WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.980 Good morning. It is good morning. Great. That was a good response. It's great to be back with us 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:12.720 this morning, and it's a wonderful privilege to look at God's Word. Just to remind us, we are 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:19.280 doing a mini-series called The Church That Jesus Is Building, and we are re-examining some of the 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:25.500 key foundational stones upon which the church is built. And so two weeks ago, we looked at Psalm 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:32.840 127, unless the Lord builds the house, those that build it labor in vain, unless Christ is at work in 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:39.079 His church through the power of His Spirit, the elders and the staff and the leaders labor in vain. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:44.799 And then last week, we looked at Isaiah 66, in which God says, the heavens are my throne, 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:51.240 the earth is my footstool. What is the house that you would build for me? All these things my hand 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:56.560 has made, says the Lord, and so they came to be. But this is the one to whom I will look, 00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:03.079 those who are humble and contrite and tremble before my Word. And so we looked at the fact 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:09.960 last week that how passionate God feels about His Word and about a church like ours that takes God's 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:15.219 Word seriously. And so that's where we've been the last two weeks. Now this morning, we're going to 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:20.460 look at a psalm, the psalm that was read to us, and it's a difficult psalm to understand, but it's a 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:28.539 very important one. And it's a psalm which in many ways has been a guiding scripture for my life. It 00:01:28.539 --> 00:01:35.579 has been a scripture which has shaped so much of how I've tried to think about life and especially 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:41.179 ministry. And my hope and prayer is that for us as a church, Watermark Church, that this scripture will 00:01:41.179 --> 00:01:48.780 become a guiding principle, a guiding scripture that shapes us for many years to come. Okay? And so 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:55.920 we're looking at Psalm 115 verse 1 to 11. So let me pray for us. Let's ask God to speak to us this 00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:03.180 morning and bless His Word, and then we'll dive in. So why don't you join me? Heavenly Fathers, we come to 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:11.599 Your Word this morning. We want to hear from You. God, we don't come to church to hear the opinions of 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:18.280 men or women. We don't come to be told how to make our lives more comfortable or convenient. We come to 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:24.659 meet with the living God. And so living God, won't You speak to us from Your living Word. Won't You 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:30.500 open our eyes? Won't You prepare our hearts? Holy Spirit, won't You take the words on these pages and 00:02:30.500 --> 00:02:39.379 make them real to our souls? We ask You, God, to speak to us as a family this morning. Come and have Your 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:51.659 way. In Your name we pray. Amen. Amen. Okay. So Psalm 115 verse 1, we sang it. Starts off like this. 00:02:52.139 --> 00:03:00.280 Not to us, O God, not to us, but to Your name give the glory. Now, quick question. What does the Bible 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:07.120 mean when it talks about glory? What is the glory of God? Throughout the Bible, we hear this phrase, 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:14.060 the glory of God, or do things to the glory of His name. What does that actually mean? When the Bible 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:21.039 uses the word glory, it uses it in two ways. The first is the glory of God is the intrinsic reality 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:30.159 as to who God is. It's the worthiness of God. So God's glory is not just one of His characteristics, like 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:37.960 God's wisdom or God's knowledge, God's glory. It's not one of many characteristics. The glory of God is the 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:47.919 totality or the sum totals of all of God's divine attributes and characteristics together. So the glory of God 00:03:47.919 --> 00:03:56.579 is everything that makes God God. It's that which makes God infinitely worthy and infinitely perfect. Okay? 00:03:56.580 --> 00:04:03.660 So maybe one way of thinking about it is to think like this. Think of a ginormous, multifaceted diamond. 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:10.340 A diamond has many facets, many sides to it. And each one of God's characteristics or attributes 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:17.680 is another aspect of this diamond. So His holiness and His mercy, His justice and His kindness, 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:24.199 His patience and His sovereignty. Every one of God's characteristics is one facet of this 00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:33.839 multifaceted diamond. And together, all these facets together make up God's glory. The togetherness of God's 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:41.339 characteristics shows or displays His infinite worthiness and His infinite beauty and perfection. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:50.199 That's the glory of God. Or maybe another way of thinking about it is to say God's glory, the totality of 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:57.319 God's attributes is what makes God distinct from the rest of all creation, from every other creature. 00:04:57.899 --> 00:05:04.959 There's nothing and nobody in the whole world that comes close to possessing God's glory because there's 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:12.019 nobody and nothing that comes close to possessing anything near to His divine attributes. Okay? 00:05:12.139 --> 00:05:18.659 Does that make sense? And so when the Bible talks about us seeing God's glory or beholding God's glory, 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:26.480 it talks about seeing or having a revelation of the infinite awesomeness, the infinite perfection and the 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:34.180 beauty of who God is. So for instance, in Isaiah chapter 6, Isaiah gets a revelation of the glory of God. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:40.379 And what does he do? It means that he's seen something of who God is. He's seen the intrinsic 00:05:40.379 --> 00:05:48.160 awesomeness of who God is and he falls down on his knees and he worships. Okay? So that's the first way the 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:55.140 Bible speaks about it. But then the Bible also speaks about glory as a verb. To do something to 00:05:55.140 --> 00:06:02.060 the glory of God or to glorify God's name or something being done to the praise of His name. Which means to 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:11.240 do something in such a way that reveals or pulls back anything that covers God's glory. So to do something 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:18.020 to glorify God is to like shine a spotlight on the glory of God. To do something in such a way that reveals 00:06:18.019 --> 00:06:25.459 the awesomeness and the infinite perfection of God. To glorify God means to uncover or obscure 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:31.819 God's glory. To make it visible or recognizable. So for instance, Psalm 19 says, 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:38.740 The heavens above declare the glory of God. The skies above proclaim His handiwork. In other words, 00:06:39.099 --> 00:06:43.839 when you look at creation, when you go out on the night sky and you look at the stars and you 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:50.839 see the planets, this should elicit something inside of us that says, God, you are glorious. 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:58.039 The creation declares how God is so distinct from us and not like us. Or another example, 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:05.039 1 Corinthians 6, Paul writes and says, If you belong to Jesus, you are not your own, for you 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:11.000 were bought with a price. So glorify God with your body. In other words, the way you handle your 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:16.680 body and particularly your sexuality and your relationships, let the way that you handle your 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:22.259 body say something. Shine a spotlight on the infinite awesomeness of God. The perfection of God. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:30.399 Let it be a statement about how grand and majestic God is. That God is unlike anyone else. And so this is 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:37.360 the glory of God. To glorify God is to do something which makes visible the fact that God is God and we 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:43.319 are not. That God is distinct from us and worthy of our worship. Okay, did that make any sense? 00:07:44.580 --> 00:07:49.600 Okay, that's the theological part. Now let's dive in and see what the scripture says. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:56.960 So our psalm starts off like this. Not to us, O God, not to us, but to your name give the glory. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:08:04.540 In other words, the psalmist is saying, God, may you be the object of our affection. May you, 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:11.780 God, be the object of our devotion and our worship. Don't let us as a church get confused and think 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:18.740 that we are somehow awesome or we are somehow infinitely special or we are somehow distinct 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:24.980 from everyone else. Don't let us get confused and think that we are somebody special. Not to us, 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:32.899 God. To your name may we give the glory. You see, as a church in this series, the church that Jesus 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:38.819 is building, we ask him the question, if Jesus is at work in his church, if Jesus is the one that's 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:44.699 building his church, how does he go about building it? And last week we saw the way that God builds 00:08:44.699 --> 00:08:51.819 his church is he builds it on the authority of his word. He builds it with those who take his word 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:59.720 seriously. But this week, the Psalms tell us the way God builds his church is with those who the internal 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:06.920 motivation of their hearts, the driving motivation of their hearts is God, not to us, but to your name, 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:14.700 give the glory. And so, Watermark, I want to ask us and I want to urge us and I want to urge the elders of 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:21.820 this church that whatever the future holds, whatever direction God takes us, whatever decisions we make into 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:29.080 the future, may this frame every decision we make. May this be the guiding principle that shapes how we approach 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:35.240 our church and our community. May this be the verse that shapes how we relate to God and one another 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:42.580 and to our city, Hong Kong. Not to us, O God, not to us, but to your name, give the glory. 00:09:45.780 --> 00:09:51.580 A hundred and fifty years ago or so, there was a British parliamentarian by the name of William 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:56.639 Wilberforce. And he was one of the most famous and one of the greatest British parliamentarians. 00:09:57.320 --> 00:10:05.759 And his driving passion in life was to eradicate slavery. And so, for twenty years, he campaigned in 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:11.940 the British parliament for the abolition of the slave trade. For twenty years, he tried every means 00:10:11.940 --> 00:10:19.040 to outlaw trading of slaves in the British Commonwealth. And eventually, after twenty-five years, the British 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:26.539 parliament on, when was it, March 1807, the British parliament, so two hundred years ago, passed a law 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:33.439 outlawing the trading of slavery anywhere in the British Commonwealth. But William Wilberforce was 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:40.480 not satisfied because the law didn't say anything to slaves that had previously been bought or sold. 00:10:40.719 --> 00:10:46.019 It only said that you couldn't trade them any further. And so, millions of people were still in 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:52.120 slavery. And so, for another twenty-five years, William Wilberforce gave his life to trying to 00:10:52.120 --> 00:11:01.120 eradicate slavery altogether. And so, just a few days before he died, in August 1833, slavery was 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:07.759 eventually outlawed in the British Empire. But William Wilberforce wasn't just a good man who was 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:14.079 involved in social justice. He was a man who loved the scriptures. And this psalm was one of his 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:19.639 favorite psalms. And so, the night after the bill has passed, William Wilberforce, he's now an old man, 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:27.320 he goes back to his study. He's meditating on the psalm. And he pulls out his journal, and he writes there, 00:11:28.020 --> 00:11:36.740 Psalm 115, not to us, O God, not to us. To your name, give the glory. And so, Watermark, I want to say, 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:42.740 I hope and I pray that as a church, I pray we will be blessed. I pray the next few years will be fruitful. 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:48.399 I pray that when things are going well, and the church is growing, and new ministries are starting, 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:53.919 and babies are born, and people are getting married, and worship is wonderful, and everything 00:11:53.919 --> 00:12:00.560 is going well, that as a church, the cry of our heart may be, not to us, O God. Glorify your name, 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:05.519 King Jesus, in this church. And Watermark, I pray that as things go well for you at work, 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:10.419 and you get promoted, or you get that new job that you've really been looking for, and hoping for, 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:14.679 or maybe you fall in love with someone, and you get married, and everything is wonderful, 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:19.559 in the quiet place of our lives, when we put our head on the pillow at night, 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:24.379 may the cry of our heart be, God, not to me, but to your name, give the glory. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:29.179 And Watermark, when things are going tough, and we're in a season of transition, 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:35.419 and people leave, and we have to say goodbye to friends, maybe the elders are stretched, 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:39.739 maybe the elders don't look after our church, our community as well as we should. 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:45.859 When things aren't at their best, may we still say, God, not to our comfort and our convenience, 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:49.939 but to your name, give the glory. And friends, when you're overlooked at work, 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:54.299 and you don't get that promotion, or you're hoping for that job, and it doesn't come through, 00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:57.479 or when you're out of community, and you feel confused, 00:12:57.480 --> 00:13:02.960 may the cry of our heart be, Father, not to me, but to your name, give the glory. 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:07.519 Watermark, may this be the refrain, may this be the song that we as a church sing, 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:12.139 the foundation upon which we are built. God, glorify your name. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:18.320 May the infinite worthiness, and beauty, and majesty of God be put on display 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:20.120 in our lives and in our church. 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:24.720 Okay, great. I'm glad you're as excited about that as I am. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:29.080 Now, the question is, why? 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.759 Why should we do this? 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:34.180 Why should this be the refrain of our church? 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.879 I want to give us three reasons. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:39.600 The first reason is because this is the motivation of God himself. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:43.440 This is God's primary passion, the glory of his own name. 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:46.680 Secondly, because it will keep us honest, 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:48.680 and thirdly, it will set us free. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.160 Okay, so first reason. 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.399 This is the motivation of God himself. 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:58.000 When you have children, young children, they love to ask a question, right? 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:00.059 What is the question children love to ask? 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:02.899 Why? Okay, you've also been there, right? 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.959 This is a universal phenomenon. 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:07.559 Children love to ask the question, why? 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:09.379 Why do I have to eat my broccoli? 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:11.340 Why is it taking so long? 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:14.379 Why do I have to share with my sister, right? 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:18.960 And you give them an answer, and then what happens after that? 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:20.740 They ask why, right? 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.620 Okay, you've got it. 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:26.159 And they keep on asking why, and eventually, you get frustrated, 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:29.299 and you say something like, because I'm your father, 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:32.439 or because I said so, right? 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.939 It's not a very good parenting moment. 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:38.660 But as human beings, we actually do the same thing. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:41.400 We are constantly asking the question, why? 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.640 Why is the world the way it is? 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:45.420 Why is there so much evil? 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:49.500 God, why don't you just eradicate suffering right now? 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:53.300 God, why is the universe so big and ever-expanding 00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:55.620 if there only seems to be life on our planet? 00:14:55.800 --> 00:14:57.200 Why, why, why, why? 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.860 And when we find an answer, the next question is, 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.720 okay, but why? 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:05.980 And Jonathan Edwards wrote 200 years ago. 00:15:06.640 --> 00:15:09.160 He said, the end for which the world is made, 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:14.259 the end answer for every why question is for the praise of his glory, 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:16.320 for the display of his glory. 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:19.540 Now, we may not always understand the answer, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.259 but somehow in the wisdom of God, 00:15:22.400 --> 00:15:25.560 everything God does is for the display of his glory. 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:28.319 Isaiah 43 says this, 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.079 the reason why every human being was made 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:32.799 is for the display of his glory. 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:36.039 The reason why that egg and that sperm met together 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.639 to create that human being 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:39.419 is for the praise of his name, 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.859 for the display of God's glory. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:44.819 That something of the infinite majesty and wonder of God 00:15:44.819 --> 00:15:48.639 will be put on display, made visible in your life and my life. 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:50.479 In Isaiah 48, it says, 00:15:50.479 --> 00:15:52.839 God is so slow to anger, 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:56.120 so patient, so long-suffering. 00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:58.300 Why is God so patient with his people? 00:15:58.540 --> 00:16:00.340 For the praise of his name. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:04.240 Everything God does is for the praise of his own name, 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:06.000 to display his glory. 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.379 But what about the cross? 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:11.120 What about Jesus dying on the cross? 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:14.960 The most horrendous day in the history of the world. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.660 How is that a display of God's glory? 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:21.779 Sometimes we think the reason Jesus died on the cross 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:24.779 is because God was so enamored with us, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.419 so in love with us, 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:29.199 that he couldn't possibly bear the idea 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.980 of not being with us, right? 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:33.679 As if God didn't want to be in heaven without us, 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:36.939 so he left heaven to come and be with us. 00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:39.439 But friends, that's not what the Bible says. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.439 The Bible tells us again and again 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:44.419 the reason Jesus died on the cross 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:46.439 was that he might put on display 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:50.319 the infinite justice and the holiness of God 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:52.099 and at the exact same time 00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:55.519 the infinite mercy and kindness and grace of God. 00:16:55.839 --> 00:16:56.740 That on the cross, 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:58.719 Jesus might glorify God 00:16:58.719 --> 00:17:01.339 by revealing the infinite awesomeness 00:17:01.339 --> 00:17:02.979 of the one true God. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.000 Now, of course, 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:06.200 Jesus did die on the cross because he loves us. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.339 John 3.16, 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.859 For God so loved the world 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.119 that he sent his only son. 00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.319 But friends, 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:12.480 the cross is a statement 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.339 not about how lovely we are, 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:16.299 but how glorious God is 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.759 that despite our sin, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:19.000 God loves us still 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:22.059 for the praise of his own name. 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:23.579 Friends, 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.680 if we took the time 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:27.000 to listen to creation, 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:29.819 to every majestic view, 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.839 every bird that sings, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.559 every newborn baby, 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:36.140 every piece of music that's played, 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.620 every bit of creation, 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.000 every star in every galaxy, 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:40.599 we would hear that each one of them 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:42.279 are singing from the same hymn sheet. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.440 They're singing, 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.539 Not to us, O God, 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.700 not to us, 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.700 but to your name, 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.019 give the glory. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.880 Colossians 1 says this, 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:51.559 For by this God 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.860 all things were created, 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.880 in heaven and on earth, 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:56.380 visible and invisible, 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.319 whether thrones or rulers, 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.660 dominions or authorities, 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:01.940 all things were created through him, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:05.319 and all things were created for him, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.660 for the praise of his name. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.500 Lord Mark, 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.579 may we join 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:11.339 in the song of all creation. 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.879 May this be the anthem 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:14.199 of our church forever. 00:18:14.939 --> 00:18:15.539 Not to us, 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.059 O God, 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.079 not to us, 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:17.980 but to your name, 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.099 give the glory. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.379 First reason, 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.619 this is the primary motivation 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.539 of God himself. 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.259 Second thing is this, 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.740 it'll keep us honest. 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:27.779 Now, 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:29.379 what I mean by that is, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.500 if we as a church, 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.859 and if as individuals, 00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:34.899 the motivation of our hearts is, 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:35.359 God, 00:18:35.439 --> 00:18:36.779 may you glorify your name. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.180 God, 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:39.220 may you put your infinite beauty 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.019 on display, 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:42.160 it will stop us 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.240 from getting distracted, 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.579 either by pain, 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.859 and problems, 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.759 and difficulty, 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.480 but it'll also stop us 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.420 from getting distracted 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.339 by pleasure, 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.500 and abundance, 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.680 and great success. 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:53.960 You see, 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.599 Psalm 115, 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.039 this refrain, 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.960 is a song that has often 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.700 been sung 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.139 when Christians 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.920 have enjoyed great success. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.440 There's a story about 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.960 one of the, 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.080 there's an old hymn, 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.980 it's actually in Latin, 00:19:08.320 --> 00:19:09.120 this phrase, 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.720 not to us, 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.019 O God, 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.580 not to us, 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:11.279 but to your name, 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:11.880 give the glory. 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:14.440 And about four or five hundred 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.000 years ago, 00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.900 the British army 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:17.080 was engaged in battle, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.539 they won the battle, 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.560 and the commander 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:21.220 made the entire army 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.080 kneel down 00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:22.759 on the battlefield 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.640 in one knee 00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.080 and sing this psalm 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:25.620 in Latin, 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.420 not to us, 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.759 O God, 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.380 not to us, 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.039 to your name, 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.960 give the glory. 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:30.500 So Christians have often 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.380 sung this, 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:32.700 or spoken about this 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.580 psalm in times 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:34.580 of great success. 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.740 But verse two 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.980 tells us 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.980 what's actually 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.740 going on here. 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.740 You see, 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.840 the psalm isn't written 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:43.000 because the people of God 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.980 are in a good place, 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:45.220 actually things are 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.039 going wrong for them. 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.440 The nation of Israel 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.620 is in a spot of bother. 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:50.259 Look at what happens 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.340 in verse two. 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.080 It says, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.440 why should the nation 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.880 say, 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.519 where is your God? 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.299 You see, 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.180 what's going on here 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:58.140 is Israel 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.160 in a tough situation. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.080 Things aren't going 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:00.660 well for them. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.259 And so their enemies, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.559 the nations around them, 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.980 are laughing at them. 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.240 They're mocking them. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.180 They're saying, 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.599 Israel, 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.720 where is your God? 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.099 Just look at where 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.059 your faith in God 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.700 has got you. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.440 It hasn't got you 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.119 very far. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.400 Maybe your God 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.440 has abandoned you. 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:17.240 Where is your God now? 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.740 And so what's going on 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.960 is things in Israel 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.940 aren't going so well 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.980 and the nations 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.940 are mocking them. 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.440 They're laughing at them, 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:24.759 saying, 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.519 where has God 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.140 got you? 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.879 And friends, 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:29.980 I can almost 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.820 guarantee you 00:20:30.820 --> 00:20:32.280 that every one of us 00:20:32.280 --> 00:20:33.560 will come to a time 00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.060 in our lives 00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:34.740 when things aren't 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.220 going well. 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:36.660 Every one of us 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.420 will experience 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:39.180 a situation in life 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.460 where we'll face 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.660 hardship or suffering. 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.840 There'll come a time 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.480 when you'll wonder, 00:20:43.620 --> 00:20:43.860 God, 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.560 where are you? 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.480 Have you abandoned me? 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.820 There'll come a time 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.780 when those who don't 00:20:48.780 --> 00:20:49.660 like the gospel 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.160 will say, 00:20:50.280 --> 00:20:51.400 where is your God? 00:20:52.020 --> 00:20:52.500 And friends, 00:20:52.580 --> 00:20:53.280 you may be tempted 00:20:53.280 --> 00:20:54.240 to agree with them. 00:20:54.760 --> 00:20:55.060 You may say, 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.320 God, 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.920 where is you? 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.620 Where are you? 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:58.060 Where have you gone now? 00:20:59.100 --> 00:20:59.620 And watermark, 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.660 what will keep us 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.000 on the straight and narrow? 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:03.000 What will keep us 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.920 in times like that 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:05.980 from losing our faith? 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:08.400 What will keep us alive 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.980 and our faith alive and real? 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:10.700 What will get us 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.360 through those times 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.080 in one piece? 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.000 Or what will determine 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.420 whether we stop trusting God 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:17.680 will depend on our vision of God. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:19.019 Because if you've got 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.980 a small God 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.860 who's not glorious, 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.140 not majestic, 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.980 a God who just exists 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.860 to make your life 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:27.079 comfortable or convenient, 00:21:27.439 --> 00:21:29.179 when difficulty comes 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:30.619 or hardship comes your way, 00:21:30.959 --> 00:21:32.519 you'll be irritated by God, 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.719 you'll throw your hands 00:21:33.719 --> 00:21:34.139 in the air, 00:21:34.179 --> 00:21:34.559 and you'll say, 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.679 where are you, God? 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.919 I thought you were 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:37.959 supposed to be good. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:43.000 A couple of years ago, 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.959 a Christian psychologist 00:21:44.959 --> 00:21:45.779 by the name of 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.740 Christian Smith 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.240 and a colleague, 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:49.839 Melinda Denton, 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:51.339 they researched 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:53.379 what do American 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.799 teenage Christians 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.980 think about the Bible 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.019 and the God of the Bible. 00:21:57.439 --> 00:21:58.539 And they did a whole 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.359 lot of research 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.159 and they wrote a book 00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:00.559 in the end 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.919 called Soul Searching. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.359 And in this book, 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:04.059 they said that 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:05.339 the God 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.339 that American 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.799 Christian teenagers 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.259 worship 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.439 is very different 00:22:09.439 --> 00:22:10.519 from the God of the Bible. 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:11.759 And they called 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.240 this new American faith 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:15.500 moral therapeutic deism. 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.039 Have you heard 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.879 that phrase before? 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:19.659 Moral therapeutic deism. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.259 In other words, 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.640 they said, 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.440 the God of contemporary 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.600 American Christianity 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:25.000 is a God who is moral 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.740 and He wants us 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.320 to be moral. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.220 A God who is therapeutic. 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:28.759 In other words, 00:22:28.800 --> 00:22:29.960 He exists for your own 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.180 comfort and your convenience 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.100 to make you happy. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.620 And He's a deity 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.440 which means that 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.680 He should use His power 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.519 and His strength 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.960 to make your life 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.880 work together. 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:40.220 And in the end 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.640 of the book, 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.820 the summary statement 00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:42.660 these psychologists 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.180 wrote is this, 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.980 this God does not need 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.340 to be particularly involved 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:48.180 in one's life 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.440 except maybe 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.460 when God is needed 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:52.039 to fix a problem. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.500 You see, 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.080 Watermark, 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.539 if we haven't seen 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.500 the glory of God 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.779 and the majesty of God, 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.000 if we haven't seen 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.400 the infinite worthiness 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.920 of God, 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:02.039 that's exactly 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.700 what we'll think 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.320 God is like. 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.600 God is moral 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:05.320 and He wants us 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:05.820 to be moral. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.279 God exists to make 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.140 our lives comfortable 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:08.720 and convenient 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:10.039 and God should use 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.640 His power 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.680 in our lives 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.600 when we're in trouble. 00:23:13.560 --> 00:23:14.000 Friends, 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.560 if we haven't been 00:23:14.560 --> 00:23:15.740 gripped by the majesty 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.500 of who God is 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.480 when things go wrong 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.240 or pain comes 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.259 or difficulty comes 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.680 or inconveniences arrive, 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.319 we'll be deeply confused. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.259 We'll throw our hands 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.640 in the air 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:23.920 and say, 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:25.079 where are you God? 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.059 But look at what 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.920 the psalmist says. 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.700 This psalmist, 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.380 this community, 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.319 it starts off saying, 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.019 not to us, 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.400 O God, 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.980 not to us, 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.740 but to your name 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.299 give the glory. 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.539 When things go wrong 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.119 and the enemies 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:38.099 mock them and say, 00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.599 where is your God now? 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.779 Look at how they respond. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.740 Look at verse 3. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.279 What is their response? 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.440 They say, 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:46.680 our God is in the heavens 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:48.279 and He does all 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.220 that He pleases. 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:50.559 In other words, 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:52.100 they've seen something 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.000 of the majesty 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.279 and the bigness of God. 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.519 They may not always understand 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.740 why He does what He does, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.960 but they've seen 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.059 that God is God 00:23:59.059 --> 00:24:00.039 and that they are not 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.320 and that they exist 00:24:01.320 --> 00:24:02.299 for His glory. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.580 He doesn't exist 00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.940 for their glory. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:05.820 Friends, 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:06.980 I want to ask you this morning, 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.360 is your God small? 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.100 Is your God 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:11.460 that just exists 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.600 just to make you happy 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.299 and comfortable 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.019 and convenient? 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:16.119 A God whose chief reason 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.039 for His existence 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:18.419 is to make your life work? 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.779 Because if it is, 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.180 it's a God of our imagination. 00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:23.139 That God doesn't exist. 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.659 But the one true God 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.240 of the Bible 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.119 is the God that says, 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.359 our God is in the heavens. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.579 He does what He pleases 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.539 and therefore, 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.799 not to us, 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.259 O God, 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.399 not to us, 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.500 but to your name 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.740 give the glory. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.059 Now, 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.440 the other side of the coin, 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.000 that's one side of the coin, 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.579 the other side of the coin, 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.599 is that if we as a church 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.779 will see the glory of God 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.059 and love the glory of God 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.420 and if the song of our heart 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.180 is God, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.779 not to us, 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.500 but to your name 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.160 give the glory, 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:53.319 it will not only keep us 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:55.140 faithful and following God 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.359 when difficulty comes, 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:58.119 it will also keep us faithful 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.839 and following God 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.140 when great success comes 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.299 or abundance comes. 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.180 The church that I, 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.480 we were involved in, 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.339 in Cape Town, 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.339 was started by a businessman 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.900 by the name of Christo, 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:10.300 Christo Breedenkamp. 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.780 And Christo, 00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:13.280 when he first became 00:25:13.280 --> 00:25:14.300 a follower of Jesus 00:25:14.300 --> 00:25:16.060 20 years ago, 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.060 he was out of work 00:25:18.060 --> 00:25:19.240 or actually soon after 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.360 he became a follower of Jesus, 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.500 he lost his job. 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.440 He used to work for De Beers, 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.380 a mining company. 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.680 He lost his job 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.540 and for two years 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:27.519 he was without work. 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.880 He went for almost 30 interviews, 00:25:30.540 --> 00:25:31.340 good interviews, 00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:32.580 couldn't find any work. 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.300 And at one stage 00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:34.460 he was selling candles 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.780 out of the boot of his car, 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.920 the trunk of his car 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.340 to try and pay the bills. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:40.840 And he started a bakery 00:25:40.840 --> 00:25:41.640 with his wife 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.600 and that went badly 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.560 and so they lost 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.440 whatever money 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.620 they did have or borrowed, 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.340 they lost that. 00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:47.580 And eventually 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:48.680 somebody in the church 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:50.400 offered him a job 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.880 as a junior salesman. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.160 And so he started 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.220 at the very bottom. 00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:56.220 And 12 years later 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.540 when Christo and I 00:25:57.540 --> 00:25:59.100 helped start this new church, 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.440 he was now CEO 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.220 of the business. 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:03.060 But they didn't own the business, 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.680 he was working 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.540 for other shareholders. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.960 And at some point 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:07.340 he felt God put in his heart 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.859 that maybe the management team 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:10.139 should have a management buyer. 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.259 They should buy the business 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.000 from the shareholders. 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:14.059 So they went to the shareholders 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.500 and said, 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.919 look, we want to buy this business. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.459 And the shareholders said, 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.519 we don't want to sell it. 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.399 And so they negotiated 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.119 and eventually 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.419 they named their price, 00:26:22.459 --> 00:26:23.480 a very high price. 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.119 And Christo and his team 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.519 had to work very hard 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.819 to make the money 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.579 and they borrowed 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:31.539 and they made the targets 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.419 and eventually 00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.279 they owned the business. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.899 But one of the things 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:36.059 that Christo often said 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.940 to me in that time, 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:37.799 he said, 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:39.940 I will be far more tested 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.799 in my success 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.779 than I ever was 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.480 in my failure. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.019 When I had nothing 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.299 it was easy to trust God 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:46.639 because I didn't have much 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:47.440 to trust him with. 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:49.099 But if I have a lot 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.639 it will be harder 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.759 to trust God with that. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.299 And one of the things 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.980 I most respect 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.200 about my friend Christo 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.079 is I've seen him 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.160 when he's had very little 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.399 and I've seen him 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.379 when he's had a lot. 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.039 And at both times 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.740 he's exactly the same man. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.339 Nothing has changed about him 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:05.700 because the internal 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.920 driving motivation 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.700 of his heart 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:09.539 is not to me, oh God, 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.160 not to me, 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.079 but to your name 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:12.160 give the glory. 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.900 God glorify your name 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.759 in my poverty. 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.720 God glorify your name 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.799 in my abundance. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.400 Not to me, oh God, 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.400 not to me, 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.380 but to your name 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:23.339 give the glory. 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.480 And friends, 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.759 maybe you'll never be tempted 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.759 to throw your hands 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.000 in the air in exasperation. 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.700 Maybe you'll never say, 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.660 God, where are you? 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.380 Because your life 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.059 will be comfortable 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.640 and convenient. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.980 Maybe you'll make 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.700 a lot of money, 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.599 you'll have a wonderful family, 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.279 your loved ones 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.220 will always be close, 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.180 you'll never experience 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.039 much difficulty. 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.620 What's going to keep you 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.539 from becoming dull 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.180 and ineffective? 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.839 What's going to stop you 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.640 from becoming proud 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.519 and self-sufficient? 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.079 What's going to stop you 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.259 from becoming self-reliant 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.480 rather than God-reliant? 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.859 This needs to be 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:54.120 the refrain of our heart. 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.079 God, not to me, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.120 but to your name 00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:58.839 give the glory. 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.319 Friends, if we, 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.319 as a church, 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.140 want to stay true 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:02.520 and honest, 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.520 if we want to be a church 00:28:03.520 --> 00:28:04.240 which is faithful 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.940 to the gospel 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.100 and walking with God 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.860 and experiencing 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.840 the power of God 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.920 and the Holy Spirit 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:09.720 to change lives, 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:11.180 if we want to see people 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.080 coming to faith 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.800 and salvation 00:28:12.800 --> 00:28:13.820 and having a, 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:15.259 we need to have a revelation 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.500 of the bigness of God, 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.240 that our God 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.020 is in the heavens. 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.740 He does all that He pleases. 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.380 He is majestic 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.200 and sovereign 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.320 and therefore, 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.080 not to us, 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.440 O God, 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.380 but to your name 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.880 give the glory. 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.780 Why should this be 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:29.360 the motivation 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:29.880 of our church? 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.500 Because this is the motivation 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.220 of God Himself. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:34.340 Because this will keep us honest. 00:28:34.520 --> 00:28:35.000 Third thing, 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.820 because this will set us free. 00:28:37.760 --> 00:28:37.980 Now, 00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.800 look in your bulletins 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.300 or your Bible. 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.380 Look at what happens 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.500 when we get distracted 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.700 by the false gods 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.980 of comfort and convenience. 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.340 Look at what happens 00:28:46.340 --> 00:28:47.080 in verse 4. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.460 Or rather, 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.480 verse 2 says, 00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:51.040 Why should the nations say 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:51.960 where is their God? 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.620 Now, 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.460 verse 4 says, 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:55.200 The gods of the nations, 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.559 the gods of our culture 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.720 are like this. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:00.200 Their idols are silver and gold, 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:01.600 the work of human hands. 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.660 They have mouths, 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.759 but they do not speak. 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.759 They have eyes, 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.840 but they cannot see. 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.840 They have ears, 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.840 but they do not hear. 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:08.740 Noses, 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.920 but they cannot smell. 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:11.000 They have hands, 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:12.420 but they don't feel anything. 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:13.519 They have feet, 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.819 but they cannot go anywhere. 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.500 They do not make a sound 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.240 in their throat. 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.759 Those who make them 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.600 become like them. 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.920 And so do all 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.220 who trust in them. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.300 Now, 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.580 in Hong Kong, 00:29:24.820 --> 00:29:25.640 one of the things 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:27.700 that we know is 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:30.120 shrines are ubiquitous, 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.500 right? 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.759 Everywhere you go, 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.860 you see these little shrines 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:35.200 of burning incense, 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.700 and sometimes there's fruit there 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.500 that's been left out 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.180 to the spirits 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.480 or to the gods. 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:42.360 And this is ubiquitous. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.920 And I don't imagine 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.820 many of us 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:46.019 have those in our houses. 00:29:46.560 --> 00:29:47.440 Maybe some of us, 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:49.039 there's a shrine in your house, 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.400 and they put out fruit 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.860 often for the spirits, 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.080 but most of us 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:54.259 might not have that 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.800 in our house. 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:56.320 And yet still, 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.840 every one of us 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:58.360 are tempted 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.780 to follow the contemporary 00:29:59.780 --> 00:30:00.860 gods of our culture, 00:30:00.960 --> 00:30:01.180 right? 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.220 What are the gods? 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.700 Our cell phones, 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.140 social media, 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.340 our work, 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.180 our careers, 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.180 our paycheck, 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.140 our bonuses. 00:30:09.780 --> 00:30:10.420 These things 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.280 that we trust in 00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:11.920 and hope in 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.800 to give us hope 00:30:13.800 --> 00:30:14.380 and meaning, 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.519 to give us security 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.160 and comfort 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.040 and convenience, 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:17.500 right? 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.160 These things 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:19.200 that we trust in. 00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:20.259 And the reason 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.080 why we do this 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:21.960 is because these things 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.080 promise us glory. 00:30:23.540 --> 00:30:24.000 They promise 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.840 to put our name 00:30:24.840 --> 00:30:25.320 in light. 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.220 They promise 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.140 to make us feel 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.380 better about ourselves, 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:28.759 right? 00:30:29.540 --> 00:30:30.759 But look at the tragedy 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.560 of these gods. 00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:33.120 In ancient times, 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.840 they were maybe 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.820 carved statues 00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:36.080 in your living room 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:37.180 or in your lounge 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.200 or in your office place, 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.080 but these days, 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.940 they're in our pockets. 00:30:40.060 --> 00:30:41.100 They're in our bank accounts. 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.600 They're on the computer screen. 00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:44.060 But look at the tragedy 00:30:44.060 --> 00:30:44.820 of these gods. 00:30:45.340 --> 00:30:46.040 Look at what happens 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.700 in verse 8. 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.700 It says, 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.899 those who make them 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:50.359 become like them 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:52.240 and so do all 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.579 who trust in them. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.599 Friends, 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.180 the problem 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:55.799 with trusting 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.639 with these gods 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:57.359 and these idols 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.000 to save 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.039 and to satisfy us, 00:30:59.159 --> 00:31:00.019 to give our lives 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:00.839 meaning and hope, 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.859 is not just that 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.579 they are powerless 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.839 and they are insipid 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.680 and they can't do 00:31:04.680 --> 00:31:05.319 what they promise. 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.700 The problem is that 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.839 they actually change us 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:09.039 and ultimately 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.339 they enslave us. 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.159 See, 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.599 Watermark, 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.220 this is why I want to ask, 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.299 can we be gripped 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.839 by the bigness of God? 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:17.740 Can we get a revelation 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.379 of the majesty of God? 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:21.259 This is why I want to implore us 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:21.899 as a church 00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:22.879 that whatever happens 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:24.680 in the future, 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:26.159 we don't get distracted 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:28.079 by small man-made gods 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:29.319 that cannot save 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.279 because ultimately 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:32.119 those gods enslave us. 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.180 They trap us. 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.639 Tim Keller, 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.639 a wonderful pastor 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.299 from the States, 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.119 he's in New York City 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.319 and he is writing 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.680 about how so many men 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.099 and women 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.039 in his city 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.659 give their lives 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.539 to trying to make 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:47.119 a success of their career 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:48.639 and their whole lives 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.559 revolve around 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.879 making a success 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.819 of their career 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.259 and this is what he writes. 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.000 He says, 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.079 these men and women 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.240 have sacrificed 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.039 everything 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.720 to the God of success 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.460 but it wasn't enough. 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.279 In ancient times, 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.379 the deities 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.480 were bloodthirsty 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:06.139 and hard to appease. 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.879 Even still today, 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:09.119 they are exactly 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.960 the same. 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.319 Isn't that profound? 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:13.019 In ancient times, 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:13.600 the deities 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.600 were bloodthirsty 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.779 and hard to appease. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.720 You had to work 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.500 very hard 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.420 to appease the gods, 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:18.940 offer them 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.140 great sacrifices. 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.160 Friends, 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.980 even still today, 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.319 the gods that we serve 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.660 are exactly the same. 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:26.500 They demand a lot from us 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.700 and this is true 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.759 of everything we worship. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.180 Everything that we 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.039 give ourselves to 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.519 as worship 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.960 ultimately owns us. 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.100 I want to ask 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.720 the youth here, 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.920 if you're a teenager here, 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.079 one of the gods 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.600 of our culture 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.460 is social media. 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.420 Friends, 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.019 you don't feel 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.880 like social media 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.519 owns you. 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:44.360 Your social media 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.600 controls how you feel 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.279 about yourself, 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.000 how you feel 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.580 about others, 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.480 whether you have 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:48.980 a good day 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.759 or a bad day. 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.279 The gods of our cultures, 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:52.180 they own us. 00:32:52.700 --> 00:32:53.860 What about our careers 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.860 while working 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.580 for that bonus 00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:56.320 or that paycheck? 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:58.060 Our careers own us. 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.420 When we give ourselves 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.120 to these gods, 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:00.820 they ultimately, 00:33:01.060 --> 00:33:02.500 they enslave us 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.200 and they own us. 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:04.220 And you know, 00:33:04.320 --> 00:33:05.120 Jesus Christ 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:05.580 says something 00:33:05.580 --> 00:33:06.220 very interesting. 00:33:07.080 --> 00:33:09.340 Jesus is unapologetic 00:33:09.339 --> 00:33:09.980 about the fact 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.740 that if you come 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.240 to him, 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.559 he also owns you. 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.759 Jesus says, 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.720 you can't come to me 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.579 and give me your life 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.480 and still maintain 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.199 the right to be 00:33:17.199 --> 00:33:17.859 your own lord. 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.159 If you come to me, 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.879 I own you. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.579 Either I have all of you 00:33:21.579 --> 00:33:22.779 or I have none of you. 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:26.839 Jesus comes to us 00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.799 and says the same thing. 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.799 Now, 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.179 I'm not sure 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:29.839 if this is true 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.779 in Hong Kong culture, 00:33:30.939 --> 00:33:32.019 but in many other cultures, 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:32.619 people say, 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.639 don't become a follower 00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:34.099 of Jesus, 00:33:34.220 --> 00:33:35.159 you'll lose your freedom. 00:33:35.699 --> 00:33:36.839 If you follow Jesus, 00:33:37.199 --> 00:33:38.279 you'll lose your independence, 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.240 you'll lose your freedom. 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.180 Friends, 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.139 Jesus Christ 00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:42.079 says the only way 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.200 to truly be free 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.319 is to come 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:45.379 and give him your all. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.519 The only way 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.000 to be free 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.759 from the idols 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.660 that enslave us 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.139 is to come 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.319 to the one true God 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.079 and say, 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:51.720 not to us, 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.079 a God, 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.139 not to us, 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:54.019 but to your name, 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.079 give the glory. 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:55.960 You see, 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.740 in ancient times, 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.379 the deities 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:58.420 were bloodthirsty 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.599 and hard to appease. 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:00.759 Even today, 00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.619 they still are. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.160 But therein lies 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.619 our hope 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:05.399 because in Jesus Christ 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:06.399 is the one God 00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:07.500 who claims nothing less 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.139 than being divine. 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.300 Nothing less 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.940 than being God. 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.019 Nothing less 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.360 than saying, 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.000 I own you. 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:13.240 But Jesus Christ 00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:13.960 is the one God 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.980 that didn't demand 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.519 our blood, 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.000 but he gave his blood 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.420 instead. 00:34:18.200 --> 00:34:19.040 And there's the irony. 00:34:19.640 --> 00:34:20.780 Jesus is the one God 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.240 who says, 00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.300 if you come to me, 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.200 I'll demand everything. 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.480 But he's the one God 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.660 who gave everything 00:34:25.660 --> 00:34:26.980 of himself for us 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:28.400 to set us free. 00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:30.740 That's the counterintuitive thing. 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.800 When we as individuals 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.740 or as a church family 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.660 live for ourselves 00:34:33.660 --> 00:34:34.600 and our own glory, 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:36.300 we end up losing our lives. 00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.820 And when we come to him 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:38.300 and we're willing 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:39.180 to lose our lives 00:34:39.180 --> 00:34:39.440 and say, 00:34:39.580 --> 00:34:39.880 Jesus, 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:41.240 have your way in my life, 00:34:41.620 --> 00:34:42.800 that's where Jesus is. 00:34:42.860 --> 00:34:43.680 You'll find your life. 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.960 That's when I'll truly 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.740 set you free. 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:46.900 Friends, 00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.220 what are you trusting 00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:48.860 in this morning? 00:34:49.560 --> 00:34:50.640 What are you hoping in? 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:51.960 What are you hoping 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.960 is going to set you free? 00:34:53.620 --> 00:34:54.840 What are you hoping 00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:56.120 in to give your life 00:34:56.120 --> 00:34:57.280 meaning and purpose 00:34:57.280 --> 00:34:58.380 and security 00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:58.940 and comfort 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.560 and convenience? 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:00.820 Whatever it is 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.659 that you're trusting in 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.980 will ultimately own you 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.440 and enslave you. 00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:06.059 The one way to be free 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:06.960 is to get to the place 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:08.099 where in your heart of hearts 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.480 you say, 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:08.860 God, 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:10.039 I'm not living for myself. 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:11.539 I'm living for you. 00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:13.099 And when we do that, 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.820 Jesus says he will set us free. 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.019 He'll set us free 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.659 from the idols 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:17.440 that enslave us. 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.679 He'll set us free 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:19.440 from needing to live 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:19.980 for ourselves. 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.239 He'll set us free 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:22.119 from the comparison 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:23.199 of comparing ourselves 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.900 to everyone else. 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:24.759 In Hong Kong, 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.679 we love to compare, 00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.099 right? 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:27.519 Where do you live? 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:29.219 What job you have? 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.719 We love to compare. 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:32.420 When we come to the place 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.000 that Jesus, 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.619 you have it all. 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.539 He'll set us free 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:36.219 from needing to compare ourselves 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:38.219 to everyone else around us. 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.880 But only if we can come 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:40.599 to the place 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.380 where we say, 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:41.800 God, 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.780 not to us, 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:44.219 not to us, 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.400 not to me, 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:45.800 oh God, 00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:47.320 to your name, 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.619 you have the glory. 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:51.039 Look at what happens here 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.079 in verse 9. 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.800 Verse 9 says, 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:54.519 O Israel, 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:56.320 trust in the Lord. 00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:57.940 He is your help 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:59.140 and your shield. 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.880 O house of Aaron, 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:02.220 trust in the Lord. 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.180 He is your help 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:04.260 and shield. 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.940 O Watermark Church, 00:36:06.680 --> 00:36:07.720 trust in the Lord. 00:36:08.140 --> 00:36:09.200 He is your help 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:10.340 and your shield. 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:12.059 You who fear the Lord, 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:13.080 trust in Him. 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.440 He is your help 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.260 and shield. 00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:15.800 Watermark, 00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:17.420 I hope and I pray 00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:19.000 and I want to ask us 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.840 as a church, 00:36:20.340 --> 00:36:20.980 those of us 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:22.080 who call this church home, 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.420 that for as long 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.160 as we do so, 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.619 this will be the refrain, 00:36:25.779 --> 00:36:27.019 the anthem of our heart. 00:36:27.339 --> 00:36:28.500 This will be the song 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.159 of our heart. 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:29.940 God, 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.779 not to us, 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:31.920 not to us, 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.859 but to your name, 00:36:33.339 --> 00:36:33.960 give the glory. 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.799 I pray that we will so see 00:36:35.799 --> 00:36:36.639 the glory of God, 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:38.059 the infinite worth of God, 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:39.399 the majesty of God, 00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:41.619 the infinite perfection of God 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:43.119 that will set us free, 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.619 it will keep us honest 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:46.059 and it will allow us 00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:46.920 to join God 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:48.839 in making this 00:36:48.839 --> 00:36:49.619 the song of our heart. 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:49.980 God, 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:51.879 glorify your name. 00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:52.880 Amen. 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:54.940 Let's stand together 00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.840 and let's pray 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:57.760 as we worship. 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:01.320 Let's take a minute or two 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.579 to respond. 00:37:08.680 --> 00:37:09.840 Let's close our eyes 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:12.200 and come before 00:37:12.200 --> 00:37:13.340 this majestic God. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:26.579 Heavenly Father, 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:28.940 we confess God 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.599 that we 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:32.160 we need you, 00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:32.420 Lord. 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.619 The natural disposition 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.380 of our hearts 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:35.700 is to live for our own glory. 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:38.460 The tendency of our hearts 00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:39.039 is to 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:40.599 want to make much 00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:41.240 of ourselves. 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.200 Oh God, 00:37:44.260 --> 00:37:44.800 we need you 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:45.579 to open the eyes 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:46.079 of our heart 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:46.940 to see you, 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:49.160 to set us free. 00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:52.379 Holy Spirit, 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:53.059 we need a work 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:53.779 of your grace. 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:57.159 And so Holy Spirit, 00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.879 won't you come? 00:37:59.199 --> 00:38:00.199 Come even now, 00:38:00.379 --> 00:38:01.019 Spirit of God, 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:02.420 and come and open our eyes, 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.359 open our hearts, 00:38:05.399 --> 00:38:06.619 and set us free. 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.339 Holy Spirit, 00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:11.539 come and show us 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.819 more of yourself. 00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:14.579 Show us your 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.920 infinite worthiness. 00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:17.500 Show us your 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:18.539 infinite beauty. 00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.379 Show us your 00:38:20.379 --> 00:38:21.099 majesty. 00:38:24.819 --> 00:38:25.839 Help us to fall 00:38:25.839 --> 00:38:26.559 in love with you 00:38:26.559 --> 00:38:27.480 and to trust you, 00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:27.819 God. 00:38:32.399 --> 00:38:32.819 Friends, 00:38:32.859 --> 00:38:33.420 I want to give us 00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:33.980 a few ways 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.659 to respond. 00:38:35.799 --> 00:38:36.839 Let's maybe admit 00:38:36.839 --> 00:38:37.500 how naturally 00:38:37.500 --> 00:38:38.119 and easily 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:39.399 we live for our own glory 00:38:39.399 --> 00:38:40.980 rather than God's glory. 00:38:42.359 --> 00:38:43.679 Let's admit that to God. 00:38:43.779 --> 00:38:44.960 Ask Him to forgive us. 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:46.879 Ask Him to give us 00:38:46.879 --> 00:38:47.460 a revelation 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:48.239 of His glory. 00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:52.119 Let's ask God 00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:53.059 to open our eyes 00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:53.879 and to see the 00:38:53.879 --> 00:38:54.559 bigness and the 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.440 grandeur of God. 00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.759 And then for those 00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:00.619 of us who have become 00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:02.480 trapped or enslaved 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.259 by 00:39:03.259 --> 00:39:05.500 secular thinking, 00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:06.699 the spirit of our age, 00:39:07.699 --> 00:39:08.859 let's confess 00:39:08.859 --> 00:39:09.399 and ask God 00:39:09.399 --> 00:39:10.339 to set us free 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:12.740 to live for His glory. 00:39:12.740 --> 00:39:12.800 Let's live for His glory. 00:39:12.800 --> 00:39:24.660 Let's shiftMP olha 00:39:24.660 --> 00:39:26.780 to His glorious glory 00:39:26.780 --> 00:39:50.640 Father, I pray that as we go this week, tomorrow as we go to work, 00:39:51.100 --> 00:39:56.480 and some of us travel, some of us even today flying various places around the world, 00:39:56.780 --> 00:40:01.380 and some of us that are at home this week for our children as they go to school, 00:40:02.540 --> 00:40:06.380 God, as we make business deals, as we go about our work, 00:40:07.580 --> 00:40:12.320 may something of the majesty and the magnificence of God grip our hearts. 00:40:13.420 --> 00:40:17.560 God, I pray that we won't just go to work this week to earn a salary. 00:40:17.980 --> 00:40:21.340 We'll go to put on display the wonder of our God. 00:40:24.340 --> 00:40:26.700 God, give us a fresh vision for our lives. 00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:29.000 Give us a fresh purpose for everything we do. 00:40:33.280 --> 00:40:40.280 God, recalibrate, recenter our lives, recommission us, God, to live for your glory, we pray. 00:40:41.540 --> 00:40:44.040 We pray, God, that this will be the song of our church. 00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:46.080 Not to us, God. 00:40:46.640 --> 00:40:49.120 To your name, give the glory. 00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:51.699 God, öğ compar season, earth sanitaire, mangha. 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:53.239 Bye for our life. 00:40:53.279 --> 00:40:53.619 Love, tacos,amingha. 00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:54.880 Love, 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.039 city Alyx and family. 00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:55.119 Young man gets to be the song of his life. 00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:57.359 Left-line cinnamon, 00:40:57.359 --> 00:40:57.719 금ine water, 00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:58.500 hasta third medications. 00:40:58.799 --> 00:40:59.279 Love after being recommended that love you are human being 00:40:59.279 --> 00:40:59.659 next on holiday. 00:41:00.259 --> 00:41:02.480 We pray for your journey to love you when you are in the same place, 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:03.380 Act on holiday. 00:41:03.420 --> 00:41:05.099 losses are your dream. 00:41:05.299 --> 00:41:06.380 limiting them to befriend the 그게 that you're doing. 00:41:06.799 --> 00:41:08.739 It's the same challenge for your journey 00:41:08.739 --> 00:41:10.659 For the course of everything we will just you, 00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.559 to plan your other space instead for life this other day. 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:13.039 The story is important to remind you of our焦 coming together. 00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:14.079 God, recovery.