WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:05.200 Good morning, Watermark. The scripture reading today comes from Psalm 16. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:10.359 You can follow along on your bulletin on the screen or in your own Bible. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:12.620 Starting in verse 1, we read, 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:14.759 Amictim of David, 00:00:15.700 --> 00:00:20.660 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:28.260 I say to the Lord, You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you. 00:00:28.260 --> 00:00:35.060 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. 00:00:35.780 --> 00:00:39.840 The sorrows of those who run after another God shall multiply. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:45.859 Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out, would take their names on my lips. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:52.640 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup. You hold my lot. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:56.660 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. 00:00:56.659 --> 00:01:00.079 Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:03.779 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel. 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:07.159 In the night also my heart instructs me. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:10.439 I have set the Lord always before me. 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:14.840 Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:20.359 Therefore, my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:23.439 My flesh also dwells secure. 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:27.519 For you will not abandon my soul to shield. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:30.640 Or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:34.359 You make known to me the path of life. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:37.760 In your presence there is fullness of joy. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:41.659 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:43.579 This is the Word of God. 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:46.260 Great, thank you, Iris. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:52.739 Fear and insecurity are such a terrible thing, aren't they? 00:01:53.739 --> 00:01:56.939 I guess in some ways fear has a good purpose. 00:01:57.079 --> 00:01:58.159 It keeps us from danger. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:01.739 It keeps us from doing stupid things like running in the road. 00:02:01.739 --> 00:02:14.280 But to be governed and controlled by fear, to be controlled by insecurity, is such a debilitating and entrapping environment. 00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:20.459 I wonder how many of us feel that our lives are controlled by fear and insecurity. 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:22.299 Fear of what people think of us. 00:02:23.079 --> 00:02:23.939 Fear of failure. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:25.680 Fear of loss. 00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:27.340 Fear of sickness. 00:02:28.079 --> 00:02:29.800 Fear of the markets turning down. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:31.539 Fear of death. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:33.760 Fear of rejection. 00:02:34.920 --> 00:02:41.780 How many of us have allowed insecurity to close in on us and to feel like a burden on our shoulders? 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:50.620 Maybe you feel insecure about your position at work and you won't apply for another job because you are fearful of rejection. 00:02:51.260 --> 00:02:57.360 Maybe you're fearful of entering into a relationship because you fear of what will that person, how will they hurt you? 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:01.620 Maybe insecurity keeps you in a job that you shouldn't be in. 00:03:01.740 --> 00:03:04.740 Or keeps you in a relationship that you shouldn't be in. 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:12.719 And for those of you that are in high school, if you're one of the youth with us this morning, I wonder how fear and insecurity governs your life. 00:03:13.480 --> 00:03:17.020 Imagine living not being afraid of what anybody thinks of you. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:19.020 Not being insecure about exams. 00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:21.580 What university are you going to get into. 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:23.240 How are you going to do at school. 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:26.080 How people at school think about you. 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:32.300 Fear and insecurity are such a terrible thing to live with. 00:03:32.300 --> 00:03:33.080 Live with. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:39.660 Friends, I wonder what your life would look like if it were not governed by any fear or insecurity at all. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:44.219 Rather, if your life was governed by a joyful confidence. 00:03:44.740 --> 00:03:46.300 A hopeful assurance. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:50.400 A confidence both in this life and the life to come. 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:52.980 I wonder what decisions you would make. 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:57.420 I wonder how you would respond to challenges that come your way. 00:03:57.419 --> 00:04:01.059 This morning we're looking at Psalm 16. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:06.039 And Psalm 16 is a psalm that brims with confidence and assurance. 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:11.759 For much of this year as a church at Watermark, we've been working through the Old Testament. 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:16.279 And many people think the Old Testament is boring and it's outdated. 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:19.899 And the God of the Old Testament is angry all the time. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:25.579 But actually what we've been seeing is that the Old Testament is full of God's mercy and His grace. 00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:31.060 The stories and the events in the Old Testament are like shadows that point us, 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:36.120 that give us an outline picture of the wonderful grace of God in Jesus Christ. 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:43.679 And the Old Testament is constantly showing us how God is going to put right all that is wrong and broken 00:04:43.679 --> 00:04:46.399 and destructive and chaotic with this world. 00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:51.539 God is working all things together and He's putting them right in Jesus Christ. 00:04:51.979 --> 00:04:56.539 The whole Old Testament points to what God is doing in Christ. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:05:02.019 And so we're going to continue with the Old Testament by looking at Psalm 16 today. 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:05.419 Now Psalm 16 is written by King David. 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:07.719 David is Israel's greatest king. 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:13.699 And as I said, it's part of a collection of psalms that are very confident. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:17.759 David in this psalm is very confident as we're going to see. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:20.939 And in this psalm we're going to see a couple of things. 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:26.219 We're going to see that it is possible to live life full of joyful confidence 00:05:26.219 --> 00:05:29.099 and hopeful assurance in this life. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.099 But the psalm has a twist to it. 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:35.139 There's something in particular that you need to see. 00:05:36.159 --> 00:05:39.199 And so what this psalm is going to do, it's going to actually tell us two things. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:43.399 It's going to tell us how not to find confidence in this life 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:46.360 and where to find joyful confidence. 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:50.839 The psalm is going to show us that if you find confidence in the wrong things, 00:05:51.339 --> 00:05:53.860 it ends in bitterness and destruction. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:06:00.199 But there is a way to find joyful confidence that is stable and steadfast. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.399 Okay, so that's what we're going to look at today. 00:06:02.539 --> 00:06:05.419 But first, let's try and make sense of it and understand it. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:09.740 So if you've got your Bible or your bulletin, look at Psalm 16 with me. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:14.340 And it starts off, there's a description at the top that says, 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:16.060 A mictum of David. 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:19.379 Okay, nobody really knows what the word mictum means. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:21.860 It's one of those Hebrew words that nobody understands. 00:06:22.540 --> 00:06:27.220 But the word appears six times in the Psalms, the book of Psalms. 00:06:27.580 --> 00:06:30.360 And most of them, David is on the run. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:32.300 He's pursued by his enemies. 00:06:32.780 --> 00:06:34.000 He's hiding in a cave. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:37.139 There are people that want to get him or kill him or end his life. 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:38.639 David is on the run. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:45.420 Some people have suggested the word mictum means a silent prayer that is offered up to God 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:47.120 because you're surrounded by your enemies. 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:49.100 You can't go to the temple and pray. 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:51.180 You can't ask the priest to pray for you. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:54.319 So you're hiding and you kind of offer the silent prayer, 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:55.459 God, I need you. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.519 Look out for me. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:58.180 Okay, but you're not exactly sure. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:01.980 But that would make sense because look at verse one with me. 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:07.120 Verse one says, preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 00:07:07.720 --> 00:07:10.060 So David's obviously facing some kind of danger. 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:11.120 There's something going on. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:12.100 He's feeling insecure. 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:14.040 And he says, God, I need you. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:14.680 Preserve me. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:15.439 Look after me. 00:07:15.780 --> 00:07:17.180 I'm taking refuge in you. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:21.620 I wonder if you feel like David this morning. 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:27.680 I wonder if you feel insecure, afraid, unsure of how things are going to turn out. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.840 Maybe somebody is opposed to you. 00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:38.920 Maybe somebody wants to take you out, a colleague, a client, a competitor at work, a family member. 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:42.259 Maybe just feel insecure about what the future holds. 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:45.240 But David cries out to God. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:50.839 But then the rest of the psalm is overflowing with confidence. 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:52.980 David is very confident. 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:54.680 Look at what he says. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:59.079 He's sure that God is going to look after him and protect him and keep him safe. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:00.500 And why is that? 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:05.379 Well, David considers his own track record of faithfulness. 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:09.639 He looks at his life and he says, God, I've actually been really faithful. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:10.939 I've been really good. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.259 I've followed your word. 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:13.120 I've honored your word. 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:17.699 I've done everything that's expected of a good Jewish covenant-keeping man. 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:19.639 Surely you're going to look after me. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.339 So look at what he says here. 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:21.839 Verse 2. 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:25.019 I say to the Lord, you are my Lord. 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:28.740 There is no good thing that I have apart from you. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:32.440 David is saying, God, you're the most important thing in my life. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:35.919 There's nothing else in this world that is of more importance to you. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:41.279 You have my supreme devotion and dedication. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:43.120 You're the most important thing to me, God. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:44.839 Look at verse 3. 00:08:45.439 --> 00:08:49.679 He says, as for the saints in the land, that means the other believers, other followers of God. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:53.899 They are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight. 00:08:54.599 --> 00:09:00.899 So I say, God, not only are you my highest priority in heaven, but on earth, my highest priority are other believers. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:04.100 I've surrounded myself with faithful men and women. 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:12.679 I don't know if you know that saying that says you can tell a lot about a person's character by the kind of company that they keep. 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:19.079 Maybe not very fair, a little bit prejudicial, but there's some truth in that, right? 00:09:19.179 --> 00:09:25.199 And the reason is because friendship is not formed so much by just hobbies and interests. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:29.919 Deep friendship is formed by shared values, shared principles. 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:31.759 You have goals in life, right? 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.379 Two people like tennis. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.199 Okay, you like tennis. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:34.799 I like tennis. 00:09:34.919 --> 00:09:35.919 Okay, we can be friends. 00:09:36.439 --> 00:09:40.879 But real friends are shared by the things that you love, what you value in life. 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:42.459 So picture this, right? 00:09:42.479 --> 00:09:48.379 Imagine someone's really passionate about the environment and global warming and looking after the environment and recycling. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:54.179 And they meet somebody else who's also passionate about the environment and recycling and looking after our planet. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:57.279 There's immediately going to be this deep connection, right? 00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:02.819 But if someone's like this and they meet somebody who doesn't care at all and just litters and who cares? 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.939 It's all going to burn anyway. 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:07.819 Oh, it's going to be hard for them to resonate deeply with each other. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:12.240 In other words, friendship is formed not just by you like tennis, I like tennis. 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:14.259 You like the color blue, I like the color blue. 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:15.779 It's actually shared values. 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:16.819 It's what you love. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:20.799 David says here, I love God supremely. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:23.500 And my friends are people who love God supremely. 00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:26.819 We are faithful, devout followers of God. 00:10:28.859 --> 00:10:29.959 Look at what else he says. 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:30.620 Look at verse 4. 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:31.579 He says, 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:35.759 The sorrows of those who run after other gods or idols shall multiply. 00:10:36.339 --> 00:10:38.479 Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out. 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:41.079 I haven't even taken their names on my lips. 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.460 Now again, if you're new to church, let me just explain. 00:10:45.040 --> 00:10:48.259 The Bible talks quite a lot about idols and other gods. 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:54.080 And the Bible talks about the way that people offer offerings to foreign gods and idols. 00:10:54.900 --> 00:10:57.320 Now you may think, hey, I'm a modern person. 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.400 I'm well educated. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:01.460 I don't believe in bowing down to gods and idols. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.060 I'm not a superstitious person. 00:11:03.160 --> 00:11:04.280 I'm a rational person. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:05.280 I'm illogical. 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:06.660 I don't bow down to gods. 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:12.879 But actually, one of the things the Bible says is that all human beings are tempted by idols. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:17.600 Maybe not physical idols at the temple, but idols of our hearts. 00:11:18.339 --> 00:11:19.100 What is an idol? 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:26.139 An idol is something that you put a lot of hope in, a lot of trust in, a lot of confidence in. 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:33.559 Something you almost ascribe supernatural power to something to give you blessing, to give you peace, 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:37.079 to give you prosperity, to give you security in life. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:42.099 So it's something that you look to and you think, if I can honor that thing or look after that thing, 00:11:42.199 --> 00:11:43.339 that thing will look after me. 00:11:44.119 --> 00:11:46.279 So you may say, listen, I don't go to the temple. 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:48.559 I don't burn incense to my ancestors. 00:11:48.819 --> 00:11:50.379 I'm not superstitious like that. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:54.579 Okay, but how often do you check your stock portfolio five times a day? 00:11:55.319 --> 00:12:00.839 Are you wrapped with anxiety about what your colleague or your boss or the market says about you? 00:12:01.359 --> 00:12:03.319 Are you very anxious about what your parents think? 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:08.139 Are you controlled by how your children do at school, what their grades are? 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.979 Because that will reflect on you. 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:15.059 In other words, we all have these idols of the heart, these things that we trust in and love. 00:12:15.099 --> 00:12:18.679 And we think, if I can keep this thing safe, this thing will keep me safe. 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:21.199 But look what David says here. 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:27.699 David says, God, I know there are other things that tempt me to love them and trust them and follow them. 00:12:28.239 --> 00:12:31.419 But God, I've been so devoted to you, I haven't even mentioned these things. 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:33.399 I don't even take their names on my lips. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:39.620 Maybe you're someone who you think, listen, I don't believe in that stuff, but all my colleagues do, my boss does. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:41.099 I kind of got to just go through the motions. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:43.839 So I'll go to the temple, I'll burn incense. 00:12:44.099 --> 00:12:45.339 I'm just going to go through the motions. 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:47.779 David says, I'm not even going to go through the motions. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:54.240 God, my heart is so steadfast on you that I won't even mention their names on my lips. 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:56.839 Those things, I've ridden my heart from them. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:13:02.399 David, so David is very confident, right? 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:03.780 Look at all the things that he says. 00:13:04.280 --> 00:13:05.740 Verse 5, we can keep on going. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.820 He says, the Lord, you're my chosen portion. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:13.240 Verse 7, I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel in the night my heart also instructs me. 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.480 I kind of like this one. 00:13:14.540 --> 00:13:19.060 It feels like David is saying, God, I've so set my heart on your word and your ways. 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:23.699 Even at night, when I'm fast asleep, your word is going to instruct me. 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:30.419 I don't know if David really means this, but it's kind of like he's saying, God, even my dreams are godly dreams, right? 00:13:30.979 --> 00:13:32.399 I don't know how he managed to do that. 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.379 I wish I could do that. 00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:36.599 But David, he's building his credentials. 00:13:36.819 --> 00:13:38.199 He's listing his resume. 00:13:38.719 --> 00:13:41.739 He's saying, look, God, look at what a godly, devout man I am. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.539 I haven't gone near idols. 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:45.959 I think about you all day, all night. 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.819 My friends are godly people. 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:50.080 I've set the Lord before me always. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:51.660 You're the most important thing in my life. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:53.120 Look what he says. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:55.940 Verse 8, I've set the Lord always before me. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.879 He's at my right hand. 00:13:57.260 --> 00:13:59.000 I will not be shaken. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.920 David's really listing his credentials. 00:14:02.060 --> 00:14:03.440 He's piling up his resume. 00:14:04.140 --> 00:14:07.860 He's giving a CV, and he's saying, God, I'm a devout, faithful man. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:12.100 And he's telling us what a great king he is, how faithful he's been to God. 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:17.180 Here is a picture of really devout faithfulness to God. 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:20.100 And so look at what this all means. 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.500 Look at where it leads him. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.160 Look at where this confidence takes him. 00:14:24.280 --> 00:14:25.100 Look at verse 9. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:32.220 He says, therefore, because I'm such a devout man, therefore, verse 9, my heart is glad, 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:36.320 my whole being rejoices, my flesh dwells secure. 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:37.960 I'm a secure man. 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:43.300 Verse 10, for, because you, God, won't abandon my soul to Sheol. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:45.040 Sheol is the place of the dead. 00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:48.899 God, you won't let your holy one, that's David, see corruption. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:52.899 No, God, you make known to me the path of life. 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.320 In your presence there is fullness of joy. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:57.780 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.360 You see what David's saying? 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:06.300 He's saying, God, because I'm steadfast and faithful, I've always followed you, I know that you will keep me safe. 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.760 Nothing will touch me. 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:08.980 My enemies won't touch me. 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:10.200 The markets won't touch me. 00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:12.060 The grave won't touch me. 00:15:12.520 --> 00:15:14.780 Sheol, the place of the dead, that won't touch me. 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:17.800 God, I dwell in security and safety. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.860 I followed you. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:20.240 You will pay me back. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:23.200 Look, David's pretty confident, right? 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:27.159 He's a confident man. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.200 I've lived a godly life. 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.740 I've done everything that's expected of me. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.980 My lot is secure. 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:33.200 I dwell in safety and security. 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:39.600 Now, in the ancient world, in around the century or two before Jesus came, 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:44.299 Psalm 16 was one of the favorites for Jewish writers. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:52.699 In particular, verses 8, 9, and 11, Jewish writers loved and would often write and think about and talk about in the synagogue. 00:15:52.859 --> 00:15:53.519 Look what it says. 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:55.379 I have set the Lord before me. 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.859 I will not be shaken. 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:58.620 I dwell secure. 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:01.859 In your presence there is fullness of joy. 00:16:01.979 --> 00:16:04.120 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:09.500 The problem was, nobody really knew what to do with verse 10. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:13.139 Verse 10 was like the fly in the soup. 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:14.079 Do you know that phrase? 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:19.379 If you have a bowl of soup and a fly lands in it, one little thing can ruin the whole bowl of soup, right? 00:16:20.099 --> 00:16:22.019 Verse 10 kind of messed everything up. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.979 Because what do you do with verse 10? 00:16:24.099 --> 00:16:25.059 Verse 10, David says, 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:28.699 You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, the place of the dead. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:31.699 You will not let your Holy One see corruption. 00:16:33.219 --> 00:16:34.519 In other words, is David saying, 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:38.459 God, because I followed you, I know I will never die. 00:16:38.579 --> 00:16:39.479 I will live forever. 00:16:41.939 --> 00:16:43.299 Death cannot touch me. 00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:45.979 It seems like that's what David is saying. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.679 You will not abandon me to the grave. 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:53.839 And the problem is that actually, David did die. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:57.959 And we don't live in Jerusalem now, so we can't go and visit his grave. 00:16:58.479 --> 00:17:01.459 But in the first century, everybody knew where David's grave was. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:04.819 And you could go down the road, you could see that's where David died. 00:17:04.899 --> 00:17:05.759 That's where he was buried. 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:07.679 That's where his bones were buried. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:14.920 There was no doubt in the first century that David really did die, was buried, and was given over to corruption and decay. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.779 Everybody knew that. 00:17:17.560 --> 00:17:20.160 And in some ways, that shouldn't surprise us. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.960 Because David was a good man. 00:17:22.320 --> 00:17:23.340 He was a righteous man. 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:24.560 But he wasn't a perfect man. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:31.039 And he certainly didn't live up to the standard of moral perfection that he kind of claims in verse 1 to 8. 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.659 Maybe this was written when he was a very young man. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.720 You know, young people are quite confident, right? 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.839 Before he had lived a little. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.919 Before he had some baggage in the cupboard. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:44.259 Because later on in his life, we know what happens to David, don't we? 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:48.140 I mean, at one point, he falls in love with someone else's wife. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:50.460 And he seduces her and he sleeps with her. 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:55.860 And then when she falls pregnant, he gets her husband murdered so that he can have her. 00:17:57.080 --> 00:18:01.840 I mean, Psalm 51 is one of the greatest written confessions in all of literature. 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:04.080 And it's written by David. 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:07.140 As he owns his sin and his depravity. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:10.940 But David was a good man, but he wasn't a perfect man. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:16.700 No, friends, death really did come to David like it comes to all of us. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:20.940 Because David, like all of us, was a fallen human being. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:27.900 A man who was born with the hereditary disease of a sin-infested heart. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:32.220 And David acted out, he lived out his temptation. 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:38.960 Friends, the Bible says that death is the natural consequences of sin. 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.960 And therefore, death comes to all of us. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:48.920 Because all of us are born with the hereditary disease of a sin-infected heart. 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:52.400 And all of us act on it and live it out. 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:56.700 I don't know if you remember in Genesis 3, in the Garden of Eden. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:59.400 In Genesis 3, God says to Adam and Eve, 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:03.960 When you disobey me and reject me, you will surely die. 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:06.080 And they do, they reject him. 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.440 But they don't die straight away. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:11.200 But in that moment, death is unleashed on the world. 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:15.160 And all human beings, you and me and everyone, even the very best of us, 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.960 all of us, friends, are infected by sin. 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:20.660 And the consequence of that is death. 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:25.300 Death now holds the power over us. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.740 But what happens? 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:34.420 What if we could find somebody whose body and soul were not given over to death? 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:37.820 And were not given over to corruption and decay? 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:45.060 Friends, what happens if there was a human being who laid down his life, 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:50.040 wasn't taken from him, but laid it down, and yet could take it up again? 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.800 Look at verse 10. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:56.340 David seems to suggest that this is only possible for those who are truly holy. 00:19:56.920 --> 00:20:01.759 That means truly devoted, truly devout, truly perfect, and sinless. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:07.300 Friends, what if we found someone who would willingly lay down his life, 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:16.040 and yet over whom death had no hold, no staying power, no control, no authority? 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.920 What if we found someone who could lay down his life, 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:22.039 and yet contrary to all expectations of those who knew him, 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:25.119 would take it up again and rise again? 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:30.159 Not just in hallucination form, in real form. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:34.500 Friends, we'd have to conclude that such a man was truly perfect, 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:38.139 truly sinless, who had never sinned. 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:42.240 Someone who was truly holy, a picture of covenant faithfulness. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:49.059 You see, friends, you can only claim the assurances and the promises of verses 9, 10, and 11, 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:52.900 if you can truly claim verses 1 to 8 for yourself. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.799 That's what David says, right? 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.819 Look at verse 9. 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:56.660 He says, 00:20:56.660 --> 00:21:20.240 Friends, 2,000 years ago, on Passover weekend, 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:26.700 the disciples of Jesus Christ were downcast, dejected, sorrowful. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:33.200 Because they had seen their Lord and Master crucified, died, 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:38.259 taken down, and buried in the tomb, lying in the grave. 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:41.420 All their hopes and expectations were dashed. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:45.700 Maybe they thought Jesus wasn't the man that he claimed to be. 00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:48.539 Maybe he wasn't so righteous after all. 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.599 After all. 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:52.899 Until Jesus did appear for them. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.720 Not in a mirage. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.599 Not in a hallucination. 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:59.960 Jesus didn't just rise spiritually in their hearts. 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:05.879 In real, actual, physical, bodily form, Jesus appeared to them. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:11.180 The same Jesus that they touched and held and had put their hands on his face. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:16.980 This same Jesus of Nazareth appeared to them in physical, bodily form and said, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.379 Here I am. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.619 Risen from the grave. 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.519 Friends, you know what that means? 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:30.220 The resurrection of Jesus proves that he's the one sinless, perfect, holy man. 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:33.920 The one who kept the covenant perfectly. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:38.519 Throughout the Old Testament, as we've heard over the last few weeks, 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:47.759 the Old Testament looks forward to a man coming who will be perfect and who will be a mediator between God and man. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:56.119 One day, there will come a man who will stand in the gap between a holy God and sinful man and be able to intercede on behalf of sinful humanity. 00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:58.259 And plead for them and pray for them. 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:06.179 The Old Testament looks forward to one day a man coming who will be like a priest who will enter into the holy place. 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:08.279 Perfect, untainted by sin. 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:11.380 And can go into that place and plead for God's people. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:16.980 Make atonement, which means make reconciliation between holy God and sinful man. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:24.279 The Old Testament looks forward to a day when one day this mediator priest-like figure will come like a servant. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:26.759 He'll have a job, an assignment from heaven. 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:30.980 And he'll accomplish this assignment, but he will suffer terribly. 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:33.339 Extraordinarily, extraordinarily he'll suffer. 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:39.140 But his suffering will be the means, the method by which he accomplishes his task. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:48.660 But friends, don't you see that also the Old Testament anticipates this perfect, mediating, suffering, priest-like figure will also die. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.779 But he won't stay dead. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.819 He will rise again. 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:57.880 Because he is sinless and perfect, death will have no power over him. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:00.200 Death will have no control over him. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.640 Death will have no authority over him. 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:05.240 He will die of his own free choice. 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.880 And he will rise again. 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:14.100 Friends, this is Jesus, who on Good Friday died and on Easter Sunday rose again. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:20.500 And who now lives in God's presence at the right hand of the Father with pleasures forevermore. 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:25.440 Friends, in the weeks and months after Jesus died and rose again, 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:34.120 his disciples who just a few weeks before had been dejected and downcast, short on confidence and long on fear, 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:39.660 were now these bold, courageous, exuberant men and women. 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:42.720 They walked the streets of Jerusalem proclaiming Jesus. 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:45.660 And the authorities said, didn't you see what we just did to Jesus? 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.680 We killed him. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.960 We're going to do the same thing to you. 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.940 And they said, that's okay. 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.860 We don't mind. 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.640 We must tell you about Jesus. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:59.319 These disciples who just a few weeks before were anxious and worried and fearful and hiding in the upper room, 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:01.940 doors locked, making sure no one could find them, 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.059 are now boldly proclaiming, 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.559 Jesus was dead, 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.299 but he's alive. 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:09.519 Where did they find that confidence? 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.480 Where did they find that hope? 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:15.420 Where did they find that joyful assurance? 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.380 They had seen. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:20.839 Jesus who was dead was now alive. 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:23.900 Listen to what the apostles write in Acts chapter 13. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.660 They preach this. 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:30.180 We bring you good news today that what God promised to our forefathers, 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.640 this he has fulfilled. 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:34.620 By raising Jesus from the dead, as it is written, 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:37.220 you will not let your holy one see corruption. 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.259 So they quote Psalm 16. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:41.920 For David certainly died, 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:44.519 was laid with his ancestors and saw corruption, 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:47.259 but Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.559 did not see corruption. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.500 Let it be known to you therefore, 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.500 brothers and sisters, 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.599 people of Hong Kong, 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.900 this man, Jesus Christ, 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:57.379 forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.539 And by him, 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:01.700 everyone who believes in him is freed from everything 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:04.000 from which you could not be freed 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:07.039 by trying to obey the law of Moses. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.379 Dear friends, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:11.579 every one of us here are infected by the curse of sin. 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.500 None of us are perfect. 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:17.920 And what that means is that every one of us deserves to die. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.339 Physically, yes, 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:21.920 but also spiritually for all eternity. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.619 Cuddle from God. 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:26.700 Eternal death that never ends. 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.579 But friends, 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:30.220 because Jesus rose again, 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:32.180 if you are in Christ, 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.900 if you love him, 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.440 and trust him, 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:37.019 and hope in him, 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.940 if you'll surrender to him, 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.799 and follow him, 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:44.400 Jesus' life again can become your life. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:49.039 Jesus' resurrection becomes your resurrection. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:53.220 Jesus' defeat of the grave becomes your defeat of the grave. 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:55.960 What the apostles declared 2,000 years ago, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.299 friends, 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.360 I declare to you today, 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.720 that through this man, 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.480 Jesus Christ, 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:01.039 there is forgiveness of sins, 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:03.600 there is overcoming the grave. 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.460 So, 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.420 what does this mean for us today? 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:10.000 How should this change our lives this week? 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.100 Great question. 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.180 I'm so glad you asked. 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.360 Two things. 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:16.079 Two things that this should mean for us. 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.480 Okay? 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.860 First thing's this. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:20.220 Don't look to yourself. 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.279 Don't look to yourself. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.359 Friends, 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:25.519 if you look to your moral performance, 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:27.079 your religious devotion, 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.279 your religious track record, 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.619 your spiritual performance, 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:35.379 you are going to be utterly devastated and disappointed. 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.740 And one day you'll stand before God, 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.299 and he'll say, 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:38.980 good effort, 00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:40.160 not good enough. 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.240 Friends, 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.359 you are not good enough. 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.680 I am not good enough. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.200 None of us are good enough. 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.899 Don't look to yourself. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.700 You cannot save yourself. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.299 You did not rise from, 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:52.059 you did not die on the cross and rise again. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.740 Jesus did. 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.160 Friends, 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.940 maybe you're here and you're a good person. 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:59.660 Maybe you always try to live a moral life. 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.639 Maybe you always try to be religious. 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:02.940 Friends, 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.619 you cannot save yourself. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.759 David was a good man. 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:09.619 The Bible says David had a heart after God. 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.339 David couldn't save himself. 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.720 Friends, 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.519 don't look to yourself. 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:16.000 Don't look to your religious pedigree, 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.500 your track record, 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.099 your moral performance, 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.720 your devotion. 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:20.619 No, 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:20.859 friends, 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:21.519 don't look to yourself. 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.180 Second thing, 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.799 look to Jesus. 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:27.599 Look to the Savior who died and rose again. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.619 Friends, 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.460 here is good news 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:31.539 that all those who will look to Christ 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.759 and hope in him 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.619 and trust in him 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:36.460 get to live with joyful confidence 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:39.140 and hope-filled assurance 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:41.240 not only for eternity 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:43.640 but in this life now as well. 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.240 In 1840, 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.920 180 years ago, 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.480 an old Scottish priest, 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:51.279 pastor was writing a letter 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.000 to his friend. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.559 His name is Robert Marie McShane 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:55.059 and this is what he said. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.360 For every one look at yourself, 00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:59.680 take 10 looks at Christ. 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.640 He's altogether lovely. 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.420 Friends, 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.240 the only good look 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.220 that you can take to yourself 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.660 is to see your need. 00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.779 But for every one look at yourself, 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.099 take 10 looks at Christ. 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:13.339 See the Savior who died and rose again. 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.460 Friends, 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.980 the gospel is good news 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:18.039 because not only of who Jesus was 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.920 and what he did, 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.880 but what he did 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:22.300 now gets credited 00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:24.320 to those who trust in him. 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.680 Friends, 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.779 good news of Easter Sunday 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:28.360 is not only that Jesus died 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:29.019 and rose again 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.940 but if you trust in him, 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.560 his track record, 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:34.180 his moral track record 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.400 gets credited to you. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:38.519 His perfect resume 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:40.340 now gets credited to you 00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:41.759 and our God the Father 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.620 can look at you 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.660 through Jesus 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.060 and say, 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.600 my son, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.140 my daughter, 00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:45.860 I accept you. 00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:47.820 The grave has no hold on you. 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.900 Death has no point. 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.660 The power of you. 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.240 Jesus rose again 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.240 and so will you. 00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:55.039 Friends, 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.640 now we can look 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.480 and proclaim 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.220 verses 1 to 9, 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.660 verses 9 to 11 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:02.300 that we can dwell secure 00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:03.779 knowing that he will not 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:05.080 abandon our souls to hell 00:30:05.080 --> 00:30:06.940 because death has been defeated 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.019 and we too will enjoy 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.880 pleasures with him 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.660 forevermore. 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.620 And do you know 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:11.240 what that means? 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.340 Final thought. 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.940 It means that now 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.700 you and I 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.779 can actually say 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:17.200 verses 1 to 8. 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:19.399 We can live with confidence 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:20.019 this week 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.899 because we know 00:30:20.899 --> 00:30:22.240 our eternal destiny 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.240 is secure. 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:23.680 And so, 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.319 friends, 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.180 if you are in Christ, 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.460 you too can say, 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:26.980 verse 2, 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.039 the Lord, 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.859 you are my Lord, 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.680 I have no good thing 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.420 apart from you. 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.339 Friends, 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:32.639 you really can live for Jesus 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:34.279 because your future is secure. 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.160 Friends, 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.639 you can say, 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.200 verse 6, 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.779 the lions have fallen for me 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.700 in pleasant places. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.819 I have a beautiful inheritance. 00:30:41.640 --> 00:30:41.799 Friends, 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.980 what can go wrong in life? 00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:44.580 The stock market can crash, 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:44.960 okay, 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.420 but you're secure in Christ. 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:47.640 Friends, 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.779 you can face cancer, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.500 okay, 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.160 that's terrible, 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.559 but you're secure in Christ. 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.580 That's not the end of the world 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:52.960 for you. 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.539 Friends, 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.940 no hell can throw 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:57.039 their worst at you. 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.840 The boundary lines 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.500 have fallen for you 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.380 in beautiful places 00:31:00.380 --> 00:31:01.500 because you are in Christ. 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.420 Friends, 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.039 if you're a Christian, 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:03.580 you can say, 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.080 verse 8, 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:06.039 the Lord is always before me. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.539 He is at my right hand. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:09.000 I will not be shaken. 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.220 Friends, 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.799 if you're a Christian, 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.299 you can say, 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:11.859 verse 9, 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.259 my heart is glad, 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.420 my whole being rejoices, 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:17.440 my body rests secure. 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.619 So friends, 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.519 what are you afraid of? 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:23.279 What are you fearful this morning? 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.599 What governs your life? 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.539 Fear of failure? 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.579 Fear of people? 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.779 Fear of rejection? 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.079 Are you insecure 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.839 about what your boss 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.559 thinks about you? 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:37.000 What your parents 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.680 think about you? 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.259 What your colleagues 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.980 or boys 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.940 think about you? 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.380 Friends, 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:44.160 what a terrible thing 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:45.019 to live with fear 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.619 and insecurity. 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.680 How might your life 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.240 look different 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.519 if you're truly secure, 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.500 truly unshakable, 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.519 lived with joyful confidence? 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:54.539 Friends, 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.680 look to Jesus this morning. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.400 You can do that. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.680 Easter Sunday 00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.700 tells us it's possible 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.819 to live free from fear 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.799 and free of insecurity 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:03.180 because Jesus, 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:03.960 the sinless one, 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.960 died and rose again. 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:08.340 and now if you know him, 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.840 your life is in him 00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:11.360 and you can be secure 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:13.019 in him as well. 00:32:13.380 --> 00:32:14.319 Let's pray together. 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.240 Oh Lord Jesus, 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.480 the risen one, 00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.960 we can pray to you this morning. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.860 Not just an image of you, 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.160 not just a picture of you, 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.579 not just a hopeful 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.980 representation of you, 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.740 you, 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.460 the living, 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.680 resurrected Christ, 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.740 we get to pray to you 00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.180 this morning 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.600 because you died 00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:32.980 and you rose again. 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:34.440 but more than that God, 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.660 we can live secure, 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:36.960 confident, 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.299 unshakable 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.519 because our life 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.259 is now in you. 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:41.880 Oh God, 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.920 I pray for us this morning. 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.120 Lord, 00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:44.799 I pray for those of us 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.440 who know you, 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.440 those of us that are Christians. 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:47.660 God, 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.759 I pray that you will 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:51.299 help us to drive out 00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.240 fear and insecurity 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.860 as we meditate on you, 00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.980 as we know who we are in you. 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:58.000 Help us to live secure in you, 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.400 I pray. 00:32:59.599 --> 00:32:59.980 But God, 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.519 for those of us 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.259 that are not Christians 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.779 this morning, 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.420 won't you help us 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:04.460 to see that Jesus, 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.500 your resurrection 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:07.140 is not just a myth, 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.640 it's not just 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:10.059 something disciples 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.720 came up with, 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.539 it really happened. 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:13.119 You really did die 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.819 and rise again 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:15.379 and that changes 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:16.460 everything. 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:18.839 God, 00:33:18.879 --> 00:33:19.079 I pray, 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:20.059 won't you reveal yourself 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:20.779 to us this morning? 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.220 Won't you, 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:23.420 God, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.099 help us to live 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:25.160 with joyful confidence 00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:28.200 and hopeful assurance 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.500 because our life 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.240 is anchored in you. 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:32.640 We pray these things 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.740 in your good 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.559 and gracious name. 00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:35.839 Amen. 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:36.940 Amen. 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.099 Amen. 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.480 Amen. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.940 Amen. 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.140 Amen.