WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:09.040 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:10.120 Join us. 00:00:11.419 --> 00:00:15.839 Fearing God, the fear of the Lord, and it's about wisdom. 00:00:17.059 --> 00:00:20.500 And we're going to go through the definitions of both of those at different points today. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:26.100 But as we get in and read this text right now, I want you to think of this definition 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:28.560 that I got from a professor in seminary for wisdom. 00:00:29.320 --> 00:00:33.859 Wisdom is skill in the art of godly living. 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:36.159 That's what wisdom is. 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:37.399 It's not an abstract thing. 00:00:37.479 --> 00:00:38.879 It's actually something that's very tangible. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:42.039 It is skill in the art of godly living. 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:45.980 So think of that as we read in chapter 3. 00:00:46.239 --> 00:00:47.259 I'll start in verse 1. 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:54.280 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:58.780 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:03.060 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:05.340 Bind them around your neck. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:07.939 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:12.920 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:15.859 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:18.579 And do not lean on your own understanding. 00:01:19.500 --> 00:01:23.280 In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:26.259 Be not wise in your own eyes. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.459 Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:34.620 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:36.160 That's the word of the Lord. 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:37.460 Let's pray. 00:01:42.020 --> 00:01:46.939 Father, we enter your house today as expectant people. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:48.359 Sinful people. 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:51.560 Those who are in desperate need of you. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:56.340 We're in need of the things that you give, but we're more in need of you. 00:01:56.340 --> 00:02:04.240 And I pray that as we work our way through this text this morning that we would see you in who you are. 00:02:05.320 --> 00:02:15.140 We would see the trustworthiness of your long suffering and your grace shown to us through your son and through the giving of your spirit. 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:20.579 I pray that you would bless the words that come out of my mouth. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:24.199 That they would be edifying to your church. 00:02:25.799 --> 00:02:27.219 Please be with all of us. 00:02:27.959 --> 00:02:31.239 May our minds be invigorated by your spirit. 00:02:32.239 --> 00:02:34.899 And may you begin to work something true in our hearts. 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:36.339 Even today. 00:02:36.739 --> 00:02:38.919 In the name of King Jesus and for his sake. 00:02:39.459 --> 00:02:39.699 Amen. 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:50.099 So, it's funny to think about graduating high school students because I was a certain kind of knucklehead when I graduated from high school. 00:02:50.419 --> 00:02:54.539 I don't think I was ever smarter in my life than I was on my 18th birthday. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:58.179 At the time, I didn't know that. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:00.099 But I really wasn't. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:06.180 And that was proven about five years later when I got to my super senior year of college. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:11.879 And moved in with some buddies of mine on the top of a mountain not so far from here. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:18.479 And we began to have a friend come over who never really left. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:20.019 He was one of those permanent house guests. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:21.180 He said, oh, it's cool. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:21.979 I'll crash on the couch. 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:23.639 That's fine. 00:03:23.699 --> 00:03:24.579 Sure, you can crash on the couch. 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:30.620 Well, about six months later we found out for the previous year he had been crashing on other people's couches. 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:35.160 And then for the rest of that year he actually crashed on our couch as well. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:40.560 Which was really an interesting thing to see because he came from a pretty wealthy family. 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:46.780 And his father, thinking he was in his own place or in a place with other guys, 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:53.620 had been putting a monthly stipend into his account that would take care of his rent and for his food for the month. 00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:55.920 In addition to his father paying for his college education. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:03.039 So it was kind of odd that this guy would choose to crash on our couch and other people's couches. 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:09.700 As we talked more about it, I can be kind of confrontational, not in a negative way, 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:11.259 but in a, hey, tell me what's going on kind of way. 00:04:12.460 --> 00:04:16.060 He disclosed that his dad had never really been around growing up. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:19.519 And he wasn't really sure how much he could trust him now. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:23.160 And so he was taking all that money and just kind of bankrolling it. 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:28.740 And keeping it in case the bottom fell out from his father helping him. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.100 He said, also, I know where the money needs to go more than my dad does. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:36.980 Because I'm just smarter than he is. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:38.600 And I'll never forget someone saying that. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:39.319 I'm smarter than my dad. 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:41.279 I've never once thought I was smarter than my dad. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:44.500 But Chris really believed this. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:50.500 He saw this function and this utility to his relationship with his father that was, 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:53.560 it was really kind of sad. 00:04:54.759 --> 00:04:57.480 And things didn't go well for them after that either. 00:04:57.879 --> 00:04:59.879 Which you could probably imagine from a story like that. 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:03.839 I was thinking about that as I was going through this text and studying. 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:08.839 I read through all the wisdom books, just trying to reorient myself to what we think about 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:13.579 when you're reading wisdom literature, like what we just read there in the first eight verses. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:20.279 And I couldn't examine Chris's relationship without examining my relationship with God. 00:05:21.219 --> 00:05:24.719 I saw so many similarities to what was going on there. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:29.820 Rather than viewing him in awe with reverence and honor and love. 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:32.440 And most importantly, necessity and need. 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:38.660 I found myself in a relationship with God, viewing him more as a means to an end. 00:05:41.260 --> 00:05:48.160 Rather than having that love and relationship that I would have with a savior. 00:05:50.940 --> 00:05:54.380 We live as though we need him to give us everything. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:58.320 But we forget that we simply just need him. 00:05:59.340 --> 00:06:01.260 And that's pretty much what the text of scripture is about. 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:05.320 Much of what we've been examining in Luke over the past few months has been 00:06:07.440 --> 00:06:09.580 pushing us to consider eternal things. 00:06:09.760 --> 00:06:13.660 The gravity of life and death and what happens after life. 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:17.120 More than the things that are around us now. 00:06:17.200 --> 00:06:18.460 More than the temporary things. 00:06:19.380 --> 00:06:23.880 And as we look in this chapter, the father who's writing to his son in Proverbs 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:27.259 is saying a lot of the same things to him about eternal thinking. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:32.860 About setting your mind on things eternal rather than on things that are temporary. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:35.959 And we can look at this and not only is he saying it to his son, 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:37.860 he's saying it to you and me as well. 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:41.399 He's not offering, as you can see in these verses, 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:45.379 he's not offering some live your best life now scheme. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:51.079 You know, he's actually offering something more along the lines of the beauty 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:53.159 of what we would know as the full gospel. 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:55.600 It was neat to see Emily's video. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.680 Because that's... 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:03.219 I see her live the gospel out around students all the time. 00:07:04.819 --> 00:07:06.459 And it was really pointed to me. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:09.480 The quote that Will pulled out was also the quote that I pulled out when I saw the video. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:13.300 I thought, man, it seems like we don't do much, but we really like it. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:16.939 And Emily just pours herself into people. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:23.780 To show them, hey, this God that I worship, this God that I love, this is real. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:28.700 And it's a part of the gospel you don't get with just some kind of cognitive assent. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:31.120 It's the gospel lived out in front of people. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:32.319 And it's really powerful to see. 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:36.280 And that's what the father in this passage is writing to his son. 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:38.679 And, hey, there's something trustworthy here. 00:07:40.239 --> 00:07:43.259 We need to turn aside from looking at our own belly buttons 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:47.879 and try to capture the view of what God is doing more and more 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:51.659 and how beautiful and good that news really is. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:56.199 So this morning we're going to walk through this passage looking at three different things. 00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:59.259 The first thing, you can look on the back of your bulletin and you'll see it there. 00:07:59.299 --> 00:08:02.039 The first thing is that we have a trustworthy father. 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:05.559 The second, that we have a trust-earning son. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:13.599 And the third, that we have a trust-keeping Holy Spirit. 00:08:14.919 --> 00:08:15.599 So let's start. 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:17.159 We're going to read over the verses one more time. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:19.099 We'll start with verses one through four. 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:21.379 We have a trustworthy father. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:24.399 My son, do not forget my teaching. 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:27.439 But let your heart keep my commands. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:31.639 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 00:08:31.859 --> 00:08:32.779 What a promise. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:36.839 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:38.740 Bind them around your neck. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:41.100 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:46.199 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 00:08:46.459 --> 00:08:49.179 This is a father coming to his son right there in verse one. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:53.459 And he's not coming to him and saying, hey, you better do this because I said so. 00:08:53.559 --> 00:08:54.659 That's not what he's doing at all. 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:58.379 He's coming to him and saying, hey, I have some gems of wisdom you need to know. 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:01.360 Don't forget my teaching. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:03.500 But let your heart keep my commands. 00:09:04.459 --> 00:09:10.679 In your house, in everybody's house, there's kind of this meta rule set that really dominates your house, right? 00:09:11.339 --> 00:09:13.259 It doesn't necessarily apply to everybody else. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:16.259 And that's what this father is saying to his son. 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:21.740 Remember everything I've taught you, not just all the laws that you had to learn, because that's what good Jewish people do. 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:26.600 But even the way that we approach the world, the way that you've lived life in my house. 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:28.240 I didn't do this randomly. 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.500 These are good things. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:34.480 And oh, by the way, if you do that, you're going to add years to your life. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:36.559 And you're going to add peace. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:42.519 And let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:44.500 Bind them around your neck. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:48.939 Psalm 139, 23 and 24 is what's in reference there. 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:56.899 And he's pointing to him and saying, look, don't let the reality of who God is pass you by. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:02.299 This God pursues us with steadfast love. 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.139 And he's faithful when we're not. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:12.919 He's worthy of a trust that we could never muster in ourselves, but we would never find on earth either. 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:14.720 Bind them around your neck. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:17.039 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.919 Keep them close inside of you. 00:10:21.419 --> 00:10:23.500 So you'll find favor and good success. 00:10:23.580 --> 00:10:26.159 It's another promise in the sight of God and of man. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:28.059 How beautiful is this picture? 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:34.279 For those of you who were lucky enough to attend the Parents Cafe last month with Derek and I, 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:38.519 you might catch a glimpse here of a father offering his son that acronym HOPE. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:42.759 This isn't a picture of do this because I said so. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:51.579 Rather, this is a picture of a father honestly, openly, and purposefully sharing the key to life with his son in this moment. 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:59.360 He's saying, you're going to pay attention to something, so why don't you pay attention to me right now? 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:02.860 He's not saying do this because I said so. 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:05.379 Rather, he's saying to him, do this because it works. 00:11:05.900 --> 00:11:08.820 And it works because there's a heavenly father who really loves you. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:12.139 I know where you are because I've been where you are. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:16.319 Look to the one who's above everything else. 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:20.259 He has love and he has faithfulness that's been proven over the course of time. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:23.699 He brought our people out of Egypt. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:28.199 He called a nation to himself and he kept them. 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:31.840 He gave us a land to prosper in. 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.240 This is the God we serve. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:36.419 Certainly, he will do it for you too. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.779 And what does that kind of love get us? 00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:42.100 What does that love and faithfulness get us? 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:45.679 It gets us a good reputation with God. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.399 That's important, right? 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:49.899 But it gives you a horizontal reputation with men as well. 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:54.720 You'll find favor and good success in the sight of God and of man. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:01.879 I'm the first one to put down any notion of prosperity gospel teaching. 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:06.659 And this can certainly come off that way because, hey, if you do this, then this will happen for you. 00:12:06.959 --> 00:12:09.079 For a length of days and years of life. 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:10.820 You're going to live longer and you're going to live at peace. 00:12:10.900 --> 00:12:11.240 Trust me. 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:14.560 Just send me $10 and I'll send you this prayer cloth and it's going to be true for you. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.879 I'm the first one who puts that down. 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:20.580 Because it's a predatory thing. 00:12:20.900 --> 00:12:22.379 It's predatory to people here in the United States. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.280 It's predatory to people in other countries as well. 00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:35.180 But don't allow the ugliness of that to cast some shadow over this amazing and trustworthy thing that was said to us. 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:39.219 There's something so true about the reality of trusting in God. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:43.679 These promises aren't non-existent. 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.039 They're not going to not come true. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.419 They're absolutely going to come true. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:55.120 Now, certainly we're sinners and we're so corrupted by the world and the flesh and the devil that we can't even imagine what it would be like to perfectly follow every command. 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:59.120 I sometimes wonder what it would be like to perfectly follow any command. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:06.539 We've complicated our situation to such an extent that we know that we deserve nothing more than eternal separation from God. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:09.960 I felt that last night pretty strongly. 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.779 I don't know where it came from. 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:14.759 It was just an overwhelming sense of guilt. 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:20.620 Even as I'm preparing to preach about God's love and his steadfast love and his faithfulness to his people. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:26.500 I was telling myself a lie of that caliber, of that depth. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:34.360 The challenge here comes in the assumed actions that lead to positive results, right? 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:35.860 What does it mean to follow commandments? 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:43.179 If peace is promised, am I headed toward peace apart from this? 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:46.919 How do we examine the way we view life and look at life? 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.220 That's the negative of what he's saying here. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.600 Don't forget my teaching. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:57.120 If you let your heart keep my commandments, you're going to live long and you're going to live at peace. 00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:00.080 What are you pursuing right now? 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:02.299 What dominates your life? 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:04.860 Where is that leading? 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.899 Is that leading to peace? 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:11.840 Graduates, children, parents, singles, pastors, elders, deacons, 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:19.220 we're all being confronted with this reality that any way, any way at all but this way, 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:22.019 will not lead to these promises. 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.460 Who are the main influences in your life? 00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:28.180 This is a good question for elementary kids too. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:30.680 Kids, if you're in here, who are the main influences in your life? 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:37.159 I love that what we do as a church is we spend a lot of time embracing non-believers, 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:39.799 and that's something that we want to do. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:42.519 Jesus spent his time on earth not only with non-believers, 00:14:42.979 --> 00:14:46.779 but even with the outcasts, the scandalous ones, 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:51.959 and then the littlest, the lost, the loneliest, the least, and the left out. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:55.720 And we should do that. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:01.960 But what is your heart behind the people that you choose to spend time with 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:04.480 in friend groups, in work groups, whatever? 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:09.740 How do you see God work in your life when you pray that he gives you the heart 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:13.040 to put to death blatant sin? 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:15.839 Have you ever prayed that? 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:19.120 Have you ever prayed Psalm 139? 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:24.419 23 and 24, you could look that up. 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:30.120 It's an ideal manner of prayer for those of us who want these Proverbs 3 promises 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:32.079 to come true and to take them seriously. 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:38.980 These verses invite us to examine our lives in the light of the promises 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:39.839 that are issued here. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:46.600 But these verses also invite all of us, believers and non-believers in this room, 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:50.120 these things are true to all of us as they're offered, 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:53.300 to trust in the simplicity of the gospel. 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:56.980 Strive hard after your heavenly Father. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.399 Remember the things that he's commanded 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:06.379 because he's not provided us with a burden. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:12.419 He's provided us with exercises to help us grow our skills 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:14.539 in the art of godly living. 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:20.720 We can turn from our own way because we've been given the perfect way. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.519 We simply need God. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.399 We simply need him. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.779 God ought not to revolve around us, 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:34.480 and that's the place I got to last night. 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:38.019 Somehow God was revolving around me, 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:42.259 and my attitudes and my heart were inclined to myself, 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:46.779 not to the glorious truth of who God is, of what he's done. 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.879 And so I was able to come in this morning 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.980 preaching from a pretty famous passage of Scripture 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:57.259 and have a renewed joy in who God is 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:59.240 and in who Jesus is. 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:02.320 And this is a beautiful passage 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:06.259 because I found myself desperate 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:10.740 to live in the love and the beauty of my heavenly Father. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:16.400 And the beauty of this passage doesn't end here. 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:20.720 We're shown how wonderful our trustworthy Father is. 00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.519 And in the next few verses, 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:25.559 we're going to get a glimpse of his trust-earning Son. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:28.259 These are some of the most famous platitudinal, 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.059 made that word up, 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:32.220 verses in Scripture, verses 5 and 6. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:35.279 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:38.480 and do not lean on your own understanding. 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:41.379 In all of your ways, acknowledge him, 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.839 and he'll make your path straight. 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:48.759 When we say trust, 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:52.740 I say trust like I trust 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:55.240 that 10 of the 12 players 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.759 on my Coach Bitch Baseball team 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.279 are going to show up 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:00.779 hopefully a half an hour before the game starts. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:04.039 That's a real tangible trust to me. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:08.220 I trust that James will have my slides 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:10.019 in the ProPresenter program 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.639 on the computer this morning 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.599 before I got here. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.819 That's what trust is. 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:16.240 That's the way I think about it. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.319 Trust here in verse 5, 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:21.059 trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:24.259 That has nothing to do 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:26.039 with some kind of hopeful trust 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.859 or wishful trust. 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.759 That is more, 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.619 if my neck wasn't hurting, 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.839 I would have physically done something this morning. 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:35.859 It is a laying down 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:38.519 fully supported only by this. 00:18:39.959 --> 00:18:41.939 That's the meaning of this word trust 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.819 in this passage. 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:47.220 It's not keeping one foot balanced on your own 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.899 and one foot balanced on Jesus. 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:53.299 It is a fully reliant, 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:56.579 radical giving yourself over to God. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:00.779 Giving yourself over to the realities of the gospel. 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:04.480 The interesting thing is, 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.119 if you read it in English, 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.619 you say, 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.920 well, trust and lean, 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:10.240 those things are kind of similar, 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.299 except for when I say trust, 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:14.299 that's a little bit more heavy of a word than lean, 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:14.879 and they're not. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.859 They're similar words. 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:19.240 So the writer of this proverb 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:21.419 is creating a dichotomy, 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.459 creating a binary 00:19:23.459 --> 00:19:25.939 that you either are trusting in the Lord 00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:26.839 with all your heart, 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:29.039 or you're not. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:32.439 There's no such thing as a middle ground here. 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.779 You're either trusting in the Lord 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.399 with all your heart, 00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:38.899 or you're leaning on your own understanding. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:43.460 It's a challenging thing for me to get through. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.019 Trust is not some simple ascent. 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:49.380 Trust is throwing ourselves onto God 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:51.280 because he will do it, 00:19:51.640 --> 00:19:53.460 because of his steadfast love, 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:56.000 because of his faithfulness to us. 00:19:58.780 --> 00:20:02.400 That acknowledgement piece is just as all-encompassing. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:05.460 All your ways, 00:20:05.820 --> 00:20:06.900 you acknowledge him. 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.560 Which ones? 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.120 All of your ways. 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.300 How do we handle our money? 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:12.680 Why? 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.660 How do we handle our time? 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.240 Why? 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:18.620 How do we handle our interactions with other people? 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:19.180 Why? 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:21.259 What is driving us? 00:20:21.320 --> 00:20:22.860 What is motivating our hearts? 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.060 Are we being conformed and transformed 00:20:26.060 --> 00:20:29.100 into Christ-likeness, 00:20:29.780 --> 00:20:31.140 or are we not? 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:35.320 Chapter two of this is all about wisdom 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:36.220 and earning wisdom. 00:20:37.820 --> 00:20:40.040 And chapter three is the practical application 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.600 of what it looks like to develop 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:45.380 and to hone skill in the art of godly living. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.360 And the primary thing is a simple one. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:51.660 Just in every way, you rely on God. 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:54.500 Another pastor tells a funny story 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:56.400 about what trust really might look like. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.600 I'm not sure if you're familiar 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.720 with the Susquehanna River. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.380 I'm from the north to some of you, 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:02.680 even though I'm below the Mason-Dixon line. 00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:05.800 There is a giant river that runs out of a lake 00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:07.900 in New York and comes all the way down 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.900 and dumps out into the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. 00:21:10.020 --> 00:21:10.760 That's the Susquehanna. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.460 And in the northern parts of it, 00:21:12.540 --> 00:21:13.960 it freezes over every year. 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.620 So he tells a story about 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:17.560 one of his seminary professors 00:21:17.560 --> 00:21:19.840 was crossing the river on a winter's day, 00:21:20.300 --> 00:21:22.120 and his dad didn't know how thick the ice was. 00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:23.120 When you're in places like this, 00:21:23.300 --> 00:21:24.080 you can save a lot of time 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:25.940 just by driving over the iced-over rivers. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:29.160 So his dad is down on all fours, 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.200 and he's crawling along, 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:33.140 you know, just kind of touching and seeing the ice. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:35.799 And gradually, he begins to hear this rumble 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.860 coming up behind him. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.240 And what it is, 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:41.700 is four horses and a coach 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:43.779 flying across the ice, 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.900 not testing it at all, 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:49.660 totally sure of how the ice was going to do, 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:51.259 was going to hold them. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:53.360 That guy actually lived there. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:55.299 He wasn't just trusting that the ice 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:56.099 was going to be frozen over. 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:58.659 He was a local who'd experienced the ice frozen over 00:21:58.659 --> 00:22:00.159 and that it was safe to travel on. 00:22:01.919 --> 00:22:03.359 Which of those two people are you? 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:10.279 When it comes to relying on King Jesus, 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:13.479 are you on the river of King Jesus at full throttle, 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:17.000 knowing that if he can't save you, nothing can? 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:23.539 Are you eking away your way along 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:27.759 with little trust or no trust at all? 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.819 I like reading A.W. Tozer. 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.160 He has a great quote out of his book, 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.220 The Root of Righteousness. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.079 It says this, 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:36.839 pseudo-faith always arranges a way out to serve 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:38.599 in case God failed it. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:42.140 Real faith knows only one way 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:44.640 and gladly allows itself to be stripped 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:47.360 of any second way or any makeshift substitute. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:50.740 For true faith, it's either God 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:53.060 or it's total collapse. 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:56.720 And not since Adam stood up on the earth 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:58.980 has God failed a single man 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:01.420 or a single woman who trusted him. 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.960 Man, that's the stuff that revival 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.080 is made up of, Southwood. 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:10.059 Does that invigorate your heart? 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.740 As a church, 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:13.539 we need to be taking our individual pulses 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:17.159 and falling to the ground before our Savior 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:19.019 in this type of way. 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:22.699 We need to experience that level of trust 00:23:22.699 --> 00:23:26.099 so that there's no secondary option for us. 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:29.539 Will's talked about experiencing it 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.639 when he was in India, 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:34.220 being around the people who have nothing. 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.279 And yet, even if they had everything, 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:38.619 they would still be there 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:41.480 fully leaning and laying on Christ. 00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:50.359 There are no idols that we hold higher 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.639 than our reckless abandon 00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:54.779 to the scandalous love our Father showed us 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.740 in the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:59.460 He has earned our trust 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:01.179 by earning our Father's trust 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:02.519 on our behalf, 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.279 yours and mine, 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:06.460 and he secured our seat 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.240 with the Father 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:09.000 in the heavenly places even today. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.779 If you're a believer in this room, 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.940 that's true of you right now. 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:15.660 It's a great thing. 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.619 God doesn't want to burden us. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:22.740 God wants us to live easy under his yoke 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:26.960 because we know and can identify 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.639 what it means to fully trust 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:30.859 in the Father 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.299 because the Son has made it so. 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:36.119 It makes sense to us 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:38.460 to look to our trustworthy Father 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.480 and to see ways 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.740 in which we worship 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.079 his trustworthy Son. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.700 Now let's take a look at 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:45.940 the trust-earning Holy Spirit. 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.680 Trust in the Lord 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.559 with all your heart 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:52.000 and do not lean on your own understanding 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.220 and all your ways acknowledge him 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.759 and he will make straight your paths. 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.680 That's the positive. 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.299 Here's the negative. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:58.879 Verse 7, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.780 Be not wise in your own eyes. 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:02.760 Fear the Lord. 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.200 Turn away from evil. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.200 And then a great promise. 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.620 It'll be healing to your flesh 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:13.760 and it'll be refreshment to your bones. 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:20.560 This illustrates what I was saying before 00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:22.660 about the binary reality 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:24.220 of our relationship with our Father. 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:26.680 Either we are fully trusting in him 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:28.079 or we're fully trusting ourselves. 00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:35.400 I could give illustration after illustration 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:38.539 of being wise in my own eyes 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:40.980 but I decided to refrain from that this morning. 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:45.400 What we see here is a direct command 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:48.039 for us to think less of ourselves 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.039 in the face of God. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.460 But what does it mean to fear the Lord? 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.660 You see that a lot. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.900 What does it mean to fear the Lord? 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.880 I think a great illustration of this 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.880 is found in the book 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.779 The Wind in the Willows. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.160 Charlie and I listened to it 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:00.880 a couple years ago 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:02.279 on a cross country trip 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.519 and then my mom reminded me 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.059 when she was here 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.500 that we read it 30 times. 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:08.000 So I should say that. 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.600 Rat and mole 00:26:10.600 --> 00:26:12.480 who are characters in the book 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.880 go looking for the baby otter 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.220 when, 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.920 and this is a quote from the book, 00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.120 Suddenly the mole 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:19.279 felt a great awe fall upon him 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:22.340 and awe that turned his muscles to water. 00:26:23.380 --> 00:26:24.319 bowed his head 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.880 and rooted his feet to the ground. 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.779 It was no panic terror. 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:30.819 Indeed he felt wonderfully at peace and happy. 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.340 Rat! 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:34.660 He found the breath to whisper shaking. 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.140 Are you afraid? 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:37.860 Afraid? 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.960 Of him? 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:40.500 Oh never, never. 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.860 And yet, and yet, 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.600 oh mole, I am afraid. 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:47.799 Then the two animals crouching to the earth 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:49.579 bowed their heads 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:50.619 and did worship. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.220 Have you ever experienced 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.480 your heavenly father like this? 00:26:57.939 --> 00:26:59.159 Do you remember the moment 00:26:59.159 --> 00:27:00.359 of your conversion? 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.699 For so many of us it was, 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.519 we were brought to our knees. 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.839 Maybe we were brought 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.819 into a fetal position 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:10.359 with an overwhelming sense of guilt 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.460 in the face of holiness 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:14.099 and simultaneous hope 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:16.460 in the face of the creator God. 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:16.500 God, 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:19.299 this didn't happen 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.740 because of your great abilities 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.319 to reason. 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:24.360 It happened because 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:25.539 the Holy Spirit 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:27.380 gave you an experience. 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.880 That Holy Spirit proceeds 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.840 from both the Father 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:33.100 and the Son 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:36.420 and allowed you to experience 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:38.019 the reality of saving grace. 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:40.480 To see the truth 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.380 in one moment 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:43.320 of who God is 00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:44.460 and who you are. 00:27:48.760 --> 00:27:49.720 And yet everyone, 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:51.220 believers and non-believers, 00:27:52.780 --> 00:27:53.680 were implored here 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.360 to fear the Lord 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:58.640 and turn away from evil. 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.280 This isn't issued 00:28:01.280 --> 00:28:03.540 as some simple good rule of thumb 00:28:03.540 --> 00:28:05.480 or some moral standing. 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.940 The promise here 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.840 is that we will be revitalized. 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:11.339 It actually heals us 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:13.059 to fear the Lord. 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.159 It's the way 00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:16.099 we were meant to live 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:18.459 in total awe 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:19.639 and wonder of our God. 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:24.220 And so we're left 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.899 to examine 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:26.359 this free gift of grace 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:28.179 even as it's illustrated 00:28:28.179 --> 00:28:29.099 here in Proverbs. 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.099 Emily and I 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:32.299 are a little over six weeks 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:34.439 into being new parents again. 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:37.960 And this has been 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.080 a very unique baby for us 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:40.059 not only because it's a girl 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:41.080 but the way that the daughter 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.840 has behaved too. 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:43.019 I mean she's peaceful 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.759 most of the time. 00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:47.160 And really all that she wants 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:50.640 is to be with Emily. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.740 It's not about feeding 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:56.100 although it is sometimes. 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.340 It's not about getting 00:28:58.340 --> 00:28:59.200 her diaper changed 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.700 although it is sometimes. 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:04.480 she could be in Emily's arms 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.940 leaning and resting 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.380 wholeheartedly on her 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:09.480 all day and all night. 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.700 Emily gets weary. 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:14.039 She gets tired of that, right? 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.360 Actually she's amazing. 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.539 I get tired of it for 20 minutes. 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:21.039 She does it endless hours. 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:24.299 But think of that image 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.240 of this baby 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.420 in total need 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.340 of her mom 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.700 and the mom 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.360 just sitting there 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:29.939 and holding her. 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.939 She doesn't know 00:29:31.939 --> 00:29:33.000 what Emily can give her. 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.599 All she knows 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.619 is she needs her mother. 00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:36.819 All she knows 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.839 is that she needs 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:39.019 to be with her. 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:41.319 That nothing else 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.479 will satisfy her. 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.359 Our Heavenly Father 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.419 wants us to be with Him 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.439 in that same way. 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.000 My college friend 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.599 was living out 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.899 of pragmatism and utility. 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.619 Taking his dad's money. 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:56.740 God doesn't call us 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:58.079 to a pragmatic relationship. 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.919 God calls us 00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.960 into His love 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:02.679 to eternally rest 00:30:02.679 --> 00:30:03.259 on Him. 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:07.039 He wants us 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.779 to trust Him 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:09.299 and He's proven Himself 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.179 to us over 00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:11.159 and over 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:13.199 so that we can 00:30:13.199 --> 00:30:14.779 completely rely upon Him. 00:30:16.819 --> 00:30:17.799 I pray that our sins 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:18.500 become less 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.139 and less 00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:19.839 and less 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.599 and our character 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.419 becomes more 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:22.079 and more conformed 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:25.259 because of the beauty 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.039 of the reality 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.259 of His love for us. 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.000 So as you read 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:30.639 through Proverbs 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:32.539 or Song of Solomon 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.319 or Job 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.480 or Ecclesiastes, 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.159 these books, 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.240 hopefully you do 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.659 some kind of 00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.720 chronological Bible reading. 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.279 I would encourage you 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.740 to do that. 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.359 There's more to it 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.180 than just this nugget 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:42.639 of truth 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.680 that you can throw out there 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.639 or put in a fortune cookie. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:47.640 this is really 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.940 the keys to 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.480 a God 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.300 who loves you 00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:51.960 and how He 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.759 wants you 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.759 to conform to Him, 00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.860 how He's secured 00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:56.480 a way for you 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.360 to conform to Him 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:59.620 and how He continues 00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.520 to live in us 00:31:00.520 --> 00:31:01.180 and amongst us 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.700 as a community 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.300 of believers 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:04.460 to conform to Him. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.580 Let me pray for us. 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:09.699 Father, 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.199 we're grateful 00:31:10.199 --> 00:31:14.480 for times of need. 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.359 We're grateful 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:17.240 for times of lacking, 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.960 for times of want 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:22.119 because it points us 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.099 to the reality 00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:25.779 of Your love for us. 00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:28.359 You disclose to us 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.899 our idols. 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.500 You chasten us. 00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:33.819 Even if we kept reading 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.599 in chapter 3, 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.199 we would see 00:31:35.199 --> 00:31:37.019 that You discipline 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.639 Your children 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:39.500 and You reprove us 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.939 not because You don't love us 00:31:40.939 --> 00:31:42.699 but because You love us 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:43.359 so much. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.699 I pray that we would 00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:47.500 put down our idols 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.599 and that we would 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.559 follow You 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.599 with all of our hearts 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.559 and that we would 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.359 trust on You 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:55.019 and that we would 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:56.559 lean not on ourselves. 00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.819 Thank You for all of this. 00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:02.579 Thank You for the reality 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.459 of these gifts 00:32:03.459 --> 00:32:04.240 and I pray for 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.180 us as we go 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.120 out of here today 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:07.700 even that we would 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.720 know and live 00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.720 according to this 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.740 big picture view 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.519 of who You are 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:11.940 and who You've 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.559 made us to be. 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.579 For the sake of Christ, 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.359 I pray. 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:16.079 Amen. 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.720 For more information, 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:22.019 visit us online 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.319 at southwood.org.