WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.679 If you could turn up your Bibles to Ezra chapter 3, that's on page 474 of the church Bible. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:16.760 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.200 Reading from verse 1. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:44.640 When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, the people assembled together as one in Jerusalem. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:53.780 Then Joshua, son of Josedach, and his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and his associates, 00:00:53.780 --> 00:01:04.280 began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it in accordance with what is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:13.819 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:16.900 both the morning and evening sacrifices. 00:01:16.900 --> 00:01:27.960 Then, in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the festival of tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:34.680 After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the new moon sacrifices, 00:01:34.860 --> 00:01:43.420 and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals of the Lord, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the Lord. 00:01:43.420 --> 00:01:49.680 On the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, 00:01:50.200 --> 00:01:53.939 though the foundation of the Lord's temple had not yet been laid. 00:01:55.079 --> 00:02:02.640 Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters and gave food and drink and olive oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:10.319 so they would bring cedar logs by sea from Lebanon to Joppa as authorized by Cyrus, king of Persia. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:17.479 In the second month of the second year, after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, 00:02:18.259 --> 00:02:23.900 Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, Joshua, son of Josedach, and the rest of the people, 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:30.579 the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work. 00:02:31.359 --> 00:02:38.099 They appointed Levites, 20 years old and older, to supervise the building of the house of the Lord. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:46.099 Joshua and his sons and brothers and Cadmiel and his sons, descendants of Hodaviah, 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:52.219 and the sons of Hennadad and their sons and brothers, all Levites, 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:56.639 joined together in supervising those working on the house of God. 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:00.959 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:04.779 the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, 00:03:05.239 --> 00:03:08.679 and the Levites, the son of Asaph, with cymbals, 00:03:09.059 --> 00:03:15.139 took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David, king of Israel. 00:03:15.959 --> 00:03:19.039 With praise and thanksgiving, they sang to the Lord, 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:24.199 He is good, His love towards Israel endures forever. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:29.280 And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:33.099 because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:38.019 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, 00:03:38.359 --> 00:03:40.000 who had seen the former temple, 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:44.579 wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, 00:03:45.099 --> 00:03:47.500 while many others shouted for joy. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:51.879 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:53.780 from the sound of weeping, 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:56.979 because the people made so much noise, 00:03:57.379 --> 00:04:00.219 and the sound was heard far away. 00:04:10.939 --> 00:04:12.180 Thank you, Kirsty. 00:04:13.180 --> 00:04:15.199 Keep your Bibles open, please. 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:18.079 That's Ezra chapter 3. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:22.420 Let's bring this down. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:36.099 Well, let's pray. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:43.100 This is what God says. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:46.560 These are the ones I look on with favour, 00:04:47.960 --> 00:04:51.320 those who are humble and contrite in spirit, 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:55.160 and who tremble at my word. 00:04:56.340 --> 00:04:59.500 Father, we come to your word afresh today, 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:01.779 in humility, 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:04.899 because we need to hear from you, 00:05:05.939 --> 00:05:08.560 and for our hearts to be changed. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:12.459 Do a work amongst us individually, 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:16.420 and together as a church family, we pray. 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:18.339 In Jesus' name. 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:20.000 Amen. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:25.939 Well, after five long months, 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:28.600 and a thousand mile walk, 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:32.980 God's people began to settle back into their homes. 00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:35.319 Have a look at verse 1. 00:05:36.379 --> 00:05:38.379 So when the seventh month came, 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:41.420 and the Israelites had settled in their towns, 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:43.360 the people assembled together, 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:45.040 as one, 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:46.660 in Jerusalem. 00:05:48.200 --> 00:05:50.960 Seventy years of captivity have passed, 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:54.360 and now they are back home. 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:56.640 But all is not well. 00:05:57.540 --> 00:05:59.180 Their city had been destroyed, 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.980 the temple was in ruins, 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:05.000 and their land was laid bare. 00:06:05.780 --> 00:06:06.800 Not only that, 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.320 there are others living nearby 00:06:08.320 --> 00:06:10.720 who don't seem to be terribly friendly. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:13.260 There's no big welcoming party. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:16.740 In fact, verse 3 tells us, 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:20.220 God's people were living in fear. 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:26.760 Life back home was not looking so good. 00:06:27.820 --> 00:06:30.260 So the question that they're all asking is, 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.140 what are we to do now? 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:35.420 What happens next? 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:36.460 We're back. 00:06:37.540 --> 00:06:38.920 But what goes on now? 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:43.480 Now we can find ourselves in similar situations, 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:44.120 can't we? 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:47.280 Circumstances change in our life. 00:06:48.020 --> 00:06:49.379 Maybe we need to move. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:51.560 Future is uncertain. 00:06:52.840 --> 00:06:54.780 Fears overwhelm us. 00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:58.220 All kinds of things come into our life. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:01.639 And we ask the same question. 00:07:02.400 --> 00:07:04.759 What do I do now? 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:07.939 What happens next? 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:11.120 Well, there's a message here 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:14.040 for the gathered people of God. 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:17.060 And as we gather as God's people, 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:20.319 we want to hear what he has to say. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:24.819 There's a pattern for God's people to follow. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:28.480 A pattern for God's people to follow. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:32.640 And first, if you've been paying attention at all 00:07:32.640 --> 00:07:34.240 to the songs we've sung today 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:36.120 and as Sam was leading, 00:07:36.400 --> 00:07:41.600 God's word is the foundation for God's people. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.740 The word of God is the foundation 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:46.879 for the people of God. 00:07:47.520 --> 00:07:50.759 So under the leadership of Joshua and Zerubbabel, 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:51.640 verse 2, 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:56.180 they began to build the altar of God. 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:59.039 Now, who came up with that idea? 00:08:00.159 --> 00:08:01.079 Build an altar. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:03.219 Well, what about the temple? 00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:04.759 Surely that's more important. 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:06.379 Or what about the city? 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.379 That's in ruins. 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:08.860 And look at the roads. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:09.979 They're full of potholes. 00:08:10.099 --> 00:08:10.680 And the fields, 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:12.680 the fences need put right again. 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.780 No, this wasn't a random thought. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:17.840 Some bright spark who said, 00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:19.540 let's build an altar. 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:21.740 It was because, 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:23.160 look at the end of verse 2, 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:26.259 it was in accordance 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:28.840 with what is written 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:31.000 in the law of Moses, 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.860 the man of God. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:36.820 You see, God had spoken his word. 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:41.480 Moses had written down God's word. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:44.560 And now the people are gathered together 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:48.480 and are reading or hearing God's word. 00:08:48.800 --> 00:08:50.460 Everything was done, 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:51.779 look at verse 4, 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:57.340 in accordance with what is written. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.080 You see, there's a pattern here. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:02.580 God has spoken his word. 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:04.779 His servants, like Moses, 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:07.060 wrote God's word down. 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:10.000 And now the people gather together 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:12.580 to hear the word of God 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:15.100 spoken afresh to them. 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:19.200 Now as we gather as a local church, 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:21.340 we might ask, 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:23.240 what are we to do? 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.919 Well, we always start 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:28.419 with the Bible. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:31.440 We begin with the word of God. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.940 We do what is in accordance 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:35.720 with what God says. 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:37.680 We don't make things up 00:09:37.680 --> 00:09:39.399 and plough our own ways. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:41.620 You see, the word of God 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.980 shapes and directs 00:09:43.980 --> 00:09:45.200 how we live 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:47.160 and what we are to do. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:49.399 So we are to prioritize 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:50.759 listening 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:52.779 to the word of God. 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:55.580 That's why we gather each week. 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:56.820 And if you're wondering 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.360 why you're here this morning, 00:09:58.840 --> 00:09:59.720 it's primarily 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:01.220 to hear 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.779 the word of God 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:03.899 to us 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:05.220 through song, 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.480 through prayer, 00:10:06.800 --> 00:10:08.120 as we read the Bible, 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.800 as we hear it being taught. 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.680 You see, there are many voices 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:14.500 seeking our attention. 00:10:15.680 --> 00:10:16.180 Think about 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:17.500 all those voices 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:19.320 that we have heard this week. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:22.019 Not least our own word 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.220 telling ourselves 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.680 what we want. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:28.160 Our own inner voice 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.699 telling us 00:10:29.699 --> 00:10:31.219 you do things 00:10:31.219 --> 00:10:31.899 your way. 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.839 The problem 00:10:33.839 --> 00:10:35.459 with my thoughts are 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:37.959 they're not God's word. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:40.039 We need to listen 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:41.759 to our creator, 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:43.500 to listen to the God 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:44.919 who redeems us, 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.639 who loves us. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.379 The God 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.100 who knows 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.459 what is best 00:10:50.459 --> 00:10:51.799 for you. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.879 And it's so true. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.039 God always knows 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:57.279 what is best for you. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:59.100 I'm thankful 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.079 that when I was 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:00.779 growing up 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:02.699 and if I was 00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:03.399 in a difficulty 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:03.980 and wondering 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:04.719 what to do 00:11:04.719 --> 00:11:05.719 or what was happening 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:06.360 in life, 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:07.839 my mum and dad 00:11:07.839 --> 00:11:08.419 would say, 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:09.500 very simply, 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.779 have you read 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.279 your Bible 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.439 and prayed about it? 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:15.139 Doesn't sound much, 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:16.699 but it's full 00:11:16.699 --> 00:11:17.219 of wisdom. 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.980 Don't be listening 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.240 to your own thoughts. 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:21.980 Listen to what 00:11:21.980 --> 00:11:23.179 God has to say. 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:25.299 God's people 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:27.199 always start 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:28.620 with the word 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.200 of God. 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:32.160 So what is it 00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:33.300 that the word 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:34.780 is telling us? 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.680 Well, let's look 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:37.180 at the rest 00:11:37.180 --> 00:11:37.940 of the text 00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:38.660 and see 00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:40.140 what God 00:11:40.140 --> 00:11:41.680 has to tell us 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:42.879 his people. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:44.960 First, 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.140 the people of God 00:11:47.140 --> 00:11:48.860 are to rely 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:50.480 on the gospel 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.080 of God. 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:52.220 The people of God 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.200 are to rely 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.600 on the gospel 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:55.180 of God. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:56.660 In obedience 00:11:56.660 --> 00:11:58.000 to God's word, 00:11:58.660 --> 00:11:59.180 the people 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:00.560 began to offer 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.620 sacrifices 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.400 and celebrate 00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:04.080 festivals. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:05.700 And what a lot 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.440 there were. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.680 Do you see there 00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:08.460 in verse 3? 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:10.320 There were morning 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:11.780 and evening 00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:13.060 sacrifices. 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:14.960 Verse 4, 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:16.180 there were festivals 00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:17.400 and tabernacles. 00:12:18.400 --> 00:12:19.379 In verse 5, 00:12:19.540 --> 00:12:20.879 there's new moon 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:21.759 sacrifices. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.340 And then at the 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:24.200 end of verse 5, 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.820 sacred festivals. 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.960 What are all 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.360 these sacrifices 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:30.299 and festivals 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.059 all about? 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.980 Well, it was 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.860 all about 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.139 relying on 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.720 God's mercy 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:38.480 and grace. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.139 We see this 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.080 in two ways. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:43.100 First, 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.000 no, 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.379 we don't have 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:46.700 a heading. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.820 Let's go back. 00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:50.080 the sacrifices. 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.740 Look at the 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.460 sacrifices 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.280 which speak 00:12:52.280 --> 00:12:52.980 about the 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.420 mercy 00:12:53.420 --> 00:12:54.760 of God. 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.100 Verse 3, 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:58.140 despite their 00:12:58.140 --> 00:12:58.900 fear of the 00:12:58.900 --> 00:12:59.720 peoples around 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.040 them, 00:13:00.520 --> 00:13:01.180 they built 00:13:01.180 --> 00:13:01.720 the altar 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.180 on its 00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:02.800 foundation 00:13:02.800 --> 00:13:04.940 and sacrificed 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:06.280 burnt offerings 00:13:06.280 --> 00:13:07.160 on it to 00:13:07.160 --> 00:13:07.780 the Lord, 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.060 both the 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.460 morning 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:11.120 and evening 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.460 sacrifices. 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:14.040 So at the 00:13:14.040 --> 00:13:14.740 beginning of the 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:14.960 day, 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:15.720 can you imagine 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.620 all God's 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.360 people gathered 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.899 together? 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:18.560 At the 00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:19.080 beginning of 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.500 the day 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.019 and at the 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.560 end of the 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:20.899 day, 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.299 an animal 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.480 sacrifice was 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.580 made for 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:25.820 all the 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:26.279 people. 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:28.299 The priest 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:29.799 representing 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.500 the people 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.940 would confess 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.879 the sins 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:34.320 and then take 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:34.899 an animal 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:36.320 and slaughter 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.039 the animal. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.779 The message 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.039 was crystal 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:40.519 clear. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.200 Sin is 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:42.820 serious. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:44.600 Death is 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.120 the penalty 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:45.799 for sin. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.659 This animal 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:50.080 dies in 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.960 your place. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.360 It 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.299 demonstrated 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.779 a need 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.879 for God's 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.320 mercy, 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.679 that God 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:58.120 wouldn't 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.860 treat them 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.740 as their 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.340 sins 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:01.259 deserve. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.940 So they 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.840 were to rely 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:04.779 on the 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.360 mercy of 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:05.740 God. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.679 But not 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:08.080 only were 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.220 these sacrifices, 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:09.759 there were 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.460 festivals, 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.299 verse 4. 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:12.879 Let's look 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.200 at one 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:13.519 of them. 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:14.659 Then in 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.120 accordance 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:15.639 with what 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:16.220 is written, 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:16.840 verse 4, 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:17.779 they celebrated 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.639 the festival 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.659 of tabernacles 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.879 with the 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.860 required number 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.419 of burnt 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:23.100 offerings 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.620 prescribed for 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:25.700 each day. 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.240 The festival 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.240 of tabernacles 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.340 was an 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.639 annual festival 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.980 celebrated 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.039 to mark 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.019 the time 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.720 when God's 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.220 people had 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.720 come out 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:36.320 of Egypt 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.100 and were 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.600 heading to 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.159 the promised 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:38.659 land, 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.740 and how God 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:40.500 had provided 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.159 for them 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.000 on the 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.379 journey. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:43.879 So every 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.519 year, 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.320 each family 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.039 for about 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:47.600 a week 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:49.100 would set 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.100 up a 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:50.360 little 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:51.220 tabernacle. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.639 It was a 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.799 makeshift hut 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.879 that you would 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.539 live in 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.840 and sleep in. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.340 It was like 00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.240 putting a 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.100 tent in your 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.899 back garden. 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:01.899 And as you 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.659 lived there, 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.019 so it was 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.779 an exercise 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.899 of relying 00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:07.320 upon God's 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:07.740 grace, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.480 that we 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.500 need God 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.500 to provide 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.519 for all 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:11.860 of our 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.360 needs. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:13.799 So these 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.680 sacrifices 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:15.379 and these 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:15.940 festivals 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:17.299 were crucial 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.180 in the 00:15:18.180 --> 00:15:18.680 life of 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:19.080 God's 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:19.460 people. 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:20.320 They had 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.000 a purpose. 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.840 They need 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.759 God's 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.159 mercy. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.019 They need 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.100 God's 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.580 grace. 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:29.860 Now isn't 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.279 that what 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:30.960 we all 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:31.980 so desperately 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.659 need? 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.139 You see, 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:34.779 as I think 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.560 about God's 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:36.259 commands in 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.039 his word, 00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.539 well, I 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:38.879 haven't 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.399 listened to 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:39.860 God as 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.460 I should. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.080 I have 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.680 so often 00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.320 listened to 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:43.899 the own 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.879 inner voice 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.820 that says, 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.220 Johnny, 00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:47.299 you do 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:47.779 what you 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.240 want. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.279 You live 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:49.680 as you 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.320 please. 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:51.740 I haven't 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:53.000 listened and 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.560 loved God's 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.460 word as I 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:55.879 should. 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.639 So I need 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.360 a God who 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.779 will look 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.440 down upon 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.399 me, who 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:00.899 will not 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.680 treat me 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.259 as my 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.100 sins deserve, 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.500 who will 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:06.220 shower mercy 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.560 upon me. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:09.139 And I 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.560 need a 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.060 God who 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:10.500 will give 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.000 to me 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.700 what I 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:12.259 don't 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:12.919 deserve, 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:15.299 grace and 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.120 all that I 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:16.820 need for 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.440 living a 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.680 life with 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.299 God. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.080 Isn't this 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.060 the foundation 00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:23.180 of our 00:16:23.180 --> 00:16:23.820 relationship 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.659 with God? 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:25.840 Isn't this 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.320 where we 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:26.980 should come 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.980 time and 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.639 time again, 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.879 whatever may 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.320 be going 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.740 in our 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.039 life, 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:31.399 whatever 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.419 experiences 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.659 or circumstances 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.480 or fears, 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.580 we come 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:37.340 back to 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.700 the gospel 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.379 of God. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.960 This is the 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.100 pattern for 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:43.019 God's people. 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.680 Just as they 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.680 celebrated their 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:47.300 festivals annually, 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:48.519 just as they 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:48.960 had their 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.759 sacrifices 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:51.220 evening and 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:51.720 morning, 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.060 so it's 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:53.560 saying to 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:53.840 us, 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.840 all of 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.340 life, 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.940 all year, 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.180 every day, 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.399 morning and 00:16:59.399 --> 00:16:59.800 evening, 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.360 come back 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.379 to a 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:02.879 glorious 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:04.500 God who 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.480 pours out 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.380 his mercy 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.460 and his 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:09.140 grace upon 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:10.299 his children. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.860 This is the 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.240 pattern for 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:13.900 his people. 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:15.980 So we are 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.460 to rely on 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.039 the gospel 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.680 of God. 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.460 Second, 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.059 we're to 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:23.620 depend on 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.500 the presence 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.279 of God. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.000 With the 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.039 sacrifices and 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.140 festivals kept, 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.579 attention now 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.339 turns to 00:17:31.339 --> 00:17:32.379 this ruined 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.019 temple. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.059 The leaders, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.819 verse 8, 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.740 gather together 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.619 and they 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.419 begin the 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:39.000 work of 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.720 laying the 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.439 foundations. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.919 But notice 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.259 how the 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.139 temple is 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:45.879 described. 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.599 Look at 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:48.119 the end 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:48.919 of verse 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:49.279 8. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.039 They 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.559 appointed 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.439 Levites, 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.740 20 years 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.419 old and 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:54.859 older, 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.419 to supervise 00:17:56.419 --> 00:17:57.039 the building 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.740 of the 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.599 house of 00:17:59.599 --> 00:18:00.199 the Lord. 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:01.980 Or look 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.379 down at 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:02.740 the end 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.119 of verse 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:03.559 9. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.319 All the 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.879 Levites 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.859 joined together 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.899 in supervising 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:08.639 those working 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.199 on the 00:18:09.199 --> 00:18:11.059 house of 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.519 God. 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.019 We see it 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.599 again down 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.019 in verse 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:14.439 11. 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:15.720 And all 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.279 the people 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.720 gave a 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.319 great shout 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.859 of praise 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.240 to the 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.519 Lord, 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.579 because the 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.220 foundation 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.859 of the 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.959 house of 00:18:21.959 --> 00:18:22.459 the Lord 00:18:22.459 --> 00:18:23.240 was laid. 00:18:23.919 --> 00:18:24.480 Yes, 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.419 they're building 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.059 a temple, 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:28.500 but it's 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.500 the house 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.779 of the 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.200 Lord, 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.019 a dwelling 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.619 place for 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.240 God to 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.659 live. 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.819 It was a 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.480 symbol of 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:37.940 God's 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.619 presence 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.200 among his 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.559 people. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.599 It expressed 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.119 God's 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:42.500 desire to 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.339 live amongst 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:43.779 his 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.440 children. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:45.859 You see, 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.659 the presence 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:47.559 of God 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.200 was central. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.639 That's why 00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.179 they made 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:51.740 the temple 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.539 a priority. 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.339 Yes, 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.019 their homes 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.859 needed fixed. 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.459 Yes, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.019 the city 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.439 needed 00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:56.979 rebuilt, 00:18:57.419 --> 00:18:57.779 but what 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.619 they most 00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.319 needed was 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.119 the power 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:02.159 of God's 00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:03.619 presence at 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.419 work amongst 00:19:04.419 --> 00:19:04.679 them. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.159 So the 00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.179 leaders began 00:19:07.179 --> 00:19:08.819 the work of 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.619 building the 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.399 foundations of 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:11.979 the temple. 00:19:13.479 --> 00:19:13.939 You see, 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.539 this is the 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.379 story of the 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.979 whole Bible, 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:16.619 isn't it? 00:19:17.439 --> 00:19:18.159 Think with 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:18.399 me. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.059 The beginning 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.419 of the 00:19:19.419 --> 00:19:19.779 Bible, 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:20.859 what do we 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.459 read about? 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.839 The first 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.779 human beings, 00:19:23.979 --> 00:19:24.439 Adam and 00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:24.740 Eve, 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:26.439 living together 00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:27.959 with God 00:19:27.959 --> 00:19:29.240 in the 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.259 Garden of 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.639 Eden, 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.859 enjoying 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.279 God's 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.299 presence. 00:19:36.439 --> 00:19:37.000 Tragically, 00:19:37.179 --> 00:19:37.659 because of 00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:38.799 their disobedience, 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.979 they're removed 00:19:39.979 --> 00:19:40.399 from the 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:40.699 garden. 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.740 They're shut 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.859 out from 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.339 God's 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.399 presence because 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:45.240 sinful people 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.779 can't live 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.299 with God. 00:19:46.679 --> 00:19:46.979 And the 00:19:46.979 --> 00:19:47.740 rest of the 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.599 Bible story 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.519 from those 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.279 early chapters 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.899 in Genesis 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:51.679 right the way 00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.259 through to the 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.439 end is showing 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.420 us how 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.059 God's 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.600 presence can 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.380 be restored. 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.279 And when we 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:58.820 get to the 00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.279 end in 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.759 Revelation, 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:00.420 what do we 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:00.860 find? 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.320 But God 00:20:02.320 --> 00:20:03.140 coming down 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:03.940 to dwell 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.019 with his 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.480 people. 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.960 You see, 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:08.799 we need 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:10.220 the presence 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:10.860 of God 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.700 in our 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.240 lives. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.559 Again, 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.240 as I think 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.039 about God's 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.420 word, 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.299 my desire 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.940 to read 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.220 it, 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.380 my love 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.160 for it, 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:22.140 I need 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.940 the presence 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.759 of God, 00:20:24.540 --> 00:20:25.120 not just 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:25.900 around about 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.380 me, 00:20:27.040 --> 00:20:27.880 but in 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.320 me, 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.500 to enable 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.100 me to 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:30.820 love God's 00:20:30.820 --> 00:20:31.100 word, 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:31.860 and to 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.519 move me 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.220 to obey 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:33.740 God's 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.060 word. 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:36.000 We need 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.759 the presence 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.660 of God's 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.940 power in 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.600 our life. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.779 It's the 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.580 pattern for 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.400 all God's 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:43.840 people. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.300 Because 00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:45.700 whatever 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.660 circumstances 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.120 we are 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:47.860 going through, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.759 no matter 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.559 the trials 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.519 and the 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.240 hardships, 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.500 and we've 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.079 prayed about 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.559 some of 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.200 them today, 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.180 if we're 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.640 going to 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.319 get through, 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.740 don't we 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.220 need the 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.900 presence of 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.379 God in 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:00.980 our life 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.259 to help 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.599 us and 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.119 to work 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.900 through it? 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:06.759 So, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.119 we rely 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.519 on the 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.160 gospel of 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.559 God, 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.440 we depend 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.900 on the 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.599 presence of 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:12.980 God, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.420 and we 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:17.700 rest in 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:17.900 the 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.640 faithfulness 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.180 of God. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.700 Look at 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.320 verse 10. 00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:25.020 When the 00:21:25.020 --> 00:21:25.720 builders laid 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.460 the foundation 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.880 of the 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.400 temple of 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:27.900 the Lord, 00:21:28.780 --> 00:21:30.060 they gathered 00:21:30.060 --> 00:21:30.660 together, 00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.380 the priests 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:31.740 and the 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.240 Levites, 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:32.560 and they 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:33.080 got their 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:33.940 musical 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.600 instruments, 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.060 in this 00:21:35.060 --> 00:21:35.440 case, 00:21:35.520 --> 00:21:35.780 some 00:21:35.780 --> 00:21:36.620 trumpets 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.480 and some 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.320 cymbals. 00:21:39.280 --> 00:21:40.240 Verse 11, 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.820 and with 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.860 praise and 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:42.680 thanksgiving, 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.380 they sang to 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.020 the Lord, 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.019 God's 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.019 love 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.019 God's 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:49.160 love 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.839 towards 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.519 Israel, 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.799 that is, 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.319 God's 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.799 people, 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.139 endures 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.420 forever. 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.680 Now, 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.259 that should 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.180 shock us 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:00.339 and surprise 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:00.920 us. 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.019 You see, 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.079 the story of 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.920 God's people 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.700 can be 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.559 summarised in 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.299 one word, 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.740 unfaithfulness. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.480 century after 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.099 century, 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.579 decade after 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.140 decade, 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.299 year after 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:16.660 year, 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.460 God's 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.980 people had 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.839 promised again 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.339 and again 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.039 to obey 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.620 God and 00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:20.960 to love 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.279 God, 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:21.940 to follow 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.579 his word 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.200 and to 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.559 do what 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.059 he says, 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.000 but like 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:26.359 a serial 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.259 adulterer, 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.539 they just 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.380 went after 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:30.339 other gods 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.440 and other 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:31.819 lovers. 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.420 And despite 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.180 warnings of 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.420 judgment and 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.259 promises of 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.779 blessings, 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.160 they ignored 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.799 God and 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.720 rejected God 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.539 they were 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.420 unfaithful. 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.700 That's who 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.319 they were. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.299 But in 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.140 contrast, 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.980 the story 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.120 of God 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:50.200 towards 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.240 his people 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.339 can also 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.259 be summarised 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.019 in one word, 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.680 not unfaithfulness, 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.500 but 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.860 faithfulness. 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.539 Despite 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.920 all their 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.740 failing and 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.200 falling, 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.740 God 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.559 remained 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.620 faithful. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.240 And here 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.960 they are, 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.819 gathered 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.440 together 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.680 back home 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.920 in their 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.519 land, 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.279 proof 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.700 that God 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.539 is loyal 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.940 and committed, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.420 that God 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.400 is kind 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:22.819 and good, 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:23.779 that he is 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.880 long-suffering 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:26.319 and ever-patient, 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.559 that he keeps 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.299 his promises 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.539 and continues 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.259 to bless, 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.340 that he acts 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.180 in grace 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.440 and responds 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.920 with mercy. 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.120 You see, 00:23:36.120 --> 00:23:37.140 God's people 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.320 are only 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:38.980 where they 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.700 are 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:41.620 because, 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.279 verse 11, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.860 God is 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:45.300 good. 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.039 His love 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.080 towards his 00:23:48.080 --> 00:23:48.640 people 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.680 endures 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.240 forever. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.839 ever. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:53.960 This is the 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.539 God we 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:54.940 know. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.180 He never 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.799 gives up 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.140 on his 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:57.519 people. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.380 He is 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.319 steadfast 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.039 and 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.900 dependable. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.120 The word 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.579 there in 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.220 verse 11 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:03.859 is that 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.819 hesed 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.400 word, 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.420 the 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.519 steadfast, 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.500 committed 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.680 love 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.839 of God, 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:11.900 the faithful 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.160 love of 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.539 God. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.680 And look 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:14.940 at the 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.220 double 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.920 response 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.800 of the 00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:17.220 people 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:19.019 as they 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.580 reflect 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.440 on the 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.080 faithfulness 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.620 of God. 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.620 Rejoicing 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:26.120 and longing 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.120 or songs 00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:27.900 of joy 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:29.200 and tears 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.840 of longing. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.220 Look at 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.940 verse 11. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.860 The end 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.519 of verse 11, 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.160 and all 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.660 the people 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.120 gave a 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.880 great shout 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.640 of praise 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.060 to the 00:24:39.060 --> 00:24:39.380 Lord 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:40.580 because the 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.279 foundation 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.800 of the 00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:42.320 house of 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:42.740 the Lord 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.360 was laid. 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.279 The temple 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.120 was rebuilt 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.299 or being 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:46.839 rebuilt. 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.879 The presence 00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:48.399 of God 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.039 would soon 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.439 be a 00:24:49.439 --> 00:24:49.899 reality. 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.199 God is 00:24:51.199 --> 00:24:51.599 so, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.319 so good 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.759 to his 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.199 people. 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.039 And the 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:55.099 only response 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:56.139 is joyful 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:57.419 praise for 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:58.039 all that 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.500 God had 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:58.819 done. 00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:01.039 But do you 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.639 notice they're 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.339 not all 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.139 rejoicing? 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.819 There's also 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:05.679 tears of 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.139 longing. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.239 Verse 12. 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.159 Many of 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.659 the older 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:11.339 priests and 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.079 the Levites 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.479 and the 00:25:12.479 --> 00:25:13.279 family heads 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.079 who had 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.659 seen the 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.100 former 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.519 temple. 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.000 That was 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.820 Solomon's 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.240 temple. 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:18.560 Well, 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.160 they wept 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.880 aloud when 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.320 they saw 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:21.019 the foundation 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.640 of this 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.340 temple being 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:22.820 laid, 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.500 while many 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:24.880 others 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.600 shouted for 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.040 joy. 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.440 You see, 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.000 the older, 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.560 the grey 00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:28.960 haired, 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.000 they had 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.340 seen 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:30.900 something 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.580 better, 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.920 and they 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.620 longed for 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.400 the past. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.740 The rebuilding 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.500 of the temple 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.300 that they saw 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:37.900 now was, 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.400 yes, 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.019 it was good, 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.680 but it 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.300 wasn't as 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:40.680 good as 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.019 what it 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.840 was before. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.620 And so 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.480 they wept. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.700 they longed 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.339 for something 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.220 better and 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.720 greater. 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:49.079 So there's 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.400 both rejoicing 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:53.059 and longing. 00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.420 Verse 13. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.420 No one 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.220 could distinguish 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.220 the sound of 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.839 the shouts 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:59.420 of joy from 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.380 the sound of 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:00.880 weeping, 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.220 because the 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.980 people made 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.579 so much 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.180 noise, 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.279 and the 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.940 sound was 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.799 heard far 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.920 away. 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:11.060 You see, 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.860 as God's 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:12.360 people 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:13.720 respond 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:15.120 to God's 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.180 faithfulness, 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.500 there is 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.460 both songs 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.180 of joy 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:21.560 and tears 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.580 of longing. 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.440 In fact, 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.920 for us 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.360 today, 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.860 as we 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:26.720 respond to 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.200 God's 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.840 faithfulness, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.019 we have 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.259 a greater 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.160 rejoicing 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.400 and an 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.759 even 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.660 deeper 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.660 longing. 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.740 look at 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.320 the greater 00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:38.080 rejoicing 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.540 that we 00:26:38.540 --> 00:26:38.980 have. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.340 The Bible 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:42.420 tells us 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:44.300 that the 00:26:44.300 --> 00:26:45.060 sacrifices 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.940 and temple 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.680 building that 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.140 we've just 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.680 been looking 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:49.080 at were 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:50.360 only shadows 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.740 of the 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.320 reality. 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.640 The 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.100 Apostle 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:54.640 Paul put 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.000 it like 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.440 this. 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:58.039 he says 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.580 these, 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.059 that's 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.279 the 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.360 sacrificial 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.960 system 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.820 and the 00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.320 temples 00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:03.680 were only 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.480 a shadow 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.720 of the 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.279 things that 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.660 were to 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:06.960 come. 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:07.559 The 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.180 reality, 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:08.779 however, 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.580 is found 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.700 in Christ. 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.700 So picture 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.220 with me 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.600 for a 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:13.940 moment 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.740 a dad 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.960 and it's 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.620 a glorious 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:17.500 sunny day 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.539 and he's 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:18.980 with his 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.400 toddler 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.140 daughter. 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:21.580 Behind 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.220 the dad 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.960 is the 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.320 son 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:24.519 which 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.019 casts 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.299 this 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.980 enormous 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.579 shadow 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.639 right in 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.119 front of 00:27:28.119 --> 00:27:28.319 him. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.099 Now 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.420 wouldn't 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:30.759 it be 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.599 strange 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:33.019 for the 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.440 daughter 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:35.099 to find 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.639 the shadow 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.039 of her 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.460 father 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.660 and wrap 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:38.259 her arms 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.599 or at 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.160 least try 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:39.639 to wrap 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.119 her arms 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.500 around 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.079 the shadow? 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.519 No, 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.059 the daughter 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:44.139 follows the 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.500 shadow 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.539 until she 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.180 reaches her 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.940 dad and 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.339 when she 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:47.799 gets to 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.220 the end 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.500 of the 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:48.920 shadow 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:50.779 there he 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.099 is and 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.980 she embraces 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.200 him for 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.580 she's 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:55.220 safe and 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.759 secure 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.880 in his 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.380 arms 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.440 treasured 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.200 and loved. 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:00.660 Well the 00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.360 purpose of 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:01.700 these 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.880 sacrifices 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.360 in the 00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:03.740 temple 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.660 is like 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.460 a shadow 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.900 leading us 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:08.480 to embrace 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.380 Jesus. 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.380 You see all 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.480 these sacrifices 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.440 that went on 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.400 year after 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.840 year, 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.580 day after 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:15.980 day, 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.019 were just 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.019 a reminder 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.340 of sin. 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.620 They could 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.380 actually never 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.519 deal with 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.720 sin. 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.400 How could 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:24.200 an animal 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.299 take away 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.940 sins of 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.359 people? 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.900 Every 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.619 sacrifice 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.220 that was 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:30.180 made was 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.960 a constant 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.619 reminder, 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:32.839 you're guilty, 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.700 you're full 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.279 of shame, 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.359 you've failed, 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.319 you've messed 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:36.680 up, 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:37.839 you've blown 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.220 it. 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.220 Every festival 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.160 was a constant 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.400 reminder that 00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:42.940 yes we're 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.639 trusting in 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.059 God to 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.440 provide, 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.359 but I've 00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.099 failed again 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.660 and I've 00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.420 messed up. 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:49.059 Day after 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.500 day, 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:50.700 morning and 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.059 evening, 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.400 every year, 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:54.180 and the 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.660 temple, 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.980 well let's 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.599 get real, 00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.379 how could 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.019 the temple 00:28:58.019 --> 00:29:01.019 be contained 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.319 by God 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.420 who is 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.859 over the 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.799 whole universe? 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.740 At best 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.279 it was a 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.839 symbol of 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.279 God's 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.799 partial 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.319 presence. 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.339 They could 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.019 never see 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.680 him in 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.240 the temple, 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.319 they could 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.339 never be 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:14.980 with him, 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:15.839 in fact 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.599 their constant 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.220 sin 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.160 threatened 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.000 his very 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.720 presence. 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:22.819 so we 00:29:22.819 --> 00:29:23.319 don't want 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.579 to be 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.220 people who 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.720 go on 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.019 about 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.740 sacrificial 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:27.100 systems or 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.579 building 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.220 temples. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.759 We 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.420 today 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:31.860 have the 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.440 reality. 00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.019 You see, 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.860 in Jesus 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:36.079 we find 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.640 the true 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.299 sacrifice 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.460 who dies 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.000 in our 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.559 place. 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:40.880 Remember 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.440 what John 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:41.900 the Baptist 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:43.019 saw or 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.559 said when 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.000 he saw 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.640 Jesus? 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:46.920 look, 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.480 the Lamb 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.000 of God 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.540 who takes 00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.120 away the 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.680 sin of 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.180 the world. 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.600 It's an 00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:53.540 invitation to 00:29:53.540 --> 00:29:54.000 come to 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.060 Jesus to 00:29:55.060 --> 00:29:56.100 confess all 00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:56.460 of our 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.759 sin, 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.800 knowing that 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:58.180 he will 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.540 forgive all 00:29:59.540 --> 00:29:59.920 of our 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.200 sin. 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:00.940 It's a 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.560 once and 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:02.740 for all 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.540 sacrifice, 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.600 a sufficient 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:05.320 sacrifice. 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:06.980 And as 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.480 we come 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:07.980 to him, 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:09.020 he washes 00:30:09.020 --> 00:30:10.420 away all 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.100 our guilt 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:12.259 and all 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.920 our shame. 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:14.900 But more 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.560 than that, 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.519 as we 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.019 come to 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.380 Jesus, 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:17.940 he makes 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.580 a wonderful 00:30:18.580 --> 00:30:19.360 promise to 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:19.680 us. 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:21.539 Remember 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:21.880 it? 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:22.940 It's there 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.259 on the 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.700 screen. 00:30:24.600 --> 00:30:24.900 Jesus 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.480 says, 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.120 anyone who 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:28.039 loves me 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:29.240 will obey 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.180 my teaching. 00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.180 My 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:31.960 Father will 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.640 love them 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.560 and we 00:30:33.560 --> 00:30:34.160 will come 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.680 to them 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.700 and make 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.519 our home 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.700 with them. 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.680 We don't 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.279 need to go 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.820 into a 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:41.240 special 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.039 building or 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.640 a temple. 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.880 to find 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.460 God. 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.680 If we 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.960 are trusting 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.600 in the 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.380 Lord Jesus, 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:50.300 God comes 00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:50.820 to dwell 00:30:50.820 --> 00:30:51.279 in us 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.820 by his 00:30:51.820 --> 00:30:52.340 spirit. 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.180 Through 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:54.980 the sacrifice 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.720 of Jesus, 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.620 we are 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.600 made clean 00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:58.380 and pure 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.860 so that 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.500 God, 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.680 the creator 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.100 of the 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:02.740 universe, 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.259 would dwell 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.320 within 00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:06.440 us. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.380 This is 00:31:08.380 --> 00:31:09.000 the gospel 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.700 in all 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.220 its fullness. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.079 this is 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.579 why we 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.880 rely on 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.420 the gospel 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.019 of God. 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:14.920 This is 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.380 why we 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.700 depend on 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.279 the presence 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.799 of God 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.799 who fills 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.640 us and 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.680 enables us 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.559 and moves 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.500 us to 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.460 obey God's 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.360 word and 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:24.900 to follow 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.779 his truth. 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.799 You see, 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.480 this is why 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.120 we have a 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.600 greater 00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:31.059 rejoicing. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.640 Look again 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.120 at the middle 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.539 of verse 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:33.980 11. 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.620 we can 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:36.120 say, 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.059 as we 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.620 look to 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.079 Jesus, 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.700 the true 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.299 reality, 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.620 that he 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:42.240 is good 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.920 and his 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:45.120 love towards 00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:45.900 his people 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.799 endures 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.759 forever. 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.740 Do you 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.380 hear those 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:51.860 words? 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.500 If you 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.819 today are 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:56.200 relying and 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.099 depending on 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.500 Jesus, 00:31:58.079 --> 00:31:58.880 this is your 00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.360 song, 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.380 this is your 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.180 theme tune 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:01.660 for your 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.039 life. 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.779 Whatever 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.799 circumstances 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.419 are going 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:04.859 on in 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.379 your life, 00:32:05.639 --> 00:32:06.159 you can 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.899 shout this 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.240 out. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.399 God is 00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:08.879 good. 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.619 His love 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.500 towards 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:13.879 you insert 00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.559 your name. 00:32:16.839 --> 00:32:17.559 It 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.440 endures 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.379 forever. 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:20.680 It 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.419 endures 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:22.139 forever. 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.079 But we 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.579 don't just 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:27.980 have a 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.319 greater 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.200 rejoicing, 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:31.039 we actually 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.579 have a 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.019 deeper 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.940 longing. 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.680 God is 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.220 God's 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.700 people. 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.819 God is 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.220 God's 00:32:37.220 --> 00:32:37.680 people. 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.399 God is 00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.240 great. 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.139 We can 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.680 have the 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.259 Lord Jesus 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:41.779 Christ. 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.419 But you 00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:43.079 know what? 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.639 The best 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:45.399 is yet to 00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:45.740 come. 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.619 We don't 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.200 long for 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.940 the past, 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.460 but we 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.220 long for 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.960 the future, 00:32:52.139 --> 00:32:52.579 don't we? 00:32:53.119 --> 00:32:54.039 We long 00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:54.500 for that 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.079 day when 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.460 we will 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.079 be with 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:56.559 Jesus, 00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:58.180 to see 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.539 him, 00:32:59.079 --> 00:32:59.440 and to 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.119 be finally 00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:00.980 like him, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.860 to be 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.380 rid of 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:03.700 sin once 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.140 and for 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:04.539 all, 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.240 and to 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.920 know his 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.519 presence 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.420 with us. 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.539 We will 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:11.000 see the 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.720 risen Lord 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.180 Jesus. 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:14.200 That day 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:15.099 is coming. 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.299 One day 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.839 the Lord 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.519 Jesus will 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.079 return, 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:18.900 and our 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.860 tears of 00:33:19.860 --> 00:33:20.400 longing 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.819 will be 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.720 replaced with 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.380 tears of 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:23.819 joy. 00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:25.339 As we go 00:33:25.339 --> 00:33:25.860 through our 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.700 hardships and 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.360 our trials, 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.099 and we 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:28.480 wonder, 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:28.860 will it 00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:29.539 ever end? 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.359 hear the 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.519 promise that 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.319 God will 00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.079 dwell with 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:33.759 his people, 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.259 and we 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.259 will enjoy 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:36.940 him 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:38.599 forever. 00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:40.579 Together, 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.639 all God's 00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:42.220 people of 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.099 all times 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:43.639 and all 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:44.279 ages will 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.039 gather as 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.399 one, 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:46.139 and we 00:33:46.139 --> 00:33:46.720 will sing 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.339 the theme 00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:47.799 tune, 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.920 that God 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.619 is good, 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:50.819 his love 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:52.139 towards his 00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:52.720 people 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.899 endures 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:55.200 forever. 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.579 End of 00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.259 verse 11. 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.759 and all 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.440 the people 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.740 gave a 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.539 great shout 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.460 of praise 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.619 to the 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:06.039 Lord. 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.440 You see, 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:11.460 there are 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.019 tears 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:13.800 of longing 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:15.259 and there 00:34:15.259 --> 00:34:15.820 are songs 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.519 of joy 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:18.079 for God's 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.500 people. 00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:19.900 The songs 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.539 of joy 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.279 in all 00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:21.880 that Jesus 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.460 has done 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.279 for us, 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.639 but there 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.219 are tears 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:25.900 of longing 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:27.000 as we 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.059 wait for 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.539 what is 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.099 to come. 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:30.699 But 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.599 praise God, 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.779 what we 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.559 have today 00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:34.519 is good 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:36.119 and what 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.759 is coming 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:38.239 is even 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:38.659 better. 00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:40.480 Let's 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:40.820 pray 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.559 together. 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:54.019 our 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.719 Father God, 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:56.279 we thank 00:34:56.279 --> 00:34:56.739 you that 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.679 you indeed 00:34:57.679 --> 00:34:58.219 have not 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:58.880 left us 00:34:58.880 --> 00:34:59.239 in the 00:34:59.239 --> 00:34:59.679 dark, 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.960 but you 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.539 have spoken 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.159 the truth 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:03.519 of your 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:03.900 word. 00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:03.960 Lord, 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:06.800 we pray 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.300 that this 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:07.900 will be 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.240 the 00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:08.840 foundation 00:35:08.840 --> 00:35:09.660 of our 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:10.079 life 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:12.960 and that 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.480 you would 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.280 bring us 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.400 back time 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:15.880 and time 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:16.300 again 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:18.260 to rely 00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:19.059 on your 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.800 mercy and 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:20.300 grace, 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.860 to depend 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.860 upon your 00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:25.340 presence 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:26.340 in us 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:29.559 and to 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.860 know the 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.640 faithfulness 00:35:31.640 --> 00:35:32.000 of our 00:35:32.000 --> 00:35:32.380 God, 00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:33.920 that he 00:35:33.920 --> 00:35:34.559 is good 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:36.519 and his 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.480 love towards 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:38.079 us 00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:39.360 endures 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:40.120 forever. 00:35:41.500 --> 00:35:42.400 Thank you 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:43.000 for what we 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.780 have today 00:35:43.780 --> 00:35:45.100 in Christ 00:35:45.100 --> 00:35:47.039 and we 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.840 praise you 00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:49.059 for all 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.640 that is 00:35:49.640 --> 00:35:50.180 to come. 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:51.539 In 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:51.860 Jesus' 00:35:52.120 --> 00:35:52.360 name, 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:53.480 Amen.