WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.219 Good morning. It's my privilege this morning to be able to preach and bring God's Word to us this morning. 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:15.439 Before I read the passage together, just wanted to introduce our topic this morning. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:25.120 Regina and I were talking this week and I was reminded that we have a Planet Fitness membership. 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:29.980 We've been paying every month, but I haven't been in 10 months. 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:45.799 And we were talking about, you know, it might not be a good time to start back up because what we've noticed through the years of being members there is that January is very busy. 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:57.259 A lot of people have made a decision after the holidays, I don't know if it's because of how much we eat, but whatever reason, January is the time where people say, 00:00:57.359 --> 00:00:59.159 all right, I'm going to get back to this. 00:01:00.099 --> 00:01:02.899 And really, that's the point this morning. 00:01:03.019 --> 00:01:09.179 The topic we're going to talk about is what should we focus on? 00:01:09.340 --> 00:01:14.459 Where should we redirect or how should we redirect? 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:23.000 You know, it's a time when our culture says, well, I want to lose a little weight or I want to exercise a little more. 00:01:23.139 --> 00:01:27.879 I want to read a few more books or I want to be a little more dedicated to my golf game. 00:01:28.739 --> 00:01:33.099 There's all these ideas about this fresh start, this new year. 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:34.839 What am I going to do? 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:40.079 How am I going to use this transition time to redirect things that are important to me? 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:44.159 So I ask the question for you and I, what is it that is important to us? 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:48.259 How should we live? 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:49.839 What should we do? 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:51.339 How should we redirect? 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:53.839 What should we focus our time on? 00:01:54.759 --> 00:01:59.699 You know, the Apostle Paul speaks about this to the church at Corinth. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:13.560 And I'm just going to read one verse of many I could read, but I want it to be something that we as a church recognize that we could be just like the culture. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:24.259 And we could find ourselves making these commitments to live better, eat better, walk better, run better, work out more, whatever it is. 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:29.420 And forget about what the scripture would direct us to be about. 00:02:30.020 --> 00:02:34.740 And that's what I want to share, talk about this morning as we open his word together. 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:37.920 But Paul says this to the church at Corinth. 00:02:38.040 --> 00:02:44.219 He says, so whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:47.100 Do all to the glory of God. 00:02:48.540 --> 00:02:51.800 So church, what are we called to do? 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:57.860 What is it that is, as a church body, is it that we ought to be about? 00:02:58.680 --> 00:03:00.780 You've heard the term this morning, mission. 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:03.620 What is our mission? 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:06.500 Well, what is our mission as individuals in God's kingdom? 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:10.880 What is our mission as a church body, as a body of believers? 00:03:10.980 --> 00:03:17.400 You know, we have a mission that if you were to go on our website and look, you would see it displayed on the opening page. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:20.720 And our mission is this, is to, and I hope I don't get it wrong. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:22.400 If I get it wrong, y'all can correct me later. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:23.880 Our mission is this. 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:24.800 Oh, thank you. 00:03:25.320 --> 00:03:25.660 Hey. 00:03:26.380 --> 00:03:26.960 All right. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:29.080 So I got some help in the background there. 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:33.379 Our mission is to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:38.620 To magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:03:38.700 --> 00:03:40.319 You know, you'll also see our vision there. 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:48.719 Our vision is to enjoy God, to equip the saints, and to evangelize the lost. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:04:01.280 This morning, I just want to remind us that we don't want to try to accomplish a vision without understanding and being committed to the mission. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:09.500 So the warning is this, is that if we try to accomplish the vision, that is to go and evangelize the lost. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:18.259 Without this being the primary aspect of our life, that is to glorify God, we have it reversed. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:19.459 We have it out of order. 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:22.599 And we'll see that as we look at our text this morning. 00:04:24.359 --> 00:04:30.560 You know, there's one of the early confessions that talks about this. 00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:32.680 That is, where should our hearts be? 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:34.339 Where should our focus be? 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:44.299 And the Westminster Catechism says this, that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:50.879 It's interesting if you, if that echoes in your heart, if that resonates with you, 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:55.120 it didn't say anything in there about evangelizing the lost. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:05.480 The chief end, the most important thing for us as individual, for us as a church, that we glorify God. 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:08.220 We're made to glorify God. 00:05:08.340 --> 00:05:10.300 We're made to magnify God. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:12.620 We're made to make much of God. 00:05:14.340 --> 00:05:18.740 That's why he's called us into his kingdom, to make much of him and enjoy him. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:27.420 And so this moment today, would you say that it's true for you that you enjoy him? 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:36.160 I really believe that for all of us who are Christians, we do genuinely seek to glorify him. 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:38.639 I hope that is true. 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:46.560 But this year, as we step into 2025, I would encourage us, it would remind us, 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:49.939 this is that we exist to glorify God. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:06:00.939 What we think, our actions, the way we spend our time, 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:07.060 it's my hope that it would all be for this purpose to glorify God. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:13.579 And the beautiful thing is, is when we make him the central focus of our heart, guess what? 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:15.420 The joy bubbles out of us. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.420 The joy comes. 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:24.920 If you would read with me our passage this morning, I would ask you when you find it to stand. 00:06:25.140 --> 00:06:26.840 It's Psalm 69. 00:06:27.140 --> 00:06:30.660 We're going to read verses 30 through 32. 00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:32.040 Three verses this morning. 00:06:34.580 --> 00:06:37.980 And this ties to our mission statement as a church. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:43.840 This concept of magnifying and glorifying God, we'll see in this passage this morning. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:45.319 And that's what we're going to talk about. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:48.239 Read with me, starting in verse 30. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:51.359 I will praise the name of God with a song. 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:55.439 I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 00:06:56.259 --> 00:07:02.419 This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hooves. 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:06.100 When the humble see it, they will be glad. 00:07:06.900 --> 00:07:10.759 You who seek God, let your hearts revive. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:12.540 Let me pray for us right quick. 00:07:12.640 --> 00:07:16.100 Father, we are grateful this morning to have your word. 00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:21.360 We're grateful, Father, that you have touched us. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:26.080 We desire, Lord, more of you this morning. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:33.300 And I pray, God, that as we spend time in your word, that, Father, it would not just be an exercise of understanding doctrine, 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:35.360 but, Father, it would touch our hearts this morning. 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:38.800 God, would you move us deeply this morning, I pray in your name. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:39.300 Amen. 00:07:40.460 --> 00:07:40.759 Amen. 00:07:40.780 --> 00:07:41.480 Y'all may be seated. 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:52.140 I have three main points this morning out of our text, and I will share those three points as we start, 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:55.259 but I will not dig into them immediately. 00:07:56.520 --> 00:07:58.420 The three points are these. 00:07:58.420 --> 00:08:04.740 One is that true worship does not come from religious activity, but from the heart. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:13.259 The second is this, is a heart full of God overflows with songs and thanksgiving. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:20.980 And thirdly, there is a call from God that we be humble people. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.000 Three things. 00:08:23.840 --> 00:08:27.199 But this morning, I want to start, instead of digging right into the text, 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:33.560 I want to ask some pointed questions, some probing questions. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:39.360 And then I want to look at an example that is David. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:42.279 I want to look at David, the writer of our psalm. 00:08:42.340 --> 00:08:43.960 I want to look at his life a little bit. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:46.700 I want to look back in 1 Samuel at David. 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:50.259 And then we'll dig into the text. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:51.779 So here's my questions this morning. 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:54.500 I ask that you would consider these with genuineness. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:58.480 And I understand that the whole message this morning, 00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:02.519 this concept of what is our call, what is our purpose, what is our mission, 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:05.059 what should we focus on? 00:09:05.319 --> 00:09:07.419 I realize that I'm talking to Christians. 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:09.480 I'm talking to the church. 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:18.360 The things that the world puts first are not the same as what the church should put first. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:21.399 So there may be someone here that's not in the kingdom, 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:24.059 that's not truly a believer, and that is totally fine. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:25.059 I'm glad you're here. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:28.519 And what I'm going to share with the church this morning, 00:09:28.859 --> 00:09:37.179 I hope you'll listen to and embrace and understand the reason that we focus on these things 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:40.939 is because the change that's happened in our life through the work of Christ. 00:09:41.739 --> 00:09:44.979 That as Christians, we've been redirected. 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:50.419 Instead of living for self, God has redirected us to live for him, to live for his kingdom. 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:55.399 Matthew speaks about that, that we should seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. 00:09:59.479 --> 00:10:02.259 So these questions are meant for Christians, 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:06.860 but if you're not a believer, I hope you'll listen to these as well. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.199 So let me ask this church. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:13.559 How much does the greatness of God move you? 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:16.819 I'll ask it again. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:21.980 How much does the greatness of God move you? 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:28.500 I'm not asking if you know the attributes of God. 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:33.680 I'm not asking if you know about God, that he's omniscient. 00:10:34.400 --> 00:10:35.820 He's all powerful. 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:43.120 What I'm asking you, are you moved in your life? 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:47.460 Are you on a heart level moved by that? 00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:52.600 Is there an emotion that is tied to that? 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.600 Second question is this. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:02.679 Have you ever felt the greatness of God so intently 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:06.220 that you literally shout out loud? 00:11:08.060 --> 00:11:10.259 Or jump up and down? 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:14.980 Or have you ever felt it so intently 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:20.340 that you tear up with an overwhelming sense of his presence and his touch? 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:28.100 Have you ever been alone with him and just laughed out loud 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:32.259 as you're communicating with him or he's communicating with you? 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:35.019 Do you hear my questions, what I'm asking? 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:42.779 How personal is your relationship with the Lord? 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:47.639 How much are you moved by his greatness and his goodness? 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:50.699 Let me ask this third question. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:55.960 Are you still moved to tears by his gift of salvation? 00:11:55.960 --> 00:12:02.540 Do you find yourself, when you remember the works that he's done in your life, 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:06.820 when you remember that he's illuminated you to understand your sin 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.860 and your separation and your need for a Savior, 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:11.680 when you consider those things again, 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:15.420 consider where you were and where you now are in his kingdom, 00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:17.060 are you moved to tears? 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:19.839 Do you get choked up? 00:12:25.339 --> 00:12:26.939 By the greatness of God? 00:12:29.739 --> 00:12:34.619 Let me ask this question in reference to David as an example. 00:12:36.699 --> 00:12:40.919 You know, sometimes we have to read the white spaces in our Bible. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:45.559 In other words, we have to infer a few things that are not explicitly stated. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:47.919 So what I'm sharing now is not biblical. 00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:50.119 You're not going to find a verse that says it, okay? 00:12:50.219 --> 00:12:54.959 I'm trying to read between the lines and understand who David was. 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:58.659 Now, we're told in many things who he was. 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:01.019 He was a king and such. 00:13:01.119 --> 00:13:03.039 But I want to ask you this question. 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:09.299 You remember in Samuel, we can learn a little bit about David. 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:16.120 Do you remember that when Samuel went to Jesse and said, 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:19.740 the Lord has sent me here to anoint one of your sons? 00:13:19.839 --> 00:13:21.159 Will you call your sons? 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:27.359 Do you remember that Jesse called his sons and they all stood before him? 00:13:27.459 --> 00:13:29.759 And Samuel didn't know all these sons, 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:32.179 but he was listening to the Lord and the prompting of the Lord. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.240 And he goes there and he says, 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:37.180 God said, I will tell you the one that you are to anoint. 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:39.100 And he goes, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:39.460 Wait a minute. 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.340 Is this all your sons? 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:43.680 He said, no, but I've got one more. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.500 But I can, again, I'm inferring here. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.980 This is not biblically stated. 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.399 I'm inferring that. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:52.360 Why is it that when he was told to call his sons, 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:54.600 he didn't care enough to call that son? 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:59.360 What was going on in David's relationship with his dad, 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.159 with his earthly father? 00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:08.200 It's my understanding in those days that it was often common for servants 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:10.100 to be the one that cared for the sheep. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:15.820 Why is it that his son was sent out to care for the sheep? 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:17.580 Those are questions I can't answer, 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:22.820 but I wonder if there's anything to glean about his relationship with his dad. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.540 I do not know. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.940 But I picture David, and I wonder if you've ever pictured him. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:30.580 I wonder if you've been to a nomadic setting before. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.560 I had the privilege to go to Mongolia, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:38.600 and unlike anything I'd ever been a part of before, 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:43.519 it's my understanding that there was no building except for monasteries, 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:47.659 Buddhist monasteries, in the whole country before roughly 1920. 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:52.060 That's when they invited the Russians to come in and built some buildings for them. 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:57.159 But the majority of the country is not a city. 00:14:57.479 --> 00:14:58.939 It's just remote. 00:14:59.119 --> 00:15:03.559 It's in the, I would call it the plains, the plateau land. 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:13.659 And I remember being up on high on the hill and just listening, just looking, 00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:15.699 and I felt like I was back in time. 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:20.459 I felt like I was in biblical days because I'd never been in a setting like this 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:26.000 where people dress like they did and where their livelihood was based on flocks, 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:28.319 sheep and goats. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:32.720 And so I was listening, and they put bells on their animals, 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:36.280 and I'm listening to that jingling of the bell from up on the hill 00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:39.980 and just looking down at how primitive it seemed that their life was. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.379 No buildings. 00:15:42.520 --> 00:15:43.240 They had tents. 00:15:43.400 --> 00:15:45.140 They had these gares that they were in. 00:15:45.260 --> 00:15:47.600 And I just remember that. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:50.600 And I was able, by the grace of God, 00:15:50.660 --> 00:15:54.100 to go visit a family that had all their livestock in the field. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:55.920 And they were the only one you could see. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.180 You couldn't see another tent. 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:58.960 As far as your eye could see, you couldn't see it. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.659 It took us a while to get out there. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.460 And we have a chance. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:05.779 I can't speak the language, but I was still taking in all of this. 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:11.340 And what I looked at was they had to go to places where the grass was growing 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:14.000 in order for the livestock to live. 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:16.840 And they lived off the livestock. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:18.519 They ate cheese from the livestock. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:20.080 They drank milk from the livestock. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:22.160 They would kill to get meat from the livestock. 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:27.519 And it gave me a picture of what maybe it was like when David was living. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:31.719 When David was keeping the sheep, there was nobody else near. 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:39.980 I mean, he's out by himself day after day after day after day after long day. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:42.939 Likely not seeing a soul. 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:46.179 Perhaps for weeks on end. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.100 What did he do? 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:57.200 What did David do being alone with these animals, the sheep that he was caring for and tending? 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.480 He was learning how to shepherd. 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:11.240 Well, we look in 1 Samuel 16, and I won't read it, but you remember the story when Saul was, 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:18.319 in essence, the anointing was stripped from him because of his disobedience, 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:22.579 and he was plagued by an uneasiness in his life, a spirit. 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:27.779 And he said, I need someone to play music for me. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:32.319 And who ended up being the person that was in his audience playing for him? 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:32.819 It was David. 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:38.480 David was skilled with the lyre, L-Y-R-E. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:40.740 I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right, but it's a harp. 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:43.460 It looks like a harp if you pull it up online and look at the shape. 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.259 Very unusual. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.679 But he was skilled in playing. 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:50.159 You know, it's my belief that he was in the wilderness, 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:56.319 and he spent much of his time playing that instrument and likely worshiping God. 00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:57.399 Why would I think that? 00:17:57.400 --> 00:18:00.680 I can open the book of Psalms and tell you why I think that. 00:18:01.280 --> 00:18:04.700 The book of Psalms is a songbook for the nation of Israel, 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.920 many of which were written by David. 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:12.120 I think David was in the habit of singing to God. 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:16.640 I think David was in the habit of having his heart worship God. 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.100 Why would I think that? 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:22.259 Well, I think about what God said about David. 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:28.400 It leads me to believe that his heart was touched by God as he grew up as a young boy. 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.980 God said this about David. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.160 He's a man after my own heart. 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:37.500 He's a man that his heart is captivated by me. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.839 And so I've often wondered, 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:53.859 how is it that a young boy would be so offended by the taunts, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:19:00.299 the taunting of Goliath as he taunts God, the God of Israel, 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:05.159 and he taunts the people of God for day after day after day. 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.059 And David walks into that setting, 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:11.319 a young boy who is not skilled in warfare, 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:20.720 who does not own a shield and a sword and the battle garb to go to be a part of the warring Israelites, 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.759 the army. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.079 But he says this, 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:29.419 who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? 00:19:31.159 --> 00:19:33.339 How is it that he was so offended? 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:39.419 You know, I think when, 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.819 hey, that's a grandson, he's one, 00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:43.859 and I am so glad he's in here. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:46.220 I love for him to hear the word of God, 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.659 and it doesn't bother me at all. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:50.359 So I'm hoping it doesn't bother you either. 00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:51.500 But you keep singing, buddy. 00:19:53.379 --> 00:19:54.579 Fall in love with Jesus. 00:19:54.699 --> 00:19:55.740 That's what I want you to do, 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.919 and this is a place to do it. 00:19:56.920 --> 00:20:00.900 How is it that he was so offended? 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:06.480 I think he was so in love with Jehovah God 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:11.320 that when he heard the taunts against God and against the people of God, 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:16.420 something stirred within him that was righteous indignation. 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.360 Something stirred. 00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:22.560 Who do you think you are talking about my God like that? 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:30.099 How is it a boy can stand with a stone and a sling up against a guy 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:32.359 that's likely about as tall as his ceiling, 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.879 maybe a tad shorter? 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:37.039 He's just under 10 foot tall. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:43.139 His beam, the lance that he held was bigger than I could. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.659 Probably I'd try to hold it and it ended up on the ground. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.480 It's just so heavy. 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:49.759 The guy was monstrous in his size. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:52.839 And David walks up to him and says, 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.579 Who do you think you are? 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:57.960 Yeah, you slander me and you yell at me 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:59.619 and you think you're going to destroy me. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.420 No way. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.700 Let me tell you why. 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:05.700 Because I've come to know my God. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:15.079 David said to Saul when David said, 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.740 Well, who's going to fight this guy? 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.839 Who's going to stand up? 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:19.019 And you know who said yes? 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.099 Not a soul. 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:24.220 There's not one man in the nation, 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.940 in the army of Israel, sorry, 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:29.119 that was willing to go stand before Goliath 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.740 and fight Goliath in the name of God. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.759 Not one. 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.799 David comes up and says, 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.779 Well, who's going to do it? 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.819 And David ends up in the audience of Saul. 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.460 He says this, 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:42.079 Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:45.099 And when there came a lion or a bear 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.660 and took a lamb from the flock, 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:48.480 I went after him and struck him 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:51.180 and delivered out of his mouth. 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:53.279 And if he rose against me, 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:55.340 I caught him by the beard 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:57.759 and I struck him and I killed him. 00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:01.360 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:03.880 and this uncircumcised Philistine 00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:05.320 shall be like one of them. 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:08.400 For he has defied the armies of the living God. 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:10.460 And David said this, 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:11.880 Listen to this. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:16.680 The Lord who delivered me, 00:22:16.820 --> 00:22:17.780 I want to say it again, 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.019 The Lord who delivered me 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:23.460 from the paw of the lion 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.840 and from the paw of the bear 00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:27.280 will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.560 The Lord who delivered me. 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:31.339 You know I believe that David 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:35.619 was acquainted with the presence of God 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.839 as he worshipped him 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:38.379 and the power of God. 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:43.079 I believe David was acquainted with the worship. 00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:45.980 He was acquainted with the presence of God. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.720 He was acquainted with the power of God. 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.240 Is that true for you? 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.399 Is that true for you? 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:57.440 Do you find yourself worshipping often? 00:22:59.800 --> 00:23:03.440 Do you find your life marked by worship? 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:08.920 Are you often in the presence of God? 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:16.840 I'm not talking about just being here on Sunday morning 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:20.240 because truly I do sense the presence of God here. 00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:20.940 I do. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:27.519 I'm talking about when you're alone. 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:32.660 Do you find yourself in the presence of God? 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:35.820 Have you experienced the power of God in your life? 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:39.860 That is his power to save first and foremost. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.460 I was about to say foremost, 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.700 but I'm going to say first. 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.960 His power to save. 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:50.100 Have you been born again by the power of God? 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:55.359 Has he taken your old heart that desired everything about self, 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:58.559 has he removed it and put in a new heart that desires him? 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.899 That takes God's power. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:06.059 There's no other power on the planet that can do that 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.399 except God and the power of God. 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:10.000 But I'm asking if you experienced his power. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.859 You know David did? 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:18.099 David fought with his hands and whatever he had. 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.519 He fought bears and lions. 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:21.659 Can you imagine going up against a bear and a lion? 00:24:22.219 --> 00:24:24.000 I've often pondered that and thought, 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:26.759 how does a guy get to the place where he has that kind of courage? 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:32.000 How does a boy get to the place where he has that kind of courage? 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:36.059 Blows my mind to think how he has that kind of courage 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:39.160 and that kind of calling to protect the sheep. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:43.160 You know, I think that it comes out of worship. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:52.100 I think confidence and boldness and courage come out of worship. 00:24:53.060 --> 00:24:57.500 And worship enables us to know our God, 00:24:57.840 --> 00:25:00.640 not just know about our God. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.200 That's why I asked the question earlier, 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:06.600 does the greatness of God stir you? 00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:08.920 Does it move you? 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:12.019 Does it captivate you? 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.500 Or is it just information? 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:16.759 It wasn't just information for David. 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:19.620 His courage was such that he was willing to attack 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:22.360 the lion that was attacking the flock. 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:28.120 He's willing to attack this Philistine, this giant, 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:32.500 because he knows a God that's greater than that Philistine giant. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:34.440 You know that's true for us as well. 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:37.360 You know, my experience is this. 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:40.039 I ask myself reflectively the same question. 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.859 I'm prepping for this sermon, 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:44.119 and I'm sitting right down these questions. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:48.199 I'm, oh boy, if I'm going to ask these, where am I? 00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:53.459 And I talk about David, and I say, where am I? 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:57.439 Treg, can you say that you know his presence? 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:59.119 Can you say that you worship? 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:02.919 Can you say that you've seen his power in your life? 00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:05.219 And the answer to me is yes, by his grace, yes. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.559 I'll tell a quick story. 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:10.299 I hesitate because I don't want this to be about me. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.920 I want it to be about him. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.539 It still touches me. 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:30.639 So, it's going to seem so simple to y'all, but it wasn't simple to me. 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:35.039 So, I become a Christian when I'm 21. 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:37.039 22, 21, I have to add it up. 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:39.139 I became a Christian after college. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.539 I was 22. 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:44.980 In the month of June 29th, when I was 22. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:48.620 And I know I've been in the church. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.500 I've heard Bible stories and all that stuff. 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.299 It just never was real. 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:51.860 It never stuck. 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.880 I never became a Christian. 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:56.660 I didn't understand my sin, my separation from God, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:27:00.640 As when I became a Christian, it just so happened that I was so empty 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:04.759 that I had decided I was going to ride my bike until the wheels ran off. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:07.220 I literally was going to ride across country. 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:11.099 My goal was to get on my bicycle and go until that emptiness was gone. 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:15.199 And so, I was prepping for that. 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:17.879 I bought my old cheapo bicycle because I didn't have any money, 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.759 and I bought my packs to go on my bicycle. 00:27:20.439 --> 00:27:25.939 And two days before I was getting ready to leave to go figure out why I was so empty in my life, 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:28.159 God led me into the kingdom. 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:30.439 God showed me what it meant to be a Christian. 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:36.039 God placed me in the home of the gentlest of ladies that asked me a couple of questions. 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:37.000 I came into the kingdom. 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:39.459 But I still was ready to go on this bike ride. 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:42.840 I'd already bought what I bought, and I was ready to go and excited. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:48.240 God took what for me was going to be searching to find the reason I was so empty. 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:53.519 He said, I'm going to use it to grow you spiritually. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:57.720 And so, this lady would send me cassette tapes of preachers. 00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:01.360 And when I finished my bike section of this trip, 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:06.120 I had over 200 cassette tapes with sermons on the front and the back of those cassettes 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:08.259 I listened to for eight hours a day, maybe 10. 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:11.400 All day long, I'm listening to these things. 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:16.640 Well, there's one experience that you can imagine a guy riding a bicycle for two months. 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:18.759 I was already lean in college. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.619 My body fat was not that great. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.879 I'd get in the pool, and I'd sink. 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:26.180 I would get as much breath in my body as I could, and I would sink. 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:29.599 I would sink about six or seven feet, and I would float right there. 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.920 If I blew it out, I would go like a lead rock. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.180 So, I wasn't very lean. 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:34.660 I was pretty lean. 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:38.900 And then, as I started riding the bicycle, my body got even more lean. 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:41.460 All the fat that I had, the reserves were gone. 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:43.140 And so, what I'm eating, I'm burning. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.279 And so, I get up in Nova Scotia. 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:48.240 In Nova Scotia, it was a Sunday. 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:53.080 And in Nova Scotia, if you can picture it, it's like somebody took a bowl and dumped it upside down. 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.539 And it just looks like this. 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:57.740 And the coastal area is where all the people are. 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:59.779 All the fishermen and all the everything. 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:02.639 You get up top, there ain't nothing but fields and maybe a house. 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.639 But summertime, they're gone. 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.579 They ain't even at their house. 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.659 They don't even lock their house. 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:08.019 I mean, it's just that safe. 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:14.740 So, I'm riding my bicycle up on Nova Scotia, and I can tell I need some food. 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.720 Well, I don't have any food. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:17.940 So, I'm thinking I'm going to go to the store and get some food. 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:20.619 I didn't know there was nothing in Nova Scotia. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.279 I had no idea. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:24.539 It was only grass and fields and wheat and whatever else. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:27.599 And literally, I'm thinking, I don't have any food. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:27.920 I don't know. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.579 What am I going to do? 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:31.519 So, I get up there, and literally, I am shaking. 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:34.579 I don't know if you've ever been to the point where you don't have any more energy. 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:38.859 On a bicycle, your legs and your arms just start shaking. 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:45.200 Literally, I had to get off and push my bike, walk to where I could sit down. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:48.680 There happened to be a little roadside picnic area. 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:51.460 It's like a little pull-off and look at the wheat. 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:53.240 Look at the wheat and look at the wheat. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.579 I mean, I don't know what you see. 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.440 There are not many trees. 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:59.120 But I was in this little picnic area still shaking. 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:01.059 And I'm thinking, I ain't got any food. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.519 I can't ride a bicycle. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:04.039 I'm in the middle of nowhere. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:06.960 No houses, no bills, no people, no nothing. 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:08.340 And God, what am I going to do? 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:11.680 And so, by that time, I had started talking to God. 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:14.019 I didn't even know I was hearing him. 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:19.980 I was so new to the faith, I didn't know what his voice sounded like. 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.879 I mean, it never was in here. 00:30:22.599 --> 00:30:22.960 Never. 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:25.379 I've never audibly heard God to my knowledge. 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.700 If I had, I didn't know it was him. 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:28.079 But it was in here. 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.000 It was like him. 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.220 It was a relationship. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.900 And it was organic. 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:35.500 I didn't listen to somebody on how to do this thing. 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:39.599 I just was listening to preachers and meditating on his word and reading the Bible. 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:43.799 And so, I'm in this place, totally out of energy. 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:46.059 And I said, God, I don't know what I can do. 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.919 I can't ride down. 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.619 I'm hungry. 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.359 I can't eat. 00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.179 My body's shaking. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.659 God, what do you want me to do? 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:55.579 And I remember asking, God, would you give me some food? 00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:56.799 Would you provide some food? 00:30:57.500 --> 00:31:03.319 Simple question, simple event, but utterly profound for me. 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:07.599 To my knowledge, I'd never ask God for anything. 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:11.519 I mean, maybe when I was a kid and wasn't really a Christian, but since I'd become a Christian, 00:31:11.679 --> 00:31:12.939 I don't, I mean, this is two months in. 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.740 I don't remember ever, less than two months in. 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.980 I don't ever remember asking him for anything. 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:19.379 But that day, I said, God, can you give me some food? 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:25.099 And I was prompted that I wasn't supposed to ask anybody that I was asking God to provide 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:27.000 it without me going to get it. 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.139 That was my request. 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.619 And I know it's bold. 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:33.740 And I guess I was just young enough in faith I didn't know any better. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:39.799 And so I'm sitting in this area and this camper pulls in with three kids, a mom and a dad. 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:41.339 I'm like, thank you, Lord. 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:43.559 But I was reminded, don't say a word. 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.019 Don't say a word. 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:49.259 So I'm sitting there on this bench and they get out. 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.759 We talk. 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.579 Oh, what are you doing? 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:52.759 They see my bike and all the packs and all this stuff. 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:57.900 And they say, oh, have a great trip. 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.420 See you later. 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.900 Get in their camper. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.440 And they leave. 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:05.319 And I'm thinking, God, I thought that was going to be the way you were going to provide my food. 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:10.359 And they went out of the little parking area. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:13.539 And I heard them go, and then they backed up. 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:17.140 And the mom opened the door, got out the door. 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:18.359 She said, I'm so sorry. 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.619 I didn't even think about it. 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:22.779 Do you need anything? 00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:23.419 Are you hungry? 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.500 Can I give you some food? 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.659 I mean, we got plenty of food. 00:32:25.699 --> 00:32:26.939 I would love to give you some food. 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.859 I said, yes, ma'am. 00:32:27.899 --> 00:32:28.459 That'd be great. 00:32:29.959 --> 00:32:33.199 She went inside and loaded me up. 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:39.500 You know, there was no doubt in my mind. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:41.139 There's no doubt this day. 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:43.500 I'm still touched by it. 00:32:49.619 --> 00:32:54.079 You know, the relationship to God is very personal. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:07.439 That was my real first genuine touch of God's power and provision for me. 00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:12.579 Do you know my walk has been real ever since? 00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:17.839 It's not up here. 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:24.000 Christianity and Bible and law and all that stuff is not just up here. 00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:26.579 It's not just information for me. 00:33:26.659 --> 00:33:27.699 It's not just doctrine. 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.679 It's not just concepts. 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:33.819 It's not just raw obedience like I've got to obey some rule sheet. 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.679 That's not what it is. 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:42.980 I saw the hand of God do things in my life that I can't explain except as him. 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:48.960 That one little thing which we can chalk up to coincidence is not coincidence to me. 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:52.259 Because it was very personal. 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:57.860 When I'm in a place where I can't provide and I say, I need you, and he provides, 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:04.120 in a way that's totally unexpected, it was my first taste of how real this walk is. 00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:09.380 You know, I think David knew what that walk was like. 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:14.079 David knew how powerful God is. 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:18.000 God, I think he had a relationship that did this. 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:22.759 Now, I'm on this side of the cross and the Holy Spirit's dwelling within me. 00:34:23.279 --> 00:34:26.279 How much more can this relationship be real now? 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:29.239 That we're walking in this new covenant. 00:34:29.239 --> 00:34:36.959 Turn with me, if you will, back to our passages this morning. 00:34:47.919 --> 00:34:53.419 I want to read it again, and I want to articulate these three points I want you to see this morning. 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:57.180 And it has to do with our mission. 00:34:58.380 --> 00:35:01.700 I ask again, what is your mission in life? 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:05.240 What is it that you're called to do in life? 00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:09.480 If you're not a Christian, there's no reason we should think you would ever want to do anything for God's kingdom. 00:35:11.180 --> 00:35:15.019 There's nobody that's a non-Christian who wants to make God first. 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:19.039 But if you're a Christian, isn't that what we're called to do? 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:23.360 You know how difficult it is sometimes to set him as first? 00:35:24.759 --> 00:35:26.800 Because it means nothing else is in that place. 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:27.659 He's in that place. 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:34.880 That means everything we think and do, every desire of our heart needs to be aligned with what number one is. 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:41.920 Listen at this text here as I read it through, and then we'll make three points, and then we'll be done. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:45.300 I will praise the name of God with a song. 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:48.980 I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:55.160 This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hooves. 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:57.619 When the humble see it, they will be glad. 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:01.119 You who seek God, let your hearts revive. 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:06.359 Let me make this point in the first two verses there, 30 and 31. 00:36:06.839 --> 00:36:12.099 Do you notice a distinction there in that first verse? 00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:17.739 I will praise and I will magnify with a song and with thanksgiving. 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:19.400 Where does that come from? 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:22.839 It comes from the heart. 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:35.380 This spills out of a heart that is passionate toward God, that is yielded to God, that loves God. 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:43.100 What happens is song and thanksgiving, praise and worship and magnify and exalting. 00:36:43.220 --> 00:36:44.700 That spills out. 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:47.600 But notice the second verse. 00:36:47.700 --> 00:36:49.079 It says in verse 31, 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:54.920 This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hooves. 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:55.880 Wait a minute. 00:36:56.799 --> 00:36:58.980 Why do you bring up an ox and a bull? 00:36:59.159 --> 00:37:09.960 Well, in the Old Testament law, in Exodus 29, it talks about go and offer a bull as a sacrifice for your sins. 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:18.019 And so it's not strange to the Jewish ear that there would be a sacrifice needed for our sins. 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:19.079 That's not strange. 00:37:20.460 --> 00:37:22.880 But notice the distinction here. 00:37:24.340 --> 00:37:26.900 This will please the Lord more. 00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:27.519 What? 00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.699 What, David? 00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:30.599 What are you saying will please the Lord more? 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.720 Your heart. 00:37:31.720 --> 00:37:37.360 That the motivation behind your sacrifice is your heart. 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:46.420 You know, the book of Isaiah speaks of the people of God. 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:53.200 It's the prophet Isaiah being used by God as a mouthpiece to speak to the nation of Israel. 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:56.340 You know what he says to the nation of Israel in this stage? 00:37:56.340 --> 00:38:01.940 Chapter 1, verse 13 and 14 of Isaiah. 00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:02.920 You don't have to turn there. 00:38:03.740 --> 00:38:04.579 I will read it. 00:38:04.660 --> 00:38:09.180 I want you to hear whether the nation is sacrificing or not. 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:13.780 Whether the nation is trying to do what they're supposed to do. 00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:14.559 Listen to it. 00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.500 This is God speaking to his people. 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:23.380 Bring no more vain offerings. 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:26.559 Incense is an abomination to me. 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:28.079 You know, incense was burned. 00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:31.760 It's supposed to represent the prayers of the people. 00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:35.699 It was burned on the altar of God so that as ascended it was the prayers of the people. 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:38.960 He said, incense is an abomination to me. 00:38:39.559 --> 00:38:42.800 New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations. 00:38:42.800 --> 00:38:46.180 I cannot endure iniquity in the solemn assembly. 00:38:47.220 --> 00:38:51.220 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates. 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:54.740 They have become a burden to me. 00:38:54.820 --> 00:38:57.360 I am weary of bearing them. 00:38:58.019 --> 00:39:02.120 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:06.019 Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen. 00:39:06.160 --> 00:39:08.580 Your hands are full of blood. 00:39:10.640 --> 00:39:11.539 You know what? 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:17.599 There is a way to go through the motions of spiritual things. 00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:20.980 And our heart be nowhere near. 00:39:23.579 --> 00:39:27.679 We could offer a bull or a ram. 00:39:28.179 --> 00:39:30.920 We don't do that nowadays, but you understand the concept. 00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:36.519 We could come with an offering to God and our heart not even be in it. 00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:41.500 We can do spiritual things thinking that, well, we ought to do it. 00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:43.619 It's the Christian thing to do. 00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:46.079 I need to do these things. 00:39:46.259 --> 00:39:48.259 And our heart's not even in it. 00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:56.759 You know, we could go try to evangelize the world or go try to do and do Christian things and our heart not even be in it. 00:39:56.760 --> 00:40:02.160 And so David, in my mind, makes this point. 00:40:02.159 --> 00:40:11.219 That there's something that pleases the Lord more than just these offerings that you do without your heart even being in it. 00:40:14.319 --> 00:40:17.139 God desires our heart. 00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:22.440 He desires our heart to be enamored with Him. 00:40:22.899 --> 00:40:26.039 To be captivated by Him. 00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:28.300 Is that true for you? 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:31.380 Is your heart captivated by God? 00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:35.699 Are you stirred deeply when you read the truths of Scripture? 00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:41.960 Are you stirred deeply when you're in prayer and God touches you? 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:48.099 Or when God answers the prayer in a gracious way, are you touched by that? 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:48.940 Are you stirred by that? 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.619 Is your heart there? 00:40:50.880 --> 00:40:51.279 Listen. 00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:53.099 Here's what I believe. 00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:53.759 Point number two. 00:40:53.759 --> 00:40:55.179 Point number one is this. 00:40:55.179 --> 00:41:00.899 Is that true worship doesn't come from religious activity, but it comes from the heart. 00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.159 Point number two is this. 00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:08.460 A heart full of God overflows with song and thanksgiving. 00:41:08.619 --> 00:41:13.099 A heart full of God overflows with song and thanksgiving. 00:41:13.139 --> 00:41:13.799 Let me ask this. 00:41:15.239 --> 00:41:18.460 When is the last time that you've been alone with God? 00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:21.440 Whether you're walking in the woods, enjoying the beauty of nature. 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:25.700 Whether you're sitting still on the beach, looking at an incredible ocean. 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:28.200 Whether you're in your house in your favorite chair. 00:41:28.340 --> 00:41:30.599 Or whether you're in your closet where you go to pray. 00:41:30.740 --> 00:41:31.440 Wherever it is. 00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:35.880 When's the last time that you've done that and a song just spilled out of your mouth? 00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:37.880 Not a song that somebody else wrote. 00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:40.300 Now listen. 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:44.900 I hope I can keep the notes when I sing for James' sake. 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:49.720 I hope I can keep the notes when I sing because when I sing in here, he can't help but hear my loud mouth. 00:41:49.719 --> 00:41:54.899 But I don't have any musical ability. 00:41:55.099 --> 00:41:57.759 I can't play a harp or a lyre. 00:41:57.899 --> 00:41:59.099 I can't play a guitar. 00:41:59.299 --> 00:42:00.419 I can't play a keyboard. 00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:03.039 I don't want to take the time to try to learn. 00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:05.619 It just wears me out thinking about it. 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:08.799 People that can, I love to be around them. 00:42:09.219 --> 00:42:11.019 Because it really helps me worship. 00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:11.779 Honestly, it does. 00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:15.119 But you know that you can sing a song without an instrument? 00:42:15.279 --> 00:42:18.159 Do you know you can sing a song that has never been written before? 00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:20.920 You know David wrote songs that had never been written before? 00:42:21.279 --> 00:42:24.399 You know David put these words to song? 00:42:27.259 --> 00:42:32.019 My point is this, is that when we're deeply in love with God, you know what spills out of us? 00:42:32.159 --> 00:42:32.460 Worship. 00:42:32.619 --> 00:42:33.960 You know what that sounds like sometimes? 00:42:34.039 --> 00:42:34.500 A song. 00:42:37.079 --> 00:42:40.980 It's powerful sometimes when you just start letting yourself sing. 00:42:42.679 --> 00:42:46.000 And you don't, you know, I don't like people to be near me when I do that. 00:42:46.000 --> 00:42:53.239 I want to be by myself because it looks weird when a guy is making up his song and it's very powerfully worshipful. 00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:57.980 And so it's obvious I'm not singing James Taylor. 00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:02.639 And so it's personal. 00:43:03.679 --> 00:43:06.260 But that's what worship looks like. 00:43:06.500 --> 00:43:07.619 That's what happens. 00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:09.920 I will praise the name of God with a song. 00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:14.099 And it might be a song that's already been written that still touches me and I sing from the heart. 00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:14.860 And that's awesome. 00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.320 That's why we have song books. 00:43:16.420 --> 00:43:18.840 That's why we spend time singing together. 00:43:18.980 --> 00:43:22.400 Something amazing that resonates in us when we sing. 00:43:23.440 --> 00:43:34.300 But I'm just saying that the psalm here in my mind indicates that there is praise that spills out of those whose hearts are really fully chasing hard after God. 00:43:35.260 --> 00:43:37.360 Whose hearts are captivated by him. 00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:39.360 I want you to notice verse 29. 00:43:39.559 --> 00:43:41.240 You know, I didn't set all this in context. 00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:47.180 But if you look at 29, I want you to notice where David is as he writes this psalm. 00:43:47.220 --> 00:43:47.840 He says this, 00:43:48.460 --> 00:43:51.019 I am afflicted and I'm in pain. 00:43:53.680 --> 00:44:02.340 There's an event going on that if you do a little digging about this psalm, you'll see time frame and what it's about. 00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:03.380 But my point is this. 00:44:03.559 --> 00:44:05.780 He says, I'm afflicted and in pain. 00:44:05.780 --> 00:44:09.120 Let your salvation, that is your deliverance, God. 00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:12.200 Let your salvation, oh God, set me on high. 00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:13.940 Do you ever get to the place where you feel heavy? 00:44:15.240 --> 00:44:17.180 Where you feel under the weight of the world? 00:44:17.320 --> 00:44:19.180 Where you feel overwhelmed? 00:44:19.440 --> 00:44:21.200 Where you feel distant from God? 00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:27.199 I think David was probably in a place where he was heavy. 00:44:27.539 --> 00:44:28.539 He's afflicted. 00:44:28.599 --> 00:44:29.259 He's in pain. 00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:38.299 And he reminds himself, let me think of the salvation of God, the deliverance of God, the sovereignty of God, the ability of God, who God is. 00:44:38.639 --> 00:44:42.919 Let me set my mind on him and not on my circumstances. 00:44:43.460 --> 00:44:44.259 And here's what he says. 00:44:44.260 --> 00:44:47.220 I will praise the name of God for a song. 00:44:48.020 --> 00:44:51.040 You know what happens when our hearts are really, truly fixed on him? 00:44:52.420 --> 00:44:54.020 Something spills out of our heart. 00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:59.180 Sometimes it looks like a song and I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 00:44:59.179 --> 00:45:08.179 Have you ever really attempted to catalog all the things that God has done on your behalf? 00:45:08.379 --> 00:45:12.159 If you ever said, you know what, today I'm going to say, what am I truly thankful for? 00:45:12.199 --> 00:45:15.179 I got a sheet of paper and I got a pen and I got a little bit of time. 00:45:15.819 --> 00:45:19.419 And I sit down and say, God, let me think through this. 00:45:19.659 --> 00:45:20.139 Oh, wow. 00:45:20.919 --> 00:45:21.199 Wow. 00:45:21.379 --> 00:45:23.219 I know somebody that can't see. 00:45:23.339 --> 00:45:25.179 God, I'm so thankful that I can see. 00:45:25.919 --> 00:45:28.299 I can't imagine if I didn't have the ability to see. 00:45:28.300 --> 00:45:30.420 And I know a guy who's colorblind and I'm not. 00:45:30.519 --> 00:45:32.140 God, thank you that I can see color. 00:45:33.300 --> 00:45:35.920 God, I know a person that's struggling to breathe right now in the hospital. 00:45:36.039 --> 00:45:39.400 God, I'm so thankful that breathing is easy for me. 00:45:39.740 --> 00:45:40.940 I'm thankful for children. 00:45:41.120 --> 00:45:42.100 I'm thankful for grandchildren. 00:45:42.460 --> 00:45:43.280 I'm thankful for... 00:45:43.280 --> 00:45:45.400 Literally, if we start, we go on and on. 00:45:45.480 --> 00:45:46.000 You know what? 00:45:46.320 --> 00:45:50.220 Where that generally bubbles from is a heart that's captivated by God. 00:45:50.280 --> 00:45:52.160 God will reveal himself to you. 00:45:52.660 --> 00:45:56.240 And our understanding of who he is will increase. 00:45:56.239 --> 00:46:00.159 And as we are captivated, we will praise him. 00:46:00.759 --> 00:46:04.239 The chief end of man, according to the Westminster Confession, 00:46:04.359 --> 00:46:05.939 is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. 00:46:06.019 --> 00:46:06.639 Do you enjoy him? 00:46:08.799 --> 00:46:11.959 The more we know him, the more we enjoy him because he's good. 00:46:13.939 --> 00:46:14.659 He's good. 00:46:14.659 --> 00:46:21.960 And then the third point is this. 00:46:24.319 --> 00:46:30.639 There's something about humility that I see scattered all throughout the scriptures. 00:46:33.480 --> 00:46:37.199 There's something about humility that we're being called to. 00:46:37.299 --> 00:46:37.960 What is humility? 00:46:37.960 --> 00:46:41.659 You know, that's a tough question to answer. 00:46:41.800 --> 00:46:46.720 I don't know that I'm going to give you a thorough explanation or answer or definition. 00:46:46.880 --> 00:46:48.599 It's going to touch all facets of this thing. 00:46:48.639 --> 00:46:50.579 But I would say this, is that I'm nothing. 00:46:52.380 --> 00:46:53.420 I'm not able. 00:46:54.639 --> 00:46:56.800 Spiritually speaking, you know we have nothing to offer. 00:46:57.559 --> 00:46:58.599 The kingdom of God. 00:46:59.400 --> 00:47:04.159 You know that by our ability and our talent and our effort, 00:47:04.159 --> 00:47:06.500 we cannot enrich God at all. 00:47:09.980 --> 00:47:13.039 When we really get a grasp of how big he is, 00:47:13.099 --> 00:47:15.019 then we begin to see how small we are. 00:47:15.079 --> 00:47:16.420 You remember Isaiah in the throne room? 00:47:16.719 --> 00:47:17.719 The vision that he had? 00:47:19.759 --> 00:47:22.980 He sees God in the throne room and he says, 00:47:23.399 --> 00:47:28.699 Cursed I am and cursed are the people that I'm a part of. 00:47:28.879 --> 00:47:29.779 Cursed is the nation. 00:47:29.780 --> 00:47:34.460 In light of your glory, I've seen my eyes, have seen the Lord of glory, 00:47:34.600 --> 00:47:37.840 and I now see how sinful I really am. 00:47:38.740 --> 00:47:42.280 I had no idea how great you are. 00:47:42.860 --> 00:47:44.720 I had no idea of your glory. 00:47:48.760 --> 00:47:53.600 God, forgive me that I would ever think that I have anything that would enrich you. 00:47:54.240 --> 00:47:57.720 That I have any way of benefiting your kingdom. 00:47:57.719 --> 00:48:00.079 That I have any way of adding to your glory. 00:48:00.799 --> 00:48:01.639 God, forgive me. 00:48:02.439 --> 00:48:06.659 You know, in that place when we really start to recognize our inability, 00:48:07.379 --> 00:48:12.500 we recognize that we're not capable of doing anything for the kingdom of God. 00:48:14.279 --> 00:48:16.699 Then in that state of saying, 00:48:16.839 --> 00:48:19.139 God, I have nothing to offer you. 00:48:19.279 --> 00:48:23.500 There's nothing that I can do that's going to be great in your eyes 00:48:23.500 --> 00:48:25.500 that's out of my own strength and effort. 00:48:25.639 --> 00:48:25.959 Nothing. 00:48:25.959 --> 00:48:26.059 Nothing. 00:48:27.719 --> 00:48:30.559 You know, when we finally get there, you know what happens? 00:48:32.239 --> 00:48:35.980 We see the gift of God. 00:48:36.099 --> 00:48:37.939 We see the hand of God. 00:48:38.259 --> 00:48:40.639 We see the blessings of God. 00:48:40.699 --> 00:48:41.359 You know what happens? 00:48:41.679 --> 00:48:42.379 We rejoice. 00:48:43.159 --> 00:48:44.099 We're glad. 00:48:44.239 --> 00:48:46.959 No matter the condition, we're glad. 00:48:46.960 --> 00:48:47.019 God. 00:48:49.860 --> 00:48:50.940 And he says this, 00:48:51.019 --> 00:48:52.699 when the humble see it, see what? 00:48:53.099 --> 00:48:55.519 See that God honors the heart, not just the offering. 00:48:55.720 --> 00:48:56.639 I don't have a bull. 00:48:57.179 --> 00:48:58.159 I don't have a ram. 00:48:58.260 --> 00:49:00.440 God, does that mean I'll never be acceptable in your eye? 00:49:00.699 --> 00:49:01.519 No, no, no. 00:49:01.980 --> 00:49:04.900 Though you're poor, I look not at the bull and the ram. 00:49:04.980 --> 00:49:05.760 I look at your heart. 00:49:05.880 --> 00:49:08.300 What I want is a heart that surrendered to me. 00:49:08.679 --> 00:49:09.840 That's what I desire. 00:49:09.840 --> 00:49:13.539 And the humble say, that, Lord, I can do. 00:49:13.680 --> 00:49:15.260 I love you with all my heart. 00:49:15.519 --> 00:49:17.140 I serve you with all my heart. 00:49:17.340 --> 00:49:18.980 I seek you with all my heart. 00:49:19.140 --> 00:49:20.780 I give my life to you, God. 00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:23.280 And the humble are glad. 00:49:25.180 --> 00:49:29.240 You who seek God, let your hearts revive. 00:49:29.239 --> 00:49:29.839 Let's pray. 00:49:34.979 --> 00:49:38.000 Father, would you captivate us with your glory? 00:49:38.219 --> 00:49:39.819 Would you show us your glory? 00:49:39.959 --> 00:49:42.559 God, would you open our eyes to see more of you? 00:49:44.339 --> 00:49:46.479 God, would you show us your presence? 00:49:46.659 --> 00:49:49.359 God, would you reveal yourself to us? 00:49:49.439 --> 00:49:53.979 God, would you help us to know that you are not only here, 00:49:54.079 --> 00:49:56.399 but when we're alone with you, would you draw near? 00:49:56.400 --> 00:49:59.720 Father, and God, would you show us your power? 00:50:01.420 --> 00:50:04.800 God, in simple ways, in grand ways, in any ways, 00:50:04.920 --> 00:50:07.840 God, show us your power through the words of the scriptures. 00:50:08.940 --> 00:50:11.360 Show us your power through the lives of friends, 00:50:11.579 --> 00:50:13.920 and show us your power personally, God, 00:50:13.980 --> 00:50:17.460 that it would transform us, that we would be captivated by you, 00:50:17.599 --> 00:50:20.960 and that, God, we would magnify your name 00:50:20.960 --> 00:50:27.179 and magnify the glory, God, 00:50:27.920 --> 00:50:31.699 your glory, God, that we would magnify you with all of our heart, 00:50:32.079 --> 00:50:34.599 that we would be deeply in love with you. 00:50:34.679 --> 00:50:36.179 And, Father, in being in love with you, 00:50:36.220 --> 00:50:40.360 we would desire to honor you in every way. 00:50:41.840 --> 00:50:47.380 God, this year, as we think about what we should do, 00:50:47.380 --> 00:50:51.680 Father, I pray that for each of us, it would be in conversation with you. 00:50:51.760 --> 00:50:54.559 God, what do you want to do this year? 00:50:54.940 --> 00:50:56.480 How do you want me to step? 00:50:56.619 --> 00:50:57.900 Where do you want me to go? 00:50:58.200 --> 00:51:00.220 Father, I want you to be central in my life. 00:51:00.280 --> 00:51:01.800 God, would that be true for all of us? 00:51:03.640 --> 00:51:06.820 Father, if there's someone here that's not in the kingdom, 00:51:06.960 --> 00:51:08.480 that's not a believer, that's not a Christian, 00:51:08.619 --> 00:51:12.099 God, would you open their eyes to see who you are, 00:51:12.160 --> 00:51:13.740 that you would show them your glory, 00:51:14.400 --> 00:51:16.500 show them your grace, show them your love, 00:51:16.500 --> 00:51:17.960 show them your forgiveness, God, 00:51:18.340 --> 00:51:21.000 that they might be in the kingdom, born again Christians. 00:51:21.940 --> 00:51:23.239 God, I pray this in your name. 00:51:23.420 --> 00:51:23.619 Amen.