WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.880 Well, please turn with me in your vitals to Psalm 133 that was read for us earlier. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:12.880 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.820 People would sing the Even-Song service in our chapel every Monday. If you're not familiar 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:41.460 with that service, I certainly wasn't when I arrived. Part of the service is that you 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:46.280 sing a psalm and you chant it so that it's one melody and you sing every verse on the 00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:50.760 same melody and one half of the choir would be on one side of the chapel and you'd sing 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:57.280 one verse and then another half of the chapel would sing the other half of the other verse. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:01.240 And every now and again, I think maybe two or three times in my three years, we stumbled 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:08.820 across Psalm 133. And it would start off really well. Behold how good and sweet a thing it is, 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:16.219 brethren, to dwell together in unity. And it's all very well until Aaron gets a load of oil 00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:21.520 spilt in his beard and you just see this really weird glazed look come across everyone's eyes. 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:26.319 Most of the people in the choir weren't believers and so most weeks it would just be quite a 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:31.679 bored look. I'll just sing whatever this text is, but it's sort of normal psalm stuff. 00:01:32.339 --> 00:01:37.359 But when we got to this, you'd just see everyone begin to give each other very strange looks. 00:01:38.019 --> 00:01:45.179 What on earth is going on? Beards and oil and mountains and nobody had any idea. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:52.319 It's clearly from verse 1 a psalm about unity between brothers. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:58.099 Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. 00:01:58.559 --> 00:02:03.439 And I promised you I wasn't thinking about the EU in any way when I planned to preach on this. 00:02:03.919 --> 00:02:09.639 It just struck me. They'd say, oh, that's a similar link. But that's not what it's about. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:18.180 So what does this psalm mean beyond the fact that it's good and pleasant when brothers dwell in unity? 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:26.080 As always, and it might surprise you to learn, that even in the book of Psalms, it's important to look at the context. 00:02:27.219 --> 00:02:31.700 If you look at the top of the psalm, it's part of the psalm in the original. 00:02:32.040 --> 00:02:36.520 You've got the inscription, a song of ascents of David. 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:45.860 And if you look around the psalm, you'll see, at least on this page, except for the last one, everyone has at the top a song of ascents. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.300 That's because this is one of 15 songs of ascents. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:56.780 It's a collection that goes together from Psalm 120 to Psalm 134. 00:02:56.780 --> 00:03:01.120 And it's about, surprise to Christ, ascents. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:07.560 That is, people would have to go on a journey up to Jerusalem for various religious feasts. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:09.639 They'd have quite a few every year. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:13.780 And if they could, people would go up to Jerusalem for the celebration. 00:03:14.860 --> 00:03:22.120 And these were psalms that David wrote for his people for the ascent, for the journey up to Jerusalem, up Mount Zion. 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:27.900 So, in 120, they meditate on their distress and their trouble. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:32.259 Psalm 121, I lift my eyes up to the hills. 00:03:32.400 --> 00:03:35.099 So, they see the dangerous journey ahead of them. 00:03:35.180 --> 00:03:41.599 They see the hills, and they wonder, where is my help going to come from for this journey? 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:48.659 And, of course, the answer comes, my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:52.379 And the next one is the psalm that we sang earlier. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:56.039 I was glad when they said to me, let's go to the house of the Lord. 00:03:56.659 --> 00:04:00.960 And so, they're off on their journey up the mountains to Zion. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:03.379 It's arranged. 00:04:03.859 --> 00:04:07.599 There are 15, and so there are five sets of three. 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:11.819 So, they all go through one set of three, then the next. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:20.019 And so, if you can do maths, this one, 133, is the very middle of the final set. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:24.420 In the final set of three, we have arrived in Jerusalem. 00:04:25.339 --> 00:04:27.540 This is where we celebrate the feast. 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:32.339 So, in 131, it's sort of a preparation for worship psalm. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:35.920 In 132, the celebrations start at the temple. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:39.920 And in 133, the celebrations continue. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:44.520 People have come from all corners of the nation. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:49.620 And they're at the feast, together, singing this psalm. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:50.480 133. 00:04:52.140 --> 00:04:53.500 But, what does it mean? 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:59.800 Well, to understand what it means, there are three things that we need to say. 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:01.560 Three things. 00:05:01.620 --> 00:05:07.139 The first thing that we need to see is that unity among brothers makes a difference. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:09.819 Unity among brothers makes a difference. 00:05:09.979 --> 00:05:11.180 It has a real impact. 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:14.740 And let me show you three ways in which it makes a difference. 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:18.019 First of all, it can be seen from the outside. 00:05:19.039 --> 00:05:19.959 It's noticeable. 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:25.219 If you look at verse 2, David takes the people back in time about 1,000 years. 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:28.580 So, for us, it's about 3,000 years. 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:32.260 Or 4,000 years for us, rather. 00:05:32.900 --> 00:05:36.680 And he takes us to Aaron's ordination service as the high priest. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:44.140 And he describes the perfumed anointing oil running down his head, on his beard, on the cloak of his garment. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:50.899 Boys and girls, maybe you can imagine being at this ordination service. 00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:57.259 You've gone to this service with your family, brothers and sisters, mommies and laddies. 00:05:57.919 --> 00:06:00.099 There's so many people there. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:02.599 And you can't see anything. 00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:06.919 Because it's so busy and people are bustling and everyone's standing up and you can't see a thing. 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:12.340 And so, you cry up to your dad, have they done it yet? 00:06:12.400 --> 00:06:13.800 Have they poured the oil on his head? 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:15.759 Because that's how they're going to do it. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:17.740 That's how they're going to make him a high priest. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:21.040 And so, daddy picks you up and puts you on his shoulders. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.780 And he asks you, well, what do you see? 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:27.139 Do you see any oil running down his head? 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:30.319 Is this the priest of God yet? 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:33.360 Well, do you see any oil running down his head? 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:36.100 That's how you know. 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:40.740 You can see, this is the anointed one of God because there's oil running down him. 00:06:43.200 --> 00:06:44.800 And so, are these the people of God? 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:47.020 Are these his anointed ones? 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:50.420 Well, are they living in unity? 00:06:51.820 --> 00:06:52.800 That's the question. 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:59.320 But it's not just that David wants to use this as sort of a, 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:02.900 this is like that, an unilogical comparison. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:03.780 This is a poem. 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:07.319 And so, there's a reason he's using this image. 00:07:09.679 --> 00:07:11.759 What unites them at that feast? 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:13.839 What's the reason they've all come? 00:07:14.799 --> 00:07:19.019 It's so that their high priest can offer sacrifices on their behalf. 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:25.299 And beyond that, they are all a kingdom or a nation of priests. 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:29.860 They all together represent God to the other nations. 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:34.740 But they are there united by the one high priest who is there. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:39.900 They need to know that they have an anointed one who is uniting them. 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:44.219 So, on the one hand, it's a visible comparison. 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:47.060 Unity is like that. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:49.739 So, he's the priest because he has oil on him. 00:07:50.219 --> 00:07:54.279 These people are united, are God's people because they are united. 00:07:54.279 --> 00:08:00.979 The second thing we can see, so we've seen from the outside, 00:08:01.119 --> 00:08:03.879 but it can be felt from the inside as well. 00:08:04.859 --> 00:08:06.939 So, he doesn't just take us on a trip back in time. 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:10.779 He takes us on a trip up north as well in verse 3. 00:08:12.679 --> 00:08:15.039 He takes us on a trip to Mount Hermon. 00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:17.759 Zion was the main mountain in the south. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:21.839 Hermon was the big mountain in the north. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:24.319 It's a very high mountain. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:27.779 It's got lots of streams on it. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:30.379 So, the dew on Hermon is really heavy. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:32.080 Lots of dew. 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:35.399 Really rich, luscious grass. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:40.439 It's a mountain that's full of freshness and life. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:43.720 David is trying to give us a sense 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:48.360 of what unity among others feels like from the inside. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:52.519 It gives you that sense of life forevermore. 00:08:53.920 --> 00:08:55.759 And just as with the image of the high priest, 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:59.560 it's not just an easy, logical comparison. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:02.440 There's a reason he's using the image. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:06.519 So, because this is the northern mountain, 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:10.740 but they're experiencing the benefits of the northern mountain 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:12.519 in the southern mountain, 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:15.980 they're all sharing in their benefits. 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:20.939 Zion gets the benefit from what Hermon gets. 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:24.539 So, the blessedness of unity among brothers 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:28.899 is experienced as it is shared between brothers. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:31.559 As everyone benefits together, 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:35.240 enjoying divine blessing together. 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:38.399 The third way it makes a difference 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.899 is quite simply at the end of verse 3. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.579 It's where God's blessing is. 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:45.519 So, if you look at that last verse, 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:49.459 where has God's blessing of eternal life been commanded? 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:54.299 It's where brothers dwell together in unity. 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:57.639 And especially at the feast. 00:09:57.639 --> 00:10:01.919 That is especially when the brothers have gathered together 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.639 to worship God. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:07.519 It's at the gathering of God's people. 00:10:08.099 --> 00:10:10.639 Eternal life is something to be enjoyed together. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:14.399 If you think eternal life can be enjoyed all on your own, 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:16.279 you're mistaken. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:21.519 Eternal life is to be enjoyed together with other people. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:27.399 And all of this is coming down from God. 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:28.559 If you look throughout the psalm, 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:31.439 you see running down, running down, falling. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.360 It's all the same word in the original. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.559 It just means coming down. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:38.840 And so, the going up to meet with the Lord 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:43.019 is all about the blessing that comes down to them. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:48.259 So, unity among brothers makes a difference. 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:52.379 Second thing we need to see is that unity among brothers 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:55.439 is a really awkward sermon topic. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:59.199 When we think about a sermon on unity, 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:01.379 we begin to feel embarrassed. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:06.159 First of all, it's because we can see it in our history. 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:08.919 We are, you may have noticed, 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:10.779 not in a Roman Catholic church. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:12.659 We're in a Protestant church. 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.339 We are protesting. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:17.339 We have broken off, sadly. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:21.399 And there are times when that needs to happen sometimes. 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:24.480 Calvin, in commenting on this psalm, 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:27.459 said that where there is heresy or where there is error, 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:30.439 that we have no choice but to break fellowship. 00:11:31.559 --> 00:11:33.059 Because what's happened is actually, 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:35.399 they are broken off from us. 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.439 Even though it's the same, 00:11:36.839 --> 00:11:38.299 they are still the institution. 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:41.019 They're the ones that have departed from the truth. 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:46.839 And actually, the division was the last thing that the reformers wanted. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:48.819 They wanted to reform it from the inside. 00:11:49.839 --> 00:11:52.299 But once they saw, they have truly departed from the truth. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.559 Sadly, there was no choice. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:12:00.019 But there are some divisions as well that are truly unnecessary. 00:12:01.119 --> 00:12:02.579 That are truly sinful. 00:12:04.119 --> 00:12:06.399 I've seen churches in first hand. 00:12:07.119 --> 00:12:09.439 Churches divide over personality, 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.179 personal ambition, 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:13.559 and it is hideous. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:18.559 But we should note that there is a difference between broken fellowship 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:22.139 and different churches. 00:12:22.359 --> 00:12:25.799 You can have different churches that still have gospel fellowship. 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:28.599 They might disagree on some issues, 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:31.939 but they are adamant that we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:12:32.599 --> 00:12:33.919 And that's an okay thing. 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:35.939 They've come to different conclusions from the Bible. 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:38.000 They're not all right. 00:12:38.719 --> 00:12:40.139 Some of them are going to be wrong, 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:42.279 because you can't just decide what truth is. 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.959 The Bible tells us what truth is. 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:47.039 But some of them have just interpreted it differently, 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:49.659 and yet we insist that they are still our brothers and sisters. 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:53.779 There is a difference between that and broken fellowship, 00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:57.759 where people just cause splits unnecessarily and sinfully. 00:12:58.199 --> 00:13:01.120 But division is something that's part of our history, 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.659 and we have to face up to that. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:06.699 It's also a problem not just in our history, 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:07.779 but also in our class. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:13.279 I've often heard the story of the Welshman dying, 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:14.740 who was stuck on a desert island. 00:13:15.339 --> 00:13:17.079 I've heard different versions of the story, 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:20.379 even in different religious contexts. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:22.940 I've heard it as the New York Jewish man. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.020 But I've heard it as Dye the Welshman, 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.700 who was stuck on a desert island, 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.480 and he was all on his own. 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.540 And after several years, 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:33.520 people finally found him and rescued him. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.320 And when they found him, 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:39.820 they found that he had built three huts on the island. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:42.080 And they asked him, 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:46.120 what are these three buildings you've made for yourself? 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:49.100 And he walked them through each one, 00:13:49.160 --> 00:13:49.660 and he walked by one. 00:13:49.800 --> 00:13:50.580 That one over there, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:52.500 that's the house I live in. 00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:54.400 That one over there, 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.580 that's the chapel I go to. 00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:57.379 That one over there, 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.280 that's the chapel I don't go to. 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:03.200 It's a problem in our hearts. 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:07.040 There can be gospel churches 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:09.340 that are full of our brothers and sisters, 00:14:10.520 --> 00:14:11.920 to which, if we're honest, 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:14.939 we have a less than charitable attitude. 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:18.759 We are less than loving towards them, 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:20.939 as we should love them. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.459 Thirdly, it's not just a problem 00:14:25.459 --> 00:14:27.779 in our history and in our hearts. 00:14:27.839 --> 00:14:28.899 It's a problem in our churches. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.740 It's not just division between churches, 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:34.319 but there's division within some churches. 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.259 There are churches 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.839 where there are members 00:14:36.839 --> 00:14:39.240 who have not spoken to each other for 40 years, 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:41.240 even though they've been worshipping 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:43.340 in the same church for 40 years. 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:46.419 And you can see it as an idea. 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:47.659 It's lovely, isn't it? 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.500 And I could talk to you about 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:52.879 someone who is 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.379 on the other side of the planet, 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:56.299 in some remote tribe, 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.340 who speaks a completely different language, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:01.120 who has never heard of this country, 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.919 and yet they believe the gospel. 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.560 And you think, 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.519 yes, that is my brother and sister in Christ. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:09.100 That's so exciting 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.279 that there is somebody 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.500 that different from me 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:13.679 who is my brother and sister in Christ. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:17.519 But what if I describe someone to you 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:19.419 who maybe they're much richer 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.659 or much poorer than you? 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:23.740 Maybe they're more socially awkward than you 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.399 or maybe much more outgoing than you? 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:28.200 Maybe, boys and girls, 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:30.259 they get better marks in school than you do 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.860 or much worse marks in school? 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:35.319 Maybe somebody who voted differently 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:37.240 from you in the referendum this week? 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.819 Or generally votes differently from you? 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:43.340 Someone who struggles with different sins 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.299 than you do? 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:47.740 But it's still your brother and sister in Christ. 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:50.059 And what if when I finish that description 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.220 you started to realise, 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.679 I know this person. 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.399 Oh, it's that person. 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.200 It's that person in my church. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:16:00.080 I don't really like. 00:16:01.520 --> 00:16:03.340 It's not always so simple, is it? 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:06.780 When it comes down to living with real people. 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:10.120 But they are your mother and sister in Christ. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.640 So when we read, for example, 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:16.060 Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17, 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.840 we can get very embarrassed. 00:16:19.540 --> 00:16:20.240 For example, 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:22.460 he prays in John 17, 21, 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:22.660 One, 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:25.740 that all who believe in Jesus might be one, 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.800 just as you, Father, 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:29.639 are in me and I in you, 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:31.940 that they also may be in us, 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:34.360 so that the world may believe 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.100 that you have sent me. 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:39.740 One commentator on this psalm 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:41.139 writes, 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:44.460 The most spectacularly unanswered prayer 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:46.100 in world history, 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:47.980 they claim, 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:52.419 is Jesus' prayer in John 17, 20-23. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.220 That's this prayer for unity. 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:59.139 Christian kinfolk live in breathtaking disharmony. 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:02.500 This devastates their witness 00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:04.980 as it removes the goodness 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:06.700 and the loveliness from them. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:08.500 It removes their joy 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:11.380 and surrenders their blessing. 00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:14.319 The psalm invites us 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:16.340 to consider the loveliness of kinfolk 00:17:16.340 --> 00:17:17.600 living as one 00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:19.240 and to meditate on the images 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.600 for this that it offers, 00:17:21.100 --> 00:17:23.240 to see if this inspires us 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.700 to live as one. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.380 Calvin's caveats, 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.460 which I mentioned earlier 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:30.100 about heresy and error, 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.380 show how scandalous 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.860 is the psalm's conviction 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:36.679 and how unanswerable 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:37.740 the prayer. 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:43.559 The most spectacularly unanswered prayer 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:45.219 in world history. 00:17:46.959 --> 00:17:48.559 So are we a lost cause? 00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:51.139 Do we just wait it out 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.139 until the new creation 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:54.240 and just try and keep something together 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.639 but knowing it will never really be one? 00:17:58.379 --> 00:18:01.000 Do we just give an embarrassed shrug 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.319 and try and avoid the question? 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:05.119 Is this commentator right? 00:18:06.679 --> 00:18:07.599 I don't think so. 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:10.559 The third thing we're going to see 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.979 is that unity among brothers 00:18:12.979 --> 00:18:14.799 even now 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.779 is not wishful thinking. 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.399 So we've seen that unity 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.339 makes a difference 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:21.419 and that it's a pretty awkward 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:22.039 sermon topic 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.079 but even now 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:25.099 unity among brothers 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:27.099 is not wishful thinking. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.379 It is a reality 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.919 to be enjoyed. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:32.480 Let me give you three reasons 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.620 for my saying that. 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.420 It was real for David. 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.900 He wrote this psalm 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.200 and he wasn't lying. 00:18:41.580 --> 00:18:42.300 And if you know anything 00:18:42.300 --> 00:18:43.140 about David's life 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.460 you know it was riddled 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.640 with disunity 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.940 and strife. 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.519 Even if you just know 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.000 the David and Goliath story 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.019 you'll know that 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.960 when he arrived 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:54.200 his brothers just made fun of him. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.680 You just want ambition. 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:56.840 All you want to do 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.539 is look good. 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.559 His family 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.640 his brothers 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.480 and later on 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.340 his own children 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:04.480 it was all a mess. 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.860 And his political life 00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:08.220 so many people 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.340 usually his own sons 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:10.840 trying to take over from him. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.080 His life had disunity 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.980 and brokenness 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.480 written all over it. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.279 His life didn't look 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.360 much better than ours 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:20.220 in fact it looked 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.120 much worse. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:24.099 Yet that's the king 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:25.719 that through the Holy Spirit 00:19:25.719 --> 00:19:27.419 wrote this psalm. 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.699 Because he recognised 00:19:29.699 --> 00:19:30.599 that as he saw 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.319 his people 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.979 come up 00:19:31.979 --> 00:19:33.000 Mount Zion 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.779 to Jerusalem 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.299 probably people 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.500 who had very different opinions 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.419 on how he was running 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:37.899 the country 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:40.099 he saw that something 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.219 bigger was happening. 00:19:42.739 --> 00:19:43.919 He saw that the Lord 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.639 was doing something 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.219 much bigger 00:19:45.219 --> 00:19:46.359 much higher 00:19:46.359 --> 00:19:47.979 than what he could see. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.579 He could see 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.119 the Lord 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.359 gathering his people 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:53.019 for the feast. 00:19:54.479 --> 00:19:55.719 He saw true unity 00:19:55.719 --> 00:19:57.299 as all these 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.199 brothers and sisters 00:19:58.199 --> 00:19:59.519 men, women, 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.259 boys, girls 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:02.139 coming along together. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.099 And he tasted 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.519 that there's 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.419 true beauty here. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:05.939 There is 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:07.579 rich goodness 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.739 pleasant sweetness 00:20:08.739 --> 00:20:11.079 in this feast. 00:20:12.479 --> 00:20:13.479 This was real 00:20:13.479 --> 00:20:14.019 for David 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.319 and it was real 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:15.819 as well 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:17.259 for Jesus. 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:18.859 David didn't just 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.539 write it for people 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.299 in his lifetime. 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.779 He wrote it 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:23.159 for generations 00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:23.740 to come. 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:24.799 The temple 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.579 wasn't even finished 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:26.240 in his lifetime. 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.099 He was hoping 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.359 there would be a temple 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:30.039 for people to come to 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:32.799 and he wanted this 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.680 to be for generations 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.440 to come 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.519 and he wrote it 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.539 so that his 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.319 greater son, 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:38.759 Jesus, 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.440 could sing this 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:40.920 as well. 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:43.559 God the Son 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:45.680 became one 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.500 of these brothers. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.580 Jesus became 00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:50.779 part of the nation 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:52.180 of priests 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:54.000 and he would go up 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.680 to the feasts 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.380 with his brothers 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.019 and sisters 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:58.140 to sing this 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:58.700 with them 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.340 in fellowship. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:00.660 Have you ever thought 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:00.980 about that, 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:01.779 about how he would 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.440 come and he would 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.519 sing these psalms 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.600 with us? 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.340 He is in a sense 00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:05.980 our great 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.220 worship leader. 00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:10.039 And he did so 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:11.080 even as he experienced 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.960 great hostility. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.539 he knew that 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.799 even when he was 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.240 a baby 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.480 the king 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.380 wanted him dead. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.440 That's quite a lot 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.120 to live with. 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:22.700 And yet 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:24.200 with all the opposition 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.840 he faced 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:26.680 he came to the feast 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:28.299 and he sang this song. 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.860 As David's son 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.360 as well 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:33.079 knowing that 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:33.980 he would be 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.539 the eternal king 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.700 he would establish 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:38.319 this eternal kingdom 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:40.259 he had even more 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.579 reason 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.720 to rejoice. 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.720 In a sense 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.160 this is his 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.259 eternal song 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:48.059 as he looks on 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.160 even today 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.140 on his church 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.319 gathering for worship 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.920 each Lord's day. 00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:55.380 And he especially 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.259 sees what his people 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.259 will be one day. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.259 And he sings 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.980 this song 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.779 now 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.779 he rejoices 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:03.140 at what he sees. 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:04.900 Week by week 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.579 he sees people 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.620 all over the world 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:08.120 answering the call 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.600 to worship 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:10.980 coming to his feast 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.860 coming to the Lord's 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.059 supper 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.899 and feasting together. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:15.959 And it's why 00:22:15.959 --> 00:22:16.240 of course 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.839 when Paul 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:18.279 would speak later 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.399 in 1 Corinthians 11 00:22:19.399 --> 00:22:20.779 about the Lord's 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.059 supper 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.639 one of the themes 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.399 he focuses on 00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.059 is unity. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.439 What do you need 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:26.059 to sort out 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.639 before you come 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.179 to the table? 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.240 Is there disunity 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:28.979 between you 00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:29.639 and another brother? 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:30.879 That's what you 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.659 need to sort out. 00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:32.740 It's not 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.240 have you lived 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.859 a perfect life 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.279 this week? 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:34.639 It's 00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:36.039 is there disharmony? 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.940 That's the issue. 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.899 Because there's a 00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:42.019 key hinge point 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.839 in history 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:44.319 that this song 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.240 is actually all about. 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.879 It's about the day 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.519 of Pentecost. 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.720 It's the day 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.339 when the Spirit 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.159 was poured out 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:53.420 the Gospel 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.119 was preached 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:55.299 thousands were added 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.099 to the Church. 00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.899 This last day 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:59.579 waiting for his return 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.659 began. 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:03.600 That is the day 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.240 when Jesus 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.820 having ascended 00:23:05.820 --> 00:23:07.420 the ultimate 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:07.980 ascent 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:10.440 as high priest 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.320 as head 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.259 of his church 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:14.540 as head 00:23:14.540 --> 00:23:15.120 of the body 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:17.019 he sat down 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.060 at God's right hand 00:23:18.060 --> 00:23:19.759 and what happened? 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.720 He was anointed 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.560 with the Spirit 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:23.540 and the Spirit 00:23:23.540 --> 00:23:24.100 ran down 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:24.920 from the head 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.620 of the church 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.660 to the body 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.480 of the church. 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:29.480 That's us. 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.700 Men, 00:23:31.820 --> 00:23:32.060 women, 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.420 boys, 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:32.720 girls 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.900 from all nations 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:34.500 all 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.980 socio-economic 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.700 levels 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:38.160 throughout all 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:38.600 of history 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.380 received this 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:39.740 blessing 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.300 because 00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:41.040 Jesus 00:23:41.040 --> 00:23:41.820 ascended 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:43.740 and the Spirit 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.400 was poured out 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:44.840 on him 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:46.240 and ran down 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.240 onto us. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.320 That's what you see 00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:48.980 at Pentecost 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.660 is the Spirit 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.220 running down 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.900 from the head 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.200 to the body. 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:52.960 That's how Peter 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.960 is actually explaining 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.880 what's going on 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:56.140 in Acts 2. 00:23:57.540 --> 00:23:58.720 This anointing 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.940 was the proof 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.600 that Jesus 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.500 was being 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:01.920 anointed. 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:04.120 That he had 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.000 finished his work, 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.920 he had conquered. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.000 This is real 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.660 for us 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.420 in Jesus Christ. 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.120 That's the real, 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.120 that's the third 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.740 thing you see. 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:15.860 It was real 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.380 for Jesus 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.279 and because of 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.539 Jesus 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.200 it's real 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.920 for us. 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:21.460 But we need 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.900 to think about 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.460 how that was 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.840 possible. 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:27.359 it's because 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:27.799 the most 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.659 spectacularly 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.319 unanswered 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.679 prayer 00:24:29.679 --> 00:24:30.199 in world 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:30.699 history 00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:31.919 was not 00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:32.379 the High 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.679 Priestly 00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:33.039 Prayer. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.379 It was a 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.119 prayer that he 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:37.099 prayed later 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.799 in that same 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.119 night. 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.899 It was the 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.179 prayer, 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.279 take this cup 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.119 away from me. 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.659 He prayed 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.199 two prayers 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:44.699 that night. 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:45.919 One was, 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:46.819 pour out 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.339 the Spirit 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.980 on my people 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.839 to unite them. 00:24:50.199 --> 00:24:50.819 The second 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.339 was, 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.939 don't pour 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.339 out your 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.299 wrath on me, 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.699 the wrath 00:24:56.699 --> 00:24:57.539 that my 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.459 people deserve. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:00.599 But he knew 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.000 he couldn't 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.439 have one 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:01.899 without the 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.119 other. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.659 He knew 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.259 that unless 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.819 the wrath 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.279 came down 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.740 on him, 00:25:07.159 --> 00:25:07.639 the blessing 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.099 would not 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.519 come down 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:08.799 on his 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.119 people. 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.339 He knew 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:11.879 that before 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:12.240 he could 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.619 ascend 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:14.139 to heaven 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:14.720 he had 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.079 another 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.659 ascent 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:17.199 to Jerusalem 00:25:17.199 --> 00:25:19.000 and then 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.299 up to 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.819 Calvary 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:21.379 and then 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:21.639 up on 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.139 the cross. 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.359 And so 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.879 because he 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.539 knew that 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.480 he prayed 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.000 not my 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.339 will 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.980 but your 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.220 will. 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.879 God the 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.179 Son 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:35.319 suffered the 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.059 pouring out 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.700 of the 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.200 Father's 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.519 wrath 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:39.439 to win 00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:40.119 the prize 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.700 of the 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.259 pouring out 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.599 of the 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:41.899 Spirit 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:43.159 on him 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:44.240 and everyone 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.659 who would 00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:45.079 trust 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.399 in him. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:49.200 so he 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.759 calls us 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.200 week by 00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:50.560 week 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:52.300 to enjoy 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.700 this, 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.340 to gather 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:53.740 for the 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.100 feast, 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:55.300 to worship 00:25:55.300 --> 00:25:55.820 Lord's 00:25:55.820 --> 00:25:56.240 day by 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.640 Lord's 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:56.880 day. 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:58.720 And so 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.140 here's what 00:25:59.140 --> 00:25:59.620 this psalm 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.080 means. 00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:01.920 Because of 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.320 Jesus, 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.220 and we're 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.680 about to sing 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.080 this psalm 00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:05.660 at the end 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:05.840 of the 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.180 service, 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:06.700 so this 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:06.940 is what 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.140 you're 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.580 going to 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.100 be meaning 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.500 when you 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.900 sing it. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.180 Because of 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.620 Jesus, 00:26:11.580 --> 00:26:12.140 unity among 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:13.920 brothers is a 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.340 real, 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.939 present 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.899 blessing 00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:19.259 through which 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.919 we can 00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:20.740 experience, 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:21.799 enjoy, 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:23.519 and display 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.279 the knowledge 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.259 of Jesus 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.779 Christ. 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:27.500 Unity among 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.319 brothers is 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.659 a real present 00:26:29.659 --> 00:26:30.459 blessing through 00:26:30.459 --> 00:26:31.679 which we 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.539 experience, 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.099 enjoy, 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.959 and display 00:26:33.959 --> 00:26:34.579 the knowledge 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.119 of Christ. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.319 So the 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:38.919 person you 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:39.539 feel most 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.279 different from 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.699 at church, 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.539 you are one 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.199 with them. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.059 Because Jesus' 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.720 prayer has been 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.019 answered. 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.740 Because the 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.119 Spirit has 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.419 been poured 00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:50.779 out on us. 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.659 So I have 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.179 brothers and 00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:53.899 sisters who 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.379 are decades 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:55.159 older and 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.819 decades younger, 00:26:56.919 --> 00:26:57.359 who have 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.919 lighter skin 00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:58.319 or darker 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.759 skin than 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.039 me, 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.000 Tory, 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.500 Labour, 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.480 Lib Dem, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.240 UKIP, 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:05.099 Brexiteers, 00:27:05.199 --> 00:27:05.779 Remainers, 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.279 Baptists and 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.039 Pentecostals, 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.220 people who 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.559 are richer, 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.099 poorer than 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.399 me, 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.559 because we 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.139 all have the 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.759 same baptism. 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.000 We all 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.179 eat bread 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.579 and drink 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:17.919 wine. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.399 We are 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:19.839 all the 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.139 body. 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:21.859 We all 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:22.259 have the 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.959 same High 00:27:22.959 --> 00:27:23.379 Priest, 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:24.619 Jesus. 00:27:25.959 --> 00:27:26.519 And how 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:26.959 good it 00:27:26.959 --> 00:27:27.339 is, 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.399 how pleasant 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:29.959 it is, 00:27:30.959 --> 00:27:31.679 when brothers 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:33.220 dwell together 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:33.879 in unity. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.539 It is like 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.019 the precious 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.559 oil on the 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:35.839 head, 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:37.259 running down 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.459 on the 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.379 beard of 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.619 Aaron, 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.359 running down 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:39.639 on the 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.179 collar of 00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:40.919 his robes. 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.380 it is 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:42.700 like the 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:42.860 jewel 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.019 of 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.340 Hermon 00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:43.960 which falls 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.259 on the 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.560 mountains 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:44.820 of 00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:45.120 Zion, 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.100 for there 00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:46.340 the 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:46.600 Lord 00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:46.800 has 00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:47.180 commanded 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.400 the 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:47.820 blessing, 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.100 life 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:50.300 forevermore. 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.420 So if that's 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:53.880 what it means, 00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.500 let's think about 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.080 the adaptations 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:55.900 I mentioned. 00:27:57.080 --> 00:27:57.500 We need to 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.360 experience the 00:27:58.360 --> 00:27:58.840 knowledge of 00:27:58.840 --> 00:28:00.019 Christ in 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.720 this unity. 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.160 Let's 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.779 pursue 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.039 love, 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:05.500 love one 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:05.880 another. 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.920 that is 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.860 Jesus' 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:08.940 great new 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.640 commandment. 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.740 Do all 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.040 that you 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:12.600 can to 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.120 ensure that 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:13.800 if fellowship 00:28:13.800 --> 00:28:14.440 is broken, 00:28:15.520 --> 00:28:16.280 it's only 00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.960 because the 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.420 other has 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.960 walked away 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.300 from the 00:28:18.300 --> 00:28:18.540 Lord. 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:20.380 Do all 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:20.760 you can. 00:28:21.520 --> 00:28:22.160 You may 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.720 not be able 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.280 to restore 00:28:23.280 --> 00:28:24.280 each broken 00:28:24.280 --> 00:28:24.780 fellowship. 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.280 There are 00:28:26.280 --> 00:28:26.720 people I 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.180 know who are 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.520 my brothers 00:28:27.520 --> 00:28:27.980 and sisters 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.600 in Christ, 00:28:29.560 --> 00:28:29.980 who if I 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.220 were to 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:30.780 contact them, 00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:31.120 I know 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:31.500 they wouldn't 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:31.960 respond. 00:28:33.260 --> 00:28:33.680 That's why 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.140 it's told 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.900 later in 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.320 the Bible, 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.139 do all 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:36.679 you can 00:28:36.679 --> 00:28:37.279 to live 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.679 at peace 00:28:37.679 --> 00:28:38.439 with others. 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.399 So do 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:41.859 all that 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.339 you can 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.720 to ensure 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.099 that if 00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.339 it's 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.599 broken, 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:43.980 it's only 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.460 because they 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:46.659 walked away. 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.480 So to 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.099 experience the 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.639 knowledge of 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.259 Christ in 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.700 this unity, 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.899 enjoy Christ 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:54.200 himself in 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:54.799 this unity. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.279 Remember, 00:28:56.439 --> 00:28:57.039 each time you 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.639 come together, 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.859 who it is 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.299 who brings 00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.819 you together. 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.619 We don't 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.179 come alone, 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.099 we don't 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:03.559 come because 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.220 we decided 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.679 it's a good 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:05.099 idea to 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.539 come here. 00:29:06.219 --> 00:29:06.759 We come 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.500 because Jesus 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.199 called us. 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.219 And finally, 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.480 display Christ 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:12.980 in this unity. 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.799 It's our 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:18.359 love for 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.859 one another, 00:29:20.219 --> 00:29:21.439 that it's 00:29:21.439 --> 00:29:21.859 through our 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.619 love for 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:22.939 one another, 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.379 that the 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:23.879 world will 00:29:23.879 --> 00:29:24.919 see that 00:29:24.919 --> 00:29:25.599 we belong 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.379 to someone 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:26.759 special. 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:27.919 We belong 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.459 to Jesus. 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.480 It's become 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.219 painfully clear, 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.599 hasn't it, 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.059 this week, 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:33.000 that we 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.439 live in a 00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:33.819 world, 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.879 and especially 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.439 a society 00:29:35.439 --> 00:29:35.939 here, 00:29:36.719 --> 00:29:37.319 that is very 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:37.759 divided. 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:38.879 It probably 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.419 didn't become 00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:40.039 divided this 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.279 week, 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.779 it was probably 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.500 already pretty 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.899 divided, 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.219 but this week 00:29:43.219 --> 00:29:43.679 we just know 00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:43.879 it. 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.039 As I mentioned 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.359 before, 00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:46.980 I'm living in 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.359 America, 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.419 and see all 00:29:48.419 --> 00:29:49.099 kinds of 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.459 horrible 00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:50.219 divisions over 00:29:50.219 --> 00:29:50.759 politics. 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.799 Then I came 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.579 here and saw 00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.359 divisions over 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.000 different political 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.480 questions, 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.039 and I go to 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.399 France, 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.860 and I see 00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:57.100 all kinds 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:58.380 of protests, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.600 and people 00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.040 breaking the 00:30:00.040 --> 00:30:00.600 windows even 00:30:00.600 --> 00:30:00.860 at the 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:01.240 children's 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.600 hospital, 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.060 because it 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.420 happened to 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:02.720 be on the 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.120 streets. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.440 We live 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.019 actually in a 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.660 very divided 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.200 society. 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:06.820 We think the 00:30:06.820 --> 00:30:07.320 church is 00:30:07.320 --> 00:30:07.700 divided. 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.300 Have a look 00:30:09.300 --> 00:30:09.840 at the world 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.120 and how 00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:10.660 divided the 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.340 world is. 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:13.740 So what an 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.680 amazing opportunity 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:16.900 we have to 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.680 show the world 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.519 something different. 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.320 We have an 00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:22.019 opportunity to 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.500 show the 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.900 world the 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.660 glory of 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.420 Jesus Christ. 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.160 We have an 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:28.779 opportunity to 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.400 show that, 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.600 yes, this 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.380 other person 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:32.560 voted very 00:30:32.560 --> 00:30:33.220 differently from 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.779 me this week 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.519 and disagrees 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:36.040 with me vehemently 00:30:36.040 --> 00:30:37.259 on the reasons 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.840 for why we 00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:38.580 vote one way 00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:39.140 or the other, 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.560 but he's my 00:30:40.560 --> 00:30:41.180 brother in Christ 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.820 and I love him, 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.980 and that's more 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.380 important. 00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:46.259 Maybe you're not 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:46.860 a Christian believer 00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:47.440 here tonight, 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.140 and you realise 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:50.860 that you're seeing 00:30:50.860 --> 00:30:51.380 just that. 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.259 I hope you are 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.560 seeing just that. 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.600 I hope you're 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.480 seeing just how 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.240 good and pleasant 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.779 it is for 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.600 brothers to live 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:01.060 together in 00:31:01.060 --> 00:31:02.080 unity under the 00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:02.880 rule of Jesus. 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.500 For this is where 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.259 God has commanded 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.900 the blessing of 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.680 eternal life. 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:09.980 And if you want 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.480 that blessing, 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.240 all you have to 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:13.000 do is turn 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:14.380 around, stop 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.259 walking away from 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.380 him, which is 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:17.019 what you're doing, 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.880 and trust him. 00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:21.500 Tell him you want 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:21.680 it. 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:22.700 Tell him you want 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.660 him. 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.400 And as we do 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.240 this, as we 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.620 experience and 00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.360 enjoy and 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.120 display the 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:30.559 knowledge of 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.620 Christ together 00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:34.600 as one, we 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.340 can enjoy the 00:31:35.340 --> 00:31:36.720 certain hope 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.460 that we have 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.860 of that day 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.539 when we will 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:41.200 be, and we 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.039 will fully know 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.440 the blessing of 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.460 unity and life 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.799 forevermore, 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.620 and the full 00:31:46.620 --> 00:31:47.720 enjoying of God 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:49.380 to all eternity, 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.220 we'll know that 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.880 that day is 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:52.640 just one day 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:54.259 closer for us 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.819 pilgrims on the 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:57.279 Ascent to Zion. 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.319 Let's pray 00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.620 together.