WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.719 Please turn to Malachi chapter 3. It's the last book of the Old Testament. I will finish it the book next week. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:19.240 As we've gone through Malachi these last three weeks, we've seen that the people who Malachi was preaching to, they were marked by three things. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:29.900 First of all, it was an age of questioning and doubt. Malachi is full of questions, isn't he? 00:00:29.899 --> 00:00:34.920 I don't know whether you noticed that as you've read through the book. There are question marks everywhere. 00:00:35.339 --> 00:00:39.140 You can almost tell the character of the book by the punctuation. 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:42.399 Again and again, the people are asking questions. 00:00:44.379 --> 00:00:49.359 You have not loved, where have you loved us, they say to God, when God says I've loved you. 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:56.000 In the passage that was read, how have we robbed you? How can we return to you? 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:00.619 There's 26 questions in the book of Malachi. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:05.540 They are asking questions of God and God is asking questions of them. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:08.219 Their questions were one of doubt. 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:14.819 It was also an age of carelessness and casualness. 00:01:14.819 --> 00:01:22.939 The people of God, they found themselves, when it came to sacrifices, when it came to gathering with the people of God, 00:01:23.739 --> 00:01:29.500 they looked for a lame animal and they looked for a blemish offering, something that was on offer. 00:01:30.639 --> 00:01:33.780 The principle was really simple but actually very frightening. 00:01:35.099 --> 00:01:37.000 It was that anything will do for God. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:40.180 That's really what they were saying. 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:42.140 Anything will do for God. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:44.760 God is lucky to have us turning up. 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:51.299 The third thing was, it was a stage of infidelity and instability. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:58.560 In their family lives and in their human relationships, lots of them just didn't last. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:05.379 They gave themselves to someone really quickly but they grew tired very quickly. 00:02:06.740 --> 00:02:10.240 How they treated each other with unfaithfulness was how they were treating God. 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:15.840 It was one of the great characteristics of that generation. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:20.719 Amongst God's people, there are these three characteristics. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:24.300 Their arrogance in questioning God. 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:25.699 How have we robbed you? 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:31.699 You can almost see their chin in the air held high in defiance. 00:02:32.679 --> 00:02:35.979 Secondly, shabby sacrifices presented to God. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:39.519 And thirdly, a shallow commitment to God. 00:02:41.219 --> 00:02:42.780 Nothing went deep with these people. 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:47.419 And God is pleading with Israel. 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:52.500 And he's pleading with these people and he's warning them about their lives. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:54.780 That they are in a really critical condition. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:03:00.859 But the great tragedy was they didn't understand that. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:06.079 They were willfully blind to the truth. 00:03:07.839 --> 00:03:10.399 They refused to see the truth about themselves. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:14.639 And so God comes again and again and again to them. 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:18.259 And he gives them opportunity to repent, to change, to turn. 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:22.519 And so you find that in our passage, don't you? 00:03:22.799 --> 00:03:27.060 Where God says, return to me, in verse 7. 00:03:28.579 --> 00:03:29.219 Return to me. 00:03:29.299 --> 00:03:30.859 It's been the message of the book, clearly. 00:03:33.859 --> 00:03:34.680 Return to me. 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:38.459 But Malachi is preaching to a people that refuse to listen to him. 00:03:38.460 --> 00:03:49.860 Daniel Defoe wrote, Robert C. Crusoe, he's got this line in it of a people who are not ashamed to sin, but too ashamed to repent. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:55.140 Not ashamed to sin, but too ashamed to repent. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:57.000 That's the people of Malachi's day. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:03.000 And in the passage that was read to us from verse 6 to 12, there are three scenarios. 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:08.680 And again, the focus is on God and his relationship with his people. 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:17.480 And so, first of all, we see, don't we, in verse 6, a changeless God and an unchanging people. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:25.700 And let me explain what I mean. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:27.700 Look at the first half of verse 6. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:32.620 For I, the Lord, do not change. 00:04:34.220 --> 00:04:40.960 God is simply proclaiming to his people and he's declaring this glorious truth, 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:47.159 which is, in many ways, the basis on which we as believers live and pray. 00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:51.599 It's that God is different to us. 00:04:51.739 --> 00:04:52.939 He is unchanging. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:55.859 Six words. 00:04:57.099 --> 00:05:01.939 I, the Lord, do not change. 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:05.399 Six life-changing words. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:07.959 That's the message of the Bible. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:13.739 It is one of the essential elements of the character of God. 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:15.539 I, the Lord, do not change. 00:05:15.779 --> 00:05:18.339 So, from generation to generation, he is the same. 00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:22.959 His love every morning is steadfast. 00:05:23.599 --> 00:05:25.539 It doesn't go and disappear with the morning mist. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:29.719 His mercies, they are new every morning. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:35.039 Greater to your faithfulness, they say to God, because God is unchanging. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:40.240 He is, as James reminds us, he's the father of lights, 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:44.939 with whom there's no variation or shadow due to change. 00:05:46.580 --> 00:05:50.340 And one of the things that the Christian church has always gloried in, 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:52.759 and that Christian believers glory in today, 00:05:52.900 --> 00:05:55.080 is that God does not change. 00:05:55.079 --> 00:06:01.459 It's one of the things that Christians discover early on in their Christian life, 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:02.539 about the character of God, 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:04.719 that his love does not change. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:08.000 Even though my love for him changes a lot. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:10.979 That unlike human love, 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:14.939 God's love is not a response to what he finds in me. 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:18.379 He is like a steadfast rock. 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:22.259 A rock of ages that never changes. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:25.759 And the fact that God does not change 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.420 is the foundation of everything in our Christian living. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:31.860 He is an anchor for our souls. 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:33.560 He is a rock to stand on. 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:37.600 But notice the second half of the verse. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:38.500 Verse 6. 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:46.740 Jacob was a great schemer. 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:49.040 I'm not consumed. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:52.740 Because you, God, are unchanging, 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:53.959 we're not destroyed. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:58.000 You see, his love to them, his mercy, 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:00.139 his patience with them is unchanging. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:04.360 No matter how long they go on refusing 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.639 and refusing to return to the Lord, 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:08.579 he stretches out his hands in mercy. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:10.779 Now, you can understand it in that way, 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:12.539 but I think actually the context is 00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:15.099 there's a greater depth to it than that. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:19.500 There's another way of translating this. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:20.779 There's another way of seeing it. 00:07:21.479 --> 00:07:22.800 I, the Lord, do not change, 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:25.759 but you, O sons of Jacob, 00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:27.319 you've not changed either. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:29.300 That's particularly brought out in verse 7, isn't it? 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:34.180 He's saying this very simple truth. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:36.180 I, the Lord, do not change, 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.959 but actually, you're sons of Jacob. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:39.719 There's very little change in you. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:44.180 I think the parallelism is there, isn't it? 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:44.779 Verse 7. 00:07:45.159 --> 00:07:46.120 I, the Lord, do not change. 00:07:46.219 --> 00:07:47.699 Are you still the sons of Jacob? 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:48.680 That twister. 00:07:49.579 --> 00:07:52.519 With all the characteristics of Jacob in your heart. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:56.659 Ever since then, you've been exactly the same. 00:07:56.779 --> 00:07:58.539 You've turned away from my decrees. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:02.560 You've not kept on going with obedience. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:04.340 You're always the same. 00:08:06.760 --> 00:08:09.560 You've gone on being a twisted people like Jacob was. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.760 Right from the beginning. 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:14.320 So he says, 00:08:14.580 --> 00:08:16.720 I, the Lord, do not change. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:19.780 And in a totally different sense, 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:22.719 you haven't changed either. 00:08:24.979 --> 00:08:27.639 People of God, you've still got the same arrogant attitude. 00:08:28.479 --> 00:08:30.359 The same shabby sacrifices. 00:08:30.559 --> 00:08:31.839 The same shallow commitment. 00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:34.120 And then he pleads with them, doesn't he? 00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:36.559 As if he holds on his arms and God says, 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:38.779 return to me. 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.379 And I will return to you. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:47.700 This, this lack of change, 00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:52.519 this kind of spiritual stagnation or falling back, 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:55.279 or the absence of progress, 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:58.240 that is a really serious thing in a Christian's life. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:02.919 And the eternal God comes to us this morning 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:06.039 over whom he has wept and broken his heart 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:08.060 and yearned and longed for. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.960 Over whom he shed mountains of love in Jesus Christ, 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:14.180 and yet he looks about us, 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.740 and maybe he says, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:17.360 and actually you've not really changed. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.759 One little bit. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.180 The same questioning. 00:09:24.060 --> 00:09:26.639 The same shabby sacrifice. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:29.700 The same shallow commitment. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.440 But here's the words. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:33.800 Return to me. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.560 And I will return to you. 00:09:38.800 --> 00:09:40.300 It's a bridge into the next section. 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.580 The unchanging God and a people who refuse to change. 00:09:44.180 --> 00:09:45.100 And then from verse 7, 00:09:45.180 --> 00:09:47.259 you find the grieved God, 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:50.060 and an insensitive people. 00:09:52.680 --> 00:09:54.840 It's as if they've been anesthetized 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:57.399 to his voice. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:58.440 You know, you go to the dentist 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:00.060 and he gives you those injections. 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:01.120 He waits five minutes. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:01.580 And then he says, 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.259 can you feel anything? 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:03.060 And you can't feel a thing. 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.159 It becomes more apparent, doesn't it, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:07.879 in the book of Malachi, 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:12.399 that this really does describe the truths 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:15.539 about the relationship between God and his people. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:18.980 God is grieved, distressed, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:20.259 in his heart about them, 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.379 and they did not know it. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.899 They heard God's voice speaking to them, 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.860 and they wondered, 00:10:26.079 --> 00:10:27.480 what are you going on about? 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:30.579 What is all the fuss over? 00:10:32.459 --> 00:10:34.699 And he comes and he addresses them, 00:10:34.700 --> 00:10:36.680 and he says this. 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:38.820 He says, 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.360 verse 8, 00:10:40.520 --> 00:10:41.640 will man rob God? 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:45.120 Will a man rob God? 00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:47.700 Return to me, 00:10:47.780 --> 00:10:48.879 and I will return to you. 00:10:48.920 --> 00:10:49.379 And then they say, 00:10:49.400 --> 00:10:50.560 well, how are we to return? 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.940 Where are we to return from? 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:55.400 What is it that you're saying is wrong with us? 00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:57.399 Do you see the problem? 00:10:59.199 --> 00:11:00.100 The problem is, 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:02.240 they don't recognize there is any problem. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.179 They thought everything is going really fine 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.159 in their spiritual lives, 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:09.600 and they're blinded to the truth about themselves. 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:11.639 In fact, 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:13.959 they're blinded about two things, 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:14.179 aren't they? 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:15.659 They're blind to the fact 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:17.439 that they've drifted away from God. 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:20.900 You know what it's like 00:11:20.900 --> 00:11:22.820 if you go swimming in the sea, 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:25.500 and you swim in the sea, 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.780 and you're in for a little bit, 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:29.940 and you suddenly realize 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:31.380 just how far you've drifted. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:32.720 You get out of the water, 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:34.880 and you're half a mile 00:11:34.880 --> 00:11:36.040 from where your stuff is, 00:11:36.280 --> 00:11:38.420 because the water has pulled you away. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:39.400 You didn't even realize it 00:11:39.400 --> 00:11:39.960 when you were in the sea. 00:11:40.020 --> 00:11:40.600 You've drifted. 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:45.200 You've got no idea 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:45.860 that you were drifting, 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.560 and God says, 00:11:46.680 --> 00:11:47.320 return to me. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:50.560 Return to me. 00:11:51.880 --> 00:11:53.180 And they'd not even realized 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:53.960 they'd drifted away. 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:55.740 They had no awareness 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:57.800 of spiritually drifting away from God. 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:01.860 Well, they were unaware, 00:12:02.180 --> 00:12:03.040 and this is even more serious, 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.240 of the absence of God. 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:08.640 You see how God says, 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:09.720 return to me, 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:11.600 and I will return to you. 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:15.700 They're unaware 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:16.920 of the fact that 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:18.099 God has withdrawn 00:12:18.099 --> 00:12:19.860 himself from them. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.219 They assumed, 00:12:23.339 --> 00:12:24.240 we turn up 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.519 every Sabbath, 00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:26.559 we're there. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:28.740 We're there in your gatherings. 00:12:29.439 --> 00:12:30.860 We gather in your name, 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:33.459 but he's absent. 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:37.120 Do you realize 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:37.699 that's possible? 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:40.080 the absence of God 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.080 for blessing. 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:41.879 The absence of God 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:45.220 for blessing. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.660 Do you ever think about that? 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.580 To cherish 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.500 the presence of God 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:57.280 and that it might have 00:12:57.280 --> 00:12:57.759 something to do 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:58.800 with your spiritual condition. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:02.740 Do you think it's possible 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.719 for people, 00:13:03.879 --> 00:13:04.399 for a church, 00:13:04.479 --> 00:13:05.559 to have experienced 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:06.599 the presence 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:08.019 and the blessing of God 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:09.120 and for 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:11.659 the glory of God 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.139 to depart? 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:12.939 Do you think that's possible? 00:13:14.939 --> 00:13:15.919 Go around healing. 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:17.639 Go and see the churches 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.159 that once preached 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:19.759 the gospel, 00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:21.120 that once proclaimed 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.899 Jesus Christ, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.679 that knew something 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.299 of his blessing 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.639 and now they are 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.679 Hindu temples, 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.359 Kasha rooms. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:33.159 So doubt that that happens, 00:13:33.239 --> 00:13:33.500 isn't it? 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:34.199 It could happen here. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:37.500 But God says, 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.139 return to me 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.199 and I will return to you, 00:13:39.239 --> 00:13:39.819 says the Lord. 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:41.759 The people still came, 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:42.159 they went through 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.120 the outward sacrifices, 00:13:43.599 --> 00:13:45.079 they offered shabby sacrifices 00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:45.479 to God, 00:13:45.559 --> 00:13:46.259 but they kept up 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:46.979 the sacrifices. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.599 And God says, 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.279 it's only 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:51.699 when you return to me 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.280 that I will return to you. 00:13:54.800 --> 00:13:56.520 He is an aggrieved God 00:13:56.520 --> 00:13:57.080 and they are 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:58.120 an insensitive people. 00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:00.879 And they're unaware 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.820 of how 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.480 the heart of God 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:03.900 is broken 00:14:03.900 --> 00:14:04.700 by their sinfulness. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.280 They come back to God, 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.620 don't they? 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.820 They hold their chin up, 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:11.840 they come back again 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.259 and they say, 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:12.420 00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:13.640 verse 7, 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:17.379 you say, 00:14:17.540 --> 00:14:18.540 how shall we return? 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:22.039 And God puts his finger 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.179 on what they're least, 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.039 what they're most likely 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.639 to notice. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.779 They wouldn't have noticed 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.779 some theological issue 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:31.599 or some profound issue, 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.279 but do you understand 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.279 what God puts his finger on? 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:33.759 He says, 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.480 you've been robbing me. 00:14:37.699 --> 00:14:38.779 I think they understood 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.819 the language of robbery. 00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:44.399 Will a man rob God? 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:47.019 Yet you, 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.959 and before he 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:48.919 got it out, 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.419 you can imagine 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:49.819 responding, 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:51.139 will a man rob God? 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:51.539 Never. 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:53.759 Well, 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.439 he says, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.919 I know you've been robbing me. 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:58.959 I don't know 00:14:58.959 --> 00:14:59.779 whether you know 00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:00.360 what it's like 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.899 to be robbed. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.360 Undoubtedly, 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.319 most of you will. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:05.240 About two years ago, 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.039 it was a Saturday afternoon, 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:06.919 we were watching a film 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:08.179 and we heard noises 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.100 in our front garden. 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.059 And I, 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.659 Claire got up 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.439 and looked out the window 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:14.179 and said, 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.159 someone is stealing, 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.600 someone is stealing 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.259 Noah's bike. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.259 And as I looked up, 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.819 I saw this guy 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:23.939 riding off down the road 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:24.939 with Noah's bike. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.860 So I ran out of the house, 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.459 jumped in my car, 00:15:29.719 --> 00:15:31.240 drove as fast as I could 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.759 down the road, 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.779 overtook the man, 00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:33.899 didn't, 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:35.059 kind of handbrake turn, 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.860 but stopped the car, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.419 got out, 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.159 and grabbed the bike 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.299 and said to the man, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.339 get off my bike. 00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:41.620 Which he did. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.439 He then proceeded 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:44.100 to walk down the road 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.839 and I shouted 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:45.620 some things at him, 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.519 which I won't repeat here. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.659 I was so angry. 00:15:49.959 --> 00:15:50.600 As a preacher, 00:15:50.699 --> 00:15:51.600 never tell a story 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.219 where you're the hero 00:15:52.219 --> 00:15:52.679 of the story, 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.539 apart from this kind 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:53.899 of story, 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.199 all right? 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:57.039 My heart was pounding. 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:59.600 I was so angry. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.939 I was so furious. 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:04.679 Really, 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.480 really angry. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.360 I'm sure you've 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.000 experienced that. 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.659 That somebody 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:09.279 had a temerity 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.339 to steal something 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:10.740 from you, 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.100 to rob. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.040 It makes us 00:16:12.040 --> 00:16:13.040 rightfully angry, 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:13.600 doesn't it? 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.800 Will a man rob 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.159 another man? 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:19.279 Well, 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:19.440 sure, 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:19.580 yeah. 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.540 Will a man rob 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:21.960 God? 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.800 And do you begin 00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:25.240 to understand 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.200 what it means 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:28.019 to rob God? 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.139 What is it? 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:32.000 It is to take 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.980 what belongs 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.659 to him. 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.799 It is to take 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.559 what belongs 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:36.779 to him, 00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:37.360 what he has 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.819 formed, 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:38.539 and what he 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.519 has created, 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.519 and above all, 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.219 what he has 00:16:41.219 --> 00:16:42.740 redeemed at the 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.399 price of the 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.919 blood of his 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.000 only son, 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.039 and it's stolen 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.699 from him, 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.419 and God is 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.439 furious about it. 00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:52.919 And when they 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:53.319 say to him, 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.799 come on now, 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.980 how do we rob 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.219 you? 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.779 He puts his 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:58.980 finger, 00:16:59.079 --> 00:16:59.279 doesn't he, 00:16:59.279 --> 00:16:59.799 on this most 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.559 obvious thing. 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.059 He says, 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.019 in your tithes 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.299 and your 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:03.679 offerings. 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.879 And you are 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.639 under a curse, 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.539 the whole nation, 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.839 because you are 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.500 robbing me. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.720 And of course, 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.460 what he's speaking 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.019 about is their 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.879 material possessions. 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.279 Tithing in the 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.039 Bible has very 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.799 deep roots. 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:21.799 The person who 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.379 gave tithes 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:24.259 usually gives 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.200 tithes to a 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.639 superior. 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:26.039 So, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.940 you have, 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.200 we learn that 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:28.879 from Abraham 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.740 giving tithes 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.620 to Melchizedek, 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.279 they were from 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.240 the inferior 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.339 to the superior. 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.519 And God 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.140 had commanded 00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:36.779 that his 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.759 people were 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.400 to recognize 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.220 that he had 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.079 given everything 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.440 that they had 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.480 by giving 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.519 tithes to God 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.099 because he 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.920 commanded it. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.380 The tithes 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:46.779 were to be 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.839 given to 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.700 the Levites 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.339 for the 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.059 service of 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.500 the temple 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.039 and for the 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.680 worship of 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.279 God and for 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.819 the functioning 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.259 of the people 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.720 of God. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.500 And it was 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.200 really a picture, 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:56.839 it was a picture 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.460 to tell the 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.200 people of Israel 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.559 that all 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.160 the resources 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.519 that they 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.140 had belonged 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.860 to God. 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.779 Everything 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.160 that they 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.259 had belonged 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.860 to the 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.279 Lord. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.200 Not just 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.860 the first 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.380 tenth, 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.640 but the 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.120 other nine 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:11.640 tenths. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.120 In fact, 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.559 when you look 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:14.840 at the Old 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.120 Testament, 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.700 the tithe 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.580 was nearer, 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:17.340 about 23 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:19.380 or 24%. 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:21.480 But the 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.120 principle was 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.019 that God 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:24.220 first had 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.660 his call 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.039 on me. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.839 And God's 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.579 principles of 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.159 generosity 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:28.899 are not 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.500 lesser, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.000 are they, 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:30.539 in the 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.099 New Testament. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.159 God has 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:34.920 first call 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.359 on me, 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:36.480 on my 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:36.779 money, 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.159 on my 00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:37.619 resources, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.079 on my 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.460 energy, 00:18:38.659 --> 00:18:38.920 on my 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.399 time, 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:39.759 on my 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.119 love, 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:40.420 on my 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:40.879 affection, 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.500 my 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:41.839 mental 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.220 powers, 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:42.819 everything 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.500 I have 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.159 and do, 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.480 God gave 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:45.879 me, 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:47.399 and God 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:47.720 has first 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.099 call on 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.259 it. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.259 And God 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.759 says to the 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.099 people of 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.460 Israel in 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:51.759 those days, 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.399 you're robbing 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:52.759 me, 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:54.460 because of 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:54.779 the way 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.039 that you 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.420 deal with 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.079 those things. 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.960 I enjoy 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.519 biographies, 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:02.879 like you 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:03.039 do, 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:03.400 I'm sure. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.500 And I 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:05.740 read a 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:05.940 really 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.319 interesting 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:06.920 thing about 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.379 someone who 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:07.900 was writing 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.460 a biography, 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:08.819 they were 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.339 researching 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.720 for a 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.160 biography. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.619 And people 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.440 research for 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:13.200 a biography 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.539 of someone 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.140 at a 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.599 great length, 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.000 don't they, 00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:15.359 and great 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:15.940 cost in 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.460 time and 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:16.779 energy. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:17.859 You've 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.140 got to do 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.480 all the 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:18.960 research 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.440 writing. 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.259 And they 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.539 asked the 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:21.700 guy who 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:21.960 was writing 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.339 the biography, 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.339 where did 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.679 you learn 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.259 most about 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.740 the man? 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.679 And he 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:27.000 said, 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.259 really 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.679 interestingly, 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:28.319 he said, 00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:29.019 from the 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.659 stubs of 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:30.079 his check 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.319 book. 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:32.439 Let me 00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:32.779 explain to 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:32.919 you what 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:33.220 a check 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.659 book is. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.740 You get 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.179 it sometimes 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:36.740 from old 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.139 people at 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:37.319 your 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.899 birthdays. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.579 Let me 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:40.819 put it 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.319 another way. 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:41.740 I learned 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:43.619 most about 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.199 the man 00:19:44.199 --> 00:19:44.919 from his 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:45.220 bank 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.619 statement. 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:50.740 He went 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.099 through his 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.720 bank statement 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.120 and he 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.559 could tell 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:52.900 what was 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.480 important to 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:53.819 the man. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.180 He could 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.680 tell from 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.000 the bank 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.259 statement 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.640 what was 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:57.220 his 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.519 priority. 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.059 It's just 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.400 what Jesus 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.640 says, 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.100 where your 00:19:59.100 --> 00:19:59.900 treasure is, 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.460 there your 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.779 heart is 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.039 also. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.380 So let 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:04.620 me ask 00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:05.039 myself, 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.600 let me ask 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:05.819 you, 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.519 what does 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:06.960 your bank 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.339 statement 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:08.920 say about 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.519 your relationship 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.019 with God? 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.500 God 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:14.680 says, 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.120 you rob 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:15.319 me. 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.220 You rob 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:17.519 me in 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:17.900 tithes and 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:18.240 offerings. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:23.460 robbing 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.420 God means 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.500 making my 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.200 own and 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.880 using for 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:27.920 myself what 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.960 belongs rightly 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.460 to him. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.180 And that is 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.519 absolutely 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:32.900 everything. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.400 So for the 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.099 Christian believer, 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:36.140 God has 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.720 given you 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.319 absolutely 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:39.539 everything and 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.400 everything belongs 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:40.819 to him. 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.440 What do you 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.579 have that you 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.019 have not 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.559 received? 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.839 Paul says. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:49.899 And you 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:50.179 say, 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:50.519 well, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.599 if you're 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:51.700 going to 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.039 live that 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.279 way, 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:52.559 that's 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:52.759 pretty 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.159 extreme, 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.399 isn't 00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:53.599 it? 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.359 That must 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:54.980 be the 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.919 very 00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:57.359 exceptional 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.940 kind of 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.259 missionary 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.679 type of 00:20:58.679 --> 00:20:58.980 Christian. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.519 Let me 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:00.740 tell you, 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.019 that is 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.440 plain, 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.079 ordinary, 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:02.700 basic 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.259 Christianity. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:05.700 It's 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.039 Christian 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:06.579 living at 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:06.839 its most 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.119 basic. 00:21:08.919 --> 00:21:09.599 My dad 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.299 went to 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.619 speak at a 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:10.859 Christian 00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:11.079 union 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.419 meeting 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:12.960 of students 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.819 back in 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.399 the 80s. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:16.659 and they 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:16.960 had a 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:17.759 quiz before 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.200 he got 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.419 up to 00:21:18.419 --> 00:21:18.720 speak. 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.319 With an 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.839 overhead 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.480 projector and 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.139 acetates on 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:22.500 the wall, 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.099 remember those? 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.079 And it 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.339 was a 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.700 true or 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.000 false 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.440 quiz. 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.279 And the 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.639 aim of 00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:28.139 the quiz 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.919 was that 00:21:29.919 --> 00:21:30.139 it would 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:30.720 show us 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.700 something about 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.159 ourselves. 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:32.980 So they 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.279 put these 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.599 true and 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:33.839 false 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.319 questions 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:34.619 up. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.240 And so 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.399 you had 00:21:35.399 --> 00:21:35.740 a shout 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.059 out. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:37.940 Was 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.859 Abraham 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.299 Sarah's 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.700 husband 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.179 true or 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:41.440 false? 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:41.720 And all 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.220 the students 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.500 shouted 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:42.919 true. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.259 There's 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.799 loads of 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.019 them there. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.559 was 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:47.259 Jacob 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.159 Isaac's 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:49.879 father? 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:51.779 True or 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.059 false? 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.460 They all 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.779 kind of 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.200 thundered out 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.619 their answer. 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.240 Was 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.659 Jesus 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.299 born in 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.879 Nazareth? 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:56.740 True or 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:56.980 false? 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.179 And they 00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:57.639 all thundered 00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:57.819 out 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.539 false. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:21:59.819 And it 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.179 went on 00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:00.619 something 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.059 true, 00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:01.399 something 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:01.819 false. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.519 And then 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.960 the slide 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.440 was put up 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:03.639 on the 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.059 screen. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:04.700 Take 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:04.940 my 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.379 silver 00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:06.399 and my 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:06.960 gold, 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:07.819 not a 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.099 mite 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.519 would I 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:08.980 withhold. 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:09.720 True or 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.119 false? 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.200 False. 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.200 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.259 false. 00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.160 And they 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.559 all shouted 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:15.960 out earlier 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.279 on. 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:17.960 Was 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.259 Abraham 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.700 Sarah's 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:18.880 husband 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.460 true? 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.160 But when 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.620 it came to 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.299 that last 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.000 slide, 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.140 take my 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.620 silver and 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.080 my gold, 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.759 not a 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.080 mite 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:26.600 would I 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.059 withhold. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.160 There was 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:29.500 silence. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.240 True or 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.519 false? 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:35.759 you have 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.259 robbed me, 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:36.680 says the 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.000 Lord. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.379 And they 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:39.799 were totally 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.400 unaware of 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.559 it. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.220 I can 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.480 leave it 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.139 there and 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:46.639 you would 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.139 feel really 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:47.480 uncomfortable 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.139 a little bit 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.339 at the 00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.579 moment, 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.339 but then 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.519 you'd 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:49.799 thank me 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.079 for it. 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.460 But I 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:51.639 want to 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:51.900 speak to 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:53.139 the members 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.519 of this 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:53.879 church. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.619 There are 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.180 really, 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.500 really 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:57.940 encouraging 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.700 things about 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.139 church life 00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.339 at the 00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.480 moment, 00:22:59.599 --> 00:22:59.879 really 00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.379 wonderfully 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:00.759 encouraging 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.000 things. 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.259 The Lord 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.599 is growing 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.099 the church 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:03.179 and we're 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:03.500 really 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.639 blessed in 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.079 that way. 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.219 We're seeing 00:23:06.219 --> 00:23:06.699 people become 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:07.019 more like 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.259 the Lord 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.500 Jesus. 00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.079 That is a 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.339 really, 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:08.559 really 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:08.939 encouraging 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.240 thing. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:09.959 The 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:10.339 ministries 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.059 are growing, 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:11.419 aren't they? 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:11.939 Really, 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.199 really 00:23:12.199 --> 00:23:12.579 encouraging. 00:23:14.459 --> 00:23:15.039 But what 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.279 isn't 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.740 encouraging 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.199 and what 00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:16.679 is quite 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.279 discouraging 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.719 is how 00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:18.980 very few 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.439 of us 00:23:19.439 --> 00:23:19.939 are 00:23:19.939 --> 00:23:20.759 sacrificially 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:21.039 giving. 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.599 I don't 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.059 know who 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:23.519 gives what. 00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.000 Please don't 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.240 think I 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.579 know that. 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.019 I can 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.240 barely 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.599 understand 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:25.759 the 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.000 balance 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.219 sheet. 00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:28.959 But I 00:23:28.959 --> 00:23:29.699 do understand 00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:29.919 this, 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.299 that there 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.759 are very 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.359 few of us 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:31.599 who are 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.059 tithing. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.779 And there 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.159 are very 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.740 few of us 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:34.939 who are 00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:35.240 giving 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.039 sacrificially. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.019 And I 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.219 wonder, 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:39.959 does God 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:40.539 say to us 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.159 this morning, 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:43.759 are you 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.299 robbing God? 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:47.019 God, you 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.440 say to me, 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:47.819 Paul, we 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.200 live in 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:48.659 one of the 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.099 most expensive 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.559 cities in 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:49.919 the world. 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.399 How dare 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:51.859 you talk 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.359 like this? 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:55.680 And I 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:55.960 think God 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.299 would answer 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.180 back, all 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.460 that you 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.859 have is 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:58.240 from me. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.639 What 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:01.579 does your 00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.079 bank 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.639 statement 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:04.159 say about 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:04.779 your relationship 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.259 with the 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.480 Lord? 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:05.579 God? 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.460 And I 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:09.460 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:09.660 changed 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.019 God, 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.259 and I 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.319 have 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.500 changed 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:10.860 people, 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:12.940 and I 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.500 grieved 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:13.960 God, 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:15.640 and I 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:15.660 have 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.120 insensitive 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:16.500 people. 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:17.819 And then 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.140 stick with 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:19.620 me on 00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:19.860 this. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.480 Thirdly, we 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.740 see the 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.099 challenging 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.559 God, 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:22.920 and a 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.599 heaven-blessed 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:23.860 people. 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.660 So let 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:25.920 me give you 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:26.640 the reasons 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:27.240 why I'm 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:27.900 encouraging you 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.680 to tithe and 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:28.920 to be 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.440 generous. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.500 Listen to 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:31.920 this challenge. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.200 Look at 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.640 verse 10. 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:34.460 Bring the 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.019 full tithe 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.380 into the 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:35.840 storehouse, 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.180 that there 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.420 may be 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:36.799 food in 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.259 my house. 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:38.960 Storehouse, 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.400 there is, 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:39.900 it's a 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.279 picture of 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:40.759 the temple, 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.140 that's what 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.580 he's referring 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:41.840 to. 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.940 The place 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.400 where God 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.740 meets with 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.120 his people, 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:44.880 that there 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.140 may be 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:45.539 food in 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.039 my house, 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.840 and thereby 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.580 put me 00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:47.940 to the 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.400 test, 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:48.920 says to 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:49.140 the Lord 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.259 of 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.259 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.519 house. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:53.920 In 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.319 the Bible, 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:54.720 I'm told a 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.160 number of 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.420 times, 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.000 do not put 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.299 God to 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.720 the test. 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:57.960 And yet, 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.700 in Malachi 3, 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.580 you are told 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.180 this morning, 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.100 and I am 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:01.380 told, 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.120 put God 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:02.479 to the 00:25:02.479 --> 00:25:02.839 test. 00:25:04.479 --> 00:25:05.039 Prove me, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.579 this day is 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:05.879 another way 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.299 of translating 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.579 it. 00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:07.399 Prove me 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:07.679 today, 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.079 God says, 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.559 test me 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:08.859 today, 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.639 and see 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.219 whether I'm 00:25:10.219 --> 00:25:10.639 true to 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.179 my word. 00:25:13.219 --> 00:25:13.719 In your 00:25:13.719 --> 00:25:14.059 giving, 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:16.139 give generously. 00:25:17.219 --> 00:25:17.459 Bring the 00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:17.979 whole tithe 00:25:17.979 --> 00:25:18.339 into the 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.739 storehouse, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:18.959 so there 00:25:18.959 --> 00:25:19.179 may be 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:19.459 food in 00:25:19.459 --> 00:25:19.619 my house, 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:19.979 the whole 00:25:19.979 --> 00:25:20.179 thing, 00:25:20.239 --> 00:25:20.599 everything, 00:25:20.719 --> 00:25:21.159 everything that 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:21.439 you are, 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.019 everything that 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.659 you ever 00:25:22.659 --> 00:25:22.979 hoped to 00:25:22.979 --> 00:25:23.079 be, 00:25:23.219 --> 00:25:23.799 everything grace 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.139 has made 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:24.339 you, 00:25:24.699 --> 00:25:25.539 everything nature 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:25.839 has made 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:25.899 you, 00:25:25.959 --> 00:25:26.459 every gift, 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.019 every ability, 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.699 every moment 00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:28.319 of your time, 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.299 every ounce 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.799 of your energy, 00:25:29.979 --> 00:25:30.579 bring it all, 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:31.299 says God. 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.479 And that's 00:25:33.479 --> 00:25:33.939 the challenge. 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:37.939 It's an 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.799 amazing promise, 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.139 isn't it? 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.619 It's altogether 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.239 amazing. 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:42.819 Look what it 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.039 says, 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.679 it says this, 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.539 see if I will 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.219 not open the 00:25:46.219 --> 00:25:46.759 windows of 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.019 heaven, 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:47.519 I don't know 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.059 whether there 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.699 are windows in 00:25:48.699 --> 00:25:48.819 heaven, 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:49.179 but it's a 00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:49.979 lovely picture, 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.959 windows of 00:25:51.959 --> 00:25:52.259 heaven for you 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.039 and pour down 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.679 upon you a 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:54.339 blessing until 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.199 there is no 00:25:55.199 --> 00:25:56.239 more need. 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.279 I'll rebuke 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.039 the devourer 00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.539 for you, 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.139 that it will 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:00.599 not destroy 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.079 the fruits of 00:26:01.079 --> 00:26:01.719 your soil and 00:26:01.719 --> 00:26:02.099 your vine, 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.699 vine in the 00:26:02.699 --> 00:26:02.919 field, 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.399 shall not 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:03.759 fail to 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:03.959 bear, 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:04.319 says the 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.539 Lord of 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:04.679 hosts. 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.219 Then all 00:26:05.219 --> 00:26:05.659 the nations 00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.019 will call 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.379 you blessed, 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:07.719 for you 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.059 will be a 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:08.439 land of 00:26:08.439 --> 00:26:08.740 delight, 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.159 says the 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.439 Lord of 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:09.719 hosts. 00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:15.719 God says, 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.719 I'll open 00:26:16.719 --> 00:26:17.399 the windows of 00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:18.099 heaven and I 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:18.919 will pour 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.679 down blessing 00:26:19.679 --> 00:26:20.259 upon you 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.699 until there 00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:22.059 is no 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.539 more need. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.539 water. 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:25.079 You walk 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.659 by the 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:25.980 canal, 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:25.839 the 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.659 locks, 00:26:26.659 --> 00:26:27.720 there, 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.039 and you'll 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.339 see it 00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.539 when you 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.039 sometimes 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.440 by the 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:30.740 canal, 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:32.359 the locks 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.039 are holding 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.519 back the 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.139 water and 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.500 then they 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.420 open them 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.180 just a little 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.859 bit and the 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.599 water comes 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.940 pouring through. 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:42.420 But it's not 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.460 really like that, 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.960 it's much more 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.900 traumatic than 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.380 the Brentford 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:45.720 locks. 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.700 You look up 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.259 on YouTube, 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.059 there's whole 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.860 dams in 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:51.700 China where 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.340 the dam 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:53.480 bursts and 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.880 water comes 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.240 flooding over. 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.259 The flood 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.519 tides come 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.620 sweeping over. 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.600 And here's the 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:02.840 picture, 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.980 it's the flood 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.660 tide of the 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.240 blessing of 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:07.140 God and 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:08.000 sweeping over 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.720 a whole 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.340 community. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.440 Just look at 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:11.860 that last 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.420 little phrase 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.840 in verse 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.259 10. 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.820 Three 00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:17.420 words, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:18.900 no 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.920 more 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.320 need. 00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:23.960 I will 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.780 pour out 00:27:24.780 --> 00:27:25.540 blessing upon 00:27:25.540 --> 00:27:26.860 you until 00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:28.040 no 00:27:28.040 --> 00:27:29.040 more 00:27:29.040 --> 00:27:29.620 need. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:29.759 It 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.180 happened in 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.560 David's 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:30.720 date, 00:27:30.800 --> 00:27:31.080 didn't it? 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:33.320 Where there 00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:33.660 was no 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.240 more need. 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:38.160 And God 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:40.040 longs 00:27:40.040 --> 00:27:41.540 to pour 00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:41.960 out his 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.380 blessing 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:44.080 upon his 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:44.340 people. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.440 And we 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:47.860 pray, 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.300 don't we, 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.280 for revival. 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:51.020 And we 00:27:51.020 --> 00:27:51.960 pray for the 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.600 blessing of 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.360 God and 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:53.660 for his 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.300 kingdom to 00:27:54.300 --> 00:27:54.920 come and 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.300 for the 00:27:55.300 --> 00:27:55.980 church to 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.220 grow and 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.960 congregations 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.220 to be 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.540 planted. 00:27:59.420 --> 00:27:59.820 And we 00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:00.520 long for 00:28:00.520 --> 00:28:00.900 that. 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.040 And God 00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:03.540 says to 00:28:03.540 --> 00:28:03.820 us, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.320 what about 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:05.800 your giving? 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.700 What about 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.120 your giving? 00:28:14.560 --> 00:28:15.180 One of the 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.980 things that I 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.280 want to really 00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.800 encourage you 00:28:16.800 --> 00:28:17.259 with today 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.680 is this. 00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.100 If you 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.000 want a 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.720 heart for 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:21.420 God and 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.040 a heart for 00:28:22.040 --> 00:28:22.360 God's 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:22.820 church, 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:25.140 give 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.000 financially. 00:28:27.520 --> 00:28:27.900 Let's 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.280 just say 00:28:28.280 --> 00:28:30.180 you 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.860 invested 00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:31.660 in 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.840 Burger King. 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:33.560 All right? 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.840 I suspect 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.740 many of you 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.460 don't care for 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.020 Burger King. 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.560 All right? 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:37.880 It's to you. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.660 You've got no 00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.160 interest in 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:39.460 Burger King. 00:28:39.540 --> 00:28:39.920 You don't eat 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.220 there, you 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.759 don't like it. 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.759 But you put 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.220 your money 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.980 into Burger King. 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.740 You invest 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.320 in Burger King. 00:28:45.780 --> 00:28:46.180 Suddenly, 00:28:46.520 --> 00:28:47.280 you follow 00:28:47.280 --> 00:28:48.660 what Burger King's 00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:48.920 doing. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.080 You see 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:51.860 whether the 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.820 share price 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:53.420 is going up 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:53.820 or down. 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.240 You see 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.780 whether the 00:28:54.780 --> 00:28:55.640 restaurants are 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.140 doing well 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.320 or not. 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.900 You suddenly 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.180 become interested 00:28:58.180 --> 00:29:00.120 in Burger King 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.880 because you've 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.880 invested in it. 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:02.960 And one of the 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.640 ways that the 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.460 Bible says 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.620 that you 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.460 get a heart 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.120 for God 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.259 and you 00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:12.240 become more 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.840 interested in 00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.279 his work 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.799 and you begin 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.259 to know him 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.059 better is by 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.160 investing in 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.720 God's work. 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.079 And you say 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:19.299 to me, 00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:19.640 Paul, you 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.579 sound like a 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.460 prosperity preacher. 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.200 You're right. 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.559 Tell the 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:25.819 masses, 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.480 Paul Levy's a 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.279 prosperity preacher. 00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:27.779 All right? 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.620 What am I saying 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:29.940 to you? 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.500 I'm saying 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:30.820 to you, 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.519 give of 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.019 yourself. 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.039 Give to the 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.860 Lord's work. 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.519 And what is 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.039 the promise? 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.400 He will pour 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:37.920 out blessings 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.500 upon you. 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:40.900 I, the 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.320 Lord, 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.340 do not 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:43.980 change. 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.759 Return 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.900 to me 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:50.019 and I 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.779 will return 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.620 to you. 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.519 I will 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.559 open the 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.380 windows of 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:56.940 heaven for 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:58.259 you and 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.000 pour down 00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.440 for you a 00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.799 blessing. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:02.680 until there 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.259 is no 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.279 more need. 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.460 Then all 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.960 the nations 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.480 will call you 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:09.240 blessed and 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:09.759 you will be a 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.400 land of 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.759 delight, 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.019 says the 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.259 Lord of 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.480 hosts. 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:17.759 Let's 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:17.900 pray.