Episode Transcript
WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.879
The reading of his word and the
preaching of his word. Lord, we
2
00:00:04.919 --> 00:00:08.599
do ask that, as you speak
to us this evening in your word,
3
00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:17.480
that your word would do all that
you intend for it to do, putting
4
00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:23.719
to death and giving life, comforting
and challenging, poking, prodding, opening,
5
00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:27.679
revealing, Lord, and all of
these things. We asked that we
6
00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:33.560
would not miss here your word,
that we would not give in to temptation
7
00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:40.679
and use your word to do justify
ourselves and our own actions. But instead,
8
00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:45.799
Lord, we asked that your word
would simply be at work in us
9
00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:50.240
and on us, and that we
would be receivers of it, changed and
10
00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:56.200
made by it to greater degrees of
glory. For the sake of your name,
11
00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:03.640
we pray this in Jesus name m
hm, I mean standing. If
12
00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:14.159
you're able, and let's turn our
attention to Ezekiel Chapter thirty six, Ezekiel
13
00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:19.640
thirty six Versus sixteen through thirty eight
so verse sixteen, and then through the
14
00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:38.000
rest of the chapter. Ezekiel,
Chapter thirty six, verse sixteen. The
15
00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:42.719
word of the Lord came to me, son of Man. When the House
16
00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:47.359
of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and
17
00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:52.079
their deeds, their ways before me
were like the uncleanness of a woman in
18
00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:56.799
her menstrual impurity. So I poured
out my wrath upon them, for the
19
00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:00.920
blood that they had shed in the
land, for the idols with which they
20
00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:05.200
had defiled it. I scattered them
among the nations, and they were dispersed
21
00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:09.479
through the countries. In accordance with
their ways and their deeds. I judged
22
00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:15.120
them. But when they came to
the nations, wherever they came, they
23
00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:19.759
profaned my holy name, in that
the people said of them, these are
24
00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:22.919
the people of the Lord. And
yet they had to go out of his
25
00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:28.039
land. But I had concerned for
my holy Name, which the House of
26
00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:35.599
Israel had profaned among the nations to
which they came Verse twenty two. Therefore
27
00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:38.000
say to the House of Israel,
thus, as the Lord God, it
28
00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:42.599
is not for your sake, o
House of Israel, that I am about
29
00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:46.560
to act, but for the sake
of my holy Name, which you have
30
00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:51.319
profaned among the nations to which you
came. And I will vindicate the holiness
31
00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:54.400
of my great Name, which has
been profaned among the nations, and which
32
00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:59.840
you have profaned among them. And
the nations will know that I am the
33
00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:06.120
Lord, declares, the Lord God. When through you I vindicate my holiness
34
00:03:06.159 --> 00:03:09.280
before their eyes. I will take
you from the nations, and gather you
35
00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:13.879
from all the countries, and bring
you into your own land. I will
36
00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:17.919
sprinkle clean water on you, and
you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses,
37
00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:23.599
and from your idols. I will
cleanse you, and I will give
38
00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:27.360
you a new heart and a new
spirit I will put within you. And
39
00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:30.439
I will remove the heart of stone
from your flesh and give you a heart
40
00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:35.280
of flesh. And I will put
my spirit within you, and cause you
41
00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:39.280
to walk in my statutes and be
careful to obey my rules. You shall
42
00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:43.240
dwell in the land that I gave
to your father's, and you shall be
43
00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:46.240
my people. And I will be
your God. And I will deliver you
44
00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:51.840
from all your uncleannesses. And I
will summon the grain and make it abundant,
45
00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:54.240
and lay no famine upon you.
I will make the fruit of the
46
00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:59.520
tree and the increase of the field
abundant, that you may never again suffer
47
00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:03.719
the dis race of famine among the
nations. Then you will remember your evil
48
00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:10.639
we Then you will remember your evil
ways and your deeds that were not good,
49
00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:16.199
and you will loathe yourselves for your
iniquities and your abominations. It is
50
00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:21.000
not for your sake that I will
act, declares the Lord God. Let
51
00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:28.040
that be known to you be ashamed
and confounded for your ways, O,
52
00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:33.199
House of Israel, Thus says the
Lord God. On that day I cleanse
53
00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:38.000
you from all your iniquities. I
will cause the cities to be inhabited,
54
00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:41.959
and the waste places shall be rebuilt. And the land that was desolate shall
55
00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:46.199
be tilled instead of being a desolate
the desolation that it was in the sight
56
00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:49.160
of all who passed by. And
they will say, the land that was
57
00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:54.920
desolate has become like the garden of
Eden. And the waste and desolate and
58
00:04:55.000 --> 00:05:00.079
ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited. Then the nations that are left to
59
00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:02.839
all around you shall know that I
am the Lord. I have rebuilt the
60
00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:09.160
ruined places and replanted that which was
desolate. I am the Lord. I
61
00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:13.360
have spoken, and I will do
it, Thus says the Lord God.
62
00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:16.240
This also, I will let the
House of Israel ask me to do for
63
00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:23.439
them, to increase their people like
a flock, like the flock for sacrifices,
64
00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:28.160
like the flock at Jerusalem during her
appointed feasts. So shall the waste
65
00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:33.959
cities be filled with flocks of people, Then they will know that I am
66
00:05:34.040 --> 00:06:02.839
the Lord. Amen, please be
seated. One of the phrases that comes
67
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:06.519
up a lot in Ezekiel, and
then comes up a lot in my sermons
68
00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:11.040
is that they will know that you
will know that I am the Lord.
69
00:06:11.399 --> 00:06:17.160
And it comes up a lot again
in this passage um several times the Lord
70
00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:23.079
reveals his intentions, his aim for
doing the things that he will do.
71
00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:29.279
He will make his name known the
world, and his own people will know
72
00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:34.600
who he is. How's he going
to do that? We does it through
73
00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:42.319
a very two great acts of power, great acts of strength, one in
74
00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:46.000
judgment and one in grace. And
that leads to a particular point, which
75
00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:50.439
I'll mention in just a moment.
The work of judgment we see in what
76
00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:57.519
has already happened right the house of
Israel we read in verse sixteen, lived
77
00:06:57.639 --> 00:07:02.000
in their own land and defiled it. They ruined it with their idolatry,
78
00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:05.879
They ruined it with murder, They
ruined it in all kinds of ways that
79
00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:14.199
Ezekiel, the Lord, through Ezekiel
has recounted the Lord. In verse eighteen,
80
00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:18.639
we read poured out his wrath upon
them. Why for the blood that
81
00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:25.399
they shed in the land, for
the idols, which with the idols with
82
00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:32.000
which they had defiled it, Israel
had done unholy things. Israel had made
83
00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:35.759
the land unclean, and they were
judged for it. They were they were
84
00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:40.680
spit out of the land, they
were scattered to the nations. And in
85
00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:45.360
all that we see the great strength
of God in his judgment and his power.
86
00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:48.439
He doesn't wink its sin. He
doesn't ignore it. He may be
87
00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:53.160
patient about it, he may be
forbearing about it, he may be very
88
00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:58.360
merciful about it. But he will
judge it. He will judge it,
89
00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:03.079
and he does, and he makes
himself known this way. He doesn't allow
90
00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:07.800
his people to act like they are
God or they are in control forever.
91
00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:16.079
He will show that he and he
alone is God. But then what happens,
92
00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:22.000
A particular dynamic in the whole world
comes into con comes into play,
93
00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:26.720
and we read about it in verse
twenty. When they came to the nations,
94
00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:31.679
wherever they came, they profaned My
Holy name. Now, how is
95
00:08:31.679 --> 00:08:35.000
it that they profaned his name?
He explains it. And it's maybe not
96
00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:41.360
what you might first think. In
that the people said of them, these
97
00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:45.480
are the people of the Lord of
Yahweh, And yet they had to go
98
00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:50.480
out of his land. So here
God makes all these promises in the older
99
00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:54.399
parts of the Old Testament, to
Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob,
100
00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:01.000
to bless them, to increase these
uh this family, to make them as
101
00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:05.240
numerous as the stars, and to
dwell and to live and dwell with them
102
00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:09.960
securely in this land. And yet
they're not in the land, and yet
103
00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:16.480
they're scattered everywhere. This great,
awesome, beautiful family that was meant to
104
00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:22.480
be held together and strong together and
exemplify for all the world what love looked
105
00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:28.559
like, what it means to live
as a community fully in love with God
106
00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:33.480
and out of that loving each other. That was not here. Instead you
107
00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:41.440
have, you know, a land
that is desolate, cities wasted, people
108
00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:46.000
destroyed, crops dying, famine.
I mean, it's it's a horrible place,
109
00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:50.759
not a place that you would want
to live. As other parts of
110
00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:56.600
the scriptures say, that is the
Israel became like a byword, right,
111
00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:03.120
like when we talk about Chernobyl.
Right, what comes to mind when we
112
00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:05.600
think of places like this, with
these places that are just have been just
113
00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:13.799
destroyed and made useless and places you
don't want to go. The land of
114
00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:18.120
Israel was like that, the land
where God said he would put his name
115
00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:24.240
and make it to dwell. And
now because of their disobedience and and as
116
00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:28.399
a result the judgment that they received, the people are out in these other
117
00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:31.720
places and people and the nations are
looking them and saying, aren't they as
118
00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:41.320
Yahweh's people? Some God, some
people. Their sins were having repercussions.
119
00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:46.360
In other words, their sins were
creating yet more problems and more sin.
120
00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:52.799
So God responds to it in verse
twenty one. He says, I had
121
00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:56.639
concerned from my holy name, which
the House of Israel had profaned, among
122
00:10:56.679 --> 00:11:01.919
the nations to which they came.
And then what does he do? He
123
00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:09.679
just blasses them like crazy. He
says, I am going to take this
124
00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:16.639
situation of desolation, of death,
of of of idolatry, of uncleanliness,
125
00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:20.519
of impurity, um of and of
scattering, and I'm going to take it,
126
00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:26.799
and I'm gonna fix it all,
and I'm gonna make it so much
127
00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:33.399
better. Have you ever seen a
video. I saw a video this week
128
00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:39.440
where, um, this really surprising
thing happened where kind of something sort of
129
00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:43.120
came to life. It seemed like
it was dead, and it named a
130
00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:46.759
life. Of course, the videos
in reverse, right, um, you
131
00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:50.360
just reverse, you know. You
watch your apple crumbling on your counter and
132
00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:54.080
becoming worse and worse. You play
the video innivers it's like this gucky,
133
00:11:54.200 --> 00:12:01.360
terrible apple, right, and it's
really cool. Well that's just a trick,
134
00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:05.240
right, This is video running the
thing in reverse. But that's what
135
00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:13.000
God actually does and better. We
read in verse thirty five, this land
136
00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:18.320
that was desolate has become like the
Garden of Eden. And the waste and
137
00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:24.399
desolate, the and the waste and
desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and
138
00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:28.960
inhabited. Imagine that land. Imagine
it with just broken walls and you know,
139
00:12:30.080 --> 00:12:37.840
wheel barrels slaying around places, maybe
somebody wandering somewhere, and wild animals
140
00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:41.799
just moving around. A ghost town, a desolate town, a wasted town,
141
00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:46.159
and not just who knows what happened. Maybe the jobs went away.
142
00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:54.679
Everybody knows what happened, like a
sodom and gomorrah. God judged these people.
143
00:12:54.960 --> 00:13:03.720
And now plants literally, plants are
growing, rain is falling, swalls
144
00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:09.519
are rising, women are pregnant.
The there are people being gathered in,
145
00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:13.399
people worshiping God. The whole thing
is like running in reverse. But it's
146
00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:22.679
not a trick. It's the real
deal. It's an amazing thing. And
147
00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.679
so in this way, God makes
himself known, right, like I said,
148
00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:28.919
he makes himself known in his judgment, and he makes himself known in
149
00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:35.840
his grace, in amazing grace.
The song that we just sang, three
150
00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:43.399
we sang it twas grace that taught
my heart to fear, Twas grace that
151
00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:48.840
taught my heart to fear, and
grace my fears relieved. Right, God
152
00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:56.080
pours out his grace in such a
way on these people so that they would
153
00:13:56.200 --> 00:14:00.840
see He is God, they would
see him and know him as he is
154
00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:05.960
and fear him. And at the
same time, through all of this blessing
155
00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:09.559
that He's poured out on him,
he's removing every need that they would have
156
00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:16.440
to fear anything else, to fear
desolation, to fear defilement, to fear
157
00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:20.519
the attacks of enemies, to fear
a hunger. It's all going away.
158
00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:28.960
God's taken care of it all.
God makes himself known, and in particular,
159
00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:31.480
and here's the truth. I want
to hang on to this evening and
160
00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:41.200
really impress is that what God makes
known to us is that there is glory
161
00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:48.279
in God, glory, life,
shining, magnificent, wondrous, eden like
162
00:14:48.600 --> 00:15:00.279
and better things, but it is
in God alone. There's glory in God,
163
00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:05.399
there's life in God, but it
is in God alone. And God
164
00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:13.440
makes that point in this passage by
doing two things in particular. He tells
165
00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:16.279
us what he is going to give, and he tells us what he is
166
00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:20.919
going to take away. And I
want to just go through those with you
167
00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:24.919
briefly. Well, there's a lot
to think about here, and you know,
168
00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:28.200
we could, um, I could
preach a sermon on each one of
169
00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:33.559
these things, but we're just going
to list them for now. So what
170
00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:37.679
does God give? What kind of
glories does he pour out on his people?
171
00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:41.759
It starts in verse twenty four.
He says that he is going to
172
00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:46.480
gather them in from the nations.
Instead of them being scattered and dispersed a
173
00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:50.360
family all over the map, He's
going to gather and bring them back together.
174
00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:54.759
Number one. I won't continue numbering
them because it's a long list and
175
00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:58.039
I don't have them numbered here.
Um. Number two, though I can
176
00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:02.000
do that one number or two is
in verse twenty five. He says he's
177
00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:07.279
going to sprinkle them clean. This
is baptism language, and it is one
178
00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:11.759
reason why in case anybody's wondering why
we sprinkle, are uh we sprinkle in
179
00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:17.879
baptisms? What's one reason that that
might be legitimate? This is one reason
180
00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:22.039
is Ekiel, I will sprinkle clean
water on you, and you shall be
181
00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:26.320
clean from all your uncleannesses and from
your idols. I will cleanse you.
182
00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:30.039
I will give you a new heart
and a new spirit. Right. This
183
00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:34.879
language of new life, of rebirth, of resurrection, right, themes that
184
00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:38.159
we think of very often when we
think of baptism. They're all here,
185
00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:42.879
the work of the Holy Spirit cleansing
from impurity. And he talks about it
186
00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:48.399
in terms of sprinkling clean water on
them, which is why that is one
187
00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:52.039
legitimate mode for baptism. Now that's
an aside the point here. The main
188
00:16:52.080 --> 00:17:00.440
point is that God promises one to
gather them in to sprinkle them clean instead
189
00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:03.440
of defiled anymore. They are going
to be a clean people from all your
190
00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:07.839
idols. I will cleanse you.
Verse twenty six tells us that in addition
191
00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:11.160
to gathering them, in addition to
sprinkling and cleaning, them. He is
192
00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:18.160
going to give them a new heart. A fundamental change in who they are
193
00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:22.599
is going to happen. He's not
going to just tell them some new things
194
00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:27.000
to do, or give them some
more instructions, or sit them down again
195
00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:30.799
and say, listen, maybe you
didn't understand the law of the first time.
196
00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:37.440
He's not going to do that.
Instead, he's going to just change
197
00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:44.559
their heart completely. An amazing picture, a new heart. I will give
198
00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:47.720
you a new a spirit I will
give you. I will remove the heart
199
00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:51.440
of stone and give you a heart
of flesh. This is rebirth, this
200
00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:56.119
is life, This is resurrection,
language, new man, new people.
201
00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:00.880
All right, gather sprinkled, new
heart, new spirit, Remove the heart
202
00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:04.200
of stone. Verse seven. He
then says, on top of all these
203
00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:08.039
things, I will put my spirit
within you and cause you to walk in
204
00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:15.119
my statutes and be careful to obey
my rules. You couldn't do it before
205
00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:18.119
with your old heart. With your
old heart, I would command you to
206
00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:22.519
do things and you wouldn't do him. But now I'm going to give you
207
00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:27.359
a new heart, and I I
the Lord God, will cause you to
208
00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:33.319
walk in my rules. You will
be careful to obey them. Does a
209
00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:40.319
new life does a new heart produce
godliness, absolutely, because that's what hearts.
210
00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:45.200
God hearts do, God given hearts
do. When God begins and he
211
00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:48.279
works the new life in us,
he does it in such a way that
212
00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:56.160
we now walk in that life.
It's his work in us. We keep
213
00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.720
going. In verse twenty eight,
he says, you shall dwell on the
214
00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:02.519
land I gave to your fathers and
mothers. I shall be your God,
215
00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:06.079
You will be my people. Here
we have communion. On top of this,
216
00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:10.960
They're not just going to be individually
walking, walking, and UH with
217
00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:18.759
the Lord individually obeying, individually leading
lives that are directed towards love of Him
218
00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:25.279
and love of each other. But
they're gonna do it together together. There
219
00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:29.960
they will. They will come into
this land as a people with God over
220
00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:36.319
them, ruling them and loving them. The curse will be removed. We
221
00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:38.640
read in the next few verses,
like I talked about that great sort of
222
00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:44.440
reversing video. Um, here the
fruit of the tree will increase, The
223
00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:48.720
field will be abundant, and never
again will you discuss UH suffer the disgrace
224
00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:53.440
of famine. On top of that, they will express this new heart and
225
00:19:53.559 --> 00:20:00.119
repentance. This new heart will lead
to an attitude that instead of saying I
226
00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:03.039
don't need the Lord and I don't
need God, and I'm fine and I'm
227
00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:08.720
independent, and my sins aren't that
bad, everything changes in them and you
228
00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:14.799
have this picture instead Verse thirty one. You will remember your evil ways and
229
00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:18.920
your deeds that you were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your
230
00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:27.160
iniquities and your abominations. They are
going to come to repentance. They're gonna
231
00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:32.119
see their sin for what it really
is. They're gonna see the things that
232
00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:37.039
they have done, and instead of
excusing them or denying them or downplaying them,
233
00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:42.640
they're going to hate them as God
does. They're gonna loathe themselves.
234
00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:47.839
It's not a miner or a small
thing. They're gonna look at their lives
235
00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:52.480
according to that old stony heart and
say, ah, I hate that.
236
00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:56.079
I hate it, and I hate
it so much. I loathe that.
237
00:20:56.160 --> 00:21:03.359
I despise it. I want nothing
to do with it. He says,
238
00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:10.200
he will rebuild them, not only
their hearts, but their cities. The
239
00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:14.440
land that was desolate shall be tilled, it shall be brought for it will
240
00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:18.559
bring forth life. It will become
like the garden of Eden. And then,
241
00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:23.480
of course At the end in verse
Versus thirty seven and thirty eight,
242
00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:30.039
he says, I this will for
those of you who were discussing prayer with
243
00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:32.880
me this morning. I think you'll
find this interesting when he says, I
244
00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:37.279
will let the House of Israel asked
me to do for this for them.
245
00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:41.079
He's gonna let them ask it,
and then he's gonna do it. And
246
00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:45.680
what is it he what is it
that they will do? They will increase
247
00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:51.400
like a flock, like the flocks
that were brought in for Jerusalem for the
248
00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:55.599
great sacrifices, where the city is
just teeming with animals. God uses that
249
00:21:55.720 --> 00:22:02.240
picture of worship for a picture of
his people not being sacrificed for their sins,
250
00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:07.160
but giving their lives in a sacrifice
of praise, living their lives in
251
00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:12.119
the full knowledge and trust that He
is the Lord and he alone. It's
252
00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:17.000
the Lord. That's what God is
giving to them. I mean, this
253
00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:21.079
is this is everything right. He's
going to gather them in, he's gonna
254
00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:23.119
clean them, he's gonna give him
a new heart. He's gonna unite them
255
00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:26.799
in love. They're gonna have this
great relationship with him. The place that
256
00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:32.480
they live is going to be secure
and strong. They're going to be repenting
257
00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:38.240
of their old sins and just growing
and beautifying and flowering. That's what God
258
00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:47.680
promises to give amazing grace. Yeah, I think that's fair. It is
259
00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:52.599
really amazing. And so this is
the glory that God gives. This is
260
00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:57.200
what it means to live in His
glory, to experience life in him.
261
00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:03.359
These are pictures of that for us. But as I mentioned, God not
262
00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:07.839
only gives something in this passage and
explains what he gives, he also takes
263
00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:15.319
away. What does he take away? Well, as he gives his own
264
00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:22.960
glory to them, he takes away
theirs, he takes away their's. Look
265
00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:26.920
at verse twenty two. Therefore,
say to the House of Israel, Thus
266
00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:30.960
says the Lord God, it is
not for your sake, o, House
267
00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.880
of Israel, that I am about
to act, but for the sake of
268
00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:40.799
my Holy name. It is not
for your sake, but for my sake
269
00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:45.839
and the sake of my Holy name. Now there is a way in which
270
00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:52.359
God is acting for their sake,
for their benefits. So, for example,
271
00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:56.759
this morning we read in Titus one
through four that Paul comes as God's
272
00:23:56.759 --> 00:24:02.599
servant um for the It says Paul
a servant of God and apostle of Jesus
273
00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:07.759
Christ, for the sake of the
faith of God's elect and their knowledge of
274
00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:14.839
the truth which accords with godliness and
the hope of eternal life. So Titus
275
00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:18.839
Paul says, Paul, sent from
God, says, I am coming for
276
00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:22.279
your sake, for your benefit,
and he gives specific things which will talk
277
00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:26.640
about next Sunday morning. So what
does the Lord mean here when he says
278
00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:30.640
it's not for your sake. Well, clearly it's for their benefit, right,
279
00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:34.160
because he's pouring out all kinds of
benefits on them. He's not saying
280
00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:38.200
they received no benefit, just the
opposite. But what he is saying is,
281
00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:42.240
at a fundamental level, he is
doing this first and foremost for the
282
00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:48.519
sake of his name, and not
for their name. For His glory,
283
00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:52.920
not for their glory. We see
that in verse twenty two, and he
284
00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:56.920
keeps repeating it over and over verse
twenty three. I will vindicate the holiness
285
00:24:56.920 --> 00:25:02.480
of my great name, my great
name, he says, and the end
286
00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:06.839
of that verse, I will vindicate
my holiness before their eyes, I I
287
00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:11.680
I. The Lord keeps emphasizing and
underlining this point that it is about him.
288
00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:15.440
Look at verse thirty six is another
example, and there are many.
289
00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:19.759
He says, then the nations that
are are left around you shall know that
290
00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:25.200
I am the Lord. I have
rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which
291
00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:29.160
is desolate. I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will
292
00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:34.200
do it. I I I I
am the one is really who is rebuilding.
293
00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:37.359
I am the one who is judging. I am the one whom the
294
00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:41.480
nations will look out and know that
I am the Lord. In other words,
295
00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:44.359
they're not going to come into the
land of Israel. Everything will flower
296
00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:47.000
and build up, and they'll say, man, those people finally got their
297
00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:52.440
act together. I finally finally started
doing the right thing. What a glorious,
298
00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:56.440
amazing people, what an amazing kingdom. That's not what God is after.
299
00:25:56.559 --> 00:26:00.000
That's not the goal. Now,
people say me, may say amazing
300
00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:04.799
things about Israel and Jerusalem and these
kinds of things, but ultimately he wants
301
00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:12.720
them saying things about him, praising
him, honoring him, glorifying him.
302
00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:18.240
We even see the flip side of
this coin when he says in verse thirty
303
00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:22.839
two, um verse yes, verse
thirty two, it is not for your
304
00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:26.319
sake that I will act, declares
the Lord let that be known to you,
305
00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:30.640
all right. He's very clear about
this. He then adds this amazing
306
00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:37.319
statement, be ashamed and confounded for
your ways, O House of Israel.
307
00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:52.000
I don't know if that reaction,
that particular reaction is always encouraged in our
308
00:26:52.079 --> 00:27:00.160
churches, being ashamed and confounded upon
receiving the grace of God. Now there
309
00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:07.400
are other great reactions, right praising
Him, having joy in him, celebrating
310
00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:12.240
in him. Those are also appropriate, being filled with gratitude. But I
311
00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:15.400
think it's fair to stop and say, for a moment, but this is
312
00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:22.160
also appropriate and even desired by God, to be in shamed and confounded for
313
00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:29.119
our ways. When God, let
me read again those words from Amazing Grace
314
00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:36.119
towards grace that taught my heart to
fear and grace my fears relieved. How
315
00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:42.279
do we come to a place where
we stop giving glory to ourselves, where
316
00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:47.319
instead we look at ourselves and we
feel a sense of shame. We look
317
00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.680
at the words of God and we
say, I don't even know what to
318
00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:52.519
make all of this. This is
too much, this is too good.
319
00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:59.720
I don't even have the words to
describe what is happening to us right now,
320
00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:03.480
as we see all of this judgment
being reversed. The next chapter,
321
00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:07.920
the Valley of Dry Bones, God
is going to raise this army out of
322
00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:12.759
death. Right, it's the same
thing going on here. It's confounding.
323
00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:21.160
It's almost unbelievable, except of course, that it is the Lord who's doing
324
00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:26.000
it. And that's why it's believable. And that's why when we can look
325
00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:30.279
at our ways and we can look
at we are are, we are changed.
326
00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:36.359
We are changed by the work of
God in us. And so that's
327
00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:40.039
why I say what God is doing
in this passage is he is telling us
328
00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:48.000
that there is glory in God.
Absolutely, it's life giving, its life
329
00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:53.200
saving, and it will bring you
much joy. But it's only in God
330
00:28:53.279 --> 00:29:00.720
alone. And when we recognize that, we begin to see ourselves new ways.
331
00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:06.079
Instead of depending on ourselves, we
depend on Him. Instead of being
332
00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:11.640
proud of our works, we are
ashamed of them, instead of being trusting,
333
00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:15.319
and the things that we do,
we are confounded by them. Why
334
00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:21.640
by being confounded in a way by
His grace. It's his grace that brings
335
00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:27.519
this about in us. It's his
grace that brings about this change. Another
336
00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:33.720
way to put this is, in
addition to raising us up or before raising
337
00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:38.559
us up, God takes us down. He humbles us, and he shows
338
00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:42.599
us who we really are, so
that we and the rest of the world
339
00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:52.799
might know that he and he a
loaned is the Lord. Why does God
340
00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:56.599
do this? I want to close
with this. Why does God do this?
341
00:29:56.720 --> 00:30:02.119
Why does he give so much and
then kind of humiliate us along the
342
00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:06.440
way? Why does God bless us
with all of these blessings and then at
343
00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:11.720
the same time saying this doesn't have
anything to do with you. It is
344
00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:18.799
kind of hard to hold all together. I think he gives us all of
345
00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:26.359
these things, and yet he just
strips away our independence, just every last
346
00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:30.119
plank of it. He just won't
let us have any of it, not
347
00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:33.880
a single shred are we left to
hang onto and say, well, at
348
00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:37.680
least there was no nothing, no
nothing, It is eye and alone.
349
00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:42.799
Why does he do this? There's
so many reasons. I'll mention just a
350
00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:48.400
couple. One. I think one
reason is because if he did leave us
351
00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:52.920
some measure of independence, even like
the tiniest little bit of light, the
352
00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:59.519
tiniest little bit of of glory,
then he wouldn't be the one true God.
353
00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:10.000
God. The God is the only
God. It is impossible for there
354
00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:15.759
to exist. You know a billion
or many billions of other gods who all
355
00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:21.920
get little bits of glory here and
there. And He, the most God,
356
00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:26.519
is not on some sort of scale
of being or scale of glory.
357
00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:33.119
He is entirely unto himself in an
entirely unique way, in a way that's
358
00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:40.079
different from everything else. It is, in other words, impossible, according
359
00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:45.240
to his own divine being, to
give glory anywhere but to himself alone.
360
00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:55.400
A second reason God makes sure to
strip away all of our independence, all
361
00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:59.119
of our hope in ourselves, and
to give all glory to him and to
362
00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:04.240
him alone, is because God loves
you, and he wants you to have
363
00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:12.079
real life, real hope, and
real life and real hope does not come
364
00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:16.079
to us through our own glory.
It does not come to us through our
365
00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:22.880
own good works, as the whole
life of Israel hopefully has proven to you,
366
00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:27.440
as we have gone through these passages, and as we have seen a
367
00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:31.880
nation that had the law, that
had they had the law, so clearly
368
00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:40.200
had God in these wonderful ways,
and yet failed to obey him. Life
369
00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:52.000
only comes through faith in Him,
not through our personal obedience to Him.
370
00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:57.200
And as long as we're hanging on
to some measure of that we we lose
371
00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:00.559
something of him, and he doesn't
want that for us. He loves us,
372
00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:05.240
He loves you, and he wants
you to have the gathering in the
373
00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:08.799
communion and the life, even eternal
life. He wants you to be clean,
374
00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:14.599
and so he's not going to leave
you to yourself. Praise God,
375
00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:19.799
right, Praise God that he doesn't
leave me, and say, all right,
376
00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:23.799
Christopher, go ahead and do your
best again, try a little bit
377
00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:29.519
harder at this time, because he
knows exactly what will happen. I will
378
00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:35.799
fail, just like I have time
and time and time before. But because
379
00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:38.839
he loves me, and because he
loves you, he steps into that mess
380
00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:44.519
of sin, that fallen man,
that heart of stone, and he changes
381
00:33:44.640 --> 00:33:51.440
us, and he causes us.
He acts on us in such a way
382
00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:59.599
that we now live for him and
truly repent of our sins. If I
383
00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:01.839
could put it this way, in
order to live, we have to first
384
00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:07.720
die. We have to come to
an end of ourselves. And this,
385
00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:12.000
of course is all a picture of
the cross. It's a picture of the
386
00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:15.320
work of Jesus Christ. When we
look at Jesus and we see the work
387
00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:19.079
that God has done. We see
exactly all the things that he's talking about
388
00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:23.079
here. We see that it's our
sins that put him on that cross,
389
00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:28.280
And if we are honest about it, we can't. We don't have any
390
00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:34.280
excuse for that anymore. If the
Son of God has to die in that
391
00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:39.360
way, well, then I have
no no grounds for my own righteousness,
392
00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:45.000
right, I have no ground for
that. When we look at the cross
393
00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:49.960
of Christ and we see what our
Lord has to go through in order for
394
00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:53.039
us to be saved, all pride
is gone. At least it should be.
395
00:34:54.800 --> 00:35:00.679
We should become ashamed and confounded about
our ways. We should to remember
396
00:35:00.800 --> 00:35:04.719
our evil ways and see that our
deeds are not good. And when we
397
00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:08.639
see the cross and think about what
Jesus had to do, we loathe ourselves
398
00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:17.519
and we don't want to be us
anymore. Get away from ourselves even we
399
00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:24.440
come to a point through God's gracious
work in Christ, which begins here into
400
00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:30.360
other passages of the Old Testament,
we see that work of Christ and we
401
00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:38.440
see that we have nothing to offer, and that He's offering us the world
402
00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:47.800
that in that same act of suffering
there is victory. Colossians talks about the
403
00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:54.719
record of debts and its legal demands
being nailed to the cross. It talks
404
00:35:54.760 --> 00:36:00.880
about Satan and all of our enemies
being paraded in open shame at the death
405
00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:08.559
of Jesus as he conquers sin and
death. When we see the cross,
406
00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:14.440
when we see God's work pointing towards
that here in Ezekiel, we let go
407
00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:20.519
of our works, We let go
of our sins, and we give ourselves
408
00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:27.519
entirely to God and to his work. I have rebuilt the ruined places.
409
00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:30.719
I have replanted that which is desolate. I am the Lord. I have
410
00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:37.360
spoken, I will do it.
All glory be to God. And because
411
00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:45.840
all glorious to God. You are
saved because you're not on your independent little
412
00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:51.400
self anymore, trying to live out
your life and your own strength and your
413
00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:59.639
own righteousness and in your own scare
quotes glory right. You are a son
414
00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:05.760
of God. You are a daughter
of God, living in the riches of
415
00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:15.280
your Father and his love for you. In Holy, Holy, Holy,
416
00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:22.119
another hymn we sang this evening.
We're saying, all thy works shall praise
417
00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:28.320
thy name, and that's what we
are. I think. The hymn goes
418
00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:31.079
on to say something about creation,
heaven, and earth. But it applies
419
00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:37.079
to us, doesn't it are we
are His works. I have rebuilt,
420
00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:40.599
I have replanted, I have given
the new heart, I have caused you
421
00:37:40.679 --> 00:37:45.079
to walk in my statutes and my
rules, God's works, and so we
422
00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:51.480
are. Does our praise come from
It comes from God doing this work in
423
00:37:51.639 --> 00:38:00.280
us. When we struggle to make
our independence from God, our self sufficiency
424
00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:05.760
from God, and our sins against
God. When we struggle to make those
425
00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:10.519
look like they're worthy of glory,
to look like they're good enough, or
426
00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:19.119
to look like maybe we can earn
something, we fall short of His glory.
427
00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:27.000
We fall short and do not receive
the promises that are here because that's
428
00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:30.960
kind of what we want. We
say, I want to do it on
429
00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:36.119
my own, and to be on
our own means to be away from all
430
00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:44.199
of this. To be on our
own means that we are self condemned and
431
00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:49.960
that we have all fallen short of
the glory of God. But when we
432
00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:53.079
put our faith in Him alone,
when we put our faith in Him and
433
00:38:53.320 --> 00:39:01.440
his work in his doing, then
we're simply free, just free, free
434
00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:08.440
to just enjoy. It makes me
picture this is really weird, but it
435
00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:14.480
makes me picture a guy on a
beach in a in a box like a
436
00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:19.199
refrigerator box, right, and it's
totally dark, and he's gonna he's gonna
437
00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:22.800
relax today, right, and he's
he's gonna enjoy and soak up the rays.
438
00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:29.840
And he's gonna do it by commanding
the sun into existence right there in
439
00:39:29.880 --> 00:39:36.280
his dark little refrigerator box. And
he can yell and scream all day,
440
00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:39.119
he can wish and hope, and
he can scrape. I don't know what
441
00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:45.360
you would do. I don't scrape
the walls. Whatever. Nothing is going
442
00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:49.639
to happen. And it's sad,
right, it's sad too, because he's
443
00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:52.639
on the beach, right. All
he has to do is get out of
444
00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:57.920
his box. Stop trying to live
in this place. Stop trying to say
445
00:39:58.039 --> 00:40:01.440
I will create the sun. Just
stop doing that and go enjoy the sun.
446
00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:07.679
That's what's being offered to you.
It's like that for us as well.
447
00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:12.599
When God comes to us and he
speaks to us and the cross,
448
00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:15.760
he's saying, just come and enjoy
me. It's all a gift. It's
449
00:40:15.800 --> 00:40:21.000
all free. In fact, I'm
telling you you can't do any of it.
450
00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:22.199
I will do it, and I
will do it all for you.
451
00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:28.800
So don't stay in your box.
Don't keep trying to do it on your
452
00:40:28.800 --> 00:40:32.480
own, don't keep waiting and relying
on your own strength and on the things
453
00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:40.280
of this world. Just enjoy his
and receive it. The scriptures say the
454
00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:50.639
righteous shall live by faith, faith
alone, in Christ alone, to God
455
00:40:50.880 --> 00:40:57.679
alone be the glory. Let's pray, our heavenly Father, thank you for
456
00:40:57.719 --> 00:41:01.920
the work that you have done among
us, your children. How loving you
457
00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:06.920
are, how strong you are,
how gracious you are. You have given
458
00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:12.239
us new life and a life that
will not die, life that is bound
459
00:41:12.320 --> 00:41:19.360
up in the very resurrection of Jesus
Christ himself, the first fruits of the
460
00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:25.119
resurrection, the living from the dead. And Lord, as we see these
461
00:41:25.159 --> 00:41:31.480
works in ourselves and in our brothers
and sisters, let's rejoice. Teach us
462
00:41:31.480 --> 00:41:37.079
to give you praise, to lift
up your name and say, Wow,
463
00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:43.360
look what you're doing, Look what
you've done. Lord. We thank you
464
00:41:43.440 --> 00:41:45.880
for the spirit that you have put
into us. We thank you for the
465
00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:50.760
life that you have given to us, a life that allows us to truly
466
00:41:50.840 --> 00:41:55.599
repent and to truly hate that old
man in us. Help us to put
467
00:41:55.639 --> 00:42:01.320
the flesh to death and to live
life by the spirit of God who is
468
00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:07.199
in us, Let your ways be
known to us, Let your character be
469
00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:10.719
known to us. Let your grace
be known to us, that we might
470
00:42:10.880 --> 00:42:15.920
sing of it, that we might
glory in it, that we might enjoy
471
00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:22.639
it, and that we might share
it with others, that they too might
472
00:42:22.760 --> 00:42:30.400
live and enjoy the Son of God. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen,
