WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:06.640 We're going to begin our worship this morning singing to God's praise in Psalm 105 and sing psalms. 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:09.820 ! This is page 138 in the Blue Book. 00:00:09.820 --> 00:00:13.000 The tune will be Centennial. 00:00:20.700 --> 00:00:23.020 We're going to sing from the beginning through to verse 11. 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:23.899 So four stanzas. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:26.140 Give thanks to the Lord God and call on his name. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:29.060 His wonderful deeds to the nations proclaim. 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:37.159 Sing praises to him and his exploits record that all those who seek him rejoice in the Lord. 00:00:37.159 --> 00:00:40.979 It's good for us to come with joy into the presence of our God and worship today. 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:43.259 So let's sing with joy to his name. 00:00:43.259 --> 00:00:44.419 We'll stand to sing if we're able. 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:47.099 Give thanks to the Lord God. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:29.259 Let all those who seek him rejoice in the Lord. 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:40.600 You've chosen one's look to the Lord and his might. 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:49.219 Seek help of his face and his wonders beside. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:58.700 His miracles too and his judgments divine. 00:01:59.260 --> 00:02:08.819 You children of Mepra and Jacob's own life. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:19.159 The Lord is our God and he rules all the earth. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:28.080 Remembering his covenant the word he set forth. 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:37.640 He vowed for the ages to come to make good. 00:02:37.640 --> 00:02:45.640 His promise to Abraham to rise and renew. 00:02:45.639 --> 00:02:55.199 To Jacob is sovereign. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:57.199 He was made sure. 00:02:57.199 --> 00:03:05.639 With Israel his command would always endure. 00:03:05.639 --> 00:03:15.279 To you I will give us your portion to stand. 00:03:15.779 --> 00:03:19.799 The country of Canaan. 00:03:20.199 --> 00:03:24.319 The beautiful land. 00:03:24.319 --> 00:03:33.060 Let's bow our heads in prayer to God. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:42.620 God and our Father in heaven. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:48.259 We come before you this morning with these words of praise on our lips. 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:51.240 That we have today so much to give thanks for. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:56.840 Because of your goodness and your grace towards sinners like us. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:01.259 We want to thank you today for your covenant. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:05.719 You are the one who has entered into an agreement. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:10.280 First and foremostly within the Trinity. 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:12.020 Between the Father and the Son. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:15.560 A covenant before the foundation of the world. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:21.379 Where our Lord and our Savior Jesus agreed to come into this world. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:22.899 In the fullness of time. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.879 And to bear the sin and reproach of his people. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:33.519 Let me thank you that in the fullness of time he did indeed come. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:38.959 And come into this world that was full of sin and rebellion against him. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:42.060 A world that would ultimately reject him. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:45.000 And yet out of your great love. 00:04:46.859 --> 00:04:49.299 He fulfilled the terms of that covenant. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:55.459 And so our peace and our security was made sure. 00:04:57.599 --> 00:05:02.319 So we thank you today for the fact that we worship a covenant keeping God. 00:05:03.359 --> 00:05:06.199 We worship a God who has established a plan of salvation. 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:09.579 Who has fulfilled all that is necessary for us today. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:13.180 To know the security of that salvation in its fullness. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:18.800 And so we are therefore today free to come and worship you like this. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.899 We are today free to look with hope on the future. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:29.560 To know that your purposes will be unfolded in their fullness. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:33.019 That there is the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:37.180 And that in the midst of all of the sorrow and travail of this world. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.959 There is much that we can look forward to. 00:05:41.479 --> 00:05:44.560 And so we pray that today we would meet with this living God. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:47.219 That we would meet with the covenant keeping God. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:52.759 That we would today rejoice in our salvation. 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:56.480 And that we would have a confidence given to us. 00:05:56.539 --> 00:06:00.019 An assurance of the completeness of the work of Jesus. 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:03.360 And that our faith in him would deepen and strengthen. 00:06:04.740 --> 00:06:06.819 And so receive our worship this day. 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:08.519 Receive our confession of sin. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:10.500 Forgive us our sins. 00:06:11.219 --> 00:06:12.860 And bless us with your own presence. 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.000 And we ask this for Jesus' sake. 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:16.259 Amen. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:16.360 Amen. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:16.420 Amen. 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:16.420 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:16.420 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:23.199 Amen. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:25.620 So boys and girls. 00:06:25.800 --> 00:06:28.500 Over the last few months when I've been here preaching. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:34.259 I have been sharing with you some of the exploits from our house. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:36.279 Because it's getting done up just now. 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:39.159 And today I bring you a box. 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:45.639 This box is, if those of you who are electricians will understand some of the jargon that's written on the side of this box. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:50.180 This says it's a two gang double pole switched socket dual earth. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:53.639 If you're an electrician, you will know what that means. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:59.060 If you're not an electrician, it will suffice for you to know it had a plug in it. 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:06.819 And that plug is now mounted on the wall in one of the rooms in our house. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:08.379 I don't even know which room this woman into. 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:11.579 Because there's about 50 of them. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:11.939 I don't know. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.300 There's loads and loads and loads of these. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:17.100 Maybe that's something you could do this afternoon when you go home, boys and girls. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:21.800 You could go home and you could count how many plugs are in your house. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.820 That would be an exciting thing to do. 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:28.379 Our house has got more plugs in it now than it used to have. 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:34.600 And the reason today that I know that our house has more plugs is not only that I can go around and count them. 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:40.500 But because I also found sitting in my kitchen this week this box. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:49.020 And unless my electrician is messing us around, I was fairly confident that he hadn't left a full box to go out to the recycling. 00:07:49.460 --> 00:07:52.540 I was pretty sure it was in fact an empty box. 00:07:52.820 --> 00:07:55.260 And if I open the box, I can show you inside it. 00:07:55.660 --> 00:07:56.980 It is an empty box. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:08:01.560 And an empty box is a good thing when you're employing someone to do some work for you. 00:08:01.640 --> 00:08:03.720 Because that means they've done the job. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:08.900 And so you can be really glad when you find an empty box. 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:17.300 Now, in the Bible, there is a story, a very important story, about an empty box. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:22.480 And it was after Jesus had been crucified. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:28.500 So you remember Jesus went to the cross and he died in our place. 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:35.680 And at the cross, he took our sin and our guilt for all of the bad things that we do. 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:43.700 He took all of that on himself and he paid the price to satisfy divine justice. 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:48.220 To satisfy God's just punishment for our sins. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:51.000 Jesus paid that price. 00:08:52.280 --> 00:08:53.820 And then he died. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:09:00.240 And after he died, a man called Joseph of Arimathea came and asked for the body of Jesus. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:06.780 And he took the body of Jesus and put the body of Jesus in a tomb, in a garden. 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:10.920 And then they rolled a big stone over the front of the tomb. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:12.920 So that was on Friday night. 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:24.860 And on Sunday morning, Mary and some other women went to the tomb to find if they could anoint the body of Jesus with spices, anointments and things that they used to do when they buried someone. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:35.460 And they found that the stone had been rolled away and that inside the tomb, there was no body. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:37.700 Think of it like this. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:40.940 The tomb was an empty box. 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:44.240 And they were confused. 00:09:45.660 --> 00:09:47.560 They were thinking, why is this an empty tomb? 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:49.200 Why is it an empty box? 00:09:49.900 --> 00:09:50.840 Now, what did I just tell you? 00:09:50.880 --> 00:09:52.000 What does an empty box tell you? 00:09:53.040 --> 00:09:58.760 An empty box tells you the work has been done. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:07.360 And on that first Sunday, when they went to the empty tomb of Jesus and they found the tomb empty like that. 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:19.000 What that says to them and what it should say to us today and what it's going to say forevermore is the work is done. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.000 Jesus died. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.940 Jesus died. 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:31.240 And then he rose again from the dead because the father was pleased with all the work that he had done. 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:34.779 The work is finished. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:41.919 And that's why today we can trust in Jesus completely for salvation. 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:44.860 There's nothing else that we need to do. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.299 There's no extra work that we need to do. 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:53.259 Sometimes we say to ourselves, well, God will love me if I'm just a little bit better. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:11:00.319 If we were going to add anything to the finished work of Jesus, that would be like saying the box isn't really empty. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.700 There's a little bit more inside the box that we have to do. 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:12.179 But actually the box is empty because all of the work is complete and done. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:18.679 And so today we can trust Jesus because he has done all of the work for us. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:21.240 We're going to say the Lord's Prayer just now. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:22.939 And then after we've done that, we'll sing again. 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:24.420 So let's bow our heads in prayer to God. 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:29.580 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:31.220 Your kingdom come. 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:35.140 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:38.240 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:42.880 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:47.680 Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:52.240 For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:53.420 Amen. 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:53.500 Amen. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:57.659 We're going to sing again to God's praise. 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:04.439 This time from Psalm 2027. 00:12:04.440 --> 00:12:08.460 Again, in Sing Psalms, page 31 in the Blue Book. 00:12:10.780 --> 00:12:11.920 The tune is Jackson. 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:17.500 We're going to sing from the beginning through to the second half of verse 4. 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:19.760 So 5 stands as to God's praise. 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.500 The Lord's my Savior and my light. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:26.639 The Lord's the stronghold of my life. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:29.259 Why should I be afraid? 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:32.100 Again, we'll stand to sing to God's praise. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:34.539 The Lord's my Savior and my light. 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:47.659 The Lord's my Savior and my light. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:13:08.699 The Lord's my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior and my Savior? 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:22.420 When people do hurt, threaten me to take my life away. 00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:36.680 My adversaries and my foes will stumble in that face. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:51.679 Though an army hands me in, my heart will feel no dread. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:14:05.679 Though one against me should arise, I will lift up my hand. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:20.679 One thing I'll plead before the Lord, and this I'll seek always. 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:35.679 That I may come within God's arms and dwell there all my days. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:50.679 But from the beauty of the Lord, I constantly make it. 00:14:50.679 --> 00:15:04.679 And in his arms may seek to know direction in his ways. 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:34.679 Please pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, if you pray, 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:53.899 After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision. 00:15:55.199 --> 00:16:01.079 Fear not, Abraham, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great. 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:06.840 But Abraham said, Lord God, what will you give me? 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:14.040 For I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:23.259 And Abraham said, Behold, you have given me no offspring, and no member of my house will be my heir. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:30.480 Behold, the word of the Lord came to him, This man shall not be your heir. 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:34.120 Your very own son shall be your heir. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:42.820 And he brought him outside and said, Look towards heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:46.379 Then he said to him, So shall your offspring be. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:51.259 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:59.840 And he said to him, I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:04.519 But he said, O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it? 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:13.720 He said to him, Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle dove, and a young pigeon. 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:21.539 And he brought him all these, and cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:24.519 But he did not cut the birds in half. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:29.759 And when the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:35.059 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:39.259 And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:50.079 Then the Lord said to Abram, Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:55.119 and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 00:17:56.119 --> 00:18:03.799 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterwards they shall come out with great possessions. 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:09.139 As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:15.700 You shall be buried in a good old age, and they shall come back here in the fourth generation, 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:19.099 for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:28.680 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:33.740 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:39.759 To your offspring I give this land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:46.840 the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:53.380 the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.220 Amen. 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:58.579 Again, this is God's word to us. 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:03.360 Let's once again bow our heads in prayer to God. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:10.839 Our Heavenly Father, we come before you today. 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:18.019 We give you praise and thanks for the great privilege that we enjoy today gathering for worship like this. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:25.539 How good it is for us to come into the presence of our God, to give you thanks for your goodness to us, 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:32.440 for us to gather on the first day of the week in particular, remembering the resurrection of our Savior Jesus. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:35.599 We thank you that he has indeed defeated death. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:48.399 We thank you that the work of salvation is indeed complete, that all that is necessary to satisfy your justice over our sinfulness and our iniquity has been fully met, 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:50.759 that the price has been paid in full. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:20:00.839 And today we can have that confidence to therefore draw near to you, knowing that your wrath has abated against sinners like us, 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:03.099 because Jesus has borne the curse. 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:12.799 We thank you today for the fact that Jesus is not merely in the grave and not even merely risen to life, but that he has ascended up to heaven. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:16.559 That today he is seated at your right hand. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:25.419 And from there he continues to rule over all things until one day we know he will return to judge the living and the dead. 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:33.320 And so, Father, we seek today to give you due homage and praise because of the work of salvation, 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:39.660 and because as well that Jesus reigns, that Jesus is Lord over all things this day. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:45.240 And, Lord, we have to confess the mystery of that, because as we worship you today, 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:49.860 each one of us will know in our own different ways, in our own different experiences, 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:53.340 the strangeness of your providence. 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:59.199 There are, O Lord, so many times when the things that happen to us in our lives, 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:03.899 the things that happen to us day by day, week by week, are a real mystery. 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:10.039 We don't understand why so much suffering is sometimes allowed to continue. 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:13.899 We wonder at why pain endures. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:20.759 And we are left, Lord, so often uncertain about what the real plan is. 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:23.259 We often feel like Abraham did. 00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:24.980 In that passage that we've read today. 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:34.539 And we thank you that we can rest in the knowledge that you have a purpose in all things. 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:38.879 That you are working out that purpose in its fullness. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:48.680 And that one day we will see the mystery of that marvelous interweaving of all of the events of our lives, 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:52.980 woven together into your glorious pattern. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:57.220 And so we pray, Father, that you would give us faith. 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:05.039 Simply enable us, Lord, to trust in you when things from our perspective seem to be so difficult. 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:12.079 We ask and pray for those, therefore, who are going through times of profound sorrow at this moment. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:15.159 We pray for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:19.439 Those who are anxious over the health of loved ones. 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:22.839 Perhaps even the health of those who are near to death. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:31.179 May you minister to them into these trying times, your own grace and your love and compassion. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:35.240 May they know and experience the mercy of the living God, 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:40.259 whose promise to them is that he will never leave them nor forsake them. 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:45.599 We thank you for that experience that is so often shared by your people. 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:50.799 That when we feel our own strength has failed and where there is no hope for us, 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:54.619 that we find that underneath are the everlasting arms of God. 00:22:55.400 --> 00:23:00.339 And that you continue to lift us up and to carry us through hard and difficult experiences. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:03.720 We pray, therefore, for that strength today. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:06.180 Not for a strength merely to endure, 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:12.860 but for us to know the strength of God that enables us to thrive in the midst of great turmoil and sorrow. 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:17.940 We want to pray, Father, for the congregation today and all of its different needs. 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:21.820 We pray especially for Calamurto as he ministers to us. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:25.000 We ask and pray your blessing on him and his family. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.799 We pray for the vacancy in the congregation. 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:32.240 We pray that you would raise up a pastor who will minister in this place 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:38.559 and lead the congregation in the study of your word and in the pastoral care that needs to be exercised. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.380 We pray for the eldership of the church, 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:46.339 that you would give them wisdom and understanding in the roles that they exercise. 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:51.019 Lord, we know that in this day pastoral care is such a challenge 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:54.720 because the problems that are in the world 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:58.980 so often press into the lives of your people as well. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:02.539 And we ask, Father, therefore, for wisdom and grace 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:05.799 in how pastoral care is exercised, 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:09.880 that it will be done so, Lord, full of gentleness and care and love 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:13.160 in the way in which Jesus cared for his people. 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:18.900 We thank you that you do not abandon us when it comes to pastoral ministry. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:21.940 We thank you that we have the Holy Spirit to help. 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:27.200 And we do pray, Father, for the working and the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of this church. 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:30.799 We pray, Father, that day by day, week by week, 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.600 we would be more aware, in fact, of that, 00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:36.220 that we would see the fruit of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:39.160 overflowing in the lives of each and every one of us, 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:43.400 and that we would know and experience a deepening love and care and compassion, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:46.880 that we would see patience and endurance increase, 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:52.000 that we would see tenderness grow in the way in which we deal with one another, 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:56.220 Father, that you would make us a congregation of men and women who love one another 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:58.619 as Christ loved us. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:03.539 We pray, Father, therefore, for humility to possess us. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:08.819 We pray, Father, that our lives would be characterized by that overflow of grace, 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:12.660 and that we would know your hand and your work upon us. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:16.820 We want to pray today, Father, for the wider church on the island and across our nation. 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:19.420 We pray, Father, for the vacancies in the church. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:23.240 We thank you, Father, for ministries beginning at the moment. 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:27.640 We lift up and pray, Father, for those who are undertaking studies 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.519 and preparing for ministry in our seminary. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.140 We pray for the staff there. 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:33.320 We ask and pray your blessing on the training 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:36.980 of those who will go out into the work of the vineyard of the gospel. 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:40.640 We pray, Father, that you would continue to raise up others 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:43.140 who will serve in different capacities and ministries 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:45.079 throughout the life of the church. 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.920 We pray for the health of the church in our land. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:52.200 We pray, Father, for healthy gospel churches to spring up 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.740 and to be encouraged across our nation, 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:57.360 for the light that shines in the darkness, 00:25:57.960 --> 00:26:00.440 to shine more brightly across our land, 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:03.039 not because we are great, but because our gospel, 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:05.500 the gospel that we herald and proclaim, 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:08.559 the good news that we have is a wonderful message 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:11.839 and that it does make a difference in the lives of men and women. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:15.180 And so, Father, bless us with an evangelistic zeal. 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:17.700 Bless us with a desire to make Jesus known. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.259 And so across our nation this day, 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.839 whatever the gospel has been preached, 00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:24.740 may you add fruit and multiply the blessing 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:26.359 of the preaching of the word. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:31.480 Father, just as we long for that blessing in our own nation, 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:33.839 we pray for the nations of the world. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:39.259 Lord, our news, Lord, just now is full of dire warnings 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:42.179 and calamities that are happening in different places, 00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:46.259 concerns that people have about the movement of the nations 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.579 and the hearts of rulers. 00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:52.819 We thank you that you are the one who establishes all things. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:56.599 And we pray that in the midst of strange times 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:59.639 that you would give us a resilience in the church. 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:02.800 Help us to see the seasons for what they are, 00:27:03.560 --> 00:27:06.600 the unfolding of the great plan of the fullness of time, 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:08.980 and to remember that Jesus is the one, 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:11.620 the Lamb who is slain, standing in the midst of the throne, 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:15.080 who alone is worthy to unravel the scroll of history. 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.400 We thank you that Jesus rules, 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:20.700 even over the crises that we see in the nations. 00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:24.520 We thank you that Jesus rules over the uncertainties of war, 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:28.599 the uncertainties of regimes that are violent and iniquitous, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:31.039 that Jesus rules over all of this. 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:36.119 And therefore, we pray for the resilience to endure in these days, 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:39.200 not only for ourselves, but for our brothers and sisters 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:43.599 who face far more difficult circumstances than we can imagine. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:48.200 May they shine brightly for Christ, 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:54.240 and may the radiance of Jesus be reflected in the faces of your children, 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:57.620 especially those who languish in prison, 00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:02.660 who are facing persecution and violence 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:04.600 for gathering in Jesus' name this day. 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.279 Because in all places, 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:10.980 the triumph of the resurrection is worthy to be proclaimed, 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:14.299 the triumph of the cross over sin, 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:17.580 and the good news that salvation is for us, 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:22.980 may, Lord, our persecutors discover this message for themselves. 00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:27.019 May men and women everywhere taste and see that God is good, 00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:29.240 and may your blessing flow. 00:28:30.419 --> 00:28:31.859 And so be with us, we pray this day, 00:28:32.179 --> 00:28:33.960 as we continue to worship you, 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.619 and as we reflect on your word. 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:37.019 Bless us in the truth. 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.119 Strengthen us in your service, 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.299 and uphold us by your Holy Spirit. 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.379 And we pray in Jesus' name. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.220 Amen. 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.319 Amen. 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:53.460 We're going to sing once again to God's praise 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:57.339 in Psalm 23 in the Scottish Psalter. 00:28:58.599 --> 00:29:00.559 This is page 229 in the Blue Psalm book, 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.559 the tune of St. Columba. 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:09.119 James was pointing out to me this morning, actually, 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:11.659 Psalm 23 appears three times in the bulletin sheet today. 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:14.259 We have the Scottish Psalter version this morning. 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:18.500 We'll be singing the St. Psalms version tonight, 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.899 and it's also part of the memory verse. 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.980 That's in the bulletin as well. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:26.799 So the Lord must be speaking to someone from these verses today. 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:29.019 It's good to remember these words, then. 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.940 The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:33.660 He makes me down to lie in pastures green. 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:36.720 He leadeth me the quiet waters by. 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:39.420 We'll stand and sing the whole of the psalm to God's praise. 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:54.060 The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:30:06.660 He makes me down to lie in pastures green. 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:18.480 He leadeth me the quiet waters by. 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:29.259 And so the love restore again. 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:50.299 And leadeth me the quiet voyque. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:31:12.259 Oh, I thought it just not will, yet will I fear the hell. 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:29.259 For thou art with me and thy watch, and stop me comfort still. 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:47.480 My table that has furnished it, in presence of my foes, 00:31:47.480 --> 00:32:03.480 my hand the dust with oil anoint, and my cup of gold. 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:21.480 Goodness and mercy on my life shall surely follow me. 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:39.480 And in your sight forevermore, my dwelling place shall be. 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.480 Amen. 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:52.099 Well, as we turn back to that passage in Genesis 15, 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:55.559 let's just bow our heads in prayer to God. 00:32:57.740 --> 00:33:01.200 Heavenly Father, as we come just now to your word in the Bible, 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:04.220 we pray for your blessing today. 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:08.819 We need, Lord, your Holy Spirit working in our hearts. 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:11.980 Otherwise, everything that we do today is just words. 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:15.379 It's just meaningless in its ultimate import, 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:18.819 because without the Spirit to open up our hearts, 00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:22.639 and without the Spirit to direct us to see what is most important, 00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:25.700 and to help us to understand, 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:27.879 then all of this will be meaningless to us. 00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:32.720 And so we do pray today, Father, for that work of the Spirit amongst us. 00:33:32.899 --> 00:33:34.419 We thank you that what we're reading today is 00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:38.960 truly one of the most important verses and scriptures and passages 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.940 in the whole of your word. 00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:44.060 And we thank you that it's a passage today that if we understand it, 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:47.380 we'll see clearly what binds together the Old and the New Testament. 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:51.880 We'll see what it is that really the whole of your revelation is about. 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:58.500 And so we ask and pray today that we would see clearly Jesus in these verses, 00:33:58.860 --> 00:34:01.540 that we would see clearly what it is that Jesus has done, 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:04.880 and that we would be blessed to be like Abraham, 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:08.840 believing God and have been counted to us as righteousness. 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:11.360 We ask this in Christ's name. 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.460 Amen. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:19.599 So as we kind of begin today looking at this chapter, 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:22.880 I think it's worth kind of just remembering the context 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:25.659 in which all of this takes place. 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:32.079 Abraham has been called by God from the city of Ur of the Chaldeans. 00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:37.280 He has moved from there and has been on this journey towards the Promised Land. 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:39.099 And having arrived in the Promised Land, 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:42.360 God has been giving him more and more promises. 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:44.340 There's been assurances that have come to him 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:50.420 that Abraham's descendants would inherit all of the land in which he is going. 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:52.440 However, there is a problem. 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:55.159 And the problem is simply this. 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:59.740 Abraham has no child who will inherit. 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:04.920 And so in his thinking at this particular point, 00:35:05.220 --> 00:35:08.340 he's entering into the thinking of the ancient Near East, 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:10.280 which was common in his day, 00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:18.460 which was that if the lord of the household had no heir to inherit, 00:35:19.120 --> 00:35:23.440 then the inheritance passes to the chief steward. 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:27.900 And the chief steward would then hold this in trust 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:31.240 and perpetuate the legacy of his master. 00:35:31.239 --> 00:35:36.219 And so this is before there's any sign of Ishmael or anything else. 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:38.319 Abraham is literally thinking, 00:35:38.899 --> 00:35:40.779 this man, Eliezer of Damascus, 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:45.579 is the one who will inherit everything that he has received. 00:35:45.959 --> 00:35:47.739 All of his flocks, yes. 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:52.419 All of his tents and earthly possessions, yes. 00:35:52.420 --> 00:36:00.599 But also, crucially, will Eliezer of Damascus be the one to inherit the promise of God? 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:03.720 And that's the big question. 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:06.579 This hope of salvation, 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:09.860 is Eliezer of Damascus going to carry it on? 00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:13.420 Is Eliezer of Damascus a man who loves the Lord? 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:19.380 And these are the things that are occupying or preoccupying Abraham's mind. 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.460 And so it's into this that God, 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:24.900 this picture of doubt and uncertainty, 00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:28.079 that God intervenes, 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:30.260 clarifying his promises 00:36:30.260 --> 00:36:34.900 and giving Abraham something to hold on to. 00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:36.820 And as we'll see, 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:39.579 a covenant is really important 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:44.180 in that sense of what Abraham can latch on to 00:36:44.180 --> 00:36:45.720 and trust in. 00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:51.559 It's also a passage where we have one of the key verses in the Bible. 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.380 Verse 6, 00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:55.619 Abraham believed the Lord 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:58.639 and he counted it to him as righteousness. 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.340 He believed the Lord 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:02.860 and it was counted to him as righteousness. 00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:07.500 Abraham wasn't considered righteous by God 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.860 because of his good works. 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:13.460 He was considered righteous by God 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:16.960 because of his faith. 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:22.800 He believed, he trusted in God. 00:37:24.240 --> 00:37:27.180 And these verses are reiterated in the New Testament 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:31.539 as crucial to understanding what we continue to believe today. 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:34.300 that our salvation, 00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:35.920 our hope, 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:38.640 our hope of being counted as righteous 00:37:38.640 --> 00:37:42.099 and saved by a merciful God 00:37:42.099 --> 00:37:45.240 is rooted not in our obedience, 00:37:45.640 --> 00:37:46.500 not in our goodness, 00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:50.160 not in our general ability to keep God's law, 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:55.440 but rather in our trusting in his promise. 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:58.559 And the promise that we have 00:37:58.559 --> 00:38:01.860 is essentially the same promise that Abraham has. 00:38:02.559 --> 00:38:06.740 A promise that God will give him a future. 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:12.700 A promise that God will persevere with him and his descendants. 00:38:12.699 --> 00:38:15.319 And that promise, 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:15.819 as we'll see, 00:38:15.919 --> 00:38:18.219 is found in its fulfillment in the person of Jesus. 00:38:18.919 --> 00:38:19.480 And so therefore, 00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.259 for us today, 00:38:20.359 --> 00:38:21.439 the same holds true. 00:38:21.719 --> 00:38:24.339 If we believe and trust in Jesus, 00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:27.819 then that will be counted to us as righteousness. 00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:31.699 That is where salvation is to be found, 00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:35.359 believing in Jesus Christ. 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:37.940 And so I would urge you all today, 00:38:38.000 --> 00:38:38.820 just from the outset, 00:38:38.820 --> 00:38:41.880 to understand this passage in that light. 00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:46.099 God is making promises to us. 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:50.180 God is offering to provide for us. 00:38:51.280 --> 00:38:55.500 And God offers us a sure and certain pledge. 00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:59.980 And the response is not to therefore say, 00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:03.719 I must be good enough to be worthy of God's promise 00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:05.920 and to earn God's provision 00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:08.320 and to receive God's pledge. 00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:11.820 The right response is to say, 00:39:11.920 --> 00:39:12.539 I believe him. 00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:15.599 I will trust in him alone. 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.739 So that's our points today. 00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:22.019 Firstly, that God promises. 00:39:22.019 --> 00:39:25.820 The passage starts with God 00:39:25.820 --> 00:39:28.440 reiterating his promise to Abraham. 00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:29.860 These wonderful words, 00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:31.500 Fear not, Abraham. 00:39:32.159 --> 00:39:33.239 I am your shield. 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:37.099 Your reward shall be very great. 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:41.119 God takes Abraham outside 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:44.259 and invites him to see the stars of the heavens 00:39:44.259 --> 00:39:45.159 and says, 00:39:45.259 --> 00:39:46.719 Your offspring shall be numbered 00:39:46.719 --> 00:39:49.259 in the same innumerable way. 00:39:49.260 --> 00:39:52.780 As you look back through the pages of the Bible 00:39:52.780 --> 00:39:53.360 up to this point, 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:53.880 there's not many. 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.240 You can go home and read 00:39:55.240 --> 00:39:58.220 from Genesis 1 to Genesis 15 this afternoon. 00:39:58.780 --> 00:40:00.500 It'll take you about 20 minutes maybe. 00:40:00.680 --> 00:40:01.360 Not even that. 00:40:02.060 --> 00:40:03.700 But as you read through these chapters, 00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:04.540 you'll see that 00:40:04.540 --> 00:40:09.080 God is giving promises repeatedly. 00:40:10.580 --> 00:40:13.660 The first of these is right after the fall. 00:40:14.120 --> 00:40:15.060 As Adam and Eve 00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:18.380 are being cast out of the garden 00:40:18.380 --> 00:40:19.820 and as the judgment of God 00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:21.259 is announced over them, 00:40:22.219 --> 00:40:23.880 there's a promise given there 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:26.320 that the seed of the woman 00:40:26.320 --> 00:40:28.739 will bruise the head of the serpent 00:40:28.739 --> 00:40:30.679 and that in the process 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:32.000 the serpent will bruise his heel. 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:35.739 And that's the beginning of the promise 00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:37.199 of an offspring 00:40:37.199 --> 00:40:38.820 one day coming 00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:40.960 who will triumph over 00:40:40.960 --> 00:40:43.519 the entry of sin into the world, 00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:46.679 who will deal with sin and brokenness. 00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:49.179 We know that's found ultimately 00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:50.380 in the person of Jesus. 00:40:52.280 --> 00:40:53.940 Then again, after the flood, 00:40:54.500 --> 00:40:56.420 again when terrible destruction 00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:57.340 has been wrought, 00:40:59.259 --> 00:41:00.800 Noah is given another promise. 00:41:01.639 --> 00:41:03.139 And the promise that's given to Noah 00:41:03.139 --> 00:41:04.659 is that God will never again 00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:07.119 destroy the world in a deluge, 00:41:07.380 --> 00:41:09.639 that the seasons will remain until the end. 00:41:09.639 --> 00:41:13.239 And that there's some kind of hint 00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:15.299 of a cost to this promise 00:41:15.299 --> 00:41:18.440 because the Lord puts a bow in the heavens. 00:41:19.779 --> 00:41:21.599 And it's said that the idea there 00:41:21.599 --> 00:41:22.920 of the rainbow is not merely 00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:25.019 that there's this multicolored sign 00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:25.579 in the heavens, 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:27.879 but that it's an actual bow 00:41:27.879 --> 00:41:29.599 pointed heavenward. 00:41:30.119 --> 00:41:31.799 The arrow that it shoots 00:41:31.799 --> 00:41:34.119 piercing the heart of God himself. 00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:37.639 Again, the idea there 00:41:37.639 --> 00:41:40.059 of the promised one 00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:42.619 being in some way wounded 00:41:42.619 --> 00:41:44.980 in the process of salvation. 00:41:47.339 --> 00:41:49.119 Long after all of these things 00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:50.139 are given, 00:41:50.319 --> 00:41:52.380 God's promises are ultimately fulfilled 00:41:52.380 --> 00:41:54.480 because the seed of the woman 00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:55.239 did arrive. 00:41:56.659 --> 00:41:58.880 And because the promised one 00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:00.659 did come and bear the cost 00:42:00.659 --> 00:42:01.819 in himself. 00:42:01.820 --> 00:42:04.580 And you see it in the life 00:42:04.580 --> 00:42:05.900 and ministry of Jesus. 00:42:07.120 --> 00:42:08.519 That cost is born. 00:42:09.320 --> 00:42:10.340 The person who does come, 00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:12.059 he comes in the fullness of time 00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:14.740 to deliver on the promise of God. 00:42:15.900 --> 00:42:17.280 And it's fascinating to do it 00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:19.340 if you go through the life of Jesus 00:42:19.340 --> 00:42:21.200 and you look and you see 00:42:21.200 --> 00:42:22.440 all of the occasions 00:42:22.440 --> 00:42:24.380 in which his life and his ministry 00:42:24.380 --> 00:42:26.519 leading up ultimately to his death 00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:27.559 and to his resurrection. 00:42:28.140 --> 00:42:29.900 All of these things fulfill 00:42:29.900 --> 00:42:32.559 promises established 00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:33.760 in the Old Testament. 00:42:35.660 --> 00:42:37.480 He comes to deliver 00:42:37.480 --> 00:42:38.840 the promise of forgiveness. 00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:41.700 He comes to deliver 00:42:41.700 --> 00:42:43.420 the promise of eternal life 00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:44.139 to his people. 00:42:45.360 --> 00:42:46.720 Remember these precious words 00:42:46.720 --> 00:42:47.420 in John 14, 00:42:47.519 --> 00:42:49.440 I am going to prepare 00:42:49.440 --> 00:42:50.940 a place for you. 00:42:52.599 --> 00:42:54.220 The promise is not merely 00:42:54.220 --> 00:42:55.980 of a physical place 00:42:55.980 --> 00:42:56.639 in this world 00:42:56.639 --> 00:42:58.000 for Abraham and his descendants, 00:42:58.000 --> 00:43:00.940 but it's of an eternal dwelling place 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:02.519 for God's people 00:43:02.519 --> 00:43:04.159 to be with him. 00:43:04.280 --> 00:43:05.460 An eternal home. 00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:07.260 An eternal rest 00:43:07.260 --> 00:43:09.079 that we're looking forward to. 00:43:09.380 --> 00:43:10.280 The promise, 00:43:10.860 --> 00:43:11.360 ultimately, 00:43:11.539 --> 00:43:11.820 as well, 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:12.739 of justice. 00:43:14.659 --> 00:43:14.880 I mean, 00:43:14.900 --> 00:43:15.800 we look upon a world 00:43:15.800 --> 00:43:17.659 which is full of injustice. 00:43:17.659 --> 00:43:21.019 And there's all sorts 00:43:21.019 --> 00:43:21.679 of attempts 00:43:21.679 --> 00:43:23.319 to exert justice 00:43:23.319 --> 00:43:24.159 in the world. 00:43:26.799 --> 00:43:27.539 And yet, 00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:28.179 these attempts 00:43:28.179 --> 00:43:29.639 are so often flawed 00:43:29.639 --> 00:43:31.179 and inadequate. 00:43:32.399 --> 00:43:33.679 But one day, 00:43:33.779 --> 00:43:35.199 when Jesus comes, 00:43:36.199 --> 00:43:37.659 justice will be done 00:43:37.659 --> 00:43:38.319 in full. 00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:40.539 All wrongs 00:43:40.539 --> 00:43:41.500 will be righted. 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:43.319 The guilty 00:43:43.319 --> 00:43:44.019 will indeed 00:43:44.019 --> 00:43:45.299 carry the penalty 00:43:45.300 --> 00:43:46.620 for their sin. 00:43:48.140 --> 00:43:48.900 And for us 00:43:48.900 --> 00:43:50.019 who are in Christ, 00:43:50.140 --> 00:43:50.800 we should remember 00:43:50.800 --> 00:43:51.720 what that means. 00:43:53.160 --> 00:43:54.120 Jesus has borne 00:43:54.120 --> 00:43:54.640 the penalty 00:43:54.640 --> 00:43:55.519 for our sin. 00:43:55.700 --> 00:43:56.080 Justice 00:43:56.080 --> 00:43:57.700 has been done 00:43:57.700 --> 00:43:58.880 for our wrongdoing. 00:44:03.060 --> 00:44:03.860 His heel 00:44:03.860 --> 00:44:05.060 was indeed bruised. 00:44:06.460 --> 00:44:07.420 The arrow 00:44:07.420 --> 00:44:08.300 of God's 00:44:08.300 --> 00:44:09.160 wrath 00:44:09.160 --> 00:44:10.640 was directed 00:44:10.639 --> 00:44:11.679 towards 00:44:11.679 --> 00:44:12.359 Jesus 00:44:12.359 --> 00:44:14.079 to bear 00:44:14.079 --> 00:44:14.779 the penalty 00:44:14.779 --> 00:44:15.539 of our sin. 00:44:19.960 --> 00:44:21.239 And just as God 00:44:21.239 --> 00:44:22.119 had made 00:44:22.119 --> 00:44:23.460 promises to Abraham 00:44:23.460 --> 00:44:24.239 and says to him, 00:44:24.299 --> 00:44:24.920 I will fulfill 00:44:24.920 --> 00:44:25.519 these things, 00:44:25.639 --> 00:44:26.679 God today continues 00:44:26.679 --> 00:44:27.559 to make promises 00:44:27.559 --> 00:44:28.259 to us. 00:44:31.719 --> 00:44:32.799 The same promise 00:44:32.799 --> 00:44:33.940 extends to us today. 00:44:34.079 --> 00:44:34.619 Fear not, 00:44:34.699 --> 00:44:35.699 I am your shield. 00:44:36.279 --> 00:44:37.099 Your reward 00:44:37.099 --> 00:44:38.480 shall be very great. 00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:40.579 God's promise 00:44:40.579 --> 00:44:41.460 to his people, 00:44:41.860 --> 00:44:42.240 the offer 00:44:42.240 --> 00:44:42.940 of the gospel 00:44:42.940 --> 00:44:43.740 today that comes 00:44:43.740 --> 00:44:44.619 to all of us 00:44:44.619 --> 00:44:45.659 is the same. 00:44:46.019 --> 00:44:46.860 God is promising 00:44:46.860 --> 00:44:47.619 protection 00:44:47.619 --> 00:44:49.519 and incredibly 00:44:49.519 --> 00:44:50.480 good things. 00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:55.920 And that promise 00:44:55.920 --> 00:44:56.719 comes into 00:44:56.719 --> 00:44:58.059 the sorrow 00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:59.000 of our lives 00:44:59.000 --> 00:44:59.840 right now. 00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:02.260 It comes into 00:45:02.260 --> 00:45:02.800 the sorrow 00:45:02.800 --> 00:45:03.480 of a world 00:45:03.480 --> 00:45:04.599 marred 00:45:04.599 --> 00:45:05.320 by death 00:45:05.320 --> 00:45:06.000 and suffering. 00:45:06.000 --> 00:45:08.780 and it invites 00:45:08.780 --> 00:45:09.260 us to put 00:45:09.260 --> 00:45:09.739 our faith 00:45:09.739 --> 00:45:10.239 in a God 00:45:10.239 --> 00:45:10.900 who puts 00:45:10.900 --> 00:45:11.719 his promise 00:45:11.719 --> 00:45:12.800 over against 00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:13.480 that weight 00:45:13.480 --> 00:45:14.059 of suffering 00:45:14.059 --> 00:45:15.059 in our experience. 00:45:18.920 --> 00:45:19.800 And who says 00:45:19.800 --> 00:45:20.320 there are good 00:45:20.320 --> 00:45:20.900 things 00:45:20.900 --> 00:45:22.559 that lie 00:45:22.559 --> 00:45:23.019 in store. 00:45:24.699 --> 00:45:25.940 There is a hope 00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:26.980 given to his 00:45:26.980 --> 00:45:27.340 people. 00:45:31.039 --> 00:45:32.059 And the condition 00:45:32.059 --> 00:45:32.599 on this 00:45:32.599 --> 00:45:34.320 is one of faith. 00:45:34.320 --> 00:45:34.360 faith. 00:45:35.300 --> 00:45:35.980 Because just 00:45:35.980 --> 00:45:36.600 like the promise 00:45:36.600 --> 00:45:37.300 came to Abraham, 00:45:37.420 --> 00:45:38.000 the same promise 00:45:38.000 --> 00:45:38.720 comes to us 00:45:38.720 --> 00:45:39.720 and says, 00:45:40.019 --> 00:45:40.700 fear not. 00:45:42.660 --> 00:45:43.180 I've been 00:45:43.180 --> 00:45:44.080 thinking about 00:45:44.080 --> 00:45:45.820 this in the 00:45:45.820 --> 00:45:46.480 face of 00:45:46.480 --> 00:45:47.220 difficult 00:45:47.220 --> 00:45:47.960 circumstances 00:45:47.960 --> 00:45:48.760 and 00:45:48.760 --> 00:45:52.120 the invitation 00:45:52.120 --> 00:45:52.620 there is to 00:45:52.620 --> 00:45:53.280 have faith. 00:45:55.059 --> 00:45:55.760 That's what 00:45:55.760 --> 00:45:56.260 Abraham is 00:45:56.260 --> 00:45:57.059 invited to do. 00:45:57.600 --> 00:45:58.260 He's invited 00:45:58.260 --> 00:45:59.100 to trust 00:45:59.100 --> 00:45:59.640 God 00:45:59.640 --> 00:46:00.760 rather than 00:46:00.760 --> 00:46:01.640 fear the 00:46:01.640 --> 00:46:02.059 future. 00:46:02.059 --> 00:46:02.139 fear. 00:46:04.279 --> 00:46:05.139 And that's 00:46:05.139 --> 00:46:05.539 the same 00:46:05.539 --> 00:46:06.199 for us. 00:46:07.880 --> 00:46:08.579 As our 00:46:08.579 --> 00:46:09.099 God is 00:46:09.099 --> 00:46:10.039 speaking to 00:46:10.039 --> 00:46:10.480 us today, 00:46:10.559 --> 00:46:10.820 as our 00:46:10.820 --> 00:46:11.139 God is 00:46:11.139 --> 00:46:11.860 inviting us 00:46:11.860 --> 00:46:13.279 to continue 00:46:13.279 --> 00:46:14.320 trusting him 00:46:14.320 --> 00:46:14.679 today, 00:46:15.440 --> 00:46:16.440 the invitation 00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:17.340 is just 00:46:17.340 --> 00:46:17.779 the same. 00:46:19.860 --> 00:46:20.699 He says 00:46:20.699 --> 00:46:21.139 to us, 00:46:21.259 --> 00:46:21.960 fear not 00:46:21.960 --> 00:46:25.760 because my 00:46:25.760 --> 00:46:26.400 promise 00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:28.519 is of 00:46:28.519 --> 00:46:29.079 myself 00:46:29.079 --> 00:46:29.440 and I 00:46:29.440 --> 00:46:29.579 am 00:46:29.579 --> 00:46:30.079 greater 00:46:30.079 --> 00:46:30.920 than 00:46:30.920 --> 00:46:31.380 any of 00:46:31.380 --> 00:46:31.480 the 00:46:31.480 --> 00:46:31.679 things 00:46:31.679 --> 00:46:31.860 you 00:46:31.860 --> 00:46:32.139 fear. 00:46:34.699 --> 00:46:35.340 I wonder 00:46:35.340 --> 00:46:35.699 today if 00:46:35.699 --> 00:46:35.920 that's 00:46:35.920 --> 00:46:36.240 true of 00:46:36.240 --> 00:46:36.460 us. 00:46:40.280 --> 00:46:40.940 Do we 00:46:40.940 --> 00:46:41.300 fear? 00:46:43.320 --> 00:46:43.800 What 00:46:43.800 --> 00:46:44.220 things might 00:46:44.220 --> 00:46:44.619 we fear? 00:46:46.980 --> 00:46:47.340 I suppose 00:46:47.340 --> 00:46:47.920 like Abraham, 00:46:48.980 --> 00:46:49.740 the fear 00:46:49.740 --> 00:46:50.280 was that 00:46:50.280 --> 00:46:50.900 there might 00:46:50.900 --> 00:46:51.200 be no 00:46:51.200 --> 00:46:51.660 legacy, 00:46:52.620 --> 00:46:53.060 nothing to 00:46:53.060 --> 00:46:53.620 carry on. 00:46:55.340 --> 00:46:55.860 Sometimes 00:46:55.860 --> 00:46:56.340 that's true 00:46:56.340 --> 00:46:56.560 in the 00:46:56.560 --> 00:46:56.920 church. 00:46:58.240 --> 00:46:58.880 We might 00:46:58.880 --> 00:46:59.480 be fearful 00:46:59.480 --> 00:46:59.860 about what 00:46:59.860 --> 00:47:00.280 the future 00:47:00.280 --> 00:47:00.740 looks like, 00:47:00.780 --> 00:47:01.140 especially 00:47:01.140 --> 00:47:01.600 when we 00:47:01.600 --> 00:47:03.080 see the 00:47:03.080 --> 00:47:03.400 church 00:47:03.400 --> 00:47:04.320 nationally 00:47:04.320 --> 00:47:04.940 and perhaps 00:47:04.940 --> 00:47:05.500 locally 00:47:05.500 --> 00:47:06.240 declining. 00:47:06.580 --> 00:47:06.960 We see 00:47:06.960 --> 00:47:08.019 congregations 00:47:08.019 --> 00:47:08.600 shrinking. 00:47:10.140 --> 00:47:10.900 We wonder 00:47:10.900 --> 00:47:11.340 what's the 00:47:11.340 --> 00:47:11.980 future going 00:47:11.980 --> 00:47:12.540 to be like 00:47:12.540 --> 00:47:12.900 for the 00:47:12.900 --> 00:47:13.320 church. 00:47:13.320 --> 00:47:17.960 perhaps you 00:47:17.960 --> 00:47:18.320 fear 00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:19.940 personal 00:47:19.940 --> 00:47:20.360 things. 00:47:21.400 --> 00:47:22.059 You fear 00:47:22.059 --> 00:47:22.360 for your 00:47:22.360 --> 00:47:22.680 kids 00:47:22.680 --> 00:47:25.539 or you 00:47:25.539 --> 00:47:26.559 fear for 00:47:26.559 --> 00:47:27.720 your own 00:47:27.720 --> 00:47:28.160 future. 00:47:28.920 --> 00:47:29.380 Perhaps you 00:47:29.380 --> 00:47:29.720 fear for 00:47:29.720 --> 00:47:30.140 your parents' 00:47:30.300 --> 00:47:30.600 health. 00:47:31.620 --> 00:47:31.960 Perhaps you 00:47:31.960 --> 00:47:32.300 fear for 00:47:32.300 --> 00:47:32.680 your own 00:47:32.680 --> 00:47:34.880 health or 00:47:34.880 --> 00:47:35.120 the health 00:47:35.120 --> 00:47:35.360 of your 00:47:35.360 --> 00:47:35.880 loved ones. 00:47:40.340 --> 00:47:40.940 And into 00:47:40.940 --> 00:47:41.280 all of 00:47:41.280 --> 00:47:41.840 these fears, 00:47:41.980 --> 00:47:42.340 God is 00:47:42.340 --> 00:47:42.720 saying to 00:47:42.719 --> 00:47:42.980 us the 00:47:42.980 --> 00:47:43.379 same thing 00:47:43.379 --> 00:47:43.559 as he 00:47:43.559 --> 00:47:43.839 was saying 00:47:43.839 --> 00:47:44.319 to Abraham. 00:47:45.779 --> 00:47:46.539 Fear not, 00:47:47.239 --> 00:47:48.359 I am 00:47:48.359 --> 00:47:48.939 your shield. 00:47:53.699 --> 00:47:54.179 The 00:47:54.179 --> 00:47:54.879 invitation to 00:47:54.879 --> 00:47:55.359 us is to 00:47:55.359 --> 00:47:56.139 trust him 00:47:56.139 --> 00:47:56.819 who is 00:47:56.819 --> 00:47:57.559 greater than 00:47:57.559 --> 00:47:58.299 these fears, 00:47:59.219 --> 00:48:00.639 to relinquish 00:48:00.639 --> 00:48:02.019 our uncertainty, 00:48:02.219 --> 00:48:02.799 to relinquish 00:48:02.799 --> 00:48:03.480 our doubts, 00:48:03.980 --> 00:48:05.199 to give them 00:48:05.199 --> 00:48:05.779 all to him 00:48:05.779 --> 00:48:07.399 and to 00:48:07.399 --> 00:48:07.959 believe in 00:48:07.959 --> 00:48:08.199 him, 00:48:08.859 --> 00:48:09.919 to trust 00:48:09.919 --> 00:48:11.399 in his 00:48:11.399 --> 00:48:12.699 sufficiency. 00:48:12.719 --> 00:48:15.219 God is 00:48:15.219 --> 00:48:15.500 a God 00:48:15.500 --> 00:48:15.739 who is 00:48:15.739 --> 00:48:15.980 making 00:48:15.980 --> 00:48:16.459 promises. 00:48:17.019 --> 00:48:17.259 But he 00:48:17.259 --> 00:48:17.599 is also 00:48:17.599 --> 00:48:18.139 secondly a 00:48:18.139 --> 00:48:18.519 God who 00:48:18.519 --> 00:48:19.139 is providing. 00:48:20.299 --> 00:48:20.619 This 00:48:20.619 --> 00:48:21.899 passage, it 00:48:21.899 --> 00:48:22.539 tells us about 00:48:22.539 --> 00:48:23.019 God as a 00:48:23.019 --> 00:48:23.419 provider. 00:48:23.579 --> 00:48:24.119 God tells 00:48:24.119 --> 00:48:25.619 Abraham that 00:48:25.619 --> 00:48:26.559 it is true 00:48:26.559 --> 00:48:27.359 not only of 00:48:27.359 --> 00:48:27.859 the past, 00:48:27.980 --> 00:48:28.379 but that God 00:48:28.379 --> 00:48:28.679 is going to 00:48:28.679 --> 00:48:29.139 continue to 00:48:29.139 --> 00:48:29.539 provide for 00:48:29.539 --> 00:48:29.719 him in the 00:48:29.719 --> 00:48:29.959 future. 00:48:30.079 --> 00:48:30.239 So you 00:48:30.239 --> 00:48:30.519 look at the 00:48:30.519 --> 00:48:30.899 way God 00:48:30.899 --> 00:48:31.539 speaks to 00:48:31.539 --> 00:48:31.699 him. 00:48:32.459 --> 00:48:32.759 And this 00:48:32.759 --> 00:48:33.059 is really 00:48:33.059 --> 00:48:33.639 interesting because 00:48:33.639 --> 00:48:34.039 this is the 00:48:34.039 --> 00:48:34.899 way covenants 00:48:34.899 --> 00:48:35.179 in the 00:48:35.179 --> 00:48:35.759 ancient world 00:48:35.759 --> 00:48:36.439 were formed. 00:48:36.440 --> 00:48:37.420 God, the 00:48:37.420 --> 00:48:38.740 overlord, the 00:48:38.740 --> 00:48:39.480 mighty one, the 00:48:39.480 --> 00:48:40.119 powerful one, 00:48:40.159 --> 00:48:40.920 would come and 00:48:40.920 --> 00:48:42.099 say, this is 00:48:42.099 --> 00:48:43.280 how I 00:48:43.280 --> 00:48:44.639 deserve to 00:48:44.639 --> 00:48:46.059 be setting 00:48:46.059 --> 00:48:46.840 the terms of 00:48:46.840 --> 00:48:47.559 our relationship 00:48:47.559 --> 00:48:48.659 because I 00:48:48.659 --> 00:48:49.159 have already 00:48:49.159 --> 00:48:50.019 done things. 00:48:50.880 --> 00:48:51.500 And I want 00:48:51.500 --> 00:48:52.099 you to see 00:48:52.099 --> 00:48:52.720 the things 00:48:52.720 --> 00:48:53.599 that I have 00:48:53.599 --> 00:48:54.639 already done 00:48:54.639 --> 00:48:56.039 in order for 00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:56.900 you to trust 00:48:56.900 --> 00:48:57.519 me going 00:48:57.519 --> 00:48:58.059 forward. 00:48:58.740 --> 00:48:59.360 So God 00:48:59.360 --> 00:48:59.840 comes to 00:48:59.840 --> 00:49:00.260 Abraham and 00:49:00.260 --> 00:49:00.420 says, 00:49:00.539 --> 00:49:01.500 Abraham, I 00:49:01.500 --> 00:49:01.780 am the 00:49:01.780 --> 00:49:02.139 Lord your 00:49:02.139 --> 00:49:02.559 God that 00:49:02.559 --> 00:49:03.079 has taken 00:49:03.079 --> 00:49:04.179 you out 00:49:04.179 --> 00:49:05.259 of the 00:49:05.259 --> 00:49:05.879 Chaldeans. 00:49:06.399 --> 00:49:06.799 And what 00:49:06.799 --> 00:49:07.279 I was saying 00:49:07.279 --> 00:49:07.679 to Abraham 00:49:07.679 --> 00:49:08.819 is simply 00:49:08.819 --> 00:49:09.099 this. 00:49:09.299 --> 00:49:09.679 You can 00:49:09.679 --> 00:49:10.219 look back, 00:49:10.319 --> 00:49:10.719 Abraham, on 00:49:10.719 --> 00:49:11.299 what's already 00:49:11.299 --> 00:49:11.879 happened in 00:49:11.879 --> 00:49:12.419 your life. 00:49:13.259 --> 00:49:13.779 You can 00:49:13.779 --> 00:49:14.539 look back over 00:49:14.539 --> 00:49:15.419 recent years 00:49:15.419 --> 00:49:16.899 and you can 00:49:16.899 --> 00:49:17.440 see the 00:49:17.440 --> 00:49:18.139 journey you've 00:49:18.139 --> 00:49:19.579 been on and 00:49:19.579 --> 00:49:20.419 how I have 00:49:20.419 --> 00:49:21.079 been with 00:49:21.079 --> 00:49:22.259 you through 00:49:22.259 --> 00:49:23.019 all of this. 00:49:23.139 --> 00:49:23.559 Now, again, 00:49:23.659 --> 00:49:24.199 if you go 00:49:24.199 --> 00:49:24.639 back and you 00:49:24.639 --> 00:49:25.179 read the last 00:49:25.179 --> 00:49:25.799 few chapters 00:49:25.799 --> 00:49:26.299 in Genesis 00:49:26.299 --> 00:49:27.039 before this, 00:49:27.419 --> 00:49:27.960 you'll see 00:49:27.960 --> 00:49:28.539 all of the 00:49:28.539 --> 00:49:29.039 ways in which 00:49:29.039 --> 00:49:29.480 God has 00:49:29.480 --> 00:49:30.119 really been 00:49:30.119 --> 00:49:30.739 helping Abraham. 00:49:31.239 --> 00:49:31.679 God has 00:49:31.679 --> 00:49:32.539 really blessed 00:49:32.539 --> 00:49:32.779 him. 00:49:33.259 --> 00:49:33.679 Abraham has 00:49:33.679 --> 00:49:33.980 become 00:49:33.980 --> 00:49:34.519 powerful, 00:49:34.840 --> 00:49:35.639 so powerful 00:49:35.639 --> 00:49:36.139 in fact, 00:49:36.579 --> 00:49:37.599 that nations 00:49:37.599 --> 00:49:38.400 around about 00:49:38.400 --> 00:49:39.119 look to 00:49:39.119 --> 00:49:39.599 Abraham for 00:49:39.599 --> 00:49:40.019 help. 00:49:41.019 --> 00:49:41.559 When an 00:49:41.559 --> 00:49:42.440 invader comes 00:49:42.440 --> 00:49:43.360 and carries 00:49:43.360 --> 00:49:43.820 away the 00:49:43.820 --> 00:49:44.300 people of 00:49:44.300 --> 00:49:44.659 some of the 00:49:44.659 --> 00:49:45.199 cities around 00:49:45.199 --> 00:49:45.519 about, 00:49:45.980 --> 00:49:46.579 Abraham is 00:49:46.579 --> 00:49:46.920 the one who 00:49:46.920 --> 00:49:47.260 goes to 00:49:47.260 --> 00:49:47.820 rescue them. 00:49:49.300 --> 00:49:49.440 I mean, 00:49:49.460 --> 00:49:50.139 Abraham's that 00:49:50.139 --> 00:49:51.960 successful and 00:49:51.960 --> 00:49:52.360 God has 00:49:52.360 --> 00:49:53.500 blessed him and 00:49:53.500 --> 00:49:54.639 enriched him and 00:49:54.639 --> 00:49:55.400 strengthened him. 00:49:56.740 --> 00:49:57.000 And so 00:49:57.000 --> 00:49:57.679 Abraham, as he 00:49:57.679 --> 00:49:58.139 looks on his 00:49:58.139 --> 00:49:59.179 past, he's 00:49:59.179 --> 00:49:59.579 able to say, 00:49:59.639 --> 00:50:00.039 well, God 00:50:00.039 --> 00:50:00.699 hasn't let me 00:50:00.699 --> 00:50:01.280 down thus 00:50:01.280 --> 00:50:01.699 far. 00:50:03.079 --> 00:50:03.460 And so 00:50:03.460 --> 00:50:03.940 if God has 00:50:03.940 --> 00:50:04.300 been with 00:50:04.300 --> 00:50:04.760 me this 00:50:04.760 --> 00:50:05.720 far, he's 00:50:05.720 --> 00:50:06.159 not going 00:50:06.159 --> 00:50:06.579 to let me 00:50:06.579 --> 00:50:06.900 down in 00:50:06.900 --> 00:50:07.380 the future. 00:50:07.760 --> 00:50:08.079 I know 00:50:08.079 --> 00:50:08.840 his character. 00:50:09.240 --> 00:50:09.679 I know 00:50:09.679 --> 00:50:10.599 he's dependable. 00:50:10.860 --> 00:50:11.320 I know 00:50:11.320 --> 00:50:12.199 I can trust 00:50:12.199 --> 00:50:12.420 him. 00:50:14.099 --> 00:50:14.760 And God 00:50:14.760 --> 00:50:15.340 is saying, 00:50:15.760 --> 00:50:16.079 I am 00:50:16.079 --> 00:50:17.059 providing for 00:50:17.059 --> 00:50:17.380 you. 00:50:17.760 --> 00:50:18.340 I've brought 00:50:18.340 --> 00:50:18.820 you here. 00:50:19.119 --> 00:50:19.760 Look back. 00:50:20.159 --> 00:50:20.780 I will take 00:50:20.780 --> 00:50:21.360 you forward. 00:50:21.800 --> 00:50:22.000 Therefore, 00:50:22.119 --> 00:50:22.599 look ahead. 00:50:22.599 --> 00:50:28.960 Abraham's 00:50:28.960 --> 00:50:30.679 whole life 00:50:30.679 --> 00:50:31.719 has been 00:50:31.719 --> 00:50:32.199 characterized 00:50:32.199 --> 00:50:32.920 by this. 00:50:35.559 --> 00:50:36.239 God has 00:50:36.239 --> 00:50:37.440 provided for 00:50:37.440 --> 00:50:37.699 him. 00:50:39.719 --> 00:50:40.319 And if you 00:50:40.319 --> 00:50:40.699 go down to 00:50:40.699 --> 00:50:41.279 verse 14, 00:50:41.400 --> 00:50:42.019 you see that 00:50:42.019 --> 00:50:43.299 God says, 00:50:43.380 --> 00:50:43.619 I'm going to 00:50:43.619 --> 00:50:43.960 do that in 00:50:43.960 --> 00:50:44.380 the future 00:50:44.380 --> 00:50:44.719 for your 00:50:44.719 --> 00:50:45.079 offspring. 00:50:46.719 --> 00:50:47.039 The 00:50:47.039 --> 00:50:47.739 exodus is 00:50:47.739 --> 00:50:48.059 actually 00:50:48.059 --> 00:50:48.759 prophesied 00:50:48.759 --> 00:50:49.420 in verse 00:50:49.420 --> 00:50:49.980 14 and 00:50:49.980 --> 00:50:50.299 15. 00:50:50.300 --> 00:50:52.220 the 00:50:52.220 --> 00:50:52.640 children of 00:50:52.640 --> 00:50:53.060 Israel are 00:50:53.060 --> 00:50:53.260 going to 00:50:53.260 --> 00:50:53.600 go down 00:50:53.600 --> 00:50:54.680 into another 00:50:54.680 --> 00:50:55.120 land. 00:50:56.180 --> 00:50:56.720 They're going 00:50:56.720 --> 00:50:56.920 to be 00:50:56.920 --> 00:50:57.600 enslaved 00:50:57.600 --> 00:50:58.039 there. 00:50:58.860 --> 00:50:59.460 And for 00:50:59.460 --> 00:51:00.280 four generations, 00:51:00.280 --> 00:51:00.820 that will be 00:51:00.820 --> 00:51:01.519 their experience. 00:51:01.660 --> 00:51:02.000 But at the 00:51:02.000 --> 00:51:02.400 end of it, 00:51:02.440 --> 00:51:02.640 they will 00:51:02.640 --> 00:51:03.240 come out 00:51:03.240 --> 00:51:04.840 into a 00:51:04.840 --> 00:51:05.680 place of 00:51:05.680 --> 00:51:07.200 freedom and 00:51:07.200 --> 00:51:08.320 huge enrichment. 00:51:08.800 --> 00:51:09.080 And that's 00:51:09.080 --> 00:51:09.580 exactly what 00:51:09.580 --> 00:51:10.000 happened in 00:51:10.000 --> 00:51:10.320 Exodus. 00:51:11.019 --> 00:51:11.560 The Israelites 00:51:11.560 --> 00:51:12.380 left Egypt. 00:51:12.500 --> 00:51:13.039 They plundered 00:51:13.039 --> 00:51:13.580 the Egyptians. 00:51:14.280 --> 00:51:14.860 Such was the 00:51:14.860 --> 00:51:15.160 Egyptians' 00:51:15.360 --> 00:51:15.780 desire to 00:51:15.780 --> 00:51:16.300 get rid of 00:51:16.300 --> 00:51:17.500 them in 00:51:17.500 --> 00:51:18.260 haste. 00:51:18.260 --> 00:51:20.360 God has 00:51:20.360 --> 00:51:20.880 provided. 00:51:21.980 --> 00:51:22.520 God will 00:51:22.520 --> 00:51:22.980 provide. 00:51:24.220 --> 00:51:24.900 God has 00:51:24.900 --> 00:51:25.500 begun to 00:51:25.500 --> 00:51:25.980 provide for 00:51:25.980 --> 00:51:26.480 his people. 00:51:27.060 --> 00:51:27.360 He's going 00:51:27.360 --> 00:51:27.720 to keep 00:51:27.720 --> 00:51:28.460 doing that. 00:51:29.660 --> 00:51:30.780 And the 00:51:30.780 --> 00:51:31.580 invitation to 00:51:31.580 --> 00:51:32.240 us today is 00:51:32.240 --> 00:51:32.720 just the 00:51:32.720 --> 00:51:33.020 same. 00:51:33.920 --> 00:51:34.640 The invitation 00:51:34.640 --> 00:51:35.400 to us today is 00:51:35.400 --> 00:51:36.300 to look back 00:51:36.300 --> 00:51:37.400 over our 00:51:37.400 --> 00:51:38.860 lives, to 00:51:38.860 --> 00:51:39.440 look at all 00:51:39.440 --> 00:51:40.120 of the awful 00:51:40.120 --> 00:51:40.780 things that we 00:51:40.780 --> 00:51:41.320 have already 00:51:41.320 --> 00:51:41.960 come through. 00:51:43.080 --> 00:51:43.780 And if you're 00:51:43.780 --> 00:51:44.280 a Christian, 00:51:45.040 --> 00:51:46.960 it's a 00:51:46.960 --> 00:51:47.480 healthy thing 00:51:47.480 --> 00:51:49.320 to do, to 00:51:49.320 --> 00:51:49.920 look back 00:51:49.920 --> 00:51:50.320 over your 00:51:50.320 --> 00:51:50.860 life, not 00:51:50.860 --> 00:51:51.719 with rose 00:51:51.719 --> 00:51:52.179 tinted 00:51:52.179 --> 00:51:52.860 spectacles as 00:51:52.860 --> 00:51:53.099 we are 00:51:53.099 --> 00:51:53.800 sometimes wanted 00:51:53.800 --> 00:51:54.340 to do, but 00:51:54.340 --> 00:51:55.320 rather with 00:51:55.320 --> 00:51:55.760 honesty. 00:51:57.300 --> 00:51:57.679 And to 00:51:57.679 --> 00:51:58.539 see all of 00:51:58.539 --> 00:51:59.059 the times 00:51:59.059 --> 00:51:59.760 that God 00:51:59.760 --> 00:52:00.179 in his 00:52:00.179 --> 00:52:01.639 grace has 00:52:01.639 --> 00:52:02.480 delivered us 00:52:02.480 --> 00:52:03.619 from absolute 00:52:03.619 --> 00:52:04.300 disaster. 00:52:05.980 --> 00:52:06.740 All of the 00:52:06.740 --> 00:52:07.219 times that 00:52:07.219 --> 00:52:07.699 God has 00:52:07.699 --> 00:52:08.599 lifted us, 00:52:09.199 --> 00:52:09.780 our feet, 00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:10.480 out of the 00:52:10.480 --> 00:52:11.139 mighty clay, 00:52:11.559 --> 00:52:12.139 and set us 00:52:12.139 --> 00:52:12.699 on a rock. 00:52:13.760 --> 00:52:14.380 All of the 00:52:14.380 --> 00:52:15.019 times in our 00:52:15.019 --> 00:52:15.900 experience where 00:52:15.900 --> 00:52:16.860 our foolishness 00:52:16.860 --> 00:52:17.700 and where 00:52:17.700 --> 00:52:18.300 our sin 00:52:18.300 --> 00:52:19.579 has warranted 00:52:19.579 --> 00:52:20.500 nothing but 00:52:20.500 --> 00:52:21.420 failure and 00:52:21.420 --> 00:52:22.180 misery and 00:52:22.180 --> 00:52:23.079 disaster upon 00:52:23.079 --> 00:52:23.920 us, and 00:52:23.920 --> 00:52:24.760 yet God 00:52:24.760 --> 00:52:25.160 has been 00:52:25.160 --> 00:52:26.400 gracious and 00:52:26.400 --> 00:52:27.059 delivered us 00:52:27.059 --> 00:52:27.579 from all of 00:52:27.579 --> 00:52:28.180 these things. 00:52:30.740 --> 00:52:31.480 And that's 00:52:31.480 --> 00:52:31.860 what God 00:52:31.860 --> 00:52:32.440 does in his 00:52:32.440 --> 00:52:32.900 grace. 00:52:34.579 --> 00:52:35.420 God in his 00:52:35.420 --> 00:52:36.960 grace delivers 00:52:36.960 --> 00:52:38.559 us from the 00:52:38.559 --> 00:52:39.420 worst of our 00:52:39.420 --> 00:52:40.180 own failings, 00:52:41.400 --> 00:52:42.420 let alone the 00:52:42.420 --> 00:52:42.980 failings that 00:52:42.980 --> 00:52:43.420 might have been 00:52:43.420 --> 00:52:44.019 visited upon 00:52:44.019 --> 00:52:45.860 us by other 00:52:45.860 --> 00:52:46.820 people vindictive 00:52:46.820 --> 00:52:47.220 and vicious 00:52:47.220 --> 00:52:47.740 or anything 00:52:47.740 --> 00:52:48.160 else. 00:52:49.599 --> 00:52:50.480 God delivers, 00:52:51.740 --> 00:52:52.160 and God 00:52:52.160 --> 00:52:52.720 has provided, 00:52:53.840 --> 00:52:54.280 and God 00:52:54.280 --> 00:52:54.940 has strengthened, 00:52:55.740 --> 00:52:56.539 and God 00:52:56.539 --> 00:52:57.160 has been with 00:52:57.160 --> 00:52:57.500 us and 00:52:57.500 --> 00:52:58.220 helped us 00:52:58.220 --> 00:52:59.640 and presenced 00:52:59.640 --> 00:53:00.660 himself amongst 00:53:00.660 --> 00:53:01.220 us. 00:53:02.660 --> 00:53:03.480 He's blessed 00:53:03.480 --> 00:53:04.000 us. 00:53:05.920 --> 00:53:06.740 And so we 00:53:06.740 --> 00:53:07.099 can look 00:53:07.099 --> 00:53:07.500 forward. 00:53:07.500 --> 00:53:09.500 God will 00:53:09.500 --> 00:53:18.320 deliver, that 00:53:18.320 --> 00:53:19.059 God will 00:53:19.059 --> 00:53:20.119 help, that 00:53:20.119 --> 00:53:20.900 God will 00:53:20.900 --> 00:53:22.719 provide, because 00:53:22.719 --> 00:53:23.599 he is a God 00:53:23.599 --> 00:53:24.460 who provides. 00:53:24.820 --> 00:53:25.179 And so when 00:53:25.179 --> 00:53:26.199 God calls us 00:53:26.199 --> 00:53:27.119 to have faith, 00:53:27.539 --> 00:53:28.059 when he calls 00:53:28.059 --> 00:53:28.780 us to start 00:53:28.780 --> 00:53:29.639 following him 00:53:29.639 --> 00:53:30.320 and trusting 00:53:30.320 --> 00:53:31.579 in him, he's 00:53:31.579 --> 00:53:32.599 not just asking 00:53:32.599 --> 00:53:33.159 us to do that 00:53:33.159 --> 00:53:33.800 with a vague 00:53:33.800 --> 00:53:35.480 sense of some 00:53:35.480 --> 00:53:36.800 sort of cloudy 00:53:36.800 --> 00:53:37.460 purpose that 00:53:37.460 --> 00:53:37.800 we have no 00:53:37.800 --> 00:53:38.220 idea how it's 00:53:38.220 --> 00:53:38.640 going to work 00:53:38.640 --> 00:53:38.900 out. 00:53:39.220 --> 00:53:40.060 He asks us 00:53:40.060 --> 00:53:40.720 to trust 00:53:40.720 --> 00:53:41.720 someone who 00:53:41.720 --> 00:53:42.880 proves himself, 00:53:43.580 --> 00:53:44.980 who demonstrates 00:53:44.980 --> 00:53:46.039 himself to be a 00:53:46.039 --> 00:53:46.539 God who is 00:53:46.539 --> 00:53:47.680 worthy of 00:53:47.680 --> 00:53:48.160 trust. 00:53:49.820 --> 00:53:50.420 And Abraham, 00:53:50.580 --> 00:53:51.039 we're told in 00:53:51.039 --> 00:53:51.660 this passage, 00:53:52.240 --> 00:53:53.380 Abraham believed 00:53:53.380 --> 00:53:54.880 God, and it 00:53:54.880 --> 00:53:55.500 was counted to 00:53:55.500 --> 00:53:55.680 him as 00:53:55.680 --> 00:53:56.080 righteousness. 00:53:57.780 --> 00:53:58.320 Salvation 00:53:58.320 --> 00:53:59.100 comes from 00:53:59.100 --> 00:54:00.800 learning to 00:54:00.800 --> 00:54:02.320 trust in 00:54:02.320 --> 00:54:02.660 God. 00:54:02.659 --> 00:54:02.699 God. 00:54:05.420 --> 00:54:06.159 So there's a 00:54:06.159 --> 00:54:06.500 God who 00:54:06.500 --> 00:54:07.119 promises, a 00:54:07.119 --> 00:54:07.420 God who 00:54:07.420 --> 00:54:07.799 provides. 00:54:08.319 --> 00:54:08.719 There's also 00:54:08.719 --> 00:54:09.420 in this 00:54:09.420 --> 00:54:10.480 passage a 00:54:10.480 --> 00:54:10.839 God who 00:54:10.839 --> 00:54:13.559 pledges. 00:54:16.339 --> 00:54:16.920 And that's 00:54:16.920 --> 00:54:17.119 when the 00:54:17.119 --> 00:54:17.679 passage takes 00:54:17.679 --> 00:54:18.139 for us a 00:54:18.139 --> 00:54:18.679 really weird 00:54:18.679 --> 00:54:19.039 turn. 00:54:19.699 --> 00:54:21.279 Because in 00:54:21.279 --> 00:54:21.519 the middle 00:54:21.519 --> 00:54:21.739 of the 00:54:21.739 --> 00:54:23.000 passage, God 00:54:23.000 --> 00:54:23.539 gives Abraham 00:54:23.539 --> 00:54:24.420 a very specific 00:54:24.420 --> 00:54:24.980 instruction. 00:54:25.639 --> 00:54:26.079 Bring a 00:54:26.079 --> 00:54:26.579 three-year-old 00:54:26.579 --> 00:54:27.440 heifer, a 00:54:27.440 --> 00:54:27.899 three-year-old 00:54:27.899 --> 00:54:28.519 female goat, 00:54:28.599 --> 00:54:28.759 and a 00:54:28.759 --> 00:54:29.239 three-year-old 00:54:29.239 --> 00:54:30.139 ram, and a 00:54:30.139 --> 00:54:30.599 turtle dove, 00:54:30.639 --> 00:54:30.960 and a young 00:54:30.960 --> 00:54:31.259 pigeon. 00:54:31.260 --> 00:54:33.160 And split 00:54:33.160 --> 00:54:33.420 them. 00:54:35.580 --> 00:54:35.960 And so 00:54:35.960 --> 00:54:36.860 Abraham takes 00:54:36.860 --> 00:54:38.700 some kind of 00:54:38.700 --> 00:54:39.260 instrument and 00:54:39.260 --> 00:54:39.680 cuts the 00:54:39.680 --> 00:54:40.180 animals in 00:54:40.180 --> 00:54:40.800 half, slaughters 00:54:40.800 --> 00:54:41.180 them and 00:54:41.180 --> 00:54:41.780 cuts them in 00:54:41.780 --> 00:54:42.100 half. 00:54:44.120 --> 00:54:44.680 And he 00:54:44.680 --> 00:54:45.060 puts one 00:54:45.060 --> 00:54:45.440 half over 00:54:45.440 --> 00:54:45.760 here and 00:54:45.760 --> 00:54:46.080 one half 00:54:46.080 --> 00:54:46.580 over there, 00:54:47.260 --> 00:54:47.840 and then 00:54:47.840 --> 00:54:48.700 keeps the 00:54:48.700 --> 00:54:49.300 birds away 00:54:49.300 --> 00:54:49.740 from them, 00:54:49.800 --> 00:54:50.360 the vultures 00:54:50.360 --> 00:54:50.740 and the 00:54:50.740 --> 00:54:51.160 birds of 00:54:51.160 --> 00:54:51.480 prey that 00:54:51.480 --> 00:54:51.880 will come 00:54:51.880 --> 00:54:52.760 and scavenge 00:54:52.760 --> 00:54:53.360 the meat 00:54:53.360 --> 00:54:53.900 from these 00:54:53.900 --> 00:54:54.220 things, 00:54:54.780 --> 00:54:55.540 until he 00:54:55.540 --> 00:54:56.320 falls asleep. 00:54:57.940 --> 00:54:59.060 And in 00:54:59.060 --> 00:54:59.760 his sleep, 00:55:00.080 --> 00:55:00.440 the Lord 00:55:00.440 --> 00:55:00.960 comes to 00:55:00.960 --> 00:55:01.160 him, and 00:55:01.159 --> 00:55:01.899 this profound 00:55:01.899 --> 00:55:02.539 vision that 00:55:02.539 --> 00:55:05.539 he has of 00:55:05.539 --> 00:55:06.639 God's 00:55:06.639 --> 00:55:08.399 promise and 00:55:08.399 --> 00:55:08.759 God's 00:55:08.759 --> 00:55:09.139 provision. 00:55:10.059 --> 00:55:10.480 And to 00:55:10.480 --> 00:55:10.960 us, that 00:55:10.960 --> 00:55:11.819 looks completely 00:55:11.819 --> 00:55:12.199 alien. 00:55:12.699 --> 00:55:13.099 It looks 00:55:13.099 --> 00:55:14.440 really strange. 00:55:15.279 --> 00:55:16.079 But to 00:55:16.079 --> 00:55:17.960 Abraham, it 00:55:17.960 --> 00:55:19.539 was entirely 00:55:19.539 --> 00:55:20.639 normal. 00:55:21.599 --> 00:55:22.339 Because all 00:55:22.339 --> 00:55:22.699 over the 00:55:22.699 --> 00:55:23.279 ancient Near 00:55:23.279 --> 00:55:23.920 East, this 00:55:23.920 --> 00:55:24.500 is what you 00:55:24.500 --> 00:55:25.879 did when 00:55:25.879 --> 00:55:26.199 you were 00:55:26.199 --> 00:55:27.219 signing a 00:55:27.219 --> 00:55:28.960 treaty between 00:55:28.960 --> 00:55:29.879 an overlord 00:55:29.880 --> 00:55:30.780 and this 00:55:30.780 --> 00:55:31.220 vassal. 00:55:32.420 --> 00:55:33.400 The overlord 00:55:33.400 --> 00:55:33.760 would come 00:55:33.760 --> 00:55:34.340 along and 00:55:34.340 --> 00:55:34.720 say, I 00:55:34.720 --> 00:55:35.079 am giving 00:55:35.079 --> 00:55:35.700 you promises 00:55:35.700 --> 00:55:36.860 of things I 00:55:36.860 --> 00:55:37.240 will do. 00:55:37.960 --> 00:55:38.720 Here is the 00:55:38.720 --> 00:55:39.579 story of 00:55:39.579 --> 00:55:40.320 what I have 00:55:40.320 --> 00:55:40.780 done in 00:55:40.780 --> 00:55:41.260 order to 00:55:41.260 --> 00:55:41.980 deserve to 00:55:41.980 --> 00:55:42.579 be in this 00:55:42.579 --> 00:55:43.539 position of 00:55:43.539 --> 00:55:44.480 authority over 00:55:44.480 --> 00:55:44.860 you to 00:55:44.860 --> 00:55:45.760 dictate these 00:55:45.760 --> 00:55:46.160 terms. 00:55:46.619 --> 00:55:47.059 I will 00:55:47.059 --> 00:55:47.800 provide for 00:55:47.800 --> 00:55:47.960 you. 00:55:48.039 --> 00:55:48.200 I will 00:55:48.200 --> 00:55:48.480 provide 00:55:48.480 --> 00:55:48.960 security. 00:55:49.500 --> 00:55:50.000 Normally, it's 00:55:50.000 --> 00:55:50.320 because I've 00:55:50.320 --> 00:55:50.840 already beaten 00:55:50.840 --> 00:55:51.340 your army. 00:55:51.940 --> 00:55:52.680 My military 00:55:52.680 --> 00:55:53.200 force is 00:55:53.200 --> 00:55:53.720 greater than 00:55:53.720 --> 00:55:54.160 yours. 00:55:54.159 --> 00:55:56.440 but I've 00:55:56.440 --> 00:55:56.699 already 00:55:56.699 --> 00:55:57.679 demonstrated my 00:55:57.679 --> 00:55:58.019 power. 00:55:59.440 --> 00:56:00.199 Now, we're 00:56:00.199 --> 00:56:00.599 going to cut 00:56:00.599 --> 00:56:01.119 some animals 00:56:01.119 --> 00:56:03.059 in half and 00:56:03.059 --> 00:56:03.379 we're going to 00:56:03.379 --> 00:56:03.679 make an 00:56:03.679 --> 00:56:04.119 agreement. 00:56:05.599 --> 00:56:05.899 What we're 00:56:05.899 --> 00:56:06.399 going to say 00:56:06.399 --> 00:56:07.460 is, if we 00:56:07.460 --> 00:56:08.139 break the 00:56:08.139 --> 00:56:08.599 terms of 00:56:08.599 --> 00:56:09.159 our agreement, 00:56:09.819 --> 00:56:10.259 may the 00:56:10.259 --> 00:56:10.920 same thing 00:56:10.920 --> 00:56:11.420 happen to 00:56:11.420 --> 00:56:11.819 us. 00:56:13.299 --> 00:56:13.699 As you 00:56:13.699 --> 00:56:14.519 walk between 00:56:14.519 --> 00:56:15.480 the animals 00:56:15.480 --> 00:56:15.719 that have 00:56:15.719 --> 00:56:16.019 been cut 00:56:16.019 --> 00:56:16.519 in half, 00:56:17.500 --> 00:56:18.059 the terms 00:56:18.059 --> 00:56:18.319 of the 00:56:18.319 --> 00:56:18.599 covenant 00:56:18.599 --> 00:56:19.139 are, if 00:56:19.139 --> 00:56:19.819 I break 00:56:19.819 --> 00:56:21.379 my loyalty 00:56:21.379 --> 00:56:22.039 to you, 00:56:22.039 --> 00:56:23.519 both the 00:56:23.519 --> 00:56:23.920 overlord 00:56:23.920 --> 00:56:24.519 breaking his 00:56:24.519 --> 00:56:25.059 loyalty to 00:56:25.059 --> 00:56:25.920 us and 00:56:25.920 --> 00:56:26.460 us breaking 00:56:26.460 --> 00:56:26.940 our loyalty 00:56:26.940 --> 00:56:27.239 to him, 00:56:27.340 --> 00:56:27.599 rebelling 00:56:27.599 --> 00:56:28.099 against him, 00:56:28.460 --> 00:56:29.099 the terms 00:56:29.099 --> 00:56:30.019 are, the 00:56:30.019 --> 00:56:30.559 same thing 00:56:30.559 --> 00:56:30.900 will happen 00:56:30.900 --> 00:56:31.239 to us. 00:56:31.300 --> 00:56:31.719 We deserve 00:56:31.719 --> 00:56:32.019 to be 00:56:32.019 --> 00:56:32.279 cut in 00:56:32.279 --> 00:56:32.599 half. 00:56:34.059 --> 00:56:34.719 And that's 00:56:34.719 --> 00:56:35.179 a really 00:56:35.179 --> 00:56:35.699 solemn 00:56:35.699 --> 00:56:36.139 thing. 00:56:37.619 --> 00:56:38.219 This is 00:56:38.219 --> 00:56:38.659 like a 00:56:38.659 --> 00:56:39.659 blood bond 00:56:39.659 --> 00:56:40.420 that has 00:56:40.420 --> 00:56:41.539 been instituted. 00:56:43.219 --> 00:56:43.679 You're 00:56:43.679 --> 00:56:44.059 saying we 00:56:44.059 --> 00:56:44.380 will be 00:56:44.380 --> 00:56:45.340 loyal upon 00:56:45.340 --> 00:56:46.119 pain of 00:56:46.119 --> 00:56:46.779 death. 00:56:50.099 --> 00:56:50.719 And so 00:56:50.719 --> 00:56:51.320 Abraham is 00:56:51.320 --> 00:56:52.420 expecting a 00:56:52.420 --> 00:56:52.820 covenant 00:56:52.820 --> 00:56:54.120 agreement 00:56:54.120 --> 00:56:54.620 that he 00:56:54.620 --> 00:56:55.260 recognizes, 00:56:55.600 --> 00:56:56.220 a legally 00:56:56.220 --> 00:56:56.980 binding 00:56:56.980 --> 00:56:57.860 framework 00:56:57.860 --> 00:56:58.880 to be 00:56:58.880 --> 00:56:59.300 signed 00:56:59.300 --> 00:56:59.660 between 00:56:59.660 --> 00:57:00.059 him and 00:57:00.059 --> 00:57:00.400 God. 00:57:02.360 --> 00:57:03.000 But he 00:57:03.000 --> 00:57:03.740 falls asleep. 00:57:06.559 --> 00:57:07.180 And I 00:57:07.180 --> 00:57:07.559 think that's 00:57:07.559 --> 00:57:07.860 where the 00:57:07.860 --> 00:57:08.539 thick darkness 00:57:08.539 --> 00:57:09.180 kind of comes 00:57:09.180 --> 00:57:09.600 into this. 00:57:10.140 --> 00:57:10.440 It's 00:57:10.440 --> 00:57:11.480 an evidence 00:57:11.480 --> 00:57:11.880 almost of 00:57:11.880 --> 00:57:12.360 Abraham's 00:57:12.360 --> 00:57:12.840 distress. 00:57:13.620 --> 00:57:14.280 He expects 00:57:14.280 --> 00:57:14.800 he has to 00:57:14.800 --> 00:57:15.300 be a party 00:57:15.300 --> 00:57:15.820 to this. 00:57:16.320 --> 00:57:16.720 But how 00:57:16.720 --> 00:57:17.200 can he? 00:57:17.720 --> 00:57:18.300 Because he's 00:57:18.300 --> 00:57:19.180 lying unconscious 00:57:19.180 --> 00:57:19.519 on the 00:57:19.519 --> 00:57:19.840 ground. 00:57:19.840 --> 00:57:21.740 And then 00:57:21.740 --> 00:57:23.420 something 00:57:23.420 --> 00:57:24.240 miraculous 00:57:24.240 --> 00:57:24.800 happens. 00:57:26.620 --> 00:57:27.340 There's 00:57:27.340 --> 00:57:28.280 two entities 00:57:28.280 --> 00:57:28.800 appear. 00:57:30.019 --> 00:57:30.420 There's 00:57:30.420 --> 00:57:30.740 this 00:57:30.740 --> 00:57:32.100 smoking pot 00:57:32.100 --> 00:57:33.260 and there's 00:57:33.260 --> 00:57:34.120 this fiery 00:57:34.120 --> 00:57:35.920 flaming torch. 00:57:38.460 --> 00:57:39.260 And we 00:57:39.260 --> 00:57:39.579 have to 00:57:39.579 --> 00:57:40.380 understand that 00:57:40.380 --> 00:57:41.000 both of 00:57:41.000 --> 00:57:41.420 these are 00:57:41.420 --> 00:57:41.760 somehow 00:57:41.760 --> 00:57:42.340 God. 00:57:43.280 --> 00:57:43.960 One of 00:57:43.960 --> 00:57:44.559 them maybe 00:57:44.559 --> 00:57:45.380 represents 00:57:45.380 --> 00:57:46.539 Abraham or 00:57:46.539 --> 00:57:47.059 acts on 00:57:47.059 --> 00:57:47.519 Abraham's 00:57:47.519 --> 00:57:47.960 behalf. 00:57:47.960 --> 00:57:48.659 and one 00:57:48.659 --> 00:57:48.900 of them 00:57:48.900 --> 00:57:49.440 acts on 00:57:49.440 --> 00:57:49.800 God's 00:57:49.800 --> 00:57:50.139 behalf. 00:57:50.539 --> 00:57:51.119 But neither 00:57:51.119 --> 00:57:51.420 of them 00:57:51.420 --> 00:57:52.000 are actually 00:57:52.000 --> 00:57:52.440 Abraham. 00:57:52.920 --> 00:57:53.220 Abraham 00:57:53.220 --> 00:57:53.900 doesn't walk 00:57:53.900 --> 00:57:54.659 between the 00:57:54.659 --> 00:57:55.440 slain animals 00:57:55.440 --> 00:57:56.380 and say, 00:57:56.539 --> 00:57:56.820 well, if I 00:57:56.820 --> 00:57:57.300 break the 00:57:57.300 --> 00:57:57.940 terms of my 00:57:57.940 --> 00:57:58.500 loyalty to 00:57:58.500 --> 00:57:58.820 you, O 00:57:58.820 --> 00:57:59.539 God, then 00:57:59.539 --> 00:57:59.840 may the 00:57:59.840 --> 00:58:00.220 same thing 00:58:00.220 --> 00:58:00.679 happen to 00:58:00.679 --> 00:58:00.880 me. 00:58:01.159 --> 00:58:02.059 No, God 00:58:02.059 --> 00:58:03.159 himself somehow 00:58:03.159 --> 00:58:04.240 walks between 00:58:04.240 --> 00:58:05.280 the slain 00:58:05.280 --> 00:58:05.780 animals. 00:58:07.480 --> 00:58:08.159 And God 00:58:08.159 --> 00:58:09.300 himself says 00:58:09.300 --> 00:58:10.139 on his 00:58:10.139 --> 00:58:10.940 behalf, may 00:58:10.940 --> 00:58:11.260 the same 00:58:11.260 --> 00:58:11.679 thing happen 00:58:11.679 --> 00:58:12.260 to me if I 00:58:12.260 --> 00:58:12.760 break my 00:58:12.760 --> 00:58:13.280 loyalty to 00:58:13.280 --> 00:58:13.780 you, Abraham. 00:58:13.780 --> 00:58:15.019 Abraham, but 00:58:15.019 --> 00:58:16.160 equally, a 00:58:16.160 --> 00:58:17.340 divine presence 00:58:17.340 --> 00:58:18.000 is there who 00:58:18.000 --> 00:58:19.380 says, I 00:58:19.380 --> 00:58:19.920 will take the 00:58:19.920 --> 00:58:22.040 consequences of 00:58:22.040 --> 00:58:22.880 Abraham's sin, 00:58:24.740 --> 00:58:25.360 Abraham's 00:58:25.360 --> 00:58:25.880 rebellion, 00:58:26.940 --> 00:58:27.360 Abraham's 00:58:27.360 --> 00:58:28.200 inability to 00:58:28.200 --> 00:58:28.920 keep faith. 00:58:29.860 --> 00:58:30.240 And Abraham 00:58:30.240 --> 00:58:30.640 does. 00:58:30.740 --> 00:58:31.100 I mean, you 00:58:31.100 --> 00:58:31.840 go on reading 00:58:31.840 --> 00:58:33.060 the next few 00:58:33.060 --> 00:58:33.680 chapters in the 00:58:33.680 --> 00:58:34.240 book of Genesis, 00:58:34.400 --> 00:58:35.120 you see Abraham 00:58:35.120 --> 00:58:35.880 can't keep 00:58:35.880 --> 00:58:36.280 faith. 00:58:37.720 --> 00:58:38.200 He thinks, 00:58:38.280 --> 00:58:38.620 well, I still 00:58:38.620 --> 00:58:39.019 don't have a 00:58:39.019 --> 00:58:39.380 son, my 00:58:39.380 --> 00:58:39.840 wife's getting 00:58:39.840 --> 00:58:40.380 too old, 00:58:41.240 --> 00:58:41.760 I'll maybe 00:58:41.760 --> 00:58:42.420 have an affair 00:58:42.420 --> 00:58:43.019 with one of 00:58:43.019 --> 00:58:44.039 my servants 00:58:44.039 --> 00:58:45.039 and her 00:58:45.039 --> 00:58:45.599 child will 00:58:45.599 --> 00:58:46.240 become my 00:58:46.240 --> 00:58:46.659 heir. 00:58:48.500 --> 00:58:49.119 And then 00:58:49.119 --> 00:58:49.559 they go down 00:58:49.559 --> 00:58:50.320 to Egypt and 00:58:50.320 --> 00:58:51.460 he tries to 00:58:51.460 --> 00:58:52.019 pass off his 00:58:52.019 --> 00:58:52.599 wife as a 00:58:52.599 --> 00:58:52.920 sister. 00:58:53.420 --> 00:58:53.840 I mean, Abraham 00:58:53.840 --> 00:58:54.280 is not 00:58:54.280 --> 00:58:54.720 righteous. 00:58:54.900 --> 00:58:55.240 He doesn't 00:58:55.240 --> 00:58:55.760 manage to 00:58:55.760 --> 00:58:56.559 keep perfect 00:58:56.559 --> 00:58:57.840 righteous loyalty 00:58:57.840 --> 00:58:58.680 towards God. 00:58:59.079 --> 00:58:59.559 He is a 00:58:59.559 --> 00:59:00.180 sinner and a 00:59:00.180 --> 00:59:00.539 failure. 00:59:02.519 --> 00:59:03.200 But the 00:59:03.200 --> 00:59:04.420 covenant that 00:59:04.420 --> 00:59:04.900 God has 00:59:04.900 --> 00:59:05.460 entered into 00:59:05.460 --> 00:59:05.900 with him 00:59:05.900 --> 00:59:07.119 doesn't depend 00:59:07.119 --> 00:59:07.880 on Abraham 00:59:07.880 --> 00:59:08.519 keeping the 00:59:08.519 --> 00:59:09.019 terms of the 00:59:09.019 --> 00:59:09.300 covenant. 00:59:10.099 --> 00:59:10.860 It depends on 00:59:10.860 --> 00:59:11.300 this other 00:59:11.300 --> 00:59:12.059 divine figure. 00:59:12.420 --> 00:59:14.659 this other 00:59:14.659 --> 00:59:15.280 divine figure 00:59:15.280 --> 00:59:15.740 who comes 00:59:15.740 --> 00:59:16.300 and passes 00:59:16.300 --> 00:59:17.639 between the 00:59:17.639 --> 00:59:18.460 slain animals 00:59:18.460 --> 00:59:19.519 and who 00:59:19.519 --> 00:59:19.860 says, 00:59:20.139 --> 00:59:20.460 if my 00:59:20.460 --> 00:59:21.059 people 00:59:21.059 --> 00:59:22.780 fail to 00:59:22.780 --> 00:59:23.200 keep the 00:59:23.200 --> 00:59:23.579 terms of 00:59:23.579 --> 00:59:23.980 the covenant, 00:59:24.980 --> 00:59:25.740 if my 00:59:25.740 --> 00:59:26.360 people are 00:59:26.360 --> 00:59:27.059 unable to 00:59:27.059 --> 00:59:27.400 live 00:59:27.400 --> 00:59:28.320 righteously 00:59:28.320 --> 00:59:29.059 enough, 00:59:30.119 --> 00:59:31.180 I will 00:59:31.180 --> 00:59:32.280 bear the 00:59:32.280 --> 00:59:32.840 consequences. 00:59:35.880 --> 00:59:36.240 And this 00:59:36.240 --> 00:59:36.579 is none 00:59:36.579 --> 00:59:37.019 other than 00:59:37.019 --> 00:59:37.400 God the 00:59:37.400 --> 00:59:37.619 Son. 00:59:40.340 --> 00:59:40.900 Acting 00:59:40.900 --> 00:59:40.900 00:59:40.900 --> 00:59:41.980 as our 00:59:41.980 --> 00:59:42.720 representative, 00:59:43.619 --> 00:59:44.340 as Abraham's 00:59:44.340 --> 00:59:44.980 representative, 00:59:45.740 --> 00:59:47.340 and going 00:59:47.340 --> 00:59:48.139 between the 00:59:48.139 --> 00:59:49.000 slain animals 00:59:49.000 --> 00:59:50.360 and saying, 00:59:50.740 --> 00:59:51.039 I will 00:59:51.039 --> 00:59:51.800 take the 00:59:51.800 --> 00:59:52.639 consequences 00:59:52.639 --> 00:59:53.260 of their 00:59:53.260 --> 00:59:54.920 sin upon 00:59:54.920 --> 00:59:55.480 myself. 00:59:55.480 --> 00:59:55.619 death. 00:59:58.240 --> 00:59:58.760 And you 00:59:58.760 --> 00:59:59.380 jump forward 00:59:59.380 --> 00:59:59.800 to the 00:59:59.800 --> 01:00:00.280 cross 01:00:00.280 --> 01:00:04.599 where 01:00:04.599 --> 01:00:05.199 Jesus 01:00:05.199 --> 01:00:08.199 is torn 01:00:08.199 --> 01:00:08.619 asunder 01:00:08.619 --> 01:00:09.219 practically. 01:00:10.659 --> 01:00:11.219 I don't 01:00:11.219 --> 01:00:11.460 want to go 01:00:11.460 --> 01:00:11.780 into it, 01:00:11.800 --> 01:00:12.079 but that's 01:00:12.079 --> 01:00:12.780 what crucifixion 01:00:12.780 --> 01:00:13.420 really does. 01:00:13.619 --> 01:00:14.699 It shreds 01:00:14.699 --> 01:00:15.960 with the 01:00:15.960 --> 01:00:16.400 terms of the 01:00:16.400 --> 01:00:17.019 damage that it 01:00:17.019 --> 01:00:17.539 does to your 01:00:17.539 --> 01:00:18.079 ribcage. 01:00:18.179 --> 01:00:19.000 It tears 01:00:19.000 --> 01:00:20.099 your ribs 01:00:20.099 --> 01:00:20.519 apart. 01:00:20.519 --> 01:00:20.639 heart. 01:00:21.840 --> 01:00:22.460 He's 01:00:22.460 --> 01:00:23.239 pierced. 01:00:24.599 --> 01:00:25.199 He's 01:00:25.199 --> 01:00:25.940 nailed to 01:00:25.940 --> 01:00:26.440 the tree. 01:00:28.239 --> 01:00:28.559 He 01:00:28.559 --> 01:00:29.440 experiences 01:00:29.440 --> 01:00:30.840 not only 01:00:30.840 --> 01:00:31.500 the physical 01:00:31.500 --> 01:00:32.519 turmoil of 01:00:32.519 --> 01:00:32.820 this, 01:00:33.139 --> 01:00:33.800 but at the 01:00:33.800 --> 01:00:34.300 cross he 01:00:34.300 --> 01:00:35.159 experiences 01:00:35.159 --> 01:00:36.679 the wrath 01:00:36.679 --> 01:00:37.099 of God 01:00:37.099 --> 01:00:37.840 upon sin. 01:00:38.860 --> 01:00:39.539 That God's 01:00:39.539 --> 01:00:40.280 justice 01:00:40.280 --> 01:00:41.759 is meted 01:00:41.759 --> 01:00:42.320 out on the 01:00:42.320 --> 01:00:42.940 person of 01:00:42.940 --> 01:00:43.519 Jesus, 01:00:44.159 --> 01:00:44.480 hung on 01:00:44.480 --> 01:00:44.940 the tree 01:00:44.940 --> 01:00:47.119 for our 01:00:47.119 --> 01:00:47.400 sin. 01:00:47.400 --> 01:00:50.340 because he 01:00:50.340 --> 01:00:52.760 agreed to 01:00:52.760 --> 01:00:53.160 be our 01:00:53.160 --> 01:00:54.099 representative in 01:00:54.099 --> 01:00:54.940 this covenant 01:00:54.940 --> 01:00:56.800 between God 01:00:56.800 --> 01:00:57.240 and man. 01:00:58.760 --> 01:00:59.619 In this 01:00:59.619 --> 01:01:00.300 covenant between 01:01:00.300 --> 01:01:00.800 God and 01:01:00.800 --> 01:01:01.200 Abraham, 01:01:02.360 --> 01:01:02.980 which is the 01:01:02.980 --> 01:01:03.599 same covenant 01:01:03.599 --> 01:01:04.300 that we come 01:01:04.300 --> 01:01:06.119 into in the 01:01:06.119 --> 01:01:06.680 New Testament. 01:01:08.260 --> 01:01:09.160 And that's 01:01:09.160 --> 01:01:10.500 why today we 01:01:10.500 --> 01:01:11.380 can trust the 01:01:11.380 --> 01:01:11.900 promise of 01:01:11.900 --> 01:01:12.340 God. 01:01:12.940 --> 01:01:13.820 Because the 01:01:13.820 --> 01:01:14.460 promise of 01:01:14.460 --> 01:01:15.599 God to us 01:01:15.599 --> 01:01:16.579 doesn't depend 01:01:16.579 --> 01:01:17.139 on our 01:01:17.139 --> 01:01:17.599 obedience, 01:01:18.179 --> 01:01:18.819 it depends 01:01:18.819 --> 01:01:19.119 on the 01:01:19.119 --> 01:01:19.779 obedience of 01:01:19.779 --> 01:01:20.179 Jesus. 01:01:20.879 --> 01:01:21.279 And as 01:01:21.279 --> 01:01:21.639 long as 01:01:21.639 --> 01:01:22.299 Jesus is 01:01:22.299 --> 01:01:22.759 obedient, 01:01:23.139 --> 01:01:23.579 as long as 01:01:23.579 --> 01:01:24.440 Jesus bore 01:01:24.440 --> 01:01:25.359 the price of 01:01:25.359 --> 01:01:26.119 our failure 01:01:26.119 --> 01:01:26.819 on the 01:01:26.819 --> 01:01:27.359 cross, 01:01:27.579 --> 01:01:28.619 then God 01:01:28.619 --> 01:01:30.039 will not 01:01:30.039 --> 01:01:30.739 forsake 01:01:30.739 --> 01:01:31.119 us. 01:01:33.099 --> 01:01:33.839 It's 01:01:33.839 --> 01:01:34.339 finished. 01:01:35.500 --> 01:01:36.199 The work 01:01:36.199 --> 01:01:36.900 of salvation 01:01:36.900 --> 01:01:38.000 is now 01:01:38.000 --> 01:01:38.579 an empty 01:01:38.579 --> 01:01:39.179 box, 01:01:39.500 --> 01:01:40.519 because it's 01:01:40.519 --> 01:01:40.980 done. 01:01:42.619 --> 01:01:43.000 It was 01:01:43.000 --> 01:01:43.920 done figuratively 01:01:43.920 --> 01:01:44.519 here for 01:01:44.519 --> 01:01:44.920 Abraham, 01:01:45.279 --> 01:01:45.839 and Abraham 01:01:45.839 --> 01:01:47.000 believed God 01:01:47.000 --> 01:01:47.199 and it 01:01:47.199 --> 01:01:47.679 was counted 01:01:47.679 --> 01:01:48.219 to him as 01:01:48.219 --> 01:01:48.679 righteousness. 01:01:49.420 --> 01:01:49.880 It was 01:01:49.880 --> 01:01:50.860 ultimately done 01:01:50.860 --> 01:01:51.280 at the 01:01:51.280 --> 01:01:51.760 cross, 01:01:52.199 --> 01:01:52.800 and today 01:01:52.800 --> 01:01:53.579 we're invited 01:01:53.579 --> 01:01:54.340 to the same 01:01:54.340 --> 01:01:54.820 faith, 01:01:55.039 --> 01:01:55.880 to believe in 01:01:55.880 --> 01:01:56.159 God, 01:01:56.260 --> 01:01:56.659 to say, 01:01:56.860 --> 01:01:57.199 yes, 01:01:57.619 --> 01:01:58.500 Jesus has 01:01:58.500 --> 01:01:59.179 done it 01:01:59.179 --> 01:01:59.800 all for 01:01:59.800 --> 01:02:00.039 me. 01:02:00.039 --> 01:02:01.300 My salvation 01:02:01.300 --> 01:02:02.199 is secure 01:02:02.199 --> 01:02:02.639 in him. 01:02:02.800 --> 01:02:03.639 My future 01:02:03.639 --> 01:02:04.380 and my hope 01:02:04.380 --> 01:02:05.079 is promised 01:02:05.079 --> 01:02:06.079 in him. 01:02:07.179 --> 01:02:07.820 All of my 01:02:07.820 --> 01:02:08.780 needs will be 01:02:08.780 --> 01:02:09.880 met in 01:02:09.880 --> 01:02:10.380 him. 01:02:11.039 --> 01:02:11.780 It's all 01:02:11.780 --> 01:02:12.280 of Jesus. 01:02:12.280 --> 01:02:12.480 Jesus, 01:02:13.080 --> 01:02:16.220 because he 01:02:16.220 --> 01:02:17.120 went to 01:02:17.120 --> 01:02:17.760 the cross 01:02:17.760 --> 01:02:20.220 to fulfill 01:02:20.220 --> 01:02:21.120 the promise 01:02:21.120 --> 01:02:22.860 of Genesis 01:02:22.860 --> 01:02:23.420 15, 01:02:24.560 --> 01:02:26.160 that the 01:02:26.160 --> 01:02:26.900 terms of 01:02:26.900 --> 01:02:27.580 our sin 01:02:27.580 --> 01:02:28.380 being dealt 01:02:28.380 --> 01:02:28.960 with 01:02:28.960 --> 01:02:32.300 would be 01:02:32.300 --> 01:02:33.240 him torn 01:02:33.240 --> 01:02:33.640 apart. 01:02:33.639 --> 01:02:37.400 And so 01:02:37.400 --> 01:02:37.739 today, 01:02:38.079 --> 01:02:39.059 we are 01:02:39.059 --> 01:02:39.599 invited 01:02:39.599 --> 01:02:41.779 to trust, 01:02:42.579 --> 01:02:44.079 to trust 01:02:44.079 --> 01:02:44.500 in these 01:02:44.500 --> 01:02:44.920 words, 01:02:45.099 --> 01:02:45.819 fear not, 01:02:46.460 --> 01:02:47.179 I am 01:02:47.179 --> 01:02:48.099 your shield, 01:02:49.219 --> 01:02:50.239 your reward 01:02:50.239 --> 01:02:51.359 shall be 01:02:51.359 --> 01:02:52.719 very great. 01:02:54.719 --> 01:02:55.179 Will you 01:02:55.179 --> 01:02:55.679 not believe 01:02:55.679 --> 01:02:56.059 in him? 01:02:56.059 --> 01:03:01.420 let's 01:03:01.420 --> 01:03:01.619 pray. 01:03:09.579 --> 01:03:09.980 Heavenly 01:03:09.980 --> 01:03:10.279 Father, 01:03:10.699 --> 01:03:11.759 we want 01:03:11.759 --> 01:03:12.340 today to 01:03:12.340 --> 01:03:13.599 come to 01:03:13.599 --> 01:03:15.059 you seeking 01:03:15.059 --> 01:03:16.400 encouragement 01:03:16.400 --> 01:03:17.299 to have 01:03:17.299 --> 01:03:17.940 faith like 01:03:17.940 --> 01:03:18.239 Abraham. 01:03:19.440 --> 01:03:20.460 We know, 01:03:20.619 --> 01:03:20.679 Lord, 01:03:20.719 --> 01:03:20.980 you are the 01:03:20.980 --> 01:03:21.199 one who 01:03:21.199 --> 01:03:21.599 gives great 01:03:21.599 --> 01:03:21.980 promises. 01:03:22.820 --> 01:03:23.500 As we look 01:03:23.500 --> 01:03:23.960 back in our 01:03:23.960 --> 01:03:24.179 lives, 01:03:24.219 --> 01:03:24.659 we can see 01:03:24.659 --> 01:03:25.440 ample evidence 01:03:25.440 --> 01:03:25.759 of your 01:03:25.760 --> 01:03:26.120 provision. 01:03:26.280 --> 01:03:26.460 You have 01:03:26.460 --> 01:03:27.060 not forsaken 01:03:27.060 --> 01:03:27.480 us thus 01:03:27.480 --> 01:03:27.720 far, 01:03:27.760 --> 01:03:27.940 and you 01:03:27.940 --> 01:03:28.420 never will. 01:03:30.240 --> 01:03:30.960 And ultimately, 01:03:31.120 --> 01:03:31.660 we thank you 01:03:31.660 --> 01:03:32.580 that you've 01:03:32.580 --> 01:03:33.080 made that 01:03:33.080 --> 01:03:33.860 through the 01:03:33.860 --> 01:03:34.340 promise and 01:03:34.340 --> 01:03:34.780 the pledge 01:03:34.780 --> 01:03:35.280 of Jesus. 01:03:36.260 --> 01:03:36.720 That before 01:03:36.720 --> 01:03:37.080 the world 01:03:37.080 --> 01:03:37.500 existed, 01:03:37.660 --> 01:03:37.980 he agreed 01:03:37.980 --> 01:03:38.340 to come 01:03:38.340 --> 01:03:38.660 and die 01:03:38.660 --> 01:03:38.940 for his 01:03:38.940 --> 01:03:39.220 people. 01:03:39.880 --> 01:03:41.140 That in 01:03:41.140 --> 01:03:41.480 the fullness 01:03:41.480 --> 01:03:41.880 of time, 01:03:41.960 --> 01:03:42.240 he did. 01:03:43.720 --> 01:03:44.320 And we see 01:03:44.320 --> 01:03:45.040 many examples 01:03:45.040 --> 01:03:45.640 of that being 01:03:45.640 --> 01:03:46.640 carried out 01:03:46.640 --> 01:03:47.940 in promise 01:03:47.940 --> 01:03:48.480 form throughout 01:03:48.480 --> 01:03:48.800 the Old 01:03:48.800 --> 01:03:49.200 Testament. 01:03:50.200 --> 01:03:51.040 And ultimately, 01:03:51.180 --> 01:03:51.720 the climax 01:03:51.720 --> 01:03:52.300 of that was 01:03:52.300 --> 01:03:52.900 at the cross. 01:03:54.400 --> 01:03:54.840 And so we 01:03:54.840 --> 01:03:55.420 thank you today 01:03:55.420 --> 01:03:55.780 for our 01:03:55.780 --> 01:03:56.079 Saviour 01:03:56.079 --> 01:03:56.400 Jesus. 01:03:56.559 --> 01:03:56.960 We thank you 01:03:56.960 --> 01:03:57.280 for what 01:03:57.280 --> 01:03:57.500 he has 01:03:57.500 --> 01:03:57.760 done. 01:03:58.760 --> 01:03:59.340 And help 01:03:59.340 --> 01:03:59.940 us today to 01:03:59.940 --> 01:04:00.500 be assured 01:04:00.500 --> 01:04:00.920 of that 01:04:00.920 --> 01:04:01.300 truth, 01:04:01.680 --> 01:04:01.960 that the 01:04:01.960 --> 01:04:02.420 work is 01:04:02.420 --> 01:04:02.820 finished, 01:04:03.700 --> 01:04:04.639 that salvation 01:04:04.639 --> 01:04:05.340 is entirely 01:04:05.340 --> 01:04:05.740 done, 01:04:06.460 --> 01:04:06.780 entirely 01:04:06.780 --> 01:04:07.280 accomplished, 01:04:07.840 --> 01:04:08.880 and we can 01:04:08.880 --> 01:04:10.079 trust in 01:04:10.079 --> 01:04:10.519 him alone. 01:04:11.519 --> 01:04:12.000 Bless us 01:04:12.000 --> 01:04:12.300 with that 01:04:12.300 --> 01:04:12.659 kind of 01:04:12.659 --> 01:04:12.920 faith. 01:04:13.579 --> 01:04:14.039 We ask 01:04:14.039 --> 01:04:14.380 this in 01:04:14.380 --> 01:04:14.599 Jesus' 01:04:14.599 --> 01:04:14.880 name. 01:04:14.880 --> 01:04:15.720 Amen. 01:04:24.340 --> 01:04:25.360 We're going 01:04:25.360 --> 01:04:25.700 to sing 01:04:25.700 --> 01:04:26.539 in conclusion 01:04:26.539 --> 01:04:27.099 just now 01:04:27.099 --> 01:04:27.559 in 01:04:27.559 --> 01:04:29.920 Psalm 01:04:29.920 --> 01:04:31.019 150. 01:04:32.820 --> 01:04:33.500 This is in 01:04:33.500 --> 01:04:34.079 Sing Psalms, 01:04:34.200 --> 01:04:34.940 page 195. 01:04:36.860 --> 01:04:37.640 The theme 01:04:37.640 --> 01:04:38.740 of the 01:04:38.740 --> 01:04:39.440 Old Testament 01:04:39.440 --> 01:04:40.840 is that 01:04:40.840 --> 01:04:41.720 ultimately the 01:04:41.720 --> 01:04:42.500 climax of 01:04:42.500 --> 01:04:43.740 creation will 01:04:43.740 --> 01:04:44.340 be the 01:04:44.340 --> 01:04:45.539 praise of 01:04:45.539 --> 01:04:47.059 all resounding 01:04:47.059 --> 01:04:47.380 to the 01:04:47.380 --> 01:04:47.820 glory of 01:04:47.820 --> 01:04:48.099 God. 01:04:48.320 --> 01:04:49.200 And Psalm 01:04:49.200 --> 01:04:50.200 150 is 01:04:50.200 --> 01:04:50.860 really all 01:04:50.860 --> 01:04:51.320 about this. 01:04:51.420 --> 01:04:51.679 It's about 01:04:51.679 --> 01:04:52.039 the all 01:04:52.039 --> 01:04:52.860 encompassing 01:04:52.860 --> 01:04:54.139 praise of 01:04:54.139 --> 01:04:54.960 the whole 01:04:54.960 --> 01:04:55.559 of creation 01:04:55.559 --> 01:04:56.740 gathering in 01:04:56.740 --> 01:04:57.039 together. 01:04:57.159 --> 01:04:57.500 It begins 01:04:57.500 --> 01:04:57.720 in the 01:04:57.720 --> 01:04:58.000 temple, 01:04:58.119 --> 01:04:58.619 but it 01:04:58.619 --> 01:04:59.079 seems almost 01:04:59.079 --> 01:04:59.619 to spread 01:04:59.619 --> 01:05:00.039 out from 01:05:00.039 --> 01:05:00.679 there with 01:05:00.679 --> 01:05:01.360 all things 01:05:01.360 --> 01:05:02.820 rejoicing and 01:05:02.820 --> 01:05:03.280 crying out 01:05:03.280 --> 01:05:03.860 hallelujah, 01:05:04.340 --> 01:05:05.099 praise the 01:05:05.099 --> 01:05:05.400 Lord. 01:05:05.400 --> 01:05:06.720 God's 01:05:06.720 --> 01:05:10.860 salvation in 01:05:10.860 --> 01:05:11.360 Christ is 01:05:11.360 --> 01:05:11.780 complete. 01:05:12.480 --> 01:05:12.800 And all 01:05:12.800 --> 01:05:13.800 shall praise 01:05:13.800 --> 01:05:14.460 the Lord. 01:05:14.660 --> 01:05:15.039 So we're 01:05:15.039 --> 01:05:15.200 going to 01:05:15.200 --> 01:05:15.639 stand and 01:05:15.639 --> 01:05:15.940 sing the 01:05:15.940 --> 01:05:16.200 whole of 01:05:16.200 --> 01:05:16.579 this psalm 01:05:16.579 --> 01:05:16.980 to God's 01:05:16.980 --> 01:05:17.220 praise. 01:05:17.740 --> 01:05:18.460 Praise God 01:05:18.460 --> 01:05:18.700 and his 01:05:18.700 --> 01:05:19.300 holy temple. 01:05:19.519 --> 01:05:19.880 Praise the 01:05:19.880 --> 01:05:20.300 Lord in 01:05:20.300 --> 01:05:20.960 heavens high. 01:05:21.579 --> 01:05:22.000 Praise him 01:05:22.000 --> 01:05:22.380 for his 01:05:22.380 --> 01:05:22.840 acts of 01:05:22.840 --> 01:05:23.119 power. 01:05:23.340 --> 01:05:23.780 Praise him 01:05:23.780 --> 01:05:24.599 for his 01:05:24.599 --> 01:05:25.119 majesty. 01:05:25.480 --> 01:05:25.700 We'll 01:05:25.700 --> 01:05:26.160 stand to 01:05:26.160 --> 01:05:26.579 sing to 01:05:26.579 --> 01:05:26.860 God's 01:05:26.860 --> 01:05:27.079 praise. 01:05:27.079 --> 01:05:32.400 praise him 01:05:32.400 --> 01:05:33.599 for his 01:05:33.599 --> 01:05:34.599 praise him 01:05:34.599 --> 01:05:35.599 for his 01:05:35.599 --> 01:05:37.199 acts of 01:05:37.199 --> 01:05:38.599 power. 01:05:38.599 --> 01:05:40.599 Praise the 01:05:40.599 --> 01:05:42.679 Lord in 01:05:42.679 --> 01:05:44.400 heaven's 01:05:44.400 --> 01:05:45.779 high. 01:05:46.139 --> 01:05:47.819 Praise him 01:05:47.819 --> 01:05:49.500 for his 01:05:49.500 --> 01:05:51.139 acts of 01:05:51.139 --> 01:05:52.239 power. 01:05:52.880 --> 01:05:54.519 Praise him 01:05:54.519 --> 01:05:56.119 for his 01:05:56.119 --> 01:05:56.599 majesty. 01:05:57.079 --> 01:06:02.719 praise him 01:06:02.719 --> 01:06:04.400 with the 01:06:04.400 --> 01:06:05.340 sounding 01:06:05.340 --> 01:06:06.940 trumpet. 01:06:07.679 --> 01:06:09.239 Praise him 01:06:09.239 --> 01:06:10.920 with the 01:06:10.920 --> 01:06:12.500 harp and 01:06:12.500 --> 01:06:13.659 lute. 01:06:14.019 --> 01:06:15.759 Praise him 01:06:15.759 --> 01:06:16.659 and 01:06:16.659 --> 01:06:19.960 dancing. 01:06:20.539 --> 01:06:22.119 Praise him 01:06:22.119 --> 01:06:23.619 with the 01:06:23.619 --> 01:06:24.519 strings 01:06:24.519 --> 01:06:25.340 and 01:06:25.340 --> 01:06:26.000 flute. 01:06:27.079 --> 01:06:30.340 praise him 01:06:30.340 --> 01:06:31.860 with the 01:06:31.860 --> 01:06:33.440 clash of 01:06:33.440 --> 01:06:34.659 cymbals. 01:06:35.059 --> 01:06:35.840 Without 01:06:35.840 --> 01:06:38.000 cymbals, 01:06:38.139 --> 01:06:38.840 praise 01:06:38.840 --> 01:06:39.519 the 01:06:39.519 --> 01:06:40.779 Lord. 01:06:41.179 --> 01:06:42.819 Praise him 01:06:42.819 --> 01:06:44.400 everything 01:06:44.400 --> 01:06:45.900 that's 01:06:45.900 --> 01:06:46.779 breathing. 01:06:48.400 --> 01:06:49.119 Hallelujah. 01:06:49.400 --> 01:06:51.599 Praise the 01:06:51.599 --> 01:06:52.719 Lord. 01:06:52.719 --> 01:06:52.400 Praise the 01:06:52.400 --> 01:06:53.519 Lord. 01:06:54.199 --> 01:07:14.559 voy 01:07:14.559 --> 01:07:16.559 voy 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 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01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:16.559 --> 01:07:16.559 01:07:23.519 --> 01:07:53.500 Thank you. 01:07:53.519 --> 01:08:23.500 Thank you.