WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:01.980 Well, good evening. 00:00:03.379 --> 00:00:06.919 Let's pray and then we'll get to work. 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:11.519 Father God, you've been so good to us. 00:00:12.919 --> 00:00:15.400 You've blessed us outrageously. 00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:22.580 And Lord, our prayer now is that as we come to study your word, you might speak to us. 00:00:24.060 --> 00:00:25.920 You might transform our thinking. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:27.580 You might renew our hearts. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:35.759 And we might leave here ever more determined to worship the Lord Jesus in every area of our lives. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:38.679 So Lord, meet with us in this time we pray. 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:39.820 Amen. 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:44.679 This is the last installment of our Why Church series. 00:00:44.879 --> 00:00:49.640 We've looked at why we gather together, why we pray together, why we sing together, 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:54.439 why we devote so much time to preaching, why we remember communion, 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:58.920 and why we try and do evangelism. 00:00:59.019 --> 00:01:01.679 And tonight we're looking at why mission. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:05.359 Why mission. 00:01:06.039 --> 00:01:08.840 Particularly overseas mission. 00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:20.079 Why is it that people should give up their lives and their comforts and should go overseas to learn different languages 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:28.980 to make much of Jesus in difficult and dangerous and hot and humid and dusty and difficult places. 00:01:28.980 --> 00:01:38.219 Why should the church of Jesus Christ be interested in mission? 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:40.980 That's what we're going to try and do tonight. 00:01:41.079 --> 00:01:45.740 Our mission is a massive and multifaceted topic. 00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:52.960 But our time tonight is going to be spent primarily in Psalm 67. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:02:02.039 In our high-tech world, the phrase going viral was coined in 1999. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:11.780 It was coined to describe the spreading of a product, a video, or an idea by being shared one person to another 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:18.199 by means of internet links and social media campaigns and postings. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:23.219 Early viral videos include Charlie bit my finger. 00:02:23.299 --> 00:02:25.379 Put your hand up if you've seen Charlie bit my finger. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:29.899 Hasn't quite made it viral in Brunsfield, but we're ever hopeful. 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:32.659 The sneezing panda cub. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:35.079 Less. 00:02:35.179 --> 00:02:35.919 That's a goodie. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.099 It's only 17 seconds long. 00:02:39.339 --> 00:02:46.179 And as well, countless videos of cats doing funny things like playing the keyboard. 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:53.599 In recent years, going viral has been the aspiration of advertisers, celebrities, and pop stars alike. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:59.840 The most viewed video on YouTube of all time is size Gangnam Style. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:04.420 That has been viewed 3 billion times. 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:07.340 3 billion times. 00:03:07.540 --> 00:03:11.040 Half the population of the world have seen that video. 00:03:12.600 --> 00:03:13.360 Terrifying. 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:22.080 In contrast, the promo video on the Brunsfield homepage website, which came out about the same time, 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:26.900 has been seen an astronomical 698 times. 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:34.880 Our church is quite a long way from going viral, it seems. 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:39.360 So if you could all go home tonight and just click on the homepage, you'll make me feel a lot better. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:45.300 Going viral may be a new term, but it is not a new phenomenon. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:50.900 God's plan from the very beginning was the knowledge of himself. 00:03:51.200 --> 00:03:53.060 His glory would go viral. 00:03:54.420 --> 00:03:56.840 He says in Habakkuk 2.14, 00:03:57.180 --> 00:04:04.640 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:07.439 That is going viral. 00:04:08.559 --> 00:04:14.799 At the very heart of God is one that is passionate about being known in this, his world. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:19.699 Known through the sharing of his truth one person to another. 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:25.919 Known through the message of the gospel going viral and reaching the very ends of the earth. 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:38.480 From creation to new creation, God is passionate about all the nations of the world being brought back into a proper worshipping relationship with him. 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:45.700 Through the reconciliation exclusively achieved through the life, death and resurrection of his son, Jesus. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:51.099 The last words Jesus spoke to his disciples before ascending were these. 00:04:51.579 --> 00:04:55.979 Go and make disciples of all nations. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:57.620 You can't be clearer than that. 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:11.360 The book of Acts is Luke's fly on the wall documentary detailing the explosion of the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:18.199 The very reason we are here in Brunsfield tonight is because people heard that and took it seriously. 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:32.220 The reason the Brunsfield Evangelical Church exists in Edinburgh in Scotland is because people like St. Ninian and St. Columba and St. Kentigan obeyed the call to make Jesus known where he is not known. 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:34.980 Which meant coming to Scotland. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:40.340 You won't find a darker, more desperate and hostile place than that. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:46.360 It is also an endeavour that we ultimately know works. 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:52.520 Because at the end of the story, Revelation chapter 7 verse 9, we see that everyone is there. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:06:04.560 That there was a great multitude that no one can count from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:09.360 Mission is not only what we're called to, but we're called to something that will ultimately be a success. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:14.040 Because the gospel works and Jesus in the end wins. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:19.900 Further, it is an endeavour that is to be a compulsory concern to all true believers. 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:23.480 Mission is not an optional extra for the SWAT team. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:29.640 It's not an optional extra for those that like to come to a missionary prayer meeting whenever they're held. 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:37.920 It's not for the people who simply have all the cards stapled on their fridge of all the missionaries that they pray for all around the world. 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:39.920 Mission is at the heart of God. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.960 And therefore, mission must be the heart of his people. 00:06:44.960 --> 00:06:47.140 We read in Matthew 24, 14, 00:06:47.640 --> 00:06:54.280 This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:57.520 And then the end will come. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:06.039 So world evangelization is one of the essential tasks that needs completed before Jesus returns. 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:14.159 Proclaiming God's glory to the nations needs to be near, if not at the top of the church's agenda. 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:44.140 Proclaiming God's glory to the nations needs to be near, if not at the top of the church's agenda. 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:50.240 Together, there's not a better place to go than the anonymously penned Psalm 67. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:59.659 This psalm is given to us by God to display his great mission purpose for his world. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:06.620 God himself gives us this prayer to stir our prayers, conform our wills and deploy our resources. 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:11.879 Even giving our lives to achieve his great missionary purpose. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:17.399 So could I ask you to stand and we'll all read Psalm 67 together. 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:22.240 If you didn't bring your binoculars, we're all in trouble. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:23.620 Let's read it together. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:30.899 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us. 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:37.220 That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:40.399 Let the peoples praise you, O God. 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:42.940 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:46.540 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. 00:08:47.040 --> 00:08:52.600 For you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:55.420 Let the peoples praise you, O God. 00:08:55.840 --> 00:08:57.940 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:09:00.760 The earth has yield its increase. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:03.840 God, our God, shall bless us. 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:05.940 God shall bless us. 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:09.220 Let all the ends of the earth fear him. 00:09:09.760 --> 00:09:10.840 You may be seated. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:17.340 Let me give you the big idea of this psalm straight off the bat. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:20.660 Here is what I think is the big idea. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:33.300 God's great purpose of being known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered by all nations is achieved through blessing others through us. 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:46.519 God's great purpose of being known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered by all nations is achieved through blessing others through us. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:49.039 So we just have two points for us to consider. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:49.899 Here's the first. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:52.039 The purpose of God. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:57.199 God's purpose of being known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered by all nations. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:10:00.659 And then the second point. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:08.340 The process of God is achieved through blessing others through us. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:10.019 Just a heads up. 00:10:10.079 --> 00:10:12.000 The first point is longer than the second one. 00:10:12.199 --> 00:10:14.939 So when we get to point two, don't think we're halfway through. 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:17.900 We're literally on the landing zone. 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:21.400 According to. 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:24.500 So let's start with the purpose of God. 00:10:25.260 --> 00:10:33.740 According to Psalm 67, God's great purpose is to be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered among all the peoples of the earth. 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.740 Let me show you where I get this from. 00:10:36.780 --> 00:10:37.860 Verse two. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:44.779 That your way may be known on earth. 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:47.720 God wants to be known. 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:52.620 He wants his way to be known on earth and in every corner. 00:10:53.300 --> 00:10:54.419 He wants to be worshipped. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:55.860 This double refrain. 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:57.300 Let the peoples praise you. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:57.740 Oh, God. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:59.820 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:00.340 Verse three. 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:01.399 Verse five. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:03.259 Let the peoples praise you. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:03.840 Oh, God. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:06.740 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:07.840 God wants to be known. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:09.700 He wants to be worshipped. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:11.539 He wants to be enjoyed. 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.940 Verse four. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:17.159 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:23.220 God wants to be enjoyed by the peoples of the earth. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:24.560 And verse seven. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.379 He wants to be feared. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.779 God shall bless us. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:32.680 Let all the ends of the earth fear him. 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:37.079 He wants to be revered in his world. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:48.259 The great global purpose of God is that all nations might know God, worship God, enjoy God, and revere God as God's. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:54.799 That is God's great purpose according to Psalm 67. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:12:00.340 What is more interesting is I think the Psalm tells us why. 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:06.120 Why God is to be known, worshipped, enjoyed, and revered by everyone. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:09.759 So let me show you four things. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:17.600 God is to be known, worshipped, enjoyed, and revered because he is the only true and living God. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:21.980 He is not one God among many. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:27.480 He is not a God elbowing his way to the top of some kind of hierarchy. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:33.059 He wants to be known, worshipped, enjoyed, and revered because he is the only God. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:36.980 There's no others like him. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:38.319 He is utterly unique. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:42.540 He is the only person in all the universe worthy of worship. 00:12:44.180 --> 00:12:49.400 Everything else is a fake or a fraud or a sham or a counterfeit. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:56.820 He is not the God of any other religion and there is no one who is equal to him. 00:12:57.900 --> 00:13:02.460 Worshipping anything else apart from God is barefaced idolatry. 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:14.180 The fact that God in his word is so passionate that he be known, worshipped, enjoyed, and revered among all the nations is because there's no one else. 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.940 There is no other God. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:20.460 All other worship is falsehood and fraudulent. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:28.080 He says in Isaiah 45, I am the Lord and there is no other. 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.620 Besides me there is no God. 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:39.320 I equip you though you do not know me that people may know from the rising of the sun and from the west that there is none besides me. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:41.700 I am the Lord and there is no other. 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:44.320 You cannot be more categoric than that. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:52.480 And therefore when God says let the peoples praise you, let all the peoples praise you. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:57.480 He is saying because that is the only form of praise that's legitimate. 00:13:57.480 --> 00:14:14.200 If it were not the case, then mission, going to India or Nepal or Tibet or Japan or to South America or to Russia and saying you must worship this God. 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:19.800 If he is not the only God, then that is presumption and audacity. 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:24.699 That is a colonizing enterprise in the world. 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:28.879 To say my God's better than your God, why don't you worship him? 00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:33.559 It is just mere empire building. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:40.839 But if God is the one true God, then mission is not arrogance. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:46.459 It is humble, daring, obedient. 00:14:46.719 --> 00:14:49.259 It is a humble, daring, obedient response. 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:52.699 Born out of a love for people who are perishing. 00:14:53.979 --> 00:15:01.199 If there is no God beside him, then there is nothing more important than we can do than spend our lives to tell those who do not know. 00:15:03.099 --> 00:15:11.699 God's call is for all the nations of the earth to worship him because apart from him, there is nothing that is worthy of worship. 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:18.900 And therefore God says, I want to be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:21.620 Because apart from me, there's nothing. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:25.140 Because I am the only true and living God. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:28.100 The second reason. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:35.899 God is to be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered amongst the nations because he is a God of justice. 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:37.100 Look at verse four. 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:40.059 Look what God says about himself. 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:45.199 The psalmist writes for you, judge the peoples with equity. 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:54.680 When God judges, the justice he performs will be absolutely impartial and unimpeachably righteous. 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:59.180 He judges with equity. 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:03.939 When God judges the whole world, there'll be no bribes. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:08.259 There'll be no corruption, no get out clauses, no mitigating circumstances. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:11.679 Justice will come and it will be perfect. 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:20.879 And the standards insisted upon by this judge are absolute perfection. 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:30.079 The benchmark for acquittal and vindication in the high court of heaven will be 100% absolute perfection. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:40.359 Only those that have lived perfect lives during their time on earth will be counted righteous. 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.919 And everyone else will be found wanting. 00:16:45.719 --> 00:16:50.979 For everyone else, as we saw this morning, the house will utterly collapse and be utterly destroyed. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:17:02.579 And so if this is the standard, 100% judgment with equity, 00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:07.559 it means we've all categorically failed. 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:11.379 We do not have any hope. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:15.120 Except for the Lord Jesus. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:21.680 The only remedy to this impossible situation is the perfection of Jesus. 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:28.720 Who lived for us, who died for us, and who was raised for us. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:36.299 The perfect performance of his earthly life and the unimaginable punishment he suffered in his death. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:42.839 For all those who believe will be the only hope when this God judges with equity. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.839 This remedy for sin is the only hope. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:48.659 This remedy for sin is not one possible remedy among many. 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:52.259 You don't go to the medicine cupboard and find anything else. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.639 This is unique. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:18:02.500 Jesus has an absolute monopoly on saving people from that judgment that is to come. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:10.740 If a person has Christ as his only hope before God, he will be saved. 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:13.680 And if he has not, he will not. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:18.480 This, though, is perfect justice. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:23.100 God will not be unjust to those who have never heard the preaching of the gospel. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:28.299 They will not be judged for not believing in a Jesus they have never heard of. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:33.740 They will be judged for how they have responded to the revelation they have. 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:38.039 And Romans 1 says there will be no one with an excuse. 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:42.379 It says, Paul writes this, 00:18:42.419 --> 00:18:47.460 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:51.299 who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:54.720 For what can be known about God is plain to them, 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:59.799 because God has shown it to them for his invisible attributes, 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:03.240 namely his eternal power and divine nature, 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:08.579 have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world and the things that have been made. 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:11.059 So they are without excuse. 00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:15.680 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:20.579 but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.740 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:31.559 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.700 A little bit later in Romans chapter 3, it says, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:37.640 There is none righteous, no, not one. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:43.019 And therefore, if God will judge all peoples of the earth with equity, 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:50.259 He will do right and ensure that perfect justice is administered to all the peoples of the earth. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:53.420 And on that day, the only hope of the world will be Jesus. 00:19:55.440 --> 00:20:00.980 God is to be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered amongst the nations because he is a God of justice. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:08.019 And therefore, telling people is of the utmost importance. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:15.099 Thirdly, why is God to be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered? 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.740 Because he has sovereign power. 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:22.779 You see, in the last part of verse 4, 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:35.139 For you rule the people, you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:42.060 The independence and sovereignty of nations is mere illusion of statecraft. 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:48.420 It is exactly the same in Psalm 2, when all the kings of the earth clump together and shake their fist at God. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:50.720 And God's response is that he chuckles. 00:20:52.040 --> 00:20:57.259 He laughs to himself in the face of their pathetic insubordination. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:21:04.519 The big message of the Bible, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, is that God is the boss. 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:09.599 He is in sovereign command over absolutely everything. 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:13.940 That was the big takeaway I hope we got from our studies in Daniel. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.640 That God is in charge. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:19.859 That history unfolds according to his sovereign decree. 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:25.859 This is the only reason that mission is even possible, is because God is in charge. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:35.119 This is the only reason the Lord Jesus can say, 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:37.959 I will build my church with absolute certainty. 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:41.819 Because he's in absolute control. 00:21:42.699 --> 00:21:45.259 And nobody and nothing can stand in his way. 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:47.759 That's how he begins and ends the Great Commission. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:51.519 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:56.059 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:01.599 I'm in absolute control and therefore your going will work because I have sovereign power. 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.460 How does he end the Great Commission? 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:09.519 And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:12.720 Matthew's gospel that starts with Emmanuel, God with us, 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:17.259 ends with Jesus being with us to the very end of the age. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:22.539 And the one who is with us is also in sovereign control over absolutely everything. 00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:28.339 Who guarantees and superintends his work of mission. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:35.799 And so God is to be worshipped, known, enjoyed and revered because he has sovereign power. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:38.420 He wins top trumps every time. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.700 There is no one like him. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:42.880 And no one can match him. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:47.059 And therefore when we do mission we don't go out alone. 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:52.160 We go with the God of the universe guaranteeing success. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.160 Fourthly on this point. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:23:01.279 God is to be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered because he is a gracious God. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:03.240 End of verse 2. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:07.379 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:09.980 That your way may be known on earth. 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:15.180 Your saving power among all nations. 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:20.980 The one only true and living God who is just and sovereign in his rule. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:24.200 Is also a God of unfathomable grace. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:28.720 See it is right there after the petition of verse 1 we get verse 2. 00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:30.660 That your way may be known. 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:35.620 And your saving power among all the nations. 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:40.700 His desire is to be known and worshipped and enjoyed and revered. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:43.120 Because he is a gracious God who saves. 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:47.940 A gracious and saving God. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:52.140 Who redeems all people in his son. 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:56.340 He shows people grace that they could never deserve. 00:23:57.100 --> 00:24:02.100 There is nobody on the face of the planet for whom Jesus' grace is not efficacious. 00:24:03.800 --> 00:24:05.600 This is the global God. 00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:09.860 Bringing global joy and gladness to the nations through his saving grace. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.580 Titus 2.11 00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:14.280 For the grace of God has appeared. 00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:17.280 Bringing salvation for all people. 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:26.500 Jesus whose only criteria for us to come to him. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.640 Is an acknowledgement of our sin. 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.940 And to be humbled under his grace. 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:33.780 And to accept that he is our only hope. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:37.920 That is why the gospel is good news. 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:40.960 And the heart of the missionary message to the world. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:45.220 It is that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:47.560 That whoever believes in him will not perish. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.480 But have eternal life. 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:54.819 It is God's love to the world which means that he will save to the uppermost those. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:57.259 Who come in faith through Jesus Christ. 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:02.360 The message that God will save you from your sin. 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.480 And your guilt. 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:06.279 And your condemnation by grace through Jesus Christ. 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:08.120 Is the message of the gospel. 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:11.200 That God's church is to take to the ends of the earth. 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:13.240 We go with a message of grace. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:15.660 Not a message of condemnation. 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:18.640 We go with hope and life and joy. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.940 To hold it up to people that are perishing. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:25.440 God's great purpose in the world is to be known. 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:26.700 Worshipped. 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.040 Enjoyed and revered. 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.440 Because. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:31.640 He is the only true and living God. 00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:35.279 He is a God of absolute and perfect justice. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:39.800 He has sovereign power over the affairs of his world. 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:43.779 And that he is a God who moves towards us with saving grace. 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.319 In his son. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.139 Jesus. 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.980 God is a global God. 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:51.099 Who cares about his world. 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:53.460 And all the nations of it. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.960 And God's great purpose. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.079 In his world. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.220 Is that through mission. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:05.259 Through one person sharing with another about who God is. 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:07.480 And what he has done for us in Jesus. 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:09.099 And what it means to follow him. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:11.899 His great purpose is through that mission. 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.980 Is that he would be known. 00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:14.480 Worshipped. 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.839 Enjoyed and revered. 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:17.919 By all the nations. 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.740 That is the great purpose of God. 00:26:20.659 --> 00:26:22.119 According to Psalm 67. 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:25.859 Which brings us neatly to our second point. 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:29.159 The process of God. 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:30.899 How does he do this? 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:35.099 And I think this too is right here in the psalm. 00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:38.799 Look how verse 1 starts. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:44.139 May God be gracious to us. 00:26:44.139 --> 00:26:45.740 And bless us. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.119 And make his face to shine upon us. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:51.799 That your way may be known on earth. 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:55.299 Your saving power among all nations. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:58.399 God bless us. 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.399 God bless us. 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.980 So that through us. 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:04.539 You can bless others with knowledge of who you are. 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:05.839 And the salvation you offer. 00:27:06.919 --> 00:27:08.480 Do you see how that flow works? 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.779 Blessed in order to be a blessing. 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:13.680 God be gracious to us. 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.839 So they might know. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.379 God be good to us. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.460 So that they might know. 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:20.180 God shine your face upon us. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.879 So that they might know who you are. 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:21.960 God. 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:28.880 This breaks the psalm very much in line with God's covenantal relationship with his people. 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:31.400 Back in Genesis 12. 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:34.400 God says to his servant Abraham. 00:27:35.540 --> 00:27:37.080 I will make you a great nation. 00:27:37.800 --> 00:27:40.120 And I will bless you and make your name great. 00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:41.900 So that you will be a blessing. 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:44.400 I will bless those who bless you. 00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:46.800 And him who dishonors you I will curse. 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:50.760 And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:54.240 What was God's way that he was going to be known to everyone? 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:58.359 Well in Abraham's life and in Abraham's people he said I'm going to bless you. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:03.839 And as I bless you people will see what I am like. 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:07.240 That Israel was to be a beacon. 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:14.200 Shining into the dark nations that God might be known, worshipped, enjoyed and revered by everyone. 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:17.620 This is the way God operates in his world. 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.279 He blesses us. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:24.059 But not to be reservoirs, storing up that blessing, but to be rivers. 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:27.220 So that blessing might flow out to others. 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.779 And in reference to Psalm 67. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.420 Blessing us. 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:38.160 So that his knowledge might be transmitted to anyone and everyone. 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:41.579 Now obviously this side of the cross. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:47.180 We know that the decisive fulfillment of that covenant is ours in Jesus Christ. 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:52.660 Jesus is the decisive way in which people are blessed spiritually. 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:55.900 That is one of the major themes of the book of Galatians. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.320 Particularly chapter 3. 00:28:58.440 --> 00:29:00.019 I don't know if I write this for you. 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.920 No. 00:29:02.820 --> 00:29:04.039 You'll just have to listen. 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.039 Chapter 3 verse 7. 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:09.900 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.000 Chapter 3 verse 9. 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:16.620 So then those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham the man of faith. 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:21.120 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Lord by becoming a curse for us. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:26.740 So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles or to the nations. 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:35.420 If you are Christ's then you are Abraham's offspring heirs according to promise. 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:39.500 So just to track the Old Testament metanarrative. 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:43.600 God's plan was that all the peoples of the world would be blessed. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:48.919 To that end he chose the people of Israel to bear his revelation and his blessing. 00:29:49.699 --> 00:29:52.119 He made a covenant with them. 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:58.500 That they would be blessed and in that way bring that blessing to all the peoples of the world. 00:29:58.879 --> 00:30:01.139 God fulfilled that covenant decisively. 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:05.199 When Jesus Christ the seed of Abraham fulfilled all righteousness. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:07.940 And died for sin and rose again. 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:13.600 So that anyone who believes on him from any nation or people of the earth. 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:17.779 Will become a child of Abraham and inherit that Abrahamic blessing. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:21.980 And so be blessed by the blessing of Israel. 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:29.080 That Abrahamic blessing is being fulfilled every time someone trusts in Christ. 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:32.539 Receives all the blessing of God through him. 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:36.339 Blessed in order to bless. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:42.659 God blessing Israel so that all the nations could come and see the glory of God. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:45.659 And be blessed through that revelation. 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:50.200 It's not a clearer place that we see that than in Solomon's life. 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:55.119 When the Queen of Sheba comes and sees how Solomon and his people are blessed. 00:30:55.980 --> 00:31:00.079 And she declares that God, your God is real. 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:04.379 However, if the Old Testament was a come and see. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:11.539 In the Lord Jesus, the modus operandi is not come and see, but go and tell. 00:31:12.399 --> 00:31:16.960 Now I have blessed you in Jesus and your job now is to go and tell others. 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:19.059 To take the gospel on tour. 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:23.079 And to take the message out to the whole world. 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:28.299 To take this message across linguistic, cultural and continental boundaries. 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:31.559 To get the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations. 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:36.079 So that God's ways will be known in all the earth. 00:31:36.679 --> 00:31:39.379 And his salvation among all nations. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:43.820 There is, however, one final point. 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:49.100 This, I think, is particularly pertinent to us in the West. 00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:54.680 Because the end of the psalm finishes in pretty much the same way it starts. 00:31:54.760 --> 00:31:56.860 Except there's a definite focus in view. 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:59.939 The psalmist writes this. 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:03.319 The earth has yielded its increase. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.639 God, our God, shall bless us. 00:32:05.719 --> 00:32:07.039 God shall bless us still. 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:11.219 Let all the ends of the earth fear him. 00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:17.740 There is no getting away that the end of the psalm particularly focuses on material blessing. 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:19.419 There's no escape from it. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:23.000 That the earth has yielded its increase. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:28.240 God has been so good to us in providing for us in abundant ways. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:32.240 But do not miss the point. 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:39.500 That God has blessed us so abundantly and materially and physically. 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:42.500 But he's done that. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:45.160 So that we can use that wealth. 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:50.799 So that all the ends of the earth might fear him. 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:53.680 Might be brought into a relationship with him. 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:56.440 To know him and worship him. 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:58.019 And enjoy him. 00:32:58.379 --> 00:33:00.159 And revere him. 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:04.879 God is highlighting that the greatest use of material blessing. 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:08.899 Of which we have enormous amounts. 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:13.539 The greatest way we can worship God by using that material blessing. 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:17.440 Is using it to bring spiritual knowledge to people. 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:22.460 So that they might know, worship, enjoy and revere God. 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:24.339 It is the sharp end of the psalm. 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:28.079 And there's no way to get away from it. 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:31.980 That in the west. 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:38.559 We have been blessed in ways that generations before could not have imagined. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:43.019 And surely God has done that now. 00:33:43.619 --> 00:33:44.859 At this time. 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:49.359 Where the world is greatly accessible. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:55.279 In order that knowledge of his son might get to the furthest reaches. 00:33:57.460 --> 00:34:02.259 God has blessed us so abundantly materially and physically. 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:05.299 And perhaps he's done that now. 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.900 Because there's not a corner of the world. 00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:10.619 That we cannot get to. 00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:12.280 To proclaim this message. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.940 So that God might be known. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.440 And worshipped. 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.519 And enjoyed. 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.239 And revered. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:23.179 Psalm 67 is the great missionary prayer of God. 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:25.579 Given to us to stir our hearts. 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:29.380 To get on the same page with his missionary endeavour. 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:32.900 God calls us to use our blessing. 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:35.980 In order that all nations might be brought to know. 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:38.500 Enjoy, worship and revere God. 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:41.260 He's blessed us in Jesus. 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.900 And he's blessed us materially. 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:48.000 And he wants knowledge of his son to be broadcast. 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.660 So I invite you to stand. 00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:54.640 And we'll finish by reading and praying this psalm. 00:34:55.119 --> 00:34:55.619 Together. 00:34:58.160 --> 00:34:59.300 Let's read this together. 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:03.260 May God be gracious to us and bless us. 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:06.519 And make his face to shine upon us. 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:09.920 That your way may be known on earth. 00:35:10.200 --> 00:35:13.320 Your saving power among all nations. 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:16.500 Let the peoples praise you, O God. 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:19.160 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:22.559 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:25.700 For you judge the peoples with equity. 00:35:26.240 --> 00:35:28.860 And guide the nations upon the earth. 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:31.860 Let the peoples praise you, O God. 00:35:32.240 --> 00:35:34.420 Let all the peoples praise you. 00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:37.400 The earth has yielded its increase. 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:40.220 God, our God, shall bless us. 00:35:40.740 --> 00:35:42.340 God shall bless us. 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:45.760 Let all the ends of the earth fear him. 00:35:45.760 --> 00:35:46.660 Amen. 00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:46.680 Amen. 00:35:47.060 --> 00:35:47.080 Amen. 00:35:47.160 --> 00:35:48.180 Amen. 00:35:48.180 --> 00:35:48.540 Amen.