WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:07.740 Good morning. The scripture reading today comes from the book of Isaiah chapter 50, verse 1 to 11. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:11.439 You can follow along on the screen or your Bible. 00:00:17.260 --> 00:00:24.140 Thus says the Lord, where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:29.379 Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? 00:00:30.440 --> 00:00:37.780 Behold, for your inequities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away. 00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:42.399 Why, when I came, was there no man? 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:47.120 Why, when I called, was there no one to answer? 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:51.299 Is my hand shortened, that is, cannot redeem? 00:00:51.900 --> 00:00:54.039 Or have I no power to deliver? 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:59.079 Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea. 00:00:59.079 --> 00:01:01.719 I make the rivers a desert. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.439 The fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst. 00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:13.659 I cloth the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:22.780 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word. 00:01:23.939 --> 00:01:25.319 Him who is weary. 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:28.700 Morning by morning he awakens. 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:33.739 He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:40.019 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious. 00:01:40.899 --> 00:01:42.479 I turned not backward. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:49.700 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:53.560 I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:57.060 But the Lord God helps me. 00:01:57.120 --> 00:01:59.920 Therefore, I have not been disgraced. 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:06.680 Therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:10.539 He who predicates me is near. 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:12.860 Who will contend with me? 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:15.420 Let us stand up together. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:17.520 Who is my adversary? 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:19.780 Let him come near to me. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:23.120 Behold, the Lord God helps me. 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:24.860 Who will declare me guilty? 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:28.539 Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment. 00:02:29.159 --> 00:02:30.780 The moth will eat them up. 00:02:32.099 --> 00:02:35.280 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:43.319 Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. 00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:47.500 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:50.659 who equip yourselves with burning torches. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:56.400 Walk by the lights of your fire and by the torches that you have kindled. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:59.759 This you have from my hand. 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:02.580 You shall lie down in torment. 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:04.300 Amen. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:07.439 Amen. 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:09.639 Thank you so much, Soda. 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:14.879 For those of you who don't know, and I was just wondering about that reference at the end, 00:03:15.239 --> 00:03:16.699 Soda is Dan's wife. 00:03:17.579 --> 00:03:23.839 So in case you're worrying about any kind of flirting going on there, it's perfectly okay. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:26.560 You can talk with Dan and Soda afterwards. 00:03:27.359 --> 00:03:31.679 One of the great things that we want to do as a church 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:39.200 is we want to be able to raise up other people to lead within the church. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:42.780 We're always wanting to raise up people who can be preaching 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:46.480 because we believe God wants us to be a church which multiplies 00:03:46.480 --> 00:03:49.620 and which raises up others in this process. 00:03:50.480 --> 00:03:52.800 And so one of the things we're going to be doing now 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:55.900 is we're going to actually have a different kind of sermon. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:04:00.260 We're going to tag team a sermon now with both Alan, 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:03.599 who is overseeing the youth at Watermark. 00:04:03.980 --> 00:04:08.520 He is going to start us off on our third in the sermon series. 00:04:09.040 --> 00:04:12.379 And then we're going to, I'm going to close it afterwards. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:15.740 So without further ado, I want to just pray 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:20.180 and then welcome Alan to come and bring God's word to us. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:20.980 So let me pray. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:25.340 Father, thank you that even as we celebrate Advent 00:04:25.339 --> 00:04:28.339 in what is just totally crazy times 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:32.419 where we have no idea what's going to be coming up in the future. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:35.359 And yet we have an utter certainty in you. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:38.099 I pray, Lord, as we come and hear your word 00:04:38.099 --> 00:04:42.120 that our hearts would not be focused on everything that's around us, 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:44.459 but our hearts would be attentive to your voice. 00:04:44.899 --> 00:04:46.979 I pray that we'd hear what you want us to say, 00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:50.979 not just to hear, but to go out and live in the light of who you are 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:55.920 and what you've called us to be as a church during this Advent and Christmas season. 00:04:56.160 --> 00:04:57.580 Pray for Alan as he brings your word. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:00.560 Pray that you'd really anoint his lips as well. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:03.060 And Father, just get all the glory this morning. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:04.120 In Jesus' name. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:05.100 Amen. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.280 So over to Alan. 00:05:09.280 --> 00:05:09.720 Awesome. 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:13.000 Thank you, Chris, for that introduction. 00:05:13.220 --> 00:05:16.680 So I am Alan, overseeing the youth here at Watermark Church. 00:05:17.200 --> 00:05:21.100 And it's such a joy to be able to minister the word of God today. 00:05:23.080 --> 00:05:26.240 Many years back when I was about 17 years old, 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:28.820 okay, a few years back when I was 17 years old, 00:05:29.260 --> 00:05:31.480 I was back in India. 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:34.320 My cousin and I, we were taking a walk down this road. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:38.080 It was very dark in India, so there was no electricity at that moment. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:40.159 So as we were walking down the street, 00:05:40.979 --> 00:05:43.199 we came across these two drunk people, 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:46.959 and they were fighting dead right in the center of the street. 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:50.519 And my cousin, being a teenager, he thought that was great entertainment. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:52.659 Two drunk people fighting, that's great. 00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:55.639 But I, on the other hand, I told him, like, 00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:56.779 hey, we should get out of here. 00:05:56.899 --> 00:05:57.879 We're going to get in trouble. 00:05:58.759 --> 00:05:59.699 But then he insisted. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:02.579 We said, I told him many times, but he thought, like, no, no, we should watch. 00:06:03.419 --> 00:06:07.180 And soon enough, we had these people rushing in into that scene. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:10.000 And it was actually the police who were coming in. 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:11.800 And since it was so dark, 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:15.699 that they just went around beating anyone they could get their hands on. 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:19.900 They started arresting people, and it was just chaos in that place. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:23.199 If my cousin had just listened to me, 00:06:23.340 --> 00:06:27.000 we would not have been in that darkness and chaos. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:30.500 So, as we head towards Christmas, 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:35.740 we're actually going through the four servant songs that are found in the book of Isaiah. 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:41.879 And what we find in the book of Isaiah is a very similar situation to that of my cousin and I. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:46.139 We see, we find a people of Israel that has not really listened, 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:49.459 that have become rebellious and disrespectful. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:52.459 And in fact, we even find that actually, 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:55.199 while animals were honoring God, 00:06:55.719 --> 00:06:58.219 that while animals could honor and worship their creator, 00:06:58.339 --> 00:07:00.019 while the people were not really doing it. 00:07:00.299 --> 00:07:02.339 So basically, even the human beings were like, 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:04.339 they were just worse than the animals. 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:09.439 And that has actually put them into a place of darkness and chaos. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:14.439 And so much so that they actually start saying that God has rejected our cause, 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:16.040 that God has disregarded our cause, 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:18.740 that God has forgotten our cause, 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:20.639 and He just abandoned us. 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:24.139 But actually, when we come to today's chapter, 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.199 we find that actually God telling them that, 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:29.839 no, no, no, it is actually your sin and your transgressions 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:32.680 that has put you in that situation. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:37.600 But why don't we just stop there and just think about it. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:43.040 You see, this is a God who is a father speaking out to His child. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:46.200 Now, I'm sure many of you are a father who's watching over. 00:07:46.520 --> 00:07:50.540 Now, just imagine this is a God who's a father speaking out to His child. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:53.980 He's telling them, hey, was I too weak to save you? 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:57.240 Is my hand too short that I cannot redeem you? 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:00.420 You see, He's telling them like, look, I want to save you, 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:03.920 but you have put yourself in that situation. 00:08:05.020 --> 00:08:06.620 In fact, He's kind of telling them like, 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:09.120 hey, you got to trust me, I can't save you. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:16.199 And what we have here now is a people who is rebelling against God, 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:18.500 disobedient, they're not listening, 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:21.160 they have unbelief, and because of that, 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:24.780 they are suffering and they're actually exiled from their own place. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.699 Now, does that sound familiar? 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:34.740 Well, it should sound familiar because that is actually our natural state towards God. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.879 You see, our natural state is against God, 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:39.799 that our sin would be against God, 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:44.019 that we would listen to anyone or anything except God, 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:48.679 that we would worship anyone or even anything except God, 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:53.779 that we would give priority to anyone, anything else except God. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:58.559 But what we find here now is that, 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:03.659 yeah, but your exile and your suffering is not the final act. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:06.339 And last week, we were just looking at this thing that, 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:09.039 Israel was supposed to be the light for the nation, 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:11.299 to draw all the nation towards God, 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:14.039 but Israel themselves have become so lost, 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:16.399 they have become lost as the other nation. 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:18.480 And here we have God telling them, 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:19.759 I'm going to save you, 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.379 that I'm going to redeem you, 00:09:21.459 --> 00:09:22.620 but not just you, Israel, 00:09:22.699 --> 00:09:25.299 but I'm going to redeem and save the whole world. 00:09:25.299 --> 00:09:28.839 And the way God is going to do that is going to do through this agent, 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:33.919 through this mysterious figure that we find in the book of Isaiah called the servant. 00:09:34.959 --> 00:09:36.500 Now, from today's passage, 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:37.179 we're going to, 00:09:37.359 --> 00:09:39.519 we'll be learning three things about this servant, 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:41.259 the obedience of the servant, 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:42.919 the suffering of the servant, 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:43.740 and finally, 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:46.519 the vindication of the servant. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:49.919 So let's just dive into today's first point, 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.339 the obedience of the servant. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:53.940 So now what we find here is, 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:58.700 that we have a servant that receives the tongue of those who are taught from God, 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:00.120 that sustains the weary, 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:02.860 who is woken up every morning by God, 00:10:03.040 --> 00:10:04.879 so that his ear is opened by God, 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:07.300 to hear as one who are taught. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:12.139 Now, can you tell me what is the phrase that I used the most in that sentence? 00:10:13.680 --> 00:10:14.860 It was by God. 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:20.780 You see, we see that it was God who initiates this relationship with this servant. 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:24.639 It was actually God who starts this relationship that he has with the servant, 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.279 and he's the one who begins that. 00:10:26.339 --> 00:10:28.379 It was God who began that relationship. 00:10:28.839 --> 00:10:31.539 And that seems to be a pattern we find throughout the Bible. 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:34.199 You see, God chose the nation of Israel. 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:35.559 It was God who chose Abraham. 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:38.199 It was God who chose Moses, Joseph, Abel. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:40.879 And it was God who starts everything. 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.459 And let's stop there. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.839 Do you see the beauty in that? 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:50.060 Do you see the beauty when God starts something? 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:52.139 Now, let's just look at it. 00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:54.700 You see, we have here a God who is moving, 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:58.120 who is working first for the salvation of his people. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:01.740 He's starting something to redeem his people. 00:11:02.540 --> 00:11:05.620 He's starting something to actually save not just the people of Israel, 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:07.840 but actually to save the whole world. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:15.360 Now, the question is, what did the people of the whole world deserve to get this? 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:19.280 What did the people of Israel do to deserve this salvation? 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.019 Nothing. 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.320 And it's so beautiful that we see here that it was God, 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:27.100 even though the people were undeserving, 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:30.500 it was God who initiates the relationship with the servants 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:34.100 to save his people, to save the whole world. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:36.879 Now, looking at the obedience here, 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.940 whenever we talk about obedience, 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.320 we always have a person who's receiving instructions, 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.519 who's receiving words, 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.940 and that person actually doing it. 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:48.519 I mean, that is the essence of obedience, right? 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:51.340 I mean, if you have someone listening and not doing it, 00:11:51.420 --> 00:11:53.200 that's actually called disobedience. 00:11:53.540 --> 00:11:54.639 So, yeah, that's clear. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:56.420 So, here we have a servant 00:11:56.420 --> 00:11:59.279 who is receiving words from God, 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:01.180 whose ears awaken to hear. 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:03.460 Now, I want us to just think about it. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.580 This servant is listening. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:07.580 This servant is hearing from God, 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:11.180 and he's actually doing this before he does any work. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:13.600 You see, before the servant is doing any work, 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:15.120 before the servant is doing anything, 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.139 we find him being filled 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:19.200 and being like those who are taught. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.360 He's listening before anything else. 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:24.300 And that is the thing about obedience, right? 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:26.600 You listen first, and then you do it. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:29.879 But what happens when you do first, 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:31.040 and then you listen? 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.600 Does that make sense? 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:36.040 Because many times that's what we do. 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.480 That we would go out and do something, 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.639 we would do whatever we want, 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:41.040 and then later on we come and try to see 00:12:41.040 --> 00:12:42.139 what God would say about that. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:44.200 And that's what we do. 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:45.460 Now, how does that look like? 00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:47.399 Let me give an example of that. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:48.519 Okay. 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:52.079 God, I have invested my finance in this. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.220 I want you to bless it. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:55.340 God, I'm dating this girl, 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.460 and I want you to bless it. 00:12:57.980 --> 00:13:00.519 God, I'm making this life decision right now, 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.779 and I want you to bless it. 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:05.539 You see, we would actually do the thing first 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.960 and actually ask God later 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.939 about what he thinks about it. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:12.179 And actually, Israel was in the same situation 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:14.419 where God was speaking to them, 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:16.779 but they were just not listening. 00:13:18.359 --> 00:13:19.419 So this servant, 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:21.039 but what we find here is that 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:22.399 this servant was not just listening, 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.439 but he was actually being awakened 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:26.219 morning by morning. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:29.679 So this listening that the servant was doing 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.059 is not just a one-time incident, 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:32.319 not just a one-time thing, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:34.819 but it's actually a continuous thing 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.819 that is happening. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:39.559 You see, this is not just a once-a-week Sunday preaching 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.699 that he's listening to. 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:42.420 This is not just a once-a-week 00:13:42.420 --> 00:13:44.100 listening to Word of God 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:45.620 in your community group kind of thing. 00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:47.400 It's actually something that's happening 00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:49.860 morning by morning, every day. 00:13:50.020 --> 00:13:51.900 I mean, I can push it to every moment too. 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.280 Because for this servant, 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.020 listening to God's Word 00:13:56.020 --> 00:13:58.440 is not just a duty that he fulfills once in a while. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:00.900 It's not just a duty that he wakes up in the morning 00:14:00.900 --> 00:14:02.320 and just to listen to God's Word. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.840 Because for this servant, 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:07.220 he actually needs God's Word every morning. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:11.379 For him, he's utterly dependent on God's Word. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:12.840 And what I mean by that is 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:15.480 he actually needs God's Word. 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.660 So the question is, 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.440 do you? 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.460 Do I? 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:22.540 Do I live my life as if I need God's Word 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:23.960 every morning, every day? 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:26.740 Or is it something I keep it once a week on a Sunday 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:28.220 or in our CG groups? 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.680 Do I need God's Word 00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:32.519 morning by morning? 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.600 And that's what we see here. 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:37.079 A servant who's listening to God's Word 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:38.720 morning by morning. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.199 And this is happening 00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:41.879 before he's going out and doing anything. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.819 So in obedience, we have, 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.039 that was the listening part of the servant. 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.699 That's the receiving part of the servant. 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:51.159 But this servant is not just listening, 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:53.059 but he's actually obeying. 00:14:54.059 --> 00:14:56.539 We see that he's actually given the Word 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.539 to sustain the wearing. 00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:01.000 Now, that is a powerful thing, 00:15:01.099 --> 00:15:02.959 to sustain the wear, 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:04.579 to receive a word to sustain the wear. 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:06.039 I remember in 2019, 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:08.480 in July, in the month of July, 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:10.139 I was sitting in this coffee shop 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:13.659 with my mentor, Martin. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:17.099 And I remember being broken down at that moment 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:18.779 because my life's one purpose, 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:21.659 my one dream had been just shattered. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:24.099 And I could not understand why. 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:25.639 And I broke down. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:27.439 I was crying in that coffee shop 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:30.000 because I was feeling so hopeless, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.080 so discouraged, 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:33.860 and so weary at that moment. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.620 And I remember that Martin, 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:38.159 he spoke words in Christ 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.740 that actually sustained me, 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.799 that actually encouraged me, 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:44.100 uplifted me as I was discouraged, 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.580 as I was broken and weary. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.500 You see, the promise of this servant 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:49.840 is that he comes with the words 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.019 to sustain the wear. 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:53.720 Now, imagine Israel who is suffering. 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:57.040 Imagine Israel who is exiled from their home place 00:15:57.040 --> 00:15:58.639 and to have a promise 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:01.100 that this servant is bringing the words 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:02.320 that will sustain them 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:04.700 as they are weary and discouraged and suffering. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.680 Now, that's just beautiful. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.860 And that's just powerful. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:12.639 Now, this servant is not just, 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.259 he's just receiving these words 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.840 and he's actually speaking this out 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:18.320 from what he heard from God. 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:20.660 Now, if you go up to verse 5, 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:22.699 it actually tells us that 00:16:22.699 --> 00:16:23.939 he has not been rebellious, 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:25.620 that he has not turned backward. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.919 So, you see, he has not just listened, 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:29.799 but he has actually gone forward 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:31.919 and actually he's doing 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.299 what he has been told to do. 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.000 Now, that is obedience, right? 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.939 Obedience requires one to do 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:38.019 what he has heard. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:41.299 And here is a servant that is listening. 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:43.539 Here is a servant that is listening 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:46.179 and then you have his people of Israel 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.919 who is not listening at all. 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:50.059 Here is a servant who is not just listening, 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:52.939 but he's also called to speak out the words, 00:16:53.099 --> 00:16:54.399 words that sustain the weary, 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.599 who is not rebellious, 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:57.659 who has not turned backward. 00:16:58.119 --> 00:16:59.699 While we have a people of Israel 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.919 that are rebellious, 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.899 that are not listening, 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:03.059 that have turned backwards, 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:05.460 that are worshipping anything but God, 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.379 who are just disobedient. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.539 And we would actually think 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:12.200 that obedience, 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.619 when one person is obedient, 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:17.819 that would actually lead them to blessings, 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:19.419 that would actually lead them 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.799 to have blessings in their life, 00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:22.179 that would actually lead them 00:17:22.179 --> 00:17:23.379 to have a comfortable life. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:27.200 But that's not really the case here. 00:17:27.939 --> 00:17:29.500 You see, the servant's obedience 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:33.119 actually leads him to shame and suffering, 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.819 which leads us to the second point today, 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.059 the suffering of the servant. 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:41.339 When I was back in India, 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.440 in my high school, 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.220 I was, 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.259 in our high school, 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.299 we had this senior wing 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.079 and a junior wing 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.159 and we were kind of separated 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:49.740 and we were not encouraged 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:51.740 to interact with each other. 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.919 So one of this evening, 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.179 my cousin brother, 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.440 little cousin brother, 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.919 he was quite sick, 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.159 so I had gone down to 00:17:58.159 --> 00:18:00.000 give him some medicine 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.940 and just give him, 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:02.000 just take care of him. 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.899 And as I was coming back up, 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.680 I was met by a teacher 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:07.680 who saw me 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.580 and what he did was 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:09.360 he came up to me 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.180 and he straight up 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.960 slapped me across the face. 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:13.820 So, like, 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.140 okay, 00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:16.400 hitting was allowed in India, 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.200 is allowed in India, 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:18.120 was allowed in India. 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.360 Let me make it that clear. 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:21.200 So I was there, 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:22.019 coming back 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.460 and I just got slapped 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:25.080 across my face 00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:27.340 and I was so angry 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:28.360 and there were people around 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:29.660 and I was so humiliated. 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:31.940 And I tried to tell him that, 00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:33.519 hey, I did not do anything wrong, 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.700 I was just taking care of my brother 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.519 but he would just not listen. 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:39.259 And I was not even allowed 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.359 to justify myself 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.839 and I was so angry 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.900 at this injustice 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:44.480 that I was on the verge 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.720 of hitting this teacher back. 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.400 And I was just that angry. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.940 And yeah, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.839 I looked like that. 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.639 And I was just so angry 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.879 and I hated, 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.599 I hated 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:55.279 that I did the right thing 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:57.519 but I was met with slaps 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.379 and shame 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.799 in that time. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.059 I hated that. 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.379 It was just so, 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:04.000 angry. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.220 And I'm sure 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.940 many of you have 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:08.020 a similar story to that. 00:19:09.060 --> 00:19:10.400 And the anger we feel 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:11.960 when we do something right 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.880 and get back 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.980 what we feel like 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.680 we don't deserve 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.400 is just 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:17.080 so infuriating. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.580 And we want to react 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:20.420 to that many times 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.120 in anger 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.460 and violence. 00:19:24.020 --> 00:19:24.620 But hey, 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.680 coming back to the scriptures, 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:26.960 coming back to the servant, 00:19:27.820 --> 00:19:28.600 we have a servant 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:29.300 that is listening, 00:19:29.300 --> 00:19:30.420 that is obeying, 00:19:30.560 --> 00:19:31.200 he's obedient. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:33.299 But in verse 6, 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:33.920 when we come down 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.539 to verse 6, 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.420 what we see is that 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:37.039 he's actually beaten up 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.340 and that he has 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.380 his beard pulled out, 00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.240 that he was actually 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.039 spitted on 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.980 and he was actually 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.039 disgraced. 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.259 One commentator 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.840 actually says, 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:49.980 he suffered the deepest 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.619 humiliation 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:52.459 for to pluck out 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:52.819 the hair 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.500 of the beard 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.859 and to cover 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.639 someone's face 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.259 with spit 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.519 was, 00:19:56.679 --> 00:19:57.119 according to 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.179 Near Eastern concepts, 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:59.679 the most humiliating 00:19:59.679 --> 00:20:00.179 suffering 00:20:00.179 --> 00:20:01.159 that could be 00:20:01.159 --> 00:20:01.819 inflicted 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.919 upon a man. 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.620 So you see, 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.480 this servant 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.019 is not just 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.880 going through pain. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.880 This servant 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.420 is not just 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:09.840 going through 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:10.360 suffering 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:11.420 and shame. 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:12.000 He's actually 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.440 going through 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.560 a humiliating 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.380 suffering 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.420 and humiliating 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.360 shame. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.200 It was just 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.940 downright 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.920 bad. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.200 Now, 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.500 in fact, 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:22.060 if you look at, 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.779 if you go back 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.300 to the verse, 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:24.480 the servant 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.480 actually says that 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:27.140 I gave my back 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.920 to the beatings. 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:30.340 that he was 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:30.980 actually not, 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:31.360 he was not 00:20:31.360 --> 00:20:31.860 actually just 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.360 being beaten 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:32.840 because of 00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:33.220 obedience. 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.340 He was actually, 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.019 he was giving 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.420 himself to 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.840 the beating. 00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:37.800 In other words, 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.380 he was actually 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.120 voluntarily, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.480 obediently, 00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:41.660 willingly giving 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.420 himself to the 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.320 suffering and 00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:44.039 humiliation. 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.360 Now, 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:45.900 look, 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:46.519 this servant 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.000 is not just 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.539 another nice 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:47.840 guy. 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:48.480 This servant 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.140 is not just 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.779 a nice, 00:20:49.860 --> 00:20:50.700 obedient guy 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.300 who is like 00:20:51.300 --> 00:20:52.039 a good guy. 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.360 No, 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.480 no, 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:52.600 no. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.300 He is a servant 00:20:53.300 --> 00:20:54.240 who is actually 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.100 following God, 00:20:55.300 --> 00:20:55.960 who is really 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.440 obeying God. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.560 You see, 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.179 while you and 00:20:59.179 --> 00:20:59.319 I, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.019 we would react 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.679 very differently 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.200 to this, 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.159 we would react 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:03.559 in a very angry 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:03.899 way, 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:04.799 we would react 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.619 with violence, 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.119 but this servant 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.779 is reacting 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.519 in a totally 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.419 opposite way. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.500 You see, 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.099 he is willingly 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.000 giving himself 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.440 to that. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.299 He actually 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.940 is reacting 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.879 in submission 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:17.139 to God's 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:17.419 will 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:19.480 for his life. 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:20.679 And he's 00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:21.299 not just that. 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.000 This servant 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.639 is actually 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:23.319 honoring God 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.720 even when 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.519 he's humiliated 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.099 and beaten 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.059 unjustly, 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:26.679 and he's 00:21:26.679 --> 00:21:27.179 not actually 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:27.919 angrily 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.740 seeking out 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.120 revenge. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.420 He's not 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:30.279 planning revenge 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.019 behind the back. 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.519 He's not like, 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.000 I don't care 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.620 about the world. 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.440 He actually 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.539 doesn't give in 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.620 and he does not 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.519 let the shame 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:39.180 win in his life. 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.019 Just moving 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.400 ahead to verse 7, 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.420 you see that 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:45.080 for the servant, 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:45.560 the shame 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:46.920 actually bounces off. 00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:47.860 He says that, 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.560 I have not been 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.340 disgraced. 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.440 It's as if, 00:21:51.800 --> 00:21:51.920 like, 00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:52.620 have you seen 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.360 the movie Superman? 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:53.799 Like, 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.359 the people 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:54.759 would shoot 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.719 bullets to Superman 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:56.439 and the bullets 00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.039 would just bounce 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.359 off? 00:21:58.479 --> 00:21:59.859 It's pretty similar. 00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:00.619 The shame 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.339 would come to him 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:01.979 but it just 00:22:01.979 --> 00:22:02.519 does not, 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.419 it just bounces 00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:03.659 off. 00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:03.979 He's saying, 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.399 I have not 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.159 been disgraced. 00:22:05.679 --> 00:22:05.919 No, 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.439 I'm not unworthy. 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:07.959 In fact, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.740 in the future, 00:22:09.219 --> 00:22:10.199 I shall not be 00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:11.519 put to shame. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.819 So thank you, 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.059 Alan, 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.099 for just sharing 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.680 right at the end 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.119 there how this 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:16.859 servant who's just 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.859 depending on God, 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.819 listening to him, 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.460 he's willingly, 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.879 obediently following 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.680 the call that God 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.559 has on his life 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.500 and yet he's getting 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.599 shame and suffering 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.799 instead but he's 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.940 fixed his eyes 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.359 on the call 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.279 that God has for him 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:30.900 and he's obedient 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.420 to him, 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.420 not hating on 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.539 anything else. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.660 How can he do that? 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.299 How can he persevere 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.099 when he tells us 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.720 in verse 7? 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.480 He says, 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.639 the Lord God 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:40.299 helps me. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.859 The Lord God 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.539 helps me. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.619 And he says, 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:46.419 in all of these 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:46.940 things, 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.139 verse 7, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.680 verse 9, 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.200 the Lord God, 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.059 that means the 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.099 sovereign God 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.960 of the universe, 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.500 the personal God 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.099 of Israel 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:56.480 is with me, 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.720 is helping me. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.700 It doesn't look like 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.379 he's helping him 00:22:59.379 --> 00:23:00.039 because he's getting 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.159 beaten but he's 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:01.720 going to go and say, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.000 no, no, 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.019 I've got a different 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.460 perspective on this 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.759 thing. 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:05.619 You see, 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.399 I can see 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:07.299 verse 8, 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.180 he says, 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.859 I'm not going to be 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.779 put to shame 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.799 because he who 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.960 vindicates me 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:13.299 is near, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.259 is on my side, 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:15.980 is with me. 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.039 That word, 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.879 vindicate, 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.000 that's courtroom 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.639 language. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.819 That's the language 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:22.059 of someone who 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.160 has been wrongfully 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.440 accused and then 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.200 been acquitted 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.399 of their crime. 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.440 It's the verdict 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.639 of not guilty. 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.859 In the right, 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.079 you are righteous. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.259 Everyone else 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.119 may give the verdict 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.879 of guilty, 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.759 not worthy, 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.759 not respectable, 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.599 shamed. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.980 But God says, 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.740 verdict of vindicated. 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:41.980 You see, 00:23:42.099 --> 00:23:42.659 he says, 00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:44.019 who matters most, 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:44.719 whose verdict 00:23:44.719 --> 00:23:45.279 matters most, 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.959 is not everybody 00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:46.399 else's, 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:46.959 is what God 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:47.379 says. 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:48.719 That's where 00:23:48.719 --> 00:23:49.919 my vindication 00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:50.679 is. 00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.740 And God has 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.359 his stamp of 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.319 approval on me. 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:53.959 You know, 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.740 this is the same 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.579 word in the New 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.919 Testament, 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.539 which is the word 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.480 for justified. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.579 Declared right 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.980 in God's sight. 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.159 I'm justified 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.000 before him. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.140 You know, 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.779 it's like a 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.640 whistleblower 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:07.500 who has exposed 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:09.000 the abuses 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.180 or corruption 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.819 in a company 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.339 and gets just 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.019 run out 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:14.160 and outcast 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.940 from the company 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.640 for his daring 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.940 to speak the truth. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.140 And then, 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.200 years later, 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.640 everything gets 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.680 exposed for what's 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.000 happened. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.980 Another person 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.619 who is shamed 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.519 and humiliated 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.079 is now vindicated, 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.140 is now seen 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.900 as a hero 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:30.299 for not giving in 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:31.420 because they stood 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.220 for the truth. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.019 That's what's 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.839 going on here. 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.559 The servant 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.380 right now 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.880 is declared 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.440 in the wrong 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.480 by everybody else. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.400 But he looks 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.240 ahead and says, 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:40.740 no, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.680 my vindication 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.799 is with God, 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.740 with the ultimate 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.380 judge. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.799 And in his eyes, 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.079 I know that 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.920 his judgment 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.680 is the one 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.059 that's going to 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.120 quash every other 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.559 judgment. 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.579 And so that's 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.200 where I'm fixing 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.960 my eyes. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.000 And I'm going 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.579 to be declared 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.019 right. 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.640 And I know 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.380 even now 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.319 that I will 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.059 be vindicated. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.220 And he knows 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.839 that when you 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.579 are vindicated 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.039 than those 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.700 who've accused 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:03.940 you will, 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.940 in his words, 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:05.680 wear out. 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.580 They will disappear. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:07.440 They will walk 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.819 away. 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.580 They will be 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.620 the ones in shame. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.700 And you've got 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.019 to think, 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.519 how can this guy, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.660 how can this 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:16.700 servant live 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.140 with this 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.019 perspective of 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.720 God's voice 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.500 above all others? 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:19.740 Well, 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.080 it's because 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.900 morning by morning 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.400 he's listening 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.059 to his voice. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.220 He's utterly 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.319 dependent on 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.900 his word. 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.040 servant. 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:26.759 And so, 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.660 we go, 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.060 okay, 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:29.820 who is this 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.100 servant? 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.540 The original 00:25:31.540 --> 00:25:32.220 readers would 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.759 spend a long 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.040 time thinking, 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.360 pondering who 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:35.900 this servant 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.519 was. 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:37.780 Well, 00:25:37.840 --> 00:25:38.560 we know as 00:25:38.560 --> 00:25:39.040 Christians, 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.360 it is Jesus 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.940 Christ. 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.800 It is the 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.259 true, 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.060 obedient, 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.440 faithful Israel. 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:45.460 Everything Israel 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.360 wasn't, 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.180 he was. 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:48.900 He's the one 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:50.160 who listened 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.040 to God's voice 00:25:51.040 --> 00:25:51.380 and said, 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.000 I only do 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.360 the will 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:53.260 of my father. 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.640 In temptation, 00:25:55.040 --> 00:25:55.400 he brought 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.020 God's word 00:25:56.020 --> 00:25:56.560 and would not 00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:57.060 back down 00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.760 or give in. 00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:59.640 He's the one 00:25:59.640 --> 00:25:59.920 who, 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:00.780 when he, 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.800 he says he knew 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:02.620 his time was 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:02.860 there, 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.840 it was up, 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:04.800 that he set 00:26:04.800 --> 00:26:05.680 his face 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.680 towards Jerusalem, 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.920 towards the cross, 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:09.000 and Peter and 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.580 none of the other 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.440 disciples who tried 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.280 to dissuade him 00:26:11.280 --> 00:26:13.380 could get in 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.840 the way. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.320 He rebuked them 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:15.880 because he had 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:16.800 his face set 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.580 on Jerusalem. 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.540 He's rejected 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.240 by the very 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.240 people that he 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.680 is seeking 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.620 to sustain 00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.380 with a word 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.079 of liberation 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:24.660 and a word 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.240 of hope. 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.759 And he then 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.400 is unjustly tried. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.220 He's brought 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.680 with false witnesses 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.819 a declaration 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.819 of guilt. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.460 He is brought 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.180 against him 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.640 even though 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.519 everyone knew 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.279 that it was wrong. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.440 Everyone knew 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.200 he was innocent. 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.400 He is mocked, 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.079 he is beaten, 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.960 he is spat on, 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.200 he is humiliated. 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.440 And yet he doesn't 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.620 go, 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.700 I don't deserve this. 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.839 He doesn't get bitter 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.539 but he says, 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:46.940 Father, 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:47.380 forgive. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.160 He doesn't 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.539 choose to back down 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.399 and get for his 00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.099 own comfort. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:52.960 He says, 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.879 I lay down 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.319 my life 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:54.740 of my own 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.079 accord, 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.799 not my will 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.359 but yours 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:56.859 be done, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.279 Father. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.200 He looks 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.920 death and shame 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.700 in the eye 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.359 and says, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:04.399 my vindicator 00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:05.359 is near. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.599 Into your hands, 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:06.920 Father, 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:08.139 I commit my spirit. 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.480 And at that moment 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.019 it looked like 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.759 death had won. 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.799 The religious leaders 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.639 thought it was over. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.859 The disciples 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.899 thought it was over. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.740 The Romans 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.880 thought it was over. 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.740 Death seemed 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.400 to have had 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.560 the final word. 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:24.080 But Jesus' 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.280 vindicator was near. 00:27:25.580 --> 00:27:26.540 On the third day 00:27:26.540 --> 00:27:27.600 he rose again, 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.660 triumphant. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.600 It says he was 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.759 declared the son 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.820 of God with power, 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.160 exalted to the right 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.060 hand of the Father 00:27:34.060 --> 00:27:35.240 and he will come 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.600 again to return 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.360 as the one 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.040 who is now 00:27:38.040 --> 00:27:39.160 seated as 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.720 the highest judge 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.140 of all 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.700 before whom 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.840 every knee will bow 00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:43.560 and every tongue 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.259 confess. 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.900 Amen. 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:48.740 And this servant 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:50.820 is vindicated 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:52.600 before the eyes 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:54.240 of the watching world. 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:55.940 And at the end 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.560 of the day 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:57.980 he will bring 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.220 judgment on all of us 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.000 and it's only 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.720 his verdict, 00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:02.380 it's only his word, 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.740 it's only his opinion 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.040 that really counts. 00:28:06.820 --> 00:28:07.860 And the amazing thing 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.740 in the gospel message 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.500 is this. 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.740 It says that people 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.820 who follow 00:28:12.820 --> 00:28:13.660 this servant 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.500 Jesus, 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.039 who trust him, 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.900 they actually, 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:20.200 his mission 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:21.500 becomes their mission. 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.819 What God says 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.440 about him, 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.920 God says about them. 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:26.599 What that Jesus 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.039 gets, 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.200 we get. 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.299 We depend 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.079 day by day 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.839 on God's word. 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.799 We're called to 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.000 sustain the weary 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.640 and the broken 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.299 and the hurting 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.000 and the struggling 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.660 and the marginalized 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.500 in Hong Kong 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.880 with the gospel word 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.420 of hope 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.539 and of life. 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:42.119 and we may 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:43.379 experience rejection, 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.480 we may experience 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.139 shame, 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.059 we may experience 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.700 all those things 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.759 that may increase 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.839 in the next few years. 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.980 We do not know. 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.460 But where does 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.039 our confidence 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.059 to not back down 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.659 come from? 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.460 The Apostle Paul, 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.899 he read 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:59.519 this passage 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.980 and he comments 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.500 on it 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.659 and applies it 00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:03.359 to his life 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.899 and those he's 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.500 talking to 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.680 in the book of Romans 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.460 chapter 8. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.639 Here's what he says. 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.759 He says, 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:10.839 If God is for us, 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.859 who can be against us? 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:15.480 He who did not 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.619 spare his own son 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.940 but gave him up 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.519 for us all, 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.700 how will he not 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:21.039 also with him 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.420 graciously give us 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.240 all things? 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.220 Who shall bring 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.220 any charge 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.440 against God's elect? 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.660 And it may look 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.519 like a lot of people. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.700 Your mom. 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:32.019 It may look like 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.859 your relatives, 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:33.779 your colleagues. 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.279 But he says 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.599 it's God who justifies, 00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:37.339 God who vindicates, 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.220 who's going to 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.940 condemn you. 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.140 You may have voices 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:41.059 in your own head 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:41.700 that condemn you. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.360 You may have other 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.200 people's voices 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.259 that condemn you. 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:44.759 But he says 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.440 the only one 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.460 who's really matters 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.259 Christ Jesus 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.140 is the one 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.779 who's died. 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.839 More than that, 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.039 who was raised 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.600 and who is exalted 00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:54.140 at the right hand 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:54.940 of God. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.140 Who indeed 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:58.660 is interceding 00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.259 for us 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.220 watermarkers 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.200 right now 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.100 in December 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.000 2020. 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.460 Who's going to 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.660 separate any of us 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.220 in watermark 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:06.940 from the love 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.559 of Christ? 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:09.299 Shall COVID-19? 00:30:10.100 --> 00:30:11.259 Shall economic 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.839 hardship? 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.519 Shall family trials? 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.339 Shall ill health? 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.400 Shall people 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.100 mocking you 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:18.480 or outcasting you? 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.519 Shall any of these 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:19.779 things? 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.360 And Paul says, 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:20.680 no, 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.900 in all these things 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.480 we are more 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.460 than conquerors 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.779 through the servant 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:26.039 who loved us 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.480 even to the point 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.079 of death. 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.319 You see, 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.220 his resurrection, 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.720 his exaltation 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:34.079 means our resurrection, 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:35.359 our exaltation, 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.279 his vindication 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.279 is our vindication. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.079 And that means 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.139 on that final day, 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.599 that means actually 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.379 right now, 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:43.699 there is a verdict 00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:44.460 over us 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.619 who believe in Christ 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.619 and that is justified 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:48.339 in the right, 00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:50.139 righteous before God. 00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.799 And that also means 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.699 on the final day 00:30:52.699 --> 00:30:53.220 of judgment. 00:30:53.919 --> 00:30:55.000 We don't have to wonder 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.019 what the verdict 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.819 is going to be. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.159 If we are trusting 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:58.759 in Jesus, 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.980 he says, 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.259 our vindicator 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.879 is near. 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.599 We have one 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.759 who is in the seating 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.359 for us 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.200 and we come before 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.879 that judge 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.960 and we can have 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.440 confidence before him 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.539 because of Jesus. 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.400 Isn't that amazing? 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.799 Isn't it amazing? 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:16.200 This is the good news. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.579 The verdict is settled. 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.700 And so, 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.740 with that, 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.140 the light of this, 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.680 that those who trust 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.359 in the servant 00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:27.839 have this, 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:29.220 then the passage 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.039 calls us 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.119 to respond 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:32.339 to the servant. 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.500 It turns the spotlight 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.279 onto us 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.059 and it goes, 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.420 okay, 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.339 in the light of this, 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.159 how are you responding 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:40.920 to Jesus right now? 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.019 How are you responding? 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:42.920 He says, 00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:43.899 who among you, 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:44.339 verse 10, 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.159 who among you 00:31:45.159 --> 00:31:46.180 fears the Lord 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:47.240 and obeys 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.039 the voice 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.960 of his servant? 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:50.720 You know, 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.759 where does your vindication 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.339 come from? 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.279 Where, 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.619 whose voice 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.839 really matters 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:56.659 in your life? 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.819 Is it your own voice? 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.659 Is it the voice 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.480 of everybody else 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.620 or is it the voice 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.600 of the servant, 00:32:01.800 --> 00:32:02.080 Jesus? 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.060 You see, 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:04.960 this Christmas time, 00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:05.840 just like the people 00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:06.380 of Israel, 00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.940 many of us feel 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.779 like we're in darkness. 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.380 Times are not easy. 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:10.960 COVID, 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:13.720 emotions can be challenging, 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.500 relationships can be challenging, 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.920 politics can be challenging, 00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:18.420 the economy can be challenging, 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.800 all these different things 00:32:19.800 --> 00:32:20.540 can be challenging. 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:22.080 But he says, 00:32:22.079 --> 00:32:22.779 for people 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:24.639 who are in darkness, 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.960 we have two choices. 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.000 And this is actually 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:28.579 a really powerful image 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.079 he gives. 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:30.279 He says, 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.899 you can get light 00:32:31.899 --> 00:32:32.939 by listening 00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:33.639 and trusting 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.779 the voice of the servant 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:36.579 or you can 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.779 kindle your own fire. 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.799 Kindle your own fire, 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.699 walk by the light 00:32:40.699 --> 00:32:41.759 of your own fire. 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.099 And he says, 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:44.839 if you do that, 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.679 you're going to get 00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:48.419 what you don't want. 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.039 You're going to get 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.900 something else. 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.140 You're going to lie down 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.600 in torment. 00:32:54.560 --> 00:32:54.900 You see, 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.800 what he says is, 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:58.140 you can listen 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:59.360 to the voice 00:32:59.360 --> 00:33:01.539 of unfairness. 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.100 You know, 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.800 there are Christians 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:03.880 around the world 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:05.580 who are being falsely 00:33:05.580 --> 00:33:06.320 accused 00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:07.580 for being faithful 00:33:07.580 --> 00:33:08.140 to Jesus. 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:10.539 There are many of us 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.460 who feel 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:13.100 the voice of unfairness 00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:14.220 in our lives 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.360 when we step up 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:16.400 to love and serve 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:17.500 and lead other people. 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.140 And then other people 00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.620 turn around 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.460 and criticize you 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.340 or just ungrateful. 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.340 And you feel like, 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.519 what's the point? 00:33:24.300 --> 00:33:25.000 Why do I bother 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.820 to serve them? 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.360 Why do I bother 00:33:26.360 --> 00:33:27.180 to speak the gospel 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.440 to them? 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:27.900 Why do I bother 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.700 to love them? 00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:29.759 You just want to 00:33:29.759 --> 00:33:30.820 give up stuff then, 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:31.640 forget them. 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.060 That's the voice 00:33:34.060 --> 00:33:35.180 of self. 00:33:35.320 --> 00:33:35.920 That's the voice 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.480 of kindling 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.320 your own light. 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:40.279 But maybe there's 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.740 the voice 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:43.480 of self-justifying 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:45.640 which comes to us. 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.980 Another kind of way 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.599 you can light 00:33:47.599 --> 00:33:48.460 your own fire. 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:49.720 You know, 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.380 I have relatives 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.799 who think that success 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:53.640 is going to all 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:54.539 the most expensive 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.279 restaurants, 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:58.960 living in a certain area, 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.259 having a certain lifestyle, 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.680 having a certain career 00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:02.220 position, 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:02.980 a certain amount 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.319 of money 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.240 in your bank account. 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.420 And they'll comment 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.400 on all the kind 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:07.700 of gospel-shaped decisions 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:09.960 that me and my wife 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:10.820 have made in our lives. 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.740 And they'll go to things like, 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.579 when are you going 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.519 to get a proper job? 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:14.539 Or, 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:16.039 why are you living there? 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:16.739 Why are you hanging 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.820 around those kind of people? 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.380 Why can't you be like 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.099 so-and-so? 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:21.139 And then they rattle off 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.820 all the success 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:23.119 of certain other relatives. 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:26.300 And as you hear those, 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.860 a little voice inside of you 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.179 goes, 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.119 yeah, 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.980 maybe we should chase 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.239 after those other things too. 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:34.199 You could impress people. 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:35.539 You could prove yourself 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:37.179 as acceptable. 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.920 You could justify yourself. 00:34:39.259 --> 00:34:39.900 You could light 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:40.860 your own fire. 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:44.840 The voice 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:46.360 of self-justifying 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:47.220 is very powerful. 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:50.200 And many of us, 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.700 I think, 00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:51.880 listen to that voice 00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:52.860 day in, 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.480 day out. 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.599 Which voice 00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.519 are you listening to? 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.599 You know, 00:35:00.640 --> 00:35:01.360 there's another voice 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:01.900 which actually is 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.700 the voice of shame 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.460 which comes to you 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.519 and you make me think 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.460 about sharing the gospel 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:06.340 with other people 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:07.140 and you go, 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.340 yeah, 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.460 but what if I get rejected? 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:10.699 What if I get shamed 00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:11.440 by somebody else? 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.019 What if I don't know 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.539 what to say? 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:13.039 God says, 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.199 yeah, 00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.300 you probably will get shamed. 00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:16.380 You probably will get rejected 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.440 at some point. 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.579 But whose voice 00:35:19.579 --> 00:35:20.599 matters to you most? 00:35:21.220 --> 00:35:21.980 Is it the verdict 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:23.019 of everybody else 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:24.059 or will you look up 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:24.720 and see the verdict 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.440 of the servant? 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:27.639 The one who says, 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.000 you in my eyes 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.900 are vindicated. 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:31.900 You know, 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:36.019 who are you listening to? 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:38.360 Who are you listening to? 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:40.460 What I need, 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.320 what we need 00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:42.059 as a community 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:43.460 is people 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:45.380 day by day 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:47.179 encouraging us. 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.960 We ourselves 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:49.019 need to be in God's word 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.659 morning by morning 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:51.699 remembering 00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:52.880 what the voice 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:53.539 of the servant 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.599 says to us. 00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:56.019 We need to set 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.679 our faces 00:35:56.679 --> 00:35:57.639 like Flint 00:35:57.639 --> 00:35:59.159 to continue 00:35:59.159 --> 00:35:59.900 on the mission 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.860 that God has called us 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:02.079 to share his word 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.659 with others. 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:04.699 And this Christmas time, 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:05.939 this battle 00:36:05.939 --> 00:36:07.239 is not just for pastors, 00:36:07.419 --> 00:36:08.439 it's for everybody 00:36:08.439 --> 00:36:09.619 who follows Jesus. 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.719 So that you look 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:11.259 in the mirror 00:36:11.259 --> 00:36:12.119 every morning 00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:13.299 and you preach 00:36:13.299 --> 00:36:13.939 the gospel 00:36:13.939 --> 00:36:15.079 of his verdict 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:15.519 over us. 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.259 We are righteous, 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.179 we are holy, 00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:17.819 we are declared 00:36:17.819 --> 00:36:19.059 loved in his sight. 00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:20.039 Our confidence 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.980 and our vindication 00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:21.579 is not from what 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.339 anyone else says. 00:36:22.379 --> 00:36:23.439 There's no condemnation 00:36:23.439 --> 00:36:24.000 in Christ. 00:36:24.439 --> 00:36:25.319 Jesus has won 00:36:25.319 --> 00:36:25.779 the victory 00:36:25.779 --> 00:36:27.159 and we are his. 00:36:27.339 --> 00:36:28.239 That's what we need 00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:28.899 to be reminding 00:36:28.899 --> 00:36:29.419 each other 00:36:29.419 --> 00:36:30.319 every day. 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.359 And if you are not 00:36:31.359 --> 00:36:32.239 getting God's word, 00:36:32.319 --> 00:36:33.039 if you're not speaking 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:34.039 God's word over you 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.679 day in, 00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:35.239 day out, 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.340 then let me tell you 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:37.639 everybody else's verdict, 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.980 even your own verdict 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.579 on you, 00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:40.279 is going to be 00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:41.079 the loudest voice 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.699 in your heart 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.500 and in your head. 00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:44.039 And what that will do, 00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:45.019 it will leave you 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.599 in shame, 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.219 in fear, 00:36:46.360 --> 00:36:47.019 in anger. 00:36:49.239 --> 00:36:50.079 But the servant 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:51.199 wants to set us free. 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:54.480 Let me close 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:58.480 with just a story 00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.619 that is very close 00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.279 to my heart. 00:37:01.359 --> 00:37:02.099 Some of you 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:03.259 may not be football fans, 00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:05.099 but forgive me 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.359 for just indulging 00:37:06.359 --> 00:37:07.159 just for a second. 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.400 2005, 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.460 my team, 00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:12.019 Liverpool, 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:12.900 played in one 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.359 of the greatest 00:37:13.359 --> 00:37:14.500 matches in history 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:16.699 where they played 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.539 in the Champions League 00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.799 final against AC Milan 00:37:18.799 --> 00:37:21.019 and at half time 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.960 they were being 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.159 utterly destroyed. 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.719 Three nil down, 00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:25.559 they were being 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:27.259 mocked by all the fans 00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:28.119 of the AC Milan. 00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:29.279 It looked like 00:37:29.279 --> 00:37:30.259 complete ruin. 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.480 It looked horrific. 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:32.559 The shame 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.799 was unbearable. 00:37:34.819 --> 00:37:35.659 Second half, 00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:36.599 six minutes, 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:37.799 within six minutes 00:37:37.799 --> 00:37:38.400 Liverpool scored 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.099 three goals. 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.420 They went to extra time, 00:37:40.480 --> 00:37:41.179 they went to penalties 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:42.199 and Liverpool won. 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:44.539 And you see, 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:45.960 when Liverpool 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:46.880 won the trophy, 00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:49.099 it didn't matter 00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:50.619 what the half-time result was 00:37:50.619 --> 00:37:52.079 or the half-time score was. 00:37:52.319 --> 00:37:52.559 You see, 00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.139 what matters 00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:54.299 is the final result. 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.259 And you see, 00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:57.360 if I had known 00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:58.060 and we had known 00:37:58.060 --> 00:37:58.700 at half-time 00:37:58.700 --> 00:37:59.680 what the final result 00:37:59.680 --> 00:38:00.380 was going to be, 00:38:00.540 --> 00:38:01.320 then the shame 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:03.020 would have been hard. 00:38:03.300 --> 00:38:04.280 It would have been difficult. 00:38:05.120 --> 00:38:05.720 But actually, 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.840 we could have kept going 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:08.500 with our faces like Flint 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:09.560 because we knew 00:38:09.560 --> 00:38:10.820 what the end of the day 00:38:10.820 --> 00:38:11.600 was going to be. 00:38:12.080 --> 00:38:13.100 As Christians, 00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:14.860 that's what the Gospel says. 00:38:15.080 --> 00:38:15.940 We know 00:38:15.940 --> 00:38:17.380 what the end result is. 00:38:17.560 --> 00:38:19.200 We've read this book. 00:38:19.520 --> 00:38:20.980 We know that Jesus wins. 00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:23.080 And when we're with him, 00:38:23.600 --> 00:38:24.920 we win too. 00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:26.500 We're more than conquerors. 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:29.360 So let's follow the sermon 00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:30.200 with whatever he has 00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:31.500 for us this Christmas time. 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:34.220 And let's trust him.