WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.320 If you have a Bible, could you please turn with me to Psalm chapter 8. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:27.760 ! 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:35.260 This morning I want to look with you at the surprising majesty of God in Psalm chapter 8. 00:00:35.400 --> 00:00:37.500 And as we come to this psalm, let us pray. 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:45.660 Lord God, your name is majestic in all the earth. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:50.359 And we ask now that as we look at this psalm by your Holy Spirit, 00:00:50.540 --> 00:00:54.820 you would help us to see that for the glory of your great name. 00:00:54.820 --> 00:00:58.520 And we ask this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:58.520 --> 00:00:58.960 Amen. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:00:59.100 Amen. 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.100 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:35.399 routine but rigorous questioning. They are told to expect the process will take up to 00:01:35.399 --> 00:01:43.379 at least a couple of hours. And inside the room the atmosphere is tense. There are sandbags 00:01:43.379 --> 00:01:50.539 piled up against each of the walls. Desk clerks break no smiles nor offer any warmth or welcome. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:58.500 On every side of those waiting for visas there are machine gun clutching soldiers whose glare 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:04.599 make everyone in the room feel that they are guilty of at least something. And unbeknown 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:12.560 to Ravi Zacharias his little two year old Sarah has locked eyes with an Israeli soldier who 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:21.960 is staring back at her in eye to eye combat. Ravi Zacharias writes that suddenly the silence 00:02:21.960 --> 00:02:25.860 in the room was broken by Sarah's little squeaky voice. 00:02:25.860 --> 00:02:42.140 Excuse me, do you have any bubble gum? All eyes are now on the soldier. He stares back 00:02:42.140 --> 00:02:50.960 at little Sarah, face blank, takes his gun, passes it to his colleague, comes over, picks 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:56.140 little Sarah up and takes her off into the back room. Within a few minutes he came back 00:02:56.140 --> 00:03:02.640 with a tray in one hand with three drinks and little Sarah in the other hand. Ravi Zacharias 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:08.879 explains that they were in and out in 25 minutes. And when they did get out of the building there 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:14.500 was the soldier in his jeep ready to drive them to the border to the taxi stand so they 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:26.680 could go on their way to Jericho. Ravi Zacharias concludes the incredible power of a child. For 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:39.500 one fleeting moment in that room she brought war to a standstill. Excuse me, do you have any 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:46.840 bubble gum? Such an incredible story, isn't it? Because of all the people in the room, the 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:52.199 person with the least amount of power to do anything physically and diplomatically is little 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:58.860 Sarah. She's just a toddler, just less than two years of age. And in comparison to a gun-clutching 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:07.180 soldier, she's a complete and utter weakling, vulnerable, powerless. Yet with the words, do you 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:20.379 have any bubble gum? She brings hostility and war to a standstill. The story is so intriguing 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:26.960 because it involves the element of surprise. It's the surprise of a two-year-old boldness 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:37.560 or naivete. It's the surprise of a squeaky voice asking a question in the midst of silent tension. But 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:48.399 it's surprise at a deeper level too. It's the surprise of a weak child's war-stopping strength. Out 00:04:48.399 --> 00:05:00.599 of the mouth of a child, hostility ceases. The story of little Sarah has great resonances with this 00:05:00.599 --> 00:05:07.339 psalm. I'm sure you've picked it up. Verse 2. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:17.779 praise because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger. The story of Sarah is exactly 00:05:17.779 --> 00:05:25.419 what is at the heart of this psalm. Surprise. The element of surprise. It's a psalm about the 00:05:25.419 --> 00:05:33.299 unexpected. The surprising. And if we miss the surprise, then we miss the point of the psalm. 00:05:34.039 --> 00:05:41.639 It's the element of surprise that causes David to extol God's greatness with the refrain, 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:51.539 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. We get a hint of this surprise in verse 1 00:05:51.539 --> 00:06:00.919 when we're told that the God who has set his glory above the heavens has also displayed his glory and 00:06:00.919 --> 00:06:09.459 majesty in all the earth. The God whose glory cannot be contained by the heaven of heavens has displayed his 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:21.699 majesty in all the earth. Verse 1. You have set your glory above the heavens. How majestic is your name in all the earth. 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:31.439 Now I don't know about you, but when I hear that God's majesty is displayed in all the earth, I think of God's creation. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:43.620 Don't you? I think of Mount Everest or Victoria waterfalls or the plains of the Serengeti teeming with animals. 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:52.459 I think of a star-studded night or a beautiful sunset over the Lake District. Isn't that what we think of? 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:59.060 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works your hand has made. 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:05.939 I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. 00:07:06.660 --> 00:07:13.680 Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, how great thou art. 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:20.720 Isn't that what we think of when we hear of God's majesty displayed in all the earth? 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:26.240 Yet here's the unexpected thing in this psalm. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.480 Here's the big surprise. 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:41.480 When it comes to talking about God's majesty displayed in all the earth, the psalmist talks about babies and about mankind. 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:52.220 God's name is majestic in all the earth because weak little babies defeat God's enemies, verse 2. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:59.600 And puny little man rules God's world, verses 3 to 8. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:01.720 That's the logic of this psalm. 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:08.080 The catalyst for praise from David is not cute little babies per se. 00:08:08.440 --> 00:08:11.500 It's not the creation of the world per se. 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:13.920 It's not mankind per se. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:26.460 No, the catalyst of praise for David is the surprise that weak little babies defeat God's enemies. 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:32.579 And puny little man rules God's world. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:37.000 The first surprise is obvious enough, verse 2. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:46.020 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger. 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:49.800 The word for infants here is literally sucklings. 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:58.620 And in the Old Testament that word was used in the context of oppression where babies are vulnerable victims of war and death. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:00.539 Yet verse 2 says, 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:09.479 From the mouth of babes suckling on their mother's breasts, God has ordained strength. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:22.420 Have you ever heard of strength coming out of a weak, little, dependent, vulnerable, two-month-old baby? 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:27.860 It's strength going in the wrong direction, isn't it? 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:34.139 Isn't a baby's mouth supposed to receive nourishment and strength, not give it out? 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:38.620 Yet God reverses the direction. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:45.480 From the mouths of children and babies comes strength. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:51.440 But the surprise factor continues with the purpose given for the strength. 00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:58.220 It is to silence, or better, to still, to bring to nothing the foe and the avenger. 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:06.039 This word to silence, it comes from the word for which we get Sabbath, to cease, to stop working. 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:12.860 It's used in Psalm 46 to describe God causing wars to cease. 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:16.079 Now look who's doing the ceasing. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.839 Weak, little babies. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:35.240 How humbling for God's enemies. 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:40.320 In fact, that's probably why there's the phrase, because of your enemies. 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:48.600 God ordained strength from the mouths of sucklings because of his enemies in order to humble them. 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:57.720 These great and mighty enemies are defeated by what comes out of a little child's mouth in order to humble them. 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:04.620 Now what exactly this verse is referring to will have to wait another time. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:11.480 I think, as you will remember in the Gospels, Jesus is praised by the little children. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:14.379 And Jesus quotes Psalm 8. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:17.439 So I think that's the fulfillment of this. 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:22.460 But how that is played out in the rest of the Bible will have to wait another time. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:27.600 I want to focus this morning on the biggest surprise in this psalm. 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:29.779 And that is verses 3 to 8. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:38.799 God's name is majestic in all the earth because puny little man rules God's world. 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:40.899 Verses 3 to 8. 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:52.220 If you just cast your eye down to verse 3, you'll notice that it's comparatively longer than verses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.159 There's no parallelism like there is in those other verses. 00:11:56.539 --> 00:12:02.059 The verse sort of just draws things out, underlining the sense of awe. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:10.659 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:14.519 There's no doubt in David's mind here whose heavens these are. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:17.220 It's not mother heaven or mother earth. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.840 It is God's heavens. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:22.319 The work of his fingers. 00:12:23.220 --> 00:12:29.600 And I think the mention of God's fingers is the most intriguing and interesting thing in the verse. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:33.659 This is what I was saying to the boys and girls in Sunday school this morning. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:37.159 What does that picture convey to you? 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:43.259 That God made the heavens with his fingers. 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:46.500 I know God's a spirit. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:48.719 He's not like us, a physical being. 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.379 It's a metaphor. 00:12:50.719 --> 00:12:53.379 But let us meditate on the metaphor. 00:12:54.439 --> 00:13:00.759 God used his fingers to create the heavens and the moon and the stars. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:04.360 What does that say to you about God? 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:08.399 He's an artist. 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.720 He's a painter. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.779 He's a sculptor. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:21.259 It speaks of delicate, intricate, detailed care with which God made the world. 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:25.259 But I think the metaphor suggests something else as well. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:30.580 I'm sure most of us here this morning have been on an airplane. 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:34.500 We've got up above the clouds. 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:36.139 You're sitting there at the window seat. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:39.279 And the planes got up above all the cloud level. 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:46.860 And you look out of the window and there is that endless expanse of blue sky in front of you. 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:53.800 Or if you've never been in an airplane, you can picture yourself on a pitch dark night away from city lights. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:59.960 And you look up and there is that wonderful star-studded night above your head. 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:06.500 Astrologers say on a clear night by the human eye you can see about 2,500 stars. 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:14.019 But in reality there are hundreds of billions of stars in our galaxy and there are billions of galaxies. 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:17.659 Now think about the metaphor in verse 3. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:21.879 That endless blue sky that you see from the airplane. 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:24.379 That star-studded night. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.120 God fashioned it. 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:30.019 He shaped it in intricate detail. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:34.779 With the tips of his fingers. 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:42.120 God is big. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.179 God is big. 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:46.200 And this world is small. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:53.340 So much so that all he had to do was mold it with the divine digits. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:15:01.700 Now if you're like me, you'd expect the refrain to kick in at this point, wouldn't you? 00:15:02.060 --> 00:15:07.460 Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:12.200 When I consider the heavens and consider that you made them with your fingers. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.980 When I consider of how big you are. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:18.980 Oh Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:21.600 But that's not the logic of the sound. 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:27.440 David doesn't make an exclamation of praise at this point. 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:29.240 He asks a question. 00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:30.300 Verse 4. 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:34.719 When I consider the heavens that you made with your fingers. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:39.079 What is man that you are mindful of him? 00:15:39.459 --> 00:15:42.079 The son of man that you care for him. 00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:46.199 When I consider that endless blue sky. 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:48.379 That star-entrancing night. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:52.079 And the fact that you made them in such intricate detail. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:55.360 And that in comparison to you they are so small. 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:59.080 And man in comparison to them is even smaller. 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:04.300 What is man that you are mindful of him? 00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:11.440 The word for man here and the phrase son of man. 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:14.020 It speaks of man's fragility. 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.360 Our human weakness. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.840 Our man-ness. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:25.000 We are mere minuscule specks of dust. 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.200 On one rock. 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:30.460 That is revolving around one of thousands of stars. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:33.639 In but one of billions of galaxies. 00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:39.240 So why do you bother with us God? 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:44.240 Why do you even care for us? 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.700 I mean when you walk out on the street. 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:51.020 In the summer and you see a whole bunch of little ants. 00:16:52.140 --> 00:16:53.100 On the pavement. 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:54.400 Do you care for them? 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.759 Do you think about them? 00:16:57.140 --> 00:16:58.460 As you are going to do your shopping? 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:02.900 Why does God think about us? 00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:05.740 When we are so insignificant. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:09.700 Do you feel your insignificance? 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:10.700 Your puniness? 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:13.000 Your minuteness? 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.600 David wants you to feel it. 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:18.679 And he wants you to feel something else as well. 00:17:18.679 --> 00:17:24.719 But he wants you to feel that God is mindful of you. 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:27.779 That though you are so insignificant. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.599 Though you are so puny. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.639 That he cares for you. 00:17:32.219 --> 00:17:33.579 David's question here. 00:17:33.719 --> 00:17:35.079 It's not a question of doubt. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.599 But one of faith. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.699 He's not doubting that God is mindful of him. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.459 In the question. 00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:42.619 He's dumbfounded. 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.739 He's not a question of doubt. 00:17:43.739 --> 00:17:44.339 But it's true. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.219 And it is true. 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:59.419 We mere specks in this universe are cared for and are on the mind of the God who made it all. 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:02.560 Now again. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:05.380 You would expect the refrain to kick in here. 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:05.860 Wouldn't you? 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:06.920 I mean. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.560 Oh Lord. 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.840 When I consider your heavens. 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.460 And how big they are. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:13.380 And how small I am in comparison. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:16.279 And when I consider that you are mindful of me. 00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:18.420 Oh Lord. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.120 Our Lord. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:21.960 How majestic is your name in all the earth. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.000 That's what I would expect. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.519 But again. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:27.460 That's not the logic of the psalm. 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:31.799 The refrain is withheld until verse 9. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:35.240 Which means that the catalyst for praise. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:37.900 Is not creation itself. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:41.099 It's not even God's care for us. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.859 Per se. 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.359 Rather. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:45.359 It is something different. 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:48.399 The catalyst for praise. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.899 In this psalm. 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:52.379 Is seen in the contrast. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:54.459 Between verses 3 to 5. 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:56.959 And verses 5 to 8. 00:18:57.419 --> 00:18:59.919 There's a yet a but at the beginning of verse 5. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.319 If you're reading the NIV like I am. 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.359 It's not there. 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:05.819 But if you have a more literal translation. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.979 Like the ESV. 00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.079 It's there. 00:19:08.719 --> 00:19:09.439 Let me read it. 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:11.359 When I consider your heavens. 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.939 The work of your fingers. 00:19:13.399 --> 00:19:14.879 The moon and the stars. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:16.160 Which you have set in place. 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.900 What is man. 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.740 That you are mindful of him. 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.900 The son of man. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.940 That you care for him. 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:22.840 Yet. 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.760 Yet. 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.980 You made him. 00:19:27.320 --> 00:19:29.540 A little lower than the heavenly beings. 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:32.640 And crowned him with glory and honour. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.720 Yet. 00:19:34.020 --> 00:19:36.180 You made him ruler. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:40.040 Over the works of your hands. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:44.160 That is the catalyst for praise. 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:47.120 Man's insignificance. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.160 Man's insignificance. 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.200 Man's insignificance. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:51.380 Man's insignificance. 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:54.860 Man is utterly insignificant. 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:57.660 In comparison to this created world. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.019 Verses 3 and 4. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:03.259 Yet man is supremely significant. 00:20:04.540 --> 00:20:06.700 As ruler over God's world. 00:20:06.800 --> 00:20:08.700 Verses 5 to 8. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:11.380 Puny little man. 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:12.980 Verses 3 to 4. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.660 Rules God's world. 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:18.059 Verses 5 to 8. 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:25.019 And it's only when you see those two paradoxical truths stand side by side. 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:29.160 That the psalmist bursts into praise. 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:31.340 Oh Lord our Lord. 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.720 How majestic. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.560 How great. 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:37.960 Is your name in all the earth. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:43.779 Let's just take a look at verses 5 to 8. 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:51.900 Charles Darwin said that as human beings we bear the image of our lowly origins. 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:54.600 But look at verse 5. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:59.560 Man is made only a little lower than the heavenly beings. 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:03.880 That word heavenly beings is probably a reference to the angels. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:10.000 We do not bear the image of our lowly origins as Darwin put it. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:15.660 Rather we bear the image of high and glorious origins. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:22.359 We fall short only a little from the angels. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:25.380 And therefore only a little from God himself. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:28.180 And the next line confirms this. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:31.819 We are crowned with glory and honor. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:36.079 Qualities in the Bible that are attributed to God himself. 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:40.439 If verse 4 spotlighted our humanness. 00:21:40.679 --> 00:21:41.859 Our insignificance. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:46.399 Verse 5 spotlights our God likeness. 00:21:47.439 --> 00:21:49.980 And just how significant we are. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:54.720 And the significance increases in verse 6. 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:58.679 You made him ruler over the works of your hands. 00:21:59.139 --> 00:22:01.519 You put everything under his feet. 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:06.680 We were not just created into a high and glorious state. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:09.240 We were given an amazing job promotion. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:12.160 Ruler of the world. 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:16.240 In fact David lists the things that man is given rulership over. 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.299 Verse 7. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:20.039 Flocks and herds and the beasts of the field. 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:22.700 The birds of the air and the fish of the sea. 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:25.859 And all that swim the paths of the sea. 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:29.940 David is alluding here to Genesis chapter 1. 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:32.440 If you read Genesis chapter 1. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.299 You see that God makes three realms. 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:36.559 Land, air and sea. 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:40.039 And he fills each of those realms with animals. 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.600 With creatures. 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:43.340 On the land he makes animals. 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:45.380 In the air he makes birds. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:48.100 And in the sea he makes fish. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:50.019 And the great sea creatures. 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:52.480 And do you see what David has done? 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.820 He has picked up all of those realms. 00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:58.180 And all of those creatures that live in all of those realms. 00:22:58.180 --> 00:23:02.620 And he said that man is given rule over all of them. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:05.820 Every realm and every creature. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:10.400 And you'll see it's not just the pet poodle or the pony. 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.779 It's the lion and the tiger. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.539 The beasts of the field. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.680 Not just the domestic pets. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.360 It's not just the budgies. 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.960 It's the albatross. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.000 It's not just the goldfish. 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:23.820 It's the blue whale and the shark. 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:27.379 All that swim the paths of the sea. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.839 Do you get the picture? 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:33.980 We have been given rule over everything. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.160 Everything. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:42.180 In fact the word everything here may hint at more than just planet earth. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:44.779 Did you notice in verse 6 the phrase. 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:47.620 The works of your hands. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.880 What does that remind you of earlier in the psalm? 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.319 Verse 3. 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:55.000 The works of your fingers. 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:58.880 If this is just a case of stylistic variety. 00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.900 And I think it is. 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:02.920 Then we have a profound statement here. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:06.740 The very thing that in verse 3. 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:09.820 Made us feel so puny and small. 00:24:10.300 --> 00:24:11.500 The works of God's fingers. 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.380 Is the very thing. 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:15.560 That puny little man. 00:24:15.780 --> 00:24:16.580 In verse 6. 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:18.440 Is now given dominion over. 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:21.380 The stars and the moons. 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:24.259 And the moon make us feel so small. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.200 So insignificant. 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.860 Yet haven't we been to the moon? 00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:31.039 Haven't we stuck a flag in it? 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.799 And said ours? 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:35.459 One small step for man? 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:37.579 One giant leap for mankind? 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.979 I know it wasn't the Brits who did it. 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:42.619 But you know. 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:45.179 There's a few Americans here. 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.379 We acknowledge it. 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:49.779 But don't we as humankind rule the world? 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:54.879 I don't know if you ever saw the BBC series. 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.680 Wonders of the solar system. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.420 Empire of the sun. 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:03.859 And it explained that the sun gives off solar winds. 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:07.240 That travel 16 billion kilometers into space. 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.319 And in the mid 1970s. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.899 We sent a probe. 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.240 Into space. 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:15.099 To measure how far those solar winds are traveling. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.420 And to this day. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.139 That probe is still in space. 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:20.980 And it is still sending messages back to us. 00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:23.460 To tell us how far those winds are blowing. 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:28.540 Is it too much of an exaggeration to say. 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.360 That we were made to rule the stars. 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.640 As well as this earth. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:39.180 God has placed everything under our feet. 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:42.040 And though David at the time when he said everything. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.800 Wouldn't have had in his mind. 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.940 Spaceships going to the moon. 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:49.759 And probes going to measure the winds of the sun. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:53.639 Yet it would come to mean that. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:55.659 Later in history. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.899 But in any case. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.619 What Psalm 8 gives us. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:02.139 Is a magnificent picture. 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:04.039 Of the human being. 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:08.319 No Darwinian lowly origins. 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:12.439 Rather we are made as the pinnacle of God's creation. 00:26:12.439 --> 00:26:14.639 His vice regent. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:18.240 Commissioned to rule everything. 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:22.299 And that is the surprise of the psalm. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:25.740 Puny little man. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.619 Rules God's universe. 00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:31.700 And that's when verse 9 kicks in with the refrain. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:34.220 Oh Lord our Lord. 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:38.140 How majestic is your name in all the earth. 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:41.019 That you would give the earth to us. 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.000 To rule. 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:46.519 And that's the psalm in a nutshell. 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:49.460 Those are the two great surprises. 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.779 Weak little babies. 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.019 Defeat God's enemies. 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:53.880 And puny little man. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.940 Rules God's world. 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.960 But the question is. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:58.120 What do we do with it? 00:26:58.119 --> 00:27:02.719 Well I want to give you five points of application. 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:04.439 Number one. 00:27:05.239 --> 00:27:09.739 Be amazed at what you were made to be. 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:14.419 Be amazed at what you were made to be. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:19.219 What this psalm asks us this morning. 00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:23.799 Is do you have a high enough view of yourself? 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:27.099 Because what it says is. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.940 The world's your oyster. 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:34.039 The world really is your oyster. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:37.119 There is not a realm. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:39.399 In all of this created world. 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:41.680 Over which God does not say to you. 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.879 Yours. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.659 It's yours. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:50.259 He made you and me to be rulers of it. 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.079 Now of course. 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.819 Don't get me wrong. 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.579 There's the danger. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.720 That we would take this too far. 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:59.079 Haven't you often heard in church. 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:02.679 That we have too high a view of ourselves. 00:28:03.199 --> 00:28:04.419 And I'll come to that in a minute. 00:28:05.379 --> 00:28:07.079 But this psalm actually is saying. 00:28:07.199 --> 00:28:09.019 Do you have a high enough view of yourself. 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:09.939 As a person. 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.220 As a human being. 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:13.639 And of course we can't take it too far. 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:15.139 We can think that we then. 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:17.220 Are independent of God. 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.460 We are autonomous. 00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:21.639 We can rule the world ourselves. 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.380 Ourselves. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.420 Apart from God. 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:28.759 There's that great story of Muhammad Ali. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.720 The great boxer. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:31.360 As he's flying on an airplane. 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:34.319 And the captain comes over the intercom. 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.759 And says. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.799 Ladies and gentlemen. 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:38.179 We're arriving at our destination soon. 00:28:38.699 --> 00:28:39.539 We'll soon be landing. 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:41.539 Can you please fasten your seatbelts. 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:44.119 In preparation for landing. 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.539 And as the air hostess. 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.720 Is walking through the cabin. 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.759 She notices that Muhammad Ali. 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.259 Doesn't have a seatbelt on. 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.799 And she says to him. 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.599 Excuse me sir. 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:53.879 The captain has asked. 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.720 For all passengers. 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:56.039 To fasten their seatbelts. 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.420 And he says. 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.440 Superman. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.299 Don't need no seatbelt. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:02.619 And she said. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.579 Superman. 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.619 Don't need no airplane. 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:09.720 Now put your seatbelt on. 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:14.720 See the problem with Muhammad Ali is. 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:17.240 He thinks he's completely independent. 00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.019 Autonomous. 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.299 A law to himself. 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:22.220 But if he really was. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:24.319 He'd need no airplane. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:27.859 And it's the exact same. 00:29:28.639 --> 00:29:30.879 Man is dependent on God. 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:33.259 That is the unavoidable fact. 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.259 Of the universe. 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:36.200 You cannot escape it. 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:38.019 Like you cannot escape gravity. 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.240 If you live here. 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.539 Did you notice. 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:42.419 How God is the subject. 00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.839 Of all of the verbs. 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.799 In verses 5 to 6. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:48.200 You God made him. 00:29:48.379 --> 00:29:48.740 Man. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.619 A little lower than the angels. 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:52.220 You crowned him. 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:53.299 With glory and honor. 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.799 You made him. 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:56.399 Ruler over the works of his hand. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:58.859 You put everything under his feet. 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:01.299 I mean you can't get a clearer statement. 00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:04.480 Of man's dependence on God. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:06.440 Man in this psalm. 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.799 And man in the bible. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:11.019 Is man dependent on God. 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:13.259 So let us keep the right perspective. 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:15.519 We are rulers of this world. 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:19.279 But we are rulers under the one true ruler. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:21.159 Not independent. 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.139 But dependent. 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:24.640 So let's keep that perspective. 00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:28.420 But then let's not miss the jaw dropping point. 00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:30.400 That David wants us to see. 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:34.700 That as mere specks in this universe. 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:38.840 God made us to rule it. 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:42.779 And there is a sense this morning. 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:44.240 That we should be amazed. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:46.819 At what God made us to be. 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:49.179 Puny little us. 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:52.740 Rules God's world. 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.519 And we do rule it. 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:55.859 Don't we? 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:59.539 We take photographs of stars. 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:01.079 And determine when they will appear. 00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:01.679 And disappear. 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:04.440 We send cameras to planet Mars. 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.580 To take photographs. 00:31:06.060 --> 00:31:07.860 We've mastered the human language. 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.360 And written beautiful poems. 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.340 And great pieces of literature. 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:15.539 We've built bridges over long impasses of water. 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:18.860 We've driven tunnels through mountains. 00:31:18.860 --> 00:31:21.240 So that we can drive our car through them. 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:22.960 We've tamed tigers. 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:24.940 We swim with orcas. 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.299 We've created the internet. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:31.440 So you can send a photograph from Ealing to Auckland in two seconds. 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:35.440 We've developed drugs that can kill some cancers. 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.620 We've done it haven't we? 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:40.479 O Lord our Lord. 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:43.659 How majestic is your name in all the earth. 00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:45.159 Puny little man. 00:31:45.719 --> 00:31:48.339 Really does rule your world. 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:53.559 So often we're so quick to move to the gospel. 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:58.099 That we miss God's common grace here. 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:01.099 And I want to say this morning. 00:32:01.239 --> 00:32:04.139 That there's a sense in which we need to praise God. 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:08.280 For giving us the marvelous privilege of ruling his world. 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:12.380 After all Genesis 9 still stands. 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:16.400 Post fall Noah is told to go and rule the world. 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:18.080 After the fall. 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:22.840 And David here is not reminiscing about Eden. 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:27.300 Before the fall when Adam and Eve lived perfectly and ruled the world. 00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:29.540 Nor is he dreaming of the future. 00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:34.040 Of some ideological dream of one day we'll rule the world again. 00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:34.840 No. 00:32:35.040 --> 00:32:38.980 David is speaking here in verse 2 of God's enemies. 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:41.680 He knows it's a fallen world. 00:32:42.380 --> 00:32:44.520 But he is still thanking God. 00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:48.080 For giving man the rule over it. 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:55.639 Clearer still we see thy hand in man whom thou hast made for thee. 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:58.159 Ruler of creation's glory. 00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:00.579 Image of thy majesty. 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.399 Music. 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.000 Art. 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:03.599 The fruitful garden. 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:05.599 All the labor of his days. 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:08.099 Are the calling of his maker. 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:11.599 To the harvest feast of praise. 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:15.539 So be amazed at what you were made to be. 00:33:16.419 --> 00:33:17.039 Number two. 00:33:17.919 --> 00:33:21.379 Be aware of what you have become. 00:33:22.399 --> 00:33:24.500 Be aware of what you have become. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:28.700 As I was going through that list of things that we have done. 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.299 Ruling the world. 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:34.220 Did it sit completely easy with you? 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.960 Was there a niggle? 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:39.140 Something saying. 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:40.980 Yes we rule the world. 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:43.140 But not quite. 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:46.600 Yes we have ownership of it. 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.620 We rule over it. 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:50.240 But something's not sitting right. 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:54.660 Yes we've sent probes into space. 00:33:54.780 --> 00:33:56.400 And planted a flag on the moon. 00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:58.520 But in the words of Larry Norman. 00:33:58.520 --> 00:34:01.640 I say you starve your children to do it. 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:05.360 Yes we've mastered human language. 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:09.680 But sometimes we use human language to make racist comments. 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:11.220 Or tell lies. 00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:14.219 Yes we've blown holes in mountains. 00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:15.859 So we can put tunnels through them. 00:34:16.259 --> 00:34:18.259 But we've also blown holes in buildings. 00:34:18.419 --> 00:34:19.799 And killed people deliberately. 00:34:21.339 --> 00:34:23.000 Yes we swim with orcas. 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:25.399 But sometimes orcas turn on us. 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:26.500 And kill us. 00:34:27.819 --> 00:34:29.500 Yes we've created the internet. 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:31.339 And can send photos to friends. 00:34:31.819 --> 00:34:33.199 But we've also used it. 00:34:33.259 --> 00:34:34.799 For the exploitation of women. 00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:35.939 And children. 00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:36.839 In pornography. 00:34:37.959 --> 00:34:39.599 Yes we've developed drugs. 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:41.279 That can cure deadly diseases. 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.619 But we've also developed chemicals. 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:46.799 That can commit ethnic genocide. 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:52.579 Yes God's given us rule over relationships. 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.400 Family. 00:34:53.799 --> 00:34:54.920 University friendships. 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:57.259 But who of us in the room this morning. 00:34:57.319 --> 00:34:58.059 Would ever say. 00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:01.019 We've lived in those relationships perfectly. 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:05.500 Let's be honest. 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:07.280 We were made to fall short. 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.980 Only a little from God. 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.340 But in reality. 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:13.119 We have fallen very far short. 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.099 From the glory. 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:17.340 With which we were first made. 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:21.639 And that's the reason the world's a mess. 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:27.279 Because we have chosen to live independently from God. 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:29.900 We've tried to be like Muhammad Ali. 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:33.940 And live without dependence on anyone. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:38.500 And when man lives in rebellion against God. 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:41.920 It can only create a mess. 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:46.260 So earlier the psalm challenged us. 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:48.880 Do you have a high enough view of yourself? 00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:52.400 Well this psalm said in the context of the whole Bible. 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:57.460 Says do you have a realistic view of yourself? 00:35:58.360 --> 00:36:00.780 Because the reality is we've messed up. 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:02.539 And we've messed up badly. 00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:05.880 And we have rebelled against the God who made us. 00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:10.400 But the amazing good news of the Bible. 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:13.119 Is that despite our rebellion. 00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:15.380 And despite us messing up God's world. 00:36:15.380 --> 00:36:17.760 God did not abandon his rule. 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.920 Or his plan. 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:22.200 For man to rule the world. 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.599 Let me be more accurate. 00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:26.880 God did not abandon his plan for one man. 00:36:27.660 --> 00:36:29.140 To rule the world. 00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:31.079 God created Adam. 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.740 To rule the world. 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.680 And he failed. 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.780 But God did not abandon. 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.559 That plan. 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:39.539 He sent his son. 00:36:39.680 --> 00:36:40.519 Jesus Christ. 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:43.059 To be the true. 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:44.960 And proper ruler. 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.079 Of the world. 00:36:46.660 --> 00:36:47.820 And that's our third point. 00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:49.940 Be amazed at Jesus. 00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:52.599 The proper man. 00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:55.680 In the New Testament. 00:36:55.880 --> 00:36:57.280 This psalm is picked up. 00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:59.380 And applied directly to Jesus. 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:01.280 But with one major difference. 00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:02.400 In Psalm 8. 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:04.820 The everything that is put in subjection to man. 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.820 Is now expanded. 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:06.820 Is now expanded. 00:37:07.180 --> 00:37:07.980 In the New Testament. 00:37:08.620 --> 00:37:09.400 In Psalm 8. 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.800 It is the physical world. 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.880 And all its realms. 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.580 And creatures. 00:37:13.080 --> 00:37:13.800 And I suggested. 00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:15.480 It includes even the heavens. 00:37:15.600 --> 00:37:16.059 And the moon. 00:37:16.120 --> 00:37:16.780 And the stars. 00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:18.780 Placed under man's rule. 00:37:18.780 --> 00:37:20.100 But in the New Testament. 00:37:20.100 --> 00:37:20.960 When Psalm 8. 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:22.160 Is applied to Jesus. 00:37:22.160 --> 00:37:23.400 The everything. 00:37:24.040 --> 00:37:27.060 Gets taken to a whole new level. 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:30.880 No longer is it just this created universe. 00:37:31.300 --> 00:37:32.660 That is placed under his feet. 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:36.460 But Ephesians 1 says that it is every rule and authority. 00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:38.540 Every power and dominion. 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.540 In this universe. 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.160 And more again. 00:37:41.540 --> 00:37:43.460 Not just everything in this world. 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:47.059 But in also everything in the world to come. 00:37:47.740 --> 00:37:48.880 Hebrews 2 says. 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:52.079 God has subjected the world to come. 00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:54.280 Under Jesus' authority. 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:57.460 1 Corinthians 15 says that in the future. 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:59.519 Even death will be placed. 00:37:59.880 --> 00:38:00.980 Under the feet of Jesus. 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:03.119 So here we have. 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.420 The physical world. 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.539 The spiritual world. 00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.500 The present world. 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.639 And the future world. 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:09.619 All of it is placed. 00:38:10.199 --> 00:38:11.159 Under the feet. 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:12.179 Of Jesus. 00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:14.859 God has left nothing. 00:38:15.299 --> 00:38:17.259 That is not subject. 00:38:17.899 --> 00:38:18.399 To him. 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:22.579 And there is the surprise too. 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:25.199 Who is this Jesus? 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:27.639 And where did he come from? 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:30.159 He was born in a stable. 00:38:30.899 --> 00:38:31.579 Raised. 00:38:31.879 --> 00:38:33.480 In the town of Nazareth. 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:35.500 Despised town. 00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:36.839 In Palestine. 00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:39.379 And during his public ministry. 00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:41.640 He had nowhere to lay his head. 00:38:41.640 --> 00:38:42.880 And in the end. 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:44.420 His people gave him a death. 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.780 Befitting a criminal. 00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.039 And a murderer. 00:38:47.840 --> 00:38:49.079 He was despised. 00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:50.119 And rejected. 00:38:50.660 --> 00:38:51.640 A man of sorrows. 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:54.039 And familiar with suffering. 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:56.920 Like one from whom men hid their faces. 00:38:57.440 --> 00:38:59.800 He was despised. 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:03.579 And we esteemed him not. 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:07.199 Yet to this humble. 00:39:07.199 --> 00:39:07.360 Frail. 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:07.759 Frail. 00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.360 Despised. 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:12.119 Crucified Jew. 00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:13.960 God. 00:39:14.799 --> 00:39:16.099 Has made him. 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.940 The ruler. 00:39:18.799 --> 00:39:19.719 Of the universe. 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:22.579 O Lord. 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.719 Our Lord. 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:25.659 How majestic. 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.400 Is your name. 00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:29.360 In all the earth. 00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:31.079 Jesus. 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:32.640 Is the son of man. 00:39:33.200 --> 00:39:34.320 Is the son of man. 00:39:34.680 --> 00:39:35.940 Par excellence. 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:37.740 The true man. 00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:40.220 Or as Martin Luther called him. 00:39:40.820 --> 00:39:41.960 The proper man. 00:39:43.720 --> 00:39:44.700 And what Martin Luther. 00:39:44.840 --> 00:39:45.920 The German reformer. 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:46.800 Was referring to. 00:39:46.900 --> 00:39:47.500 Was here. 00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:48.400 Finally. 00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.680 On planet earth. 00:39:50.240 --> 00:39:51.660 Was a human being. 00:39:52.099 --> 00:39:52.920 Who lived. 00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.300 As God intended. 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.900 Here. 00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:56.640 Finally. 00:39:56.740 --> 00:39:57.260 Was someone. 00:39:57.420 --> 00:39:57.800 Who lived. 00:39:57.800 --> 00:39:58.820 The perfect life. 00:39:58.820 --> 00:40:00.200 That we couldn't. 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:02.019 And because of his death. 00:40:02.180 --> 00:40:02.620 For us. 00:40:02.980 --> 00:40:04.220 And his perfect life. 00:40:05.200 --> 00:40:06.180 He is called. 00:40:06.720 --> 00:40:07.680 The proper man. 00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:09.680 The perfect man. 00:40:10.660 --> 00:40:11.059 And therefore. 00:40:11.200 --> 00:40:11.559 The one. 00:40:12.100 --> 00:40:12.740 Who rules. 00:40:13.260 --> 00:40:13.920 The universe. 00:40:14.720 --> 00:40:15.539 So be amazed. 00:40:15.660 --> 00:40:16.059 At Jesus. 00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:18.100 The proper man. 00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:19.940 Number four. 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.620 Be amazed. 00:40:20.820 --> 00:40:22.460 At what you have become. 00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.840 In Christ. 00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:25.380 The proper man. 00:40:26.160 --> 00:40:27.480 There is another surprise here. 00:40:27.480 --> 00:40:28.220 In Christ. 00:40:28.219 --> 00:40:29.219 All things. 00:40:29.219 --> 00:40:29.239 All things. 00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:29.239 00:40:29.239 --> 00:40:30.259 Become ours. 00:40:30.739 --> 00:40:31.699 That's what Paul says. 00:40:31.819 --> 00:40:32.859 In 1 Corinthians 3. 00:40:33.379 --> 00:40:34.599 All things are yours. 00:40:34.739 --> 00:40:35.599 Whether the world. 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:36.459 Or life. 00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:37.099 Or death. 00:40:37.219 --> 00:40:37.799 Or the present. 00:40:37.919 --> 00:40:38.539 Or the future. 00:40:39.000 --> 00:40:40.399 All are yours. 00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:42.099 And you are of Christ. 00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:42.879 And Christ. 00:40:43.219 --> 00:40:44.139 Is of God. 00:40:44.819 --> 00:40:46.299 This means that Psalm 8. 00:40:46.539 --> 00:40:47.980 Does not just have relevance. 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:48.679 For Jesus. 00:40:49.500 --> 00:40:50.719 Yes it does first. 00:40:51.279 --> 00:40:52.639 But it also has relevance. 00:40:52.639 --> 00:40:53.219 For us. 00:40:53.299 --> 00:40:54.399 When God saves us. 00:40:54.679 --> 00:40:55.899 He doesn't remove us. 00:40:55.900 --> 00:40:56.720 From this world. 00:40:57.079 --> 00:40:57.920 We don't become. 00:40:57.920 --> 00:40:59.599 Sort of ethereal spirits. 00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:00.500 Floating around. 00:41:01.200 --> 00:41:02.599 When God saves us. 00:41:02.740 --> 00:41:03.460 He keeps us. 00:41:03.519 --> 00:41:04.119 In this world. 00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:05.440 And he keeps us. 00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:06.680 In spheres. 00:41:06.680 --> 00:41:07.800 Of influence. 00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:08.780 And rule. 00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:10.440 Your families. 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:11.780 Your friendships. 00:41:12.320 --> 00:41:12.960 Your work. 00:41:13.280 --> 00:41:14.000 Your study. 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:16.619 And what Psalm 8. 00:41:16.619 --> 00:41:17.420 It says to us. 00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:20.039 Is rule over those things. 00:41:20.880 --> 00:41:21.800 Master them. 00:41:22.380 --> 00:41:23.579 To the glory of God. 00:41:24.079 --> 00:41:25.320 Under Christ. 00:41:26.119 --> 00:41:27.139 The true ruler. 00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:28.340 Of the world. 00:41:29.900 --> 00:41:32.719 What God intended humanity to be. 00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:34.980 He still intends us to be. 00:41:35.780 --> 00:41:37.260 Now in Christ. 00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:39.079 So be amazed. 00:41:39.079 --> 00:41:40.860 At what you have become in Christ. 00:41:40.860 --> 00:41:41.579 And finally. 00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:43.380 Be amazed. 00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:45.180 At what you will become. 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:45.980 In Christ. 00:41:47.099 --> 00:41:48.660 In Hebrews chapter 2. 00:41:48.780 --> 00:41:49.720 Verse 9 to 10. 00:41:49.800 --> 00:41:50.620 The writer says. 00:41:51.140 --> 00:41:52.400 That Jesus was made. 00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:54.360 A little lower than the angels. 00:41:55.120 --> 00:41:56.880 So that he might taste death. 00:41:57.220 --> 00:41:59.099 For every one of his family. 00:41:59.760 --> 00:42:00.280 In order. 00:42:00.800 --> 00:42:02.120 To bring sons. 00:42:03.460 --> 00:42:04.440 To glory. 00:42:05.700 --> 00:42:07.360 In the words of C.S. Lewis. 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:09.220 The son of God became a man. 00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:10.639 In order that men. 00:42:11.019 --> 00:42:12.779 Might become sons. 00:42:13.179 --> 00:42:13.839 Of God. 00:42:14.699 --> 00:42:16.679 And that's the final surprise. 00:42:17.839 --> 00:42:19.439 Brothers and sisters. 00:42:20.079 --> 00:42:22.179 When Jesus restores us. 00:42:22.299 --> 00:42:23.500 To a new humanity. 00:42:24.359 --> 00:42:25.359 In the new heavens. 00:42:25.500 --> 00:42:26.259 In the new earth. 00:42:26.319 --> 00:42:26.899 In the future. 00:42:27.559 --> 00:42:29.699 He will not just take us back. 00:42:29.959 --> 00:42:31.099 To the same state. 00:42:31.199 --> 00:42:32.339 Adam and Eve were made. 00:42:32.339 --> 00:42:33.299 In the garden. 00:42:33.759 --> 00:42:35.399 Adam and Eve in the garden. 00:42:36.039 --> 00:42:36.519 Were made. 00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:38.119 In a state. 00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:39.820 Lower than the angels. 00:42:40.659 --> 00:42:41.820 Psalm 8 says. 00:42:41.980 --> 00:42:42.500 We were made. 00:42:42.619 --> 00:42:43.259 In a state. 00:42:43.759 --> 00:42:45.079 Lower than the angels. 00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:47.400 But in the world. 00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.000 To come. 00:42:48.860 --> 00:42:49.900 We will be. 00:42:50.259 --> 00:42:51.259 Co-heirs. 00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:52.219 With Christ. 00:42:54.219 --> 00:42:55.579 The end of Romans. 00:42:55.739 --> 00:42:56.259 Paul says. 00:42:56.340 --> 00:42:56.920 To the church. 00:42:57.039 --> 00:42:57.699 That God. 00:42:57.860 --> 00:42:58.639 Will soon. 00:42:58.759 --> 00:42:59.519 Crush Satan. 00:42:59.519 --> 00:43:01.420 Under our feet. 00:43:01.420 --> 00:43:01.460 Christ. 00:43:03.680 --> 00:43:05.500 In 1 Corinthians 6. 00:43:05.659 --> 00:43:06.260 Paul states. 00:43:06.420 --> 00:43:07.119 That in the future. 00:43:07.720 --> 00:43:07.960 We. 00:43:08.220 --> 00:43:09.500 Will judge the world. 00:43:09.860 --> 00:43:10.480 And get this. 00:43:10.619 --> 00:43:11.119 He says. 00:43:11.480 --> 00:43:11.760 We. 00:43:12.099 --> 00:43:12.880 Will judge. 00:43:13.519 --> 00:43:14.280 Angels. 00:43:16.200 --> 00:43:17.320 In the beginning. 00:43:17.500 --> 00:43:18.019 We were made. 00:43:18.099 --> 00:43:18.619 A little lower. 00:43:18.740 --> 00:43:19.320 Than the angels. 00:43:19.860 --> 00:43:20.940 And in the end. 00:43:21.260 --> 00:43:21.780 We. 00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:22.740 Will judge. 00:43:23.200 --> 00:43:23.720 Angels. 00:43:24.860 --> 00:43:26.360 Now that really is. 00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:27.460 A surprise. 00:43:28.340 --> 00:43:28.900 Puny. 00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:29.720 Little you. 00:43:29.719 --> 00:43:32.099 Will judge. 00:43:32.179 --> 00:43:32.579 Angels. 00:43:34.579 --> 00:43:35.779 Because of Christ. 00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:37.559 Oh. 00:43:37.779 --> 00:43:38.219 Lord. 00:43:38.279 --> 00:43:38.879 Our Lord. 00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:40.199 How. 00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:41.359 Majestic. 00:43:42.379 --> 00:43:43.179 Is your name. 00:43:43.959 --> 00:43:44.779 In all the earth. 00:43:47.239 --> 00:43:48.239 Let us pray.