WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:01.219 Well, evening, folks. 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:04.060 Question, how are you? 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:11.500 Seriously, though, how are you? 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:14.980 I was thinking on the way, in the car on the way up. 00:00:16.320 --> 00:00:17.080 Friends, how are we doing? 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:21.140 Honestly, are we, some of us here tonight, and we're tired? 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:23.199 Physically tired? 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:25.679 Maybe spiritually 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:29.039 struggling? 00:00:30.760 --> 00:00:32.320 Maybe we are doubting? 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:34.980 Maybe we're hurting? 00:00:35.159 --> 00:00:38.079 Maybe each day feels like repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat. 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:41.399 Friends, what is it that's going to keep us going? 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:44.240 What's going to get us out of bed in the morning? 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:50.159 What is going to keep us going when life feels like it is the same every day, every day, every day, every day? 00:00:50.159 --> 00:01:01.339 The place that the Bible tells us to look is to look and throw ourselves upon the grace that's found in Jesus Christ alone. 00:01:01.340 --> 00:01:02.880 It's what we need tonight. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:11.980 We need a big, breathtaking picture of who he is and what he's done for us and what he's doing now. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:17.420 And so, friends, as we come to Isaiah tonight, I guess we've read two chapters there. 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:19.040 We're going to try and take in four. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:22.260 But that's what we're going to see tonight, I hope. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:25.359 Who our Savior is, be strengthened in him. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:31.060 And a glorious, yet terrifying, vision of the future. 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:33.579 And let this encourage your souls tonight. 00:01:33.700 --> 00:01:35.180 So let's just be real as we begin. 00:01:35.980 --> 00:01:37.579 Let's just come to our great God. 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:42.939 Remember, who knows our situations, who knows our hearts, who knows our struggles, who knows our needs. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:47.239 Let's come to him tonight and let's just throw ourselves upon him in prayer as we begin. 00:01:47.239 --> 00:02:17.219 Psalm 119. 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:18.659 Great love for us, Lord, tonight. 00:02:19.600 --> 00:02:21.860 And Father, it's our prayer as we come to your word. 00:02:22.320 --> 00:02:27.620 The promise that as it goes forth, that it will not return to you void. 00:02:28.180 --> 00:02:30.740 And Lord, we pray that that would be our experience tonight. 00:02:30.860 --> 00:02:35.820 That we would be strengthened by a glorious picture of Jesus Christ. 00:02:36.360 --> 00:02:37.900 Father, thank you that you hear us. 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:39.640 We're not praying and it's hitting the roof. 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:43.200 Thank you that you hear us because we pray in our Savior's name. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:44.020 Amen. 00:02:45.700 --> 00:02:46.100 Amen. 00:02:46.099 --> 00:02:47.280 Folks, Isaiah 24. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:49.919 Here's what I can safely say now that our teams have gone out. 00:02:51.579 --> 00:02:59.000 Apparently, according to recent surveys, Generation Z are the most impatient generation to have ever existed. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:04.099 We can say that, I guess, it's not all their fault. 00:03:04.259 --> 00:03:06.900 It is our fault, I guess. 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:11.560 There it goes. 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:12.740 It's not all their fault. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:13.479 It's our fault, right? 00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:15.659 This is the world that we've created, I guess. 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:19.939 Generation Z, right? 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:24.300 Imagine it's largely to do with the area and the era in which we live, right? 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:26.340 Amazon Prime, Deliveroo, Netflix. 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:28.340 When I was growing up, you went to Pizza Hut. 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:33.560 If it didn't come within 25 minutes, you could get it for free and you started the timer the minute the person had left. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:35.500 But here's the thing. 00:03:35.579 --> 00:03:43.840 See, if you had to do a graph and you imagine the x-axis was the progression of years and the y-axis was levels of impatience. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:48.259 What direction do you reckon that line, that graph would go in? 00:03:50.020 --> 00:03:51.759 Up, as the years progressed, right? 00:03:52.180 --> 00:03:52.500 Up. 00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:57.240 Meaning that we, as a generation, are getting increasingly impatient. 00:03:57.379 --> 00:03:59.259 Now, maybe some of you grew up in the 80s. 00:03:59.300 --> 00:04:00.599 I don't know the anthem of the 80s. 00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:02.439 I think it was released in 1989. 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:08.319 Those contemplative and rich words are meant to, I guess, you think about the deeper meaning of life. 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:09.060 I want it all. 00:04:09.140 --> 00:04:09.800 I want it all. 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:10.439 I want it all. 00:04:10.480 --> 00:04:11.259 And I want it now. 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:12.719 Right? 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:21.019 Words penned by 40-year-old men in their prime by queen could have easily been penned by a ranting two-year-old, couldn't they? 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:21.759 I want it all. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:22.639 I want it all. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:24.000 I want it all. 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:25.060 And I want it now. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:29.120 We are living in a world that is becoming increasingly impatient. 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:32.579 And you and I are swimming in that tide every day. 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:33.980 We want things now. 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:35.240 We want it done now. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:36.639 Why is it not done now? 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:45.399 And I think that's why this passage goes greatly against the cultural air which you and I breathe day in, day out. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:53.599 Because it's a passage that calls God's people, this generation, and I take it our generation. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:55.740 It calls us to wait. 00:04:57.180 --> 00:05:01.939 And the thing is, as I've spent time in this passage this week, I've realized one thing that I'm not good at. 00:05:03.280 --> 00:05:03.460 Right? 00:05:03.700 --> 00:05:05.300 And I imagine you're not good at it either. 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:08.160 It doesn't come naturally for us to wait. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:15.060 And yet Isaiah's aim is to build the faith of God's people in this generation. 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:19.020 Build their faith in the certainty of God's word for the future. 00:05:19.460 --> 00:05:27.620 This is what's going to happen so that they live by faith, trusting him day after day after day after day in the present. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:32.020 Because I imagine this generation, their lives are just like ours in many ways. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:34.060 Troubles all over the place. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:34.740 Tired. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:35.400 Weary. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:36.240 Doubting. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:41.240 Looking around at the nations, the superpowers round about, thinking, are we going to survive? 00:05:42.300 --> 00:05:44.840 Surely there's other places that we can put our trust in. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.100 Isaiah, the Lord through Isaiah says, wait on the Lord. 00:05:49.460 --> 00:05:50.360 Know who he is. 00:05:51.280 --> 00:05:52.519 And know what he's going to do. 00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:57.280 Have a look at verse 9 of chapter 25. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:59.600 I think this is our key verse, this section. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:04.340 As I said, we're trying to take in chapters 24 to 27 tonight. 00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:08.859 This section of Isaiah that's often called Isaiah's mini apocalypse. 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:13.699 In other words, this is what's going to happen in the end, says God. 00:06:13.779 --> 00:06:19.179 And that's why the truths that we find here, we need them in our lungs, our spiritual lungs. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:20.039 We need them in our minds. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:22.599 We need them in our hearts because we ain't at the end yet. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:29.740 But what we see is that we've even more reason tonight to wait confidently on the Lord. 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:32.480 Now, here's the central verse of this section of Isaiah. 00:06:32.700 --> 00:06:35.500 Probably slightly better than the ESV, but we'll go with it, right? 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:37.540 It will be said on that day. 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:40.840 And that's the phrase that comes up again and again and again. 00:06:41.140 --> 00:06:42.180 It's the end of history. 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:47.220 This is the song that God's people are going to confidently and victoriously sing. 00:06:47.520 --> 00:06:48.260 Do you hear this? 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:49.959 Here it is, the central verse. 00:06:50.339 --> 00:06:52.779 Behold, means look, take him in. 00:06:53.699 --> 00:06:54.259 See it. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:56.399 This is our God. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:07:02.240 And we have waited for him that he might save us. 00:07:02.599 --> 00:07:04.480 This is the Lord. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.819 We have waited for him. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:12.099 Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:15.160 And it's the theme that comes up again, verse 8 of chapter 26. 00:07:15.320 --> 00:07:19.460 If you've got it there, in the path of your judgments, O Lord, we what? 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.800 We wait for you. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:25.800 Your name and remembrance are the desire of the soul. 00:07:25.900 --> 00:07:27.320 We'll come back to that later on. 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:28.480 Wonderful truths. 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:31.360 Incredible truths contained in these verses. 00:07:31.520 --> 00:07:32.140 We wait. 00:07:33.320 --> 00:07:36.040 It's what Isaiah's longing that this generation would do. 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:37.360 Wait on the Lord. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:40.800 What does it mean to wait? 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:41.520 What are we waiting on? 00:07:41.960 --> 00:07:43.100 Two things, I think, to see. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:45.460 These are two points for tonight, if you're not in the taking notes. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:47.460 Two things we see in these verses. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:48.360 What are we waiting on? 00:07:48.460 --> 00:07:52.780 Firstly, we're waiting on the Lord to banish the presence of evil. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:54.280 Right? 00:07:54.939 --> 00:08:00.199 Chapters 25 and 26, as glorious as they are, they only make sense in light of chapter 24. 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:05.639 And chapter 24 presents us with a grim picture of God's judgment. 00:08:05.840 --> 00:08:07.620 Now, we've spent a few weeks here. 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:12.720 Remember, a few weeks ago, we thought about what God had to say to Babylon. 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:15.280 Everything that Babylon as a nation represented. 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:20.079 Remember, they said that the storyline of Isaiah could almost be the tale of two cities. 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:21.800 The city of God, the city of man. 00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:23.280 The city of man is Babylon. 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:28.500 Babylon is everything that this city symbolizes, going against the ways of the Lord. 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:32.220 Remember, God's people in this time are tempted to look to Babylon. 00:08:32.579 --> 00:08:37.899 And everything that she is and represents is the place where they'll find security and life. 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:43.759 And last week, I guess, along similar lines, we thought about Tyre. 00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:49.019 And moving, I guess, from the surrounding nations. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:55.059 Okay, my iPad's died. 00:08:55.199 --> 00:08:55.939 We're going to go with this. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:57.679 This is all off the cuff and off the head. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:02.059 So, Isaiah's talking about the surrounding nations, round about. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.639 What God has to say about them. 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:09.959 So, this is the whole world here that's being encompassed in Isaiah 24. 00:09:10.359 --> 00:09:12.919 So, what is God saying about them? 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:19.919 Let me just rattle off some words and see if we can see what God is saying about the final judgment. 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:20.399 Okay? 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:26.759 He is saying, firstly, if you look at Isaiah 24, he is saying, firstly, that it's going to be fair. 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:28.919 It's going to be fair. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.939 So, do you see verse 2? 00:09:31.199 --> 00:09:33.159 There is no favoritism with this God. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:36.279 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.639 And it's one of these things, isn't it? 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:42.100 We've said it often when we're thinking about life in our world. 00:09:42.179 --> 00:09:43.500 We're thinking about what Dominic Cummings. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.319 What did people say? 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:47.500 It's not fair that people have one rule for one and one rule for another. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:49.980 We've said it when Boris Johnson and his people, 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:52.860 they didn't isolate after testing positive for a test. 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:55.659 It's not fair that there's one rule for one and one rule for another. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:56.740 And that is true. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:03.200 And therefore, see what God says. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.240 Verse 2 and 3. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:10.120 And it shall be as with the people, so with the priests. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:10.600 Do you see it? 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:13.399 As with the slaves, so with the master. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:16.100 As with the maids, so with her mistress. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.899 As with the buyer, so with the seller. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:19.980 As with the lender, so with the borrower. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:22.240 As with the creditor, so with the debtor. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:25.879 So this is going to be a fair judgment. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:28.699 It's all going to be one rule for one, one rule for another. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:32.480 Social standing, and I think religious standing, if you see it here, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:34.240 is going to count for nothing on that day. 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:38.480 What will count is how a person has responded to God's King, Jesus. 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:40.840 It will be fair. 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:41.600 It will be total. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.420 Verse 3. 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:45.540 The earth will be utterly empty and utterly plundered, 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:48.259 for the Lord has spoken this words. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:53.100 See the twofold repetition of utterly there. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:54.200 It will be moral. 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.139 Verse 5. 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:58.960 The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants, 00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:01.860 for they transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.360 broken the everlasting covenant. 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:07.800 So this is a moral judgment that God is bringing on the nations. 00:11:09.160 --> 00:11:09.980 It will be fatal. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:11.259 Verse 19 and 20. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.800 The earth is utterly broken. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:14.080 The earth is split apart. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:15.820 The earth is violently shaken. 00:11:16.659 --> 00:11:18.659 The earth staggers like a drunken man. 00:11:18.800 --> 00:11:20.460 It sways like a hut. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:23.500 Its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls. 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:26.060 And it will not rise again. 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:29.440 And lastly, it will be final. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:34.000 So if you dip your toe into verse 1 of chapter 27, 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:38.259 remember that in this day, the sea, I guess, represents evil. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:42.740 And I guess Leviathan here, met him not so long ago in the book of Job. 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:44.840 He's symbolic for the devil. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:46.980 Look what God says will happen on that day. 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:51.879 In that day, the Lord, with his hand and great and strong sword, 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:54.100 will punish Leviathan, the fleeing serpent. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:56.659 Leviathan, the twisting serpent. 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:59.200 And he will slay the dragon that's in the sea. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:01.540 So this is God's judgment on evil. 00:12:04.160 --> 00:12:07.620 All those who have rejected trust in the Lord, 00:12:07.800 --> 00:12:11.379 God brings his righteous judgment on all of the nations, 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:13.600 all of the peoples of the world who have ever existed. 00:12:15.780 --> 00:12:21.640 Equal, total, moral, fatal, final. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:25.659 And the city that was proud and arrogant is now, verse 10, 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.879 the city of chaos. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:32.460 Joy has been sapped out of life. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:34.720 Again, this is symbolic, but it's symbolic truth. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:39.419 As the Lord judges the world, this is grim reading. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:44.840 But I take it that as we feel the seriousness of what God is telling us here, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.399 and this is a loving warning, isn't it? 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:49.600 It's a loving warning about what is going to happen in the end. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:57.420 I take it this is a comforting bit of news for the faithful in Isaiah's day 00:12:57.420 --> 00:12:59.840 who are hearing this, those who are currently feeling 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:04.100 and are about to face the brutality of foreign armies. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:08.659 Also, those who look around, they look around at the hypocrisy 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:10.480 and the rottenness of God's people. 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:12.399 I think, what's the point? 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:13.940 What is the point? 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:16.960 If those who are meant to be our leaders are not doing this, 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:17.860 then what is the point? 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:21.220 Blatantly disregarding him. 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:23.440 They're carrying their name of the Lord on their lips, 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:26.879 but they ain't living it out with their lives. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:31.340 I take it this is comforting news that the Lord sees. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.779 He will not be mocked. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:38.399 The Lord sees, and the Lord will deal with it. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:41.980 Let me just, before we move on, 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:45.279 let me just bring out two glimmers of grace in this chapter of judgment. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:48.319 Two shining diamonds in the pile of coal, right? 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.939 The first is at verse 6. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:54.459 There will be a few people who will be left. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:59.559 And get this, where will those people, 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:02.159 and where will those shouts of victory be heard from? 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:05.159 Verse 14 onwards of chapter 24. 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.799 Get this, verse 14. 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:09.639 In the east, give glory to God. 00:14:09.719 --> 00:14:10.179 Do you see that? 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:13.659 In the east, in the coastlands of the sea, 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:19.519 I take it people from the nations of like Babylon and like Tyre. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:21.759 People from these places, in the end, 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:24.259 are going to sing praise to the Lord. 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:26.259 And from the ends of the earth, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:28.399 God will draw people to himself. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:31.939 So there is a remnant here, 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.120 but they're not just going to come from Israel. 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.480 They're going to come from all over the place 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:36.220 and sing praises to the Lord. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.120 Again, friends, do you see your face in this? 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.279 That is why, let me just say, 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:45.500 that we should have a passion for missions across the world. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:49.699 It's why mission agencies keep on doing what they're doing. 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:52.019 Go into places all across the globe. 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.460 They've never heard of Jesus. 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:56.659 Translate the Bible into the language so that they can hear. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.559 What is your confidence in doing that? 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.620 You're wasting your life? 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:02.399 No, you're clinging to promises like this. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:04.740 Remember, we spent a bit of time in Malawi in Africa 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:07.939 with an organisation called SIM, Serving and Mission. 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:09.399 They have this as their strapline. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.480 Why do they do what they do? 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:14.079 Making disciples where Christ is least known. 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.439 What's your confidence? 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:19.439 Your confidence is promises like this, 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.559 that voices from all over the planet 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:24.279 are going to be singing praises to the Lord on that day. 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:29.799 I know not why God's wondrous grace to me he hath made known, 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:33.779 nor why unworthy Christ in love redeemed me for his own. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.919 We've got no idea why God chose us. 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:38.360 But praise him that he did. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.459 It's not by our effort. 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:44.720 It's by his sheer grace that we can join in this chorus 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:46.819 on the last day of our trust is in the Lord. 00:15:47.199 --> 00:15:48.639 He didn't need to search us out. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.960 And yet he did. 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.899 What an amazing God this is. 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:58.019 Friends, I have to spend time studying this section. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:01.439 The temperature of the graphic nature of judgment, 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:03.399 God's righteous judgment has hotted up. 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:05.019 You've probably seen it as we've tracked it through. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:08.340 But equally, the hope and the joy 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:10.419 that God holds out to his people 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:13.720 in order that they trust in him and love him, 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.919 that's hotted up as well. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:20.000 For we wait on him to banish the presence of evil, point one. 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:20.879 Point number two. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:24.079 Secondly, we wait on him to bring the kingdom of light. 00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:28.519 Now, chapter 25 is a song of triumph, is it not? 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:30.339 Oh, Lord, you are my God. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.759 I will exalt you. 00:16:32.059 --> 00:16:35.360 I will praise your name for you have done wonderful things, 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:38.319 plans formed of old, faithful and sure. 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:40.179 Now, see if ever there was a year 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.579 where we've realized that our plans, 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.059 we don't have a clue what's going to happen. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:45.240 Surely it's been the one that we've just lived through, right? 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:48.759 Putting politicians on the spot saying, 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:50.120 tell us what's going to happen. 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.740 You're going to try this out? 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.480 Tell us it's going to have a success rate. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.060 I feel so sorry for our politicians. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:57.399 How are they supposed to know how it's going to turn out? 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:04.019 Yet this God plans unfailing 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:06.180 since before the beginning of time. 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.359 Get that for a track record. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:11.740 Plans unfailing since before the beginning of time. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:15.539 And this is going down exactly as the Lord intends it to go down. 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.579 And who is the Lord? 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.559 Verse four. 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:23.339 And feel this if you're weary tonight. 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.779 Who is the Lord? 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:26.839 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:31.200 a stronghold to the needy in his distress, 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:34.019 a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.880 Friends, take your three S's right there. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:37.640 Stronghold, shelter, shade. 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:39.520 That's who he is. 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.540 For who? 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:43.680 For the poor, for those needy and in distress. 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.940 That's you tonight. 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.880 That's who he is. 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.240 That's who our God is. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:51.360 A God with a heart for the humble, 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:54.040 who sees the lowly and the poor 00:17:54.040 --> 00:17:56.800 and those unable to help themselves, 00:17:57.680 --> 00:18:00.680 yet looking to him alone for safety and security. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:04.120 The Lord isn't going to just defend them from their enemies. 00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:09.500 He will defeat their enemies and his victory will be their victory. 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:12.339 And what will he usher in? 00:18:12.959 --> 00:18:17.759 Friends, we could spend ages teasing out the beauty of verses 6 to 10 of chapter 25. 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:21.000 Go home after this and read it and celebrate it. 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.459 Right? 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:24.019 Let me just really quickly give you two themes that jump out here 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:26.119 about God's kingdom of light. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:29.019 On that day, the faithful who've waited on him, 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:29.919 what will they enjoy? 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.839 Two words for you, right? 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.519 Like feasting. 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:37.679 God's not a reluctant host on a budget. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:42.099 He's not gone to Aldi and picked up the six quid wine. 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:43.240 That's what we did on Friday night. 00:18:43.459 --> 00:18:44.779 The six quid wine that says, 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:47.379 that one will do for the feast that I'm going to put on for my people. 00:18:48.619 --> 00:18:52.000 Nor is this like a Christmas dinner where we often say, 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:53.359 don't we, when we have family around, 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:55.259 we feel like we needed to have them. 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:57.559 That's not what this God is doing. 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:59.359 On this mountain, you see, 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:04.599 the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, 00:19:04.679 --> 00:19:06.980 a feast of well-aged wine, 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:09.339 of rich food full of marrow, 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:11.899 of aged wine well refined. 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.039 Do you get that? 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.480 Repetition there, I think, is meant to make us salivate. 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:22.299 God will spread for his people and host. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:26.299 Friends, the best banquet that you and I have ever been to. 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:31.220 Rich food, well-aged wine, strained clear. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:33.660 I don't know what that means in wine terms, right? 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:36.220 I take it that just means it's the finest of the fine. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.480 And this is wedding feast language. 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:44.720 Because the Lord has longed to be with his people. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:48.299 And to celebrate with his people. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.279 And I hope even now just dropping the breadcrumbs, 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.839 you see where we're going with this one, right? 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:55.480 Feasting, that's your first number, first word. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.000 Second word is living. 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.360 See verse seven? 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:02.140 And he will swallow upon this mountain, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:04.519 the covering that is cast over all peoples, 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:07.180 the veil that is spread over all nations. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:09.039 He will swallow up death forever. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:12.599 And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:16.539 And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:17.279 Why? 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:20.079 For the Lord has spoken. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:28.099 So death and all its sting is going to give way to life. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:32.299 And it is intimate language, is it not? 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:35.940 Language of wiping away tears. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.940 Friends, if you're crying tonight inside, 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.980 if you go home tonight, 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:42.180 this is what this God is going to do on the last day. 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.400 Wipe away every tear. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:43.660 Why? 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:49.220 Because pain and death and sin will be a distant memory. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.279 Wiping away tears. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.519 Feel the intimacy of that language. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:54.880 You know, this week one of our girls, 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.720 she had a little nightmare. 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:56.740 She comes downstairs. 00:20:56.740 --> 00:21:00.440 That's what we did as parents. 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.019 We're here. 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.299 We're here. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:04.420 We take her up to our bed, put her down again. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:04.900 We're here. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.819 That's the language here, isn't it? 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:09.740 What God's going to do as our father. 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:13.799 In verse 19 of chapter 26, 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:16.420 people reckon it's one of the clearest references 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:18.960 to the resurrection of the dead in the Old Testament. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:19.799 Do you see it? 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.599 Verse 19, chapter 26. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.220 Your dead shall live. 00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.940 Their body shall rise. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:28.319 You who dwell in the dust, 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:30.940 awake and sing for joy. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.639 This is who our God is. 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.799 He is lavish. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.039 And he is loving. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:41.819 And so the call from Isaiah, verse 4, 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:44.019 to this generation of the Lord's people, 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:46.500 urging them to return to the Lord, 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.659 trusting in his promises. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.240 Do you see? 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.180 Verse 4, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.899 Trust in the Lord forever, 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:56.019 for the Lord is an everlasting rock. 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.480 He's everlasting. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.740 He's not going to change. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.920 It's not like fashion. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.019 It's going to go in and out. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:04.000 It's not like hairstyles are going to come and go. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:07.200 He's an everlasting rock. 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.059 Wait on him. 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:09.339 Trust in him. 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:11.380 Get his word into your systems. 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:11.940 No matter what, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.940 don't judge things by how they look. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:16.240 It's what the life of faith is, isn't it? 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:18.779 Live by what God has said is true. 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.259 Lean your whole life on that. 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.400 And friends, 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.920 do we not have so much more reason tonight? 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.720 I guess standing where we do in history, 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:31.180 to wait on the Lord. 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:35.140 Do we not get just a wonderful foretaste 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:36.440 of this kingdom of light 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:39.460 in the person and in the life of Jesus? 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.840 I take it that is the connection 00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:43.860 that John wants us to make 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:44.880 as we read his gospel. 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:48.560 Now, I wonder whether your minds 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:49.799 went to John chapter 2 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.720 as we read it here. 00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:54.039 What does Jesus do as he comes on the scene? 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.480 John chapter 2, 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:57.460 what is his first sign, 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.620 as John calls it there? 00:22:58.619 --> 00:23:01.159 He turns water into wine. 00:23:02.479 --> 00:23:03.519 Not just a neat trick. 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:05.219 There's way more going on there than that. 00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:06.559 It's almost John's way of saying, 00:23:06.679 --> 00:23:07.759 hey, this kingdom, 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.500 this kingdom that God had promised, 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:11.279 do you think it had gone out? 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.639 Do you think this wasn't going to happen? 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.699 Here is the one who's come to bring it in. 00:23:14.939 --> 00:23:16.639 Got a wonderful foretaste of it. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:19.039 I love that scene in John chapter 2. 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.219 What is Jesus doing? 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:24.599 Abundant, delightful, plentiful, joyful. 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:26.379 That is who the Lord is. 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.699 Not just a neat trick. 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:30.759 It's John way of showing us 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.700 that the divine bridegroom, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:35.039 the host of the heavenly feast, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.840 is here. 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.080 And John chapter 11, 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.319 Mary and Martha 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:45.779 lost their brother. 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:49.000 Jesus comes on the scene. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.340 He delays in going, 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.700 which is a startling thing. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.720 And yet, is it not true that 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:55.980 he delayed so that they would come 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.000 to know something more 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.579 of who he is in that moment? 00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.799 And I love it. 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:01.559 Jesus gets to the graveside. 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.660 And those two words, 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.440 Jesus wept. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.460 He wept. 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:10.519 As he enters our pain, 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.860 as he enters our world, 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:14.059 as he looks at death in the eye 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:14.640 and says, 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:16.559 that is not the way it's supposed to be. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:18.319 And is it not amazing 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.919 that the one who weeps 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:22.879 is the one at the end of the Bible story 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:25.440 who will wipe away every tear from our eyes? 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.460 Jesus summons Lazarus out of the tomb 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.419 and back from the dead. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.200 Those three words, 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.659 Lazarus come out. 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.539 Now you say, 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:36.700 well, 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.299 what's going on with all the judgment here 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.879 in Isaiah 24? 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:41.359 You kind of swept that under the carpet? 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:41.899 No, no, no. 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.139 Jesus comes. 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.840 And of course, friends, 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:45.500 he's not swept the sin under the carpet. 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:46.700 He goes to the cross. 00:24:47.280 --> 00:24:48.340 That's John chapter 11. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.740 The rest of the gospels 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.100 is him on the way to the cross 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.160 to deal with our sin. 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:54.420 We deserve to be caught up in Isaiah 24. 00:24:55.800 --> 00:24:56.240 Don't we? 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:56.720 We do. 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.980 We deserve to be caught up there. 00:24:58.060 --> 00:24:58.600 And yet Jesus, 00:24:58.800 --> 00:24:59.780 because of who he is, 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.800 his grace, 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.660 the fact that he loved me, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.400 he loved you 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.380 when we were his enemies, 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:06.400 he goes to deal with our sin on the cross. 00:25:06.800 --> 00:25:08.820 So that this kingdom of light, 00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:10.280 this kingdom of feasting and living 00:25:10.280 --> 00:25:11.759 could be a reality for us 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.759 as he takes our sin on himself, 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:17.099 as he dies the death that I deserve to die, 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.539 as he gives me his life, 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.099 as he sends his Holy Spirit, friends, 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:24.039 to live inside of all who would call him king. 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:27.619 His death becomes our death. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.160 His life becomes our life. 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.240 And on that day, 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.299 oh dwellers of the dust, 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.180 awake for joy. 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.839 Sing for your king is here. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.720 The kingdom marked by feasting 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:41.420 and marked by living. 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.779 It's available tonight. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.720 It's available now 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.420 by trusting in Jesus. 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.500 Yes, that day. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.019 Absolutely that day fully. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.779 But it is available for us now 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.120 to know life in him. 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:57.259 Wait on him, friends. 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:58.339 Wait on him 00:25:58.339 --> 00:26:00.740 to make good on his promise. 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:04.200 He will do what he says he's going to do. 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:07.400 What is this life of waiting 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.480 going to be marked by? 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.420 It's the question we're asking. 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.279 Okay, we've got to wait, 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.980 but what's it going to mean for us? 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.319 I take it they're just really 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:17.259 two quick things to see from chapter 26. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.460 And I want us to see these. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.319 We could have ended it there, 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.860 but I want us to see these things. 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:24.160 What will the life of waiting be marked by? 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.340 Right? 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:28.180 Internally, God's people, 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:31.360 verse 8 of chapter 26. 00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:34.919 In the path of your judgments, 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.919 O Lord, we wait for you. 00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:39.359 Your name and remembrance 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:41.979 are the desire of the soul. 00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:44.179 So what is waiting now 00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:45.399 going to look like for us? 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.859 It is going to look like 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:48.479 lives that are marked 00:26:48.479 --> 00:26:50.379 by devotion to God's word. 00:26:51.699 --> 00:26:53.979 That's the track that we're sticking to. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.000 As we read it 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:57.319 day after day after day, 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:59.479 as we pour our souls over it, 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:01.839 as we teach it to our children, 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.839 as we teach it to our teenagers, 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:06.440 as we savor it around the dinner table, 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:08.759 as we share it around the hospital bed, 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:10.380 as we speak it to one another 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.519 in our small group, 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:13.640 sharing stories of who the Lord is 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.920 and what he's done. 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.180 That is what our lives 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:18.019 are going to be marked by internally, 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.920 a yearning 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:21.700 that this would be a reality for us. 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.579 And it's true, isn't it? 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.660 It's just like a marathon. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.559 Friends, we all get tired in the race. 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:28.720 And we've got to remind one another 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:30.440 of the truths that are ahead of us. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.720 I love that line by Charles Wesley 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.579 in his famous hymn, 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:34.759 Over a Thousand Tongues. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.539 Over a thousand tongues to sing 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.079 my great Redeemer's praise, 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:40.039 the glories of my God and King, 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.819 the triumphs of his grace. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.940 Love that phrase at the end, 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.240 the triumphs of his grace. 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.720 It's just stories, isn't it? 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.619 About who God is 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.460 and what he's like. 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:52.019 Stirring the soul to worship. 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:54.419 My soul yearns for you in the night. 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.640 My spirit within me 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.960 earnestly seeks you. 00:27:58.080 --> 00:27:59.660 When your judgments are in the earth, 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:01.000 the inhabitants of the world 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.880 learn righteousness. 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.039 Friends, internally, 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.779 God's people, 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:04.680 as we wait, 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.400 we're going to be marked 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.259 by that yearning. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.680 It's what you do 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.700 when you go on holiday, isn't it? 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.320 And you meet people 00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:12.220 who are from the place 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.000 that you've gone to, 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.560 the place that you're from 00:28:14.560 --> 00:28:15.019 when you go to. 00:28:15.060 --> 00:28:15.740 What do you start doing? 00:28:15.800 --> 00:28:16.779 You start talking about home, 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.160 don't you? 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.620 It's a weird thing 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.620 that we do as human beings. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.759 Start talking about home. 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.360 It's what we do, friends. 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.220 This is not our home. 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.019 That's our home. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.820 Natural for us to talk about 00:28:27.820 --> 00:28:28.660 how great home it is. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.200 Do you remember that? 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.880 Love that. 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.740 Love that ice cream. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.560 Remember that ice cream? 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:33.000 It's what we do, isn't it? 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.380 We're marked internally, 00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:37.300 God's people. 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.600 Also externally, 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.840 this will be our experience. 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:41.740 It will be marked by hardship. 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.620 Oh Lord, 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.039 your hand is lifted up, 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:48.500 but they do not see it. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:51.940 People aren't going to listen. 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.019 They're not going to 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:56.200 take this seriously. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.240 They're just not going to see it. 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.619 It feels like that often, 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.299 doesn't it, friends? 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:02.259 Our Christian family, 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.059 our friends, 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.700 we tell them, 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.900 we just don't see it. 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:07.839 We tell them about Jesus. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.339 We tell them about the life 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:09.900 that we found in Him. 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:11.059 We're just not up for seeing it. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.279 Speaking to parents 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.059 in the school playground, 00:29:16.480 --> 00:29:16.980 I do it all the time, 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.299 just not going to see it. 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.720 It's our experience. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:22.460 They just will not see it. 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.619 Verse 13, 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:25.519 O Lord our God, 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:27.059 other lords beside you 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.279 have ruled over us. 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:31.960 They feel the pain of living 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:33.619 in a place where God 00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:35.440 is not honored as Lord. 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.099 And yet, 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.680 but your name alone 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.779 we bring to remembrance. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.299 In other words, 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.259 in this place 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.240 where we recognize 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.980 that the Lord 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.259 isn't going to be honored as king, 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:48.319 what do we do? 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.160 Do we just give up? 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.640 Do we just, 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.400 do we just kind of hide away? 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:51.960 No, no, no, no. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.059 We keep the flag flying. 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.359 You know what? 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.579 We're just going to keep on 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.319 speaking for Him, 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.879 who He is. 00:29:59.099 --> 00:29:59.519 You know, 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.539 whether they're going to listen 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.839 or not, 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:02.319 that's God's business, right? 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.119 If He opens their ears, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.500 brilliant. 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:06.220 We long for them to hear. 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.579 We long for people to know Him. 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:07.839 And yet, 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.299 do you know what? 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.859 We're just going to keep 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.539 waving the flag. 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.279 We're going to keep 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.460 testifying to who He is. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.539 We're going to keep witnessing 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.960 to how great Jesus is. 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.319 And that's what we're going to do 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.259 when we're away from home. 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.379 We acknowledge Him. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:19.779 Friends, 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:22.319 wait on the Lord. 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.519 Wait on Jesus. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.200 You know, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.879 just as we close, 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.539 let me just tell you 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.379 about one of the courses 00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.099 I did at uni. 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.819 I did it, 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.859 I think, 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:32.200 over the course of three months. 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.399 And it was called 00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:35.139 Understanding Stock Markets. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.359 Right? 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:37.960 And every day, 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.899 what the challenge was, 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.799 it was this game. 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.779 We had to go and buy 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.639 the Financial Times. 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.559 You went to the uni shop, 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.500 you got it for 20p, 00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.240 which was a bargain 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.500 I've subsequently realised. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.799 Buy the thing for 20p 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.940 and you had to every day 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.599 buy this paper 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.500 and just track 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:52.579 the shares that you'd bought. 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.419 And so, 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:57.319 I don't remember a lot about that, 00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.200 but the one thing I remember 00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:59.379 is our tutor always saying, 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.359 buy when it's low. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.480 Buy when it's low. 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.539 So what you'd do 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.339 is you'd circle the one 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.079 you wanted to buy. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.980 Buy it when it's low. 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.839 And every day, 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:06.619 you would track it. 00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:08.480 Has it changed tomorrow? 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:08.839 No, 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.720 it's not changed tomorrow. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.379 We pay for the next day. 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:10.960 Has it changed? 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.539 Has it gone up? 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:11.759 No, 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.359 it's not gone up. 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:14.139 And the whole thing was, 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.779 is this going to come good 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.379 in the end? 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:17.299 Right? 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.200 Is this stock, 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:19.000 is this company 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:20.200 worth waiting for? 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:20.879 Because if it is, 00:31:20.919 --> 00:31:21.519 I'll hang in there. 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:21.980 If it's not, 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.960 I'm getting out now. 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:27.039 Prices went up, 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:27.799 went down. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.359 Companies went 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:31.019 and arrived. 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.419 Friends, 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.839 Jesus, 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:36.940 we wait on him. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.359 Is he going to come good 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.940 in the end? 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.840 Yes, 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.259 he is. 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.360 Take it in tonight. 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.900 Is he worth waiting for? 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.000 Should we just bail out now? 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:44.320 Friends, 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.220 he is coming. 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:47.080 This is what's ahead of us. 00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:49.500 Friends, 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.160 take a good look 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.900 at Jesus tonight. 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.860 What is it our souls 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:52.440 most need 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:52.860 at the beginning 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:53.580 of this week? 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:54.740 Friends, 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.420 are you here tonight? 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.120 How are you doing? 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.920 Are you tired? 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.420 Are you weary? 00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.759 Are you struggling 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.480 in the fight? 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.559 Are you feeling 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:03.140 the repetitiveness 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.800 of life? 00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.180 I'm wondering, 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.520 is it something 00:32:05.520 --> 00:32:06.240 I should just keep 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.780 on going for? 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.820 I'll just bail out now. 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.120 Friends, 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.120 take in Jesus. 00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:11.100 Take in who he is tonight 00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:13.040 and wait on the Lord. 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.680 Behold, 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:15.660 this is our God. 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:17.720 We have waited for him 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:19.780 that he might save us. 00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.640 This is the Lord. 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.640 We have waited for him. 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:25.820 Let us be glad 00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:27.080 and rejoice 00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:28.200 in his salvation. 00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:29.100 Let's pray, 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:29.500 shall we? 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.720 Our Father, 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.340 we thank you 00:32:35.340 --> 00:32:36.440 for who you are tonight. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.660 Lord, 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.580 you are the one 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.900 who has done 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.660 wonderful things. 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.360 You are the one 00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:42.539 who has plans formed 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.000 of old, 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.259 faithful and sure. 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.240 And Lord, 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.039 I pray tonight, 00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.720 wherever we are, 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.539 whatever's going on 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.220 in our minds, 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:50.180 in our hearts, 00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:50.500 Lord, 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.340 I pray that you would 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.360 meet us individually 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.259 by your spirit. 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.180 Lord, 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.519 with wonderful truths 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.580 that we've seen tonight. 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.019 Father, 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.660 those that should 00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:00.559 shock us 00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:02.359 into repenting 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.200 and running to you, 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:04.019 those that should 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:05.039 inspire us 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.720 about what you've 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.539 promised for the future. 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:06.859 Father, 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.759 whatever's going on 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:09.099 in our hearts tonight, 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.400 oh Lord, 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.139 would you help us 00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:12.200 to respond rightly? 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.059 Thank you that you're 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.220 a God who speaks 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:16.779 and you've told us things 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.859 too marvelous 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.579 for our minds 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.220 to comprehend 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.579 and yet you have spoken. 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:22.579 And so, 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:22.799 Father, 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.819 I pray that you would 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:25.519 encourage us tonight 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:27.440 with a wonderful picture 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.519 of who Jesus is. 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.900 In his name we pray. 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:30.940 Amen.