WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:05.620 Friends, what a joy it is to be with you as we consider God's Word together. 00:00:06.500 --> 00:00:12.800 It is fitting that in the beginning of this new year, we should gather and engage in one of the most important aspects of our lives. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:15.419 Hearing from God as we look to His Word. 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:18.240 So our text this morning is Psalm 126. 00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:20.400 Let's go to the Lord for help. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:29.219 Lord, we come to You this morning asking for the light of understanding. 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:32.799 True faith to believe what You have spoken. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:35.759 Be with us this morning by Your Spirit. 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:42.780 Would You give me the gift of teaching to encourage, rebuke, reprove, exhort. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:46.719 And as seeds are planted in water, we pray that You would give the growth. 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:49.939 You will give Your glory to no other. 00:00:51.219 --> 00:00:57.719 Lord, would You lift up Christ by Your Spirit and we would all behold His eyes, His glory with the eyes of faith. 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:02.219 Would You draw each of us by Your Spirit to declare that Jesus is Lord of all. 00:01:02.859 --> 00:01:03.979 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:04.879 Amen. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:21.899 In 1971, in the shadow of the Vietnam War, perhaps England's most influential theologian, cultural icon, and a leading member of the rock band, the Beatles, 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:29.400 John Lennon would release a song called Imagine with these lyrics. 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:32.280 Imagine there's no heaven. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:34.340 It's easy if you try. 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:36.400 No hell below us. 00:01:36.520 --> 00:01:37.880 Above us, only sky. 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:41.140 Imagine all the people living for today. 00:01:42.160 --> 00:01:43.480 Imagine there's no countries. 00:01:44.240 --> 00:01:45.100 It isn't hard to do. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:46.580 Nothing to kill or die for. 00:01:46.700 --> 00:01:47.740 And no religion, too. 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:50.699 Lenin diagnoses a problem. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:52.619 And he prescribes a cure. 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:54.979 No religion, countries, possessions. 00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:04.379 To evoke hope in dark times, he would paint a picture of a future world, which informs how the listener ought to live today. 00:02:05.379 --> 00:02:08.539 The song ends with almost religious overtones of salvation. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:11.939 I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:18.479 During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Italian citizens would sing the song from balconies and rooftops. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:24.280 Viral videos showed Mayo Clinic doctors singing this song in their time of trouble. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:30.079 Now, a really good lie always has an element of truth. 00:02:31.340 --> 00:02:36.159 If you have a pulse, I don't need to convince you that something is wrong in the world. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:39.979 We live in times that seem to go from bad to worse. 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:43.060 Oftentimes, it feels like we live in a desert. 00:02:43.739 --> 00:02:46.019 A desert of God's word in the land. 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:48.899 And a desert in our own love for God. 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:53.179 And our hearts cry for renewal, restoration. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.919 In this desert, where can we hang our hopes? 00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:02.000 What is the answer the scripture gives us of the restoration of the world? 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:05.859 Well, this is the question that Psalm 126 presents to us. 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:10.180 If you can find it on page 485 of the P Bibles in front of you. 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:15.380 If you're not familiar with the Bible, the big numbers are the chapter numbers and the smaller numbers are the verse numbers. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:17.260 Let's read it together. 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:20.680 Psalm 126. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:25.580 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 00:03:26.760 --> 00:03:31.040 Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:35.219 Then they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:37.500 The Lord has done great things for us. 00:03:37.580 --> 00:03:38.219 We are glad. 00:03:39.219 --> 00:03:42.600 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:46.819 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:55.079 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. 00:03:56.979 --> 00:04:00.620 The main idea of this passage is that God will restore the world. 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:06.659 And in light of that reality, we should live today with joyful, hopeful resilience. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:09.759 We will look at this psalm in three parts. 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:12.500 The first point in verse 1 is the restoration. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:16.819 The second point in verses 2 to 3 is the rejoicing. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:19.579 And finally, verse 4 to 6 is the resolving. 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:21.459 Resolving to persevere. 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:22.519 Three points. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:25.579 The restoration, the rejoicing, and the resolving. 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:27.759 So point number one, the restoration. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:28.899 Verse 1. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:33.360 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:37.579 Now Zion is another name for Jerusalem, the capital city. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:43.599 And the psalm evidently was written sometime after the Lord had restored the fortunes of his people. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:46.759 We don't know exactly when this was written. 00:04:47.419 --> 00:04:53.399 Many see this as written by Ezra shortly after the people returned from exile from Babylon. 00:04:54.039 --> 00:04:58.939 But there were other times when the Lord disciplined the people and raised up judges to restore them. 00:04:59.459 --> 00:05:04.079 Either way, the people are remembering when the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion. 00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:07.479 God sent them away, but he brings them back. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:11.639 He is working out their health and not their harm. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:16.180 And this is a picture of godly discipline. 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:18.939 God disciplines those whom he loves. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:24.680 Often the words discipline and love sound inconsistent to our modern ear. 00:05:25.659 --> 00:05:29.079 We often are told that love only and ever consists of affirmation. 00:05:29.779 --> 00:05:32.759 But friend, it is never loving to let someone die in their sin. 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:40.860 A good doctor will give bitter medicine if it cures the patient of a deadly disease to restore them to health. 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:45.060 And parents, you know that disciplining your children is ultimately about restoring them. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:50.060 And children, know that although your parents do this imperfectly, they do it because they love you. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:56.019 In the same way, we practice church discipline because we love the person and we want to see them restored. 00:05:56.480 --> 00:06:00.339 God disciplines his people likewise to restore them. 00:06:00.339 --> 00:06:04.560 He sent them away, but now he brings them back to bring about health and not harm. 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:08.879 And Israel knew what it was like to be disciplined by a loving and gracious father. 00:06:09.299 --> 00:06:10.519 But God restores them. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.419 And because of that, they are celebrating. 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:14.279 And point number one, the restoration. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:16.139 Point number two is the rejoicing. 00:06:16.799 --> 00:06:17.899 He's brought them back. 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:21.239 And because of that, the people are rejoicing. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:24.799 Saying the Lord has done great things for us in verses two to three. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:29.240 The people are rejoicing because God had restored their fortunes. 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:34.139 Now, is Israel rejoicing because God had filled up their bank accounts? 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:38.980 Like the time of the year where your employer gives you a little bit extra in your paycheck? 00:06:40.020 --> 00:06:40.259 No. 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:45.780 Now, when you hear the word fortune, don't think about God restoring their bank accounts. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.340 Rather, God is Israel's fortune. 00:06:49.080 --> 00:06:50.920 He is the real treasure in worth. 00:06:50.920 --> 00:06:52.680 And he brought them back. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:56.879 And the basis for rejoicing isn't material wealth, but God's grace. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:01.000 God's grace causes celebration. 00:07:02.400 --> 00:07:06.420 And the sorrow and sadness of their exile had been replaced by celebration. 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:09.259 The Lord had done great things for them. 00:07:09.460 --> 00:07:12.420 Once enslaved as a people, they knew they deserved God's rejection. 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:14.920 But God had been gracious to them. 00:07:15.200 --> 00:07:19.520 Not in their wildest dreams would they have expected to receive the amount of grace they'd been given. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:22.019 I think that's what the end of verse one means. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:24.379 We were like those who dream. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:29.139 When God freed them and restored them, it was like a dream come true. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.399 It was unexpected. 00:07:31.979 --> 00:07:33.799 They are amazed at God's grace. 00:07:35.159 --> 00:07:40.120 Now, if you're anything like me, you can read verse three and just mentally skip over it. 00:07:41.099 --> 00:07:43.219 Yeah, the Lord has done great things for us. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:44.879 What's the big deal? 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:48.500 It's like someone telling that Neil Armstrong once walked on the moon. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:51.660 It's a dry historical fact. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:54.399 Yeah, in the same way the Lord has done great things for us. 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:55.180 What's the big deal? 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:57.480 But look again at verses one to three. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:07:59.620 Don't miss the tone in these verses. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:02.399 These people aren't sighing under their breath. 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:05.379 Verse two says the people's mouths are filled with laughter. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:08.220 And their tongues are shouting for joy. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.199 They're laughing. 00:08:10.339 --> 00:08:13.620 These people are shouting, the Lord has done great things for us. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:16.780 And the people can't contain themselves. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:19.819 And the reason they're celebrating is because their God is a God of grace. 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:21.780 And God's mercies were new. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:24.740 They had personally tasted and seen that the Lord is good. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:27.100 And this mercy is sweeter than honey. 00:08:27.780 --> 00:08:30.540 He restores them when they deserve to be exiled forever. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.799 And that causes celebration. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:38.980 Israel is partying with more joy than the country of Argentina after winning the World Cup. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:43.340 They're singing, they're laughing, they're leaping with joy. 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:45.399 Because God has shown them grace. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:47.420 Friend, let me ask you. 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:50.519 Do you experience this level of joy in your faith? 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:57.320 Is your worship characterized with joy, singing, even laughter? 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:00.800 Overflowing joy where you can't even contain yourself. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:01.700 And you start laughing. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.720 You start singing. 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:07.420 You know, for some of us, we know the Christian life is serious. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:08.720 It's serious business. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:10.660 And we should be serious people. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:15.560 As we contemplate eternal realities like heaven and hell, eternal torment, grace and godliness. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.700 These are serious matters. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:19.120 That is true. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:25.460 Yet, at the same time, true godliness means remembering God's goodness and rejoicing. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:27.800 It means delighting in God. 00:09:28.560 --> 00:09:29.580 Rejoicing in his goodness. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:32.519 That's what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:41.080 Put in the opposite way, orthodoxy without doxology is the religion of hell. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:47.100 True orthodoxy, true doctrine always leads to God's praise. 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:52.100 You know, Satan and demons know propositions about God. 00:09:52.660 --> 00:09:54.460 But they never delight in God. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.500 They can affirm the apostles in Nicene Creed's. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:10:00.000 But they never delight themselves in God. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:02.080 Never rejoicing in God. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:07.900 Some of us may want to reduce Christianity to a set of facts that must be believed. 00:10:08.540 --> 00:10:08.840 And you know what? 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:09.280 That's true. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:13.160 And Jesus would say, if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples. 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:16.620 If we want to know Jesus, we must know his word. 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:21.639 And truth is as essential to our living as light is to seeing clearly in the dark. 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:24.400 We cannot live the Christian lives apart from truth. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:28.759 But the Christian is the one who can say, the Lord has done great things for me. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:32.620 The Christian has tasted and seen that God is good. 00:10:33.319 --> 00:10:36.299 And this is not a special class of Christians, right? 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:39.039 The spirit, according to Galatians, is joy. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:44.100 Faith removes boasting and fills our mouths with shouts of joy. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:46.779 Because the Lord has done great things for us. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:49.639 The Christian glories in God. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:55.639 As one famous London pastor would say, he spent half his ministry telling his people to study more doctrine. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:58.319 And the other half saying that doctrine is not enough. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:02.679 Consider, are we rejoicing in God as we ought? 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.879 Who of us could say yes? 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:08.980 If someone said yes, I would seriously question that person's judgment. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:13.120 And the fact is, our hearts aren't bubbling with the kind of joy the psalmist has. 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:16.820 Where we say, the Lord has done great things for me, we are glad. 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:20.259 Well then, should we just fake it until we make it? 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:21.820 You know, name it and claim it? 00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:23.259 No, no. 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.639 Neither of those are scriptural. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.779 We certainly don't want to do those things. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:33.360 So, well then, what prevents us from saying like this, like the psalmist saying, God has done great things for us? 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:33.840 What's the psalmist? 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:39.240 Well, it's because you and I are proud. 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:41.840 We are proud, aren't we? 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:44.480 You know, pride is like an odorless gas. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.759 Invisible, but poisonous. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.500 It's perilous. 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:52.320 It's like when you were in the car with the garage door closed and the engine is running. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:56.680 You don't realize it, but you're breathing in poison. 00:11:57.700 --> 00:12:01.180 If we've lost the joy of being a Christian, it's because we are proud. 00:12:01.940 --> 00:12:03.300 Let me show you what I mean. 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:05.460 Consider Jesus' words in Luke 7. 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:08.500 That whoever forgives much, loves much. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:11.899 Whoever thinks they've been forgiven little, loves little. 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:15.340 And the context was Jesus was invited to a dinner party. 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:21.960 Hearing about where Jesus was, uninvited, a sinful woman crashes the party to see Jesus. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:26.379 She laid herself down at Jesus' feet and began weeping. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:30.620 And with her tears, she began to wipe Jesus' feet with her hair. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:34.120 And the religious leaders thought this woman was filthy. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.259 Unclean. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:41.080 Jesus, do you know what kind of woman this is? 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.779 Keep your distance. 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:47.039 Jesus, if you knew how filthy this woman was, you wouldn't even touch her. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:51.579 But to their shock, Jesus receives her. 00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:55.419 In the everlasting arms of the Lord, she is welcomed. 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.199 In the arms of Jesus. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:01.500 Sin destroys, but the Lord Jesus delights to restore sinners. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:03.860 Would we be like this woman? 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:06.299 People who know their own spiritual bankruptcy? 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:11.500 Falling on our face, crying tears, and wiping them off Jesus' feet with your hair. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:15.240 You know, giant sinners know they need a giant savior. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:18.399 And this woman knew that, and because of that, she loved much. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:23.639 And Jesus responded to her accusers by telling a story about two debtors. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:28.559 The first owed 500 denarii, roughly eight years' worth of wages. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.539 The second owed 50. 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.039 Both are forgiven. 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:33.860 Jesus asked, which of these will love more? 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:37.440 Well, they answered, the one who has been forgiven more. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:37.960 That's right. 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:39.139 You've spoken correctly. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:43.240 Secondly, whoever loves much has been forgiven much. 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:45.720 Whoever loves little thinks they have been forgiven little. 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:50.299 If we've lost the joy of being a Christian, it's because our hearts think we have been forgiven little. 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:54.340 In our proud hearts, we think Jesus is but a little savior who fits inside your pocket. 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:58.259 We don't have a posture of weeping at Jesus' feet because of our sin. 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:03.340 Now, some of you are thinking, wow, that's a simplistic assessment of why someone fails to have joy. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:06.439 Life isn't that simple, you would say. 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:10.280 You know, things are breaking in your life and God is nowhere to be found. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:13.420 You think God is more like an absentee landlord. 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:18.180 Like Naomi in the book of Ruth, you change your name tomorrow, which means bitterness. 00:14:18.640 --> 00:14:22.260 Because you feel the Lord has dealt very bitterly with you in your misfortune. 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:25.900 The last thing you would ever say is that God has done great things for you. 00:14:27.380 --> 00:14:31.820 Well, I don't want to minimize the real hurt you may have experienced. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:32.900 Real pain. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:34.720 But let me ask you a question. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:42.879 Do you understand yourself to be a sinner deserving of nothing but God's eternal condemnation? 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:50.340 You and I must answer yes to that question without excuse if we are experiencing joy. 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:53.120 We do deserve God's eternal condemnation. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:15:01.419 Because if you are a Christian, even though we can't say with the Israelites that God has restored us from the exile back to the promised land in the Middle East, 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:05.120 we can say like everyone else, we were once children of wrath. 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:10.480 God created us and because of that, we are ultimately accountable to him. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:14.679 And God is righteous and he cannot just brush our sin under the rug. 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:21.319 Because God is good and his eyes are too pure to see evil, we are under God's righteous condemnation. 00:15:22.239 --> 00:15:29.739 And because of our sin, we at one time were separated from God, alienated, strangers to the promises, having no hope and without God in the world. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:33.319 We are guilty of high treason against God's infinite majesty. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:37.959 Consider how heinous your and I's sin are before a just and holy God. 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:40.579 And what great wrath we have deserved. 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:46.200 And separated from Christ, the deadly sword of God's wrath hung over our heads. 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:49.520 Help us to save ourselves. 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:53.259 Even if he had an ocean of good works, it would not be enough. 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.879 Just wash away the stain. 00:15:55.900 --> 00:16:00.820 Left to ourselves when God's stamen summons us to stand before his throne on that last day. 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:03.160 Every mouth will be silenced. 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:06.259 The divine judge will render a guilty verdict. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:09.900 Not because he is harsh, but because he is unswervingly good. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:14.900 Now, it's only the first day of the new year, but here's the best news. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.740 You will hear this new year. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:18.720 And there is no better news than this. 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:27.280 Because, but God, rich in mercy, even while we were still sinners, he sent his own son Jesus, fully God and fully man, to rescue us. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:32.000 The Savior who left glory, came down, walked this earth to save sinners. 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.740 He never sinned, not even for a millisecond. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:39.259 But despite never sinning, Christ took our place under the deadly sword of God's wrath. 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:42.159 For all who had returned from their sins and put their trust in him alone. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:48.740 He takes away our filthy rags and he credits to us new righteousness, new robes he places upon us. 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:51.000 And Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:54.360 And our joy is tied to the confidence that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:56.480 And he forever secures our salvation. 00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.000 God has done great things for us. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:07.660 If you are here and you're not a Christian, know that God does not want your lip service, but your heart. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:11.519 So call upon him now and Christ will joyfully receive you. 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:15.839 Learn from the example of the sinful woman that he will not turn you away. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:19.319 Refuse him now and you will meet him as your judge. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:21.099 And that will be your eternal ruin. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:26.460 Christian, admire the grace of God like you would a priceless diamond. 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:29.079 Once we were lost, but now we are found. 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:35.319 God's restoration of the world begins with the restoration of you and me and sinners to himself. 00:17:35.899 --> 00:17:38.259 And that restoration produces joy. 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:41.720 But notice one other thing in this passage. 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:45.839 When God restores the people, the nations take notice. 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.559 Look at the end of verse 2. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:51.339 Then they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:55.500 The surrounding nations took notice of God's restoration of Israel. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:18:00.259 And the surrounding nations see the mighty work of Israel's God in restoring them to the land. 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:05.279 Now we are not restored to the promised land in the Middle East. 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:08.839 But is there something about the church that makes the nations take notice? 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.539 Jesus would say in John 13, 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:17.819 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:21.759 The nations take notice when the church loves each other. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:27.680 And Paul would say in Ephesians 3 verse 10 that even the angels are appearing to see what God is doing in the church. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:32.079 Now the world will never celebrate God's mercy in Christ. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:38.119 And the amazing reconciliation that happens among Christians that share a joint faith in the risen Savior. 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:45.759 In all the year in review articles, you won't see one celebrating God's mercy shown in Christ to countless millions. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:49.460 I double checked before this morning, I didn't see anything. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:55.980 The world increasingly sees Christianity as intolerant, even dangerous. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:19:00.859 As a Christian, we are increasingly out of step with the culture. 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:04.779 The views of gender, sexuality, the sanctity of human life, marriage. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:07.000 We are strangers and exiles. 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:13.920 Yet, our love for each other, our unity in a divided world should also be increasingly counter-cultural. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:17.820 And the local church is the beginning of the counter-cultural resistance. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:23.320 Our unity is our corporate witness to the nations that are perishing. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:26.380 But really, our unity is the tip of the iceberg. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:31.779 The real strength is what lies beneath the surface unseen to the human eye. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:35.880 Our triune God is a fountain from which our unity flows. 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:41.160 Our love for each other communicates to the nations something about who God is. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:44.560 As he himself is united together in Father, Son, and Spirit. 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:46.120 So he unites his people. 00:19:47.080 --> 00:19:50.140 And the fact is, God hates division among Christians. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:52.800 Because it lies about who he is. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:58.040 Division camouflages God's glory to the nations and defames his character. 00:19:58.820 --> 00:20:01.780 Proverbs 6, verse 19 would say, 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.680 There are six things that the Lord hates. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.720 Seven that are an abomination to him. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:09.899 And the last item in the list is the person who sows discord among brothers. 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:12.119 You know, Satan is a divider. 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.000 He loves division. 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:15.139 He hates the unity of the church. 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:20.940 And our real enemy is Satan, the flesh, and the world. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.059 Not each other. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.740 You know, an old Puritan, Thomas Brooks has much wisdom to offer us 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:29.420 about Satan's devices against Christians. 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:32.860 In his book, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.019 Brooks would say, 00:20:34.320 --> 00:20:35.940 Satan first works us to be cold, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.980 and then to divide, 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:42.120 and then bitterness and jealousy, 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.980 and then we devour one another. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:46.060 First to be cold, 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:48.880 then you start gossiping, murmuring, attacking each other, 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.840 and then eventually, 00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:53.519 spiritual cannibalism among your own family. 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.940 You know, we tend to be very good prosecutors 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.860 when it comes to our own, 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.259 other people's sins, 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.720 but when it comes to our own sin, 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:02.779 quickly transform into world-class defense attorneys. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:07.420 Christian, be very suspicious of your own heart 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:09.160 more than hearts of others. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.480 But Brooks gives us wisdom here. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:13.720 Here's one remedy to this disease 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:16.299 that camouflages God's glory. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:20.460 Dwell more upon God's grace in your brother and sister's heart 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.940 than you do on their weakness. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:24.059 In other words, 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:26.519 are we quick to see God's grace in each other, 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.200 or are we quick to criticize? 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.340 Do we assume the worst in each other, 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.180 thereby killing love and unity, 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:36.240 or do we assume the best in others? 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:38.740 You know, we should naturally need glasses 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:41.140 to see each other's graces more clearly. 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:43.920 And by so doing, Brooks writes, 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.280 much sin would be prevented. 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.720 The designs of wicked men frustrated, 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.940 Satan outwitted, 00:21:49.340 --> 00:21:50.540 many wounds healed, 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.160 many sad hearts cheered, 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.640 and God more abundantly honored. 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:56.780 May that be so among us. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:59.259 The nations are in our backyard, 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.140 in a divided world, 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.100 our love and our unity 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:03.780 should make the nations pause. 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:07.000 May our unity and our love 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:09.140 cause New Haven to say 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:11.000 the Lord has done great things for that church. 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.640 So is that it? 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.860 Are we to go around joyously 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:16.400 all the time loving each other? 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.140 Is that the sum of the Christian faith? 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:19.000 No, no. 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:20.580 The first point was restoration. 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.120 The second is rejoicing, 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:24.020 but the last part is the resolving. 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.820 Resolving to persevere. 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.000 Look at verse four. 00:22:27.780 --> 00:22:29.480 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, 00:22:29.540 --> 00:22:31.100 like streams in the Negev. 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.320 The pilgrim was called 00:22:33.320 --> 00:22:34.920 to persevere in the desert. 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.520 That's what the Negev is. 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.920 The Negev is a desert 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.800 in the south region of Israel. 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:43.019 The name literally means dry land, 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:44.759 a land that can't sustain 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.340 even the sparsest plant life. 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:48.000 It's completely dry. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.759 Life feels like that sometimes. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:51.920 Dryness. 00:22:52.820 --> 00:22:54.279 Like the dry cracks in the ground, 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.820 we experience the painful cracks 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.840 in our own lives. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.840 The psalmist found himself in that place. 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:02.360 He prays more like he shouts to God, 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.779 restore our fortunes, O Lord, 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.960 like streams in the Negev. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:07.460 Now, the Negev, 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.259 this desert region, 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:10.059 is known for flash flooding. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.819 The psalmist is praying 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.420 that these rains would sweep 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.059 into the desert, 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.980 transforming the desert overnight 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.079 into a green garden, 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:19.720 a place teeming and brimming with life. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.180 That's what the psalmist is praying for 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.779 in verse four, 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.759 asking God to instantaneously 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.259 grant life in the desert. 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:28.140 God, I'm struggling to survive 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.840 in this desert. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.880 There's no life, 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:31.360 there's no water spiritually, 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.100 I feel dead. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:34.219 God, give me water like a stream 00:23:34.219 --> 00:23:35.559 flowing in the desert. 00:23:36.459 --> 00:23:37.740 God, restore my fortunes. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.639 And God can accomplish more 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:40.279 in three seconds 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.579 than we can in 30 years, 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.559 laboring under our own efforts. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.219 And the psalmist to persevere 00:23:46.219 --> 00:23:47.399 in the desert begins to pray. 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.459 But he specifically is praying 00:23:49.459 --> 00:23:50.279 for revival. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.259 He desires for God 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:54.079 to sovereignly transform a desert, 00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:55.259 a spiritual desert, 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.799 into a land teeming with life. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:59.399 And true revival begins 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:00.819 with what the psalmist is doing here, 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.759 prayer. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:06.259 Many have tried to gin up revival, 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.799 claiming they could guarantee the results. 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:10.339 But there is no formula for revival. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:12.079 God sovereignly works in different times 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.879 in different ways. 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.279 Look again at verse four, 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.759 it is the Lord that does the work 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.879 of reviving the people. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:19.099 And this happened in the Reformation. 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:21.659 Out of the darkness of the dark ages, 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.740 the flame of the gospel 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:24.980 suddenly began to rapidly spread across Europe. 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.740 And God took the church 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.179 that was headed in the wrong direction 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:29.640 and reverses course 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.860 and straightens her out. 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:32.840 And the church is reformed 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.600 according to the word 00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:35.799 and gives life to many across Europe. 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:38.320 But maybe one of the lesser known revivals 00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:39.480 is the Welsh revival. 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.740 The song we just sang, 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.500 Here is Love, 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.620 comes from this time 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.400 of the Welsh revival. 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:47.040 God transformed entire towns 00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:48.340 seemingly overnight. 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:50.259 Martin Lloyd-Jones, 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.980 the Welsh preacher, 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:52.000 called the doctor, 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.100 would give up the stethoscope 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:54.940 and enter the pulpit. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.880 And he pastored a small church 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.780 in a poor town in Wales 00:24:58.780 --> 00:24:59.480 before his time 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.880 at Westminster Chapel in London, 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.259 having never received 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.340 a theological education. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.460 In this small town, 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.880 children wore rags, 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.320 often went barefoot, 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.420 many were fatherless. 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.160 And the physical poverty 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.180 was exceeded only 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.840 by the spiritual poverty in the town. 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.560 In his mind, 00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:17.039 he was tired of treating 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.620 the symptoms of sin 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.420 and he wanted to get 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.200 to the heart of the matter 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.420 and so he became a gospel preacher. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.620 On his gravestone is written, 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.900 For I determine not to know 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.759 anything among you 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.660 except Jesus Christ 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.380 and Him crucified. 00:25:28.100 --> 00:25:29.120 He committed himself 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.080 to expeditional preaching 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:30.980 and prayed the Lord 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.720 would revive the people of Wales. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.240 And God instantly transformed 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.259 the spiritual dryness 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.360 and became a town 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.200 teeming with life 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:39.200 in the light of the gospel. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.900 Church members began to gossip 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:43.840 about the gospel around town 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.900 and people who were 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.320 a billion miles away from God 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.300 heard about the great mercy 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.040 found in Christ. 00:25:48.780 --> 00:25:50.040 And the gospel would transform 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:50.800 one individual, 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:52.200 it spread to a family 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.360 and eventually the whole town 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:54.360 was turned upside down. 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:57.120 The town was transformed 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:58.120 and people would spontaneously 00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:59.100 start singing hymns 00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.160 on the corners, 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:01.980 shouting with joy. 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:03.800 God visited these people 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:04.740 and restored the town. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.060 Seemingly overnight, 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.200 the streams of God's grace 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.240 were flowing like streams 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:08.800 of the Negev. 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.300 And as a result, 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.539 children had food on the table 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.319 for the first time 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.899 because fathers stopped 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:15.019 squandering their paychecks 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.079 on alcohol. 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:18.339 Husbands began loving their wives. 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.960 A true revival. 00:26:20.899 --> 00:26:21.779 And God is in the business 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.779 of restoring the world. 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.059 It was true in Wales, 00:26:24.159 --> 00:26:25.139 it was true in the Reformation. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.960 Could it be true in New Haven too? 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.480 Robberies, murders, 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.200 domestic violence, 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.940 drug overdoses on the green 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:36.180 are no more 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.159 because the men and women 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.139 who used to do those things 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:39.460 are in churches rejoicing 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.580 to hear of Christ crucified. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.780 Pray that streams would flow 00:26:43.780 --> 00:26:45.300 like streams in the Negev. 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.280 And church family, 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:48.480 join us in the important work 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:48.940 of prayer. 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.460 He can do it instantly 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.320 if he chooses to. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:54.220 But sometimes God chooses 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.660 not to do it quickly. 00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.660 Sometimes he chooses 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.480 to act slowly. 00:26:58.060 --> 00:26:59.720 And that's verses 5 to 6. 00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:01.460 Verse 5, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:13.319 God sometimes acts slowly 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:14.500 in the work of restoration. 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.740 Verse 5 pictures a farmer 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:18.779 experiencing sadness, 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.240 sorrows, and despair. 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.240 Sometimes a farmer 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:24.559 doesn't feel like getting out of bed 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.819 and starts sowing seeds 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.440 for the harvest. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.120 And farmers know 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.819 they have to discipline themselves. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.319 They have to go out 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.059 and plant seed 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.539 even in their sorrows. 00:27:34.419 --> 00:27:35.700 And the psalmist picture here 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.200 is striking. 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:39.419 The farmer is in tears. 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.899 He's weeping. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.240 And he is planting seeds 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.000 even as the tears 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.139 are coming down his face. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:50.240 The farmer must plant the seeds 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.259 even as he weeps. 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.179 And I imagine 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:54.399 this farmer 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.379 is tempted to give up. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.099 But he goes out 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.039 and he sows the seed 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.700 for the harvest. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:00.240 And it's hard work. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.360 And Christian life 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.059 is much the same. 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.680 And the Apostle Paul 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.580 picks up this imagery 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.519 in Galatians 6 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.640 speaking to a church 00:28:07.640 --> 00:28:08.340 that has grown weary 00:28:08.340 --> 00:28:10.440 to imitate the farmer 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.400 that does not give up. 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:13.019 Galatians 6 verse 9, 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.360 And let us not grow weary 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.120 of doing good. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.740 For in due season 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.400 we will reap 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.640 if we do not give up. 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:20.319 And right before that verse 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.920 he said, 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:22.900 The seeds are good works. 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.819 In verse 8, 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.400 For the one who sows 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.220 to his own flesh 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.440 will from the flesh 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.180 reap corruption. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.600 But the one who sows 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.079 to the Spirit 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.039 will from the Spirit 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.200 reap eternal life. 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.380 Be like this farmer. 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.519 Do not grow weary. 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.900 Keep planting seeds. 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:38.319 Keep doing good. 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.100 Especially to those 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:39.539 in the church. 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.360 Knowing that one day 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.440 you will reap a harvest. 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.339 Labor like a farmer 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.680 does and do not give up. 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.420 Now don't misunderstand. 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.839 We are not saved 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.720 by our works. 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.259 We are saved 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.680 by faith in Christ alone. 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.759 Apart from any works. 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.539 But these good works 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.420 authenticate 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.059 whether we have 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.319 saving faith or not. 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.140 If you sow tomatoes 00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:01.000 you will reap tomatoes. 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:03.460 If you sow deeds of death 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:05.180 you will reap judgment. 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.119 If you sow seeds of life 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.640 from the Spirit 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.920 you will reap eternal life. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.779 Those works authenticate 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.279 whether we have 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.319 true saving faith. 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.319 As Luther said, 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.440 we are saved by faith alone 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.339 but saving faith 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:16.359 is never alone. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.420 Many of us know 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:18.940 what it is like 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.960 to go into the field 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.839 with tears. 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:23.139 But be like the psalmist 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.099 and look to the joy 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.039 on the horizon. 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.859 Joy is promised 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.980 if you do not give up. 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.059 I have to look up 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.480 in the dictionary 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.519 what the word sheaves meant. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.199 It means bundles 00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:33.159 of ripe stock 00:29:33.159 --> 00:29:34.319 tied together 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.159 after a farmer 00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:36.199 is done reaping the crops. 00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:37.319 And the farmer 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:38.720 brings home the harvest 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.779 and is a time of joy. 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.819 One day we will reap 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.759 if we do not give up. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:45.159 But the seed of good works 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:46.159 is not all there is. 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.639 Not only should we 00:29:47.639 --> 00:29:48.220 not grow weary 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.119 in doing good works 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.299 but don't grow weary 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.659 in declaring God's word. 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.699 The seed that we must 00:29:53.699 --> 00:29:54.479 plant in tears 00:29:54.479 --> 00:29:55.639 is the gospel itself. 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.679 Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.479 would say 00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.479 I planted the seed 00:29:59.479 --> 00:30:00.719 and Apollos watered 00:30:00.719 --> 00:30:01.739 but God made it grow. 00:30:02.479 --> 00:30:03.119 So neither he 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:04.319 who plants 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.059 nor he who waters 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.519 is anything 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.279 but only God 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.319 who makes things grow. 00:30:07.979 --> 00:30:08.479 Paul would tell 00:30:08.479 --> 00:30:09.359 the elders at Ephesus 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.699 that he spent three years 00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:11.799 with them teaching in tears. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.259 And the psalmist 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.139 pictures a laborer 00:30:14.139 --> 00:30:15.500 planting gospel seeds 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.219 when they are weary 00:30:16.219 --> 00:30:17.479 and tired. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:19.160 Church, do not lose heart 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.620 in this. 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.880 Keep planting 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:22.720 by declaring the gospel. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.759 You know, sometimes 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.579 we grow discouraged 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.680 because we don't see 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.740 fast enough growth. 00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:27.860 And the picture 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:28.660 the psalmist gives us 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.779 is one of slow growth. 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.200 The farmer plants 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.960 and is trusting God 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.640 to do the rest. 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.240 Our part is merely 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.759 to plant. 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.559 God is calling us 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.319 to be ordinary people 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.620 using ordinary means. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.720 Trusting God 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.339 will do the work. 00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:41.700 Don't give up 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.779 on this important task. 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.400 Finally, 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.920 one question 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:46.220 I've been asking myself 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.519 is in the beginning 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.279 of verse 6. 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.779 Who is the he 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.160 being referred to there? 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.460 He who goes out weeping. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.380 How would Jesus 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.539 have understood this psalm? 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.160 You'll notice 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.500 the title of this psalm 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.360 says this is a song 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:00.900 of ascent. 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.600 This was a song book 00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.880 used when Old Testament 00:31:03.880 --> 00:31:06.380 saints would sing 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:06.960 as they ascended 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.019 the hill to Jerusalem 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:10.240 at the appointed festivals, 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:10.980 the Passover, 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.759 the Pentecost, 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.720 and the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.960 It doesn't say 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.480 whether Jesus 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.700 ever sang this psalm. 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.180 But in Luke 2 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:19.079 we read that Mary 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:20.220 and Joseph 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.140 took Jesus with them 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.740 to celebrate 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.339 the Passover 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:23.860 and the two 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.420 would have sang 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.140 this psalm. 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:26.500 I wonder 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:28.380 if they realized 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:28.900 that the answer 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.900 to these pleas for mercy 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.680 was walking 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.900 right there 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.640 alongside them 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.600 in the person 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.120 of Jesus. 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.920 God himself 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.660 who took the form 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.200 of a serpent 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:39.000 whose very life 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.940 would be full of weeping 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.500 but was a seed 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:41.920 that would produce 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.440 a harvest. 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:44.200 Jesus would say 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.920 in John 12 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.740 truly, truly 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.380 I'd say to you 00:31:46.380 --> 00:31:47.059 unless a grain 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:48.160 of wheat falls 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.740 into the earth 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.200 and dies 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.320 it remains alone 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:51.000 but if it dies 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:52.920 it bears much fruit. 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.920 Jesus went 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.759 into the field 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.400 weeping 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:59.840 burst into tears 00:31:59.840 --> 00:32:00.539 over Jerusalem 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.600 over his friend 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:02.600 Lazarus' death. 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.140 These tears 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.580 were a sign 00:32:04.580 --> 00:32:05.279 of his compassion 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.900 his love for sinners. 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.240 His heart 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.120 was full of compassion 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.200 even toward his enemies. 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:11.920 The one who walked 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.680 in the desert land 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.600 did not grow discouraged 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.180 at doing good 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.320 even to those 00:32:15.320 --> 00:32:15.740 that would seek 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.640 to crucify him. 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.600 And the transformation 00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.300 of this desert 00:32:19.300 --> 00:32:19.759 of a world 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.200 would come through Jesus. 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.720 One who would allow 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.740 the nails to pierce him 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.920 to bring about 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.080 spiritual restoration 00:32:26.080 --> 00:32:27.180 to the entire world. 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:29.060 The one who was able 00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:29.660 to transform 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.420 the spiritual desert 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:31.019 into a garden 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.900 teeming with life 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.200 through his resurrection. 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.840 And how did Jesus 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:36.180 endure these sorrows? 00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:38.420 Hebrews chapter 12 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.960 looking at Jesus 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.460 the founder 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.019 and perfecter 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.539 of our faith 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.900 who for the joy 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:44.240 that was set before him 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:48.820 endured the cross. 00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:51.060 Jesus would weep 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.920 knowing that one day 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.680 he would come home 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.920 with shouts of joy. 00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:55.360 And Jesus the farmer 00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.160 brings the sheaves 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.920 home with him. 00:32:57.320 --> 00:32:58.000 He brings 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.259 his people home. 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.180 Jesus reigns 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.440 begins 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.680 the restoration 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.980 of the entire world. 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.600 His resurrection 00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:07.119 was the beginning 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.919 of a harvest season 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.339 where many 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.279 are brought to life. 00:33:10.159 --> 00:33:11.279 Jesus will one day 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:13.259 restore this sin-filled world. 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.719 Don't put your confidence 00:33:14.719 --> 00:33:15.379 in the flesh. 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.079 Our only hope 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.659 this year 00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:19.259 and each year after 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:19.980 is in Christ. 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:21.659 Hang your hope 00:33:21.659 --> 00:33:23.240 on the one 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.859 who is hung for you. 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:26.240 He has done 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.059 great things for us. 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.179 Let's pray. 00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:32.299 Our Father in heaven, 00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:36.039 you encourage us 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:37.039 as we must go out 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:38.500 in tears. 00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:39.220 Help us to look 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:41.039 to the Lord Christ 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:43.059 whose tears 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:45.279 were a sign of his love 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.200 for us. 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.379 Help us to look 00:33:47.379 --> 00:33:48.220 to that final day 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.240 when we will come home 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.460 with shouts of joy 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:52.159 and every sorrow 00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:52.740 and sighing 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.899 will be no more. 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.079 We pray this 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.779 in Christ's name. 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:56.940 Amen.