WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.939 be seated. Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:13.460 Mountain Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:17.879 welcome. If you're new or visiting with us, we're glad that you're here, and we're glad 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:21.800 that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:27.400 Jesus together as one community. And as we follow Jesus together, we've become convinced 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:32.600 that there's no one so good, they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:37.759 have it, which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:43.480 Word. We're continuing this week our series in the book of Judges, and you'll remember 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:49.519 that the book of Judges is about many things. It's about the need for constant revival and 00:00:49.519 --> 00:00:56.719 renewal among God's people. It's about the need for a true and faithful king, a king 00:00:56.719 --> 00:01:01.640 who can do what no human king can do, which is to change the hearts of men, and it's about 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:09.480 the power of spirit-enabled leadership. You'll also remember that the Judges, as we think about 00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:14.180 the story of God's people in the Old Testament, come after they've been rescued from Egypt, 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:20.659 but before God gives them kings. So this is before King Saul, after their wanderings in the 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:25.060 wilderness, after God's brought them out of slavery in Egypt, and they are supposed to be 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:29.579 doing what was started in the book of Joshua. Joshua went with them to take the promised 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:33.340 land, and so they're supposed to finish what they started of clearing out the nations. 00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:38.520 Two weeks ago, at the very beginning, we saw the first introduction to the book of Judges, 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:44.460 and the problem there was that there was partial, not complete obedience. God's people failed 00:01:44.460 --> 00:01:50.640 to remember His power in the past, and they also failed to trust His promises for the present 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:55.859 in the future. In other words, they refused to take God at His word. And then last week, 00:01:55.900 --> 00:02:00.420 we saw the second introduction where we had the lost generation. Things were good as long 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:06.239 as Joshua and the elders with him were alive, but as soon as they died, things went off the rails. 00:02:06.359 --> 00:02:11.099 And so we talked about the challenge and the opportunity and the responsibility of passing 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:13.319 on our faith to the next generation. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:19.780 Now, that catches us up to where we are at this week, and we left on an ominous note last week. 00:02:19.879 --> 00:02:22.060 You may remember verse 15 said this, 00:02:22.579 --> 00:02:29.099 And they were in terrible distress, which is a little bit of a cliffhanger. And you'll remember 00:02:29.099 --> 00:02:34.079 they're in terrible distress for a variety of reasons. They're in terrible distress because 00:02:34.079 --> 00:02:38.099 they had forsaken the Lord. And then in that same verse, verse 15, it says, 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:42.739 the hand of the Lord was against them. That means that the question this week is, 00:02:43.079 --> 00:02:48.740 how is Israel going to get out of this mess? They are in terrible distress. 00:02:50.259 --> 00:02:57.539 How are they going to get out of it? What's going to be the solution to their problem? 00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:01.479 And we're going to see three things this morning. We're going to talk about first, hard hearts. 00:03:02.079 --> 00:03:07.340 We're going to see a merciful God. And then we will also at the end see a greater judge. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:15.780 Hard hearts, merciful God, and greater judge. It's with that I invite you to turn with me now 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:22.719 to God's Word. You can turn in your worship guide. You can turn on your phone. You can open up your Bible. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:27.680 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word. And God reminds us that His Word 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:34.060 is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. And it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:38.819 straight from the honeycomb, which is why we read now Judges 2, starting at verse 16. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:44.400 Then the Lord raised up judges who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:49.879 Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:54.079 They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:58.060 who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. 00:03:58.859 --> 00:03:59.560 Verse 18. 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:03.699 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, 00:04:03.699 --> 00:04:07.759 and He saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. 00:04:08.459 --> 00:04:13.659 For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. 00:04:14.299 --> 00:04:18.980 But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, 00:04:19.539 --> 00:04:23.459 going after other gods, serving them, and bowing down to them. 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:28.639 They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:32.180 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. 00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:33.319 And He said, 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:39.819 Because this people have transgressed My covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed My voice, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:45.579 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:53.040 in order to test Israel by them whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did or not. 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:56.879 So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:00.420 and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua. 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:30.420 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:34.800 Before the testing of Israel to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, 00:05:35.340 --> 00:05:38.040 which He commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. 00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:45.780 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:52.799 And their daughters they took to themselves for wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, 00:05:53.039 --> 00:05:55.959 and they served their gods. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:06:00.979 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:09.099 Our Father in Heaven, we thank You again, as we do every week, that You speak to us in Your Word. 00:06:09.539 --> 00:06:12.199 We ask that You would do it again this week, 00:06:12.579 --> 00:06:19.079 that You would show us clearly and precisely our need for Your mercy and Your grace. 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:23.800 And You would also show us that You meet us at that very same need, 00:06:23.919 --> 00:06:25.859 that You would challenge us and encourage us, 00:06:25.919 --> 00:06:30.719 that we would see Your love and Your power and Your authority and Your mercy 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:33.159 towards men and women like us. 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:36.219 Most of all, we ask that You would show us Jesus Christ, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:39.599 that we would see and know His glory and His beauty. 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:43.240 And we ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:43.919 Amen. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:44.060 Amen. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:54.819 In 1999, a young man named Christopher Miller decided to walk into Stride Wright, 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:59.720 a shoe store, on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, New Jersey, 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:03.840 because he wanted to steal. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:05.460 So he did that. 00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:08.020 He tied up the employees, he put them in the back room, 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:10.379 and he made out with some cash. 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:12.340 Now, he was arrested shortly thereafter, 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:15.519 and he ended up serving 15 years in prison. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:18.019 Now, that's relatively boring. 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:20.019 Robbery happens all the time. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:21.859 People end up in prison all the time. 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:25.879 What's interesting about this story is not how it began, but how it ended. 00:07:26.659 --> 00:07:29.939 So, 1999, he starts his 15-year prison sentence. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:33.000 He's released in 2014, 15 years later. 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:36.519 He is now not 25 years old, he is 40 years old. 00:07:37.039 --> 00:07:40.399 What is the first thing that he does when he's released from prison? 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.000 Well, he takes a bus. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:48.859 He goes to the Stride Wright shoe store on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, New Jersey, 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:50.579 and robs it again. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:56.179 In fact, he tries to have an almost identical robbery. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:59.639 And just like the previous robbery, he's quickly arrested again. 00:08:00.359 --> 00:08:02.699 And so they ask the police chief, why do you think this happened? 00:08:02.739 --> 00:08:06.419 And he said, well, maybe that's the only life he knows. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:09.980 Maybe he's become so used to prison, he wants to return again. 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:14.420 Of course, that's simply a guess, right? 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:15.020 That's a theory. 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:16.660 That's why the police chief says maybe. 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:19.740 There's one thing we know for sure. 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:23.819 Prison restrained him. 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:26.540 It did not change him. 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:29.480 Prison restrained him. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.680 It did not change them. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:34.039 Remember, I told you the question of this passage is, 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:35.599 what is going to happen to Israel? 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:36.639 They are in a mess. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:38.839 How are they going to get out? 00:08:39.459 --> 00:08:40.779 And the answer is this. 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.179 They're not. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.819 Israel is not going to get out of their mess, 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:46.919 at least not permanently, 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:53.259 because they are going to return to the same thing over and over and over. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:56.000 In fact, it's such a pattern that it's become known 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:58.679 in the studies of Judges as the Judges cycle. 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.980 God's people will be restrained. 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:05.300 They will not be changed. 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:10.340 We're reminded of the problem at the very end of last week's passage. 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:11.500 Remember verse 15? 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:13.860 And they were in great distress. 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:16.480 Of course, this is because they were passed by the nations around them. 00:09:16.800 --> 00:09:18.500 And so that problem requires a solution. 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:21.340 We meet the solution at the very beginning of this passage. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:22.500 Verse 16, 00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:25.340 Then the Lord raised up Judges. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:27.399 Now, when we talk about Judges, 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:31.240 it's important to have clarity on what they are and what they are not. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.620 You have a quote on the back of your worship guide, 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:35.620 which I'll briefly summarize for you, which is this. 00:09:35.680 --> 00:09:37.740 When we think about Judges in the Old Testament, 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:42.620 we are not talking about people in black robes who sit in courtrooms. 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:45.680 When we talk about Judges in the Old Testament, 00:09:45.899 --> 00:09:48.419 we are talking about military leaders. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:50.220 And that makes sense, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:52.580 because the problem and the solution need to go together. 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:55.299 The problem is that they are oppressed by other nations. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:56.940 What would the solution then be? 00:09:56.940 --> 00:10:00.400 It would be that they would have someone to rescue them from that oppression. 00:10:00.400 --> 00:10:03.500 They would have a military leader who would be able to rise up 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:07.000 and fight against the nations that are holding them down. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:09.320 So the solution fits the problem, right? 00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:09.980 You're oppressed. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:12.540 You need a rescuer to deliver you. 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:19.020 Notice, though, that we're not told about a judge. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:22.539 We are told about Judges, plural. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:24.579 In fact, that occurs in three verses in a row. 00:10:24.699 --> 00:10:26.059 Verse 16, Judges. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.220 Verse 17, Judges. 00:10:27.319 --> 00:10:28.879 Verse 18, Judges. 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:33.620 Which is to tell us the author is not describing one event. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:36.439 He is describing many events. 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:40.199 He is telling us about what happened over and over again. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:43.840 Because, of course, these judges were not all serving simultaneously. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:47.740 It's not as if Deborah was doing her thing, 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:50.220 and at the exact same time Othniel was working, 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:52.280 and then also Shamgar was doing something. 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:52.540 No. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:55.519 These are judges that serve at different places in different times. 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:59.720 In fact, the book of Judges covers at least 200 years of history. 00:11:01.060 --> 00:11:03.700 So the author is telling us here this is a pattern. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:06.639 This is what happens over and over again. 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:08.220 We are getting, at the very beginning, 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:11.259 before we talk about any individual judge, an overview. 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:16.460 We are getting a look at what the rest of the book is going to show us. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:20.019 And, in fact, it is not encouraging or heartening. 00:11:20.439 --> 00:11:22.919 Because the pattern is this. 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.620 Verse 17 tells us, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:28.899 Yet they did not listen to their judges, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.939 for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:34.700 Didn't listen. 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:37.000 Went after other gods. 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:40.939 Now, we talked about this a little bit a week or two ago. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:42.920 If you are not a Christian, you might be wondering, 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:45.560 Okay, well, why should we really be that worried 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:46.940 that they are turning after other gods? 00:11:47.900 --> 00:11:49.280 Some people are religious. 00:11:49.760 --> 00:11:51.180 Some people are not religious. 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:54.860 And maybe Christians should be a little less uptight 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:56.940 about who worships what God. 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:58.740 Because really, we are all just trying to get along. 00:12:00.380 --> 00:12:02.880 And to that, I will tell you the same thing I told you last week, 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:03.480 which is this. 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:06.420 Everyone worships something. 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:12.000 We cannot escape the reality of religion. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.539 We are told, verse 11 from last week, 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:17.440 They did evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:23.899 When we worship anyone other than the triune God, 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.379 the true and living God of the Bible, 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:30.259 it will lead to evil. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:33.039 It will lead to destruction. 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.379 If you worship money, 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:39.960 you will choose profit over people. 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.679 You will destroy those around you. 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.120 In fact, you only need to look at the news 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.559 to see this happening all the time. 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:51.819 If you worship sexual experiences, 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:57.899 you will choose pleasure over respect for other people. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:04.319 You will choose the convenience of adults 00:13:04.319 --> 00:13:07.179 over the needs of children, 00:13:08.099 --> 00:13:09.759 sometimes over their lives. 00:13:11.479 --> 00:13:13.359 You will idolize the young, 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:15.679 and you'll discard the old. 00:13:17.559 --> 00:13:20.919 If you worship radical autonomy, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:26.659 then you'll get to experience incredible isolation. 00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:30.099 You'll see deaths of despair, 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:31.219 and at its most extreme, 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:34.159 we get to see the mutilation of people's bodies. 00:13:35.739 --> 00:13:40.099 When we worship anything other than the true God, 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:42.679 destruction and evil follow. 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:46.339 And so that's what Israel experiences over and over. 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.780 They cannot, you cannot, 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:49.120 worship other gods 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:51.820 and expect everything to turn out fine. 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:56.780 Other gods can't and won't deliver on their promises, 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.639 and so we talked about this last week. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:00.139 Verse 14, what happened? 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:02.160 Plunderers came and plundered them. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:05.120 That's what always happens 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:08.080 when we turn away from the true God. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:12.900 If you don't worship God, 00:14:13.540 --> 00:14:16.420 what do you worship? 00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:20.620 Because I guarantee you 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.940 that you worship something. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:26.639 If this is not your religion, 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:30.120 what are you religious about? 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:35.759 Because I know you are religious. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.159 Everyone worships something. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.340 And so that's the problem 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.639 that the Israelites have worked themselves into. 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.840 It's a problem, in fact, 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:48.279 that's even worse than that. 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:50.039 A couple commentators point out, 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.860 really, pattern is not the right word 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.600 to use for what happens in the judges. 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:55.440 It is not, in fact, a pattern. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.779 It is a spiral. 00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:59.379 And it's a spiral that heads down. 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:01.439 We see this in verse 19. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.959 Whenever the judge died, 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:06.579 they turned back and were more corrupt. 00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:09.839 They did not drop any of their practices 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:11.100 or their stubborn ways. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.759 In other words, 00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:16.179 things get worse every cycle. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.879 Things become more wicked, 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:21.059 judge after judge. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.819 We'll come back to that next week. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.779 We're going to see Othniel 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.939 as the first judge. 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:26.679 He's the best judge. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:28.159 That's not a coincidence. 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:31.459 Because things start out good 00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:32.339 and they get worse. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:34.439 The worst chapters of judges 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:36.179 are going to be at the very end. 00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:38.699 And so chapter 2, verse 19, 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.100 is a critical verse 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.039 for understanding 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.500 how the book of Judges functions. 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:45.360 It starts out not so great 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:47.240 and ends up really terrible. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:50.220 And it's going to get worse 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:52.819 judge after judge after judge. 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:56.000 And so that's an interpretive key. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.120 It's a paradigm 00:15:57.120 --> 00:16:00.059 for understanding the entire book. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.779 They're more corrupt. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.220 They did not drop their practices 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.639 or their stubborn ways. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:10.059 So what do we learn? 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:12.299 What does this teach us 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:13.919 at the end of chapter 2 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:15.179 and the beginning of chapter 3? 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:19.659 First, it shows us this. 00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:23.139 We need a leader 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:25.639 who is more powerful 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:27.059 than a mere man. 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:29.659 We need a leader 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.799 who is more powerful 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.959 than a mere man. 00:16:31.959 --> 00:16:32.959 Because these judges, 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.379 they're able, again, 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:34.659 remember, 00:16:34.739 --> 00:16:35.599 they're able to restrain. 00:16:35.839 --> 00:16:36.939 They're not able to change. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.919 The judges are able 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:40.319 to hold things back. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.039 They're not able 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:41.959 to fix the problem. 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.460 That's why I told you earlier, 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.460 what is the solution 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.420 to Israel's problem? 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.600 There isn't ultimately a fix. 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:49.180 Things actually get worse. 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:50.980 And so as we look 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.620 at these judges, 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.780 as we head through the book, 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.740 in what sense 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.420 are we going to see 00:16:54.420 --> 00:16:55.480 these men as models? 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.879 Well, we're going to see them 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.340 as models 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.980 in a certain sense, 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:00.100 but a very narrow sense. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.740 We're going to see them 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.400 as models 00:17:01.400 --> 00:17:03.300 in as much 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.900 as they rely on God. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.440 Okay? 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.539 In as much 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.259 as they cling 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:09.340 to God and His power. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:09.660 In fact, 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.300 we see that 00:17:10.300 --> 00:17:11.519 in verse 18 here. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.600 Whenever the Lord 00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.880 raised up judges for them, 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.500 the Lord 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.620 was with the judge. 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:19.160 These men 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:21.340 are not powerful enough, 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:24.759 and they are only powerful 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:27.460 as God is with them. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.600 These men 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.980 are not powerful enough, 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.660 and they are only powerful 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:35.480 when God is with them. 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.660 In other words, 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.980 we don't 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:41.259 and we cannot 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:43.539 put our hope 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.259 in men. 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:48.120 We don't 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:49.860 and we cannot 00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:51.720 put our hope 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.660 in earthly leaders. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:56.160 We don't 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.500 and we cannot 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.519 put our hope 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.660 in pastors 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.680 and elders 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.839 and deacons 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:04.039 and our women leaders. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.139 leaders. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.579 Because no matter 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.039 how good 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.980 we might be, 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:09.059 we cannot 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.799 change 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.659 the hearts 00:18:10.659 --> 00:18:11.480 of men. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.180 We are not 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.099 powerful 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.240 enough. 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:19.000 And so we see 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.399 first 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.180 that men, 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.119 that leaders, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.759 that humans 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.519 are insufficient. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.180 The judges 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.420 are not going 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.379 to be enough 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.599 to fix Israel. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.680 Second thing 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.059 we see 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.480 is this. 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.559 we must 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.120 have 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:34.460 radical 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.539 heart 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.000 change. 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.819 We must 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.140 have 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.599 radical 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:39.960 heart 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.420 change 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:40.839 or 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.480 we 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:41.660 will 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.059 keep 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.980 destroying 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.140 ourselves. 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.279 In fact, 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.779 this cuts 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.259 against 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.299 the religious 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.539 mindset. 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:52.319 One summary 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:52.819 of the gospel 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.559 goes like this. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.079 If you are 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.819 religious, 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:55.400 then you'll 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:55.779 say, 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:56.799 be good 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.900 like I'm 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.140 good. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:18:59.860 be good 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.340 like I'm 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:00.520 good. 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:00.800 If you're 00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:01.040 not 00:19:01.040 --> 00:19:01.400 religious, 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:01.880 you might 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.220 say, 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:02.860 well, 00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.220 we just 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.700 each need 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.160 to find 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:04.600 our own 00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:04.880 good. 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.340 The gospel 00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:07.900 says something 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.440 quite different. 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:08.800 It says, 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.560 no one is 00:19:09.560 --> 00:19:09.920 good, 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.020 only God 00:19:11.020 --> 00:19:11.420 is good. 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.280 No one 00:19:13.280 --> 00:19:13.720 is good, 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.520 only God 00:19:14.520 --> 00:19:15.000 is good. 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.220 We're 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:15.680 reminded 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.200 of our 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:16.720 need 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.580 for a 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.040 radical 00:19:18.040 --> 00:19:18.740 heart 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.540 change. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.800 The 00:19:20.800 --> 00:19:21.160 religious 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.640 person 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.160 says, 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.680 be good 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.120 like I'm 00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:23.360 good. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.180 The 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.700 non-religious 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.100 person 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.420 says, 00:19:26.540 --> 00:19:26.900 find your 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.180 own 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.480 good. 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.900 The gospel 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.300 says, 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:29.700 no one 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.220 is good, 00:19:30.540 --> 00:19:31.180 only God 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.580 is good. 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.720 I've told 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.240 you before, 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:34.759 embracing 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.400 the gospel 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.100 means admitting 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.140 two things. 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:38.940 First, 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.880 I know 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.500 I must 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.100 change, 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.020 and 00:19:43.020 --> 00:19:43.440 second, 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.680 I cannot 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.120 change 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.600 myself. 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.140 I know 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.720 I must 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.300 change, 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.400 and I 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:50.720 cannot 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.340 change 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:51.960 myself. 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:53.420 The book 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:53.840 of Judges 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:54.300 shows us 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:54.620 that with 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.160 tremendous 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.740 clarity. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.180 Verse 19, 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.120 they became 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:58.560 more 00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:59.340 corrupt. 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.200 They kept 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.620 to their 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.019 stubborn 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.140 ways. 00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:04.360 They did 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.019 not drop 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.460 any 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.480 of their 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:06.960 practices. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.779 Do you 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.160 know 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:15.640 that you 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.160 need 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.039 a radical 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.740 change 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.519 in your 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:18.779 heart? 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:23.519 do you 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:23.940 know 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:26.180 that you 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.579 cannot 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:26.899 bring 00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:27.139 about 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:27.379 that 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:27.899 change 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.740 yourself? 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.619 You 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.160 must 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:33.660 know 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:33.960 those 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.200 two 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.700 things 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:36.200 to be 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.399 able 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:36.619 to 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:36.960 embrace 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.139 the 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:37.480 gospel. 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.559 You 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.099 must 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.859 know 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.559 those 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:42.819 two 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.440 things 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.440 for 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:44.740 Jesus 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.180 to be 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.600 more 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.420 than 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:46.539 a 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:46.700 good 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.080 teacher. 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:49.940 If 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.100 you're 00:20:50.100 --> 00:20:50.440 not a 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:50.799 Christian, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.299 are you 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.759 honest 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.259 enough 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:56.120 to be 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.519 able to 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.120 say that 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:57.700 the evil 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.059 in the 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.539 world is 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.299 not just 00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.640 evil 00:20:59.640 --> 00:20:59.920 that's 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.120 out 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.400 there? 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.400 Are you 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.759 honest 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.220 enough to 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.660 say that 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:04.860 it's 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.440 also 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.400 evil 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.720 that's 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:06.920 in 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.200 here? 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:11.059 do 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.240 you 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.620 know 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.860 that 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.019 the 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.519 problems 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:13.799 of 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:13.960 the 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.380 world 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:15.259 include 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.600 you? 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.539 That's 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:18.880 the bad 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.059 news 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.299 of the 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.620 gospel. 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.340 The 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:21.620 bad 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.000 news 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.340 is that 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:22.460 we 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:22.720 must 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.180 change 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:23.319 and 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.460 we 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:23.740 cannot 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.299 change 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.940 ourselves. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.640 Being 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:27.840 a 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.180 Christian 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:30.299 is 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.580 not 00:21:30.580 --> 00:21:31.160 merely 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.680 about 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.180 believing 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.600 certain 00:21:33.600 --> 00:21:34.100 things 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.559 and 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:35.680 it 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:35.819 is 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.039 not 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.480 merely 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.420 about 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:37.680 living 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:37.960 in a 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.120 certain 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:38.440 way. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:39.880 Although 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.519 there are 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:40.980 things we 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.480 believe 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.640 and there 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.019 is a 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.339 way of 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:43.779 life to 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.099 being a 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.380 Christian. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.880 Being a 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.240 Christian is 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.620 about much 00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:46.960 more than 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.140 that. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.279 It's 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:47.460 something 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.779 deeper 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.000 than 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.180 that. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.440 It is 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:48.720 about 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.519 recognizing 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:51.500 that you 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.240 need a 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.120 supernatural 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:54.640 work in 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.480 your life 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.279 that can 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.940 only be 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.500 brought about 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.099 by God's 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.420 power. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.000 It is 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.779 recognizing 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.920 that only 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.700 the Spirit 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.500 of God 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.360 is great 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:05.980 enough 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.960 to bring 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.599 the change 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:07.960 that you 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.319 need. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.779 It is 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.299 realizing 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.059 that Paul 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:12.000 is correct 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.980 in Ephesians 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.799 chapter 1 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:14.200 when he 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:14.819 says the 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.759 same power 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.319 that raised 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.940 Christ from 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.400 the dead 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.120 is the 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:18.860 power that's 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:19.319 at work 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.079 in you. 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.400 And 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:22.799 knowing 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.940 that 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.440 resurrection 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.460 power is 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.019 the only 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.120 power that's 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.240 enough to 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.339 change our 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.700 hearts. 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:34.860 people of 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.259 Israel 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:37.019 must 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.539 change. 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.680 People of 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.039 Israel 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.740 cannot 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.120 change 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.620 themselves 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:43.880 and we 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.440 don't see 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.080 them admit 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:46.460 that in 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.140 this passage. 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:50.140 In this 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.000 whole book 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:53.840 the people 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.460 of Israel 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.700 actually need 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.940 more than 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.420 a judge 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:59.820 because a 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.519 mere man 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.200 is not 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.019 powerful 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.300 enough. 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.700 That brings 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.400 us to our 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:07.940 second point. 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:08.340 Remember I 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:08.680 told you 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.160 first we 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:09.500 would talk 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.019 about hard 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.580 hearts and 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:11.680 second a 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.539 merciful God. 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:13.340 And our 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:13.840 question at the 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.440 beginning was 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.940 what would be 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.660 the solution 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.200 to the 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.779 problem in 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.200 which Israel 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.019 finds themselves? 00:23:18.560 --> 00:23:19.000 And we've 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.620 seen verse 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.500 16 God 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:20.960 giving the 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.640 judges is 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.560 actually not 00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:23.100 a solution. 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:25.539 yes verse 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.359 15 and 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:26.659 they were 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.019 in great 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.199 distress and 00:23:28.199 --> 00:23:28.779 for the rest 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.279 of the book 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.219 and especially 00:23:30.219 --> 00:23:31.000 at the end 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.740 they are going 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.799 to be in 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.319 terrible 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:33.740 distress. 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:34.879 And so 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.339 what's God 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.599 going to 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:35.839 do? 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.099 Well 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:39.699 part of what 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:40.399 we see here 00:23:40.399 --> 00:23:40.959 is what we 00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:41.559 don't see. 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.480 Between 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.659 verses 15 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.319 and 16 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.439 there is 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:46.819 something 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.379 that's 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:47.759 missing. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.459 Verse 15 00:23:50.459 --> 00:23:51.199 and they 00:23:51.199 --> 00:23:51.599 were in 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:51.959 terrible 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.559 distress 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:54.579 verse 16 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.299 God 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:55.899 raised up 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.379 judges. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.299 What step 00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.980 did we 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.379 skip? 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.759 Nowhere 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.899 does it 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.480 say that 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:06.839 Israel 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.579 repented 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.779 and turned 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.240 from their 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.159 sinful ways. 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.859 In other 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.319 words 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.500 God 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.200 shows 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.679 mercy 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:16.359 on his 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:16.859 people 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.700 because 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.559 he's a 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:18.980 merciful 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.720 God. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.960 God 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.259 has 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:22.799 mercy 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.160 on 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.420 his 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:23.960 people 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:25.299 even 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.640 as 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:25.839 they're 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.240 turning 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.019 away 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.279 from 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.559 him. 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.779 We 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.140 find out 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:29.579 the reason 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.000 in verse 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.500 18. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.039 Whenever 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:32.440 the Lord 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:32.839 raised up 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.100 judges 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.579 for them 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.940 the Lord 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.400 was with 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:34.960 the judge 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.460 and he 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:36.860 saved them 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:37.140 from the 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.420 hand of 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:37.839 their enemies 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.299 all the 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:38.660 days of 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.140 the judge 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.140 because 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.519 they were 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:40.799 really 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.259 sorry 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.660 and they 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.140 repented. 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.100 No 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.420 it doesn't 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:43.900 say that. 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:53.200 God 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.040 rescues 00:24:54.040 --> 00:24:54.300 his 00:24:54.300 --> 00:24:54.759 people 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:57.140 because 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.360 of his 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:58.820 mercy 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.540 on them. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.700 This 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.220 groaning 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.680 language 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.080 appears 00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.780 only two 00:25:03.780 --> 00:25:04.420 other times 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.660 in the 00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.220 Old Testament 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.120 and it 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.540 appears in 00:25:06.540 --> 00:25:06.800 the book 00:25:06.800 --> 00:25:07.280 of Exodus 00:25:07.280 --> 00:25:08.060 when God's 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.500 people are 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.160 crying out 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:09.720 in Egypt. 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.560 This is 00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.300 rescue 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:13.240 from slavery 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.119 language. 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:15.859 God 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.419 rescues 00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:16.639 his 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:16.980 people 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.779 because 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.940 and only 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.680 because 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.440 of his 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.279 great love 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.000 and his 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.579 great mercy. 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.519 God 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.119 continues 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.859 to pursue 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.599 his people 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.200 even when 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.500 they are 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:27.779 running 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.599 from him. 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.159 And so 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:30.539 what Paul 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.139 says in 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:31.859 2 Timothy 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.740 chapter 2 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.740 verse 13 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.379 is correct. 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.480 If we 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.379 are faithless 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:37.819 he remains 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.319 faithful 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.659 for he 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.180 cannot 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.039 deny 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.019 himself. 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:46.039 God 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.399 in his 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:46.839 grace 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:47.940 returns 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.599 to his 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.359 hard-hearted 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.960 people 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.759 over 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.819 and over 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.720 again. 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.079 Christian 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:58.139 God 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.680 returns 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.319 to you 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.839 in your 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.919 hard-heartedness 00:26:01.919 --> 00:26:02.879 over 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:04.180 and over 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.139 again. 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:08.200 We have 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.220 hard hearts 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.279 and we 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.960 also have 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.579 a merciful 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.839 God. 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.059 Now 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.539 this raises 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.000 attention 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.660 for us. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.539 If God 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:18.860 is a 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.240 God of 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:19.779 justice 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.319 how is 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.640 it that 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.140 he is 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.779 able to 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.059 show 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.480 mercy 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.220 for people 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.000 with 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.319 hard 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.700 hearts? 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.700 One of the 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.079 things we 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.440 see in 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:28.960 the judge's 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.360 pattern 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:29.860 or the 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.259 judge's 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.680 spiral 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.140 is that 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.640 the judges 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:32.500 are able 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.779 to tap 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.420 the brakes. 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.800 So if 00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.080 we think 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.500 of Israel 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.840 as a 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:37.160 runaway 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.580 car, 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.380 the judges 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:39.860 are able 00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:40.320 for a 00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:41.019 time to 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.259 get in 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.820 the driver's 00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:42.960 seat and 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.600 slow things 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:43.900 down. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.060 Here's what the 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.660 judges don't 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.080 do though. 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.560 They never 00:26:48.560 --> 00:26:49.779 turn the 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:51.000 car around. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:53.960 I've told 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.359 you before 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.740 that's what 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.460 repentance is. 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:55.940 Repentance 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.279 is a 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:58.319 180 degree 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.799 turn. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.079 So that 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.500 leaves us 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.940 with another 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.420 question. 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.940 How is 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.500 the car 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:03.940 going to 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.480 get turned 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:04.819 around? 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.240 If it 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.900 starts out 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.460 bad in 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.799 Judges 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.519 chapter 1 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.160 and gets 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.039 extremely 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:11.220 terrible in 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.200 chapters 19 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.019 through 21, 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:15.500 what is 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.119 the answer 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:17.140 to the 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:17.819 end of 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.299 Judges? 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.619 The answer 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.079 is simple. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.339 We need 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.039 a greater 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.799 judge. 00:27:26.219 --> 00:27:27.179 We need 00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:27.799 a judge 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.299 who is 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.239 more powerful 00:27:29.239 --> 00:27:30.099 than a 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.559 mere man. 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:32.159 We need 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:32.679 a judge 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.079 who can 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.899 do more 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.459 than tap 00:27:34.459 --> 00:27:35.039 the brakes. 00:27:35.419 --> 00:27:35.819 We need 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.359 a judge 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:36.939 who can 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.619 turn around 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.519 the car. 00:27:42.139 --> 00:27:42.899 And it's 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:43.599 not until 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.839 long after 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.559 Judges is 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.000 over and 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.519 the period 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.819 of the 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.399 Kings has 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:47.899 passed 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:49.339 that we 00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:49.939 meet the 00:27:49.939 --> 00:27:50.439 true 00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.019 and 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.380 greater 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:51.880 judge. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.759 Of course, 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.120 the true 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.519 and greater 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.080 judge is 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:55.480 our Lord 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:55.820 Jesus. 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.380 He comes 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:58.980 and shows 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.740 mercy in 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.000 the way 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.420 that God 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.000 shows mercy 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.380 in this 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:01.740 passage. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.160 He comes 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.580 for those 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:02.900 who need 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.440 to change 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.559 but are 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.100 unable to 00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:05.360 change 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:05.779 themselves. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.500 That's why 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.140 Jesus told 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.420 us in 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.019 Mark 2, 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.180 those who 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.580 are well 00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.080 have no 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:11.600 need of a 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.220 physician but 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.740 those who 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.279 are sick. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.460 I came 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:14.779 not to 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.120 call the 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:15.440 righteous 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.880 but sinners. 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:16.940 sinners. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.000 And it's 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.520 in Jesus 00:28:20.520 --> 00:28:22.560 that we 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.060 see how 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:23.800 God has 00:28:23.800 --> 00:28:24.560 mercy on 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:26.020 those who 00:28:26.020 --> 00:28:26.680 have not 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:27.400 yet repented. 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.080 That's what 00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.760 Paul tells us 00:28:29.760 --> 00:28:30.160 in Romans 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.000 chapter 5. 00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:32.380 But God 00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:32.900 shows his 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.500 love for 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.640 us in 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.000 that while 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.300 we were 00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:36.020 still sinners, 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.420 Christ died 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:37.920 for us. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.380 And how 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:41.780 does Jesus 00:28:41.780 --> 00:28:42.200 do it? 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.299 how does 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.559 he have 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.200 mercy on 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.580 stubborn 00:28:46.580 --> 00:28:47.180 people who 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.500 are running 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:47.860 away? 00:28:49.580 --> 00:28:50.120 How does 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.640 he change 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:52.160 hearts that 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.480 are hearts 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.019 of stone and 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.319 make them 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.720 into hearts 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.160 of flesh? 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.840 Well, he 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.259 does it in 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.660 the way we 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.120 looked at in 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.519 the Gospel 00:28:59.519 --> 00:28:59.880 of Mark. 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.480 He comes, 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.500 he becomes 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.500 not just 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.900 God but 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.420 also man, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.299 100% God 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:06.000 and 100% 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.279 man. 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.259 He lives 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:08.819 the perfect 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.799 life that we 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.180 should have 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:12.039 lived and 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.379 he takes 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:12.960 the punishment 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.700 that we 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.139 deserved. 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:16.059 He does 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.779 not leave 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.680 things hanging 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.379 in injustice. 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.079 He does 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.119 not let 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.819 the guilty 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.420 get away. 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.200 Instead, 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:23.960 he takes 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.539 the punishment 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.899 himself on 00:29:25.899 --> 00:29:26.440 the cross. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.000 Jesus is 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.599 the greater 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:32.779 judge that's 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.440 able to bring 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:35.279 together people 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.799 with hard 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.180 hearts, 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.139 people like 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:37.420 you and 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.639 me, 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.559 and God's 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:41.019 great mercy. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:47.259 will you 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.940 ask him 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:50.559 to change 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:50.960 your heart? 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.440 Will you 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.299 trust a 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.960 judge who 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.379 is more 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.720 powerful than 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.899 any man? 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.779 Let's pray. 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.339 Our Father 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:06.720 in heaven, 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.940 we praise 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.240 you and 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.619 thank you 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:08.980 that you 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.359 have not 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.960 left us 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.059 to our 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.659 own devices. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.399 You 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.659 haven't 00:30:12.659 --> 00:30:13.099 left us 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.440 to our 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.139 hard hearts 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:15.359 as we 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.019 return to 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.599 sin over 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:16.960 and over 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.319 again, 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:17.819 but instead 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.139 you've 00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:19.220 sent Jesus 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.659 who's more 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:21.379 powerful than 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.019 a judge or 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.639 a mere man, 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.259 and who's 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.740 more loving, 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.419 who has 00:30:26.419 --> 00:30:27.200 compassion on 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.700 the groanings 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:27.940 of his 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:29.579 people and 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.059 comes and 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.419 dies on 00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:30.960 their behalf. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.460 We ask 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:31.639 that you 00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:31.839 would be 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.220 at work 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.440 in this 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.759 community, 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:34.139 that you 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:34.659 would change 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.179 our hearts 00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:35.720 and make 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.220 them ever 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.559 true, 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.940 that they 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.240 would be 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:38.799 soft and 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.500 tender towards 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:39.920 you and 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.339 your word, 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:40.619 that we 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:40.940 would be 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:42.099 quick to 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:43.559 repent and 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.019 fast to 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.539 follow you, 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:45.720 that we 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.359 do this 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:48.440 because of 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.779 our Lord 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.160 and Savior, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.940 Jesus Christ. 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.380 We ask 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:50.880 these things 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.180 in his 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.759 mighty name. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.220 Amen.