WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.359 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:23.760 And now, behold, the king walketh before you, and I am old and gray-headed. And behold, my sons are with you, and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:46.640 Behold, here I am, witness against me before the Lord and before his anointed, whose ox have I taken, or whose ass have I taken, or to whom have I defrauded, whom have I oppressed, or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith, and I will restore it to you. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:54.659 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand. 00:00:55.140 --> 00:01:04.780 And he said unto them, The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found aught in my hand. 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:07.560 And they answered, He is witness. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:18.060 And Samuel said unto the people, It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:27.920 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers. 00:01:27.920 --> 00:01:41.480 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:56.500 And when they forgot the Lord their God, he sold them into the land of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. 00:01:56.500 --> 00:02:11.340 And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Balaam and Ashtaroth, but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee. 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:25.159 And the Lord sent Jerobal, and Badan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe. 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:39.259 And when ye saw that Nahash, the king of the children of Ammon, came against you, ye said unto me, Nay, but a king shall reign over us, when the Lord your God was your king. 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:44.819 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:49.259 And behold, the Lord has set a king over you. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:03:03.419 If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God. 00:03:03.419 --> 00:03:14.819 But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers. 00:03:16.039 --> 00:03:22.639 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:29.399 Is it not wheat harvest today? 00:03:29.399 --> 00:03:43.139 I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain, that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:52.839 So Samuel called unto the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. 00:03:53.439 --> 00:04:06.619 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not, for we have added unto all our sins this evil to ask us a king. 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:19.379 And Samuel said unto the Lord, Fear not, ye have done all this wickedness, yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:28.319 And turn ye not aside, for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain. 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:37.019 For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:43.600 Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:46.659 But I will teach you the good and the right way. 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:51.199 Only fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart. 00:04:51.719 --> 00:04:54.740 For consider how great things he hath done for you. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:05:00.819 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:12.400 Isaiah 40 tells us that the grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:05:13.460 --> 00:05:17.680 In Luke 1, we're told that no word from God shall be void of power. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.120 Would you pray with me? 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:37.519 Lord, we ask that your Holy Spirit will illuminate and apply your truth from your word to your people for your glory. 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:43.060 We thank you how you began a good work in each individual soul. 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:46.420 And you began a good work here with this congregation. 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:52.000 We trust, as we have the promise in Philippians 1, that you will also see it through to completion. 00:05:53.400 --> 00:06:00.080 Lord, we ask for your power, for your strength, your energy to fulfill this ministry among us. 00:06:00.700 --> 00:06:01.000 Amen. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:19.439 Well, beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, my message for you and for me today is simply that we can see the blessing of repentance. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:22.040 Repentance is a blessing. 00:06:23.480 --> 00:06:26.939 To repent is to turn from one thing to another. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:32.360 We're just saying, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:41.980 And repentance is when a sinner like you and me, born under Adam's curse with remaining sins in our own flesh, is brought into the presence of a holy God. 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:46.639 And our sin is exposed so that we hate it. 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:50.259 And we hate it because we behold the holy God. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:53.800 We're in his presence by his grace. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:56.800 And we hate it because we're in his presence. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:57.480 And we hate it because we're in his presence. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:06.280 Psalm 51 is one of the best illustrations and words for those of us in whom the Lord is working such repentance. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:09.139 And there's a hard verse in this psalm. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:17.699 David asks, Lord, would you cause the bones that you have broken to rejoice? 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:26.579 It's the Lord who breaks the bone that we will rejoice as he heals us. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:34.079 Thomas Watson, pastor in the 1600s in England, made that same observation. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:39.139 How welcome is a surgeon to a man who is bleeding from his wounds. 00:07:39.139 --> 00:07:44.019 So first the Lord exposes it, then he comes and heals. 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:50.620 You're likely here because you or someone you love has experienced this. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:59.459 What we have in our passage for today, 1 Samuel 12, is such repentance that you know you've experienced. 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:02.719 The Lord willing, you will soon because the Lord has brought you here. 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:06.899 What's special about this chapter is it happens on a national scale. 00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:09.599 It's a corporate repentance. 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:14.359 And my goal today is simply to walk through this passage, reading it together, 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:19.439 and make four observations about the blessing of repentance. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:22.419 A blessing is a gift from God. 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:23.299 It's a good thing. 00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:28.359 It's a spiritual treasure from heaven given to us right now in this life to enjoy. 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:30.120 And that's what repentance is. 00:08:30.859 --> 00:08:33.579 So the first observation from our passage is this. 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:36.579 The Lord raises up servants. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:40.039 Whom he has taught the blessing of repentance. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:43.899 The Lord raises up a servant like Samuel. 00:08:44.439 --> 00:08:45.659 Why is Samuel qualified? 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:50.620 Because Samuel has experienced the blessing of repentance himself. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:57.200 The Lord causes repentance as his people hear his word. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:00.460 But who's going to stand up and deliver the word to God's people? 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:06.580 We've seen how Samuel has been criticized as a minister of God's word. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:10.179 That's the last interaction between the nation of Israel and Samuel. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:14.179 But now verse 12, Samuel stands up. 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:18.419 Now remember, there in Gilgal, they had this great deliverance from Nahash, that serpent. 00:09:19.319 --> 00:09:23.059 The Lord's spirit rushed upon Saul, the most unlikely of men. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:29.000 And now the beginning of chapter 12, Samuel says to all Israel, would you look at verse 1 with me? 00:09:29.739 --> 00:09:36.599 Indeed, I have heeded or listened to your voice and all that you said to me, and I've made a king over you. 00:09:36.819 --> 00:09:37.339 Verse 2. 00:09:37.739 --> 00:09:42.239 And now there is the king, Saul, right here, walking before you. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:45.899 Remember how the people rejected Samuel. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:50.279 And they were begging for a king to be like all the other nations. 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:53.299 Their charges against Samuel were two things. 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:56.220 Samuel, you're old. 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:59.180 And your sons are corrupt. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:00.820 Remember those two charges? 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:05.340 One of those charges is accurate. 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:06.820 His sons were corrupt. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.060 And he was allowing that to happen. 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:12.819 The other charge of being old is not a sin. 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.639 It should not disqualify him. 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:16.039 So they were wrong on the other. 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:22.399 But before Samuel can minister God's word to the people, he needs to address those two charges. 00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:24.379 Look at verse 2. 00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:27.979 I am old and gray-headed. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:29.559 There's the first one. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:31.539 And here's the second charge. 00:10:31.979 --> 00:10:36.239 He says, look, my sons are with you or among you. 00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:41.739 My sons are not above you as judges any longer. 00:10:42.619 --> 00:10:46.219 My sons are not in a position where they can continue stealing from you. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.559 They're among you. 00:10:49.219 --> 00:10:50.899 I've removed them from their office. 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:57.199 I agree with the commentators that conclude this shows now, at least at this point in history, 00:10:57.339 --> 00:11:02.079 that Samuel has applied discipline to God's people as he should have long ago. 00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:07.940 It's like Samuel saying, if I'm not qualified to minister to you any longer, 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:11.060 you must show me my sin so that I can make it right, 00:11:11.540 --> 00:11:17.420 so that I can continue fulfilling the charge that the Lord has given me to minister to you. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.940 Look at what Samuel says next. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:23.139 I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:27.420 My whole life is in a fishbowl in front of you to observe. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:29.580 Verse 3, he says, here I am. 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:35.680 Witness against me before the Lord and before his anointed. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:44.740 Samuel is a humble minister, establishing credibility to deliver this message he needs to give, 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:45.900 that the people need to hear. 00:11:46.280 --> 00:11:52.639 And he's beating them to any objections that would disqualify him from doing the thing God has charged him with doing. 00:11:53.520 --> 00:11:55.720 What's the courtroom that he's just set up? 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:58.960 He begins by putting himself as the defendant. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:05.800 Isn't the minister saying, charge me with anything else that I need to make right? 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:10.519 Show me my sin so that I can confess and not be disqualified. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:13.240 Well, who's the prosecutor? 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:16.120 It's the congregation of God's people. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.379 And who's the judge? 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.480 This is so rich. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.820 Don't miss this in verse 3. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.860 Witness against me. 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.600 Here's the judge. 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:28.120 Before the Lord and his anointed. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:32.460 Saw now as a type of Christ. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.759 Among the people. 00:12:34.940 --> 00:12:35.519 A man. 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:38.259 But he's the anointed of the Lord. 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:40.759 Set up as the judge. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:43.480 Between Samuel and the people. 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:48.259 In verse 5. 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:51.700 He said, the Lord is my witness against you. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:57.659 And his anointed is witness this day that you have not found anything in my hand. 00:12:58.500 --> 00:13:01.060 There's nothing I need to confess and make right. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.860 They answered, he is witness. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:09.180 And then Samuel now has this freedom to enjoy. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.700 Publicly. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.300 Before God's people. 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:15.779 To fulfill the calling God's given him to do. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.980 Satan does not want that to happen. 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.340 In God's people then or now. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:27.940 And the Lord comes to declare. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.300 Your sins are pardoned. 00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:31.780 By my grace. 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:38.540 How is it that a saved sinner can stand up and proclaim the holy word of the holy God? 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.600 Only by God's grace. 00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:43.600 And only by the Holy Spirit showing a people. 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:45.920 This is the humble means. 00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:47.180 This is the earthen vessel. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:50.700 God has designed for our souls on this earth. 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:54.700 We don't really understand it, do we? 00:13:55.540 --> 00:13:57.040 But this is what he has set up. 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:59.540 And I believe, if you're like me. 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:02.920 It's very easy to hear the accusations of the enemy. 00:14:03.020 --> 00:14:05.100 That I shouldn't take it from anyone. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:08.420 Because we can sit up there, one preacher after the other. 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.460 Popular or unknown. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.879 And tear them to shreds. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:16.520 Giving ourselves an excuse from hearing the truth of God. 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:18.100 No matter who it's coming from. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:23.240 And that same accusation is true in the family level. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.860 Or in a relationship. 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:30.200 How can a husband minister God's word to his wife? 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:33.320 She knows his sins and his faults better than anyone else, right? 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:35.420 But yet it's what we're called to do. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.180 To gospel one another through it. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.240 To forgive one another. 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:42.340 Receive God's word. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:47.740 Through those humble, broken, but forgiven means that he's given us. 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:50.340 How can parents minister to their children? 00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.960 It's because the Lord and his anointed. 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:56.440 God the creator and Jesus Christ. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:58.180 They tell you, parents. 00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:00.220 Your sins are pardoned. 00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:02.700 And your children can look at you and they can say, 00:15:02.780 --> 00:15:03.680 I know all your faults. 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:07.080 But I know that there's nothing I need to hold against you. 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:10.200 Because your sins are forgiven in Jesus Christ. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:13.300 And God gradually teaches us, his church, 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:17.240 to see one another clothed in Christ's righteousness. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:17.660 Why? 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:21.540 Because that's how the Lord and his anointed see us. 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.160 They are the judge. 00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:26.220 And that's what they declare over us, his people. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.920 Don't you need this gospel? 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:32.899 That's how you can go out in the streets and preach the gospel as a saved sinner. 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:38.639 In verse 5, the Lord is witness. 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:41.259 And his anointed is witness. 00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:43.959 That day and again this day. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.259 Psalm 51 verse 11. 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:51.159 Repentance begins by declaring, I am guilty. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:54.919 Do not cast me away from your presence, O Lord. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.339 Why should I be cast out? 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:57.639 It's because I am guilty. 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:59.039 And you are holy. 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.459 But you confess next. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.719 It depends on God alone. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:06.000 David prays, do not take your spirit from me. 00:16:06.479 --> 00:16:08.339 I have your spirit in me by grace. 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:10.019 He's cut me to the heart. 00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:11.059 He's regenerated me. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:16.039 And that spirit inside the believer puts our loves in order. 00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:20.599 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:24.919 And uphold me by your generous spirit. 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:29.699 That's what makes a broken hearted evangelist. 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:33.120 The only type of evangelist God will use. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:40.279 He says, then I will make transgressors know your ways. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:43.759 And sinners shall be converted to you. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.059 Why? 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:48.279 Because I am a broken hearted but joyful evangelist. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:55.360 The Lord raises up servants whom he has taught the blessing of repentance. 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.480 The Lord wants to raise you up. 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:59.919 Raise up an army of such ministers. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:02.240 Here's the second observation. 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:08.180 The Lord causes us to hear his word ministered to us. 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:17.120 It's the Lord who causes us, you and me, the people of Israel, Lydia in the book of Acts, to hear his word. 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:24.980 And it's applied powerfully in the hearing of his word as it's ministered to you by such ministers. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:30.440 Well, what's the theme of Samuel's sermon to the people of God? 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:34.380 Let's look at verse 6 together. 00:17:34.580 --> 00:17:39.880 Then Samuel said to the people, it is the Lord who raised up. 00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:41.380 Fill in the blank. 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:48.180 He starts all the way back with Moses and Aaron who brought your forefathers out of slavery in Egypt. 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:50.660 Now remember, Samuel took them all the way to Gilgal. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:56.080 And that's the first encampment of the people after they crossed the Jordan, the next generation with Joshua. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:18:03.139 And what is it that's right there in Gilgal, an illustration for this sermon he's preaching to them that it was the Lord who raises up. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:09.339 It's those 12 stones from inside the Jordan River that they carried out with them and sat there. 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:12.980 And this is where Samuel now wants the people to stand and see. 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:16.720 Now here's the pattern he sets up in verse 7. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:28.360 Now therefore stand still that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which he did to you and your fathers. 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:37.620 His argument is that the raising up of a servant deliverer, it always happens after the people cry out to God. 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.319 Then he sets the pattern this way. 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:47.939 In verse 8, when Jacob had gone into Egypt, that's all of Jacob's 12 sons, the 12 tribes, and your fathers cried out to the Lord. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.139 See, there's the crying out. 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:55.759 Then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron who in verse 6 he just said he had raised up for that very purpose. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:59.679 Who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:04.519 But then the pattern begins that brings them up to this point in redemptive history. 00:19:05.119 --> 00:19:06.779 The people forget the Lord their God. 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:14.279 Then in verse 9 he says, when they forgot the Lord their God, what happens next is the Lord hands the people over to the enemy. 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:24.819 He tells them in verse 9 that God sold them into the hands of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.240 And they fought against them. 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:28.420 Well, what happens next in this pattern? 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:31.099 Number 3, the people cry out to the Lord again. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.539 You see the cycle? 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:39.139 And in verse 10, then they cried out to the Lord and said, we have sinned because we have forsaken the Lord. 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:42.319 And we have served the Baals and the Asterisks. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:48.579 Those are images of the pagan nations that we are worshiping now into the place of the true God, the creator. 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:54.819 And so they asked the Lord to deliver us from the hand of our enemies and then we will serve you. 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:58.559 And the last step in this pattern is that the Lord is faithful. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:00.939 He delivers his people from the enemy. 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:07.379 In verse 11, and the Lord sent and he lists all these different judges, which is the book preceding this one. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:14.419 And he delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side and you dwelt safely. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:17.159 That was Samuel's sermon. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.819 That's what he preached up to this point. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:24.720 Don't forget the Lord who just delivered you. 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:27.679 He raised up Saul, but don't turn Saul into an idol. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.939 Saul is another Samson. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.480 He's another Samuel. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:35.339 Another servant that the Lord raised up to accomplish his purpose. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:38.159 But do not become like all the other nations. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.799 The Lord knows your heart. 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:44.919 One generation after the other has to learn this. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.980 Hitherto the Lord has been our help. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:56.860 Don't forget the Lord causes us to hear his word ministered to us. 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.599 But here's the third observation. 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:03.759 Through his word, the Lord addresses our sin directly. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.559 So he set up this pattern. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:07.160 Now get ready for it. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.559 Look at what Samuel does. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:12.700 I think Thomas Watson expresses this so well once again. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:17.460 The eye is both for seeing and for weeping. 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:22.059 Sin must first be seen before it can be wept for. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:24.620 Watch what happens in verse 12. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:30.500 When you saw that Nahash, the king of the Amorites, came against you, and you said to me, 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:32.920 No, but a king shall reign over us. 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:36.420 Then the Lord your God, he was already your king. 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:39.140 And you did not cry out to him. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:42.259 Samuel is giving them a great twist now. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.740 He set up this pattern. 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:49.140 When you get captured and you cry out to God, you turn away from being like all the other nations. 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:51.539 And you cry out for God, then he delivers you. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:59.579 The twist is that you, people of Israel in this generation, you did not cry out in repentance to God, your king. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:03.220 Instead, you cried out for a king from among you. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.700 And you rejected God. 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.359 This is your sin. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.680 Don't you see it so clearly? 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:13.920 If you had cried out to God, what would have come next in the pattern? 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:17.680 God would have been faithful to raise up a servant deliverer. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:22.360 But you have still not repented. 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.160 That's what he's showing them. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:26.960 The Lord delivered you before you even repented. 00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:30.039 That's not the pattern that the Lord set up. 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.740 What's God doing here? 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:36.660 See, God is so merciful. 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:45.859 God is delivering his people using the very man for whom their hearts and their national identity lusted. 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:52.299 In verse 13, look at what Samuel says. 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:57.140 You wanted a king that was a man like all the nations instead of God himself. 00:22:57.140 --> 00:23:02.820 Now, therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:07.000 And take note, the Lord has set this king over you. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:16.920 People of God, don't you see what you deserve for your rebellion is curses. 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:19.000 You are covenant breakers. 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:22.540 But the Lord's not cursing you for this. 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:25.779 He's giving you that sinful idol. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.079 You wanted a champion. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.619 You wanted a federal head. 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:34.059 The Lord says to them, I've given you what you wanted. 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:39.359 Now, let's see how well this man Saul represents you as a nation. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:44.619 Your fate is in the hands of the king you chose. 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:55.539 In verse 14, if you fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and do not rebel against the commandment of the Lord. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.439 It's a conditional blessing. 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.419 It's all stacked up. 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.739 All of this has to happen. 00:24:01.959 --> 00:24:06.299 Then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the Lord your God. 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.199 Can you do it? 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:15.759 Verse 15, however, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandments of the Lord, 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:20.960 then the hand of the Lord will be against you as it was against your fathers. 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:25.220 What is God teaching his people here? 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.759 What are they to learn from this? 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:31.880 I think you can see hints of the gospel already. 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:35.500 While they are sinners, before they've even repented, 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:42.540 the Lord is binding the fate of his people with the fate of the king, the federal head. 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:46.800 And it's to teach them, and you and me, this principle. 00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:52.600 As goes the kingdom, so goes the king. 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.960 And vice versa. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:56.620 As goes the king, so goes the kingdom. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.860 How are you going to do? 00:24:58.859 --> 00:25:10.559 You and I need to pause for a moment of application here. 00:25:11.479 --> 00:25:17.419 As Americans that value independence and individualism, 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:22.599 we can miss this important principle of a federal head and a kingdom. 00:25:23.459 --> 00:25:25.299 But we can't escape the reality. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:28.059 We are under one federal head or the other. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:34.960 It's either under the curses of Adam in this world that has been taken over by Satan temporarily, 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:38.019 with God's permission, except for the church. 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:40.599 Or you're under Jesus Christ. 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:42.159 There are only two federal heads. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.799 You're under one or the other. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:47.519 You can say, I didn't choose to be under Adam's curses. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.579 That's the nature of a kingdom. 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:53.339 How is it going for you? 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:59.720 With Adam as your federal head, by your own strength, your own power, 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:04.179 trying to secure blessings from God by doing it well enough. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.419 How's it going? 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:09.840 Under Adam, what we got were curses. 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:13.039 We got thorns, death, and fear. 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:17.660 We got banishment away from the presence of the holy God, the creator. 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:24.539 And maybe some today, you still live under those curses, and that's all you know. 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:29.279 The light of the gospel and the kingdom of heaven on earth through Jesus. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.779 It just sounds like empty words. 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:35.720 You don't know anything other than belonging to the curses of Satan, 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:38.319 with Adam as your federal head. 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:48.179 My prayer has been this week that you and I will see more powerfully today, 00:26:48.439 --> 00:26:50.799 maybe some for the first time in your life, 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:53.779 this wonderful gift. 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:59.099 That Jesus Christ came to be your king, 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:01.799 to adopt you into his family, 00:27:01.899 --> 00:27:05.399 that you belong secure in the borders of his kingdom, 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:08.420 safe, secure in him forever, 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:12.500 never to be taken hostage or drug back out. 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.240 You're his. 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:20.480 You're only his until he breaks the bone. 00:27:22.560 --> 00:27:27.280 He first has to cause you and me to see our great need for him as our king 00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:31.160 and enjoy the blessing of true repentance. 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:34.580 He does this through his word. 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:38.460 He addresses your sin and mine directly. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.960 Through his word, as Psalm 51 says, 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:44.339 he searches and knows me, 00:27:45.359 --> 00:27:49.199 and he shows which ways are unclean within me. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.159 And he leads us on the path of righteousness 00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:54.000 with Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:56.740 our king and our savior, out in front. 00:27:58.159 --> 00:28:00.379 My fourth observation from this passage, 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:02.439 the last one for today is this. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:05.320 What leads God's people to repentance? 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.640 How does God do it? 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:10.580 What is it in this passage that shows us? 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:15.039 This is how God leads a rebellious, unrepentant people to repent. 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.200 Two things I see here. 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:21.539 First, God's greatness. 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:26.819 God's greatness is the first step toward repentance. 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:29.019 And the second one is God's grace. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.980 First, you see his greatness. 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.619 You see your need for his grace. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.579 And when you see those two, 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.579 he turns you around. 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.759 You repent. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:41.819 First, God's greatness. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.960 And my prayer is that we'll see it 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.460 just as God caused them to see it. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.460 Look at verse 16. 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:49.680 Now, therefore, Samuel tells them, 00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.920 stand and see. 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:55.440 Stand and see this great thing 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:58.220 which the Lord will do before your eyes. 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.900 Verse 17. 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:02.720 Is today not the wheat harvest? 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.759 I will call to the Lord 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:07.059 and he will send thunder and rain 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:10.100 that you may perceive and see 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:13.160 that your wickedness is great. 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:16.680 What makes our wickedness so great 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.140 is how great God is 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:20.059 against whom we have sinned. 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.120 And that you will see 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:25.940 what you have done in the sight of the Lord 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:28.779 in asking for a king for yourselves. 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:31.079 Rejecting the Lord as your king. 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:32.919 In verse 18. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:34.659 So Samuel called to the Lord. 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.480 Can you picture that? 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.059 Gilgal. 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.759 This Ebenezer set up by Joshua. 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:45.199 This old gray-headed man. 00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:46.359 A Nazarite. 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.359 Beard and hair never cut. 00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:51.399 Crying out to the Lord 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:52.480 in front of the people. 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.619 That they will see 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:57.179 how great God is. 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:59.240 And how great their sin 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.699 before this holy God. 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:04.319 And the Lord sent thunder 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:06.399 and rain that day. 00:30:07.939 --> 00:30:09.740 And all the people 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.220 greatly feared 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.960 the Lord and Samuel. 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:18.720 The Jewish historian Jerome 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:20.259 wrote that I have never 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:23.759 seen rain in June or July. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:25.779 The time of the wheat harvest in Judea. 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:29.099 Someone said it would be like 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.940 getting six inches of snow 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.639 in Miami 00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:33.160 on the 4th of July. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.940 Never seen it. 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:38.539 What makes it even more remarkable 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.740 is that this was 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.259 the Lord ordering it 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.200 through his prophet 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.879 that very day. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.720 Just as he said he would. 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:48.160 Now why is this 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:50.160 so fear striking on these people? 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.259 Well these were farmers. 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.480 Their wheat had been 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.819 growing slowly. 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.940 And now if you can picture 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:58.799 those barley and wheat fields 00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:00.680 the heads of grain are dry. 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:02.039 Some are beginning 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:03.360 to harvest them already. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.920 And the Lord sends rain 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.819 and thunder. 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:10.259 If it's raining 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.079 during the harvest 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:12.720 farmers can't collect the crop. 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.400 Mold starts to grow 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:15.380 on these heads of grain. 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.620 You'll lose the entire 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.799 year's wages. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:21.019 The nation will now be 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:22.079 crippled by poverty 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.940 and famine. 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.740 And it's just a one day 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.879 just a display 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:29.559 of the great arsenal 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:31.039 available to the Lord 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:32.180 the creator of all. 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:34.039 The message is clear. 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.859 There's a creator 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:36.259 the Lord 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.859 Yahweh 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:39.579 commander of the Lord's army. 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.460 And he can control 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.460 the rain and the thunder 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:44.099 with his word. 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:47.199 These are the weapons 00:31:47.199 --> 00:31:47.959 of destruction 00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:49.379 at his disposal. 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.639 That's how quickly 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.699 you can become weak 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.619 poor 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.599 hungry 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.919 and get captured. 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.359 Do you remember 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.240 the great threat 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.259 of the wicked king 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.379 of the Ammonites 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:01.980 Nahash? 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.599 He besieged 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.240 Jabeth. 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.199 He cut off 00:32:06.199 --> 00:32:07.219 their supply lines. 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.319 He was making them 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.179 feel hunger 00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:12.119 and not have access 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.099 to supplies 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.679 and food. 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.679 Do you remember 00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.639 Saul's threat? 00:32:16.639 --> 00:32:17.659 It was that he would 00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.500 kill their oxen. 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.899 Those very beasts 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.299 of burden 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.319 that pull the plow 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:22.859 to plant the field. 00:32:25.919 --> 00:32:27.099 The crops represent 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.759 the security 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.379 of the people. 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.539 And those threats 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.299 by Nahash 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.000 and even Saul 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.799 they got the attention 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.419 of the people. 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.179 Don't you see 00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:36.279 how in just one day 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.579 using rain 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.079 and thunder 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.079 the Lord's 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.459 mighty greatness 00:32:40.459 --> 00:32:41.179 surpasses 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.080 all the other threats 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:42.840 these people 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.940 could possibly fear. 00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:45.000 Here's the one 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.680 you need to fear. 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.900 It's the Lord God. 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.019 You fear man? 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:50.420 Look at verse 19. 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:51.539 All the people 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.299 said to Samuel 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:54.380 pray for your servants 00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:55.900 to the Lord your God 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:57.100 that we may not die 00:32:57.100 --> 00:32:58.420 for we have added 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.519 to all of our sins 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.160 the evil 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.660 of asking a king 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.580 for ourselves. 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.920 Not only did we have 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.880 Baals in the land 00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.880 and Ashtoreths 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:07.480 we rejected God 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.000 as our king. 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.779 Please pray for us. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:11.599 We need God's mercy 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.879 now more than ever 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.879 before we see 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:15.240 his greatness finally. 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:18.279 The bone has been broken. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.779 Now watch the Lord 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:22.079 heal the bone 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.879 that he broke. 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:25.759 See God's grace. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.779 Look at verse 20. 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.720 So Samuel said 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:28.279 to the people 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.839 when our sin 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.660 is exposed 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.500 our flesh 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.339 wants to 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:36.000 do one of two things 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.440 and I think 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.639 Samuel addresses both. 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:39.360 Samuel says 00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:40.080 in verse 20 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:42.240 do not fear. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.900 You have done 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:45.120 all this wickedness. 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:46.560 So yes 00:33:46.560 --> 00:33:47.259 you have sinned 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.700 and God has exposed that. 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:49.759 He says 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:51.080 do not turn aside 00:33:51.080 --> 00:33:52.700 from following the Lord 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.759 but serve the Lord 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.660 with all your heart 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:56.120 and do not turn aside 00:33:56.120 --> 00:33:57.440 for then you will go 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.980 after empty things 00:33:58.980 --> 00:34:00.000 which cannot 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.860 profit 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:02.000 or deliver 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:03.340 for they are 00:34:03.340 --> 00:34:04.100 nothing. 00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:09.839 When our sin 00:34:09.839 --> 00:34:10.440 is exposed 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.019 we want to do 00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:11.920 one of two things. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.440 We either want to 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.000 try to pay 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:15.219 for our own penance 00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.219 you know 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:16.500 let me 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.360 let me climb up 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.500 a hundred stairs 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.239 on my knees 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:20.039 until they're bleeding 00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:21.719 to make right my sin 00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:22.299 and to show 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:23.559 how sorry I am. 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.400 I need to pay 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.539 my own penance 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.000 and I do that 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.579 out of fear. 00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.619 Or the second thing 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.199 we want to do 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.239 is simply give up 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:30.980 in despair. 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:33.159 And you see how 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:34.340 Samuel preaches 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:35.900 the gospel of God's grace 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:37.500 mitigating against 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.260 both of those 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:39.599 temptations of the flesh. 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.240 Do not fear. 00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.460 Don't respond 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.300 trying to punish 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:45.119 yourself now 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.240 for the sin 00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:47.079 God has exposed. 00:34:47.820 --> 00:34:49.079 But also don't despair 00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:50.300 and give up. 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.260 Follow the Lord 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.780 he says. 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.059 Follow him 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.119 with all your heart. 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:56.940 And just remember 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:57.760 don't go after 00:34:57.760 --> 00:34:58.900 those empty things. 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.460 That's the gospel 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.240 call. 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.599 When you repent 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.900 you follow him. 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.760 And he is 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:06.500 a kind 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.619 and good 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.619 and gracious 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:10.179 king for you. 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:13.099 The motivation 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:13.639 do you see? 00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.860 It's not fear 00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.460 of punishment 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.199 from God. 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.360 That's what their 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:19.179 flesh wants to fear 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.059 but Samuel 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:21.000 preaches to them 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:22.000 God's grace. 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.840 His long-suffering 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:25.240 self-pledging 00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:25.980 covenant 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:27.059 faithfulness 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.980 to his people. 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.420 Look at 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.659 this glorious gospel 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.579 in verse 22. 00:35:31.839 --> 00:35:32.379 The Lord 00:35:32.379 --> 00:35:33.420 will not 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.440 forsake 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:36.019 his people. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.519 Why? 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.519 Verse 22. 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.859 For his 00:35:39.859 --> 00:35:41.259 great namesake 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:42.500 because it has 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.440 pleased the Lord 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.599 to make you 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:46.039 his people. 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:52.279 God's greatness 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.619 and his grace 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:55.380 it has to fill 00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:55.860 the hearts 00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.659 of God's people 00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.900 when he causes 00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.779 us to see them. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:35:59.980 There's simply 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:00.480 no other 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.440 response. 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.940 The Lord 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.679 will not 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:06.380 forsake you 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.840 not because 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.360 of anything 00:36:08.360 --> 00:36:08.779 in you 00:36:08.779 --> 00:36:09.239 or in me 00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:10.340 but it's 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:10.719 for his 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:11.779 own namesake. 00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.099 He's attached 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:14.299 who he is 00:36:14.299 --> 00:36:15.440 to having 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:15.960 a people 00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:16.500 that he 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:16.880 redeemed 00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:17.539 by grace. 00:36:18.139 --> 00:36:18.519 That's the 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:18.940 grounds of 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:19.559 our security 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.299 and our 00:36:20.299 --> 00:36:20.839 assurance. 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.299 And that's 00:36:22.299 --> 00:36:22.599 why we 00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.299 don't 00:36:23.299 --> 00:36:23.719 fear. 00:36:25.759 --> 00:36:26.319 And as 00:36:26.319 --> 00:36:26.779 one of his 00:36:26.779 --> 00:36:27.099 servants 00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:27.460 as a 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.019 broken-hearted 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.759 evangelist 00:36:28.759 --> 00:36:29.500 as one 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:29.880 who has 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.940 experienced 00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:31.539 the blessing 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.139 of repentance 00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:32.739 himself 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.440 Samuel says 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:33.839 next 00:36:33.839 --> 00:36:34.579 in verse 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.099 23 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:35.619 addressing 00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:36.679 their fear 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:37.900 moreover 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.659 as for me 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.960 remember 00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:40.420 there was a 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:41.099 wedge between 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:42.079 Samuel and 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:42.559 the people 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:44.119 far be it 00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:44.480 from me 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:44.799 that I 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.299 should sin 00:36:45.299 --> 00:36:45.819 against the 00:36:45.819 --> 00:36:46.139 Lord 00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:48.539 in ceasing 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.119 to pray 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:49.559 for you. 00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:50.460 He tells 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:50.679 them 00:36:50.679 --> 00:36:51.900 beloved of 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:52.219 God 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:52.799 I've been 00:36:52.799 --> 00:36:53.279 praying for 00:36:53.279 --> 00:36:53.559 you all 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:53.960 along 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:55.500 the Lord 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:55.920 won't let 00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.380 me stop 00:36:56.380 --> 00:36:56.719 now 00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:58.719 and I 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.000 do it 00:36:59.000 --> 00:36:59.339 out of 00:36:59.339 --> 00:37:00.500 love for 00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:00.920 the Lord 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:02.940 but I 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.460 will teach 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.039 you the 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.440 good 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.339 and the 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:05.940 right way 00:37:05.940 --> 00:37:07.739 by God's 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:08.179 grace he's 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:08.679 prepared a 00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:09.099 people that 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:09.619 are eager 00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.219 and ready 00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:10.579 to hear 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.039 that now 00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:14.320 with Christ 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:14.679 as our 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:15.000 king in 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.300 the new 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:15.639 covenant 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:18.159 every believer 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:18.719 is part of 00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.159 this great 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.860 nation of 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:20.340 priests 00:37:20.340 --> 00:37:21.800 we get to 00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:22.239 minister 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:22.940 and to 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.599 pray in 00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:23.980 such a 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.179 way 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:25.460 the Lord 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.099 stirs the 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:26.480 hearts of 00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:26.920 his people 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:27.159 and we're 00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:27.500 told to 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:27.739 pray 00:37:27.739 --> 00:37:28.759 continuously 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.759 for one 00:37:29.759 --> 00:37:30.099 another 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.539 that's what 00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:31.860 we do 00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.300 as God's 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:32.559 people 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:33.139 because we 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:33.539 know how 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.039 great the 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.500 Lord is 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.380 and we 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:35.779 see his 00:37:35.779 --> 00:37:36.279 grace in 00:37:36.279 --> 00:37:36.539 our 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:36.940 lives 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.980 and that's 00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:38.199 what we 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:38.639 pray for 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:38.860 in the 00:37:38.860 --> 00:37:39.239 lives of 00:37:39.239 --> 00:37:39.619 those we 00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.000 love 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:40.699 in the 00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:41.059 church 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:42.659 and there's 00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.079 a special 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:43.840 charge and 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.559 a continuity 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.380 with Samuel's 00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:46.079 ministry do you 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:46.539 see the two 00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.119 things Samuel 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:47.559 has done 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.440 it's a 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:48.960 ministry of 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.340 the word 00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:50.179 and it's 00:37:50.179 --> 00:37:51.280 prayer and 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:51.579 that's the 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.079 very charge 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:52.519 given to 00:37:52.519 --> 00:37:53.320 local churches 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.679 specifically to 00:37:54.679 --> 00:37:55.340 the elders that 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:55.980 the churches have 00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:57.079 set apart for 00:37:57.079 --> 00:37:57.739 the ministry of 00:37:57.739 --> 00:37:58.139 the word 00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:59.079 and the prayer 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.860 see the 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:00.539 continuity the 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.539 Lord loves to 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:01.940 work through 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.579 these same 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:03.800 simple means 00:38:03.800 --> 00:38:04.420 with every 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:04.980 generation 00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:06.679 when we 00:38:06.679 --> 00:38:07.179 pray we're 00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:07.960 joining our 00:38:07.960 --> 00:38:08.940 prayers to 00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:09.380 the prayers 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:10.199 of Jesus 00:38:10.199 --> 00:38:10.679 Christ 00:38:10.679 --> 00:38:11.280 Hebrews tells 00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:11.619 us he 00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:12.840 ascended and 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.320 he is seated 00:38:13.320 --> 00:38:13.860 at the right 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.539 hand of God 00:38:14.539 --> 00:38:15.679 and he lives 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.579 to intercede 00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:17.280 for his 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:17.639 people 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.579 when we 00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:18.940 pray it's 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.420 because he's 00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:20.079 already praying 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.880 for you 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:22.340 and he 00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:22.880 stirs our 00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:23.320 hearts to 00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:23.800 pray for one 00:38:23.800 --> 00:38:24.740 another simply 00:38:24.740 --> 00:38:25.360 joining our 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:25.880 prayers to 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:26.240 his 00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:28.579 the message 00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:29.639 from Samuel 00:38:29.639 --> 00:38:30.300 to the people 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:30.900 and to us 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.579 is do not 00:38:31.579 --> 00:38:32.579 live in fear 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:35.039 God's perfect 00:38:35.039 --> 00:38:36.179 love for 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:36.739 you it 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:37.639 casts out 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:39.139 all fleshly 00:38:39.139 --> 00:38:39.480 fear 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:41.500 you don't need 00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:42.139 to fear man 00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.719 anymore God 00:38:42.719 --> 00:38:43.159 is so much 00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:44.019 greater and 00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:44.420 you don't need 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:45.159 to fear God's 00:38:45.159 --> 00:38:46.639 wrath if you 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:47.360 are in Christ 00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:49.099 because the 00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:50.279 judge and his 00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:50.940 anointed have 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.779 declared you are 00:38:51.779 --> 00:38:52.659 pardoned 00:38:52.659 --> 00:38:54.480 there's no fear 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.259 of God's wrath 00:38:55.259 --> 00:38:56.219 in Christ 00:38:56.219 --> 00:38:57.400 but we do 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.299 live remembering 00:38:58.299 --> 00:38:59.500 this is the last 00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:00.239 thing Samuel says 00:39:00.239 --> 00:39:01.139 in verse 24 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:02.380 do not fear the 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:03.619 Lord and serve 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.320 him in truth 00:39:04.320 --> 00:39:05.019 with all your 00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:06.019 heart for 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.780 consider what 00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:07.579 great things 00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.240 he has done 00:39:08.240 --> 00:39:09.099 for you 00:39:09.099 --> 00:39:11.099 remember these 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:11.619 things that he 00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:12.039 has done 00:39:12.039 --> 00:39:13.539 remember Joshua's 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.340 12 stones 00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.660 Samuel could tell 00:39:15.660 --> 00:39:16.140 them remember 00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:16.980 my Ebenezer 00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:19.240 remember he says 00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:20.019 in verse 25 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:21.140 if you still do 00:39:21.140 --> 00:39:21.880 wickedly you 00:39:21.880 --> 00:39:22.900 shall be swept 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:24.700 away both you 00:39:24.700 --> 00:39:26.380 and your king 00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:28.599 the king 00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:30.140 and the kingdom 00:39:30.139 --> 00:39:31.719 will be bound 00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:33.000 together from 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:33.539 now on 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:38.299 for the nation 00:39:38.299 --> 00:39:38.719 of Israel 00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:39.400 this is not 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.039 good news 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:41.960 what we see 00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:42.480 through the rest 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.099 of redemptive 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:43.839 history is that 00:39:43.839 --> 00:39:44.739 one king after 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:46.339 another and one 00:39:46.339 --> 00:39:47.299 generation of people 00:39:47.299 --> 00:39:47.940 after another 00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:49.179 pull one another 00:39:49.179 --> 00:39:50.960 into sin and 00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:52.039 banishment and 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:54.839 exile until that 00:39:54.839 --> 00:39:55.879 glorious day in the 00:39:55.879 --> 00:39:56.699 fullness of time 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:57.599 when God himself 00:39:57.599 --> 00:39:58.940 comes to be the 00:39:58.940 --> 00:40:00.559 great king and 00:40:00.559 --> 00:40:01.460 Jesus Christ as 00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:02.440 God's humble 00:40:02.440 --> 00:40:03.920 servant he is the 00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:04.819 prophet and the 00:40:04.819 --> 00:40:06.099 minister that our 00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:07.039 hearts long for 00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:09.839 we can look at a 00:40:09.839 --> 00:40:11.000 man like Samuel or 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:12.299 Jason or you fill in 00:40:12.299 --> 00:40:13.980 the blank and point 00:40:13.980 --> 00:40:14.960 out so many faults 00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:15.940 in that minister 00:40:15.940 --> 00:40:17.719 but we can look at 00:40:17.719 --> 00:40:19.619 Jesus Christ and no 00:40:19.619 --> 00:40:20.599 guilt could be found 00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:22.900 in him you won't 00:40:22.900 --> 00:40:23.719 take it from a man 00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:24.980 that's great take it 00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:27.000 from Christ take it 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:28.280 from him because no 00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:29.480 found can be found 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:30.619 in that prophet 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:32.900 Jesus Christ as the 00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:34.400 Lord's anointed king 00:40:34.400 --> 00:40:36.780 he is lifted up as a 00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.840 judge with authority 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:40.579 and Jesus Christ looks 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:41.679 over his people that 00:40:41.679 --> 00:40:42.579 he purchased with his 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:44.320 precious blood and he 00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:46.380 says I do not 00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.280 condemn you 00:40:47.280 --> 00:40:49.519 who can 00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:54.820 you're cleared by my 00:40:54.820 --> 00:40:56.880 precious blood who 00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:57.820 can hold court against 00:40:57.820 --> 00:40:59.559 my bride that I 00:40:59.559 --> 00:41:00.840 purchased and I've 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:03.240 covered up and the 00:41:03.240 --> 00:41:04.600 Holy Spirit blesses the 00:41:04.600 --> 00:41:05.880 eyes of every true 00:41:05.880 --> 00:41:07.440 believer to both see 00:41:07.440 --> 00:41:09.320 our sin and to weep 00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:11.660 over our sins but it's 00:41:11.660 --> 00:41:14.720 joyful tears we want to 00:41:14.720 --> 00:41:16.340 rejoice that the bones 00:41:16.340 --> 00:41:17.700 that God has broken have 00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:19.340 been healed in Jesus 00:41:19.340 --> 00:41:21.220 Christ what a blessing we 00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:23.320 have in repentance and 00:41:23.320 --> 00:41:24.380 through his word God 00:41:24.380 --> 00:41:25.780 addresses our sin 00:41:25.780 --> 00:41:26.700 directly still 00:41:26.700 --> 00:41:28.640 continuously purifying 00:41:28.640 --> 00:41:30.019 us preparing us for 00:41:30.019 --> 00:41:31.200 heaven for eternity with 00:41:31.200 --> 00:41:33.360 him what we deserve 00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:35.519 under Adam and under our 00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:38.140 own sin as the ruler of 00:41:38.140 --> 00:41:40.340 our own lives we remember 00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:42.840 these things but we 00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:44.740 remember even more the 00:41:44.740 --> 00:41:47.300 greatness of God the fear 00:41:47.300 --> 00:41:49.200 of man gets washed away 00:41:49.200 --> 00:41:51.080 when we see a minor glimpse 00:41:51.079 --> 00:41:52.659 of how mighty God is one 00:41:52.659 --> 00:41:53.799 more time from his word 00:41:53.799 --> 00:41:56.699 I confess there are 00:41:56.699 --> 00:41:57.819 things at work right now 00:41:57.819 --> 00:41:58.880 stirring up a fear of 00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:01.519 God in me and this story 00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:03.039 encourages me in one day 00:42:03.039 --> 00:42:06.079 the Lord can flash thunder 00:42:06.079 --> 00:42:08.400 and rain and an entire 00:42:08.400 --> 00:42:10.759 nation's GDP could go away 00:42:10.759 --> 00:42:12.340 that quickly why would we 00:42:12.340 --> 00:42:13.380 put our hope in anything 00:42:13.380 --> 00:42:15.179 less than him and his 00:42:15.179 --> 00:42:19.139 kingdom the Lord gives us 00:42:19.139 --> 00:42:22.759 reminders to trust in him 00:42:22.759 --> 00:42:23.579 more 00:42:23.579 --> 00:42:29.819 he's the creator he's the 00:42:29.819 --> 00:42:31.619 sustainer he's the Lord of 00:42:31.619 --> 00:42:34.619 all and this very Lord is 00:42:34.619 --> 00:42:35.900 our gracious redeemer would 00:42:35.900 --> 00:42:36.839 you look one more time at 00:42:36.839 --> 00:42:39.980 verse 22 the Lord will not 00:42:39.980 --> 00:42:42.219 forsake his people for his 00:42:42.219 --> 00:42:44.460 great namesake because it has 00:42:44.460 --> 00:42:46.679 pleased the Lord to make you 00:42:46.679 --> 00:42:50.779 his people yes you Thomas 00:42:50.779 --> 00:42:53.099 Watson again what a vast 00:42:53.099 --> 00:42:55.000 difference there is between 00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:56.199 the first covenant and the 00:42:56.199 --> 00:42:57.879 second in the first covenant 00:42:57.879 --> 00:42:59.779 it was if you commit a sin you 00:42:59.779 --> 00:43:02.239 die and in the second if you 00:43:02.239 --> 00:43:04.199 confess your sin you shall 00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:06.919 have mercy we are never more 00:43:06.919 --> 00:43:09.219 precious in God's eyes than 00:43:09.219 --> 00:43:11.419 when we are lepers in our own 00:43:11.419 --> 00:43:13.759 we should be so quick to 00:43:13.759 --> 00:43:15.619 confess our sin because what we 00:43:15.619 --> 00:43:17.539 get and confessing it is more 00:43:17.539 --> 00:43:21.440 of his grace we need to pray 00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:23.739 in the words of Psalm 51 have 00:43:23.739 --> 00:43:26.460 mercy upon me oh God according 00:43:26.460 --> 00:43:29.079 to your loving kindness for 00:43:29.079 --> 00:43:31.019 your namesake according to the 00:43:31.019 --> 00:43:33.319 multitude of your tender 00:43:33.319 --> 00:43:36.019 mercies on those grounds blot 00:43:36.019 --> 00:43:40.440 out my transgressions dear 00:43:40.440 --> 00:43:41.659 brothers and sisters and 00:43:41.659 --> 00:43:44.679 friends hearing this today if you 00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:46.599 can enjoy the blessing of 00:43:46.599 --> 00:43:50.219 repentance again today and maybe 00:43:50.219 --> 00:43:52.699 some for the very first time then 00:43:52.699 --> 00:43:55.079 you can trust that it is Christ 00:43:55.079 --> 00:43:59.980 who holds you fast his destiny is 00:43:59.980 --> 00:44:02.299 secured and you are secured in him 00:44:02.299 --> 00:44:05.319 as when our king so goes his 00:44:05.319 --> 00:44:09.099 kingdom those he saves are his 00:44:09.099 --> 00:44:12.399 delight precious in his holy sight 00:44:12.400 --> 00:44:15.440 he'll not let my soul be lost his 00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:19.059 promises shall last I'm bought with 00:44:19.059 --> 00:44:21.980 him at such a cost that's why we 00:44:21.980 --> 00:44:23.160 know and we'll sing in a moment 00:44:23.160 --> 00:44:26.820 that's why he will hold me fast amen 00:44:26.820 --> 00:44:30.139 let's go to the Lord in prayer and 00:44:30.139 --> 00:44:32.340 thank him for this wonderful grace we 00:44:32.340 --> 00:44:33.380 enjoy in Jesus 00:44:33.380 --> 00:44:36.619 voy forbade 00:44:36.619 --> 00:44:54.420 voy 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:54.420 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:56.420 voy 00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:54.420 ! 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:56.420 voy 00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:54.420 ! 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:56.420 voy 00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:54.420 ! 00:44:54.420 --> 00:44:56.420 voy