WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.320 Father, we ask that as we come to open up Scripture together, 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:11.519 that you would warm our hearts by your Spirit to hear you, 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:17.379 to receive your word, and to trust in you and walk with you more faithfully today. 00:00:17.580 --> 00:00:19.900 This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:21.559 Please be seated. 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:28.719 Always a bit of a struggle for me with the lighting, but I think we're good. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.179 My title, I think, is up there. 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:34.740 Maybe. I don't know. 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:38.359 It's The Way of Blessedness, as you'd expect, from Psalm 1. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:43.079 And automatically we want to ask, well, what is blessedness? 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:45.159 And how can we find it? 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:50.320 I like how Martin Luther, in his commentary on Psalm 1, 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:56.640 describes two groups of people who are looking for blessedness. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:01.539 That is, they're looking for all things to go well with them in this life. 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:04.060 But who miss it in the end? 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:12.340 The first group that ends up being the furthest away from the blessed life 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:16.140 includes those learned philosophers, he says, 00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:20.439 who try to pursue godliness through sheer willpower 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:23.780 and the cultivation of habits and virtues, 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:29.980 but who in the end actually deprive themselves of the blessings of this life 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:33.560 as well as those of the life to come. 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:37.060 As Luther learned through deep personal struggle, 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:42.159 that way of pursuing blessedness really only led to despair. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:49.679 Despair because holiness does not come through the performance of religious works, 00:01:49.679 --> 00:01:53.560 but only by turning to Christ in faith. 00:01:54.379 --> 00:02:00.219 Last month I had the privilege of spending two and a half weeks over in Germany, 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:05.280 in Wittenberg, as part of a center for reformation studies, 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:10.659 in those towns where Luther experienced that spiritual breakthrough 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:18.159 that led finally to him having a sense of assurance of God's love and pardon. 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:23.240 He came to find great relief and comfort in Paul's teaching 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:25.060 that the just shall live by faith. 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:28.879 Recall Romans 1, 16 to 17, 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:31.400 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:35.180 a verse we often repeat here at Messiah, 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:40.500 for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, 00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:43.719 to the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:02:44.359 --> 00:02:49.939 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:53.060 as it is written, the righteous shall live by faith. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:57.800 Luther mentioned a second group 00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:03.979 that finally missed the way of true blessedness. 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:05.920 It included simple folk 00:03:05.920 --> 00:03:09.099 who imagined that the way of blessedness 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:12.340 had to do with the pursuit of carnal pleasures. 00:03:13.340 --> 00:03:14.439 Unlike the first group, 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:20.680 these at least enjoyed those physical pleasures in this life 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:22.640 insofar as they are to be had. 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:25.060 But like the first group, 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:29.259 they also missed God's blessing and favor in the end. 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:32.259 The alternative, says Luther, 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:33.719 is what the teacher, 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:36.520 and he's referring to the author of Psalm 1. 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:39.080 He writes David in his commentary, 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:41.719 but we don't know that it was David. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:45.520 We just say the author of Psalm 1, the psalmist. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:50.319 The teacher, he says, derives his doctrine from heaven. 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:52.860 Glorious phrase. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:54.520 But before we turn to that, 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:55.860 let me mention a third group 00:03:55.860 --> 00:03:59.900 that remains far from the way of blessedness. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:04.080 I think I came across it when I wandered down to Prague, 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:06.719 not just after I was in Germany. 00:04:08.140 --> 00:04:10.920 It's a kind of cross between the two groups 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:12.719 that Luther mentions. 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:14.800 As I wandered through those city streets, 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:16.660 I came to a large square. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:21.800 And just in front of a large monument to the reformer Jan Hus, 00:04:21.880 --> 00:04:22.800 you may have heard of, 00:04:23.260 --> 00:04:25.100 someone had erected a stage. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:28.100 And on that stage was a speaker from Russia. 00:04:29.080 --> 00:04:31.300 The man seemed to be an evangelist, 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:34.160 because in the distance I caught phrases like, 00:04:34.860 --> 00:04:35.620 turn to Christ, 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:37.920 and do great things. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:42.400 And when I got closer and tuned in to what he was actually saying, 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:42.680 though, 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:46.259 I heard him preach a way of blessedness 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:49.259 that combined all the material blessings 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:51.980 and prosperity that God wants for everyone now, 00:04:52.520 --> 00:04:54.180 there's Luther's second group, 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:57.400 with a method or practice 00:04:57.400 --> 00:05:01.460 for achieving or for earning it, 00:05:01.700 --> 00:05:02.920 Luther's first group. 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:04.900 What was that method? 00:05:05.520 --> 00:05:07.900 Well, it was fairly simple as I stood there to listen. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:12.920 First, acknowledge that your true nature is divine. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:17.300 So we're not sinners in need of a savior. 00:05:18.580 --> 00:05:21.639 Second, learn that the real Christ 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:24.220 is not tied to any historical figure. 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:29.600 And finally, fix your eyes on Christ 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:31.800 and contemplate him 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:34.680 and you will prosper and do great things. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:38.720 That was his message in a nutshell. 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:41.439 And I would say to you this, 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:42.840 nothing could be farther 00:05:42.840 --> 00:05:46.379 from the biblical apostolic good news. 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:49.960 Or from Jan Hus' message, for that matter. 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:55.060 Where he was hoping to speak 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:58.460 in the spirit of Jan Hus, the reformer. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:02.439 Because even from Jan Hus, 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:04.779 we would learn that Jesus is the Christ 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:07.959 and that Christ is none other than Jesus 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:10.219 and that the way that leads to life 00:06:10.219 --> 00:06:13.240 is found only as we acknowledge our sin 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:15.519 and need for him and his mercy. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:16.839 But there was nothing of that 00:06:16.839 --> 00:06:20.519 in that message given from that stage. 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:22.339 So back to our psalm, 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:23.439 given from heaven, 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:24.819 as Luther says, 00:06:24.819 --> 00:06:25.819 in the way of sin, 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.500 and not through the inventions of men. 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:28.120 In just six verses, 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:31.459 the psalmist presents to us 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:32.959 life's basic alternatives, 00:06:33.159 --> 00:06:34.659 which turn out to be not many, 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:35.699 but two. 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:38.079 The way of blessedness 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:39.139 and the way of death. 00:06:39.219 --> 00:06:41.100 So let's go through that psalm together. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:44.439 Verse one said this, 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:46.560 Blessed is the man who walks 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:49.060 not in the counsel of the wicked, 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:51.899 nor stands in the way of sinners, 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:55.319 nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:59.939 You'll notice I emphasize the verbs there deliberately, 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:01.220 and there are two reasons, 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:02.980 at least I think we can say. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:04.300 First, the verbs here, 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:07.459 walk, stand, sit, 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:12.180 highlight a very public nature of ungodliness. 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:16.759 The stress is on what ungodliness looks like in practice, 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:18.259 out there in the open. 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:22.800 And that's the right place to start talking about ungodliness, 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:24.980 because the ungodly person 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:29.800 loves to put what's in his heart immediately on display, 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:32.160 to make a show of it. 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:35.139 Luther says that the ungodly, 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:37.379 with confident security, 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:39.500 arrogate to themselves 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:41.660 all those things that are good 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:44.680 and refer all that is evil to others. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:46.560 In other words, 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.560 as they point out how bad others are, 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:52.360 they actually draw attention to their own virtues. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:55.579 But they remain in sin, 00:07:56.259 --> 00:07:57.680 in the sin of unbelief, 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:59.620 as they govern themselves 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:01.300 by their own counsel 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:03.660 and their own ideas. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.100 Worse still, 00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:08.460 they take the things of God 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:11.939 and presume to give them a firmer foundation 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:13.640 than they already have. 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:15.060 And how so? 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:18.100 Well, by erecting a kind of fence around the law, 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.240 creating extra rules 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:24.120 that they can require of others, 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:25.620 and 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:28.640 as if to obey those rules 00:08:28.640 --> 00:08:30.939 is to obey God himself. 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:34.440 There's a second reason 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:35.940 to highlight the verbs as I have, 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.440 and it's because they reveal 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.419 a kind of progression. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.000 First, 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:41.679 the ungodly man accepts 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:44.000 bad ideas and advice 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.899 as he walks in it, 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:48.580 in the counsel of the ungodly. 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:49.059 Second, 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:49.899 he becomes 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:50.980 firm 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:51.740 or fixed 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:53.340 in those ideas 00:08:53.340 --> 00:08:54.679 as he stands there 00:08:54.679 --> 00:08:55.539 in the way of sinners. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:57.240 Finally, 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:59.240 he actually draws others 00:08:59.240 --> 00:08:59.940 into 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:01.080 falsehood 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.080 as he sits 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.379 in the seat 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:04.820 of scoffers, 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:05.899 the scornful, 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:06.879 those who 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:08.100 ridicule 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:10.000 the godly. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:12.899 Not so 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:14.000 with those who are blessed. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.240 What does verse 2 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:15.779 tell us 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:16.620 about the godly? 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:17.419 Well, it says 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:19.419 that they delight 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:20.399 in the law 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.240 of the Lord, 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:22.620 and in that law 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:23.259 they meditate 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:24.740 day and night. 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:26.799 Notice the verses, 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:28.079 the verbs there. 00:09:28.979 --> 00:09:29.500 Delight, 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:30.599 meditate. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:32.759 The emphasis here 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:34.419 is on the inner life, 00:09:34.459 --> 00:09:34.839 isn't it? 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:36.459 We shift from 00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:37.500 public action 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:39.159 of the ungodly 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:39.939 to the inward 00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:40.659 spiritual 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:41.759 habit 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:42.459 or condition 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:43.599 of the godly. 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.359 Why is that? 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:45.919 Well, 00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:46.819 I don't think it's 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:47.759 so that we can say 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:49.339 that godliness 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:50.399 is simply about 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.759 hidden things 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:52.859 that you can't see, 00:09:53.579 --> 00:09:54.479 the hidden sphere 00:09:54.479 --> 00:09:55.139 of the soul. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.580 rather, 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.279 I think it's 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:57.699 so that we'll 00:09:57.699 --> 00:09:58.220 get things 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.019 in the right order. 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:01.399 It's so that 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:02.340 we'll get the heart, 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.559 get to the heart 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:04.039 of the matter, 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:05.159 the heart 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:06.240 of the human problem, 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.220 precisely 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:08.600 that place 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:10.500 that God 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:12.340 applies the remedy 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:12.720 to. 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:14.340 And that's why 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:15.319 Paul prays 00:10:15.319 --> 00:10:16.120 for the church 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:17.799 in Ephesus, 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:18.539 I beg your pardon, 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.720 as he does. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:20.560 I pray, 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:21.100 he says, 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:22.240 that out of 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:23.580 his glorious riches 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:25.960 he may strengthen 00:10:25.960 --> 00:10:26.860 you with power 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.800 through his spirit 00:10:27.800 --> 00:10:28.820 in your inner being 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:30.360 so that Christ 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:30.759 may dwell 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:32.000 in your hearts 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.860 through faith. 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:34.320 Ephesians 3, 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.300 16 to 17. 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.899 He prays this way 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.360 so that they will 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:39.360 truly grasp 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.220 God's love 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.460 for them, 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:42.779 find their only 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:43.340 comfort, 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.700 as those of you 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:45.980 studying the 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:47.300 Heidelberg Catechism 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:48.580 have been putting it. 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:49.720 And from there 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.960 to live 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:52.840 this out publicly 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:54.560 through godly unity 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:55.280 and obedience 00:10:55.280 --> 00:10:56.940 to God's commands. 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:59.320 So what is the law 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:00.040 that the righteous 00:11:00.040 --> 00:11:01.040 meditate on? 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:04.120 Well, quite simply, 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:05.240 the law is everything 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.139 that God commands 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:07.120 in His Word. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:08.440 And as we're working 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:09.240 through the Psalms 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:09.800 this summer, 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.360 it's good to 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.100 turn to other Psalms. 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:13.960 It's clear from 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.000 Psalm 19, 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.640 which I believe 00:11:16.640 --> 00:11:17.580 Matt will be speaking 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:17.900 on, 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.639 soon. 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:21.539 David says 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:22.340 that the law 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:22.819 of the Lord 00:11:22.819 --> 00:11:23.480 is perfect, 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:25.860 refreshing the soul, 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:26.939 that the statutes 00:11:26.939 --> 00:11:27.379 of the Lord 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.059 are trustworthy, 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:29.939 making wise 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:30.600 the simple, 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:32.139 and that the commands 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:32.620 of the Lord 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:33.299 are radiant, 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:34.819 giving light 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:35.720 to the eyes. 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:37.480 Everything 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.699 that God commands. 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:40.480 We don't ordinarily 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.679 think of commands 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:42.919 and rules 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:43.500 as things 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:44.340 that give light, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:45.360 wisdom, 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:46.419 or refreshment 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.800 to our souls. 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.980 But when we consider 00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:51.480 that God's law 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.740 or His Word 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.019 is manifested 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.159 and summed up 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:55.759 in Jesus 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:57.340 and that to serve 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.840 Him is true freedom, 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.580 then we might begin 00:12:00.580 --> 00:12:01.759 to see how God's law 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.279 is something 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.440 that the blessed 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:05.060 find delight in. 00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:09.120 True delight 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.340 values the object 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:12.000 of delight 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.360 for what it is 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:13.980 in itself. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.639 Luther makes 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.100 a point 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.259 of underscoring 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:17.539 this. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.000 He said, 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.019 the blessed 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.720 delight in God's 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:20.980 Word, 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.899 not focusing 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.980 primarily on 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.600 the promises 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.100 or the warnings, 00:12:25.779 --> 00:12:26.720 but because 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.860 it is holy, 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:28.340 righteous, 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:28.919 and good. 00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:30.519 We delight 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.360 in God's Word 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.580 because of what 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.039 it is. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:33.740 It is holy, 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:34.559 righteous, 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:35.000 and good. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.179 And as 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:37.240 the godly 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.120 meditate on it, 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.159 they consider it. 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.580 They reflect 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.240 on it. 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.000 They discuss 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.620 it with others 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:43.220 so that they 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.480 learn something 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.279 of its richness 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.139 and its depth. 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.200 So, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:47.879 for instance, 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:48.860 I'm staying here 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.700 with Luther still, 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:50.960 the law thou 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:52.019 shalt not kill 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.639 in the whole 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.639 counsel of God, 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.220 in the whole 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.139 witness of Scripture, 00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:57.360 is not just 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.240 about not letting 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:59.139 your hand perform 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:00.100 a certain action, 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:01.940 but about 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:03.059 not despising 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:04.459 and seeking 00:13:04.459 --> 00:13:05.239 to injure 00:13:05.239 --> 00:13:05.979 others in any 00:13:05.979 --> 00:13:06.279 way. 00:13:07.359 --> 00:13:07.779 Instead, 00:13:08.239 --> 00:13:09.259 to bless them 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.219 and to do 00:13:10.219 --> 00:13:10.579 good. 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:12.500 Now, 00:13:12.739 --> 00:13:13.619 what happens 00:13:13.619 --> 00:13:14.239 when we don't 00:13:14.239 --> 00:13:15.459 delight in 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:16.259 God's law? 00:13:16.859 --> 00:13:17.259 That's the 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.059 immediate question, 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.539 isn't it? 00:13:18.619 --> 00:13:19.639 For most of 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.039 the time, 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:20.879 we're distracted 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.039 and we are 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:24.419 maybe approaching 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:25.839 God's Word 00:13:25.839 --> 00:13:27.059 feebly 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:28.539 and we feel it. 00:13:28.699 --> 00:13:29.299 What happens 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.139 when our desire 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.219 is so weak 00:13:31.219 --> 00:13:32.559 that we wonder 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:32.939 whether 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:34.260 it isn't 00:13:34.260 --> 00:13:34.960 more a question 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:36.300 of delight 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:36.760 so much 00:13:36.760 --> 00:13:37.160 as just 00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:37.960 plain duty. 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:39.660 And here 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:40.160 I think 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:41.480 even the 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:41.940 awareness 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:43.440 of the ways 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:44.200 we fall short 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:44.840 can itself 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:45.500 be a blessing. 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:46.320 I know this 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:47.500 true in my 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.060 own life. 00:13:48.140 --> 00:13:48.660 In the midst 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:49.120 of our 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.080 distractions 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.920 and wandering, 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.320 God can show 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:52.840 us where 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.740 our selfish 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.540 imaginations 00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:55.220 lead us. 00:13:55.660 --> 00:13:56.140 And so those 00:13:56.140 --> 00:13:57.300 very things 00:13:57.300 --> 00:13:58.320 are the things 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.020 that God uses 00:13:59.020 --> 00:13:59.700 to bring us 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.680 back to himself. 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.400 And really, 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.039 if we're honest, 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:03.879 too often we're 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.480 looking just 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:04.939 within. 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.059 We're looking 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:07.980 to our feelings 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.019 and our desires 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:09.919 and our intentions 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:10.579 to see if, 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:11.419 am I really 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.699 striving after God? 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.500 But in fact, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.340 to bring Luther 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:15.899 in again, 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:17.559 if we're looking 00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:18.000 within, 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:18.659 we're actually 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.360 looking in the 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.120 wrong place 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.059 because deep 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.559 inside, 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.159 we actually 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.039 hate the law. 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:26.059 we actually 00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.919 rebel against 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.219 it. 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.339 We need to 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:29.059 look to Christ 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:29.719 and to his 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:30.240 righteousness, 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:31.779 asking God 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.240 again and 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:32.620 again to 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.240 keep us 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.120 in that 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.719 righteousness 00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:35.439 like a 00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:35.779 mantle. 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:37.779 It's only 00:14:37.779 --> 00:14:38.360 there that we 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:38.819 begin to 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.339 understand, 00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:39.719 I think, 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.319 what it means 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:40.819 to meditate 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:41.439 on God's 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:41.819 word day 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.279 and night 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.659 because we 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.939 might be 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:45.539 wondering what 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:45.980 in the world 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.360 that could 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.139 possibly mean. 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.139 This is not 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:49.799 about emptying 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:50.639 the mind 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.399 through some 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.379 kind of endless 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.179 mantra that we 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:53.819 would recite, 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:54.659 and it's 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.399 not even 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.419 primarily about 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.120 any kind of 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:57.879 method or 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.419 technique. 00:14:59.219 --> 00:14:59.919 With God's 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:00.099 word, 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:00.599 we're talking 00:15:00.599 --> 00:15:01.059 about a 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:02.299 reality that 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.199 comes to us 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:04.039 before we 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:04.859 even think of 00:15:04.859 --> 00:15:05.639 coming to it. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.519 We're talking 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.120 about something 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:09.139 objective outside 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.399 of us that 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.379 God has revealed 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.639 that we have 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:14.159 the privilege to 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:15.099 consider and 00:15:15.099 --> 00:15:15.879 ponder and 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:17.120 listen to as 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:17.899 God himself 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.819 works in our 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.559 hearts and 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.359 minds through 00:15:20.359 --> 00:15:20.620 it. 00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:22.779 And what is 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:23.419 that work? 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.100 Well, it's 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:25.860 his work of 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.379 making us 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.399 attentive to 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.039 his word, 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.659 grateful for 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:30.939 his blessings 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.959 so that we 00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:32.860 can enjoy the 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.339 relationship that 00:15:34.339 --> 00:15:35.179 our meditations 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:36.139 bring us into. 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.899 Verse 3, 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.299 we read there 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:43.319 that the one 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:44.360 God blesses is 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.139 like a tree 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.559 planted where? 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:47.019 Well, by 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.620 rivers, by 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.319 streams of 00:15:49.319 --> 00:15:49.679 water. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:49.719 water. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:50.919 And this 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.659 tree yields 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.799 fruit in 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.979 season, in 00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:55.259 its season, and 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.459 its leaf does 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:57.099 not wither. 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.239 The same 00:15:59.239 --> 00:15:59.839 promise is 00:15:59.839 --> 00:16:00.699 there in 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.719 Jesus' words. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.019 Remain in 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.779 me as I 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.419 remain in 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:04.779 you. 00:16:05.359 --> 00:16:06.059 No branch 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.479 can bear 00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:07.120 fruit. 00:16:07.479 --> 00:16:08.779 By itself, it 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.579 must remain in 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:10.039 the vine. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:10.959 And neither 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:12.019 can you bear 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.679 fruit unless 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.459 you remain in 00:16:13.459 --> 00:16:13.759 me. 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.139 John 15, 00:16:15.339 --> 00:16:15.899 verse 4. 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:18.340 Notice here 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:18.819 how we're 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:20.480 looking outside 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.100 ourselves. 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.120 We're not 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.959 planting 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:24.639 ourselves, since 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:25.559 God is the 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.740 one who takes 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.480 care of that. 00:16:28.539 --> 00:16:30.360 In fact, God 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.860 transplants us, 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:32.459 says Luther, 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:33.679 out of Adam 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.919 and into 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.360 Christ. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:37.100 And I like 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.840 how Charles 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.399 Spurgeon 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.419 describes the 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.100 fruit God 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.919 causes us to 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.519 produce in 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:41.939 season. 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.279 Patience in 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.779 the time of 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:46.220 suffering, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.059 faith in 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.480 the day of 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:48.899 trial, 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.100 and holy 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.939 joy in 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.620 the hour of 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.199 prosperity. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.559 Not so 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:55.879 with the 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.779 ungodly, 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.659 verses 4 and 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.279 5 tell us, 00:16:59.339 --> 00:16:59.799 bringing us 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.639 back to the 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.459 present condition 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:02.319 of the wicked. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:03.779 What are they 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.099 like? 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.420 Well, they're 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:04.920 like the 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.879 chaff that 00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:06.460 the wind 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.500 just drives 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.200 away, like 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:11.000 dust, of 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.639 no use, 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.079 right? 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:12.460 the way 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.019 the fruit 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.500 that we 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:16.839 bear 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.199 blesses 00:17:18.199 --> 00:17:18.480 others. 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:18.919 Well, the 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:19.379 chaff is 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:20.079 of no use. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.199 It says, 00:17:21.419 --> 00:17:21.699 therefore, the 00:17:21.699 --> 00:17:22.159 wicked will 00:17:22.159 --> 00:17:23.019 not stand 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.659 in the 00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:24.019 judgment, 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:24.759 nor sinners 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.599 in the 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.000 congregation 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.559 of the 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:26.879 righteous. 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.179 In other 00:17:28.179 --> 00:17:29.000 words, without 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:29.839 a foundation, 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:32.019 without grounding, 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.980 their end is 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.759 death, because 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.579 they won't be 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.339 able to stand 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:35.980 on the day 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.899 of judgment, 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.879 nor participate 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:39.000 in the 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.659 fellowship of 00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:40.179 the godly. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.000 There will 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.700 be no word 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.779 spoken on 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.420 their behalf. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.400 They'll be 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:47.460 without excuse, 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:48.360 as Paul says. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.460 And what is 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.160 their present 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:50.680 condition? 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.080 Well, they 00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:52.620 may have the 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.340 appearance of 00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:53.779 godliness, 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.140 they may 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.620 imagine 00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.560 themselves to 00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:57.940 be godly 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.340 and set 00:17:58.340 --> 00:17:58.940 apart, but 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.799 in reality, 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:00.759 they're far 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.400 from its 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.740 fellowship and 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.279 its blessings. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.960 The last 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.799 verse, verse 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.840 six, completes 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.600 the picture for 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:08.779 us. 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:09.279 The Lord 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.960 knows the 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.279 way of 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.880 the righteous, 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:11.799 but the 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.180 way of 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.539 the wicked 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.200 will perish. 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.000 The picture 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.380 is here 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:15.940 complete. 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:16.380 Why? 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:16.920 Well, because 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.559 it states 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.220 the end 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.460 of those 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:19.799 who will 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.640 not stand 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.019 when the 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.299 day of 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.559 judgment 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.140 comes. 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.360 But most 00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:23.960 importantly, 00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.120 it gives 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.759 us the 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.420 whole basis 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:28.019 for 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.920 blessedness. 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.380 The 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.759 blessed 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:32.360 man or 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:33.460 woman is 00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.220 the one 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.880 whose way 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.920 God knows. 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.059 God is 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:39.140 actively at 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.740 work in 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.259 planting 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.319 him where 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:41.660 he can 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:41.839 be 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.400 nourished. 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.339 God is 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:44.259 actively at 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.859 work preparing 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.579 his path, 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.299 preparing it 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.720 so he can 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.980 walk on 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.500 it, shining 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.640 light on 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:52.740 it so that 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.240 he will not 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.680 lose his 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.099 way, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.200 shielding 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.200 him from 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.259 landslides, 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.859 if you like. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.160 This kind 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.559 of knowing 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.140 speaks of 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.819 God's 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.579 providential 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.859 care for 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.259 those who 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.839 trust in 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.120 him. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:06.119 God is 00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:06.159 not. 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.599 By contrast, 00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:07.679 the way 00:19:07.679 --> 00:19:09.579 of the 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.219 ungodly 00:19:10.219 --> 00:19:10.759 is not 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.059 a way 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.479 that God 00:19:11.479 --> 00:19:12.079 knows. 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.500 Psalm 34, 00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.259 15 to 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.819 16 says, 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.219 David, 00:19:16.719 --> 00:19:17.959 in there, 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.699 David tells 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:19.059 us that 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.459 while the 00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:19.899 eyes of 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:20.239 the Lord 00:19:20.239 --> 00:19:20.719 are on 00:19:20.719 --> 00:19:20.859 the 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.179 righteous, 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.500 his face 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.179 is against 00:19:23.179 --> 00:19:23.879 those who 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:24.500 do evil. 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:26.920 God is 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:28.660 trying to 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.359 apply it 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.619 to our 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.099 own lives 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.480 today. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.240 I think 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.420 we can 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.019 say at 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.400 least three 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.759 things about 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.359 how it 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:38.140 applies and 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:38.660 how it 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.500 challenges us 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.019 in three 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:41.180 areas. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.160 I think the 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.180 first has to 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.099 do with how 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.759 we think of 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.519 life itself. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.140 Is life a 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.680 good thing in 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.359 itself, a 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:49.759 gift from 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.220 God to 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.839 accept with 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.619 gratitude and 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.539 to rejoice in, 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.099 or is it 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:55.279 a means to 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.959 an end that 00:19:55.959 --> 00:19:56.740 you and I 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.519 have invented 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.679 for ourselves. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.500 And there, 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.000 the difference 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.619 is crucial. 00:20:01.459 --> 00:20:02.539 Either we 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.000 take, either 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.719 take his 00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:05.679 care for us, 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:06.539 his favor, 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.179 his word, 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.759 for granted, 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.259 or we 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.619 don't. 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.599 Darkened in 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.319 our minds as 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:12.959 we are by 00:20:12.959 --> 00:20:14.099 the culture 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.639 of death, 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.619 as Pope 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.379 John Paul 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:18.039 II said in 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.799 an encyclical 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.379 some years 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.599 ago, it's 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.159 common to 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:21.539 think of 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.099 life as 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:22.679 something that 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.179 can be 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:24.019 sacrificed 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.539 to some 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.339 higher good 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.519 like convenience 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.639 or my 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.200 individual 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.299 rights or 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.000 even 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.680 preferences. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.180 Either way, 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.079 life ceases 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.920 to be sacred 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.579 and a gift 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.119 from God. 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.200 Let me 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.639 illustrate. 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.599 Some years, 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.200 not so very 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.819 long ago, 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.920 Al Mohler 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.819 commented on 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.660 two news 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.220 items that 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.859 came across 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.500 his desk 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.619 in the 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.319 space of 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.839 just an 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.099 hour. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.139 One lamented 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.879 the plight of 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.819 a woman who 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.539 was expecting 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.259 a baby 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.240 with Down 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.599 Syndrome, 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:55.759 but who 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.359 couldn't 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.940 remedy what 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.720 she supposed 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.220 to be a 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:00.519 problem with 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.039 an abortion 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.680 in her 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.500 particular part 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.879 of Europe. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.079 The other 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.099 story featured 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:06.899 a woman who, 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.659 when informed 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.279 that the baby 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.359 she was expecting 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:11.279 had Down 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:11.659 Syndrome, 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.700 took the 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.460 opposite approach 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.819 and said, 00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.559 we had a 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.039 chance to 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.559 bring this 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.779 child into 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.359 the world 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:18.220 to make the 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.619 world a 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.299 better place. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.519 definitely 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.460 our family 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.119 will embrace 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.720 this gift 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.659 and face 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.079 it all 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.500 together. 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.259 Two ways, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.599 one of 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.359 convenience 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:32.559 and self-determination 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.180 if you like, 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.659 and the other 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.440 of gratitude 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.659 and dependence 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.379 on God. 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.099 One of these 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.980 ways seems 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.779 right for a 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.099 while, 00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:41.839 as Proverbs 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.839 14, 12 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.639 teaches us, 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.099 but in the 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.700 end it leads 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.240 to death. 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:47.700 This brings 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.079 me to a 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.500 second way 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:48.919 that Psalm 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:49.299 1 can 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:49.899 challenge us 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.259 today. 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.220 It has to 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.639 do with 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:52.659 what it 00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:53.099 means to 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.720 say as we 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.259 find in 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.919 verses like 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:56.119 Psalm 103 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:56.699 9, 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.179 the Lord 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:57.639 will not 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:57.980 always 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.659 accuse, 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.059 nor will 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:00.579 he harbor 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.119 his anger 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.579 forever. 00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.159 The fact 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.579 is, 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:05.119 many are 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.759 now inclined 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.259 to use 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.879 such verses 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.460 to argue 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:07.879 for a 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:08.359 kind of 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:08.759 hell that 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.259 is really 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.819 only limited 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.299 to our 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.720 present 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:13.059 experience, 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:15.539 or that 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.240 will eventually 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.559 be emptied, 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.159 if you like, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.500 through a 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.059 back door 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:20.319 that opens 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.220 into heaven. 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.899 Our age is a 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.940 sentimental one, 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.539 if there ever 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.179 was one, 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.960 where we're 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.839 guided by our 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.799 feelings primarily, 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.659 rather than what 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.879 God's word has 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.579 to say on a 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.599 given issue. 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.319 We've been doing 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.179 a lot of 00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:36.119 downsizing 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.839 theologically, 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.399 haven't we? 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.319 Instead of sin, 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.339 we have said 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:40.000 mistakes. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.399 Instead of hell, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.039 we think of some 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.639 kind of after 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.539 school detention, 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.399 a place I got to 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.040 spend a couple 00:22:46.040 --> 00:22:47.240 of occasions 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.240 back in Mexico 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.540 in after school 00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:49.960 detention, 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:50.600 feeling like a 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.100 young criminal. 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.120 It could very 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:54.180 well be that 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.240 we have God 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.680 himself 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.780 downsized, 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:58.340 so that he 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.180 fits nicely 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.519 into our own 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:00.980 sense of 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.440 justice. 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.220 The truth 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:03.540 is, 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.680 nowhere in 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.680 scripture do 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.600 we find that 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:08.000 hell is some 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.800 kind of warning, 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.480 but with no 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:09.840 teeth, 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.060 with no 00:23:11.060 --> 00:23:11.600 substance. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.100 Quite the 00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.480 opposite. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.680 Jesus himself 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.019 says, 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.519 these will go 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.279 away into 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.259 eternal punishment 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:19.099 in the parable 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.599 of the sheep 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.220 and the goats 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.620 in Matthew 25, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.579 but the righteous 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.500 into eternal 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.000 life. 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.480 So when we 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.420 read in 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.140 Psalm 103 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.880 of God's 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.660 boundless mercy, 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.620 we give thanks 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:32.099 and we acknowledge 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.940 that his mercy 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.420 is far more 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.059 merciful than 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.779 we can imagine. 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.779 We also know 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:37.539 that his justice 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.720 is far more 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.319 just than we 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.759 could ever 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.740 imagine because 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.539 he always does 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.259 what's right. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:44.380 We also know 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.740 that when he 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.120 says, 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.900 from everlasting 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.799 to everlasting 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.519 the Lord's 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:52.160 love is there, 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.079 it's with those 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:53.839 who fear him 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.420 and his 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.920 righteousness 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.519 with their 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.099 children's 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.460 children, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.319 with those 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:57.759 who keep 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.299 his covenant 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.440 and remember 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.160 to obey 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.039 his precepts. 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.539 Now we know 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.160 we can't do 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.180 this in our 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.779 own strength. 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:04.860 None of us 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.539 can do this 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.059 in our own 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.420 strength. 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.400 We trust 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.000 in God's 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.880 mercy and 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.220 in his 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.599 power. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.039 A third 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.579 way that 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.120 Psalm 1 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.779 can challenge 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.419 us today 00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:14.079 is this. 00:24:14.979 --> 00:24:15.639 I think 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.139 it can help 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.459 us to 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:16.799 confront 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.319 head-on 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.399 that false 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:18.839 way of 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.519 blessedness 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.039 such as 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.059 I think 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.479 I found 00:24:21.479 --> 00:24:21.979 it preached 00:24:21.979 --> 00:24:22.399 in that 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:22.919 square in 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.259 Prague 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.279 just a few 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.859 weeks ago 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.619 and in 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.239 other places 00:24:26.239 --> 00:24:26.639 where we 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.119 might hear 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.599 a similar 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.479 way of 00:24:28.479 --> 00:24:29.139 blessedness 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.639 taught to 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.199 us today. 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.880 it teaches 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.519 us essentially 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:36.299 to put 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:37.019 our hope 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:39.120 in our 00:24:39.120 --> 00:24:40.380 own efforts 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:40.840 and in 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:41.360 our own 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.240 capacities. 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.360 Luther says 00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:44.660 that the 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.319 whole Psalm 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.960 though is 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.640 directed, 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.400 is to be 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.519 understood in 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.100 relation to 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:49.539 Christ. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.620 And he 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:53.059 continues, 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.980 he is the 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.680 mark or the 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.460 goal to 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.880 which the 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.539 man that is 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.640 blessed is 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.480 to direct 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.019 all his 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.440 aims. 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.960 So Luther 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.420 is helping 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:01.799 us to 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:02.240 read the 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.559 Psalms 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.519 Christologically 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.380 to point 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.759 us to 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.120 Jesus 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.220 through them 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.660 even though 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.000 we can 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.620 speak of 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.940 a Psalm 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.980 as very 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.460 much the 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.099 gospel in 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.700 a nutshell 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:15.380 in the 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:15.839 form of 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.360 praise. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.200 So where 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.839 can we turn 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.299 in Scripture 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.700 to see 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.299 something of 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:20.680 how the 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.299 fount of 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:21.960 every blessing 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.620 we sometimes 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.200 sing about 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.599 is none 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.079 other than 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.779 Christ Jesus. 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.000 I can't 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.360 think of a 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:26.799 better place 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.480 than Ephesians 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.279 where Paul 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.319 begins by 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.899 saying that 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.379 we who've 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.039 been included 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.420 in God's 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.079 family through 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.539 the preaching 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:33.859 of the 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.819 gospel have 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.440 been blessed 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.099 with every 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.119 spiritual blessing 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:38.240 in Jesus 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.759 Christ. 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.220 We've been 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.319 chosen to 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.960 be holy 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.759 and blameless 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.720 for a 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.000 definite 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.720 purpose in 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.180 other words. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:44.940 We were 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.879 predestined to 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:46.579 be adopted 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:48.000 so we're 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.660 redeemed, 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.339 forgiven, 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:50.079 given to 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:50.960 understand God's 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.579 purpose for 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:51.980 the world. 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.160 All of this 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:53.899 in and 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.680 because and 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.460 through Jesus. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.980 And it's 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.680 all for him 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.240 too because 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.519 God's purpose 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.559 is to bring 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.579 all things 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.059 in heaven 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.839 and on 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.259 earth together 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.859 under one 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.359 head who 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.960 is Jesus 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.440 Christ. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:06.640 We're 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.380 talking here 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:07.940 this is the 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.759 big word 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.480 that Irenaeus 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:09.940 used the 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.900 summing up 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:13.359 the recapitulation 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.220 summing up 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.000 of all things 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.140 under Christ 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:16.640 the head. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.680 What was our 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.500 condition before 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.380 God called us 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:20.680 through the 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.059 gospel? 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.700 Chapter 2 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.279 tells us 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.819 we were dead 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.720 in trespasses 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.279 and sins. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.960 We followed 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.920 the course 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.299 of this 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.839 world 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.899 obeying the 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.500 spirit that 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.019 is now at 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.879 work in 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.399 the sons 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:33.379 of disobedience. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.500 But then 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.119 Paul goes 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:35.440 on. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.639 God being 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.259 rich in 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.619 mercy 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:39.279 because of 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.660 the great 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.559 love with 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.579 which he 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.039 has loved 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.299 us. 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.240 Even when 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.579 we were 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.339 dead in 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:44.519 our 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.180 trespasses 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.079 made us 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:47.819 alive in 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.599 Christ, 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.359 together with 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:50.660 Christ, 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.160 so that he 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.559 can say, 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.279 by grace 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.000 you have 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.720 been saved 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:56.299 and raised 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.859 up with 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.139 him. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.099 In fact, 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.659 we read 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.559 God has 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.500 seated us 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.740 in the 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.500 heavenly places 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.019 in Christ 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.720 Jesus in 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.799 Ephesians 2 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.179 6. 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:05.619 Well, 00:27:05.679 --> 00:27:06.240 to what end 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.599 has he 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.220 seated us 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.519 there? 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.339 It's in 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.659 the same 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.500 chapter in 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.960 verse 10. 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.839 We're included 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.839 in Christ's 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.119 life. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.019 We're seated 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.599 with him 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.419 so that we 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:16.319 might live a 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.700 life of 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.480 obedience to 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.659 him because 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.319 it says we 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:19.720 are his 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.480 workmanship, 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:22.440 created in 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.099 Christ Jesus 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.980 for good 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.360 works, 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.380 which God 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.920 prepared 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.420 beforehand. 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.620 And here's 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.400 another verb 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:28.960 we've seen 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.779 so that we 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.460 might walk 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.980 in them. 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.039 Sit, 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.079 walk. 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.620 If we're 00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:36.120 looking for 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:37.000 Paul's letter 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.599 to complete 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.120 the metaphor 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.019 that the 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.700 psalmist gave 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.120 us, well, 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.599 we won't be 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.180 disappointed. 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.860 Watchman Nee 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.460 wrote years 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.980 ago and 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.460 others have 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.079 noticed the 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.380 same. 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.240 In chapter 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.720 6, 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.140 in verse 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.480 10, 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.680 Paul challenges 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.299 us with 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.779 these words. 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.399 Be strong 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:51.700 in the 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.619 Lord and 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.000 in his 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.539 power. 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.319 And then 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.859 he adds, 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.759 put on 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.220 the whole 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.779 armor of 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.240 God that 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.599 you may 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:57.980 be able 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.919 to stand 00:27:58.919 --> 00:28:00.700 against the 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.159 schemes of 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:01.539 the devil. 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.240 Verse 11. 00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:02.799 Then again 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.480 in verse 12, 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:03.859 he says, 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.259 take up 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.980 the whole 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.519 armor of 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.379 God so 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:06.599 that you 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:06.879 may be 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:07.359 able to 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:08.079 withstand 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:09.000 in the 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.539 evil day 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.319 and having 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.899 done all 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.879 to stand. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.740 So we've 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.359 got sit 00:28:15.359 --> 00:28:16.619 walking 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:17.519 and standing. 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.859 God 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.099 is this 00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:19.599 vision of 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.240 blessedness 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.160 diametrically 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.160 opposed to 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.440 what I 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:22.819 heard in 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.139 Prague. 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.000 Well, 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.619 for starters, 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.180 there's no 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.240 Gnostic split 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.460 between Jesus 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.379 and the 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.759 Christ, 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.379 a split 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.559 which yanks 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.379 us right 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:31.720 out of 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.700 history and 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.420 God's saving 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.440 events in 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.039 real time 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.680 and space. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.940 There's no 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.400 Gnostic 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:39.019 division that 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.839 makes salvation 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.539 all about the 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.240 liberation of 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.759 the mind 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:43.139 through this 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.440 or that 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.400 method so 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:44.980 that the 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.580 mind can 00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.160 return to 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.759 its source. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:47.900 We know 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.820 that blessedness 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.340 in Jesus 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:50.420 has all 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:50.980 to do 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.120 with the 00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:52.580 resurrection 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.019 of the 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.640 body as 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.580 his as a 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.240 pledge of 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.740 our own 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.860 and about 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.380 a world 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.019 made new 00:28:59.019 --> 00:29:00.120 fit for 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.580 eternity. 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.740 In the 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.259 second place, 00:29:03.340 --> 00:29:03.720 the way of 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.440 blessedness in 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.200 Ephesians is 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.500 opposed to 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.280 that alternative 00:29:07.280 --> 00:29:07.800 because it 00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:08.560 teaches us 00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:09.600 that in our 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.060 sin, 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.680 we are far 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.320 from God, 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:12.960 unable even 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.480 to take the 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.220 first step. 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.660 in that way 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.800 of blessedness. 00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:18.540 The world 00:29:18.540 --> 00:29:19.080 will think 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:20.060 this is, 00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:20.380 well, 00:29:21.080 --> 00:29:21.540 baloney, 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:21.900 right? 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.820 How negative 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:24.240 a view of 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.780 humanity, 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.420 folks will 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.740 say. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:26.860 Or they 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.240 may say, 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:27.600 yes, 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.540 there's plenty 00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:29.180 of evil 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.660 stuff out 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:30.940 there, 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.320 but they'll 00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:32.100 never locate 00:29:32.100 --> 00:29:32.680 the problem 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.660 in the human 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.560 heart itself. 00:29:35.340 --> 00:29:35.600 Human 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.200 motives, 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.200 intentions, 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.980 and intuitions 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.880 will always be 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.900 seen as 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.380 more or 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:42.920 less decent, 00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:43.800 authentic, 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:45.200 more or 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.940 less pure, 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.580 corrupted only 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.400 by the wicked 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.519 stuff that's 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.000 out there. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.800 But we 00:29:51.800 --> 00:29:52.980 know from 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.620 God's word 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.420 that the 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.100 heart is the 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.600 source of the 00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:55.980 problem. 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:56.840 Jesus himself 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.720 tells us that. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.680 He says, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.480 what comes out 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.120 of the person 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:00.519 is what 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.340 defiles him. 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:03.139 for from 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:03.539 within, 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.039 out of the 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.459 heart of 00:30:04.459 --> 00:30:04.939 man come 00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:05.779 evil thoughts, 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.599 sexual 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.319 immorality, 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:07.859 theft, 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.399 murder, 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.379 adultery, 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:10.099 coveting, 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.759 wickedness, 00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:11.399 deceit, 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.779 sensuality, 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.279 envy, 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.019 slander, 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.059 pride, 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.559 foolishness, 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.359 all these evil 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:18.099 things come from 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.519 within, 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.059 and they defile 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.579 the person. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.480 Finally, 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.539 the way of 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.259 blessedness in 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.059 Ephesians and 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:27.179 the Psalms is 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:28.599 diametrically opposed 00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.599 to what I heard 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.119 in Prague, 00:30:30.459 --> 00:30:31.139 because the 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:31.699 call to 00:30:31.699 --> 00:30:32.379 contemplate 00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:32.819 Christ, 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.699 which of 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.079 course we 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:35.559 do hear in 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.299 Hebrews, 00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:36.839 for instance, 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.919 fix your eyes 00:30:37.919 --> 00:30:38.419 on Jesus, 00:30:38.639 --> 00:30:39.319 is not a 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.719 call to 00:30:39.719 --> 00:30:40.980 imagine the 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.740 Christ any 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.459 way we like. 00:30:43.219 --> 00:30:43.740 In fact, 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.379 it's not 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.039 primarily a 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.579 matter of the 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.299 eye, but of 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.759 the ear. 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.980 We can put it 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.319 this way, 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.759 we can't seek 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:52.240 his face if 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.839 we don't give 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.419 ear to his 00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:53.859 words. 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:56.199 And as we 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:56.699 seek him, 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.299 we seek him 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.799 for who he 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.119 is. 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:58.980 As we 00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.639 noted earlier, 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.719 we don't 00:31:00.719 --> 00:31:01.939 seek him with 00:31:01.939 --> 00:31:02.679 the idea of 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.679 getting some 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.679 important blessing. 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.480 He himself set 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:07.079 the example, 00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.579 didn't he? 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:09.259 He set his 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.379 eyes on his 00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.519 goal, the joy 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.539 set before him, 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.859 Hebrews 12, 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.639 2 tells us, 00:31:14.959 --> 00:31:15.740 and he endured 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.459 the cross, 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.819 despising the 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.119 shame. 00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:20.459 So let me 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:21.319 finish, let me 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:21.799 conclude. 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.959 God's law, 00:31:23.959 --> 00:31:24.599 everything he 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.139 commands, 00:31:25.699 --> 00:31:26.159 stands. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:26.599 There's no 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.399 running from 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:27.639 it. 00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.640 God's grace 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.100 if we hope 00:31:29.100 --> 00:31:29.560 to live. 00:31:31.020 --> 00:31:31.780 But the 00:31:31.780 --> 00:31:32.360 mercy that 00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:32.900 flows from 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.540 God's grace 00:31:33.540 --> 00:31:34.620 is there for 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.480 all who will 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.340 call upon 00:31:36.340 --> 00:31:36.640 him. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.100 There is 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.700 now no 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.520 condemnation, 00:31:39.780 --> 00:31:40.180 says Paul, 00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.360 in Romans 00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:42.480 8, 1 and 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:42.900 2, for 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:43.940 those who 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.500 are in 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.380 Christ Jesus, 00:31:45.800 --> 00:31:46.520 because through 00:31:46.520 --> 00:31:47.160 Christ Jesus, 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:48.700 the law of 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.880 the spirit who 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.860 gives life 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:52.100 has set them 00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:53.400 free from 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.560 the law of 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:54.960 sin and 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.279 death. 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:56.919 So, 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.379 brothers and 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:57.619 sisters, 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.359 may we not 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.740 harden our 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.519 hearts, but 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:02.059 rather turn to 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.659 the one who 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.679 alone has the 00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:05.099 power, in the 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.740 words of Psalm 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.659 103, 4, to 00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:08.500 forgive all our 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:10.299 sins, to 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.000 heal all our 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.259 diseases, to 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.259 redeem our 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.940 life from the 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.099 pit, and to 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.779 crown us with 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.700 love and 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.139 compassion. 00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.460 Thanks be to 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:19.679 God. 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:49.660 God bless you.