WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.279 We'll be in Psalm 133. This morning is a short psalm, but before we get into it, let's take a moment and ask the Lord's blessing. 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:21.120 Father in heaven, help us to have the heart of the tax collector. Lord, recognizing who we are in light of who you are. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:29.980 We have nothing to stand on. Lord, we are in need of your mercy. Lord, we are in need of your grace. We are in need of your love. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:40.159 Would you please shower us with your mercy and love and kindness and your peace this morning as we open up your word. 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:50.439 Give us soft hearts, hearts to grasp and understand and then to live out your words and commands. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:51.019 --> 00:00:59.820 Feel free to grab a Bible if you do not have one with you. They're at the back welcome table. It would do me a great service if you could follow along. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:18.159 I know some of you guys' story. Others, I do not at all. If you've been in a home lacking unity, where everyone walks on eggshells and there's a constant sense of potential conflict, 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:27.259 you'll know that such a home is not a peaceful home. Even when things were okay in your home, they were never truly good. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:34.459 It's difficult to imagine life without the tension, let alone a life filled with peace and harmony at home. 00:01:34.459 --> 00:01:43.799 There's a significant difference. I think you'd agree with me. There's a significant difference between being civil and being at peace. 00:01:45.039 --> 00:01:51.359 A fragile peace is certainly not the same as the unity and joy that come from true peace, true harmony. 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:59.480 Maybe this hasn't been your experience. God has blessed you with a very peaceful home you've grown up in or are currently in. 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:08.120 Maybe you've experienced just a few times or you know a family that has really struggled growing up. 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:13.259 You know that family. Maybe it's a cousin. Maybe it's a friend. 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:24.599 But even if you don't have a very acute personal experience, if you zoom out and look at the hundreds and thousands of years of human history, 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:32.340 you will know and it's really undeniable that humanity has been characterized not by unity but actually by division. 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:35.639 Not by harmony but discord. 00:02:36.399 --> 00:02:38.299 Not by peace but by conflict. 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:40.260 Israel. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:44.760 The history of Israel is a history of division. 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:47.920 Family members could not live together. 00:02:48.100 --> 00:02:50.939 Tribes would go to war against fellow tribes. 00:02:51.140 --> 00:02:54.080 Fathers would be pitted against sons and brothers against one another. 00:02:54.820 --> 00:02:56.300 It's not just one instance in scripture. 00:02:56.580 --> 00:02:58.920 It's all throughout Israel's history. 00:02:59.640 --> 00:03:05.380 From the earliest chapters of Genesis, unity was elusive because peace was absent. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:09.180 The desire for unity and peace. 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:12.400 If all of that, we take that and we agree. 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:16.560 We can also agree that the desire for unity and peace is a universal. 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:25.379 We seek something much greater than just the absence of conflict or just the lack of walking on eggshells. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:28.840 But what the scriptures call shalom. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:37.120 A peace that describes fullness, blessing, joy, harmony and love across all our relationships. 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:38.400 That's what we desire. 00:03:40.099 --> 00:03:44.039 And this brings us to our final week in the Psalms of Ascent. 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:54.599 Our Psalms of Ascent in Psalm 120, if you remember from a few weeks back, began with Israel divided. 00:03:55.739 --> 00:04:02.780 With not harmony but deceit that marked the nation of Israel. 00:04:03.399 --> 00:04:04.560 The people are not close. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:05.979 They are distant from themselves. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.719 And even more importantly, they're distant from the Lord. 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:13.199 There is conflict and deception everywhere. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.800 I'll just read just a couple verses from Psalm 120. 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:19.120 It's been a few weeks, you might not remember it. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:21.639 Psalm 120 verses 1 and 2. 00:04:21.979 --> 00:04:24.779 In my distress I called to the Lord and he answered me. 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:28.180 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:31.439 And then in verse 6 and 7, the Psalm ends with this. 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:35.259 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. 00:04:35.980 --> 00:04:39.399 I am for peace, but when I speak they are for war. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:43.899 This was the beginning of the pilgrimage up to Jerusalem. 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:46.379 Israel's divided. 00:04:46.599 --> 00:04:47.519 Israel's at war. 00:04:47.659 --> 00:04:48.259 There's deceit. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:49.120 There's backbiting. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:50.219 There's conflict. 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:55.599 Yet here at the end of the pilgrimage, we see them in Jerusalem. 00:04:56.039 --> 00:04:59.919 These people that were at war now are together at the temple worshiping the Lord. 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:02.259 Last week we were in Psalm 132. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:08.599 It was, I described it as really the climax of the Psalms of Ascent. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:15.139 And in it, if you were here, you remember, or if you weren't here, just a bit of a refresher. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:22.480 Psalm 132 envisioned God's very presence marking the covenant people of God. 00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:23.719 Marking God's people. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:27.819 God made promises, but he kept them. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:30.459 God made covenants that he then remembered. 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:35.879 And the promises he made to Israel was to bless them for his presence. 00:05:36.779 --> 00:05:46.079 And then in this Psalm 133, we will see the fruit of that blessing, which is unity born out of peace. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:49.079 So we'll break this up. 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:50.219 It's only three verses. 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:52.219 We'll break it up into three parts. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:54.379 We'll look first at the nature of unity. 00:05:54.379 --> 00:05:57.199 Second, we'll look at the origin of unity. 00:05:57.339 --> 00:05:58.939 And finally, the blessing of unity. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:01.879 So look with me at verse 1. 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:04.600 A song of a sense of David. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:09.639 Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:12.159 David opens this up with behold. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:14.379 I mean, we can read it really, like, robotically. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:18.680 But David is declaring everything that is coming. 00:06:18.680 --> 00:06:25.800 He is saying, listen, pay attention, focus, all eyes on what's happening here in Jerusalem. 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:27.579 This is to be noticed. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:33.160 This is like a front page of every news website. 00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:33.980 I'd say newspaper. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:35.079 Do they exist? 00:06:35.460 --> 00:06:36.280 News website. 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:38.379 Focus. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:41.259 This is something excellent, David says. 00:06:41.259 --> 00:06:44.879 And it's excellent because in the history of Israel, it's rare. 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:50.139 It's a rare and joyful moment for him and for the nation. 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:51.899 The people are at peace. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:53.879 They are united in one spirit. 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:56.459 It is something both good and pleasant. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:00.399 I think this is a remarkable thing. 00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:01.279 It's good and pleasant. 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:03.939 There are many things that are good but not pleasant. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:10.879 If you have had surgery, not pleasant, very good, especially if it's successful. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:14.959 There's a lot of things that are pleasant but not good. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:18.980 Eating multiple pieces of pizza. 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:21.720 Washing it down with your choice beverage. 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:25.699 Very pleasant but not very good. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:30.959 Okay, here we have something that is both pleasant and good. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:36.799 Which means we see this image of something that is absolutely beautiful. 00:07:37.239 --> 00:07:37.899 It's delightful. 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:40.779 It deserves to be praised. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:45.139 Not just praised but highly praised and recognized for its benefit and blessing. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:47.740 And what is this good and pleasant thing? 00:07:49.479 --> 00:07:50.459 King David says, 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:54.379 It is when brothers dwell in unity. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:08:00.359 So in the immediate context, again, with keeping Israel's history in mind, 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:08.359 This is specific to relatives, extended family, kin, living on a shared plot of land. 00:08:09.419 --> 00:08:12.319 Both respect and share boundaries. 00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:14.740 Both respect and share resources. 00:08:15.419 --> 00:08:16.919 They are part of each other's lives. 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:17.740 They are a community. 00:08:18.179 --> 00:08:19.419 They follow the same calendar. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.740 They take part in the same economy. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:25.179 They fight on the same side when enemies come. 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:30.699 And they worship the same God without conflict but mutual growth. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:33.879 This is this image of dwelling in unity. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:37.419 And again, this is not Israel's history. 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:39.779 It's very uncommon because earlier in Genesis, 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:47.779 There are two specific instances where it is talked about where brothers do not dwell in unity. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:51.620 The first, we have Abraham and Lot. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:53.659 They are not actually brothers but they are kin. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:57.220 And in Genesis 13, it says that the land, 00:08:57.620 --> 00:09:01.279 They could not dwell together because the land could not hold their growing resources. 00:09:01.839 --> 00:09:05.539 A similar thing was said of Jacob and Esau who were actually brothers. 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.779 Now, again, it's in the scriptures, 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:12.759 The initial reading just seems like there's not enough grass for their flocks. 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:17.600 There's not enough resources to keep their houses, so to speak, alive. 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:20.459 But there's something more at play here. 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:29.759 Instead, it paints a picture of what should be a together communal life, 00:09:29.939 --> 00:09:33.139 A family life is severed. 00:09:33.199 --> 00:09:33.799 It's separated. 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:35.279 There's some issue at hand. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:39.539 And like I said, there's a pattern here. 00:09:40.220 --> 00:09:41.579 It's the norm in Israel. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:46.899 And if we've reflected on a bit of what I talked about at the beginning in the introduction, 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:49.980 It's a pattern in our lives as well. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:53.579 Humanity is terribly atomized. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:55.579 We are terribly atomized. 00:09:55.879 --> 00:09:57.740 From the family structure, 00:09:58.299 --> 00:10:02.439 You kind of just go out to the next circle, to the next circle, to the next circle. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:06.540 Humanity is incredibly atomized. 00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:09.120 And yet we were created to be in community, 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:13.060 To be known and to know, to share, 00:10:14.020 --> 00:10:19.020 To spend our time, our talents, our treasures for the sake of others. 00:10:20.040 --> 00:10:22.040 And this communal life, 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:27.580 The biblical picture of it is to be centered around worship and praise of the one true God. 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:30.259 However, instead of this unity, 00:10:31.160 --> 00:10:36.160 Our success and enjoyment is not contingent on my neighbor doing well, 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:38.200 But me doing better than my neighbor. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:43.480 Jealousy and envy become the hallmarks of humanity, right? 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:46.220 It doesn't matter that I have $100. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.300 I don't have $101. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:53.360 It doesn't matter that I have two excellent serviceable vehicles, 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:55.740 But mine doesn't shine like his. 00:10:56.100 --> 00:10:57.300 It doesn't shine like hers. 00:10:58.180 --> 00:11:00.080 I got promoted, but listen, 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:02.700 This person's been here, you know, two years, 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:05.600 I've been here two years longer than them, 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.800 And they're promoted ahead of me. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:11.180 Constantly we are gauging our success and our well-being, 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:14.060 Not by God blessing us, 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:16.840 Or rejoicing in the success of others. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:18.200 It's always me. 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:20.820 This is the atomization of our lives. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:24.900 Our focus is inward, constantly bent inward. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:31.340 As this atomization continues, 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:33.720 The worship of the one true God becomes rare, 00:11:34.140 --> 00:11:36.580 Or even non-existent in our lives. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:39.960 So you see that there's a deep connection between 00:11:39.960 --> 00:11:43.340 Being united to one another in community, 00:11:43.640 --> 00:11:45.580 And properly worshiping the Lord. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:48.360 But how, where is that connection found? 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:51.340 So here's, just take a step back. 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:52.779 Worship, it shifts our focus. 00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:54.860 If we are worshiping God properly, 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:58.039 Again, interestingly that the gospel text, 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:00.480 Coincidentally, or maybe not so coincidentally, 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.759 Is Jesus in Luke 18, 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:04.639 Talking about the tax collector and the Pharisee. 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.659 There is good worship and bad worship, okay? 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.860 The good worship is what I'm talking about here. 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:12.399 A worship that shifts our focus away from ourselves, 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:14.080 And towards the triune God, 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:15.659 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:19.000 It affirms that life itself is a gift. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:23.419 All the good things come from God that we have. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.799 He grants salvation, 00:12:25.339 --> 00:12:27.899 Purely out of undeserved grace, 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.120 Because He loves us. 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:31.339 Not because He's compelled to, 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:34.379 Or not because He needs an object to love. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.500 But simply, out of love. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:39.279 And when we recognize and cherish 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.899 Who God is, 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:42.879 Above all else, 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:45.460 Our desires begin to change. 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:48.340 Our affections and our loves began to shift. 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:51.820 We no longer seek more for ourselves, 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:54.879 But rather we are about glorifying the Lord. 00:12:55.559 --> 00:13:01.100 And that really frees us up then to celebrate other people's victories. 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:04.379 It's like an antidote to jealousy and envy. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.179 As we worship. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.299 It's not an overnight thing. 00:13:08.839 --> 00:13:10.319 But our affections, 00:13:10.479 --> 00:13:11.019 Our loves, 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:12.519 Our... 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:14.379 The things that we desire, 00:13:14.559 --> 00:13:15.399 They begin to shift. 00:13:17.479 --> 00:13:17.839 So you see, 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:19.419 As the Lord draws us closer, 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:22.219 We find ourselves living rightly ordered lives. 00:13:22.479 --> 00:13:24.120 That are at peace with Him. 00:13:24.219 --> 00:13:26.439 And because our lives are at peace with Him, 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.259 They are at peace with one another. 00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:33.559 So let's consider this in light of the Psalms of Ascent. 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:36.159 And the Israelites are in the valley. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.739 In Psalm 120. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:38.279 Right? 00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:40.819 We read a couple portions from Psalm 120. 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:44.039 They are at war with one another. 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:46.739 But as they are called by God, 00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:48.959 But as they are ascending to Jerusalem, 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.279 To worship the Lord, 00:13:50.859 --> 00:13:51.500 All of a sudden, 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.339 They cease to war, 00:13:53.459 --> 00:13:54.859 But become united. 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:57.819 They are ushered into the presence of the Lord, 00:13:58.239 --> 00:13:59.419 Being at peace with Him. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.299 And all of a sudden, 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:03.639 They began to worship with one another. 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.819 So much so that David, 00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.240 He says, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.059 Behold. 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:07.860 Behold. 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:10.399 Look at this rare and glorious thing. 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:13.719 These warring tribes have come together. 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:15.759 And they are dwelling in unity. 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:17.319 They are at peace. 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.479 It is completely, 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:24.379 This unity is completely inseparable from the worship, 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:26.199 That they have been called to. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.399 I'll just say this as a congregation. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.779 And maybe this is, again, 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.919 A very timely thing, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:33.620 That we land on Psalm 133, 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.720 Going into a new season. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:37.519 There's been some new people that have joined us. 00:14:38.199 --> 00:14:39.840 Let this be a challenge to us. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:44.279 That we would seek to worship the Lord, 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.600 On His terms, 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.860 Recognizing that all the gifts that we have, 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.620 Are from Him. 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.120 And then, 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.120 Let us dwell in unity. 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:56.240 Let us grow in our self-sacrifice, 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.980 To one another. 00:14:56.980 --> 00:15:00.980 Seeing that this is the very attitude of Christ Himself. 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:10.039 One of the reasons why we, 00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:11.080 Every single week, 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.060 Without fail, 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:15.960 Affirm our faith in the words of either the Apostles' Creed, 00:15:16.060 --> 00:15:17.120 Or the Nicene Creed. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:20.620 Because it is a wonderful act of unity. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.840 It is a calm, 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:24.299 Many voices, 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.820 But with one voice, 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.720 Declaring who God is in worship. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.820 It is a picture of our unity. 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:36.220 Let us then extend that reality to our relationships. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.000 Again, not overnight, 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.519 But let us grow into it. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:42.519 Let us have our desires and our affections 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:44.080 Shift away from ourselves, 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.340 Up to the Lord, 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.320 And then to each other. 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:49.920 So you see, 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:50.879 With Israel, 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.700 And with the church as well, 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.780 As warring tribes, 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:59.220 Completely not unified, 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.200 Come to the Lord in peace, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:05.240 We start to see a restored humanity. 00:16:05.640 --> 00:16:09.879 A fractured humanity begins to be mended back together. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:13.100 As we are united to Christ through faith, 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:17.340 We are also then united to other people that are united to Christ by faith. 00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.580 We are restored, 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:27.279 And we begin to see just the richness of a Psalm like 133. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:29.699 How blessed it is, 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:29.699 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.600 Good and, 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:34.879 How good and precious, 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.699 Sorry, 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.159 How, 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:39.839 How good and pleasant it is, 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.199 Rather, 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.740 When we are dwelling in unity. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.559 So, 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:46.459 The nature of such unity cannot be achieved through our own efforts. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.699 Nothing can give God's peace, 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.360 Which we need, 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.759 Apart from God himself. 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.600 So our best efforts, 00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:55.500 They produce satisfactory results. 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:58.519 I'm not one to be super down on, 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.240 You know, 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.840 Kind of solidarity movements, 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:02.539 Or, 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.419 Or the UN, 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.279 Or anything like that. 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:04.660 But I mean, 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.200 At best, 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:07.079 It produces satisfactory results. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.059 Maybe, 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.200 Maybe good results, 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.259 But it's never great results. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.119 And it's never long lasting, 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.279 Eternal results. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.619 So, 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.599 We know that it's from the Lord, 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.099 But then, 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:19.940 How, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.019 How does it look? 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:21.940 How does it play out? 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.279 This explains to us, 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:26.319 Why David calls it good and pleasant, 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.619 Because it comes from, 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.859 From God himself. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.200 And the next section explores this. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:31.839 Look with me, 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:32.859 At verses 2, 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.660 And then the first half of verse 3. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.779 This unity, 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.500 That David is talking about, 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.359 It is like, 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:43.079 The precious oil on the head, 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.740 Running down, 00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:44.779 On the beard, 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.359 On the beard, 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.379 On the beard of Aaron, 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:49.680 Running down on the collar of his robes. 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.740 It is like the dew of Hermon, 00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:53.799 Which falls on the mountains of Zion. 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:56.700 Two images are presented here. 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:59.620 One might appear strange, 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.120 The other, 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.560 It uses terminology, 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:05.680 That might be unfamiliar to you. 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:08.000 How should we interpret this? 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.200 How should we understand this passage? 00:18:10.860 --> 00:18:12.279 How does it connect with verse 1? 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:15.039 I'll just take two minutes to wax about, 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:16.279 About the church, 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.379 And the importance of church. 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:26.599 Some of the pushback against the Bible, 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:28.559 Could be that it is a bit archaic, 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.139 A bit hard to understand. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.220 A lot of terminology, 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.440 A lot of cultural references, 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:34.359 A lot of things that are just, 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:36.539 Extremely foreign to, 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:41.220 The Canadian modern sensibility and mind. 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.639 I'll say, 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.639 I'll say, 00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:45.539 Two things about that. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.339 And this passage falls in that category, 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:47.960 Potentially. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.180 The first is that, 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:51.480 There's tons of the Bible that is understandable. 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:54.980 Almost 50% of the Bible is narrative. 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:56.779 And the narrative follows, 00:18:56.940 --> 00:19:00.720 A coherent and a cohesive story. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.200 Even though it's written over, 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:04.759 Centuries by numerous authors, 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:07.240 It has a unified story. 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.700 It's the same with a lot of, 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:13.200 The epistles of Paul, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.519 Some of the poetry, 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.440 Some of the wisdom literature of the Proverbs. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.220 But, 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:17.700 You know, 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.460 On the flip side, 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.279 There's a lot of the Bible, 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.640 That's very difficult to understand. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.720 What was the last time you read through, 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.779 Revelation? 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.839 Or, 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.099 Or, 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.400 Or, 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:26.460 Or, 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:26.460 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:26.660 Or, 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:26.660 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:28.660 Or, 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:28.660 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:28.660 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:30.660 Or, 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:30.660 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:30.660 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.660 Or, 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:32.660 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:32.660 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:33.240 Isaiah. 00:19:33.540 --> 00:19:35.140 There's some very bizarre, 00:19:35.360 --> 00:19:36.460 Difficult things to understand. 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:38.060 Next week, 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.779 We're going to be getting, 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:41.220 We'll begin a series in Ecclesiastes. 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:44.040 And that's also a very difficult book. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.660 And this is by design. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.100 It's by design. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.140 Why is it by design? 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.140 God has, 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:55.000 Throughout the history of his people, 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:55.440 Has, 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:59.600 Allowed for some people to be supported by the community, 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:00.600 To, 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:00.620 To, 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:00.900 To, 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:02.180 To spend their time, 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.820 Understanding the scriptures. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.519 Not to say that, 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.960 Other people can't, 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.680 But that there's a, 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:07.440 A unique, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.100 Office, 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.299 For people to know, 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.759 And then communicate the scriptures. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.160 So, 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.680 To, 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:16.279 To really understand, 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.380 God's word, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.120 Is to, 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.380 Understand it together, 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.440 In the context of, 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.860 Something like this. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.700 A church service. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.799 Now, 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.240 It, 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.680 It, 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:28.000 It might be a bit of pushback for this. 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.200 Again, 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.680 We're very atomized people. 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.279 We're very, 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.920 Uh, 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.559 Self, 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.380 Uh, 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.180 Focused, 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:33.819 Um, 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.519 Self-reliant people. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.600 And I'm not trying to say, 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:37.819 Listen, 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.039 Don't do your own devotions. 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.360 But, 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.319 I will say this. 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.680 If the Bible, 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.539 In your mind, 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:42.920 Is, 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.299 Is really just for you. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.759 For your own devotional life. 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.600 And there is not a category, 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:49.600 In your thinking, 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.740 About reading, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.100 And learning the scriptures, 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.980 Communally. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.620 Then you are, 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:56.159 Missing out on something, 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:57.119 That God has designed. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.699 So, 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.039 I would say, 00:20:59.099 --> 00:20:59.619 Come to church. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.839 Be attentive. 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.000 Dig into the scriptures. 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:03.539 Participate. 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.419 Learn. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.619 Uh, 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.099 Read. 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:06.679 Mark. 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.379 Uh, 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:07.679 Learn. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.200 Run. 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.340 Inwardly. 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:08.340 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:08.860 Digest. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.680 One of our colleagues, 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.000 Say, 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:10.480 Uh, 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.980 A colleague in Advent. 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:12.600 Okay. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.880 A bit of a digression. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.900 We'll go back to the scriptures. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:17.860 Uh, 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.299 Let me read this section again. 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.440 And then we'll, 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:22.279 Try to answer the question about, 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:23.500 What is happening with Aaron. 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:24.379 Uh, 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:26.160 It is like the precious oil on the head, 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.799 Running down on the beard, 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.680 On the beard of Aaron, 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.539 Running down on the collar of his robes. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.379 It is like the dew of Hermon, 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:34.299 Which falls on the mountains of Zion. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.440 Aaron was Israel's first priest. 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:37.799 Uh, 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.720 If you know the story of the Exodus, 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.339 With Moses and the Israelites, 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.399 Uh, 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:43.159 Prince of Egypt, 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:43.720 Maybe. 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:44.919 Uh, 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:46.680 The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston. 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:47.019 Uh, 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.740 Aaron was, 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.059 Moses' brother. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:52.099 He is the first priest of Israel. 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.559 And he was consecrated to, 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:57.139 Mediate God's presence to the people of Israel. 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.240 Uh, 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:00.919 The anointing oil was poured on Aaron's head, 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:04.119 To set him apart for his special role as priest. 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.579 It was a sign that he was set apart. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.359 That he was holy. 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.740 And it was precious, 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.720 Fragrant oil, 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.439 Expensive, 00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:13.299 And associated with joy, 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.019 And acceptance, 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.079 And gladness, 00:22:15.199 --> 00:22:15.720 And bounty, 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:17.220 And really God's blessing. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.240 Most importantly, 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:22.019 It symbolized the very spirit of God resting on his servant. 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:23.460 Uh, 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:25.079 If you remember a couple weeks ago, 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.939 We did a baptism. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:26.859 Uh, 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.939 Unlike the anointing oil that I, 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.299 Uh, 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.500 Signed the cross, 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:33.119 On the heads of the children that were baptized, 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.460 This oil was, 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.419 Was poured out, 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.539 With outrageously, 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.199 Generous, 00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:38.859 Uh, 00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.240 Uh, 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.859 Amounts, 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.679 Over Aaron. 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:46.519 It's being poured out so liberally that it cannot be contained upon his head, 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.759 Or his beard, 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.419 But it flows, 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.159 Just, 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.919 Into his garments, 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.099 Onto his body, 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:54.139 Over top of everything he is wearing. 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:59.680 And what makes this very unique is that Aaron as priest, 00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:01.360 A part of his, 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:01.940 Uh, 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:02.680 Uh, 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.400 His, 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:04.220 I mean, 00:23:04.320 --> 00:23:05.060 His outfit, 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.920 His uniform, 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.259 Whatever you would want to call it, 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.900 Was this breastplate, 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:11.040 Breastplate with the twelve tribes of Israel. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.099 Israel. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.460 And as God's blessing, 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.259 This oil, 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:16.440 Pours down over Aaron, 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.000 And it goes, 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:18.359 Uh, 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.259 Through his beard, 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.059 Into his, 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.420 His, 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.299 His robes, 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:21.859 Into his, 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.159 Like all over his body, 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:25.920 It would extend to the entire nation. 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:26.879 Symbolically, 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:29.660 The blessing of God would rest, 00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:30.660 Not just on Aaron, 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.740 But on all of Israel. 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:38.260 As God's blessing flows down, 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:41.040 It symbolically doesn't just stay with the one individual, 00:23:41.520 --> 00:23:43.220 But extends to the entire nation, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:46.900 United together as they are also set apart. 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.240 Uh, 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.380 One of Israel's, 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.040 Uh, 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:49.760 Commands, 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:50.980 Or one of their calls by God, 00:23:51.020 --> 00:23:52.520 Is that they would be a nation of priests. 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:55.520 That they would mediate the Lord's presence, 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.700 Not just to themselves, 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:57.680 But to all nations. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.819 The second picture, 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:02.380 Is of the dew of Mount Hermon. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:02.759 Uh, 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:05.960 Mount Hermon is situated in the very far north of Israel. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:08.000 Today on the border of, 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.680 Of Syria, 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.860 And close to Lebanon. 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:10.500 It's very, 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.660 Um, 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.720 Very northern, 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.559 Uh, 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.039 Part of, 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.360 Of, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.680 Uh, 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.299 Of the land. 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:18.000 It is a snow-capped mountain, 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:20.120 Much higher than Jerusalem. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.860 And, 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.400 Uh, 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.019 The picture here is that, 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:26.640 The precipitation of this mountain, 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.240 Would flow, 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.920 From the top down, 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:30.840 Into the arid valley, 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.720 Bringing life, 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:34.759 To an otherwise dry land. 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:37.680 The moisture would flow down. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.299 It wouldn't necessarily be rain, 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:40.740 But this, 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.080 These streams, 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.080 And these rivers, 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.720 That would nourish the land. 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.639 The dew of Hermon then, 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.079 Becomes this idiom, 00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.799 Or this picture, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:52.039 For a heavy fall of life-giving precipitation, 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:53.819 A blessing from a high place. 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:54.819 Uh, 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:56.759 So we have two pictures. 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.240 They represent, 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.740 One image, 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.859 But in two parts. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.399 So we see the blessing of unity, 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.279 That, 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.799 David is describing, 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.179 One, 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.700 With oil flowing from the top, 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:10.439 Or the crown of Aaron's head, 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:13.220 And also the precipitation flowing down, 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.319 From Mount Hermon. 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.179 They are describing blessings, 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:17.899 That are flowing down from the Lord. 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:18.960 That, 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:20.220 That God is the, 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.560 The, 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:22.820 The origin of all the blessings, 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:25.080 In this life that we could ever want. 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:25.620 Uh, 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:27.040 Such blessings that unite, 00:25:27.300 --> 00:25:28.860 Otherwise warring people together. 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.620 He is the source of unity. 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:33.880 The people, 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:36.259 They live fruitful and holy lives together, 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.259 In devotion of the Lord, 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:39.700 Because it is him that has willed it. 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:43.040 And such unity depends entirely, 00:25:43.040 --> 00:25:45.019 On God's divine plan, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:45.960 And action. 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.440 He is the source of the blessing. 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:50.240 So as Israel ascends to God, 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:55.060 God is pouring down his blessings, 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.400 Upon the people. 00:25:57.540 --> 00:25:59.340 And unity is the result. 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:01.720 And this brings us to our, 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:03.320 Third and final point, 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.680 The second part of, 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.380 Verse three. 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.180 For there, 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.080 That is Jerusalem, 00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:11.180 The Lord has commanded the blessing, 00:26:12.080 --> 00:26:13.340 Life forevermore. 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.920 After centuries of disunity, 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.780 Israel is now, 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.280 At peace and united. 00:26:19.280 --> 00:26:20.280 It's a beautiful picture. 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.700 Remember, 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.759 It is good, 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.900 And it is pleasant. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:23.800 However, 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:25.519 The blessing does not endure. 00:26:26.280 --> 00:26:26.480 Okay, 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:26.740 The, 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:27.000 The, 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:29.900 There's a really sad irony here, 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.180 Because the there, 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:31.960 In, 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.740 In verses, 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.320 The second part of verse three, 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.040 Verse three B, 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.560 The there, 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.720 Referring to Jerusalem, 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:39.200 Where unity's blessing, 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:40.100 Shall come to pass. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:42.219 It is also the place, 00:26:42.219 --> 00:26:42.219 00:26:42.219 --> 00:26:43.699 Where, 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.079 Through David, 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.980 Israel would fall into, 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.439 Complete discord and war, 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:48.980 Once again. 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:49.759 Okay, 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.639 The peace, 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.539 The unity would be short lived. 00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:54.579 The place that was, 00:26:54.719 --> 00:26:56.059 To be the place of blessing, 00:26:56.699 --> 00:26:57.579 Becomes the very, 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.659 A seat, 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.179 Where discord and war, 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.960 Spread. 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:03.439 And Jerusalem is still, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.299 I mean, 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:05.359 It's called the city of peace, 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.039 But it is a city full of conflict, 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.579 To this day. 00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:09.139 You remember, 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:10.839 At the beginning of the Psalms of ascent, 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:12.839 We talked about, 00:27:12.959 --> 00:27:15.459 The immovable ladder, 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:17.159 On the second floor, 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:18.519 Of the church of the holy sepulcher. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.959 That is this picture of disunity. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.740 Even today, 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.879 It's been sitting there for hundreds of years. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.599 So what does this tell us, 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:29.259 About this psalm? 00:27:29.699 --> 00:27:29.899 Well, 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.899 It tells us that, 00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:32.500 This psalm was short lived, 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.779 But more importantly, 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.019 It tells us that this psalm, 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:36.259 Points to something far greater. 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.359 And something, 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.500 That is eternal, 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.819 That will endure forever, 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:43.740 It is a call, 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:45.220 To remember Christ Jesus, 00:27:45.959 --> 00:27:46.919 How he hung, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:47.959 Also, 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:49.879 On a high place, 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.659 On a cross, 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.079 On a hill. 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:51.980 Okay? 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:54.859 And from him flowed down, 00:27:54.959 --> 00:27:55.579 Not oil, 00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:56.980 Not precipitation, 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:57.799 But blood. 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.240 And that blood, 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:03.359 Doesn't just fall to the ground, 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.779 But it is shed for you, 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.319 And for me, 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:06.659 And for all of humanity, 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.259 So that, 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.500 If we put our faith, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.480 In what Christ has done, 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:12.519 We are united to him, 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:14.059 United to one another, 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:17.160 And humanity begins to be mended. 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.019 Okay? 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.860 The blood, 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.500 Is a source of blessing, 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:22.460 That marks us out, 00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:23.579 Like the oil, 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.839 That we might be holy, 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:26.700 That gives us life, 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.400 Like the dew, 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.799 So that we might flourish, 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:30.159 But it is so much greater, 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.419 And grander, 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:34.039 Than Aaron's oil, 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.879 Or Herman's dew. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.899 This is also a challenge, 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.919 If we consider how, 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:42.139 Short lived that piece was, 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:44.259 That we must strive, 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:44.859 To preserve, 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.480 The unity within the church. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.000 From the great schism, 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:52.000 In the 11th century, 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.059 To the numerous, 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:55.200 Instances of local congregations, 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.940 Fighting over, 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.759 Anything and everything, 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.320 We must be vigilant, 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.380 And heed the words, 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.259 Of the apostle Paul, 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.519 In Ephesians chapter 4, 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.640 And this is what he says, 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.400 Starting in verse 1, 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.960 I therefore, 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:09.059 A prisoner for the Lord, 00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:10.500 Urge you to walk, 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.000 In a manner, 00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:13.120 Worthy of the calling, 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.360 To which you have been called, 00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:16.120 With all humility, 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.440 And gentleness, 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.799 With patience, 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.039 Bearing with one another, 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.320 In love, 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.580 Verse 3, 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:24.279 Eager to maintain, 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.819 The unity of the spirit, 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.119 In the bond of peace, 00:29:27.439 --> 00:29:28.500 There is one body, 00:29:28.879 --> 00:29:29.759 And one spirit, 00:29:29.919 --> 00:29:31.159 Just as you were called, 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.159 To the hope, 00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:33.879 That belongs to your call, 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.159 One Lord, 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.819 One faith, 00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.500 One baptism, 00:29:36.699 --> 00:29:38.079 One God and father of all, 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.439 Who is over all, 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.139 And through all, 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.879 And in all, 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.980 We need to heed these words, 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.839 I'll just kind of brush over them, 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.099 When we're, 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:47.199 Getting that check mark, 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.799 In our bible reading plan, 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.539 Do the bible reading plan, 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:52.220 But we can, 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.759 We can not meditate, 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:55.700 On the call, 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.859 Of us, 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.000 To live, 00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.940 And walk out, 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.339 In a manner, 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.359 Worthy of our calling, 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.799 We must dedicate ourselves, 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.480 To the humble, 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.559 And submissive worship, 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.139 Of the Lord, 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.980 We should be quick, 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.119 To confess our sins, 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.639 Avoiding, 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:13.779 Covering up the truth, 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.480 To strive to, 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.539 To think soberly, 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.159 And highly, 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:17.899 Of one another, 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.879 To give people the benefit, 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:20.000 Of the doubt, 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.619 To, 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:23.099 To be more like, 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:24.220 The tax collector, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.539 And not the Pharisee, 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:28.799 Our aim should be, 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:29.539 That of Christ, 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.640 To love, 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:32.059 To love one another, 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:33.339 Because we, 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.420 Love the Lord, 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:36.039 For he first loved us, 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.339 With all our heart, 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:37.640 Soul, 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.000 Mind, 00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.599 And strength, 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.880 And we must look, 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.680 To Jesus, 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.740 Again, 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:44.359 For that life giving flow, 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.839 From that high place, 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.619 Of the cross, 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:48.459 So let us turn our gaze, 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:48.959 To Christ, 00:30:50.239 --> 00:30:51.539 Let us look to him, 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.159 As the one, 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:54.459 To which true blessing, 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.459 Comes from, 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:57.000 Not for a moment, 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.859 But for eternity, 00:30:58.659 --> 00:31:00.579 I'll close with this, 00:31:00.719 --> 00:31:01.839 The Psalms of Ascent, 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:03.379 Don't end with Psalm 133, 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.559 It would be, 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.679 Very convenient for me, 00:31:05.739 --> 00:31:06.199 If they did, 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.599 Because it would be a nice bow, 00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:09.000 To wrap up this summer series, 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:10.559 But they end with, 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.500 Psalm 134, 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:11.880 And, 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:14.640 What we have in Psalm 134, 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:15.779 Is, 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.079 Really the picture, 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:17.839 Of, 00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.920 The eternal reality, 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.940 Of worship, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:24.279 Of God's people, 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:26.119 With God forevermore, 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.380 And this is what it says, 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.500 Come, 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.480 Bless the Lord, 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.380 And I'll just say this, 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:31.960 Before I read it, 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.480 If you're following along, 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.000 In your Bible, 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.700 You will notice, 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:36.400 The covenant name, 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.900 Of the Lord, 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.579 Is used, 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:39.960 Over and over, 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:41.099 In just these short, 00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:42.079 Three verses, 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.379 Let me read again, 00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.000 A song of ascents, 00:31:45.099 --> 00:31:46.099 Come bless the Lord, 00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:48.519 All you servants of the Lord, 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:50.079 Who stand by night, 00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:51.299 In the house of the Lord, 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.839 Lift up your hands, 00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:53.720 To the holy place, 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.019 And bless the Lord, 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.879 May the Lord bless you, 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:57.480 From Zion, 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.059 He who made heaven, 00:31:59.199 --> 00:31:59.500 And earth, 00:32:00.619 --> 00:32:01.099 Amen, 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.720 Let us pray, 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:04.159 Father, 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.460 Thank you that you do not, 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.720 Leave us in the valley, 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.399 To war, 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.720 And to steal, 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.480 And to cheat, 00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:10.299 And to lie, 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.000 And to kill, 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.699 And to maim, 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:15.299 And to rot in our sin, 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.439 But instead, 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.679 You call us up, 00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.799 To yourself, 00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.299 Lord, 00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:20.960 We thank you, 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:22.799 That as we, 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:24.919 Are called by you, 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.759 And we put our faith, 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:27.419 And trust in what you have done, 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.879 Through your son Christ, 00:32:29.419 --> 00:32:30.220 That you are, 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.439 Mending us, 00:32:31.939 --> 00:32:33.199 As individuals, 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:34.679 But also as a community, 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:37.079 Repairing what has been broken, 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:39.339 Mending what has been torn, 00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.460 Lord, 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.419 Help us to be very, 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.579 Mindful, 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.599 Of how we, 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.899 Live our lives, 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.819 That we may, 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.740 Heed the apostle Paul's words, 00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:50.159 That we will live lives, 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.339 That are worthy of our calling, 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.119 In Christ Jesus, 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.199 Lord, 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.019 Thank you for unity, 00:32:54.199 --> 00:32:55.099 Thank you for this church, 00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:57.139 We ask your blessing upon it, 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:59.500 And we pray this in Christ's mighty name, 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.539 Amen, 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.700 Amen, 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:01.700