WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.859 But what we're going to do now is just move to turn our attention to God's words. 00:00:04.179 --> 00:00:09.560 So if you have a Bible, please turn with me to Psalm 49. 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:09.679 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.600 Just eyes in for a minute. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:45.120 Here's what I want you to say to yourself deep down. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:52.260 That what I'm about to hear over the next 30 minutes or so really could transform my life. 00:00:53.719 --> 00:00:55.140 Not because I'm saying it. 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:57.420 Friends, I don't have an awful lot to offer this morning. 00:00:57.420 --> 00:01:00.160 But because it's God's word. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:04.099 And we should come expectantly to him as we come to his word. 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:05.500 Knowing that he is the living God. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:10.200 He is in the business of transforming lives through the person of his son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:10.740 --> 00:01:12.240 So on that note, let's pray. 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:15.520 And let's ask that God would do that this morning as we come to his word. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:19.900 Father, we thank you that your word is living and active. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:22.099 It's sharper than a double-edged sword. 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:23.120 Piercing. 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:24.359 Testing. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:26.060 Rebuking. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:26.960 Encouraging. 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:29.659 And Father, we pray that as we turn here now. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:35.799 And as we see just how timely and how relevant what we're about to read together is for our lives. 00:01:35.919 --> 00:01:37.639 This everyday reality that we know. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:41.639 Father, I pray that you would lift our eyes to the greater vision. 00:01:42.139 --> 00:01:43.219 The greater story. 00:01:43.339 --> 00:01:45.060 The greater truth of the risen Jesus. 00:01:45.839 --> 00:01:48.679 Father, pray particularly for those this morning who are weary. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:51.000 Maybe we're doubting. 00:01:51.099 --> 00:01:51.899 Maybe we're tired. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:54.619 Maybe we don't even know what we think we know. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:58.800 Father, would we leave here with a greater understanding of Jesus, we pray. 00:01:59.380 --> 00:02:00.700 In his name we ask. 00:02:01.460 --> 00:02:01.859 Amen. 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:05.560 So folks, Psalm 49. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:11.939 Just to get us going this morning, let me tell you about a graveyard that's opposite our house. 00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:19.719 During that COVID season of life, do you remember the one when we were allowed outside for one hour a day? 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:20.539 Do you remember that? 00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:23.819 That's scary when you think back on that, isn't it? 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:26.579 One hour a day we were allowed outside. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:37.580 Well, during that season when it was my turn to take the kids for a bit, give Alex a little break when I was working and she was looking after them and we'd kind of do this tag team thing. 00:02:38.760 --> 00:02:41.500 With my hour, I always used to take our kids to the graveyard. 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:43.520 Know how to show my kids a good time, right? 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:48.580 On what I like to call quite literally was the graveyard shift. 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:49.380 That's what I had. 00:02:50.100 --> 00:02:57.560 And because we did the same routine day after day after day after day, I got to know every hiding spot in that graveyard for hide and seek. 00:02:58.100 --> 00:03:01.460 I got to know how the tracks worked when the kids used to ride their bikes. 00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:08.500 But I used to read every single inscription on the tombstones in that graveyard just to pass the time. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:11.439 You know the kind we get, don't we? 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:20.659 The kind that tell us who this person was, where they were born, what did they do, who they were related to. 00:03:21.140 --> 00:03:24.360 Read every single one of these tombstones in this graveyard, Libertankirk. 00:03:25.040 --> 00:03:26.319 And here's what I saw. 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:31.439 Some people are buried under massive tombstones. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:34.219 Uber impressive. 00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:38.860 And the inscription written on it makes for pretty impressive reading. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:41.159 Who this person was. 00:03:41.260 --> 00:03:43.260 They did tons of things with their life. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:48.540 They were clearly either from money or they had money because this thing is absolutely vast. 00:03:50.260 --> 00:03:51.780 And that's one side of the graveyard. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:55.900 But you just walk two minutes in the other direction. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:04:01.200 There are people buried underneath what can only be described as a small slate of marble. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:06.219 With barely anything written about them other than their name. 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:18.040 And yet when all is said and done, whether you're high, whether you're low, whether you're rich, whether you're poor, it's the same graveyard. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:21.720 And it reminded me of that song. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:25.360 If you've ever seen it, Hamilton the musical. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:29.640 If you haven't, then Disney Plus three-month trial, knock yourself out. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:30.580 Okay, you'll find it. 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:32.800 Here's this song in Hamilton the musical. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:36.699 It says, death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints. 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:40.500 It takes and it takes and it takes. 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:44.220 And we keep on living anyway. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:45.379 You know the one? 00:04:45.580 --> 00:04:45.900 Hamilton. 00:04:46.840 --> 00:04:48.120 And it's true, isn't it? 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:48.540 True. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:52.920 Unless your faith is in Jesus. 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:56.840 Friends, that is the reality that we're looking at. 00:04:56.900 --> 00:05:05.120 See, in our world today, unless you have a reason to go there or it's Halloween or you've been watching Michael Jackson thriller video, whatever, we tend to avoid graveyards. 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:07.160 They're a bit creepy. 00:05:07.300 --> 00:05:08.280 They're a bit morbid. 00:05:08.400 --> 00:05:10.720 Why would you want to go there? 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:20.420 And yet God is going to tell us in Psalm 49 that there is timeless wisdom about life to be learned in a graveyard. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:24.500 Here's the thing of this psalm. 00:05:25.880 --> 00:05:27.760 Which grave is going to be your guide? 00:05:30.160 --> 00:05:36.340 If you have Psalm 49 open there, just before we read it, notice at verse one, notice who the target audience is of the psalm. 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:36.900 Do you see it? 00:05:37.780 --> 00:05:40.200 This is not just the psalmist's top tips. 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:44.400 Or his religious insights for God's people. 00:05:44.520 --> 00:05:48.480 This is an announcement, do you see, for all peoples. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:51.460 All who live in this world. 00:05:51.900 --> 00:05:53.760 Both low and high, rich and poor. 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:55.320 Now, do you know what that word all does? 00:05:55.380 --> 00:05:56.960 It's a really technical Hebrew word. 00:05:57.760 --> 00:05:58.840 Try and get it for you. 00:05:58.900 --> 00:06:00.680 That word all here just means all. 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:05.440 The net catches absolutely everybody. 00:06:05.440 --> 00:06:10.100 Which means whoever you are here today, whatever you think about the God of the Bible. 00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:12.000 Maybe a friend has dragged you along. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:14.820 Maybe you've got wrong direction on Google Maps and you've ended up here. 00:06:14.900 --> 00:06:16.000 You think, what am I doing here? 00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:18.240 Friends, this one's for you. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:21.900 That word all means this one's for you. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:27.040 It means absolutely every one of us is in on what this psalm is trying to tell us. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:35.220 So this is something, you can just track with a language, that the psalmist has meditated on. 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:39.120 Now, that word in the Bible just means to chew something over. 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.300 It's kind of what cows do, isn't it? 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:42.080 They just chew. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:43.860 They chew the cud. 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:45.140 That's what this word means. 00:06:45.139 --> 00:06:50.560 It's totally different from Eastern meditation where you empty your mind. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:52.919 When the Bible talks about meditation, it's a different thing. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:07:00.419 Christian meditation is about filling your mind with God's word and allowing God's word to direct and shape your life. 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:09.480 So this is wisdom in Psalm 49 of someone who's got a few rings on the tree of his life. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:12.560 Who's been around the block a few times. 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:14.980 Someone for whom this is not their first rodeo. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:18.220 And they've weighed it all up. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:19.319 They've looked at life. 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:20.819 They've experienced a few things. 00:07:20.900 --> 00:07:24.160 And here is what they've concluded about life in this psalm. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:24.900 You ready for it? 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.319 What's the wisdom here? 00:07:28.520 --> 00:07:29.500 Let's read it together. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:30.139 Come with me. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:34.279 Psalm 49 for the director of music of the Sons of Korah. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:38.120 This has been a wee run of these psalms from these temple musicians. 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:39.000 A psalm. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:42.800 Hear this, all you peoples. 00:07:43.979 --> 00:07:44.419 Listen. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:49.759 All who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:54.060 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:59.939 The meditation of my heart will give you understanding. 00:08:00.139 --> 00:08:03.539 I will turn my ear to a proverb. 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:06.259 With the harp I will expound my riddle. 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:10.920 Why should I fear when evil days come? 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.879 When wicked deceivers surround me. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:18.740 Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:22.920 No one can redeem the life of another. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:23.920 Or give to God. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:26.400 Or give to God a ransom for them. 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:28.540 The ransom for a life is costly. 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:31.180 No payment is ever enough. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:33.180 So that they should live on forever. 00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:34.899 So that they should live on forever and not see decay. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:40.299 For all can see that the wise die. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:45.919 That the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:48.679 Their tombs will remain. 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:49.839 Their houses forever. 00:08:49.839 --> 00:08:53.019 Their dwellings for endless generations. 00:08:53.479 --> 00:08:56.419 Though they'd named lands after themselves. 00:08:58.319 --> 00:09:00.979 People, despite their wealth, do not endure. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:04.339 They're like the beasts that perish. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:10.040 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves and of their followers who approve their sayings. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:13.420 They're like sheep that are destined to die. 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:16.160 Death will be their shepherd. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:20.000 But the upright will prevail over them in the morning. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:25.500 Their forms will decay in the grave far from their princely mansions. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:30.320 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:33.980 He will surely take me to himself. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:38.379 Do not be overawed when others grow rich. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:42.019 When a splendor of their houses increases. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.220 For they will take nothing with them when they die. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:47.960 Their splendor will not descend with them. 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:52.259 Though while they live, they count themselves blessed. 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:53.840 And people praise you when you prosper. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:56.879 They will join those who've gone before them. 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:59.700 They will never again see the light of life. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:03.019 People who have wealth. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:06.420 But lack understanding. 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:12.920 Are like the beasts that perish. 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:17.660 And God will bless the reading of his word to us this morning. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:21.519 Folks, this is a worldview shaping text. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:23.840 Here's what I mean by that. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:33.179 You and I, we default to slip into viewing and evaluating the world and the people in it and the so-called wisdom in it. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:35.059 And where real power and truth lies. 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:37.039 We default to doing it one way. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:43.980 And here is God in this psalm saying to us, to anyone who would listen. 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:46.680 I want you to view it another way. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:50.080 I want you to view it my way. 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:51.420 And so this is a psalm. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:54.100 It's all about fear. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.139 Do you see that? 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:56.139 Verse 5. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.180 Rhetorical question. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:03.139 Why should I fear when evil days come? 00:11:04.239 --> 00:11:08.399 When those who trust in their wealth and are boasting in it, they surround me. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:14.319 I think wealth in the psalmist's world goes hand in hand with power. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:24.900 And people using wealth to get power and using that power to gain influence and using that influence to prosper. 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:35.280 And all the while without any consideration of and actually outright hostility towards the creator God of the cosmos. 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:38.780 And that's a really hard thing to get your head around when you see it happening. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:47.899 Remember that famous saying from Benjamin Franklin, that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:48.919 You know that phrase? 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:49.860 That saying? 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:56.279 Do you know what my few years working in the corporate world before I started doing this made me see that that's a half truth? 00:11:57.459 --> 00:12:07.100 Because nowadays, see if you've got enough money, you can pay someone to set up a scheme for you in somewhere like the Cayman Islands. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:09.420 So that you don't actually have to pay taxes. 00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:14.019 So death and taxes, certainties, I'm not so sure. 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:24.500 But just to bring this closer to home, if you're a Christian here today, here's what the psalmist wants us to think about as we seek to apply this to our lives. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.300 Ready for this? 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.680 Here's the question. 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:34.420 Who are the people that you and I find it hardest to be openly Christian around? 00:12:35.420 --> 00:12:35.960 You want that again? 00:12:35.960 --> 00:12:43.740 Who are the people in our lives that we find openly, hardest, sorry, to be openly Christian around? 00:12:44.540 --> 00:12:45.360 Think on it. 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:47.680 I've got people in my head. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:51.019 Maybe it's your colleagues. 00:12:51.300 --> 00:12:54.780 Maybe it's your roommates in halls. 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:57.580 Maybe it's your brother, your sister, your parents. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:05.700 Honestly, I find it really perplexing watching people who I rub shoulders with every day ignore God. 00:13:05.900 --> 00:13:09.660 And yet they seem to get on perfectly well and get ahead in life. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.600 And of course, that's to do with God's grace, isn't it? 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:12.960 His common grace to us all. 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:15.500 But when they just do not acknowledge it or see it. 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:20.720 When that happens, friends, when that happens in our lives, what are we so often tempted to think? 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:25.600 I know my own heart in this, is if you can't beat them, join them. 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:27.580 Yeah? 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:30.120 Maybe they know something that we don't. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.540 Do good guys really finish last? 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:34.779 Maybe God has met his match. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:37.259 Maybe you can have your cake and eat it. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.399 Do you find that? 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:45.419 Friends, the ambition of the psalm comes at verse 16. 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.240 Have a look at it. 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:52.279 The psalmist's ambition, his drive, the reason he's writing this. 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:55.279 And I imagine God's people are in his mind here. 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.720 He says, do not be overawed. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.819 And that word just means intimidated. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:03.120 When others grow rich, do not be shaken by that. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:05.000 Do not doubt when that happens. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:07.439 When the splendor of their houses increase. 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:08.860 Right? 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:10.100 When they upsize. 00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:11.919 When they move out to the suburbs. 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:16.759 And it's a five bedroom house with two cars in the garage. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.840 Kids at private school. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:19.180 And you think, I'm just struggling here. 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.840 Trying to be faithful to God. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.539 What's happening? 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.440 Friends, he's saying, don't be intimidated. 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:26.120 Don't be overawed. 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:28.960 And here's two quickfire reasons why. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:32.000 And of course, this is all about being faithful to God. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:32.920 About loving him. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.899 About cherishing him. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.620 About having him number one in our lives. 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:38.060 Here's two quickfire reasons why. 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:40.699 Why we shouldn't be overawed. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.539 Here's the first one. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:44.279 Because there are some things in life that money can't buy. 00:14:46.219 --> 00:14:47.179 Do you see verse seven? 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.119 This isn't. 00:14:50.859 --> 00:14:52.039 Guys, I've got a theory. 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:54.459 Right? 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:58.639 Can I bounce something off you and see if it's just me? 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:01.899 See what the psalmist says at verse 10. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.179 He says what? 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:03.860 Do you see it? 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.340 All can see it. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.819 So this isn't hidden. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:10.179 This is a truth that's out there. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:13.519 This psalmist is like the little boy in the emperor's new clothes. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:17.039 Looking at the emperor saying, am I the only one who can see this? 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.279 Verse seven. 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:25.659 And no one can redeem the life of another or give God a ransom for them. 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.379 There's a truth. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:29.399 Meaning that you can't barter with God. 00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:33.659 Our creator doesn't take credit card. 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:36.959 You can't do a deal with death. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.620 Doesn't matter how rich you are. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:42.799 And of course, it's what people around the world are trying to do with all their billions and billions of money. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:48.599 Investing in technology, which means that they're going to be able to freeze themselves so that they can kind of cheat death. 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:50.139 But of course, you can't cheat death. 00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.779 You might be able to delay it. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:54.539 But you can't defy it. 00:15:57.339 --> 00:15:58.299 There's verse 11. 00:15:58.459 --> 00:16:00.740 There is a finality about death. 00:16:02.099 --> 00:16:07.199 Even to those who had enough power and influence to name lands after themselves. 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.740 And we still get that today, don't we? 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:12.039 Great conversation starter for you over lunch. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:15.480 How many places can you think of named after people who are now dead? 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:17.079 Right? 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:17.919 A wee shot of this. 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:18.839 Stalingrad. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.139 Alexandria. 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.379 Darwin. 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:26.439 You can call it there and you can do some more if you want. 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:29.399 People who named lands after themselves. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.379 Who had all that influence and power. 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:34.279 Yet even people with that level of influence. 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:35.559 Verse 13. 00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:37.120 Their fate. 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:39.240 Which means they end. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:42.700 It's the same as everybody else. 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.980 And notice the psalmist here. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:48.000 Millennia ahead of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:51.980 And the days of liking and retweeting and sharing. 00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:53.639 What does he say? 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:55.180 He says they will be. 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:59.220 As will be the one of all their followers. 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:04.860 They too will exit life stage as naked. 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:09.000 As the day they entered it. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:12.640 And you can't argue with them stats. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:18.339 Why shouldn't we fear those with power and influence and wealth. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:21.180 And using that wealth to live an anti-God life. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:23.819 Well firstly because there's some things that money can't buy. 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:27.440 Secondly because there's some places that money can't go. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:30.860 And there's two angles in this. 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.700 Do you see the first one? 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.820 Look at it verse 17. 00:17:35.820 --> 00:17:37.759 You can't take a penny with you. 00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:39.080 That's what the psalmist is saying. 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:42.480 You cannot take a penny of that with you. 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:45.720 Remember when we lived in Malawi for a season before we moved to Edinburgh. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:51.440 The president at the time was a man by the surname of Bingu. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:54.140 And he was related to Robert Mugabe. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:58.100 It gives you a clue as to what was going on in his presidency. 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.720 And what he'd done when we got there. 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:03.180 We realised that he'd artificially set the exchange rate. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:05.980 The local exchange rate to dollars really high. 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:10.240 To try and improve public perception of what that national currency was worth. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.360 See the instant that he died. 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.959 When we were there it happened. 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.719 When he died. 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:19.979 Within days the value of that currency had dropped dramatically. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:25.179 The first time I'd ever experienced anything like that in my life. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.639 Local people devastated. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.000 Savings halved. 00:18:30.219 --> 00:18:30.939 Taking a hit. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.879 Suddenly everything is now more expensive. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:36.259 It's just how fragile money is. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:40.180 But know that there's coming a day. 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.879 Says the psalmist. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:42.339 It's far scarier than that. 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.519 For every single person. 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.599 When in an instant. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.420 Your net worth will be zero. 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.619 Everything that you've built. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.920 And ploughed your life into. 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.640 Will be gone. 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.859 And add to that verse 10. 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:54.539 The fact that this could be a double whammy. 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.440 Do you see verse 10? 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:59.759 Because they will leave their wealth to others. 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.779 And you've no idea. 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:03.720 What kind of person will pick it up. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.880 He will be in line to inherit it. 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.720 Always have a laugh. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.519 If you've ever watched. 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:11.700 Made in Chelsea when that came out. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:14.180 And there was that guy that inherited the McVitie's fortune. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:14.759 Wasn't it? 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:17.420 And I love the thought of the guy who gave him the money. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.500 The McVitie's owner. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:18.980 Thinking. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.279 Wouldn't it be great if my son. 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.660 The person who inherited this money. 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:24.240 Was on a reality TV show. 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:26.000 Where they drank coffees and cocktails every day. 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.279 Because that's what I'm working for. 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.960 They will leave their wealth to others. 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:35.340 And you've no idea who's picking it up after you. 00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:38.460 And it's summed up at verse 12. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.279 The wisdom of this psalm. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.759 With the similar words that end this psalm. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.579 At verse 20. 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.819 Do you see it? 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:48.279 People who have wealth. 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.700 But lack understanding. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.799 Are like the beasts that perish. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.980 And just in case you're tempted to think. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:58.160 That the psalmist is maybe having one of those. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.259 Those days. 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:03.460 Maybe the psalmist is just hangry. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:08.980 Maybe the psalmist just needs to take a moment for himself. 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:10.299 Have a wee Kit Kat. 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:10.960 A time out. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:13.160 And just go and go for a walk. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.480 Something like that. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:15.759 Friends. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.799 You turn to the gospels. 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:19.779 And you found Jesus saying something strikingly similar. 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:21.359 To what the psalmist is saying here. 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:25.079 Luke chapter 12. 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.740 Jesus tells the story about a farmer. 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:30.279 A rich farmer. 00:20:30.459 --> 00:20:31.500 Who one day decides. 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:33.099 After a bumper harvest. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:37.159 That he wants to build bigger barns for himself. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.919 So that he can store more grain. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:40.539 So that he can retire early. 00:20:40.679 --> 00:20:41.500 And take it easy. 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:45.059 And that's a remarkably modern ambition. 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.699 Is it not? 00:20:47.199 --> 00:20:48.919 If you're a daytime TV fan. 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:55.620 You'll know those shows that are popular around 3, 4 o'clock on the telly at that time. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.220 Escape to the country. 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.340 A place in the sun. 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:01.800 Here's the narrative of those shows. 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.940 Make your money. 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.800 Retire to luxury. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:08.039 Open a little bit of the bubbly. 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.940 Take and post the selfie. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.080 And soak it up. 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:11.900 Yeah? 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.740 Say it again. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.779 Because I quite like that. 00:21:14.560 --> 00:21:15.320 Make your money. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.920 Retire to luxury. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.320 Open the bubbly. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.339 Take the selfie. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:19.980 Soak it up. 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.359 That's the narrative to those shows. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:23.599 And we applaud those people. 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.500 Living the dream. 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.339 That's what we say. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.379 Living the dream. 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:33.559 And the presenters of those shows would be desperate to get the number of the farmer in Jesus' story to do a feature on him. 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:35.819 Desperate. 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.839 Can you connect us? 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.599 Desperate. 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:41.319 To get the thinking. 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:43.039 How did he do it? 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:45.159 How did he get to where he's got to? 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:47.859 His retirement plans to retire for luxury. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.200 And why? 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:53.119 Well, the world stands up and applauds and says, well played, sir. 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.579 Well played. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.980 Give him the book deal. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.099 Well. 00:21:56.099 --> 00:22:04.079 Jesus says, in the twist and the sting of that parable, Jesus says, you fool. 00:22:06.939 --> 00:22:09.219 Tonight your life is going to be demanded of you. 00:22:10.879 --> 00:22:11.619 So true is it. 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:13.319 I remember having a geography teacher at school. 00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:14.879 Gotten really well with this geography teacher. 00:22:14.959 --> 00:22:19.179 Always told us about his plans to retire and just do Monroe's. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:21.360 On his boat. 00:22:23.060 --> 00:22:23.240 Right? 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:27.080 That was a Deacon Blue song, Dignity. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.299 That was what he wanted to do. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.460 Sail up the West Coast. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.799 And he died two weeks after he retired. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.700 Friends, you've got no idea. 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:41.380 No idea whether you're a footballer driving a Lamborghini trying to make it back for training at Liverpool preseason. 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.299 Life is gone. 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.740 You have no idea. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.340 I have no idea. 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:47.939 This isn't a dig it. 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:50.039 Planning and forward thinking from Jesus. 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:50.799 Get that right. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:58.939 It is a merciful warning about acting as if life will go on forever and you are the master of your own destiny. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.279 And Jesus says, you fool. 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.779 Maybe that's you today. 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.459 I don't know. 00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:09.079 If it is, can I just try and put the record straight? 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:11.819 Know that when you hear that, it's not God on your case. 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:16.559 It's not God like the football referee trying to spoil your fun. 00:23:16.659 --> 00:23:17.700 Can we take it to VAR? 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.179 Okay? 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:23.439 If God's stopping you in your tracks this morning, know that it is his mercy to you. 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:33.899 Life is a lot more liberating and enjoyable when we collapse into the arms of a capable and all-sufficient Jesus. 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:38.659 And embrace the creature-creator distinction. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:51.220 The very essence of sin where so many of our problems in life come from in our burnout culture is that we act and live as if it's the other way around. 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:56.519 Of course, what did God do when he created the world? 00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:59.080 He longed to fill it with his glory. 00:23:59.800 --> 00:24:04.920 As the waters cover the sea, his ambition to fill it with his glory. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:10.120 And to fill it with creatures made in his image who display his glory. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.180 And how are we going to do that? 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:17.720 Creatures who know that he is the creator and we are the loving, dependent, worshipful creature. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:22.600 If that's you this morning, if God is bringing you back to that place, know that it is his mercy. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:28.380 But know first and foremost that you are going with the grain of your creator's design. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:32.560 I know many of you starting here, you're just about to start out in jobs. 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.240 Remember that. 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:36.000 Grad job going to take the world by storm. 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:38.020 Friends, you don't need to do that. 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:44.300 Our diaries and our plans can make atheists of us all, can't they? 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:51.419 Jesus says, do you know what you need to worry about? 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:54.359 Do you know what your first priority is each and every day? 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:57.139 To love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind and strength. 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.279 Love your neighbours yourself. 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:03.039 The sting of that parable is, don't be rich towards yourself. 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:06.359 Be rich towards God. 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:16.099 And that's a gracious invitation to come to him, the author of life, and find both meaning and purpose. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:19.679 You know, human nature is like a book, isn't it? 00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:21.539 We are anchored beings. 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:30.439 We are created with purpose that we don't invent, but purpose with that which we discover. 00:25:30.679 --> 00:25:34.279 Jesus says, come to me and find it. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:48.619 In our world that is drowning in information, but light on wisdom, know that Jesus is an able, willing and qualified teacher. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:55.619 He is the very living embodiment of wisdom. 00:25:55.619 --> 00:26:05.639 And there's echoes of that in the defiantly triumphant note of verse 15 of Psalm 49. 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:11.739 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead. 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:14.799 Given everything that he's just wax lyrical about. 00:26:15.699 --> 00:26:17.959 But the finality of death, you can't take it with you. 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.759 You can't beat it. 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:22.479 He says, but God will redeem me from the realm of the dead. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.200 He will surely take me to himself. 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.059 Notice the personal pronouns. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.620 Now, how can the psalmist say that is the question. 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:34.400 I take it the psalmist can say it by faith. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:42.400 That God will make a way for me to see life with him after death. 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.120 God will take me to himself. 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:49.319 Friends, we can know that truth in 3D this morning. 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:53.199 We can take it in. 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:58.979 And we can know it and we can live in light of it when we take in the person and work of Jesus. 00:26:59.139 --> 00:27:02.419 You see, Jesus isn't just the preacher of wisdom. 00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:07.259 He's the savior who knows the light of life. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.279 Now, the psalmist is right. 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:12.839 If you look at it there, the ransom for a life is costly. 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.119 Totally. Agreed. 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:22.759 But the wonderful news of Christianity is that Jesus lived the perfect God-honoring life. 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:25.720 The one that we should have lived but we couldn't live. 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:33.599 Meaning that he is the only one who deserves to inherit and is worthy of living forever. 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:41.759 And that makes him the only one qualified to be that perfect sacrifice and pay that price. 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:48.039 Probably more accurate to say be that price through his shed blood on the cross in our place for our sin. 00:27:48.459 --> 00:27:55.779 Friends, how often we sing of how amazing grace is without any embedded repentance. 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.759 Let's say it again. 00:27:57.819 --> 00:28:03.639 How often we sing of how amazing grace is without any embedded repentance. 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.420 In other words, grace might be free. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.839 But it ain't cheap. 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:15.139 My real sin put a real man on a real cross in real history. 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.059 It's not cheap. 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:21.779 You don't know Jesus in verse 14. 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:27.759 The reality of it says the psalmist says that death is your shepherd. 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:40.400 However, if your faith and trust is in this Jesus today, the wonderful personal and pastoral promise is that Jesus is our good shepherd. 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:49.420 A shepherd who will take us through even the valley of the shadow of death and who will take us safely through to the other side. 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:55.900 As our lives find their purpose and their unity bound up with him. 00:28:55.900 --> 00:29:02.500 Because see the words verse 14, the ones that are in brackets and don't come and ask me why afterwards. 00:29:02.600 --> 00:29:03.540 I have no idea. 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:10.920 Verse 14, you will prevail over them in the morning. 00:29:11.040 --> 00:29:16.300 Now what I do know is that most commentators agree that that's a reference to resurrection. 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:22.320 And so here's the invitation, this worldview shaping psalm. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.440 Remember we said that at the start. 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:27.180 This worldview shaping psalm makes to us all. 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:29.820 Friends, remember the question at the start. 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:31.900 Which grave will be your guide? 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:36.200 Because there's another grave on offer this morning. 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:39.759 It's Jesus' empty one. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:52.039 The invitation of the psalm is to come and to quote Christian apologists called Leslie Newbig and see that Christ is the clue to all that is. 00:29:52.039 --> 00:30:03.720 Let his empty grave be the thing that shapes our life and our worldview and how we understand purpose and power and wealth and all those things. 00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:07.099 Let his empty grave be the thing that defines it for us. 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:11.240 When we gaze there and take it in, everything's changed. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:14.880 That's our future. 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:21.520 And we should never forget, should we, as the church, that we are, dear friends, wherever God has put you this morning. 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:31.420 In your workplace, in your family, in your university, in your college, wherever he's put you this morning, that we are good news people in a bad news world. 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:35.980 It's what the future is. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:41.740 If that's what the future is, then what freedom and courage should mark our lives. 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:45.800 Jesus' empty grave invites us to live our lives backwards. 00:30:47.800 --> 00:30:52.740 If he's got the end sorted, if we know where we're going, if we know how the story ends. 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:54.660 And it doesn't end there, does it? 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:57.140 C.S. Lewis captured that so brilliantly. 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:58.440 It is but the beginning. 00:30:58.440 --> 00:31:02.940 If we know he's got that sorted, then you see how that impacts backwards? 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:07.019 How we live today, how we understand our lives today. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:14.759 So the psalmist says, why should I fear when evil days come? 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:19.019 You know, just as we close, can I give you some homework? 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:23.100 No, Nat, you wouldn't have come this morning, would you? 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.100 Can I give you some homework? 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.920 Here's the homework. 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:29.120 It's to go to the Brunsford High Street and jump on the number 23 bus. 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:31.140 Other buses are available, but that's my favourite. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:33.920 And here's the thing, that bus will take you all the way to the Royal Mile. 00:31:34.320 --> 00:31:35.840 Here's what I'd love you to do after this. 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.840 Jump off that bus at the Royal Mile. 00:31:38.400 --> 00:31:41.920 Visit Scotland's premier street, most famous street. 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:48.240 Look at the statue that's almost at the top of the Royal Mile as it intersects going over onto the Mount. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:50.900 Friends, who is that statue of? 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.880 It is the statue of David Hume. 00:31:56.579 --> 00:32:03.519 Hume, one of the most prominent thinkers during the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century. 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:06.519 Some people speak about this man like he was one of the best philosophers. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:08.960 Not just our country has ever known. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:12.740 One of the best thinkers that the world has ever known. 00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:17.400 Best described as a staunch sceptic. 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:22.619 And although he always avoided declaring himself outright an atheist, 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:29.240 he had little time for the miracles or the supernatural that are found in the Bible. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.720 Why? 00:32:30.379 --> 00:32:32.400 Because they weren't rational. 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:35.440 Keep that word as key. 00:32:35.800 --> 00:32:37.300 Weren't rational. 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:41.080 And you can imagine when this guy's around, when he's doing his thing at the height of his time, 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:46.600 the doubt that he's sowing into churches and believers up and down this land, 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:49.040 thinking to themselves, maybe this guy's got a point. 00:32:49.840 --> 00:32:50.800 Maybe he is right. 00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:55.340 And of course, there is credible reasons to believe the things at the heart of the Bible. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:58.220 But here's someone saying the supernatural doesn't exist. 00:32:58.360 --> 00:32:59.700 People are rational thinkers. 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:04.299 And yet here's what I find unbelievably funny. 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:12.799 Today, he's best known as being the guy with the golden toe. 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:22.940 The guy who legend has it, if you touch that toe, then it grants you good luck. 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:32.339 And the guy with the golden toe who people around the world flock here to touch it in order to get good luck. 00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:36.799 And all of this at the feet of a man who thinks people are rational. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.519 Rational. 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:46.059 Show me what irony means without telling me what irony means, right? 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:49.960 Come back with me to verse 12 of this psalm. 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.799 Here's the cash out. 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.480 Here's what we leave with this morning. 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:56.700 Whatever you are facing right now 00:33:56.700 --> 00:34:01.700 is not to fear people 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:04.840 who will not endure. 00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:09.099 The flip side, 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:13.800 to invest yourself fully 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:16.519 in the one 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.400 Savior 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.900 who will. 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:24.300 And so, friend, we leave this morning with this psalm thinking, 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:26.619 why should I fear when evil days come? 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:29.240 Which grave is going to define our lives? 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:31.240 Which grave is going to shape our worldview? 00:34:31.680 --> 00:34:32.539 There is a Savior. 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:33.740 He lives. 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.780 His name is Jesus. 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:36.440 He is at the right hand of God 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:37.720 interceding for us. 00:34:37.800 --> 00:34:38.960 One day he will return. 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.980 And that, my friends, 00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:41.119 is as safe 00:34:41.119 --> 00:34:42.240 as houses. 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:42.900 Let me pray. 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:48.900 And so, Father, 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:51.599 we thank you for this psalm this morning 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:56.720 that just oozes reasons 00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:58.619 to be hopeful 00:34:58.619 --> 00:35:00.539 about the future. 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:05.000 So, Lord, I pray for many of us here today. 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:06.720 I've got no idea what's going on 00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:08.059 in so many of our lives, 00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:09.579 but I thank you that your Spirit 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:11.559 is a much better pastor than I am. 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:14.980 And so, I pray that he would be at work 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:16.740 bringing the truth of this word 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:18.519 into each of our lives. 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:20.519 Thank you that Jesus is a Savior 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:22.039 who is a shepherd 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:23.619 who knows exactly 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:25.000 where his sheep are at. 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.760 And so, I pray, Father, 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:29.160 that you would meet us this morning 00:35:29.160 --> 00:35:30.099 with encouragement. 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:34.340 And perhaps with a gentle challenge, 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:37.700 would you meet us with conviction? 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:39.099 Would you install in us 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:41.099 the certainty that this psalm gives us? 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:42.519 But, Father, more so, 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.920 thank you for the hope 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.579 that comes in the morning. 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:49.920 Thank you for the resurrection and hope. 00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:51.579 Father, may that be the grave 00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:53.719 that shapes our worldview. 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:56.500 Father, thank you that you love us. 00:35:57.360 --> 00:35:58.519 Thank you that you hear us. 00:35:58.599 --> 00:35:59.460 Thank you that you're with us. 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:00.360 We pray these things 00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:01.980 in Jesus' precious name. 00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:03.119 Amen. 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.239 Amen. 00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:03.319 Amen.