WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 Thank you. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:59.980 Thank you. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:29.979 Thank you. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:59.979 Thank you. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:29.979 Thank you. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:59.979 Thank you. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:29.980 Thank you. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:59.980 Thank you. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:29.980 Thank you. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:59.980 Thank you. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:29.980 Thank you. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:59.980 Thank you. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:29.980 Thank you. 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:59.980 Thank you. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:29.980 Thank you. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:59.980 Thank you. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:29.980 Thank you. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:59.980 Thank you. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:29.980 Thank you. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:59.960 Thank you. 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:29.940 Thank you. 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:59.940 Thank you. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:29.940 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:59.920 Thank you. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:29.899 Thank you. 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:59.899 Thank you. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:29.879 Thank you. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:59.860 Thank you. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:29.840 We've looked at you. 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:59.860 Thank you. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:29.840 Thank you. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:59.840 Thank you. 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:29.819 Thank you. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:59.819 Thank you. 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:29.799 Thank you. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:59.779 And in your name, I will lift you. 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:29.759 Thank you. 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:59.759 Thank you. 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:29.779 Thank you. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:59.759 Jesus, Jesus. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:29.740 Thank you. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:59.740 Thank you. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:29.740 Jesus, Jesus. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:59.740 Let's join you. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:29.720 Thank you. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:59.700 Thank you. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:29.700 Thank you. 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:59.680 Thank you. 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:29.680 Thank you. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:59.680 Thank you. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:29.680 And we pray that you, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:59.660 we're going to be at work. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:29.640 And then our church, we're going to be here. 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:59.620 And guide us. 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:29.620 For every step. 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:31.640 And we're going to be here. 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:29.620 Our God, our God, our God, our God. 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:31.619 And we're going to be here. 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:01.619 O praise the one who, our God, our God, our God, our God, our God. 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:31.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:33.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:37.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:40.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:44.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:48.619 And we're going to be here. 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:50.619 Now, we're going to love and ž missed, so that we're all good. 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.619 And we're there. 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:51.879 On thing just a moment we're all going to 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:53.619 may be here today. 00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:54.619 Now in just a moment we're going to hear God's word ofbé God. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:59.419 Now in just a moment, we're going to hear God's word there. 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:09.259 the first 13 verses together. So let's hear God's words. 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:17.660 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:24.460 under the cloud and they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:31.259 cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:38.539 for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:44.539 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them. Their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:51.259 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:59.180 Do not be idolaters as some of them were. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:05.980 got up to indulge in revelry. We should not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in one 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:15.420 day 23,000 of them died. We should not test Christ as some of them did and were killed by snakes. And do 00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:22.940 not grumble as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:30.620 as examples and were written down as warnings for us on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:39.420 So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. No temptation has overtaken you 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:48.060 except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can 00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:58.380 bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Amen. This is God's Word. 00:32:58.380 --> 00:33:06.140 Amen. Now we're going to pray together for some local concerns, some national concerns, but also to 00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:13.980 pray in particular for Zuriel on her last Sunday with us. Zuriel has been worshipping with us, 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:18.540 serving with us for a number of months for the second time around. And she's heading home tomorrow, 00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:26.060 so we're going to pray for Zuriel. And I will also pray for Keith as he heads to Atlanta for a big PCMTW 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:31.419 missions conference and to think about the work of missions as we do that. So let's again 00:33:31.419 --> 00:33:39.500 join our hearts in prayer together. Father God, we are deeply thankful for fellowship that we enjoy 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:47.179 in the gospel, for brothers and sisters in Christ as we can gather together and worship together from 00:33:47.179 --> 00:33:53.659 different parts of the world and different cultures to demonstrate the unity that there is 00:33:54.300 --> 00:34:00.860 in Christ and within the body of Christ. And so we thank you for Zuriel and we pray for her as she 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:08.300 gets ready to head back to Singapore tomorrow. Lord, that you would be the God who would go with her as 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:16.860 you promised, that you would enable her to find work, to settle into a church to continue to live out her 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:23.180 faith in the Lord Jesus. We thank you for the ways that she has served with us in Becclew, on the desk 00:34:23.180 --> 00:34:31.500 and welcoming and with the international community in particular. Lord, we also give you thanks for 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:40.140 Keith and for the Knowlton family. We pray for him as he goes to this conference next week. Lord, we thank you for 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:48.460 the way our partnership with MTW and with the Knowlton's has been such a blessing to us. We thank you for 00:34:49.259 --> 00:34:56.219 their ministry among us. And we pray that as he goes and shares about the work of the Mission to the 00:34:56.219 --> 00:35:02.939 World of the World Team throughout the UK, that folks should be encouraged, encouraged to pray and to 00:35:02.939 --> 00:35:12.779 support and to consider coming in order to make Jesus known throughout our nation. And we pray more widely 00:35:13.419 --> 00:35:21.259 that the work of Global Mission would continue, that you would keep laying it on the hearts of men for 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:29.420 your word which is living and true. And we thank you for your word as it teaches and trains us as your 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:37.980 people. And we thank you that you are the God who feeds us spiritually. And we ask that you would help 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:47.980 us to grow and to mature, that we would be moving from spiritual milk to solid food, that you would give us 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:57.260 wisdom in discerning right from wrong, in knowing how to please you in the different situations that we 00:35:57.260 --> 00:36:05.980 encounter day by day. Lord, we do pray for our ministries, many of which we have mentioned already 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:14.059 today, as we seek to grow and mature as followers of the Lord Jesus. Thank you for every opportunity that 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:20.380 we have to spend time together around your word where it is preached and where it is taught and where 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:28.539 it is discussed, that where we gather in fellowship and in prayer, we ask that you would be building your 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:35.820 people and building your church. We continue to remember the International Bible Study on a Monday 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:42.539 evening. And we think about the men's Bible study beginning again on Thursday afternoons. Lord, 00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:49.820 that you would take your word, you would apply it to hearts and lives for the good of many. 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:58.539 Lord, we think about our mission to grow and to make disciples. We do pray that your spirit would be 00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:09.579 active. We pray for conversions as people would come to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. And we pray that in 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:17.579 our circles and networks there would be a growing spiritual interest, a hunger and a thirst after 00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:25.500 righteousness. Now, we pray that you would give to us as Christians many opportunities to bear witness 00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:34.380 to your goodness, to the transforming power of your love. Lord, we also thank you that we have the 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:42.220 privilege of supporting different churches in church planting. We remember Hope Church down in Leith. 00:37:42.220 --> 00:37:48.539 We think of Derek and Katrina in their ministry. We ask that you would encourage them in these early 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:58.780 days. And we pray that the church building would be ready for service and for ministries of mercy. 00:37:58.780 --> 00:38:05.019 And we pray that you would gather a core group and gather people around them who are hungry for truth. 00:38:05.660 --> 00:38:11.340 Now, we also pray for Galashios and for Craig and for Amy and the church that is established there. 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:20.220 We think of Craig's visit to the states to meet with church partners, to let them know how things are, 00:38:20.219 --> 00:38:25.980 and to continue to continue to find support. And we pray especially that you would provide 00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:31.980 a building for them of their own where they can worship and minister to the local community. 00:38:33.419 --> 00:38:38.939 Lord, we also pray for the nations that we represent. We recognize we come from different places. 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:47.099 And we pray for government and for leaders here in the UK and around the world. At a time when people have 00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:55.179 elected new presidents when presidents will be elected. We thank you that we pray to the one who 00:38:55.179 --> 00:39:03.739 is sovereign over all the events of history, over all local and national leaders. Lord, we recognize the 00:39:03.739 --> 00:39:12.940 needs that there are in our world, in the nations that we represent. We pray for wisdom and humility for 00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:21.420 leaders who make important decisions. And we thank you for Christians who seek to be salt and light, 00:39:22.059 --> 00:39:29.500 to bring mercy and to bring hope. And we pray most of all for the work of the gospel. And we pray that 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:37.500 the good news of the Lord Jesus would continue to spread throughout this world, recognizing that He is the 00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:46.780 one true Lord and King. And that we would hear more and more encouraging reports of people bowing their 00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:56.940 knee, confessing with their tongues that Jesus is Lord. And we pray for ourselves towards that end. 00:39:57.500 --> 00:40:00.300 I'm praying all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:08.460 Now, in just a few moments, we're going to be turning to Exodus 17, which in part Paul referred 00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:14.620 to in 1 Corinthians. But before we do that, we're going to sing together from Psalm 42, 00:40:14.620 --> 00:40:28.300 and we're going to sing the first five verses. Again, standing together as we are able to sing. 00:40:28.300 --> 00:40:56.300 As plants, the deer for flowing streams, so loves my soul, O God, for you. I first forgot the living God, 00:40:56.300 --> 00:41:26.280 when can I meet with God anew. My tears have been my constant food, both in the night and in the day. 00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:45.300 While all day long insistently. Where is this God of yours, they say? 00:41:45.300 --> 00:42:06.300 As I pour out my soul in grief, these things I do remember still. 00:42:06.300 --> 00:42:28.300 How with the multitude would I went up to God's house on Zion hill. 00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:49.420 In their procession I would lead, as we approach with tearful song, 00:42:49.420 --> 00:42:59.420 and shouts of joy and thankfulness, 00:42:59.420 --> 00:43:11.420 rejoicing with the festive throng. 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:21.420 Why are you downcast, O my soul? 00:43:21.420 --> 00:43:31.420 Why are you so disturbed in me? 00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:41.420 Trust God, for I will praise him yet. 00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:53.420 My Saviour and my God is he. 00:43:53.420 --> 00:44:05.420 Now we're going to turn together to Exodus chapter 17, second book of the Bible, page 75, 00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:07.420 if you're using a church Bible. 00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:14.420 I'm going to read verses 1 to 7. 00:44:14.420 --> 00:44:23.420 Thinking about what Paul said, that Christ is this rock, the true rock, as we get into Exodus 17. 00:44:23.420 --> 00:44:31.420 The whole Israelite community set out from the desert of sin, travelling from place to place as the Lord commanded. 00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:36.420 They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 00:44:36.420 --> 00:44:41.420 So they quarreled with Moses and said, give us water to drink. 00:44:41.420 --> 00:44:46.420 Moses replied, why do you quarrel with me? 00:44:46.420 --> 00:44:49.420 Why do you put the Lord to the test? 00:44:49.420 --> 00:44:52.420 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. 00:44:52.420 --> 00:44:59.420 They said, why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst? 00:44:59.420 --> 00:45:05.420 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, what am I to do with these people? 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:08.420 They are almost ready to stone me. 00:45:08.420 --> 00:45:11.420 The Lord answered Moses, go out in front of the people. 00:45:11.420 --> 00:45:17.420 Take with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 00:45:17.420 --> 00:45:20.420 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. 00:45:20.420 --> 00:45:24.420 Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink. 00:45:24.420 --> 00:45:28.420 So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 00:45:28.420 --> 00:45:33.420 And he called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled, 00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:40.420 and because they tested the Lord, saying, is the Lord among us or not? 00:45:40.420 --> 00:45:43.420 We're going to leave our reading there. 00:45:43.420 --> 00:45:53.420 Now just to remind you, or if you're new to church, we are trying to see Christ in all of Scripture over these last few weeks. 00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:56.420 We've seen him as the true King. 00:45:56.420 --> 00:46:01.420 We've seen him as the true point of connection between heaven and earth. 00:46:01.420 --> 00:46:07.420 We've seen him as the true righteous sufferer given for our salvation. 00:46:07.420 --> 00:46:17.420 We've seen him as representing the true reality of the Day of Atonement, that God has made a way in Jesus for our sin to be covered. 00:46:17.420 --> 00:46:24.420 We've seen him as the true year of Jubilee, our means to have true spiritual freedom. 00:46:24.420 --> 00:46:30.420 And today, we see him as the true rock of Exodus 17. 00:46:30.420 --> 00:46:36.420 We're in the middle of Old Testament Israel's journey in the wilderness. 00:46:36.420 --> 00:46:46.420 So, it's a specific journey for them, but it's a journey that brings questions that have universal significance, I think, for all of us today. 00:46:46.420 --> 00:46:49.420 It's a story of God being questioned. 00:46:49.420 --> 00:46:53.420 A story of God being tested. 00:46:53.420 --> 00:46:55.420 Do you care? 00:46:55.420 --> 00:46:58.420 Is God able to provide for us? 00:46:58.420 --> 00:47:02.420 Is God among and with His people? 00:47:02.420 --> 00:47:07.420 Now, that's a question or questions that you might be bringing with you today. 00:47:07.420 --> 00:47:13.420 Or it might be questions that you have asked in your journey through life. 00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:18.420 Perhaps if you're here today and you're not a Christian, you're wondering, what is the character of the God of the Bible? 00:47:18.420 --> 00:47:21.420 Is He trustworthy? 00:47:21.420 --> 00:47:26.420 If you're here as a Christian, perhaps you're going through hard times. 00:47:26.420 --> 00:47:32.420 Perhaps you feel like you're in the middle of or you've been through your own wilderness experiences. 00:47:32.420 --> 00:47:35.420 And you've wrestled with those questions. 00:47:35.420 --> 00:47:36.420 Are you there? 00:47:36.420 --> 00:47:38.420 Do you care? 00:47:38.420 --> 00:47:39.420 Is he loving them? 00:47:39.420 --> 00:47:40.420 Is he loving you healingWhat? 00:47:40.420 --> 00:47:41.420 Is it God? 00:47:41.420 --> 00:47:43.420 Is help in the LEDTjänst a your life Secondarlow? 00:47:43.420 --> 00:47:44.420 Is warfare. 00:47:44.420 --> 00:47:46.420 Is it God willing to spare our father? 00:47:46.420 --> 00:48:01.920 And there's all the kids who have 00:48:01.920 --> 00:48:09.900 for knowledge, or for power, or for success, or for meaning, or love, or for purpose. 00:48:09.900 --> 00:48:16.880 This speaks of deep longings and deep needs within our lives. 00:48:16.880 --> 00:48:23.119 And there are times as people where we find ourselves, as it were, in the desert. 00:48:23.119 --> 00:48:31.360 We are desperate for those things and we are trying everything, but that thirst remains. 00:48:31.360 --> 00:48:38.000 It's as if there is no oasis to satisfy. 00:48:38.000 --> 00:48:45.980 To paraphrase Augustine, our hearts are thirsty. 00:48:45.980 --> 00:48:52.320 And Exodus 17 reminds us that thirst will remain until we find our true satisfaction in our 00:48:52.320 --> 00:48:54.340 God. 00:48:54.340 --> 00:48:58.079 And so as we think about this text, we're also going to be thinking about the good news within 00:48:58.079 --> 00:49:03.420 the Bible that in Jesus Christ, we do know the character of God. 00:49:03.420 --> 00:49:05.719 We do know that God cares. 00:49:05.719 --> 00:49:10.639 And we do know that He does come near to be among us. 00:49:10.639 --> 00:49:17.139 And that in Jesus, God does answer the thirst that we have in our lives and He does provide 00:49:17.139 --> 00:49:20.179 eternal satisfaction. 00:49:20.179 --> 00:49:23.779 So two simple points today from this text. 00:49:23.780 --> 00:49:30.500 We're going to think first of all about a grumbling people and then secondly about a gracious God. 00:49:30.500 --> 00:49:34.420 So the grumbling people, first of all, in these first four verses. 00:49:34.420 --> 00:49:38.400 So as we said, we are in the middle of a wilderness journey. 00:49:38.400 --> 00:49:43.420 God's people Israel have been taken out of slavery in Egypt and they're moving towards Mount Sinai 00:49:43.420 --> 00:49:48.120 to meet with God, ultimately to go to the Promised Land. 00:49:48.119 --> 00:49:54.039 And God has been testing them and their faith as they travel. 00:49:54.039 --> 00:49:56.960 Is this a people who will trust God? 00:49:56.960 --> 00:50:00.500 Is this a people who will live by faith in God? 00:50:00.500 --> 00:50:04.880 And He's not leaving them to make up those answers blindly. 00:50:04.880 --> 00:50:11.400 He has shown very clearly that He is the God who is with them and the God who provides 00:50:11.400 --> 00:50:13.199 for them. 00:50:13.199 --> 00:50:17.779 So they have been following, well they've seen Him work these plagues of judgment and 00:50:17.779 --> 00:50:18.779 salvation. 00:50:18.779 --> 00:50:24.439 They've been following a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. 00:50:24.439 --> 00:50:29.339 If you were to turn back a couple of pages in your Bible, chapter 15, you would discover 00:50:29.339 --> 00:50:35.859 that He has turned bitter water into fresh water, helping the people to see that the Lord 00:50:35.859 --> 00:50:38.099 is their healer. 00:50:38.099 --> 00:50:47.259 In chapter 16, He has rained down bread from heaven, supplied birds to feed them. 00:50:47.259 --> 00:50:49.400 So He has shown that He is with them and for them. 00:50:49.400 --> 00:50:57.339 But now we find outrageously the people are testing the Lord. 00:50:57.339 --> 00:51:03.639 It's there in verse 2, Moses speaks to them, why did you put the Lord to the test? 00:51:03.639 --> 00:51:09.400 Verse 7, they tested the Lord saying, is the Lord among us or not? 00:51:09.400 --> 00:51:20.319 The demand for water, the question, why bring us out of Egypt just to let us die of thirst? 00:51:20.319 --> 00:51:26.139 At the heart of this quarreling and grumbling and testing is that they do not trust that 00:51:26.139 --> 00:51:28.599 God is with them and for them. 00:51:28.599 --> 00:51:36.159 They do not trust that He will keep His promise and that He will provide for them. 00:51:36.159 --> 00:51:42.539 Edmund Clowney, the Bible teacher, pictures this as a lawsuit, which I think is really 00:51:42.539 --> 00:51:44.779 important. 00:51:44.779 --> 00:51:47.159 We're brought into the courtroom. 00:51:47.159 --> 00:51:53.019 And here we have Israel bringing a case against their God. 00:51:53.019 --> 00:51:57.840 And the charge is, God, you have not kept your covenant promises. 00:51:57.840 --> 00:52:03.920 You have failed in your duty to be our Lord and our God. 00:52:03.920 --> 00:52:09.579 You have not provided for our needs. 00:52:09.579 --> 00:52:14.860 And we know that they are, as it were, giving a guilty verdict on God because look at verse 00:52:14.860 --> 00:52:15.860 4. 00:52:15.860 --> 00:52:19.519 Here is Moses and he is God's representative for them. 00:52:19.940 --> 00:52:22.660 And Moses cries out, what am I to do with these people? 00:52:22.960 --> 00:52:25.019 They are almost ready to stone me. 00:52:25.900 --> 00:52:29.280 Stoning was a guilty verdict that has been passed. 00:52:29.760 --> 00:52:34.039 So they believe God has failed them, has failed the test. 00:52:34.340 --> 00:52:36.980 He's guilty of breaking covenant. 00:52:36.980 --> 00:52:43.780 This is a huge and a solemn moment. 00:52:45.519 --> 00:52:48.119 Maybe you saw it in the news. 00:52:48.619 --> 00:52:55.539 King Charles has been on his travels and he went into the Australian Parliament and there 00:52:55.539 --> 00:53:00.400 was that senator who was expelled for shouting, not my king. 00:53:01.260 --> 00:53:05.199 And that made, at least here in the UK, it made the news. 00:53:05.199 --> 00:53:10.599 But recognize how much bigger a story we are dealing with here. 00:53:11.460 --> 00:53:21.480 Here are God's people saying of him, the Lord is not our king because he has failed our test. 00:53:23.179 --> 00:53:25.119 Now what are we to make of this? 00:53:25.199 --> 00:53:28.319 What lessons can we draw for ourselves? 00:53:28.419 --> 00:53:32.659 I want us to see three things that are wrong here. 00:53:32.659 --> 00:53:40.139 And perhaps three things that can also sometimes work out in our own thinking also. 00:53:40.299 --> 00:53:42.299 First of all, the test is wrong. 00:53:42.300 --> 00:53:52.420 Just to fast forward to Jesus' ministry, the beginning of his ministry, the Gospels record that as Jesus is baptized, 00:53:52.720 --> 00:53:55.440 to show he is God's promised and anointed one, 00:53:55.900 --> 00:53:58.960 that the Spirit leads him into the wilderness to be tempted. 00:53:59.760 --> 00:54:04.700 And one of those temptations involves him being taken up to the highest point of the temple. 00:54:04.699 --> 00:54:12.539 And the devil says to him, you'll throw yourself down and God will have to send angels to look after you. 00:54:14.879 --> 00:54:20.119 The devil is in some ways suggesting, here's the shortcut, Jesus, to glory and fame and honor. 00:54:20.960 --> 00:54:24.399 And Jesus says, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:54:24.400 --> 00:54:31.119 And so we need to understand the mindset that's wrong for Israel here. 00:54:31.380 --> 00:54:32.760 It is wrong to bargain. 00:54:34.300 --> 00:54:35.220 We will trust you. 00:54:35.320 --> 00:54:39.099 We will honor you if you give us water. 00:54:42.160 --> 00:54:47.380 We will follow you if you give us the career or the relationship or fill in the blank. 00:54:47.380 --> 00:54:53.559 It is wrong for us to challenge God in this way that comes out of a lack of faith. 00:54:54.059 --> 00:54:58.200 I will not trust you until you prove your worth again and again and again. 00:54:58.280 --> 00:55:00.260 I do not trust the character of God. 00:55:00.360 --> 00:55:01.440 That's wrong. 00:55:03.480 --> 00:55:05.619 We need to understand who God is. 00:55:05.700 --> 00:55:06.480 He is creator. 00:55:06.700 --> 00:55:07.240 He is Lord. 00:55:07.360 --> 00:55:07.920 He is King. 00:55:08.519 --> 00:55:14.559 And the response he invites is one of humility and faith and trust. 00:55:14.559 --> 00:55:17.519 And it was a lesson that Israel was slow to learn. 00:55:19.460 --> 00:55:24.119 We need to recognize too that the perspective is wrong. 00:55:24.980 --> 00:55:30.539 They are focused a very short term and on the temporal and the physical. 00:55:31.440 --> 00:55:35.340 And it's as if that is blocking out everything else in their vision. 00:55:36.380 --> 00:55:42.539 That their present circumstances have so filled their gaze that they cannot see beyond to the 00:55:42.539 --> 00:55:47.079 bigger picture of who God is and who God has been for them. 00:55:48.639 --> 00:55:51.300 Think about their story of salvation so far. 00:55:51.719 --> 00:55:54.559 God had made a promise to Abraham. 00:55:56.039 --> 00:56:02.500 God promising, swearing by himself, I will bring you to the land of promise. 00:56:03.219 --> 00:56:06.559 I will make you into this great family. 00:56:07.099 --> 00:56:09.779 You will enter into a special relationship with me. 00:56:09.780 --> 00:56:11.700 You will live knowing my blessing. 00:56:12.260 --> 00:56:14.200 That's a promise that was for Israel. 00:56:15.480 --> 00:56:22.240 In the story of Exodus, God has by his grace and through his power saved them from slavery. 00:56:23.280 --> 00:56:28.500 God has absolutely shown his commitment to be with and for his people. 00:56:29.140 --> 00:56:32.340 God has been faithfully providing for them. 00:56:32.840 --> 00:56:36.640 God graciously enters into this special relationship. 00:56:36.639 --> 00:56:41.259 I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:56:41.339 --> 00:56:42.639 But it seems like that's forgotten. 00:56:45.920 --> 00:56:59.659 Like Israel, it is so important for us as God's people to let the good news of salvation frame and reframe our story. 00:56:59.659 --> 00:57:13.879 It can be so easy and so tempting to find our identity in our suffering, our struggles, our present circumstances. 00:57:14.179 --> 00:57:19.500 But instead, we must find our identity in Christ our Savior. 00:57:19.500 --> 00:57:31.159 God in Christ has acted in history to save us. 00:57:32.900 --> 00:57:37.099 God in Christ has committed to be with us. 00:57:37.500 --> 00:57:40.659 Jesus is our Emmanuel, God with us. 00:57:40.659 --> 00:57:45.980 God faithfully provides for us. 00:57:46.519 --> 00:57:49.219 He gives us his word so we can hear who he is. 00:57:49.279 --> 00:57:50.579 We can hear the gospel. 00:57:51.739 --> 00:57:56.059 He has given us his spirit so Christ is with his people, the church. 00:57:56.440 --> 00:58:00.960 God gives us one another for fellowship and to encourage us. 00:58:00.960 --> 00:58:09.780 God in Christ has established a covenant relationship, the new covenant with his people. 00:58:09.780 --> 00:58:19.420 And he has promised that he will most certainly bring us home to be with himself. 00:58:19.420 --> 00:58:34.800 And it is so important for us to have that dominate our perspective on our lives, to count our blessings, to consider God's faithfulness, to contemplate God's love for us daily. 00:58:36.420 --> 00:58:41.599 I would also say that the thirst is wrong here. 00:58:41.720 --> 00:58:42.960 So, of course they needed water. 00:58:43.680 --> 00:58:46.240 Of course they needed physical relief. 00:58:46.239 --> 00:58:52.059 But we absolutely see that that's what matters most for them. 00:58:53.079 --> 00:58:58.919 But greater by far is the living water that God provides. 00:59:00.279 --> 00:59:02.219 As he provides himself. 00:59:03.319 --> 00:59:08.519 More important by far is that his people live with worship and trust. 00:59:08.979 --> 00:59:11.959 To just think about them asking that question in verse 3. 00:59:12.299 --> 00:59:14.199 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? 00:59:14.199 --> 00:59:16.899 To be stuck in this circumstance. 00:59:16.960 --> 00:59:17.739 Why were they brought out? 00:59:18.019 --> 00:59:21.279 They were brought out so that they of all people could know God. 00:59:22.339 --> 00:59:25.579 They were brought out to taste and see that God is good. 00:59:25.759 --> 00:59:27.219 To enjoy salvation. 00:59:27.599 --> 00:59:30.359 To have true physical and spiritual freedom. 00:59:30.819 --> 00:59:32.159 That's why they were brought out. 00:59:34.159 --> 00:59:38.480 Their thirst is wrong because their focus is not on their God. 00:59:38.480 --> 00:59:42.900 To again think about the ministry of Jesus. 00:59:43.119 --> 00:59:45.699 I think he captures this in John 4. 00:59:46.639 --> 00:59:48.400 As he meets with a woman at a well. 00:59:49.099 --> 00:59:52.079 A place of water which was also a place of deep thirst. 00:59:53.240 --> 00:59:59.619 As Jesus meets with that woman it becomes clear that her thirst is for a stable, secure relationship. 00:59:59.619 --> 01:00:05.019 She is thirsty for love and she's searched for it in multiple men and she's come up empty. 01:00:05.480 --> 01:00:12.000 And in response to her thirst Jesus declares I will give you living water. 01:00:12.000 --> 01:00:18.320 I can satisfy all your deepest longings. 01:00:19.320 --> 01:00:27.440 And so our text is really an invitation not to be too easily satisfied. 01:00:27.440 --> 01:00:31.200 To come to the Lord Jesus. 01:00:32.260 --> 01:00:36.000 To recognize that he is the end of the search. 01:00:37.139 --> 01:00:41.019 Because when we find him and receive life with God through him, 01:00:41.320 --> 01:00:46.340 our deepest longings, our great needs are met in him. 01:00:48.740 --> 01:00:51.039 Well if that's the grumbling people, 01:00:51.599 --> 01:00:56.119 and we also absolutely need to meet our gracious God. 01:00:56.200 --> 01:00:57.159 Verses 5 to 7. 01:00:57.159 --> 01:01:00.079 The story so far, the people have acted shockingly. 01:01:02.199 --> 01:01:04.139 They are absolutely lacking in trust. 01:01:04.219 --> 01:01:05.719 They've placed God in the dock. 01:01:05.819 --> 01:01:07.079 They're accusing him of wrong. 01:01:08.239 --> 01:01:10.879 And maybe that seems unbelievable and outrageous to us. 01:01:11.079 --> 01:01:14.119 Until perhaps we recognize how easy it can be 01:01:14.119 --> 01:01:19.699 to stand in judgment over God as we look at what he's doing in our life or the life of others. 01:01:20.079 --> 01:01:23.699 We can easily presume that we know better and we can do better than God. 01:01:23.699 --> 01:01:26.619 And so I think we need to listen in with humility. 01:01:26.619 --> 01:01:31.139 And especially to recognize that if what happens first is shocking, 01:01:31.259 --> 01:01:34.500 that what comes next in many ways seems even more incredible. 01:01:34.500 --> 01:01:40.360 Because God's response isn't to judge them instantly for their sin and their rebellion, 01:01:40.360 --> 01:01:44.480 but rather he gives this gracious object lesson. 01:01:44.480 --> 01:01:51.639 Because he wants to show just how willing and able he is to care for his people. 01:01:51.639 --> 01:01:56.420 So the courtroom scene, the trial scene continues. 01:01:57.119 --> 01:01:57.719 Verse 5. 01:01:57.779 --> 01:01:59.799 The Lord answered Moses, go out in front. 01:01:59.900 --> 01:02:01.279 Everybody needs to see this. 01:02:01.960 --> 01:02:03.739 Take with you some of the elders of Israel 01:02:03.739 --> 01:02:08.379 and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile in gold. 01:02:09.239 --> 01:02:12.099 The staff, the symbol of God's power. 01:02:13.219 --> 01:02:15.179 Sometimes the symbol of God's judgment. 01:02:15.179 --> 01:02:20.960 And the elders, it's almost as if the jury is being assembled. 01:02:21.579 --> 01:02:23.419 And then we discover in verse 6, 01:02:24.139 --> 01:02:28.579 I will stand there before you by the rock of Horeb. 01:02:30.039 --> 01:02:33.559 God comes near, standing before the people. 01:02:33.819 --> 01:02:36.480 He becomes identified with the rock. 01:02:36.539 --> 01:02:38.879 Remember that question, is the Lord among us or not? 01:02:39.039 --> 01:02:42.019 Here he is again graciously saying to them and to us, 01:02:42.019 --> 01:02:45.300 I am, I am among you. 01:02:46.980 --> 01:02:51.039 And next, Moses is commanded to act. 01:02:52.219 --> 01:02:53.519 Into verse 6. 01:02:53.840 --> 01:02:56.219 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. 01:02:57.119 --> 01:03:02.480 Strike the rock and water will come out of it for the people to drink. 01:03:02.559 --> 01:03:06.780 So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 01:03:06.780 --> 01:03:12.280 So that staff of judgment, it falls, it comes down. 01:03:12.740 --> 01:03:18.480 But notice it doesn't fall on the sinful rebel people. 01:03:19.600 --> 01:03:20.980 Where does it fall? 01:03:21.560 --> 01:03:23.180 It falls on the rock. 01:03:23.600 --> 01:03:27.440 God the rock bears the judgment. 01:03:27.440 --> 01:03:35.300 Standing in the dock in the place of covenant breakers, 01:03:35.460 --> 01:03:37.760 taking the punishment for sinners. 01:03:38.900 --> 01:03:41.139 And what happens next? 01:03:42.220 --> 01:03:44.639 Life-giving water pours out. 01:03:45.599 --> 01:03:49.820 The rock is struck and life flows out 01:03:49.820 --> 01:03:52.920 to an undeserving, ungrateful people 01:03:52.920 --> 01:03:58.080 in one more demonstration of God's great grace. 01:03:59.580 --> 01:04:03.880 To read the Bible is to discover that God teaches using visual aids. 01:04:04.460 --> 01:04:06.559 And this rock is a powerful one. 01:04:06.640 --> 01:04:08.180 So remember the test and the grumble. 01:04:08.340 --> 01:04:09.100 Is God with us? 01:04:09.140 --> 01:04:10.120 Does He care for us? 01:04:10.360 --> 01:04:11.320 Will He provide for us? 01:04:11.360 --> 01:04:12.340 And here's the answer. 01:04:12.460 --> 01:04:14.820 In this rock, God comes so near 01:04:14.820 --> 01:04:18.460 as to take the place 01:04:18.460 --> 01:04:20.460 and to take the punishment 01:04:20.460 --> 01:04:22.700 that His people deserve. 01:04:23.620 --> 01:04:26.720 He is a God so willing to care 01:04:26.720 --> 01:04:28.860 that the place of judgment 01:04:28.860 --> 01:04:31.680 becomes a place of life. 01:04:33.660 --> 01:04:36.519 And so every time that the people saw that rock, 01:04:36.600 --> 01:04:37.720 if they passed that way 01:04:37.720 --> 01:04:38.880 and they looked at the rock, 01:04:39.519 --> 01:04:41.340 they were invited to remember, 01:04:41.340 --> 01:04:44.579 we tested God sinfully. 01:04:45.539 --> 01:04:47.980 We rebelled against God 01:04:47.980 --> 01:04:50.039 and God loved us 01:04:50.039 --> 01:04:53.120 and graciously provided for us. 01:04:55.160 --> 01:04:56.160 And then in the New Testament, 01:04:56.300 --> 01:04:56.880 as we read, 01:04:57.019 --> 01:04:59.380 Paul returns to that visual aid 01:04:59.380 --> 01:05:01.500 in 1 Corinthians 10 01:05:01.500 --> 01:05:04.180 as he was warning the church of his day, 01:05:04.579 --> 01:05:07.160 don't be like Israel in the wilderness, 01:05:07.700 --> 01:05:09.360 lacking trust, lacking faith. 01:05:09.360 --> 01:05:12.019 Learn the lesson of the rock, 01:05:12.400 --> 01:05:15.740 the rock who is Christ. 01:05:17.660 --> 01:05:18.800 So I want us to think about 01:05:18.800 --> 01:05:20.660 these two lessons. 01:05:20.780 --> 01:05:21.620 The first lesson 01:05:21.620 --> 01:05:23.039 as we think about our gracious God 01:05:23.039 --> 01:05:24.300 is to just think about 01:05:24.300 --> 01:05:26.180 what it means that that rock was Christ, 01:05:26.280 --> 01:05:27.700 as Paul tells us. 01:05:28.079 --> 01:05:29.940 That rock which became 01:05:29.940 --> 01:05:31.820 that source of life-giving water 01:05:31.820 --> 01:05:33.940 is a rock that's full of the gospel. 01:05:33.940 --> 01:05:39.139 Because just as the people of Israel 01:05:39.139 --> 01:05:41.360 witnessed the rock being struck 01:05:41.360 --> 01:05:41.980 in judgment 01:05:41.980 --> 01:05:43.460 and God bearing the penalty 01:05:43.460 --> 01:05:44.700 for covenant breakers 01:05:44.700 --> 01:05:45.900 on behalf of his people, 01:05:46.380 --> 01:05:47.900 God himself 01:05:47.900 --> 01:05:51.340 will come to bear the judgment 01:05:51.340 --> 01:05:52.820 for covenant breakers 01:05:52.820 --> 01:05:54.380 at the cross. 01:05:55.200 --> 01:05:56.460 Jesus will stand 01:05:56.460 --> 01:05:58.519 in the place of sinners. 01:05:58.519 --> 01:06:01.420 And on that day 01:06:01.420 --> 01:06:02.380 at the cross, 01:06:02.480 --> 01:06:04.000 the staff of judgment 01:06:04.000 --> 01:06:06.019 will be in the Father's hand 01:06:06.019 --> 01:06:07.659 and it falls 01:06:07.659 --> 01:06:10.599 on God's own Son. 01:06:12.679 --> 01:06:15.139 Satisfying divine justice 01:06:15.139 --> 01:06:17.860 against the sin of rebellion. 01:06:17.980 --> 01:06:19.139 Not Jesus' rebellion 01:06:19.139 --> 01:06:20.059 because he is sinless, 01:06:20.159 --> 01:06:21.759 but our rebellion. 01:06:21.760 --> 01:06:24.780 The sin of testing 01:06:24.780 --> 01:06:25.940 rather than trusting. 01:06:26.640 --> 01:06:28.620 Of turning our back on God. 01:06:30.840 --> 01:06:32.020 Jesus, of course, 01:06:32.360 --> 01:06:33.460 as he was on the cross 01:06:33.460 --> 01:06:33.880 would say, 01:06:33.980 --> 01:06:34.820 I'm thirsty. 01:06:35.560 --> 01:06:36.780 He thirsts 01:06:36.780 --> 01:06:37.660 as he bears 01:06:37.660 --> 01:06:38.700 the punishment 01:06:38.700 --> 01:06:40.720 so that we can drink freely 01:06:40.720 --> 01:06:42.680 from the waters of life. 01:06:43.120 --> 01:06:45.520 In his gracious act 01:06:45.520 --> 01:06:48.100 as he bears judgment, 01:06:48.500 --> 01:06:49.720 life flows. 01:06:49.719 --> 01:06:51.239 eternal life 01:06:51.239 --> 01:06:52.839 can flow to us. 01:06:53.159 --> 01:06:54.239 We find forgiveness 01:06:54.239 --> 01:06:55.500 and freedom 01:06:55.500 --> 01:06:56.679 from guilt 01:06:56.679 --> 01:06:57.599 in Christ, 01:06:57.779 --> 01:06:58.539 our rock 01:06:58.539 --> 01:07:00.239 who dies for us. 01:07:00.299 --> 01:07:02.000 There is this great exchange 01:07:02.000 --> 01:07:03.279 that takes place. 01:07:04.480 --> 01:07:05.879 Jesus takes what I deserve, 01:07:06.839 --> 01:07:07.819 the rod of judgment, 01:07:08.480 --> 01:07:10.779 so that you and I 01:07:10.779 --> 01:07:12.099 can get what he deserves, 01:07:12.559 --> 01:07:13.859 which is eternal life. 01:07:15.619 --> 01:07:17.339 God is so committed 01:07:17.339 --> 01:07:18.959 in the gospel 01:07:18.960 --> 01:07:19.840 to saving 01:07:19.840 --> 01:07:21.139 and dwelling 01:07:21.139 --> 01:07:22.179 with his people 01:07:22.179 --> 01:07:23.340 that Jesus, 01:07:23.480 --> 01:07:24.720 the eternal son of God, 01:07:24.800 --> 01:07:26.840 becomes one of us. 01:07:27.920 --> 01:07:29.539 That by his wounds 01:07:29.539 --> 01:07:30.579 we might be healed. 01:07:32.480 --> 01:07:34.380 The people of Moses' day 01:07:34.380 --> 01:07:35.639 had this wonderful 01:07:35.639 --> 01:07:37.559 life-giving truth 01:07:37.559 --> 01:07:39.099 in the wilderness. 01:07:39.579 --> 01:07:42.159 And we see that truth 01:07:42.159 --> 01:07:43.059 being played out 01:07:43.059 --> 01:07:44.119 at the cross. 01:07:44.159 --> 01:07:44.659 And the question is, 01:07:44.720 --> 01:07:45.679 how do we receive that 01:07:45.679 --> 01:07:46.380 for ourselves? 01:07:46.380 --> 01:07:49.119 How do we discover 01:07:49.119 --> 01:07:50.400 and experience God 01:07:50.400 --> 01:07:50.980 who is faithful 01:07:50.980 --> 01:07:51.800 to save us 01:07:51.800 --> 01:07:52.960 and to be with us 01:07:52.960 --> 01:07:53.700 and for us? 01:07:55.300 --> 01:07:56.559 We need to look 01:07:56.559 --> 01:07:57.300 to the rock 01:07:57.300 --> 01:07:59.140 who is Christ, 01:07:59.700 --> 01:08:01.440 to look and to live. 01:08:01.539 --> 01:08:02.960 Because in the gospel message, 01:08:03.480 --> 01:08:04.660 we have this wonderful 01:08:04.660 --> 01:08:06.360 visual aid. 01:08:08.400 --> 01:08:09.519 Think about the cross 01:08:09.519 --> 01:08:10.340 of Christ. 01:08:12.019 --> 01:08:13.180 Think about it in the church, 01:08:13.179 --> 01:08:15.319 those visual pictures 01:08:15.319 --> 01:08:15.919 of the gospel, 01:08:16.119 --> 01:08:17.439 baptism and the Lord's Supper. 01:08:18.439 --> 01:08:20.680 They stand as a demonstration 01:08:20.680 --> 01:08:24.239 of the love of God for us. 01:08:25.500 --> 01:08:28.260 His saving commitment 01:08:28.260 --> 01:08:30.439 to a sinful people. 01:08:31.279 --> 01:08:33.720 His gracious provision 01:08:33.720 --> 01:08:35.840 to a needy world. 01:08:36.059 --> 01:08:38.059 His means of establishing 01:08:38.059 --> 01:08:39.519 covenant relationship 01:08:39.520 --> 01:08:40.700 with sinful people 01:08:40.700 --> 01:08:43.220 by His grace. 01:08:44.120 --> 01:08:46.020 And so we need to look, 01:08:46.600 --> 01:08:48.120 to look by faith, 01:08:48.220 --> 01:08:49.480 to trust in Jesus 01:08:49.480 --> 01:08:51.120 and to keep looking, 01:08:51.700 --> 01:08:53.580 to trust and to recognize 01:08:53.580 --> 01:08:55.520 that He was struck for us, 01:08:56.480 --> 01:09:00.100 that He supplies life to us, 01:09:00.600 --> 01:09:01.940 that He is the one 01:09:01.940 --> 01:09:02.520 who satisfies 01:09:03.040 --> 01:09:05.560 our deep thirst. 01:09:05.560 --> 01:09:08.260 as we thirst 01:09:08.260 --> 01:09:09.800 for a love 01:09:09.800 --> 01:09:11.160 that is never lost 01:09:11.160 --> 01:09:13.020 and a life 01:09:13.020 --> 01:09:14.220 that never ends, 01:09:15.039 --> 01:09:15.880 an identity 01:09:15.880 --> 01:09:16.880 that is solid 01:09:16.880 --> 01:09:18.520 and can't be taken, 01:09:18.640 --> 01:09:19.300 a security 01:09:19.300 --> 01:09:21.160 that is unshakable, 01:09:21.380 --> 01:09:22.800 we find those 01:09:22.800 --> 01:09:24.380 in Christ. 01:09:26.440 --> 01:09:27.440 And so we are 01:09:27.440 --> 01:09:28.539 invited today 01:09:28.539 --> 01:09:30.960 to look to the rock, 01:09:31.420 --> 01:09:32.800 to build our life 01:09:32.800 --> 01:09:33.440 on the rock, 01:09:33.439 --> 01:09:35.819 to find our questions 01:09:35.819 --> 01:09:38.299 and our longings met 01:09:38.299 --> 01:09:39.879 in the rock 01:09:39.879 --> 01:09:41.500 who is Christ. 01:09:42.519 --> 01:09:43.819 Let's pray together. 01:09:45.239 --> 01:09:47.219 Our God and Father, 01:09:48.159 --> 01:09:49.039 we thank You 01:09:49.039 --> 01:09:50.419 for Your grace 01:09:50.419 --> 01:09:51.979 and Your patience 01:09:51.979 --> 01:09:54.000 with people 01:09:54.000 --> 01:09:55.599 who are so prone 01:09:55.599 --> 01:09:56.359 to wander 01:09:56.359 --> 01:09:58.019 and to lack faith 01:09:58.019 --> 01:09:59.199 and to be slow 01:09:59.199 --> 01:10:00.579 and to learn 01:10:00.579 --> 01:10:01.859 the lesson of trust. 01:10:01.859 --> 01:10:03.380 what's true 01:10:03.380 --> 01:10:04.960 of Old Testament Israel 01:10:04.960 --> 01:10:05.799 is so often 01:10:05.799 --> 01:10:06.759 true of ourselves. 01:10:07.859 --> 01:10:08.559 And we thank You 01:10:08.559 --> 01:10:09.420 that You are a God 01:10:09.420 --> 01:10:10.119 who gives 01:10:10.119 --> 01:10:11.859 visual aids 01:10:11.859 --> 01:10:13.239 to demonstrate 01:10:13.239 --> 01:10:13.979 Your love 01:10:13.979 --> 01:10:14.979 and Your grace. 01:10:15.420 --> 01:10:16.380 For the people then, 01:10:16.439 --> 01:10:17.479 it was a rock. 01:10:18.420 --> 01:10:19.639 For us today, 01:10:20.119 --> 01:10:21.679 it's the cross of Christ. 01:10:21.960 --> 01:10:22.659 We thank You 01:10:22.659 --> 01:10:23.399 for Jesus 01:10:23.399 --> 01:10:25.279 bearing the judgment, 01:10:26.119 --> 01:10:27.239 being struck 01:10:27.239 --> 01:10:28.599 for us 01:10:28.600 --> 01:10:30.079 so that life 01:10:30.079 --> 01:10:31.140 might flow 01:10:31.140 --> 01:10:32.420 to us 01:10:32.420 --> 01:10:33.600 and in us. 01:10:34.539 --> 01:10:34.860 Lord, 01:10:34.980 --> 01:10:35.860 we ask 01:10:35.860 --> 01:10:37.200 that for all 01:10:37.200 --> 01:10:38.180 of our questions, 01:10:38.420 --> 01:10:40.000 for all of our longings, 01:10:40.579 --> 01:10:41.960 we would take them 01:10:41.960 --> 01:10:43.000 to Christ, 01:10:43.860 --> 01:10:45.220 that we would find Him 01:10:45.220 --> 01:10:47.340 as our all in all, 01:10:48.039 --> 01:10:49.380 and that we might walk 01:10:49.380 --> 01:10:50.320 through our journey 01:10:50.320 --> 01:10:51.039 of life 01:10:51.039 --> 01:10:52.700 on a journey 01:10:52.700 --> 01:10:53.480 of faith, 01:10:54.420 --> 01:10:55.600 trusting and looking 01:10:55.600 --> 01:10:57.579 to Christ, 01:10:57.940 --> 01:10:58.560 our rock 01:10:58.560 --> 01:10:59.360 and our Redeemer. 01:10:59.820 --> 01:11:00.300 And we pray 01:11:00.300 --> 01:11:00.920 in His name. 01:11:01.400 --> 01:11:01.740 Amen. 01:11:05.060 --> 01:11:05.579 Now, 01:11:05.600 --> 01:11:06.340 we're going to close 01:11:06.340 --> 01:11:07.240 with a hymn 01:11:07.240 --> 01:11:07.820 that's based 01:11:07.820 --> 01:11:10.100 on Psalm 62, 01:11:10.980 --> 01:11:12.900 My Soul Finds Rest 01:11:12.900 --> 01:11:14.360 in God Alone. 01:11:14.420 --> 01:11:14.760 And again, 01:11:14.820 --> 01:11:15.320 as we're able, 01:11:15.780 --> 01:11:16.860 let's stand together 01:11:16.859 --> 01:11:17.899 to sing. 01:11:32.779 --> 01:11:33.239 I pray 01:11:33.239 --> 01:11:34.299 My soul finds rest 01:11:34.299 --> 01:11:35.779 in God alone, 01:11:36.799 --> 01:11:37.739 my rock 01:11:37.739 --> 01:11:40.000 and my salvation, 01:11:41.199 --> 01:11:42.339 a fortress 01:11:42.339 --> 01:11:43.699 strong against 01:11:43.699 --> 01:11:45.119 my foes, 01:11:45.119 --> 01:11:48.720 And I will not be shaken 01:11:48.720 --> 01:11:53.720 Though lips may bless and hearts may hurt 01:11:53.720 --> 01:11:57.920 And lies like arrows pierce me 01:11:57.920 --> 01:12:02.319 I'll fix my heart's unrighteousness 01:12:02.319 --> 01:12:06.720 I'll look to Him who hears me 01:12:06.720 --> 01:12:11.819 Oh, praise Him, hallelujah 01:12:11.819 --> 01:12:16.019 My delight and my reward 01:12:16.019 --> 01:12:21.019 Everlasting, never failing 01:12:21.759 --> 01:12:27.019 My Redeemer, my God 01:12:27.019 --> 01:12:39.019 Find rest, my soul, in God alone 01:12:39.020 --> 01:12:43.220 Amid the world's temptations 01:12:43.220 --> 01:12:47.220 When evil seeks to take a hold 01:12:47.220 --> 01:12:51.220 I'll cling to Christ now patient 01:12:51.220 --> 01:12:56.220 Though riches come and riches grow 01:12:56.220 --> 01:13:00.420 Don't set your hearts upon them 01:13:00.420 --> 01:13:04.420 The fields of hope in which as home 01:13:04.420 --> 01:13:08.420 Are harvested in heaven 01:13:08.420 --> 01:13:13.619 Oh, praise Him, hallelujah 01:13:13.619 --> 01:13:18.619 My delight and my reward 01:13:18.619 --> 01:13:23.619 Everlasting, never failing 01:13:23.619 --> 01:13:27.819 My Redeemer, my God 01:13:27.819 --> 01:13:40.019 I'll set my gaze on God 01:13:40.019 --> 01:13:44.019 And trust in Him completely 01:13:44.019 --> 01:13:49.019 With every day pour out my soul 01:13:49.020 --> 01:13:53.220 And He will prove His mercy 01:13:53.220 --> 01:13:58.220 Though life is but a fleeting plan 01:13:58.220 --> 01:14:02.220 A sight to need to measure 01:14:02.220 --> 01:14:04.420 My weakness, my grace on God 01:14:04.420 --> 01:14:06.420 My weakness, Christ, the curse of death 01:14:06.420 --> 01:14:10.420 And I am this forever 01:14:10.420 --> 01:14:16.619 Oh, praise Him, hallelujah 01:14:16.619 --> 01:14:20.619 My delight and my reward 01:14:20.619 --> 01:14:26.619 Everlasting, never failing 01:14:26.619 --> 01:14:28.819 My Redeemer, my God 01:14:28.819 --> 01:14:30.819 My Redeemer, my God 01:14:30.819 --> 01:14:35.819 Oh, praise Him, hallelujah 01:14:35.819 --> 01:14:40.819 My delight and my reward 01:14:40.819 --> 01:14:45.819 Everlasting, never failing 01:14:45.819 --> 01:14:50.819 My Redeemer, my God 01:14:50.819 --> 01:15:10.619 I receive this benediction taken from Ephesians chapter 3 from verse 17 01:15:10.619 --> 01:15:15.739 May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith 01:15:15.739 --> 01:15:19.979 that you being rooted and established in love 01:15:19.979 --> 01:15:23.039 May a strength to comprehend 01:15:23.039 --> 01:15:26.179 with all the Lord's holy people 01:15:26.179 --> 01:15:30.739 how wide and long and high and deep 01:15:30.739 --> 01:15:32.939 is the love of Christ 01:15:32.939 --> 01:15:36.779 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge 01:15:36.779 --> 01:15:41.199 that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God 01:15:41.199 --> 01:15:42.319 Amen