WEBVTT 00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:05.799 Brilliant. Well, thank you so much, Danny and Neil, for leading us this far in our service. 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:11.259 Folks, I hope you're well. Let me just invite you to stand, conscious that we've been sitting for a little bit 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:16.660 and we'll be sitting for a little bit longer. So why don't we just stand and maybe do a little stretch, 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:20.320 whatever you need to do to get yourself ready as we come to God's word. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:28.179 And let me just read some words from Psalm 119. This is the prayer of our hearts as we come to God's word. 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:34.179 So why don't we just still ourselves before his words, read a couple of verses and let us lead this, 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:38.759 lead us into praying for ourselves as we come before his word tonight. 00:00:38.980 --> 00:00:39.799 Psalm 119. 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:44.899 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes and I will observe it to the end. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:51.140 Give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:56.240 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 00:00:56.240 --> 00:00:59.960 Turn my heart to your decrees and not to selfish gain. 00:01:00.100 --> 00:01:02.219 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:04.500 Give me life in your ways. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:09.219 Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:13.560 Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:16.240 See, I have longed for your precepts. 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:20.540 In your righteousness, give me life. 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:29.660 And so, Heavenly Father, the giver of life, we pray, Lord, that you would help turn our hearts from vanities tonight. 00:01:30.140 --> 00:01:37.700 Lord, would you help lift our eyes from ourselves and the concerns that so often dominate our hearts in this world 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:42.700 and lift our eyes to who you are tonight and your glory and who you are. 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:49.879 So, Father, we pray that you would help lead us in the path of your commandments and help us to delight in it. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:52.480 Because we ask in Jesus' worthy name. 00:01:52.840 --> 00:01:53.200 Amen. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:01:58.980 Well, folks, take a seat and let me invite you to turn to the book of Isaiah. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:02.060 I'll give you just a few moments to grab that. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:05.060 Don't feel embarrassed if you need to use the contents page. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:07.420 That is absolutely fine to do that. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:12.840 We're in at chapter 13 tonight and we are picking up where we left off. 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.060 Maybe some of you are here from about March to Easter time. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:19.900 We were in the first section of this book of Isaiah. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:22.219 This book that's often been called the Fifth Gospel, 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:29.080 for it contains the most marvellous promises of God as we encounter him in his word, who he is. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:32.159 So we took on the first section, kind of March to Easter. 00:02:32.159 --> 00:02:39.379 And between now, for the next number of weeks, in the kind of taking us through to, I think it's beginning in November, 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:44.740 we're going to be in the second and the third big sections, which are going to take us up to chapter 39. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.960 We're going to try and take it in kind of big chunks. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:51.280 This book that gives us this big view of who God is. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:03:00.439 And it's been a real thrill for my soul to fill my lungs with the God who is described here, 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:07.639 as Neil kind of alluded to in his prayers, bang on, the God who is exalted and the Lord over the nations. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:10.099 And it's a wonderful truth for us to remember. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:12.599 And so we're going to get a big piece of that tonight. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:18.659 But before we read our section, it's kind of chapter 13 and into 14 as well. 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:22.579 Try and get our bearings in what's going on in this little section. 00:03:22.859 --> 00:03:29.719 Now, the story goes that there was a famous play that was on down in England at some point in the 1600s, I think it was. 00:03:30.259 --> 00:03:32.280 And it was called The Christmas Prince. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:37.159 And it's a play that's famous for one line and one line only. 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:41.319 And the line was from one of the central characters and it went like this. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:51.639 It's the one line it was famous for. 00:03:51.819 --> 00:03:55.340 He laugheth best that laugheth at the end. 00:03:56.060 --> 00:04:03.959 And from this famous play with the famous one line, we get our modern term, turn of phrase that we use all the time. 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:05.959 Having the last laugh. 00:04:06.799 --> 00:04:07.439 You heard that before? 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:09.139 Use it all the time, don't we? 00:04:09.139 --> 00:04:10.639 Having the last laugh. 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:13.359 Use it in the area of sports. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.379 I hear it all the time. 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:15.379 We use it in business. 00:04:15.519 --> 00:04:16.740 We use it in politics. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:18.300 So many areas of life. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:22.060 We talk about the person who has the last laugh. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:28.379 The person who in the end, even though it doesn't look like it now, the person who will win the day. 00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:30.620 The person who will have the final say. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:32.459 The person who will emerge victorious. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:35.139 And the person who will triumph over their enemies. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:38.479 The person who will have the last laugh. 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:42.200 Chapter 13 and 14, what we're going to see tonight. 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:46.680 The big idea is that it's the Lord who will have the last laugh. 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:49.420 The Lord will have the last laugh. 00:04:50.479 --> 00:04:51.879 Now we're in at chapter 13. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:56.439 Let me try and give us a really quick summary of what's going on in chapters 1 to 12. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:05:00.740 Because you can't really understand what's coming 13 onwards if we don't understand what's happening in 1 to 12. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:03.220 We loved looking at this section together. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:05.620 Isaiah is talking to the nation of Judah. 00:05:05.780 --> 00:05:11.420 So God's generation of people who are living about 730 BC, give or take. 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:14.900 The big theme of 1 to 12 is that the Lord is king. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:19.259 Three quick themes if we want to recap on that first section. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:21.280 Number one, the Lord. 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:22.780 Who is he? 00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:30.619 He is the three times holy God that Isaiah encountered back in chapter 6. 00:05:30.659 --> 00:05:32.279 If you want to kind of just glance at it there. 00:05:32.359 --> 00:05:37.719 It's one of the most magnificent chapters of scripture where Isaiah encounters the holy God. 00:05:38.059 --> 00:05:40.179 Whose train of his robe fills the temple. 00:05:40.359 --> 00:05:41.779 Who is high and lifted up. 00:05:42.059 --> 00:05:46.799 Who the seraphim worship and declare holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:48.959 The whole earth is full of his glory. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:55.259 And this is the God who calls Isaiah to come and be his prophet. 00:05:55.859 --> 00:06:03.939 And it's this view of God, the three times holy God, that kind of catapults Isaiah's prophetic ministry as he speaks to God's people. 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:09.139 Because he has this vision of who this God is in his lungs, in his heart, in his mind. 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:11.439 The three times holy God. 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:14.019 And I love it in that scene. 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:15.139 You get Isaiah. 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:20.379 What he's struck by first of all, it's not just his smallness before God. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:21.659 It's his sinfulness. 00:06:22.039 --> 00:06:22.819 Woe am I. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:24.299 Woe are my people. 00:06:24.919 --> 00:06:26.819 And yet God says, I will atone for your sin. 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:31.139 And it's this vision of God that propels Isaiah's ministry. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:37.919 And of course, it's this vision of God which the people of Judah in this generation have lost completely. 00:06:39.799 --> 00:06:40.959 Who is this God? 00:06:41.039 --> 00:06:42.240 Takes us on to number two. 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:43.540 He's the holy God. 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:51.360 And his people, Judah number two, big theme, are failing spectacularly at being the holy people that he has called them to be. 00:06:51.720 --> 00:06:57.840 It was all the way through the first section about how they have just lost the central understanding of who the Lord is. 00:06:58.400 --> 00:06:58.540 Right? 00:06:58.620 --> 00:06:59.199 What are they doing? 00:06:59.280 --> 00:07:02.220 They're exploiting the poor in the land. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:06.079 God has called them to be a people of justice, reflecting his own heart. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:09.079 They're exploiting the poor and the alien amongst them. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:10.620 They are consulting mediums. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:11.639 Remember the Lord? 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:13.280 The Lord our God is one. 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:14.800 It's meant to be him only. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:15.959 They're all over the shop. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:17.560 Syncretism everywhere. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:19.439 They are proud. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:22.639 And these things aren't just nominating a certain section. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:27.500 It's kind of through the height and the breadth of God's people. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:32.740 The leaders, the elders, the men, the women, all of them have lost sight of who he is. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:37.560 And particularly we get this king called King Ahaz in the first section. 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:40.120 And he's a bit of a kind of jelly man king. 00:07:40.540 --> 00:07:44.699 You kind of get the sense that he loves to talk the talk when it comes to following God. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:47.019 But he doesn't really walk the walk. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.139 And Isaiah makes that challenge in the first section. 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:52.220 If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:57.639 In other words, you need to trust and have a big view of who the Lord is and the promises that he's made to his king. 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:06.159 Number three, the Lord is gracious and he's compassionate. 00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:10.139 And he's full of steadfast love. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.839 And he's wooing his people to come back. 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:16.539 Stop settling for idols. 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:19.039 I'm going to give you life. 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:23.500 Come and find satisfaction in who I am and in my steadfast love. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:27.939 The Lord has been wooing his people to come back to him and find life with him. 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:36.860 To put their trust in his big and unfailing plans for them and also for the nations of the world. 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:40.200 And that's been the mind-blowing truth that we see all the way through this book. 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:42.980 That God's promises are not just for his people. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:47.399 His plans and his purposes are way bigger than just the nation of Israel. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:53.120 That somehow the Gentiles are going to come flooding to the Lord, to the light. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:54.879 And they're going to find life in his name. 00:08:56.199 --> 00:08:57.220 The Lord is king. 00:08:57.699 --> 00:09:01.639 That's the theme, the banner that runs over chapters 1 to 12. 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:09.340 And so the question naturally arises, where does his reign extend to? 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:16.360 Now, you know, you get these folks who buy, I can't remember if it was in Australia or New Zealand last time I saw this. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:21.959 They buy a little piece of land and they declare themselves to be king over this little bit of land. 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.100 We always see this in our newspapers. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.379 You've seen little things like that. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.079 The question is, where does the Lord reign? 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:30.480 Is he Lord just over Israel and Judah or does he reign elsewhere? 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.740 That's the big question. 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:33.620 Where does his reign extend to? 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:36.439 This little section answers that question. 00:09:36.440 --> 00:09:42.040 Because we get in chapters 13 to 20, we get a series of woes. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.620 Now, we've got to feel the weight of that word. 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:45.880 Right? 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.680 They're always trying to think of a woe. 00:09:47.780 --> 00:09:49.860 There is serious trouble ahead of you. 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:51.940 That's what a woe is, isn't it? 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:54.240 There's trouble ahead because of what you're doing. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:58.340 And make no mistake, a woe, these woes here are signs. 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:01.280 They are words of God's judgment on the nations. 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:06.480 And who is subject to these words of woe from the Lord? 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:10.579 It's the nations of what we would call, I guess, the ancient Near East. 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:11.100 Right? 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:14.159 If you just want to flick it through, turn them over, you'll see. 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:16.539 God's addressing Babylon. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:20.159 That's going to be our nation we're going to consider tonight. 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:26.039 Which is, I guess, it's kind of the headline one which kind of summarizes this whole section. 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:32.439 Babylon, Assyria, we've got Moab, Damascus, and Egypt. 00:10:33.219 --> 00:10:33.539 Right? 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:41.779 And the significance of these nations is that at a time when Judah is not the force that it used to be, 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:46.139 politically, spiritually, and perhaps even materially, 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:54.980 these are the nations round about Judah that the people are tempted to look to for security in life. 00:10:54.980 --> 00:11:00.000 So as their nation is going through a hard time, they're tempted to look at these big superpowers 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:06.519 and think, if we can only kind of cozy up to them, that is where security of our nation is to be found. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:09.220 And of course, who have they neglected the whole time? 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:11.399 They've neglected to look to the Lord. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:18.460 And that's why God pronounces how he feels about these nations and what they represent and what they do. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:22.700 He wants his people to know that he is sovereign over them. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.700 Okay? 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.600 He is the Lord of the nations. 00:11:26.780 --> 00:11:29.200 He is the one who knows the end from the beginning. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:32.320 And let me just say that is really good for us to know. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.700 Really good for us to know. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:37.259 That God is the Lord of the nations. 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:40.680 They are the puppet and he is the puppeteer. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.440 That's what he's saying. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:46.180 And he wants them to know how he feels about them. 00:11:46.459 --> 00:11:49.479 And that's really good for us to know, how God feels about the nations. 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.799 And what he sees. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:52.859 The God who is all seeing. 00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:55.599 What he sees is going on in these lands. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:58.579 As the people's hearts are drawn out to worship these things. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.459 God is saying, no, no, no. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:02.439 This is what I'm seeing going on in these lands. 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:04.859 Now let me just say that is really good for us to know. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:07.279 Let me tell you about a deja vu I had recently. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:11.219 And see if this kind of connects with you to see how easy this is to do for God's people. 00:12:12.819 --> 00:12:13.859 Deja vu I had recently. 00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:16.720 We spent a few days down in London when we were on holiday in July. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.180 We got the train to Paddington. 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.960 From Paddington we got the tube to London Bridge. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:25.100 From London Bridge we got the train to Blackheath. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:25.860 That was our journey. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:26.259 Okay. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:29.980 And if you've ever made that kind of journey, you'll know at London Bridge as you take the train out. 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:33.519 The first thing you see as you pass it right there is the shard. 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:35.960 Huge thing. 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:37.600 Couldn't get my head around. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:40.180 I've seen it from afar but I haven't seen it so up close before. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:42.060 My neck was sore just looking at this thing. 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:44.799 And I'm looking at it and I can see the cleaners. 00:12:45.099 --> 00:12:46.500 I can see the office staff. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:50.500 I can see presumably the lawyers, the investment bankers with the headsets doing their thing. 00:12:50.739 --> 00:12:52.019 I can see it all. 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:57.139 And I'm looking at this thing, this almost idol of corporate success and fame. 00:12:57.859 --> 00:12:58.859 That this is what this is. 00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.319 It almost screams at you, doesn't it? 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.319 Worship me. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:02.819 Worship me. 00:13:03.119 --> 00:13:06.500 And my heart in that moment says that is where it's at. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:06.899 Right? 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:11.299 Thought to myself I could dig off my old law degree and give it a shot. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:13.559 Because that is where security is to be found. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.639 That's what I want. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.659 And I came back here and I told a friend. 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:21.559 And they said, do you realize you said the exact same thing two years ago? 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:25.019 When you saw the shard when you passed it. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.840 Probably just should stop going to London. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:27.179 Right? 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:31.839 But that's what my heart said in that moment. 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:34.359 And my heart said exactly the same thing two years ago. 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:35.739 Friends, do you not know it in your own life? 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:37.879 Your heart so often looks for other things. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:40.839 For success and security and satisfaction. 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:46.679 Believing the lie that they are going to be found in those places other than in Jesus. 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:52.359 And that is why I think this is so good for us to know. 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:55.440 What God really thinks. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.500 The all seeing, the all knowing one. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.879 What he really thinks. 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:04.820 About the human heart that persists and it stands in rebellion against him. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.080 This is what he thinks about the sin of the world. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.759 And what it is in his sight. 00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:16.340 And first up in central to our reading tonight. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.080 Is the nation of Babylon. 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.500 Which is significant politically. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.440 Right? 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:25.759 This is a, these are a, this nation is a big superpower. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.559 This is kind of what seven wonders of the ancient world. 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:29.039 Babylon. 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.559 This is Babylon. 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:33.460 Maybe I'd imagine in history at this point. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:35.799 When Isaiah is speaking somewhat of a sleeping giant. 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:36.480 You know that term? 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.740 I use it in football all the time. 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:38.539 Sleeping giant. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:41.539 But give it just over a hundred years. 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:46.399 And Babylon will be the ones who will conquer Judah and take them into exile. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:52.179 And this is God speaking through Isaiah about how he feels about Babylon. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:55.639 And I'm assuming that that is the reason why Babylon are first up. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:58.360 They're significant politically. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:01.819 But I think more so they are significant spiritually. 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:04.560 I think this is the big thing for us to see here. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:06.180 Because they're a city. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:11.579 Tracing the roots all the way back to Genesis 11. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.000 And the Tower of Babel. 00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:19.859 This city that's very core DNA. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:23.220 Is everything that is anti-God. 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.720 And God's kingdom. 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:27.399 This city that says in the heart. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:30.480 I will, I want to build a name for myself. 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:32.539 I want to reach to the heavens. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:35.560 That's literally in Genesis 11 what's going on. 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:39.980 And it's a city that at its very core is anti-God. 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:40.940 Proud. 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:41.960 Arrogant. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.460 Self-promoting. 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.779 In fact I think you can make a case. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:48.039 But one of the big themes of the book of Isaiah. 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:49.360 Is the tale of two cities. 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.379 Is the city of God. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.419 And the city of man. 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:52.100 Which is Babylon. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:56.340 And God is declaring in these chapters in particular. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.899 This is how I feel about Babylon. 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.899 But the big idea. 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:04.600 Babylon. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:08.680 Everything that she represents politically. 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:12.019 Everything that she represents spiritually. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.940 The Lord wants his people to know. 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:18.920 That the Lord will have the last laugh. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.720 Three quick things to see. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.980 Chapter 13. 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.740 Verses 1 to 22. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.740 Three quick things. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.899 First of all we get a graphic site. 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:29.860 Just follow with me. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:32.039 Chapter 13 verses 1 to 22. 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.100 What is going to happen? 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.060 Verse 2. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:38.879 God describes the army. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.559 That is going to come over the hill. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:44.519 To destroy the Babylonians. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.899 Now interesting to see. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:49.220 Notice the repeated word my. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:52.639 In the first three verses of chapter 13. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:53.840 My, my, my. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:55.299 My consecrated ones. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.100 My warriors. 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:59.220 As they feel my anger. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:16:59.639 So. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.279 God whistles. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.879 And almost like a trained dog. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:07.039 The army comes running over the hill. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:08.000 At his beckoning call. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.480 Now what's going on? 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.240 Verse 4. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:13.319 The Lord of hosts. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:15.240 Which is the Lord of angel armies. 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:19.140 Is rousing an army for battle. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:22.380 So this is no random moment in history. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:27.480 This is happening all according to God's specific command. 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:29.599 And it's a terrifying description really. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.839 The people of Babylon. 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.700 Verse 7. 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.720 Hands feeble. 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.680 Hearts melting. 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.160 Pangs and agony. 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.000 Seizing them. 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:37.940 Verse 8. 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:40.579 I think we just need to feel this language. 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.660 Here as well. 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.380 Houses plundered. 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.279 People dying. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.920 As verse 19. 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.360 Babylon is judged by God. 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.480 And the end scene. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.200 I think at the end of chapter 13. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:54.920 It's like one of those abandoned cities. 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.640 In the desert. 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:57.700 Sometimes we would see on films. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:00.900 And wild animals have taken up residence there. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:03.800 Because human life is gone a long time ago. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:06.900 This is what is going to happen to Babylon. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.759 Says God. 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:10.380 But why is it going to happen? 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.540 Verse 11. 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.920 I will punish the world for its evil. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.880 And the wicked for their iniquity. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:22.720 So here is a nation. 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:27.500 Acutely facing God's wrath. 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:35.540 That's a word that the Bible uses for talking about his right and righteous and just anger. 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:38.520 Against all the sin and rebellion against him. 00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:41.420 Against his ways and against his rule. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:45.220 And two days are in view here. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.120 If you think about it. 00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:49.940 It's a bit like when you look at a mountain range way in the distance. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:52.060 And you can see in a couple of peaks. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.880 But you don't know the distance between the two. 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:55.560 It's kind of what's going on here. 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:58.279 There's two days which are in view here. 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.900 Now standing where we do in the story. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:03.880 We know that this is talking about a day that's already been. 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:04.560 Okay. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.340 The army here. 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.340 Verse 17. 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:11.720 The physical army here are the Medes. 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:15.500 And history tells us that 539 BC. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:20.500 So that's less than 200 years after or so after Isaiah spoke this. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:23.840 The Medes in history did just this to Babylon. 00:19:24.020 --> 00:19:24.660 You can Google it. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.480 You can find descriptions of the account. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.140 This is what happened. 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:34.180 And again see how crystal clear the word of the Lord is about what's going to happen in the future. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.680 And this is what happened. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:36.520 539. 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.820 The Medes did this to Babylon. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:43.080 Which is an important detail for us to see and know. 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.040 Right. 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:46.400 Remember what God had said at the beginning of chapter 13. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.400 What was the repeated word? 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.020 My. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.980 My army. 00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:51.420 So the Medes army. 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:55.640 This pagan nation who would know nothing of God. 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:59.500 Who would look at you with a blank expression if you talked about the Lord. 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:04.500 These people are doing God's bidding for him. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:10.100 So sovereign is this God above the nations and the peoples of the world. 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:13.759 That even unbelieving nations do his work. 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:20.840 And I think the message for the people of Judah is if God is this sovereign over the nations. 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:23.220 Then why fear them? 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:25.220 Why fear them? 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.819 It doesn't make any logical sense. 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:29.600 Surely you need to fear the one who is above them. 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:33.180 This is a day that's already been. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:37.279 And yet this is a day that's yet to come. 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.920 Verses 6 and 9. 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.940 Do you see the repetition? 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:43.160 See the day of the Lord comes. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:47.519 The day that the Bible talks about at the end of time. 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:50.480 When God will pour out his wrath. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:55.319 And he will judge all who find themselves caught up. 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.460 As it were. 00:20:56.639 --> 00:20:59.279 In the rebellion of spiritual Babylon. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:03.799 Which evil and good is not just two circles. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.740 And some people are good. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:07.700 All of us friends by nature are in this evil category. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:11.200 All of our hearts by very nature are caught up in spiritual Babylon. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.720 And by grace. 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.400 If it were not for God's grace. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.960 This is where we would be. 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:19.819 It's a graphic sight. 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.380 But why is God doing it? 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.440 Why is he pouring out his wrath? 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.460 What's the purpose of this? 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:28.539 Well have a look at the first two verses of chapter 14. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:31.759 And we get an astonishing scene. 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.500 And it. 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.799 It is absolutely mind blowing. 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.500 And take the sin. 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:41.840 Take in the warning of God's wrath. 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.220 And the seriousness of it. 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:45.579 But take in the beauty of what he is offering. 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.440 Why does God do this? 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:50.319 He does it for the good and love of his people. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:54.420 The Lord will have compassion on his people. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:56.079 Feel the warmth of that word. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.720 And again he will choose Jacob. 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:02.660 I think that just means that he will accomplish the purposes. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:04.160 Which he said he would do. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.400 Through them. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:09.340 As he plans for the nations of the world. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:11.759 And notice who is part of this people. 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.340 This God. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.420 Come with me to the text. 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:16.259 This God. 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.480 Verse 2. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:20.240 Who has just pronounced judgment on these nations. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:24.000 The people who find themselves caught up in spiritual Babylon. 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:25.759 He declares here. 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.980 That aliens will join his people. 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.640 So people from outside. 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.480 People from the nations of the world. 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.759 By God's grace. 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:34.279 Who deserve his judgment. 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:37.180 Who deserve God's wrath to be poured out on them. 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:40.980 Will find themselves drawn to the Lord. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.700 Because of his irresistible grace. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.319 Oh friends. 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:49.460 How good and how gracious is this God. 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:52.620 And here's what I want us to see. 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:55.779 And it took me four days of studying this passage to see it. 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:58.180 This is us. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:03.319 See yourself right here in Isaiah 14. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:06.559 The God who had you in his mind. 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.000 If you are Christ. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:10.799 He had you in his mind before the foundation of the world. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.700 And here we are a moment in history. 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:14.980 God declaring that the nations of the world. 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:18.200 There's people there who I will draw to myself. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.039 It's us. 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:25.500 We were in his mind right here. 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:29.920 As God spoke this in 730 BC. 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.319 Does that not blow your mind? 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:36.160 The mercy of our God. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.899 Let me tell you my biggest fear for my life. 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:43.599 You know we talk about people who have asbestos fingers. 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.619 You know that saying? 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.299 You know those people in your life. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:50.259 You just get so used to touching hot things. 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.319 That they cease to be hot. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:52.159 Friends. 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.339 Friends. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.319 My fear for my life. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.319 My fear for us. 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:59.519 Is that we lose. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:01.879 Get numb to the touch. 00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:05.740 Of just how holy this God is. 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:10.220 And why does that matter? 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.980 What are the implications of that? 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.240 If we lose sight. 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:15.500 If we get numb to his holiness. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.759 Friends. 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:19.920 We will lose the wonder of his mercy. 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:25.420 That we would be caught up in this scene in Isaiah 14. 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:30.840 Let us never lose the wonder of God's mercy. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:35.100 That he would have on people like us. 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:38.960 As we trace the Bible story all the way through. 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:43.019 It's an incredible thought to think that we were in his mind as this all passed. 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:44.960 Oh friends. 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:50.400 Let us never develop asbestos fingers when it comes to God's holiness. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.660 Because if we do. 00:24:51.800 --> 00:24:53.580 We will lose the wonder of his mercy. 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.019 Listening in the car on the way up. 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:55.620 Matt Redman. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.900 He's got a wonderful song. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:58.060 One of his newest albums. 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.200 Goes like this. 00:24:59.280 --> 00:24:59.680 The chorus. 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:01.759 May I never lose the wonder. 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:04.340 Oh the wonder of your mercy. 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:07.420 May I sing your hallelujah. 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.240 Hallelujah. 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.759 Amen. 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.280 Oh friends. 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:14.920 Let us never lose the wonder of his mercy. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.580 He acts for the good of his people. 00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:22.380 And God's people. 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:24.540 Do you see at the end of the scene of verse 2. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.860 The tables are well and truly turned. 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:30.580 Because the Lord will have the last laugh. 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:32.900 As he wins for his people. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:38.320 And God's people will share in this victory that God has over evil. 00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.480 As God's people. 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.220 Verse 2. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.720 Rule over those who oppress them. 00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:45.660 That's what God is going to do. 00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:47.500 That is the promise that the nation. 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:49.640 The people of Judah have to cling on to. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:51.259 And stemming from that. 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.580 Thirdly. 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.640 Chapter 14. 00:25:54.780 --> 00:25:56.280 3 to 23. 00:25:56.800 --> 00:25:58.060 The last little bit here. 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.540 We get a jubilant song. 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:03.600 And it's a song that God's people will sing. 00:26:04.300 --> 00:26:07.560 As they revel in God's victory over evil. 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:10.280 As holiness wins. 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:12.640 As death and darkness is banished. 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:15.040 As sin is dealt with. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:17.680 This is good news for God's people. 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.920 They celebrate this. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:22.660 Imagine put yourselves in the shoes of the people of Judah at this time. 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.380 Looking at the nation of Babylon. 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:26.500 And thinking we'll sing this about them. 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.019 Yes you will says the Lord. 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.920 The king of Babylon is in view here. 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:38.160 I take it he's just representative of everything that Babylon stands for. 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:38.900 Right. 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.180 The one who has. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.080 Look at it there. 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:44.699 He is the one who dealt blows to the nations. 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:46.779 And I take it it's not just God's people in view here. 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.179 It's peoples of the world. 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:48.939 I think. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.399 You are the one who dealt harshly with people. 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:55.819 You are the one who said in your heart. 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.359 Verse 14. 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:59.059 And I think this is the key to see. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:01.299 The heart of the king of Babylon. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.259 Representative of the spiritual Babylon. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:06.440 I will make myself like the most high. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:08.500 Do you see the spirit of the Tower of Babel there? 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.259 I want to be God. 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:16.180 And God's people rejoice at his defeat. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.859 And you get this scene. 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.160 It's almost like. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:22.779 They're welcoming him into Sheol. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.559 It's the place of the dead in the Bible. 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:27.579 This is victory for God's people. 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:30.099 And the word at verse 4 is taunt. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:32.519 Make no mistake. 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:35.539 This is no cheap gloating over an enemy who's fallen. 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:39.039 This is the satisfaction and delight. 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:41.279 Which God's people rightly feel. 00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:45.179 At God's final victory over evil and his enemies. 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:51.500 Friends the Lord will have the last laugh. 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.599 Now let me ask you. 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:56.879 I wonder how you respond to that. 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.719 You know there's a true story told of. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:04.719 Former American president Thomas Jefferson. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:09.000 Who when he read the New Testament for himself. 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:09.679 What he did. 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:11.619 Is he just he took a pair of scissors. 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:14.740 And he literally just cut out the bits. 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:16.519 That for the New Testament that he didn't like. 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:21.279 The bits that challenged his way of understanding the world. 00:28:21.439 --> 00:28:22.079 The miracles. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.740 The healings. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:26.380 The words of judgment. 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.759 The call to change. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.859 Nah I didn't like that. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.980 He took it all out. 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:32.559 And he created a New Testament of his own. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.740 Which was a mere 84 pages long. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.900 Now let me ask you. 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.859 If I was to give you a pair of scissors tonight. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.819 And give you permission. 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.680 To go. 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.620 Have a go at your Bible. 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:47.099 Would you cut out Isaiah 13 and 14? 00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:53.119 Because it's not PC is it to talk about any form of judgment. 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:56.319 Let alone the God of the Bible. 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:59.359 And I was speaking to a former police officer recently. 00:28:59.719 --> 00:29:02.240 Who years of working in Scotland. 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:05.159 He said he used to think there was something in this God stuff. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.219 But 25 years or so in the beat. 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:11.219 Taught him to see the evil in the human heart. 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.500 His question in his mind. 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:14.500 Why doesn't God do something about evil? 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.519 Why does he allow it? 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:20.759 It's a really good and honest and raw question. 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.319 And you know what? 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.799 I've got other friends who would ask me. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:28.200 Why would a loving God send anyone to hell? 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:33.680 And again that is a good and a raw and a right question to be asking. 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:37.420 But what I often find friends is it's. 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:40.059 Will God do anything about evil? 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:42.099 Why would a loving God send people to hell? 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:44.679 Often it's the same people who make the same comments to me. 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:48.359 To which my genuine loving question is. 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.259 Which one is it? 00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:55.439 Which objection is it? 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:58.339 Is he right to be angry at evil? 00:29:58.719 --> 00:30:01.179 Is he unloving because he sends people. 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.959 Which one is it? 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.779 And this is the problem I think. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:07.339 Of making a God in our own image. 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:11.139 Because we would not come up with the God of the Bible. 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:14.220 Left to our own devices. 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:17.220 We would do a really poor job at coming up with a God. 00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:21.819 And history time and time again proves that is the case. 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:24.279 A God of perfect justice. 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.759 A God of perfect love. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:28.759 Our minds cannot comprehend how those two things could be. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:32.000 And yet the God of the Bible. 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:34.119 Is both. 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.819 In perfection. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.980 And you say how is that? 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.559 The ultimate proof of that is Jesus. 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:47.599 You know somewhere where I've been spending a bit of time recently. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.119 My own devotional life. 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.259 Matthew 25. 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:54.140 You know you wonder if you can get it there. 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.960 You can maybe read it later. 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.720 During his final days on earth. 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:58.779 Jesus is talking to his disciples. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:03.319 About what life will be like for them once he is gone. 00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:05.360 And they find themselves in this time. 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.460 Between his first and his second coming. 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.980 And he's telling them. 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.960 We get these three parables. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.620 Of the things that he wants them to know. 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.240 And the things that he wants them to do. 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.579 Right. 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.100 Maybe these are familiar to you. 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.600 If they're not. 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.120 Look at them. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.319 They're wonderful passages. 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:17.720 Right. 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:20.000 The parable of the bridesmaids. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.019 Right. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.980 Five ready. 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.960 For the bridal party coming. 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.360 Five not ready. 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:27.579 The bridal party comes. 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.720 The five who are ready go in. 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:30.259 The five that are not ready miss out. 00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:31.180 The point is. 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.840 Be ready. 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.120 That's what I want you to be doing. 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.759 Be alert. 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:35.059 Be ready for my coming. 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:37.440 Then we get the parable of the talents. 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.059 Okay. 00:31:39.100 --> 00:31:42.299 The master gives the servants money to use. 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.600 Gifts to use. 00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:44.680 In his service. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.000 One goes on. 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:46.440 Uses it. 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.299 Makes a lot more. 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.660 One also makes some money. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:50.200 The other one just puts it in the ground. 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:52.840 And it's that slave. 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.860 That's the servant. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:57.160 That's condemned for having a really low view of God. 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.380 And what is the point? 00:31:58.500 --> 00:32:01.940 The point is to get working for the master's return. 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:02.680 Right. 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.819 Live for those words. 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.340 Well done. 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.680 Good and faithful servant. 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:10.360 And then the third parable we get is the parable of the sheep and the goats. 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:22.539 Jesus when he returns will put every single human being who has ever existed into one of two camps based on their acceptance or rejection of him as king. 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:24.740 One group to heaven. 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:29.779 One group to the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth that he describes. 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:38.399 A terrifying description of a place of eternal separation and punishment from God as evil is banished forever. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:47.099 Words from the most loving individual who has ever walked the face of the planet. 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:53.399 Friends it seems to me as I read the gospels that Jesus has no problem with judgment. 00:32:56.899 --> 00:33:00.259 That's what our heart longs would be true is it not in our favorite stories. 00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:03.079 We kind of thought about this this morning but it's been on my mind all week. 00:33:04.439 --> 00:33:07.139 Heart longs doesn't it for evil to be banished. 00:33:07.199 --> 00:33:07.699 Does it not? 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.559 Do you not look out in the world and you think. 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.959 Come Lord Jesus. 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.240 Make this right. 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.639 Our best love stories. 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.399 Do you know what. 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:19.740 Gandalf and his friends they must defeat Saruman. 00:33:20.120 --> 00:33:21.120 We get that. 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.340 Right. 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:24.400 Aslan must defeat the wicked witch. 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.220 We get that. 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:27.640 Simba must defeat Scar the beast. 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:29.240 Beauty and the beast. 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:35.759 Even watching this recently with the kids sacrificially triumphing over Gaston and the curse being lifted because of the sacrifice. 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:41.540 We get that light must defeat the darkness. 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:49.379 Friends the creator and ruler of all things is absolutely right to judge the rebellion of his creatures against him. 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:52.579 What kind of God would he be if he didn't? 00:33:52.579 --> 00:34:02.619 But let me just say that would be terrible news for every single one of us if Jesus stopped talking and acting in Matthew 25. 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:06.199 It would be terrible for all of us. 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.440 And yet. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:10.179 Two verses later. 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:12.179 In Matthew 26. 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:15.339 What does Jesus say he's going to do? 00:34:15.399 --> 00:34:16.539 Having delivered that. 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:18.359 Those three parables. 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:20.359 Talked about the future of the world. 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.219 What does he say? 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:27.980 As you know that Passover is two days away and the son of man will be handed over to be crucified. 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:37.079 Out of God's great love for a rebellious world who would find themselves by very nature in spiritual Babylon. 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:39.400 Jesus goes to the cross. 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:43.599 He takes the wrath of God. 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:47.740 This scene in Isaiah 13. 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.860 Should rightly fall on me and on you. 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:55.260 We should be experiencing this in the final day. 00:34:55.260 --> 00:35:03.800 And yet Jesus, because of our trust in what he has done for us, has bore the wrath reserved for me. 00:35:06.540 --> 00:35:12.140 Friends, are you growing tired of his, the wonder of his mercy this evening? 00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:19.120 The call here, and I take it is the call to the nation of Judah, is to come back to the Lord. 00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:21.940 And know his compassion. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:25.040 And know that he's Lord over the nations. 00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:31.220 And to know that he is the only place where satisfaction in life is to be found. 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:34.260 And Jesus Christ. 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:39.820 You know, let me just close by telling you about a story I was reading this week on the Open Doors website. 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:40.040 Right? 00:35:40.080 --> 00:35:44.120 The Open Doors do a lot of work with the persecuted church all over the world. 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:49.640 You know, I was reading just because fellow pastor out in Bangladesh. 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.199 Right? 00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:55.139 And his church was reading this very recently. 00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:59.440 His church was destroyed by local Buddhist extremists. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:01.900 His church is destroyed. 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:04.900 He goes to the local authorities to see what they could do about it. 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:05.820 Do you know what they said? 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:08.559 How about you just convert back to Buddhism? 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:11.980 Twice in two weeks this happened. 00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:13.340 And he writes this on the website. 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.099 This is his quote. 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:16.639 I can't go home and sleep in case I'm attacked. 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:19.820 I hide every night and sleep somewhere else. 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:24.100 I still feel that someone is about to chase after me. 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:27.280 You know, I was picturing this week that he was in my office. 00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:28.140 He comes in. 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.900 And he gives me this account. 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:31.059 What would I say? 00:36:32.620 --> 00:36:38.160 What do you say to someone who has gone through something like that? 00:36:38.620 --> 00:36:40.740 What do you say after weeping with him? 00:36:41.180 --> 00:36:42.260 Listening to him? 00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:43.360 Loving him? 00:36:43.580 --> 00:36:46.420 Trying to practically see if there was any way that we could help? 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:49.380 At the end of the day, what do you say to him? 00:36:54.260 --> 00:36:56.380 Well, friends, Jesus will have the last laugh. 00:36:58.139 --> 00:37:00.340 What will not the God of all the world do right? 00:37:02.220 --> 00:37:06.680 That's why we can leave it with this perfect King Jesus Christ. 00:37:08.740 --> 00:37:10.559 And I was thinking on it this week as well. 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:12.700 Stuart Townend, and we'll close with this. 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:15.900 I can't think of a better way to put it than how he's put it. 00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:17.820 So I'm just going to read you what he says. 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:21.440 In his wonderful hymn, Jesus is Lord. 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:23.220 And he's talking about this exact thing. 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.280 And with this, we close. 00:37:26.019 --> 00:37:27.159 Jesus is Lord. 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:30.840 A shout of joy, a cry of anguish. 00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:34.920 As he returns and every knee bows low. 00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:40.280 Then every eye and every heart will see his glory. 00:37:40.280 --> 00:37:46.040 And the judge of all will take his children home. 00:37:47.620 --> 00:37:48.720 Friends, this is Jesus. 00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.000 Let's pray. 00:37:51.000 --> 00:38:01.239 Oh, Father, we just praise you that you are the God of compassion. 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:07.159 You are the God who has plans for the nations of this world. 00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:09.820 You are the God who is sovereign over all things. 00:38:09.820 --> 00:38:13.620 And we just thank you for your precious word, Father. 00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:17.440 That the word of you who knows the end from the beginning. 00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:23.760 We thank you that we can look at moments like this and see predictions coming true. 00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:27.620 Oh, Father, I pray that you would give us a confidence in your word. 00:38:27.680 --> 00:38:30.880 For those who haven't put their trust in your son, Jesus. 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:35.160 May the warning of this passage, the seriousness of who you are. 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:38.340 May your spirit bring a fresh awakening of it. 00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:44.079 And Lord, for those of us tonight, perhaps, who have gone cold and are affections for you. 00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:49.640 Oh, Lord, would you rekindle a wonder at your mercy. 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:53.079 Father, we praise you for who you are tonight. 00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:56.480 Help us this week, Father, to live for your glory. 00:38:56.619 --> 00:38:57.720 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:38:58.240 --> 00:38:58.599 Amen.