WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.440 Well, good morning, folks. Really good to be with you all here this morning. 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:13.700 I don't know why, but as I was driving here this morning, I wasn't thinking that I would arrive and see so many familiar faces. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:20.280 But it's really good to see also familiar faces. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:25.920 Even Keita, who was speaking to us earlier, we just worked out that I know her dad. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:29.060 So that's nice. There's not many follow-wills in the world, I guess. 00:00:29.059 --> 00:00:36.399 But today, as Alistair said, we're continuing your series in the Psalms. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:45.039 Before we get to that, I'd just like to tell you a little bit about myself and where I've come from. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:54.920 So this morning I came from Kirkliston, just outside Edinburgh, where I live with my wife and our four kids. 00:00:54.920 --> 00:01:03.400 I worship at Kirkliston Community Church, and I want to thank you as a church for giving us some of your best people. 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:08.000 Because the Johnsons, who were members of this church for a long time, are in KCC. 00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:12.700 And also, I think we stole your youth pastor, but then again, you've got Peter. 00:01:12.939 --> 00:01:17.379 So it must have been quite a while ago that Pip, Lynn, was here as youth pastor. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:21.379 So she's now youth pastor at Kirkliston Community Church, where we worship. 00:01:23.539 --> 00:01:24.579 I'm married to Jude. 00:01:25.199 --> 00:01:27.599 We've got four kids. Jude's a primary teacher. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:30.199 And we have Katie and I, who are twins, age 10. 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:31.959 Anna's 7. 00:01:32.159 --> 00:01:36.659 And little Struhan is 21 months, and he has to be sat on to have his nappy changed at the moment. 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:37.979 He's bonkers. 00:01:37.980 --> 00:01:43.060 So it's nice to get a break from them this morning. 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:43.600 Only joking. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:50.300 I have the privilege of teaching at the Faith Mission Bible College, 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:54.240 which is in the south part of Edinburgh in Gilmerton. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:59.859 And I'd like to just tell you very briefly a little bit about it. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:07.500 The Faith Mission Bible College is part of a wider organisation called the Faith Mission. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:11.680 It would be very interesting for me if you could raise your hand if you've heard of the Faith Mission. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:14.219 Oh, loads of you have. 00:02:14.539 --> 00:02:14.960 Wonderful. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:17.539 Now, I'm not just talking about the cafe and the bookshop. 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:24.599 So the Faith Mission was set up over 100 years ago as a mission organisation with a unique calling, 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:31.759 or a specific, particular calling, to reach the lost of Great Britain and Ireland, 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:36.620 of the UK and Ireland, with the good news of Jesus Christ in rural areas. 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:40.560 And that's still the focus of the Faith Mission today. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:46.620 The last great move of God in Scotland was the Lewis revival, 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:48.599 the Isle of Lewis in the north. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:55.759 And one of the key individuals in that revival was a man called Duncan Campbell. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:59.539 He had been a faith mission worker, faith mission evangelist, 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:00.900 then became Church of Scotland minister, 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:04.700 and later he became the principal of the Bible College. 00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:10.080 And that sense of mission, that focus on evangelism, 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:14.400 that desire for God to come again and work in us and through us and among us 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:19.280 and in this nation is still very much at the heart of what the Faith Mission is about. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:22.159 And so we have a Bible College to train people for the mission. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:27.840 But again, one of your former assistant pastors trained at the Faith Mission Bible College, 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:32.060 Alistair Chalmers, he's now at Fernie Hill Evangelical. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:38.979 And so students come to us for training in all kinds, 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:41.699 to go into all kinds of Christian ministry, 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:46.099 but many do go into the Faith Mission as evangelists. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:48.039 That's me on the screen there. 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:50.199 That's me teaching a course on apologetics. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.159 And look, the people are absolutely gripped. 00:03:54.359 --> 00:03:59.419 So our vision is to train passionate servants of Jesus Christ 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:02.419 for evangelism, mission, and ministry. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:09.639 And so every day I arrive at the college and I meet with my colleagues 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:12.579 and we open the scriptures together and we pray together. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.959 And then we pray for the students, we pray for the day, 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:17.159 and then we go and join the students. 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:21.560 And one of them leads us in morning devotions and we worship together 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:24.660 and we pray together. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:31.060 And then we spend the rest of the day studying the Bible and theology together 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.180 in Christian community and fellowship. 00:04:35.260 --> 00:04:36.420 Does that not sound wonderful? 00:04:37.379 --> 00:04:39.960 Well, my friends, you could join us. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:47.560 So if you've thought for years, I would just like to have the opportunity to go a bit deeper, 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:54.899 to study God's Word and all that it teaches us just a bit more deeply 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:57.199 and with some more structure and more discipline. 00:04:57.419 --> 00:05:03.319 Well, you could come and join us just for one day on the 21st of September. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:09.099 My colleague Marilyn Burton will be teaching a one-day course on the Old Testament, 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:12.079 how the whole Old Testament points towards Christ. 00:05:12.219 --> 00:05:12.980 And it's free. 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:17.339 We'd love to see you there on the Saturday, the 21st of September. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:20.779 But maybe you would like to go deeper than that. 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:26.939 Maybe you could spare a Tuesday, even just half of the Tuesdays in a year, 00:05:27.659 --> 00:05:31.879 and join us for our Foundation Certificate in Applied Theology. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:38.819 Two years to cover systematic theology, Old Testament overview, New Testament overview, 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:45.259 Christian history, and then practical courses like children and youth ministry, 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:47.639 pastoral care, evangelism, apologetics. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:52.980 So that's the advert over. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:58.360 But there's an opportunity at the Bible College just up the road from you 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:03.420 if you have the time, maybe a sense of calling even on your life 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:08.120 to serve God part-time or full-time in mission. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:13.139 And there's an opportunity to come and join with this Christian community 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:16.500 and study God's Word together and see where He leads us all. 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:19.780 So advert over. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:21.819 It's lovely to be with you this morning. 00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:27.879 We're going to dive in now to Psalm 117. 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:31.079 Well, actually, before we start, I want to just ask you a question. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:36.920 How do you feel about what's going on in our world at the moment? 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:39.959 It's quite difficult, isn't it? 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:45.420 Watching the news, wars and the threat of war, 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:51.780 riots in the streets, and deep, deep political divisions. 00:06:51.779 --> 00:07:00.699 And a culture that in many respects has completely rejected its Christian heritage. 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:08.039 And a church, not this church, but many churches in our nation, most churches in our nation, 00:07:08.619 --> 00:07:09.339 in free fall. 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:20.299 Are you ever tempted to let fear and anxiety and worry overcome you 00:07:20.299 --> 00:07:24.939 when you look at what's going on in our world and even in our own nation? 00:07:25.479 --> 00:07:30.919 Do you ever wonder, Lord, what would you have me do about all of this? 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:39.180 Well, I think our psalm this morning contains God's antidote to the chaos. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:45.460 To the chaos around us in the world, the chaos that we might feel within us. 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:49.379 So we've read Psalm 117. 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:51.139 Do open it. 00:07:51.300 --> 00:07:54.000 It is, you may have noticed, rather short. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.019 It is, in fact, the shortest psalm. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:00.800 It's the shortest chapter in the Bible. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:04.740 It's been called the Tom Thumb of the Psalter. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:11.100 But that may be so, but it does not lack anything in significance. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.639 Just two verses. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:17.860 And yet, the great reformer, 16th century reformer Martin Luther, 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:21.819 managed to write 36 pages of commentary on it. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:24.060 You'll be pleased to know I've only got 11. 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:28.000 Another commentator said, 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:30.360 this is the shortest song in the whole collection, 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:35.000 but there is none greater or grander in its expression of praise. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.419 Again, another said, 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:40.879 it's a dewdrop reflecting the universe. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:45.639 And part of what makes this tiny psalm so great 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:51.039 is that it contains God's antidote to the chaos out there 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:52.159 and the chaos in here, 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:55.620 the despair that we might feel in a chaotic world. 00:08:56.419 --> 00:08:58.120 So let's just read it again, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.120 because it really won't take long. 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:07.039 I'm reading from the English Standard Version of the Bible. 00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:09.259 Let's just read this short psalm again. 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:12.019 Praise the Lord, all nations. 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:14.399 Extol him, all peoples. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:17.620 For great is his steadfast love towards us. 00:09:18.179 --> 00:09:21.639 And the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.679 Praise the Lord. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:29.960 And I think, as I've been thinking on this and praying through it, 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:33.919 I think the message that God has for each one of us this morning 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:36.120 is through this psalm is, 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:38.599 no matter what's going on in the world around you, 00:09:39.099 --> 00:09:44.219 let yourself, let your heart, let your whole life 00:09:44.219 --> 00:09:50.419 be taken up in God's great plans for his world. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:53.919 That's God's antidote to the chaos. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:59.139 So we're going to think about this in three steps this morning. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:00.860 Firstly, 00:10:02.199 --> 00:10:02.819 firstly, 00:10:03.339 --> 00:10:08.939 don't despair when you look at the chaos in God's world. 00:10:09.459 --> 00:10:11.620 Even when the world seems full of turmoil, 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.459 do not despair. 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:16.479 Praise the Lord, all nations. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:18.980 Extol him, all peoples. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:22.480 Now, I heard as folks are arriving this morning, 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:24.800 there's quite a few visitors this morning. 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.960 So it's so great to see you here today. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.019 Those of you who've been here for the last five weeks 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:34.300 will know very well that we are working through 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:36.139 a series in the Psalms. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:38.779 And this, we started off, 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:40.659 and you started off, in Psalm 113. 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:42.820 It finishes next week with Psalm 118. 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:45.259 And this short section of the Psalms 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:48.480 is known as the Egyptian Hallel. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.060 The Egyptian Hallel Psalms. 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:52.899 And the reason they were called this 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:54.039 is an ancient tradition 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:57.320 to sing these Psalms around the Passover meal. 00:10:57.680 --> 00:10:59.460 So the Passover was the most important 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.460 of the Jewish festivals 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:03.659 where God's people celebrated the Exodus, 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:07.460 the rescue from slavery in Egypt. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.639 And Hallel simply means praise. 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:11.440 So the Egyptian Hallel. 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:14.120 So these were songs of praise to God 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:16.840 for his deliverance of his people 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:18.860 from slavery in Egypt. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.299 And they would sing them around the Passover meal. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:25.159 So they would sing Psalms 113, 114 before the meal, 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:29.039 and after the meal, Psalms 115 to 118. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:33.159 Now, again, very cleverly, I think, 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:35.539 this series has been entitled 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:37.659 From the Lips of Jesus, 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:38.779 which I confess, 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:43.719 when Graham first sent me the invitation to speak 00:11:43.719 --> 00:11:44.620 and I saw that title, 00:11:44.719 --> 00:11:46.659 I thought, wait a minute. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.699 I'm going to have to look into that. 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:50.399 But it's hugely helpful 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:51.980 because, of course, 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.319 the Last Supper, 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:56.379 which has been in the news 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:57.659 for the wrong reasons recently, 00:11:58.699 --> 00:12:01.079 the Last Supper was a Passover meal. 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:02.919 And this is fascinating. 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.319 So we read in the Gospels 00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:07.699 that after Jesus had taken bread and wine 00:12:07.699 --> 00:12:08.399 with his disciples 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.019 and told them, 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:11.379 this is my blood of the covenant, 00:12:11.479 --> 00:12:12.639 which is poured out for many 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.079 for the forgiveness of sins, 00:12:14.839 --> 00:12:16.539 they'd just done that together. 00:12:17.979 --> 00:12:22.099 This absolutely core and epochal event 00:12:22.099 --> 00:12:24.059 in the history of mankind. 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:27.779 And then they sung a hymn together, we're told. 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:30.759 Well, since from time immemorial, 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:33.779 it was the Egyptian Hallel Psalms 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:36.539 that were sung around the Passover meal. 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.460 We can only assume 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:39.059 that it was these very Psalms 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:42.879 that came from the lips of Jesus that night, 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:46.240 just before he went to the cross 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:48.980 to die for the sins of the whole world. 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:52.600 Well, that helps us read these Psalms 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:54.120 a little differently, doesn't it? 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:56.340 So what do you think 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:58.379 was going through Jesus' mind 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:03.019 as he sung Psalm 117 that night? 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:05.899 Despair? 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:11.439 As a first century Jewish person, 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:15.639 an ordinary person living in Judea 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.779 in the first century, 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:20.360 there was every reason to despair. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:24.500 Like, you had been living for decades, 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.120 70 years, 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:29.460 under oppressive Roman rule. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.279 They were brutal, 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:31.759 and they were powerful, 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:34.519 and they were clearly not going anywhere 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.940 for a long, long time. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:40.259 And it had been 400 years, 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.639 400 years, 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:43.899 since God had sent 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:45.240 a prophet 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:46.600 to his people. 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:49.040 And while they waited, 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:50.399 empires ruled them. 00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:51.680 There were wars, 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.560 there were massacres, 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.180 and there were all kinds, 00:13:55.240 --> 00:13:56.240 there was all kinds of suffering 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.080 for God's people. 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:58.560 And yet, 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.720 praise the Lord, 00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.420 all nations, 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.360 extol him, 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.240 all peoples. 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.440 What's going through Jesus' mind 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:07.159 as he sings 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.860 those words? 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.259 Not despair, 00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:12.160 not hopelessness, 00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:13.160 but something 00:14:13.160 --> 00:14:14.080 very, 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.320 very different. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:17.200 500 years before, 00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:19.620 in Jerusalem, 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:20.580 there was another 00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.800 Passover meal. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.040 And this was possibly, 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.480 we don't know, 00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:27.320 but this was possibly 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:29.320 the time that this Psalm 117 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:30.320 was written. 00:14:33.140 --> 00:14:33.900 Then, 00:14:34.280 --> 00:14:35.320 to God's people, 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.640 humanly speaking, 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.260 had lots of reasons 00:14:38.260 --> 00:14:39.580 for despair. 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:42.420 70 years before that, 00:14:43.660 --> 00:14:44.400 Solomon's 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.419 wonderful temple 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.299 had been destroyed. 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:48.419 And another mass 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.059 of God's people 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.959 had been taken off 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:51.199 in exile. 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.539 God's people 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.519 were devastated, 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.840 absolutely devastated. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.220 And yet, 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.399 some had returned 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:59.079 to Jerusalem, 00:14:59.259 --> 00:14:59.840 and they'd rebuilt 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.240 a temple, 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.379 not like Solomon's temple, 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:02.879 but a temple nonetheless. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.299 Listen to what it meant 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:05.799 for them 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:07.519 as the foundation 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.419 stones 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:10.059 were laid. 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:12.719 This is Ezra 3, 00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:14.639 10 to 13. 00:15:14.719 --> 00:15:15.479 If you want to look it up, 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:15.779 it's, 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:16.259 I checked, 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.799 it's page 474 00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.579 in the Pew Bibles. 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:22.079 This is what it meant 00:15:22.079 --> 00:15:22.539 to them 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.519 as the foundation 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.619 stones of the temple 00:15:24.619 --> 00:15:25.639 were laid. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.279 when the builders 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.139 laid the foundation 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:27.679 of the temple 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.259 of the Lord. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.480 The priests 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.220 in their vestments 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:30.879 came forward 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.039 with trumpets, 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.679 and the Levites, 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.539 the sons of Asaph, 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.100 with symbols 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.679 to praise the Lord 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:37.439 according to the directions 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.659 of the king, 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.259 of David, 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:39.899 king of Israel. 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.960 And they sang 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:41.960 responsibly, 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.159 praising and giving 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.240 thanks to the Lord, 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:45.559 for he is good, 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.559 for his steadfast love 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:48.860 endures forever 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:50.340 toward Israel. 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.960 And all the people 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.500 shouted 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.980 with a great shout 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.680 when they praised 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.120 the Lord, 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.080 because the foundation 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:56.660 of the house 00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.139 of the Lord 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:57.700 was laid. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:59.379 But many of the priests 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.480 and Levites 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.560 and heads 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:03.399 of Father's houses, 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.680 old men who had seen 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.519 the first house, 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:06.680 wept 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:08.139 with a loud voice 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.480 when they saw 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.080 the foundation 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:10.740 of this house 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.320 being laid, 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.540 though many shouted 00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:13.019 also, 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.500 shouted aloud for joy, 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.840 so that the people 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.700 could not distinguish 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.160 the sound 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:18.120 of the joyful shout 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.139 from the sound 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.659 of the people's weeping, 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:21.919 for the people shouted 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.279 with a great shout 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.159 and the sound 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:26.659 was heard far away. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:28.699 And some time later, 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.919 the people of God 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.259 struggling with despair 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.960 and hope, 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.059 they celebrated 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.139 the Passover together 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:39.000 for the first time 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.480 in some generations. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:41.799 And so, 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.399 what would have gone 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.319 through their minds 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:45.539 as they sang 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:47.840 Psalm 117, 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:48.679 praise the Lord, 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:49.539 all nations, 00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:51.299 extol him, 00:16:51.839 --> 00:16:52.639 all peoples. 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.719 How could this 00:16:54.719 --> 00:16:55.739 small, beleaguered, 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:57.859 vulnerable community, 00:16:58.059 --> 00:16:58.839 how could they say 00:16:58.839 --> 00:16:59.399 anything 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:01.199 to the powerful nations 00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:02.539 around them? 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.799 How can we 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.539 say 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.319 to our world, 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.119 praise the Lord, 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.960 all nations, 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.440 extol him, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.259 all peoples, 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.740 when we see the mess 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.859 in our world? 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:17.299 Well, for them, 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.079 in Ezra's time, 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.879 they knew what God 00:17:20.879 --> 00:17:21.459 had promised. 00:17:21.979 --> 00:17:23.439 They knew the promises 00:17:23.439 --> 00:17:24.019 to Abraham. 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:24.959 God had said 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:25.939 to the father 00:17:25.939 --> 00:17:26.619 of their people 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:28.539 many, many centuries 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.000 before, 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:31.279 all nations on earth 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.339 will be blessed 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.899 through you, 00:17:32.979 --> 00:17:33.859 through your offspring. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.579 A blessing to all nations 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.079 was coming. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.000 And King David 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.039 himself, 00:17:40.459 --> 00:17:41.179 God had promised 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.960 through King David. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.299 David had prayed, 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.279 all the nations 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.100 you have made 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:48.180 shall come 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.000 and worship 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.600 before you, 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.019 O Lord, 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.580 and shall glorify 00:17:51.580 --> 00:17:52.080 your name. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:53.140 And so they sang 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.100 with faith 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:55.120 and with hope, 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:56.820 even amongst 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:58.279 the pain and despair, 00:17:58.840 --> 00:17:59.600 praise the Lord, 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.580 all nations, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.620 extol him, 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.560 all peoples. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.279 They didn't know 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:03.900 how God was going 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.560 to bring this about, 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.299 but they trusted 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.179 that he's faithful 00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:08.240 to his promises 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.539 and to his people. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.240 There's one more, 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.679 one more place 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:14.740 I want to point us to 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.440 as we think 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.819 just on this first point. 00:18:17.139 --> 00:18:18.619 If you turn to Romans 15, 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.700 that's page 1141 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.779 in the Pew Bibles. 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.740 Again, I checked. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.159 In Romans 15, 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.779 Paul says, 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:33.259 Paul says, 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:35.660 that Christ became 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.240 a servant 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.960 to the circumcised, 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.759 that's the Jews, 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:40.640 to show God's 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.460 truthfulness 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.480 in order to confirm 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.480 the promises 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:46.420 given to the patriarchs, 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.799 to people like 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.480 King David, 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.740 Abraham and King David, 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.259 and in order 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.099 that the Gentiles 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.240 might glorify God 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.279 for his mercy. 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:56.940 And then look down 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.539 at verse 11. 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.119 Paul quotes 00:18:59.119 --> 00:19:00.420 Psalm 117, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.000 verse 1 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.819 as evidence. 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.439 God has called 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:04.639 all nations 00:19:04.639 --> 00:19:05.500 to worship him 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:07.079 and no one 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.099 can thwart 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.299 God's plans. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.639 It's not 00:19:11.639 --> 00:19:12.700 a forlorn hope. 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.939 It is what God 00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:15.700 is going to do. 00:19:18.179 --> 00:19:19.119 The people 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:19.960 in Ezra's time 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.079 could trust 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.879 wholeheartedly 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:22.939 that God 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:23.700 would fulfill 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.279 his purposes 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.319 and his promise. 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.700 And we today 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.659 can trust 00:19:27.659 --> 00:19:28.399 wholeheartedly 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.280 that God 00:19:29.280 --> 00:19:30.120 will fulfill 00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:30.900 his purposes 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:32.000 and his promise. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.540 And so when Paul says 00:19:33.540 --> 00:19:35.080 we don't 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:36.160 need 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.100 to despair 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:37.960 in the face 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.759 of a world 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.860 that rejects God 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.840 and does so much 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.740 evil, 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.140 verse 13 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.060 I love, 00:19:45.840 --> 00:19:46.500 may the God 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.060 of hope 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:48.440 fill you 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.200 with all joy 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:50.240 and peace 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.220 as you trust 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.620 in him 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.660 so that you 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.400 may overflow 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.019 with hope 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.060 by the power 00:19:55.060 --> 00:19:56.340 of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.240 So what was it 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.099 that was going 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.699 through Jesus' mind 00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.559 as he sung 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.579 this call 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.279 to the nations 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.459 and to all peoples 00:20:03.459 --> 00:20:04.839 to praise 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.299 the true 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.199 and living God? 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.079 He is there 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.939 having laid out 00:20:09.939 --> 00:20:11.059 the bread 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.619 and the wine 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:13.019 representing 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.720 his body 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.799 and his blood 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.179 knowing 00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:16.879 that he's about 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:17.959 to go to the cross 00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:20.000 and they sing 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.019 these words together 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:23.480 and he sings them 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.839 as the maker 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.679 of the universe 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.779 with flesh on. 00:20:30.060 --> 00:20:31.120 The eternal 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:32.180 Son of the Father 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.720 made flesh 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.500 come to dwell 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.519 among sinful people 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.660 to dwell 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.539 among his creatures 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:41.860 and so he looks 00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:42.380 at the Romans 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.200 and he looks 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.880 at the Jews 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.120 and the Greeks 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:46.259 and everyone else 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.539 and he says to them 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.900 this is why 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.519 you were made 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:52.380 this is what 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.860 you need 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.979 to praise the Lord 00:20:54.979 --> 00:20:55.879 to worship him 00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:57.319 with all that you are. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.339 All nations 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.240 were made 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.919 to worship 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.459 the true 00:21:00.459 --> 00:21:01.479 and living God 00:21:01.479 --> 00:21:02.179 all peoples 00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:03.319 every person 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.699 everyone 00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:05.699 only finds 00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:06.379 their purpose 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.799 in him 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:09.079 in the worship 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.439 of the creator. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.980 and so 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.500 Paul said 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.680 later to the 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.480 Corinthian church 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.140 from now on 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:16.620 we do not 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.400 consider anyone 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.059 from a worldly 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.480 point of view 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:21.180 and so when we 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.759 look at our 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.759 world and all 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.340 the turmoil 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:23.720 now 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:25.680 let's not look 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.080 at people 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:26.740 from a worldly 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.100 point of view 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.160 the politics 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.900 of the left 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.000 or the right 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:33.539 or the wars 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.400 and rumours 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.500 of wars 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.600 we don't look 00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.380 at these things 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.380 as the world 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:38.760 does 00:21:38.760 --> 00:21:40.180 we don't look 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.380 at our 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:40.860 non-Christian 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.280 neighbours 00:21:41.280 --> 00:21:42.380 or friends 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:42.980 or family 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.700 as the secular 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.800 world would 00:21:45.800 --> 00:21:46.400 have us 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.920 they too 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.640 are creatures 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.460 made in the 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.060 image of God 00:21:50.060 --> 00:21:50.980 made to 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.780 worship God 00:21:51.780 --> 00:21:52.880 who find 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:54.580 who will 00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:55.560 only find 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:58.000 their 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.900 life 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.260 and their 00:21:59.260 --> 00:21:59.760 purpose 00:21:59.760 --> 00:22:00.700 in the 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:00.960 worship 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.300 of the 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:01.560 true 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:02.080 and living 00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.440 God 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:04.080 God is 00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:04.560 working out 00:22:04.560 --> 00:22:05.260 his plans 00:22:05.260 --> 00:22:06.260 in this 00:22:06.260 --> 00:22:06.860 tumultuous 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.620 world 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.679 and we 00:22:08.679 --> 00:22:09.159 can abound 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.599 in hope 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.219 as we 00:22:10.219 --> 00:22:10.679 trust in 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:10.899 him 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.639 because one 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.299 day all 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.000 peoples will 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.539 worship him 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:16.059 and praise 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:16.479 his name 00:22:16.479 --> 00:22:18.599 so no matter 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.179 what is going 00:22:19.179 --> 00:22:19.839 on in the 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.539 world around 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:20.859 you 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:22.279 let yourself 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.719 let your 00:22:22.719 --> 00:22:23.099 heart 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.059 your whole 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.459 life 00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:25.399 be taken 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:26.239 up in 00:22:26.239 --> 00:22:26.619 God's 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.359 great plan 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.259 for his 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.659 world 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:30.979 so verse 00:22:30.979 --> 00:22:32.519 one is a 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:34.000 call to 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:34.439 the world 00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:34.979 to worship 00:22:34.979 --> 00:22:35.599 the true 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.419 and living 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:36.879 God 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.699 and verse 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:38.119 two 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.879 gives us 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:39.279 the reason 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.740 why 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.839 so of 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.019 course 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.480 the bible 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:41.980 gives us 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.639 lots of 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.299 reasons why 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.000 human beings 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.359 should worship 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:44.779 God 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.919 because he's 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.259 worthy 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.699 because he's 00:22:46.699 --> 00:22:46.980 holy 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.500 because God 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.359 desires that 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:48.740 we worship 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.019 him 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:50.119 but possibly 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.480 what we're 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.179 given here 00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:52.379 is the 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:53.179 very heart 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:53.939 of why 00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:54.359 we should 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.740 worship 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.419 God 00:22:55.419 --> 00:22:55.879 so verse 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.219 two 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.819 for great 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.220 is his 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.960 steadfast love 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.700 towards us 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.740 and the 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.279 faithfulness 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.539 of the 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:01.860 Lord 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:03.039 endures 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.920 forever 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.559 so in 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:05.880 Hebrew 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.600 poetry 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:08.380 there's 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:08.980 often 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.720 parallel 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.420 ideas 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.319 and sometimes 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.680 that's to 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.079 highlight a 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.600 contrast 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.200 but here 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.240 it's to 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.059 drive home 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:16.220 the single 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.620 point 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.819 that the 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.039 greatness 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.200 of God's 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.480 love 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.240 is for 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.680 all of 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.059 those 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.759 who turn 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.120 to him 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:25.059 so the 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.059 word behind 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.159 steadfast 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:27.479 love 00:23:27.479 --> 00:23:28.519 or unfailing 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.819 love 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.319 or in the 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:29.579 NIV 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:29.899 it just 00:23:29.899 --> 00:23:30.159 says 00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:30.719 love 00:23:30.719 --> 00:23:32.179 the word 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:32.519 that's 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.019 translated 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.759 from the 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.000 Hebrew 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.359 is 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:34.959 chesed 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:36.919 sometimes 00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.239 it's 00:23:37.239 --> 00:23:37.639 translated 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:37.939 as 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:38.399 like 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:38.799 some 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.199 translators 00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:40.219 made up 00:23:40.219 --> 00:23:40.619 a new 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:40.939 word 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:41.359 in English 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:41.939 loving 00:23:41.939 --> 00:23:42.339 kindness 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.000 it's not 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.259 a word 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.759 but 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.939 that represents 00:23:44.939 --> 00:23:45.259 a bit 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.619 better 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.059 what 00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.599 chesed 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:46.959 means 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:47.179 or 00:23:47.179 --> 00:23:47.759 sometimes 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.199 it's 00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:48.639 mercy 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.659 or goodness 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:50.539 but really 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.419 it's all 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:51.879 of these 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.559 and so 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.119 much more 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.819 so chesed 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.179 is a 00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:55.019 word 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.720 it's used 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.139 again 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.720 and again 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.159 in the 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:57.439 Bible 00:23:57.439 --> 00:23:58.599 and it 00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.159 refers to 00:23:59.159 --> 00:23:59.419 God's 00:23:59.419 --> 00:24:00.259 unfailing 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.619 love 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.139 for his 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:01.359 people 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.119 his intense 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.000 divine 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.399 love 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:03.839 love 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.500 so great 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.519 that only 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.000 the best 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.299 human 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:06.659 love 00:24:06.659 --> 00:24:07.700 is merely 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.559 an echo 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:10.359 verse 2 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:10.720 says 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.139 that it's 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:11.500 great 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.000 great 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.399 is his 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.039 love 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.599 for his 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:13.939 great 00:24:13.939 --> 00:24:14.259 is his 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.759 steadfast 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.139 love 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:16.099 towards 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.439 us 00:24:16.439 --> 00:24:17.179 and again 00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:17.460 that's 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:17.779 the Hebrew 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.079 word 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.059 gabar 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:21.019 and elsewhere 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.639 that's used 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.639 for an 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.079 army 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.679 prevailing 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.259 in battle 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.699 it's not 00:24:24.699 --> 00:24:24.879 like 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.279 it's 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.559 great 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:25.899 like we 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:26.079 say 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.399 great 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.000 this is 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.240 like 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.779 an army 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.299 prevailing 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.879 in battle 00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:30.659 or it's 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.240 also used 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.699 in Genesis 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.119 for the 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.939 floodwaters 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:33.559 prevailing 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.419 over the 00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:34.619 earth 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:34.939 this is 00:24:34.939 --> 00:24:35.319 not a 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.639 small 00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:36.019 thing 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.559 the 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.059 greatness 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.359 of 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:37.679 God's 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:37.980 love 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:39.240 is an 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.879 unimaginably 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.299 powerful 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:41.839 thing 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:43.119 chesed 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:43.720 is God's 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.199 mercy 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:45.039 towards 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.240 his 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.559 people 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.899 that he 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.159 doesn't 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:47.599 hold 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.119 their 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.799 failings 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.339 there are 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.579 many 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.099 failings 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.379 in their 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:50.659 sin 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.440 against 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:51.700 them 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.060 that he 00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:52.160 will 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.460 forgive 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.680 them 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.160 completely 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.540 only 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.279 if they 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.420 will 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:54.700 turn 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.120 back 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.640 to 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:55.920 him 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.580 it's 00:24:56.580 --> 00:24:56.700 a 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:56.960 love 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.700 that 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.400 arises 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.000 out of 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.420 God's 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.200 faithfulness 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.480 to his 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.000 promise 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.680 his 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.060 covenant 00:25:02.060 --> 00:25:02.480 to his 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:02.779 people 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:05.400 that they 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:05.740 will be 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.180 that you 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.440 will be 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.980 my people 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:08.120 and I 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.580 will never 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:08.940 let you 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.220 go 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.880 it's like 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.259 the love 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.880 of a 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.200 perfect 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.580 husband 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.779 who yearns 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.480 for his 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:14.860 wife 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.500 and is 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.060 jealous 00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:16.820 is rightly 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.380 jealous 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.240 if she's 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.520 wayward 00:25:19.520 --> 00:25:21.040 and the 00:25:21.040 --> 00:25:21.680 people of 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:21.980 Israel 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.080 were wayward 00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:23.900 again and 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.240 again 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.780 weren't they 00:25:24.780 --> 00:25:25.440 and they 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:25.760 faced the 00:25:25.760 --> 00:25:26.240 consequences 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.620 of their 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:26.820 sin 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.160 and yet 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.660 God would 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.500 not let 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:28.900 his people 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.220 go 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.960 that is 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.500 God's 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:30.960 chesed 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.480 and it's 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:31.740 not 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.660 sentimental 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:34.760 it demands 00:25:34.760 --> 00:25:35.400 a response 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.040 whole 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:36.820 hearted 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.480 trusting in 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.000 it forever 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.040 type of 00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:39.600 response 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.640 so chesed 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.420 God's 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.160 loving kindness 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.280 is 00:25:43.280 --> 00:25:44.420 God's 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:44.940 powerful 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.700 steadfast 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.080 love 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:47.079 for his 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.419 people 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:49.220 the nearest 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.899 New Testament 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.359 equivalent 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.019 is the 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.279 word 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:52.059 grace 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:54.159 and when 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:54.939 Jesus sang 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.839 this psalm 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:57.379 after laying 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.720 out the 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.299 bread and 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.720 the wine 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.740 and saying 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.019 to his 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.419 disciples 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:01.460 my body 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.359 and my 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:02.559 blood 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.119 given for 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.579 you 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.919 surely 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:06.720 God's 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.299 chesed 00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.799 would have 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.799 been filled 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.240 with new 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.480 meaning 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:09.899 or in 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.319 fact 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:12.500 with the 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.039 fulfillment 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.379 this is the 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.079 fulfillment of 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.539 the meaning 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.819 of everything 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.480 said in the 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:17.899 Old Testament 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.759 about God's 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.039 chesed 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.399 it's the 00:26:19.399 --> 00:26:20.000 fulfillment of 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.480 the Passover 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:20.859 of the 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.159 temple 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:21.759 of the 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.359 sacrifices 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.200 of all 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.579 God's 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:23.960 promises 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:26.500 because the 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.799 absolute 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.519 core 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.319 of the 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:28.799 message 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.500 of the 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.779 Christian 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.259 faith 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.019 is that 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.700 God's 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.220 chesed 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.019 has been 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.259 demonstrated 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.539 in history 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:37.200 elsewhere 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.960 in Romans 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.500 the Apostle 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.039 Paul says 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.359 God 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.059 demonstrates 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.440 his own 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:40.759 love for 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.059 us in 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.319 this 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.220 while we 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.779 were still 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.619 sinners 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.139 Christ 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:44.799 died 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.099 for us 00:26:45.099 --> 00:26:45.959 so imagine 00:26:45.959 --> 00:26:46.639 the thoughts 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:48.259 that went 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.739 through Jesus 00:26:48.739 --> 00:26:49.579 mind as 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.139 these words 00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:51.099 passed through 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.679 his lips 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:52.859 after the 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.699 bread and 00:26:53.699 --> 00:26:54.099 the wine 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.459 knowing that 00:26:55.459 --> 00:26:55.959 the cross 00:26:55.959 --> 00:26:56.759 was before 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.059 him 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.239 agony was 00:26:58.239 --> 00:26:58.739 before him 00:26:58.739 --> 00:26:59.399 and yet 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:01.299 he knew 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.939 that by the 00:27:01.939 --> 00:27:02.979 single act 00:27:02.979 --> 00:27:03.679 he was 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.199 providing 00:27:04.199 --> 00:27:06.319 salvation 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.039 he was 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.599 securing 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:09.139 salvation and 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:09.500 forgiveness 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.299 for the 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:10.959 whole world 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.299 and the 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:12.640 very 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.480 fulfillment 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.980 of the 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.340 words 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:15.000 that he 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.299 sung 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.880 the once 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:18.259 and for 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.480 all 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.940 total 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.799 and complete 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.980 demonstration 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.340 of God's 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.259 great love 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.240 and faithfulness 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:27.480 and it's 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.160 God's 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.779 steadfast 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.200 love 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.140 towards 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:31.100 us 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:31.960 it's 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.360 towards 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:32.740 us 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.900 this is 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.480 for you 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.900 Jesus 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:37.500 warned that 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.920 it's quite 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.440 possible 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.720 to worship 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.140 God with 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.620 our lips 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.739 but our 00:27:41.739 --> 00:27:42.179 hearts are 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:42.639 far from 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:42.899 him 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:45.939 the 00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:46.639 commentator 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.000 Christopher 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.399 Ash 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.000 says 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.879 the phrase 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.439 here 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:50.139 towards 00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:50.579 us 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.639 might be 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:51.899 better 00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.399 translated 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.039 over 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.419 us 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:54.719 for the 00:27:54.719 --> 00:27:55.000 covenant 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.759 love of 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.019 God 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.619 covers 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:57.699 and protects 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.059 us 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.819 after 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.559 it has 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.059 first 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.919 overcome 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:01.339 us 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:03.439 life can 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:03.859 be desperately 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.259 hard 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.699 can't it 00:28:04.699 --> 00:28:06.019 we look 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.219 at a 00:28:06.219 --> 00:28:06.559 messed up 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:06.799 world 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.059 and we 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.359 think 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:09.059 well 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.159 what do 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:10.359 we do 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:10.859 about that 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.200 but our 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:12.740 own lives 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.399 can be 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:13.700 desperately 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:13.919 hard 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.339 just this 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:14.679 morning 00:28:14.679 --> 00:28:16.099 my wife 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:17.859 had a 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.339 phone call 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.980 from one 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.179 of our 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:19.779 very close 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.399 friends 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.379 who lost 00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:21.819 both her 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.319 grandparents 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.720 in the 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.299 space of 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.500 the last 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.799 four weeks 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:29.379 and this 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.919 friend said 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.399 this morning 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:31.759 that all 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.240 she said 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.720 is that her 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.940 mother died 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.919 suddenly last 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:36.200 night 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.440 we don't 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:39.879 know how 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:42.259 but we're 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.980 very concerned 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:45.339 life can 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:45.960 be desperately 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.399 desperately 00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:46.779 hard 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:48.879 the 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:49.779 circumstances 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.319 that we 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.779 face in 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.220 our lives 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.659 can make 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:51.960 us 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:53.139 miserable 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:53.799 it can 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.359 be absolutely 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:54.779 miserable 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.099 we know 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.440 this 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:58.159 the Jews 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:58.559 of Jesus 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:58.879 day 00:28:58.879 --> 00:29:00.000 knew that 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.539 the exiles 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.119 of Ezra's 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.339 day 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.359 knew that 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:05.240 but something 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.859 changes 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.779 decisively 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.500 in a 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.899 person 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:09.840 when we 00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:10.280 get 00:29:10.280 --> 00:29:11.560 that God's 00:29:11.560 --> 00:29:11.820 love 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:12.400 this great 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:12.960 chesed 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.720 is not 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.060 just a 00:29:14.060 --> 00:29:14.600 concept 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.540 it's 00:29:15.540 --> 00:29:16.160 towards 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.060 us 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:19.720 it's not 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.180 just something 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:20.600 that other 00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.160 people need 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.540 to know 00:29:21.540 --> 00:29:22.120 that the 00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.460 nations 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:22.960 need to 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.180 know 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.600 it's not 00:29:24.600 --> 00:29:24.920 just a 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.200 set of 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.820 ideas 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:26.480 or beliefs 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.880 or a 00:29:26.880 --> 00:29:27.360 philosophy 00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:29.380 this is the 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.019 truth of 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.480 the universe 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.220 and it's a 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.740 truth that 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.140 we 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:33.460 must also 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.220 experience 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.320 to experience 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:38.339 the love 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.179 and faithfulness 00:29:39.179 --> 00:29:39.659 of the 00:29:39.659 --> 00:29:40.039 true 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.899 and living 00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.220 God 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.579 so this 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:41.759 is 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.139 Christopher 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:42.439 Ash 00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:42.720 again 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:42.939 this 00:29:42.939 --> 00:29:43.319 love 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.939 and 00:29:43.939 --> 00:29:44.619 faithfulness 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.039 is for 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.460 me 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.200 today 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.439 we have 00:29:47.439 --> 00:29:47.939 an inbuilt 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:48.519 tendency 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.419 to pass 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:49.799 it along 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.240 to someone 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.500 else 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:50.839 saying this 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.099 is for 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.399 you 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:52.539 when we 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.000 first need 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.359 to say 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:53.759 this 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.419 is for 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:54.779 me 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.779 or we 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.399 say perhaps 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:56.740 this will 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.379 be for 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:57.539 me 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:57.919 but not 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:58.240 yet 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.720 for I 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:58.839 am 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.079 busy 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.299 or 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.119 preoccupied 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.139 whether 00:30:01.139 --> 00:30:01.439 you're 00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:01.819 male 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.659 or female 00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.099 young or 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.319 old 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.759 rich or 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.019 poor 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.119 highly 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.599 or poorly 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.259 educated 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.639 whatever 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:06.940 your 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.420 ethnicity 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.420 this 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.279 call 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.759 and 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.279 invitation 00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.160 is for 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.519 you 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.500 today 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:15.099 I remember 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.500 years ago 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:15.900 when I was 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:16.619 a student 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:18.460 I 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:20.160 set myself 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.700 a challenge 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.259 to spend 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.680 an hour 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.079 in prayer 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.400 and I 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.759 thought I 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.059 was being 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.619 very impressive 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.019 so this 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.599 isn't 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.240 if I do 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.539 this 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.220 I'll 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.740 feel very 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.019 pleased 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.139 with 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.440 myself 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:29.319 and I 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.619 found 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.139 this sheet 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:30.740 of paper 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.440 this 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:33.180 instructions 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.740 online 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.099 that gave 00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.299 12 steps 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:37.920 five minute 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:38.799 focuses 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.839 for my 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.319 hour long 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.740 prayer 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.180 and 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:44.420 the first 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:44.859 in the list 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.160 was to 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.819 worship God 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.299 as creator 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:49.620 the second 00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.700 finished with 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.079 the line 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.799 I can't remember 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.160 what it was 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.079 it was about 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.599 the second 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.200 finished with 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:54.559 the line 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.460 take 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:57.000 time to be 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.339 silent 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.519 and let 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.920 God love 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.120 you 00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:00.819 and it 00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:01.240 hit me 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.759 then 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.500 for the first 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.700 time 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.019 I'd been a 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.259 Christian 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.900 for a 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.240 decade 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.059 by that 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.380 point 00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:07.220 but for 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.580 the first 00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:07.900 time 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:09.400 I realised 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.360 that I 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:10.700 actually 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.160 needed 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.480 to let 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.940 God love 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.120 me 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.180 to receive 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.819 God's 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.120 love 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.920 into my 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.279 life 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.299 and it 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:18.580 was like 00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.000 water 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.860 for my 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.160 soul 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:22.720 this is 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.640 how we 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.279 become the 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.680 sorts of 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.240 people who 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.860 don't just 00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.380 worship God 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:26.680 with our 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.000 lips 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:28.380 but actually 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.059 praise him 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.059 and extol him 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.420 from the 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.720 heart 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.900 John 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.299 says 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.440 the 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:32.640 apostle 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:32.960 John 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.279 says 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.519 in his 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.799 first 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.160 letter 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.799 we 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.180 love 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.720 because 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.039 he 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.400 first 00:31:36.400 --> 00:31:36.660 loved 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.000 us 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.200 when we 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.920 realise 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.519 that 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:39.960 God's 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.460 steadfast 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:40.839 love 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.740 is not 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.480 just 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.339 words 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:43.700 it's not 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.100 just a 00:31:44.100 --> 00:31:44.400 fact 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:44.759 it's not 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.120 just a 00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:45.480 concept 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.319 it's 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:46.839 for you 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.440 it's 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.000 towards 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.640 us 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.860 it's 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.339 for me 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:50.980 it's 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.460 for you 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:51.980 it's 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.539 for now 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.460 despite 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:53.920 all our 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.079 sin 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.400 when we 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.960 get that 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:56.380 when we 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:56.720 get that 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.079 again 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:57.440 today 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:57.980 it changes 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.440 everything 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.740 doesn't 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.240 it 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.920 changes 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.339 the pain 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:01.880 it changes 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.799 how we 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.259 see the 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.599 chaos 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.059 out there 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.740 and we 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.319 cannot but 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.740 worship 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.980 the God 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.380 who loves 00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:08.720 us 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.700 with such 00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:10.819 incredible 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.259 mercy 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.220 and grace 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.299 so no 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:13.660 matter 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:15.000 what is 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.400 going on 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:15.599 in the 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:15.779 world 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.120 around 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.400 you 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.480 let 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:17.920 yourself 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.279 let your 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.620 heart 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:18.920 let your 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.259 whole 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.640 life 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:20.460 be taken 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:20.839 up in 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.240 God's 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.620 great 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:22.359 plans 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.019 for his 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.380 world 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.599 lastly 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:24.940 and 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:25.519 briefly 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:28.079 we're 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.420 told 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.879 that 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.220 the 00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:29.819 faithfulness 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.160 of the 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:30.460 Lord 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.660 endures 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.339 forever 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:34.099 it endures 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.440 forever 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:34.879 and that's 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.019 not 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.759 it's not 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.359 exaggeration 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.599 it's not 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.180 hyperbole 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.740 he means 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.019 it 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:41.039 forever 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.500 really is 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:43.420 in view 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:46.500 in the 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.500 scope of 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.240 understanding 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.019 of God's 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.559 purposes 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.000 in this 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.339 psalm 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:51.400 it's the 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:51.700 same 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.559 future 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:52.940 that the 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.200 apostle 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.720 John 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.559 wrote of 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:54.819 when he 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.139 saw in 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:55.600 his vision 00:32:55.600 --> 00:32:56.380 of heaven 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:56.680 in the 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:56.920 book of 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.340 revelation 00:32:57.340 --> 00:32:58.660 he hears 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.200 there the 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.880 song of 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.220 heaven 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:01.320 by your 00:33:01.320 --> 00:33:01.660 blood 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:02.700 you ransomed 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.280 people for 00:33:03.280 --> 00:33:03.560 God 00:33:03.560 --> 00:33:04.100 from every 00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:04.580 tribe 00:33:04.580 --> 00:33:05.500 and language 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.340 and people 00:33:06.340 --> 00:33:07.520 and nation 00:33:07.520 --> 00:33:08.900 there they 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.420 are again 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.540 this promise 00:33:10.540 --> 00:33:12.160 that people 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.620 from all 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:13.160 nations 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:15.580 will praise 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:16.259 and worship 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.720 the true 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.020 and living 00:33:17.020 --> 00:33:17.400 God 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:17.980 so the 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.400 ultimate 00:33:18.400 --> 00:33:19.100 fulfillment 00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:19.580 of this 00:33:19.580 --> 00:33:20.280 psalm 00:33:20.280 --> 00:33:21.720 is cosmic 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.280 this little 00:33:22.280 --> 00:33:22.880 two verse 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.420 psalm 00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:24.100 this fulfillment 00:33:24.100 --> 00:33:25.080 is cosmic 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.919 one day 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.439 people from 00:33:26.439 --> 00:33:26.919 all nations 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:27.439 and tribes 00:33:27.439 --> 00:33:28.099 will praise 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:28.500 the Lord 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.339 and worship 00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:29.720 him with 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.039 their whole 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.480 hearts 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.579 but there's 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.139 a sense 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:33.059 in which 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:34.240 if we're 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.699 going to 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:35.240 sing this 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.919 psalm 00:33:35.919 --> 00:33:36.980 a call 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.299 to the 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.619 nations 00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.159 to worship 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.980 the true 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.439 and living 00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:39.819 God 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.779 we better 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.119 be doing 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:41.439 something 00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:41.960 about it 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:44.659 that's why 00:33:44.659 --> 00:33:45.279 in the first 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.819 few centuries 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.639 of the church 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:48.879 often when 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:49.279 the great 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:49.639 commission 00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.159 was spoken 00:33:50.159 --> 00:33:50.399 about 00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.680 Jesus 00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.120 call 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:51.980 to his 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.320 disciples 00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:52.820 to go 00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:54.380 and take 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:56.740 the gospel 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.800 to the 00:33:57.800 --> 00:33:58.180 nations 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:58.840 to make 00:33:58.840 --> 00:33:59.259 disciples 00:33:59.259 --> 00:33:59.660 of all 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.080 nations 00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:01.840 this little 00:34:01.840 --> 00:34:02.180 psalm 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:02.960 117 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.200 was often 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.820 associated 00:34:04.820 --> 00:34:05.380 with the 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:05.980 great commission 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:08.119 F.B. 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.760 Meyer says 00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.179 are we 00:34:09.179 --> 00:34:10.199 doing all 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.659 we can 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.199 to kindle 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:11.719 the nations 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.380 to praise 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:13.300 they cannot 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.000 praise him 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.519 whom they 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:14.860 do not 00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.159 know 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:16.360 it is mere 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.059 hypocrisy 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.539 to bid 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:17.860 them 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.719 praise him 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.519 if we 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:19.920 have never 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.460 sought to 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:20.860 spread 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.380 by lip 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:21.920 or gift 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.940 the mercy 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.500 and truth 00:34:23.500 --> 00:34:24.099 revealed 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:25.019 in Jesus 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.599 our Lord 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:27.039 it's easy 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:27.420 to say 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:27.719 the right 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.019 things 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.500 isn't it 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.039 it's easy 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.539 to attend 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:29.860 church 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.300 to be good 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:30.619 Christian 00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:30.980 people 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.260 in our 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.619 actions 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.099 even in 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:32.260 our 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:32.880 public 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.300 prayers 00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:33.699 but it's 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:34.400 quite another 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:34.820 thing 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.720 to be 00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:36.180 receiving 00:34:36.180 --> 00:34:37.500 the steadfast 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:37.880 love 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:38.480 of the 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:38.660 Lord 00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:39.080 towards 00:34:39.080 --> 00:34:39.460 us 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:40.900 and 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:41.300 really 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:41.860 genuinely 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.460 desiring 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:44.240 to share 00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:44.519 that 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.480 with others 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.500 and then 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.180 doing it 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:47.960 we had 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.559 someone come 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:48.900 to visit 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.240 us at 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:49.740 the college 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.220 recently 00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:51.000 to inquire 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.320 about 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:52.740 studying 00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.039 at the 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.380 college 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:54.019 he's a 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.420 Nigerian 00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:54.680 chap 00:34:54.680 --> 00:34:55.280 his wife 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:55.740 is working 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.940 here 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.640 in the 00:34:58.640 --> 00:34:58.980 NHS 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.720 and 00:35:00.720 --> 00:35:01.980 he's 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.260 working 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:02.620 elsewhere 00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:02.980 but 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.180 his heart 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:04.519 is for 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:04.800 mission 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.519 and he 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:05.940 was telling 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.300 us 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.039 that 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:07.860 he was 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.420 walking 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:08.720 around 00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:08.940 the 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.300 streets 00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:09.800 of 00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:10.180 Stirling 00:35:10.180 --> 00:35:10.340 where 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:10.440 he 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:10.740 lives 00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:10.920 and 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:11.260 his 00:35:11.260 --> 00:35:11.440 heart 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:11.600 was 00:35:11.600 --> 00:35:11.960 breaking 00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:12.220 for 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:12.360 the 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:12.740 people 00:35:12.740 --> 00:35:13.260 who 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:13.480 didn't 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:13.620 know 00:35:13.620 --> 00:35:13.780 the 00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:14.039 Lord 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.320 and so 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:14.420 he 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.800 decided 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.080 right 00:35:15.080 --> 00:35:15.600 I need 00:35:15.600 --> 00:35:15.960 to find 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.080 out 00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:16.340 what I 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:16.460 can 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:16.640 do 00:35:16.640 --> 00:35:16.760 in 00:35:16.760 --> 00:35:16.920 this 00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.320 strange 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:17.640 cold 00:35:17.640 --> 00:35:17.960 country 00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.100 of 00:35:18.100 --> 00:35:18.400 Scotland 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:18.900 so he 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.140 told us 00:35:19.140 --> 00:35:19.220 he 00:35:19.220 --> 00:35:19.360 went 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:19.480 to 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:19.600 the 00:35:19.600 --> 00:35:19.900 police 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.820 and 00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:20.940 he 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.180 said 00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:21.760 what 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:21.940 will 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.080 I 00:35:22.080 --> 00:35:22.200 get 00:35:22.200 --> 00:35:22.600 arrested 00:35:22.600 --> 00:35:23.019 for 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.660 if I 00:35:23.660 --> 00:35:23.840 do 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.080 street 00:35:24.080 --> 00:35:24.720 evangelism 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.280 and 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.460 they 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:25.780 said 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.260 well 00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:26.380 they 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:26.539 just 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:26.740 didn't 00:35:26.740 --> 00:35:26.860 know 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:27.000 what 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.119 to 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.240 say 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:27.380 to 00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:27.480 the 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:27.640 man 00:35:27.640 --> 00:35:28.800 and 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.360 they 00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:29.480 said 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:29.880 go to 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.000 the 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.260 council 00:35:30.260 --> 00:35:30.460 and 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:30.680 ask 00:35:30.680 --> 00:35:30.880 them 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.079 so he 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.200 went 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.300 to 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:31.420 the 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:31.619 council 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:31.860 they 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.160 also 00:35:32.160 --> 00:35:32.400 didn't 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:32.559 know 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:32.680 what 00:35:32.680 --> 00:35:32.800 to 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:32.960 say 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:34.500 and 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:35.019 he 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.180 said 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:35.460 I'm 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:35.720 here 00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.079 because 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.220 I 00:35:36.220 --> 00:35:36.420 want 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.840 to 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.980 learn 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.200 how 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:39.360 to 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:39.559 do 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.079 a 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.579 mission 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.079 in 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.300 this 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:41.640 country 00:35:41.640 --> 00:35:41.960 because 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:42.160 it 00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:42.380 is 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.519 so 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:42.860 different 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.340 from 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:43.700 Nigeria 00:35:43.700 --> 00:35:44.720 and 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:46.119 we 00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:46.380 just 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:46.800 loved 00:35:46.800 --> 00:35:47.039 his 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.519 passion 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:49.000 for 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.099 the 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.360 lost 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:49.539 his 00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:49.960 passion 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.940 to 00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.260 share 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:51.440 the 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.619 good 00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:52.000 news 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.519 of 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:52.920 Jesus 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.340 do 00:35:53.340 --> 00:35:53.360 you 00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:53.519 know 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.739 there 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:54.840 was 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:54.940 a 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.139 time 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.320 in 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:55.639 Scotland 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.880 in 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:56.980 the 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.179 early 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.619 19th 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:57.940 century 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:59.199 when 00:35:59.199 --> 00:35:59.500 people 00:35:59.500 --> 00:35:59.820 bought 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.239 one-way 00:36:00.239 --> 00:36:00.699 tickets 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:01.219 to 00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:01.340 the 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:01.559 mission 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:01.920 field 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.759 and 00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:02.880 they 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.139 packed 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.280 their 00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:03.699 belongings 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:04.440 in 00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:05.019 coffins 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.340 seriously 00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:07.840 they 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.519 weren't 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.000 expecting 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.219 to 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:09.380 come 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:09.739 back 00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:10.559 they 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:10.659 were 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:10.860 known 00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:11.039 as 00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:11.579 one-way 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.659 missionaries 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:15.259 there 00:36:15.259 --> 00:36:15.460 was a 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:15.719 man 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:16.519 A.W. 00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:16.980 Milne 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.559 he set 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:17.800 out 00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:18.059 for 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.960 the 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.179 New 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.619 Hebrides 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:19.860 in 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:20.019 the 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.239 South 00:36:20.239 --> 00:36:20.780 Pacific 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.480 he 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:21.659 was 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:22.059 aware 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.980 that 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.099 the 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:23.340 people 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:23.679 there 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.500 had 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:24.960 murdered 00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.659 every 00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.259 single 00:36:26.259 --> 00:36:27.079 missionary 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.659 that 00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:27.799 had 00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:28.019 gone 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.920 previously 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:30.119 but 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:30.340 still 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:30.460 he 00:36:30.460 --> 00:36:30.699 went 00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:31.619 he 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:31.940 said 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.599 I 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:32.739 have 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.119 already 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:33.519 died 00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:33.699 to 00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.119 myself 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:36.199 and 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:36.299 he 00:36:36.299 --> 00:36:36.500 lived 00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:36.699 for 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.059 35 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:37.539 years 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:37.779 with 00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:37.900 the 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.139 tribe 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:38.299 when 00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:38.400 he 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.699 died 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:38.900 they 00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:39.119 buried 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:39.380 him 00:36:39.380 --> 00:36:40.000 in 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:40.099 the 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.239 middle 00:36:40.239 --> 00:36:40.360 of 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:40.480 the 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.219 village 00:36:41.219 --> 00:36:42.079 and 00:36:42.079 --> 00:36:44.420 inscribed 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:45.279 on 00:36:45.279 --> 00:36:45.820 his 00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:46.599 tombstone 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.380 was 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:47.820 this 00:36:47.820 --> 00:36:48.360 or 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:48.639 something 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:48.980 like 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.400 this 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.360 when 00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:50.500 he 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:50.820 came 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:51.019 there 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.159 was 00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:51.320 no 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:51.679 light 00:36:51.679 --> 00:36:52.119 when 00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:52.239 he 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:52.599 left 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.379 there 00:36:53.379 --> 00:36:53.519 was 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:53.679 no 00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:54.099 darkness 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:55.839 what 00:36:55.839 --> 00:36:56.019 about 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.359 us 00:36:56.359 --> 00:36:58.599 it's 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:58.739 been 00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:59.059 great 00:36:59.059 --> 00:36:59.299 to 00:36:59.299 --> 00:37:00.619 hear 00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:00.859 about 00:37:00.859 --> 00:37:01.079 the 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.419 missionary 00:37:01.419 --> 00:37:01.719 work 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:01.839 in 00:37:01.839 --> 00:37:02.239 Argentina 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.500 that 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:02.679 your 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:03.019 church 00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.639 supports 00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.339 and 00:37:04.339 --> 00:37:04.739 prays 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:05.079 for 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.880 whenever 00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:06.699 that 00:37:06.699 --> 00:37:07.019 have 00:37:07.159 --> 00:37:08.960 going to 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:16.179 morning I saw lots of friends from Scripture Union and some of you have come back from SU camps, 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:23.559 some of you have come back from SU holiday clubs. Such an incredible opportunity to share the good 00:37:23.559 --> 00:37:28.780 news. They need cooks every summer. They're looking for cooks every summer. They're looking 00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:34.059 for volunteers for their camps and it's an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus 00:37:34.059 --> 00:37:39.840 with children who are often hungry to hear. I met somebody recently who told me she didn't want to 00:37:39.840 --> 00:37:45.199 get involved in mission activities with the church and she didn't want her church to be doing that 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:52.239 because what they were focused on was friendship evangelism. Well you know that's great. That's 00:37:52.239 --> 00:37:57.460 great to be where God has placed you in sharing your faith. She said she was really enjoying her 00:37:57.460 --> 00:38:03.539 early retirement because that meant she had more time to spend with her non-Christian friends that 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:11.480 she'd met at university and they were being a witness to them. And I said, and how many of them 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:23.279 have come to faith? She said, none. It's 40 years. 40 years and none of them have come to faith? 00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:32.400 Are we really just looking for excuses when there is a mission field out there? There is a world 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:41.019 in our city, in our nation and beyond that needs to hear the great good news of Jesus. We don't need 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:47.280 to wait 10 years before we tell our friends and family that Christ died for them and rose again so 00:38:47.280 --> 00:38:52.639 that they could have eternal life. We need to get on with this and proclaim this great good news of the 00:38:52.639 --> 00:39:03.799 gospel. We might feel it's a burden but it's not because what God wants is worshipers who worship him in 00:39:03.799 --> 00:39:10.819 spirit and truth, who have received his chesed for themselves, his loving kindness, who have seen 00:39:10.819 --> 00:39:19.859 just how absolute and complete that love is, displayed for them on the cross in the blood of his son, 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:30.920 who are so captivated by his love that we cannot but share it. And so we cry out to God, fill us 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:40.539 with your love, do your work in us so that we might be heralds of this great good news of the gospel, 00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:50.559 wherever it is you've placed us, whether it's with our friends of 40 years or our husbands or wives or whether 00:39:50.559 --> 00:40:01.440 it's to the ends of the earth. The antidote to the chaos out there in our world that can too often get into 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:09.099 our own hearts is that we let ourselves, let our hearts, let our whole lives be taken up with God's great plans 00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:16.900 for his world. One day people from every tribe and tongue and nation will gather around his throne 00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:26.179 and worship him. That's where this world is going. That's why Jesus ultimately came. Let's give ourselves 00:40:26.179 --> 00:40:32.239 to receiving that work in us and to sharing that work with his world. Let's pray. 00:40:32.239 --> 00:40:46.339 Father, we thank you that your mercy is towards us. Father, we thank you that you see us and you know us, 00:40:46.399 --> 00:40:51.399 each one of us here. You know our name, you know us better than we know ourselves. 00:40:51.400 --> 00:41:02.760 And your desire for us is that we would be filled with all the fullness of God and that we would walk 00:41:02.760 --> 00:41:09.380 in the paths that you have prepared for us. And so God, would you help us today? 00:41:11.260 --> 00:41:18.180 Would you help us to be part of the fulfillment of the promise of this psalm, 00:41:18.179 --> 00:41:24.299 that we would worship you with our whole hearts and that we would be your mouthpieces 00:41:24.299 --> 00:41:31.960 to share this great good news with the lost world. And we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.