WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.279 As we've joined our voices praising God, let's now join our hearts in prayer. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:17.199 ! Let's pray. Our Father in heaven, we thank you for this beautiful day, the sun that shines, 00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:22.800 ! the warmth of that sunshine, and the way in which it lifts our mood, and the way in which 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:28.640 it just reminds us of the beauty of creation as we see the trees beginning to bud and flower, 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:35.359 as we see the flowers coming and blooming. Lord, we are so grateful that you look upon us with love, 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:42.880 with affection, that you provide for our physical needs, but not only so. You give to us a beautiful 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:50.400 world that we can appreciate, the colors and the scents and all that you provide. You are gracious, 00:00:50.400 --> 00:00:57.760 you are good, and you are kind. And we thank you for that word that we just sang, that word of hope, 00:00:57.759 --> 00:01:05.439 that word that enables us to look forward and to look upward, not with fear or anxiety or uncertainty, 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:14.159 but with that unshakable surety that you, oh God, are good and you do good, that you are great and you 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:20.560 demonstrate your greatness. And Lord, we pray that you would lift our eyes and lift our hearts, and 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:28.320 that our minds would be elevated above the world that we experience to come into your presence, 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:34.960 the presence of the one who is seated on the throne, the presence of the one who is all-powerful, 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:42.399 all-knowing and all-present. And we ask, Lord, that you would accompany the reading of your word, the 00:01:42.399 --> 00:01:50.639 proclamation of your gospel with your presence and with your blessing. We bring before you each of our 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:58.799 our own life circumstances, our joys and our sorrows, our trials and our triumphs. Lord, they are many and 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:04.960 they are varied. Lord, for those who are going through tough times, might you be their strength 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:12.639 and their shield. Might they know those words that you are an ever-present help in times of trouble. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:19.839 And we ask those, for those who are enjoying the goodness and blessing of God, those who are enjoying 00:02:19.839 --> 00:02:26.879 the joys and the triumphs of life, that they may rejoice in your abundant goodness and may we join 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:33.919 with them, rejoicing with those who rejoice, alongside of mourning with those who mourn. We thank you for all 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:42.239 those wonderful commands where we can encourage one another, build one another up, bear one another's 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:48.879 burdens, love one another. Lord, we recognize that these commands are impossible to fulfill 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:56.320 apart from being in fellowship with your people. So help us to love one another, care for one another, 00:02:56.320 --> 00:03:03.280 and to build each other up. Father, we pray that you might remember this congregation of your people, 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:11.680 this area, the south side of Edinburgh, this magnificent city, this capital city, this nation, 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:20.080 this world. Lord, you are great. And what we often think of big requests, nothing is big to you. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:26.480 We often think of those tough problems, nothing is tough to you. We ask that you would give us that 00:03:26.480 --> 00:03:32.960 faith that trusts, that faith that brings to you our prayers and our petitions, and that faith that 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:40.560 expects not only that you hear, not only that you answer, but that your answer is always the best answer, 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:47.039 your timing is always the best timing. So whether you answer with yes or with no or with wait, 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:54.080 help us to realize that as our Father in heaven, you know what's right, you know what's good, and we come 00:03:54.080 --> 00:04:01.039 to you as children in need of help, in need of hope, and in need of comfort. And we pray these things in 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:12.879 Jesus' name and for his sake, amen. I'd like to read from Daniel's prophecy. Daniel's a big book. The first half is 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:22.399 narrative, very vivid, exciting stories, and the second half tends to be apocalyptic, you know, end of time stuff. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:32.159 But here in chapter 9 we have one of the most remarkable examples of a recorded prayer. Now in our 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:39.679 tradition here we often do what we call extemporaneous prayer, but when you have prayers recorded in the 00:04:39.679 --> 00:04:46.879 Bible they are recorded for our not only as an accurate representation of what Daniel said, but these 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:55.279 are models or encouragements for us in our prayer, both in terms of our approach to God and also our 00:04:55.279 --> 00:05:01.279 recognition of ourselves. So let's read from Daniel chapter 9. This is in the, if you've got the Red Pew 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:11.040 Bibles page 895. In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:18.720 Babylonian kingdom. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the scriptures according to 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:26.240 the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet that the desolation of Jerusalem would last 70 years. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:33.520 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:44.240 and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed, Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:51.599 of love with all those who love him and keep his commandments. We have sinned and done wrong. We have 00:05:51.599 --> 00:05:58.959 been wicked and have rebelled. We have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:05.839 your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:14.399 and to all the people of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:19.679 The people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, 00:06:19.679 --> 00:06:24.479 in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:32.640 We and our kings, our princes, and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned 00:06:32.640 --> 00:06:40.240 against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving. Even though we have rebelled against him, 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:47.120 we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servant. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:58.560 The prophets, all Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore, 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:05.360 the curses and sworn judgments written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:12.240 us because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:19.840 rulers by bringing on us this great disaster. Under the whole of heaven, nothing has ever been done 00:07:19.840 --> 00:07:27.120 like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:34.160 come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:39.840 attention to your truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:48.479 the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does, yet we have not obeyed him. Now, Lord our God, 00:07:48.479 --> 00:07:55.279 who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures 00:07:55.279 --> 00:08:02.319 to this day. We have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:09.759 your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:18.240 of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to those around us. Now, 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:26.079 our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:35.360 desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O our God, and hear. Open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your name. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:43.200 We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:53.279 listen. Lord, forgive. Lord, hear and act. For your sake, my God, do not delay because your city and your 00:08:53.279 --> 00:09:03.440 people bear your name. Amen. And may God add his blessing to this reading from his own word. 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:10.320 Lord, we're now going to sing another hymn. We're going to sing the hymn, How Firm a Foundation, 00:09:10.880 --> 00:09:16.560 You Saints of the Lord. Let's join our voices together singing to God's praise. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:34.479 How firm a foundation, You Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word. What more can he say? 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:56.480 Than to you he has said, To you for refuge to Jesus has fled. 00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:23.440 Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed. For I am your God, and will still give you aid. I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:30.720 Upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:49.540 When through the deep waters I call you to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow, 00:10:49.539 --> 00:11:04.539 For I will be with you, your trouble to bless, And sanctify to you your deepest distress. 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:23.980 When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, My grace all-sufficient shall be your supply. 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:37.980 The flames shall not harm you, I only design, Your dross to consume, And your gold to refine. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:57.480 The soul that on Jesus does lead for repose, I will not, I will not, I will not, Deserve to his foes. 00:11:57.480 --> 00:12:13.960 That soul through all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake. 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:30.960 Usually on Saturday I have time for reading, Just for my own rest and relaxation. 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:36.460 And on one of my bookshelves I can see them now, I've got the four greats. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:43.700 I've got Othello, I've got King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, And even the Scottish play. 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:47.960 But you know, I tend not to read these books. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.280 Great editions, I know the story. 00:12:50.280 --> 00:12:57.540 But right next to those is a P.G. Woodhouse volume that I've read many, many times. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:13:01.360 And I put Shakespeare aside and I pick up Woodhouse. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:07.159 Not because Woodhouse is higher literature or more well written. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:08.860 But for this reason. 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:14.120 When I've got time and when I want to relax and when I want to enjoy, 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:18.259 I want a story that ends with happiness. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:23.179 I don't know if you realize this, but even though Romeo and Juliet is kind of a love story, 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:29.000 it doesn't end well, you know, there's a lot of sadness at the end of that story. 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:34.719 King Lear is not a happy ending for that family with three daughters and one father. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:37.319 You know, I don't want to read a tragedy. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:44.799 I want to read a story that ends with all the conflicts, however multifaceted, 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:50.339 however contrived, all are resolved on the final page. 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:54.160 And just a moment ago, we heard a prayer from Daniel. 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:57.200 And Daniel was telling us that there's a problem. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:59.960 And this problem is multifaceted. 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:03.320 This problem involves us and God. 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:08.300 This problem involves past decisions and present consequences. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:16.480 And it seems so irreconcilable, too complex to fix. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:20.200 And you think this is just going to be another one of those narratives, 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:25.200 another one of those stories that ends not with happiness, but with tragedy. 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:28.460 But then we turn to chapter 12 of Isaiah. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:32.200 And we realize that somehow, some way, 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:38.539 God has a way of solving the problems that we've made. 00:14:38.920 --> 00:14:42.700 Somehow, God has a way of fixing the things that we have broken. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:45.800 And actually, the Bible is not a tragedy. 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:50.400 But the Bible is a good news story that ends well. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:56.640 And God wants our lives not to be tragedies, but to end well. 00:14:57.300 --> 00:15:00.480 And this chapter is one of the short chapters of the Bible. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.800 But boy, is it rich. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.340 Rich in hope. 00:15:04.780 --> 00:15:05.660 Rich in comfort. 00:15:06.140 --> 00:15:07.100 Rich in meaning. 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:09.640 And rich in salvation. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:12.059 So, turn with me to Isaiah 12. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.559 This is page 698. 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:19.840 Now, the first half of Isaiah tends to be in the minor chord. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.799 It tends to be solemn and somber. 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:26.879 There are dark clouds on the horizon and storm is coming. 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:30.259 But in the midst of these somber sections, 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:35.039 there are bright glimmers of hope. 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.659 And bright comforts for the future. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:40.659 In that day, you will say, 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.899 I will praise you, Lord. 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:45.459 Although you were angry with me, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.799 your anger has turned away. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:50.299 And you have comforted me. 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:53.519 Surely, God is my salvation. 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.639 I will trust and not be afraid. 00:15:57.459 --> 00:15:59.360 The Lord, the Lord himself, 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:01.600 is my strength and my defense. 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:05.039 He has become my salvation. 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:09.879 With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:12.679 In that day, you will say, 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.839 Give praise to the Lord. 00:16:15.339 --> 00:16:16.599 Proclaim his name. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:20.339 Make known among the nations what he has done. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:23.819 And proclaim that his name is exalted. 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:28.399 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things. 00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:31.639 Let this be known to all the world. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:36.019 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:41.120 For great is the Holy One of Israel among you. 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:46.120 Over the years, I've tried to characterize the Bible. 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.699 Especially in a setting like this. 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.699 Not tonight, but imagine this. 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:55.460 And this is in my mind because I've got a couple weddings coming up in the next few months. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:58.580 And these are weddings with people who are not Christians. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.700 They might not go to any church. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.300 They might never have read the Bible. 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:05.360 But they've asked me to conduct the service. 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:11.920 And at the end of the service, I always give the Bible that I've read from to the couple as a gift. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:18.220 And I used to say, here is the Bible I've conducted the wedding from. 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:20.880 And this really is a guidebook for life. 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:24.920 And then I thought to myself, I never read guidebooks. 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.920 I never read instruction manuals. 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:30.620 Whatever I buy, I just figure out how to use it. 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:34.039 I just put the instruction manual away and never look at it. 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:39.340 So why am I commending the Bible in a way that I would never read it if I wasn't a reader of the Bible? 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:46.500 So what I've said now is that here, because especially at a wedding, wedding is a love story, isn't it? 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:52.379 And I said, well, look, this Bible is a love story from front to back, from beginning to end. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:18:01.319 It's a love story where God is declaring his love for people, but declaring his love for persons, individual people. 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:08.299 And actually, I think people are much more likely to read a love story, especially a love story that ends well, 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.379 rather than an instruction manual. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.559 Now, of course, the Bible is an instruction manual. 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:15.299 It gives a lot of good wisdom for living. 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:22.440 But from the beginning to the end, we see that God is pursuing a people. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.940 Now, Daniel is quite honest, isn't he? 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.960 He's being honest about himself. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:30.339 He's being honest about his people and saying, we have issues. 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.859 We have problems. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.619 We have big problems. 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.739 We have big issues. 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:37.500 We have lived as if we are God. 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:46.779 And now we are facing the consequences of ignoring or disobeying or doing our own thing our own way. 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:54.859 And Daniel is presenting to God the sins of the people, his sin, their sin, our sin. 00:18:54.859 --> 00:19:02.839 And as you read that chapter, that chapter does not have much in the way of hope or comfort. 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:09.439 But apart from this, apart from this, that we have a God who is gracious, who is merciful, 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:16.139 who hears the cry of his people, and who is at work in saving, setting them free, 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:19.959 redeeming them, restoring them, and renewing them. 00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:22.719 You see, we do have a God who loves. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:24.759 We do have a God who cares. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:32.519 And you see, this distinguishes the God that we worship from any other God you could imagine 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:35.000 or any other God you could name. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:40.660 In theology, we say that God is one of a kind. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.819 He's not one of a group. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:48.980 You know, like if you go to Edinburgh Zoo and you can see different types of large cats. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:52.839 I mean, you can see the tigers or the lions or different types. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.779 And you can say, well, that's a large cat. 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.700 That one lives in India. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.500 That's a large cat. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:58.360 That one lives in Africa. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:00.380 There's one that lives in North America. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.860 So it's one of a kind. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.940 It's one of a group. 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:06.519 God is on his own. 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:13.259 There is no God like our God who is holy, righteous, and pure, and who is gracious, merciful, and loving. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.579 Not either or. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:17.339 You see, God is not just a multiplication of us. 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.779 Isn't that good? 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:24.319 That God isn't just a multiplication of human beings because the ancient gods were exactly that. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.740 We're jealous. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.680 Their gods were jealous. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:28.640 Very jealous. 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.839 We're petty. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.680 We're capricious. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.339 We're whimsical. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.920 Their gods were petty, capricious, and whimsical. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:36.519 You just multiply human beings and that becomes God. 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:38.839 Not so with the God of the Bible. 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:45.279 And as we turn to chapter 12, Isaiah, the prophet, has good news. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:54.119 And you see, the Bible is good news from beginning to end because God does not take sin to be the final word. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:57.579 He does not take our first answer to be our last answer. 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:04.399 God is at work in a way that we can scarcely imagine and we could never make up. 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:14.500 Because as you read that account of Daniel, you would say we are helpless, we are hopeless, and there is only darkness and despair. 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:20.340 And then we are told, no, in that day I will praise you. 00:21:20.840 --> 00:21:28.320 You see, God has a people who will praise him, who will say thank you, who will acknowledge him. 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:32.200 Because what you have here, you have the before and you have the after. 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:42.640 Now, I'm going to show my age that when I was younger, if you wanted to take photographs, you needed a camera. 00:21:43.100 --> 00:21:44.819 I know young people, this is quite bizarre. 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:49.220 You needed a camera, and if you wanted to use your camera, you needed film. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.940 Now, you had a choice, of course. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:54.620 You could do black and white, monochrome. 00:21:54.619 --> 00:22:01.479 Or you could do, I don't want to advertise a brand, but you could do color, kodachrome. 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:05.519 Now, most of the time you want color photographs. 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:11.359 You want to capture the greens of the chair, and you want to capture the different colors of people's outfits. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:15.399 You want to capture the vivid colors that are in front of you. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:21.780 So, there are many colors here tonight, many different shades of green or blue or yellow. 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:28.900 When we look at the Bible, the problem of sin is like kodachrome. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:31.300 There are many different colors. 00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:33.320 There are many different aspects. 00:22:33.800 --> 00:22:36.900 You see, the problem isn't just one, the problem is many. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:43.840 You see, sin is wanting to do things your own way, putting yourself at the center of life. 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:45.799 Sin is also rebellion. 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:48.119 It's saying, God, I'm not interested. 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.459 Sin is hostility. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.659 Sin is enmity. 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:52.899 Sin is ignorance. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.039 Sin is indifference. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:23:00.679 You know, it's a multifaceted problem, which brings a multifaceted situation. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:10.139 You see, in Daniel's prayer, and also mentioned here in Isaiah 12, we're told that sin brings anger. 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.339 God is holy, righteous, and pure. 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:14.019 God has created us. 00:23:14.339 --> 00:23:16.720 He's created us for himself. 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:21.919 He's created us to know him, to serve him, and we have gone our own way. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:24.019 Each one of us has gone our own way. 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:31.139 And sin creates in a righteous or the response of a righteous, pure God is anger. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.559 So, sin brings anger. 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:39.359 We're also told in the Bible that sin brings estrangement, separation. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:43.039 We are separated from the God who created us. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.479 We are estranged. 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:47.039 We are no longer in relationship with him. 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:49.519 Sin also brings slavery. 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:54.299 Jesus himself said, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.979 So, you have anger. 00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:57.639 You have estrangement. 00:23:58.039 --> 00:24:00.039 You have slavery. 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:04.879 You have also the reality of guilt and shame. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:10.500 That sin, the first example of sin, Adam and Eve, they hid. 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.779 They were naked. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.019 They felt shame. 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:15.859 They heard God approaching, and they hid. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.339 They were afraid of him. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:23.000 And sin reminds us that there are many enemies. 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:26.059 The world, the flesh, and the devil. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:29.700 You see, our flesh is inclining us to go away from God. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:36.299 The world is encouraging us in that direction, and the devil is tempting us in that same direction. 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:39.179 Now, you think, this is a big problem. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.799 This is a multifaceted problem. 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:47.839 So, therefore, if there's going to be a solution, there must be a multifaceted solution. 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:50.720 Isaiah says, I will praise you, Lord. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:55.400 Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:59.279 God is able to turn his anger away. 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.620 Now, how can he do that? 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.440 Why can he do that? 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.299 Why would he do that? 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:09.779 Because sin prompts anger in a righteous holy God. 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:12.200 We're admitting that we have sinned. 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:16.220 So, does that just mean that God is changing his character? 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:18.980 Maybe letting bygones be bygones? 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:22.140 Once Isaiah expands the picture. 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:25.299 Surely God is my salvation. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.640 Salvation. 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:29.319 This is a big biblical word. 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:34.460 It's a word, but you need almost a dictionary to unpack this word. 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:38.140 Because I mentioned just a few moments ago the problems. 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.460 So, sin brings guilt. 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.640 Sin brings shame. 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:49.860 And you see, in order to deal with guilt and shame, God established a tabernacle in the Old Testament. 00:25:50.020 --> 00:25:52.120 He established a temple in the Old Testament. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:54.740 And these were previews of coming attractions. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:26:01.420 Because sacrifices were offered in order that sin and guilt and shame could be dealt with. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:05.240 But all of these sacrifices were just a preview. 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.940 So, when John the Baptist comes along and says, 00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:11.860 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:20.120 The Lamb is going to be slain in order that our sin and our guilt and our shame can be dealt with. 00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:22.599 So, you have this multifaceted problem. 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.439 Anger. 00:26:23.719 --> 00:26:24.539 Sin brings anger. 00:26:24.979 --> 00:26:26.859 God turns anger away. 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.339 Why? 00:26:27.739 --> 00:26:32.579 Because he provides one who takes the anger upon himself. 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:37.639 We're told that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:41.719 He is the propitiation for our sins. 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:45.039 And not just for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:52.099 So, propitiation is a means by which the anger of God is diverted or deflected. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:54.359 The anger falls on Jesus. 00:26:55.119 --> 00:27:00.759 So, that we now are the beneficiaries of God's smiling countenance. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.119 No longer anger. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:05.299 No longer separation. 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:10.240 But now we are in fellowship with God because another has been provided. 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.759 The Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world. 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:17.099 Jesus, the propitiation, the one who takes away the wrath of God. 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:20.579 We mentioned that sin brings captivity or slavery. 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:24.140 Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:28.879 But if the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:33.200 That's why we read that Jesus described himself in this way. 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.660 What was it? 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.759 Mark 10, 45. 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:38.480 The Son of Man did not come to be served. 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:40.960 Though he deserved to be served. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.480 He did not come to be served. 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:45.880 But he came to serve and to give his life. 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:48.079 As a ransom for many. 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:51.840 A payment price to set captives free. 00:27:52.519 --> 00:28:01.360 So, this word salvation, as we begin to unpack it, we realize very quickly why we now have cause to praise. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.799 We now have cause to celebrate. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:08.480 We now have hope, not despair, light, and not darkness. 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:13.500 I mentioned that sin brings estrangement, separation. 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:16.639 There's a relationship problem here. 00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:19.059 The problem is ours. 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:28.259 Now, over the years, when you're involved in ministry of one sort or another, you often are involved in counseling of some type. 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:32.220 Maybe you're counseling a couple who are struggling. 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:35.559 Maybe you're counseling, you know, parents and children. 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:40.779 But generally speaking, there's always two sides to every story. 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.779 There's always fault on both sides. 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:51.519 But generally speaking, let's say that the fault lies primarily maybe with one party. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:58.759 So, generally counseling is encouraging the party who has made a mistake to make amends. 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:03.579 But the gospel, the salvation that we have here is this. 00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:04.500 And this is remarkable. 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:07.420 The God who has been offended. 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:14.119 The God who has been estranged by his people because of their action. 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:17.859 This is the God who provides reconciliation. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:23.179 This is the God who provides one to bring the two parties together. 00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:27.619 You see, the image here is of a mediator, of a go-between. 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:36.679 Later in the book of Isaiah, if you wish, you could read in chapter 59, I think it is, where God is looking for a mediator. 00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:38.459 He's looking for a go-between. 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:42.240 He's looking for someone who is righteous and good. 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:47.839 And he looks at the human race and he finds none that meet the criteria. 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:53.120 So, he concludes that he himself must work salvation. 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:57.099 He himself must take righteousness as a breastplate. 00:29:57.420 --> 00:30:00.519 And the offended party becomes the reconciler. 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:05.640 There is no earthly equivalent because that's not how reconciliation happens. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:10.900 Reconciliation here happens when the guilty party puts up their hand and says, I was wrong. 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.540 I shouldn't have said that. 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:13.580 I was wrong. 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.880 I shouldn't have done that. 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:20.420 You don't expect the injured or the offended party to take the initiative. 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:24.500 But God takes the initiative and he's the offended party. 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:26.140 He's the injured party. 00:30:26.540 --> 00:30:29.020 So, we have this multifaceted problem. 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:32.100 And we have a multifaceted solution. 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:35.279 God is my salvation. 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:37.199 This is not just abstract. 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.419 This is personal. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:41.179 This is personal possessive pronouns. 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:47.599 So, the problem, anger, sin, estrangement, guilt, separation. 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:54.579 The solution is salvation, is reconciliation, is freedom, is forgiveness. 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:58.579 We are wrong in terms of sin. 00:30:58.579 --> 00:31:03.299 And God says, through Jesus Christ, we can now be right. 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:13.319 The one who was without sin takes the sin of the people upon himself in order that the sinful people can have his righteousness. 00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:21.679 One of the medieval, or not medieval, or early modern theologians, Francis Turreton, put it this way. 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:51.660 He said, 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:57.740 Yet, no satisfaction is to be made by them either in this or in a future state of existence. 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:03.320 God has done everything that is needed for your salvation, for my salvation. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:06.580 And we are therefore to respond accordingly. 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:09.080 So, we're not only told the problem. 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.940 We're not only told the solution. 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:16.279 But we're told how we are to take that solution and apply it. 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:19.259 We see here in verse 2. 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:21.139 God is my salvation. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.259 How is that possible? 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:25.500 I will trust and not be afraid. 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:34.059 When our Lord Jesus began his preaching and teaching ministry, his first sermon in Mark chapter 1, verses 14 to 15. 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:38.220 It's great with Christianity Explored to go through Mark's gospel again. 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:42.619 Because you see so clearly the presentation of Jesus. 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:43.960 Who he is. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.679 What he has come to do. 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:48.440 And how we are to respond to him. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.440 He said, 00:32:49.440 --> 00:33:04.059 Now, you'll notice here that we don't have the repent element deliberately stated. 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:10.019 But wherever you see one of these two, the other is there. 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:14.940 So, if you're commanded to repent, Paul in Athens, what did he say? 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:18.000 God commands all people everywhere to repent. 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:21.740 Well, that means that they are to repent and believe. 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:24.079 You can't do one without the other. 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:27.720 You can't turn away from sin without turning to Jesus. 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:30.779 And you can't turn to Jesus without turning away from sin. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:40.000 So, sometimes there are couplets in the Bible where they are so closely linked that if one is missing, you can fill in the other. 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:43.920 So, we are to respond with faith and with repentance. 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.599 Not with action. 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.220 Not with resolution. 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:49.139 Not with good intentions. 00:33:49.879 --> 00:33:54.220 Not with a sincere desire to do better. 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:56.039 All of which are fine. 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:59.759 But those aren't the terms and those aren't the conditions. 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:03.859 We are to respond as he commands. 00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:07.259 And Isaiah is giving us an example. 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:09.259 I will trust. 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:10.780 Let's make it personal. 00:34:11.160 --> 00:34:13.420 I will trust and not be afraid. 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.700 I will repent. 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.920 I will believe. 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.360 There's a problem. 00:34:17.680 --> 00:34:19.660 I recognize the problem like Daniel. 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:20.540 I'm going to be honest. 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:23.260 There's a problem and the problem is mine. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.860 But the solution is his. 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:29.700 I need him to solve my problems. 00:34:30.040 --> 00:34:32.580 And this is where human pride comes in. 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.980 I don't like that. 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:38.519 If I've got a problem, I want to work it out. 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:41.940 If I've got a situation, I want to solve it. 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:45.320 If I've broken something, I want to fix it. 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:47.720 But the Bible says you can't. 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:49.480 But he can. 00:34:50.180 --> 00:34:51.080 I can't. 00:34:51.120 --> 00:34:51.940 But Jesus can. 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.680 I can't. 00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:57.559 But God has made a way where salvation is now possible. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:35:00.880 So notice the transition here. 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:09.059 Because by faith, by trusting, the God who was angry, his anger has turned away. 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:13.259 The Lord, the Lord himself is my strength and my defense. 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:15.320 He has become my salvation. 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:18.079 What a transformation that's taken place here. 00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:24.480 Because of this perfect and complete salvation provided by God for us. 00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:27.259 This story ends well. 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:29.639 There's a complicated problem. 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:33.819 There's a multifaceted problem that we can't solve. 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:37.039 This has all the makings of a tragedy. 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:39.840 You read those great plays of Shakespeare. 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.980 And you start with a conflict. 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:43.960 And you continue with a conflict. 00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:47.139 And you conclude with the conflict getting worse. 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:50.359 And many people's lives are just like that. 00:35:50.879 --> 00:35:52.239 The problems are many. 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.639 And they get more. 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.339 The problems are deep-seated. 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:57.819 And they become deeper-seated still. 00:35:58.539 --> 00:36:03.219 So by human effort and by human understanding and undertaking, 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:07.480 all we can do is make a bad situation worse. 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:13.539 Several of my colleagues at prison have come, you know, 00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:16.359 they've come back to work or they're off work just now. 00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:20.559 You know, they have bad infections. 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:22.400 They have chest infections. 00:36:22.680 --> 00:36:27.440 And then very, very quickly, chest infection becomes pneumonia. 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:31.019 And before long, you know, they're in hospital because, you know, 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:32.740 they're just very, very unwell. 00:36:33.620 --> 00:36:35.660 You know, and that's the human condition. 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:39.680 A minor situation gets worse and gets worse and gets worse. 00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:43.919 So that an extreme measure is required here. 00:36:44.279 --> 00:36:45.739 You don't just get better. 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:49.759 There are times where you realize, I am very unwell here. 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:51.419 And I need help. 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:52.940 I need the help of a doctor. 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:55.639 Or if you're in trouble legally, I need the help of a lawyer. 00:36:55.879 --> 00:36:57.839 But we are in trouble with God. 00:36:57.839 --> 00:37:00.500 And we need God to be our help. 00:37:00.859 --> 00:37:02.039 We need Him. 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:03.639 That's why we trust. 00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:05.679 That's why we turn to Him. 00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:08.699 So there's a problem and there's a solution. 00:37:08.919 --> 00:37:11.619 The problem is ours and the solution is His. 00:37:13.139 --> 00:37:18.039 There's a theologian in my systematic theology class. 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:24.619 We encourage students to buy a set text so that they have a resource for future years. 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:28.719 And one of the texts that we use is written by an American called Michael Horton. 00:37:29.380 --> 00:37:38.420 And Michael Horton helpfully unpacks the study of theology and he summarizes that summary under four headings, 00:37:38.739 --> 00:37:40.319 each of which begins with a D. 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:45.659 He says, as you read the Bible, the first D is drama. 00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:46.960 It's a story. 00:37:47.259 --> 00:37:48.000 It has a beginning. 00:37:48.219 --> 00:37:48.900 It has a middle. 00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:49.980 It has an end. 00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:52.319 And the Bible is a story. 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:53.480 It's a story about God. 00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.720 It's a story about people. 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:56.019 It's a story about Jesus. 00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:58.200 It's a story about life. 00:37:58.740 --> 00:38:00.320 And that's why the Bible is so interesting. 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:05.660 And that's why when you actually read the Bible, I remember when I hadn't read the Bible, 00:38:06.120 --> 00:38:09.180 I thought the Bible was a rule book, a guidebook for living. 00:38:09.620 --> 00:38:13.660 And therefore, I had a good insight as to what living was about, I thought. 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.420 So I didn't need to read the Bible. 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:19.400 But what I didn't realize was what the Bible actually was. 00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:23.240 You read the Gospels and you think, I've never read this before. 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:25.920 I've never encountered somebody like Jesus before. 00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:35.800 I've never encountered somebody that speaks like Jesus, spoke, acts like Jesus, acted, helps like Jesus, helped, met people exactly where they were. 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:42.300 And there was never a situation too helpless or too hopeless for Jesus to work in. 00:38:42.300 --> 00:38:45.080 So Horton says the first is a story. 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:49.900 And from that story, we can extract the doctrines, the truths. 00:38:50.600 --> 00:38:53.080 We can extract the fact that God is righteous, pure, and holy. 00:38:53.620 --> 00:39:01.300 And that men and women are sinful, guilty, filled with shame because of their actions, their words, and their thoughts. 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:08.300 So you take the story and you begin to extract the truths, the problem, the solution, etc. 00:39:09.120 --> 00:39:14.900 He went on to say that the third of these elements was doxology, praise. 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:17.860 And that's exactly what we have here. 00:39:18.160 --> 00:39:22.960 Because when we understand the story and when we understand the doctrines, 00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:27.800 when we understand where we were by nature and where we are by grace, 00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:29.400 what's the answer? 00:39:29.400 --> 00:39:31.180 I will praise you. 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:36.380 Verse 4, with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:39.820 In that day you will say, give praise to the Lord. 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:42.900 So we've been singing, have we not? 00:39:43.160 --> 00:39:45.579 We've been singing Christ our hope in life and death. 00:39:45.660 --> 00:39:47.440 We've been singing how firm a foundation. 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:49.860 This is not just a filler. 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:54.119 This is not just something you do in between prayers or readings. 00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:56.500 But this is an expression of joy. 00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:58.380 This is an expression of celebration. 00:39:58.380 --> 00:40:00.720 This is an expression of praise. 00:40:01.140 --> 00:40:04.420 Because the God who is pure, righteous, and holy, 00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:08.019 and a people who are estranged, sinful, and guilty, 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:10.980 have been reconciled through Jesus Christ. 00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:11.880 Hallelujah! 00:40:12.740 --> 00:40:13.340 Amen! 00:40:13.340 --> 00:40:15.480 This is great news. 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:18.600 And therefore, I want to say, God, thank you. 00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:21.320 I want to say, God, praise you. 00:40:21.680 --> 00:40:25.039 I want to say to God, what a great God you are. 00:40:25.140 --> 00:40:27.700 I want to say what a great Savior Jesus is. 00:40:27.900 --> 00:40:30.800 And what a great gospel we have. 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:38.280 The drama, the story, the doctrines, the truth, the doxology, the praise, and the fourth element. 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:41.780 And with this, we draw the chapter to a close. 00:40:42.280 --> 00:40:43.580 Is discipleship. 00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:46.740 What do we do with what we now have? 00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:48.039 What do we do? 00:40:48.039 --> 00:40:49.699 Well, we praise God. 00:40:49.759 --> 00:40:50.940 We've just heard that. 00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:57.059 We draw water from the wells of salvation, meaning that we are constantly being refreshed, 00:40:57.639 --> 00:40:59.059 constantly being renewed. 00:40:59.400 --> 00:41:06.380 It's not a one step or a one, it's not a one moment thing, but it's a new life. 00:41:06.659 --> 00:41:07.759 It's a new source. 00:41:07.900 --> 00:41:08.779 It's a new joy. 00:41:08.900 --> 00:41:09.940 It's a new peace. 00:41:09.940 --> 00:41:18.139 And not only do we have hope and comfort and salvation for ourselves, Isaiah makes this 00:41:18.139 --> 00:41:21.639 personal, but we've got good news to share. 00:41:22.280 --> 00:41:25.519 So we praise God and we tell people. 00:41:26.220 --> 00:41:27.760 Give praise to the Lord, verse 4. 00:41:27.880 --> 00:41:29.059 Proclaim his name. 00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:35.240 Make known among the nations what he has done and proclaim that his name is exalted. 00:41:37.159 --> 00:41:39.380 Evangelism, sharing the gospel. 00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:43.619 Should not be seen as a burden, but as a joy. 00:41:44.619 --> 00:41:48.240 Friday night, three friends and I went out to dinner. 00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:58.039 And the talk of the town, if you like steak, the talk of the town is Spanish Butcher, North Castle Street. 00:41:59.059 --> 00:42:00.440 I heard about it. 00:42:00.800 --> 00:42:02.940 Three friends and I had all heard about this place. 00:42:03.240 --> 00:42:06.000 We tried to book it two months ago, fully booked. 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:11.739 So you have this talk and you hear, if you like steak, this is a place to go. 00:42:11.739 --> 00:42:13.699 I have no, I don't get a commission. 00:42:14.419 --> 00:42:18.939 But the idea is, somebody tells, you like steak, don't you, Bob? 00:42:19.019 --> 00:42:19.559 Yes, I do. 00:42:19.739 --> 00:42:20.799 Have you been to the Spanish Butcher? 00:42:20.899 --> 00:42:21.419 No, I haven't. 00:42:21.659 --> 00:42:22.339 You should go. 00:42:23.000 --> 00:42:23.799 I want to go. 00:42:25.159 --> 00:42:26.159 That's evangelism. 00:42:26.679 --> 00:42:27.759 Have you heard about Jesus? 00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:31.840 Do you realize that there's a solution to life's problems? 00:42:32.160 --> 00:42:36.980 Do you realize that there's meaning, that there's purpose, that there's a good ending to the story? 00:42:37.620 --> 00:42:39.940 Just as somebody who says, look at this restaurant. 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:42.740 The food is so good, you should really go. 00:42:43.040 --> 00:42:44.360 And before long, you're there. 00:42:44.360 --> 00:42:47.160 It's not a burden, it's a joy. 00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:52.260 And now I'm telling you, if you like steak, if you're in the new town, go to the Spanish Butcher. 00:42:52.720 --> 00:42:54.280 Book ahead, it's worth it. 00:42:54.780 --> 00:42:56.360 Get the sharing platter. 00:42:57.180 --> 00:43:04.000 But you see, but that's what the joy of our salvation brings. 00:43:04.260 --> 00:43:07.360 That, I just can't, I just want to tell you about Jesus. 00:43:07.720 --> 00:43:09.220 I want to tell you about what he said. 00:43:09.400 --> 00:43:10.700 I want to tell you about what he did. 00:43:10.920 --> 00:43:12.300 I want to tell you about his life. 00:43:12.440 --> 00:43:13.800 I want to tell you about his death. 00:43:13.800 --> 00:43:15.740 I want to tell you that he's my best friend. 00:43:16.060 --> 00:43:20.019 I want to tell you that he knows everything about me and he loves me personally and powerfully. 00:43:20.400 --> 00:43:22.060 And that he's given me this joy. 00:43:22.360 --> 00:43:23.740 He's given me this peace. 00:43:24.000 --> 00:43:25.519 He's given me this comfort. 00:43:26.019 --> 00:43:28.720 Make known among the nations what he has done. 00:43:29.160 --> 00:43:31.860 Proclaim that his name is exalted. 00:43:33.200 --> 00:43:34.500 Sing to the Lord. 00:43:35.960 --> 00:43:38.460 He has done glorious things. 00:43:38.780 --> 00:43:40.240 We haven't, he has. 00:43:40.239 --> 00:43:44.299 You see, the Christian life is not what we do for God. 00:43:44.299 --> 00:43:49.379 The Christian life is responding to what he has done for us. 00:43:49.919 --> 00:43:50.699 We say thanks. 00:43:51.219 --> 00:43:52.039 We praise him. 00:43:52.479 --> 00:43:53.639 We let other people know. 00:43:54.099 --> 00:43:58.099 And we simply want to do what he tells us to do. 00:43:58.099 --> 00:43:59.860 Not out of burden. 00:44:00.360 --> 00:44:03.179 Not out of onerous weight on our shoulders. 00:44:03.319 --> 00:44:05.719 But because of, we know how good he is. 00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:07.900 And we simply want other people. 00:44:08.420 --> 00:44:10.019 Like the language of Psalm 34. 00:44:10.259 --> 00:44:11.719 Come taste and see. 00:44:12.319 --> 00:44:13.159 Taste and see. 00:44:13.259 --> 00:44:14.339 The Lord is good. 00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:15.380 I've tasted. 00:44:15.719 --> 00:44:16.599 I've seen. 00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:20.000 And I'm convinced that if you taste, you'll see. 00:44:20.940 --> 00:44:23.839 Let this be known to all the world. 00:44:23.840 --> 00:44:27.039 Isaiah is known as the fifth gospel. 00:44:27.600 --> 00:44:29.160 Because it's full of Jesus. 00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:31.780 It's full of Christ. 00:44:31.900 --> 00:44:34.220 And it's the second most quoted book in the New Testament. 00:44:34.480 --> 00:44:36.900 Because it's constantly pointing us forward. 00:44:37.200 --> 00:44:38.860 And it's constantly pointing us upward. 00:44:39.180 --> 00:44:43.380 And it's saying to the whole world, there is a savior. 00:44:43.940 --> 00:44:45.260 There is salvation. 00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:47.039 There is hope. 00:44:47.559 --> 00:44:51.640 And where we come in is we share this good news. 00:44:51.639 --> 00:44:53.699 Let me tell you what I've heard. 00:44:53.940 --> 00:44:55.739 Let me tell you what I've found. 00:44:56.139 --> 00:44:57.879 Let me tell you what I've received. 00:44:58.400 --> 00:45:03.579 Let me share something of what God has done for us. 00:45:04.159 --> 00:45:07.079 This is the power or the motivation. 00:45:07.819 --> 00:45:10.279 This is what changes people's lives. 00:45:10.659 --> 00:45:12.859 This is what gives hope instead of despair. 00:45:13.339 --> 00:45:14.839 Joy instead of anger. 00:45:15.339 --> 00:45:16.940 Light instead of darkness. 00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:20.239 This is what gives our lives meaning and purpose. 00:45:20.239 --> 00:45:25.639 And this is why I really, if I've got free time, I don't want to read tragedies. 00:45:26.199 --> 00:45:28.439 I want to read stories that end well. 00:45:29.079 --> 00:45:30.899 This story ends well. 00:45:31.319 --> 00:45:33.639 And I want your story to end well. 00:45:33.819 --> 00:45:36.219 And I want their story to end well. 00:45:36.439 --> 00:45:38.859 And I want our story to end well. 00:45:39.099 --> 00:45:41.479 And it's guaranteed to end well. 00:45:41.699 --> 00:45:44.559 When Jesus is writing our stories. 00:45:45.000 --> 00:45:46.899 He's writing our lives. 00:45:46.900 --> 00:45:48.119 He's guiding us. 00:45:48.220 --> 00:45:49.000 He's guarding us. 00:45:49.079 --> 00:45:50.059 And he's leading us. 00:45:50.480 --> 00:45:54.139 And each of his stories ends well. 00:45:54.720 --> 00:45:59.340 And they all live happily ever after. 00:46:00.119 --> 00:46:00.599 Amen. 00:46:01.619 --> 00:46:02.619 Let's pray. 00:46:03.480 --> 00:46:06.240 Father in heaven, we thank you for these glimmers, 00:46:06.239 --> 00:46:11.619 these glimpses of joy and hope and light and life. 00:46:11.619 --> 00:46:15.059 Even in these solemn sections of your word, 00:46:15.579 --> 00:46:19.139 we are given that great picture of salvation. 00:46:19.799 --> 00:46:21.719 The before and the after. 00:46:22.199 --> 00:46:24.139 The joy and the sharing. 00:46:24.599 --> 00:46:26.539 The praise and the thanksgiving. 00:46:27.179 --> 00:46:28.639 Father, we have made a mess. 00:46:29.179 --> 00:46:30.579 We've made a mess of life. 00:46:30.719 --> 00:46:32.399 We've made a mess of this world. 00:46:32.400 --> 00:46:35.960 We are guilty and we stand in your presence 00:46:35.960 --> 00:46:38.180 as those without excuse. 00:46:39.039 --> 00:46:41.180 And yet, by trusting in you, 00:46:41.619 --> 00:46:43.160 we now have hope. 00:46:43.460 --> 00:46:44.860 And we now have joy. 00:46:45.360 --> 00:46:47.940 And instead of being angry with us, 00:46:48.360 --> 00:46:51.900 you are now at peace with us, 00:46:52.340 --> 00:46:53.280 comforting us, 00:46:53.940 --> 00:46:54.780 forgiving us, 00:46:55.360 --> 00:46:56.220 renewing us, 00:46:56.740 --> 00:46:57.660 restoring us. 00:46:58.099 --> 00:47:00.420 You have placed us on a new path. 00:47:00.420 --> 00:47:02.440 And you are leading us forward. 00:47:02.780 --> 00:47:04.200 And you are leading us upward. 00:47:04.900 --> 00:47:06.860 So give us that reminder tonight 00:47:06.860 --> 00:47:08.920 that in Jesus Christ, 00:47:09.480 --> 00:47:12.400 each of our stories ends well. 00:47:12.760 --> 00:47:15.659 That we can live happily ever after with you 00:47:15.659 --> 00:47:17.639 in your house. 00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:20.180 Goodness and mercy will follow us 00:47:20.180 --> 00:47:21.940 all the days of our lives. 00:47:22.280 --> 00:47:25.159 And we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 00:47:25.760 --> 00:47:26.800 May it be so. 00:47:27.340 --> 00:47:29.039 Amen and amen. 00:47:29.039 --> 00:47:29.300 Amen. 00:47:30.420 --> 00:47:32.300 We're now going to sing that psalm 00:47:32.300 --> 00:47:33.420 that we read together. 00:47:34.000 --> 00:47:36.039 That's Psalm 124. 00:47:36.599 --> 00:47:38.920 And remind yourself at the end of that psalm 00:47:38.920 --> 00:47:39.680 where we sing, 00:47:40.619 --> 00:47:42.200 our help is in the name of the Lord, 00:47:42.300 --> 00:47:44.300 the maker of heaven and earth. 00:47:44.840 --> 00:47:46.340 Your problems may be great, 00:47:46.740 --> 00:47:48.380 but the God who made heaven and earth 00:47:48.380 --> 00:47:49.079 out of nothing 00:47:49.079 --> 00:47:51.420 is more than able to fix, 00:47:51.900 --> 00:47:52.619 to restore, 00:47:53.019 --> 00:47:53.760 and to renew. 00:47:54.280 --> 00:47:56.019 Let's sing together to God's praise. 00:47:56.019 --> 00:47:56.119 Amen. 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119 00:47:56.119 --> 00:47:56.119