25.540
 were to live in booths

00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:26.319
 during the feast

00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:27.420
 of the seventh month.

00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.459
 They discovered

00:08:30.459 --> 00:08:30.920
 something

00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:31.980
 from the Word of God

00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:33.159
 that they didn't know

00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:33.740
 was there,

00:08:34.680 --> 00:08:35.659
 that they neglected.

00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.300
 And what they discovered,

00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.120
 most likely,

00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:38.899
 they'd been looking

00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:40.180
 at Leviticus 23,

00:08:40.940 --> 00:08:41.940
 was that the following

00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.779
 the Day of Atonement

00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:44.840
 on the 10th

00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:45.879
 of the seventh month

00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:47.860
 was the Feast of the Booths

00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:49.360
 on the 15th day

00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:50.320
 of the seventh month,

00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.360
 also known to us

00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:53.779
 as the Feast of the Tabernacles.

00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:55.399
 They saw it,

00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.039
 they'd been ignoring it,

00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:58.680
 and so they did it,

00:08:58.679 --> 00:08:59.819
 they celebrated it.

00:08:59.819 --> 00:09:01.739
 The Feast of Tabernacles

00:09:01.739 --> 00:09:04.439
 called the people of God

00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:05.219
 to look back

00:09:05.219 --> 00:09:06.919
 to the wilderness wanderings

00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:09.439
 and remember God's provision

00:09:09.439 --> 00:09:12.179
 of water from a rock,

00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:15.019
 from a dying, thirsty people,

00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:16.500
 for a dying, thirsty people.

00:09:17.439 --> 00:09:18.479
 They're also to remember

00:09:18.479 --> 00:09:20.159
 God's presence with them

00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.379
 in the pillar of the cloud

00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:22.099
 during the day

00:09:22.099 --> 00:09:24.740
 and the light that led them

00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:26.259
 to the promised land

00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.659
 at night time.

00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:30.600
 Verse 16, 17 is entering.

00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:32.799
 It says that they hadn't celebrated it

00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.620
 from the days of Joshua,

00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:35.340
 son of Nun.

00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:38.980
 That's a long gap.

00:09:41.319 --> 00:09:44.200
 Joshua led the wilderness wanderers

00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.460
 into their new home

00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:47.139
 after the rescue from Egypt.

00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:49.319
 And the next time

00:09:49.319 --> 00:09:51.340
 this festival is celebrated

00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:54.540
 is when the exiled people of God

00:09:54.540 --> 00:09:56.660
 are brought back to their home

00:09:56.660 --> 00:09:59.080
 and established again

00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:00.060
 in the land

00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:01.840
 as the people of God.

00:10:03.300 --> 00:10:05.139
 They are meant to see the parallels.

00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.780
 God has again committed

00:10:08.780 --> 00:10:10.879
 a mighty act of salvation.

00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:14.879
 God has again committed

00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.280
 a mighty act of salvation

00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:18.540
 and he has rescued his people

00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:20.779
 and brought them to their home.

00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:23.279
 And this feast

00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:24.219
 was to remind

00:10:24.219 --> 00:10:25.539
 these returned exiles

00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:27.019
 that their confidence

00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:28.740
 is not in walls.

00:10:31.959 --> 00:10:33.599
 It's not in the city.

00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.299
 It's not in even

00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:36.240
 the strong leadership

00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.519
 of Nehemiah and Ezra

00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:38.039
 and others

00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:40.099
 but in their great

00:10:40.099 --> 00:10:41.980
 and awesome God.

00:10:45.579 --> 00:10:47.259
 The Lord Jesus celebrated

00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.299
 the Feast of Tabernacles

00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:49.599
 in John chapter 7.

00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:51.959
 On the last day

00:10:51.959 --> 00:10:52.579
 of the feast

00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:53.439
 he stands up

00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:53.979
 and he says

00:10:53.979 --> 00:10:55.620
 if anyone is thirsty

00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:56.479
 let him come to me

00:10:56.479 --> 00:10:57.000
 and drink.

00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:59.159
 Whoever believes in me

00:10:59.159 --> 00:10:59.779
 as the scriptures

00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:00.500
 has said

00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.319
 and I believe

00:11:01.319 --> 00:11:01.779
 when he says

00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:02.699
 the scriptures has said

00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:03.419
 he was looking at

00:11:03.419 --> 00:11:04.539
 Nehemiah 8 and 9

00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:07.419
 streams of living water

00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.859
 will flow from within him.

00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.740
 By this he meant

00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:11.539
 the spirit

00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:13.299
 whom those who believe

00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:13.719
 in him

00:11:13.719 --> 00:11:14.319
 will later

00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:16.419
 were later to receive.

00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:17.819
 Jesus

00:11:17.819 --> 00:11:19.299
 on the Feast of Tabernacles

00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:21.319
 makes an extraordinary claim.

00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.620
 It's an offer

00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.360
 to anyone

00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:24.839
 and whoever

00:11:24.839 --> 00:11:25.839
 believes in him.

00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.399
 Jesus claims

00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:27.959
 to fulfill

00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:28.740
 all that the

00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.279
 Feast of Tabernacles

00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:32.159
 points back to

00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.019
 and anticipated

00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:34.039
 in the future.

00:11:35.219 --> 00:11:36.459
 Jesus is the one

00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:38.360
 true rescuer

00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.579
 who will provide

00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:40.719
 for our most

00:11:40.719 --> 00:11:41.719
 essential need.

00:11:43.079 --> 00:11:44.419
 Spirit of God himself.

00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:47.620
 Jesus is the

00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.519
 giver of the Spirit

00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.419
 as God's

00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.559
 ongoing presence

00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:51.299
 with the believer

00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.699
 as the guiding

00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:53.579
 toward truth

00:11:53.579 --> 00:11:54.639
 and the rich source

00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.799
 of eternal life.

00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.699
 That is what he promises

00:11:58.699 --> 00:11:59.620
 those who believe

00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.139
 in him.

00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.219
 Our confidence

00:12:02.219 --> 00:12:03.399
 is to be

00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.139
 in the Lord Jesus.

00:12:07.079 --> 00:12:08.379
 So the rediscovery

00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.199
 of the word of God

00:12:09.199 --> 00:12:10.319
 leads to covenant

00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:10.860
 renewal

00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.599
 on the

00:12:11.599 --> 00:12:12.759
 day of the

00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.759
 Feast of the Booths.

00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:17.039
 And then there's

00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:17.340
 another

00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:17.960
 service

00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:20.460
 celebrated

00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.500
 on the very

00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.100
 next day

00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:22.539
 of the Feast

00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.159
 of the Booths.

00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.740
 This time

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.759
 it's a six hour

00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.319
 service.

00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.899
 And this time

00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.500
 there will be

00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.200
 repentance.

00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:32.539
 Nehemiah

00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.299
 chapter 9.

00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.580
 We notice

00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.019
 there that

00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:37.259
 Ezra's prayer

00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.139
 from verse 6

00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.059
 dominates the

00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:39.399
 chapter.

00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:40.840
 And his

00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:41.360
 prayer

00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.379
 surveys

00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.539
 the history

00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:44.779
 of Israel's

00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.500
 relationship

00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.960
 with Yahweh.

00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:47.840
 Verses 6

00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:48.460
 to 15

00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.300
 in chapter 9

00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.340
 lists the goodness

00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:50.800
 of God

00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:51.500
 in creation,

00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:53.000
 in choosing

00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:53.600
 Abram

00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.560
 from all the

00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:54.919
 peoples,

00:12:55.060 --> 00:12:55.580
 in hearing

00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:56.139
 the cry

00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:56.700
 of his people

00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.139
 in Egypt,

00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:57.740
 in delivering

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.440
 them with

00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:58.980
 his awesome

00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.419
 power,

00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.159
 in giving

00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:00.820
 his law,

00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.600
 in providing

00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:02.419
 bread from heaven

00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:02.879
 and water

00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:03.460
 from the rock

00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:03.960
 and telling

00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:04.620
 them to take

00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.200
 the land.

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.639
 Verse 16

00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.580
 gives the

00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.600
 contrast

00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.919
 that people

00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:12.399
 acted

00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.320
 arrogantly.

00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.240
 They become

00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:15.960
 stubborn and

00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.700
 refused to

00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.000
 listen.

00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:17.919
 They refused

00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:18.399
 to remember

00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.019
 God's goodness

00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.080
 and they even

00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:20.679
 tried to go

00:13:20.679 --> 00:13:21.080
 back to

00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:21.500
 Egypt.

00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.179
 And then

00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.159
 comes a

00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:26.799
 list of

00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.620
 God's added

00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.519
 mercies in

00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:29.139
 spite of

00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:29.740
 Israel's

00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:30.500
 disobedience.

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.740
 Verse 17,

00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.740
 you are a

00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.480
 forgiving God,

00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.259
 gracious and

00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:34.799
 compassionate,

00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.680
 slow to

00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.080
 anger and

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:36.680
 abounding in

00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:37.000
 love,

00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:37.919
 therefore you

00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:38.460
 did not

00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.080
 desert them.

00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:39.840
 And more

00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.320
 than that,

00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.299
 he didn't

00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.000
 just desert

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.399
 them,

00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.799
 he pursued

00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:44.240
 them with

00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.039
 goodness and

00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.139
 mercy again

00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.180
 and again

00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:47.759
 and again

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.139
 and again.

00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:48.980
 Verses 20

00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:49.620
 to 25

00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:49.919
 says,

00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.220
 God gave

00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.659
 his good

00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.220
 spirit to

00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.899
 instruct them.

00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:53.539
 He gave

00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:53.980
 them manna

00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.360
 and he gave

00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:54.779
 them water.

00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:55.360
 For 40

00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:55.960
 years their

00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.600
 clothes did

00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.060
 not wear

00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:57.279
 out.

00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:57.700
 They

00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.340
 overcame

00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:58.720
 kingdoms.

00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:58.980
 They

00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.159
 entered and

00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.560
 possessed

00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.039
 the land.

00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.659
 They

00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.399
 had cities

00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.000
 and fertile

00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:03.399
 land.

00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:03.539
 They

00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.159
 had houses

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:04.860
 and cisterns

00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.480
 and vineyards

00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.399
 and olive

00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:06.879
 grows and

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.740
 fruit trees.

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.459
 The end

00:14:08.459 --> 00:14:09.579
 of verse 25

00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:10.240
 just sums

00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.579
 it up.

00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.139
 They

00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:12.459
 reveled in

00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:12.939
 the goodness

00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:13.519
 of God.

00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:17.259
 Like a

00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.199
 dog rolling

00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.939
 in something.

00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.059
 Oh,

00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:21.480
 this is

00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.079
 great.

00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:26.079
 Contrast

00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:26.539
 to the people

00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:26.959
 of God.

00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:27.779
 Verse 26

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.079
 in their

00:14:28.079 --> 00:14:28.659
 response.

00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:29.539
 But they

00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.599
 were disobedient

00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.019
 and they

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.480
 rebelled

00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.240
 against you.

00:14:32.680 --> 00:14:32.759
 They

00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.259
 put your

00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.840
 law behind

00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.379
 their backs.

00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:34.600
 They

00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:34.940
 killed

00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:35.180
 your

00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:35.700
 prophets

00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.440
 who had

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:36.940
 admonished

00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.259
 them in

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:37.659
 order to

00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.279
 turn them

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:38.659
 back to

00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:38.940
 you.

00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:39.560
 They

00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:39.980
 committed

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.720
 awful

00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.800
 blasphemies.

00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:42.879
 God's

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:43.200
 response.

00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.920
 Verse 27,

00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.440
 you handed

00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.019
 them over to

00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.360
 the enemies.

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:45.920
 You oppressed

00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:46.180
 them.

00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.000
 But when

00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.300
 they were

00:14:47.300 --> 00:14:47.700
 oppressed,

00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.440
 they cried

00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:48.980
 out to you.

00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:49.540
 And from

00:14:49.540 --> 00:14:50.040
 heaven you

00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:50.420
 heard them.

00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:50.659
 And in

00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.180
 your great

00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:51.740
 compassion,

00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.519
 you gave

00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.300
 them deliverers

00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:53.879
 who rescued

00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.180
 them from

00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:54.620
 the hand of

00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.160
 their enemies.

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:55.899
 The people's

00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.279
 response,

00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:56.980
 verse 28,

00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.620
 but as

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.000
 soon as

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.320
 they were

00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:58.899
 at rest,

00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:00.000
 they again

00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.420
 did what

00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.019
 was evil

00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:01.379
 in your

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.740
 sight.

00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.139
 Then you

00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.600
 abandoned

00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:02.940
 them to

00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:03.379
 the hand

00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:04.879
 of their

00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.899
 enemies so

00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.240
 that they

00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:06.980
 ruled over

00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.279
 them.

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.700
 God's

00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.080
 response,

00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:09.820
 verse 28,

00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:10.539
 and when

00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:10.940
 they cried

00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.320
 out to you

00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:11.580
 again,

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:11.980
 you heard

00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.379
 from heaven

00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.700
 and in

00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:12.860
 your

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.320
 compassion,

00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:13.860
 you delivered

00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.460
 them time

00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.279
 after time.

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:16.820
 And again

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.120
 in verse

00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.779
 29,

00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.500
 you warned

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:19.820
 them to

00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:20.500
 return to

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:20.940
 your law,

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.259
 but they

00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.039
 became arrogant

00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:23.019
 and disobeyed

00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.740
 your commands.

00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.000
 They sinned

00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.480
 against your

00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.159
 ordinances,

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.919
 by which a

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:28.399
 man will

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.240
 live if he

00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.019
 obeys them.

00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.240
 Stubbornly they

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.720
 turned their

00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.220
 backs and you

00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.060
 became stiff

00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:33.600
 necked and

00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.320
 refused to

00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:34.639
 listen.

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.560
 But again,

00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.299
 God's response

00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.080
 in verse 30,

00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.120
 for many years

00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:38.379
 you were

00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:38.960
 patient with

00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:39.139
 them.

00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.779
 By your

00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.419
 spirit,

00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.740
 you admonished

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.220
 them through

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:44.980
 your prophets,

00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.259
 yet they

00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.860
 paid no

00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.320
 attention,

00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:48.680
 so you

00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.279
 handed them

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.060
 over to the

00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:50.500
 neighbouring

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.060
 Gentiles,

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:51.680
 neighbouring

00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.039
 peoples.

00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.460
 And yet this

00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:53.900
 is what I

00:15:53.900 --> 00:15:54.940
 mean by

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.879
 inexhaustible

00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.360
 grace.

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.019
 In verse

00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.540
 31,

00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.500
 Ezra says,

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.720
 in your

00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.460
 great mercy

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.160
 you did

00:16:01.160 --> 00:16:01.840
 not put an

00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.160
 end to

00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:02.680
 them or

00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:03.180
 abandon

00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:03.560
 them,

00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:04.639
 for you

00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.379
 are gracious

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.379
 and a

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.120
 merciful God.

00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.139
 The focus

00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.759
 right through

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.420
 this prayer

00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:12.440
 is on God's

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.120
 faithfulness,

00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:14.460
 mercy and

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.320
 goodness in

00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.200
 the face of

00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.960
 Israel's

00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.519
 rebellion,

00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:19.040
 sinfulness and

00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:19.540
 failure.

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.000
 It is a

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.920
 history lesson

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.759
 in

00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.019
 inexhaustible

00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.500
 grace.

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:28.779
 Notice

00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.099
 that the

00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:29.379
 language

00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.979
 shifts in

00:16:29.979 --> 00:16:30.860
 verse 32.

00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.439
 Ezra now

00:16:35.439 --> 00:16:36.339
 prays in

00:16:36.339 --> 00:16:36.719
 the first

00:16:36.719 --> 00:16:37.479
 person plural.

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:39.879
 Now

00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.319
 therefore,

00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.899
 O our

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.259
 God,

00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.159
 the great,

00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.059
 mighty and

00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:45.860
 awesome God

00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.399
 who keeps

00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:46.959
 his covenant

00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:47.519
 of love,

00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:48.799
 verse 33,

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.120
 in all

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.439
 that has

00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.000
 happened to

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.519
 us.

00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:52.779
 You have

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.479
 been just.

00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.159
 You have

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.339
 acted faithfully

00:16:55.339 --> 00:16:56.579
 why we

00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:57.859
 did wrong.

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.759
 Ezra's

00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.939
 prayer is

00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:03.719
 not just a

00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:04.680
 history lesson.

00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.539
 He brings

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.539
 it right

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.339
 down to

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:08.940
 present

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.839
 ownership of

00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:11.019
 failure and

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.059
 acknowledgement of

00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.759
 God's goodness.

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.299
 His prayer

00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:16.019
 here is an

00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.180
 implicit plea

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.920
 for mercy.

00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.920
 Verses 36

00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.680
 and 37

00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.580
 twice state

00:17:21.580 --> 00:17:22.080
 the condition

00:17:22.080 --> 00:17:22.580
 of God's

00:17:22.580 --> 00:17:23.560
 people as

00:17:23.560 --> 00:17:24.720
 being slaves.

00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:25.860
 They are in

00:17:25.860 --> 00:17:26.779
 great distress,

00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.320
 it says.

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.420
 They might be

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.380
 back now in

00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:29.900
 the promised

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.740
 land, but

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.600
 they are still

00:17:31.600 --> 00:17:32.519
 under foreign

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.100
 control.

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.279
 And so

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.500
 Ezra's prayer

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.600
 is implicitly

00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.620
 asking God,

00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:42.180
 have your

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:43.080
 mercies dried

00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:43.399
 up?

00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.539
 Have your

00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:46.960
 great

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.899
 compassions

00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:48.679
 ceased?

00:17:50.419 --> 00:17:50.939
 Will you

00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:51.939
 now forsake

00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:52.319
 what you

00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.279
 have refused

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.039
 to forsake

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.919
 all these

00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.439
 centuries?

00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.899
 Notice

00:17:59.899 --> 00:18:01.500
 that they

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.199
 don't direct

00:18:02.199 --> 00:18:03.439
 God to

00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:04.099
 do anything.

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.939
 They don't

00:18:05.939 --> 00:18:06.240
 know what

00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.759
 the outcome

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.299
 will be.

00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.720
 They do,

00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.019
 however,

00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:10.679
 commit to do

00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.439
 something themselves.

00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.019
 Have a look

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.819
 at verse 38.

00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:17.099
 this is the

00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.819
 great renewal.

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.759
 In view of

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.399
 all this,

00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:23.500
 all what?

00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.720
 All the

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.819
 century-longs

00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.700
 of great,

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.259
 mighty,

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.139
 awesome,

00:18:30.439 --> 00:18:31.279
 covenant-keeping,

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.079
 loving work

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.599
 of God.

00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:34.079
 In view of

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.980
 all this,

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.339
 we are making

00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:36.859
 a binding

00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.439
 agreement,

00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.299
 putting it in

00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.700
 writing,

00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.299
 and our

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.659
 leaders,

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.399
 our Levites,

00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:40.720
 and our

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.299
 priests are

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.460
 fixing their

00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.059
 seals to

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.240
 it.

00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.779
 They confess

00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.440
 their failure.

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.420
 They ask

00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.019
 God for

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.480
 mercy,

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.420
 but they're

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.079
 not taking

00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.680
 that mercy

00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.240
 for granted.

00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:51.519
 In view of

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.140
 God's mercy

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.480
 from the past,

00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.360
 they commit

00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:55.600
 themselves to

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.180
 covenant

00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.420
 obedience in

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.240
 verse 38.

00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.759
 The details of

00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.279
 what they commit

00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.279
 themselves to

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.019
 are in

00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.880
 chapter 10.

00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.280
 they make

00:19:04.280 --> 00:19:05.060
 six pledges

00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:05.980
 in chapter 10

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.060
 and they

00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:07.620
 all have to

00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:07.940
 do with

00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.300
 the law

00:19:08.300 --> 00:19:08.580
 and the

00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:08.980
 temple.

00:19:09.280 --> 00:19:09.860
 Time doesn't

00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.320
 permit to

00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:10.620
 go into

00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:10.900
 all the

00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.480
 details,

00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:12.220
 but the

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.860
 pledges of

00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.240
 commitment

00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.680
 have to

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.040
 do with

00:19:14.040 --> 00:19:14.900
 how these

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.020
 people are

00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:16.920
 to rightly

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.680
 relate to

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.120
 God.

00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.640
 My friends,

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.100
 this is

00:19:22.100 --> 00:19:22.780
 willed,

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.820
 principled,

00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:24.740
 binding,

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.480
 written,

00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.120
 corporate

00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:26.900
 agreement to

00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.600
 pursue the

00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:27.920
 covenant

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.420
 together.

00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:31.120
 God's

00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:31.960
 inexhaustible

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.620
 grace through

00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:34.600
 history is

00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.200
 the basis

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:36.279
 of this

00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:36.640
 covenant

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.160
 renewal.

00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:40.100
 The return

00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.740
 to covenant

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.400
 faithfulness is

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.380
 not just seen

00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.240
 in walls being

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.560
 built.

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.720
 And it's not

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.340
 just seen in

00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:48.880
 the reverence

00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.320
 for the word

00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.840
 of God.

00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:53.019
 Not even in

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.620
 grieving over

00:19:53.620 --> 00:19:54.060
 sin.

00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:56.960
 They're all

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.680
 part of the

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.019
 covenant

00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.579
 renewal.

00:19:59.500 --> 00:19:59.859
 What is

00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.599
 needed is

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.240
 a return

00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.900
 to God

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.660
 in relationship

00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.279
 of obedience.

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:05.720
 These

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.980
 pledges are,

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.619
 if you like,

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.559
 the fruits that

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.460
 show repentance.

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:10.900
 Their

00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.660
 brokenness of

00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.740
 heart is

00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.379
 not content

00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:14.299
 to simply

00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.279
 moan and

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.119
 groan,

00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.420
 but it

00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.940
 whips out a

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.720
 pen and a

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.019
 piece of

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.779
 paper and it

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.299
 makes a

00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.460
 list of

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.139
 how it

00:20:23.139 --> 00:20:23.480
 will be

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.319
 revealed in

00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:24.720
 repentance.

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.859
 The

00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.599
 centuries of

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:29.980
 God's

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.400
 faithful

00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:30.980
 mercy and

00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.559
 provision to

00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.279
 the faithless

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.980
 and ungrateful

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.180
 people has

00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.000
 stirred the

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.420
 returned

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.319
 exiles to

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:36.960
 renew their

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.980
 commitment to

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.660
 their covenant

00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.440
 with Yahweh.

00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.539
 Their return to

00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.460
 the covenant is

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.440
 seen in their

00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.319
 faithfulness to the

00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:44.559
 covenant

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.379
 requirements.

00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:50.440
 just before

00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.080
 his death on

00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:51.520
 the first

00:20:51.520 --> 00:20:52.080
 Easter,

00:20:52.760 --> 00:20:53.060
 the Lord

00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:53.860
 Jesus said he

00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:54.540
 was establishing

00:20:54.540 --> 00:20:54.940
 a new

00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.280
 covenant.

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.820
 Luke 22

00:20:57.820 --> 00:20:58.700
 verses 19

00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.140
 to 20

00:20:59.140 --> 00:20:59.820
 records the

00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:00.360
 occasion.

00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:01.740
 It says he

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.340
 took bread,

00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.560
 gave thanks and

00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.040
 broke it,

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.040
 and he gave

00:21:05.040 --> 00:21:05.580
 it to them

00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.460
 saying,

00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.720
 this is my

00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.320
 body given

00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:08.780
 for you,

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.680
 do this in

00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.360
 remembrance of

00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:10.580
 me.

00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.180
 In the same

00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:12.860
 way after the

00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.480
 supper he took

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.580
 the cup saying,

00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.240
 this cup is

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.539
 the new

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.059
 covenant in

00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.480
 my blood

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:16.859
 which is

00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.299
 poured out

00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:17.799
 for you.

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.680
 The apostle

00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.099
 Paul picks

00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.740
 up Jesus'

00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.299
 words in

00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.859
 1 Corinthians

00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.339
 11.

00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.700
 He picks

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.160
 them up to

00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.720
 a church

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.099
 that is

00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.680
 declared to

00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.059
 be the

00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.579
 people of

00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:27.960
 God,

00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.000
 but you

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.519
 could hardly

00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.359
 tell by the

00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:30.680
 way that

00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.299
 they lived.

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.059
 Verse 23

00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.799
 of 1 Corinthians

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.339
 11 says,

00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.680
 the Lord

00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.319
 Jesus on the

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:36.720
 night he was

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.279
 betrayed took

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.599
 bread,

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.480
 and when he

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.000
 had given

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.539
 thanks he

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.140
 broke it and

00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.660
 said, this is

00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.319
 my body which

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.900
 is for you,

00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:43.200
 do this in

00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.819
 remembrance of

00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.000
 me.

00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.140
 In the

00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:45.640
 same way,

00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.519
 after supper he

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:46.880
 took the

00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.480
 cup saying,

00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.660
 this cup is

00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:48.980
 the new

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.539
 covenant in

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.039
 my blood,

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.000
 do this

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.539
 whenever you

00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.160
 drink it in

00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.779
 remembrance of

00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:52.980
 me.

00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.400
 Notice first

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.000
 of all that the

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.700
 Lord's Supper is

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.380
 about remembering

00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.059
 the Lord Jesus

00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.640
 and all that we

00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.299
 have in him.

00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:02.099
 As his covenant

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.539
 commitment and

00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:05.440
 obedience is so

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.920
 much about

00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:06.380
 remembrance.

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.560
 remembrance.

00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:10.120
 Jesus is the

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.720
 fulfillment of

00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.420
 centuries of

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.300
 God's grace and

00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:12.920
 patience and

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.460
 mercy and

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.540
 goodness and

00:22:14.540 --> 00:22:16.540
 kindness, and

00:22:16.540 --> 00:22:17.560
 Paul calls this

00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:18.040
 church of

00:22:18.040 --> 00:22:19.320
 Corinth to

00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:20.340
 remember Jesus,

00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:22.200
 remember the

00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.560
 gospel.

00:22:24.260 --> 00:22:25.480
 But reading on,

00:22:25.580 --> 00:22:26.300
 we see that the

00:22:26.300 --> 00:22:27.340
 Lord's Supper is

00:22:27.340 --> 00:22:28.420
 also about

00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.380
 covenant renewal.

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.160
 Verse 26 says,

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.019
 whenever you eat

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.320
 this bread and

00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:35.180
 drink this cup,

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.060
 you proclaim the

00:22:36.060 --> 00:22:36.820
 Lord's death

00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:38.160
 until he comes.

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.580
 When you partake

00:22:40.580 --> 00:22:41.160
 in the Lord's

00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.200
 Supper, you are

00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.980
 declaring your

00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.920
 allegiance to the

00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:45.500
 Lord Jesus and

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:47.759
 commitment to a

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.840
 covenant relationship

00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.460
 with him.

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.820
 And when we read

00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:53.160
 on further into

00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.480
 1 Corinthians 11,

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.540
 we know that this

00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:56.600
 is a very serious

00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:57.120
 commitment.

00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.040
 Therefore, whoever

00:22:59.040 --> 00:22:59.920
 eats the bread or

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.640
 drinks the cup of

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.279
 the Lord in an

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.060
 unworthy manner,

00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.320
 will be guilty of

00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.700
 sinning against the

00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.820
 body and blood of

00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:06.240
 the Lord.

00:23:07.040 --> 00:23:07.880
 A person ought to

00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:09.019
 examine themselves

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.540
 before they eat of

00:23:10.540 --> 00:23:11.259
 the bread or drink

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.800
 of the cup.

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.000
 For anyone who

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.800
 eats and drinks

00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:14.800
 without recognizing

00:23:14.800 --> 00:23:15.540
 the body of the

00:23:15.540 --> 00:23:16.740
 Lord, eats and

00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.940
 drinks judgment on

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.400
 themselves.

00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:23.600
 When we take this

00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:25.519
 bread and we take

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:28.360
 this cup, we are

00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:28.960
 saying amongst

00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.019
 other things, I

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.920
 remember the mercy

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.519
 and the forgiveness

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.059
 of the Lord

00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.420
 Jesus.

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.879
 And so to take

00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:37.859
 this bread and

00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.279
 to drink from

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:41.339
 this cup, while

00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.500
 acting like sin

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.319
 doesn't matter,

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.680
 despising other

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:49.519
 people, cherishing

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.500
 and nurturing secret

00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:52.059
 sin, malicious

00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.900
 talk, slander,

00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.519
 gossip, judging

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.559
 motives, embellishing

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.519
 the truth, greed,

00:23:58.519 --> 00:24:00.680
 ingratitude, sharing

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.660
 information that's

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:04.319
 not yours, sarcasm.

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.960
 That's to profane

00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.420
 the covenant.

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:20.960
 it's taking the

00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.640
 Lord's Supper and

00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.680
 instead of renewing

00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.220
 the covenant in

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.880
 that moment, you're

00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.779
 blaspheming against

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.259
 the covenant.

00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.359
 covenant.

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.519
 And that's why the

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.119
 Lord's Supper is

00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:35.720
 never to be an

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.920
 automatic, unthought

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:38.039
 through, ritualistic

00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.879
 outward form.

00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.559
 In recommitting

00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.799
 ourselves to him, he

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:44.180
 calls on us to

00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:46.480
 examine our lives, to

00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:48.799
 make sure that we

00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.420
 make much of our

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:53.140
 sin so that we

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:53.920
 would mourn it

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:55.259
 rather than conceal

00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.500
 it or excuse it

00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:58.319
 and so that we

00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:58.960
 would repent of

00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.319
 it and pursue

00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.019
 change.

00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.779
 Friends, this is so

00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.619
 essential for us.

00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.099
 It is the

00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.920
 difference between

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.779
 genuine remorse

00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.779
 and empty words.

00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.039
 And genuine

00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.220
 remorse is at the

00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.140
 heart of covenant

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.660
 renewal.

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.299
 At the end of

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:19.220
 Nehemiah 9, Ezra

00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.640
 turns the attention

00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.619
 on the people

00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.440
 standing right

00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.140
 there in front of

00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:24.819
 him and including

00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.759
 himself in that.

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.439
 They had a long

00:25:28.439 --> 00:25:29.399
 history of God's

00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.299
 goodness and mercy

00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.299
 expressed to them.

00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.419
 They instead had a

00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:35.339
 long history of

00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.819
 having unrepentant

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:38.299
 hearts and lack of

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.460
 change and renewal.

00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.000
 Ezra, in praying

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.859
 this prayer at the

00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.200
 end, knew his place

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.779
 in history.

00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.679
 Do we?

00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:53.440
 This is a church

00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.480
 that has a

00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.160
 Bible teaching

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.019
 history that we're

00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.700
 proud of.

00:25:59.060 --> 00:26:00.500
 We sit in the

00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.220
 biblically rich

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.299
 reformed evangelical

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:02.980
 tradition.

00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:05.140
 We've had many

00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:06.240
 great names in our

00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.640
 pulpit.

00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.320
 We have access

00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:10.480
 to the very best

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.039
 of Christian

00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.460
 literature,

00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:12.840
 conferences,

00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.120
 Bible colleges.

00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:16.079
 We are part of a

00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.919
 diocese with a

00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:18.099
 very strong

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.939
 doctrinal and

00:26:18.939 --> 00:26:19.739
 gospel heritage.

00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.439
 We have access

00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:22.599
 to any number of

00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.539
 Bible translations

00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.500
 in the English

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.139
 language.

00:26:25.979 --> 00:26:26.919
 We have the

00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:27.599
 word of God.

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.339
 We know the

00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:29.039
 word of God.

00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.319
 It's even on

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.059
 some of our

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.459
 laps.

00:26:32.739 --> 00:26:33.239
 And for those

00:26:33.239 --> 00:26:33.819
 who it's not,

00:26:35.219 --> 00:26:36.119
 make sure it is.

00:26:39.939 --> 00:26:40.819
 Some of the most

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.919
 sobering words of

00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.579
 scripture are in

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.500
 Matthew chapter 11

00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.099
 where Jesus

00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.159
 pronounces judgment

00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.139
 on two cities

00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:48.139
 amongst God's

00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:49.259
 people who did

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.379
 not repent when

00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:51.079
 they were confronted

00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:51.639
 with the Lord

00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.639
 Jesus, the word

00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.119
 of God.

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.619
 He said to

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:57.019
 them, it

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.899
 would be better

00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.919
 off for those

00:26:58.919 --> 00:27:00.099
 other two pagan

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.279
 cities up to

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:03.599
 the north who

00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.059
 have never been

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.119
 experienced the

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.679
 gospel, never

00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:07.859
 even had me in

00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:08.500
 their midst.

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:09.939
 It would be

00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:10.419
 better for them

00:27:10.419 --> 00:27:10.919
 on the day of

00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:11.199
 judgment.

00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.339
 The principle

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:15.059
 is, he

00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.759
 who has been

00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:17.839
 given much, much

00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.439
 is expected.

00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.779
 Imagine Jesus

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.799
 saying on the

00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.460
 day of judgment,

00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.199
 woe to you

00:27:24.199 --> 00:27:25.699
 Chatswood, it

00:27:25.699 --> 00:27:26.359
 would be better

00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.980
 for Kabul

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:28.079
 Afghanistan than

00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.759
 for you on the

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.439
 day of judgment.

00:27:32.919 --> 00:27:33.899
 Or, woe to

00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.359
 you St.

00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.240
 Paul's Chatswood,

00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.519
 it would be

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.099
 better for the

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.220
 Lakemba mosque on

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.679
 the day of

00:27:38.679 --> 00:27:39.339
 judgment than it

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.139
 would be for you.

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:44.779
 some very

00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:46.019
 sobering words.

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.639
 And in case

00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:49.559
 you think I

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:51.059
 am removing

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.879
 myself from

00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:54.240
 this, there's

00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.559
 some very

00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.199
 sobering words

00:27:55.199 --> 00:27:55.480
 for me

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.199
 personally in

00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:56.659
 James chapter

00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.619
 3 verse 1,

00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:58.919
 not many of

00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.279
 you should

00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.879
 presume to be

00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:00.559
 teachers, my

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.839
 brothers, because

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.679
 you know that

00:28:02.679 --> 00:28:03.359
 we who teach

00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.859
 will be judged

00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.439
 more strictly.

00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:07.160
 every time I

00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:08.420
 call others to

00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.360
 obedience as I'm

00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.039
 calling you to

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.940
 right now and

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.460
 don't do it

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:13.480
 myself, I'm

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.100
 compounding

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.680
 judgment for

00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.180
 myself.

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.279
 To those who

00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:21.360
 have much, much

00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:22.660
 as is expected.

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.440
 When I call us to

00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.039
 renew covenant

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.059
 faithfulness with

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:29.140
 Jesus, what I'm

00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.980
 not saying here

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.779
 this morning is

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.580
 take a deep

00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.360
 breath and say,

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.580
 here goes, I'm

00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:33.960
 going to give it

00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:34.759
 my best shot, I'm

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.139
 going to pull up

00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:35.779
 my socks.

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.679
 That's legalism.

00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:38.759
 That's not what

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.359
 I'm calling you

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.559
 to.

00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.299
 What I'm saying

00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:43.599
 is in view of

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.740
 the history of

00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.899
 God's grace and

00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:47.699
 mercy, with such

00:28:47.699 --> 00:28:49.319
 a God as this,

00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.799
 there is hope

00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.679
 that I will get

00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.480
 the help that I

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.980
 need and when I

00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:56.859
 fail and repent,

00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.679
 he will forgive

00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.879
 me and take me

00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.259
 back.

00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.519
 I will continue

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.399
 to press on in

00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:03.940
 the promises

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.519
 that I have

00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.460
 made to live

00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:06.580
 in such a

00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.740
 way that I'll

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.640
 proclaim the

00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.380
 Lord's death

00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:10.160
 until he

00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.820
 returns.

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.000
 The grace of

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.920
 the Lord Jesus

00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:16.640
 fuels our

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.580
 covenant renewal.

00:29:20.340 --> 00:29:21.080
 So friends,

00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:21.400
 I'm going to

00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:24.240
 lead us into a

00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.940
 time of covenant

00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.740
 renewal now.

00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.400
 As I've said,

00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:28.960
 do not make

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.580
 much less of

00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.179
 your sin.

00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.639
 As we do

00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.039
 this, I'm

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.539
 very much

00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.359
 reminded of

00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:40.559
 two things

00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:40.779
 that are at

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.199
 the heartbeat

00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:41.720
 of Charles

00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.379
 Simeon's

00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.639
 spiritual life,

00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.119
 a growing

00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.699
 downward in

00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:45.359
 humility and

00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:45.699
 a growing

00:29:45.699 --> 00:29:46.319
 upward in

00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.759
 adoration and

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.299
 communion with

00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.679
 God.

00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.439
 I once said

00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.039
 in a sermon

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.099
 that the

00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.799
 remarkable thing

00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.639
 about humiliation

00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.460
 and adoration in

00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.839
 the mind of

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.740
 Charles Simeon is

00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.480
 that they were

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.319
 inseparable.

00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.339
 They go

00:29:59.339 --> 00:29:59.759
 together.

00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.799
 For him,

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.660
 adoration of

00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.559
 Christ only

00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.900
 grew in the

00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:06.039
 freshly ploughed

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.599
 soil of

00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.720
 humiliation for

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.059
 sin.

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.400
 He actually

00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.099
 labored to

00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.019
 know his

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.980
 true sinfulness,

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.799
 not to excuse

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.579
 it, not to

00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.299
 make less of

00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.519
 it.

00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:21.240
 But he had

00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.900
 no fear of

00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.680
 turning up every

00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.319
 sin in his

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.599
 life and looking

00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.319
 upon it with

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.240
 grief and with

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.599
 hatred because

00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.599
 he had such a

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.039
 vision of

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.500
 Christ's

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.099
 sufficiency.

00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.819
 And so with

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.099
 those words,

00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.339
 words from God

00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:38.859
 fresh in our

00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.299
 mind in the

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.819
 example of

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.519
 Charles Simeon,

00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.220
 will you bow

00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.660
 your heads and

00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.200
 pray with me?

00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.240
 Great and

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.880
 awesome God,

00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:50.339
 we confess our

00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.240
 sins this day.

00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.099
 You have been

00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:56.039
 gracious not only

00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.720
 in the great

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.539
 moments of

00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.579
 redemptive history,

00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:00.019
 but in our

00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.019
 small history,

00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:04.639
 pouring out

00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.639
 reformation and

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.579
 revival in the

00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.399
 lives of many.

00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:10.339
 You have given

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.299
 us your spirit,

00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.339
 drawing us to

00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:12.799
 yourself.

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.500
 You have been so

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.139
 good to us,

00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:15.420
 Father.

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.099
 You have given

00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:16.879
 us the Bible,

00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.460
 preachers,

00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.980
 community group

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.359
 leaders,

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.019
 courses,

00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:21.720
 literature,

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.619
 conferences,

00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.819
 theological

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.500
 colleges,

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.639
 mission societies,

00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.659
 strong churches

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.699
 and constant

00:31:27.699 --> 00:31:28.759
 exposure to the

00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.439
 communion of the

00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:29.799
 saints.

00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.699
 All in the part

00:31:31.699 --> 00:31:32.479
 of a world where

00:31:32.479 --> 00:31:33.519
 there is relatively

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.659
 little strife

00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.779
 compared to many

00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:37.059
 parts and

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:38.579
 comparatively many

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.779
 freedoms compared to

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.579
 many parts.

00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:43.259
 We can just get in

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.539
 our car and go to

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.019
 Courant.

00:31:46.219 --> 00:31:47.799
 You are so good to

00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:48.159
 us.

00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.859
 But we have been

00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.159
 wicked.

00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.659
 We have not feared

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.299
 your word.

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.240
 We have not acted

00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.220
 as if we believed

00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.259
 the promises or

00:31:59.259 --> 00:32:00.099
 trembled as if we

00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:00.680
 feared your

00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.099
 judgment.

00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:03.379
 We enjoy all the

00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.240
 trinkets of a

00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:06.279
 passing society and

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.200
 have not lived with

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.519
 eternity's values and

00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:10.200
 views despite the

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.480
 warning you have

00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.139
 given us,

00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.720
 our Lord.

00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.599
 We have loved

00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.119
 ourselves.

00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:15.319
 ourselves.

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:19.119
 While confessing

00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.119
 that we are to

00:32:20.119 --> 00:32:20.979
 love you with all

00:32:20.979 --> 00:32:21.799
 of our heart and

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.619
 our soul and our

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.159
 mind and our

00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:25.119
 strength and to

00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:25.839
 love our neighbours

00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.759
 as ourselves,

00:32:28.459 --> 00:32:30.019
 so many of our

00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.500
 decisions reveal

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.359
 that we don't.

00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.539
 They have really

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.539
 been bound up with

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:37.039
 self-interest and

00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.119
 self-fulfillment and

00:32:38.119 --> 00:32:39.039
 family promotion.

00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:42.079
 We love money more

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.759
 than service.

00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.759
 We want self-fulfillment

00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:46.219
 more than self-doubt.

00:32:46.959 --> 00:32:47.599
 We entertain

00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.979
 ourselves to death.

00:32:49.699 --> 00:32:50.500
 We have so many

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.599
 things to do that we

00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:52.179
 can't do the

00:32:52.179 --> 00:32:53.059
 important things.

00:32:54.219 --> 00:32:55.179
 We have often

00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:55.979
 drifted towards

00:32:55.979 --> 00:32:56.639
 prayerlessness.

00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.839
 We've got multiple

00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.659
 Bibles that are

00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:01.219
 hardly read, a

00:33:01.219 --> 00:33:02.500
 domesticated gospel,

00:33:03.199 --> 00:33:04.139
 little passion for

00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:04.879
 holiness and

00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.359
 righteousness,

00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.019
 worship and the

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.739
 glory of God.

00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.579
 We've drifted

00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:11.019
 towards coolness in

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.859
 all things of the

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:13.459
 faith so that we

00:33:13.459 --> 00:33:14.679
 exercise them with a

00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:16.279
 sense of duty but

00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.380
 no longer a delight.

00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.600
 We've become two

00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.060
 people.

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.220
 Outwardly there is

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.940
 still a kind of

00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:25.000
 conformity to

00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.220
 expected piety

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:28.060
 while inwardly we

00:33:28.060 --> 00:33:29.140
 succumb to jealousy

00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.140
 and rivalries.

00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.140
 Our pleasures are

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:33.039
 bound up with who

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:34.240
 wins in the football

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.880
 or shopping or the

00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.980
 opera or travel,

00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.160
 much more than they

00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:40.019
 are bound up with

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:41.100
 someone coming to you.

00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:43.879
 Sometimes, Lord, we

00:33:43.879 --> 00:33:44.599
 even doubt your

00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:44.899
 word.

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.099
 We go through the

00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:48.959
 motions but we no

00:33:48.959 --> 00:33:49.939
 longer believe that

00:33:49.939 --> 00:33:50.980
 Christ is building his

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.359
 church.

00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.939
 We confess, Lord God,

00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.000
 that frequently we

00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.599
 succumb to

00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.159
 covetousness.

00:33:58.159 --> 00:33:59.339
 Some of us dishonour

00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.039
 our parents.

00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:02.079
 Some of us really do

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.119
 not hunger for purity

00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:04.519
 of mind or heart.

00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:06.619
 We make little of some

00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.000
 sin.

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:09.339
 We make excuses for

00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:09.880
 our failure.

00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.579
 We point the finger

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.620
 and we blame others.

00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:15.019
 We're affronted when

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.120
 someone points out to

00:34:16.120 --> 00:34:17.240
 us the obvious sin

00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:17.940
 that we harbour.

00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:22.260
 We hear your voice

00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:23.720
 saying, be holy for I

00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:25.640
 am holy but it does

00:34:25.640 --> 00:34:26.460
 not stir us.

00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:29.019
 We don't grieve over

00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:29.960
 sin as you do.

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:35.140
 But you are holy

00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:38.079
 and you are pure.

00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:45.079
 Will you not

00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:46.199
 forgive us our sins,

00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.359
 most mirthful Father,

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.980
 by the merits of the

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:50.000
 Lord Jesus Christ?

00:34:51.879 --> 00:34:53.519
 Will you not renew a

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.779
 right spirit within us?

00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:59.319
 Will you not renew your

00:34:59.319 --> 00:35:00.420
 covenant faithfulness to

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:00.719
 us?

00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.279
 Have mercy on us

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.980
 and revive us,

00:35:05.080 --> 00:35:05.519
 we pray,

00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.560
 for the glory of your

00:35:07.560 --> 00:35:07.880
 name.

00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:09.760
 Amen.

00:35:09.760 --> 00:35:09.860
 Amen.

00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:28.480
 Affście B woh tu

00:35:28.640 --> 00:35:29.620
 to the heavenly

00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:31.099
 new

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:33.200
 work and

00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:33.740
 you

00:35:33.740 --> 00:35:35.519
 can

00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:35.840
 see.

00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.640
 Let's

00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:36.860
 see.