WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.659 What does your name mean? 00:00:37.020 --> 00:00:45.159 I'm not asking for some pseudo-etymology that you may have come across in a Hallmark card or some obscure corner of the internet. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:51.100 No. I'm asking, when people hear your name, what do they think? 00:00:52.359 --> 00:00:55.379 When you hear your name, what do you think? 00:00:55.380 --> 00:01:00.040 Perhaps the better question is, what do you stand for? 00:01:00.480 --> 00:01:02.840 What does your name represent? 00:01:02.840 --> 00:01:11.760 How much of your life is taken up with the task of making a name for yourself? 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.340 This is sort of a distinctively American thing. 00:01:15.880 --> 00:01:21.719 I actually think it's a human thing that Americans have perfected really well, making a name for ourselves. 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:27.560 Many come to New Haven on precisely that quest. 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:36.180 To spend a few of their years, usually in their youth, striving to make something of themselves. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:39.200 Maybe that's you. 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:49.579 Or maybe you're in the second half of your life, looking back on a youth that has passed you by. 00:01:49.740 --> 00:01:56.840 And even my mention of making something of your life ignites a deep bitterness in you. 00:01:57.600 --> 00:01:59.300 A bitterness of regrets. 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:02.840 Lost or misspent opportunities. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:05.879 Disappointed youthful ambitions. 00:02:05.879 --> 00:02:07.780 We call this the midlife crisis. 00:02:10.180 --> 00:02:14.740 The time is tragically past, so you think, for making a name for yourself. 00:02:16.979 --> 00:02:19.699 Or perhaps you're in a third category. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:24.800 Life, you think, has dealt harshly with you. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:31.800 And has given you no real opportunity to make anything of yourself. 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:38.860 And you're far too busy simply squeezing out an existence of finding food and adequate shelter. 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:43.420 To be at all concerned with the grand task of making something for yourself. 00:02:45.380 --> 00:02:47.740 There are plenty of people like that in New Haven as well. 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:55.380 Men and women have a natural craving for making a name for themselves. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:57.359 For glory. 00:02:58.359 --> 00:03:04.259 To behold something larger, grander, and greater than they are now. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:10.560 And indeed, to become precisely that thing that they want to behold. 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:16.419 We read in the history books and watch on the movies the lives of great men and women. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:19.439 And our soul longs to be like them. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:24.020 We identify with the protagonist, the hero of the story. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:34.719 However, we're chastened by the fact that the Bible has no lack of examples of those who desire to make something of themselves. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:37.340 And instead made of themselves a ruin. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:41.680 Think of the Tower of Babel in Genesis. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:48.360 Scripture identifies the motivation that underlies their desire to build a tower to be, 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:51.020 Let us make a name for ourselves. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:54.580 Or think in the New Testament of Herod. 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:55.819 Who gave a speech. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:58.680 And the people responded to it by saying, 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:01.540 The voice of a God and not of a man. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:05.140 Scripture picks up the story and says, 00:04:05.139 --> 00:04:10.500 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:14.779 And he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:30.379 Amidst all these stories, one might be surprised, however, to learn that the Bible never categorically rejects the impulse for us to make a name for ourselves. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:32.860 To seek after glory. 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:39.500 Never once has the Bible said the longing for glory is itself a sin. 00:04:40.900 --> 00:04:48.780 Instead, Scripture depicts the gospel of Jesus coming into our lives and transforming that desire. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:58.759 Whoever would be great among you, Jesus says, presuming that we desire to be great, must be your servant. 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:05.279 And whoever would be first, must be last. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:13.459 These are the ways that Jesus transforms, but does not destroy, our desire for glory. 00:05:13.459 --> 00:05:16.539 So I pose to you then a question. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:23.779 How shall we make a name for ourselves without making a ruin of ourselves? 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:28.859 This is the question answered in our text tonight. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:32.779 Our text for this evening is 2 Samuel chapter 8. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:34.839 2 Samuel chapter 8. 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:42.259 Before we read that together, I want to briefly return to a section in the previous chapter. 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:44.919 So, probably the same page. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:50.479 Turn with me briefly to 2 Samuel chapter 7, verse 8 through 9. 00:05:51.679 --> 00:05:56.419 For a fuller discussion of this chapter, go ahead and go online into the archives of Trinity. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:06:01.280 We've been preaching some sermons straight through 2 Samuel, and you'll find sermon on this passage there. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:04.580 Just a brief reminder on this context. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:10.220 The context here is that David is now comfortable in his palace, having defeated a lot of his enemies. 00:06:10.640 --> 00:06:16.379 And he desires to make a temple for the Lord, a house for the Lord. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:21.439 God, however, does not allow him to do this. 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:27.459 But instead, God honors David for having a concern for his house. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:33.159 Let's read together 2 Samuel chapter 7, verse 8 through 10. 00:06:37.159 --> 00:06:40.860 Now, therefore, you shall say to my servant David, thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:06:40.860 --> 00:06:49.600 I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:56.920 And I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all of your enemies from before you. 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:06.920 And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:11.660 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, 00:07:12.360 --> 00:07:17.140 so that they may dwell in their own place, and be disturbed no more. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:22.220 And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:26.520 Now, skip ahead to 2 Samuel 8. 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:33.980 After this, David defeated the Philistines, and subdued them. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:39.620 And David took Mepheg Amah out of the hand of the Philistines. 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:45.879 He defeated Moab, and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:50.180 Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. 00:07:50.640 --> 00:07:54.040 And the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 00:07:55.520 --> 00:08:00.259 David also defeated Hadadezar, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.160 as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:08.319 David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:13.020 And David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:18.959 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezar, the king of Zobah, 00:08:19.419 --> 00:08:22.319 David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:26.259 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:30.419 and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:34.279 And the Lord gave David victory wherever he went. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:40.579 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezar, 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:42.500 and brought them to Jerusalem. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:47.759 And from Betah and from Berotai, cities of Hadadezar, 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:49.659 King David took very much bronze. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:55.919 When Toi, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezar, 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:59.439 Toi sent his son Joram to King David to ask about his health, 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:03.220 and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezar and defeated him. 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:06.740 For Hadadezar had often been at war with Toi. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:11.220 And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. 00:09:12.260 --> 00:09:14.960 These also, king David, dedicated to the Lord, 00:09:15.640 --> 00:09:19.920 together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:25.400 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, 00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:29.400 and from the spoil of Hadadezar, the son of Rehob, the king of Zobah. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:34.640 And David made a name for himself, 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:40.240 when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:43.180 Then he put garrisons in Edom. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:45.300 Throughout all Edom he put garrisons, 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:47.540 and all the Edomites became David's servants. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:51.660 And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:55.640 So David reigned over all Israel, 00:09:56.060 --> 00:09:58.520 and David administered justice and equity to all the people. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:01.879 Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was over the army. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:05.600 And Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was recorder. 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:08.319 And Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:11.799 and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were priests. 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:14.120 And Saraiah was secretary. 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:16.679 And Benaniah, the son of Jehoiadaia, 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:19.460 was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites. 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:21.740 And David's son were priests. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:28.639 What we have here is God making a promise to David, 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:32.120 I will make a great name for you like the great men of the world. 00:10:32.560 --> 00:10:36.299 And in this text we see that David has made the name for himself. 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:40.399 And I think upon closer reflection, 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:44.659 my prayer is that we will find a way from this text 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:49.339 to make a name for ourselves without making a ruin of ourselves. 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:53.719 My sermon tonight has one point. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:59.439 David made a name for himself 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:04.939 by providing for his followers the means to worship God. 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:18.160 Our text opens in a familiar way. 00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:19.840 David at war with Philistines. 00:11:19.920 --> 00:11:22.300 We've seen this over and over again in our text. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.980 So it might escape your notice 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:26.340 that this is actually a climactic moment. 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:28.680 The city that he captures, 00:11:29.160 --> 00:11:31.980 Methed Amah, is difficult to translate. 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:34.220 But that second word, Amah, 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:37.779 is probably related to the Hebrew word for mother. 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:41.100 In essence, David here is capturing 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:43.779 the mother city of the Philistines. 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:47.960 This is the last time we will see the Philistines mentioned 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.860 until chapter 21. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:52.399 13 chapters in advance. 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:55.740 Which occurs toward the end of David's reign. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:59.539 The blow he deals here to the Philistines is decisive. 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:03.379 And it's the culmination of all the previous battles 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:05.159 that went before him. 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:10.279 But notice, the conquests of David do not end here. 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:13.599 The text says he also destroyed the Moabites, 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.319 the Syrians, the Edomites, 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:16.500 the king of Zobah, 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:18.599 who reigned near the Euphrates River, 00:12:18.699 --> 00:12:20.500 which is in modern day Iraq. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.980 Perhaps these places mean very little to you. 00:12:24.219 --> 00:12:25.679 The important thing about them 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:28.139 is that these are not lands 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:30.099 that God promised to Abraham 00:12:30.099 --> 00:12:31.719 for his descendants to inhabit. 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:35.500 What David's doing here 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:38.839 is creating a buffer around the land of Israel 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:43.000 so that there are no enemies around him 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.519 to plague him, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.519 or more importantly, 00:12:47.099 --> 00:12:47.759 his descendants. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:51.539 He hamstrings all the horses, 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.279 that is, 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.500 he doesn't kill them, 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:55.899 so they're still useful for farm work 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.139 and other types of labor, 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:59.279 but they're no longer strong enough 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:01.559 and fast enough to be used for military purposes. 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:05.179 He's destroying rival armies all around him 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:06.539 while leaving the people intact. 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:09.240 He's neutralizing the threats in the area 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:11.100 so they will not crop up again 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.480 in the lifetimes of him 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:14.080 or of his descendants. 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:16.500 In many ways, 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.980 this chapter represents 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:20.020 the height of David's strength 00:13:20.020 --> 00:13:22.960 with his enemies defeated all around him. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.720 But look a bit closer. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:28.540 I think we can observe 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.759 that this is not simply 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.860 a chronicle of military conquests. 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:35.120 David has just been told 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.220 that his son, 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.680 not he, 00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:39.259 will build a house for the Lord. 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.540 That happened in the previous chapter. 00:13:41.140 --> 00:13:42.379 In the parallel text 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:44.000 in 1 Chronicles 22, 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.600 we learn that David 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.660 was disqualified 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:48.400 from building the Lord's house, 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.620 a great honor, 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.980 because David 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.759 had shed much blood 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.820 and waged great wars. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.280 Therefore, 00:13:56.420 --> 00:13:57.860 David knows that his son 00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:59.200 will not be able 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.740 to be a warfaring man 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.800 if he is to build 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.720 the house of the Lord. 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.240 Therefore, 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.320 it falls to David 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:08.780 to create the conditions of peace 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.960 in which his son 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.900 will be able to build 00:14:10.900 --> 00:14:12.320 the Lord's house. 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:15.340 David is preparing the way 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:15.840 for his followers 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:18.040 to worship God 00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:19.480 in relative peace 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:19.840 and tranquility. 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.480 tranquility. 00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:25.100 Notice another theme 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.120 that we have in this passage. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.320 Frequently throughout 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:28.019 2 Samuel, 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.180 and again here in verses 00:14:29.180 --> 00:14:30.800 8, 10, and 11, 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.780 we see David 00:14:31.780 --> 00:14:32.879 amassing wealth 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:34.000 through spoils 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.840 taken in war 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.800 and through tribute. 00:14:36.160 --> 00:14:37.120 Here he wins gold, 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.480 silver, and bronze. 00:14:39.280 --> 00:14:40.360 On one level, 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:42.320 this is another indication 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:44.500 of David's military prestige. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:44.580 rich. 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:46.620 But fascinatingly, 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:47.799 we're not told much 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:49.120 about what David does 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.200 with all this riches. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:52.159 We're told only that 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.919 he dedicates them 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.460 to the Lord, 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:54.200 verse 11, 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.100 but we don't see 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.440 these war spoils again 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.799 for plenty of time 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.320 to come. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.000 But then, 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.840 a generation later, 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.639 we see Solomon 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.360 building the temple 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:07.919 of the Lord 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.559 with gold 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.679 and silver 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.860 and bronze 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.039 and wood 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.240 from all over. 00:15:14.339 --> 00:15:14.919 All of these 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:16.240 massive resources. 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.459 And I think 00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:18.659 it's not too far 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.519 a jump to think 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.039 that some of the resources 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.959 that Solomon used 00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:24.659 to adorn 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.279 the temple 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.120 of the God 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:28.120 were captured 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.759 by David 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.379 in precisely 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.699 these raids. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.339 David himself 00:15:33.339 --> 00:15:34.519 was not able 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.000 to build 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.500 for himself 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.039 a temple, 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:36.659 but David 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.759 made for himself 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.500 a name 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.939 by providing 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:40.779 the resources 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.860 for his son 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:43.319 to worship God 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:44.200 by building 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:44.919 the temple. 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:47.939 So David 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:48.960 makes a name 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.659 for himself 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.919 by defeating 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.559 the enemies 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.419 around them 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.759 and by 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.980 having enough 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.580 resources 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.399 for his son 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.480 and those 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.240 who follow him 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.439 to worship God 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.080 in the temple. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:03.120 So let me ask you, 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.659 who will follow you 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:09.899 for whom 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.860 are you preparing 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:12.019 a certain type 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:12.719 of world? 00:16:15.219 --> 00:16:16.839 Who is watching you 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:18.319 to see what 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:18.939 faithfulness 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:19.379 to God 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.000 looks like? 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.919 Are you making it 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.339 easier 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:26.100 or harder 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.139 for those 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.259 who come behind you 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.159 to worship 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.039 God? 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:30.079 God? 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.399 When you think 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.819 of making 00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:33.240 a name 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.980 for yourself, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.659 do you think 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.459 of creating 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:38.120 a world 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.019 in which 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:39.579 those who 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.139 follow you 00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:40.659 can more 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.559 closely worship 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:41.839 him? 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.139 Are you using 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:45.740 the influence 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.240 and power 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.620 you have 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.039 to create 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.419 a world 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:47.839 where it's 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:48.379 easier 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.059 for those 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:50.099 who follow 00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:50.379 you 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.019 to worship 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.360 God 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.000 rightly? 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.579 This is why 00:16:53.579 --> 00:16:54.379 David made 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.719 a name 00:16:54.719 --> 00:16:55.259 for himself. 00:16:55.339 --> 00:16:55.740 Not just 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.159 because he 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.480 defeated 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.139 one army 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.779 in one battle. 00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.079 No, 00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:58.919 it's broader 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.740 than this. 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.719 He was 00:17:02.719 --> 00:17:03.099 committed 00:17:03.099 --> 00:17:03.699 to the 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:03.979 worship 00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:04.440 of the 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:04.859 true 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.759 God 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.659 and he 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:07.240 would not 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.859 build his 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.519 own house 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.240 without also 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.079 striving to 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.579 build the 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.079 house of 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:11.579 the Lord. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.779 Is this 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.399 your conviction 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:14.879 as well? 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.740 Do you 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.740 desire not 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.279 to have 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.960 fame and 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.619 glory in 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.180 this world 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.299 unless the 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.119 Lord has 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.720 fame and 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.259 glory in 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.779 this world? 00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.299 This was 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:25.859 David's 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.200 conviction 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.599 in the 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:26.940 previous 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.420 chapter 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.299 and that 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:28.799 is why 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.220 God 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.659 blessed 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:29.980 him. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:30.919 David, 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.279 you see, 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:31.919 didn't even 00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.440 seek his 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.079 own glory. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:33.559 If you 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:33.899 go back 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.180 and look 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:34.980 in 1 Samuel 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:36.000 in the 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.539 war with 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:37.139 David and 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.460 Saul, 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.039 David is 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.740 frequently 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.059 reacting, 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.599 not acting, 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.779 not scheming 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.159 for his 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:43.819 own glory. 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.759 He's letting 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.700 God work 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.399 in history 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:47.240 to bring 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.139 about his 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:48.759 vindication. 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.279 Is that 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.559 your scheme 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.139 as well? 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.680 Make no 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.539 mistake about 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:57.740 it. 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.159 You can 00:17:59.159 --> 00:17:59.559 make a 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.159 name for 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:00.639 yourself 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:01.240 in this 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.940 world and 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.839 go straight 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.359 to hell. 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.659 You can 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.379 make something 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:09.899 of yourself, 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.480 have biographies 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:11.960 written about 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.220 you, 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.019 have a 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.659 grand and 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.139 glorious 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.960 tombstone, 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.859 have your 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.359 name on 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.899 t-shirts, 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:17.659 then burn 00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:18.200 in hell and 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.819 bring many 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.519 who follow 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.399 you with 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:20.639 you. 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.599 It's 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.159 possible. 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:23.960 Dare I 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.380 say it 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.920 may even 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.220 be 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.059 frequent. 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.240 Parents, 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.500 what name 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:32.799 are you 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.039 making in 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.500 the eyes 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:34.819 of your 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.240 children? 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.740 Do they 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.279 know you 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:39.840 as one 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.180 who is 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.819 desperate to 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.620 climb a 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.480 career ladder 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:42.980 or a 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.660 social ladder 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:45.460 and apathetic 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:46.200 about leading 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.039 your family 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.299 in God's 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.620 way? 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.240 Future 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.799 parents, 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.599 what will 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.440 you do? 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.859 What habits 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.099 are you 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.180 making now 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.400 to make it 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.039 easy for 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.799 your children 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.519 and the 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.059 children of 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.759 Christians around 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.400 you to 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.019 follow the 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.319 Lord? 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.859 My father 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.220 is a 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.779 pastor in 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.259 Pennsylvania. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.759 I've listened 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.259 to him give 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.079 hundreds of 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.440 sermons. 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:12.339 I don't 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:12.859 remember almost 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.420 any of them. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.359 But there's 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.140 nothing that he 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:16.859 has said from 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.480 behind a pulpit 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:17.980 that has ever 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.720 struck me more 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.299 profoundly than 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:19.799 this one 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.160 sentence. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.839 He says, 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.120 if this 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:22.819 church grows 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.240 to be a 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.900 thousand people 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.319 and you 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:25.859 all in these 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.759 pews think I'm 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.200 the greatest 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.700 preacher you've 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.180 ever heard 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:29.319 and a rousing 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.000 success, 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.240 but that 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.559 woman, 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.240 my wife, 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.759 in the front 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.500 row and 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.319 those children 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.079 who sit next 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.359 to her, 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.180 my children, 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.299 think that I'm 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:37.819 a phony, 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.140 then I am an 00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:40.839 abject failure. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:42.980 Irrespective of 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.440 what you all 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:43.960 think of me. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.460 I'll never 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.819 forget my dad 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.420 saying those 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:48.759 words. 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:52.779 parents, 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.480 can you say 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.720 that about 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.200 your career? 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.519 That if 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.279 employer and 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.779 employee, 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.200 if the bottom 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.940 line for the 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:02.160 company all 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:02.839 says that you 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.480 are a rousing 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.279 success and 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.099 your family, 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.079 those who come 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.759 after you say 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.240 you are a 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.500 phony, 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.420 then you are 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:08.960 indeed a 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.259 failure. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.099 Can you say 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.359 that? 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.920 Can you say 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.700 that in the 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.339 hearing of your 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:14.659 children? 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.339 I think 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.500 your children 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.419 want to hear 00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:20.859 you say 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.159 that. 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.740 I think 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.279 they want 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:24.839 to know 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.679 that your 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.079 foremost 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.419 concern is 00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:27.799 that you 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.240 will follow 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.740 the Lord 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.439 and will 00:20:29.439 --> 00:20:29.939 help them 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:30.419 in following 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:30.879 the Lord. 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.339 This is how 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.819 you can make 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.319 a name for 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:33.720 yourself. 00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:36.879 This month, 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.099 the Steve Jobs 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:38.740 movie came 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.039 out in 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.359 theaters. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.119 Steve Jobs 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:42.119 is renowned 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.759 for his part 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.159 in making 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:43.779 Apple into 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.480 the technology 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.759 behemoth it 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.180 is today. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.899 No one can 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.379 deny that 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.879 Steve Jobs 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.160 has made 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.599 a name for 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:48.960 himself. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:51.019 He's almost 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.740 as equally 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.399 renowned for 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:52.819 being an 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.599 utter failure 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:53.960 at his 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.440 relationships. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.799 At one point 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.200 in the trailer 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.660 for the movie, 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.240 someone close 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.839 to him says, 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.299 Steve, 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.720 what you make 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.720 isn't supposed 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.279 to be the 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:02.980 best part of 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.180 you. 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:03.839 When you're 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.420 a father, 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.500 that's supposed 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.079 to be the 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.819 best part of 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:07.019 you. 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.319 And you can 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.740 tell, 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.379 if you've read 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:10.920 the biography, 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.660 if you've heard 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.619 stories about him, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.660 that it seems 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.360 like he was 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:14.980 very willing 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.980 to sacrifice 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.980 his children 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.420 and those 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:17.759 who came 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.380 after him 00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:19.420 for his 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.580 own name. 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.200 So parents, 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:25.820 are you like 00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.640 Steve Jobs? 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.740 Are you like 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.279 the ones 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.460 building Babel 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:32.019 to reach 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.800 for heavens 00:21:32.800 --> 00:21:33.660 yourself? 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.279 Or are you 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.860 giving your 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.620 children the 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.460 resources to 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.259 build God's 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.920 temple in 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.700 their midst? 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.960 God's 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.420 you can 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:42.900 make a name 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.440 for yourself 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.059 by helping 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.600 those who 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.100 come after 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:46.319 you serve 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:46.860 the Lord. 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:49.860 So there's 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.220 parents. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:50.920 Perhaps you're 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.180 single. 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.500 I want to 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.960 ask you, 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.660 what does 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.279 your family 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.160 name mean? 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.539 Your last 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:56.840 name? 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.420 Where do you 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.200 fall, if at 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.819 all, in a 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.319 lineage of 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.880 faithfulness? 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.600 How many 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.740 generations back 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.460 in your family 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.279 can you trace 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.100 the hand of 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.460 the Lord? 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:10.680 mine doesn't 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.299 carry that 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.759 sort of weight. 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.420 I'm a second 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.200 generation Christian. 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.240 Both of my 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.840 parents were 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.720 miraculously 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.519 converted out 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.240 of very 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.720 nominal, 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.900 mostly apathetic, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.079 perhaps pretty 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.740 dysfunctional 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.259 families. 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:24.819 And it's 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.799 amazing, in my 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.640 family tree, you 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.579 can trace, there's 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.319 a one-to-one 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.240 correlation between 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:31.059 love of Jesus and 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.620 degree of 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:32.200 functionality. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.279 And it's a 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.140 pretty precipitous 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:35.039 decline, man. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.779 But this means 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.460 that God has 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.400 placed me 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.740 providentially in 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.360 this moment in 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:42.319 history, in my 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.279 family tree with 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.779 a decision. 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.840 What will it 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.980 mean to be of 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.460 the Hawkins 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.840 family? 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:51.059 Will our 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.680 name be 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.380 associated with 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:53.440 a generations-long 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.059 effort to 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.460 strain every 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.579 nerve for our 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.299 own kingdom? 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.460 Think 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.279 Rockefeller. 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.160 Think 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.000 Vanderbilt. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.220 Or will the 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.980 family name be 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.920 known as one 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.680 that has a 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.640 consistent and 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.880 persistent lineage 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:10.160 of striving to 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.759 realize the 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.779 kingdom of God? 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:16.259 If you do not 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.240 come from a 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:17.980 lineage and a 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.720 heritage of 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:21.320 faithfulness, it 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.100 can start with 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.880 your generation. 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.440 You can make a 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.380 name for yourself 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:28.480 and your family by 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.900 helping those who 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.660 come after you 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.820 serve the Lord. 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:40.599 another way David 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.419 helped provide for 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:42.079 his followers to 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.639 worship God. 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.859 In verse 15, we 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:44.460 see that he 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.619 administered justice 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.799 and equity to all 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.359 of his people. 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.519 Afterwards, it's 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.039 going to become much 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.859 more problematic and 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.299 you're going to see 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.480 that kings don't do 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.919 this to Israel and 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:55.039 that people fall. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.399 The true worship of 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:59.379 God declines with the 00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.819 decline in justice and 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.179 equity. 00:24:02.679 --> 00:24:04.059 David helped those 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.139 who followed him 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:07.439 follow the Lord by 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:09.139 ruling, by exercising 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:10.240 his authority with 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.279 righteousness and 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.639 justice. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.059 What authority do you 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.480 have? 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.339 Are you an employer? 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.779 Are you anywhere other 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.819 than the bottom in a 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.359 hierarchy? 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.519 Do you use your 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.460 authority in such a 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.099 way that those who 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.319 follow that authority, 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.339 those who see that 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:27.899 authority, are quickened 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:29.380 in their path of 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.560 following the Lord? 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.960 Or stopped? 00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.940 If you're an employee 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.660 and you're providing 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:40.259 services to people, do 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.140 you have a reputation 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:43.080 for both good service 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:44.640 and care for your 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:46.920 clients that befits 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:48.880 Christ and one who 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.600 bears his name? 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.300 Do you make it easier 00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:52.580 for the people around 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.960 you to worship the 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.399 Lord or not? 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.899 So we have parents, 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.839 we have singles, and 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:02.879 we have employers, those 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.500 with authority. 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.899 But in my introduction, I 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.879 mentioned also that there 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.619 is something in this 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:10.019 passage for those for 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.759 whom life has been 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.159 hard. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:14.139 And at every turn, they 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:15.399 have been barred from the 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:16.619 opportunity of making a 00:25:16.619 --> 00:25:17.379 name for themselves. 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:20.820 Perhaps you don't have 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:22.900 any influence, any 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:26.100 authority, any family, and 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:27.260 it seems as though you 00:25:27.260 --> 00:25:28.260 can never have a name 00:25:28.260 --> 00:25:28.980 for yourself. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:32.160 The Bible, I think, has 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:34.120 glorious news for you. 00:25:36.760 --> 00:25:37.880 Whereas in the Old 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.180 Testament, one's name was 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.260 quite intimately connected 00:25:40.260 --> 00:25:41.900 with how well established 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.960 their family was and how 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.680 many children it had to 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:46.820 carry on the name, in the 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.339 prophets. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.539 They foresee a day when 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.439 all of this will be 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:51.179 changed. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.159 Isaiah, speaking of 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:56.460 outsiders, says this, 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:58.779 Let not the foreigner who 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.799 has joined himself to the 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:01.619 Lord say, the Lord will 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:02.939 surely separate me from 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:03.480 his people. 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.399 And let not the eunuch 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:06.819 say, behold, I am a dry 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.240 tree. 00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:09.039 For thus says the Lord to 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.539 the eunuchs who keep my 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:12.240 Sabbaths, who choose the 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.319 things that please me and 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.980 hold fast my covenant, I 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.259 will give in my house and 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:18.200 within my wall a monument 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:22.339 and a name better than 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.879 sons and daughters. 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.019 I will give them an 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.980 everlasting name that 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.819 shall not be cut off. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:32.940 An everlasting name that 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.400 shall not be cut off, 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:36.839 promised to those who are 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.680 foreigners, who are poor, 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.819 who have no family to speak 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.220 of. 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:44.399 How is this possible? 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:48.179 Because in God's economy, 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:50.759 in God's organization of 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:52.700 the world, greatness does 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.980 not have to do with earthly 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.759 prestige. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.980 Sometimes the two come 00:26:57.980 --> 00:27:00.059 together and we ought to be 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:01.700 both thankful and somewhat 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.159 worrisome, worried when that 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.539 happens. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.319 We ought to be very careful 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:07.079 when advancement in the 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:08.059 kingdom and advancement in the 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.899 world seems so closely tied 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.399 together. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:13.200 It's always difficult. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.679 It's always dangerous. 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:17.220 It's always possible for us to 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.539 slip over from seeking the 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:20.539 kingdom of God to seeking our 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.139 own kingdom. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:25.039 But to those for whom there is 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:27.159 no possibility of realizing 00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:29.139 their own kingdom, making their 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:32.419 own name on earth, rejoice that 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:35.500 the Lord has not organized the 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.580 kingdom of heaven the way he 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:40.960 has organized our sinful, our 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.420 sinful natures have organized 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.960 the kingdom of man. 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:48.019 An eternal name that will never 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.840 be blotted out. 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:51.440 An everlasting name better than 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.200 sons and daughters. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:56.300 How can this be true? 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.440 How can this be true? 00:27:58.440 --> 00:28:05.279 It's true because God has 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:08.180 intervened in history in such a 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:11.100 way as to disrupt and upset it. 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:16.600 He has seen the brokenness and 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:18.360 the sinfulness of the world and he 00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:21.299 has come to make all things new to 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:23.700 turn it on its head. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:27.720 He does this in Christ. 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:31.360 Christ who comes into the world and 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:34.279 takes away the sins of the world. 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:38.420 And in replacement for those sins he 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:40.880 gives us his righteousness but not 00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:42.680 only his righteousness he gives us 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:44.480 his name. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:49.100 Christians are those who bear the 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:50.539 name of Christ. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:53.180 And this was promised in the Old 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.799 Testament over and over. 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:58.000 After the Lord gives the blessing 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.779 that Aaron is supposed to give over 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:01.960 the people he says so they shall put 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:04.059 my name upon the people of Israel 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.559 and I will bless them. 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.980 When Isaiah is looking forward to 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:09.539 the bringing in of all the nations 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:11.619 the Lord says I will say to the 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:13.700 north give up and to the south do not 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:16.319 withhold bring my sons from afar and 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.660 my daughters from the ends of the 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:17.880 earth. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:20.640 Everyone who is called by my name 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:23.799 whom I created for my glory. 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:26.579 whom I formed and made. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:32.019 The Lord gives us a glorious name by 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:35.059 giving us his glorious name. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:39.059 Just as David was concerned first to 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:41.599 build the Lord's house and then the 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:43.799 Lord established his house. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:47.299 This is the way of making a name for 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:49.059 ourselves as Christians. 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:52.279 This pattern is frequent in the Bible. 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:55.419 Humiliation and exaltation. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:57.240 Think of Philippians 2. 00:29:58.019 --> 00:30:01.339 The son, the identical copy of the 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:05.119 father, does not esteem equality with 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.919 God for him to be grasped onto. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:09.879 But instead he empties himself, makes 00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:11.339 himself like a servant. 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:14.259 Therefore the Lord has highly exalted 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.539 him. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:19.220 Over and over those who exalt 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.940 themselves will be humbled and those 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.559 who humble themselves will be 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.319 exalted. 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:29.180 So I urge you to seek for yourself a 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.599 name. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.279 A great name. 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:35.519 By helping those around you 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:39.039 worship the Lord rightly. 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:43.119 By humbling yourself. 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:46.559 Saying not to us, O Lord, but to your 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:48.399 name give glory. 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:52.000 And do you know what the Lord does to 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:54.599 those who say not to us, O Lord, but to 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.879 your name give glory? 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.539 He gives them a name. 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:59.399 He gives them glory. 00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:04.399 Corinthians says that when we behold the 00:31:04.399 --> 00:31:07.440 glory, we are transformed into that image 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.340 of glory. 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:12.259 Think of all the promises of reward that 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:14.059 are held out in the New Testament for 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:16.220 those who would humble themselves, take 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:18.400 up crosses, and follow him. 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:22.680 Jesus says you will be given crowns and 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:27.160 robes and authority over angels forever. 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.539 But the cross comes first. 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:32.240 And bearing the name of Christ comes 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:32.640 first. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:35.980 Bearing witness to him comes first. 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.079 Christ. 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:41.480 This is the lesson to take from David. 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:46.019 David did not seek his own glory first, 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:48.900 but rather sought the glory of God. 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:52.860 And as Jesus says, all these things were 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.980 added unto him. 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:58.180 May it be so with us as well. 00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:03.599 May we make a name for ourselves without 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:07.639 making a ruin of ourselves by helping those 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:11.199 around us worship God rightly. 00:32:12.719 --> 00:32:13.519 Let's pray. 00:32:17.199 --> 00:32:19.159 Lord, I thank you for this example of David. 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:23.000 And I thank you for your Holy Spirit, 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:27.399 without whom all of this would be impossible. 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:31.920 We thank you that you have given us a 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:35.920 promise of glory that has been held out for 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.259 us. 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:39.620 And we pray that you would give us the 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:41.480 grace to attain that glory. 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:45.780 Give us the assurance that when we say, 00:32:46.060 --> 00:32:47.580 not to us, O Lord, but to your name, 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.240 give glory. 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:52.079 We are placing our good into your hands, 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:55.660 and there is no better, safer hands to put 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:57.079 that into than yours. 00:32:58.640 --> 00:33:02.680 Lord, we do pray that your people in New 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:05.380 Haven and beyond who are called by your name 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:10.500 would be glorious in heaven because of the 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:13.940 great works that you've done in and through us on 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.460 this earth. 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.160 In the name of Jesus, I pray. 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.000 Amen. 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:25.620 In our evening services, we have the, oh, you 00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.000 may be seated. 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:29.000 We have the opportunity in the evening services 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:31.920 to stump the preacher. 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:35.580 So if you have any questions on the text, the 00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:39.640 application, anything of that nature, feel free 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:41.300 to ask and I'll do my best to answer. 00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:43.680 Any questions on this? 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.000 Yeah, Darcy. 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.040 Darcy. 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:47.200 The last verse. 00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:51.079 Chapter 18 of what? 00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.059 Chapter 18. 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.500 Yeah. 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.779 18 verse. 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.099 Verse 18. 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:57.659 It says, and David's sons were priests. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:04.420 So who and how did they become priests if they were not in the line of Aaron? 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:10.980 Or, how did David's sons become priests if they were not in the line of Aaron? 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:12.300 I have no idea. 00:34:14.760 --> 00:34:15.500 Good question. 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:16.139 Yeah. 00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:21.340 The priestly, kingly system is confusing to me, to be entirely honest with you. 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:24.500 Any of the pastors have a better answer than that? 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.739 Nope. 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.019 Okay. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.760 I'm getting the nod. 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.400 I'm getting the no. 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:27.760 All right. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.639 Great question. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.940 So the first question, the first stump. 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.800 Great job, guys. 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.139 All right. 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.719 One for one. 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.920 Any other questions? 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.480 Any other questions? 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.699 Yeah, you first. 00:34:45.699 --> 00:35:02.460 Yeah, great question. 00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:04.099 Yeah, great question. 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:12.779 So the question was, how do I connect the idea of David making a name for himself by helping others worship him with Jesus' idea that if you want to be first, be last? 00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:14.980 The way I do it is this. 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:23.179 First of all, if this is a pressing question for you, or even if it's not, go read an essay by C.S. Lewis called The Weight of Glory. 00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:26.719 It's in a book conveniently called The Weight of Glory. 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.960 You can find the PDF online. 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:31.360 The general argument is this. 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:38.039 Human beings are given this desire for glory. 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:48.059 And that desire connects up with the glory that we will behold and will become in heaven. 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:58.160 Our temporal desires for glory, the desire is there, but now it's attached to a different object. 00:35:58.159 --> 00:36:11.099 So we still want to have and behold glory, but we are connecting that now to our own ambition, to career advancement, to other things. 00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:15.879 So the desire is there, but it's now aimed at the wrong object. 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:27.519 So what Jesus comes along and does, he says, what he comes along and says, look, the answer is not to cease being great or desiring to be great. 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:34.260 The answer is to be great in the way the kingdom of God operates. 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:40.360 And the way the kingdom of God operates is that greatness is marked by self-emptying. 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:55.400 And on earth, my argument here from this passage is that one major way that self-emptying works is that you use your life so that those around you can worship the Lord more fully and more adequately. 00:36:55.400 --> 00:37:05.500 There is a Trinitarian analogy here where what the members of the Trinity do is they exist in a perfect self-emptying love for each other. 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:12.500 And the amazing thing is that they're continuing to give love, give love, give love, and they never run out. 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:17.519 Why? Because they're being filled with love from the other members of the Trinity. 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:22.680 And I think you can run this analogy down through a number of human relationships. 00:37:22.679 --> 00:37:29.579 If you're in a marriage, one way that you can try to be happy is to seek your own happiness. 00:37:30.379 --> 00:37:35.539 And then you have two people who happen to have wedding rings and share a house seeking their own happiness. 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:40.299 Or you can seek your happiness in the happiness of the other. 00:37:40.799 --> 00:37:43.819 And you empty yourself to try to love the other person. 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:50.219 And if it's working correctly the way it works in the Trinity, both members of the marriage are doing this for each other. 00:37:50.219 --> 00:37:52.719 Such that they never run out of energy. 00:37:52.819 --> 00:37:59.519 What you have is the husband loving his wife self-sacrificially and the wife loving her husband self-sacrificially. 00:37:59.799 --> 00:38:03.899 And now what you have is they're not only having their own happiness, they're also intimately connected. 00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.179 Like this. 00:38:05.759 --> 00:38:12.579 And I think the answer is, the way this dynamic works is it's similar to the Philippians 2 passage that I mentioned. 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:19.000 Where the pattern in the Christian life is humiliation and exaltation. 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:24.199 So Jesus, the son did not consider equality with God's men to be grasped. 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.279 He emptied himself. 00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:27.340 Therefore the father highly exalted him. 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:32.840 I think this is the way the greatness thing works in the Christian life. 00:38:33.219 --> 00:38:36.299 You become great by emptying yourself. 00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:40.099 And that's what's meant by the first shall be last and the last shall be first. 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:47.960 First, those who are first by the standards of this world, which is in fact upside down, turn out to be last. 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:56.819 And those who are last, those who seek the good of others and those who do not care for their own standing, end up, when the universe is flipped right again, being on top. 00:38:57.059 --> 00:38:57.719 Does that answer your question? 00:38:58.159 --> 00:38:58.500 Excellent. 00:38:58.659 --> 00:38:58.920 Thank you. 00:38:59.000 --> 00:38:59.460 Great question. 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:02.380 Back of the soundboard. 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:21.480 Great question. 00:39:21.480 --> 00:39:33.780 How should we view the examples in the Old Testament where worldly things like the wisdom of Solomon and all of his riches that accompany him are held forth as a reward? 00:39:34.179 --> 00:39:36.139 There are two parts to this answer, I think. 00:39:36.219 --> 00:39:50.740 The first one is when it comes to the kings in the Old Testament, they particularly and strangely represent the people of God in a way we don't have an analogy for in the New Covenant. 00:39:50.739 --> 00:40:03.219 So the earthly success of Israel is in some ways a marker of the Lord's favor upon them, but interestingly, not always. 00:40:03.819 --> 00:40:09.979 And I would contend that even like all the riches that Solomon had were deeply ambiguous. 00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:17.159 So in Deuteronomy, interestingly, before they have a king, there are rules given for a king. 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:19.960 And some of the rules say he should not do three things. 00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:21.579 He should not amass much wealth. 00:40:22.099 --> 00:40:23.980 He should not amass for himself many horses. 00:40:24.280 --> 00:40:28.199 And he should not have for himself lots of wives. 00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:30.179 What three things does this represent? 00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:35.539 High taxation, high standing army that could become tyrannical, and high foreign entanglement. 00:40:35.539 --> 00:40:43.860 When Solomon is introduced, it says, and he got for himself much gold, many horses, and lots and lots of wives. 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:48.759 And if you know the story, all those things become his downfall at the end. 00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:57.199 So I think there is this implicit warning, actually it's an explicit warning in the Old Testament about those earthly riches. 00:40:57.719 --> 00:41:01.820 There's a way of stewarding those things well, but it's deeply difficult. 00:41:01.820 --> 00:41:03.740 So does that answer your question? 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.640 All right. 00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:06.280 Okay. 00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:06.920 Good? 00:41:11.059 --> 00:41:12.780 I'm sure we could go on. 00:41:13.140 --> 00:41:14.240 These are great questions. 00:41:14.380 --> 00:41:16.420 Thank you, Justin, for bringing that. 00:41:17.600 --> 00:41:23.480 Friends, our worship evening comes to its conclusion, but our worship of God does not as we go out. 00:41:23.780 --> 00:41:26.220 So I pray that as you go, you will do that. 00:41:26.320 --> 00:41:30.059 Let me briefly point you to your bulletin for a few announcements.