WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.040 So this evening, we're thinking about the omnipotence of God. 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:10.580 That's our doctrine for this evening. 00:00:10.740 --> 00:00:14.580 We'll largely be in the book of Isaiah, chapter 45, that Bob read for us. 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:22.039 But just as we begin, probably same as every time where we've been thinking about the doctrine of God, 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:29.199 we are being confronted with our limited powers and the absolute power of God. 00:00:30.420 --> 00:00:33.719 So for those of us who like football and the Champions League was back this week, 00:00:34.140 --> 00:00:39.259 there seemed to be a lot of chat among the pundits about Ronaldo and Messi. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:42.399 Are they still the best players in the world? 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:44.840 They've obviously been at the top of their game for the last 10 years, 00:00:44.939 --> 00:00:47.280 but the understanding is that now their powers are waning. 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:50.060 Now they're getting that bit older. 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:53.439 And it's a reminder that no one stays at the top forever. 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:56.939 We don't need to go to the world of football. 00:00:56.939 --> 00:01:01.859 The strongest person that we know, whether that's physical strength, emotional strength, strength of character. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:06.179 We recognize that that's something that had to be worked at and developed. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:08.060 It's something that will not last. 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:09.159 It will begin to diminish. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:12.780 And all of human strength has a threshold. 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:18.120 So whenever we are thinking about power, power in another person, 00:01:18.460 --> 00:01:22.420 we instinctively imagine there is a limit to that. 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:27.240 Powerlessness for us is a shared human experience. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:34.079 Now whether that's at the very small level of the jam jar at the breakfast table that you just can't open, 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:39.459 whether that goes deeper to it, it's the behavior that we just can't change, 00:01:40.259 --> 00:01:45.539 or whether as Christians it's the person that we are frustrated that we cannot save them, 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:48.920 we cannot make them listen to the truth and appreciate it, 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:52.159 we understand that powerlessness is something that we live with. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:57.340 And so as we think about God being omnipotent, being all-powerful, 00:01:57.420 --> 00:02:02.599 this is intended to be a source of comfort for the people of God, 00:02:02.679 --> 00:02:05.239 something attractive about God. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:08.199 But it's something obviously that's going to challenge our thinking, 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:10.900 because again we're being presented with, 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:12.919 here is our creator, 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:15.280 and we are creatures, 00:02:15.400 --> 00:02:17.019 and the distinction is massive, 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:21.120 and sometimes it's really hard for us to even begin to comprehend. 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:22.800 So when we think about God's power, 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:25.540 we use words like infinite. 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:29.620 The only limit that God's power has 00:02:29.620 --> 00:02:32.680 is that he cannot act against his perfect character, 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:36.560 he cannot act against his covenant purposes and promises, 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:40.080 he cannot act in a way that diminishes his perfect holiness. 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:43.180 But he is infinite in power. 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:45.760 God's power also is eternal. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:48.899 It is constant and it is unchanging. 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:52.919 Unlike us, where power builds up and power wears down, 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:54.419 that's not the case with God. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:55.639 His power is eternal. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:02:59.719 We also think about God's power being self-sufficient. 00:03:01.299 --> 00:03:03.139 All the great leaders, the great generals, 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:04.859 the great kings of history, 00:03:05.659 --> 00:03:08.719 were all reliant on another, 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:11.239 perhaps the strength of their armies, 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:14.719 in order to demonstrate their power and their greatness. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:17.859 God's power is self-sufficient. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:25.419 Now, God chooses to work through providence. 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:29.000 God chooses to work through people like us. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:32.379 God chooses to work through the preaching of his word 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:33.879 to achieve his purposes, 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:35.620 but he doesn't need to. 00:03:36.579 --> 00:03:37.800 His power is self-sufficient. 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:43.180 And God's power, unlike ours, is absolute. 00:03:44.180 --> 00:03:47.640 No one and nothing opposes his will. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:50.420 So that's what we're thinking about today. 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:52.760 God's omnipotent power. 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:56.280 Four places that we can go to see that. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:03:59.380 Four lessons that we can learn for everyday life. 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:06.019 So, let's begin thinking about how we see God's omnipotence in creation. 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:08.699 So we've been reading from Isaiah 45, 00:04:09.099 --> 00:04:11.139 but we could also have read Genesis 1. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:14.280 We could also have read Job 38 to 41. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:23.519 The setting for thinking about how Isaiah introduces the theme of God the creator in Isaiah 45 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:26.939 is interesting because Isaiah 45 is this future prophecy 00:04:26.939 --> 00:04:30.519 that God is going to raise up in the future King Cyrus. 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:34.139 King Cyrus is going to set God's people free, 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.060 return them to the land of Israel. 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:43.740 And there seems to be a question in the minds of God's people. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.040 So if you look at verses 9 and 10, 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:48.980 it says there, 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:52.860 Woe to those who quarrel with their maker. 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:54.939 Does the clay say to the potter, 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:56.019 What are you making? 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:01.199 There seems to be the implication that God's people are saying, 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:02.780 Well, if you're going to set us free, 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:06.460 then surely there should be a figure like a Moses figure, 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:08.139 a David figure, an Elijah figure. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:08.819 King Cyrus? 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:10.040 A foreign king? 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:11.259 That doesn't seem to make sense. 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:13.480 And so at that point, 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:15.019 having said, 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:16.319 Why are you questioning me? 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:17.379 Verse 11, 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:18.620 This is what the Lord says, 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:20.399 The Holy One of Israel and its maker. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:21.300 Verse 12, 00:05:21.399 --> 00:05:24.180 It is I who made the earth and created mankind. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:26.719 On it my hands stretched out the heavens. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:28.659 I marshaled their starry hosts. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:31.159 God reminds them, 00:05:31.219 --> 00:05:32.019 I am your creator. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:33.980 I am the one who made the earth and the heavens. 00:05:34.599 --> 00:05:36.259 I am the creator of mankind. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:38.779 Trust me, I know what I'm doing. 00:05:38.779 --> 00:05:41.479 I have good and saving purposes for you, 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:45.339 even when you're not able to understand how I choose to work. 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:49.899 Verse 18 and 19 goes to the same point. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.359 This is what the Lord says, 00:05:52.479 --> 00:05:54.119 He created the heavens. 00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:56.719 He who fashioned and made the earth, 00:05:56.899 --> 00:05:57.839 he founded it. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:00.619 So again, here's the idea of God, 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:01.179 the creator, 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:02.419 forming and fashioning. 00:06:02.739 --> 00:06:04.219 God filling creation, 00:06:04.359 --> 00:06:04.599 the sea, 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:04.979 the sky, 00:06:05.079 --> 00:06:05.419 the land, 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:07.040 including people. 00:06:08.580 --> 00:06:10.480 I have not spoken in secret. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.040 I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:14.000 seek me in vain. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:15.020 I, the Lord, 00:06:15.140 --> 00:06:16.060 speak the truth. 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:18.259 So as he wants, 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:21.080 as God wants his people to trust his words, 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:24.220 he reminds them of his power in creation. 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:28.520 So we can look to the created world, 00:06:28.660 --> 00:06:30.960 to this universe that we live in, 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:36.000 to give us comfort that there is an all-powerful God 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:37.360 who is on the throne, 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:39.260 and we can trust his word. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:47.860 So creation is the place where we go to see God all-powerful, 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:48.940 God's absolute power. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:50.819 Go back to Genesis 1, 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:54.540 and we discover that God created with total freedom. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:55.860 He spoke, 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:57.779 and there was. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:01.240 God created without materials. 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:03.540 God created out of nothing. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:07.360 And God created a world without defects. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:07.879 He looked, 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:10.079 and it was good. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:14.699 Creation comes about as God's express will. 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:16.159 It's there in Genesis 1. 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:18.500 They're reminded in Isaiah 45, 00:07:19.260 --> 00:07:22.660 this world that we live in is not the product of blind forces. 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:25.480 The world is not a closed system, 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:29.200 but rather there is a God who created it all. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:33.160 Job 38 to 41, 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:36.040 finds God himself speaking to Job, 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:38.960 and reminding him, 00:07:39.140 --> 00:07:39.780 in a sense, 00:07:40.320 --> 00:07:42.480 of the creator-creature distinction. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:44.640 Chapter after chapter, 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:49.039 Job having wanted to be in the presence of God, 00:07:49.099 --> 00:07:50.099 and to meet with God, 00:07:50.479 --> 00:07:51.939 God comes and says to him, 00:07:51.979 --> 00:07:52.079 well, 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:54.639 where were you at the beginning? 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:59.500 Did you have the wisdom to teach me how to make this world? 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:01.439 Says to him, 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:06.219 can you tame the mighty creatures of the earth? 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:08.680 A reminder to Job, 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:09.140 a reminder to Job, 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.300 of God's great power, 00:08:11.760 --> 00:08:14.200 and his right to do as he will. 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:16.080 And so, 00:08:16.260 --> 00:08:16.960 in the Bible, 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:23.700 we discover that creation is the place where God's power is on public display. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:27.220 Coming in the next week or so, 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:27.940 I think it is, 00:08:28.440 --> 00:08:29.720 Van Gogh Live, 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:33.620 I think he's coming up from London to Edinburgh for a little while. 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:35.180 And no doubt, 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.860 that'll be a wonderful exhibit. 00:08:37.420 --> 00:08:38.720 Maybe some of you have got tickets. 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:41.580 Van Gogh was a wonderfully creative person, 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:44.379 but when we think about Van Gogh or any other artist, 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:47.019 they needed raw materials. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:52.899 They were limited in their scale of production. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:53.059 Imagine, 00:08:53.559 --> 00:08:58.939 God is the only creator. 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:03.840 And the universe is his permanent exhibition. 00:09:05.079 --> 00:09:07.459 An exhibition to us of his power, 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.120 his glory, 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:09.220 his majesty. 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:13.059 Do we have eyes to see? 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:16.139 Do we have eyes that lead us to worship? 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:21.220 So we see God all powerful over creation. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:29.620 Isaiah 45 also reminds us that God's absolute power is shown in human history. 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.019 So, 00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:32.720 chapter 45, 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.740 verses 1 to 7, 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:40.740 is a word of prophecy that's spoken to this king, 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:43.600 this king Cyrus of Persia. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:49.320 We're told that he is the Lord's anointed in verse 1. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:55.440 We are told that Cyrus will be summoned by God in verse 4. 00:09:56.280 --> 00:10:00.680 The purpose of his anointing and summoning is that he will release Israel from exile. 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:03.020 He'll restore people to the promised land, 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:06.700 so that in the nations, 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:11.920 people know there's one true God that praise and glory will go to God. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:18.679 Two perhaps surprising things about the beginning of chapter 45. 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:19.099 One, 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:24.740 these words are written approximately 150 years before King Cyrus comes on the scene. 00:10:25.959 --> 00:10:31.939 So another way we see God's absolute power is his absolute power to know the future with certainty. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.379 He doesn't suggest, 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:33.539 well, 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:34.539 at such and such a time, 00:10:34.939 --> 00:10:36.299 maybe a king will come. 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:36.779 No, 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:37.959 he names him. 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.719 Such is his knowledge of the future. 00:10:42.199 --> 00:10:44.259 And perhaps the other surprising thing, 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:49.179 it is that God works through Cyrus, 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:52.179 while at the same time it becomes clear, 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:52.899 verse 4, 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:55.979 that Cyrus will not acknowledge God. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:57.759 Verse 5, 00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:59.419 I am a Lord and there is no other. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.879 Apart from me there is no God. 00:11:00.979 --> 00:11:02.159 I will strengthen you, 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:04.679 though you have not acknowledged me. 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:09.239 So here is the extent of God's absolute power over human history in this regard. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:13.079 He will anoint and summon a foreign king with no love for God, 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:17.639 but will use that foreign king to be the means of his people's freedom. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:27.719 The might of an enemy empire serving the purposes of the one true God. 00:11:28.679 --> 00:11:29.939 The point being, 00:11:30.099 --> 00:11:31.299 who is like our God? 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:37.000 Moving towards the end of the chapter, 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:40.259 verses 20 and 21, 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:44.679 we find that emphasis again on future prediction. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:45.779 Again, 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:50.000 God emphasizing his power, 00:11:50.199 --> 00:11:51.339 his omnipotence, 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:56.159 in the fact that he can foretell the things that come to pass. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:12:00.860 There is a clear connection in this chapter between God speaking, 00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:02.120 God willing, 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:04.579 and God acting. 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:09.019 And there in verses 20 and 21, 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.219 he's saying, 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:11.899 well this is what I can do. 00:12:14.719 --> 00:12:16.240 No idol has this power. 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:20.159 This is the extent of my rule. 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:23.039 No emperor, 00:12:23.180 --> 00:12:23.659 no king, 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.600 no person 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:26.700 is stronger than me, 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:28.460 comes close to me. 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:31.820 God's will will not be denied, 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:35.100 because he has absolute power over human history. 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:37.220 So we see that in Isaiah 45, 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:38.779 raising up King Cyrus. 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:43.259 We could perhaps go to Daniel chapter 4, 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.360 to see the flip side, 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:46.200 to see this happen with another foreign king, 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.340 King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:49.019 King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:52.120 who one day was standing on the top of his palace, 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.899 looking over the city, 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:54.200 saying, 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.200 I made this. 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.899 This is my glory on display. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:00.340 And he was taken from the palace, 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:01.759 to eat grass, 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:02.519 like an animal. 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.759 Failing to have the perspective, 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.939 and the understanding, 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.279 I am not the Lord. 00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:12.639 I am not all powerful. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:14.840 In a sense, 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:16.120 it's a very human problem. 00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:18.539 Wasn't that the problem in the Garden of Eden? 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.799 Adam and Eve were tempted, 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:21.500 by the serpent. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.100 Eat this, 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:24.659 and you will be like God. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.779 But Isaiah 45 reminds us, 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.139 God works in history, 00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:31.679 showing only he has ultimate power, 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:34.419 so that we would learn to acknowledge him, 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:36.199 and trust him. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.879 Third place where we see it, 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.079 and again it's in Isaiah 45, 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.139 and it's related, 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.360 it's to do with redemption. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.899 Because in Isaiah 45, 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:51.000 there's a lot of sense that God is in control of history, 00:13:51.579 --> 00:13:53.279 that he's working out his purposes, 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.459 and those purposes, 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:57.860 are saving purposes for his people. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.900 Chapters like Isaiah 45, 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.200 are great reminders, 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.000 when we have that question, 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:06.500 why did God create the world? 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:09.519 We know that God didn't need to create the world, 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:11.019 he wasn't lacking something, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.240 he wasn't lonely, 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.920 because he's an eternal trinity. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:17.659 One answer to why did God create, 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.019 is that, 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:20.319 so that his people might be saved by his grace, 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:22.399 to enjoy his glory forever. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.979 And we see that emphasis coming through, 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:27.439 in this chapter. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:27.740 So, 00:14:27.959 --> 00:14:29.339 look at verse 8, 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:31.039 let me read verse 8, 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.759 it's a lovely image, 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:53.759 So, 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:56.500 God is going to describe himself as the creator, 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:59.039 but here we have this reminder, 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:02.379 that the same God that brings life at creation, 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:05.519 is the same God who causes new life, 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:06.679 spiritual life, 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.720 to spring up and to flourish. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.980 Righteousness and salvation. 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.000 In the New Testament, 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:15.480 it's the language of new creation, 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:18.360 it's the language of new birth, 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:21.940 it's the language of spiritually dead, 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.379 people being made spiritually alive, 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:27.279 and all by God's powerful saving grace. 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:31.039 It's a gift to his people. 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.960 And we have this here, 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:37.960 that God is all powerful in salvation, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:41.779 that we don't earn or merit our salvation, 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:44.779 rather it's a gift from God, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.240 who brings it to life. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:52.379 Again, to move towards the end of the chapter, 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.080 verses 20 to 25, 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.460 you see in verse 20, 00:15:56.400 --> 00:16:01.139 that the nations are invited to gather, 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:03.120 gather together and come, 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:05.360 assemble you fugitives from the nations, 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.720 ignorant are those who carry about, 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:11.259 idols of wood who pray to gods that cannot save. 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:14.340 So the nations are gathered, 00:16:15.160 --> 00:16:18.700 and God is exposing the weakness of the idols, 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:20.160 and of idolatry, 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:23.919 the folly of praying to gods that cannot save, 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.879 that cannot help, 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.019 that do not have life. 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.459 And perhaps at this point, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.199 as we listen in, 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:31.699 we're expecting judgment. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:36.419 Here is God gathering the nations to judge them 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:38.279 for false worship, 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:41.539 and for not knowing the one true God. 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:45.279 But there's a remarkable turn. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:49.699 It's the turn that led to Spurgeon's conversion, 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.079 as we discovered this evening. 00:16:52.599 --> 00:16:53.639 Verse 22, 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.960 Turn to me, 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:56.980 turn to me and be saved, 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:59.379 all you ends of the earth, 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.699 for I am God, 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:04.759 and there is no other. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:07.400 Turn to me, 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.359 you who have been ignorant, 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:11.559 and living your own way, 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:14.559 and pursuing false gods. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.559 Turn to me, 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:18.339 turn to me, 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.639 you who have been looking to, 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.740 to another thing, 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.879 a created thing, 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.559 to find salvation, 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.240 and help in your time of need, 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.740 though it could not help. 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:30.159 Turn to me, 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.839 and find me to be a savior. 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:37.039 In Isaiah 45, 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.339 it becomes absolutely clear, 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:39.440 that there's no contest, 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.179 between God and the idols. 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:43.799 The idols are torn down, 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.019 they are the gods, 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:46.139 who cannot save, 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.940 they are the gods, 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.159 who have failed, 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:50.720 and who will always fail. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.279 Verse 21, 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:57.740 There is no God apart from me, 00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.379 a righteous God, 00:17:59.419 --> 00:18:00.059 and a savior. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.559 There is none, 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:02.779 but me. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:06.519 God enters into judgment, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:08.000 against the idols, 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.720 so that, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.519 God would save, 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.919 from the nations, 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.460 his own people, 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:15.980 that they would come, 00:18:16.100 --> 00:18:16.920 to recognize, 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.200 his reality, 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.259 his strength, 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.900 his salvation. 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.680 Turn to me, 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.320 and be saved, 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.460 all you ends of the earth. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.160 It pictures, 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.759 and anticipates, 00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:29.700 the global spread, 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.700 of God's kingdom. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.340 And we think about that, 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.680 since the coming of Jesus, 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:36.000 then the sending of the spirit, 00:18:36.120 --> 00:18:37.340 then the new testament, 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.300 and the growth, 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.919 of the church, 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.879 and the spread, 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.519 of the church, 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.839 around the globe. 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.279 There are millions, 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.319 and millions of people, 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:44.879 who have, 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.460 and who are, 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:47.599 turning to God, 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.519 and being saved, 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:49.319 through faith, 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.599 in Jesus. 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:53.740 This isn't a limited call, 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.200 to some people, 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.919 to his own, 00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:59.039 covenant people, 00:18:59.139 --> 00:18:59.419 Israel. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.279 This is a universal call, 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.940 because God's authority, 00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:04.299 is universal. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.680 So the invitation, 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.000 is there to anyone, 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.720 in all the world, 00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:11.680 turn to me, 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.539 and, 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:14.000 to be saved. 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.759 Verse 23, 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.600 By myself, 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.640 I have sworn, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.799 a word, 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:22.160 that will not be revoked. 00:19:22.820 --> 00:19:23.580 Before me, 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.799 every knee will bow. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.980 By me, 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:27.059 every tongue, 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.860 will swear. 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.480 They will say of me, 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.420 and the Lord alone, 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.160 are deliverance, 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.840 and strength. 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.920 When Paul, 00:19:34.080 --> 00:19:35.500 was writing to the Philippians, 00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.820 he used those words, 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.519 to speak of Jesus, 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.620 the Lord Jesus, 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.140 who humbled himself, 00:19:42.320 --> 00:19:43.320 by becoming one of us, 00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:44.120 who humbled himself, 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.640 further, 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.700 by dying, 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.660 on the cross, 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.340 but then God, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.240 raised him, 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.059 and gave him the name, 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.080 that is above every name, 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.640 that at the name of Jesus, 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.660 every knee would bow, 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.299 and every tongue, 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:54.920 would confess, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.500 that he, 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.259 is Lord. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.880 Jesus is, 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.019 God's, 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.799 Redeemer, 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.940 and we are called, 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.839 to bow the knee, 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.480 to Jesus, 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.079 today. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.180 So to read, 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.940 a chapter like Isaiah 45, 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.440 is to remind ourselves, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.839 that God's power is absolute. 00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.700 And we can see that, 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.299 in creation, 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:16.980 we can see, 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:18.460 that in his rule over history, 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.139 we can see that, 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.879 in his working out, 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.639 his redeeming, 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.740 purposes. 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.339 We cannot say, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.339 God is weak, 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:29.379 or God is limited, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.539 and be a true worshiper. 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.019 God's power is absolute. 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:37.019 As Abraham was told, 00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.399 nothing is impossible with God. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.319 As Mary was told, 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:41.079 no word of God ever fails. 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:45.379 There's one more place, 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.759 where God's ultimate power, 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.299 is in view. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.879 And that's why, 00:20:48.939 --> 00:20:49.539 Bob read for us, 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.799 from 1 Corinthians 15, 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.019 we need to think about, 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.680 the resurrection. 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:55.919 So, 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:57.659 1 Corinthians 15. 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.539 Now we know, 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:01.700 as people, 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:03.079 we are resourceful, 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:04.379 we have common grace, 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.460 we have many abilities, 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:07.819 can find solution, 00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:08.819 to many problems, 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:11.099 victory over many enemies, 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.220 but we cannot defeat, 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.099 or escape death. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.779 Death. 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.899 So the resurrection, 00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:17.079 comes as good news, 00:21:17.199 --> 00:21:18.559 and comfort, 00:21:18.699 --> 00:21:19.699 and in the word of Paul Tripp, 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.819 the resurrection, 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:21.919 is a finger, 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.679 that points, 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.859 to the omnipotence, 00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:25.459 of God. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.759 Because God, 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.219 and Jesus, 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.679 did what we could never do, 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.819 to conquer death. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.879 Those words, 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.459 from Paul, 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.199 were so powerful, 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.839 weren't they? 00:21:39.439 --> 00:21:40.539 Without resurrection. 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.639 Christian faith, 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.540 is a pointless lie. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.440 There's no forgiveness, 00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.700 there's no eternal life, 00:21:45.780 --> 00:21:46.800 there is a non-savior, 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:48.100 we are a pathetic people, 00:21:48.280 --> 00:21:48.560 but, 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:50.380 Christ has indeed, 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.140 been, 00:21:51.780 --> 00:21:52.400 raised. 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.740 And he gave us, 00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:56.020 that eyewitness list, 00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:57.560 those people, 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.180 who were there, 00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:59.000 to testify, 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.540 to the risen, 00:22:00.800 --> 00:22:01.860 Lord Jesus, 00:22:02.040 --> 00:22:02.600 to give us, 00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.600 that confidence, 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.600 of God's, 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.600 resurrection power. 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:08.680 We speak about, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.120 Christianity, 00:22:09.320 --> 00:22:10.300 as a rescue religion, 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.400 it's also a, 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.600 resurrection, 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.159 resurrection, 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.299 religion. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.199 That was the message, 00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:15.859 of the first apostles, 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.899 in Acts, 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.439 we can read, 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.639 Acts chapter 2, 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.480 and verses 23, 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.179 and 24. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.299 This man was handed over, 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:28.119 to you by God's, 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.919 deliberate plan, 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.819 and foreknowledge, 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.299 and you, 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.539 with the help of wicked men, 00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.339 put him to death, 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:33.099 by nailing him, 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:33.819 to the cross, 00:22:34.699 --> 00:22:35.699 but God raised him, 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.339 from the dead, 00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:37.599 freeing him, 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.799 from the agony of death, 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.859 because it was impossible, 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.539 for death, 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.859 to keep its hold on him. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:44.899 Paul, 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.639 in another letter, 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.299 in the letter to the Ephesians, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.379 in the prayer that he makes, 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:49.879 for them, 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.000 it would remind them, 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.259 that the same power, 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.319 that raised Jesus, 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.220 is the same power, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.839 that's a work, 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.980 in all God's people. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.720 We connect, 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.180 the omnipotence of God, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.180 with our comfort, 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:05.080 the resurrection, 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.860 life that we see, 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.440 in Jesus, 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.460 is the hope, 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.519 of resurrection life, 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:10.320 the certainty, 00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.360 of resurrection life, 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.980 for us, 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.680 when our faith, 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.420 is in him. 00:23:14.840 --> 00:23:16.420 So resurrection power, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.779 is the other, 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.660 great demonstration, 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.980 in history, 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.799 of God's omnipotence. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.580 And it's a demonstration, 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:25.740 that gives us, 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.539 the promise of new life, 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.279 gives us, 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:30.860 future hope. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:36.100 So if those are the places, 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:36.840 where we can go, 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.740 and we can think about, 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:39.460 God being omnipotent, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:42.620 how's this going to help us, 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.279 for everyday life? 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:45.320 How's this a doctrine, 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.480 for everyday life? 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.120 Four things to consider, 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.019 briefly. 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.120 One, 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.720 the reality, 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:56.000 that we are all tempted, 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:58.039 to doubt God's power. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.279 Now we see that, 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.660 throughout God's word. 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:03.480 Abraham, 00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:04.700 doubted, 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.880 that he could have a child. 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.019 Israel, 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:07.840 doubted, 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.600 that God could provide food. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.240 The disciples, 00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:11.940 doubted, 00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.940 that they could have hope, 00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:14.019 when they saw, 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.380 Jesus die, 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.320 on a cross. 00:24:17.800 --> 00:24:18.680 God answered, 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.460 all those doubts, 00:24:19.540 --> 00:24:21.000 with his omnipotent power. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.259 No doubt, 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.140 we are aware, 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.960 of places, 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:25.740 in our lives, 00:24:25.800 --> 00:24:26.740 where we are powerless, 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:28.200 or we feel powerless. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:32.180 Where do you doubt, 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.460 that change will come? 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:36.539 Is it in a difficult relationship? 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.240 Is it seeing someone else's, 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.279 spiritual apathy, 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.120 or your own? 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.460 Is it a pattern of sin, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.759 that you keep falling into, 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.160 and you think, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.980 I just can't change, 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.900 I feel powerless. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.900 Well this is where, 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.720 the rubber hits the road, 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.299 isn't it? 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.779 It's to be honest, 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:52.980 to say, 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.660 yes I can't change, 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.680 but God, 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.160 who is omnipotent, 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.920 has the power, 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.160 to bring change. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.259 That's a reminder, 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.539 to look to him, 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.559 not to try and fight through, 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.319 on our own strength, 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.940 nor is it to throw our hands up, 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:08.160 and just give up, 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.839 rather we are to look, 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.920 and to look again, 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.920 to our all powerful God. 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.680 Ephesians 1, 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.559 that resurrection power, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.299 within us, 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.480 the reality of Jesus, 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.500 ruling in power, 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.900 for his people, 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.360 he can help, 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.960 we can change, 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:27.040 things do change, 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.220 and so we trust, 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.080 and so we pray, 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.980 and so we wait. 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.100 Another lesson, 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.360 and maybe this is especially, 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:37.620 important for us, 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.380 when we think about, 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.500 our children, 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.360 and young people, 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:43.080 that we all need this way, 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:44.200 of looking at the world. 00:25:46.040 --> 00:25:47.540 You walk into a classroom, 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.860 walk into a workplace, 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:50.259 switch on the television, 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:52.000 and the message, 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.220 that we will hear, 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.720 the message, 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.259 our children, 00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.440 and young people will hear, 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:57.500 is that of naturalism. 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.779 The world is a closed system, 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.759 that there is no God, 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.619 there is blind forces, 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.480 that are in control, 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.079 of everything. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.980 It's the wisdom, 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.799 of the age. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:10.240 We sang Psalm 14, 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.420 this morning, 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.579 that's folly, 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.660 folly to say, 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.680 there is no God, 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.440 or that God has no influence, 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.799 or no care in his world. 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.720 When we understand, 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.500 that the way, 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.660 that we think about ourselves, 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.039 and the way we view the world, 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.580 shapes our actions, 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.480 and responses, 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.580 we see how important, 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.420 it is to be able, 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.259 to look at the world, 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.900 and to see that there is a God, 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.259 and he's a powerful God. 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:36.200 I love the story, 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.500 of Corrie ten Boom, 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.700 when she was in, 00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:40.400 a pretty German prison camp, 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.600 with her sister Betsy, 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.180 and she was in, 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:44.140 a really disgusting cell, 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.440 was a part of the prison camp, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.200 that was so awful, 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.460 that the guards, 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.440 wouldn't come near. 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.000 You would think, 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.600 that would be a place, 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.759 of absolute despair, 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:52.539 and misery. 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.700 But for her, 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.600 there was joy, 00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:57.340 because her and her sister, 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.940 had freedom, 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.259 to read the Bible, 00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:00.259 to talk about their faith, 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.160 to invite others, 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.700 who were stuck, 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:03.000 in that horrible part, 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.480 of the camp, 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.559 to listen, 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.720 and to share their faith, 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.059 and so, 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:07.700 she was able to thank God, 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.820 for the fleas, 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.400 those fleas, 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.580 that kept the guards away, 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.559 that gave her time, 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.320 with her Lord. 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:16.000 that's seeing, 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:18.740 this is our Father's world, 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:21.079 and he is all powerful, 00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:23.039 and he is for me. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.599 Third lesson, 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:26.919 I think, 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.700 for everyday life, 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.740 is that we need to understand, 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.480 God's power, 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:31.519 for everyday living. 00:27:34.659 --> 00:27:35.119 Again, 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.879 it's to understand, 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:38.319 that living by faith, 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:40.379 living the Christian life, 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.820 is impossible, 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.680 without God. 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:47.060 We simply cannot do it, 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.660 by ourselves. 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:50.280 We cannot love our neighbor, 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:50.820 as we should, 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:52.020 we cannot show patience, 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.520 like we ought, 00:27:52.560 --> 00:27:54.320 we cannot avoid gossip, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.280 we will not always tell the truth, 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:57.840 we will not live holy lives, 00:27:58.020 --> 00:27:59.620 without the power of God. 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.480 Without that power, 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:02.320 we would fail. 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:05.180 But we don't live, 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.160 the Christian life, 00:28:06.360 --> 00:28:07.560 without God. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:09.659 Rather, 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.240 he sends his spirit, 00:28:11.399 --> 00:28:12.639 to dwell in us, 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.960 the spirit of power. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.339 As Christians, 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:18.059 we can say, 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.240 that we are a child of God, 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.179 and our God, 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.179 our Father, 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.119 he's all powerful. 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.639 That's how we can be confident, 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.839 of living the Christian life, 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:30.779 not on our own strength, 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:32.500 but in his strength. 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:36.119 That we don't need, 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:37.759 to be ruled by anxiety, 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:40.200 because our lives, 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.720 are in the grip, 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.920 of our almighty Father. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.220 And his grace, 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.440 is sufficient for us. 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.859 And his strength, 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.660 is made perfect, 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.299 in our weakness. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.579 Connected to that, 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.960 the fourth point, 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:58.359 for how this touches, 00:28:58.519 --> 00:28:59.119 on everyday life, 00:28:59.160 --> 00:28:59.980 we need to embrace, 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.579 dependence. 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:02.159 And to understand, 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.199 it's a good thing, 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.519 when we recognize, 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.039 that our God, 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.799 is all powerful. 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.779 I guess so much, 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.619 of our family life, 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.879 is gearing our children, 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.460 young people, 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.099 towards standing, 00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:12.019 on their own two feet, 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.939 moving towards, 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.039 independence, 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.299 making their own way, 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.379 in the world. 00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:17.759 But in the Christian family, 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.480 we never outgrow, 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:20.039 dependence, 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.019 on our compassionate, 00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:22.599 and powerful, 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.460 Father in heaven. 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.480 That's a wonderful thing. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:30.740 In the normal, 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.660 Christian life, 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:33.380 we will expect, 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.099 trouble. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.000 Jesus told his disciples, 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.640 in this world, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.640 you will have trouble. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.839 And we can expect, 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.579 certain things, 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.740 to be unresolved. 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.259 We can expect, 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.140 times of waiting, 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.720 and groaning. 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:49.700 And in those times, 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:52.640 we need to remember, 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.759 the world is not ruled, 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.940 by blind forces. 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.819 We don't just throw up, 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.440 our hands and say, 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.120 well what will be, 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.600 will be. 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.360 Rather we pray, 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.019 and we wait, 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.059 on God, 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.799 our omnipotent Father. 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.440 Because there is, 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.200 profound comfort, 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:09.460 to come from this doctrine. 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:11.799 we will always, 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.880 be limited in power. 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:14.779 But God will never, 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.900 be limited in power. 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.019 His power remains, 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:19.120 infinite and eternal. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:21.200 He's ruling with wisdom. 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.299 He's ruling, 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.400 in accordance with his, 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.259 saving plan. 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.519 And this, 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.100 our all powerful God, 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.100 he responded to, 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:29.759 our weakness, 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.720 and inability, 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:32.039 by sending his son, 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:32.480 Jesus, 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.200 to bring us salvation, 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:36.100 through his atoning death, 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.019 on the cross. 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:41.559 And he does that, 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:43.160 so that, 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.680 we can hear, 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:46.539 the wonderful words of, 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.200 Isaiah 45, 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.079 and verse 22, 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.059 as an invitation. 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:52.140 Turn to me, 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.819 and be saved, 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.940 all you ends of the earth, 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.680 for I am God, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.600 and there is no other. 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.779 That verse 24, 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:04.539 would be our testimony, 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:08.039 that we would say of God, 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:10.359 in the Lord alone, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.539 our deliverance, 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.839 and strength. 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.039 Let's pray, 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.559 briefly, 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.139 to him, 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.899 before we sing again. 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.220 Lord, 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.559 our God, 00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:23.859 we, 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:26.099 praise you, 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.779 that you are, 00:31:28.440 --> 00:31:29.440 omnipotent, 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:32.180 that there are no limits, 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.920 to your infinite, 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:35.519 and eternal power. 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:38.099 And we thank you, 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.259 that you created, 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.119 this world. 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:42.039 And we thank you, 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.039 that you sent Jesus, 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.680 to be, 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.299 the redeemer, 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:47.339 for his people. 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.980 We thank you, 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.019 for the power, 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.180 shown in the life, 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.740 of Jesus. 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.119 We thank you, 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.039 for your power, 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.519 shown, 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.019 in the resurrection, 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.940 of Jesus. 00:31:59.539 --> 00:31:59.920 Lord, 00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:00.339 we pray, 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.500 that in our weakness, 00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.900 we would increasingly, 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.559 be looking, 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:05.819 to your strength, 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:06.940 as a source, 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.859 of comfort, 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.720 and hope, 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:10.259 for ourselves, 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.220 in our lives. 00:32:12.659 --> 00:32:13.099 Lord, 00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:13.759 that we wouldn't be, 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.019 trying to go alone, 00:32:15.159 --> 00:32:16.579 and live by our own strength. 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:18.659 That we wouldn't have, 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.099 our, 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.240 minds, 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.000 changed, 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.399 that we, 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.819 imagine that the things, 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:24.720 that happen in life, 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.579 are just random, 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:27.019 and not in your control. 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.159 Rather, 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:30.200 that we would see, 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:33.080 that you are almighty, 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.640 eternal, 00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.640 Father in heaven. 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.100 You sit, 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.000 on the throne, 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.620 you are ruling, 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.480 and reigning. 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.640 And you invite us, 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.640 to turn to you, 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.580 and to be saved. 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.039 You invite us, 00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:47.080 to turn to you, 00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.460 and find, 00:32:48.580 --> 00:32:49.180 and enjoy, 00:32:49.860 --> 00:32:50.819 eternal life. 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.400 So may we, 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.360 turn to you, 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:53.940 even now, 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.779 to worship you, 00:32:55.840 --> 00:32:56.700 and to enjoy you. 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:58.200 In Jesus name. 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.019 Amen. 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:03.360 Now our, 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:05.019 closing hymn, 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:06.039 this evening, 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.220 is, 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.720 Praise to the Lord, 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.920 the Almighty, 00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:12.380 the King of creation. 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:14.279 And we will stand, 00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:14.920 together, 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.880 to sing.