WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.759 Father, we confess before you that we often think we understand and hear your word, but we actually aren't hearing your word. 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:19.699 That we are projecting, Father, onto your word our fears, our vanity, our demands. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:25.560 Father, that we project these things onto your word, and so we do not hear your word. 00:00:25.559 --> 00:00:43.939 Father, we ask that you would gently but deeply pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we might listen to your word, that your word might enter deep into our lives, and that as your word enters deep into our lives, we will bear much fruit that brings you glory. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:46.539 And this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:47.239 --> 00:00:47.899 Please be seated. 00:00:49.320 --> 00:00:51.759 You folks know about the taping as well? Is that starting? 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:52.500 Perfect. 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:52.619 Perfect. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:56.600 A few things are going to be disorganized today. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:06.060 In fact, when it comes time to do communion in a couple of minutes, well, more than a couple of minutes, there's usually a woman here who makes sure that all the right people are here. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:08.079 I didn't know if the reader was going to get up. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:09.740 I don't know if the intercessor is going to come. 00:01:09.799 --> 00:01:11.740 I don't know if there's going to be enough people to help with communion. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:16.200 And on top of that, the person who always does the audiovisual, they're away. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:23.320 So if things are a little bit more chaotic than usual, then you can just tell your friends to come to a place that does not believe in organized religion. 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:30.100 And it'll make our church more attractive, I suppose, to people. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:37.780 So we're taking a couple of weeks' break from the Book of Romans, which is what we're going through. 00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:41.199 And I'm preaching on Psalm 1 today. 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:42.819 Now, here's the thing about Psalm 1. 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:47.560 I hope I haven't put you all to sleep by saying something like that right off the top. 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:49.239 And I didn't do something here. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:49.979 Now I have. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:50.780 Okay. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:55.799 But I don't know if you remember when Laurie just read Psalm 1 just a couple of moments ago. 00:01:56.019 --> 00:01:58.460 And if you have Bibles, we're going to be looking at Psalm 1. 00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:03.040 But a lot of us hear Psalm 1. 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:05.200 Well, here's the thing. 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:07.340 I don't know how many of you here struggle with addictions. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:13.939 I don't know how many of you struggle with alcoholism or maybe some type of sexual addiction or some other type of addiction. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:27.639 But those of you who don't suffer from something like alcoholism or an addiction, you really don't understand the inner life of people who do struggle with those things. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:42.340 Because often in the inner life of those who struggle with addictions, alcohol being one, it could be sex, a whole different range of sort of compulsive types of behaviors that people return to time and time and time again. 00:02:42.340 --> 00:03:02.520 And for those who often are either struggling with them or succumbing to them or at least profoundly drawn to them and you have to fight against it, even if you're not engaging in the behavior, there's a very, very particular way that an addict understands themselves and talks to themselves. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:10.460 And one of the things in the inner life of an addict is their belief that they're doomed. 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:17.840 And they believe, we believe, that we will be a failure. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:25.200 That even though things can be going very, very well right now, that's not what is real. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:27.980 What is real is that things will fail. 00:03:28.700 --> 00:03:38.980 In fact, often as well what goes on in the inner life of a person who struggles with addictions is the belief that there's just basically something bad and wrong about them. 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:48.099 And that, in fact, at some point in time, it will be revealed to people that they're a failure. 00:03:48.099 --> 00:03:57.759 And that, in fact, as people get closer to us, rather than this being something to look forward to, it's actually something to worry about. 00:03:57.979 --> 00:04:04.019 Because as people get closer to us, they'll realize that there's something failed and wrong about us. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:10.520 And that's the inner life, a key part of the inner life of somebody who struggles with addictions. 00:04:11.660 --> 00:04:13.460 And it means that when they hear... 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:20.879 Now, all of us, of course, have times that we think that we're afraid of failure or that there's just something wrong with us. 00:04:20.960 --> 00:04:24.019 But there's a profound difference between those who just... 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:28.879 It's a bit of a momentary thing or a short season in your life that you believe those things. 00:04:29.359 --> 00:04:32.959 Whereas those of us who struggle with addictions, it's a far deeper thing. 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:35.279 It's like almost always going on there. 00:04:35.779 --> 00:04:41.019 In fact, what often drives the person towards addictive behaviors is an attempt... 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:47.039 A belief that a particular thing, it's alcohol, drugs, or sex, you know, maybe sex with women or sex with men, 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:54.420 that will, if you can actually have that, it numbs things long enough for you to sort of function. 00:04:56.040 --> 00:05:01.160 And so for people who struggle with addictions and that type of behavior, 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:09.340 when they hear a psalm like Psalm 1, you know, about the chaff that the wind drives away 00:05:09.340 --> 00:05:12.640 and the righteous not stand, you know, the wicked not stand in the day of judgment, 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:16.979 for those of us, even though we might be Christians, 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:21.159 we hear this psalm and say, 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:23.500 I'm the chaff. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:25.919 I'm the chaff. 00:05:26.860 --> 00:05:28.860 And we might try to pump ourselves up to say, 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:33.519 no, I'm not chaff, I'm not chaff, I'm a tree of life, I'm a tree of life, I'm a tree of life, I'm a tree of life, I'm a tree. 00:05:33.599 --> 00:05:38.199 But inwardly, we're saying all those things, but inwardly, chaff, chaff, chaff. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:41.620 Not stand, not stand, not stand. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:48.699 And for those who don't struggle with those types of addictive behaviors and stuff like that, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:53.219 when we read the psalms, in fact, it can be very easy to think, 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:56.860 yeah, I'm going to stand in the day of judgment, I'll stand with the assembly of the righteous, 00:05:57.439 --> 00:05:58.419 I'm a tree of life. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:01.599 I mean, there might be times you sort of don't feel that way, 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:04.800 but it's just, it's far easier to believe those types of things. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:08.199 Those of us who struggle with believing that we're chaff, 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:10.639 we wish that we could believe it, but it's sort of hard, 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:13.360 it's not in our bones, it's not sort of somehow in our DNA. 00:06:13.539 --> 00:06:15.979 It got robbed from us at some point in time in our life, 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:19.219 and then our subsequent actions have made it even worse. 00:06:20.659 --> 00:06:24.219 And so it's very easy, then, for a room like this, 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:26.979 even a room where probably the majority of us are Christians, 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:28.839 to hear a psalm like Psalm 1, 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:31.779 and in a sense to hear the common words, 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:36.719 but to experience the words in a radically different way. 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:40.280 I'm going to read the psalm again, just sort of now that you've been mindful of it, 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:44.020 that it might be very much the case that the person you sit beside, 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:45.740 or the person who's sitting across from you, 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:48.780 is going to have a very different experience of this psalm, 00:06:48.840 --> 00:06:50.720 as I read it again, or as you read along with me. 00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:51.440 It's Psalm 1. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:56.180 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 00:06:56.620 --> 00:07:00.439 nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.860 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:05.680 and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:09.139 He is like a tree planted by streams of water 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:11.040 that yields its fruit in its season, 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:13.040 and its leaf does not wither. 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:15.540 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:07:16.159 --> 00:07:17.600 The wicked are not so, 00:07:18.159 --> 00:07:20.920 but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:24.860 Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:27.240 nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:29.800 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, 00:07:30.339 --> 00:07:33.800 but the way of the wicked will perish. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:39.839 Now, it's interesting, not only to some of us, 00:07:40.159 --> 00:07:42.379 those of us who struggle with addictions, 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:44.480 just it's very easy for us to believe that, 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:45.240 you know, at the end of the day, 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:47.259 I know and I believe that I'm going to go to heaven, 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:48.899 and I'm thankful for it, 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:50.579 but in our lived experience, 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:52.359 we just believe that we will perish, 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:53.300 that we are chaffed, 00:07:53.339 --> 00:07:54.879 that we are the wind that will be driven away, 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:55.419 that we will be, 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:56.459 that that's just, 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.519 it's a very, 00:07:58.459 --> 00:07:59.259 and in fact, actually, 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:01.300 those of us who are Christian addicts 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:02.500 might actually think that 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:05.000 these addictive types of thoughts 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:07.240 are a sign of humility, 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:09.719 and our knowledge of our sinfulness. 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:12.519 It can play in very, very deeply 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.659 in Pentecostal, or Presbyterian, 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:15.360 or Baptist, 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:18.060 Methodist types of circles. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:21.120 But our self-attacking 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:24.000 is not actually coming from the Bible, 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:27.319 it's coming from this type of addictive lens 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:29.400 by which we understand and see the world. 00:08:30.580 --> 00:08:32.539 Now, I'm not saying that religious people 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:35.159 and spiritual people are all addicts, 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:36.940 but it's also very interesting 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:38.800 that from a religious perspective 00:08:38.800 --> 00:08:41.460 and a spiritual perspective, 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.600 we'll hear this psalm 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:45.820 in a very, very different type of way. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.019 Like, we'll hear this psalm as if, 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:48.700 well, this is just, 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:49.879 this is very, very good. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:51.280 God has given his laws. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:54.040 And wise people 00:08:54.040 --> 00:08:56.100 who are going to succeed in life, 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:58.460 they learn the laws of God, 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:00.400 and they do the laws of God, 00:09:00.400 --> 00:09:01.740 and they don't spend time 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:03.660 hanging around with people who are bad 00:09:03.660 --> 00:09:05.540 and going to give them bad advice. 00:09:06.060 --> 00:09:07.259 And you stay away from people 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.280 who give you bad advice 00:09:08.280 --> 00:09:09.519 who are going to get you into trouble, 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.860 and you follow God's laws, 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:11.980 and you will succeed. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:15.139 And, in fact, 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:16.980 you know, that might take the form of, 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:19.360 you know, maybe very, very formal churches 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.120 or traditional type churches 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.759 which really emphasize the law 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:24.899 and the thou shalt's and thou shalt not's. 00:09:25.300 --> 00:09:26.860 Or maybe it's a more modern 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.180 or postmodern church 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:30.820 where what they talk about more 00:09:30.820 --> 00:09:32.399 are, you know, the ten laws 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.159 about how to have successful children 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:36.519 or the five laws for successful marriages 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:39.940 or how to have favor with your boss. 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:41.920 And there's a whole pile of how-to things. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.980 But it's easy for us to hear this psalm 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:45.300 and think, 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:47.100 oh yeah, this psalm is really, really wise. 00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:48.200 It's just reminding us 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:49.320 that there's these rules 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:50.640 or techniques 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:52.780 or advice that we need to follow. 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:55.340 And if we follow these advice 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:56.680 and these steps, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:58.160 then we're going to be successful. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.980 And we're going to go to heaven. 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:02.879 And we just stay away from bad people. 00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:05.500 And bad people ignore what's going on with God 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:07.000 and ignore these rules 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:07.919 or these principles 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:08.839 or this advice. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.240 And they're going to go to the bad place. 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:13.100 And interestingly enough, 00:10:13.179 --> 00:10:13.839 not only then, 00:10:13.959 --> 00:10:15.980 from a very religious perspective, 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:16.919 can we read this psalm 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:17.939 and think we agree with it, 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:20.219 but with very little changes in it, 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:22.360 a devout Muslim could like this psalm. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:24.879 Now, the devout Muslim 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.539 will understand 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:26.779 that there's different things to do 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:27.539 than a Christian 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:28.680 will think there is to do. 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.759 If you come from a very, 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:30.300 you know, 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.500 Christian thing, 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:33.740 you might be thinking of, 00:10:33.800 --> 00:10:34.500 you might be thinking of 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:35.320 the Ten Commandments. 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:37.360 If it's a very old-fashioned type of church 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:39.279 or in a new church, 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.860 it might be the Beatitudes. 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:42.120 How to be. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:43.620 But in a Muslim, 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:45.279 it might be that you make your trip to Mecca, 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.720 that you fast during Ramadan, 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:48.080 that you give to the poor, 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:49.620 you do the normal things. 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:50.519 And if, in fact, 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:51.820 actually in traditional Buddhism 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.520 or Hinduism, 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:53.520 you could read Psalm 1 00:10:53.520 --> 00:10:54.460 and you would also think 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:55.940 that this actually is just talking about 00:10:55.940 --> 00:10:56.980 the fact that you're either 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:58.760 going to go towards reincarnation 00:10:58.760 --> 00:11:00.660 or you're going to finally achieve nirvana 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:03.120 and you just do the, 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:03.340 you know, 00:11:03.420 --> 00:11:04.480 you do the alms, 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.460 you do the sacrifices, 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:06.500 you do the meditation, 00:11:06.760 --> 00:11:07.420 you do the yoga, 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.860 you do these different techniques 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:10.640 and you follow these techniques 00:11:10.640 --> 00:11:11.700 that come from God 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:12.600 somehow or another 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.100 and good things will happen 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.020 and you don't do them 00:11:15.020 --> 00:11:16.020 and bad things will happen. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:16.840 And in fact, 00:11:16.880 --> 00:11:17.960 it's very, very interesting 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:19.680 that religious people 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:21.080 and even spiritual people 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.000 where the rules might be 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.820 very, very different 00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:23.860 for spiritual people 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:24.960 because spiritual people 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.639 have sort of made up 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:26.460 their own principles 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:27.940 or discovered their own principles 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:29.300 and mixed and matched 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.100 and it might be that 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:31.540 for spiritual people 00:11:31.540 --> 00:11:32.040 that I don't know, 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.860 you vote green 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:34.139 or you vote NDP at least 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.680 but you definitely 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.720 don't vote for Harper 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.820 and you know, 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:37.940 you do some yoga 00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:39.080 and you do a bit of this 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:39.639 and you know, 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.139 and a whole range 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:41.879 of types of things. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:42.840 You show some kindness 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:43.500 and generosity, 00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:44.960 you pay it forward, 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:45.440 et cetera. 00:11:45.780 --> 00:11:46.780 But at the end of the day, 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:47.699 whether it's spiritual 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:48.279 or religious, 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.519 whether it's a Christian form 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.519 or a Muslim form 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.860 or a Hindu or Buddhist form, 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:52.919 we can all end up 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.699 reading this psalm 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:55.139 and actually agreeing with it. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.319 And once you think about that, 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.299 you think to yourself, 00:11:58.699 --> 00:11:59.539 one moment, 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:00.959 there's something wrong here. 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.360 There's something wrong here 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.919 with this. 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.860 And there's two different 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.939 types of wrongness. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:12.659 It's the religious, 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:14.179 spiritual way of reading it 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:16.959 and there's the addict 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:18.299 and non-addict way 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:18.819 of reading it 00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:19.839 which sort of gets mixed 00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:21.279 into that other type of thing 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:22.959 but it still just sort of doesn't, 00:12:23.739 --> 00:12:24.799 that really can't be 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:25.419 what's going on 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.059 with the Bible 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:27.439 and we don't really realize it 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:28.439 because it's just so easy 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:29.879 for us maybe in our circle 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:31.039 and that we know 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.500 that it's, 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:31.859 I don't know, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.739 using the prayer book 00:12:32.739 --> 00:12:34.179 or singing praise music 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:35.079 or having a choir 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:35.719 or whatever it is 00:12:35.719 --> 00:12:36.239 and we just think 00:12:36.239 --> 00:12:37.399 we know what the different rules 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.120 and the processes 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.019 and steps are 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.500 but you take a step back 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:40.979 and all of a sudden 00:12:40.979 --> 00:12:41.319 you say, 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.079 I don't know 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:43.099 if this can actually be 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:45.060 really what the Bible 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:46.460 is all about. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:48.600 Now some of you 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.180 might be wondering 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:49.700 why on earth 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.659 did I come to this church 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.399 where George is just 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:51.740 going to say 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:53.399 all these really boring 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.440 and depressing things 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.360 and it makes it sound 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.600 as if we can't read the Bible. 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.820 Doesn't George believe the Bible? 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:02.080 I believe that the Bible 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:03.080 is God's word written. 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.759 I believe that 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.540 every word in the Bible 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:07.120 is the word 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.480 that God wanted to have there 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:10.060 and I believe that 00:13:10.060 --> 00:13:11.279 because I believe 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.220 and trust Jesus 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.800 and that's what Jesus taught 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:15.180 and it's what the Bible 00:13:15.180 --> 00:13:16.320 teaches about itself. 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.080 And 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:20.660 but just 00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:21.480 just because 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.220 in fact actually 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.040 if we believe 00:13:23.040 --> 00:13:23.779 that ultimately 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:24.340 the Bible 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:25.460 is God's word written 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:28.200 then we have to be careful 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.620 about 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:33.060 replacing God's words 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.960 with our words 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:36.560 unwittingly 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.659 and not actually 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:39.219 trying to hear 00:13:39.219 --> 00:13:40.419 what God is saying 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:42.279 but assuming 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.039 that from our 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:44.239 addictive perspective 00:13:44.239 --> 00:13:45.599 or religious perspective 00:13:45.599 --> 00:13:46.959 or spiritual perspective 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:47.959 that we understand 00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:48.539 what he's saying 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.359 but we don't actually 00:13:49.359 --> 00:13:50.359 spend time 00:13:50.359 --> 00:13:50.939 trying to actually 00:13:50.939 --> 00:13:51.839 listen to it. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.859 And here's the thing 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:55.519 I believe that 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.799 in the heart of this text 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:57.939 not only 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:58.839 what I've just done 00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.979 can show that it's possible 00:13:59.979 --> 00:14:00.619 to misread it 00:14:00.619 --> 00:14:01.599 but the very very heart 00:14:01.599 --> 00:14:02.219 of this text 00:14:02.219 --> 00:14:02.939 there's a riddle 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:05.100 and that if we read 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:06.320 the text carefully 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.880 we realize 00:14:07.880 --> 00:14:08.840 that there's a riddle 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.000 in the very heart 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.700 of the text 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.640 a riddle 00:14:11.640 --> 00:14:13.060 which in fact 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:13.960 is 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.360 very very 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:15.880 very 00:14:15.880 --> 00:14:16.940 revelatory. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.020 So let's read it again 00:14:19.020 --> 00:14:20.280 follow along with me 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:20.560 and 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.640 now that I've said 00:14:21.640 --> 00:14:22.460 that there's a riddle 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.220 in the text 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.880 just try to hear 00:14:24.880 --> 00:14:25.740 if you can sort of 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.960 have a bit of a sense 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:28.160 about where this riddle 00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:28.940 is in the heart 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.440 of the text 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.080 a riddle 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.380 that goes 00:14:31.380 --> 00:14:31.960 you see the thing 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.640 about the Bible 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.139 is the Bible 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:34.980 is not cynical 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.000 but 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.840 and the Bible 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.439 is not hip 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:40.240 and the Bible 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.139 is not just 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.379 a whole pile 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.399 of series of rules 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:44.059 and techniques 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.980 that we can just use 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.039 for our own advantage 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.399 but the Bible 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.340 isn't cynical 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.919 but the Bible 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.080 is God's word 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.139 addressed to our 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.319 human heart 00:14:53.319 --> 00:14:54.600 like it 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:56.039 addresses our heart 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.939 the center 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:57.939 of who we are 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:59.019 and how we understand 00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.500 things 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.580 and how we make decisions 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:01.500 the center of our 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.179 allegiances 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.459 and the Bible 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.859 always confronts 00:15:04.859 --> 00:15:05.559 our heart 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.779 in the context 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.659 of the reality 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.539 of the fact 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.659 that there is a God 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:10.959 who's created all things 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:12.179 that's how the Bible 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.059 speaks to us 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.679 so 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.919 listen 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:16.419 try to listen 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.239 the second time 00:15:17.239 --> 00:15:18.179 as we read the psalm 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:19.620 and see if you can notice 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.219 the riddle 00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:21.779 in the psalm 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.699 blessed is the man 00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:25.559 who walks not in the counsel 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.100 of the wicked 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:27.600 nor stands in the way 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.120 of sinners 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:29.259 nor sits in the seat 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.980 of scoffers 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:31.500 but his delight 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.199 is in the law 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:32.839 of the Lord 00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.959 and on his law 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:35.279 he meditates day and night 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.799 he is like a tree 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.919 planted by streams 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.419 of water 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.500 that yields its fruit 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.199 in its season 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:41.259 and its leaf 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.059 does not wither 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.600 in all that he does 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.779 he prospers 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:46.639 the wicked are not so 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.199 but are like chaff 00:15:48.199 --> 00:15:49.399 that the wind drives away 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.980 therefore the wicked 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.799 will not stand 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.439 in the judgment 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:53.439 nor sinners 00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:54.159 in the congregation 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:54.939 of the righteous 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:56.459 for the Lord knows 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:57.480 the way of the righteous 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.860 but the way of the wicked 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.579 will perish 00:15:59.579 --> 00:16:01.639 and we're not going 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.000 to be able to have 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.740 I have points 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.899 but just due to some 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.980 of our technical problems 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.559 we're not going to be able 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.600 to be up on the screen 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.919 those of you 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.539 who are interested 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.740 and can't write them down 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:11.039 they'll be on online 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.459 on Monday or whatever 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.639 but here's 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.819 here's the first thing 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:15.720 Psalm 1 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.399 contains 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.740 a revealing riddle 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.799 how can chaff 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:21.060 become a tree 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:22.259 planted by streams 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:22.840 of water 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:26.320 Psalm 1 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:26.919 contains 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:28.279 a revealing riddle 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:30.519 how can chaff 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:32.580 become a tree 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:33.720 planted by streams 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.220 of water 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.259 in other words 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.139 how do verse 3 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.019 and 4 work 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:38.299 how is it 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:38.940 that you can be 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:39.580 in verse 3 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.440 he is like a tree 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:41.419 planted by streams 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:41.879 of water 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.759 that yields its fruit 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.360 in its season 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.879 and its leaf 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.539 does not wither 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.200 in all that he does 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:45.860 he prospers 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.840 the wicked are not so 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.800 but are like chaff 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:49.340 that the wind drives away 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.700 and many of us 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.300 probably don't have 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:52.160 much of an experience 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:52.899 of chaff 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.440 hopefully you all 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.139 have experience 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.860 with onions 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.620 and so if you've ever 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.759 bought a bag of onions 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.160 a 3 or 5 or 10 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:01.160 or 20 pound bag 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:01.680 of onions 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.820 and just think 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:04.059 of those onion skins 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.000 that when you pick up 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.420 the bag 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.059 there's all these 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.860 little flaky 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:08.160 skin type things 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.640 of onion 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.539 that's chaff 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.019 okay 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.620 so how is it 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.279 that a tree 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:14.200 and an onion skin 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.259 like how is it 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.160 that onion skin 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:18.360 can become chaff 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:20.220 I mean 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.740 how can an onion skin 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.480 become a tree 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.779 like how on earth 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.539 can that be 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:28.160 like how can that be 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:30.539 you see 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:32.700 religion 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.160 our temperament 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.319 will just sort of 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.759 make us read this text 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.740 thinking well that George 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.019 all the text is just saying 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.340 is that 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.180 you know 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.120 some people are just 00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:41.860 born doomed 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:43.220 they're just born to perish 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.640 George 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:44.140 they're just 00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:45.460 they're not the elect 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.940 they're just born to 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.420 you know 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.980 some forms of Islam 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.940 understands that 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.980 your destiny is written 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.900 on you in the womb 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.759 and in some ways 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:54.759 it doesn't even really matter 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.559 whether you do 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.400 anything at all 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:56.920 any of the things 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.420 in the Quran 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.220 you're going to go to heaven 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.380 some people are going to go to hell 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.360 that's just the way it is 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:02.059 and in religion 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.740 and spirituality 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.799 there's in a sense 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.200 a type of proud assertion 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.720 that of course 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.700 by our way 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.559 by our church 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.660 if you're part of our church 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.660 and you follow our way 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.720 and you follow our rules 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.519 then you will be a tree of life 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.839 because you're part of us 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.480 and we are tree of life people 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:17.339 and if you don't do those things 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:19.000 you're on the outside 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.940 but surely 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.480 I mean 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:23.119 this Psalm 1 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:24.700 is recognized by Jewish people 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.539 and by Christians 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.960 right back from the early days 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.680 of the Christian faith 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:27.980 to today 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.440 as the entrance into the Psalter 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.019 is God just trying 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.480 to write something 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.500 so that at the end of the day 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.139 we read this 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:34.440 and we say 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:34.740 you know what 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.180 I'm reading this 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.940 I think I'm chaff 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.799 I guess I should stop 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.519 reading the book 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:39.119 like isn't 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.160 obviously 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.859 if this is the entrance way 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.740 into the Psalter 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.279 isn't it 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:45.200 isn't there some type 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.059 of encouragement 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:47.599 to be a type of tree of life 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.639 but how on earth 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.720 can chaff 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.900 how on earth 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:52.180 can an onion skin 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:55.259 how can an onion skin 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.519 become tree of life 00:18:56.519 --> 00:19:02.220 that just doesn't make any sense 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.279 and so 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:06.759 I think 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.460 what this Psalm 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.100 wants to do 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:09.779 when you sort of 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.539 are gripped 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.779 gripped with this 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:14.380 and the fact of the matter is 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.420 is that unless you're 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.420 unbelievably 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.680 self-centered 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.339 we all know 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.120 that there's times 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.720 in our life 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.880 that we are like chaff 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:23.000 even the most 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.839 unbelievably 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.279 constantly positive 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.940 person 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.079 has times 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.740 that they're down 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:30.440 so at some point 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:30.700 in time 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.620 it has to hit them 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:33.519 now I have to remember 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.139 I do this from your point of view 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:36.500 okay your point of view 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.379 so I think for Christians 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:40.059 for people 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:41.159 in David's day 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:41.819 or whoever 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.859 wrote the Psalm 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.599 it wasn't David 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:45.819 and they didn't know 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.339 anything at all 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.159 about the cross 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:48.139 or anything like that 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.619 I think the only 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.199 response 00:19:50.199 --> 00:19:52.319 that they could have 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.279 with reading this 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:54.099 that would have to 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:54.799 set them up 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.619 for the rest of the 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.919 of the Psalter 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.919 is a 00:19:57.919 --> 00:19:58.299 is a 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.599 profound sense 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.139 that God 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:01.259 has to do something 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.339 otherwise they have 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:02.940 no hope 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:04.359 in fact 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:06.079 my second point 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.500 would be that 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.200 only God 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.200 by his grace 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.839 can turn chaff 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.119 into a tree 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.200 planted by streams 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.720 of water 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.940 only God 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:16.460 by his grace 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.619 can turn 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.400 chaff 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.940 into a tree 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.400 planted by streams 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:21.900 of water 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.619 and so if you 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.240 were a believing 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.720 Jew 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.759 and you were 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.779 reading this text 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:28.160 and you come 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.960 to Psalm 1 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.200 and it one day 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.180 strikes you 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:32.460 that how can 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.279 chaff become 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.779 a tree 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:36.400 it will make 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:36.960 you realize 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.660 that all the way 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.460 through the Psalter 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:38.860 as you're reading 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.680 the other Psalms 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.259 even as you're 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.900 praying them 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.960 that God 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.620 wants you 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:43.160 to come 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.980 to this view 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.579 that it's not 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.240 a matter about 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.019 you justifying 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.559 yourself 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.079 it's not a matter 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.559 about me 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.460 making myself 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:50.880 righteous 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.640 or declaring 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.079 that I'm 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.539 righteous 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.500 or forcing 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.039 people to 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.519 understand 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.059 that I'm 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.600 righteous 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:56.559 or forcing 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.039 people to 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.480 understand 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:57.880 that I'm 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:58.480 justified 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.059 or that I 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:00.480 can just 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.259 that I can 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.539 somehow 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.059 by my 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.799 willpower 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.299 by my 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.660 religious 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.240 acts 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.299 or by my 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.940 prayer life 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.279 or my 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.960 praise songs 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.539 or something 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:07.980 or other 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.099 try to force 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.700 myself 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.440 or force 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:10.839 others 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.700 into recognizing 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.279 me as 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:14.039 not chaff 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.920 never chaff 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.180 never perishing 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.980 always tree 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.440 of life 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:17.920 always 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.460 always 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.920 always 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.940 that if we 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.660 can't do 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.200 that I 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.799 read the 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.220 Psalter 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.720 saying 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:24.259 only God 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:27.339 only God 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.399 can deal 00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:29.019 with this 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:31.339 that in 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.079 fact the 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.639 opening 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.619 Psalm 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:36.819 if we 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.699 actually try 00:21:37.699 --> 00:21:38.220 to read 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.859 it and 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.359 aren't just 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:39.740 reading it 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.039 from an 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.419 addictive 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.299 or non-addictive 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.859 personality 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.519 or religious 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.799 where those 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.179 who just 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:44.919 like people 00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.359 who just 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:45.939 give up on 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:46.259 religion 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.720 altogether 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.099 or any 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.539 type of 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:47.799 rules 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.119 or any 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.519 type of 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:48.899 following 00:21:48.899 --> 00:21:49.299 God 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.559 or any 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.000 just give 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.279 up and 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.439 all 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:50.720 it's just 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:50.959 all a 00:21:50.959 --> 00:21:51.059 whole 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.299 pile 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:51.459 of 00:21:51.459 --> 00:21:51.819 crap 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:53.000 you know 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.399 religious 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:53.759 people 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.279 and spiritual 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.659 people 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:54.859 they're 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.399 just people 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:55.919 who think 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.380 that their 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.000 poop smells 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.480 better than 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.440 other people's 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:58.980 in fact it 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.300 doesn't even 00:21:59.300 --> 00:21:59.960 smell at all 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.500 smells like 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:00.920 roses 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.160 but they're 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.720 just diluting 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.160 themselves 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.860 because their 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.279 poop just 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.039 smells as bad 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.440 as everybody 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.279 else's poop 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.259 they're just 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.640 diluted 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.120 we're just 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.700 being realistic 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.259 and honest 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.680 we just 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.240 sleep in 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.660 and then we 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.140 just go to 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.560 a bar 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:12.000 and then we 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.700 watch football 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.140 or we do 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:13.539 whatever we 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.039 feel like 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.700 and life is 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.140 just a lot 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:15.660 better if you 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:15.880 just 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:18.420 that this 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.220 Psalm is 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.920 saying that 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.600 all of that 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:21.080 type of 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.740 dividing the 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.279 world into 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.620 this 00:22:22.620 --> 00:22:23.539 it's going 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:23.840 to have 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:25.000 only God 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:26.460 only God 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.819 if he is 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.140 real 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.700 only God 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.359 can change 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.299 chaff into 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:31.799 a tree of 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.119 life 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.440 and only God 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.180 can stop me 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:34.920 from perishing 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:36.660 and only God 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.380 can put me in 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.079 the assembly of 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.500 the righteous 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:40.299 and only God 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:41.059 can cause me 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.640 to flourish 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.839 only God 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:44.039 we start to 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.319 read the 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.579 Psalm 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.480 in a new 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:45.779 light 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:47.920 and 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.720 but for 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.119 those of 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.460 us 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.059 you know 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.859 who are 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.599 now reading 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.259 this Psalm 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.599 on this 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:53.940 side 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.220 of the 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.680 cross 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.019 the cross 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.400 is now 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:56.779 for us 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.019 in the 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.500 past 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.799 we see 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.240 that not 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.879 only does 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.720 the Psalm 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.680 have a 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.019 riddle 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.400 that's 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.000 forcing us 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.660 to recognize 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.119 that only 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.759 God 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.720 it actually 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.460 also gives 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.900 us a bit 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.079 of an 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.599 understanding 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.079 about what 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.379 it is 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:09.920 that God 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.319 is going 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.640 to have 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.160 to do 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:12.819 to answer 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.339 the riddle 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.839 listen to 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.240 the Psalm 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.619 again 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:15.920 in fact 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.420 I'll tell 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.640 you what 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.019 it is 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.619 and then 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:17.940 we'll read 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.460 the Psalm 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:18.680 in love 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.759 and grace 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.720 Jesus 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.559 became 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.380 chaff 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:23.880 driven 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.259 away 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.019 by wind 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.200 so 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:26.920 by faith 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.500 in him 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.480 God 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.779 will 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.140 make 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.640 me 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.220 into 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.480 a 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:30.799 tree 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.400 planted 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:31.700 by 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.120 streams 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.340 of 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:32.640 water 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:34.960 in love 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.680 and grace 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.500 Jesus 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.220 became 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.900 chaff 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.299 driven 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.600 away 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:38.880 by 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.400 wind 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.180 so 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.420 by 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.860 faith 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:41.120 in 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:41.480 him 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.539 God 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:42.759 will 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.059 make 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.640 me 00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.600 into 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.220 a 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.620 tree 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.120 planted 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:46.440 by 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:46.799 streams 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.000 of 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.299 water 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:50.779 let's listen to the psalm again I'll start at verse 1 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:56.740 blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the 00:23:56.740 --> 00:24:00.680 way of sinners nor sits in the seat of scoffers but his delight is in the law 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:03.960 of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:07.339 he is like a tree planted by streams of water 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:11.419 that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:17.000 in all that he does he prospers the wicked are not so but are like chaff 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:21.940 that the wind drives away just sort of pause there the heart of the gospel 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:27.839 is this idea that God looking down at human beings who cannot make themselves 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:31.079 into trees planted by streams of water by their own efforts 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:35.420 that if they think they're doing that they are just in a sense suffering under 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:43.180 some type of a type of of of sad delusion but it's they can't do it 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:47.259 and and God the son of God the second person of the Trinity 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:53.240 out of love for human beings and out of grace and mercy and out of love for the 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:56.160 father love for his creatures and love for the 00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:00.019 creation he steps down from heaven he 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:07.539 sets aside his appearance as God his glory as God his majesty as God his power 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:12.740 as God he sets aside his his position at the right hand of the father he 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:15.859 sets aside all of those appearances as God and he 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:19.599 humbles himself he still is God but he ends up 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:28.339 being born in as a single cell in the womb of Mary and he suffers not suffers he 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:34.740 lives a normal human life but then on the cross he empties himself and 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:40.700 becomes chaff like even more the image of chaff driven away by the wind is a is an 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:46.799 image of judgment and Christians believe that on the cross when Jesus dies upon the cross 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:55.019 that he is suffering the judgment that you and I deserve that he suffers that for us 00:25:55.019 --> 00:26:02.339 that he in a sense becomes chaff for us he takes upon himself the punishment we deserve 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:08.679 and he even on the cross experiences God's judgment that he experiences that he's driven 00:26:08.679 --> 00:26:13.659 away from God when he cries out my God my God why hast thou forsaken me 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:22.399 and out of love for you and me Jesus becomes Jesus who in a sense was life was the tree of life was 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:30.699 verse 3 becomes verse 4 for you and me in fact if we go on and read therefore the wicked will not 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:38.059 stand in the judgment Jesus stands for the wicked and stands in our place in the judgment nor sinners in 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:42.600 the congregation of the of the of the righteous for the Lord knows the way of the righteous but the way 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:55.819 of the wicked will perish in my place condemned he stood in my place he perishes for me in my place 00:26:55.819 --> 00:27:06.339 he becomes chaff driven away by the wind and in the gospel when we put our faith and trust in Jesus it's not 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:19.679 just that in my place condemned he stood but he he trades places with me like everything about the cross 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:31.400 is not only an act of substitution but it's an act of exchange his life given for me his life given to me 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:41.259 my chaff driven away by the wind taken upon him given to him and taken by him and that's what he does in the cross 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:53.379 there's a very very well known part in the Bible in Revelation 3 where it says behold I stand at the door and 00:27:53.379 --> 00:28:00.339 knock and in fact here I'll just read it it's Revelation 3 16 I think it's Revelation 3 16 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:10.879 and it's a very very famous image it's verse 20 behold I stand at the door and knock if anyone hears my voice 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:17.720 and opens the door I will come into him and eat with him and he with me say it again behold I stand at 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:24.420 the door and knock if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and eat with him 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:32.680 and he with me see here's the thing about the shamelessness of God only God most people they're 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:43.380 probably a little bit like myself I had given up on religion I wanted to be part of the counterculture I 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:49.340 wanted to do all sorts of types of things I didn't I didn't I found religion I found Christianity boring I 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:57.980 found it irrelevant and then I this this God started to get my attention and then as I as I start to get 00:28:57.980 --> 00:29:05.400 in the lives of different Christians whose lives have just been completely and utterly transformed 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:12.180 and being in in in Christian congregations and groups that just somehow it was able to break 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:17.720 through my force field and I was able to just sense that there was this that Jesus was there that he 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:23.779 loved me that there was a type of a longing for him that I had that could not be satisfied by anything 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:29.599 else and it started to be as if I I recognized that Jesus was standing the door of my heart and 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:38.259 knocking and the Christian life begins when you stop just sensing that Jesus is trying to get your 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:44.319 attention but you in a sense if you visualize you just open the door of your life the inner door of 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:49.539 your life and you open it up and there's Jesus standing on the other side and you say to Jesus 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:59.799 Jesus will you come into my life will you come into me and not only come into me but do just live in 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:06.639 me just have your way with me come in not just as a as a guest that I serve you but that you might 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:12.680 come in as savior and you might come in as lord and for every person we don't have to wait to figure 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:17.059 out whether we're part of the elect we don't have to wait for a particular religious experience for 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:23.079 every person who does that Jesus comes in and I only had a hazy notion of the cross I only had a 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:29.839 hazy notion of all of these things I just sort of understood that I was chaff and if I ever wanted to 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:37.659 be at all connected to life I had to let Jesus into my life but then God is so shameless 00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:46.980 he comes in not expecting us to know perfect theology but then as as Jesus comes into our lives and 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:51.660 we start to read the word and start to think about things in it we start to realize what it is 00:30:51.660 --> 00:31:00.559 actually that Jesus has done for us on the cross that he set aside his life he offers his life to me 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:09.980 and takes for himself my chaff driven away by the wind he offers his life that will never perish 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:18.339 and takes upon himself my life that will perish that it is not just an act of substitution but an act of 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:28.900 exchange freely and utterly given and that when he comes in by this act of grace he turns chaff like me 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:38.660 into a tree planted by streams of water not because of my beauty not because of my power not because of my 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:46.320 religion not because of my affections not because of my accomplishments not because of my IQ not because 00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:51.759 I'm Canadian but all because of him all because of him 00:31:51.759 --> 00:32:06.720 and so as we're gripped first by the riddle and then by Jesus and then by the gospel 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:09.339 as we're gripped by the gospel 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:12.559 it starts 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:14.960 to do its work 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:17.100 of 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:19.620 changing how we read 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:24.240 changing our experience 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:27.299 of God 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:34.779 my fourth point we're going to read this psalm again in light of this but as I am gripped by the gospel 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:49.079 I will humbly and hungrily read all of God's word and think on it as I am gripped by the gospel I will humbly and hungrily read all of God's word and think on it 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:56.059 as as the riddle of the text about how it is even though I might suffer from addictive thoughts 00:32:56.059 --> 00:33:03.059 even though I suffer from all sorts of idolatries even though at times my default position is religion or spirituality 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:15.359 because at the heart of all religion and spirituality is self-justification and self-righteousness and the gospel as I'm gripped by what Jesus does for me on the cross 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:17.419 as I'm gripped by it 00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:20.279 it undermines my self-justification 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:22.979 it undermines my self-righteousness 00:33:22.979 --> 00:33:25.740 it undermines my idolatry 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:27.339 it undermines 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:29.679 my self-perception of myself 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:30.919 and it's 00:33:30.919 --> 00:33:34.619 and all of those things are rooted in what Jesus has done for me 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:38.759 and so listen to the psalm again as we read it 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.779 blessed is the man 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:42.960 one moment only God can do that can't he 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:46.180 like only God 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:47.639 can bless 00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:49.619 only God can do it 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:53.019 like even the very opening words of the psalm are teaching us 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:55.440 that there's to be this mystery at the heart of it 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:57.379 that it's not about my righteousness and 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:59.279 and my accomplishment 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.299 so I know that I am part of the elect 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:03.819 that it's going to have to be God doing a miracle 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:05.579 because it says blessed is the man 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:07.839 who walks not in the counsel of the wicked 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:09.219 nor stands in the way of sinners 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:10.819 nor sits in the seat of scoffers 00:34:10.819 --> 00:34:11.859 and at the heart of the gospel 00:34:11.859 --> 00:34:14.500 that at first might begin with a whole pile of fear about things 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.159 it's not 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:17.659 I'm not at all trying to undermine the fact that 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.759 that we should 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:20.099 that we should be a 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:21.579 a flee evil 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:24.779 but that as the gospel grips us 00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:27.159 as the gospel grips us 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:28.199 it 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:29.259 it provides a 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.659 a different ground 00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:32.639 for seeing and understanding things 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.639 and even understanding the Bible 00:34:33.639 --> 00:34:35.439 it provides a shape 00:34:35.439 --> 00:34:37.519 and it starts to shape us 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.519 as it grounds us 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.960 and it nudges us 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:41.199 into things 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.960 and draws us into things 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:44.739 so that we see evil and wicked 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:46.259 and all of those things 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:47.519 in very very different ways 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:49.219 and that we even start to understand 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:51.259 that it doesn't mean wicked and sinful 00:34:51.259 --> 00:34:52.019 it doesn't mean 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:53.539 just people who I don't know 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:53.780 they 00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.159 they 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:55.759 they do pornography 00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.619 they're involved in this 00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.639 in the sex trade 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:58.460 and 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:58.739 and 00:34:58.739 --> 00:34:59.800 and slavery 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.880 and in violence 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:01.139 and all 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:01.679 but it also 00:35:01.679 --> 00:35:02.820 it just includes anybody 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.579 and everybody 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:05.000 whose life is organized 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.980 around the claim 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.659 and the desire 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:08.340 that they will be like God 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:10.599 and they do not need God 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:14.119 the soccer mom in Kanata 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:15.739 who does not need God 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:17.420 because she has her life 00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:18.880 completely under control 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:20.940 but 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:23.160 those of us 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.900 who've been humbled 00:35:23.900 --> 00:35:24.579 by the riddle 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:24.920 know 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:27.619 we are all beggars 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:29.300 and all 00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:30.059 we can do 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.460 is tell other beggars 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:33.320 where to find life 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:36.700 and that's what God offers us 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.220 in his son 00:35:37.220 --> 00:35:37.720 his life 00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:39.740 verse 2 00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:40.599 but his delight 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.360 is in the law 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:41.980 of the Lord 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:43.039 and on his law 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.740 he meditates 00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:44.420 day and night 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.740 and law 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.420 of the Lord 00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:48.099 here's this really interesting 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:48.780 law of the Lord 00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.619 in the Hebrew 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.280 it's Torah 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:51.800 and what does Torah mean? 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:53.240 Torah means 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:54.920 instruction 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:56.579 in the context 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:57.539 of a covenant 00:35:57.539 --> 00:36:00.139 it doesn't just mean 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.639 some impersonal principles 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.980 it means instruction 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:04.860 by God himself 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.980 by Jesus 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:07.659 who becomes 00:36:07.659 --> 00:36:09.019 chaff for us 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.700 and gives us 00:36:10.700 --> 00:36:11.860 his life 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:13.519 it's his 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.340 instruction 00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:15.480 in the context 00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.160 of the fact 00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:17.360 that in his death 00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:18.039 and resurrection 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.180 he now lives 00:36:19.180 --> 00:36:19.880 within me 00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:21.000 that he knows 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:22.460 my chaff likeness 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:23.460 he knows 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.260 that I cannot 00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:25.079 become a tree 00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:26.220 by my own power 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.900 and it is in that context 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.460 that he instructs me 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:30.980 it's within this context 00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:32.780 that I am a beggar 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:34.160 that it is in this context 00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:35.140 that in my place 00:36:35.140 --> 00:36:36.019 condemned he stood 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.000 that I hear 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.980 his instruction 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:39.740 and even the word 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.360 God 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.019 or Lord 00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.700 here is very 00:36:41.700 --> 00:36:42.380 very interesting 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.539 because in the Hebrew 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.400 and there is no way 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.400 we can capture this 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:47.059 in English 00:36:47.059 --> 00:36:48.779 in Hebrew 00:36:48.779 --> 00:36:49.719 the word Lord 00:36:49.719 --> 00:36:51.199 for God 00:36:51.199 --> 00:36:52.500 is a verb 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:56.960 in the Old Testament 00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:58.599 the covenant name 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.380 for God 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.480 is not a noun 00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.400 an object 00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:02.119 out there 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:03.559 amongst other objects 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.940 that I can control 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:07.300 God is a verb 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:09.940 an action 00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:12.800 an action 00:37:12.800 --> 00:37:13.640 towards me 00:37:13.640 --> 00:37:15.460 not something 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:17.039 that I can capture 00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:18.920 and manipulate 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:20.760 or put in my debt 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:22.400 but Lord 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:23.800 as a verb 00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:30.320 and then just 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:32.080 pause before I read 00:37:32.080 --> 00:37:32.700 verse 3 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.539 and here is sort of 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.380 my final point 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:35.119 in closing 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:37.460 we read this next 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.099 description 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.760 as 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:41.599 we understand 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:43.059 that in light 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.920 of the cross 00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:45.180 we are listening 00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:46.380 to God's 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.579 a verb 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:48.539 that cannot be 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.180 controlled 00:37:49.180 --> 00:37:50.800 him 00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:52.019 he's wild 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:52.920 and untamed 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.720 but completely 00:37:53.720 --> 00:37:54.619 and utterly good 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:55.980 and he who is now 00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:56.619 within me 00:37:56.619 --> 00:37:57.780 because he has died 00:37:57.780 --> 00:37:58.920 to be my savior 00:37:58.920 --> 00:38:00.900 and he knows me 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.280 deeply 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.460 because he's inside 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:02.860 of me 00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:04.240 and he instructs me 00:38:04.240 --> 00:38:05.320 and he instructs me 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:05.679 knowing 00:38:05.679 --> 00:38:06.980 that I can never 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:08.139 by my own power 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:09.360 accomplish these things 00:38:09.360 --> 00:38:10.059 that I am always 00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.800 completely 00:38:10.800 --> 00:38:11.320 and utterly 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.780 dependent upon grace 00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:14.860 and as he speaks 00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.420 to me 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.480 in his instruction 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:17.460 and I listen 00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:18.480 to his instruction 00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:20.679 then verse 3 00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:22.800 begins to be true 00:38:22.800 --> 00:38:23.940 of you and me 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:26.119 and as we read it 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:27.360 keep in mind this 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:29.679 God graciously 00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:31.099 makes trees 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:32.400 not pipes 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:34.119 God 00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:34.940 graciously 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.500 makes 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.300 trees 00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:37.639 not pipes 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.780 listen to this 00:38:38.780 --> 00:38:39.340 verse 3 00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:40.960 but he is like 00:38:40.960 --> 00:38:41.440 a tree 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:42.960 planted by streams 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:43.500 of water 00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.340 that yields 00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:44.820 its fruit 00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:45.500 in its season 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.539 and its leaf 00:38:46.539 --> 00:38:47.300 does not wither 00:38:47.300 --> 00:38:49.220 a pipe 00:38:49.220 --> 00:38:50.940 for water 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.680 takes water 00:38:51.680 --> 00:38:52.400 from here 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:53.559 to there 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.619 or wherever it is 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:56.180 and a proper pipe 00:38:56.180 --> 00:38:57.160 lets none of the water 00:38:57.160 --> 00:38:57.599 out 00:38:57.599 --> 00:39:00.920 all of the land 00:39:00.920 --> 00:39:01.539 or whatever it is 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.000 around it 00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:02.759 stays completely 00:39:02.759 --> 00:39:03.659 and utterly dry 00:39:03.659 --> 00:39:05.699 but God doesn't say 00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:07.000 here that he turns 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.960 us into pipes 00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:09.179 he turns us into 00:39:09.179 --> 00:39:09.799 trees 00:39:09.799 --> 00:39:11.539 planted by streams 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:12.039 of water 00:39:12.039 --> 00:39:13.599 and a tree 00:39:13.599 --> 00:39:14.420 also 00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:15.259 in a sense 00:39:15.259 --> 00:39:16.079 moves water 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:17.579 the tree 00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:18.539 takes the water 00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:18.960 in 00:39:18.960 --> 00:39:20.639 but as the tree 00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:21.539 takes the water 00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:21.840 in 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.559 in the context 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.420 of the other things 00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:24.199 that give it life 00:39:24.199 --> 00:39:25.199 it turns into 00:39:25.199 --> 00:39:25.799 leaves 00:39:25.799 --> 00:39:27.199 it turns into 00:39:27.199 --> 00:39:27.739 fruit 00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:29.440 it turns into 00:39:29.440 --> 00:39:29.960 a place 00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:30.799 where birds 00:39:30.799 --> 00:39:31.920 and small 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:32.440 critters 00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:32.920 can take 00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.619 their shade 00:39:33.619 --> 00:39:34.900 it turns into 00:39:34.900 --> 00:39:35.460 a place 00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:35.980 where our 00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:36.319 neighbors 00:39:36.319 --> 00:39:36.739 and our 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:37.079 friends 00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:37.619 can come 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:37.920 and have 00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:38.420 a picnic 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:39.139 underneath it 00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:39.860 in the shade 00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:41.219 and the cover 00:39:41.219 --> 00:39:41.980 that it gives 00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:43.139 a tree 00:39:43.139 --> 00:39:44.500 with its roots 00:39:44.500 --> 00:39:47.179 helps to stop 00:39:47.179 --> 00:39:47.820 the soil 00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:48.920 from falling apart 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.480 and going into 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.000 the stream 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:50.780 and being washed 00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:51.199 away 00:39:51.199 --> 00:39:52.400 and the tree 00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:53.099 provides 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:53.940 helps to provide 00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.980 oxygen for us 00:39:54.980 --> 00:39:55.519 to breathe 00:39:55.519 --> 00:39:57.219 and it isn't just 00:39:57.219 --> 00:39:58.179 that as we meditate 00:39:58.179 --> 00:39:58.940 upon the God 00:39:58.940 --> 00:39:59.619 who is in covenant 00:39:59.619 --> 00:40:00.039 with us 00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:00.800 that all of a sudden 00:40:00.800 --> 00:40:01.400 through us 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:01.980 just flows 00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.719 these spiritual 00:40:02.719 --> 00:40:03.559 things that pop 00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:04.320 out of our head 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:05.619 or come out 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.360 here and in here 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:06.900 and pop out 00:40:06.900 --> 00:40:07.480 of our feet 00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:08.860 and it's not just 00:40:08.860 --> 00:40:09.500 all of a sudden 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:10.059 all we do 00:40:10.059 --> 00:40:10.460 is that we 00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:11.059 sprout out 00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:11.900 Bible verses 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:13.940 but as our 00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:14.500 Savior 00:40:14.500 --> 00:40:15.559 as we are 00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.280 gripped by the 00:40:16.280 --> 00:40:16.800 gospel 00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:19.300 and as the 00:40:19.300 --> 00:40:19.780 gospel 00:40:19.780 --> 00:40:21.119 shapes us 00:40:21.119 --> 00:40:22.800 and grounds 00:40:22.800 --> 00:40:23.320 us 00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:24.920 and nudges 00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.380 us 00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:26.740 and draws 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.480 and pulls 00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:27.900 us 00:40:27.900 --> 00:40:28.940 and we start 00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:29.480 to listen 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:29.840 to the 00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:30.480 instruction 00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:30.800 and the 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.320 words of 00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:31.660 the one 00:40:31.660 --> 00:40:32.220 who died 00:40:32.220 --> 00:40:32.599 for us 00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:33.160 because he 00:40:33.160 --> 00:40:33.920 loves us 00:40:33.920 --> 00:40:36.079 well out 00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:36.539 of that 00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:39.840 comes businesses 00:40:39.840 --> 00:40:40.380 that we can 00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:40.980 start that will 00:40:40.980 --> 00:40:41.780 bless the city 00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:43.180 out of that 00:40:43.180 --> 00:40:44.060 comes poetry 00:40:44.060 --> 00:40:44.840 and out of that 00:40:44.840 --> 00:40:45.640 comes music 00:40:45.640 --> 00:40:46.220 and out of that 00:40:46.220 --> 00:40:46.960 comes art 00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:47.540 and out of that 00:40:47.540 --> 00:40:48.340 comes dance 00:40:48.340 --> 00:40:48.920 and out of that 00:40:48.920 --> 00:40:49.940 comes families 00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:50.860 out of that 00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:51.460 comes mothers 00:40:51.460 --> 00:40:52.160 and fathers 00:40:52.160 --> 00:40:52.960 and children 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:54.040 out of that 00:40:54.040 --> 00:40:55.019 comes neighborhoods 00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.920 out of that 00:40:55.920 --> 00:40:56.920 comes 00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:59.140 different ways 00:40:59.140 --> 00:41:00.260 of handling money 00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:01.640 and using money 00:41:01.640 --> 00:41:03.019 out of that 00:41:03.019 --> 00:41:04.140 comes a whole 00:41:04.140 --> 00:41:05.540 range of fruit 00:41:05.540 --> 00:41:06.440 and other 00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:07.140 creational 00:41:07.140 --> 00:41:08.019 consequences 00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:09.040 all not for 00:41:09.040 --> 00:41:09.640 our glory 00:41:09.639 --> 00:41:10.059 but for 00:41:10.059 --> 00:41:10.779 God's glory 00:41:10.779 --> 00:41:14.359 it comes 00:41:14.359 --> 00:41:14.699 in 00:41:14.699 --> 00:41:16.099 as words 00:41:16.099 --> 00:41:17.259 carried by 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:17.659 the Holy 00:41:17.659 --> 00:41:18.119 Spirit 00:41:18.119 --> 00:41:19.879 it goes 00:41:19.879 --> 00:41:20.359 out 00:41:20.359 --> 00:41:22.039 well 00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:22.719 we're trees 00:41:22.719 --> 00:41:23.460 not pipes 00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:25.279 it doesn't 00:41:25.279 --> 00:41:25.859 come into 00:41:25.859 --> 00:41:26.139 us 00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:26.819 and leave us 00:41:26.819 --> 00:41:27.460 unchanged 00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:28.319 it changes 00:41:28.319 --> 00:41:28.819 us 00:41:28.819 --> 00:41:31.920 that's why 00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.739 it's so 00:41:32.739 --> 00:41:33.359 important for 00:41:33.359 --> 00:41:33.859 those of us 00:41:33.859 --> 00:41:34.279 who are gripped 00:41:34.279 --> 00:41:35.019 by the gospel 00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:36.219 that we call 00:41:36.219 --> 00:41:36.920 out to God 00:41:36.920 --> 00:41:37.680 to ask him 00:41:37.680 --> 00:41:38.380 to help us 00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:39.579 to hear his 00:41:39.579 --> 00:41:40.260 instruction 00:41:40.260 --> 00:41:41.280 and to read 00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:41.840 his word 00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:43.240 and to read 00:41:43.240 --> 00:41:43.840 not just little 00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:44.579 bits and pieces 00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:45.180 of his word 00:41:45.180 --> 00:41:45.639 but to read 00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:46.280 all of his 00:41:46.280 --> 00:41:46.619 word 00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:49.039 there's some 00:41:49.039 --> 00:41:49.500 things in the 00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:49.760 blog 00:41:49.760 --> 00:41:50.059 there'll be 00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:50.420 some more 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:50.900 things in the 00:41:50.900 --> 00:41:51.159 blog 00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:51.519 over the 00:41:51.519 --> 00:41:51.980 next coming 00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:52.260 weeks 00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:52.800 to encourage 00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:53.380 us to be 00:41:53.380 --> 00:41:53.820 Christians 00:41:53.820 --> 00:41:54.380 who read 00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:54.780 the word 00:41:54.780 --> 00:41:55.119 and read 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:55.680 all of the 00:41:55.680 --> 00:41:55.920 word 00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:56.280 and read 00:41:56.280 --> 00:41:56.659 the word 00:41:56.659 --> 00:41:57.260 every day 00:41:57.260 --> 00:41:58.440 as it says 00:41:58.440 --> 00:41:58.780 here 00:41:58.780 --> 00:42:00.760 but his 00:42:00.760 --> 00:42:01.380 delight is in 00:42:01.380 --> 00:42:01.760 the law of 00:42:01.760 --> 00:42:02.079 the Lord 00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:02.539 and on his 00:42:02.539 --> 00:42:03.559 law he 00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:04.159 meditates 00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:05.680 day and 00:42:05.679 --> 00:42:06.039 night 00:42:06.039 --> 00:42:07.119 please stand 00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:16.599 I want to 00:42:16.599 --> 00:42:17.519 challenge you 00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:18.539 if you haven't 00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:18.940 given your 00:42:18.940 --> 00:42:19.379 life to 00:42:19.379 --> 00:42:19.679 Jesus 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:20.159 if you 00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:20.599 sense 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.000 you're here 00:42:21.000 --> 00:42:21.519 this morning 00:42:21.519 --> 00:42:21.799 and you 00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:22.359 sense that 00:42:22.359 --> 00:42:22.919 Jesus is 00:42:22.919 --> 00:42:23.419 knocking on 00:42:23.419 --> 00:42:23.719 the door 00:42:23.719 --> 00:42:24.000 of your 00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:24.339 life 00:42:24.339 --> 00:42:25.399 I want to 00:42:25.399 --> 00:42:26.259 exhort you 00:42:26.259 --> 00:42:27.599 to not be 00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:28.099 afraid 00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:29.279 he's the 00:42:29.279 --> 00:42:29.940 one who 00:42:29.940 --> 00:42:31.159 left heaven's 00:42:31.159 --> 00:42:31.779 glory to 00:42:31.779 --> 00:42:32.559 become chaff 00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:33.179 driven away 00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:34.779 by the wind 00:42:34.779 --> 00:42:35.279 for you 00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:36.380 but there's 00:42:36.380 --> 00:42:36.760 no better 00:42:36.760 --> 00:42:37.380 time than 00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:37.720 today 00:42:37.720 --> 00:42:38.880 and maybe 00:42:38.880 --> 00:42:39.140 you're an 00:42:39.140 --> 00:42:39.540 imagine 00:42:39.540 --> 00:42:40.140 a person 00:42:40.140 --> 00:42:40.440 uses 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:40.980 imagination 00:42:40.980 --> 00:42:41.720 maybe it's 00:42:41.720 --> 00:42:42.080 words 00:42:42.080 --> 00:42:42.900 but imagine 00:42:42.900 --> 00:42:43.680 just opening 00:42:43.680 --> 00:42:44.100 the door 00:42:44.100 --> 00:42:44.880 that's inside 00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:45.160 of you 00:42:45.160 --> 00:42:45.540 and seeing 00:42:45.540 --> 00:42:46.000 Jesus 00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:47.180 who is there 00:42:47.180 --> 00:42:48.160 who's been 00:42:48.160 --> 00:42:48.780 knocking on 00:42:48.780 --> 00:42:49.100 the door 00:42:49.100 --> 00:42:49.380 of your 00:42:49.380 --> 00:42:49.740 life 00:42:49.740 --> 00:42:50.640 and say 00:42:50.640 --> 00:42:50.980 Jesus 00:42:50.980 --> 00:42:51.700 please come 00:42:51.700 --> 00:42:51.940 in 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:53.200 please come 00:42:53.200 --> 00:42:53.519 in and be 00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:54.100 my savior 00:42:54.100 --> 00:42:54.420 and my 00:42:54.420 --> 00:42:54.740 lord 00:42:54.740 --> 00:42:56.120 thank you 00:42:56.120 --> 00:42:56.540 for dying 00:42:56.540 --> 00:42:57.120 on the cross 00:42:57.120 --> 00:42:57.600 for me 00:42:57.600 --> 00:43:00.000 please come 00:43:00.000 --> 00:43:00.120 in 00:43:00.120 --> 00:43:00.560 I give you 00:43:00.560 --> 00:43:00.960 permission 00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:01.620 I invite you 00:43:01.620 --> 00:43:01.940 to come 00:43:01.940 --> 00:43:02.180 in 00:43:02.180 --> 00:43:03.600 there's no 00:43:03.600 --> 00:43:04.140 better time 00:43:04.140 --> 00:43:04.620 than today 00:43:04.619 --> 00:43:05.839 if you are 00:43:05.839 --> 00:43:06.159 here and 00:43:06.159 --> 00:43:06.519 you've never 00:43:06.519 --> 00:43:06.799 done it 00:43:06.799 --> 00:43:07.000 and you 00:43:07.000 --> 00:43:07.579 sense that 00:43:07.579 --> 00:43:08.019 knocking 00:43:08.019 --> 00:43:09.299 answer the 00:43:09.299 --> 00:43:09.639 knock 00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:10.359 open the 00:43:10.359 --> 00:43:10.599 door 00:43:10.599 --> 00:43:12.559 I urge 00:43:12.559 --> 00:43:12.900 you 00:43:12.900 --> 00:43:15.119 and for 00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:15.480 those of 00:43:15.480 --> 00:43:15.739 us who 00:43:15.739 --> 00:43:16.279 have opened 00:43:16.279 --> 00:43:16.699 the door 00:43:16.699 --> 00:43:20.739 and we're 00:43:20.739 --> 00:43:21.139 reading the 00:43:21.139 --> 00:43:21.699 word I just 00:43:21.699 --> 00:43:22.000 want to 00:43:22.000 --> 00:43:22.599 encourage you 00:43:22.599 --> 00:43:22.859 to be 00:43:22.859 --> 00:43:23.440 regular in 00:43:23.440 --> 00:43:23.819 the word 00:43:23.819 --> 00:43:24.559 and to be 00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:25.179 regular in 00:43:25.179 --> 00:43:25.519 reading the 00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:25.960 word from 00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:26.440 cover to 00:43:26.440 --> 00:43:26.679 cover 00:43:26.679 --> 00:43:27.159 and for 00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:27.519 those of 00:43:27.519 --> 00:43:27.799 us who 00:43:27.799 --> 00:43:28.480 maybe not 00:43:28.480 --> 00:43:29.199 understood 00:43:29.199 --> 00:43:30.559 that God 00:43:30.559 --> 00:43:31.059 wants to 00:43:31.059 --> 00:43:32.039 continue in 00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:32.719 the context 00:43:32.719 --> 00:43:33.400 of a covenant 00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:34.180 of love 00:43:34.180 --> 00:43:35.099 and security 00:43:35.099 --> 00:43:35.960 in the context 00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:36.700 of the gospel 00:43:36.700 --> 00:43:37.860 to speak 00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:38.480 into your 00:43:38.480 --> 00:43:38.900 life 00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:40.599 to call out 00:43:40.599 --> 00:43:40.880 to him 00:43:40.880 --> 00:43:41.500 and ask him 00:43:41.500 --> 00:43:41.900 that you 00:43:41.900 --> 00:43:43.000 would help 00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:43.980 he would help 00:43:43.980 --> 00:43:44.619 you to start 00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:45.200 to read the 00:43:45.200 --> 00:43:46.300 Bible every 00:43:46.300 --> 00:43:47.420 day and to 00:43:47.420 --> 00:43:47.960 start to read 00:43:47.960 --> 00:43:48.539 it cover to 00:43:48.539 --> 00:43:48.780 cover 00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:51.200 and then take 00:43:51.200 --> 00:43:51.820 action on it 00:43:51.820 --> 00:43:52.820 I encourage you 00:43:52.820 --> 00:43:53.780 to make that 00:43:53.780 --> 00:43:54.480 commitment before 00:43:54.480 --> 00:43:54.860 God 00:43:54.860 --> 00:43:56.700 let's just bow 00:43:56.700 --> 00:43:57.180 our heads in 00:43:57.180 --> 00:43:57.460 prayer 00:43:57.460 --> 00:44:01.740 father for 00:44:01.740 --> 00:44:02.300 those of us 00:44:02.300 --> 00:44:02.880 who suffer 00:44:02.880 --> 00:44:03.300 from 00:44:03.300 --> 00:44:04.019 addictions 00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:06.139 father we 00:44:06.139 --> 00:44:07.320 ask that 00:44:07.320 --> 00:44:08.099 you would 00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:08.780 just continue 00:44:08.780 --> 00:44:09.340 to pour out 00:44:09.340 --> 00:44:09.760 your holy 00:44:09.760 --> 00:44:10.440 spirit upon 00:44:10.440 --> 00:44:10.880 us that you 00:44:10.880 --> 00:44:11.240 would make 00:44:11.240 --> 00:44:11.940 us disciples 00:44:11.940 --> 00:44:12.619 of Jesus 00:44:12.619 --> 00:44:13.039 who are 00:44:13.039 --> 00:44:13.659 gripped by 00:44:13.659 --> 00:44:14.440 the gospel 00:44:14.440 --> 00:44:16.360 that understand 00:44:16.360 --> 00:44:16.960 that even 00:44:16.960 --> 00:44:17.380 though we 00:44:17.380 --> 00:44:18.000 might believe 00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:18.360 that we 00:44:18.360 --> 00:44:18.980 are chaff 00:44:18.980 --> 00:44:19.559 driven away 00:44:19.559 --> 00:44:19.960 by the 00:44:19.960 --> 00:44:20.260 wind 00:44:20.260 --> 00:44:21.599 that you 00:44:21.599 --> 00:44:22.860 father desire 00:44:22.860 --> 00:44:23.400 to heal 00:44:23.400 --> 00:44:23.960 that by 00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.599 the ministry 00:44:24.599 --> 00:44:24.980 of your 00:44:24.980 --> 00:44:25.760 holy spirit 00:44:25.760 --> 00:44:26.159 by the 00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:26.619 instruction 00:44:26.619 --> 00:44:27.019 of your 00:44:27.019 --> 00:44:27.440 word 00:44:27.440 --> 00:44:28.440 that we 00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:28.659 might 00:44:28.659 --> 00:44:29.219 understand 00:44:29.219 --> 00:44:29.599 that in 00:44:29.599 --> 00:44:30.000 Jesus 00:44:30.000 --> 00:44:31.219 you are 00:44:31.219 --> 00:44:32.039 turning us 00:44:32.039 --> 00:44:32.319 who are 00:44:32.319 --> 00:44:32.819 chaff 00:44:32.819 --> 00:44:33.940 into trees 00:44:33.940 --> 00:44:34.500 of life 00:44:34.500 --> 00:44:36.279 out of 00:44:36.279 --> 00:44:36.819 your love 00:44:36.819 --> 00:44:37.239 and for 00:44:37.239 --> 00:44:37.819 your glory 00:44:37.819 --> 00:44:39.279 and father 00:44:39.279 --> 00:44:39.799 for those 00:44:39.799 --> 00:44:40.219 of us 00:44:40.219 --> 00:44:40.719 who even 00:44:40.719 --> 00:44:41.099 though we've 00:44:41.099 --> 00:44:41.460 opened the 00:44:41.460 --> 00:44:41.980 door of our 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:42.500 hearts to 00:44:42.500 --> 00:44:43.139 Jesus have 00:44:43.139 --> 00:44:43.940 slipped back 00:44:43.940 --> 00:44:44.799 into religious 00:44:44.799 --> 00:44:45.739 understandings of 00:44:45.739 --> 00:44:46.279 the text 00:44:46.279 --> 00:44:47.859 believing that 00:44:47.859 --> 00:44:48.599 we can manipulate 00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:49.279 you and 00:44:49.279 --> 00:44:50.319 control you 00:44:50.319 --> 00:44:51.000 that we can 00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:51.659 manipulate and 00:44:51.659 --> 00:44:52.400 control others 00:44:52.400 --> 00:44:53.179 to see us as 00:44:53.179 --> 00:44:53.859 righteous and 00:44:53.859 --> 00:44:54.380 justified 00:44:54.380 --> 00:44:55.839 all by our 00:44:55.839 --> 00:44:56.460 own action 00:44:56.460 --> 00:44:56.940 and by our 00:44:56.940 --> 00:44:57.440 own effort 00:44:57.440 --> 00:44:58.019 and for our 00:44:58.019 --> 00:44:58.659 own glory 00:44:58.659 --> 00:44:59.220 and to keep 00:44:59.220 --> 00:44:59.780 you at a 00:44:59.780 --> 00:45:00.320 distance and 00:45:00.320 --> 00:45:00.840 people at a 00:45:00.840 --> 00:45:01.119 distance 00:45:01.119 --> 00:45:01.900 father we ask 00:45:01.900 --> 00:45:02.360 that you would 00:45:02.360 --> 00:45:03.099 continue that 00:45:03.099 --> 00:45:04.059 work of grace 00:45:04.059 --> 00:45:05.300 that you would 00:45:05.300 --> 00:45:05.880 pour out your 00:45:05.880 --> 00:45:06.760 holy spirit upon 00:45:06.760 --> 00:45:07.460 us and help us 00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:08.139 to die to 00:45:08.139 --> 00:45:09.039 self-righteousness 00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:10.300 and self-justification 00:45:10.300 --> 00:45:12.480 to be gripped by 00:45:12.480 --> 00:45:13.240 the gospel and 00:45:13.240 --> 00:45:14.059 what your son did 00:45:14.059 --> 00:45:14.699 for us on the 00:45:14.699 --> 00:45:15.039 cross 00:45:15.039 --> 00:45:15.920 father pour out 00:45:15.920 --> 00:45:16.599 your holy spirit 00:45:16.599 --> 00:45:17.220 upon us 00:45:17.220 --> 00:45:18.280 make us 00:45:18.280 --> 00:45:19.019 disciples of 00:45:19.019 --> 00:45:19.659 Jesus gripped 00:45:19.659 --> 00:45:20.340 by the gospel 00:45:20.340 --> 00:45:20.840 who live for 00:45:20.840 --> 00:45:21.340 your glory 00:45:21.340 --> 00:45:22.840 and father for 00:45:22.840 --> 00:45:23.460 all of us who 00:45:23.460 --> 00:45:24.159 are your people 00:45:24.159 --> 00:45:25.480 help us to be 00:45:25.480 --> 00:45:26.199 people of your 00:45:26.199 --> 00:45:27.659 word to listen 00:45:27.659 --> 00:45:28.559 to your instruction 00:45:28.559 --> 00:45:30.139 every day and 00:45:30.139 --> 00:45:31.079 to think upon it 00:45:31.079 --> 00:45:32.019 in light of the 00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:33.359 gospel and this 00:45:33.359 --> 00:45:34.199 we ask in the name 00:45:34.199 --> 00:45:35.359 of Jesus your son 00:45:35.359 --> 00:45:36.219 and our savior 00:45:36.219 --> 00:45:37.179 amen 00:45:37.179 --> 00:45:37.879 for you 00:45:37.879 --> 00:45:41.239 to think upon it 00:45:41.239 --> 00:45:41.399 to think upon 00:45:41.399 --> 00:45:42.099 Some of us who 00:45:42.099 --> 00:45:42.279 have givenply 00:45:42.279 --> 00:45:43.119 you 00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:43.679 have given terrorists 00:45:43.679 --> 00:45:43.779 our 00:45:43.779 --> 00:45:44.819 before 00:45:44.819 --> 00:45:45.299 ываем 00:45:57.539 --> 00:45:58.219 together 00:45:58.219 --> 00:45:58.879 o 00:45:58.879 --> 00:45:58.919 a 00:45:58.919 --> 00:45:59.519 home 00:45:59.519 --> 00:46:00.119 a 00:46:00.119 --> 00:46:01.039 さ 00:46:01.039 --> 00:46:01.159 a 00:46:01.159 --> 00:46:01.899 the 00:46:01.899 --> 00:46:03.039 wegen