WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.040 I'd like to say that it's me that's in charge of my house. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:05.780 My wife would probably say that she's in charge. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:07.620 She might be, who knows. 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:12.560 But I think actually my son, Isaac, I think he's in charge. 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.900 If any of you have children, you'd probably agree. 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:22.879 Sure, he's only a two-year-old, but when he wakes up, he gets mum and dad out of bed. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:27.280 When he's hungry, his parents get him food. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:30.179 When he's tired, he gets put to bed. 00:00:31.580 --> 00:00:34.439 We know who's boss in his family. 00:00:35.160 --> 00:00:37.500 Our lives are structured around his sleep patterns. 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:43.420 And when we go outside of those, beware, he can be a bit scary. 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:48.079 He's pretty flexible, but if he hasn't had his sleep, he can be scary. 00:00:49.380 --> 00:00:51.200 So who's in charge? 00:00:52.780 --> 00:00:55.219 If you're a Christian, you may well have answered God. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:57.719 And I'm really hoping that a couple of you did. 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:04.400 But this should be the answer, because if you're a Christian, you would believe that God is the king. 00:01:04.459 --> 00:01:05.579 He's the God almighty. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:11.280 But what does it actually mean when we use a term like king? 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:16.280 What does it actually mean that God is in charge? 00:01:17.259 --> 00:01:22.099 Is God like my son, who sets a very specific routine for us every day? 00:01:22.099 --> 00:01:24.299 And if we go outside of that, we're in trouble? 00:01:24.919 --> 00:01:26.739 Does he even care what we do? 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:30.879 Today we're looking at the book of Daniel. 00:01:31.099 --> 00:01:34.419 We're just going to take a brief look at Daniel chapter 5. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:42.639 And we're going to see the king of Babylon, Belshazzar, who thinks he's in charge of his kingdom and his house. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:46.140 So please open your Bibles with me. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:49.739 If you've got them open, please keep them open at Daniel chapter 5. 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:53.500 And let me just read from the first couple of verses. 00:01:53.500 --> 00:02:01.379 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:07.780 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:11.759 that Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:16.500 so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:21.539 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem. 00:02:22.120 --> 00:02:25.900 And the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:34.319 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:38.979 It seems like a drunken party gotten out of hand. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:43.259 You know, there's Belshazzar and he's been drinking a lot of wine. 00:02:43.259 --> 00:02:45.120 And he has this great idea. 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:52.620 Ah, remember those goblets that my dad, Nebuchadnezzar, got from the kingdom in Jerusalem? 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:56.099 Why don't we go get them and we'll drink wine out of them? 00:02:56.239 --> 00:02:59.799 Yes, it sounds like a great idea. 00:03:00.739 --> 00:03:10.019 Now this act alone by Belshazzar, it's a declaration that he thinks he's more powerful than the God of Israel. 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:15.860 Now you might be wondering, what's so important about these goblets? 00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:18.700 They're just gold and silver. 00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:20.840 Is God materialistic? 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:23.420 What's the deal with these? 00:03:24.660 --> 00:03:32.480 Well, does anybody here have any old china glasses or, you know, sorry, a china teacup or a crystal bowl? 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:33.320 Anything like that? 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:34.280 Anyone? 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:36.660 Has it been passed down for generations? 00:03:36.659 --> 00:03:40.840 Maybe you've got something that survived both World War I and World War II. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:50.340 Now imagine you came home one day and you found your child or your grandchild playing in the backyard. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:52.599 And at first glance you think, oh, that's cute. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:53.579 They're just playing in the backyard. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:04:00.800 And then you notice they've got your one crystal glass that has survived four generations, 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:02.460 being passed down through the women. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:06.700 And your child is out there making a mud castle out of it. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.219 And they're using it to see if they can break rocks. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:11.600 What would your response be? 00:04:13.700 --> 00:04:15.640 That's the kind of idea here. 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:20.980 It's using something precious for a very wrong purpose. 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:28.800 These goblets that Belshazzar used to drink wine out of, they would have been used in God's temple. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:32.000 Maybe they had blood, maybe they had oil. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:33.120 It's not specified. 00:04:34.340 --> 00:04:39.000 But everything that was used in the temple was used to worship God. 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:40.840 They were holy. 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:49.759 They may have had the blood of an animal sprinkled on them to set them apart, to make them holy for worship of God alone. 00:04:51.679 --> 00:04:57.919 So when Belshazzar takes these goblets and drinks out of them, praising foreign gods, 00:04:59.099 --> 00:05:06.459 he's spitting in the face of God, declaring how great he is and that the God of Israel is nothing. 00:05:06.459 --> 00:05:10.839 He believed that the God of Israel had no power. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.879 And it's a direct challenge to God. 00:05:14.099 --> 00:05:19.719 He picks up the gauntlet and he throws it down in a direct challenge to God. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:25.839 So we're left to think, is God in charge of the whole world? 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:28.259 Is God in charge of just Israel? 00:05:28.539 --> 00:05:30.899 Does he have any power in Babylon? 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:36.259 Is he going to do anything about this little upstart and his sacrilegious deed? 00:05:37.399 --> 00:05:38.459 Will God do anything? 00:05:38.979 --> 00:05:40.539 Can he even do anything? 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:43.539 And then we see the writing on the wall. 00:05:43.599 --> 00:05:44.519 Have a look at verse 5. 00:05:45.459 --> 00:05:53.560 Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall near the lampstand in the royal palace. 00:05:53.819 --> 00:05:55.339 The king watched the hand as it wrote. 00:05:56.219 --> 00:06:02.879 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way. 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:06.399 God responds immediately to this challenge. 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:08.699 He picks up the gauntlet that was thrown down. 00:06:09.399 --> 00:06:11.199 The challenge has been accepted. 00:06:12.919 --> 00:06:21.459 Now, before we have a look at how God responds, it's just important to stop and note that God does respond. 00:06:21.459 --> 00:06:24.259 He does respond to this act. 00:06:24.659 --> 00:06:30.519 He's not going to let his name be dragged through the mud by some drunken upstart. 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:39.799 He does value these gold and silver goblets, not because of what they're made out of, but because they were holy. 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:44.280 They were set apart for worshipping God alone. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:48.020 Any other use is sacrilegious. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:49.699 It deserves death. 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:56.319 How much more, then, do you think that God cares about you? 00:06:57.319 --> 00:07:01.060 You who God has made holy through his son's blood. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:12.439 If you're a Christian, then Hebrews 10 says that we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus once for all. 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:20.839 Jesus' own blood has been poured out to make you holy, to set you apart for God. 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:27.439 How much more does God care for you than these goblets of gold and silver? 00:07:28.539 --> 00:07:30.939 So what does it mean for you that God loves you? 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:33.379 What does it mean that he cares about you? 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:36.379 What does it mean that God wants to protect you? 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:44.159 Surely, if the God of heaven loves you enough to set you apart through his son's blood, 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:51.460 then he will continue to love you, regardless of the mistakes you make, regardless of the trouble you get into. 00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:55.800 And if we believe this, then it should impact on our life. 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:58.480 It should impact on something like our self-esteem. 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:03.840 If I have the love and eternal protection of the God of heaven, 00:08:05.320 --> 00:08:10.180 isn't this more important than some petty things that we get caught up about? 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:15.240 About how popular we are at work or college or school? 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:24.220 About the things in our life, whether we get caught up because our boss doesn't do everything we say? 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:31.300 Maybe if you're the boss, maybe you get caught up because the people at work don't listen to every word you say. 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:35.560 Surely, if we have the love of God, 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:40.279 then we shouldn't get caught up worrying about where our self-esteem comes from. 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:44.659 It should come from God because he loves us. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:48.659 Even though we have nothing desirable of ourselves, 00:08:49.579 --> 00:08:54.279 we're not lovely people, just like the dog, the sheep and the chicken before. 00:08:54.279 --> 00:08:56.319 They were not lovely of themselves, 00:08:57.019 --> 00:09:01.859 but God chose them and God chose us to make us holy. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:05.459 That is why God responds to Belshazzar's challenge. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:07.359 That's why he picks up this gauntlet, 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:10.939 because he protects those things that are holy to him, 00:09:11.199 --> 00:09:13.139 that are set apart for him. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:16.079 So God accepts this challenge. 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:17.779 Have a look again at verse 5. 00:09:17.959 --> 00:09:20.739 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared 00:09:20.739 --> 00:09:25.399 and wrote on the plaster of the wall near the lampstand in the royal palace. 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:27.259 The king watched the hand as it wrote. 00:09:27.579 --> 00:09:30.359 His face turned pale and he was so frightened 00:09:30.359 --> 00:09:34.059 that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:40.219 Belshazzar, who only moments ago had been gloating to everybody, 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:44.159 declaring how great he is in front of his big drunken party, 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:47.779 he is humiliated by the God of Israel. 00:09:48.239 --> 00:09:52.219 When it says that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way, 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:55.979 it literally means that he lost control of his bladder. 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:59.500 He literally wets himself in fear of God. 00:10:00.659 --> 00:10:03.139 This toilet humour, we don't see a lot of it. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:05.080 Some people don't like it. 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:09.019 But this toilet humour really shows up that Belshazzar is nothing. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:14.800 He wets himself at the sight of just the hand of God. 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:20.519 While God is powerful and mighty, 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:24.639 he's in control of not just Israel, but the whole world. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:27.839 So have a look at... 00:10:27.839 --> 00:10:30.579 Belshazzar's got no idea what's going to happen now, 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:32.779 so he calls in his experts. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:33.799 Have a look at verse 8. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:50.259 It's just like in the previous chapters of Daniel, if you've read them. 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:54.879 You'll remember that King Nebuchadnezzar would ask for his experts to come in 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:57.240 and they would have no idea what his dreams meant. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:11:01.759 Again, these people have no idea what God is communicating. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:05.960 He's stumped, he's confused, he's terrified, 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:09.899 but thankfully Belshazzar has a wife. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:13.539 Like any good wife, she helps him out. 00:11:14.340 --> 00:11:18.240 And so we see the queen come into focus 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.659 and she gives Belshazzar some advice. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.039 Have a look at verse 12. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:29.220 This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:32.500 was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:35.779 and also the ability to interpret dreams, 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:37.960 explain riddles and solve difficult problems. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:42.000 Call for Daniel and he will tell you what the writing means. 00:11:42.660 --> 00:11:43.860 So Daniel is brought in 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:46.560 and Daniel explains to Belshazzar 00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:49.700 that while his father Nebuchadnezzar was in charge, 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:52.720 it was really God that was in charge. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.320 Have a look at verse 18. 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:58.879 O king, the most high God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:02.379 sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.540 Then down to verse 20. 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:07.960 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, 00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:10.720 he was deposed from his royal throne 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:13.060 and stripped of his glory. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:16.900 God has always been in control of these kingdoms, 00:12:17.660 --> 00:12:20.960 even though it appears that these kings are. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:24.200 And when they get arrogant, God brings them low. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.980 Daniel continues in verse 22. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:30.000 But you, his son, O Belshazzar, 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:33.460 have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:38.019 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.540 You had the goblets from his temple brought to you 00:12:40.540 --> 00:12:43.480 and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines, 00:12:43.900 --> 00:12:44.840 drank wine from them. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:47.580 You praise the gods of silver and gold, 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:49.480 of bronze, iron and wooden stone, 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:51.740 which cannot see or hear or understand. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:54.600 But you did not honour the God 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:58.580 who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:02.440 Therefore, he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:05.980 Then Daniel explains what the words mean. 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:09.860 That his life has had his days numbered. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:12.560 His reign has been brought to an end. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:15.820 He's been weighed on the scales, found wanting, 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:18.940 and that his kingdom is going to be taken away. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:24.519 Belshazzar set himself up in opposition to God. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:29.740 He paraded around, showing what he thought was all his power and glory, 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:32.460 thinking that God was powerless. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:37.079 But God has judged him and he has judged his kingdom, 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:40.259 bringing to an end the kingdom of Babylon. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:43.000 And it happens immediately. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.600 Have a look at verse 30. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:50.720 That very night, Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:54.899 And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of 62. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:59.000 Belshazzar thought he was in charge of the kingdom. 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:01.220 He acted like he had total control. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:04.980 But it's only God who is in charge. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:08.600 He is the one responsible, not only for the kingdom of Israel, 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.000 but the whole world. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:14.920 This is the heart of our sin. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:18.519 Humans setting themselves up against God. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.920 Thinking that God either doesn't care 00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:24.180 or that he can't do anything about it. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:26.920 Humans fool themselves into thinking 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:30.600 that they are their own little kings in control of their world. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:36.060 And this is the reason that God had to send Jesus. 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:40.740 To reveal that while we think we are in control, 00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:44.879 while we think we're in control of our homes, our jobs, our future, 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:48.120 it is only God who is in charge. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:53.060 And when it appeared that God was least in control, 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:56.480 while his son was hanging on a tree, 00:14:56.480 --> 00:15:00.060 which ironically had the title above it, 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.259 King of the Jews, 00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:05.480 this is when God triumphed. 00:15:06.680 --> 00:15:08.000 Philippians 2 says, 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:12.279 Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus, 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:14.500 who being in very nature God, 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:17.480 did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.680 but made himself nothing, 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.500 taking the very nature of a servant, 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:25.200 being made in human likeness, 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:27.420 and being found in appearance as a man, 00:15:27.900 --> 00:15:28.940 he humbled himself 00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:31.379 and became obedient to death, 00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:33.300 even death on a cross. 00:15:34.520 --> 00:15:37.900 Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place 00:15:37.900 --> 00:15:41.440 and gave him the name that is above every name, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:43.420 that at the name of Jesus, 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:45.440 every knee should bow 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:48.000 in heaven and on earth and under the earth 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.879 and every tongue confess 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:52.320 that Jesus Christ is Lord 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:55.140 to the glory of God the Father. 00:15:56.160 --> 00:15:58.940 Jesus did not grasp for control 00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:00.800 of his own little world. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:04.060 He obeyed God's desire for him 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:05.759 for our benefit. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.940 And he has been exalted to the rule 00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:10.759 over all creation. 00:16:13.020 --> 00:16:16.520 Life is only found under the rule of this king, 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:19.259 which is what Belshazzar found out, 00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:20.879 but it was too late. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:25.439 My story is somewhat like Belshazzar's. 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.980 I'm not royalty, don't worry. 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:31.139 I haven't committed any sacrilegious deeds 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:32.100 like Belshazzar, 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.600 but I still thought of myself 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:37.480 as king over my own little world. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.659 I even had an invisible friend 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:41.379 when I was young called King. 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.679 I wanted to be king so much. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.039 I actually ended up marrying a king. 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.179 That's Alyssa's maiden name, 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.539 just for some trivia. 00:16:48.739 --> 00:16:50.500 I didn't want to have to face 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:53.359 the consequences of my own sin. 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:55.979 I remember when I was about eight. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.219 Don't tell my mum this. 00:16:57.599 --> 00:16:58.959 I remember when I was about eight, 00:16:59.199 --> 00:17:01.979 my mum had this precious wooden cabinet. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.719 It was very beautiful, 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.799 highly polished. 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.319 It was precious to her. 00:17:06.399 --> 00:17:07.980 She didn't have a lot when she was growing up, 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.139 but she hung on to that. 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:12.240 And my older brother's name is Luke. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:14.600 And for some reason, 00:17:15.320 --> 00:17:18.800 I scratched the word Luke into that. 00:17:20.540 --> 00:17:22.460 And my brother is convinced to this day 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.240 that he did it 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:26.000 because it's got the word Luke there. 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:28.259 Why would I write Luke? 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:30.240 Because I knew that I would get away with it. 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.980 I knew I could just say, 00:17:32.540 --> 00:17:33.660 I know mum, I didn't do that. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.620 It says Luke. 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.860 And so I've actually gotten away with it 00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.620 for about 20 years. 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.719 I really should call her later and confess. 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:42.219 I didn't want to have to face 00:17:42.219 --> 00:17:44.519 the consequences of my own sin. 00:17:45.959 --> 00:17:47.419 Also like Belshazzar, 00:17:47.719 --> 00:17:49.479 he had a father, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:51.079 who he should have learnt of. 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.259 He was a model 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:54.359 who he should have learnt the ways of God. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:57.259 And my dad, he's an Anglican minister. 00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.879 I grew up in the church. 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.339 I've heard him preach about Jesus. 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:03.839 I've seen him model Christ. 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.139 And yet it didn't sink in. 00:18:07.979 --> 00:18:09.819 Until I was in youth group. 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.859 Praise Jesus for youth group. 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:15.479 I, you know, preacher's kid, I'm sorry. 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:17.719 I was one of those who just knew all the answers. 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:20.139 If you're a Sunday school teacher, 00:18:20.239 --> 00:18:22.039 you would understand and I'm sorry about that. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.599 And this question was asked, 00:18:25.219 --> 00:18:26.259 who's in charge? 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.059 Who's in charge? 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:30.739 Am I in charge of my own little life 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.779 with a crown on my head 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:36.000 convinced that I'm ruling my life? 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:38.980 Or is God's king, 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:39.660 Jesus, 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:42.259 who has been given all power, 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.859 reigning at God's right hand? 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:46.599 Is he in charge? 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:49.339 It was this gospel presentation 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:50.960 in two ways to live. 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.039 Have any of you heard of the 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.960 two ways to live presentation? 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.599 It's a great presentation. 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.819 I was faced with a choice. 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:58.680 Am I in charge of my own little life 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:00.420 facing death? 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:03.019 Or am I going to place myself 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.320 under God's king, 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.200 Jesus, 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:07.039 and to have life 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.820 forever? 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:10.759 It seemed like an amazing decision 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.920 15 years ago 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.500 and it still does today. 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:15.140 But that's only where 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.700 the Christian walk starts. 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.560 The problem for me is 00:19:18.560 --> 00:19:20.259 I keep convincing myself 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:22.060 that I should listen to me. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.299 And I really shouldn't. 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:25.740 I should listen to God. 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:26.859 You know, 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.539 when I'm driving, 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.019 I convince myself 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:29.819 that speed limits 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:31.119 are for other people. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.659 I drive into a shopping centre 00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:34.700 and I say, 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.119 yes, 00:19:35.179 --> 00:19:36.740 I can park in the pram parking. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.480 I've got a pram at home. 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:39.579 That's fine. 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.960 And I'll park in there. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.539 You know, 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.839 I can go and spend money 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.419 on things 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:45.039 and not tell Alyssa 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.059 and just lie to her 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:48.319 and think I can get away with it. 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:50.720 Think that I am in control 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.679 of my life. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.539 Sure, 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.559 I follow Jesus 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:56.019 but I still want to hang on 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.639 to some control 00:19:57.639 --> 00:19:59.039 of some of those things. 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:03.299 Did you decide years ago 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.899 like I did 00:20:04.899 --> 00:20:06.799 that Jesus is your king? 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.960 Have things 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:10.960 gradually slipped since then? 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.399 Or maybe 00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:14.019 there are still some things 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.200 that you need to place 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.460 under his feet. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.119 Maybe you've decided 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.659 that Jesus can be king 00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:20.460 of your finances 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:22.079 and you'll give generously 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.700 to the church. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.120 Maybe you'll even work 00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:26.079 for a Christian organisation. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.100 You know, 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.380 God can have your finances 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:32.120 as long as you can have control 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:34.220 over another small part 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:34.840 of your life. 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.039 You know, 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:37.680 God can be king over my life 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.559 as long as I can be known 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:41.299 as the best boss. 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:42.519 You know, 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.440 God can be king 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:45.100 as long as I can be known 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:47.000 as the best baker 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.039 in my street. 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.859 What is it 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.099 in your life 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:53.439 that you are wanting 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:54.919 to hang on to control over? 00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:58.939 So who is in charge? 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:01.480 Can you really say 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:03.200 that God is king 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.820 of your whole life? 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.279 Or are you holding 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.080 something back? 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.320 We need to continue 00:21:10.320 --> 00:21:11.700 to place ourselves 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.920 and our whole lives 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.140 at the foot of the cross, 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.779 admitting that Jesus 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:17.440 is Lord and king 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:19.600 who should be in charge. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.559 It's not just a 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.259 once-off thing, 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.840 a conversion. 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.180 It's a lifelong task 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.640 of submitting ourselves 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:26.580 to his authority 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:28.220 and humbling ourselves 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.799 before you. 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.240 Why don't we pray? 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.939 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.799 thank you that you are 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:37.159 a God who is in control. 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.460 Thank you that you love us, 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:41.399 that you have made us holy, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.759 that we can worship 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.740 and praise you. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.240 Help us to continually 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.419 place ourselves 00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:49.019 at the foot of the cross, 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.740 humbling us 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.299 before your Son, 00:21:52.439 --> 00:21:53.199 our King, Lord. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.740 In his name we pray. 00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:55.699 Amen.