WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 Good evening to all of you. 00:00:05.459 --> 00:00:06.820 I know most of you. 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:07.719 My name's Tommy. 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:08.859 I'm a pastor here. 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:12.060 And strangely, I love Ash Wednesday. 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:20.559 Even though the focus is maybe not our favorite topic, the idea that everyone in this room is going to die a premature death. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:23.679 Not the kind of thing that we like to dwell on. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:24.879 Nevertheless, it's true. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:29.699 But at this point in the service, we want to turn our attention to God's Word. 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:34.480 And I know that there are different people in this room coming from different places. 00:00:34.659 --> 00:00:38.840 And maybe even spiritually, I'm assuming you're in very different places. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:43.100 Some of you may be here tonight and you feel full of faith. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:46.420 You feel like God is near you. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:48.039 He's present in your life. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:52.960 You feel alive and exhilarated by what God is doing in your life. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:55.480 And full of passion for the kingdom. 00:00:56.280 --> 00:00:58.100 And if that is you, then praise the Lord. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:00.420 Lord, I'm so glad that is true. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:04.640 And we're going to pray and ask God that that just continues in your life. 00:01:05.820 --> 00:01:10.299 For the rest of us who may feel like faith is a struggle. 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:16.420 If you feel like God is very distant, that your faith at some point grew cold. 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:24.759 If your prayer life feels like an exercise in futility, then Lent is the season for you. 00:01:25.679 --> 00:01:27.159 And I'm glad that you're here. 00:01:27.159 --> 00:01:34.640 Because Lent is a time when we focus uniquely on our relationship with God. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:46.739 And when we talk about our relationship with God, it is supposed to be a relationship that is life-giving and intimate and love-filled. 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:51.500 And yet, I think sometimes that's not our experience. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:02:00.939 When we look at the common images used to describe the relationship that God desires to have with us, one of the most common images is the image of a marriage. 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:05.459 A lifelong, intimate, committed relationship of mutual love. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:08.579 And yet, I think that sometimes that's not our experience. 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:15.260 So, if you don't have that kind of relationship with God, then something is getting in the way. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:20.260 Because we know that that's what God wants for us and with us. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:28.500 And so, Lent is a good time for us to ask, as we look inward and as we come before the Lord, times like this, 00:02:28.880 --> 00:02:31.780 what's getting in the way of that relationship with God? 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:38.939 And that's why we're looking at Isaiah chapter 58 briefly before we receive ashes. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:44.319 Because this is a place where God's people are complaining about this very problem. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:49.259 They're complaining that their relationship with God has grown cold and distant. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:53.920 And it shows us two reasons why this kind of thing can happen. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:56.960 Let me ask God's blessing on this time. 00:02:57.039 --> 00:02:58.699 And then we'll look briefly at those two reasons. 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:06.419 Lord, we do ask that as we come before you, that this would not just be an exercise in empty religion. 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:12.959 But we're here because we know on some deep level that we need an encounter with you. 00:03:13.459 --> 00:03:15.780 And we know that that can only happen through your word. 00:03:16.399 --> 00:03:22.299 And so, we pray that your word would facilitate this interaction. 00:03:22.739 --> 00:03:26.259 Lord, that it would open our hearts and that it would bring you into our midst. 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:28.659 That we might see you face to face, Lord. 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:30.359 We pray this in your son's holy name. 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:30.780 Amen. 00:03:32.139 --> 00:03:39.119 So, Isaiah 58, what are the reasons, what are the things that get in the way of us having this kind of warm, 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:45.339 intimate, life-giving relationship with God that I think probably most of us in this room wish we could have? 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:52.939 One of the things that I learned in marriage, and you definitely don't have to be married to learn this kind of thing. 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:56.319 Just for a person like me, it took that to teach this to me. 00:03:56.420 --> 00:03:57.920 But some of you already know this. 00:03:58.520 --> 00:04:07.420 But one of the things that I had to learn in marriage is that when it comes to showing your love for somebody, words are never enough. 00:04:07.419 --> 00:04:10.479 And I don't mean that words don't matter. 00:04:10.579 --> 00:04:11.439 Words do matter. 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:19.180 But if, over time, the only way that you express love to your spouse is through words, 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:22.879 very quickly those words start to lose their meaning. 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:25.740 And they start to sound hollow. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:30.860 And so what I had to learn is that if you really want to make somebody feel loved, 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:35.399 you have to figure out what makes them feel loved. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:42.819 You have to figure out how to show love in ways that they're going to recognize and receive as love. 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:51.040 So a few examples in our marriage, my wife Laura, I know that if at the end of the day, 00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:55.219 if we get our kids down, which is its own kind of small miracle, 00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:59.120 and then we have some time left and some energy left, 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:05.379 I know that if I, instead of pulling out my phone or flipping on a show or diving into a book, 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:12.019 I know that if I look at her and we sit down and I ask what's on her mind, what's on her heart, 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:16.259 what's she thinking about, and I devote time and energy, 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:21.120 and we sit there and I listen and I care about the things that she cares about, 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:24.319 and I help her process some of the things that are on her mind, 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:26.839 I know that she's going to feel tremendously loved by that. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:28.699 It doesn't take much. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:37.879 I know that if I proactively, miracle of miracles, plan babysitting down the road in the future at some point, 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:39.800 and maybe even plan something for us to do, 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:43.980 she's going to feel tremendously loved by that relatively small gesture. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:49.079 I know that the things that she works on are very important to her, 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:54.079 and if I just show some support, genuine encouragement and support, 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:58.300 toward the things that she's working on, that makes her feel loved. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:04.060 And so I know that my words matter to her, but what I've learned is that these things that I'm able to do, 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:06.060 and many of them don't require a whole lot, 00:06:06.659 --> 00:06:10.539 they convey so much more powerfully the genuineness of my love, 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:14.039 and they result in us feeling a lot closer and more connected. 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:17.680 So the point is, if you want to make somebody feel loved, 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:21.019 and you want to feel a connection with them, you can't just use words. 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:23.399 You have to show that love in tangible ways. 00:06:23.980 --> 00:06:27.519 And the reason that I say this is because the same is true of our relationship with God. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:35.699 The best way to show our love for God is to love the people that God loves. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:39.359 It's to love the people that God loves. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:43.819 So in our passage, Isaiah 58, verses 2 and 3, 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:46.419 these people are praying daily to God. 00:06:46.979 --> 00:06:48.879 They want to feel close to God. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:52.399 It says they, quote, delight to draw near Him. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:57.459 And then it says in verse 3, we've humbled ourselves and fasted and prayed. 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.420 Why haven't you noticed? 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:03.560 We're doing all the right things. 00:07:03.659 --> 00:07:04.600 We're going to church. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:05.680 We're fasting. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:07.399 We're putting ashes on our forehead. 00:07:07.719 --> 00:07:10.519 We're wearing uncomfortable clothing, sackcloth. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:12.399 We're doing all of the things. 00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:13.819 Right? 00:07:13.979 --> 00:07:18.120 We're observing all of the rituals. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.680 In other words, we're upholding our side of the deal. 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:26.079 And somehow you're not showing up. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:30.560 And God essentially responds through Isaiah. 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:33.060 He says essentially to Isaiah, 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:36.240 give a full-throated shout 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:39.439 and respond to the people this way. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:40.560 God says, 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.540 you say that you love me 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:44.600 and you say that you want to be close to me. 00:07:44.780 --> 00:07:46.819 You say that you want intimacy with me. 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:50.740 But the people that I most care about, 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:53.620 you ignore. 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:57.079 They don't seem to matter to you at all. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:07:59.720 So God says, you know, 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:01.740 you say that you love me 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:03.259 and you look the part. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.759 You look pietistic. 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:06.980 You look like I matter to you. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:08.360 You're wearing the right clothing 00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:09.840 and saying the right words. 00:08:11.900 --> 00:08:15.420 And yet you work your employees to death. 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:18.740 And you pay them barely a minimum wage. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:20.900 And you don't offer health insurance 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:22.379 or retirement benefits at all. 00:08:23.460 --> 00:08:25.620 He's like, you say that you love me. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:27.240 I hear the words. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.720 But then you go and you bicker 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:31.860 over nothing. 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:36.399 You gossip because you love drama. 00:08:37.680 --> 00:08:40.000 You go and you're nice to people's faces 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:42.080 and then you criticize them behind their back 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:43.500 and you make fun of them. 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:47.220 God says, you say that you love me. 00:08:48.060 --> 00:08:49.320 You look the part. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:50.620 It sounds right. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:52.660 But you seem oblivious 00:08:52.660 --> 00:08:56.300 to the injustice that is all around you. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:59.740 So God's response is to essentially say 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:01.179 there's a disconnect here. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:03.359 Like something doesn't add up. 00:09:04.539 --> 00:09:05.579 And then God says, 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:08.659 is this not the fast that I choose? 00:09:08.719 --> 00:09:09.359 In other words, 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:13.779 this is how I know that your love for me is genuine. 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:17.459 I mean, the best way to know how to show love to somebody 00:09:17.459 --> 00:09:19.000 is to sit down and ask them, 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.799 what are the things that I can do 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:23.299 that make you feel loved? 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:26.000 That's what God is talking about here. 00:09:26.079 --> 00:09:27.500 Here's the fast that I choose. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:29.559 Here's the expression of love and devotion 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:32.139 that I recognize as genuine. 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.979 That's what he's saying. 00:09:34.339 --> 00:09:36.019 If you truly love me, 00:09:36.079 --> 00:09:37.219 he says in verse 6, 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:39.240 then don't just free 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:41.219 oppressed people. 00:09:42.319 --> 00:09:43.179 Break the yoke. 00:09:44.859 --> 00:09:47.120 Deal with the systems and institutions 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:48.799 that make oppression possible. 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:50.120 Break the yoke. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:52.620 If you truly love me, 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:53.100 he says, 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:54.379 if you truly care about me, 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.299 then in verse 7, 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:58.919 don't just fast from certain kinds of food. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:02.179 If you're not going to eat that food, 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:03.980 give it to somebody who needs it. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.460 Give it to somebody who's hungry. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:08.139 Better yet, he says, 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:10.120 invite someone into your home 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:12.220 and serve them that food. 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:16.299 Maybe spend less money on clothes 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:18.460 so that you can go clothe someone 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:19.620 who doesn't have any. 00:10:19.780 --> 00:10:21.400 Cover their nakedness. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:22.639 That can also imply, 00:10:22.920 --> 00:10:24.400 don't just meet physical needs, 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.160 but recognize that the deepest needs 00:10:26.160 --> 00:10:27.019 that people have 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:31.480 often are connected to deep sources of shame. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:36.060 Minister to people's shame 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:38.620 if you really love me. 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.780 And this is important. 00:10:41.780 --> 00:10:42.980 Certainly spoke to me. 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:44.060 The end of verse 7, 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:44.659 God says, 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:45.980 if you truly love me, 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:48.960 don't hide from your own flesh. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.820 What does that mean? 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.539 It took me a little while. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.800 Sometimes it's hardest to recognize 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:56.440 the sins that are closest to true for us. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:59.120 Don't work so much 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:00.200 that you neglect your family. 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:03.860 Don't give yourself so much 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:05.840 to other causes and pursuits 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:07.920 that you neglect your friends, 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:10.659 that you neglect your church community. 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:15.319 Be available to your family. 00:11:15.719 --> 00:11:16.539 Not just physically, 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:17.419 but emotionally, 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.600 spiritually. 00:11:19.339 --> 00:11:20.240 Don't hide yourself 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:21.159 from your own flesh. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.399 And the thing that connects 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:25.059 all of these definitions of love 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:25.879 is they all have to do 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.139 with the way we treat the people 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:27.959 right around us 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:28.839 that God has put there. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:30.559 Right? 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:31.719 So the first point is this. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:32.980 If you want to love 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:34.339 and be loved by God, 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:35.919 if you want to feel close to God 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:36.799 and intimate with God, 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.779 words are never going to be enough. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:42.079 Gestures like this are helpful, 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.439 but they're never going to be enough. 00:11:45.339 --> 00:11:45.819 Right? 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.439 God has given us neighbors, 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.779 people he puts in our lives, 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.059 and guess what? 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.959 God loves and delights in those people 00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:54.759 more than we can possibly imagine. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:58.419 And if we don't show some amount 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.579 of love and concern 00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:00.319 for those people 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:01.899 that God is so crazy about, 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.039 then no matter how much 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:04.000 we try to tell God 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.679 that we love him, 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:06.159 our words are going to ring hollow. 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:09.419 And this is one reason 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.620 our relationship with God 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:12.339 might grow cold or distant. 00:12:12.579 --> 00:12:14.620 If we think that we can love God 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:16.240 without loving any of the people 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.299 around us in our lives 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:18.159 that God loves. 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:19.459 All right? 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.439 So that's reason number one. 00:12:21.719 --> 00:12:22.740 Reason number two 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.879 that we see in this passage 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.959 is a little more subtle, 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.659 but it's every bit as significant. 00:12:28.939 --> 00:12:30.319 Either reason number one, 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.279 we're failing to love God's people, 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.879 that's what causes distance, 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:35.720 or reason number two, 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:37.360 we are failing to love 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.580 in God's way, 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.960 God's way of loving. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:44.860 So some of you are vegan, 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:45.960 and some of you are vegan 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:47.899 based on principles, right? 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:49.279 You have an ethical conviction 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:50.419 based on what you believe 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:52.539 about the food industry 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.299 and whatnot 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:54.960 that you want to be a vegan. 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:55.779 That's a lifestyle 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:56.879 that you've committed to. 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.980 So imagine there's somebody 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.419 in your life 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.100 and they really want 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.919 to make you feel loved, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.259 and they say, 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:01.860 I'm going to make you 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.139 this extravagant meal, 00:13:03.800 --> 00:13:05.539 and I'm going to go all out, 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:06.519 you know, 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:08.279 kind of like Babette's Feast style. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.460 If any of you have seen that movie 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.539 or read that book, 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.419 I'm just going to, you know, 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.560 spare no expense, 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:13.860 lots of money, 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.500 lots of time, 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.080 lots of energy, 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.960 and the night finally gets there 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:17.980 and they plop this plate 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.700 down in front of you 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:20.259 and it's a big old T-bone steak. 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:21.940 Right? 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.800 And you would look down at that 00:13:22.800 --> 00:13:23.659 and the question would be, 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:23.899 you know, 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:25.180 they're looking at you expectantly, 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.820 do you feel how much I love you? 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:29.160 And of course, 00:13:29.260 --> 00:13:29.780 if you're honest, 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:32.840 you might be moved by the effort, 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:34.440 but at the end of the day, 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:36.600 that dish does not convey love 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.140 at all. 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.920 It's in fact maybe the opposite 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:42.260 because no matter how much money 00:13:42.260 --> 00:13:43.379 they spent on that food 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.720 and no matter how much effort, 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:46.260 no matter how high-end 00:13:46.260 --> 00:13:47.260 or grass-fed 00:13:47.260 --> 00:13:49.700 or well-marbled that steak may be, 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.460 at the end of the day, 00:13:50.540 --> 00:13:51.240 it's a steak. 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:55.120 And that meal does not communicate love to you 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.980 if your commitment ethically 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.879 is to be vegan. 00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:59.700 And what that means is 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:02.500 this person is trying to love you, 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:04.700 but they're not doing it in your way. 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.120 In other words, 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:07.100 they're ignoring your principles. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:09.000 They're ignoring your character. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.159 They're ignoring commitments 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.320 that matter to you. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:12.720 That's not loving. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:17.000 I say this on a day 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.980 when some of you are fasting. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.960 I apologize for that. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:22.120 But loving God 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.320 doesn't just mean 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.480 loving the people that God loves, 00:14:25.540 --> 00:14:26.420 which matters. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:29.600 It means loving the way that God loves, 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:32.780 which means loving according to God's standards, 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.480 God's character, 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.000 God's commitments, 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.720 God's principles. 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:40.259 You know, I've heard so often 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.920 people quote Isaiah 58 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:43.639 and say, 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.980 well, what this shows, 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:47.400 I mean, this justifies the idea 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:49.480 that God actually doesn't care 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.819 about our personal lives. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.699 He doesn't care about our morals. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.740 All of that is just empty religiosity. 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:56.459 What God really cares about 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:57.379 is social justice 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.480 and ending oppression. 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.059 That's all God cares about. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.919 And so if we do that, 00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:03.120 no matter who we sleep with 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.159 or how we spend our money 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:04.720 or our time, 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:06.519 that's what matters to God. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:08.079 We are doing justice in the world. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.399 This proves it. 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.600 All the rest is empty religion. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:13.879 But it says in verse 2 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:15.379 that God's people are people 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:17.279 who delight in His ways, 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:20.040 who desire to do righteousness, 00:15:20.920 --> 00:15:23.540 who do not forsake the judgments 00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:26.700 or the commandments of their God. 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.800 And then you have to look at 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:31.500 the larger context of Isaiah chapter 58. 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.940 Just before it, 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:34.340 in Isaiah chapter 57, 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:36.460 which is a profoundly important chapter, 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:39.080 it talks about the core problem 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.040 of humanity. 00:15:40.780 --> 00:15:42.060 The core issue 00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:44.280 is not oppression or injustice, 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.680 but idolatry. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:51.220 Worshiping other things in our lives 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.460 instead of God. 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.680 And what idolatry means 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:59.220 is that we are driven by our desires. 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:02.120 We are driven by our appetites. 00:16:03.660 --> 00:16:04.340 Right? 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.660 Appetites like lust 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:07.440 or greed 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:09.140 or covetousness. 00:16:10.140 --> 00:16:12.460 And so things like injustice 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.340 or poverty 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.040 or oppression 00:16:14.040 --> 00:16:15.420 are symptoms. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.320 They're downstream 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:20.200 from these 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:23.840 uncontrollable appetites. 00:16:25.140 --> 00:16:26.680 Which result from the fact 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.640 that we have given ourselves 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.640 to false gods 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:32.080 who can never satisfy 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:33.740 our appetites. 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:35.240 We're always hungry. 00:16:35.400 --> 00:16:36.520 We're always thirsty. 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:38.220 We're always yearning. 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:41.220 That's why we have injustice 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:41.879 and oppression. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:45.059 And so God calls His people 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:46.960 to be free from these idols 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.319 and to worship Him alone 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:50.019 and to have the kind of holiness 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.899 and character 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:52.480 that reflects His holiness 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.439 and character. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.340 He says in Leviticus, 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.699 Be holy for I am holy. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.919 And so this means 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:00.399 the way that we use our money 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.539 or our bodies 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.779 or our resources, 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.420 that all needs to reflect 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.420 God's heart. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.100 So if we believe 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:09.660 that we can love God 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:11.240 simply by doing justice, 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:13.080 but then we take liberties 00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:14.940 in redefining justice 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:17.279 to fit whatever agenda 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.140 or issue 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:19.539 matters to us. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.460 If we seek justice 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.779 in ways that disregard 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.800 God's character 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:24.380 and holiness, 00:17:24.580 --> 00:17:25.720 that's like serving 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.600 a T-bone steak 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.140 to a vegan. 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:29.420 It doesn't matter 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.220 how much money 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:31.300 or effort it takes. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.740 It's not an act of love. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.520 In fact, 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:35.280 I think it's profoundly unloving 00:17:35.280 --> 00:17:38.080 because it's profoundly 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:38.940 self-focused. 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.780 So loving God 00:17:42.780 --> 00:17:44.600 means loving God's people 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:45.860 God's way. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.259 Loving God's people 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.460 God's way. 00:17:49.800 --> 00:17:51.220 And this is not going to lead us 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.360 and this is not only 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:52.920 going to lead us 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:53.900 to have a deeper sense 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.740 of God's presence 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.460 and love in our lives, 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.539 but the amazing thing 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.559 at the end of this passage 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.880 is it says, 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.319 if we love God's people 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.420 God's way, 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.720 it turns us 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.900 into the kind of people 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:07.339 this world most needs. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:10.360 It says in verse 10, 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:13.079 then shall your light 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.440 rise in the darkness 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:16.220 and your gloom 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:18.000 be as the noonday. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.660 You know what that means 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:22.580 in more common terminology? 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.000 Your life is going to 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.820 glow in the dark. 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.019 You're going to live 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.240 a luminous life. 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.580 You're going to shine 00:18:31.580 --> 00:18:32.580 into the darkness 00:18:32.580 --> 00:18:33.720 of this world. 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.420 Because listen, 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.779 this world has enough 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.940 empty religiosity 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.519 and piety. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.540 But this world also 00:18:41.540 --> 00:18:42.800 has enough social action 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.800 campaigns and charity 00:18:43.800 --> 00:18:44.440 organizations. 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:47.700 What the world really needs 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:49.120 is people who glow 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:49.719 in the dark. 00:18:50.439 --> 00:18:51.919 People who radiate 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.959 the love of God 00:18:52.959 --> 00:18:54.259 into the world 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.839 like beacons of hope, 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.939 like lighthouses 00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:57.659 in the darkness, 00:18:58.759 --> 00:19:00.459 like lamps in a dark wood. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:02.159 That's what this world needs. 00:19:03.459 --> 00:19:04.500 So as we enter 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.059 this season of Lent together, 00:19:06.199 --> 00:19:07.319 which this marks 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:07.959 the beginning 00:19:07.959 --> 00:19:09.479 of our Lenten journey, 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.599 maybe you could think 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.859 of this like a marriage 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.939 retreat between you 00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:14.439 and God. 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.739 And ask yourself 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.339 this question, 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.620 am I loving God's people 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.799 God's way? 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:24.160 Am I showing love to God 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.960 in ways that matter to Him? 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.319 Right? 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.299 Some of us may need 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.920 to focus during this season 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:32.500 on loving God's people more 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:35.019 by engaging in the needs 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.299 and the people around us. 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:38.019 That could be the hungry 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.920 and the homeless. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.900 It could also be 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:41.259 our own families. 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:44.720 Serving the people 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.299 God has put in our lives. 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:46.680 And listen, 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.420 pastors need to hear that 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:51.059 more than anybody else. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.379 Right? 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.079 The kind of people 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.160 who are ready 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:54.680 and available 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.940 for people in their church 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.480 but neglect their own kids. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:20:00.079 We all need to hear that. 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.879 Maybe this means 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:03.519 just making extra food 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.279 when you cook 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.640 and thinking of people 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.279 you can bless 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.099 with that extra food. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.900 I had a good friend 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.379 in seminary. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.279 This is what she did 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.599 every week on her Sabbath. 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:12.240 She would make food 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.699 and she would make 00:20:13.699 --> 00:20:15.000 twice as much 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.619 as she needed 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.539 and she would just 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.819 randomly pick people 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.859 to give it out to. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.859 And I was the recipient 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.959 of some of those blessings 00:20:20.959 --> 00:20:21.819 and I can tell you 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.339 I felt deeply loved. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:27.139 Maybe it simply means 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:28.659 working fewer hours 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:30.299 or turning our phones off 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.399 so that we can be more 00:20:31.399 --> 00:20:32.740 emotionally available 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.319 to people. 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.959 Others of us need 00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:36.939 a different focus 00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.519 this Lent. 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.279 Maybe we need to focus 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.359 more on living 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.619 and loving God's way. 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.019 Right? 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.279 Maybe you do need 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.419 to fast from sugar 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:46.579 or caffeine 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.759 or alcohol 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.500 because maybe 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.339 these things 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:51.279 are leading your appetites 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:53.099 to become out of control. 00:20:53.399 --> 00:20:54.419 Maybe you need 00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:55.099 more control 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.199 over those appetites. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.979 Maybe you need 00:20:56.979 --> 00:20:58.019 to learn how to seek 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.740 the Lord for satisfaction 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.459 rather than these things. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.059 Right? 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.479 Maybe there are areas 00:21:04.479 --> 00:21:05.599 of deep sin 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.899 that we need to face 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.740 and confess 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.980 and turn away from 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.740 in our lives. 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:10.900 So some of us 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.519 need to focus 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.920 on loving God's people more. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:13.839 Some of us need 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:15.519 to focus on loving God's way more. 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.460 Many of us 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.500 probably just like me 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.620 need a little bit of both. 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.599 The last thing I'll say 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.000 is this. 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.220 If you are here 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:26.220 and you don't have 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.740 a relationship 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.779 with God at all 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:30.980 and by some strange 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.019 twist of providence 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:33.579 you find yourself here 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:35.000 on an Ash Wednesday service. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:37.500 the least seeker sensitive service 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:39.259 of the Anglican year. 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.720 And maybe you're here 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.299 and you don't have 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.539 a relationship with God. 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.779 Before you do anything 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.799 that I just said 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:49.299 you need to read 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:51.359 Isaiah chapter 59 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:53.079 which comes right after 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.019 chapter 58. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.980 Because in that chapter 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:57.700 this is where he says 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:59.579 that we on our own 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.779 are utterly powerless 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:02.079 against the idolatry 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.980 and the oppression 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.120 and the injustice 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:05.380 in our world. 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.720 And so God says 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.700 because you're powerless 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.579 because the situation 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.620 is hopeless for you 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:11.500 one day I myself 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.500 am going to come. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.779 My arm 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.700 will accomplish 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:17.519 salvation for you. 00:22:18.019 --> 00:22:18.799 One day 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.500 a redeemer 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.339 is going to come. 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.319 And we're here tonight 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.400 because we know 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.860 who that redeemer is. 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.860 Jesus Christ 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:29.839 who died on the cross 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:32.559 not only to save us 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:33.659 from sin and death 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:35.399 not only to take away 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.659 the fear that we have 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.619 of the premature death 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:39.459 that we will one day die 00:22:39.459 --> 00:22:42.139 but also to invite us 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:42.839 into a loving 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.919 intimate relationship 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:45.359 with God himself. 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.459 And so if you've never 00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:48.619 come to Jesus before 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:50.139 this is a perfect night. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.699 Lent is a perfect season 00:22:51.699 --> 00:22:53.279 for you to come to Jesus 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.939 in prayer 00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:55.599 to ask him to forgive 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.039 all of the sin 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.659 in your life 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.920 and then to receive 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.960 the love and the forgiveness 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.840 that God desires 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.600 to pour 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.900 into your life. 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:05.940 Let's pray. 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:09.060 Lord we thank you 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:09.960 for your word 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.900 and we thank you 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.720 for the hope 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.620 and we need it. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.840 We need hope. 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:18.460 We need truth. 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.320 We need love. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.580 I pray that you would 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.980 kindle in our hearts 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.160 the embers 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:27.040 that they would become flame 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:29.180 that we would rediscover 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.680 our passion for you 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:32.180 that we would fall 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.220 in love with you 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:36.019 even as we know 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.180 the love that you had 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.839 for us 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.779 from before 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.379 the beginning of the world. 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.119 And we pray this 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:43.519 for our good Lord 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.180 but ultimately 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.480 for your glory 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.960 that as we radiate 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:49.159 your love and truth 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:49.859 into the world 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.720 you would be glorified. 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.399 In your son's name. 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:53.700 Amen.