WEBVTT

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 Psalm 115.

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 You are never more as God intended you to be

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 and we are worshipers.

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 It is wired into our very being.

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 If we do not worship the one true and living God,

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 we will inevitably worship it something lesser.

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 These two sets of three verses

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 each serve as an inclusio

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 for verses 4 through 15.

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 These types of structures are important for us.

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 They're meant to draw us

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 to central things being taught.

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 They bookend for us

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 a juxtaposition between the worship of false gods

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 and the strong confidence that we can have

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 in worshiping the one true and living God.

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 So here has been my prayer for you this morning.

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 If you are of the nations,

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 one of those who do not belong to God,

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 who worships the creation rather than the creator,

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 my prayer for you is that you will behold

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 the steadfast love and faithfulness of God

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 this morning toward his people

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 and that you will be moved

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 to place saving faith in the person and work

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 of Jesus Christ, right?

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 That you might be counted amongst his people.

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 If you are already of God's people,

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 if you've already placed this saving faith in Jesus Christ,

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 my prayer for you is that you will behold

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 the steadfast love and faithfulness of God

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 afresh this morning.

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 You will see it once again

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 and that he will show you

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 how inclined you are

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 to still worship at the feet

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 of the creation.

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 Having been adopted into the family of God,

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 how likely you are to turn back from him

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 to lesser forms of worship.

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 So there are two points for this morning

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 if you're a note taker.

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 Our number one,

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 the futility of false gods.

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 And number two,

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 the glory of the one true and living God.

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 The psalmist here makes for us

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 such a very clear point

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 and he like stacks up the imagery for us

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 to help us to understand

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 the futility or uselessness

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 of false gods.

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 He says in verse four,

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 their idols are silver and gold,

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 the work of human hands.

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 Idols are created things.

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 The psalmist tells us in verse four

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 they are the work of human hands.

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 They are made of precious metals here

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 in verse four,

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 but they are made all the same.

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 Made by human hands.

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 And he elaborates this point

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 with these accusations of uselessness.

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 Verse five,

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 they have mouths.

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 That is an image of a mouth,

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 but they don't speak.

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 In juxtaposition to that,

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 Genesis chapter one

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 tells of God creating the world

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 with mighty words.

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 He has spoken and speaks,

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 but idols are dumb.

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 They cannot utter anything.

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 Certainly not to tell us anything

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 of any value whatsoever.

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 They cannot speak words of promise

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 or encouraging or threatening.

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 They also have eyes,

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 but do not see.

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 Again,

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 in juxtaposition,

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 when Hagar is told by an angel

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 of the Lord

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 that she will bear a son,

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 it was recorded in Genesis 16

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 and verse 13.

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 So she called the name of the Lord

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 who spoke to her.

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 You are a God of seeing.

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 Our God sees.

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 He takes in

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 and he acts accordingly.

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 Verse six says,

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 they have ears,

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 but they do not hear.

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 Exodus chapter two

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 and verse 24,

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 we see God hear the groaning

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 of his people in captivity

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 in Egypt.

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 And verse 24 says,

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 and God remembered his covenant

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 with Abraham,

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 with Isaac,

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 and with Jacob.

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 A God who cannot hear

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 is a God that is useless

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 to pray to.

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 There's no point in praying

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 to an inanimate God.

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 There is a God,

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 a singular God,

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 who hears and responds.

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 Verse six goes on,

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 they have noses,

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 but do not smell.

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 And this is likely a reference

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 to God's acceptance of sacrifice.

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 Genesis chapter eight

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 records for us in verse 21,

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 when Noah exits the ark,

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 that he made an altar

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 and he put on it a sacrifice.

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 And verse 21 says,

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 and when the Lord smelled

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 the pleasing aroma,

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 the Lord said in his heart,

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 I will never again curse the ground

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 because of man,

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 for the intention of man's heart

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 is evil from his youth.

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 Neither will I ever again

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 strike down every living creature

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 as I have done.

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 So we have a God

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 who accepts the sacrifice of men.

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 A God who cannot smell,

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 cannot receive

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 an acceptable sacrifice.

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 Verse seven says,

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 they have hands,

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 but do not feel.

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 False gods cannot sympathize

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 with our weakness

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 or bring us any comfort at all.

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 The author of Hebrews writes

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 in chapter four in verse 15,

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 for we do not have a high priest

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 who is unable to sympathize

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 with our weaknesses,

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 but one who in every respect

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 has been tempted as we are,

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 yet without sin.

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 These idols have feet,

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 but do not walk.

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 False gods have no activity.

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 But the one true and living God

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 does all that he pleases.

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 False gods do nothing.

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 The prophet Amos records

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 in chapter four in verse 13,

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 for behold,

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 he who forms the mountains

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 and creates the wind

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 and declares to man

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 what is his thought,

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 who makes the morning darkness

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 and treads on the heights

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 of the earth.

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 Right?

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 He walks on the heights

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 of the earth.

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 The Lord,

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 the God of hosts,

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 is his name.

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 And these idols,

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 verse seven tells us,

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 make not a sound

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 in their throat.

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 Or,

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 more literally,

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 they don't muse.

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 They have no thoughts.

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 False gods are lifeless

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 and useless.

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 This is a comprehensive,

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 charge list.

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 Idols are utterly useless,

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 and the worship of them

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 and exercise in futility.

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 To worship anything

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 other than the one

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 true and living God

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 is wasted worship.

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 In studying these chapters

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 against false gods,

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 my mind was drawn

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 to the taunting words

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 of Elijah

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 to the prophets of Baal

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 in 1 Kings 18,

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 in verse 27.

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 He says,

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 cry aloud,

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 for he is a god.

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 Either he is musing

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 or he is relieving himself

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 or he is on a journey

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 or perhaps he is asleep

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 and must be awakened.

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 Utter futility

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 to worship anything other

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 than God himself.

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 The psalmist continues

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 by telling us in

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 verse eight,

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 that those who make them

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 become like them

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 and so do all

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 who trust in them.

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 We become like

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 the things

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 that we worship.

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 This is striking.

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 It's incredible.

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 And this kind of language

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 is picked up

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 all throughout the scripture

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 of people who are not

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 following God.

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 Right?

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 People who are

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 without their senses.

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 Right?

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 They can't see

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 and they don't hear.

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 Jeremiah chapter 5,

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 verse 21 and following.

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 Hear this,

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 O foolish and senseless people

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 who have eyes

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 but do not see,

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 who have ears

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 but hear not.

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 Do you not fear me?

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 Declares the Lord.

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 Do you not tremble

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 before me?

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 I place the sand

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 as the boundary

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 for the sea.

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 A perpetual barrier

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 that it cannot pass.

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 Though the waves

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 toss,

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 they cannot prevail.

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 Though they roar,

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 they cannot

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 pass over it.

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 And the sea

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 was always seen

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 by the Hebrew people

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 as a great evil.

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 Right?

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 God is saying,

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 I set the limit

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 of that.

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 Verse 23,

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 But this people

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 has a stubborn

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 and rebellious heart.

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 They have turned aside

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 and gone away.

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 They do not say

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 in their hearts,

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 Let us fear the Lord

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 our God

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 who gives the rain

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 in its season,

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 the autumn rain

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 and the spring rain

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 and keeps for us

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 the weeks

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 appointed

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 for the harvest.

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 Ezekiel chapter 12

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 and verse 2.

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 Ezekiel writes,

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 Son of man,

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 you dwell in the midst

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 of a rebellious house

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 who have eyes to see

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 but see not,

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 who have ears to hear

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 but hear not,

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 for they are a

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 rebellious house.

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 This is the end result

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 of our idolatry.

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 Not seeing,

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 not hearing,

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 being senseless,

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 being rebels

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 against God.

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 And praise be to God

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 that by His Spirit,

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 He works faith

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 in blind

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 and deaf people.

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 We once were blind,

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 but now we see

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 if we are in Christ.

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 In Matthew chapter 13,

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 Jesus responds

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 to the apostles

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 asking why He speaks

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 in parables.

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 Much of Jesus' language

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 is so very confusing

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 on the surface.

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 Why not go around

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 teaching more

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 plainly?

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 And in verse 11

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 and following,

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 He says,

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 To you it has been given

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 to know the secrets

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 of the kingdom of heaven,

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 but to them

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 it has not been given.

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 For to the one who has,

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 more will be given

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 and he will have

00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:43.560
 an abundance,

00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.300
 but from the one

00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:44.860
 who has not,

00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:45.940
 even what he has

00:10:45.940 --> 00:10:47.480
 will be taken away.

00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.200
 This is why I speak

00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:49.879
 to them in parables

00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.399
 because seeing,

00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:52.700
 they do not see,

00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:53.960
 and hearing,

00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:55.379
 they do not hear,

00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.840
 nor do they understand.

00:10:57.820 --> 00:10:58.820
 Indeed, in their case,

00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:00.220
 the prophecy of Isaiah

00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:02.200
 is fulfilled that says,

00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:04.160
 and this is Isaiah 6,

00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.360
 verses 9 and 10,

00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.620
 You will indeed hear,

00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:08.480
 but never understand,

00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.940
 and you will indeed see,

00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:11.240
 but never perceive.

00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.220
 For this people's heart

00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:14.060
 has grown dull,

00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:15.080
 and with their ears

00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.540
 they can barely hear,

00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.800
 and their eyes

00:11:17.800 --> 00:11:19.060
 they have closed.

00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:20.700
 Lest they should see

00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:21.240
 with their eyes

00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:22.080
 and hear with their ears

00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:22.620
 and understand

00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.200
 with their heart

00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:23.820
 and turn,

00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.800
 and I would heal them.

00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.340
 But blessed are your eyes

00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:28.940
 for they see

00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:29.879
 and your ears

00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:30.720
 for they hear.

00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.000
 For truly I say to you,

00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.480
 many prophets

00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.360
 and righteous people

00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.300
 long to see

00:11:36.300 --> 00:11:37.060
 what you see

00:11:37.060 --> 00:11:38.160
 and did not see it,

00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:39.200
 and to hear

00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.060
 what you hear

00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:42.300
 and did not hear it.

00:11:43.300 --> 00:11:43.860
 And beloved,

00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:44.860
 if we are in Christ

00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:45.400
 this morning,

00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:46.519
 we have seen

00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:48.320
 and heard.

00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:49.440
 We have beheld

00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.460
 Christ

00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:51.800
 himself.

00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:53.199
 we have been

00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:54.059
 turned from our

00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:54.679
 evil ways.

00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.299
 We have been

00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:58.979
 made less senseless.

00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:00.379
 We have been

00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:00.919
 turned to the

00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:02.179
 Most High God

00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.319
 we now see

00:12:03.319 --> 00:12:05.120
 and we hear.

00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.439
 And most of us

00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:08.339
 do not find ourselves

00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:08.819
 in a position

00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:09.679
 to bow down

00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:11.539
 to carved images.

00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:14.079
 I don't know

00:12:14.079 --> 00:12:14.779
 that this is

00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:16.240
 happening much,

00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.019
 although this morning

00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.699
 I was told

00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:18.319
 that there's a

00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:19.639
 large night hawk

00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.279
 now on one of the

00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:20.980
 UNG campuses

00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.679
 that's getting

00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:22.919
 prayed to

00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.599
 and gifts given to it

00:12:24.599 --> 00:12:25.740
 and touched for good luck.

00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.939
 I was shocked

00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:27.899
 to hear such a thing.

00:12:27.959 --> 00:12:28.459
 It was more

00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:29.819
 striking

00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:31.599
 considering Psalm 115

00:12:31.599 --> 00:12:33.500
 this week.

00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.460
 This is not

00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.539
 typically

00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.340
 the shape

00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:36.779
 that our

00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.120
 idolatry takes

00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.960
 but the Bible

00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:40.799
 is relentless

00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:41.879
 about the

00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.759
 idolatry of our

00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.259
 hearts

00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:44.940
 because we're

00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.740
 people created

00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.299
 to worship

00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:47.580
 but to worship

00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.519
 God

00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:50.100
 alone.

00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.840
 In the Decalogue

00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:53.500
 Exodus 20

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.360
 in verse 3

00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.759
 we are commanded

00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.539
 you shall have

00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.480
 no other

00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.779
 gods

00:12:58.779 --> 00:13:00.379
 before me.

00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.100
 We have to be

00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.659
 very careful

00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.120
 that we don't

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.779
 see commands

00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.179
 like that

00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:04.580
 that we don't

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.779
 read Psalm 115

00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:06.620
 and think

00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.679
 I don't

00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:08.519
 bow down

00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:08.860
 to any

00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.600
 graven images.

00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.519
 There's no

00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.399
 idolatry in my

00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.120
 life that looks

00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.759
 like what's

00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.539
 being explained

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.860
 here but I

00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:16.259
 would suggest

00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.759
 to you that

00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.419
 oh on the

00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:17.919
 contrary.

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:19.980
 Charles Spurgeon

00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:20.399
 once said

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:20.799
 and this is the

00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.159
 quote on your

00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.779
 bulletin this

00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.220
 morning if you

00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:22.720
 happen to have

00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:22.919
 one,

00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:23.860
 quote,

00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.440
 if you love

00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:26.039
 anything better

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:27.299
 than God

00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:28.620
 you are

00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.279
 idolaters.

00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:31.360
 If there's

00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:31.940
 anything you

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.480
 would not give

00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.100
 up for God

00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.320
 it is your

00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:34.620
 idol.

00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:35.920
 If there's

00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:36.440
 anything that

00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.060
 you seek with

00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:37.920
 greater fervor

00:13:37.920 --> 00:13:38.540
 than you seek

00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.240
 the glory of

00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.379
 God that is

00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:40.960
 your idol.

00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:42.700
 And conversion

00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:43.779
 means a

00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.100
 turning from

00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:47.320
 every idol.

00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:49.680
 Beloved, an

00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:50.720
 idol is anything

00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.720
 that we place

00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.040
 as the primary

00:13:53.040 --> 00:13:54.820
 focus of our

00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.320
 lives.

00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:55.440
 idolaters.

00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:57.480
 And it's very

00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.379
 possible to do

00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.420
 this with good

00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.740
 things.

00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.280
 We regularly

00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:02.960
 take good

00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.640
 things and

00:14:03.640 --> 00:14:04.200
 make them

00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:05.300
 idols by

00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:06.100
 loving them

00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:07.120
 above God

00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.540
 himself.

00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.040
 We do this

00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:12.500
 with security.

00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:13.920
 We do this

00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.660
 with all

00:14:14.660 --> 00:14:15.600
 sorts of

00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:16.200
 material

00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.220
 possessions.

00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.080
 We do it

00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:20.480
 with knowledge.

00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:22.180
 You bunch of

00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:22.660
 reformed

00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:23.139
 Baptists.

00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.019
 We do it

00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.279
 with our

00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:25.679
 political

00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.620
 ideologies,

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.759
 with control

00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.100
 and comfort.

00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.139
 We do it

00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.480
 with our

00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:31.959
 health,

00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.719
 pleasure.

00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:35.299
 We do it

00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:36.299
 with success

00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:37.939
 or significance.

00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:39.919
 I have

00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.639
 idolatrously

00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.639
 worshipped

00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.740
 being a

00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.100
 pastor.

00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:44.939
 Isn't it

00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:45.659
 good to be a

00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:45.899
 pastor?

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.720
 Of course it's

00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.159
 good to be a

00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.339
 pastor.

00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:47.799
 It's not good

00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.519
 to worship

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.939
 being a

00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:50.319
 pastor.

00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:50.440
 creator.

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.320
 We do it

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.620
 with our

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.180
 physical

00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.940
 appearance,

00:14:54.540 --> 00:14:55.200
 our leisure

00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:55.700
 time,

00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.640
 our ambitions.

00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.060
 We do it

00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:59.200
 even with our

00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:00.640
 family and

00:15:00.640 --> 00:15:02.540
 our church.

00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:05.260
 We have to

00:15:05.260 --> 00:15:06.340
 be so very

00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:08.460
 careful where

00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.600
 we place our

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.220
 affection.

00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.080
 Even the good

00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.540
 things can get

00:15:13.540 --> 00:15:15.080
 misaligned and

00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:15.640
 we can love

00:15:15.640 --> 00:15:16.840
 those things

00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:17.600
 more than the

00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.520
 very God who

00:15:18.520 --> 00:15:19.340
 grants them.

00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.060
 to us.

00:15:22.540 --> 00:15:22.980
 We've

00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.600
 recently studied

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.180
 James.

00:15:24.760 --> 00:15:25.540
 James chapter

00:15:25.540 --> 00:15:26.000
 4,

00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:26.820
 verse 1,

00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:27.560
 James writes,

00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.600
 what causes

00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.240
 quarrels and

00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:29.760
 what causes

00:15:29.760 --> 00:15:30.480
 fights among

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:30.660
 you?

00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.120
 Is it not

00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:31.620
 this, that

00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.460
 your passions

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:34.100
 are at war

00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.540
 within you?

00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:37.440
 You desire

00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:37.820
 and do not

00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.360
 have, so you

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.660
 murder.

00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:39.379
 You covet and

00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.060
 cannot obtain,

00:15:40.180 --> 00:15:40.820
 so you fight

00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:41.400
 and quarrel.

00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:42.720
 You do not

00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.740
 have because

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.220
 you do not

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:44.660
 ask.

00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:45.760
 You ask and

00:15:45.760 --> 00:15:46.320
 do not receive

00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:46.800
 because you

00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:47.880
 ask wrongly

00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.600
 to spend

00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:49.700
 it on

00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:51.840
 your passions.

00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.200
 James is

00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:53.759
 suggesting to

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.200
 us that we

00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:54.559
 would be a

00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.080
 people at

00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:57.200
 peace were

00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:57.519
 we not

00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.120
 idolatrous.

00:15:58.539 --> 00:15:59.600
 We weren't

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:01.840
 worshipping the

00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.659
 creation rather

00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.720
 than the

00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.139
 creator.

00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.379
 And we know

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.879
 this because he

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.439
 goes on in

00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.139
 verse 4 of

00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:07.700
 James 4 to

00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:07.899
 say,

00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.799
 you adulterous

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.200
 people,

00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.580
 do you not

00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:11.179
 know that

00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.980
 friendship with

00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.720
 the world is

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.620
 enmity with

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.000
 God?

00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.039
 God.

00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.179
 Therefore,

00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:16.759
 whoever wishes

00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.100
 to be a

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.360
 friend of

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:17.700
 the world

00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.559
 makes himself

00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:20.139
 an enemy

00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.639
 of God.

00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.679
 And so,

00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.940
 if we are to

00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:25.580
 be worshippers

00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.179
 of God,

00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.200
 created in

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.700
 Christ Jesus

00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.240
 for this,

00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:28.519
 then we

00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:28.799
 have to be

00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.620
 very careful

00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:31.740
 about the

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.320
 lingering

00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.820
 idolatry

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.600
 of our

00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:34.960
 hearts.

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.200
 We have to

00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.799
 be constantly

00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.860
 assessing those

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.440
 things in our

00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.059
 life that

00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:40.080
 draw our

00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:40.519
 attention.

00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:41.799
 Has this

00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.299
 become a

00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:42.700
 matter of

00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.340
 worship for

00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.059
 me or just

00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:44.819
 a thing that

00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:45.239
 I do?

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.639
 Serving my

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.979
 family,

00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.619
 working my

00:16:47.619 --> 00:16:48.079
 job,

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.119
 owning my

00:16:50.119 --> 00:16:50.559
 home and

00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.159
 my car and

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:51.459
 taking the

00:16:51.459 --> 00:16:51.799
 vacation,

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.339
 all of those

00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:52.559
 things,

00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:53.739
 they ought to

00:16:53.739 --> 00:16:54.000
 be under

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.919
 great scrutiny

00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:56.339
 to be sure

00:16:56.339 --> 00:16:56.659
 that our

00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.219
 hearts have

00:16:57.219 --> 00:16:58.159
 not drifted

00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.719
 away from

00:16:58.719 --> 00:17:00.379
 worship of

00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:00.779
 our God.

00:17:02.479 --> 00:17:03.059
 I think a

00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.279
 little helpful

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.740
 rubric,

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.139
 although there's

00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:05.700
 a number of

00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.519
 great rubrics

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.000
 out there to

00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.579
 kind of run

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:09.220
 your heart

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.740
 through,

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.899
 as one put

00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:11.779
 forth by A.W.

00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.200
 Tozer,

00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.839
 and he called

00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.599
 them rules for

00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:13.960
 self-

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.120
 discovery,

00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:15.799
 and what he

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.240
 meant by that

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.860
 was how to

00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:19.100
 recognize where

00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:20.000
 the inclination

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.700
 of your heart

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.420
 was at,

00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.019
 and there's

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.900
 seven of

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.059
 them,

00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.500
 so here

00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:24.880
 they are.

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.340
 Number one,

00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.720
 what we

00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.620
 want most.

00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.039
 You think

00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.460
 about things

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:31.920
 that you want,

00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.460
 what is it

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:32.720
 that you

00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.340
 think about?

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.200
 What is it

00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.420
 that you

00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.180
 desire?

00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.440
 Number two,

00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.480
 what we

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.000
 think about

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.539
 most.

00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:40.960
 Where is

00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.720
 your mind

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.380
 set throughout

00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:43.820
 the day?

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.820
 Number three,

00:17:46.540 --> 00:17:47.160
 how we

00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.480
 use our

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:47.760
 money.

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.200
 Is our

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:49.540
 money being

00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:49.960
 spent on

00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.320
 things that

00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:50.620
 are ultimately

00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.140
 about serving

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:51.380
 us,

00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:51.720
 or about

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.200
 serving the

00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:53.600
 kingdom of

00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:53.880
 God?

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.400
 Are we

00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:54.960
 storing up

00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.660
 treasure here,

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.620
 or treasure

00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:57.440
 above?

00:17:59.440 --> 00:17:59.920
 Fourth,

00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:01.400
 what we do

00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:01.940
 with our

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.620
 leisure time.

00:18:03.020 --> 00:18:03.600
 When you've

00:18:03.600 --> 00:18:04.120
 got some free

00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.400
 time,

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.020
 how do you

00:18:05.020 --> 00:18:05.960
 tend to

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.580
 spend it?

00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.660
 Number five,

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.360
 the company

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.760
 we enjoy.

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.579
 what kind

00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.059
 of people

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.359
 do you

00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:12.680
 like to

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.140
 be around?

00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.920
 Number six,

00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.879
 who and

00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:17.720
 what we

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.200
 admire.

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.660
 And number

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.079
 seven,

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.420
 what we

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.019
 laugh at.

00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:24.319
 Things can

00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:24.759
 be helpful

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.720
 to us to

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.480
 think about

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.519
 the inclination

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:28.900
 of our

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.319
 hearts.

00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:30.819
 Now,

00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.259
 because God

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.879
 loves us

00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:32.099
 if we're

00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.559
 his people,

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.259
 he cares

00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.099
 about exposing

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.980
 our idolatry.

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.839
 He wants

00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.779
 us to see

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.940
 our idolatry

00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.200
 that we

00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:38.740
 might repent

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.400
 of it and

00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.120
 return to

00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.420
 him.

00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:41.420
 And he

00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:41.740
 does this

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.099
 in a number

00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.740
 of ways.

00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.220
 He does

00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.759
 it by his

00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.200
 word and

00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:44.799
 his spirit.

00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.500
 Hebrews 4

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.180
 and verse 12

00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.400
 says,

00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:47.900
 the word of

00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:48.299
 God is

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.900
 living and

00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.380
 active,

00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.200
 sharper than

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:50.720
 any two-edged

00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.059
 sword,

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.759
 piercing the

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.240
 division of

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.579
 soul and

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:52.920
 spirit,

00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:53.819
 of joints

00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.120
 and of

00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:54.420
 marrow,

00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:56.059
 and discerning

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.140
 the thoughts

00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:58.120
 and intentions

00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.420
 of the

00:18:59.420 --> 00:18:59.740
 heart.

00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.700
 Oh,

00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.039
 Christian,

00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:02.319
 that we

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:02.740
 would be in

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.319
 his word

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.140
 and inviting

00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.880
 him in,

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.180
 that he

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.079
 would expose

00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.240
 our hearts

00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:08.200
 by the light

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.460
 of his

00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:08.700
 word.

00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:08.900
 That we

00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.460
 might repent

00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.220
 and return

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.019
 and worship

00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.859
 him with

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:12.339
 all of our

00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:12.599
 being.

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.680
 Secondly,

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.339
 God exposes

00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:15.980
 our idolatry

00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.900
 by frustrating

00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.559
 our idols,

00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:19.099
 by withholding

00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.420
 them,

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.400
 or by allowing

00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.740
 us to

00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.640
 experience

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.839
 their futility.

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.059
 Sometimes he

00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.660
 keeps you from

00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.120
 the thing that

00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.200
 you want to

00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.740
 show how much

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.319
 you want it,

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.500
 and sometimes

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.380
 he gives it

00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:32.039
 to you so

00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.400
 that you'll

00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.359
 realize what

00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.180
 a waste of

00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.339
 energy it

00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.160
 really was.

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:37.960
 In Psalm

00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.180
 106,

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.660
 verse 13

00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.259
 and following,

00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:41.779
 this is a

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.380
 reference to

00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:42.819
 Korah's

00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.460
 rebellion from

00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:44.000
 Numbers chapter

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.400
 16,

00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:44.799
 I'll let you

00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:45.100
 go read

00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.620
 about that.

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.579
 It records,

00:19:47.579 --> 00:20:08.879
 God as

00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:08.879


00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:14.680
 God also exposes our idolatry by giving us, number three, an example of true worship.

00:20:15.280 --> 00:20:16.580
 To look toward.

00:20:16.760 --> 00:20:19.640
 What does true worship look like?

00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:22.460
 1 Kings 18, verse 36.

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:28.200
 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said,

00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:31.820
 O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:37.380
 let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant

00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:41.840
 and that I have done all these things at your word.

00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:49.340
 God also exposes our idolatry, number four, by administering loving discipline.

00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:54.260
 Hebrews chapter 12, verse 5 and 6.

00:20:54.360 --> 00:20:59.700
 The author of Hebrews, as an encouragement to a people who are suffering, says,

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:04.640
 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:10.780
 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:19.100
 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son whom he receives.

00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:27.259
 So because God loves us, he disciplines us, he trains us in righteousness,

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:33.500
 because he knows that the very best thing that he can give to us is himself.

00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.119
 It's himself.

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.160
 So we must be very careful, right?

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:43.759
 The psalmist is trying to teach us about the futility of idolatry.

00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:46.720
 We must not think that we're immune to this,

00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:52.379
 but see that it still exists within us, even if we're in Christ.

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:57.540
 This temptation to worship lesser things than our most high God.

00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:02.340
 And so what is the remedy for all of this idolatry?

00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.960
 It's proper worship.

00:22:05.760 --> 00:22:06.860
 It's proper worship.

00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:10.960
 So we see in the text also, the second main point,

00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:15.040
 the glory of the one true and living God.

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:22.059
 The psalmist tells us, in order for us to properly worship,

00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:26.879
 we need to trust, to place our faith in this true and living God.

00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:29.440
 And we get wonderful repetitions here.

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.759
 Verse 9, 10, and 11.

00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:33.000
 O Israel, trust in the Lord.

00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.659
 He is their help and their shield.

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.259
 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord.

00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:38.500
 He is their help and their shield.

00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:40.879
 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord.

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:43.799
 He is their help and their shield.

00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:46.639
 And I have to believe that when these repetitions exist in the Scripture,

00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:48.759
 it is because we're supposed to pay attention to them.

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:51.700
 We need to be told again and again and again,

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.639
 trust in the Lord.

00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:54.659
 He is a help and a shield.

00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.940
 Trust in the Lord.

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.899
 He is a help and a shield.

00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.440
 Trust in the Lord.

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:59.519
 He is a help and a shield.

00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:04.879
 He is actively and passively pursuing our good.

00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:09.000
 What a reason to praise our God.

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:12.059
 Paul writes in Romans chapter 8,

00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.299
 verse 28 and 29.

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:17.039
 And we know that for those who love God,

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.660
 all things work together for good.

00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:23.180
 For those who are called according to his purpose.

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.759
 And here's the good, beloved.

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.319
 For those whom he foreknew,

00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:32.420
 he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:37.440
 In order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:42.019
 There's no question there about the good that he's bringing about in our lives.

00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:44.080
 As God is to be trusted,

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:47.500
 as he is working actively and passively for our good,

00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:50.140
 he's making us look more like Jesus.

00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:54.759
 So that we might bring him more glory.

00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:55.220
 Right?

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.319
 Not to us, O Lord.

00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.620
 Not to us.

00:23:57.960 --> 00:24:00.819
 But to your name give glory.

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:03.240
 Then again, repetition.

00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:05.180
 Verses 12, 13, 14, and 50.

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.259
 The Lord has remembered us.

00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.000
 He will bless us.

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.180
 He will bless the house of Israel.

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:11.660
 He will bless the house of Aaron.

00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.319
 He will bless those who fear the Lord.

00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:15.720
 Both the small and the great.

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:17.019
 May the Lord give you increase.

00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:17.720
 You and your children.

00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:22.220
 May you be blessed by the Lord who made heaven and earth.

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.720
 Right?

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.400
 What does he bless us with?

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.180
 He will bless us with himself.

00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:30.600
 In Joshua chapter 1, verse 5.

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.039
 God says,

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:35.900
 I will not leave you or forsake you.

00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:41.940
 And he has promised the very same to us who believe in Christ.

00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:46.160
 The author of Hebrews again picks up chapter 13 and verse 5.

00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:49.180
 This quotation from Joshua 1, 5.

00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.620
 He says,

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:52.860
 Keep your life free from the love of money.

00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:55.100
 And be content with what you have.

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:59.400
 Be not idolatrous about possessions.

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.339
 The author of Hebrews says.

00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:05.339
 For he has said,

00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:09.160
 I will never leave you nor forsake you.

00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:13.779
 So the remedy to this idolatry,

00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:15.259
 this useless,

00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:17.080
 this futile energy,

00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:22.259
 this proper worship of the one true and living God.

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:24.519
 He deserves all of our worship.

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:27.800
 And we are most like we were created to be

00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:30.820
 when we give him all of our worship.

00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:34.939
 So may we be God's people,

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:37.359
 having placed saving faith in Jesus Christ,

00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:42.720
 who recognize the steadfast love and faithfulness of God to us,

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:45.960
 so that we will turn from our idolatrous ways

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:50.559
 and turn to him in admiration and praise.

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.039
 Let's pray together.

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.059
 Let's pray together.