WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.019 Hey, church. Good morning. It's 1028, but I decided to go ahead and get this started, and I'll wait until 1030 before we actually get things rolling. 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:20.839 I was thinking about, man, all the things with COVID and what got us onto live streaming in the first place years and years ago. 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:30.060 So if you had been at our church in 2018 or 2019 and there was a snow day or a cold day, we just wouldn't have a sermon, and we didn't do any live streaming. 00:00:30.880 --> 00:00:36.380 And then COVID came along, and we had to learn so many things so quickly. 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:45.039 And now we have the equipment, we have the setup, and I think at least once a year, we are here in my living room. 00:00:45.039 --> 00:00:56.100 And so I was just reflecting on all those things this morning and how many years it's been since COVID and the world of live streaming. 00:00:56.420 --> 00:00:59.379 And, you know, there was a time when we didn't have a live stream for our church. 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:00.640 We didn't have a live stream camera. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:05.859 You know, if you missed the worship service, you just have to, the sermon audio recording was all there was. 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:14.780 So it's just funny to think about everything that's changed in the world the last five or six years or so. 00:01:15.440 --> 00:01:24.920 And what I've learned, too, I remember back in COVID, just the learning curve of trying to figure out how to use the cameras and how to use Facebook Live and all those things. 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:28.140 And now it's just something we do and we have to. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.719 So, okay, we're right at 1030. 00:01:31.820 --> 00:01:34.780 So I'm going to go ahead and officially get us started. 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:44.600 As you join on, I would ask that if you're willing to make a comment and just where you are watching from, you can greet one another. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:46.359 That does a couple of things for us. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:49.339 First of all, it helps us understand who's actually with us. 00:01:50.299 --> 00:01:54.839 It gives us a sense of being together, even as we are actually separated physically. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:57.939 And it also helps me not feel quite so crazy. 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:01.219 So I'm not just here looking into a camera. 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:04.259 Even now I can see folks commenting. 00:02:04.500 --> 00:02:07.399 So that's helpful for me, if for no one else. 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:12.260 We were supposed to have a congregational meeting today after church. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:14.540 Obviously, we're not going to do that. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:18.640 So that will be moved to next Sunday, January the 26th. 00:02:19.639 --> 00:02:24.899 I also do want to give you guys a reminder that my sabbatical is coming up very soon. 00:02:25.179 --> 00:02:28.659 February the 2nd will be my last Sunday with you all. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:30.119 So I have two more Sundays. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:32.479 After this morning, I have one more sermon. 00:02:32.779 --> 00:02:38.019 This coming week, I'll be traveling for our regional church meetings three times a year. 00:02:38.519 --> 00:02:41.439 The churches in Wyoming and Montana and Colorado get together. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:46.300 So I'll be in Summit County for some of the week and up in the Denver area for part of it. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:48.780 So Andy Perch will preach next Sunday. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:49.879 Then I'll preach on the 2nd. 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:50.939 Then I'll be out. 00:02:51.979 --> 00:02:55.599 I also want to remind you that starting February 9th, 00:02:55.659 --> 00:03:00.180 Jonathan Clark is going to do a four-week series on evangelism that I'm really excited about. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:02.620 And I hope you all are as well. 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:05.639 I think those are our announcements. 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:10.840 We've been in a very short series in the Book of Psalms. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:16.819 The last couple weeks, the Book of Psalms is the songbook for God's people in the Old Testament. 00:03:17.539 --> 00:03:21.639 It is the prayer book, the hymn book, the guide for worshiping God. 00:03:21.979 --> 00:03:24.419 It's quoted all throughout the New Testament. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:28.759 There's sort of a competition between the Book of Psalms and the Book of Isaiah 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:31.120 as to which is quoted more in the New Testament. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:33.979 Depends on who you ask and how you add up the numbers. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:38.079 This week, we're going to be in Psalm 46. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:44.520 And for the sake of time, I'm actually going to hone in on verses 1 through 7. 00:03:44.760 --> 00:03:46.980 And we're going to leave off verses 8 through 11, 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:51.740 just because this is such a rich passage with so much going on. 00:03:52.720 --> 00:03:54.840 And Psalm 46 really asks one question. 00:03:55.660 --> 00:03:59.020 What do we do when life falls apart? 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:03.200 What do we do when life falls apart? 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:06.040 It's with that I invite you to turn with me now. 00:04:06.160 --> 00:04:09.360 You can turn on your phone or in your Bible or in your computer, 00:04:09.480 --> 00:04:12.760 wherever you get access to the scriptures. 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.140 Wherever you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:04:15.660 --> 00:04:18.900 He tells us that it is more precious than gold, even the finest gold, 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:22.720 and sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:26.120 And so that's why we read now from Psalm 46. 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:31.540 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:35.800 Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:39.160 though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. 00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:42.340 Though its waters roar and foam, 00:04:43.440 --> 00:04:46.060 though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:51.800 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.839 the holy habitation of the Most High. 00:04:55.699 --> 00:04:57.399 God is in the midst of her. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:04:58.980 She shall not be moved. 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:02.720 God will help her when morning dawns. 00:05:03.660 --> 00:05:04.879 The nations rage. 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:06.500 The kingdoms totter. 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:08.540 He utters his voice. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:10.660 The earth melts. 00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:13.760 The Lord of hosts is with us. 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:16.760 The God of Jacob is our fortress. 00:05:17.580 --> 00:05:21.280 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:25.700 Our Father in heaven, we do thank you for your word. 00:05:25.820 --> 00:05:29.200 We thank you for the gift of technology that allows us to connect, 00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:30.600 even as we're at a distance. 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:32.000 And we ask that you'd help us. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:37.120 You'd help us to focus for a few minutes this morning on your word, 00:05:37.260 --> 00:05:38.420 that we would worship you, 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:40.100 that we would see you clearly, 00:05:40.460 --> 00:05:45.140 and that you would remove the many distractions that come with this sort of technology. 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:46.860 Instead, you'd help us. 00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:48.800 You'd help us to see you in your word. 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:50.560 And we ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:51.420 Amen. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.920 One of my very best friends in the whole world 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:00.439 grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:02.620 which is in western North Carolina. 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:08.959 And he had a very hard childhood with a lot of significant trauma. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:12.639 And so home was not always a safe place for him. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:15.300 But if you're familiar with western North Carolina, 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.160 you know that that's the mountains of North Carolina. 00:06:17.579 --> 00:06:20.759 And while home was not safe, the mountains were. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:26.620 He looked to the mountains as a place of comfort and solace and safety. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:28.759 He eventually became an outdoorsman. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:34.199 He worked in the outdoors industry for a while and I think directly connected to those experiences. 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:37.980 And you probably already know where I'm going with this. 00:06:38.599 --> 00:06:42.740 In September of last year, Hurricane Helene came in. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:43.360 And what did it do? 00:06:43.399 --> 00:06:45.259 It wiped out western North Carolina. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:49.039 Destroyed that part of the state with floods. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:52.920 And the mountains themselves were covered in water. 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:54.620 Of course, not up to their topstrap, but they're flooded. 00:06:54.620 --> 00:06:56.300 Inaccessible. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:58.879 And so we find here, verse 2. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.800 Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:07.120 though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:08.899 And to be honest with you, 00:07:09.220 --> 00:07:12.120 I've always thought of that verse in Psalm 46 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:14.899 as sort of being this exaggeration, this hyperbole. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:18.860 You know, of course, the mountains will never fall into the sea. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:21.639 It's just using this image to help us understand, 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:24.620 well, the worst thing that you can imagine happening, 00:07:24.719 --> 00:07:26.219 which of course won't happen, 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:28.379 God is stronger still. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:32.019 I'm going to have to eat my words on that 00:07:32.019 --> 00:07:35.659 because what is Hurricane Helene but water from the sea 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:39.779 in a hurricane that comes in and floods the mountains? 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:44.699 So my image, my idea, my thoughts about Psalm 46 have changed 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:47.939 because of that, because of my conversations with my friend. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.259 The point is this. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:55.779 Sometimes the most stable things in the world 00:07:55.779 --> 00:08:00.859 are shaken, are removed, are destroyed. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:06.199 Sometimes the most stable things in the world 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:10.600 are shaken and removed and destroyed. 00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:13.780 And if you've lived long enough, 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:16.199 you have probably experienced that, 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:18.240 something that you thought was the bedrock 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:20.020 of your life disappeared. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:23.600 Maybe your spouse told you 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:26.300 that he or she wanted out of the marriage. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:30.060 Maybe the stock market crashed 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:32.580 and along with it disappeared your wealth. 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:37.060 And with your wealth, your chance of retiring. 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:40.360 We could think of another natural disaster, 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:43.799 the wildfires that are going on in Los Angeles. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:45.860 There was an article in the Wall Street Journal 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:47.980 that came out recently and the title was this. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.419 Their wealth is in their homes. 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.820 Their homes are now ash. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:56.080 And it featured folks who are in their 60s and their 70s 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:56.680 in their home. 00:08:56.800 --> 00:08:59.000 Their house was a large portion 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.379 of their retirement plan, of their wealth. 00:09:01.800 --> 00:09:04.140 In addition to that, before the fires, 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:06.460 insurance companies had stopped supporting, 00:09:06.920 --> 00:09:08.780 had dropped, I think State Farm especially, 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:10.220 their coverage for wildfires. 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:12.620 And so you have people who are in this double bind. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.300 On the one hand, they've lost their insurance. 00:09:14.400 --> 00:09:17.300 Then the fire comes in and takes out their wealth. 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:24.039 Maybe the stable thing for you is your job that you lost. 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:29.139 Maybe it's that your mind and your body 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:33.679 slowly start to fail and betray you. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:40.679 This psalm reminds us that we can't leave this life unscathed. 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:42.979 And so it's about this. 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:45.120 It's about the question that I mentioned to you earlier. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:48.519 What do we do when life falls apart? 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.579 What do we do when the earth gives way? 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:56.639 Well, it tells us in that very same verse, verse 2, 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:59.059 we will not fear. 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:03.439 Now notice what it doesn't say. 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:04.639 It doesn't say we won't grieve. 00:10:05.599 --> 00:10:07.240 It doesn't say we won't be sad. 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:09.899 It says we will not fear. 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:11.580 Why? 00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:15.220 Well, look one verse earlier, verse 1. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:18.320 God is our refuge and strength, 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:22.159 a very present help in trouble. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.740 The psalm goes on immediately, 00:10:27.060 --> 00:10:28.139 verses 4 through 7, 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:31.360 to give us a picture of what that means. 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.620 There's this contrast. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:34.680 So you're going to want to look at your Bible now with me. 00:10:34.680 --> 00:10:36.919 We're going to be moving around quickly on different verses. 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:40.500 There's this contrast between what happens in verses 1 through 3, 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:43.360 and then what we see in verses 4 through 7. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.080 So in verses 2 and 3, 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:47.639 we have these threatening waters that destroy. 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.000 That's what's happening in the world. 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:51.759 Verse 4, 00:10:52.180 --> 00:10:53.759 we have a river that brings life. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:58.080 There is a river whose streams may clad the city of God. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:00.519 Verses 2 and 3, 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:01.519 what do we see? 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:05.980 The mountains are moved into the heart of the sea. 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.039 Okay, so the mountains, 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:09.120 the stable things in life, 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:10.019 they can be destroyed. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.960 They can be upset. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:12.720 Verse 5, 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:15.079 talking about God's city, 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:15.579 Jerusalem, 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.699 God is in the midst of her same word, 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.980 she shall not be moved. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.579 So I want you to see the contrast. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:23.939 Waters that destroy, 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.159 waters that give life. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.079 Things that are stable, 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:27.639 seemingly, 00:11:27.839 --> 00:11:28.819 but can be moved, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.500 God's city cannot be moved. 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:34.839 Then we're told, 00:11:34.939 --> 00:11:35.719 verses 4 and 5, 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.079 this is the habitation of God. 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.279 This is where he dwells. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:39.299 He's in the midst of her. 00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:41.539 God's presence is there. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.000 Verse 5, 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:44.860 we're told that God is going to help. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:47.860 God will help her when morning dawns. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:49.919 And then verses 5 through 6, 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.899 God is actually more powerful 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:53.600 than all these other forces. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:55.399 Verse 6, 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.820 the nations rage, 00:11:56.920 --> 00:11:58.060 the kingdoms totter, 00:11:58.580 --> 00:11:59.980 he utters his voice, 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.420 the earth melts. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:05.700 Whatever power there is in this world, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:09.580 God is more powerful. 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:12.600 Whatever power there is in this world, 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.220 God is more powerful. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.980 The world, 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:19.639 the things that we see 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:21.200 as most reliable 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:22.560 and most stable, 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:24.339 may collapse. 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.819 And at some point, 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.239 they will. 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:29.419 God's city 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.739 will not. 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:33.099 Things that are most stable 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:33.719 in this world, 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.299 seemingly, 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:35.939 can, 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.979 and it sometimes will, 00:12:37.099 --> 00:12:37.559 collapse. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.159 God's people 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:40.539 will not. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:42.139 The world 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:44.619 may be falling apart. 00:12:45.739 --> 00:12:46.839 God's church 00:12:46.839 --> 00:12:48.619 stands firm. 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:52.080 The waters are roaring 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.080 and chaotic 00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.200 out there. 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.940 The waters are nurturing 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.860 and safe 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.840 and life-giving 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.019 in here. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:02.419 So I want you to see 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:03.120 there's this kind of 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:04.940 black and white distinction. 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.460 There's 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:07.120 this contrast 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.120 that's being drawn. 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.399 Here's the world, 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:11.840 unstable, 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:12.940 unsteady, 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:15.539 always full of risk, 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:15.980 volatile. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.940 Here's God's city, 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:18.940 here's his church, 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.480 unshakable. 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:25.120 Why don't we fear? 00:13:25.560 --> 00:13:26.980 Because there's a place 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:28.560 where the waters are calm. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.800 Why don't we fear? 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.840 Because Jerusalem, 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:33.639 verse 5, 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.759 shall not 00:13:34.759 --> 00:13:36.039 be moved. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.820 Now you might be thinking, 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:40.080 man, 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.159 that sounds like a real 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:43.200 pie-in-the-sky 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.519 sort of hope. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:46.679 How does that help me now? 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.319 How does that help 00:13:47.319 --> 00:13:48.720 people in Los Angeles 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.879 whose houses have been 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.419 destroyed? 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.819 What does it mean 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:53.960 on Monday 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.980 or Tuesday 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.059 that God is my refuge 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:56.679 and strength, 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.720 that he's a very present help? 00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.360 Well, 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.220 to get at that, 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.159 we have to remember 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.939 that when we look 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.720 at the Old Testament 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.659 and we see references 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:05.139 to Zion or Jerusalem, 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.460 a place where God dwells, 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:07.879 the center, 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.199 the capital of his people, 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.439 we now think of where 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.480 God's people are now, 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.539 which is not in Jerusalem, 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.939 but is in the church. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.599 God is here 00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:16.500 in the midst 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.439 of his people, 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:18.839 his church, 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:20.459 he's very present, 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:22.019 and he's very present 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:23.120 in a variety of ways, 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:24.459 a variety of practical ways. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:27.099 Remember that God's church 00:14:27.099 --> 00:14:28.599 is where he's given us 00:14:28.599 --> 00:14:29.259 to each other, 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.919 and so God gives 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:31.699 his people 00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:33.599 to his people. 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.959 One of the ways 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:36.879 that God is 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:38.639 very present with you 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:41.319 is the other people 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:42.379 who worship with you 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.240 at Cheyenne Mountain 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.360 Presbyterian Church. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:46.659 That is a piece, 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.500 a part 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.740 of God's presence. 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:50.159 God does not merely 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.039 call us as sons 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.539 and daughters, 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:52.340 but when he does, 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:52.939 what does that mean? 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.860 We also have brothers 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:54.600 and sisters. 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:56.699 And I think 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.220 when we've been 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.819 in the church 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:59.120 for a long time, 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.639 it's easy to forget 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.639 how isolated 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.740 the world out there is. 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:07.659 how hard it is 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.379 to make real, 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:08.840 true, 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.259 deep friendships 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.340 outside of the community 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:12.279 that God's given us. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:12.919 I'm not saying 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.680 it's impossible, 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.759 but in our current age 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.500 in 2025, 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.580 an age of isolation 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.680 and individualism, 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.960 it is hard. 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:22.539 It is uphill. 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:24.820 If you're in the church, 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:27.519 God is present with you. 00:15:27.940 --> 00:15:28.720 If we were here together, 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.440 I'd say the people 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.019 next to you. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.320 We're not next to each other, 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.180 but you know what I mean. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:35.979 God's also very present 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:37.059 to us in his word. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.199 He's given us his word 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.019 to guide us 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.299 and to instruct us. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.519 We could even say 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.539 that this psalm, 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.359 Psalm 46, 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:46.219 is one of the ways 00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:47.979 that God is very present 00:15:47.979 --> 00:15:49.699 with us in trouble. 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.579 God's given us strength 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.759 in the sense that 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.919 he's given us this psalm. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.459 So it's not just 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:57.219 that he's a refuge, 00:15:57.359 --> 00:15:57.500 right? 00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:58.019 Verse 1, 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:59.079 he's also our strength. 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.219 And he's our strength 00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:01.120 in a variety of ways. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:01.899 One of the ways 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.039 is he reminds us 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:03.860 of what's true. 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.559 We're told in this psalm 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.339 we don't fear. 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:08.000 Well, what is fear 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.679 but a belief 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.399 about the future? 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.500 And what does God 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.240 tell us in his word? 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:14.059 He tells us 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:15.139 what the future looks like. 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.679 He tells us 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:17.599 what we need to know 00:16:17.599 --> 00:16:18.759 to not fear. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:21.819 We could also say 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:22.259 that God 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.459 is a very present help 00:16:23.459 --> 00:16:24.000 in trouble 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.899 because he is 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:26.299 immediately accessible 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.360 to us in prayer. 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.099 I told you 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:29.919 a few weeks ago 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.500 that you 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.360 are in fact 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.360 more powerful 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.379 than Elon Musk. 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.659 And you're more powerful 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.060 than him 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.519 in this particular sense 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.180 that you 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.080 have access 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.960 to the living God. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.680 You can pray to him 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.940 whenever you want. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.440 And God himself 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.320 is more powerful 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.220 than Elon Musk. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.480 Verse 5, 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:47.779 verse 6, 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.700 the nations rage, 00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:49.800 the kingdoms totter. 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.100 He utters his voice, 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.220 the earth 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.879 holds. 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.960 James chapter 1, 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.460 verse 5, 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:56.940 tells us 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.940 God gives wisdom 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.340 wisdom 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.440 to those who ask 00:16:59.440 --> 00:16:59.860 for it. 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.680 That's a promise. 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.480 He's saying, 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:02.640 look, 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:03.400 if you believe 00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:04.220 and you pray to God 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.580 and you say, 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.500 I need wisdom, 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.740 this is a promise. 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:07.680 There's no qualifications. 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:08.460 It says God 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.320 will give you wisdom. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.660 He gives wisdom 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.519 to those who ask. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.340 Actually, 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:12.799 I think there is 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.380 a qualification 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.360 that we ask in faith, 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:14.580 right? 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.539 James chapter 5, 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.340 verse 17, 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.120 tells us 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:19.059 God really does 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.720 answer prayer, 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.160 right? 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.779 Elijah prayed 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.440 and God answered. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.680 Do we believe that? 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:30.140 Do we believe 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:31.240 God's promises 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.299 about the power 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:33.700 of prayer? 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.360 Do we believe 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.180 that he is 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.900 more powerful 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.360 than the other forces 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:40.000 in this world? 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.080 Do we believe 00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:42.920 that he answers, 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:43.860 that he hears 00:17:43.860 --> 00:17:45.259 when we cry out? 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.700 Do we believe 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.560 that he's our refuge 00:17:48.560 --> 00:17:49.220 and strength, 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.900 a very present help 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.019 in trouble? 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:56.019 God's also 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.579 very present 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.000 with us 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.059 by his Holy Spirit. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.299 Jesus makes promises 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:01.799 in both John chapter 14 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.980 and John chapter 16 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.759 that he's going to 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.619 send the Spirit 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.359 to his people. 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.920 In John 14, 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.759 he refers to the Spirit 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:08.379 as a helper, 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.740 the one who's going 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.519 to be with us. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.799 John 16, 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.639 Jesus says, 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:13.799 hey, 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.740 the Spirit's actually 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.639 so powerful 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:17.160 that it's better 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.180 that I leave you 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.059 because then I can 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.839 send the Spirit. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.599 And that's mind-blowing. 00:18:21.699 --> 00:18:22.359 I've talked about that 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:23.099 a number of times 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.519 in sermons 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.259 that Jesus would say, 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:24.559 actually, 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:26.419 it's better that I go 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.919 because the Holy Spirit 00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:28.779 is so valuable. 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:30.119 You know, 00:18:30.179 --> 00:18:31.279 our instinct is to think, 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:31.539 man, 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.779 if Jesus were just here, 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:34.359 and Jesus says, 00:18:34.439 --> 00:18:34.619 no, 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:35.019 actually, 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.519 there's something 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.419 better than me. 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.319 There is my Spirit. 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.179 Verse 2, 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:41.519 again, 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.179 tells us, 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:42.720 sorry, 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.779 verse 1 tells us 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.879 that he's our strength. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.279 It's our strength 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.159 in a variety of ways. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.480 The Spirit is one of them. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.799 The Spirit gives us 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.460 what we need 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:52.200 to obey God. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.680 It's also a strength 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.740 in that he gives us 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.139 truths that we need. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.359 Truths that anchor us, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.000 allow us to move forward. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.460 God's our strength 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.079 and our refuge 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:05.639 because he's promised us 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:07.480 things that we can't lose. 00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:09.299 Every once in a while, 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.500 I try to remind you all 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.899 of 1 Peter 1, 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.619 verse 3, 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.879 verse 4, 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.379 excuse me, 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.339 which tells us 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.700 that because of the resurrection, 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:18.680 we have an inheritance 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.240 in heaven. 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.420 And that inheritance 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.180 is described 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.019 with three words. 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:23.279 It is imperishable, 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.519 undefiled, 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.620 and unfading. 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.220 Which is another way 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.580 of saying, 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.620 whatever happens 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.380 out there, 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.160 it can't touch, 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.120 it can't damage 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.840 what's in here. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.580 It cannot damage 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:35.799 what God has prepared 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:37.180 for his people. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:40.220 There are some things 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.039 in life 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.320 that will not fall 00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:42.860 into the sea. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.759 There are some things 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.279 in life 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:47.039 that cannot be shaken. 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.059 Those are the things 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.619 and only the things 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.799 that God gives 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.000 to us. 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.799 I said this already, 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.500 fear 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:57.119 is based on 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.819 what we believe 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:59.019 about what is going 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.000 to happen in the future. 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:01.299 God's saying, 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.920 don't fear. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.799 I've already told you 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.259 the future. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:03.940 It's secure. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.859 It's secure 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:07.139 and cannot be lost. 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:08.200 We're not looking 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.299 at verses 8-11 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:09.759 this morning, 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.119 but verses 8-11 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.339 give us another glimpse 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.859 of the future. 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.339 And they're saying, 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.519 look, 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.200 God wins. 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:17.139 God wins 00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:18.700 and he is going 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.440 to fully 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.200 and finally 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.000 be seen 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.879 for who he is. 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.859 He's going to bring 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:24.779 full and final justice 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.359 to this earth. 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:30.299 Hebrews chapter 13 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.920 gives us 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.019 a reminder of this, 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.960 speaking specifically 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.759 about wealth. 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.579 It says, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.619 keep your life free 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.700 from the love of money 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.399 and be content 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.279 with what you have. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.779 For he has said, 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.720 I will never leave you 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:44.139 nor forsake you. 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:45.720 So we can confidently 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.320 say, 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:48.259 the Lord is my helper. 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.940 I will not fear. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:52.040 What can man do 00:20:52.040 --> 00:20:52.640 to me? 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.700 Why is it 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.720 that we don't fear 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.820 when the earth 00:20:57.820 --> 00:20:58.420 gives way 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.700 and the mountains 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.740 fall into the heart 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.300 of the sea? 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.220 We don't fear 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.400 because God has told us 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.600 I will never leave you 00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.880 nor forsake you. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.500 We don't fear 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.400 because we can confidently 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:11.940 say, 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:14.119 the Lord is my helper. 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.299 What can man 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.680 do to me? 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.559 Remember, 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.880 Jesus says, 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:21.680 don't fear 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:23.299 those who can 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:23.900 kill the body. 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.940 Fear God, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.539 the one 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.759 who has power 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.400 over the soul. 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.759 You will lose 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.319 things 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.759 of great value 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.420 in this life. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:39.960 there's no way 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.759 around that. 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.420 There's no amount 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:43.920 of money 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.920 you can pile up 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.820 to keep you safe. 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.920 There's no friend 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:50.539 with enough influence 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.300 to keep you 00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:52.779 from harm. 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.920 You will lose 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:56.880 things of great value. 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.720 There is something, 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.120 though, 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.700 of ultimate value 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:04.700 that we cannot 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.180 lose. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.000 There are things 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.140 of ultimate value 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:10.559 that will not 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.460 be lost. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.860 Those are the things 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:14.920 that God gives to us. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.720 And they cannot 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.480 be lost 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.880 because of 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.779 Jesus' resurrection. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:23.000 Peter tells us, 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:24.360 1 Peter 1, 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:24.920 verse 4, 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.019 I already quoted it to you. 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.779 There's an inheritance. 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.319 It's imperishable, 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.860 unfading, 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.460 undefiled. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.680 The verse before that, 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.140 verse 3, 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:32.560 tells us why we have 00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:33.180 this inheritance. 00:22:33.540 --> 00:22:34.480 We have this inheritance 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.600 because of the resurrection. 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.920 That it's Jesus' death 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.060 and his resurrection 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:40.840 that makes those things 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.940 unlosable 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:43.520 and unshakable. 00:22:45.040 --> 00:22:46.020 Because he's promised 00:22:46.020 --> 00:22:46.520 them to us. 00:22:46.560 --> 00:22:47.640 He's given them to us, 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.420 those who believe 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.040 in Christ 00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:50.200 and follow him 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.780 by faith. 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.720 And he's able 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.440 to do that 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.540 because of Jesus' 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.660 life and death 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.440 and resurrection. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.700 Because just Jesus died 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.640 and took the punishment 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.520 that we deserve. 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.480 and he lived 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.279 and lived the life 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.160 that we should have lived 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.319 so that we can have life 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.980 with him. 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.960 So there's many things 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.839 that can happen to you 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.460 in this life 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.319 that are terrible 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:09.900 and tragic. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.740 None of them 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.299 can take that away. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.700 I've told you before, 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:19.200 you may end up 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.980 in prison, right, 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:21.059 for the rest of your life. 00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.379 You may end up 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:22.980 because of something 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.859 you actually did 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.440 or something you're 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.559 falsely accused of. 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:27.059 and in a sense 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.980 that might feel 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.940 like the end 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.700 of your existence 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.500 in this world. 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.859 But it can't touch 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.379 your future. 00:23:34.679 --> 00:23:35.960 Can't touch the future 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.599 promise to those 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.359 who are in Christ. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.139 My friend, 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.659 who I mentioned 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.319 at the beginning, 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.339 told me this. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.299 He said, 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.039 I've always looked 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.740 to the mountains 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.139 as a stable thing, 00:23:48.659 --> 00:23:49.679 found comfort 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.460 and solace 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.139 in the mountains. 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.119 But the flood, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.059 that is the floods 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.220 of Western North Carolina, 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.579 showed me 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.619 even the mountains 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:59.559 are not unshakable. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.740 The mountains 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.139 aren't my refuge. 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.740 Ultimately, 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.779 the Lord 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:07.659 is my refuge. 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.599 That's one of the ways, 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:11.980 by the way, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.779 that God uses 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.919 tragedies like that. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.639 He uses them 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.559 to shake us up 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.480 and remind us 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.740 of what is secure 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.659 and what isn't secure. 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.259 That's why we see 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.200 after tragedy, 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.000 often there's sort of 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.839 this mini revival. 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.319 Some of you will remember 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.399 after 9-11, 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.779 there was this 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.779 mass return to church. 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.039 Because people 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.699 were shaken up, 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.240 they realized, 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:32.000 hey, the things 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.779 that I place security in, 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:35.059 those things are not 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.599 as steady 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.579 or as stable 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:38.019 as I thought. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.779 Catastrophes clarify 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.839 how stable 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.939 the world is. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.679 They remind us 00:24:44.679 --> 00:24:45.359 that it isn't. 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:47.859 And there is, 00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.000 though, 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.859 that one thing 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.559 that is stable. 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.159 What's stable 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.839 is the things 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.500 that we have 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.139 in God, 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.859 with God, 00:24:52.959 --> 00:24:53.919 because of Jesus' 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.519 resurrection. 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.699 Jesus himself 00:24:56.699 --> 00:24:58.159 makes us a promise 00:24:58.159 --> 00:25:00.179 about that stable future. 00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.559 We'll end with this, 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.539 Jesus' words 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:04.059 in John 14. 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.359 Let not your hearts 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.039 be troubled. 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.399 Man, 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.079 that sounds a lot 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.959 like Psalm 46. 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.799 Let not your hearts 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.379 be troubled. 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:14.039 Believe in God, 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:15.679 believe also in me. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:18.220 In my Father's house 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.460 are many rooms. 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:22.120 If it were not so, 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.620 would I have told you 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.880 that I go to prepare 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.799 a place for you? 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.820 And if I go 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.980 and prepare a place 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.420 for you, 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:31.140 I will come again 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.200 and will take you 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.060 to myself, 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.779 that where I am, 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:37.019 you may be also. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.320 Let's pray. 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.700 Our Father in Heaven, 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:43.019 we do thank you 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.640 and praise you 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.360 for your word. 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.639 We thank you 00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:46.319 for this psalm, 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:47.000 Psalm 46. 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.319 We ask that you 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:48.959 would use it 00:25:48.959 --> 00:25:49.859 as one of your tools 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:51.919 to be very present 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.799 with us 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.559 in our troubles. 00:25:54.459 --> 00:25:55.579 That while we may grieve 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.500 and we may be sad, 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.479 we would not fear 00:25:57.479 --> 00:25:58.740 because we know 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:59.659 that what we have 00:25:59.659 --> 00:26:00.199 in you 00:26:00.199 --> 00:26:01.139 cannot be lost. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.879 And we ask these things 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.659 in Jesus' name. 00:26:03.939 --> 00:26:04.159 Amen. 00:26:06.459 --> 00:26:07.199 Thanks, church. 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.599 Look forward to seeing 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.279 you all again 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.299 very soon.