WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.679 Good morning. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:04.660 That's pretty good. 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:11.939 Welcome if you're here for the first time. 00:00:12.339 --> 00:00:13.439 My name's Chris. 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:16.640 I help oversee the community groups here. 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:21.039 And I'm on the staff team here. 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:26.719 If you notice in the summer, there's a lot of in and out coming and going. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:28.960 I know some of you are going to be going away. 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:30.100 Some of you are coming back. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:33.380 We're called Watermark Community Church. 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:35.280 One of the things we want to be about is community. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:39.020 Even in the midst of the summer where things are transitioning in and out, 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:42.240 I encourage you, even after the service, don't just kind of run away. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:44.120 Spend time getting to know people. 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:45.200 There's coffee downstairs. 00:00:45.900 --> 00:00:48.760 There's great opportunities just to be able to connect with people. 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:54.939 Don't make the summer like a time where you kind of spiritually take your foot off the accelerator. 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:59.859 Let it be a time where we actually kind of move even deeper into God in this season. 00:01:01.059 --> 00:01:10.400 So we're in this season as a church of looking at the Psalms and looking at how the Psalms take us through all the seasons of life. 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:12.719 Winter, spring, summer, autumn. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:16.659 And that's very much a metaphor for our lives. 00:01:17.039 --> 00:01:23.340 That our lives pass through different seasons and go through different realities of life. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:25.019 We've looked at happiness. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:28.280 We've looked at unhappiness. 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:30.099 We've looked at discouragement and depression. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:35.799 And today we're going to look at envy and contentment and doubt. 00:01:37.119 --> 00:01:40.859 There's a song in Watermark, which we may even sing later, which is called, 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:43.919 Christ is enough for me. 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:45.919 Christ is enough for me. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:48.819 Everything I have is in you. 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:51.959 Now, I don't know if you ever look at the song lyrics. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:55.299 I really encourage you to actually look at the lyrics and what you're saying. 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:57.000 Don't just sing them. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.299 But look at what they're saying. 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:06.560 Because when I read the words to that song, it's saying what the Psalmist in Psalm 73 says. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:07.319 He says, 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:10.280 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:14.479 And what do I desire on earth but you, God? 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:20.520 If I have Jesus, then I am content no matter what. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:21.460 That's what he's saying. 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:24.020 But I don't know if you've thought about that. 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:29.780 Because I thought about that and I thought, is that true of me? 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:31.380 Is that true of me? 00:02:31.460 --> 00:02:32.740 I want it to be true. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:36.960 Deep inside of me, I want to say, yeah, Jesus, you're everything to me. 00:02:37.040 --> 00:02:41.520 But actually, a relative of mine is getting married. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:46.460 I think, in about two weeks. 00:02:47.660 --> 00:02:49.439 She hasn't booked the venue yet. 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:52.300 It's in France. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:55.660 She hasn't actually chosen the exact date yet. 00:02:55.659 --> 00:03:00.620 And we, me and my wife, we can't organize anything. 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:03.520 We want to book our holiday in advance. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:05.879 But we can't do anything. 00:03:06.579 --> 00:03:07.960 And it's driving me nuts. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:10.599 And Christ is enough for me. 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:16.379 But I would like to say, yes, Christ is enough for me and a little bit of organization. 00:03:16.379 --> 00:03:18.180 Because that would help me. 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:26.979 And I don't know about you, but maybe you have lots of Christ and, you know, Christ and my kids' education is enough for me. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:30.019 Christ and my grades is enough for me. 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:34.759 Christ and lots of likes on Facebook is enough for me. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:37.199 Whatever the fill in the blank is at that point. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:50.159 And if God were to take away that and part, take away the plans, the dreams, whatever I have for myself, you know, strip me of health, my job, my holiday. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:53.519 Is Jesus enough for me? 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:59.019 Can I be content if I never go on that holiday? 00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:01.199 That's a real question. 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:03.639 And I'm wrestling with that at the moment. 00:04:03.739 --> 00:04:05.259 So this is a sermon for myself. 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:05.780 Okay. 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:18.639 But as we think about it, you even think about that question, sometimes we can look at kind of people who are like the spiritual greats and say, those people are the people who can say that. 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:20.300 There's a guy called C.T. Studd. 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:21.219 I don't know if you've heard of him. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:22.879 Unfortunate name. 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:28.060 But in the 19th century, he was an English guy, son of a wealthy businessman. 00:04:28.919 --> 00:04:31.699 And he was an international sportsman. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:32.779 He played cricket for England. 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:36.019 He was one of the most promising sports stars of the time. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:38.419 He graduated from Cambridge. 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:41.139 He had a potential political career ahead of him. 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:47.319 And then at one point, he said he heard God speak to him. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:53.839 And God told him, I want you to be a missionary in China and then in India and then in Africa. 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:58.899 And he gave away an inheritance of about 30 million Hong Kong dollars. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:01.540 He endured hardship and sickness. 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:03.420 And when people asked him, how can you do that? 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:12.259 He said, if Jesus Christ is God and he died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him. 00:05:12.939 --> 00:05:15.819 Because Jesus is enough for him. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:18.920 But I look at that. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:20.199 And we can look at that. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:21.980 And we can look at the psalmist prayer. 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:24.959 And you say, yeah, if you're a Christian, yeah, I want that. 00:05:25.219 --> 00:05:28.779 But I have a lot of ands in my life. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:31.139 And sometimes it doesn't feel real. 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:34.699 I just wonder, that's maybe just unrealistic for me to ever live like. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.360 I'm just an ordinary Christian. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:42.300 Well, if that's how you think, well, this psalm has actually got some hope for you. 00:05:43.580 --> 00:05:45.660 So have your bulletin open, please. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:47.680 We want to just, the Bible is important. 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:52.000 I want you to just look along, check at what I'm saying that's in here. 00:05:52.080 --> 00:05:53.520 It's not just me making this up. 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:55.939 But let's go in. 00:05:55.960 --> 00:05:57.699 I want to talk about two main things. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:59.199 First thing, I'm slipping. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.139 I'm slipping. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:03.220 Second thing, I'm regaining my balance. 00:06:03.580 --> 00:06:05.500 I'm slipping, I'm regaining my balance. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:06.699 So I'm slipping. 00:06:07.899 --> 00:06:13.620 The psalmist, whose name is Asaph, starts out with a bold declaration of faith. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:20.120 He says, surely, truly, God is good to Israel and to those who are pure in heart. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:28.879 Now, this guy, Asaph, who wrote this, he is one of King David's key music leaders. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:30.220 He was there. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:31.060 He was a songwriter. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.800 He was an expert cymbal player. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:35.180 You know, he would have been on the drums here this morning. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:37.459 And he's a good Jew. 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:43.339 He's been well taught by his family, by his pastor, by his friends, that God is good and 00:06:43.339 --> 00:06:45.000 he blesses people who follow him. 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:46.019 He knows it. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:46.839 He knows it. 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:47.819 He's done the Sunday school. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:48.759 He knows it. 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:51.600 But then, verse 2, he says, 00:06:51.600 --> 00:07:03.939 He's saying, 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:04.860 He's saying, 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:09.040 God was at the top of the escalator and I started sliding down towards the bottom. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:16.300 And what was the great banana skin that caused him to nearly lose his godly balance? 00:07:16.460 --> 00:07:18.100 Well, it's verse 3. 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:19.400 Envy. 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:37.919 Now, in a competitive society like Hong Kong, I'm sure none of us have a problem with envy. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:41.420 That's a joke. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:47.140 Hong Kong breeds envy. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:51.319 And we repackage it as something like ambition. 00:07:51.319 --> 00:07:57.939 But actually, there is a very different ambition, which is usually a selfish ambition. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:04.399 But envy is wanting someone else's talents, someone else's life, someone else's possessions, 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:06.839 someone else's opportunities for yourself. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:13.539 And envy, at root, says, God's not really good. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.479 It doubts God's goodness. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:19.199 It says, God, you're not really giving me what's good in life. 00:08:19.299 --> 00:08:24.199 If you were really good, you'd give me those opportunities, not these opportunities. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:26.620 You'd give me his life, not my life. 00:08:27.159 --> 00:08:28.139 That's what envy says. 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:33.659 It's like what Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, you know, they've got thousands of trees to choose from. 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:37.379 And what do they do? 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:41.699 They fix their eyes on the one tree that they can't have. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:44.240 But that's the one they want. 00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:54.679 And the lie comes in and says, if God is not giving it to you, then maybe God's not really good to you. 00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:58.000 He's holding something back from you. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:00.360 And you begin to doubt. 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.259 And that's what's going on in this psalm. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:06.819 Asaph sees the prosperity. 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:11.659 And that word prosperity is actually the word shalom, which means not just financial prosperity. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:17.000 It means every part of life seems complete and whole and well-being for them. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:23.039 And he says he sees the prosperity of the arrogant, and he starts comparing his life with their life. 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:27.799 And, you know, envy always starts when you see, and then you start comparing. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:31.959 Because his life is hard. 00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:32.740 It's tough. 00:09:32.979 --> 00:09:35.959 But then he sees their life, and it's amazing. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:40.059 You know, he looks at the guys all around him, and look at verse 4. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:41.759 There's no pangs in their death. 00:09:41.979 --> 00:09:44.479 They don't get arthritis or back pain or asthma. 00:09:44.719 --> 00:09:45.739 They're fit and healthy. 00:09:45.939 --> 00:09:49.379 Even when they get into retirement, they kind of glide easily into death. 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:51.459 They don't kind of crawl there in pain. 00:09:51.859 --> 00:09:53.979 Their body is fat and sleek. 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:57.440 Now, that doesn't sound something to be jealous of, you know. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:02.920 I don't know many people, you know, I'm like, man, your obesity is really making me jealous, you know. 00:10:04.840 --> 00:10:07.480 Yeah, I'm not sure I can trust God if I look at your beer belly. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.240 You know, that's not what goes in. 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:13.580 But actually, that's not what's in a culture where there's poverty and malnutrition. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:18.100 Fatness is the symbol of health and wealth and vitality. 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:21.620 These guys are successful. 00:10:22.740 --> 00:10:24.320 They're not in trouble as others are. 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:27.200 Everything seems easy for them. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.320 And they're even popular. 00:10:29.880 --> 00:10:30.460 Verse 10. 00:10:30.900 --> 00:10:34.180 Therefore, his people turn back to them and find no fault. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:39.560 Everyone else thinks they're great and are following their advice, too. 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:40.480 And they're getting rich. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.560 These are the guys. 00:10:42.640 --> 00:10:43.240 They're only 30. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:45.820 They're already buying their second house on the peak. 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:53.180 And the worst thing about it, if that's not bad enough, is they're not the good guys. 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:57.340 It'd be easier to accept if they're like nice people, but they're not. 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:59.460 They're arrogant. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.660 They're self-reliant. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:04.740 They cut everyone else down who doesn't do things as well as they do. 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:06.880 They're ruthless at getting their own way. 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:10.620 And everybody else seems to celebrate their success and look up to them. 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:15.120 And you're stupid if you do it any other way. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:19.820 And isn't this so often our experience in Hong Kong? 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:21.240 I mean, think about it. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.240 Maybe you've tried to be ethical at work. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.159 You've been really hardworking. 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:30.259 You've got out of your way to work overtime, even for your boss when you didn't have to just to get him out of a hole. 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:32.860 You've tried to honor God in the way that you're working. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:34.679 And yet, there's a guy in the office. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:37.879 And he's a two-faced so-and-so. 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.799 Lies to get himself out of trouble. 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:41.720 Blames his mistakes on everybody else. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:43.419 Cuts corners with his work. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:48.159 Totally thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread and tells everybody about it. 00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:50.559 He's a complete jerk. 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:54.399 And promotion time comes around. 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:57.979 And you think, I've given myself this company. 00:11:58.119 --> 00:11:59.939 I should get this promotion. 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:01.059 Who gets it? 00:12:01.959 --> 00:12:03.519 Demonic Damon in the corner. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:06.639 And you think, it's not fair. 00:12:08.359 --> 00:12:09.739 Or maybe you're single. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:13.919 And you've been trying to lead a God-honoring life. 00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:18.059 You've actually stopped having relationships with certain people. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:23.019 You've not wanted to settle for anything less than someone who loves Christ in your life. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:25.419 But you're still single. 00:12:27.319 --> 00:12:36.819 And yet, the person who's just been going around with everybody, a promiscuous lifestyle, they come in and they announce their engagement. 00:12:37.859 --> 00:12:40.539 And it's the engagement to the cutest person you know. 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:46.079 And you're like, outwardly, you say, oh, congratulations. 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:47.519 I'm so happy for you. 00:12:48.459 --> 00:12:51.199 And inwardly, you're like, I want to take that ring. 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:53.459 I want to throw it in the South China Sea. 00:12:54.099 --> 00:12:55.419 And you with it. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.059 It's not fair. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:01.179 And that little thought comes in. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:05.359 What's the point in trying to honor God? 00:13:06.219 --> 00:13:07.279 Trying to be ethical. 00:13:07.599 --> 00:13:08.659 Trying to be pure. 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.959 Verse 13. 00:13:09.959 --> 00:13:17.819 He says, all in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:23.039 Why don't I just lie a little bit if that's what it takes to get ahead? 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:28.679 I can cut a few corners, make myself look good because it pays off, even with a few lies. 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:31.000 Because it often does. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:35.559 And Asaph is really honest here. 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:39.559 Many of us, including myself, are not as honest as he is about this issue. 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:42.599 Because we kind of hope it's not true if you're a Christian. 00:13:43.479 --> 00:13:51.319 You know, and we can even play this little game where underneath, we kind of make ourselves feel better by saying, well, but they're not really happy. 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:55.440 You know, really underneath, they're miserable and lonely. 00:13:55.660 --> 00:13:57.820 And then you go and ask them and say, you must be miserable. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:59.379 And they say, no, I'm really happy. 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.540 And you say, but you don't have Jesus. 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.580 How can you be happy? 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:05.480 And they're like, but I am. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:18.780 And then you say, but when you're lying on your bed at night, that little voice comes to you, doesn't it, and says, oh, maybe my life is empty and meaningless. 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:25.100 And they say, no, I just turn on Netflix and it's great. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:29.339 And they look at you and they say, but you're a Christian. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:33.860 And you look like you're missing out on all the fun. 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:37.319 And you're saying, no, no, no, I have a deep joy. 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:41.559 It's so deep that it's like a submarine that hasn't surfaced for years. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:52.219 And deep inside you, there's that voice which is like, but I'd like Jesus and just a little bit of what you've got. 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.279 Right? 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.899 Anyone tracking with me? 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:59.299 That's envy. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:05.039 And envy says, God's not really good to you. 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:07.939 Look at what he's keeping from you. 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:12.519 Because if he was really good, he'd have made your life so much easier, so much better. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:17.319 And those doubts just start coming in and you start slipping. 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:19.559 Why do we do that? 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:28.219 One of the reasons we do that is because, like Asaph, we believe sometimes a version of Christianity, 00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:33.840 which he's been told, which is actually superficial. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:39.000 And the tragedy is actually preached in many churches today. 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:44.120 Here's how one guy, the pastor of the biggest church in America, 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:47.259 says this. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:50.060 He says, right now, something is looking for you. 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:52.080 Something already has your name on it. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:56.300 As long as you're doing your best to honor God and you have a heart to help others, 00:15:56.299 --> 00:16:00.299 an explosive blessing will find its way into your hands. 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:07.099 We know that God's plan always leads to peace, health, and prosperity in every area of your life. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:09.299 That's what Joel Osteen says. 00:16:10.479 --> 00:16:12.179 It's the biggest church in America. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.139 And he'll quote the Bible to show it. 00:16:17.099 --> 00:16:21.240 He says, if you follow God, he'll bless you with a materially prosperous life now. 00:16:21.699 --> 00:16:24.839 But the problem with that idea, Asaph believed it, 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:27.920 that the problem with that idea is the timing's wrong. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:30.420 God does promise physical blessing, 00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:35.700 but Jesus says, your treasures are stored in heaven, not on earth. 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:39.960 There is a promise of physical blessing, but it's for a new creation. 00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:43.280 And it's not guaranteed now. 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.660 Now, God does bless us. 00:16:44.780 --> 00:16:49.440 Many of us, we know God does bless us physically with things now. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:52.540 But the point is not to make you comfortable here. 00:16:52.940 --> 00:16:58.100 The point is to make and point you to the goodness of God so that you trust him 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:03.780 and find your treasure in him because you know that he really is good. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:14.319 And the testimony of faithful Christians throughout generations shows that Joel Osteen's view of Christianity is so far wrong. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:16.220 Take this guy Rashid. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:22.660 He's a Pakistani man who, after converting to Christianity, he was disowned by his whole family. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.200 Here's what he says. 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:27.960 Some might conclude that my life is pitiable. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:33.059 After all, every evening after I finish my shift, I go home to an empty flat, 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:36.819 one not filled with the gleeful shouts of a six-year-old child. 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:40.860 When I go to bed at night, there is no one beside me to say I love you. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:45.640 I expect never to hear from my parents on my birthday or on any other day for that matter. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:51.059 The only noise in my home comes from a television set that I do not watch very often. 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:56.339 But to pity me would be to miss the joy I have experienced. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:01.119 I believe things are better now than they were before I was a Christian. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.159 My heart might be quiet, but I'm not lonely. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:07.519 My family may have forsaken me, but I'm not abandoned. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:10.659 I have Christ, and that is enough. 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.839 Indeed, it's more than enough. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:16.759 In my eyes, I've been blessed beyond measure, 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:21.920 far greater than I deserve, and more than I could have hoped. 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:26.940 Osteen would say, Rashid, physical blessing is coming. 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:31.720 Rashid would say, I'm already blessed with the greatest blessing of knowing Christ. 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.200 Everything else is bonus. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:38.379 Now, which version is more Christ-exaltering, God-honoring? 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:46.680 That's why Asaph has believed that, and he's starting to slip. 00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:54.880 And when doubts come, they test the superficiality of your faith. 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:57.960 Because when that meets the reality of the world, 00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:01.780 when the spoon-fed kind of childish faith that we think that, 00:19:02.020 --> 00:19:04.560 okay, if I just put enough coins in the God slot, 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:06.780 then he gives me enough blessings in return, 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:09.639 that is childish faith. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:12.980 And you can't just live off what everyone else has told you. 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:15.660 When doubts begin to come into your life, 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:18.119 it's like a diving board. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:21.180 You either walk away slowly 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:24.559 because you can't see how the water can be good, 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:28.619 or you plunge deeper than ever into the beauty of God, 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:31.220 and you begin to really know his goodness. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:35.019 He's slipping, Asaph. 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:40.180 And just as an aside for kind of the flip side, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.500 that if you're thinking, 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:44.779 okay, yeah, I hate those arrogant, successful people too, 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.680 be careful. 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:49.839 Because, you know, when we're successful, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:52.720 can't we be exactly the same? 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:55.980 You know, when things are down, we often run to God. 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:56.940 When things are good, 00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.400 don't we become kind of subtly, 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.639 you know, we don't say it out loud, 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.720 but kind of self-reliant. 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.460 You know, I can do this. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.160 I'm pretty good. 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:06.799 You know, it was down to my cleverness, 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.660 my hard work that I got that job, 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:10.680 that I got that opportunity. 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:13.779 Because when your success is going up, 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:16.220 all too often your prayer life is going down. 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.660 Have you noticed that? 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:23.180 It's so easy to think that it was all down to me. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:25.740 And I don't really need God now. 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.779 Yeah, I'll come to church, 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:28.160 but I don't really need him. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.779 But everything we have is gift. 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.759 Your talents, 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:36.380 many of your talents are shaped by your genes 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:39.000 and are shaped by the opportunities you've been given. 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:41.420 If you were born in a remote village in Angola 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:42.580 with a disability, 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:45.000 your life would probably be very different now. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:48.039 Everything we have is grace. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.400 And in every community, 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.819 it doesn't matter whether it's in Hong Kong, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.400 whether it's in your sports club, 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.819 whether it's in the playground at school, 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.960 whether it's in the church, 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:58.019 those at the top are proud, 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.660 those at the bottom are envious, 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:04.000 and God is calling us to something better as a church. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:06.440 Asaph slipping. 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.839 But now, second, 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:10.740 I'm regaining my balance. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:15.559 Have a look at verse 16. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.240 With me. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:20.640 He says, 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:24.900 but when I thought how to understand this, 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:27.880 it seemed to me a wearisome task. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.380 He's tried to understand it. 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.779 He's read all the apologetics books. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.839 He's read all the things, 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:33.099 and it's not getting him anywhere 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:38.179 until he enters into the sanctuary of God. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:42.519 The sanctuary of God is the tent of meeting, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.719 which later became the temple. 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:48.419 It was a symbol of where God's presence dwelt. 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:52.259 And that's the place where the Jews would go up 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.459 to worship God. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.339 So he's going up. 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.639 He goes to worship God, 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.899 as his habit was. 00:21:56.919 --> 00:21:57.539 Like many of you, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.740 you come every Sunday. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.539 His habit. 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.480 But suddenly, 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.959 as he enters into worship, 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.279 he suddenly sees life 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.980 from a different perspective. 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.920 He gets God's perspective, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:10.360 and he realizes he hadn't seen the full picture. 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:14.100 Because someone said, 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:18.660 life is more like a cube than a square. 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:22.140 A cube has many sides to it. 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.420 Many different facets. 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.060 If you just look at one angle, 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:27.900 all you do is see a square, 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.840 a 2D image. 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:32.180 But you miss the depth. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:35.460 You miss the reality and the contours of life, 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.880 which is so much more complex 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:38.680 than just a 2D image. 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:41.920 You know, 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.480 it's like, 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:42.940 you know, 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.759 if you watch a magician 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.580 doing the soaring, 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.380 like soaring the lady in half, 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.340 you know that? 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:49.420 And you just see it from a frontal angle. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:52.000 That's a very different perspective you get 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.000 than if you can actually see 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.900 all the way around. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.720 Right? 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.500 You get a totally different understanding 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.560 of what's going on. 00:22:59.100 --> 00:23:00.660 That's what Asaph is saying. 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.600 He's only been looking square 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:04.380 in a 2D image of life. 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.860 And in God's presence, 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:07.779 he's beginning to start seeing 3D. 00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:10.939 And so what are the kind of sides 00:23:10.939 --> 00:23:12.419 that Asaph is seeing here? 00:23:14.659 --> 00:23:15.740 Three sides 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.319 that I like to think about. 00:23:17.459 --> 00:23:17.740 One, 00:23:18.979 --> 00:23:19.579 eternity 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:21.219 resets 00:23:21.219 --> 00:23:22.519 the balance. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.119 Eternity. 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.679 When he goes 00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:27.779 into the sanctuary, 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.059 then in verse 17, 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:31.219 he discerns the end 00:23:31.219 --> 00:23:32.419 of those 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:33.559 he envied. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.279 He says later, 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.539 it's like life 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.680 is like a dream. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.240 And for those 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.579 who've trusted in themselves, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.339 the arrogant, 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:43.220 the ones that we envy, 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.399 who seem successful 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:47.619 without God, 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:50.079 they'll wake up 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.759 to a nightmare. 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.279 He says, 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.619 the short-term forecast 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.399 may look sunny, 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.720 but the long-term prospects 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.299 are bleak. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.079 He says, 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.279 there are two fixed days 00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.899 in your life 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.579 when you're born 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.960 and when you die. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.200 And over both of them, 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.819 we don't have 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.660 that much control, 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.000 particularly over the first one. 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.799 And between those two dates, 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.740 God is going to hold you 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.380 accountable 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:14.680 for how you've related 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.299 to him 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.819 in your life. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.900 Judgment 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.539 that God will bring 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:23.059 is like the great audit. 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.620 It sets 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.620 an unfair world 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:27.059 to rights. 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:29.079 And Tim Keller 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.700 says this, 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.819 that the rich 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:32.059 without God 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:34.079 will be eternally poor. 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.899 Celebrities 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:37.059 without God 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.579 are on their way 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.019 to being 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.159 permanently ignored. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.159 It resets 00:24:43.159 --> 00:24:43.940 the balance. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.919 I don't know 00:24:44.919 --> 00:24:45.659 if you remember that. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.059 There was a Miss Universe 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.399 contest about two years ago. 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:48.500 Now, 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.679 I don't normally watch 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.539 Miss Universe, 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.059 just... 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.720 I could get in trouble here. 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.700 But two years ago, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.039 I watched 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.960 because it was on the news. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.460 Okay? 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.539 That's my get out class. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.279 It was on the news. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.879 And Miss Columbia 00:25:01.879 --> 00:25:03.399 got crowned the winner. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.339 Does anyone remember this? 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.240 Yeah? 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:09.720 Sorry? 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.680 Was it last December? 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.339 Oh, wow. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.440 I know it was recently. 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:13.720 You see, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.740 I'm getting old. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.000 I'm getting close 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.539 to that final date of death 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.500 and the... 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:21.799 Is it only a few months ago? 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.399 Okay, 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.279 it was a few months ago. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.079 That's why it's so fresh 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.559 in my mind. 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.720 And... 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.960 But do you remember? 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.019 Miss Columbia 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.059 got crowned the winner 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:34.720 until someone told the presenter 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:37.359 that he'd misread the name 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.079 on the card. 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.079 Remember that? 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:43.159 And she hadn't won. 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.039 And her joy 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.980 instantly 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:49.599 turned to sadness. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:51.379 She was stripped, 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:52.599 like literally stripped 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.500 of her success 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.480 in front of everybody. 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.699 Her crown 00:25:55.699 --> 00:25:56.519 was taken off 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:58.159 and given to someone else. 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:58.879 Remember that? 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.500 That's what 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.839 Asaph is saying here 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:03.740 when you have eternity 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.459 in perspective. 00:26:05.199 --> 00:26:06.240 God has a card 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.859 with the names 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.339 of those 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:07.959 who will enjoy 00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.939 his heaven 00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:10.899 in a renewed earth. 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.159 And the only names 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:13.179 on his card 00:26:13.179 --> 00:26:14.019 are the ones 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.679 who will run 00:26:14.679 --> 00:26:15.480 and trust 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.339 in Christ. 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:18.699 the temporary joy 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:19.459 of Miss Columbia 00:26:19.459 --> 00:26:20.859 wasn't actually real. 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:22.219 If only she knew 00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:23.339 the end result. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.559 If only she knew 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.459 the end result. 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:30.019 Eternity changes 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.059 all your envy 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.819 in perspective. 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.679 You see, 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.579 when the game of life 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.079 is over, 00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:36.019 everything goes back 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.519 in the box. 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.240 Your success, 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:37.979 your money, 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.859 relationships, 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.839 but what do you have 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.359 that outlasts the game? 00:26:42.199 --> 00:26:43.599 If you're not a Christian 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:45.419 or if you think 00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:45.919 that you're just 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:47.299 a spiritual person 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:49.959 who doesn't really know 00:26:49.959 --> 00:26:51.099 what I mean 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.539 when I say 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.240 you need to find 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.480 treasure in Christ. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.279 If you don't get 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.379 what that means, 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:57.959 if you don't get 00:26:57.959 --> 00:26:58.980 what that means, 00:26:59.699 --> 00:27:00.879 do you actually think 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:02.439 you're okay with God 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:03.699 if you were to meet 00:27:03.699 --> 00:27:04.519 him right now? 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.819 Or have you even 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.980 thought about that 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.839 at all? 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.779 Life is too short 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.419 for us to ignore it. 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:14.100 Life is like a countdown 00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:15.600 where the clock 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.340 is ticking. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.860 It's your name 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.600 on the card. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.340 Because if it's not 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.460 or if you're not sure, 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:24.880 today is the day 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.660 where God actually 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.740 wants to say to you, 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:28.400 you can get right 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.180 with me 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:30.440 because my son 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.960 has died on a cross 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.539 for you 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.440 so your name 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.400 can be engraved 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.500 on that card 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.440 and there won't be 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.700 anyone misreading it. 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.800 But if you are 00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:41.340 a Christian, 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:43.740 in 2 Corinthians 4 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.519 it says this. 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.419 He says, 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.759 Paul says, 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.619 to paraphrase, 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.379 the scratches of life 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:52.000 we receive now 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:54.459 are nothing compared 00:27:54.459 --> 00:27:55.679 to the eternal 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.679 void of glory 00:27:56.679 --> 00:27:57.740 that is beyond 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.659 all comparison. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.519 When Jesus 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.879 rose from the dead, 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.339 he has inscribed 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.679 your name 00:28:04.679 --> 00:28:05.579 on that card 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:07.099 to receive 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:08.079 a lasting crown 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.819 which is better 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:10.059 than Miss Columbia 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.279 would ever get. 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.200 It's one 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.099 where you come 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:16.099 into a restored 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:17.419 creation with Christ. 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.319 C.S. Lewis 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.019 once said this. 00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:19.379 He says, 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.440 there have been times 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.559 where I wonder, 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:23.179 I think we do not 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:24.159 desire heaven 00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:26.419 but more often 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:28.460 I find myself 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.319 wondering 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:30.740 whether in our 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.819 heart of hearts 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:33.059 we have desired 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:34.419 anything else. 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:37.240 all the cravings 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.000 for acceptance, 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.019 for love, 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.019 for prosperity, 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:40.880 for health, 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.980 for security 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.519 all met 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.800 completely in God 00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.740 in a new creation. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.920 That's the promise 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.600 for you and me 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.220 as a Christian. 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:51.620 And we won't be saying, 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.240 well wow, 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:54.039 now I see 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.779 why I suffered 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.900 all those bad things. 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:57.220 We won't be saying that 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.200 when we see Christ 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.060 face to face. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.060 We'll say, 00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.740 what bad things? 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:04.740 Because the painful 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.980 training for the Olympics 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:07.720 is seen in a new light 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.500 when the gold medal 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:10.140 is hung around your neck. 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.400 And that prize 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.440 for the Christians 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.160 is Christ. 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.339 Laura Story 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:19.059 is a Christian 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.900 singer-songwriter. 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.779 She's successful. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.160 Everything seemed 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.759 to be going well 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.120 with her. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.700 And then her athlete 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:26.160 husband got a brain tumor. 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.000 Her life started 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.559 collapsing. 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.519 But then she 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:32.200 wrote a song. 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.379 It's a famous song 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:34.139 called Blessings. 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.119 It goes like this. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.539 I'm not going to sing it 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.819 to you, 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.500 so you're okay. 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.319 That's right. 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.700 Some of you 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.259 are getting worried. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.259 Because what if 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.900 your blessings 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:45.240 come through raindrops? 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.879 What if your healing 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.980 comes through tears? 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.700 What if a thousand 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.619 sleepless nights 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.400 are what it takes 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.139 to know you're near? 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.859 What if trials 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.539 of this life 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.460 are your mercies 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:56.139 in disguise? 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.660 What if my 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.980 greatest disappointments 00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:00.000 or the aching 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.799 of this life 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.799 is the revealing 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.200 of a greater thirst 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.360 this world 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:05.420 can't satisfy? 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.860 For the believer, 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:10.400 the brief pain 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.240 of this world, 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.039 someone has said, 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:12.700 is the closest 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.680 you'll come to hell. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.740 And for the unbeliever, 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.819 the pleasures 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.519 of this world 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.160 are the closest 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.140 you'll come to heaven. 00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:23.019 So are you seeing 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.980 life in eternity 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.319 3D perspective 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.919 today? 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.759 That's the first side. 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:31.159 The second side 00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:34.220 is how he sees 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.139 his relationship 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:36.679 with God, 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.919 how he views God. 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.539 Verse 21. 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.480 When my soul 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.939 was embittered, 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.899 when I was pricked 00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.480 in heart, 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.859 I was brutish. 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.939 We don't use that 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:49.299 very often. 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.899 It means I was stupid. 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.980 That's what it means. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.539 The Bible does call 00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.759 people stupid sometimes. 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:56.160 He says, 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:58.180 I was stupid 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.400 and ignorant. 00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:01.180 I was like a beast 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:02.160 towards you. 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.819 He's saying, 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:08.480 when I got to that point 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:10.319 of comparison 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.279 and resentment 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.500 and envy 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.619 with other people, 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.099 when I got there 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:17.140 and I started doubting 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:17.900 in God's goodness, 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:20.720 I was like an unthinking 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.680 beast towards you, God. 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:24.019 Not a little 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.120 kind of cute dog 00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.820 kind of animal. 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:27.140 I was a complete 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:28.340 unthinking, 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:30.279 unfeeling slug 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.140 towards you. 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.500 He's saying, 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:34.440 I wanted your stuff 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.400 more than I wanted 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:36.039 you, God. 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.680 And that's where 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.539 the rub, I think, 00:31:39.580 --> 00:31:40.519 really hits me 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.259 when I think about 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:41.820 my envy. 00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:43.980 Because when I get 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.720 those little doubts, 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.820 I get disillusioned 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:47.259 with God, 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.240 or when you actually 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.180 get to that point 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.039 of being mad 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:50.700 with God 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.580 at something, 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.600 it's always 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.700 because I want 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.480 something more 00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:54.980 than God. 00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:57.120 It's always 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:58.380 because I want 00:31:58.380 --> 00:32:00.019 something more 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.840 than God. 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.779 Tim Keller again, 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.660 he gives this example. 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:05.920 He says, 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:08.120 imagine you meet 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.460 someone, 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.120 you start falling 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.940 in love with them, 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:11.279 and you kind of 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:12.240 agree to get married, 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.480 and before you do, 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:14.200 you tell them 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.600 that you're going 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.340 to come into 00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.740 a whole load 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.100 of money. 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.819 You've got this 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:20.240 huge trust fund 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.559 that's going 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.319 to come to you 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:23.220 after marriage, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.639 and they say to you, 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:25.559 okay, that's fine, 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.279 but I'm not 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.700 marrying you 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.179 for your money. 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.279 I just love you. 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:30.919 And so, 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:33.200 you get to the 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.240 wedding, 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.559 just before the 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:35.779 wedding, 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:38.099 and you then 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.799 tell your future 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.220 spouse, 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:40.639 actually, 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.779 I'm really sorry, 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.240 but I've just 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.859 found out that 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.919 actually my brother's 00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.480 going to inherit 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.399 all of this stuff, 00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:45.839 and I'm not going 00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:46.519 to get any of it, 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:49.039 and your fiancé 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.619 turns around 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:50.079 and calls off 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.419 the wedding 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:50.759 and says, 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.439 sorry, it's over. 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.959 How would you feel? 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.659 You'd be absolutely 00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.879 devastated, wouldn't you? 00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.179 You'd say, 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:01.819 you never really 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.639 loved me. 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:04.259 You only loved me 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.939 because you wanted 00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:05.539 my money. 00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:08.339 Well, 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:10.779 you were just 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.619 using me 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.779 to get what you 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.279 wanted, 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.579 and that's 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.319 what Asaph 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.039 has realized 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.619 in God's 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.019 presence. 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:17.960 That's how 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:18.559 he was treating 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.019 God. 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.720 He was a user, 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.700 not a lover. 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.660 He realizes, 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.599 his envy 00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:24.399 realizes, 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.039 it shows him 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.859 that I was 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:26.599 treating you, 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:26.819 God, 00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:27.920 as just a tool 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:28.319 to kind of 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.920 get what I 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.879 wanted for myself, 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.799 and when you 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.279 weren't giving 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.799 it to me, 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.379 then I was 00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:32.779 going to run 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.599 away from you. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.099 And envy 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.059 reveals what the 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:38.660 Bible calls 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.539 idolatry. 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.000 It's when you 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.599 want something 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.460 more than God. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.619 What does 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:45.200 your envy 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.839 reveal that 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.399 you want 00:33:46.399 --> 00:33:46.819 more than 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.139 God? 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:48.960 I've had to 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.359 think about 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:50.099 this myself, 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.559 because the 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.559 call for you 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.160 when you see 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.619 that in your 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.200 heart is to 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.420 run to God, 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.039 repent, 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.119 and confess 00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:57.079 as honestly 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:57.859 as Asaph 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.319 does. 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.799 Run back 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.359 to a God 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.240 who loves 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:02.779 us, 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.899 and he 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:04.619 doesn't use 00:34:04.619 --> 00:34:05.440 us like we 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.079 try and use 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.359 him. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.559 That's the 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.219 second side. 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.940 He sees how 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.679 he views God. 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.480 The third 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:13.259 side is 00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:14.120 he sees 00:34:14.120 --> 00:34:15.920 that God, 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.140 that Christ 00:34:17.140 --> 00:34:17.640 is enough 00:34:17.640 --> 00:34:18.100 for him. 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:20.780 Whom, 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.580 verse 25, 00:34:21.700 --> 00:34:22.300 whom have I 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:22.760 in heaven 00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:23.320 but you? 00:34:24.120 --> 00:34:24.460 And there 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.000 is nothing 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.820 on earth 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.140 that I 00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:26.680 desire 00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:27.720 besides you. 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.460 My flesh 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:29.960 and my 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.540 heart may 00:34:30.540 --> 00:34:31.040 fail, 00:34:31.160 --> 00:34:31.840 but God 00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:32.500 is the 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.040 strength, 00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:33.680 literally the 00:34:33.680 --> 00:34:35.280 rock of 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.260 my heart. 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:37.820 And then 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:38.520 verse 28 00:34:38.520 --> 00:34:39.240 he says, 00:34:40.160 --> 00:34:41.220 for me 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:42.020 it is good 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:42.440 to be 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:42.960 near God. 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:43.380 One 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:43.860 translation, 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.179 I like 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:44.559 this translation, 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:45.059 it says, 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.139 the nearness 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:47.579 of God 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:49.360 is my 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:50.139 good. 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:51.420 The nearness 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.039 of God 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.599 is my 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:52.840 good. 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.119 You see, 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:53.940 Asaph's gone 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.539 from having 00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.179 this square 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.860 shaped view 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.320 of God's 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:56.780 goodness, 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:57.360 where it's 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:57.820 just about 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.320 getting the 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.820 blessings, 00:34:59.219 --> 00:34:59.719 to seeing 00:34:59.719 --> 00:35:00.239 that God, 00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:00.759 when he 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.159 promises 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:01.940 blessing to 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.179 us, 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:02.699 he's 00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:03.259 promising 00:35:03.259 --> 00:35:04.280 above all 00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.099 himself 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:06.159 to you. 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.579 Because when 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:10.980 we get 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.719 physical 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.159 blessings, 00:35:12.299 --> 00:35:12.940 our response 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.400 should be 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:13.940 gratitude 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:15.440 and thanksgiving 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.319 to God 00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:16.719 for his 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.119 goodness. 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:19.639 And Asaph 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.179 has gone 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:20.880 from seeing 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.400 his greatest 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.400 good as 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:22.880 getting a 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.579 healthy body, 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:24.360 as getting 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.000 a successful 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:25.579 career, 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.559 as God 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.900 and something. 00:35:28.259 --> 00:35:28.839 He's gone 00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:29.460 from that 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.960 to seeing 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.519 the nearness 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.159 of God 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:32.360 is my 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:32.960 good. 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.000 shift. 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:34.099 You see 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.579 the shift 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.240 in perspective. 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.340 And you 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.440 know, 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:38.820 the problem 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:39.199 is if you're 00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:39.639 a Christian, 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.139 you kind 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.639 of know 00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:40.820 it. 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.099 You know, 00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:44.039 if I tell 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.360 you, 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:44.960 okay, 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:46.599 what's the 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.059 answer? 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.079 What's the 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.619 answer in 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.039 church? 00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.240 Jesus. 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:52.599 Right? 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:53.659 But the 00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:54.039 thing is it's 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.039 so cliché 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.539 that we get 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:55.679 to, 00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:56.039 we think, 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:56.840 if you've 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.159 been in 00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:57.559 church a 00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:57.940 little while, 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.199 you know, 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:58.880 okay, 00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.679 I know 00:35:59.679 --> 00:35:59.900 that. 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:00.460 Now can 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.740 you move 00:36:00.740 --> 00:36:00.980 on to 00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:01.539 something else 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:01.840 that I'd 00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.320 really like 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:02.659 to help 00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:02.940 which can 00:36:02.940 --> 00:36:03.260 help me 00:36:03.260 --> 00:36:03.639 with the 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.440 and parts 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:04.720 of my 00:36:04.720 --> 00:36:05.059 life? 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:05.980 Right? 00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:07.280 Can you 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:07.920 inspire me 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.300 so I can 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:09.000 enjoy a 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.599 good life? 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:10.139 I kind 00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:10.460 of know 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:10.940 the Jesus 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.320 bit. 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:14.860 That's 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.619 the superficial 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.300 faith that 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:17.099 Asaph had. 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.539 But this 00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.139 psalm is 00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:21.320 saying everything 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:22.500 that causes 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.400 you to envy 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:24.920 in others 00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.980 is a desire 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:26.940 for what 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:28.019 Christ alone 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.980 can satisfy 00:36:28.980 --> 00:36:29.780 you and 00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:30.619 fully provide. 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.460 Think about 00:36:32.460 --> 00:36:32.659 it. 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.760 Do you 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:34.559 crave 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.619 acceptance 00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:36.420 and love 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.220 from others? 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:37.880 Do you 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.380 envy when 00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:38.860 other people 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:39.159 are more 00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:39.840 popular than 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.440 you and 00:36:40.440 --> 00:36:40.800 get more 00:36:40.800 --> 00:36:41.240 likes on 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:41.619 Facebook 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.059 than you? 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.059 Well, 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:44.800 verse 23 00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:45.340 he says, 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.599 I am 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.480 with you 00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:48.599 continually. 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.480 How? 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:50.700 Well, 00:36:50.700 --> 00:36:51.220 the psalmist 00:36:51.220 --> 00:36:51.800 only knew 00:36:51.800 --> 00:36:52.519 this in part, 00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.179 but we know 00:36:53.179 --> 00:36:53.579 this more 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.000 fully, 00:36:54.260 --> 00:36:55.240 because Christ 00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:56.480 was Emmanuel, 00:36:57.079 --> 00:36:58.200 God with 00:36:58.199 --> 00:36:58.779 us, 00:36:58.879 --> 00:36:59.460 he came 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.079 down to 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.319 us, 00:37:00.319 --> 00:37:00.819 he was 00:37:00.819 --> 00:37:01.500 nailed on 00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:02.000 a cross 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:02.559 with nine 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.079 inch nails 00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.879 hammered 00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:04.579 through his 00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:05.359 hands for 00:37:05.359 --> 00:37:06.179 people like 00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:06.879 you and 00:37:06.879 --> 00:37:07.739 me who 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:08.500 treated him 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:08.839 as a 00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:09.299 beast, 00:37:10.139 --> 00:37:10.579 who were 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.039 beasts 00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:12.099 towards him, 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.659 who rejected 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.799 him, and yet 00:37:14.799 --> 00:37:15.379 he still 00:37:15.379 --> 00:37:16.199 said, 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:16.839 Father, 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.339 forgive. 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.159 And we so 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:20.819 often live 00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:21.239 like that, 00:37:21.279 --> 00:37:21.639 and yet he 00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:22.259 still says, 00:37:22.379 --> 00:37:23.519 I died to 00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:23.980 bring you 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.860 into relationship 00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:25.519 with me, 00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.880 not just to 00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.119 say, 00:37:27.340 --> 00:37:27.699 oh yeah, 00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:28.320 thank you for 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:28.460 that, 00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:28.860 but here's 00:37:28.860 --> 00:37:29.240 all the other 00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:29.940 stuff I want, 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.539 but no, 00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.039 to give you 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.539 full acceptance 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.760 and approval 00:37:33.760 --> 00:37:35.079 with the most 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:36.320 powerful king 00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:36.840 of the whole 00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:37.280 universe. 00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:42.139 Why do I 00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:44.019 need approval 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.840 from those 00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:45.679 who care far 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:46.559 less about me 00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:47.639 than I care 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.240 about them 00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:48.559 and their 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:48.940 opinion? 00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:49.860 It's true, 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.240 isn't it? 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:53.119 When Christ 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.960 is enough 00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:54.319 for your 00:37:54.319 --> 00:37:54.719 need for 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:55.199 acceptance. 00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:57.259 Do you 00:37:57.259 --> 00:37:57.559 crave 00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:58.960 security 00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:00.460 and envy 00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:00.920 those who 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:01.339 seem to be 00:38:01.339 --> 00:38:01.980 more financially 00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.460 secure, 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.199 more job 00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:03.599 secure, 00:38:03.839 --> 00:38:04.440 more housing 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.059 secure than 00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.299 you? 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.799 Because he 00:38:06.799 --> 00:38:07.099 says, 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:08.420 you hold 00:38:08.420 --> 00:38:09.699 my right 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.339 hand. 00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:11.539 Do you get 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:11.739 that? 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.059 You know, 00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:12.880 the kid who's 00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:13.679 walking along 00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:14.480 on a climbing 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:14.980 frame, 00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:15.480 and they're 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.319 tottering along, 00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.019 afraid they're 00:38:17.019 --> 00:38:17.380 going to fall, 00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:17.880 and they cling 00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.380 to anything 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.119 for security, 00:38:19.880 --> 00:38:21.259 and then her 00:38:21.259 --> 00:38:22.119 father comes 00:38:22.119 --> 00:38:22.779 alongside her 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.320 and grabs 00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:23.820 hold of her 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.200 hand and 00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:24.340 says, 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:24.620 I'm not 00:38:24.620 --> 00:38:25.100 letting you 00:38:25.100 --> 00:38:25.380 go. 00:38:25.620 --> 00:38:25.900 We're going 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.240 to walk 00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.700 through this 00:38:26.700 --> 00:38:27.100 together. 00:38:28.420 --> 00:38:29.140 How much 00:38:29.140 --> 00:38:29.780 difference does 00:38:29.780 --> 00:38:30.280 that make 00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:30.900 now to that 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.400 child? 00:38:32.240 --> 00:38:32.780 Because her 00:38:32.780 --> 00:38:33.700 father is 00:38:33.700 --> 00:38:34.940 holding her 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:36.360 right hand. 00:38:37.060 --> 00:38:37.780 He holds you 00:38:37.780 --> 00:38:38.460 more secure 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:38.860 than any 00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:39.940 financial market 00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:40.840 can be secure, 00:38:41.200 --> 00:38:42.019 more than any 00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:43.080 house or 00:38:43.080 --> 00:38:43.640 accommodation 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:44.440 can be secure, 00:38:44.560 --> 00:38:45.100 more than any 00:38:45.100 --> 00:38:46.140 job can give 00:38:46.140 --> 00:38:46.840 you security. 00:38:47.760 --> 00:38:48.500 If you're a 00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:48.820 Christian, 00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:49.340 you're the most 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:50.200 secure person 00:38:50.200 --> 00:38:50.980 in this city, 00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:53.159 because he 00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:54.679 holds your 00:38:54.679 --> 00:38:56.340 right hand, 00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:58.820 and we 00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.480 forget it. 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.579 Is Christ 00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.340 enough for your 00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:04.240 security today? 00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:08.260 Do you crave 00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:09.480 success and 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.240 envy those who 00:39:10.240 --> 00:39:10.659 seem more 00:39:10.659 --> 00:39:11.139 talented, 00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:12.539 more successful 00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:13.079 than you? 00:39:13.139 --> 00:39:13.420 It says, 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.679 God is your 00:39:14.679 --> 00:39:15.320 portion. 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:16.699 Now, 00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:17.079 I don't know if 00:39:17.079 --> 00:39:17.440 you know what 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:18.039 portion is. 00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.639 Your portion 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.539 is what you're 00:39:19.539 --> 00:39:20.759 allotted when 00:39:20.759 --> 00:39:22.019 a father is 00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:22.679 about to die 00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:23.019 and he's going 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.539 to distribute 00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:24.420 his inheritance 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:25.759 to his sons 00:39:25.759 --> 00:39:26.639 or to his 00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:27.139 family. 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:28.860 You know, 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.960 and your 00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:30.659 portion over 00:39:30.659 --> 00:39:31.019 there, 00:39:31.320 --> 00:39:31.800 you get 00:39:31.800 --> 00:39:32.320 ten million 00:39:32.320 --> 00:39:32.940 dollars. 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.159 Your portion, 00:39:34.259 --> 00:39:34.639 that guy's 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:34.960 portion, 00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:35.759 it's a house 00:39:35.759 --> 00:39:36.279 on the peak. 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:37.019 That guy's 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.340 portion, 00:39:37.559 --> 00:39:37.960 it's an 00:39:37.960 --> 00:39:38.619 amazing six 00:39:38.619 --> 00:39:38.920 pack. 00:39:39.159 --> 00:39:39.860 That guy's 00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:40.279 portion, 00:39:40.820 --> 00:39:42.380 it's a holiday 00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:43.119 in France. 00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:44.719 Your portion 00:39:44.719 --> 00:39:47.299 is the 00:39:47.299 --> 00:39:48.019 God of 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.539 the universe 00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.119 who owns 00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:49.379 all the 00:39:49.379 --> 00:39:49.879 other stuff 00:39:49.879 --> 00:39:50.279 anyway. 00:39:53.359 --> 00:39:54.419 Christ is 00:39:54.419 --> 00:39:55.099 enough for 00:39:55.099 --> 00:39:55.719 your success. 00:39:57.699 --> 00:39:58.500 And if he 00:39:58.500 --> 00:39:59.139 gives you the 00:39:59.139 --> 00:39:59.899 other stuff, 00:40:00.339 --> 00:40:01.039 it's because 00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:02.019 he is good 00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:03.039 and he wants 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.619 to show you 00:40:03.619 --> 00:40:04.539 his love, 00:40:04.799 --> 00:40:05.879 but his love 00:40:05.879 --> 00:40:06.899 is not conditional 00:40:06.899 --> 00:40:08.059 on you getting 00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:08.859 good things or 00:40:08.859 --> 00:40:09.679 not in 00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:10.759 physical terms. 00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:11.919 Christ is 00:40:11.919 --> 00:40:12.519 enough for 00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.480 your success. 00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:16.539 You can be 00:40:16.539 --> 00:40:17.359 incredible 00:40:17.359 --> 00:40:18.079 successful, 00:40:18.819 --> 00:40:19.559 you can be 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:20.739 in the world's 00:40:20.739 --> 00:40:21.739 eyes totally 00:40:21.739 --> 00:40:22.539 unsuccessful, 00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:25.279 but he will 00:40:25.279 --> 00:40:26.159 receive you to 00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:27.519 glory and you 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.279 will receive the 00:40:28.279 --> 00:40:28.739 crown. 00:40:29.259 --> 00:40:30.139 Is Christ 00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:30.939 enough for 00:40:30.939 --> 00:40:31.279 you? 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.339 If nothing 00:40:33.339 --> 00:40:34.059 else changes 00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:34.759 in your life 00:40:34.759 --> 00:40:35.199 right now, 00:40:35.279 --> 00:40:36.119 can you be 00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:37.719 content in a 00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:38.939 city that lacks 00:40:38.939 --> 00:40:39.819 contentment? 00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.859 This church 00:40:42.859 --> 00:40:43.519 is called to be 00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.679 a people who 00:40:44.679 --> 00:40:45.179 are content 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:46.079 in Christ. 00:40:47.739 --> 00:40:48.699 Let me finish 00:40:48.699 --> 00:40:49.259 with a quote. 00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:51.199 John Piper 00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:51.880 says this, 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.639 you cannot 00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:54.400 show the 00:40:54.400 --> 00:40:55.259 preciousness of 00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:56.119 a person by 00:40:56.119 --> 00:40:56.679 being happy 00:40:56.679 --> 00:40:57.099 with his 00:40:57.099 --> 00:40:57.559 gifts. 00:40:58.920 --> 00:40:59.719 Ingratitude 00:40:59.719 --> 00:41:01.420 will certainly 00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:02.159 show you that 00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:03.139 the giver is 00:41:03.139 --> 00:41:03.900 not loved, 00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:05.980 but gratitude 00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:06.860 for the gifts 00:41:06.860 --> 00:41:07.480 does not 00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.340 prove that the 00:41:08.340 --> 00:41:08.900 giver is 00:41:08.900 --> 00:41:09.340 precious. 00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:11.460 What proves 00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:12.119 that the giver 00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:12.920 is precious 00:41:12.920 --> 00:41:13.940 is the 00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:14.819 glad-hearted 00:41:14.819 --> 00:41:15.900 readiness to 00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.779 leave all his 00:41:16.779 --> 00:41:18.359 gifts to be 00:41:18.359 --> 00:41:19.279 with him. 00:41:20.799 --> 00:41:21.880 Do you hold 00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:22.719 what you have 00:41:22.719 --> 00:41:24.059 in open hands 00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:25.819 knowing that he 00:41:25.819 --> 00:41:27.380 is enough for 00:41:27.380 --> 00:41:27.679 you? 00:41:28.339 --> 00:41:29.199 Let me pray. 00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:47.799 Father, as we 00:41:47.799 --> 00:41:49.159 think about 00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:49.799 what it means 00:41:49.799 --> 00:41:52.739 to, for you 00:41:52.739 --> 00:41:53.319 to be enough 00:41:53.319 --> 00:41:53.719 for us, 00:41:53.759 --> 00:41:54.179 Lord, I just 00:41:54.179 --> 00:41:58.019 pray you would 00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:58.599 show us what 00:41:58.599 --> 00:41:59.300 we're envying 00:41:59.300 --> 00:41:59.960 right now. 00:42:04.519 --> 00:42:05.480 It's so easy, 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:06.079 Lord, to 00:42:06.079 --> 00:42:07.480 focus on 00:42:07.480 --> 00:42:07.759 what, 00:42:09.139 --> 00:42:10.579 everything that 00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:10.940 we don't 00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:12.360 have, and 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:12.920 to miss 00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:13.639 everything that 00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:14.380 we do have. 00:42:16.539 --> 00:42:17.460 Father, I pray 00:42:17.460 --> 00:42:17.960 that we would 00:42:17.960 --> 00:42:19.480 not take you 00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:20.159 for granted. 00:42:21.980 --> 00:42:22.780 Forgive me 00:42:22.780 --> 00:42:23.280 where I do 00:42:23.280 --> 00:42:23.760 that so 00:42:23.760 --> 00:42:24.180 often. 00:42:27.180 --> 00:42:27.860 Thank you 00:42:27.860 --> 00:42:28.400 that you 00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:29.240 are enough 00:42:29.240 --> 00:42:30.600 for us, and 00:42:30.600 --> 00:42:31.440 Lord, when you 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:32.900 say that, you're 00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:33.640 going to provide 00:42:33.640 --> 00:42:34.620 everything that 00:42:34.620 --> 00:42:35.140 we need. 00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:38.200 I don't have to 00:42:38.200 --> 00:42:39.360 cling for security 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:40.220 worried about 00:42:40.220 --> 00:42:40.720 whether you're 00:42:40.720 --> 00:42:41.320 going to provide 00:42:41.320 --> 00:42:41.900 or not, 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:44.380 because you 00:42:44.380 --> 00:42:44.720 will. 00:42:47.220 --> 00:42:48.019 But I pray 00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:48.800 for those of us 00:42:48.800 --> 00:42:50.240 here who don't 00:42:50.239 --> 00:42:51.979 know you, who 00:42:51.979 --> 00:42:52.819 that idea that 00:42:52.819 --> 00:42:53.519 you can be 00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:54.419 somehow enough 00:42:54.419 --> 00:42:54.919 just seems 00:42:54.919 --> 00:42:55.899 crazy, I pray 00:42:55.899 --> 00:42:56.359 that you would 00:42:56.359 --> 00:42:57.599 show them how 00:42:57.599 --> 00:42:58.559 beautiful you 00:42:58.559 --> 00:42:59.559 are, that you 00:42:59.559 --> 00:43:01.539 would die for 00:43:01.539 --> 00:43:03.779 us, to bring 00:43:03.779 --> 00:43:04.399 us in a 00:43:04.399 --> 00:43:05.199 relationship with 00:43:05.199 --> 00:43:05.959 a holy God. 00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:08.939 I pray for 00:43:08.939 --> 00:43:09.500 those of us who 00:43:09.500 --> 00:43:10.159 are Christians. 00:43:15.359 --> 00:43:16.239 May we not 00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:17.179 treat you as 00:43:17.179 --> 00:43:20.199 just a cash 00:43:20.199 --> 00:43:20.979 machine to get 00:43:20.979 --> 00:43:21.559 what we want 00:43:21.559 --> 00:43:22.259 when we can. 00:43:23.439 --> 00:43:24.579 I pray that you 00:43:24.579 --> 00:43:25.919 would really help 00:43:25.919 --> 00:43:27.579 us to run and 00:43:27.579 --> 00:43:28.619 chase after you, 00:43:29.659 --> 00:43:30.319 to know that 00:43:30.319 --> 00:43:31.019 you're enough for 00:43:31.019 --> 00:43:31.679 us, whatever's 00:43:31.679 --> 00:43:32.279 going on in our 00:43:32.279 --> 00:43:33.579 lives, in the 00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:34.479 craziness of the 00:43:34.479 --> 00:43:35.059 world at the 00:43:35.059 --> 00:43:35.379 moment. 00:43:36.919 --> 00:43:38.139 Let us find our 00:43:38.139 --> 00:43:38.919 hope in you, 00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:40.939 our contentment 00:43:40.939 --> 00:43:41.359 in you. 00:43:42.319 --> 00:43:43.239 In your name. 00:43:44.179 --> 00:43:44.419 Amen.