WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.480 Well, good morning, everyone. Great to see you. Why don't we just pause for a moment 00:00:03.480 --> 00:00:08.740 and let's just still our hearts as we come before God's word this morning and let's just 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:10.400 have a moment of prayer together. 00:00:14.759 --> 00:00:19.740 The words of Psalm 119. And let's make this our prayers we head into today. 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:28.660 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:34.560 wonderful things in your law. And so, Heavenly Father, we ask that you be so gracious to us now. 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:40.700 Lord, as we turn to your inspired and your life-giving words, that you would help us to 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:45.039 see something more of your beauty. And we pray these things, asking that you would give us your 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:51.079 spirit and that he would lead us. And we pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. 00:00:51.780 --> 00:00:57.140 Well, what for you, given everything that's gone on this week, what for you was the word of the week? 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:01.399 Okay, just take a second and think about it. What for you was the word of the week? 00:01:03.199 --> 00:01:07.099 The word of the week for me was undoubtedly the word dude. 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:12.780 Anyone else enjoy seeing dude come back into fashion this week? It was great. It felt like 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:16.259 we were back in the 90s. I was waiting for a cowabunga and the likes to come, but they didn't. 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:23.299 In case you're wondering about dude, here it was. It was the word that Boris Johnson used 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:28.299 in his commissioning speech. And it was an acronym for his campaign promises. And he 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:32.539 turned it on his head, those who kind of used it against him. And he said, dude, we are going to 00:01:32.539 --> 00:01:37.239 energize this country. This is what he was telling us as our new prime minister, as we were introduced 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:44.039 to our new leader this week. He was promising that we as a country are now about to enter a golden age. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:51.080 And so he joins a long list of leaders, doesn't he, who have appeared in our world, who have told us 00:01:51.080 --> 00:01:56.020 all sorts of things about the kind of leader that they are going to be. They've made all sorts of 00:01:56.020 --> 00:02:00.620 promises about their leadership, and they've told us all sorts of things about the legacy that they 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:05.580 are going to leave. So dude was my words of this week. I really enjoyed him when he used it. 00:02:05.579 --> 00:02:11.659 But let me ask you, whoever you are here today, whether or not you'd call yourself a Christian, 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:15.560 what is it that you're looking for in a leader? 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:21.139 What is it that you're looking for in a leader? What would that person have to be? 00:02:22.020 --> 00:02:26.460 What would they have to do? What would they have to say and address? 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:29.020 What are you looking for in a leader? 00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:59.000 What would they have to do in a leader? 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:05.439 When I come to preach it, it astounds me, and it really shouldn't, but it astounds me, always amazes me. 00:03:05.780 --> 00:03:09.980 How often, when I'm preparing it, I look at what we're going to look at this week, 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:15.240 and I think about the events that happen in life, unbeknown to me at the time of putting it together, 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:18.900 and I think to myself, boy, that is the message we needed to hear this week. 00:03:19.480 --> 00:03:23.000 It's almost like someone out with me is in sovereign control over this thing, I tell you. 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:26.900 And it's amazing because this week is one of those weeks. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:32.060 I have been astounded as I've read this psalm just how timely it is, 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:36.200 because as we have been introduced this week to our new leader, 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:43.620 this psalm is going to get us to the heart of God's kind of leader, God's kind of king. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:47.140 And it's not just about God's kind of king. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.120 It's from the pen of God's king. 00:03:51.920 --> 00:03:56.520 And in this psalm, he tells us what kind of leader he wants to be. 00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:57.740 It's amazing. 00:03:57.740 --> 00:04:02.700 And he too makes some whoppers of statements about his leadership. 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:05.360 I mean, there are some big ones in there when you look at it. 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:13.020 And so we have to ask the same question of this king that we did of our new leader this week. 00:04:13.760 --> 00:04:17.480 And if you look at the promises that God's king makes here, we need to ask ourselves, 00:04:17.620 --> 00:04:20.319 can he deliver on his promises? 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:25.079 Can he be the kind of leader that he wants to be? 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:27.120 So this is Psalm 101. 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:29.199 Come with me to Psalm 101. 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:38.199 And you'll see the introduction that this king, the author of this psalm, is King David. 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:46.120 And his slogan, right, the catchphrase, the one that he has got over every bumper sticker, 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:51.240 he's got on every fridge magnet, he's got on every cuddly toy, he's got on every giant foam finger, 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:53.780 he's got on every personalized bit of stationery. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:58.899 The one that captures his campaign, the very essence of his rule, you'll see it there in verse 1. 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:00.079 Do you see it? 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:03.699 He is the singing king. 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:05.480 Do you see it? 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:06.840 He is the singing king. 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:11.240 And his reign will be about singing of what? 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:16.519 Of the steadfast love and justice of the Lord. 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:18.480 This is the slogan that captures this king. 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:19.319 This is God's king. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:23.759 And it's amazing that he goes for that, if you think about it. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:26.819 Doesn't go for, let's make Israel great again. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:29.519 Would have been a lot catchier. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.879 But he doesn't do that because this is not first and foremost about him as the king. 00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:36.100 And he doesn't go for Israel, yes we can. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:41.760 Trying to drum up the people to kind of unleash some kind of inner potential. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:43.939 Because this is not first and foremost about them. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:46.700 This is about the Lord. 00:05:48.180 --> 00:05:49.600 It's always about the Lord. 00:05:50.140 --> 00:05:52.379 This is about who he is. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:55.100 This is about what he has promised. 00:05:55.700 --> 00:06:00.020 And this is about his ability to do what he said he would do. 00:06:00.020 --> 00:06:04.580 David makes this his catchphrase, his slogan, because this is about the Lord. 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:07.000 This is about him. 00:06:09.460 --> 00:06:14.800 Now if you grew up in Scotland, like me you might remember going to see the singing kettle. 00:06:17.460 --> 00:06:21.020 For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, you can Google it later and you will not thank me. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.400 But the singing kettle, this is what we grew up with. 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:27.100 And do you remember the song that used to go with it? 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:28.620 Do you remember it? 00:06:29.180 --> 00:06:32.020 Spout, handle, lid of metal. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:36.020 What's inside the singing kettle? 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:38.820 Okay, it's in my head. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:40.280 30 years later, it's there. 00:06:41.260 --> 00:06:44.160 And what they used to do is they just used to get the kettle and they used to open it up. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.740 And they just used to look at what was going on inside that kettle. 00:06:50.040 --> 00:06:52.939 And let me just steal and rework that phrase and ask of this psalm. 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:56.460 What's inside the singing king? 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:00.879 Okay, if we were to take the lid off of his life, 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:04.379 what would we find is going on inside? 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.159 What's he made of? 00:07:06.659 --> 00:07:08.139 What's going on inside the singing king? 00:07:08.219 --> 00:07:12.459 Because I don't know about you, but so much of the discussion about the leadership campaign that we've just had 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:17.180 is about whether somebody's private life should affect the way that they're able to govern the country. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:20.800 Should their private life or should it just be all about their public life? 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:21.300 Okay? 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:25.259 But when it comes to God's leader, as far as God is concerned, 00:07:25.400 --> 00:07:30.160 what's going on in the king's heart, what's going on in the heart of his leader is absolutely critical. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:35.900 And so when David says that he will make singing of the steadfast love and justice of the Lord, 00:07:35.980 --> 00:07:37.620 when he says he will make that his priority, 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:40.540 it's his way of telling us that as king, 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:46.319 he will be about delighting in and devoting himself to Yahweh, the Lord. 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:49.519 That's what's going on inside the singing king. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:50.240 That's his prayer. 00:07:50.340 --> 00:07:56.060 And everything else will stem from that relationship that he has as the king with the Lord. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:58.600 Again, do you notice that word in the psalm? 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.180 The Lord. 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:01.439 Capital L. 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:02.840 Capital O. 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:03.759 Capital R. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:04.459 Capital D. 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:07.300 Remember we thought about this word, this name for God. 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:10.639 Last Sunday at Psalm 100, it's the covenant name of God. 00:08:11.840 --> 00:08:14.160 It's the name of God that tells us, 00:08:14.280 --> 00:08:16.740 and this is the psalm that David as king is picturing, 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:23.280 that he is the never-changing, promise-making, word-keeping, ever-faithful God 00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:24.879 who says to his people, 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:28.079 I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:31.879 And God has promised great things to his people Israel. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:36.080 But the thing for us to see here, the backdrop to this psalm, 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:38.520 is that God hasn't just made promises to his people. 00:08:39.680 --> 00:08:41.879 God has made promises to his king. 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:46.660 And you'll read those promises, and you can do this in your own time when you go home, 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:48.660 you'll find them in 2 Samuel chapter 7, 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:53.220 when God makes those promises to David as the first Davidic king. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:54.860 Big promises. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:57.120 You'll see them in 2 Samuel chapter 7. 00:08:57.899 --> 00:09:00.000 That God will give David a great name. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:09.159 And from his kingly line will come a king whose reign and whose kingdom God will make sure that it lasts forever. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:13.680 And God will give him rest from his enemies. 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:17.360 And God will be a father to this king. 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:20.139 And this king will be a son to the Lord. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:24.699 You see, that's the relationship that the Lord wants with his king. 00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:26.220 They are to be inseparably one. 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:32.659 And the king is to be the very embodiment of what a life of covenant faithfulness, 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:36.779 of what all-out worship and obedience looks like when it comes to the Lord. 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.939 You know, I remember growing up, 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:43.279 harbouring ambitions of being a professional footballer. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.519 Okay, a few of you laughed, that's okay. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:48.340 But I used to ask my dad, 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:51.000 Dad, what does it take, what does a professional look like? 00:09:51.079 --> 00:09:53.460 What does a professional footballer look like? 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.779 And he used to take me to games. 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:59.819 And we used to go right up close, going for autographs, 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.259 used to see the players warm up. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:03.579 He used to buy me videos, 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.100 well, they were videos, VHS, back in those days. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:10.659 And I remember I used to go to football summer camps, 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:12.740 and it was run by this guy at the top of the chain, 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:15.580 the model professional called Ian St. John. 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:18.399 Some of you might have known him, played for Liverpool and Scotland. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:20.560 Ian St. John, that was the guy. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.480 That's what a model professional looked like. 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:26.460 And so my dad said, it's him. 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:31.960 And you've got to think about it, 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:34.019 in this psalm, if you were a father in Israel, 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:37.159 and your son runs up to you and asks, 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:40.419 Hey Dad, what does a life of covenant faithfulness look like? 00:10:40.419 --> 00:10:44.659 What does a life of all-out worship and adoration of our God, 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.839 what does it look like? 00:10:47.479 --> 00:10:51.240 Then the father was supposed to be able to point to the king 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:53.279 and say, see him. 00:10:54.339 --> 00:10:55.719 See the way he lives his life. 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.779 See the way he conducts himself. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.979 You want to know what all-out worship looks like? 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:01.120 It looks like him. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:03.419 Looks like him. 00:11:04.079 --> 00:11:05.459 See, this is what David wants to do. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:07.120 He wants to be this king. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:09.220 He's vowing to be this kind of king. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:11.279 And if you come with me to verses 1 to 4, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:14.179 you'll see that David wants this more than anything else. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:17.519 He desires to be a king who takes his cue from the Lord. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:20.259 Now let me just pick out, for the sake of time, 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:25.139 one word for us here that he repeats twice at verse 2. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:27.500 And it's the word blameless. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:28.779 Do you see it? 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:32.019 Or some of your translations might go for integrity there. 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.799 Blameless integrity. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:33.840 It's the same thing. 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:37.379 So this is what he wants his life to be about. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.440 What a wonderful word, is it not? 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:40.480 Integrity. 00:11:42.280 --> 00:11:45.440 Do you see from the lips, from the pen of God's king, 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:49.160 that there's a desire deep down in his gut 00:11:49.160 --> 00:11:52.899 to be the same in the bedroom as he is in the boardroom. 00:11:53.540 --> 00:11:54.019 Do you see it? 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:57.399 To have insides that match up to his outsides. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:11:58.780 He wants to be like a stick of, 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.680 I remember again this from my childhood, 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:02.460 a stick of Blackpool rock. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:03.259 Do you remember that? 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:05.179 Stick of Blackpool rock. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.659 You cut that anywhere. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.419 And it's the same. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:11.799 This is what David wants for his life as king. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:13.519 Integrity. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.840 Blamelessness. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.879 And if that's what he's going to do, 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.620 do you also see what he's not going to do? 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:23.019 Verse 3, he won't sit before his eyes. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.299 So in other words, he won't get involved 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.860 in anything that's worthless. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:30.620 He will stay away from those who would lead him astray. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:33.620 That is those who would say, don't bother with the Lord. 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:37.659 Saying, why don't you use your position as king to your advantage? 00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:41.720 And verse 4, he will know nothing of evil. 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:44.259 So these are the things. 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:48.600 These are the things that David is devoting himself to as God's king, 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:52.980 as the one who's supposed to embody covenant faithfulness. 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.580 And his prayer here is that God would help him. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.200 Do you see it? 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:58.460 Be the king that he's called him to be. 00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:00.720 This is the king. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:01.940 Right? 00:13:02.160 --> 00:13:05.360 The one who will ensure that the most vulnerable in society, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:10.160 the widow, the orphan, that they're cared for and valued. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:14.060 The one who will ensure that the outsider, 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:17.680 or as we see it there, that the foreigner will be welcomed in. 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:21.340 The one who will ensure that justice is fully done 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:22.759 in the courts of the land. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:25.439 The one who will expose hypocrisy. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.419 And the one who will fight oppression. 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:31.439 And ultimately, be the one who won't just ensure 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:33.460 that the worship of Yahweh is central. 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:36.960 Who won't just ensure that the worship of Yahweh is biblical. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:39.539 In other words, it's the way that God prescribed it to be. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.700 But he will be the one who is at front of the queue, 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:48.120 setting the pace in the all-out worship of Yahweh. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.200 Okay. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.480 Now, friends, let me just pause there 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:53.940 and bring all that data together, okay? 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.679 Bring it all together. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.379 And would you agree with me? 00:13:59.299 --> 00:13:59.899 What a king. 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.720 What a king. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.500 Would you want to have this guy leading you? 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:08.060 Would this guy get your vote? 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.340 Absolutely get mine. 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:11.360 If he could be this kind of king. 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.480 If he turned out to be this kind of king, 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.659 friends, let me tell you, 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:17.060 I wouldn't just follow him on Instagram. 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:19.000 I wouldn't just like his photos. 00:14:19.359 --> 00:14:20.599 I wouldn't just leave comments. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.819 Hashtag, what a king. 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.859 I would follow this guy with my life. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.399 What a king. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:28.879 God says, here is my king. 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:32.799 And what happens next is that David, 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.639 you can picture him, 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:36.359 he's moving from his private chamber. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:38.739 He walks out to his public balcony, if you like. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:39.479 Okay. 00:14:40.079 --> 00:14:41.839 And he looks out on Jerusalem. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:45.319 And he claps eyes on the people 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:46.759 that walk the streets every day. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.340 It's people. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.740 And verses five to eight, 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:50.179 he looks on them. 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:53.720 And if he desires to be a king 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.319 who takes his cue from the Lord, 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:58.279 he wants his people to be a people 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.819 who take their cue from the king. 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.039 And he looks out and he sees 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:04.720 two different types of people 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.879 living in Israel. 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.700 Two different types of people 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:09.439 who look the same on the outside. 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:12.280 But when it comes to the Lord, 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:15.700 they have hearts that are in two very different places. 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:18.280 Now see if you can spot them in these verses. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.420 The two types of people. 00:15:20.260 --> 00:15:20.400 Right? 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.540 The descriptions he gives. 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.980 Do you see the first group of people? 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:26.440 They are those who care little for the Lord 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.360 and his ways. 00:15:28.140 --> 00:15:30.360 He's not interested in covenant faithfulness. 00:15:30.400 --> 00:15:32.840 He's not interested in being God's kind of people. 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:35.240 He's not interested in being a light to the nations. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.740 He's not interested in welcoming the forwarder. 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:38.100 He's not interested in justice being done. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:40.580 And the king loathes the people of this group. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.440 And do you see how they are those who, 00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:45.620 verse 5, who slander, 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.779 who give haughty looks. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.379 Now haughty, they look down on people. 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.279 Those who are arrogant, 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:53.040 that's kind of the opposite, 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.100 they build themselves up. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.560 Those who utter lies. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:57.440 And I don't think these are kind of one-off things. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:57.759 Right? 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:59.620 This is a heart attitude that says, 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.659 I'm not going God's way, 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.500 I'm going my way. 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:05.160 And I'll trample over whoever I need to trample over 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:05.879 to get there. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.740 And the warning the king gives them, 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.940 do you see at verse 5, 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:13.360 and this is really strikingly strong language, 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.879 this king, he says, 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.259 I will destroy them. 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:20.080 And I will not endure them. 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:21.840 And verse 7, 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:24.319 they will not continue before my eyes. 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:28.120 So the king is warning this group of people 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:31.399 that if they do not stop in their tracks 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:33.819 and turn around, 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.539 the biblical word for that is just repent, 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.439 stop going your way, 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.439 going God's way, 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.259 go God's way. 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:39.860 If they don't do that and bow to the king, 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:42.360 then one day they will have to face his judgment 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:44.460 as God's king. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:47.280 That's one group in Israel. 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:50.280 But do you see how there's another group? 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:53.280 And Paul picked this out straight off the bat, 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:53.940 which is great. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.340 The king loves this group. 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.000 They are the people, 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.780 verse 6, 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:01.759 who are marked by faithfulness. 00:17:02.900 --> 00:17:03.960 That's a lovely description, 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:04.539 is it not, 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.340 of God's people? 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.640 Faithfulness. 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.240 Just sticking it out 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.519 with obedience. 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.420 They are, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:11.859 do you see, 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.700 passionate about holiness. 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.859 These people are serious about obedience. 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:20.420 These people are real in their love for the Lord. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.859 And see the three promises 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:26.079 that this king makes them at verse 6. 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.599 Firstly, 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:30.000 that he will show them favor. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:30.639 Do you see it? 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.099 Secondly, 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.539 that they will dwell with him. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:35.319 And thirdly, 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:37.720 that they will minister to him. 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:40.819 These are the promises 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:42.160 God's king makes 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.920 to God's faithful people. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.279 And let me just say, 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.519 if you bring those three together, 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:50.960 the promise from the king 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.140 to his faithful people 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:55.200 is that all those who look to him 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:57.460 and trust him, 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.839 they will be his. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:02.339 They will be his. 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.919 And he will take responsibility for them. 00:18:05.459 --> 00:18:06.619 And he will love them. 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.419 And he will be the king 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:09.799 that they need to be, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.779 that they need him to be. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.339 What a king. 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:14.039 What a king. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.259 This is God's kind of king. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.679 Isn't it a wonderful picture 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:20.000 of everything 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.379 that we'd ever want in a leader? 00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:23.659 This is God's kind of king. 00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:26.699 But here's the newsflash 00:18:26.699 --> 00:18:27.500 of this psalm. 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.899 David's not this kind of king. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.119 Oh, listen. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.759 He was a wonderful leader. 00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:36.139 He was a great king. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.500 He is described in the Bible 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:39.419 as a man after God's own heart. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.699 And he becomes almost 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:42.000 the benchmark king 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.980 by which all subsequent kings 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.939 in Israel are judged. 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.000 But David failed 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.439 to be this kind of king. 00:18:47.679 --> 00:18:48.839 And at times in his life, 00:18:48.939 --> 00:18:50.279 spectacularly so. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.679 But remember what we said 00:18:52.679 --> 00:18:53.519 at verse one. 00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:56.159 This is not first and foremost 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:56.879 about the king. 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.259 This is not first and foremost 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.859 about the people. 00:18:58.959 --> 00:19:00.279 Who is this primarily about? 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.419 This is about the Lord. 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.819 This is about him 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:05.879 who despite David's failings 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:07.819 was faithful to his promise 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.359 to David 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.379 that from his line 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.139 he would raise up 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:11.019 a faithful king 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:12.500 who would be this kind of king. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:14.699 The one that God's people need. 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:17.419 And the newsflash of this psalm, 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:18.599 friends, 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:22.419 is that God's got a king like this. 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:25.259 And his name is Jesus. 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:28.240 And no matter how you are feeling 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.859 this morning, 00:19:28.959 --> 00:19:29.939 if you are a Christian, 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:31.680 if you are feeling down in the dumps, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:34.180 if life has been horrible this week, 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.799 if there's an uncertain future 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.620 ahead of you, 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.059 this psalm invites you 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:39.400 to look to your king. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.840 Look to the Lord 00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:45.620 and find in this king 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:47.680 one who loves you 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:49.559 and one who died for you. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.600 His name is Jesus. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.360 The king who, 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:54.580 and think about his life, right? 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.640 What do we read in the gospels? 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.799 The king who made his life 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.759 about serving, 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.299 not about lording. 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:02.019 The king who healed the sick. 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:04.740 The king who welcomed the vulnerable. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:07.480 The king who valued the outsider. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.980 The king who flipped the tables 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:12.059 when hypocrisy was going, 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.220 sweeping under the carpet, 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.599 when injustice was being, 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:16.359 was rife in the temple. 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.819 And the king who perfectly modeled 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:21.579 radical obedience to God's law. 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:24.079 He loved his father. 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:27.779 And the king who set the pace 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.559 when it came to the all-out worship 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.159 of the Lord. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.359 And most importantly of all, 00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:34.079 he's the king 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.659 who didn't just sing about 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.740 God's steadfast love 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.980 and justice. 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.779 Friends, wonderfully, 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.480 he is the king 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.639 who demonstrated it. 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.839 As he gave his life, 00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:48.199 as he died on the cross, 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:51.579 the place where God's perfect love, 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:54.899 seen in the sending 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:56.279 of his one and only son, 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.839 seen in the son, 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.279 Jesus, 00:20:58.419 --> 00:21:00.220 who was willing to go to the cross 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.639 to buy the freedom, 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.599 pay the penalty 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:04.359 for his people's sin, 00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:06.039 where God's perfect love 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.240 and the place 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.740 where God's perfect justice, 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.480 where sin isn't just swept 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.279 onto the carpet, 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:13.359 but is atoned for 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.099 by his blood, 00:21:14.199 --> 00:21:15.079 where they meet, 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.439 where they kiss. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:18.079 Do you see how this king 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.980 did not just sing 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.139 about God's steadfast love 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:20.600 and justice? 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.640 He modelled it. 00:21:21.780 --> 00:21:24.160 He exemplified it. 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.740 What a king. 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.600 What a king. 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.460 And so let me ask you, 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.480 let me ask all of us 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.500 from this psalm today 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.460 that this king Jesus 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.080 would look out 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:33.940 in all of us today. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:35.720 Friends, 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.440 what would he find? 00:21:39.300 --> 00:21:40.460 How would he find you? 00:21:42.020 --> 00:21:43.420 Would he find fault with you 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:45.620 as the king does here? 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.700 In which case, 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:49.280 you need to think seriously 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.779 about who this king is 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.119 and the warning he gives you? 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:56.000 Or because of your faith in him, 00:21:57.420 --> 00:22:00.379 would you find favour with him? 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.799 Again, you see, 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.000 this is not our ability 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:05.299 to be a perfect people, 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.420 first and foremost. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:09.119 This is about his ability 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:10.099 to be this king. 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.079 He is this king. 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.139 And let me just ask us, 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.019 particularly as a church, 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.960 are we being faithful 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.680 to this king? 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:18.480 You know, 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.100 are we as those saved by him, 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.440 as those who have been shown grace, 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.980 as those who have received forgiveness, 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:25.519 are we taking our cue 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:27.820 as God's people here at Brunsfield, 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.420 as an outpost of the kingdom here, 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.720 are we taking our cue 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.880 off of our king? 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:36.360 Because this king loves faithfulness 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:36.980 in his people. 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.860 He loves it. 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.500 He loves faithfulness in his people. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.080 And so friends, 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.120 the question we need to ask is, 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:45.000 are we being a faithful people to him? 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.119 You know, 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:47.979 I often take the girls 00:22:47.979 --> 00:22:48.939 into town on the bus. 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:52.879 And it's always a double-decker bus 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.879 that comes past our way. 00:22:53.959 --> 00:22:55.399 And they love to pick the seats 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:56.359 that are every parent's 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:56.939 worst nightmare. 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.379 You know, 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.719 the ones that are up the stairs 00:22:59.719 --> 00:23:01.019 and right at the front? 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.339 Love to pick those seats. 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:06.059 And they love to sit there. 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.000 And one of their favourite things 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.199 is just to point stuff out. 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.379 Okay? 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.599 So they sit there 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:10.899 and they go, 00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.779 there's a seagull. 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.960 They sit there and they go, 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.680 there's a cafe. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.879 They sit there and they go, 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.599 there's a swing. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.399 And I like to joke 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:17.279 with people around about us 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.160 that this is the alternative 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.460 Edinburgh bus tour. 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.420 But do you know 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.599 what one of their favourite things 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.180 to spot is 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.200 on our trip into town? 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.440 It's the wee dog. 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.539 It's the wee dog. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.259 It's Gravefire's Bobby. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.660 Who, as the story goes, 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.920 after his master died, 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:40.259 sat on his master's grave 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.579 for 14 years. 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:43.680 Right? 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:45.119 I'm putting words 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.899 in the dog's mouth here, 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:47.119 but I love my master. 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.839 And I'm sitting right here 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.379 and I'm staying. 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.819 And he came to mind this week 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.460 as I was thinking 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.139 about the words 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:56.240 of Jesus. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.899 And how often 00:23:58.899 --> 00:24:00.220 he holds up faithfulness 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.039 in the Gospels 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.440 from his people 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.440 as the thing 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.240 that he wants to see 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:04.779 from us. 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:05.799 Okay? 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.039 That, 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.639 you can read them 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:06.980 in your time, 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.960 the faithful servant. 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:08.839 Well done, 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.759 good and faithful servant. 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.779 The faithful master. 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.900 I love how much 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.720 Jesus loves faithfulness. 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.799 And as we sit here today, 00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.039 maybe just in our context, 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.559 let me just 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:20.180 maybe find two ways 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.799 that we can think 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.740 about our faithfulness 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.440 to our King. 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.619 Firstly, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.400 by being faithful 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.140 to his word. 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.140 By our radical obedience 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.599 to what he has said. 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.259 Right? 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:32.200 Our dogged determination 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:34.099 to carry out 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.019 the will of the Lord. 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.460 Regardless of whether 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.799 that puts us at odds 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.779 with the way 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.519 in which society 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.099 tells us 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:41.180 we should think and act. 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.700 You know, 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.480 it was John Bunyan, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.460 the man who wrote 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.279 Pilgrim's Progress, 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:47.460 whose peers used to 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.200 joke about him. 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.119 Right? 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.940 Used to give him 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:51.000 a nickname 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:54.599 of the Bible bleeder. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:55.859 Right? 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:58.039 That any time 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.700 you pricked him, 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.420 what would come out 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.059 would be Bible. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:01.860 This is what they used 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.380 to say of him. 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:03.819 And they used to nickname him 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.819 the Bible bleeder. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.980 Now what a nickname 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.819 that is to have. 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.220 Just seeing 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.779 just utter faithfulness 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.340 and devotion 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:13.120 to God's word 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:13.660 in somebody. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.840 Made me think this week, 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.960 what would people nickname, 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:18.120 what nickname would they give me 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:19.240 if they saw my life? 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.880 Isn't it? 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.039 Here is 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.700 Jesus' call 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:27.019 to be brave for him 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.259 and to take our stand 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:28.759 and his word. 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.480 Let me just say 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.960 that friends, 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.140 that we will be brave enough 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:33.420 when our view of this king 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.599 is big enough. 00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.480 And secondly, 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.500 it will show ourselves 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.460 in our faithfulness 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.079 to his work. 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.259 To be that people, 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.140 and we've loved going through 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.940 this in the evening series 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.740 over the last few weeks. 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.099 We've gone through 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.000 the Sermon on the Mount 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.359 and I'd really encourage you 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:50.859 to come along. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.319 These have been really special times 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.319 for us as a church. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.740 Loved going through it, 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.799 but that call 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.559 that we saw last week 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.599 from Jesus to his people. 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.859 To be a city on a hill. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:02.119 To be a light in the world. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.359 To be a people 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.119 who are salt. 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.519 Right? 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:07.460 There's so many ways 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:09.139 that the word salt 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:09.720 is used there, 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.179 but just adding flavor. 00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:12.299 Right? 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.519 Just being a blessing 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.839 and distinct 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.759 in the world 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.579 in which we live. 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.519 To be a people 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.679 who shine like stars 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.519 in the darkness. 00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:21.919 And to be a people 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.579 who are committed 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.839 to playing our part 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.419 in fulfilling 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.379 the great commission 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:27.619 of making disciples 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.699 of the Lord Jesus 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:30.099 the world over. 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.759 And teaching them 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.779 what it means 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:34.279 to obey this king 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.139 and to know this king. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.319 Because the promises 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.359 that our king makes 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.839 here to us 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.740 of his favor, 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.339 do you see it? 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:41.899 His favor, 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.639 his presence 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.539 and his service. 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:46.740 The full fulfillment 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:47.599 of those promises 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:48.299 will happen 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.240 when he comes. 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.779 And as we were singing 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.399 at the start, 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:53.899 he brings the heavenly city. 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.559 Do you see that? 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.920 The word city there 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.480 right at the end 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.139 of this psalm. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.539 This city where 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.859 no light is needed 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:03.399 because God is its light. 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.539 And this place 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:07.160 where sin is a distant memory 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.079 where all tears 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.819 are wiped away, 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.559 where God's enemies 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.180 are banished 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.960 and where God lives 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.779 with his people 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.299 in his city. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.180 And it can't be Jerusalem, 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.859 can it here? 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.559 It's going to be 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.259 the new Jerusalem. 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.920 And so friends, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.720 here as we bring this 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.160 to a close, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.039 here is God's king. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.259 Here is David. 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.660 Here is the fulfillment, 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.079 Jesus. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.099 Here is God's king. 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.079 So what are you looking 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.660 for in a leader? 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.200 What are you looking 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.740 for in a leader? 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.240 Our world, 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.859 let me just make 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.440 an observation, 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.200 our world is full 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.619 of leaders. 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.960 Some have lots 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.440 of power, 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.819 but the problem 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.359 is that they have 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:47.200 absolutely no love 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.740 or compassion 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.319 for people, 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.259 the people under 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.720 their power. 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:51.460 And then you've 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:51.880 got the other 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:52.259 extreme, 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.700 don't you? 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.920 Those who've got 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.740 all out love 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.319 for people, 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:56.839 but they've got 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.480 no power to do 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.299 anything about it. 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.500 Their problems, 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.400 fix their problems. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.140 Friends, 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.720 this is not a wonderful 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.600 truth that is this, 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.400 God's king has held 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.120 up to us today. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.380 And as we see 00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.140 the fulfillment 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:09.579 in the Lord Jesus, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.640 crucified, 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.279 resurrected, 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.740 risen, 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.279 ascended, 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.860 in glory, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.759 one day we'll return. 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.440 in him we have 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.259 one gloriously 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:19.200 who has both. 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.859 He has all the love 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:24.460 and all the power 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:26.519 in absolute abundance. 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.079 And this king 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.180 this morning says, 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:31.079 look to me, 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.500 here is God's 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.039 kind of king. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.960 Crown him with 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.960 many crowns, 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.359 the lamb upon 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:38.940 his throne. 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.000 Hark how the 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.920 heavenly anthem 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.420 drowns, 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.359 all music 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.439 but its own. 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:45.419 Awake my soul 00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.119 and sing 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.740 of him 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.399 who died 00:28:47.399 --> 00:28:47.959 for thee 00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:49.399 and hail him 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.939 as thy matchless 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.259 king 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.959 through all 00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:52.919 eternity. 00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:54.599 Let me just take 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:54.859 a moment 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.559 and be quiet 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:57.379 and then I'll pray 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.839 and we'll close 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.679 our service together. 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.379 And so, 00:29:08.459 --> 00:29:08.979 heavenly Father, 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.119 we thank you so much 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:11.979 that we have 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:12.379 your word 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.139 in our language 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:15.119 that we can read 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:15.979 about the promises 00:29:15.979 --> 00:29:17.039 that you have made 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:19.000 over the years 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.459 and we can sing 00:29:20.459 --> 00:29:21.059 and know 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:22.099 and testify 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:23.319 to your faithfulness 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.359 in so many ways. 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:26.039 But thank you, 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.219 Lord, 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.799 so much 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.399 that we see 00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:28.559 your faithfulness, 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.419 the fact that you 00:29:29.419 --> 00:29:30.159 never change, 00:29:30.239 --> 00:29:30.579 that you keep 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.159 your promises. 00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.519 We can see it 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.979 fully 00:29:32.979 --> 00:29:34.339 in the person 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.879 of the Lord 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.719 Jesus Christ. 00:29:36.959 --> 00:29:37.299 And so, 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:37.459 Lord, 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:37.859 I pray that you 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.459 would help us 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:39.459 all look to him 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.400 today as our 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.960 great high king 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:43.600 and that we 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.340 would be a people, 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:45.380 his people, 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.740 saved by his grace, 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.279 purchased by his blood, 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.640 who take our cue 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.700 off of him. 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.059 Lord, 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.740 would you help us 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.620 to do that this week? 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.200 Thank you, 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:54.440 Lord, 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:54.980 that you're such 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.720 a good God 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.680 and we pray 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.200 these things 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.019 in our king's name. 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:58.700 Amen. 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:58.819 Amen. 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:58.860 Amen.