WEBVTT

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 Well, thanks very much, Al. And I just want to add my welcome to you all as well.

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 It's good to see a number of you. Josie and I have been away on camp this week, and we were

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 about to disappear for another two weeks on holiday. But it's really good to just come back

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 and check in and see our church family as well. And it's really good to meet new people as well

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 who've come along today. So yeah, we're in Psalm 46. It'd be really, really good to just

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 keep that open in front of you if you have it. And it's been my privilege to dig into this,

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 the Psalm, and to see what God has to say to us from it. So you might have noticed there in the

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 heading, we see that this is a song for God's people. So if you take a look at the heading,

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 those were instructions that were left there by the writers of the Psalm to kind of instruct the

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 people who were going to sing it or play it and how they should do that. And we see clearly there

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 that this is a song. It's a song for God's people. And it was written by the sons of Korah to be added

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 to the songbook for the people of Israel. So this run of Psalms that we're doing, many of them tell us

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 that these were written by the sons of Korah. And Psalm 46, it's a song which wasn't only sung by

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 God's people back then, but it's also a song that God's people can sing today as well. God has left

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 it for us, not just to read and to learn from, but we can also sing it as well. But as we look at the

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 words of this Psalm, we quickly see that it is speaking about a world which is in complete chaos.

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 I don't know if you noticed that. If you look at the first few verses, the Psalmist is using

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 apocalyptic language. The very earth is giving away, is giving way. The very mountains, solid and firm,

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 are falling into the sea. The Psalmist is painting a picture of chaos. The sea is roaring and foaming and

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 surging. Where can God's people find refuge in a world that's spinning out of control? But then the

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 Psalmist points to another kind of disorder in the world. Just like the sea, the nations are roaring.

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 Down in verse 6, they are in uproar against one another and they are in uproar against God.

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 And this reminds us of Psalm 2, which forms part of the introduction to the book of Psalms.

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 In Psalm 2, the nations set themselves up against God and against his anointed King, Jesus.

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 And here we see them again. They are in uproar against God in Psalm 46. So we see a picture of

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 chaos. And the chaos described in this Psalm, we can see some of this in our world today.

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 We can see it in our climate. Our world seems to be falling apart. The climate targets are

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 constantly missed. The targets that we set in our countries, we miss them again and again.

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 We see so many species of animals and plants which are lost forever. We see the ice caps

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 starting to melt. We see the seawaters rising around the world. We see devastating wildfires,

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 hurricanes, and even this week we've seen devastating flooding in Texas. It is clear that something has

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 gone very badly wrong in our world, in our climate. Our world is not at peace. And this is because

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 the world that you and I are living in, it's a world that is sitting under judgment, the judgment of God

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 because of sin in this world. And you can go all the way back to Genesis 3 and you can see

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 how God spelled out how he was going to judge the earth because of sin.

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 But then we also see the chaos of Psalm 46 in the way that the nations around our world rage

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 against one another. There is constant conflict around our world. And we've touched on that as

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 well this morning in our prayers. We see war in Eastern Europe, not that far from us. We see it in

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 the Middle East. And we see it in further flung places that we never hear about in our news.

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 There's conflict all around the world. And that shows us that there is something that has gone wrong

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 among the nations of the earth as well. It's not just in our climate, but there is something gone

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 wrong amongst the nations. And the nations are living in this world under God's judgment. And

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 the nations will be judged for their sin and for setting themselves up against God and his anointed one.

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 So this world that the psalmist paints, it's a world that is experiencing chaos. It is a world that is

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 under God's judgment for sin. And whether we are directly or indirectly by the chaos in our world,

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 whether it's right up in our faces or if it's further away, it can cause us to fear.

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 We are left asking ourselves, where will God's people turn to when the earth gives way? When the earth

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 below their feet seems to be wobbling? Where can God's people take refuge when the nations rage against

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 them? When the people of this world rage against God's people? When they rage against our God? When

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 they rage against his anointed King, Jesus? Who can God's people cling to as they live in this world,

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 which is experiencing God's judgment? Well, I think the psalmist wants us to know this morning that

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 there is order behind this disorder. This psalm reminds us that this is a world, yes, it's sitting

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 under God's judgment, but the Almighty God stands above this chaotic and rebellious world and he commands

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 it to be still and to know who the true King is in this world. So this is where we're going this

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 morning. Three headings, Almighty God is among his people. God will still and be exalted among his

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 enemies and God will dwell among his people. So we're going to start by seeing that God's people can take

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 confidence because Almighty God is among his people and he is their refuge. So I mentioned before that

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 this is a song and it's structured like a song. The Pew Bibles, they miss out the silah word, but if we see

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 that the word silah is inserted at the end of verse 7 and it's, sorry, just before verse 7, actually I

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 can't remember, I think it's inserted three times, do correct me, but this shows us that this is well

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 structured this psalm. I don't know if you noticed that there's a repeated chorus. So verse 7 and verse 11

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 it's the exact same words again. So this repeated chorus and if there's two choruses then that means

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 we have a verse 1, which is verses 1 to 6. That's our first stanza, our first verse of our song and then

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 verses 8 to 10 is our second verse. So it's very well structured this psalm and what this shows us

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 is that God has a really clear message for us through this song and we see right from the very start of

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 this song this theme that we're going to see today that God is our refuge and he is our strength. The very

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 first words of this song, he is our refuge and our strength and this is an idea which is repeated in

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 the chorus in verse 7 and 11, the God of Jacob is our fortress. The God of Jacob is our fortress. The imagery

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 is clear. God is a place of refuge for his people. God's people will be safe in God's, their fortress,

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 peace when they choose to take shelter in him. Now we probably can't appreciate the physical safety

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 we might feel in a refuge like the one described in this psalm because we are living in a country that

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 is at peace at the moment but if we were living in the Middle East today or if we were living in the UK

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 during World War II or World War I then we would understand what it would feel like to take refuge.

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 So this is a picture from the London Underground in World War II and it's thought that 177,000 people

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 who lived in London during the Blitz took refuge in the tunnels of the London Underground

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 and there they would have felt safe from the carnage that was happening on the ground above.

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 So that was the London Underground in World War II and this is a picture of Fort Knox in Kentucky and this place is so well known for its security that it's become a turn of phrase.

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 For example, oh well it's not exactly Fort Knox is it? So we know that word, we know that place Fort Knox is a place of utter security.

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 It's a place that's impossible to enter or exit without the highest levels of clearance.

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 So for the people of God, he is their London Underground where they feel completely safe when the bombs are dropping

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 and he is their unshakable Fort Knox during times of trouble where no enemy may enter.

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 But God isn't just a place of unshakable security.

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 The psalmist wants to tell us that the Lord Almighty is with us.

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 And we see that in verse 7, the Lord Almighty is with us.

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 And verse 1 again, he is an ever-present help in trouble.

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 He's present. God is among his people.

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 God is in their midst.

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 Now we see this idea often in the Old Testament.

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 Whenever Almighty God was in the midst of his people, they were safe.

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 And we see that through the book of Exodus.

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 God was in the midst of his people when they were in the wilderness.

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 And he dwelled in the tabernacle, which was in the middle of the camp.

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 He was among his people.

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 And then when God's people dwelled in the city of Jerusalem,

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 God took up residence in the temple in the city.

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 The temple was in the city of Jerusalem.

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 And whenever Almighty God went into battle with the people of Israel,

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 they were never defeated.

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 So when God is among his people, he is like an MVP on a basketball team,

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 a most valuable player.

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 Whenever Michael Jordan stepped onto the court with his Chicago Bulls teammates in the 90s,

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 his team not only had an advantage because they had the best player with them,

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 it also had the double benefit of inspiring confidence in his teammates,

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 helping them to play at a higher level,

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 but also striking fear in their opponents

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 because they knew how tough they were going to find it

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 playing against a team with Michael Jordan in it.

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 So whenever Michael was playing, his team had a good chance of winning.

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 When God is among his people, they will always prevail.

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 They will never be defeated.

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 And when God is among his people,

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 just like the Chicago Bulls,

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 God's people are filled with confidence

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 and their enemies are put to flight.

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 So Almighty God is a refuge for the people of God.

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 He is a fortress

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 and he is a mighty helper among them,

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 in the midst of them.

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 But we must ask ourselves,

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 what did this song mean for the nation of Israel

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 who were given this song originally,

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 who would have sung this song,

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 whenever they gathered?

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 Why was it important for the people of Israel

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 to sing this particular song?

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 Well, as the nation of Israel sung Psalm 46,

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 they were reminding themselves

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 to put their trust in God alone.

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 When their enemies were threatening them,

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 when the nations around them were flexing their muscles

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 and threatening to invade them,

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 they were not to put their faith in the walls of Jerusalem.

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 They were not to put their faith in alliances

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 with other nations.

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 And they were certainly not to put their faith

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 in the gods of the surrounding nations,

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 gods of wood and stone.

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 And believe me,

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 you know it yourself,

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 they tried all of these things.

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 When God's people put their faith in other things,

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 that's always when it went wrong for them.

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 And for us today,

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 whether you are following Jesus or not this morning,

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 I want to ask you,

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 where do you run to in times of chaos?

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 Where is your hope when calamity strikes,

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 when the enemies are knocking at the door of the city,

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 when the ground beneath us shakes?

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 We know what this feels like,

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 when the ground beneath us shakes.

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 Not literally,

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 but when calamity strikes in our life,

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 when bad things are happening,

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 when we are fearful,

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 when we are scared.

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 Where is your hope?

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 Where will you run to?

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 Well, Psalm 46 reminds us

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 that those who trust in the mighty fortress,

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 in God and in his anointed King Jesus,

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 they will always be secure.

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 So that is the security,

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 the fortress,

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 God among his people.

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 But now,

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 we're going to look at the second verse.

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 We're going to look back at verses four and five in a minute.

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 But now let's look at the second verse of this song.

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 So that's verses eight to 10.

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 And let's see how God invites us to come and see what he has done.

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 We say that in verse eight.

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 God says,

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 or sorry,

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 the Psalmist says,

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 come and see what the Lord has done.

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 The desolations he has brought on the earth.

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 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

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 He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.

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 He burns the shields with fire.

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 God wants us to see him in action

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 as he unleashes his judgment on the rebellious nations,

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 the enemies of the people of God.

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 And what does God do?

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 We see in these verses,

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 he causes wars to cease.

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 He breaks the bow.

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 He shatters the spear.

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 He burns the shields or the chariots with fire.

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 God will defeat all the warring nations by destroying their weapons.

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 How can you fight if your weapons have been destroyed?

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 The people of God are invited to come

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 and see the desolations that God has brought upon their enemies.

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 Perhaps there's one particular battle or event

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 that the Psalmist has in mind when he writes this song.

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 But we've thought about Jericho already this morning.

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 You know, that's a good example of God making an utter desolation of God's enemies.

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 And he brings them down by his power alone.

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 It was nothing that the Israelites did.

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 They were just on a long walk, a long, noisy walk.

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 The Psalmist says,

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 Come and see, O people of God,

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 what the covenant Lord has done for you.

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 He will raise your enemies to the ground and make them a desolation.

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 Come and see what he has done.

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 Now we've seen in verse 6 already that the nations are roaring

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 and they're lifting up their voice against God and against his people.

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 But we see in verse 6 that when almighty God lifts up his voice,

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 again that apocalyptic language,

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 the earth melts.

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 When God lifts up his voice,

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 mighty nations are brought to nothing.

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 There is no doubt where true power lies in this Psalm.

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 Now I'm not sure when in Israel's history

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 this Psalm was written.

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 It could have been when Israel was still a kingdom

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 or it could have been when they were in exile

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 or under occupation.

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 This could have been written to them

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 when they were under Babylonian rule

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 or under Persian rule

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 or under Greek rule

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 or even under Roman rule.

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 No matter when in history

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 the people of God sung this song,

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 Psalm 46 should have reminded them

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 where the true power lies.

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 These almighty kingdoms,

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 where are they now?

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 Where are the Greeks?

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 Where are the Romans?

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 Where are the Babylonians?

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 God is the one who's able to utterly

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 dismantle the nations

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 and make them a desolation.

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 How foolish then it would have been

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 for the people of God

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 to trust in anyone

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 or anything other than almighty God.

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 God says to his people,

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 come and see what I can do.

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 Come and see what I've done.

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 But now let's move on to verse 10.

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 And this is where God says

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 to the nations and to all the earth,

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 be still and know that I am God.

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 I will be exalted among the nations.

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 I will be exalted in the earth.

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 So we've seen the invitation

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 to come and see

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 and now we see this command

00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:15.039
 to be still.

00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:17.879
 Now we quite often like to quote this verse.

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.240
 We like to take it

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.579
 as a sort of comforting verse.

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:25.019
 We like to meditate on it.

00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:27.559
 But in the context of this psalm,

00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.839
 in the context of Psalm 46,

00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.500
 as we look at the language

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.599
 in the rest of the psalm,

00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:35.139
 this is no peaceful meditation.

00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:37.279
 This is an awesome,

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:39.359
 authoritative command

00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.259
 to the nations

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.699
 and to all the earth

00:19:41.699 --> 00:19:42.699
 and to anybody

00:19:42.699 --> 00:19:44.079
 who's looking on and listening

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:47.599
 to be still before him

00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.199
 and to know for certain

00:19:49.199 --> 00:19:50.699
 that he is God.

00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.799
 There is no other.

00:19:52.679 --> 00:19:55.039
 This is no peaceful meditation.

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:57.699
 This is an authoritative command

00:19:57.699 --> 00:20:00.759
 to still yourself before God.

00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:04.220
 Now, this command from God,

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:06.940
 there are really obvious similarities.

00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.420
 I say really obvious.

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.619
 I just, at camp this week,

00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:12.460
 we were looking at Mark chapter four.

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.599
 Sorry, the gospel of Mark.

00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.720
 So my head's been in the gospel of Mark.

00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.920
 My head's been in the Psalms

00:20:17.920 --> 00:20:18.980
 full of prep for this.

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:21.900
 And there seems to be

00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.900
 some real similarities

00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:24.420
 between this command of God

00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:26.240
 and the story of Jesus

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:27.259
 in the boat

00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.980
 on the Sea of Galilee

00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:30.700
 in Mark chapter four.

00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.320
 And I'm just going to put

00:20:32.320 --> 00:20:33.560
 the words of the story

00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.420
 up on the screen.

00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:35.900
 You'll know this story really well.

00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.400
 But I'm just going to read it.

00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.820
 That day when evening came,

00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.860
 he said to his disciples,

00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.460
 that's Jesus,

00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:44.380
 let us go over

00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.500
 to the other side.

00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:47.700
 Leaving the crowd behind,

00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.920
 they took him along

00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:51.080
 just as he was in the boat.

00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:54.299
 There were also other boats with him.

00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:57.419
 A furious squall came up

00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:59.619
 and the waves broke over the boat

00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:02.039
 so that it was nearly swamped.

00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:04.579
 Jesus was in the stern,

00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:06.980
 sleeping on a cushion.

00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.339
 The disciples woke him

00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.980
 and said to him,

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.960
 teacher, don't you care

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.079
 if we drown?

00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.199
 He got up,

00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:17.579
 rebuked the wind

00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.519
 and said to the waves,

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.799
 quiet.

00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.519
 Be still.

00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.119
 Then the wind died down

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:28.419
 and it was completely calm.

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.500
 He said to his disciples,

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.859
 why are you so afraid?

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.699
 Do you still have no faith?

00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:38.319
 And they were terrified

00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:40.099
 and they asked each other,

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.720
 who is this?

00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:44.220
 Even the wind and the waves

00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:45.099
 obey him.

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.659
 Jesus

00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:51.360
 purposefully uses

00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:53.040
 the words of Psalm 46

00:21:53.040 --> 00:21:54.980
 when he stands up

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.840
 and he speaks

00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.840
 to the roaring,

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.519
 foaming,

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:59.420
 and surging sea and wind.

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.279
 And he speaks these words

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.140
 in the presence

00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:03.200
 of his disciples,

00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.200
 be still

00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.560
 and know

00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.420
 that I

00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.779
 am God.

00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:11.140
 And we see in the story

00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.100
 that they are left

00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.060
 asking one another,

00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.100
 who is this man?

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:16.719
 They didn't know

00:22:16.719 --> 00:22:17.959
 who he truly was yet,

00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:20.179
 but by using this Psalm,

00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.439
 Jesus is declaring,

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:22.939
 you lot

00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:24.159
 know that I

00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:25.039
 am God

00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.319
 and that I will

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.339
 command the nations

00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.759
 and all the earth

00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.399
 to be still

00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:30.399
 before me.

00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.660
 Jesus declares,

00:22:33.780 --> 00:22:34.160
 look,

00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:35.000
 this Psalm

00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.920
 is about me.

00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:38.120
 I am the fortress

00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:39.080
 you must run to.

00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:41.080
 I will be among you

00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:42.340
 and be an ever-present

00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.060
 help to you

00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:43.920
 by my spirit.

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.960
 I will fight for you

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.800
 and I will

00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.980
 still the earth

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.180
 and the nations

00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.280
 with just a word

00:22:50.280 --> 00:22:52.420
 and I will be

00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:53.420
 exalted.

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.540
 And where will Jesus

00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:56.180
 be exalted?

00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:56.800
 Well, we see

00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:57.620
 in verse 10,

00:22:57.619 --> 00:23:00.619
 Jesus will be exalted

00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:02.939
 among the nations

00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:05.479
 and in the earth.

00:23:06.459 --> 00:23:07.959
 Jesus will be celebrated

00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:09.159
 and glorified

00:23:09.159 --> 00:23:09.939
 and worshipped

00:23:09.939 --> 00:23:11.579
 in those two places

00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.219
 of chaos

00:23:12.219 --> 00:23:13.339
 that we looked at already.

00:23:14.479 --> 00:23:15.459
 In the earth,

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.479
 which is sitting

00:23:16.479 --> 00:23:17.459
 under God's judgment.

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.939
 Jesus will still it.

00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.939
 Jesus will be exalted

00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.659
 in the midst

00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.439
 of the nations

00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:25.019
 who rebel

00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.079
 against his rule

00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:28.099
 as Jesus

00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.879
 is exalted

00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.859
 in the earth

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:31.159
 and among the nations,

00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:32.980
 they will be humbled

00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:35.099
 and they will be stilled

00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.119
 and they will know

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:37.419
 without a doubt

00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:39.259
 that he is God.

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.119
 And God's people,

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.079
 those that have come

00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:43.720
 into his kingdom

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.339
 that have chosen

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.399
 to set him up

00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:46.119
 as their king,

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.019
 they will be looking on

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.000
 and they will be

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.679
 worshipping

00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.720
 and glorifying him

00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.159
 all the more

00:23:51.159 --> 00:23:52.500
 when they see him

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:52.960
 come down

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.500
 and humble

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.599
 all his enemies

00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.299
 and be exalted.

00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.379
 But of course,

00:23:57.619 --> 00:24:00.199
 Jesus was already glorified

00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:01.399
 in the earth

00:24:01.399 --> 00:24:02.539
 and among the nations

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.779
 when he was nailed

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:05.099
 to the cross

00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:07.059
 to bear the wrath

00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.619
 of God

00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.559
 for the sins

00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.179
 of mankind.

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.639
 Jesus was glorified

00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.639
 on that cross

00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:15.099
 as the saviour

00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.939
 of the world

00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:17.659
 died

00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:18.839
 and suffered

00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:21.000
 for the ones

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.619
 that he loved.

00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:24.579
 yet he was raised

00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.439
 again to life

00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:26.819
 defeating not just

00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.759
 earthly nations

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:29.099
 but defeating

00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.739
 the spiritual enemies

00:24:30.739 --> 00:24:31.199
 of God

00:24:31.199 --> 00:24:32.039
 once and for all.

00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.299
 So the God

00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.299
 of Psalm 46

00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.179
 has already

00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:39.019
 dealt the defeating

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.799
 blow to all

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.379
 his enemies

00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.059
 on earth

00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:42.619
 and in the spiritual realm.

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.979
 But we are living

00:24:43.979 --> 00:24:44.579
 in a time

00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.699
 after the cross

00:24:45.699 --> 00:24:47.500
 and before Jesus

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.519
 returns in power,

00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.759
 we are in this

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.920
 in-between time

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:53.319
 and so we haven't

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.579
 seen all the powers

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.660
 of the nations

00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.639
 brought under

00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.099
 his rule

00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.660
 just yet.

00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.680
 So how can we

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.639
 as God's people

00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.799
 sing

00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.859
 Psalm 46

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.599
 today?

00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:04.900
 Well,

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.619
 I think it is by

00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.299
 looking at where

00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.980
 we are going,

00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.619
 where we are going,

00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.440
 where our destination

00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:09.839
 is.

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.759
 And this is the

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.379
 moment that we

00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.139
 skip back to

00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:13.679
 verses 4 and 5.

00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:17.559
 And in verses 4 and 5

00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.819
 we see there

00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.879
 that Jesus has,

00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:20.699
 sorry,

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.359
 we know already

00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.579
 from our Bible

00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.339
 that Jesus has

00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.199
 promised to

00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:25.139
 deliver all who

00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:25.799
 trust in him

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:27.159
 into his everlasting

00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:27.639
 kingdom.

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.199
 And we see this

00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:29.819
 in view here,

00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:31.059
 the city of God

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:33.759
 where God himself

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.279
 will dwell among us.

00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.740
 This is the great

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.539
 promise that

00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.519
 heaven will come

00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.259
 down to earth

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.460
 and God will dwell

00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.940
 among his people.

00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.879
 We will live

00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:44.720
 with him.

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.379
 And in verses 4 and 5

00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.259
 you can take a look

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.799
 at them again

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.539
 in Psalm 46.

00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.980
 Here we see

00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.279
 the river of life

00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.440
 flowing

00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.740
 in the city of God

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.500
 and we see

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.319
 that it makes

00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.920
 the people

00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.579
 glad.

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.960
 This is a picture

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.339
 of tranquility

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:05.039
 and it is in

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.579
 contrast

00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:05.900
 with the

00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.379
 verses that come

00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.440
 before the chaotic

00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:10.000
 waters of the world

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.600
 under judgment.

00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.580
 Here we see

00:26:12.580 --> 00:26:13.519
 the river of life

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:15.259
 flowing peacefully

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.220
 in the city of God

00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.820
 and it makes

00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:17.700
 the people of

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.980
 God glad.

00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.900
 And this is the city

00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.140
 where God dwells.

00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:23.820
 We see that

00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:24.900
 in this verse as well.

00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.740
 God dwells here

00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.580
 with his people.

00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.200
 God is within

00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.559
 this city.

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.759
 He will be

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.940
 among his people

00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.240
 there in the city

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.620
 of God.

00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.940
 She will not fall.

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:38.279
 God will help her

00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:38.860
 at the beginning

00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.779
 of every day.

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.400
 It is clear

00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.420
 that this place

00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.820
 this place

00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.860
 this city of God

00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:46.799
 where we will dwell

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:48.200
 is a place

00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.100
 of tranquility.

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.340
 It's a place

00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:51.500
 of rock steady

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.220
 safety.

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:54.140
 It is a holy place.

00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:56.480
 And how will

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.140
 God's people

00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:58.320
 have total confidence

00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.920
 when they live

00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.620
 in that place?

00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.460
 How will God's people

00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.600
 have confidence

00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.780
 when they are with him

00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:04.780
 in,

00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.300
 I just gave it away,

00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.160
 when they're with him

00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:09.240
 in the new creation?

00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.980
 It's because God himself

00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.700
 will dwell there

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.420
 with them

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.840
 and in the midst

00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.560
 of his people.

00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.420
 So in these

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.420
 in-between days

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:19.500
 after the cross

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.620
 and before Jesus'

00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.280
 return,

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.779
 we are waiting

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.559
 for this day

00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.440
 when we will live

00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.839
 in total peace

00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.879
 with God

00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:28.779
 in his holy kingdom.

00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.759
 And as we wait,

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.660
 we need to

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.420
 consider

00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.639
 these two things.

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.839
 So two things

00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.819
 for us to think about

00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.519
 just as we

00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.420
 start to

00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.099
 bring this

00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.700
 all to a close.

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.779
 We need to consider

00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.599
 God's invitation

00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:45.180
 that we've seen already.

00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.299
 God's invitation

00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:46.920
 to come

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.160
 and see

00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:50.200
 and secondly,

00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:50.940
 his command

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:52.420
 to be still.

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.440
 Come and see

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:56.060
 what the Lord

00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.500
 has done

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.340
 and secondly,

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.019
 be still

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.920
 and know that I am God.

00:27:59.060 --> 00:28:00.100
 So today,

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.120
 in this in-between day,

00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.240
 God is saying

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.779
 to us today,

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.759
 come and see

00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.700
 what I've done.

00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.140
 Maybe you say,

00:28:08.800 --> 00:28:09.680
 maybe you're saying,

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.539
 I just can't see

00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.200
 God working

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.080
 in the situation

00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:14.019
 that I'm in right now.

00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.880
 I'm in this situation.

00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.920
 I have this

00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:18.800
 circumstance in my life

00:28:18.800 --> 00:28:20.160
 and I just can't see him

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.140
 at work.

00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.500
 Why should I trust him anyway?

00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:24.480
 What is he actually doing?

00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.740
 Well, I think God

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.800
 is inviting us

00:28:26.800 --> 00:28:27.820
 to come and take a look

00:28:27.820 --> 00:28:28.380
 in our Bibles,

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.200
 come and see

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:29.880
 what he's done

00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:30.640
 in the history

00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:31.920
 of his people,

00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.760
 of Israel,

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.100
 how he displayed

00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:35.100
 his mighty power

00:28:35.100 --> 00:28:36.140
 again and again

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.600
 and again

00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.380
 over his enemies.

00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.820
 But not just that,

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.880
 God is inviting us

00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.900
 to come and see

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:43.140
 what he has done

00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.820
 through his son,

00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.440
 Jesus,

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:46.660
 bringing salvation

00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:48.320
 and eternal refuge

00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:50.200
 to all who choose

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.420
 to put their trust

00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:51.799
 in him.

00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:53.000
 Come and see

00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.700
 what I've done

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.900
 through my people,

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.180
 Israel,

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.039
 but come and see

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.759
 what I ultimately

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.420
 have done

00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:58.440
 through my son,

00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:58.799
 Jesus.

00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.039
 Come and see.

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:01.680
 Now,

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.500
 at the start,

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:05.080
 we were thinking

00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.700
 a little bit

00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.779
 about bomb shelters,

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.580
 a place of refuge

00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:10.680
 for people living

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.200
 in danger.

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.660
 we thought about

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.480
 the London Underground.

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.960
 But the whole point

00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.980
 of a bomb shelter

00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:19.120
 is that you actually

00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:20.059
 have to leave

00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:21.140
 the unsafe place

00:29:21.140 --> 00:29:21.779
 where you are,

00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.460
 so maybe that's

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.000
 your house.

00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.120
 You need to get up,

00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.920
 you need to come

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.940
 out of that place

00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.920
 and you need to enter

00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:29.980
 into the shelter

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.519
 and only then

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.360
 will you be safe.

00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.200
 In the same way,

00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:36.759
 we must all leave

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:38.059
 the place

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:40.000
 of self-dependence

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.759
 which offers us

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.819
 no true safety.

00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:44.179
 We need to stop

00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:45.659
 depending on ourself

00:29:45.659 --> 00:29:46.819
 for safety.

00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.159
 We need to come

00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:49.079
 out of that place

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.639
 and enter into

00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.399
 the refuge

00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:53.200
 that God offers us

00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:55.079
 and that is

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.679
 his son,

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.220
 Jesus.

00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.240
 Jesus is the only

00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.319
 place where we

00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.559
 can find true

00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.319
 safety in this world

00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.720
 which is rocking

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.980
 and shaking

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.399
 and at war

00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.160
 with itself

00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.440
 this world

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.060
 which will come

00:30:09.060 --> 00:30:09.560
 to an end.

00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.900
 Jesus is the only

00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.580
 place where we

00:30:11.580 --> 00:30:12.600
 can find true

00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:14.240
 safety in this

00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:14.800
 world.

00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.780
 So come and see

00:30:16.780 --> 00:30:17.320
 what I've done

00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:18.240
 through my son Jesus

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.259
 and secondly,

00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:20.640
 God invites us

00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:23.000
 to be still.

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.680
 I think this is

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.380
 actually an invitation

00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.240
 for us now.

00:30:26.780 --> 00:30:27.380
 God invites us

00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.400
 to come and be still

00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:30.560
 before he commands

00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.400
 the whole earth

00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:31.820
 and the world

00:30:31.820 --> 00:30:32.660
 to be still.

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.940
 God invites each

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.380
 one of us

00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:35.820
 this morning.

00:30:36.860 --> 00:30:37.500
 Be still.

00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.180
 Will you humble

00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:41.160
 yourself before

00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:42.080
 him and know

00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:43.180
 that he is the

00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.840
 one true God?

00:30:45.820 --> 00:30:46.620
 He will be

00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.620
 exalted in our

00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.840
 midst on that

00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.600
 final day of

00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:49.920
 judgment.

00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:51.380
 Jesus,

00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:52.980
 whether we choose

00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.140
 to trust in him

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.600
 or not

00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:57.539
 or whether we

00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.240
 will choose to

00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:58.980
 keep roaring

00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.960
 at him,

00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.380
 setting ourselves

00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:02.279
 up against him.

00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:03.700
 He will be

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.920
 exalted in our

00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.460
 midst,

00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.340
 whether we

00:31:06.340 --> 00:31:07.960
 like it or

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.340
 not.

00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.700
 God invites us

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.299
 here in Psalm

00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.460
 46 to be

00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.819
 still and

00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.360
 worship

00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:15.900
 Jesus,

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.380
 who will bring

00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:18.019
 all his

00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:19.519
 enemies under

00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.000
 his rule.

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.080
 Let me pray.

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:31.240
 our God and

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.539
 Father,

00:31:32.179 --> 00:31:33.419
 we thank you so

00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:33.919
 much for giving

00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.879
 us your word.

00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.799
 Thank you for

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.519
 giving us

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:38.039
 Psalm 46,

00:31:38.899 --> 00:31:39.439
 this psalm that

00:31:39.439 --> 00:31:39.980
 we may know

00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.759
 or we've maybe

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.199
 never seen

00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:41.599
 before.

00:31:42.199 --> 00:31:42.759
 And we thank

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.159
 you that this

00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:44.379
 is a psalm

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.039
 that we can

00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:46.559
 think about,

00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.240
 we can read,

00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.159
 we can even

00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:48.559
 sing.

00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.879
 and it's a

00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:50.240
 psalm that

00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.919
 gives us

00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:53.019
 massive confidence

00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.519
 that you are

00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:56.000
 our refuge,

00:31:56.179 --> 00:31:56.799
 you are our

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.159
 fortress,

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:57.960
 you are the

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.599
 place that we

00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.879
 can run into

00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.419
 and take

00:32:00.419 --> 00:32:01.099
 shelter in

00:32:01.099 --> 00:32:02.519
 when we are

00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.119
 living in this

00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.460
 world,

00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.779
 when calamity

00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.359
 strikes,

00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.179
 when the

00:32:06.179 --> 00:32:06.819
 nations are

00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:08.000
 raging against

00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.599
 you and

00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.539
 against us,

00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.240
 your church.

00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.819
 Thank you that

00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:13.119
 we can find

00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:14.079
 shelter in you

00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.679
 and in your

00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.339
 son Jesus,

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.379
 who you have

00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:17.000
 anointed and

00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.759
 you have set up

00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.400
 as the king

00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.539
 over the

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.059
 universe.

00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.259
 And yeah,

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.960
 we just pray

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.559
 for each one

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.019
 of us that

00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.579
 we would be

00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.480
 remembering that

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.619
 this week,

00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:26.879
 Lord,

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.259
 as in the

00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:28.740
 good times

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.119
 and in the

00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:29.400
 bad,

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.400
 that we would

00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.420
 remind ourselves

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.019
 that we can

00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.940
 take shelter

00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.440
 in him.

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.359
 And we thank

00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:34.779
 you that you

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.240
 haven't just

00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.420
 left us to

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.079
 scrabble around

00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.660
 in this world

00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.579
 by ourselves,

00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.819
 but you have

00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.480
 promised to be

00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.319
 among us today,

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.839
 among your

00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:42.180
 people.

00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.299
 You said it's

00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:44.059
 better for me,

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.279
 Jesus said it's

00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:45.980
 better for me to

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:47.200
 leave you so

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:48.019
 the spirit can

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.080
 come and to

00:32:49.080 --> 00:32:50.640
 help us live

00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.799
 for you.

00:32:52.120 --> 00:32:52.680
 So we thank

00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.759
 you for sending

00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:55.519
 Jesus to be

00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.420
 glorified in the

00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:56.960
 world.

00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:57.860
 We saw that as

00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:58.400
 he hung on the

00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.000
 cross and he

00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.580
 died for the

00:32:59.580 --> 00:32:59.940
 sins of the

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.200
 world.

00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.100
 And we pray

00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:01.580
 for those of

00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:02.539
 us who sit

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.140
 here this

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.620
 morning who

00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.340
 haven't yet

00:33:04.340 --> 00:33:05.380
 chosen to put

00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:06.620
 their trust in

00:33:06.620 --> 00:33:06.880
 Jesus.

00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:07.840
 I pray that you

00:33:07.840 --> 00:33:08.380
 would help them

00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.120
 to know that he

00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.819
 is the son of

00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:10.000
 God.

00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:11.420
 He is who he

00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.000
 said he was.

00:33:12.120 --> 00:33:12.900
 He is a real

00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.640
 figure in history,

00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.720
 but he was much

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.220
 more than that.

00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.920
 He was the son of

00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:17.320
 God who came to

00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.380
 suffer the wrath

00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:20.480
 of God for all

00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.080
 of our sins,

00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.360
 Lord.

00:33:22.060 --> 00:33:23.000
 So we thank you

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.779
 for Jesus and we

00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.220
 thank you for

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.840
 leaving your

00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:26.360
 spirit who dwells

00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:27.259
 amongst us and

00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.140
 is in our midst

00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:29.100
 today and is our

00:33:29.100 --> 00:33:30.279
 ever-present help.

00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.220
 So help us now,

00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:34.120
 Lord, as we turn

00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:35.700
 and turn to a

00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.320
 time of worship

00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.680
 and help us to

00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.180
 lift up our

00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:39.660
 voices and worship

00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.900
 you as our king

00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.539
 and our God.

00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.019
 And it's in Jesus'

00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:43.920
 name that we pray.

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.759
 Amen.

00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.920
 Amen.

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:46.920


00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:46.920


00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:46.920