WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.560 Well, good morning, everyone. It's great to be back with you. I was a student here at 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:17.320 ! Bruntsfield, so it's a real joy. It's kind of odd to be this side of the platform, but it's great fun. 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:22.280 I, as mentioned, my name's Ben. I'm a pastor in training just down the road at a church called 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:27.240 Charlotte Chapel. We're so thankful for you guys' partnership in the gospel. We pray for you regularly 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:32.619 and it's a joy to bring God's word to you this morning. Let me just pray again briefly and then 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:42.899 let's get cracking. Dear God, as we come to your word, comfort us, challenge us, change us, we pray. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:49.640 Lead us into the comfort that is only found in your presence. In your name, amen. 00:00:49.640 --> 00:01:01.299 Amen. Okay. I think at times church feels weak and ugly. Big statement to making someone else's 00:01:01.299 --> 00:01:05.840 church right in front of their pastor. But I think it's true, right? Here's what I mean. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:11.299 If your church is anything like mine, and I think it probably is, you feel its weakness. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:16.319 You know, and it's summer and like loads of people are away and it just feels empty and you've got 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:24.599 a guest preacher from down the road. You feel weak. Do you know when that dear old saint dies, 00:01:24.979 --> 00:01:30.759 you feel the weight. Or when that family who are so plugged in move on to another church and you're 00:01:30.759 --> 00:01:37.839 just left feeling, oh, we're weak. Do you know when for decades you try and reach the people who I can 00:01:37.839 --> 00:01:42.259 literally see into the living room right now, and yet they just seem to close the curtains, 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:51.260 shut the door and want nothing to do with church. We feel weak, don't we? Not only that, 00:01:52.700 --> 00:02:00.500 at times church is ugly. We argue with each other. Our sin just seems to get in the way all the time. 00:02:00.580 --> 00:02:05.560 You don't need to be around church long to feel that what we're doing here is in a sense, 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:15.560 weak and ugly. In Psalm 48, this great song for God's people, we together this morning are invited to 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:24.800 walk around Zion, this great city of the living God, and to see its beauty and to see its safety. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:34.980 Now there is so much biblical theology tied up in Zion. But we need to keep this in mind. As we walk around, 00:02:35.660 --> 00:02:40.380 we this morning are being invited to see everything that these verses point towards. 00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:48.500 In our weakness and ugliness, we are being invited to see the beauty and safety of Christ. 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:55.900 The beauty and safety that is ours now is his new covenant people, the church, and the beauty and 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:03.800 safety of the Zion to come in heaven with him forever. And so if we ever feel weak, 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:12.939 I pray that Psalm 48 will be like a booster shot to our souls. As we gaze on the great God of Zion 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:20.900 in his beautiful city, we might see that Christ's church right here in Brunsfield, even in its weakness 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:28.060 and ugliness, is the most beautiful and safe thing that you could ever be a part of. 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:34.219 And so to help us along that path, I think Psalm 48 invites us to do four things. 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:41.180 And the first one is this. You this morning are invited to delight in God's presence. 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:44.719 Our psalm begins, verse number one. 00:03:45.620 --> 00:03:53.319 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. In the city of our God, his holy mountain. 00:03:54.780 --> 00:04:01.860 In the last few psalms, we've been encouraged to praise the sovereign Lord, the one who is exalted. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:10.580 He is the fortress for his people, Psalm 46. He's the one who reigns over all the nations, Psalm 47. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:16.759 And he's the one, as we begin Psalm 48, who is worthy of all praise. 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:21.160 But we're not invited just to look. 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:26.379 This morning, we are invited to enter his dwelling, 00:04:26.980 --> 00:04:31.280 to ascend his holy mountain and into this great city of God, 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:32.500 Zion, 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:35.259 where we see in verse number two, 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:38.920 that it is beautiful in its loftiness. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:41.980 The joy of the whole earth, 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:44.079 like the heights of Saphon, 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:45.540 is Mount Zion, 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:48.459 in the city of the great king. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:52.639 Right, just get your mind on the most beautiful place you've ever been. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:53.759 Right, just 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:55.199 right up front. 00:04:55.459 --> 00:04:55.819 Got it? 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:58.860 The place that we've been invited to look at, 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:00.519 blows it out of the water. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:06.060 This is the most beautiful place you can ever imagine. 00:05:07.300 --> 00:05:10.040 Saphon literally just means far north, 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:12.079 which we know from Isaiah 14, 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:16.500 is meant to be a reference to this great mountain, 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:19.680 far higher than anything in Jerusalem. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:23.540 You see, for the Israelites, 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:24.680 the people of God of old, 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:28.040 Mount Zion in the city of Jerusalem is where the temple was. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.579 This great symbol of God's dwelling. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:32.400 But the mountain's not very high. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:35.040 And yet here this morning, 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:36.720 the psalmist invites them, 00:05:37.780 --> 00:05:39.939 the psalmist invites us, 00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:42.680 not to consider a physical place, 00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:45.759 but they are painting a picture 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:47.740 of the presence of God. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:49.540 Beautiful. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:50.980 Joyful. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:52.180 Lofty. 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.019 High. 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:56.740 It is meant to lift our eyes. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:58.400 This is where the great king, 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:00.699 our God, 00:06:01.780 --> 00:06:02.540 dwells. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:06.220 He himself is in her citadels. 00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:07.319 Verse 3. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:10.960 He has shown himself to be her fortress. 00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:14.480 Now we have to understand this. 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:19.220 This great city is beautiful and safe, 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:20.620 not because of its architecture, 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:23.780 not because of its high walls, 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:25.940 but because God is there. 00:06:27.140 --> 00:06:29.060 And where God dwells, 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:31.200 it's the joy of all the earth. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.199 It is beautiful and safe. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:35.039 It is beautiful and safe. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:37.180 Last year, 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:38.800 I went to Rome. 00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:39.500 It's beautiful. 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:41.719 And like every other tourist in the world, 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:42.639 I went to St. 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:43.420 Peter's Basilica, 00:06:43.480 --> 00:06:44.879 right in the heart of the Vatican. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:47.819 And as you walk around, 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:49.620 it really is one of the most beautiful buildings 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:50.540 I think man's ever made. 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:52.219 You see all the statues 00:06:52.219 --> 00:06:53.439 and the art 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.659 and the craftsmanship 00:06:54.659 --> 00:06:55.480 is just breathtaking. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:57.800 Everywhere you go, 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:58.699 you're told to stand 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:00.139 behind these wee velvet ropes. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:02.219 There's whole sections 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:03.639 that you're not even allowed to enter 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:04.740 and there's men in like 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:06.579 sharp black tailored suits 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:07.240 with earpieces 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:08.639 looking menacing. 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:10.899 They're not there to protect you, 00:07:10.979 --> 00:07:11.240 are they? 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.639 They're there to protect 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:15.379 this great city, 00:07:15.719 --> 00:07:16.259 the Vatican, 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:17.959 from you. 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:20.360 Even as you're invited 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:22.039 to kind of look on, 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.860 its beauty is always held at a distance. 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:28.360 In Psalm 48, 00:07:29.340 --> 00:07:29.680 we, 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.120 you this morning, 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:32.879 are invited 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:33.900 not just to gaze 00:07:33.900 --> 00:07:34.819 on the beauty of Zion, 00:07:36.020 --> 00:07:37.379 but its king 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:38.460 has allowed you to enter 00:07:38.460 --> 00:07:41.300 with full access 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.360 somewhere which makes 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:43.199 St. Peter's look like 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:44.300 that mingin Edema Uni 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:45.280 building across the meadows. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:48.680 You see in Christ, 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:50.120 we are brought 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:52.220 into the very dwelling place of God. 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:54.780 Just try and wrap your head around that. 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:57.080 Through faith 00:07:57.080 --> 00:07:57.939 and repentance, 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.740 we have been brought 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:01.020 into the throne room 00:08:01.020 --> 00:08:01.680 of the living God, 00:08:01.960 --> 00:08:03.060 no velvet ropes, 00:08:04.020 --> 00:08:05.120 to delight 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.400 in the beauty 00:08:06.400 --> 00:08:07.240 of his presence. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:09.319 That's the language 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.060 of Ephesians 2, 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:10.460 isn't it? 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:11.520 This morning, 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:12.500 however you feel 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.220 coming to church, 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.000 if you're a Christian, 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:16.080 God has raised you up 00:08:16.080 --> 00:08:16.620 with Christ 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:17.800 and seated you 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:18.400 with him 00:08:18.400 --> 00:08:19.580 in the heavenly realms 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.259 in Christ Jesus. 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:22.100 There is a very real sense 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:22.560 in which 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:23.879 you are already 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.579 in Zion. 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:28.839 And it is beautiful 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:29.540 and safe 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:31.980 because it's where God is. 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:35.740 And we're not just 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:36.700 seated there 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:37.519 with him, 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:38.419 he is here 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:39.539 with us 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:40.559 now. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.000 By being united 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.080 to Jesus, 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:44.879 his spirit 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:45.460 dwells 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.559 in us. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.700 And so this morning 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:49.600 on a rainy 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:50.379 Sunday 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.779 in Brunsfield, 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:54.939 Christ is making 00:08:54.939 --> 00:08:55.639 his church beautiful. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:57.960 Not because you've got 00:08:57.960 --> 00:08:58.659 a beautiful building, 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:01.220 because right now 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:02.039 his presence 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:03.340 is in 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:04.620 all who believe. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:06.399 And he is building 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:07.000 us this morning 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:07.840 into 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:08.820 a living 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:09.580 temple, 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:10.879 even in our weakness 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:11.779 and imperfection. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:13.220 Even as we long 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.000 for the Zion, 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:14.519 heaven 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:15.600 to come, 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:17.000 belonging to church, 00:09:17.259 --> 00:09:17.960 is belonging 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:18.700 into the great 00:09:18.700 --> 00:09:19.480 city of God 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.540 as the people 00:09:20.540 --> 00:09:20.940 of God 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:21.259 now. 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:24.500 Maybe we just 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:24.960 feel 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:26.600 weak 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:29.320 because we fall 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:29.800 into a trap 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:30.100 of thinking 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:31.040 church is about us. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.259 We come this morning 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.000 thinking about 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:34.700 the route 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:35.519 we're serving on 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:36.800 or the person 00:09:36.800 --> 00:09:37.860 we need to speak to 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.519 or just the thing 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:39.200 we need to get done. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:41.180 Now, 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:41.980 firstly this morning 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:43.360 we are invited 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:43.980 and reminded 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:44.580 before we do 00:09:44.580 --> 00:09:45.379 anything else 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:46.879 that as we gather 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:47.580 as his church 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:49.000 we have been brought 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:49.939 into his beautiful 00:09:49.939 --> 00:09:50.460 presence 00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:51.700 to gaze 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:52.779 on the beauty 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:53.200 of the God 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:53.580 of Zion. 00:09:56.439 --> 00:09:56.659 And so 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:57.279 having been brought 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:57.480 in, 00:09:57.580 --> 00:09:58.240 God says 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:59.600 look around 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:00.779 and delight 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:01.460 that before you 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.240 do anything else 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.259 you might say 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:03.779 this morning 00:10:03.779 --> 00:10:05.259 great is the Lord 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:07.059 and most 00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:07.779 worthy 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:09.460 of praise. 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.679 We're invited 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:12.139 to delight 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:12.860 in his presence. 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:14.159 Secondly, 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:14.679 they were invited 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:15.679 to know 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:16.360 his protection. 00:10:18.079 --> 00:10:18.699 In the 00:10:18.699 --> 00:10:19.100 Psalm, 00:10:19.219 --> 00:10:20.299 this great city 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:21.959 comes under attack. 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:22.399 Do you see that 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:23.100 in verse number four? 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.100 When the kings 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:26.059 joined forces, 00:10:26.579 --> 00:10:27.500 when they advanced 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.559 together. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:30.120 Now, 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:30.459 we're not giving 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:31.000 any detail 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.740 of which kings. 00:10:31.959 --> 00:10:32.539 To guess 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:32.980 would just be 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:33.480 speculation. 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:35.000 But we know 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:35.819 against God's 00:10:35.819 --> 00:10:36.500 great kingdom 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.439 there's always 00:10:37.439 --> 00:10:38.039 been rebellion. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.620 We're back 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.819 in Psalm 2. 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:41.779 It's the 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.059 nation's kings 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:43.819 conspiring 00:10:43.819 --> 00:10:44.259 together 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:44.919 against God. 00:10:46.079 --> 00:10:46.959 What unites 00:10:46.959 --> 00:10:47.199 them? 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:48.259 Well, 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:48.939 it's rebellion 00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:50.119 against 00:10:50.119 --> 00:10:51.119 God. 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.219 It's really 00:10:53.219 --> 00:10:53.739 a summary 00:10:53.739 --> 00:10:54.759 of sinful 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:55.339 human 00:10:55.339 --> 00:10:56.079 rebellion 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:56.619 against the 00:10:56.619 --> 00:10:57.179 God Almighty. 00:10:59.239 --> 00:10:59.479 And yet, 00:10:59.559 --> 00:10:59.959 as these kings 00:10:59.959 --> 00:11:00.679 approach the city, 00:11:02.279 --> 00:11:03.919 they saw her 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:04.899 and were 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:05.519 astounded. 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:06.299 Verse five. 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:08.259 They fled 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:08.819 in terror. 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:10.500 Trembling 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.079 sees them 00:11:11.079 --> 00:11:11.299 there. 00:11:11.459 --> 00:11:12.159 Pain like that 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:12.519 of a woman 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:12.980 in labor. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:14.759 You destroyed 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.699 them like 00:11:15.699 --> 00:11:16.199 ships of 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:16.779 Tarshish, 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.159 shattered 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.439 by an 00:11:19.439 --> 00:11:20.000 east wind. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:22.419 Faced with 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:23.100 the strength 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:23.899 and the beauty 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:24.519 of the city 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.100 in which God 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:25.740 dwells, 00:11:27.079 --> 00:11:27.779 the forces 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:28.500 of rebellion 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:30.579 are forced 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:31.039 to flee. 00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:33.519 They're left 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.539 trembling and 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.179 astounded 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:35.919 before God. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:36.720 Their pain 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.220 is that of a 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:37.819 woman in labor, 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:39.980 unbearable 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:41.980 and inescapable. 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.539 And ultimately, 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:45.259 they're destroyed. 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.180 I'll be honest, 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.139 I've got no idea 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.539 what's going on 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:48.820 with the ships 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:49.340 of Tarshish. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:50.440 I wasn't 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:50.860 convinced by 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.620 anyone that 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:51.960 does. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.360 And yet, 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:54.039 it's clearly a 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:54.700 picture of 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.759 overwhelming 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:57.139 strength and 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:57.580 majesty, 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.180 isn't it? 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.220 And yet, 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.759 faced with 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.000 the living 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:01.379 God, 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:02.879 the ships 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.480 are sunk 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.100 and rebellion 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:06.700 is shattered. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:09.220 God's city 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:09.879 is shown 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.580 to be 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:11.759 impregnable. 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:13.159 Do you notice 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:13.580 there's not even 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.019 a fight? 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:15.420 The mere 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:16.560 sight of 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:17.240 where God 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.300 dwells 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.379 sends the 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:19.860 enemy running. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.320 And the 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:23.740 psalmists 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.460 are left 00:12:24.460 --> 00:12:26.259 knowing only 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:26.720 the protection 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.259 of their God. 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:29.320 As we have 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:29.779 heard, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.680 so we have 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:31.019 seen. 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.040 In the city 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:33.700 of the Lord 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:34.160 Almighty, 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:35.680 in the city 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.300 of our 00:12:36.300 --> 00:12:36.780 God, 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:38.940 God makes 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.700 her secure 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:41.080 forever. 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:43.820 Do you notice 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.160 there's two 00:12:44.160 --> 00:12:45.080 responses to 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:46.020 seeing Zion. 00:12:47.540 --> 00:12:47.980 There is 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.140 trembling fear 00:12:49.140 --> 00:12:49.840 for the kings 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:50.440 who oppose 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:50.759 God. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.440 And there is 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:53.160 unending 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:54.200 assurance 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:55.620 and safety 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.780 for his 00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.080 people. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.640 Because to 00:12:58.640 --> 00:12:59.460 be in God's 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:00.560 presence is 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.320 beautiful 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.700 and safe. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:04.879 this morning 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.360 we are 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.000 invited to 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.020 hear and 00:13:07.020 --> 00:13:07.600 to see 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:07.860 with the 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.220 eyes of 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.060 faith the 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.740 protection that 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.259 is found 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.700 in God's 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:10.940 kingdom. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:12.520 And the 00:13:12.520 --> 00:13:13.620 impregnability 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.980 of his 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.920 church 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:18.360 in a 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:18.600 hostile 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.259 world. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:20.480 Where your 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.120 neighbour still 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.620 won't come to 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:22.060 church. 00:13:23.180 --> 00:13:23.820 When the 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.259 church down 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:24.700 the road 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.379 abandons the 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:25.759 teaching of 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.040 God. 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:26.540 When you 00:13:26.540 --> 00:13:27.140 look around 00:13:27.140 --> 00:13:27.540 Brunsfield 00:13:27.540 --> 00:13:28.340 Evangelical and 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:28.960 are tempted to 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.300 think, 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.140 flip me, 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.199 we are so 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.720 helplessly 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.720 weak. 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:36.279 Know this. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.179 God will 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.480 establish his 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.220 city forever 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.559 as the risen 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.879 Christ gathers 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.559 his church 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:45.480 against which 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.100 the gates of 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:47.000 Hades will 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.860 not and 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.720 cannot prevail. 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:51.740 Christ has 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.159 defeated sin 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:53.819 and death. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:55.059 Satan awaits 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:55.519 his certain 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.039 destruction. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.299 God's kingdom 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:58.460 will grow. 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.519 His city is 00:13:59.519 --> 00:13:59.899 secure. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.159 And therefore 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.740 so are you. 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:07.220 Regardless of 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.019 how you feel 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.519 this morning, 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:09.299 if you are 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:09.939 in Jesus 00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.679 being united 00:14:10.679 --> 00:14:11.299 to him by 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:11.779 faith, 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.500 you have 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.079 been brought 00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:13.559 under his 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.000 protection. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.100 Against 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.100 which all 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:17.639 the kings 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.120 of earth 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.220 can only 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:19.799 tremble and 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.019 flee. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:24.480 I know 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:24.840 that at 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.299 times 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:27.699 life's hard, 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.079 isn't it? 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.860 So when we 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.500 feel weak, 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.899 when life's 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.679 just a slog, 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:34.039 when the 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:34.460 thought of 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.100 facing another 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:35.759 day just 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.799 feels too 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.199 much, 00:14:38.699 --> 00:14:39.340 Psalm 48 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.740 says, 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.699 look around. 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.480 See your 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:45.899 brothers and 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:46.340 sisters in 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:46.740 this room. 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.860 as you read 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.399 your Bible 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.120 tomorrow morning, 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:50.840 you are 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.480 invited to 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.320 hear and 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.899 see in 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.320 the pages 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:53.820 of scripture 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.500 and in 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:54.879 the life 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.159 of this 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.860 church that 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.419 your future 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:56.919 with God 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.860 has already 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.240 begun. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.080 That he will 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:01.060 keep you and 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:02.000 he will bring 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.700 you into the 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:03.299 heavenly Zion 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.080 which he 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.320 himself makes 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:05.740 secure. 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.639 Have you 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.080 heard? 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.080 Do you 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:09.919 see? 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:12.039 in the 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.939 city of 00:15:12.939 --> 00:15:13.419 the Lord 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:13.899 Almighty, 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:14.679 in the 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.360 city of 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.479 our God, 00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:17.360 God makes 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:17.979 her secure 00:15:17.979 --> 00:15:19.899 forever. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.459 Thirdly, 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:23.699 we are 00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.459 invited to 00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:26.459 praise his 00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:26.860 love. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.179 Read to me 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:29.459 from verse 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:29.839 number nine. 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.219 Within your 00:15:31.219 --> 00:15:31.719 temple, O 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:32.059 God, we 00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:33.399 meditate on 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:34.120 your unfailing 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.620 love. 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.360 Like your 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.759 name, O 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.179 God, your 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:37.899 praise reaches 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.319 to the ends 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:38.759 of the earth. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:40.460 your right 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:40.879 hand is 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.240 filled with 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:41.659 righteousness. 00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:43.319 Mount Zion 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:43.919 rejoices. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.399 The villages 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:44.860 of Judah 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.679 are glad 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.700 because of 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.120 your judgment. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.159 Did you 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.559 notice we 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.419 read in 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:52.340 verses nine 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:52.899 to eleven 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.639 in this 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.580 great story 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:54.919 of a 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.759 beautiful city 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.379 of a 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:56.939 thwarted 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.399 attack, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.559 absolutely 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:58.840 nothing 00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.319 happens. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.379 It's like 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:01.960 the psalmist 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.939 having seen 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.460 the glory 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:03.860 of Zion 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.259 just has 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:04.620 to take 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:04.819 a wee 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.159 moment, 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.819 just take 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.080 it all 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.299 in. 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.639 And yet 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.220 we move 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.720 from 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.759 gazing 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.279 upon the 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.639 city 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:15.319 to entering 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.100 its gates 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:17.080 and now 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.559 we find 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:18.159 ourselves 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.039 in its 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:19.419 very 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:19.879 centre, 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.519 the 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:21.899 temple 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:23.919 in God's 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.740 dwelling 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:28.340 that we 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.220 might know 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:31.059 his love. 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:31.099 love. 00:16:34.099 --> 00:16:35.039 This is 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:36.379 why his 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.139 presence is 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.599 beautiful. 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:38.379 This is 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.319 why his 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:40.319 presence is 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:41.219 safe because 00:16:41.219 --> 00:16:41.719 it is where 00:16:41.719 --> 00:16:42.539 we see 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:43.639 and know 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:45.000 his love. 00:16:46.479 --> 00:16:47.059 This is so 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.479 much more 00:16:47.479 --> 00:16:48.000 than affection. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:49.579 This is 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.959 hesed love, 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.339 unfailing, 00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:54.500 promise 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.379 keeping 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.259 love. 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.340 love. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:57.819 This is 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.379 the love 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.860 that has 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.240 brought 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.019 rebellious, 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.019 sin-stained 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.200 people into 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:02.819 the very 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.860 presence of 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.640 the beautiful, 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.720 great, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.680 and holy 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.099 God. 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:08.640 This is 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.000 the love 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.519 which delivered 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:09.960 his people 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.319 of old 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:10.940 despite their 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.460 constant 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.539 moaning 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.240 and rebellion. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:14.859 The love 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.299 that allowed 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.779 them to 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:16.319 experience 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.420 temporarily 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.480 the blessings 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:18.819 of being 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.240 in God's 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.759 presence. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:19.879 love. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.579 It's a love 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.140 which allowed 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.720 them to 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.059 say, 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.039 this great 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.519 God, 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.339 that's our 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.660 God. 00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.660 And this 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.299 is the love 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.099 which has 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.579 now been 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.119 revealed 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.220 fully in 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.599 Christ. 00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:37.599 A love 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:37.980 which was 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.779 displayed in 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.680 8K 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.599 Ultra HD 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.019 as he 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.420 willingly 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:41.940 went to 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.819 die on 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.440 the cross. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.240 Taking the 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.859 punishment for 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.920 our sin and 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.559 it's a love 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.279 which is 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.059 secure because 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.700 it is sealed 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.360 right now 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:51.539 in the 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.120 risen Jesus 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:53.120 who reigns 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:53.960 with all 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.640 authority in 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.080 his city. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.460 God has 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.120 kept his 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.779 promises of 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.400 old and 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.299 is delivering 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.340 for himself 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:03.500 a people 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.759 from every 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.220 corner of 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.720 the globe. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:07.880 So the 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.200 people of 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.620 God, the 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.160 citizens of 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.539 Zion, 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.620 the villages 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:11.180 of Judah, 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.100 it's a 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:12.660 picture of 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.539 all God's 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:13.779 covenant 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:14.440 people are 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.279 just left 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.380 rejoicing. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.319 As they 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.240 reflect on 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:19.819 God's 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.620 unfailing 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.200 love to 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.160 them, 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.480 they are 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:23.980 glad, 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.400 they're 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.579 overflowing 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.220 with praise 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.559 at the 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:26.980 God of 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.380 Zion, 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.019 the 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.400 beautiful 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:30.940 one who 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.299 has kept 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:31.880 them safe. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.599 I wonder 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.120 what's made 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:37.400 you truly 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.120 glad this 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:38.339 summer. 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.759 Maybe for 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.299 some it's 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:43.180 just the 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.700 opportunity to 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:43.940 have a 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.279 break. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:45.940 Do you 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.500 remember two 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:46.900 weeks ago we 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.960 had seven 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.320 days of 00:18:48.320 --> 00:18:48.620 sun and 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:48.800 it was 00:18:48.800 --> 00:18:49.340 just glorious, 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.320 made me 00:18:50.320 --> 00:18:50.640 glad. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.080 A couple 00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:52.960 days ago I 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.200 was walking 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.440 along the 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.519 meadows and 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:54.980 I saw a 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.100 dog catch a 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:57.180 frisbee from 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.180 like, it 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.519 must have 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.300 been 150 00:18:59.300 --> 00:18:59.759 metres. 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.440 And I 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.700 tell you 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.519 what, in 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.100 that moment 00:19:03.100 --> 00:19:04.900 my wee 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.160 heart was 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.440 glad. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.440 If only 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.000 gladness 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.820 lasted longer 00:19:11.820 --> 00:19:12.100 than a 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.400 holiday, 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.940 lasted longer 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.440 than a 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:15.799 fleeting 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.279 Scottish 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.600 summer, 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.200 lasted longer 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.559 than that 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.100 big guy 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.559 could throw 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.000 a frisbee. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.500 Here's the 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:23.799 beauty of 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.320 Psalm 48. 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:26.700 If you 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.460 want gladness 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.240 that lasts, 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.759 it's available 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.240 to you. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.580 It is by 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:34.820 meditating on 00:19:34.820 --> 00:19:36.299 God's unfailing 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.820 love to you 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.360 in Christ. 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.700 If you're a 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.039 Christian this 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.420 morning, just 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.960 take a moment 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.299 and just 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.400 reflect on 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:42.799 your own 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.240 testimony. 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.680 It's like 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.000 a hundred 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.600 different stories 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:47.000 in this room 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.440 and yet one 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.860 thing that we 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:48.180 all share 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.539 in common. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.059 We were in 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.420 rebellion against 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.980 God and we 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.940 have been brought 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.840 to knowing 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:57.299 Christ, he's 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.940 unfailing love 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.279 together. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.460 So I take so 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.080 much encouragement 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:02.680 from the fact 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.039 that this 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.820 morning we 00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.900 can be glad, 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:05.779 that this 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.559 morning we 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.420 can praise 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.340 him even at 00:20:08.340 --> 00:20:08.820 a time when 00:20:08.820 --> 00:20:09.220 the church 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.380 feels weak, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.100 when it feels 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:12.460 perhaps small, 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.559 perhaps even 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.059 when you feel 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.460 this morning 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:14.859 that you 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.339 are just 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.359 clinging 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.819 onto your 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.299 faith by 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.500 your 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.240 fingernails. 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.399 Because our 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:21.879 gladness, the 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:22.500 gladness of the 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.019 people of God 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.759 is never in 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:25.019 acting we do 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.339 well. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.440 Isn't our 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.539 church just 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.299 growing? 00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.480 Doesn't just 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.339 all seem to be 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.779 well in my 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.179 life? 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.579 Our source of 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.379 gladness is 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:37.359 wholly outside 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.059 of ourselves. 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.500 We're glad not 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:40.879 to do with 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.460 anything because 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.039 of ourselves, 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.399 but because of 00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:44.220 God's 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.279 judgments. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.119 We are glad 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.559 because we 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:48.940 have a 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.319 perfect, just 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.519 judge who 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.720 will defeat 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.519 evil. 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.480 We are glad 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.139 because of our 00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:59.039 safety now in 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.099 Christ and we 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.980 are glad because 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.819 we are certain 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.000 that he will 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.700 keep his people 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.119 safe. 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:06.579 God is 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.579 doing 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:07.879 so as we 00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.339 look around 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:08.699 Brunsfield 00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:09.439 Evangelical this 00:21:09.439 --> 00:21:10.899 morning, I 00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.799 hope we see 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.699 that God is 00:21:12.699 --> 00:21:13.399 doing something 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:13.759 here. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.559 Amongst us 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.539 now that is 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:18.459 unbeatable. 00:21:19.939 --> 00:21:20.719 Every single 00:21:20.719 --> 00:21:21.419 testament in this 00:21:21.419 --> 00:21:21.979 church is 00:21:21.979 --> 00:21:22.699 evidence of 00:21:22.699 --> 00:21:22.879 that. 00:21:24.719 --> 00:21:25.839 All of us 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.779 deserve to be 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:28.000 left trembling 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.039 before God and 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.819 then destroyed 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.479 like ships 00:21:30.479 --> 00:21:31.339 against a rock 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.359 because of his 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.019 great love, 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.960 can sit this 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.079 morning able to 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:36.119 rejoice and 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:37.099 praise his 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.900 unfailing love 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.859 in the safety 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.879 of the city 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.339 of God. 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:43.139 So you 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.720 better believe 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.339 you can sing 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.019 this psalm 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.839 in weakness 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:48.980 because we 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.599 together this 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.400 morning sing 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.119 of the one 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.180 who is 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.379 strong. 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:55.580 we are 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:56.080 singing of 00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:56.800 the strength 00:21:56.800 --> 00:21:57.700 the safety 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.920 the unfailing 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.580 love of God 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.220 with a certain 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.900 hope of a 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.840 future where 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.400 we will 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.540 rejoice in 00:22:03.540 --> 00:22:04.340 heavenly Zion 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:05.160 forever. 00:22:06.280 --> 00:22:06.800 When my 00:22:06.800 --> 00:22:07.260 wee heart 00:22:07.260 --> 00:22:07.700 when your 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.200 wee heart 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.840 will forever 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:12.120 be glad. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.740 So much 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.060 better than a 00:22:15.060 --> 00:22:15.340 dog with a 00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:15.880 frisbee in there. 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:19.900 and yet I 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.180 know in a 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.500 room this 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:20.880 size 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:23.700 there's almost 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.340 certainly people 00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:24.840 who don't know 00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.360 this gladness 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.840 for themselves 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:27.480 who are still 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.200 just exploring 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.640 life with 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.080 Jesus. 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.120 If that's you 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.480 this morning 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.260 I pray that you 00:22:32.260 --> 00:22:32.840 will see there 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.520 is a beauty 00:22:33.520 --> 00:22:34.860 and a safety 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.400 in Jesus 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.680 that nothing 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.400 in this world 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.040 can come close 00:22:38.040 --> 00:22:38.220 to. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.220 Whatever's 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.680 going on in 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.180 your life 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.000 this morning 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.759 you can be 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.200 glad by 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.480 knowing the 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:45.940 love of God. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.279 It starts 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.819 by seeing 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.160 that your 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.779 rebellion of 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.059 him is 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.500 futile. 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.380 And yet 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:52.819 at the 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.200 cross of 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.519 Christ 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.119 rebellious 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.779 people 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:56.500 are offered 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.000 to come 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.500 to Jesus 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.319 and find 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.380 the gladness 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:00.200 of an 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.579 eternity 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.160 dwelling of 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.420 God. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.180 We are 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.720 invited to 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.140 praise his 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.420 love. 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.819 And lastly 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.339 we're invited 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.599 to proclaim 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.960 his glory. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.519 the 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.220 psalmist 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.059 finishes by 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.400 saying in 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.660 verse number 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:15.920 12 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.200 read it 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:16.480 with me 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:19.099 walk around 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.440 Zion 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:21.099 go around 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.319 her 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.819 count her 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.339 towers 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.720 consider well 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.539 her ramparts 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.099 view her 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.700 citadels 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.380 that you 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:26.940 might tell 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.319 of them 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.900 to the 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.140 next 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.640 generation 00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:30.160 for this 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.519 God 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.859 is our 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.299 God 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.460 forever 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.500 and ever 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.680 he will 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.160 be our 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.640 guide 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.660 even 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.339 to the 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:38.660 end. 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:40.880 As the 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.700 psalm closes 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.400 for the 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.860 first time 00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:43.039 we're 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.299 given 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.600 something 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.100 to do. 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.259 God's 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.900 people are 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.440 told to 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:47.920 walk 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.480 to go 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.200 to count 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.120 to consider 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:52.120 because you 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.340 see 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:53.059 meditating 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.680 on God's 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:53.940 love 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.340 always moves 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:55.740 God's 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.140 people 00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:57.259 to action. 00:23:59.160 --> 00:23:59.299 The 00:23:59.299 --> 00:23:59.759 heroes are 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.160 told to 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.660 walk around 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.160 the city 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.319 to take 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:02.660 it all 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:02.920 in 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:04.299 to bask 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.580 in its 00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.000 glory 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:06.779 count in 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.339 the towers 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:09.480 to see 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.180 for themselves 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.099 how safe 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.700 the ramparts 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.039 are 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.359 to look 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.000 at the 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.420 beauty 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:14.720 of the 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.160 citadel. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.180 Why? 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.379 That you 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:19.980 might tell 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.339 the next 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.859 generation 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:22.740 the people 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.139 of God 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.779 having seen 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.259 the city 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.680 of God 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.379 are to 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:25.819 become 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.639 like a 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.000 walking 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.399 tourist 00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:27.680 boat. 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.599 I'm 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:29.879 studying 00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.160 with a 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.460 French 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:30.700 guy. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.000 He is 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.359 the most 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:32.660 French 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.079 man the 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.279 world 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.619 has ever 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:33.819 known. 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:35.919 And every 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.359 summer he 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:36.700 goes back 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.240 to France 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.019 and he 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.419 came home 00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:38.659 a couple 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:38.960 of days 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.059 ago and 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.599 my goodness 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:41.359 me that 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.099 man cannot 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.779 stop talking 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.419 about France. 00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:44.500 He looks 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:44.879 at the rain 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.200 coming out 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.659 of the sky 00:24:45.659 --> 00:24:46.200 and he 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.480 just pines 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:47.960 for the 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.099 sun of 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.779 France. 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.460 I walked 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:51.740 up on 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:51.980 Monroe 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.220 with him 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.619 recently and 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:52.839 he looked 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.159 around and 00:24:53.159 --> 00:24:53.859 said why 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:54.179 do you 00:24:54.179 --> 00:24:54.460 Scottish 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.019 people even 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.779 bother doing 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.220 this? 00:24:57.179 --> 00:24:57.939 If you've 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:58.319 seen the 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:58.839 Alps it's 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.460 not even 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.079 worth it. 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.819 Right? 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.559 He loves 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.519 France so 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:03.879 much. 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.099 Having 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.740 seen its 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.019 beauty he 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.319 just 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.440 overflows 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.799 with it. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.599 Here's the 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:09.779 thing that 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.359 infuriates me 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.819 about that. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:11.900 It really 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.220 makes me 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.420 want to 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.539 go. 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:15.839 This is 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.359 how God's 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:16.940 people are 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.519 to be 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.700 about Zion. 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.139 And yet 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:21.299 do you 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.339 notice its 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.819 citizens 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.660 having gazed 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.279 on the city 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.799 they never 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.639 say oh 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.019 what a 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.279 wonderful 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.859 place. 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.960 They're 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.660 left saying 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.740 what a 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.299 wonderful 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.319 God. 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.200 God's 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:33.619 life. 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:35.579 As they 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.220 see the 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.980 glory of 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.299 what he 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.680 has built 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.440 they say 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.119 oh you 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.599 have got 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:39.819 to know 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.160 the king 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.660 who dwells 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:40.819 there. 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.259 The church 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.720 is to 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.400 ponder on 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:44.839 what God 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.319 is doing 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.039 and then 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.559 proclaim 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:47.879 him to 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.059 the 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.559 generations 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.059 to come. 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.200 You see 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.559 we this 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:51.960 morning as 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.240 Christ 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.500 church 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.019 don't just 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.480 offer 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.019 the 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.240 goods 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.559 kids 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:54.940 program. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.180 We 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.319 don't 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:55.500 just 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.799 offer 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.099 a nice 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.299 cup 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.599 of tea. 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:56.899 We don't 00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.059 just 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.459 offer 00:25:57.459 --> 00:25:58.459 a nice 00:25:58.459 --> 00:25:58.879 space 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.259 to come 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.519 out of 00:25:59.519 --> 00:25:59.899 the rain 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:02.519 because we're 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.059 not competing 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:03.359 with the 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.639 world. 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.919 We are 00:26:05.919 --> 00:26:06.480 primarily 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.480 proclaiming 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.500 the glory 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.039 of God. 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.619 We are 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.539 saying look 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:10.859 at our 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.119 king. 00:26:12.219 --> 00:26:12.639 He is 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.279 safe. 00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.039 He is 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.679 beautiful. 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.439 He is 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:16.119 glorious 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.919 and you've 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.240 got to 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.639 know him 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:20.120 because 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:20.360 this 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:20.700 God 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:22.600 that's 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:22.780 our 00:26:22.780 --> 00:26:23.100 God 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:26.380 forever 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:26.780 and ever. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.860 He will 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.540 be our 00:26:29.540 --> 00:26:30.020 guide 00:26:30.020 --> 00:26:30.900 even to 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.420 the end. 00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:32.920 The 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.320 God of 00:26:33.320 --> 00:26:33.560 verse 00:26:33.560 --> 00:26:33.960 one 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.300 great 00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:35.840 and 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.440 worthy 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:36.800 of all 00:26:36.800 --> 00:26:37.340 praise. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:37.840 The 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.340 one who 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:38.980 dwells 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.460 in his 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.540 magnificent 00:26:40.540 --> 00:26:41.080 city 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.460 Zion 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:43.320 that's 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:43.460 my 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:43.680 God. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.380 If 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:45.520 you're 00:26:45.520 --> 00:26:45.600 a 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:45.780 Christian 00:26:45.780 --> 00:26:45.980 this 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.220 morning 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.880 that's 00:26:47.880 --> 00:26:48.019 your 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.360 God. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.740 Not 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.000 for a 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.259 while. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:52.839 Not 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.339 dependent 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:53.740 on how 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.120 we go 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.360 in our 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.620 Christian 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.039 walk 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:55.559 but 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.200 forever 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.100 and 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.360 ever. 00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.059 You 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.339 see we 00:26:59.339 --> 00:26:59.500 are 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.740 given 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.279 confidence 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.519 as 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.779 God's 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.039 people 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.360 of 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.059 where 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.279 we 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.440 are 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.700 going 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.299 together 00:27:03.299 --> 00:27:03.579 because 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:03.839 we 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.059 are 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.299 given 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.900 confidence 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.460 in 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:05.740 who 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:05.900 is 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.160 taking 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.339 us 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:06.600 there. 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.299 So 00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.480 the 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.740 church 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:09.900 is 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.120 given 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.860 assurance 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:12.839 that 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.019 even 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.180 in 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.319 our 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.920 weakness 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.400 even 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:15.519 in 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:15.640 our 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.039 times 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.159 and 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.299 our 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:16.960 ugliness 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.980 as we 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.579 look around 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.319 the ramparts 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.619 through the 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.019 eyes of 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.480 faith 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.839 we know 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:23.839 that means 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.299 I'm safe 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:24.680 in Jesus. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.200 That means 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.700 I have a 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.159 beauty that 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:28.720 the world 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.399 cannot 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:29.920 touch. 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.460 That means 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.579 when all 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.000 is said 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.399 and done 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.099 those who 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.619 care nothing 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.180 for Jesus 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.940 will be 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.420 terrified 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:37.960 as they 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.559 see the 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.279 glory of 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.420 his 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:39.819 church. 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.680 An 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:43.899 old 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.359 wise guy 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.940 called 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.519 Dietrich 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.240 Bonhoeffer 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.660 commenting 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:46.900 on the 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.160 Psalms 00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:47.340 and this 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:47.420 one 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.519 in 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:47.860 particular 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:48.500 described 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.720 it like 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.000 this 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.640 and this 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:49.840 is how 00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:49.980 we'll 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.279 close. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:52.840 What 00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.240 Zion 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:53.940 and the 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.259 temple 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.960 were for 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.100 the 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:55.480 Israelites 00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:57.000 is for 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.420 us the 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:57.759 church of 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:57.900 God 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.080 in the 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:58.400 world. 00:27:59.400 --> 00:27:59.840 The 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.160 gracious 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.680 God 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.539 present 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:01.820 in 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.240 Christ 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.440 to 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:02.580 its 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.059 congregation 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.299 is the 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:04.680 end 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.440 of all 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.779 joy 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.059 of all 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.700 thanksgiving 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.640 and all 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.039 yearning. 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:11.139 it is 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.839 beautiful 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:14.539 and safe. 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:15.819 Let's 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.000 pray. 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.700 Dear God 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:19.899 and Heavenly 00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.139 Father, 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.960 thank you 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:22.700 that you 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.579 are the 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.099 God who 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.079 is beautiful 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.659 and safe. 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.799 Thank you 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.200 that through 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.680 faith in 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:30.119 Christ you 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.559 are making 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.639 us beautiful 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.259 and safe. 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.299 Thank you 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.659 that we 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:36.619 have a 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.039 home in 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.460 heaven with 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.079 you that 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.660 is forever 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.319 secure, 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.480 forever 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.000 beautiful 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.180 and forever 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:42.660 safe. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.440 Lord, in 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:44.920 our weakness 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.660 now, please 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.740 let us lift 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.400 our eyes, 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:49.680 help us by 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.340 your spirit to 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.100 gaze on the 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:51.500 beauty of 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.079 Zion and 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.400 then to be 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.600 those who 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.079 are just so 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.700 desperate to 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.100 tell the next 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.539 generation. 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:57.880 I pray these 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.259 things in your 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.840 name and for 00:28:58.840 --> 00:28:59.340 your glory. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:00.400 Amen.