God's Grand Vision: Transformed people
Speaker: Chris Jones
Date: 15th May 2011
Passage: Isaiah 56:9-57:21
00:00:01 --> 00:00:04 Good morning everyone. Let's bow our heads. I'm going to pray.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Heavenly Father, we pray that as we come to your word now and as I speak from it,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 that you would speak to us by your spirit, that you would grow us in Christ to your glory.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 And we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
00:00:19 --> 00:00:24 Our Archbishop Peter Jensen spoke to us, or spoke with a few of us the other day at clergy conference,
00:00:24 --> 00:00:30 at Northern Region Clogy Conference, and he was talking about conversion to Christ
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 and especially how it's something that begins with God himself.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:35 It's not just something we do for ourself.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:40 It's the regenerating work of the spirit of God in us that brings us to Christ.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:46 And then he gave us a really sober warning, born of experience.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:53 He said that at every level of church life, people engage in unregenerate behaviour,
00:00:53 --> 00:00:57 that is destructive to our life as the people of God,
00:00:58 --> 00:01:02 but it is also damaging to our witness to Christ in the world.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 And global mission, how people outside see us,
00:01:07 --> 00:01:12 is undermined by unregenerate behaviour amongst us.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:19 And he said that churches and church organisations and Christian schools
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 are always tempted to put people into leadership because of need.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 We need to fill a position.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 We need somebody for the job, so we put somebody in as treasurer
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 because they work with finance.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 We put somebody into the parish council
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 because they're a leader in the business world.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:42 And when we put qualifications and experience ahead of Christian faith,
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 we're actually ahead for disaster.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 And he said an example would be that church schools
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 that have lowered their expectations of faith,
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 or Christian faith in their teachers,
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 and have pursued academic excellence,
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 which is always the pressure from parents,
00:02:00 --> 00:02:04 now turn out well-educated unbelievers.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 Generalisation.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 I found it to be true in a place or two too.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 His words are actually born of bitter experience.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 He demanded the licence of one of my friends in ministry
00:02:18 --> 00:02:22 who was found to have had a number of sexual affairs
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 with people in parishes that he worked in.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 His early days as archbishop were sometimes miserable.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 Numbers of times he took strong action
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 to remove people from ministry.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:37 They were people whose behaviour had caused the name of Christ
00:02:37 --> 00:02:38 to be dragged through the mud,
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 and some of those people still hate him.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 My first year in one of my parishes saw similar things.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 I had a warden who thought I was just...
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 She was female, but she just thought
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 I was the nicest man in the world for ten months.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:59 And then I think I lovingly spoke to her.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 She doesn't think so, but I lovingly spoke to her
00:03:01 --> 00:03:05 about a relationship that seemed to be developing
00:03:05 --> 00:03:06 with one of our parish counsellors.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 And it later intruded into their marriage,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:11 her marriage.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 It later became adultery.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 I lost a warden.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 I lost a parish counsellor.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:21 And I lost a synod rep because of their immorality.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 Three different people.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:27 I've watched another church,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 which was a huge supporter of missions,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 known all over the place for their good works
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 and watched them self-destruct
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 because of immorality amongst the people of God.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 And that church can no longer afford to support a minister.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 So we and the world out there often focuses on things
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 like the forgiveness and the mercy
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 that is to be found in Christ, which is real.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 But we must not underestimate the devastating effects
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 of sin amongst God's people
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 and God's anger with it.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:11 And there is a need for strong leadership to deal with it.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 So the Bible passage before us this morning,
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 it's the Isaiah passage.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 It's Isaiah chapter 56, beginning at verse 9
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 and following through at the end of chapter 57.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 It'd be great if you had your Bibles open.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:30 But it is a shattering description of the people of God.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:36 And Isaiah brings the word of God to the people of God
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 and sin and wickedness seem to reign
00:04:39 --> 00:04:42 and it starts from the top down.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 It begins with the leaders.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:46 And so you read,
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 Come all you beasts of the field,
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 come and devour all you beasts of the forest.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 Israel's watchmen are blind,
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 they all lack knowledge,
00:04:56 --> 00:04:57 they are mute dogs,
00:04:58 --> 00:04:58 they cannot bark,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 they lie around and dream,
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 they love to sleep.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:06 They are dogs with mighty appetites,
00:05:06 --> 00:05:07 they never have enough,
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 they are shepherds who lack understanding,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 they all turn to their own way,
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 each seeks his own gain.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 Come, each one cries,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 let me get wine,
00:05:19 --> 00:05:20 let us drink our fill of beer,
00:05:21 --> 00:05:22 and tomorrow will be like today,
00:05:22 --> 00:05:23 or even better.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:28 And so what he's doing,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 he's issuing an invitation to the beasts of the field,
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 the beasts of the forest,
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 to come in amongst the people of God,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 rip, tear, devour.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:40 They're invited to bring destruction as God's judgment.
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 And he castigates the failure of leadership.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 The watchmen and the shepherds,
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 who are nearly always prophets in the Old Testament,
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 have failed in their duty of care.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 They're responsible to live under God's law
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 and call the people of God to as well.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 And he describes them as blind,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 as ignorant,
00:06:01 --> 00:06:01 as mute.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 All the faculties that they need
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 to be able to do their work
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 have been disabled by sin.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 And so they can't see,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 so they're in no position to look out for trouble.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 They're ignorant,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 they lack knowledge,
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 they can't even begin to teach
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 what they should be teaching,
00:06:18 --> 00:06:19 they can no longer even discern
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 right from wrong,
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 and seemingly don't care.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 And they're mute.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 They don't even use their voices
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 to warn people.
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 And so rather than looking after
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 the interests of the people of God,
00:06:36 --> 00:06:37 they're sitting in the background,
00:06:37 --> 00:06:37 drinking,
00:06:38 --> 00:06:38 in the backyard,
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 drinking their beer
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 and having a great old time on the wine
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 and looking after themselves.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 And he says,
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 they've got insatiable appetites
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 for seeking their own gain.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 They are gluttons and drunkards
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 focused on what they can get out of life.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 And they live oblivious to the work
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 that God has appointed them to do.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 And they are like the rich fool
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 in Luke chapter 12.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 They have settled back.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 They are taking life easy.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:12 They do not live with any fear of God.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 They have no concern at all
00:07:13 --> 00:07:14 that one night
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 he will demand their life.
00:07:19 --> 00:07:23 And so Isaiah begins with the leadership
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 because they have failed to teach
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 and obey the word of God
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 and as a result,
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 God's people have descended
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 into great wickedness.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:38 I can't read this
00:07:38 --> 00:07:42 without reflecting on my own leadership
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 amongst God's people
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 and I would ask you
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 that if you have leadership
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 in a small group
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 or other ministry
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 in this church
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 or in other places
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 to reflect on it for yourself.
00:07:56 --> 00:08:01 Do we have courage
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 to confront sin in our midst?
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 Do we excuse brothers and sisters
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 for inappropriate behaviour
00:08:08 --> 00:08:11 or in their speech
00:08:11 --> 00:08:11 and say,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 well, they've always been like that?
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 Or do I care more
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 about how people see me
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 and the importance of my role?
00:08:21 --> 00:08:25 Do I live the acknowledgement of others?
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 Do I live on the privileges
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 and esteem that leadership brings
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 without taking the responsibilities
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 that it involves?
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 See, watchmen and shepherds
00:08:38 --> 00:08:38 are called
00:08:38 --> 00:08:42 by the Lord Jesus
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 to sacrificial service.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 We are servants of Christ.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 We are not employees
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 of the people of God.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 We are called
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 to have humble hearts
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 which are submissive to Christ
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 and which seek his glory.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 And Isaiah is caustic
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 in his critique
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 of the wickedness
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 of the leaders.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 But then he moves on
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 to describe the wickedness
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 which reigns
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 amongst the people of God.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 So chapter 57, verse 3.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 But you, come here,
00:09:16 --> 00:09:19 you sons of a sorceress,
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 you offspring of adulterers
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 and prostitutes,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 whom are you mocking?
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 At whom do you sneer
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 and stick out your tongue?
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 Are you not a brood of rebels,
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 the offspring of liars?
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 You burn with lust
00:09:32 --> 00:09:32 under the oaks
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 and under every spreading tree.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 You sacrifice your children
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 in the ravines
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 and under the overhanging crags.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 The idols among the smooth stones
00:09:41 --> 00:09:41 of the ravines
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 are your portion.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:46 They, they are your lot.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:47 Yes, to them
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 you have poured out
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 drink offerings
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 and offered grain offerings
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 in the light of these things.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 Should I relent?
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 You have made your bed
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 on a high and lofty hill
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 and there you want
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 to offer up your sacrifices.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 Behind your doors
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 and your doorposts
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 you have put your pagan symbols.
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 Forsaking me,
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 you uncovered your bed.
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 You climbed into it
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 and opened it wide.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 You made a pact
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 with those whose beds
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 you love
00:10:12 --> 00:10:12 and you looked
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 on their nakedness.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 You went to Moloch
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 with olive oil
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 and you increased
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 your perfumes.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 You sent your ambassadors
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 far away.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:22 You descended
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 to the grave itself.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 Not a pretty picture.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 God's people
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 described as sons
00:10:30 --> 00:10:30 of a sorceress
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 you offspring
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 of adulterers
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 and prostitutes
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 could have used
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 a more colloquial way
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 of speaking about them.
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 But their mocking,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:37 verse 4,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 is a mocking of God
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 sticking their tongue
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 out at him.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 What are you going
00:10:40 --> 00:10:40 to do about it?
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 And they have done it.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 We've seen the last few weeks.
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 They have done it
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 by pursuing other gods.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 They've taken on
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 the ways of worship
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 of the surrounding nations.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 They've made political treaties.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 They've forgotten
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 the Lord God.
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 One of the other gods
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 is named Moloch
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 in verse 9.
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 Another is hinted at
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 by the practices.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 So in verse 7,
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 beds on high hills
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 where you offered sacrifices.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 Or verse 5,
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 lust under the oaks
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 and spreading trees.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 So in that society,
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 Baal and his female
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 counterpart Ashtaroth
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 were widely worshipped
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 in this farming society.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 And so an annual crop
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 was their livelihood.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:20 It was their life.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 It was their well-being.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 It was their wealth.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 It was their salvation.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 Everything was dependent
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 upon the success
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 of the crop.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:30 And so part of the town festival
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 might involve
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 the priest of Baal
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 having sex in public
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 with a young woman
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 as part of the worship
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 aimed at securing
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 Baal's favour
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 and blessing.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 And you go through
00:11:42 --> 00:11:42 this passage
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 and you see
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 there's lots of sexual
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 overtones
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 into this worship
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 in verses 8 and 9.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 The pagan symbols
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 are very likely
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 of male sex organs
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 associated with fertility.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 Lots of those
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 have been found
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 by archaeologists.
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 And Isaiah is quite graphic
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 speaking about
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 the uncovered bed
00:12:00 --> 00:12:00 and the pact
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 that you have made
00:12:01 --> 00:12:01 with others
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 that you love.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 You look on their nakedness.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 It's a metaphorical picture.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 The people of God
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 have been prostituting
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 themselves to other gods.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 But it's also
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 an actual picture
00:12:21 --> 00:12:24 because the worship
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 of these gods
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 opens them up
00:12:26 --> 00:12:29 to rampant immorality.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 Moloch worship
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 is horrifically wicked.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 Verse 5
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 You sacrifice
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 your children
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 in the ravines
00:12:43 --> 00:12:43 and under
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 the overhanging
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 crags.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:50 You slip out of town
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 with the unwanted child
00:12:51 --> 00:12:54 and you murder them
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 in a quiet place
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 where people
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 cannot see
00:12:56 --> 00:12:59 down in the riverbed
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 under a crag
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 near the smooth stones
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 as you seek
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 well-being
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 and protection
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 from Moloch
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 for yourself.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:15 Sort of religion
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 and ways of worship
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 seem a long way
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 removed from reality
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 for most of us.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:22 Increasingly
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 not true
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 because
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 many people
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 in our church family
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 now come from
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 cultures very different
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 from a western one.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 And Men's Breakfast
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 last Saturday
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 T.S. Lim
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 spoke about
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 or showed us
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 pictures of his family's
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 clan house
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 in Malaysia
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 and explained
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 that it was the place
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 where they had
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 their family idols
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 and where the family
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 would go to worship
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 the ancestors.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 He said the Lim family
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 in Malaysia
00:13:49 --> 00:13:49 is a bit like
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 the Jones family
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 in Australia
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 a really common name
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 everybody goes there.
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 We don't have one
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 not in that sort of way
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 we don't build idols
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 and we don't build temples
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 to stuff them in
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 and worship them at.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 We've lived
00:14:05 --> 00:14:05 many of us
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 have lived in the west
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 we have a so-called
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 scientific understanding
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 of the world
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 based on cause and effect
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 we tend
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 towards atheism
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 and many
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 believe in a world
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 which doesn't need
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 any sort of God.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 These practices
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 are below us
00:14:23 --> 00:14:26 and we become God.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 The world
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 revolves around us
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 and everything
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 is to our pleasure
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 we are at the centre
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 of the world
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and we create
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 our own security
00:14:38 --> 00:14:42 and so we work hard
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 to secure things
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 like our wealth
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 and our future.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 Education's
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 of very high value
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 because it's a mechanism
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 for climbing above
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 our parents'
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 situation in life.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 So grandparents
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 and parents
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 invest a lot
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 in their children
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 because we want them
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 to rise above us.
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 It's a way
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 of putting ourselves
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 ahead of other people
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 and over other people.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 One of our older people
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 said to us
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 at a small group
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 the other night
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 that they notice
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 amongst their peers
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 older people
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 that you see
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 this sort of control
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 even to the end
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 of their lives
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 that people in nursing
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 homes and aged care
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 some of them
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 are very concerned
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 about how their life
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 will end
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 and they want to have
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 control over
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 how their life
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 will end.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:31 We wouldn't be
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 so crass
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 would we
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 as to
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 have rampant
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 immorality
00:15:36 --> 00:15:38 in public places
00:15:38 --> 00:15:42 and yet
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 I turn on
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 my television
00:15:43 --> 00:15:46 and I cannot
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 turn the channel
00:15:47 --> 00:15:50 without people
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 reenacting sex
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 of all kinds
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 in front of me
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 and I am
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 drawn by it
00:15:56 --> 00:15:59 and so it does
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 it occurs
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 in public
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 everywhere
00:16:01 --> 00:16:05 and Moloch
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 is not far
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 from us either
00:16:06 --> 00:16:09 we go
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 to a quiet
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 place
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 to destroy
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 unwanted
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 children
00:16:12 --> 00:16:15 I went
00:16:15 --> 00:16:15 to the website
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 of one of our
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 local hospitals
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 recently
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 looking for a
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 phone number
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 to ring one
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 of our elderly
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 patients
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 patients
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 and I was
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 confronted
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 on that
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 website
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 by the
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 links
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 to
00:16:26 --> 00:16:30 the
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 abortion
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 ad
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 to the
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 abortion
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 website
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 biggest
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 business
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 in Sydney
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 amongst them
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 it was
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 boasting
00:16:34 --> 00:16:37 and I
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 went there
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 and that
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 website
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 told me
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 that they
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 treat
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 women
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 from 13
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 to 50
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 and that
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 the average
00:16:44 --> 00:16:44 age of
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 patients
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 is not a
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 teenager
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 but it's
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 28
00:16:47 --> 00:16:50 and they
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 massage
00:16:50 --> 00:16:52 their language
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 they're honest
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 they're forthright
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 they say
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 we carry out
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 abortions
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 terminations
00:16:56 --> 00:16:59 but they
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 don't
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 abort
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 babies
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 in their
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 language
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 they just
00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 remove
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 unwanted
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 tissue
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 and evacuate
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 it from
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 a woman's
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 body
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 that's the
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 language
00:17:10 --> 00:17:10 that's used
00:17:10 --> 00:17:17 not designed
00:17:17 --> 00:17:17 to be a
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 guilt trip
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 I know
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 in speaking
00:17:21 --> 00:17:21 to any
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 of our
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 congregations
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 that numbers
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 of us
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 may have
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 been impacted
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 in some
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 way by
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 abortion
00:17:26 --> 00:17:28 and if
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 that is
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 you
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 then a
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 different
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 kind of
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 conversation
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 needs to
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 be had
00:17:33 --> 00:17:35 but the
00:17:35 --> 00:17:35 point that
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 I'm making
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 is
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 that we
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 can look
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 back on
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 these so
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 called
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 unsophisticated
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 societies
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 2700 years
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 ago
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 and not
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 identify
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 with the
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 wickedness
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 of their
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 idolatry
00:17:47 --> 00:17:51 their worship
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 led them
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 to rampant
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 immorality
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 and great
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 wickedness
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 in the
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 killing
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 of their
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 children
00:17:55 --> 00:18:00 but we
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 have the
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 outcomes
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 of idol
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 worship
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 all around
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 us
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 and the
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 question
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 becomes
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 what is
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 it that
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 we worship
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 that leads
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 us to be
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 a society
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 where
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 immorality
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 is rampant
00:18:18 --> 00:18:20 and where
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 thousands and
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 thousands of
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 children's lives
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 are ended
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 every year
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 and it's
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 not just
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 out there
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 it's in
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 here as
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 well
00:18:28 --> 00:18:32 and so
00:18:32 --> 00:18:32 Isaiah
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 paints a
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 picture of
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 great
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 darkness
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 and evil
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 which has
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 come over
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 the people
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 of God
00:18:41 --> 00:18:44 it seems
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 like evil
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 reigns
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 the wicked
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 are thriving
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 and godly
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 people go
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 to the
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 grave
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 and I
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 think that's
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 what verses
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 1 and 2
00:18:56 --> 00:18:56 are about
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 the righteous
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 perish and
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 no one
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 ponders it
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 in his
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 heart
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 devout men
00:19:02 --> 00:19:02 are taken
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 away and
00:19:03 --> 00:19:03 no one
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 understands
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 that the
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 righteous are
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 taken away
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 to be spared
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 from evil
00:19:07 --> 00:19:09 those who
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 walk uprightly
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 enter into
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 peace
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 they find
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 rest as
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 they lie
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 in death
00:19:14 --> 00:19:18 so godly
00:19:18 --> 00:19:18 people die
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 and no one
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 cares
00:19:19 --> 00:19:22 and yet
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 it says
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 here
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 God
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 takes
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 his
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 own
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 people
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 out
00:19:24 --> 00:19:27 righteous
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 people
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 don't have
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 a very
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 high
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 profile
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 in this
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 sort of
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 society
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 they're
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 not
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 movers
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 and shakers
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 they go
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 to their
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 graves
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 unnoticed
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 and without
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 a thought
00:19:34 --> 00:19:37 but Isaiah
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 says
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 they're taken
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 away to be
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 spared from
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 evil
00:19:41 --> 00:19:43 in death
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 they find
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 peace
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 and rest
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 it's like
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 the hope
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 of a
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 New
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 Testament
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 believer
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 expressed
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 in the
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 Old
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 Testament
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 so you
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 wouldn't
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 a Christian
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 person
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 should not
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 dare to
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 say to
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 somebody
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 who didn't
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 trust in
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 Christ
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 that
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 death
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 is
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 peace
00:19:59 --> 00:20:02 the
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 Bible
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 makes it
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 very clear
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 that death
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 comes after
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 judgment
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 or judgment
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 comes after
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 death
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 and in
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 1 Thessalonians
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 chapter 4
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 Paul's answering
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 the question
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 what happens
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 to believers
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 who die
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 before Christ
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 returns
00:20:15 --> 00:20:17 and he
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 answers them
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 with deep
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 reassurance
00:20:19 --> 00:20:21 brothers
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 we do not
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 want you to
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 be ignorant
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 about those
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 who fall
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 asleep
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 or to
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 grieve like
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 the rest
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 of men
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 who have
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 no hope
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 we believe
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 that Jesus
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 died and
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 rose again
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 and so we
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 believe that
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 God will
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 bring with
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 Jesus
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 those who
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 have fallen
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 asleep in
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 him
00:20:39 --> 00:20:41 the same
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 reassurance
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 in the
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 New Testament
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 is here in
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 Isaiah 700
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 years before
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 Christ
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 for the
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 for the
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 person safe
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 in Christ
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 death is
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 not the
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 end
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 it's regarded
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 as sleep
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 it's in
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 rest
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 it's an
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 escape
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 from having
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 to live
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 with the
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 wickedness
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 of the
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 world
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 including
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 its impact
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 on us
00:21:00 --> 00:21:02 it's a
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 great hope
00:21:03 --> 00:21:07 but the
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 other way
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 out of this
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 mess begins
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 to be revealed
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 in verse
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 13
00:21:10 --> 00:21:13 the
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 person
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 who
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 makes
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 me
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 his
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 refuge
00:21:16 --> 00:21:16 will
00:21:16 --> 00:21:16 inherit
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 the
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 land
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 and
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 possess
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 my
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 holy
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 mountain
00:21:19 --> 00:21:23 the
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 wicked
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 person
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 is
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 invited
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 to
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 find
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 safety
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 and
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 protection
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 with
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 God
00:21:28 --> 00:21:31 hear that
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 the
00:21:32 --> 00:21:32 wicked
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 person
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 is
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 invited
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 to
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 find
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 safety
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 and
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 protection
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 with
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 God
00:21:36 --> 00:21:39 absolutely
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 unbelievable
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 and true
00:21:41 --> 00:21:43 and so
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 if you
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 are
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 overwhelmed
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 by your
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 own
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 sin
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 and
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 failures
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 this
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 is
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 for
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 you
00:21:47 --> 00:21:49 God
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 asserts
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 himself
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 verse
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 15
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 he says
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 this is
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 what the
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 high and
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 holy
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 one
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 says
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 he
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 who
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 lives
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 forever
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 whose
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 name
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 is
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 holy
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 I
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 live
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 in a
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 high
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 and
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 holy
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 place
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 but
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 also
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 with
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 him
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 who
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 is
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 contrite
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 and
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 lowly
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 in
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 spirit
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 to
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 revive
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 the
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 spirit
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 of
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 the
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 lowly
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 and
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 to
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 revive
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 the
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 heart
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 of
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 the
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 contrite
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 see
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 the
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 picture
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 here
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 is
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00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 heart
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00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 will
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00:26:37 --> 00:26:37 rest
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 for
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 your
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 souls
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 for
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 my
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 yoke
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 is
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 easy
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 and
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 my
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 burden
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 is
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 light
00:26:43 --> 00:26:49 in the sermon on the mount Jesus says blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted
00:26:49 --> 00:26:57 he's not speaking merely about bereavement he is speaking about being deeply grieved by our own sin
00:26:57 --> 00:27:06 and brokenness we are the tax collector in the temple of God in Luke 18 who cannot even raise
00:27:06 --> 00:27:10 his eyes to heaven and beats his breast and says God have mercy on me the sinner
00:27:10 --> 00:27:21 see in our month of global mission awareness see that God has given us the most magnificently
00:27:21 --> 00:27:23 hopeful message to shout to the world
00:27:23 --> 00:27:34 he is the great and magnificent creator God of the universe he has come near through his son the Lord
00:27:34 --> 00:27:44 Jesus Christ he has come near to anyone who would make him their refuge he is a magnificent God
00:27:44 --> 00:27:50 and he says I live in a high and holy place
00:27:50 --> 00:27:56 but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit
00:27:56 --> 00:28:02 to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 Amen