WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.879 As Matt said, I'm Steve, and it's a great privilege to be able to open up God's Word 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:11.240 with you this morning as we walk through the Psalms together. 00:00:11.779 --> 00:00:18.280 Welcome, if you're here in person or joining us through our Facebook page. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:20.660 It is great to be together. 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:27.019 As we work through the Psalms, may God strengthen us. 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:28.739 May he make us real people. 00:00:29.899 --> 00:00:37.280 The prayer book is, as J.I. Packer liked to say, is a prayer book for real people in real situations, 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:45.500 and especially as we look at Psalm 51, we see how it speaks right to our condition, 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:47.820 and it gives us God's remedy. 00:00:49.219 --> 00:00:49.879 Shall we pray? 00:00:49.880 --> 00:01:00.800 Father, we thank you that we can gather in your name to sing your praises, to hear your Word, 00:01:01.400 --> 00:01:04.180 to break bread together, to encourage one another, 00:01:04.740 --> 00:01:11.659 and we ask that by your same Spirit and your Word you would help us to trust in you, 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:15.620 help us to hear what you would have to teach us this morning. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:21.260 May our thoughts and our conversation bring glory to you. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:23.859 This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:26.740 --> 00:01:30.920 Some of you know I spent some time studying Russian 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:35.780 and reading some of the good books of Russian fiction. 00:01:35.960 --> 00:01:37.360 I'm always recommending those. 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:42.380 It's a great thrill to read good fiction. 00:01:42.379 --> 00:01:44.019 That's not the point of my sermon. 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:48.420 The point of my sermon is Psalm 51 and what God has to say there. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:56.599 But I have this illustration from a Russian story that I read some time back. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:00.780 It's about a Russian military officer and prince 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:06.959 who, when learning that his fiancée had been the Tsar's mistress, 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:12.219 you know who the Tsar is, of course, had been the mistress of the Tsar the year before, 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:18.359 he called off his engagement, declared he was ready to kill the man, 00:02:18.459 --> 00:02:21.159 if it weren't for the fact that he was his beloved Tsar, 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:27.819 and decided, in his words, to go into a monastery to get away from the world. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:33.079 Now, once he's a monk and priest, seven years later, 00:02:33.739 --> 00:02:40.159 he realizes that worldly temptations have a way of getting there into the monastery too. 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:45.620 So he becomes a hermit monk, not just an ordinary monk, 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:48.240 but he goes off into the wilderness. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.280 I won't say desert because I don't think Russia has any. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:57.800 Even out there in the wilderness, the world had a way of coming to him. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:01.740 As it happened, a woman who found him attractive, 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:05.479 he was, after all, a handsome prince in his earlier days, 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:07.979 came right to his cell. 00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:10.080 And I'll spare you the details. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:13.960 But she just practically flung herself on this monk 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:17.099 and offering herself to him. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:21.639 Now, on that occasion, strict discipline, 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:27.599 even going so far as to chop off a finger with an axe, worked. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:31.759 But when a second opportunity came along, 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:35.240 just not too many years later, 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:39.719 his disciplines didn't serve him, and he gave in. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.659 Now, that story was told by Leo Tolstoy. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:49.520 He's no special authority for us because, 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:53.759 well, he invented his own form of Christianity, 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:56.780 which has parts of it which are helpful, 00:03:56.939 --> 00:03:58.500 but parts of it which aren't. 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:01.539 But I think his basic point here, 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:06.800 that the ascetic way of dealing with sin is a dead end. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:09.879 His basic point is right. 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:13.400 Because all he can say to us is, 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:15.719 just try really, really hard. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:18.500 And then if that doesn't work, 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:19.920 well, just try harder. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:24.300 And apart from the ascetic way, 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:27.519 you can probably think with me of other ways 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:30.000 of dealing with the fact of sin. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:32.939 There's this, let's call it the libertine way, 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:36.879 where we really deny that sin is a problem 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:38.839 and we just go on sinning. 00:04:39.899 --> 00:04:41.000 It's not a problem. 00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:42.680 Then there's, 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:46.180 a little bit better than the libertine way, 00:04:46.240 --> 00:04:47.759 there's the permissive way, 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:50.000 where we accept that sin is a problem, 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:55.079 but we deny its devastating effect on us. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:05:01.199 And the fundamental issue with each of these 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:03.039 can be looked at from different angles. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:05.680 But I want you to consider with me 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:11.339 what it says about the image of God in each case. 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:13.299 In the first case, 00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:17.579 God is a God who really spends his time weighing our merits, 00:05:18.219 --> 00:05:20.379 as we have it in the prayer book, 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:21.879 where we ask him not to. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:24.519 We pray that he not weigh our merits, 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:26.139 but that he pardon our offenses. 00:05:27.100 --> 00:05:27.439 That is, 00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:30.659 he finally accepts us into his kingdom 00:05:30.659 --> 00:05:31.899 in this ascetic way, 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:33.980 if our spiritual struggle 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:37.139 turns out to be just a little bit heavier 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:40.339 than that container that we have 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:41.240 that's full of sin. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:44.639 We're born again into his kingdom, 00:05:45.339 --> 00:05:45.800 finally, 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:47.259 if we deserve it. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:49.459 In the second case, 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:50.620 he's a fickle God, 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:52.340 because while it seems 00:05:52.340 --> 00:05:53.939 there's some sort of moral standard, 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:54.699 well, 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:56.259 it turns out that there isn't. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:05:59.540 And in the third case, 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:02.160 he's really that forgetful old granddad. 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:05.579 I get to be a granddad a lot these days 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:07.579 around my grandchildren living next door. 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:08.780 And, 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:09.120 well, 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:10.399 I could play the part 00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:12.639 of the forgetful old granddad if I want. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:14.800 Let everything slide. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:17.180 the forgetful old granddad 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:19.020 who has boundaries in principles, 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:20.160 in principle, 00:06:20.280 --> 00:06:20.780 I should say, 00:06:20.960 --> 00:06:22.379 but who in practice 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:24.460 just keeps blurring them 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:25.319 or letting, 00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:27.319 letting us blur them. 00:06:28.340 --> 00:06:28.860 So, 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:30.420 let's consider God's way 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:31.639 of dealing with sin 00:06:31.639 --> 00:06:32.900 as we learn about it 00:06:32.900 --> 00:06:34.600 in Psalm 51. 00:06:34.780 --> 00:06:36.180 And not just Psalm 51, 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:36.500 but, 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:38.800 but the story that's behind it 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:42.199 as told in 2 Samuel 11 to 12. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:43.620 You're welcome to keep an eye 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:44.680 on that passage too. 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:47.199 I just want to 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:48.199 hit, 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:50.639 hit the main points of that. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:53.319 One spring evening, 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:55.240 when kings, 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:55.819 we read, 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.139 are supposed to be out fighting, 00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:00.560 David finds himself 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.019 there in the security of his palace. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:05.779 He said to his nephew, 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:06.279 Joab, 00:07:06.539 --> 00:07:07.699 I think, 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:07.939 you know, 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:08.879 I'm going to let you go out 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:09.939 and fight the Ammonites. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:12.719 And so, 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:13.719 David is there 00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:15.459 confidently 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:17.259 surveying his realm 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:17.920 there from, 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:19.560 from the high point 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:20.180 of the high, 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:21.420 the roof of his palace. 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:24.019 Now, 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:25.779 had he had on his mind 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:28.019 what he wrote in Psalm 19, 00:07:28.740 --> 00:07:29.439 for instance, 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:29.680 he, 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.920 he would have been considering 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:33.420 how great the, 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:33.839 how, 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:35.779 how the heavens declare God's glory, 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:36.180 you know, 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:37.120 there from the heights 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:37.920 of his palace. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:40.160 had he had even the next Psalm 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:41.040 on his mind, 00:07:41.140 --> 00:07:42.020 he would have been 00:07:42.020 --> 00:07:43.740 giving thanks 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:45.120 for numerous victories 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:46.379 in battle. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:50.360 And we read in Psalm 20, 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:51.920 some trust in chariots 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:52.860 and some in horses, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:55.000 but we trust in the name 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.020 of the Lord our God. 00:07:56.780 --> 00:07:57.280 He could have had 00:07:57.280 --> 00:07:58.639 either of these things 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.139 or many other things 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:00.819 on his mind, 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:01.180 but he, 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:02.660 he had put those thoughts 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:03.480 to the side 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:05.139 and had opted instead 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.800 to focus on Bathsheba. 00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:09.120 And from there, 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:10.000 I'm almost certain 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.720 that everybody here 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:13.319 knows what happened. 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:14.720 So here, 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:16.199 here's just the bullet points. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.020 King makes the wife 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:19.900 of another man 00:08:19.900 --> 00:08:20.780 sleep with him 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:22.180 and she gets pregnant. 00:08:22.960 --> 00:08:24.000 King eliminates 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:25.280 the inconvenience 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:26.160 of the husband. 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:28.040 She comes to be 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:28.720 King's wife. 00:08:29.759 --> 00:08:30.680 King imagines 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:31.400 that he's done 00:08:31.400 --> 00:08:32.700 a great cover-up job. 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:37.000 Well, at least 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:37.980 until Nathan 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:38.940 pays him a visit 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:39.740 and we don't know 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:40.759 how soon. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:41.340 We don't know 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:42.379 going from 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:44.300 chapter 11 00:08:44.300 --> 00:08:45.060 to 12 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:46.180 what kind of 00:08:46.180 --> 00:08:46.860 time lapse 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.379 there's been. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:48.420 Maybe it's been a month, 00:08:48.520 --> 00:08:49.300 maybe it's been a year, 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:49.920 maybe more. 00:08:50.540 --> 00:08:50.800 But anyway, 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.100 Nathan pays him a visit 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:54.600 and Nathan 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.440 tells David 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:57.200 this story 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:58.600 to entertain a guest. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.820 A certain rich man 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:01.519 could not be bothered 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:02.620 to slaughter 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:03.659 one of his own 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:05.500 many animals 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.180 that he owned. 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:08.200 So he took instead 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:08.800 the lamb 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:10.860 of a certain poor man 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:14.379 and took that lamb 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:15.500 and cared for it. 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:17.000 Sorry, 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:18.040 the man 00:09:18.040 --> 00:09:19.399 who had cared 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.820 for this animal 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:22.180 as if it were 00:09:22.180 --> 00:09:23.160 his own child. 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:28.080 At first, 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.200 of course, 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:29.740 David 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:31.379 doesn't realize 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:32.180 that he's 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.820 in that parable. 00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:34.700 He doesn't even know 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:35.320 it's a parable 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:37.520 and that he's 00:09:37.520 --> 00:09:38.440 a character in it. 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:39.440 And yet, 00:09:39.520 --> 00:09:40.680 consider the power 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:41.580 of that parable 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:44.100 in God's hands 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:45.080 as told by Nathan 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:45.480 because 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:47.100 it brings David 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.000 to declare 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:48.940 the just 00:09:48.940 --> 00:09:51.220 verdict himself. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.879 As the Lord lives, 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:55.520 that man 00:09:55.520 --> 00:09:56.180 who took, 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:56.980 who stole 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:59.899 that lamb, 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:00.700 that man 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:02.440 deserves to die. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:04.360 2 Samuel 12, 5. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.720 And so, 00:10:05.920 --> 00:10:07.460 once the penny drops, 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:08.420 David's sin 00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:09.300 is made plain. 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:12.220 And on one level, 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:14.920 it's a theft, 00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:15.340 isn't it? 00:10:15.379 --> 00:10:16.620 He's guilty 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:17.279 of theft. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.120 And that act 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.940 was bound up 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:21.100 with adultery 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:21.899 and murder. 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:24.259 But in a more 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:25.679 profound sense, 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.159 David's problem 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:28.179 was one 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:29.059 of idolatry. 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:32.059 We can say this 00:10:32.059 --> 00:10:32.799 because there's 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:33.159 something 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:34.159 that far 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.039 surpasses 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:35.500 the evil 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:36.639 done to other 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:37.079 mortals 00:10:37.079 --> 00:10:37.699 and it's his 00:10:37.699 --> 00:10:38.679 sin against God. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.079 In 2 Samuel 12, 13, 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:42.860 we read this, 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.120 then David said 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:44.620 to Nathan, 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:45.700 I have sinned 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:46.600 against the Lord. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.860 In a moment 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.080 of complacency, 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:52.720 David hadn't 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.480 just failed 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:54.879 to look 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.320 in the other 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:55.860 direction. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.539 He had failed 00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:58.919 to keep 00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.360 his eyes 00:10:59.360 --> 00:10:59.960 on God. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.039 And as a 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:02.659 consequence, 00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:04.560 God allowed 00:11:04.560 --> 00:11:05.480 him to 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:06.080 experience 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:07.000 that direct 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.480 link 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.320 that's there 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.440 between 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.840 covetousness, 00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:12.800 sexual sin, 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:13.920 and loss 00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:14.460 of fellowship 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:15.140 with God. 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:17.660 Now, 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:18.220 if you wonder 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:18.760 why these 00:11:18.760 --> 00:11:19.360 three things 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.000 in particular 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.620 have a way 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:21.120 of sort of 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.440 being bound 00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:23.100 up together, 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.140 consider Hebrews 00:11:24.140 --> 00:11:26.080 13, 4, and 5. 00:11:26.300 --> 00:11:27.000 This stood out 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:28.100 to me as I was 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:28.820 considering the 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:29.480 passage and 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.720 you see these 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:31.379 themes come 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:31.740 together. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.780 Marriage should 00:11:32.780 --> 00:11:33.240 be honored 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:33.960 by all 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:35.440 and the 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:36.140 marriage bed 00:11:36.140 --> 00:11:36.940 kept pure 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:38.040 for God 00:11:38.040 --> 00:11:38.820 will judge 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:39.680 the adulterer 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:40.160 and all 00:11:40.160 --> 00:11:40.800 the sexually 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:41.320 immoral. 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:43.060 Keep your 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:43.880 lives free 00:11:43.880 --> 00:11:44.340 from the 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:44.700 love of 00:11:44.700 --> 00:11:45.840 money and 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:46.420 be content 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:46.940 with what 00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:47.540 you have 00:11:47.540 --> 00:11:49.300 because God 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:49.880 has said, 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.280 never will 00:11:51.280 --> 00:11:51.740 I leave 00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:51.980 you, 00:11:52.540 --> 00:11:53.000 never will 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.600 I forsake 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:53.860 you. 00:11:55.800 --> 00:11:56.660 All three 00:11:56.660 --> 00:11:57.060 of those 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:57.760 are in 00:11:57.760 --> 00:11:58.040 there. 00:11:58.940 --> 00:11:59.540 Loss 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:00.120 of intimacy 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:00.920 with God, 00:12:01.520 --> 00:12:03.020 loss of 00:12:03.020 --> 00:12:03.700 contentment 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.220 with the 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:04.680 things we 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:05.100 have, 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:07.139 loss of 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:07.480 sexual 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:07.960 purity. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:09.899 Start with 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.259 any of 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.100 those and 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:11.480 you'll come 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:11.779 to the 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:12.100 others. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:13.560 You can 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:14.139 almost count 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:14.480 on it. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:17.139 Now I'm 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:17.659 not sure 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:18.680 that the 00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:19.180 challenges 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:19.600 of our 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:19.879 own day 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.940 make things 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:21.519 any better 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.220 or in 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:22.779 fact any 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:23.200 worse, 00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:24.159 I suppose, 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.519 for us 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:27.080 than David's 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:27.460 day did 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:27.920 for him. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.540 The human 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.519 race has 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.700 hardly made 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.379 great moral 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:32.960 strides 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:34.360 since his 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:34.700 time. 00:12:34.700 --> 00:12:35.379 And while 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:35.580 we're 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:35.960 daily 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:36.640 bombarded 00:12:36.640 --> 00:12:37.400 with images 00:12:37.400 --> 00:12:38.480 and promises 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.180 of all 00:12:39.180 --> 00:12:39.879 kinds of 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.340 wonderful 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.780 experiences 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:42.560 that we 00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.160 deserve, 00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:44.100 in actual 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:44.540 fact, 00:12:45.020 --> 00:12:45.759 we know 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.120 that it 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.640 takes very 00:12:46.640 --> 00:12:47.320 little to 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.200 distract us. 00:12:50.280 --> 00:12:50.980 Some 00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.560 things we've 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:51.920 definitely 00:12:51.920 --> 00:12:52.640 become good 00:12:52.640 --> 00:12:53.360 at in 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:53.820 our day, 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.340 we reduce 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:55.920 sin to 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:56.740 mistakes and 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.840 indiscretions. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.040 Notice our 00:12:59.040 --> 00:12:59.800 language about 00:12:59.800 --> 00:13:00.759 sin sometimes, 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.120 how we 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:01.900 downsize it. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.899 we tend 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:03.620 to focus 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.259 on the 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.019 evil that's 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.379 out there 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:05.639 in the 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.319 world rather 00:13:06.319 --> 00:13:07.319 than on 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:08.220 the hardness 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.019 of heart 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:10.019 and lack 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.600 of gratitude 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:11.199 that's in 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:13.179 us and 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:13.939 in all 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:14.720 our plans 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:15.199 and in 00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:16.139 our imaginations. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.419 And even 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:17.899 when we 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.379 acknowledge 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:18.959 sin, 00:13:20.079 --> 00:13:20.699 we say 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.539 we're in 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.259 no worse 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:22.740 shape than 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.159 the next 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:23.519 guy. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:25.519 Well, 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:25.919 so what's 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.220 the good 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:26.480 news? 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:26.860 And that's 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.500 what we want 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:27.960 to hear 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:28.500 today. 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:28.960 What's the 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.419 good news? 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:29.620 Well, 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.019 let's look 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.339 at the 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:31.459 gospel as 00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:31.899 it's set 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.439 forth in 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.120 Psalm 51. 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:34.439 We'll look 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:34.919 at it under 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:35.479 three headings. 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:35.779 We'll see 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.240 what David 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:36.899 learns about 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.959 sin itself. 00:13:38.459 --> 00:13:39.379 We'll learn 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:41.299 about the 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.779 remedy and 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.339 we'll learn 00:13:43.339 --> 00:13:43.919 about the 00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.659 blessings of 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.539 repenting or 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.139 of repentance. 00:13:47.319 --> 00:13:48.199 So what does 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:49.120 David learn 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.719 about sin 00:13:49.719 --> 00:13:50.179 itself? 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:51.699 I think he 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:52.240 learns two 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:52.699 things, 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.819 at least. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:54.620 That he 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.819 hasn't simply 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:57.039 broken a 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:57.819 rule or 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:58.439 committed a 00:13:58.439 --> 00:13:58.819 crime. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.819 And B, 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:01.939 that the 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.519 effect of 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:02.899 sin is 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.539 devastating. 00:14:03.979 --> 00:14:04.439 He hasn't 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:05.099 simply broken 00:14:05.099 --> 00:14:06.279 a rule and 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:06.899 he learns that 00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.339 sin is 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:07.899 devastating. 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:08.319 In verse 00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:08.620 four, 00:14:08.719 --> 00:14:09.179 David says, 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:09.979 against you, 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:12.139 you only have 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.879 I sinned and 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.579 done what is 00:14:13.579 --> 00:14:14.099 evil in your 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:14.459 sight. 00:14:15.219 --> 00:14:15.759 Nathan's 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.259 rebuke has 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.199 shown him that 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.919 apart from 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:20.599 stealing, he's 00:14:20.599 --> 00:14:21.259 committed murder, 00:14:22.219 --> 00:14:22.860 and that apart 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.939 from murdering a 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:24.399 man, he's 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.939 committed an 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.620 offense against 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.120 God. 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.279 And what's the 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.919 nature of that 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.379 offense? 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:29.919 It's there in 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:30.320 Nathan's 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:30.720 question. 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:31.379 I don't 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:31.779 know if you 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.879 recall back to 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.419 that narrative, 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.320 but Nathan 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:35.919 says to him, 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.039 why have you 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:38.399 despised the 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:39.059 word of the 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:40.720 Lord to do 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.379 what's evil in 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:41.840 his sight? 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.299 See what's 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.000 fundamental there. 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:43.500 Why have you 00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.379 despised the 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:44.759 word of the 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.879 Lord to do 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.720 what's evil in 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.120 his sight? 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.460 In other 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.460 words, Nathan 00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.120 is saying, in 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.980 doing this evil 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.320 thing, what 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:51.720 you've really 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.840 done is you've 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.799 exposed the 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.080 fact that you 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.820 found God's 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:57.080 word detestable. 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.139 evil. 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.460 Now, what a 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.460 diagnosis, what a 00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:02.020 thing to say to 00:15:02.020 --> 00:15:03.000 a man who is so 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.040 used to delighting 00:15:04.040 --> 00:15:04.840 in God's word. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.460 And what a 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.100 statement about 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.100 us, who know 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.820 so well and how 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:11.620 easily that 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:13.060 pendulum swings 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:14.480 from side to 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:14.800 side. 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:17.540 If we've 00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.940 learned that the 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:20.400 essence of sin is 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:21.660 the rejection of 00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:23.340 God's word, what 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.500 we learn from 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.200 there is how 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:28.159 extensive it is, 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:30.500 how far it 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:30.860 reaches. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:31.740 And here David 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.440 really spells out 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.179 the human 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.480 predicament that 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:35.860 we're in. 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:37.440 Behold, I was 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.220 brought forth in 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.200 iniquity, verse 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.700 five, and in 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.639 sin did my 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.720 mother conceive 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.000 me. 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.799 Well, the idea 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.279 of sharing in 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:48.820 the fall of 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:50.600 Adam is not 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.379 that we just 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.759 copy Adam and 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.059 Eve. 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.179 We just copy 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:55.820 their sin. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:56.919 Because in that 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.879 case, we wouldn't 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:58.820 really need a 00:15:58.820 --> 00:15:59.519 savior, would we? 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.939 We just need a 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.840 good teacher to 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:03.519 imitate, a model 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.059 to follow. 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.820 But the problem 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.919 we see clearly in 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.879 this psalm is 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.539 more severe. 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.120 We inherit 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.799 Adam's guilt. 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.460 Now, some 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.620 traditions don't 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.620 like to speak so 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.360 much of guilt, 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.919 but it's there. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:21.419 And I think the 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.979 remedy has to 00:16:22.979 --> 00:16:23.939 get to the heart 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:24.679 of the matter. 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.179 For as in 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:27.299 Adam all die, 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.599 says Paul in 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.459 1 Corinthians 15 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:31.120 22, so also 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.839 in Christ shall 00:16:32.839 --> 00:16:33.479 all be made 00:16:33.479 --> 00:16:33.979 alive. 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:36.899 In Adam all 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.459 die. 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.299 So from what 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.839 sin is and how 00:16:41.839 --> 00:16:42.939 extensive it is, 00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:43.839 we see what sin 00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.419 does. 00:16:45.599 --> 00:16:46.519 Have a look with 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.299 me there in 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.139 verse eight, if 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.980 you will, and 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.419 following. 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.240 In verse eight, 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.299 David declares 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.139 that sin 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.899 deprives us 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:57.319 of joy and 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:57.959 gladness. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:16:59.519 How true 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:00.719 that is, isn't 00:17:00.719 --> 00:17:00.919 it? 00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:02.339 Verse 10 00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:04.099 implies that sin 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.859 leaves our hearts 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:06.759 filthy and our 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.619 spirits without 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.659 direction and 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:09.339 confused. 00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:10.899 And then to 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:11.619 complete the 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.019 picture, verses 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:14.139 11 and 12, 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.759 remind us what 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.940 sin feels like. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:20.360 that's why, well, 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.519 we feel far from 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:23.480 God without the 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.480 least bit of 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.299 will to obey. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.180 And that's why 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.059 David pleads, 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.539 cast me not 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.420 away from your 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.700 presence and 00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.420 take not your 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.400 Holy Spirit from 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:33.680 me. 00:17:34.320 --> 00:17:35.420 Restore to me the 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.120 joy of your 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:36.880 salvation and 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.860 uphold me with a 00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:38.580 willing spirit. 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.259 This is wonderful 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.320 how Nathan's, 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:43.279 how God's justice 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.519 and his mercy is 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.299 displayed in 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.200 Nathan's ministry 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.379 to David and 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:49.259 how God's mercy 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.559 and love for us 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.460 is displayed in 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.579 the words that 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:55.000 name our problem 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.700 and give us 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.339 words and give 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.079 us the language 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.940 to turn to God 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.879 in repentance. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:04.680 If that's really 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.879 where sin leaves 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.519 us, then we can 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.180 understand why 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.839 Paul says that 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.759 the wages of 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.619 sin is death, 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.200 Romans 6, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.079 23, and why 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.539 the libertine 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:15.119 or the 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:16.139 permissive way 00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:19.819 really that 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.879 way or the 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:21.699 ways they 00:18:21.699 --> 00:18:22.899 really don't 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:25.399 deal with the 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:25.679 problem. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.339 They really get 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:26.879 us nowhere. 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.259 So what's the 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.500 remedy? 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:29.559 Well, that's 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.099 part two. 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.059 Well, it comes 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.679 down to a 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:33.039 denial that 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:34.480 the performance 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.399 of good works, 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.000 the way of 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.720 just trying 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.939 harder and a 00:18:38.939 --> 00:18:39.480 little harder 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.099 after that will 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.019 fix the problem. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.939 Where do we 00:18:43.939 --> 00:18:44.460 see that in 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:44.960 the psalm? 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.399 Well, it's 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:45.799 there in 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.779 verses 16 and 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.259 17. 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.759 For you, you 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.859 will not 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.500 delight in 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.279 sacrifice, or 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.720 I would give 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:51.899 it. 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.559 You will not 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.240 be pleased with 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:54.599 a burnt 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.039 offering. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.059 The sacrifices 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.539 of God, I 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.599 hear this, are 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.439 a broken 00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:02.339 spirit, a 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.319 broken and 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.199 contrite heart, 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.759 O God, you 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.139 will not 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.779 despise. 00:19:07.159 --> 00:19:07.859 Under the 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.399 old covenant, 00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:09.859 as we know, 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.039 temple sacrifices 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.420 were still 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.180 the practice, 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.779 and we see 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.299 that in the 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.019 last verse. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.240 But here 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.759 David is 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.379 already teaching 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.440 us, isn't 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.119 he, that 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.539 external things, 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:23.960 not that they're 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.379 nothing, but 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:26.259 they're of no 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.299 use at all if 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.940 there is no 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.940 heart change. 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.639 And that 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.399 takes us to 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:33.759 the solution 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.339 to our 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.759 predicament. 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:36.240 Look back at 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.859 verse 10. 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:38.259 create in me 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.899 a clean 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:39.899 heart, O 00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:40.839 God, and 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:41.339 renew a 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.039 right spirit 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.699 within me. 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:43.919 It's our 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:45.559 inner parts, 00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.000 it's our 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.919 inmost parts 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:47.559 that God is 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.159 concerned about 00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:49.479 because the 00:19:49.479 --> 00:19:50.459 first part of 00:19:50.459 --> 00:19:51.219 verse 6 says 00:19:51.219 --> 00:19:52.019 it, behold 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.899 you delight in 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:53.879 truth in the 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.559 inward being. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.619 The only 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.539 kind of change 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.079 that really 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.959 lasts is the 00:19:58.959 --> 00:19:59.359 kind that 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.339 starts there 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.079 with the 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.439 heart. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.599 So as we 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.119 see in verse 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.799 8, once we 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.500 acknowledge our 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.079 sin and we 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.140 repent, we 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.740 can again 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.259 rejoice. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:11.160 We find the 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:12.440 way of 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.079 rejoicing, 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.400 having repented, 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.240 and it's such 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.920 freedom to 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.480 know that and 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.099 to experience 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.299 it. 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:19.000 Oz Guinness, 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:19.900 one of my 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:21.299 favorite thinkers, 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:24.000 is fond of 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.579 saying that 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.599 contrast is the 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.000 mother of 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.460 clarity. 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.259 He likes that 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.380 phrase, and I 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.059 think we can 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:30.640 appreciate what 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.420 a joyful thing 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.900 it is to 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.819 return to 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.579 delighting in 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.700 God's word by 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.700 considering how 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.279 dark, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.339 things can 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.779 become when 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.720 we ignore it 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.279 deliberately and 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.019 persistently. 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.140 Let me illustrate. 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.400 Some years 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.140 back, my 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.799 wife, Stella, 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.660 and I, we 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:52.299 attended a 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.660 very post, 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.359 let's call it 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:55.460 post-Christian 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.000 funeral. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.299 We were 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.680 living in 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:58.960 England. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.440 Our friend's 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.160 mother had 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:03.079 died, and I 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.839 say that the 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.460 funeral was 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.559 post-Christian 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.660 because it 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.640 recalled at 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.180 least some 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.440 of the 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.000 forms of 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.340 Christian 00:21:09.340 --> 00:21:11.039 burial, so 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.100 we had 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:12.960 certain fragments 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.440 of it, if 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.920 you like. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.720 We were 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.279 taken into 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:16.819 the woods 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.420 where there 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:17.740 was a 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.340 little chapel, 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.259 and from 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.900 a pulpit, 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.980 family and 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.700 loved ones 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.740 spoke of 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.880 her life as 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.600 an exemplary 00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:28.620 mother. 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:30.359 the urn 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.159 containing her 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.799 ashes were 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.339 placed on 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.000 something that 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.599 appeared to 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.859 be an 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.719 altar or a 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:36.839 table, and 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.619 after the 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.299 formal part of 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.879 the ceremony, 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.399 her immediate 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:42.000 family took, 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:42.879 just her 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.559 immediate family 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.119 took that 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.159 urn and 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.059 buried it 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.119 outside beside 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:49.119 a tree as 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:51.219 a symbol of 00:21:51.219 --> 00:21:52.219 well, what? 00:21:53.479 --> 00:21:54.439 The meaning 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:55.719 wasn't clear, 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:57.299 and that's 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.940 where the 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.600 post-Christian 00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.500 element came 00:21:59.500 --> 00:21:59.660 in. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.079 We didn't 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.819 learn why the 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.400 ashes were 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.960 buried, for 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.200 instance. 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:03.299 Our friend 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.740 said that 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.779 they all 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.220 stood there 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.839 in silence 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.759 as they put 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.220 the ashes 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.579 in the 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:07.839 ground. 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.180 So we 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.000 never learned 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.559 why they 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:10.920 needed to 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.420 be buried 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.339 specifically, 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.579 as opposed 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:13.940 to, say, 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.640 just tossing 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.039 them into 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.480 the river. 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.100 The faith 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:19.160 of his 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:19.940 mother was 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:21.059 never 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.539 mentioned, 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.440 and neither 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.279 was there any 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.860 word about 00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:25.380 the one 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.280 who came 00:22:26.280 --> 00:22:26.860 and died 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:28.200 on the 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.860 cross for 00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.420 our redemption 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.520 so that we 00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:31.340 might know 00:22:31.340 --> 00:22:31.940 the hope of 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.720 eternal life. 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:33.880 All these 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:35.100 Christian fragments 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.620 were there 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.720 somehow, and 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:39.880 yet God's 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.360 word was 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.460 never heard. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.580 No promise, 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.900 no hope, 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.420 no promise 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:45.780 of new 00:22:45.780 --> 00:22:46.280 creation, 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.820 of resurrection, 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.860 of life 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.480 with God 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.720 through the 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.240 cross and 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:53.680 repentance. 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.800 So it was a 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.799 doubly sad, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.039 even dark 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.539 occasion, 00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:58.299 that was 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.859 made darker 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.000 still by the 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.180 pleasant and 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.139 fresh surroundings 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:02.700 out there in 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.119 the woods. 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.059 It made me 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.759 think of our 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.839 cultural rejection 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.539 today of the 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.379 God who speaks, 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.519 of who actually 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.460 speaks, 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.599 and doesn't 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.359 leave it to 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.460 us to make up 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.059 truth as we 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.539 go along. 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.220 It's as if 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.019 God's word 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.480 had been 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.279 collapsed into 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:19.980 all words, 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.019 into any word 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.740 in the end, 00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.920 so that there 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.599 would be no 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.720 word really 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.139 that ever 00:23:27.139 --> 00:23:27.920 comes to us 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.639 from outside 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.720 our own 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.240 resources. 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.240 It made me 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.920 think of how 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:33.240 post-Christian 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.940 we will 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.500 become if 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.400 we, as J.I. 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.000 Packer has 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.059 written, if we 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.879 embrace a 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.799 theology that 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.420 knows nothing 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.900 about the 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.279 God who 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.259 speaks to us 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:42.839 in Scripture, 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.639 that knows 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.420 nothing of the 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.240 sin that's there 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.980 in the human 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.900 heart and mind. 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:50.800 the remedy 00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:51.400 then is with 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.340 God, and it's 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:52.860 full of the 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.460 mercy that 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.120 flows from 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:54.780 his grace. 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.900 And we can 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:59.200 be confident 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.759 that with 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.480 Jesus the 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.040 burden is 00:24:01.040 --> 00:24:02.840 light, because 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.360 that's what 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.120 he's promised. 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.440 We hear that 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:09.259 often as we 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.900 break bread, 00:24:10.040 --> 00:24:10.360 and as we 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:10.720 hear the 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.540 comfortable 00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:12.259 words. 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.820 So we come 00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:14.259 in the third 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.900 place to the 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.680 benefits of 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.160 repentance. 00:24:16.540 --> 00:24:16.960 They're spelled 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.220 out. 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:17.700 Some of them 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.120 are spelled 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:19.539 out there 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.240 in the rest 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.519 of the 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:20.819 psalm. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.380 The blessings 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:21.799 that are 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.640 ours as we 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.299 ask God to 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:23.860 cleanse us 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.340 and renew 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.680 us. 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.259 I've mentioned 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.259 the joy and 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.960 the gladness 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:29.700 that come in 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.920 verse 8, and 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.500 that's linked 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.279 to an 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.100 awareness that 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.640 we're walking 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.440 with God once 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.680 again with 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.400 the assurance 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:36.880 of our 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.980 salvation in 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.600 verse 12. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.640 But there 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.340 are at least 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:41.120 three more 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:42.039 blessings that 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.940 are promised. 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.740 See, if you 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.920 can see this 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.920 in verse 13, 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:50.279 the first is 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.400 that knowledge 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.220 of God will 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.779 spread to 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.180 others. 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.580 David says, 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.400 then I will 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.600 teach transgressors 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.160 your ways, 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.740 and sinners 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.140 will return to 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.400 you. 00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.560 In other words, 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.440 since you and 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.660 I have experienced 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.620 God's forgiveness 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:08.060 and have come to 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.900 a deeper 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.840 understanding of 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.400 his ways, 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:12.100 this will help us 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.740 then to lead 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:14.180 others to him 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.380 as we explain 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.560 God's way 00:25:16.560 --> 00:25:17.279 to them. 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.140 We'll see 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.720 lives transformed. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.200 And the 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.920 second thing is 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.420 that God will 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.160 be glorified. 00:25:27.120 --> 00:25:28.080 Verses 14 and 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:29.000 15 say this, 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.420 Deliver me from 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.840 blood guiltiness, 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.920 O God, O God 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.759 of my salvation, 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:35.220 and my tongue 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.060 will do what? 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.320 My tongue will 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:38.940 sing aloud of 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.640 your righteousness. 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:42.420 O Lord, 00:25:42.520 --> 00:25:43.220 open my lips 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.860 and my mouth 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.460 will declare 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.360 your praise. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.920 So with our 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.640 voices we'll 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.700 praise the God 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.440 who saves 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.320 publicly. 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:52.340 God will be 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:53.020 glorified. 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.600 The third is 00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:56.140 that we'll 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.020 have a renewed 00:25:57.020 --> 00:25:58.060 desire to see 00:25:58.060 --> 00:25:58.960 God's city, 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.580 his church, 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.180 in fact, 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.620 flourish. 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.680 Verse 18, 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.840 in verse 18 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.640 David prays this, 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.600 Do good to 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.119 Zion, 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.339 in your good 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.759 pleasure. 00:26:10.459 --> 00:26:11.319 Build up the 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.799 walls of 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.279 Jerusalem. 00:26:13.399 --> 00:26:14.559 As hearts are 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.000 renewed, 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.559 so we see 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.959 signs and 00:26:17.959 --> 00:26:19.559 even anticipation 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:21.039 of God's 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.639 kingdom that 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.819 is forever. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.240 What really 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.240 struck me about 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.099 these three 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:29.819 blessings is 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.500 how they point 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.259 us to Jesus, 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:34.539 to his work 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:36.639 as prophet, 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.960 as priest, 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.900 and as king, 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.100 that threefold 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:42.080 work of our 00:26:42.080 --> 00:26:42.380 Savior, 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.300 and to the 00:26:43.300 --> 00:26:44.440 way that by 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:46.060 grace we 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:48.040 are privileged 00:26:48.040 --> 00:26:48.980 to participate 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:50.560 in that work 00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:51.820 as we remain 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.320 in him. 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.580 Where do we 00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:54.120 see this? 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.020 Well, in 00:26:55.020 --> 00:26:56.380 Christ who's 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.840 prophet, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:57.880 what do we 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.000 do? 00:26:58.060 --> 00:26:58.960 We declare 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.560 and teach 00:27:00.560 --> 00:27:01.140 God's will 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:01.759 in the world 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.780 so that others 00:27:02.780 --> 00:27:03.780 too will come 00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:04.400 to trust in 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:04.540 him. 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.659 In Christ 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.099 who's our 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:06.799 high priest, 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.599 we offer a 00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.440 sacrifice of 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.500 praise as a 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.879 people, 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.759 declaring his 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.279 salvation. 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.539 And in Christ 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.220 who's our king, 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.940 we do works 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.539 that build up 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.200 his church. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.680 That's what 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.319 kings do. 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.240 Kings gain 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:21.720 victory. 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.019 Kings protect. 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.079 Kings defend. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:26.319 Kings build up. 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.139 And here we are 00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:27.980 privileged in 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.279 Christ to see 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.119 the church built 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.899 up, his holy 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:32.279 city, and so 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:32.879 to look for 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.480 his kingdom 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.799 to be extended 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.399 throughout the 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:35.680 earth. 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.980 And it's there, 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.539 I think, that we 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.299 can answer that 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.440 lingering question 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.119 that some of 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.940 you, perhaps 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.759 all of you, 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.039 might be 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.920 puzzled over 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:47.200 right now. 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.639 That lingering 00:27:48.639 --> 00:27:49.420 question that 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.359 comes up when we 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.139 think about that 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.259 inner struggle, 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:53.099 that constant 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.059 struggle that we 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.920 experience, that 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.940 struggle with sin. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.859 And we can put 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:58.639 the question like 00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:58.960 this. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.720 Paul wrestles 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.480 with it in 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.579 Romans, but 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.960 we can ask 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.440 this. 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.059 If we've 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.880 really been set 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:07.039 free from 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:09.400 sin, as 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:10.039 Paul says in 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.680 Romans 6 and 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.700 6-7, in fact, 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.799 then why do we 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:14.039 continue in sin? 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.600 What's the point 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.220 of being set 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.059 free if we 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.579 continue to 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.880 sin? 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.059 Now, I know 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.740 I'm going 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.380 against a 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.360 certain tradition, 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.319 and it happens 00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:27.980 to be a 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.620 tradition that 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:30.219 was very much 00:28:30.219 --> 00:28:30.979 in the air 00:28:30.979 --> 00:28:31.500 when I was 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.159 growing up 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:32.659 and in my 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.559 family background, 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.719 when I say 00:28:35.719 --> 00:28:38.419 that I don't 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.559 think in this 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.159 life we're 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:41.279 ever sanctified 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.879 wholly or 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.719 completely. 00:28:44.739 --> 00:28:45.699 Some traditions 00:28:45.699 --> 00:28:46.899 long to see 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.559 that happen, 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.139 and I think 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:50.719 they've always 00:28:50.719 --> 00:28:51.819 been concerned 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.679 to see that 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.579 salvation is, 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.639 I should say, 00:28:54.699 --> 00:28:55.739 discipleship is 00:28:55.739 --> 00:28:56.739 taken very 00:28:56.739 --> 00:28:57.599 seriously, and 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:59.000 that's important, 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.459 but I think it 00:29:00.459 --> 00:29:01.419 has the tendency 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:03.599 to confuse the 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.480 things God has 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.199 seen fit to do 00:29:05.199 --> 00:29:05.879 in a moment 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:07.439 as when he 00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:09.099 regenerates the 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:09.799 human heart 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:11.679 and what he's 00:29:11.679 --> 00:29:12.859 seen fit to do 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:14.559 gradually as 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.159 when he 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:16.419 sanctifies us 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:17.519 by the same 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.799 spirit fitting 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.559 us for heaven. 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.000 We leave it to 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.759 God as to why 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:23.839 he has done it 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.279 that way. 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:26.200 He's the 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.660 author of 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.079 salvation. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.899 He knows 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:28.319 what he's 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.559 doing because, 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:30.779 in fact, we 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.339 know that he 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.099 could do, if 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.519 he so 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.139 choose, to do 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.940 a whole bunch 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.379 of things 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:36.059 instantly. 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:38.000 He could have 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.619 turned Eden 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.980 into paradise 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.639 in a second, 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.619 in a moment. 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.720 He could put 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.519 us as his 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.960 people permanently 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.079 on the mountain 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:49.279 of transfiguration 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:51.480 so that there'd be 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.319 no more longing 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.359 and waiting for 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.139 his coming. 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.179 He could do, 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.740 he could heal 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.460 all the world's 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.480 diseases and 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.799 conflicts in a 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:02.519 flash, but he 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.019 hasn't. 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.980 And this doesn't 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.839 remove the 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.619 seriousness of 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.500 sin, our 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.139 predicament, but 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:10.039 it does teach us 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:10.799 to depend on 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.179 God. 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.539 It teaches us to 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.619 turn constantly to 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.960 his word and to 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.779 depend on the 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.619 Holy Spirit who 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.259 uses us to 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.200 further Christ's 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.460 kingdom. 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:20.579 him. 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.579 And along the 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.299 way to the 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.100 promised land, we 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:24.900 learn this, that 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:26.420 it's the awareness 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.220 itself. 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.900 Have you been 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:29.559 aware, have you 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.460 been made aware 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:32.500 that you have 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.620 done wrong, that 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:35.140 what you've done 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.980 is an offense 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.600 against God? 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.259 The awareness 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.880 itself is what 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:40.660 God uses to 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.420 bring us back 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:41.880 to him. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.500 And once we're 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.860 back in the race, 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:46.860 as justified 00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:47.819 sinners, we're 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:49.319 given boldness to 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:49.819 teach others. 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.539 That's why David 00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.720 can say that 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:53.240 then he will 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.659 proclaim, then he 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.359 will share with 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.099 others what God 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.480 has done. 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.019 Then we have the 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:59.460 joy and boldness 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.700 to tell others that 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.700 God is a good and 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:03.179 gracious God and 00:31:03.179 --> 00:31:03.839 rich in mercy. 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.700 So let me end 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.379 with a challenge. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.960 As we think of the 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:10.419 basic human need to 00:31:10.419 --> 00:31:11.220 find peace with 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.000 God, after all, 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.480 that's what he 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.179 made us for. 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:16.240 He made us for a 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.779 fellowship, to be at 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:19.259 peace with him, the 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.240 options for dealing 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.379 with sin really come 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:22.099 down to three. 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.619 Here I'm coming 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.759 back to that theme 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.579 I started with. 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.839 We can go the way 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.460 of that Russian 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:27.819 monk. 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.960 We can go that 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:30.720 rigorous, ascetic 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:32.440 way, try to get 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.839 away from the world 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.359 and all its 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.240 temptations and 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.779 distractions. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:37.119 But what do we 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.099 find in that case? 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.700 Well, we find that 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:43.500 relocation, you know 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:45.240 I've relocated a lot 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:47.400 through our line of 00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:47.640 work. 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.680 Relocation of the 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.599 body does not 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:52.500 necessarily translate 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:55.400 into a reformation 00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:57.319 of the heart, which 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.259 is what we need 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.819 most. 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.680 We can go the 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.299 opposite way. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:03.240 We can take that 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.480 broad and easy way 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.920 that doesn't take sin 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.960 into proper account. 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.880 And here we adopt a 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.940 philosophy that says 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.039 something more or 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:11.799 less like this. 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.139 You know, 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.460 discipleship and all 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.240 that sort of thing 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.659 is really for those 00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.519 super Christians, 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:21.159 those pastors and 00:32:21.159 --> 00:32:22.220 those missionaries 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:23.420 who are called to 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.200 the front lines. 00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.779 Surely God doesn't 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:27.460 hold the rest of us 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:29.420 to the same 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:30.420 standard. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.220 At any rate, if he 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:33.440 does turn out to do 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:35.039 that, we can take 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.259 our faith seriously 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.819 once we come into 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.879 that final stretch 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.440 of the race. 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:42.240 Well, there are at 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.980 least two problems 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:43.900 with that second 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.200 way. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.380 If we're in Christ, 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.420 we've been made 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:46.680 new. 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:48.279 We simply can't 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.019 remain in sin 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.380 because, as John 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:52.059 says, if we say we 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.120 have fellowship with 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:54.700 God while we walk 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:56.660 in darkness, while we 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.980 walk in darkness, we 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:59.400 lie and do not 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.660 practice the truth. 00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.759 The second problem 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.539 with the broad 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.180 way is that it's 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:04.779 just plain 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.519 irresponsible. 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.180 It's kind of 00:33:07.180 --> 00:33:08.500 making us think that 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:10.259 sin just affects 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.480 me, right? 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.960 But when we let 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:13.940 ourselves off the 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:15.500 hook persistently 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.720 and deliberately, 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.920 we're hurting 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.380 others. 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:20.059 As David learned 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:21.519 so well, sin has 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:23.119 that wider family 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:24.880 and social impact 00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.900 than we can 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.339 imagine. 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.779 It started when he 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:30.579 decided to watch 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.400 things from the 00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:33.019 sidelines and not 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.619 go to battle. 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.180 The third option, 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:35.920 and the only one 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.619 for you and me, 00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:38.439 if we have truly 00:33:38.439 --> 00:33:39.579 known God's mercy 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:41.579 and have given 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.579 our lives to him, 00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:42.959 is this. 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.899 Don't despise 00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:44.599 God's word, 00:33:45.919 --> 00:33:47.839 but instead, 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:48.899 and here's the 00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:49.639 wonderful thing, 00:33:49.739 --> 00:33:50.539 it's not just don't 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.559 despise God's word, 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.859 but here's the 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:54.099 positive command. 00:33:54.219 --> 00:33:54.959 Delight in it. 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.239 Delight in it. 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:57.099 This is the same 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.599 as giving thanks, 00:33:58.959 --> 00:33:59.959 as simply giving 00:33:59.959 --> 00:34:00.959 thanks, and 00:34:00.959 --> 00:34:01.659 through that 00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:02.779 gratitude, we 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:04.179 find the strength 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:04.840 to flee from 00:34:04.840 --> 00:34:05.140 idols. 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.980 And it will be 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.740 the only way 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.940 to truly look 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:10.139 forward to the 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.840 promised city 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.360 of God as we 00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:13.159 long with joy 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.440 and with patient 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.940 hope for the 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.700 kingdom that is 00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:17.000 coming. 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:18.960 So shall we pray? 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:21.500 And I ask you 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.700 to bow your 00:34:22.700 --> 00:34:23.180 heads there where 00:34:23.180 --> 00:34:23.780 you are, and we'll 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.420 pray together, 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:27.539 using the psalm to 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.300 kind of help 00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:29.340 fashion our 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.619 prayer. 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:29.659 prayer. 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.599 According to 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.380 your steadfast 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.139 love, O God, 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:35.059 have mercy on 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.359 us. 00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:38.039 According to 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.659 your abundant 00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:41.619 mercy, blot out 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.859 our transgressions 00:34:42.859 --> 00:34:43.420 and make us 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:43.779 clean. 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.519 When we face 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:48.539 temptation, help 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:50.460 us not only to 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:50.960 look the other 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.960 way, but to you 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.819 and to your 00:34:52.819 --> 00:34:53.159 word. 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.880 By your spirit 00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.779 working in us, 00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:56.779 keep us in the 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.139 race. 00:34:57.139 --> 00:35:00.179 remind us that 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:01.000 we're here but 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:02.599 for a moment, and 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.699 grant us joy and 00:35:03.699 --> 00:35:04.659 gladness as we 00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:06.319 look to Jesus, the 00:35:06.319 --> 00:35:07.400 author and finisher 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.279 of our faith. 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.239 For it's in his 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:09.980 name that we pray. 00:35:10.759 --> 00:35:11.219 Amen.