WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.780 Good morning. 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:22.920 Happy Mother's Day. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:27.179 We're going to continue in our series in the book of Ezra. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:31.899 If you want to pull out your pew Bibles, it's page 363. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:35.480 And we're going to be looking this morning at chapter 3. 00:00:36.740 --> 00:00:39.899 And we're going to start by reading the text this morning. 00:00:41.380 --> 00:00:51.799 So if you want to turn with me, we're going to look at the next chapter in this story of God restoring and rebuilding his people. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:59.119 Ezra chapter 3, starting in verse 1. 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:07.719 When the seventh month came and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:15.539 Then arose Joshua, son of Josedach, and his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, with his kinsmen. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:24.680 And they built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:31.200 They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:37.180 And they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:47.640 And they kept the feast of booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:54.600 And after that, the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and all the appointed feasts of the Lord, 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:59.859 and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the Lord. 00:01:59.859 --> 00:02:04.620 From the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:08.860 But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:16.460 So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians, 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:25.579 to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus, king of Persia. 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:32.300 Now, in the second year, after the coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:38.620 in the second month, Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, the son of Josedach, 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:43.240 made a beginning together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites, 00:02:43.320 --> 00:02:45.780 and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. 00:02:46.600 --> 00:02:52.720 They appointed the Levites from twenty years old and upwards to supervise the work of the house of the Lord. 00:02:53.100 --> 00:02:58.439 And Jeshua, with his sons and his brothers, and Cadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:05.539 together supervised the workmen in the house of the Lord, along with the sons of Hennadad and the Levites, 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:07.020 their sons and brothers. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:11.919 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:15.939 the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:20.000 and the Levites sung the sons of Asaph with cymbals 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.259 to praise the Lord according to the directions of David, king of Israel. 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:29.539 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord. 00:03:30.699 --> 00:03:35.780 For he is good, and his steadfast love endures forever towards Israel. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:40.699 And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, 00:03:41.239 --> 00:03:43.919 because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:48.579 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:51.620 old men who had seen the first house, 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:57.760 wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, 00:03:58.600 --> 00:04:00.740 though many shouted aloud for joy, 00:04:01.160 --> 00:04:04.680 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of joyful shout 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:06.580 from the sound of the people's weeping. 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:09.520 For the people shouted with a great shout, 00:04:09.600 --> 00:04:12.439 and the sound was heard far away. 00:04:14.480 --> 00:04:15.560 Will you pray with me? 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:15.600 Amen. 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:24.560 Lord, as we look at this text, 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.779 this account from long ago, 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:28.759 of your work in this world, 00:04:30.039 --> 00:04:34.159 of the story of your people, 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:36.819 Lord, I pray that you would help us 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:40.579 to see and understand, 00:04:41.579 --> 00:04:43.759 Lord, the truths in this story. 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:46.060 Lord, help it to come alive to us 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:48.759 so that we might be encouraged, 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:51.579 so that we might be challenged. 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:54.120 Lord, so that we might see you more clearly, 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:56.879 so that we might hear your call 00:04:56.879 --> 00:04:58.720 distinctly, 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:01.139 that we might respond to you as we ought. 00:05:02.779 --> 00:05:04.800 Lord, I pray for your help this morning, 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:08.819 Lord, that you would give me words to speak, 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:09.680 clarity 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:12.879 in my speaking, 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.079 and Lord, that by your Holy Spirit, 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:16.079 we might together 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:17.780 sit under your word, 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:19.439 and Lord, watch you, 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:21.319 reveal yourself to us in it. 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:24.420 Lord, help us to be 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:26.040 not only hearers of your word, 00:05:26.139 --> 00:05:27.019 but doers also. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:29.840 For Jesus' sake, we pray. 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:31.220 Amen. 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:31.379 Amen. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:38.920 So I was thinking about this time of year, 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:42.159 32 years ago now, 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:43.060 which is kind of frightening. 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:45.219 I was graduating from high school 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:46.480 and moving on, 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:48.759 and I was going off to college 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:51.300 and looking forward to that, 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.920 but I realized that it was a momentous occasion. 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:57.339 Even then, I think I had an inkling of it, 00:05:57.339 --> 00:05:58.279 and as I look back, 00:05:58.540 --> 00:05:59.899 much more so now, 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:02.599 I realized that going off to college 00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:05.039 is often the first time in our lives 00:06:05.039 --> 00:06:07.979 when we are actually able to choose 00:06:07.979 --> 00:06:09.579 who we are, 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:11.539 what we value, 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:13.679 and what's important to us. 00:06:14.099 --> 00:06:14.919 Until that point, 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.699 we live in our family's houses usually, 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:18.959 and we live under the protection 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:19.759 and the provision 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:23.719 and within the value system of our parents, 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:25.239 and when we go off to college, 00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:27.319 it's the first time 00:06:27.319 --> 00:06:29.199 that we get to begin to choose 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:31.459 what does that look like? 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:35.079 It makes us answer the questions. 00:06:35.219 --> 00:06:36.620 What will I invest in? 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:39.500 And what will be most important to me? 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:40.639 And of course, 00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:41.800 this is the first step 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:42.759 for those of us 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:44.199 who have gotten beyond that stage. 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:46.039 We recognize this is the first step 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:47.800 of doing this for the rest of our lives 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.579 because then we move on to the next thing, 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.759 the new city that we move to, 00:06:52.899 --> 00:06:55.039 the new relationship that we move into 00:06:55.039 --> 00:06:55.939 if we get married 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:57.360 or the new community of friends 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.139 we move into 00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:00.439 as we begin our workplace. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:03.779 And it continues throughout life 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:06.740 as your children grow up 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.079 and leave the empty nest 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:09.459 or as you find yourself 00:07:09.459 --> 00:07:11.060 in your 50s and 60s single. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:12.579 You find yourself in new seasons 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:14.079 and you're always choosing. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:15.519 You're always deciding 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:17.139 what's most important to me. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:19.819 What will my life be about? 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:22.719 Even retirement 00:07:22.719 --> 00:07:25.199 creates another opportunity 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:27.860 to decide what we want to do 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:29.279 with our lives. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:33.279 And I think that this connects 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:34.180 with the story 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:35.579 that we read 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:37.519 from Ezra this morning. 00:07:38.159 --> 00:07:38.620 You see, 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:40.279 remember the history 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:42.219 of where we're at 00:07:42.219 --> 00:07:43.939 in the big picture. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:45.399 Going all the way back, 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:46.879 God through Abraham 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:47.839 in Genesis 12 said, 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:49.060 I'm going to make you great people. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:50.720 And then through Moses 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:52.259 he delivered a great people 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:53.420 out of slavery to Egypt 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:54.040 and brought them 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:54.939 into the promised land 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:55.740 and then through David 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:56.699 raised up a kingdom 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:57.899 and this great land. 00:07:57.980 --> 00:07:58.660 But the people 00:07:58.660 --> 00:07:59.759 consistently 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:02.060 found themselves unable. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.160 They chose not to believe God 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:06.160 and to trust God 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:07.079 and to follow God 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:08.040 and to submit to God. 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:09.819 And so in this kingdom 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:11.540 it became increasingly 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:13.459 ungodly 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:15.639 as the people rejected God 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:16.459 over and over again. 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:17.180 And so God 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.860 in 586 BC 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:20.699 brought the Babylonians 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:22.020 to conquer Jerusalem, 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:23.220 to raise the city, 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:24.720 to sow salt in the fields 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:27.460 and to export the people 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:28.759 away from the city. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.480 And for 50, 70 years, 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:33.139 what is it? 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:35.060 70 years total, 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:37.080 the people were in exile. 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.440 They were scattered 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:39.259 around the land. 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.800 And the book of Ezra 00:08:40.800 --> 00:08:42.440 tells the story 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:43.220 of how God 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:44.320 has then taken people 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.840 who have been shattered 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:46.740 and scattered 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:48.120 and is now beginning 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:49.460 to bring them back 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:51.019 to restore them 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.220 and to rebuild them 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:54.300 as God's people. 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:56.639 And what we saw 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.860 in chapters 1 and 2 00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:59.280 is how God moved 00:08:59.280 --> 00:09:00.300 the king of Persia 00:09:00.300 --> 00:09:01.220 who had now become 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:02.700 the ruler of the land 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:03.340 taking over 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:04.519 the Babylonian captivity, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:06.639 how God had moved 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:07.379 his heart 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:09.320 to change the regulations 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:10.420 and to actually 00:09:10.420 --> 00:09:11.700 give an edict 00:09:11.700 --> 00:09:12.700 to declare that 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:13.320 the restoration 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:14.300 of the worship 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.360 of the God 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:15.860 of the Jews 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:16.620 in Jerusalem 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.940 was a good 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:18.840 and right thing 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:19.660 that they had 00:09:19.660 --> 00:09:20.240 the support 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:21.460 of the Persian emperor 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:23.720 and the Persian empire. 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:27.040 And so what we see then 00:09:27.040 --> 00:09:28.320 in Ezra 3, 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:29.820 beginning in verse 1, 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:31.180 is that the people, 00:09:31.300 --> 00:09:32.520 a first contingent, 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:33.540 had returned 00:09:33.540 --> 00:09:34.360 to Jerusalem 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.879 and they had gone 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:36.600 to their towns 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.580 and they had begun 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:38.640 to settle in 00:09:38.640 --> 00:09:40.460 and they gathered. 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:43.960 But in this situation, 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.639 recognize a few things. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.300 One is their needs 00:09:47.300 --> 00:09:48.040 were great. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.900 Their moving back 00:09:51.900 --> 00:09:52.820 to this land 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:54.200 was like moving 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:55.420 into the Wild West 00:09:55.420 --> 00:09:57.480 in the 1800s. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:00.139 They were restarting 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:01.060 from scratch 00:10:01.060 --> 00:10:02.519 and they had only 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.080 what they brought 00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:03.600 with them. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:05.080 And though they had 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.100 the political backing 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:07.600 of the emperor of Persia, 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:09.280 they didn't have 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:09.759 the welcome 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:10.519 of the people 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:13.699 in the surrounding lands. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:15.339 We'll see that next week. 00:10:15.939 --> 00:10:16.579 There's actually 00:10:16.579 --> 00:10:18.240 some resistance 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:19.459 and opposition 00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:20.860 to them being there 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.360 and doing 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.799 what they were doing. 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.480 They had been uprooted 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.299 from their homeland 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:27.439 and had lived far away 00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:28.799 for a long time. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.319 Had they become 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:31.480 more Babylonian 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:32.120 than Jewish? 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:32.939 Had they become 00:10:32.939 --> 00:10:33.639 more Persian 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:34.679 than Jewish? 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:34.899 Jewish. 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:39.219 They'd also lived 00:10:39.219 --> 00:10:40.399 for 70 years 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:41.000 without 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.939 the structures 00:10:43.939 --> 00:10:45.139 of their relationship 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:45.899 with God. 00:10:46.659 --> 00:10:48.139 There was no city, 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:49.939 no holy city 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:50.779 to gather to 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:51.620 for the feasts, 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:53.659 the three festivals 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:54.379 every year. 00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:55.679 There was no temple 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.559 to go to. 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:58.299 There was no altar 00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:59.819 to sacrifice on. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.539 There was none 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:02.579 of the means 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:03.340 by which God 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:04.280 had given 00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:05.540 his people 00:11:05.540 --> 00:11:07.000 to relate to him 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.639 were available 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:10.139 to them 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:11.680 for 70 years. 00:11:14.180 --> 00:11:15.139 And even as they 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:15.720 came back 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.280 and as Greg 00:11:16.280 --> 00:11:17.400 preached last week 00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:18.139 on one and two, 00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:19.520 how much of this 00:11:19.520 --> 00:11:20.300 there were echoes 00:11:20.300 --> 00:11:21.120 of returning 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.920 of the second exodus, 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:24.139 that this is a second 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.300 deliverance of God 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:26.400 and bringing his people 00:11:26.400 --> 00:11:27.400 back to himself 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:28.580 and back to the 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:29.500 promised land. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:32.379 recognize also though 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.019 that the people 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:34.419 were much smaller 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:36.679 and much less wealthy. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.720 When Joshua 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:41.700 led the people in, 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:42.820 they were a large army 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:44.460 and they were outnumbered 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:44.820 at times, 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:45.340 but they were 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:47.100 a significant people. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.820 They are now small 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:51.019 and they are not able 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:52.299 to defend themselves. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.279 Smaller in number 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.519 and smaller in worth. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:57.440 And therefore, 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.840 as it says in verse 3, 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:01.160 they feared the people. 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:02.060 Is it verse 3? 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.340 Did I get that right? 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.399 Yes, verse 3. 00:12:05.740 --> 00:12:06.860 They feared the people 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.460 around them 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:08.720 as they were entering in. 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:12.519 I want you to put yourself 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:13.200 in that position 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:13.720 for a second. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.280 What would you do 00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:17.160 if you were entering 00:12:17.160 --> 00:12:18.060 into a land 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:19.620 that you felt in danger 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.660 and you felt hostile? 00:12:21.280 --> 00:12:21.560 Right? 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.440 You've got a couple 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:23.460 of things you need to build. 00:12:23.780 --> 00:12:24.300 You've got to build 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:24.800 your home. 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:25.840 You've got to build 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.480 some walls 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.460 to protect yourself. 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.580 You've got to build 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.139 a temple. 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:29.900 You've got to build 00:12:29.900 --> 00:12:30.320 an altar. 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:31.120 Right? 00:12:31.180 --> 00:12:31.860 Those are some things 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:32.560 for you to do. 00:12:33.900 --> 00:12:34.940 Now, if it were me, 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:36.200 I would start with the walls 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:38.139 because that's what 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:38.820 I would want. 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:40.980 I would want protection first. 00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:42.259 Once you get the walls up, 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:43.240 then you can start 00:12:43.240 --> 00:12:44.120 building the buildings. 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.040 And once you get 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:45.900 the buildings up, 00:12:46.280 --> 00:12:47.080 you build the temple 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.759 and then you put 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.840 the altar in place 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.840 because then it's got 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:52.019 protection 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.980 and then we can start doing. 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:56.200 So in my human mind, 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:57.180 that would be the order 00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:58.120 that we would go in 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.820 if I were part 00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:00.039 of this returning group. 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:03.860 And yet, 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.519 in the face 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.320 of their fear, 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.220 the people chose 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.720 to do something else. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.240 Stephen Covey, 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.440 the guru 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.460 of time management 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.639 in the 1980s, 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:17.060 he's probably passé now 00:13:17.060 --> 00:13:17.820 and people don't think 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:18.159 much of him, 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:19.480 but back in the 1980s, 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.420 he was the big deal. 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.100 Seven Habits 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.159 of Highly Effective People. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.439 One of his principles 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:24.519 is put the big rocks 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.339 in your schedule. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.100 Our time is important 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.019 and what we value 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.639 is shown 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:30.299 by how we spend our time 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:31.600 and what we invest in. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.480 And it's at times 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.600 when we're most afraid 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.879 often that we see 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.339 the things 00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:39.179 that are most important 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:39.620 to us 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:40.419 and where we invest 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:40.959 our time. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.199 And the people 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.980 of Israel 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:46.259 under the leadership 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.139 of Zerubbabel 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:50.620 and Yeshua 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.759 started 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.460 in an unlikely place. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:56.139 And in that, 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.200 I think we see 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:58.279 some things 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:58.899 for ourselves 00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.820 to learn 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:00.940 about what is 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.679 most important 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:02.679 for God's people. 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.820 So that's where 00:14:04.820 --> 00:14:05.720 we want to go today 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.379 is look at 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.539 what's most important 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.360 for God's people. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:08.820 We're going to look 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:09.700 at two different things, 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:10.860 two different sections 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:12.340 of the passage, 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.240 one through seven. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.039 We're going to see 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:14.960 that they set themselves 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.879 apart for worship. 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.340 and then we're going 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.220 to look at 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.700 eight through 13 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.539 and look at 00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:22.139 how they set their hearts 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.159 on God's glory. 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.120 And then we're going 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.700 to think about 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.740 what this means 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.539 for us today. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.240 So that's where 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:28.720 we're going. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.679 Look with me again 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.460 at verses 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.439 one through seven 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.179 and think about 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:33.759 what is it 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:35.080 as they 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:36.120 in this fear 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:38.019 began to do things, 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.299 what did they do first? 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:40.860 And you see it 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.440 in verse 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.519 two, 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:43.899 right? 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:46.240 As they gathered 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.439 and the seventh month 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:47.939 by the way, 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.699 they gathered 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:50.199 at the timing 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:51.220 because the seventh month 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.100 was kind of like 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.519 it would have been 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:55.019 like Easter 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.919 or a Christmas, 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.899 a high point 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:58.360 in the church calendar 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:58.980 so to speak 00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.819 for the Jewish people 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:00.399 in the Old Testament. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.240 It was the month 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.539 in which the Day of Atonement 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:03.919 fell. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:04.919 It was the month 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.459 during which 00:15:05.459 --> 00:15:06.679 the Feast of Booths 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:07.179 fell. 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.419 And it was one 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.220 of the three times 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.579 of the year 00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.699 where the people 00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:11.840 were meant to gather 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.600 in Jerusalem 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:14.120 to offer sacrifices 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.120 and worship God. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.620 And as they returned 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.360 the land, 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.500 it seems they were there 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.460 for a little while 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.460 and then this month 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.620 came and they gathered 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.360 in Jerusalem 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:26.360 and as they gathered, 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:28.320 they built an altar. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.860 They didn't build walls. 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.580 They didn't build 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:34.040 the temple. 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:36.320 But they started 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:37.860 by building the altar 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.440 so that they could 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:42.340 offer up sacrifices 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.060 to God 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:44.920 as he had instructed them 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:45.640 in Leviticus 00:15:45.640 --> 00:15:46.260 and Numbers 00:15:46.260 --> 00:15:47.820 so long ago. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.540 And as they had done 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.920 for many years 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:51.840 in the tabernacle 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.180 and then in the temple 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.140 that Solomon built 00:15:54.140 --> 00:15:54.840 in Jerusalem, 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:58.820 they started with this 00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:01.340 because in their fear 00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:01.940 they knew that 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.340 the most important thing 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:05.300 was being right 00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:05.920 with God. 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:08.679 the most important thing 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:10.579 was to honor God 00:16:10.579 --> 00:16:12.159 because he would be 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.959 their refuge 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.139 and he would be 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.879 their protector. 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.319 There's lots of resonance 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:22.079 in the timing of this. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.799 When you think about 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.620 the Day of Atonement, 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.339 if you remember 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:25.259 the Day of Atonement 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.860 was a time 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:26.620 when the high priest 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.099 would come 00:16:27.099 --> 00:16:28.719 and bring two goats, 00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:30.259 right, 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:32.319 and he would sacrifice one 00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:32.899 and his blood 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.539 would be shed 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.779 and the other one 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.159 he would lay his hand on 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.120 and representing 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.240 the sins of the people 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:38.839 and then the goat 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:39.559 would be sent out 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.219 into the wilderness 00:16:40.219 --> 00:16:41.620 far away. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.439 And in both of these 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:44.779 pictures, 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:47.019 you see God saying, 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.779 you may not approach me, 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.779 a holy God, 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:50.799 on your own, 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:51.819 but 00:16:51.819 --> 00:16:54.259 I am going to graciously 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.279 make a way for you 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.199 to approach me. 00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:57.319 And through this 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:58.459 sacrificial system, 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.059 these were pointers 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:01.019 and signs 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.159 of how it would be 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:04.000 that we might approach 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:05.159 a holy God. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:08.059 The Feast of Booths 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.799 and in-gathering 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.680 that says that they 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:11.059 celebrated 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.119 was a time of both 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.399 celebrating the harvest 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:15.480 and God's provision 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.500 and think about 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.579 how sweet that would be. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.079 After 70 years in exile, 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.279 they've come back 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:20.940 and they're actually 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.319 celebrating the harvest. 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:22.559 Now, 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.639 it's not clear 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.319 how much harvest 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.279 they had that year 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.619 because they hadn't been there 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:27.379 for a full year 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.440 of agriculture yet. 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.220 And yet, 00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.139 God asked them, 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:32.139 celebrate my provision. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:33.460 And my faithfulness 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.019 to you. 00:17:34.580 --> 00:17:35.340 And remember, too, 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.340 that the Feast of Booths 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:36.960 was enacted 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.620 so that they would remember 00:17:38.620 --> 00:17:40.100 how God carried them 00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:40.900 through the wilderness 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:42.400 after the exodus, 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.880 how they lived in tents 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.400 and these booths, 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.759 these makeshift houses, 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:49.340 so that they would remember 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.360 that their security 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:51.680 is not in those things, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.640 but in the Lord. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:57.440 And then, 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:59.180 interestingly enough, 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:01.440 as the author 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.620 writes about this, 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:03.980 he doesn't camp out 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.620 a lot on the Day of Atonement, 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.400 which is what I really 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:06.920 wanted to preach 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.060 to you guys about 00:18:08.060 --> 00:18:08.500 this morning, 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.860 but it's not in the text, 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.000 so we didn't talk about it. 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.840 You can go back 00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:12.280 and read it 00:18:12.280 --> 00:18:12.840 in the Old Testament. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.540 It's a great thing. 00:18:13.900 --> 00:18:15.600 But he says 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:16.620 over and over again, 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.540 what they offered 00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.820 was the burnt offerings. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.819 The burnt offerings 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.339 were given 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.159 over and over 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:22.700 and over again. 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.159 Why? 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:26.599 Because the burnt offerings 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.439 were offerings 00:18:27.439 --> 00:18:29.399 of consecration. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.500 That is, 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.279 they were offerings 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.839 to say to the Lord, 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:33.480 Lord, 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:35.079 I am wholly yours. 00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:36.480 They were, 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:38.240 the people brought that, 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.039 those offerings, 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:41.000 those burnt offerings 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.259 on a daily basis 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:44.139 to remind themselves 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:45.539 and to say to God, 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.339 God, 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.460 you are our God 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.740 and we are your people 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.039 and we will not worship 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.700 anyone else. 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.700 And as they did this, 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:58.759 you see the repetition of 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.819 and they did this 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.940 as it was written. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.420 They were doing this 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.880 under God's instruction. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.180 They did not come 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.539 and say, 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:05.940 God, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.500 hey, 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.519 it's a new day. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:07.900 You know, 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.420 we've been away 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.440 for 70 years. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.559 Why don't we kind of 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.319 spice things up 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:12.440 and do some things differently? 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.140 I've liked, 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.240 I'd like to think about 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.720 some worship 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.680 doing it this way. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:16.640 He says, 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.059 no. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.659 Instead, 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.359 what you see 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:19.960 is them saying, 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.220 God, 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.159 we're going to return 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:22.339 to your word 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.139 and to submitting 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.339 to your instructions 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:26.319 that we cannot worship you 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.379 as we want to, 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:30.159 but we are called 00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:30.879 to worship you 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:32.299 as you have called us to. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.839 And this is what you see 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.899 as they're returning. 00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:39.259 Their priority 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.379 was not safety, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.319 but being right 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.039 with God 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.740 and establishing 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.059 the worship of God 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.299 as he had instructed. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.879 So that's really 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:50.559 what you see 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.099 in verses 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:53.200 one through seven 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.279 is the establishment 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.539 as the people 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.319 come together 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.179 in this month, 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.379 what they say 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.200 is the most important 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.879 thing is that 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:02.559 we're going to worship 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.579 God the way 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.359 he told us to. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.220 But then you see 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.539 that there's more 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.740 that the writer 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.539 brings out today 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.119 because he says, 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:10.379 okay, 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.579 so they built the altar, 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.940 but then the foundations 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.740 were not laid. 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:16.640 And it says, 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.099 so they sent out 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.940 some work orders, 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.799 they did a little 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.799 comparison shopping 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.620 with contractors, 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:23.200 they found some guys 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.339 up in Tyre and Sidon 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.099 who had really good 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.019 building materials 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.660 in Cyprus, 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:29.400 and so they planned 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:30.819 and then returned again 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.960 the beginning 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:34.339 of the next year, 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.640 the second month, 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.980 and they came back 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.079 and they laid 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.839 the foundation 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:40.259 of the temple. 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.879 And in this 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:46.659 amazing story, 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.439 there's a lot 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.500 about the organization 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.419 of setting up 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.000 the Levites 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.559 and priests, 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:52.359 but I think 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:53.599 that the high point 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.559 of it is in verses 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:57.159 11 and 12 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:59.539 because as they 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.539 build this temple, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.139 and they haven't even 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.139 built the building yet, 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.139 Nick's going to preach 00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.839 on that in like 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.740 three, two weeks, 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.379 no, Greg's going to 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.099 preach on it in two weeks, 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:08.719 they haven't even 00:21:08.719 --> 00:21:09.419 built the whole temple, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.939 they just laid the foundation, 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.459 but as they laid 00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:13.039 the foundation, 00:21:13.199 --> 00:21:13.980 they gathered 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:16.359 in song and praise, 00:21:17.459 --> 00:21:18.480 and part of what 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.139 would strike a Jewish 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:21.199 writer as they were 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:22.139 listening to this 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:23.059 is that this is 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.159 the same story, 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.599 in fact, 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.079 these are the exact 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.899 same words, 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.379 for he is good 00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:29.679 and his steadfast love 00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:30.799 endures forever, 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.419 that were said 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.659 two other times 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.259 in the story 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.059 of the Old Testament. 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.559 The first one 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.980 was when King David 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.579 had recaptured 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.679 the Ark of the Covenant, 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.839 remember the Ark 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.359 of the Covenant 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.519 which was this box 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.679 that they carried around 00:21:44.679 --> 00:21:46.379 that had all these signs 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.519 of God's faithfulness, 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.779 the Ten Commandments, 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.299 the rod and staff, 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:50.859 manna, 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.599 they carried around 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.700 things that were 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.740 reminding them 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:56.119 of how God 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:56.879 has been faithful 00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:57.399 to them 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.139 and how he was, 00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.799 had set a covenant 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.579 relationship 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.679 whereby they might 00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.339 be his people 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.500 and he would be 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.159 their God. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:07.000 And as this Ark 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.460 of the Covenant 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.320 is regained 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.500 from the Philistines 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.460 and brought 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.480 into Jerusalem, 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.900 in 1 Chronicles 16, 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:16.140 34, 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.740 they gather 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.400 the singers 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.880 and in almost 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.259 the same vocabulary, 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.140 the cymbals 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.880 and the trumpets, 00:22:23.320 --> 00:22:23.860 the Levites 00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:24.540 and the priests, 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.900 they celebrate 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.600 the goodness 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.460 of God 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:29.000 and they offer 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.779 burnt offerings 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.460 to the Lord. 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:32.920 and then the second 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.779 place that you see 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.440 this is in 2 Chronicles 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.640 chapter 5, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.980 verse 13 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.539 and this is when 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:42.140 Solomon has actually 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:43.180 built a temple 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.799 in which they're 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.799 going to worship God 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.900 and all the instructions 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.299 that God 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:47.860 had given them 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:49.340 in all of its fullness. 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.980 2 Chronicles 5, 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.079 13 says this, 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.759 when the song 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.340 was raised 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:55.100 and the trumpets 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:55.660 and cymbals 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:57.019 and other musical instruments 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.220 and praise to the Lord 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.799 for he is good 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.839 for his steadfast love 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.740 endures forever. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:03.779 The house, 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:05.019 the house of the Lord 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.500 was filled with a cloud 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.759 so that the priests 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.660 could not stand 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.279 to minister 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.539 because of the cloud 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:12.079 for the glory 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:13.100 of the Lord 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:15.339 filled the house 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.180 of God. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.779 You see, friends, 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.900 in the Old Testament 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:23.680 for the people of God, 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.539 the temple was the place 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.059 where the glory of God, 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:29.220 the presence of God, 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.519 the very radiance 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.359 and manifestation 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:34.319 of all of his qualities 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.359 and his characters 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:38.759 that God created the temple 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:40.339 to be the meeting place 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.759 between God and man, 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:44.279 between God and humanity 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:46.079 that as we get, 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:48.259 that this would be the place 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:49.419 where he would choose 00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:50.819 to manifest himself 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.359 and dwell among his people. 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:54.639 and this glory 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:58.299 was the sweetest thing 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:01.279 for the people of Israel 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:03.279 that God himself 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.699 dwelt in their midst. 00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.559 And yet, 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:10.159 now what we have 00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.839 is these people 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.939 returning from exile 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:14.259 and they'd not had 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.979 that presence 00:24:14.979 --> 00:24:16.559 and there was no place 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.319 of that glory. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:19.139 And so, 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.000 even the laying 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.279 of the foundation 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:23.179 caused them 00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:24.559 to praise God 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.859 in hopes that 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:27.379 God was with them 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:29.419 and that God 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.039 would renew 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.919 his relationship 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:32.259 with them 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.939 and be among them. 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.960 And yet, 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:36.579 you see in verse 12 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.019 how this is mixed 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.460 even from the very start 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:42.240 because the older men, 00:24:42.939 --> 00:24:45.259 those who had been around, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:47.599 those who had seen 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:49.119 this temple 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:50.920 that Solomon had built 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.859 with its great glory, 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.420 they knew that 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:56.799 the former house 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:58.279 would have greater glory 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.279 than the one 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.079 that they were building. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:02.799 It's kind of like 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.740 going from a Lincoln 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.559 to a Yugo. 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:06.500 Yugos aren't around anymore. 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.799 A Lincoln to a Cooper, 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.500 Mini Cooper. 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:10.119 You guys like Mini Coopers. 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:11.019 What's a good example? 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.400 It's like, 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.500 it's like going 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.779 from a Lincoln Navigator 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.920 to a Ford Fiesta. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.720 Are we getting there? 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.039 Right? 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.599 It still works. 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.299 It still does 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.480 what it's supposed to do. 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.299 But it's smaller 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:28.079 and far less glorious. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.019 And the people grieved 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.899 because they knew 00:25:34.899 --> 00:25:35.639 that the loss 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.279 of that glory 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:36.839 was because 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.759 of their own sin. 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:39.000 It had been 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.759 their national disobedience 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.819 that had caused it. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:46.299 and yet they longed 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.980 for that past glory. 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.279 And the words 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.599 that Julie read earlier 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:53.279 from the book of Haggai. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.179 Haggai is one 00:25:54.179 --> 00:25:54.819 of the prophets 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:57.379 who is ministering 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.139 to the people of God 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:59.639 during this very time. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.619 And in fact, 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.720 it seems that these words 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.000 came right after 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.960 chapter three, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.039 probably, 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.099 where they need 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.799 encouragement 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:08.099 to keep going 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:10.219 and to not give in 00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:11.619 to the despair. 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:15.219 Just to reread again 00:26:15.219 --> 00:26:17.079 what was read earlier 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.659 from Haggai, 00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:18.240 the prophet 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.919 as he speaks 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.459 to the people. 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:20.740 Work, 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.419 that is work 00:26:21.419 --> 00:26:22.319 in building this temple 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.179 for I am with you 00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:24.079 declares the Lord 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.099 according to the covenant 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.000 that I made with you 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.359 when you came out of Egypt. 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.839 My spirit remains 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.539 in your midst. 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.699 Fear not 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:32.059 for thus says 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.859 the Lord of hosts, 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.199 yea, 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.939 once more 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.579 in a little while 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.319 I will shake 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.899 the heavens 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.420 and the earth 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:36.900 and the sea 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.640 and the dry land 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.420 and I will shake 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.120 all the nations 00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:40.519 so that the treasures 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.480 of all nations 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.160 shall come in 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:43.040 and I will fill 00:26:43.040 --> 00:26:43.519 this house 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.320 with glory 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:46.000 says the Lord of hosts. 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.400 The silver is mine 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.300 and the gold is mine 00:26:48.300 --> 00:26:49.400 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:26:49.780 --> 00:26:50.800 The latter glory 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:51.820 of this house 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.780 shall be greater 00:26:52.780 --> 00:26:53.560 than the former 00:26:53.560 --> 00:26:55.660 says the Lord of hosts. 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.360 And so, 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.720 these old men 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.960 thinking back 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.080 to Solomon's temple 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:01.860 are weeping 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.860 because they see 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.780 the lack of it. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.200 They see this sense 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:08.759 of incomplete restoration 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.299 of what had been before 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:11.600 and God comes 00:27:11.600 --> 00:27:12.140 and he says, 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.519 I'm not done 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:15.600 and though this is what, 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.480 this is the temple 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.480 you will have now, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.259 there is a greater glory 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.600 that I have for you 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:23.340 and my presence 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:24.160 is still with you 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.960 and my spirit 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.880 is still with you 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:27.240 and you do not need 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.039 to be afraid. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:34.299 in some ways, 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.799 what we see 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.059 in all of this chapter 00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.259 is a bit like 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:40.579 a marriage renewal ceremony. 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:45.259 A couple who've been married 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.599 for 25 years 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:48.460 maybe walked through 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:50.359 really hard things, 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.579 maybe thought, 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.799 is this worth it? 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:56.639 God is bringing them 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.399 back together 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.720 and the people of God 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.480 are coming 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:01.480 to the God of Israel 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.220 and saying, 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:04.500 we renew our vows 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.720 and God is saying, 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:07.279 I am going to be faithful 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.039 to you. 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:10.599 I will, 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:13.000 the people are saying, 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.859 we will not run 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.980 after other gods. 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.299 We will forsake all others 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.680 till death do us part. 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:21.080 and God is saying, 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:23.100 I am inviting you 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:24.279 into this relationship 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:24.779 with me 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.900 where you will find 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:27.180 the glory 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.460 that you long for 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.400 and that your soul 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.900 hungers and thirsts for. 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:37.320 It is a marriage renewal covenant 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:38.060 where to say, 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.340 to be in relationship 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.039 with you 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:42.080 is to taste 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.820 of your glory. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:51.860 So this is what's going on 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:54.820 in 536 BC. 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:57.220 God is renewing 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.940 and restoring 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.640 and we'll see. 00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:00.160 God's not done yet. 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.580 He's going to build the temple. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.960 He's going to bring the law. 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:04.700 He's going to renew the sacrament. 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:07.100 He's going to rebuild the city. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.380 God's rebuilding 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:09.680 is just beginning. 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.519 But in it, 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:13.039 we see that God's people 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:16.039 have made the worship of God 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.900 their priority 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:19.360 and the glory of God 00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:20.640 their longing 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.620 and their heart. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:24.860 So, 00:29:25.040 --> 00:29:26.340 what do we do with that? 00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:27.580 That's great. 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.820 It's a long time ago 00:29:28.820 --> 00:29:30.519 in a very physical picture 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.580 of how to do these things. 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.660 What do we do with this? 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:35.000 I want to just locate this 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.080 in the biblical story 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:37.300 a little bit 00:29:37.300 --> 00:29:38.519 and help you see 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.460 some of the threads 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:41.759 because I hope you hear 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.840 that what God is doing 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:45.200 with this particular people 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.960 is an example 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.279 and a foretaste 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.400 of the greater things 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.140 that would come. 00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:51.100 You see, 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:54.279 because God is in the business 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:58.120 of gathering in wandering exiles. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.580 God is in the business 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:04.400 of bringing back to himself 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:08.460 men and women 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:10.400 from every tribe 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.980 and tongue 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.579 and nation 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.900 across the land 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.900 who, 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.200 because of their sin, 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.299 are estranged 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:18.120 and exiled from him 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:19.440 and are not dwelling 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:21.360 in relationship with him 00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:24.120 and are not experiencing 00:30:24.120 --> 00:30:25.120 his glory. 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:30.660 We see that what God 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.620 is doing in the world 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.519 is he is building 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.360 a new temple, 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:36.980 a temple that is not a place, 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:39.140 not this building, 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.200 it's not this edifice, 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.559 it's not the thing 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.779 we're going to build next door. 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:46.000 That's not where God's temple dwells. 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.620 But God's temple 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.700 is his people, 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:52.140 his people built 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:53.220 on a cornerstone, 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:55.299 the cornerstone being 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.180 Jesus Christ, 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.180 the Son of God. 00:30:57.180 --> 00:31:01.340 We see these pictures 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:02.120 in the scriptures. 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.259 Jesus himself, 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.519 while he was on earth, 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:06.259 told the Pharisees, 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.299 destroy this temple 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.019 and in three days 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.960 I will raise it up. 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.640 He was talking about himself 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.440 and his own body 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:14.640 that would be destroyed 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.600 by death 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.740 and yet raised 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.720 to new life 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.820 for us 00:31:18.820 --> 00:31:19.840 and for the beginning 00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.880 of this new people 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:22.560 that wouldn't simply be 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.600 about the descendants 00:31:23.600 --> 00:31:24.180 of Abraham 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.740 but would be 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.700 for all people 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.340 everywhere. 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:30.740 And then the apostle Peter 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:32.360 reminds us in 1 Peter 2 00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:36.500 that that Jesus 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:38.259 then becomes the cornerstone 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:40.299 and that we are being built 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:41.480 as his people 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:43.480 into a living temple. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:45.420 That we are meant 00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:46.779 to be the building blocks 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:48.360 of the temple of God. 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:48.680 That is, 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.820 we are the place 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:51.440 as we gather 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:52.160 in relationship 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:52.940 with one another 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.980 in this world 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.620 where God displays 00:31:55.620 --> 00:31:56.220 his glory 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.440 and where the meeting place 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.620 between God and man is 00:31:58.620 --> 00:32:00.000 in this world. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.779 The very center 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:05.220 of God's work 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.980 in this era 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:09.380 is that the church 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:11.900 that is the people of God 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:13.400 gathered and scattered 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.240 are, 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:15.980 is the place 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.720 where God 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.680 is meeting 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.640 with humanity. 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:20.520 it is the very center 00:32:20.520 --> 00:32:21.020 of it. 00:32:21.800 --> 00:32:22.660 And so we don't have 00:32:22.660 --> 00:32:23.620 to go to a place 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.460 with an altar 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.900 and sacrifice 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.640 burnt offerings. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:28.180 We don't have to find 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:29.180 goats and bulls 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.140 to do these things 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.800 anymore. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.780 But what God 00:32:35.780 --> 00:32:36.520 calls us to do 00:32:36.520 --> 00:32:37.060 is to make 00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:38.500 his people, 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.440 his church, 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.600 the priority 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:42.640 in our lives. 00:32:43.060 --> 00:32:43.960 This is the most 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.800 important thing 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.880 about me. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:48.520 And we don't have 00:32:48.520 --> 00:32:49.220 sacrifices 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.140 to be repeated 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:52.040 because we know 00:32:52.040 --> 00:32:53.520 that the sacrifice, 00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:55.300 all those sacrifices 00:32:55.300 --> 00:32:56.280 pointed ahead 00:32:56.280 --> 00:32:58.020 to the once for all 00:32:58.020 --> 00:32:59.120 sacrifice of Jesus. 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:01.120 That he has taken 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:02.580 the sin 00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:03.140 and the guilt 00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.840 and the judgment. 00:33:04.540 --> 00:33:05.380 He is sent 00:33:05.380 --> 00:33:06.480 into the exile 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.920 of death 00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:09.520 so that he can be 00:33:09.520 --> 00:33:10.340 brought back 00:33:10.340 --> 00:33:12.300 in new life 00:33:12.300 --> 00:33:13.500 and restore forever 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.460 our relationship 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.140 with him. 00:33:15.840 --> 00:33:16.600 He is both 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:17.240 the sacrifice 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:18.500 and the scapegoat 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.559 who both dies 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.400 and is cut off 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.039 and sent out 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.740 into the wilderness 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:23.120 so that we might 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:24.039 be brought in 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:26.240 by faith 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.840 in him. 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.900 So briefly, 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.660 how do we apply 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.819 this to our lives? 00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.140 Well, 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.000 the first is 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:40.519 we make 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:40.980 the worship 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.480 of God 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.220 our priority. 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.620 that is, 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.680 there are sacrifices 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.299 for us 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.799 to make. 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.440 Romans 12.1 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.360 tells us this, 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.480 I appeal to you 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.880 therefore, 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.900 brothers and sisters, 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.940 by the mercy of God 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.019 to present your bodies 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.579 as living sacrifices, 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:57.700 holy and acceptable 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.400 to God, 00:33:59.100 --> 00:33:59.680 which is your 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.720 spiritual worship. 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:05.380 when we join 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:05.940 with Christ 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.680 by faith, 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:08.460 he calls us 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.000 to say, 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.539 lay it all down 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.280 before me. 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:13.320 All that you have, 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:14.440 all of your life, 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.619 put it on the altar, 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:17.039 make it mine, 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.539 give it to me 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.519 and let me do 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.240 what I want 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:20.800 with it. 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.840 There are kinds 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:27.500 of specific sacrifices 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.599 that flow from this 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.059 that we see 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.820 in the New Testament. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.480 Ephesians 2 says, 00:34:31.580 --> 00:34:32.320 and walk in love 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:33.320 as Christ loved us 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:34.600 and gave himself up 00:34:34.600 --> 00:34:34.980 for us, 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.840 a fragrant offering 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.660 and a sacrifice 00:34:36.660 --> 00:34:37.420 to God. 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:40.600 Our loving others 00:34:40.600 --> 00:34:41.600 is a sacrifice 00:34:41.600 --> 00:34:42.380 to God 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.840 just as Jesus' 00:34:44.080 --> 00:34:44.640 sacrifice 00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:46.920 was a loving act 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.760 for us. 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.220 And so, 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.019 are we willing 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:51.820 to make that 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:52.440 a priority 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.519 in our lives? 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.180 Or do we allow 00:34:56.180 --> 00:34:56.760 ourselves 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:58.120 to become distracted 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:59.440 and selfish 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.559 and fearful 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:03.079 and think 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.500 that we have 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:03.880 to spend 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.420 our energies 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.239 building our own 00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:06.199 walls instead? 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:10.259 Hebrews 13, 00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:12.000 15 and 16 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.960 points to another 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:14.239 kind of sacrifice. 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.839 Through him, 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.839 that is through Christ, 00:35:17.219 --> 00:35:17.779 then let us 00:35:17.779 --> 00:35:19.000 continually offer up 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.659 a sacrifice 00:35:19.659 --> 00:35:20.980 of praise to God, 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.819 that is the fruit 00:35:21.819 --> 00:35:22.259 of lips 00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:23.359 that acknowledge 00:35:23.359 --> 00:35:24.199 his name. 00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:29.859 Do we make 00:35:29.859 --> 00:35:31.219 praise to God 00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:32.399 the thing 00:35:32.399 --> 00:35:33.079 that we most 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:33.779 long for 00:35:33.779 --> 00:35:34.619 in our lives? 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.359 Or do we really 00:35:36.359 --> 00:35:37.379 wish deep down 00:35:37.379 --> 00:35:38.179 that God would 00:35:38.179 --> 00:35:39.500 let us get 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.939 some of that 00:35:39.939 --> 00:35:40.559 praise too? 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.799 That people would 00:35:41.799 --> 00:35:42.539 think really well 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.139 of us 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:44.639 and praise us 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.759 and think us 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.279 important? 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:50.699 Are we willing 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:52.799 to make 00:35:52.799 --> 00:35:55.039 the praising 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.939 of God 00:35:55.939 --> 00:35:57.799 the greatest 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.579 joy of our 00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:58.980 hearts? 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:03.399 And then also, 00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:04.599 there is a sacrifice 00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:05.359 of submission 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:06.219 to God's word. 00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:08.279 That is, 00:36:08.319 --> 00:36:08.960 there is a sacrifice 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.859 of our independence. 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:11.699 Just as the people 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:14.599 followed the instructions 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:15.179 of Moses 00:36:15.179 --> 00:36:15.819 and said, 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:16.799 as it is written, 00:36:17.439 --> 00:36:18.679 we too are called 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.899 to sacrifice 00:36:19.899 --> 00:36:20.899 our independence 00:36:20.899 --> 00:36:22.179 and even 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:22.899 our own 00:36:22.899 --> 00:36:25.699 sense of 00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.279 what is right 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:26.739 and wrong 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:27.419 at times 00:36:27.419 --> 00:36:28.519 to submit 00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:29.299 to the God 00:36:29.299 --> 00:36:30.000 of the universe 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:31.139 who has revealed 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:32.199 himself in the Bible. 00:36:33.819 --> 00:36:34.099 And so, 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:34.980 we live lives 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:37.219 of ethical purity, 00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.799 of morality, 00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:41.179 but more than that, 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:42.079 we live lives 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:43.099 that seek 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.919 to honor God 00:36:43.919 --> 00:36:44.619 and do things 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.339 his way 00:36:45.339 --> 00:36:46.500 in humility 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:48.179 and in graciousness 00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:49.179 and in patience 00:36:49.179 --> 00:36:50.539 and in kindness 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.679 and in perseverance. 00:36:56.359 --> 00:36:56.839 So, 00:36:56.899 --> 00:36:57.339 there are many 00:36:57.339 --> 00:36:58.099 sacrifices 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.980 that God 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.719 does call us 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:01.259 to make, 00:37:01.759 --> 00:37:02.639 but they all 00:37:02.639 --> 00:37:03.299 flow from 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:03.960 the fundamental 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.639 sacrifice 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.019 of saying, 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:05.239 God, 00:37:05.299 --> 00:37:05.719 my life 00:37:05.719 --> 00:37:06.619 is not my own. 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.699 You have bought 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.500 it with the price 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.379 of Jesus Christ. 00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:12.359 Glorify me. 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.639 Glorify you, 00:37:15.039 --> 00:37:15.219 Lord, 00:37:15.399 --> 00:37:16.419 in my life, 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.980 whatever that means. 00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:19.339 Help me to love. 00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:21.179 Help me to praise 00:37:21.179 --> 00:37:21.639 you. 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:25.739 It also means 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:26.719 that we set our hearts 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.859 on the glory of God. 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:29.879 And friends, 00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:31.139 it's so easy for us 00:37:31.139 --> 00:37:34.599 to want glory 00:37:34.599 --> 00:37:35.659 for ourselves 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:37.619 because, 00:37:37.739 --> 00:37:37.980 of course, 00:37:38.039 --> 00:37:38.399 you know, 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:39.679 we were made for glory 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:41.019 and we experience this 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:43.159 on a regular basis, 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:44.399 that we were made 00:37:44.399 --> 00:37:45.239 to be caught up 00:37:45.239 --> 00:37:45.819 in something 00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:47.239 greater than ourselves, 00:37:47.379 --> 00:37:48.759 something more transcendent 00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:49.920 and more wonderful 00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:51.379 and bigger than ourselves. 00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:52.159 And it's the thing 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:53.000 that we taste 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:54.239 in all sorts 00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:55.119 of little ways. 00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:55.719 It's the thing 00:37:55.719 --> 00:37:56.359 that we taste 00:37:56.359 --> 00:37:58.099 when your sports team 00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.639 wins game seven 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.399 of the series 00:38:00.399 --> 00:38:01.500 and you think, 00:38:01.799 --> 00:38:02.019 woo, 00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:03.279 you get caught up 00:38:03.279 --> 00:38:04.159 in that glory of, 00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:05.039 we won, 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:06.079 even though you're 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:07.259 just a spectator, 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.279 but we won 00:38:08.279 --> 00:38:09.119 and you get caught up 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:09.879 in something bigger 00:38:09.879 --> 00:38:10.599 than yourself. 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:12.559 It's the glory 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:13.519 of the honor 00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.380 of your country 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:15.559 acting for good 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.599 and battling evil 00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:17.259 in the world. 00:38:17.779 --> 00:38:18.619 It's the honor 00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.400 in your work. 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.039 It's the glory 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:20.679 in your work 00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:22.099 of a job well done 00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:23.699 and successfully done. 00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:24.579 It's the glory 00:38:24.579 --> 00:38:25.579 that we taste 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:26.759 when we go 00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.559 to the Rockies 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.339 and we sit 00:38:28.339 --> 00:38:29.480 on the shore 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:30.380 of Bierstadt Lake 00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:32.420 and look at the crags 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:33.679 as they rise above us 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:34.980 on a beautiful summer day. 00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:36.239 It's the glory 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:38.659 that we feel 00:38:38.659 --> 00:38:39.480 in the swell 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:41.000 of Mozart's Requiem. 00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:44.219 All of these 00:38:44.219 --> 00:38:45.619 are tastes of glory 00:38:45.619 --> 00:38:47.219 that help us know 00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:48.099 that as human beings 00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:49.579 we are made for glory, 00:38:49.820 --> 00:38:50.719 but these aren't 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:51.699 the substance of them. 00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:53.400 These are the signposts. 00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.059 These are the, 00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:55.719 this is the taste 00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.719 at the mall 00:38:56.719 --> 00:38:57.219 where you get, 00:38:57.280 --> 00:38:57.360 hey, 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.000 do you want a taste 00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.559 so you can have 00:38:58.559 --> 00:38:59.139 the whole meal? 00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:00.599 That's what we're getting 00:39:00.599 --> 00:39:01.199 in these, 00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:01.840 right? 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:03.139 Four tastes 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:03.840 and shadows 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:04.360 that point 00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:05.659 to a greater reality, 00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:07.559 a greater reality 00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.079 of a glory 00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:09.039 that we will never 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:10.279 be able to manufacture 00:39:10.279 --> 00:39:11.639 and never be able to, 00:39:11.900 --> 00:39:12.739 but a glory 00:39:12.739 --> 00:39:14.659 that seeks us out 00:39:14.659 --> 00:39:15.819 in Jesus Christ 00:39:15.819 --> 00:39:17.599 and comes and finds us 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.880 and invites us in 00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:20.440 to his glory. 00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:22.579 And in the glory of God 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:24.259 we find his worthiness, 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:26.400 that he is good 00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:28.539 and his steadfast love 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:30.519 endures forever. 00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:35.860 that the God 00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:36.579 of the Bible 00:39:36.579 --> 00:39:38.000 will come to us 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:39.340 with all of this goodness 00:39:39.340 --> 00:39:40.780 and invite us 00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.139 to say, 00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:42.800 come and live, 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:44.460 sit and soak 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.400 and absorb 00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.639 and revel 00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:48.539 and rejoice 00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.639 and sing 00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:51.500 in my glory. 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:53.800 And not only 00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.500 do we find 00:39:54.500 --> 00:39:55.500 his worthiness, 00:39:55.800 --> 00:39:57.019 but we also find 00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:57.940 his weightiness. 00:39:57.940 --> 00:39:59.519 we find 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:00.599 that God 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:01.740 is so great 00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:03.860 that 00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:05.179 as we 00:40:05.179 --> 00:40:06.519 set our hearts 00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:06.940 on him 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:08.059 and as we drink 00:40:08.059 --> 00:40:09.019 from his goodness 00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:09.940 and as we taste 00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.940 of his faithfulness 00:40:10.940 --> 00:40:12.119 and as we sing 00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:12.940 his praises, 00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:14.179 our hearts are tuned 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:15.079 for more of it 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:16.300 and we find 00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:17.019 that he is able 00:40:17.019 --> 00:40:17.679 to carry 00:40:17.679 --> 00:40:18.780 that weight 00:40:18.780 --> 00:40:19.960 that our greater 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:20.519 desires 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:21.519 that continue 00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:22.619 to increase 00:40:22.619 --> 00:40:25.139 find that God 00:40:25.139 --> 00:40:26.179 is able to carry 00:40:26.179 --> 00:40:27.699 all of those things. 00:40:28.819 --> 00:40:29.519 John Hanks and I 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:30.159 were talking about 00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:30.779 this yesterday 00:40:30.779 --> 00:40:32.399 and he reminded me 00:40:32.399 --> 00:40:32.579 of, 00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:33.899 there was a 00:40:33.899 --> 00:40:34.739 Veritas Forum 00:40:34.739 --> 00:40:35.679 a couple years ago 00:40:35.679 --> 00:40:37.319 where Shelley Kagan 00:40:37.319 --> 00:40:38.059 who is a professor 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:39.279 of philosophy, 00:40:40.159 --> 00:40:41.279 the head of the department 00:40:41.279 --> 00:40:42.679 and very highly respected, 00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:44.579 was in a discussion 00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:45.500 with N.T. Wright 00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.699 and at one point 00:40:46.699 --> 00:40:48.099 the topic of eternity 00:40:48.099 --> 00:40:48.839 came up 00:40:48.839 --> 00:40:49.659 and Shelley Kagan 00:40:49.659 --> 00:40:49.960 says, 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:50.699 I don't want, 00:40:51.019 --> 00:40:52.039 this is a paraphrase, 00:40:52.399 --> 00:40:53.879 I don't want to live forever 00:40:53.880 --> 00:40:56.180 because everything 00:40:56.180 --> 00:40:57.460 that I desire 00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.119 and everything 00:40:58.119 --> 00:40:59.200 that I enjoy 00:40:59.200 --> 00:41:01.700 eventually disappoint me 00:41:01.700 --> 00:41:03.240 and I would hate 00:41:03.240 --> 00:41:03.980 to live forever, 00:41:04.099 --> 00:41:05.460 that would be horrible. 00:41:08.340 --> 00:41:08.900 Friends, 00:41:09.000 --> 00:41:09.460 the weight 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:10.400 of God's glory 00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:11.539 is that we will 00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.720 continue to plumb 00:41:12.720 --> 00:41:13.280 the depths 00:41:13.280 --> 00:41:14.840 of his goodness 00:41:14.840 --> 00:41:15.960 and his mercy 00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:17.019 of his grace 00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:17.980 and his love 00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:19.079 of his power 00:41:19.079 --> 00:41:20.760 and his majesty 00:41:20.760 --> 00:41:22.140 and his beauty 00:41:22.139 --> 00:41:23.460 for the rest 00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:24.539 of our lives 00:41:24.539 --> 00:41:26.019 and we will never 00:41:26.019 --> 00:41:27.400 be disappointed. 00:41:28.339 --> 00:41:28.859 In fact, 00:41:28.920 --> 00:41:29.779 it will lead us 00:41:29.779 --> 00:41:30.739 into eternity 00:41:30.739 --> 00:41:31.819 and we will feel 00:41:31.819 --> 00:41:33.139 like the prodigal son 00:41:33.139 --> 00:41:34.460 who has come home 00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:35.179 from eating 00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:36.759 the swine's food 00:41:36.759 --> 00:41:38.079 into the household 00:41:38.079 --> 00:41:38.799 of the father 00:41:38.799 --> 00:41:39.679 where we have a ring 00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:40.299 and a robe 00:41:40.299 --> 00:41:41.420 and sandals 00:41:41.420 --> 00:41:42.159 and a party 00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:45.759 where we sing praises 00:41:45.759 --> 00:41:46.659 and are caught up 00:41:46.659 --> 00:41:47.639 in this glory 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:49.659 of being with God. 00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:53.819 and Jesus 00:41:53.819 --> 00:41:55.000 will not disappoint. 00:41:57.559 --> 00:41:58.460 And we, 00:41:58.739 --> 00:41:59.559 like the old men 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:00.399 in the Old Testament 00:42:00.399 --> 00:42:01.099 today, 00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:03.599 look with, 00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:05.259 through a dark, 00:42:05.839 --> 00:42:06.480 through a glass 00:42:06.480 --> 00:42:06.980 darkly. 00:42:07.339 --> 00:42:08.539 We don't see 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:10.139 the fullness 00:42:10.139 --> 00:42:10.960 of that glory 00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:11.639 even now. 00:42:11.719 --> 00:42:12.539 We've tasted it. 00:42:12.739 --> 00:42:13.799 We know it's real 00:42:13.799 --> 00:42:14.819 but we know 00:42:14.819 --> 00:42:15.779 that there's a glory 00:42:15.779 --> 00:42:16.739 yet to come. 00:42:16.739 --> 00:42:20.219 we know that one day 00:42:20.219 --> 00:42:21.319 with unveiled faces 00:42:21.319 --> 00:42:22.239 we will see him 00:42:22.239 --> 00:42:25.579 and we will be like him 00:42:25.579 --> 00:42:28.819 and the glory of God 00:42:28.819 --> 00:42:30.139 will fill the earth 00:42:30.139 --> 00:42:31.399 as he renews 00:42:31.399 --> 00:42:32.179 ultimately 00:42:32.179 --> 00:42:34.339 the people of God 00:42:34.339 --> 00:42:35.699 to the place of God 00:42:35.699 --> 00:42:36.719 where they enjoy 00:42:36.719 --> 00:42:38.099 the presence of God 00:42:38.099 --> 00:42:39.119 forever 00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:41.199 and his glory 00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:42.559 will fill the heavens 00:42:42.559 --> 00:42:43.199 and the earth. 00:42:43.199 --> 00:42:43.299 Amen. 00:42:46.739 --> 00:42:47.919 When we've been there 00:42:47.919 --> 00:42:49.079 10,000 years 00:42:49.079 --> 00:42:50.899 bright shining 00:42:50.899 --> 00:42:51.659 as the sun 00:42:51.659 --> 00:42:53.719 we've no less days 00:42:53.719 --> 00:42:54.799 to sing his praise 00:42:54.799 --> 00:42:56.659 than when we first 00:42:56.659 --> 00:42:57.039 begun. 00:43:01.039 --> 00:43:01.639 Friends, 00:43:02.199 --> 00:43:04.159 this is what 00:43:04.159 --> 00:43:06.119 Ezra 3 tells us 00:43:06.119 --> 00:43:07.119 is most important 00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:07.899 about being 00:43:07.899 --> 00:43:08.919 the people of God. 00:43:10.759 --> 00:43:11.919 Will you make it 00:43:11.919 --> 00:43:12.799 the thing that's 00:43:12.799 --> 00:43:13.399 most important 00:43:13.399 --> 00:43:14.339 for you today? 00:43:14.340 --> 00:43:15.960 Let's pray. 00:43:26.300 --> 00:43:26.820 Lord, 00:43:26.900 --> 00:43:27.420 we have 00:43:27.420 --> 00:43:29.120 touched on things 00:43:29.120 --> 00:43:29.539 that are 00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:31.760 greater than words. 00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:34.980 We have spoken 00:43:34.980 --> 00:43:36.220 of things 00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:36.660 that 00:43:36.660 --> 00:43:40.420 Lord, 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:40.620 are 00:43:40.620 --> 00:43:42.260 too high 00:43:42.260 --> 00:43:42.720 for us 00:43:42.720 --> 00:43:43.700 to fully comprehend. 00:43:44.340 --> 00:43:46.940 and yet 00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:47.160 Lord, 00:43:47.220 --> 00:43:47.700 we know 00:43:47.700 --> 00:43:48.120 that 00:43:48.120 --> 00:43:50.059 in this text 00:43:50.059 --> 00:43:50.980 Lord, 00:43:51.059 --> 00:43:51.700 you point us 00:43:51.700 --> 00:43:52.059 to 00:43:52.059 --> 00:43:53.440 yourself 00:43:53.440 --> 00:43:55.500 that you 00:43:55.500 --> 00:43:56.000 are worthy 00:43:56.000 --> 00:43:56.800 of our worship 00:43:56.800 --> 00:43:59.340 and Lord, 00:43:59.440 --> 00:43:59.620 that 00:43:59.620 --> 00:44:01.220 in you 00:44:01.220 --> 00:44:01.800 we find 00:44:01.800 --> 00:44:02.300 the glory 00:44:02.300 --> 00:44:03.100 that our hearts 00:44:03.100 --> 00:44:03.880 long for. 00:44:05.059 --> 00:44:05.840 The glory 00:44:05.840 --> 00:44:06.240 that 00:44:06.240 --> 00:44:08.000 magnifies you 00:44:08.000 --> 00:44:08.680 in all of your 00:44:08.680 --> 00:44:09.039 greatness. 00:44:10.660 --> 00:44:11.120 Lord, 00:44:11.200 --> 00:44:11.680 help us 00:44:11.680 --> 00:44:12.320 to taste 00:44:12.320 --> 00:44:12.900 and see 00:44:12.900 --> 00:44:13.280 that you 00:44:13.280 --> 00:44:13.760 are good 00:44:13.760 --> 00:44:15.280 and Lord, 00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:15.740 help us 00:44:15.740 --> 00:44:16.220 to order 00:44:16.220 --> 00:44:17.080 our lives 00:44:17.080 --> 00:44:18.900 that we 00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:19.480 might pursue 00:44:19.480 --> 00:44:20.220 these things 00:44:20.220 --> 00:44:20.880 above all 00:44:20.880 --> 00:44:21.260 else. 00:44:24.860 --> 00:44:25.380 Lord, 00:44:25.480 --> 00:44:25.860 free us 00:44:25.860 --> 00:44:26.260 from our 00:44:26.260 --> 00:44:26.740 fears 00:44:26.740 --> 00:44:28.120 and the 00:44:28.120 --> 00:44:28.560 things that 00:44:28.560 --> 00:44:29.120 keep us 00:44:29.120 --> 00:44:30.540 from pursuing 00:44:30.540 --> 00:44:31.380 these things. 00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:36.180 We pray 00:44:36.180 --> 00:44:36.900 these things 00:44:36.900 --> 00:44:37.380 in Jesus' 00:44:37.600 --> 00:44:37.740 name. 00:44:37.740 --> 00:44:38.780 Amen.