WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.320 There's a reason why sorry is the hardest word to say, isn't it? 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:21.019 Any number of reasons actually why that may be the case. Saying sorry to someone for hurt 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:28.400 ! or offence we've caused them means we're acknowledging by definition 00:00:28.400 --> 00:00:28.400 00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:37.939 we did something wrong and aren't perfect, isn't it? And that's a hard thing to do. It makes us vulnerable. 00:00:39.500 --> 00:00:44.399 And we're taught every day to be strong, to stand our ground, to defend ourselves. 00:00:45.379 --> 00:00:56.799 Especially in a city like London which can be a very harsh place. The law of the jungle very quickly becomes the law of the concrete jungle. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:16.280 And the other reason why it's hard to say sorry is because things need to change. If we're truly sorry, and if it's about acknowledging our sin, that's even harder. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:30.659 But it is important to think about how we repent of sin. How we come back to God and say we're sorry for our sin and we turn to him after we've wandered away. 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:39.500 In the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, in Mark 1.15, the first thing that Jesus says when he starts his public ministry is 00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:47.219 the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in this Gospel. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:59.039 So repentance is about more than just being sorry for sin. It is turning from sin and being sorry for it and returning to God. 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:07.180 And if sorry is the hardest thing to say, repentance is one of the hardest things to do. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:16.860 If you're exploring Christianity and you're here this morning, maybe you've not heard this before, but 00:02:16.860 --> 00:02:23.819 becoming a Christian, Christianity is not just about believing something about God. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:36.219 It also involves turning from our life before and from sin to Jesus. And if you are a Christian, this morning it's also relevant to you. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:46.400 Are you still repenting of your sin or has it slipped down the list of priorities in everyday busy life? 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:56.120 But how does it look? How does it look to turn from sin to God? And if it's so hard to do, how do we even do it? 00:02:57.420 --> 00:03:00.040 And that's what this passage in Chronicles speaks to you. 00:03:01.140 --> 00:03:07.939 Now, the book of Chronicles is maybe one of those books, in the Old Testament especially, that we don't read that often. 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:20.479 I don't know if you're like you, but you might read through the Bible, you get to Samuel and kings, and you read all the stories of all the kings of Israel, and they go into exile, and then you get to Chronicles. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:28.900 And it's a bit of deja vu, in a sense. Like, haven't I just read this? It's a bit like there's a glitch in the matrix, in a sense. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:30.960 We've covered this ground. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:35.780 But it is because they tell different stories. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:42.200 Not different in the sense of completely different events, but the same story from different perspectives. 00:03:44.420 --> 00:03:46.540 So we realize different things. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:57.200 See, the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings, or Samuel and kings, answer this question that Israel and Judah had when they went into exile. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:59.200 How did we end up in this mess? 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:05.780 How did things get to this point, that we're out of the land, away from God, in this foreign land? 00:04:06.619 --> 00:04:09.919 Why is there no king from David's line on the throne, as God promised? 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:14.479 Why are we not worshipping at the temple, where God said he'd dwell with us? 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:17.339 Why is Jerusalem destroyed? 00:04:19.159 --> 00:04:22.480 Why is there no hope of going home anytime soon? 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:28.740 And the book of Chronicles tells the story, how do we get out of this mess? 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:36.959 What has God done in the past, in his faithful nature, in his faithful dealings with us, and how is he going to deal with us in the future? 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:43.959 What must we do to return to him so that he will return to us? 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:48.979 How is God going to be faithful and fulfill all his promises to us? 00:04:49.919 --> 00:04:52.120 So there are different perspectives on the same story. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:05:01.599 God's faithful dealings with his people through his covenant, according to his promises, and that's what Chronicles wants to tell the people of Israel and Judah. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:04.460 But there's even more to it than that. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:14.820 I don't know if you knew this, but the order of the books as we have it in the English Bible, the Old Testament books, it's slightly different in the Hebrew Bible. 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:19.260 So our books are kind of grouped together, same types of books together. 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:21.120 You know, your history books and your prophets and so on. 00:05:21.140 --> 00:05:24.640 And that makes a lot of sense in many ways, and you've got all the same kind of books together. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:28.060 In the Hebrew Bible, you've got Chronicles right at the end. 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:39.219 Because it wants to tell people, God's people, Israel and Judah, as they were in exile, how do you look forward after this? 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:46.180 It's interesting the connections that it makes then, in the order of books then. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:54.479 Ruth follows Proverbs, for example, and Ruth is spoken about as a woman of valor, and it's just after the end of Proverbs, which talks about this woman of valor. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.439 So an interesting kind of connections that it makes in that way. 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:16.479 But the important thing here is, the writer of Chronicles wants to point God's people to a life looking forward, based on how God has dealt with these people always through history. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:27.060 And when we come to these end chapters of Chronicles with that kind of perspective, they almost take on a couple of different nuances. 00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:29.420 We look at them in a different way. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:34.400 They're not just a history chapter that tells us about something that happens in the past. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:38.300 There's a different angle to this that's relevant for us too. 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:47.639 That's how God has worked in and through our history too, and how he fulfills his promises. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:52.319 These chapters want to tell us, look up, have faith. 00:06:54.020 --> 00:07:00.660 This is how God's people should live, until he returns to us. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:05.920 And that's just another way of describing repentance. 00:07:07.080 --> 00:07:08.520 Repentance is a big word. 00:07:09.320 --> 00:07:12.060 Kids, on your sheet somewhere there should be something about that too. 00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:18.780 But it's really just a way of describing us turning from our sin, where we've wandered away from God, 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:24.760 confessing that sin to God, being sorry about our sin, and turning back to God. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:28.079 And that is the picture that is described in this chapter. 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:30.120 How God's people do that. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:41.039 There's a fascinating couple of bits in these last couple of chapters. 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:48.539 Just after Ezekiah's story that we just read, in chapter 33 and so on, 00:07:48.539 --> 00:07:52.000 we read about an evil king again, Manasseh. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:54.159 Chronicles is very honest. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:08:00.540 It doesn't kind of gloss over the bad kings that Israel had and the sins they had. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:07.440 But it focuses attention on the hopeful future that lies in returning to God and God's faithfulness. 00:08:09.340 --> 00:08:14.920 But it's interesting how it's contrasted sometimes with, as I said, the kind of story that we've read in Kings, about these kings. 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:21.060 See, in 2 Kings 21, Manasseh is described in this way. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.660 He says in verse 9, 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:23.519 But they did not listen. 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:30.040 And Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done, whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel. 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:34.899 He'd done more evil than the evil nations who'd been there before. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:37.720 Therefore, thus says the Lord the God of Israel, 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:41.379 Behold, I am bringing upon Jerusalem and Judah such disaster, 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:46.679 that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:52.439 That is a pretty shocking indictment. 00:08:53.439 --> 00:08:56.479 And in 2 Chronicles 33, it doesn't gloss over those things. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:57.719 For example, it tells us, 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:02.719 Manasseh burned his sons as an offering in the valley of the son of Hinnom, 00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:06.179 and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, 00:09:06.239 --> 00:09:08.059 and dealt with mediums and necromancers. 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:11.519 He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:20.179 So these chapters then gloss over the unsavory parts of Israel and Judah's history. 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:22.460 But where's the emphasis in Chronicles? 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:26.000 Again, in chapter 33, verse 11, 00:09:26.079 --> 00:09:28.980 Therefore the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:30.460 who captured Manasseh with hooks, 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:31.980 and bound him with chains of bronze, 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:33.419 and brought him to Babylon. 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:35.419 And when he was in distress, 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.019 he entreated the favour of the Lord his God, 00:09:38.099 --> 00:09:41.839 and humbled himself greatly before the God of his forefathers. 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.919 He prayed to him, 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:46.439 and God was moved by his entreaty, 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.339 and heard his plea, 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:49.259 and brought him again to Jerusalem, 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.459 into his kingdom. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:55.259 Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. 00:09:56.079 --> 00:09:59.639 And he goes on to talk about how they removed all the foreign gods 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:00.679 and the idols from the temple, 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:02.559 and restored altar and temple worship. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:08.299 We tell different versions of the same story as well, don't we? 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:11.459 You read about an event in the news, 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:16.239 and it looks like the Guardian and the Daily Mail's reporters 00:10:16.239 --> 00:10:18.219 were on opposite sides of the planet. 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:23.419 I watch an Arsenal-Tottenham match, 00:10:24.079 --> 00:10:28.119 and although you'd think the facts can only be described in one way, 00:10:28.739 --> 00:10:31.019 that Arsenal is always superior, 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:33.960 where a Tottenham supporter, for some reason, 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:37.960 would describe a game where they played much better than they did. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:40.480 It's not necessarily malicious. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:41.419 Different perspectives. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:44.799 The difference here, though, is that both of these perspectives 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:45.799 are God's perspective. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:49.639 The all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful God, 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.699 who directed all of these events 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:54.820 to bring a people to himself. 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:57.440 And they're both true. 00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:00.140 And the emphasis, even in Manasseh's account, 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:03.759 which we saw, is on repentance and turning to him. 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:05.180 That's the central idea here. 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.740 God is faithful. 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:07.780 God is just. 00:11:07.900 --> 00:11:08.840 God is righteous. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:10.759 To have sent us into exile. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:12.779 But if we return to him, 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:16.240 he does not turn his face from us. 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:17.939 He turns to us. 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:19.240 And it is glorious. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.039 Manasseh repents, 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.500 but it is only because God leads him to repentance. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.519 And through him the people. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.639 And don't miss this. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:30.259 Even Manasseh can repent. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:34.000 They still went into exile. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.860 There were still consequences for their sin. 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:38.379 But no one is beyond saving. 00:11:40.180 --> 00:11:43.560 What a message for a people who were in exile to hear 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:46.779 as they were going back to the Promised Land. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:52.240 So these last couple of chapters of the book of Chronicles 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.860 has much to teach us, too, 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:56.039 about how to return to God. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.259 How to repent of our sin. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:58.860 How does this look like? 00:12:00.180 --> 00:12:02.600 And if you've had anything like the week I've had, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:04.480 or just any week at all, 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:07.919 you'll know that repenting from our sin 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.659 and turning to God 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:10.500 is not something we ever stop doing. 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:14.879 We see a couple of things about repentance in this passage. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:18.200 And the writer clearly wants to stress for us. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:20.360 And for the people in exile, 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:22.879 as they were about to go back to the Promised Land. 00:12:23.560 --> 00:12:24.340 Here's the first thing. 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.019 Repentance is 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.840 to God, 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.700 for God, 00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:32.420 and because of God. 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:36.659 verses 6 to 13. 00:12:37.699 --> 00:12:39.519 Hezekiah writes to all of Israel. 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:41.659 They were in the southern kingdom at this stage. 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:44.299 The northern kingdom had gone into exile already. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.839 Had been taken into exile. 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:48.139 Had been captured and taken to another land. 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.000 That's not their home. 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.599 And he calls to all of them 00:12:52.599 --> 00:12:54.099 to come and celebrate the Passover. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.019 We'll touch on the Passover again later. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:57.299 But not just Hezekiah, 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:59.000 the princes and the entire assembly. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:00.799 They do it together. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.519 This is a corporate exercise. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:04.519 This is not just an individual exercise. 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:06.860 This is an exercise 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.960 for all the people 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:08.899 to come together 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:10.460 and repent and turn to God. 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:12.019 Earlier in the service, 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.200 we confessed our sin 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.259 and heard of God's forgiveness. 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:16.620 We continue to do the same thing. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:17.980 All over the world, 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.379 God's people do that today. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.120 So the St. Kuri is far and wide 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:22.679 through the land 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.379 and they tell them 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:25.519 the first thing to realize about repentance, 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.460 it is necessary. 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:30.180 It is absolutely necessary. 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:30.580 Why? 00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:35.180 Because this is what their covenant Lord requires. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:37.300 Verse 6. 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.240 O people of Israel, 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:39.400 return to the Lord, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.220 the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, 00:13:42.160 --> 00:13:43.259 that he may turn again 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.340 to the remnant of you 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:44.920 who have escaped 00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:46.340 from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.280 Do not be like your fathers and brothers 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:49.960 who are faithless 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:52.240 to the Lord of their fathers. 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.240 Do not now be stiff-necked 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.360 as your fathers were, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:58.000 but yield yourself to the Lord 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.399 that his fierce anger 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.519 may turn away from you. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:04.659 You see, God's not just an abstract God, 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.120 is he? 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:09.759 He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.139 the covenant Lord 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:15.639 who made a covenant with these people 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.840 that he would be their God 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:18.180 and they would be his people. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:21.359 And they've broken faith with him. 00:14:21.859 --> 00:14:24.079 The eternal creator of all things 00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:25.919 who chose them to be his people 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.879 and they were rebellious, 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:27.819 stiff-necked. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.899 It's always such a 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:33.620 satisfyingly descriptive phrase 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:35.099 that's used about God's people. 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.979 And they turn to other gods. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.259 And Hezekiah is spelling out 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:43.240 what should be blatantly obvious to them. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:45.899 Israel, the northern kingdom, 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.919 you're in exile. 00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.779 Your brothers are far away 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:51.360 because they rejected God. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.299 You know this. 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.940 When you're in a hole, 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.720 stop digging. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.879 Come back to God. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:03.039 Your land's empty and abandoned, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.399 but He is here. 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.360 Return to Him 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.899 so His fierce anger 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.820 may turn away from you. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:10.000 Sounds obvious. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.639 But, 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.460 if it was so obvious, 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.480 they would probably do it. 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:20.159 See, there's something here about 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.440 we need to be reminded 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:25.399 of the seriousness of our sin. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.879 Even when we can see 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.559 the consequences in our lives. 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.340 At adult Bible school, 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.539 at adult Sunday school, 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.120 in the mornings, 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:34.259 we're looking at the atonement 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.759 in the morning. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.740 In the last couple of Sundays, 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:37.820 we're about how serious our sin is. 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:40.600 Israel knew the consequences 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.140 of their sin, 00:15:41.520 --> 00:15:42.680 but they needed to be reminded 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:44.360 of the seriousness of it. 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.420 We see it every day. 00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:47.340 The world has fallen. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.300 We see the consequences 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:50.240 of sin every day 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:51.020 in wars, 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.379 in the vile politics 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.920 that's going on, 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:55.000 in the way people talk 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.540 to each other. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.440 Our own relationships 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.200 are strained 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:59.080 and fall apart. 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:02.060 But until we realize 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:03.639 that that is because 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:05.420 the world has abandoned 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:07.879 the God who created 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.639 this world, 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:11.660 we won't necessarily realize 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.720 we need to return to Him. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.879 But it doesn't stop there. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.800 What happens when 00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:17.120 the people return to God? 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.580 Does Hezekiah tell them? 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:19.900 He says, 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:20.980 God is gracious 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:22.040 and compassionate. 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:25.200 And we should never forget 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.460 to bring those two together. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:28.740 that God is just 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.379 and righteous 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.820 and angry about sin. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:33.280 But He is always gracious 00:16:33.280 --> 00:16:34.080 and compassionate 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.940 to those who return to Him. 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.160 So in verse 9, 00:16:38.280 --> 00:16:38.820 Hezekiah says, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.340 If you return, 00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:40.360 your brothers will return 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:43.240 for the reason 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.180 why they will return. 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.460 It's not because you returned 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.320 in the first instance 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.639 and did the right thing now, 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:49.320 but because the Lord your God 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:50.460 is gracious and merciful 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:52.400 and will not turn His face 00:16:52.400 --> 00:16:53.800 from you if you return to Him. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:56.500 Isn't that incredible? 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:01.219 You see, 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:03.639 in that time, 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.159 God's presence was with them 00:17:05.159 --> 00:17:05.659 in the temple 00:17:05.659 --> 00:17:06.659 and in the promised land. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.779 In that city of God, 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.460 in Jerusalem, 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.519 being far away 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.419 in a foreign land 00:17:11.419 --> 00:17:12.599 meant they were physically 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:15.159 far from God. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.180 And here He says, 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.139 If you return to Me, 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.240 I will return you 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:21.039 to the land 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.659 that I promised you, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.759 that I gave to you. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.859 And more importantly than that, 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.700 I will not turn my face 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.559 away from you. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.619 And some mocked 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.279 and scorned 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.119 these messengers 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.819 as they kind of went 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.500 through the land. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.279 And that kind of rings true 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.779 with our experience too, 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.379 doesn't it? 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.799 People who want to 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:43.000 call the world 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.700 back to God 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:44.539 often get mocked 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.159 and scorned. 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.399 So it's not a new thing. 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.200 But some did return 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.359 from Manasseh 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:49.879 and Zebulun 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.379 and Asher. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.859 And they've been, 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.220 you know, 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.059 from tribes 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.700 of people 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.619 whose people 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.359 have been in exile 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.339 for a long time. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:58.639 But some of them 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.039 were left 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.559 and some of them 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.299 came back to God 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:01.240 and it seems 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.819 humanly impossible. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.180 From a human perspective, 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.200 they were a write-off. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.759 But God is faithful 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:11.339 despite their unfaithfulness. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.680 Despite the people 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.099 around them 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.879 mocking and scorning 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.399 these messengers, 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.440 some of them 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:16.899 come back to Jerusalem. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.379 They return physically 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.139 to Jerusalem, 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.800 but even more than that, 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:23.360 they've returned spiritually. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.680 They humble themselves 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.900 to come back to God. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.480 And that's significant. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:32.180 But then you probably 00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.860 know as well as I do 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.640 someone 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:37.000 that might come to mind 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.600 who is never wrong 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:42.280 and will fight to the death 00:18:42.280 --> 00:18:43.320 rather than admit 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:45.620 that he or she was wrong. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:49.959 You might recognize 00:18:49.959 --> 00:18:50.759 that in yourself. 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:55.119 You might be driving somewhere 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.159 and suspect 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:57.139 you're on the wrong road 00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:58.319 and start to realize 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.419 you're on the wrong way. 00:19:00.459 --> 00:19:02.219 And the people in the car 00:19:02.219 --> 00:19:03.179 start to realize 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:04.539 you're on the wrong way. 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:06.579 And everyone realizes, 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:08.019 everyone else has realized 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.359 that we're on the wrong way. 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:12.019 And you do your best 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.359 poker face expression 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:15.199 to desperately try 00:19:15.199 --> 00:19:15.959 and work out 00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:17.839 how you're going to get back 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.199 on the right way 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:21.079 without having to admit 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.779 at all 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.119 that you went 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.879 the wrong way. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.579 The sat nav's a bit broken 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.699 or something like that. 00:19:28.199 --> 00:19:29.199 I did that yesterday 00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:30.379 and I was late 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:32.659 for the thing I had to be at 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:33.819 yesterday afternoon. 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:36.539 We all know ourselves 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.159 when we fought 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.200 tooth and nail 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.899 to prove we're right 00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:40.519 even when we're 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.279 obviously wrong, 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:41.740 don't we? 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.240 No, I didn't lie to you. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.899 No, of course, 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:48.359 I'd never say something 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.399 behind your back. 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.839 Why is it even possible 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.700 to repent? 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.460 If that's our natural 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.579 instinctive reaction 00:19:58.579 --> 00:20:00.159 to justify ourselves, 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.859 to prove we're right 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:04.079 and not to admit defeat, 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.579 how does it work? 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.899 We see this amazing thing 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.639 in verse 12, 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.259 the hand of God 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.559 was also on Judah 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.279 to give them 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.279 one heart to do 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.779 what the king 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.240 and the prince 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.839 has commanded 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.740 by the word of the Lord. 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:18.619 See, when God 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.359 expects us 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.459 to return to him, 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:23.240 he returns us 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.159 to him. 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.500 We repent, 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.240 but it is God 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.919 who causes us 00:20:27.919 --> 00:20:28.399 to repent. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.559 The Lord himself 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.699 shows us grace 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.200 by giving us hearts 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:35.720 that want to repent 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.799 and return to him 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.980 when we're unable 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.539 to do that. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.819 Judah was not able 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.880 to return to the Lord. 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.860 The people from Israel, 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.420 from Asherah, 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:42.759 Manasseh, 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.140 and Zebulun, 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.779 were not able 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.660 to return to the Lord 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.200 themselves. 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.220 Here's the encouragement 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:48.920 for us. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.720 If you're struggling 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.819 to fully turn 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.600 from sin 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.880 to God, 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.759 don't give up. 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:59.859 If you know 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.519 someone 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.960 you are praying 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.700 will turn 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.440 to God, 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.359 do not give up. 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.839 What seems impossible 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.420 to us 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.519 is always possible 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.099 with God. 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.019 Don't ever, 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:13.980 ever give up. 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.579 God can turn 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.359 anyone back 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:16.799 to him 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.500 or to him 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:20.799 so that he won't 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.859 ever turn his face 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.460 from them. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:24.279 You see, 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.079 we're not physically 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.759 in exile 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.660 like Israel 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.019 and Judah, 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:28.640 but spiritually 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.660 we are too. 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.640 We live in a world 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.759 that's rejected God 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:35.039 and doesn't know him. 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.360 And the Apostle Peter 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:37.660 writes in 1 Peter, 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:38.840 Once you were not 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.279 a people, 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.740 but now you are 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.480 God's people. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.759 Once you've not 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.519 received mercy, 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.579 but now you have 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.360 received mercy. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.180 Beloved, 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.240 I urge you 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:47.840 as sojourners 00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.519 and exiles 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.079 to abstain 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.940 from the trespassions 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.440 of the flesh 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.440 which wage war 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.180 against your soul. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.240 You see, 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.860 God is always 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.400 faithful 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.559 in returning 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.039 to those 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.200 who turn to him 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.440 from exile 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.259 of his presence. 00:22:00.840 --> 00:22:01.680 And until 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.740 Christ returns, 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.539 he brings us 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.340 to that repentance 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:05.279 day after day 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.680 when we're not 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.220 able to do it 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.680 ourselves. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.200 The second thing 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.640 that we see 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.299 about repentance 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.480 in this passage 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.220 is it must lead 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.039 to right worship. 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:15.779 See, 00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.259 coming into 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.840 God's presence 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.620 as we do 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.640 every Sunday 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.500 in a particular 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.500 and a special way 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.180 means we need 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.579 to worship 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.120 incorrectly. 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.579 That's why 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.119 we do 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.239 things in a 00:22:24.239 --> 00:22:24.779 certain way. 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.239 We have 00:22:25.239 --> 00:22:25.799 certain elements 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.299 of the service. 00:22:26.479 --> 00:22:27.139 We have a call 00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:27.599 to worship 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.239 and we confess 00:22:28.239 --> 00:22:28.759 our sin 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.199 and we hear 00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:29.539 forgiveness 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:29.979 and we hear 00:22:29.979 --> 00:22:30.359 God's word 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:30.679 preached. 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.219 And we see 00:22:33.219 --> 00:22:33.839 here it didn't 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.699 go smoothly 00:22:34.699 --> 00:22:36.279 for God's people 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.979 returning him 00:22:36.979 --> 00:22:37.819 to worship him 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.699 correctly. 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:40.159 They didn't know 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:40.379 how. 00:22:40.439 --> 00:22:41.299 They had forgotten 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.379 how to do it 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.179 right. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:46.220 And that would 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.580 have sounded 00:22:46.580 --> 00:22:47.460 familiar to 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.400 God's people 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:49.880 in exile 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:51.019 reading this 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:53.299 as an 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.799 encouragement. 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.340 And for us 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:57.720 if we've 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.200 struggled with 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.720 sin or felt 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.380 far away from 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:00.140 God or felt 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.660 we'd wandered 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.259 off from him 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:03.480 we can feel 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.620 unprepared to 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.440 come to God 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:07.360 and unworthy. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:09.559 So they 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.179 removed the 00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:11.639 altars to 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.059 the idols. 00:23:12.199 --> 00:23:12.559 They came to 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.000 slaughter the 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.740 Passover lamb 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.919 but not all 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.359 the people 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:15.919 were ready. 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.559 And in fact 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.599 the priests 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.579 and the Levites 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.579 were not 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:20.959 ready. 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.659 In verse 15 00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.119 they slaughtered 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.519 the Passover 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.139 lamb and the 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.519 priests and 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.019 Levites were 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.959 ashamed so 00:23:26.959 --> 00:23:27.799 they consecrated 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.539 themselves and 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.019 brought burnt 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.579 offerings into 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:29.979 the house of 00:23:29.979 --> 00:23:30.279 the Lord. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.139 They saw 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:33.539 what was 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:35.319 happening and 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.419 responded by 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.199 consecrating 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.779 themselves, by 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.500 making themselves 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.220 ritually clean 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.640 and returning 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.000 to God. 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:40.539 They realized 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.059 the importance 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.740 of coming to 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.240 him as he 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.759 had told them 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:43.960 to. 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.019 And in 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.600 verse 17 00:23:45.600 --> 00:23:45.920 though the 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.680 people themselves 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.279 weren't ready 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.720 either. 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.539 There were 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.100 many in the 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.480 assembly who 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.920 had not 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.539 consecrated 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.519 themselves and 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:56.180 therefore the 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.759 Levites had to 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.200 slaughter the 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.759 Passover lamb 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.340 for everyone who 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:58.900 was not clean 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.600 to consecrate 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.000 it to the 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.299 Lord. 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.220 And the 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.640 writers of the 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.080 Chronicles 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.460 doesn't condone 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:04.960 it. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.700 But here's 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.120 the point 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.860 he makes. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.100 It's not 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.960 people's outward 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:12.700 expression of 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.620 repentance and 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.039 faith. 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:15.519 That is the 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:18.160 prime factor, 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.259 the most 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.039 important factor 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.680 in the Lord's 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.700 consideration of 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:21.940 it. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.000 Whether they 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.819 came ritually 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.860 clean and did 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.460 all the right 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.039 things according 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.640 to the law 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:28.299 wasn't the 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.059 most important 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.580 factor. 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.140 A couple of 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.559 weeks ago 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.059 Chris preached 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.920 from Malachi and 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.400 there was this 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:36.160 shocking line in 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.840 chapter 1. 00:24:37.320 --> 00:24:38.820 God speaks to 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.060 them and he 00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:39.180 says, 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.640 Oh that there 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.240 were one among 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.779 you who would 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.220 shut the 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.340 doors that you 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.759 might not 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.600 kindle fire on 00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.220 my altar in 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.400 vain. 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:44.960 I have no 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.460 pleasure in 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.960 you says the 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.220 Lord of 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.380 hosts. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.019 I will not 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.519 accept an 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.000 offering from 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.460 your hand. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:50.800 There's a way 00:24:50.800 --> 00:24:51.340 of doing the 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.320 external things 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:53.220 that hides 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:55.320 something severely 00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:56.500 wrong in our 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.040 hearts. 00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.880 And what 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.620 happens here is 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:01.140 the opposite. 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.279 Their hearts 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.140 have turned, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.560 their hearts 00:25:04.560 --> 00:25:05.080 are set to 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.740 see God, 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.840 and he 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.759 recognises that. 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.360 So despite 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.880 them not be 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:11.160 outwardly ready, 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.300 God provides 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:13.820 someone to 00:25:13.820 --> 00:25:14.759 intercede for 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.100 them. 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.420 Hezekiah 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:19.019 prays and 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.900 God heals 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:23.100 them in 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:25.480 verse 20. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.740 Spiritually 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.180 makes them 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.920 acceptable in 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.620 his presence 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:31.860 to keep the 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:32.620 Passover because 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.259 they set their 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.040 hearts to 00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:34.440 seek the 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:34.680 Lord. 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.500 here's the 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.060 reality about 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:38.519 repentance. 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.040 None of us 00:25:40.040 --> 00:25:40.900 come ready 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:42.759 completely and 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:43.680 fully to God 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.460 to be acceptable 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.160 in his sight. 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.700 We cannot do 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:46.980 that. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:48.100 We have a 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.920 constant need of 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.320 repentance. 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:50.160 We sin all the 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.540 time. 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.860 And if you're 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.980 waiting to come 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.960 to God because 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:56.100 you feel you need 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:57.080 to be perfect 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:58.920 before you can do 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.380 that, this 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.860 passage in 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.919 Chronicles tells 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:04.299 us, don't 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.819 wait for 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.240 that. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.159 If your 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:07.959 heart is set 00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.979 to seek God, 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.759 come to him 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.500 and seek him 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.359 and repent and 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.059 turn to him and 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.679 believe in him. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:14.939 And God's 00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:15.259 abundantly 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.579 gracious. 00:26:15.719 --> 00:26:16.240 He accepts 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.139 them, healing 00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:17.879 them spiritually 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:23.899 and there's an 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.679 intercessor who 00:26:24.679 --> 00:26:27.039 intercedes with 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.579 God on their 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.000 behalf. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.980 You see, we 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.460 have a high 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.000 priest who does 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.519 the same thing 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.339 for us, don't 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.500 we? 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.339 In Hebrews we 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.720 read, we do 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.480 not have a high 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.980 priest who is 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.539 unable to 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.180 sympathize with 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:38.640 our weaknesses 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.539 but one who 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.779 in every respect 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:43.359 has been 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.279 tempted as we 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.059 are yet without 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.380 sin. 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.660 Let us then 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.720 with confidence 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.859 draw near to 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:50.339 the throne of 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.579 grace that we 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.099 may receive 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.039 mercy and find 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.359 grace to help 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.920 in time of 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.279 need. 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.339 In the days of 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.839 his flesh, 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.539 Jesus offered 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.279 up prayers and 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.119 supplications with 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.939 loud cries and 00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:01.959 tears to him 00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:02.720 and was able to 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.419 save him from 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:04.619 death and he 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:06.559 was heard because 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.559 of his reverence. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.779 See, if there's 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.779 any reason for you 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.220 to think you 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.839 cannot approach 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.139 God, we have a 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.919 better high 00:27:14.919 --> 00:27:16.279 priest than any 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.079 high priest Israel 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.759 ever had. 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:19.959 We have the 00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:20.500 Son of God 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.459 himself praying 00:27:21.459 --> 00:27:22.699 for us at this 00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:23.599 very moment and 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.500 every day in a 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.419 way that Hezekiah 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:26.359 could never pray 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.079 for the people. 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:30.059 and you can 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:31.019 come to the 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.759 throne of grace 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.679 to God with 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.460 confidence, 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.679 perfectly 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:37.119 righteous, 00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:37.779 perfectly 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.720 sanctified, 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.279 perfectly 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.039 consecrated. 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.779 But here's the 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.299 most important 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.879 thing that we see 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.519 about repentance 00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.019 here. 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.639 It's to God, 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.339 for God and 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.019 because of Him. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:52.740 it leads to 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.400 right worship. 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.180 But repentance 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:56.940 is incomplete 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.879 without trusting 00:27:58.879 --> 00:28:00.319 only in God's 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.460 gracious saving 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:01.980 work. 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.339 See, we haven't 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.000 yet answered the 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.700 question that I 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.339 kind of alluded to 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:06.700 earlier. 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.299 Why this massive 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.039 focus on the 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.980 Passover at the 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.839 end of Chronicles? 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:13.279 You see, we've 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.899 got it here in 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:14.459 chapter 30. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:14.980 A couple of 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.559 chapters later, 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:16.039 we've got 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.839 Josiah coming. 00:28:16.959 --> 00:28:17.220 The king, 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.980 after Manasseh 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.419 and Amon, 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.459 went off the 00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:20.099 rails again a 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:20.579 bit and came 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.240 back to God 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.019 and led the 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.559 people astray. 00:28:22.679 --> 00:28:23.519 Josiah reforms 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.259 things again. 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.439 They find the 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:25.839 book of the 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.779 law, they read 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.259 from it, they 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.959 all cut to the 00:28:27.959 --> 00:28:28.439 heart, they 00:28:28.439 --> 00:28:29.679 repent, and 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.339 they celebrate 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:30.879 the Passover 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:31.659 again. 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.819 Chronicles 00:28:34.819 --> 00:28:35.500 talks about the 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.000 Passover as 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:39.779 much or more 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.660 than any other 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.279 book in the 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.819 Old Testament. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.059 And it comes 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:43.700 right here at 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:44.059 the end, and 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.660 right here at 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.160 the end of the 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.700 Old Testament 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:47.579 in the Hebrew 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:47.960 Bible. 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.539 Why? 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.559 Why does God 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.559 focus so much 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.319 attention on 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.920 this for us 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.240 too? 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.519 So we've got 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:58.920 to think, what 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.400 did the Passover 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.240 signify? 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:03.279 It recalls the 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.420 Exodus, when God 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.339 rescued his 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:06.039 people from 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.500 Egypt. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.460 as he had 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.440 promised Abraham 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.259 he would do, and 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:10.920 make a people 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.619 from them. 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.519 Their rescue 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.339 from Egypt was 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.299 not their work. 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.940 It was God's 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.819 gracious saving 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.579 work to save 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.279 them from 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.480 Egypt. 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:19.819 They could 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.200 never have 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.440 done it 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:20.839 themselves. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.900 It reminded 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.059 them that an 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.759 atoning death 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.359 in their place 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.140 was necessary 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.519 when they 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.200 sacrificed the 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.839 Passover lamb 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.240 and put the 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.960 blood on the 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.079 doorpost to 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.539 show that they 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.299 realised that 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.039 their sin was 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.799 serious and they 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.079 would be 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:33.259 accepted in 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.960 God's presence 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.019 when blood 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.599 has been spilled 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.019 for it. 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.900 It was a 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.639 serious thing 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.200 to remind 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.680 them of. 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.240 And God 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.740 promised to 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.200 bring them to 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.639 the promised 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.240 land when 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.500 he took 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:42.839 them out 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.299 of Egypt. 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.740 This tiny 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.740 nation, powerless, 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.539 powerless in the 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.099 context of the 00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.720 world they lived 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.460 in, into this 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.400 lush land that 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.200 overflowed with 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.619 milk and 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:51.859 honey. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:53.940 And it 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.660 reminded them 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.299 that God had 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.920 promised that 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.680 he would send 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.759 a Messiah to 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.619 put an end 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.599 to sin and 00:29:59.599 --> 00:29:59.980 death. 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:02.140 all of that 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.519 was wrapped 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:02.900 up in 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:03.140 there. 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.059 And with 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.680 the recounting 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:05.940 of the 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:06.740 Passover is 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.640 such a 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.759 powerful thing 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:11.400 in their life 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.059 as a nation 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.539 that God 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.200 had commanded 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:13.839 them to do 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.819 every year. 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.579 And we have 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.299 this shocking 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:19.120 announcement here 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:19.759 in this passage 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:21.880 that they 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.440 had not 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.539 sacrificed the 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.120 Passover, 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.220 celebrated the 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.180 Passover as 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.980 often as 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.519 commanded. 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:28.700 it. 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:35.720 And when 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.539 that happens 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.579 there's a 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.059 danger, 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:38.920 isn't there, 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.359 when we 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.900 forget that 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.980 we rest in 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.440 the finished 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.879 work of 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.139 God. 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:44.879 And what 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.180 could have 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.700 happened with 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.379 these Israelites 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:47.460 and Judahites 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.160 going back from 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.359 exile to think 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:51.000 that if they 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.720 do the right 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.660 things, if they 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.180 return to 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.019 the sacrifices 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.740 in the right 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:56.440 way, that 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.240 they could 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:59.539 become right 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.140 with God 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:01.200 through their 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.279 contribution, 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.120 their action. 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.579 And as we 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.259 saw in Malachi, 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.859 that is to 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.500 an extent what 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:07.880 happened. 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.180 But it's when 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:10.859 they celebrate 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.620 the Passover 00:31:11.620 --> 00:31:13.019 in this passage 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.240 that their joy 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.000 is complete. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.440 I don't know 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.980 if you saw 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:20.519 in verse 26, 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.339 there was 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.200 great joy in 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.980 Jerusalem, for 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:23.519 since the time 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:23.940 of Solomon, 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:24.440 the son of 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:24.980 David, king 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:25.619 of Israel, 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.000 there have 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.619 been nothing 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.680 like this in 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.180 Jerusalem. 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.559 It wasn't 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:29.940 because they 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.380 had a great 00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:30.940 feast and 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.160 there were 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.579 loads of 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.720 bulls and 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:34.319 there was a 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:36.079 great time in 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.539 Jerusalem. 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:41.740 Jerusalem, it's 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.119 because the 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:42.819 Passover showed 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.319 that God 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.859 turned to 00:31:43.859 --> 00:31:44.180 them when 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.480 they had 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:44.920 not yet 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.460 turned to 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.740 him. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.619 Because he 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:50.059 had promised 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:50.619 to provide 00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:51.299 them with a 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:51.759 saver who 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.180 would be the 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.839 true Passover 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:54.980 lamb, the 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.619 one who died 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.220 in their place 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.680 so they could 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.159 be rescued 00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:57.720 from sin. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.980 So we know 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.440 we need to 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:00.980 turn from 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.279 sin. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.059 We know 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.659 that part of 00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:04.059 repentance. 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.259 repentance. 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.299 If you've 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.579 been in 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.039 a church for 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.460 any length 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.000 of time you 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.220 would have 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.700 probably heard 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.259 that or if 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.619 you haven't 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.079 been in a 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.379 church. 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.960 We know 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.579 very often 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:12.859 that our 00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:13.259 lives need 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.859 to change. 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.559 Instinctively 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.000 we feel 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.319 that. 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.399 But here's 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:17.700 what this 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.279 chapter tells 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.440 us. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.099 Our joy 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.599 will not 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.319 be complete 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:22.759 until we 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.839 only rest 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.179 in the 00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:25.000 finished work 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:26.299 of God 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.619 on our 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.139 behalf. 00:32:29.419 --> 00:32:29.720 You see 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.220 the Passover 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.139 looked backwards 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:31.919 and forwards 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:32.619 for Judah 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.619 in very 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.559 powerful ways. 00:32:36.199 --> 00:32:36.559 But what 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:36.839 they look 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:37.359 forward to 00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.179 is present 00:32:38.179 --> 00:32:38.959 reality for 00:32:38.959 --> 00:32:39.399 us. 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.299 But we 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.939 have the 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:43.459 Lord Jesus 00:32:43.459 --> 00:32:43.879 Christ 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:44.579 interceding 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.039 for us 00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.379 in heaven 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:46.019 right now. 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.019 We heard 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.539 this morning 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:50.839 at our 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.119 Sunday 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.500 school 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:51.839 from 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.259 Jeremiah 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:52.719 6 00:32:52.719 --> 00:32:53.799 where 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:55.539 God 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.159 rebukes 00:32:56.159 --> 00:32:56.419 the 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:56.979 priests 00:32:56.979 --> 00:32:58.219 and he 00:32:58.219 --> 00:32:58.559 tells, 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.459 he rebukes 00:32:59.459 --> 00:32:59.879 them for 00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:00.819 crying peace, 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.439 peace when 00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:01.879 there is no 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:02.339 peace. 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.919 saying, 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.439 they healed 00:33:05.439 --> 00:33:05.899 the wound 00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:06.179 of my 00:33:06.179 --> 00:33:06.459 people 00:33:06.459 --> 00:33:06.939 lightly. 00:33:08.239 --> 00:33:08.699 Hezekiah 00:33:08.699 --> 00:33:09.279 prayed to 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.639 the Lord 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:09.939 and he 00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.399 healed the 00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:10.779 people. 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:11.759 He 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.419 reconciled 00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:12.879 them to 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.179 him. 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:14.859 Jesus 00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:15.159 Christ 00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:15.519 paid a 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.679 much 00:33:15.679 --> 00:33:15.959 greater 00:33:15.959 --> 00:33:16.459 price 00:33:16.459 --> 00:33:17.159 than 00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:17.379 these 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:18.000 sacrifices 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.319 in the 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.699 Passover 00:33:18.699 --> 00:33:19.439 lamb to 00:33:19.439 --> 00:33:20.159 heal us 00:33:20.159 --> 00:33:21.079 and to 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.739 reconcile us 00:33:21.739 --> 00:33:22.059 to God 00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.599 permanently. 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:25.519 And there 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:25.779 was a 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.740 perverse 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.279 joy 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:29.099 in 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.679 Jerusalem 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:31.539 when the 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:31.779 true 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.299 Passover 00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:32.759 lamb 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.500 was 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:33.959 sacrificed 00:33:33.959 --> 00:33:34.779 for us. 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.199 The 00:33:36.199 --> 00:33:36.459 people 00:33:36.459 --> 00:33:37.000 rejoiced 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.480 over that 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.939 Passover 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:38.339 lamb 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:40.059 but in a 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.619 very wrong 00:33:40.619 --> 00:33:40.980 way. 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:42.899 But we 00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:43.179 know there 00:33:43.179 --> 00:33:43.579 is great 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:44.079 joy in 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.439 heaven 00:33:44.439 --> 00:33:45.939 when a 00:33:45.939 --> 00:33:46.279 single 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:46.619 sinner 00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.199 comes to 00:33:47.199 --> 00:33:47.619 repentance. 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:47.879 repentance. 00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:51.179 And our 00:33:51.179 --> 00:33:51.779 prayer is 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.559 heard every 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.259 moment of 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:53.919 every day 00:33:53.919 --> 00:33:55.159 in God's 00:33:55.159 --> 00:33:56.059 holy habitation 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.639 in heaven 00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:58.739 through Jesus' 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.399 prayers on 00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.019 our behalf. 00:34:01.479 --> 00:34:02.119 Let's 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:02.859 continue to 00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.379 return to 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:03.859 God with 00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.619 confidence. 00:34:06.479 --> 00:34:07.339 The God 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:07.819 who turned 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.619 to us in 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:10.159 Christ when 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:10.799 we turned 00:34:10.799 --> 00:34:11.239 away from 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:11.480 him. 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.019 And he 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.460 will never 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.980 turn his 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.480 face from 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.940 us as 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:16.380 his beloved 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.779 children. 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:17.819 Let's 00:34:17.819 --> 00:34:18.019 pray. 00:34:23.819 --> 00:34:24.460 Heavenly 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.359 Father our 00:34:25.359 --> 00:34:27.420 sinful hearts 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:27.980 find it 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:29.380 hard to 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.279 return to 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.920 you when 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.319 we've 00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:31.799 wandered, 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.339 when we've 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:33.839 sinned. 00:34:36.359 --> 00:34:37.259 We are 00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:38.000 proud. 00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:39.679 We are 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.579 often stiff 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.039 necked 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.440 people. 00:34:42.759 --> 00:34:43.599 Father we 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.019 give you 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.719 such great 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:45.639 praise that 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:46.259 when we 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:47.339 return to 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:47.840 you it 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.519 is not 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:50.220 because we 00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:50.600 were able 00:34:50.600 --> 00:34:50.940 to make 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.420 the effort 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.579 because we 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.300 will never 00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:55.320 be but 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:55.760 because you 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.260 turned our 00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:56.740 hearts, 00:34:57.740 --> 00:34:58.140 because you 00:34:58.140 --> 00:34:58.780 set our 00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.539 hearts to 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.539 seek you. 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:01.900 Father we 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.539 praise you 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:04.440 that in 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:04.740 the Lord 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:05.340 Jesus you 00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:05.940 turn to 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.400 us in a 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:06.760 way we 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:07.320 could never 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.220 have expected 00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:09.119 demanded or 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:10.219 demanded or 00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:10.719 deserved. 00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.199 Father we 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.759 pray that you 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.319 will turn 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.019 each of us 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.519 to you 00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.059 again in 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:16.319 you in 00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:16.699 this week 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.159 to come 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:20.139 and that we 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.699 will see your 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:21.599 face and be 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.039 glad. 00:35:23.399 --> 00:35:23.799 Father we 00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:24.259 pray this in 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:24.819 Jesus name. 00:35:25.379 --> 00:35:25.699 Amen. 00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:25.799 Amen. 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.600 Amen. 00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:29.140 We're going to 00:35:29.140 --> 00:35:30.019 sing again 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.500 now. 00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:36.100 The hymn 00:35:36.100 --> 00:35:36.620 Lord of 00:35:36.620 --> 00:35:37.280 the Church 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.420 from page 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:39.360 7 of the 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:39.720 booklets. 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.720 Linger on 00:35:42.720 --> 00:35:43.220 these words 00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:43.640 in the first 00:35:43.640 --> 00:35:43.940 verse. 00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:44.580 Lord of the 00:35:44.580 --> 00:35:45.080 Church we 00:35:45.080 --> 00:35:45.680 pray for 00:35:45.680 --> 00:35:46.560 your renewing 00:35:46.560 --> 00:35:48.039 Christ over 00:35:48.039 --> 00:35:49.080 all our 00:35:49.080 --> 00:35:50.160 undivided 00:35:50.160 --> 00:35:50.500 aim. 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:51.700 Fire of the 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:52.400 Spirit burn 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:52.940 for our 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.420 renewing. 00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:54.200 Wind of the 00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.860 Spirit fan the 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.200 flame. 00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:56.780 We turn to 00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:57.720 Christ amid 00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:58.580 our fear and 00:35:58.580 --> 00:35:58.980 failing. 00:36:00.100 --> 00:36:00.800 The will that 00:36:00.800 --> 00:36:01.700 lacks the courage 00:36:01.700 --> 00:36:02.340 to be free. 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:04.140 The weary 00:36:04.140 --> 00:36:05.140 labours all but 00:36:05.140 --> 00:36:06.560 unavailing to 00:36:06.560 --> 00:36:07.480 bring us nearer 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:08.120 what a church 00:36:08.120 --> 00:36:08.560 should be.