WEBVTT 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:27.359 The scripture reading this morning is in Isaiah chapter 2, verse 1 to 5. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:47.200 The word that Isaiah, the son of Amos, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established at the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills, and all the nations shall flow to it. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:01:03.039 And many people shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, Jacob, that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his path. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:09.120 For all of Sion shall go for the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:20.879 He shall judge between the nations and shall decide disputes for many peoples, for many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plows, and their spurs into pruning hooks. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:26.560 Nations shall not lift up swords against nations, neither shall they learn war anymore. 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:30.000 O house of Jacob, come let us walk into the light of the Lord. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:31.280 So it's God's word. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:41.120 It is great to be with you this morning. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:46.480 As we begin this Advent season. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:59.040 And as I was thinking about this Advent season, I was thinking about how things around us often get in the way of us enjoying what we have been called to enjoy. 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:32.240 And I feel like what's happened out there today is quite an example of that because life can seem so busy and so hectic at this time of year, and yet this time of year, this season is a season in which we are called to slow down, to have a time where we get to just fix our eyes upon our Savior, a time in which we get to remember what he did for us all those years ago, and as we look forward to his coming again. 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:34.800 So that is my prayer for us. 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:42.719 That this time, this space, this moment, by his spirit, through his word, we would just be still. 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:53.280 That we would push away the noise, the craziness, and that we would be able to see our glorious, beautiful Savior. 00:02:54.240 --> 00:03:00.560 I know in this room, uh what I'm about to share for some of us is just gonna resonate. 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:10.719 You are just gonna enjoy this, you are gonna be here with me, you're gonna, in your mind's eye, picture exactly what I am speaking about. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:17.199 And then there's others of you who will probably probably resent every word. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:20.240 You might resist wanting to even listen. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:22.159 So the Lord of the Rings. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:26.400 Now, this is a wonderful film. 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:31.120 What a book! I don't think that's ever been said here, so I'll just say it. 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:41.599 And at the end of the Two Towers, there is this scene, this moment, where Frodo is feeling at the end of himself. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:51.840 They have been fighting their way to Mordor, and the impact of the ring has been growing and growing upon Frodo. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:56.800 The darkness and its evil power has been growing. 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:01.919 And Sam and Frodo have experienced setback after setback. 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:16.399 It feels so hopeless, and with the Nazgul flying overhead, with their mission seemingly hopeless, with such darkness all around them. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:22.079 Sam speaks to encourage Frodo with these words. 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:30.480 It is like the great stories, the ones that really mattered. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:34.160 Full of darkness and danger they were. 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:38.000 And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:41.839 Because how could the end be happy? 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:48.560 How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:52.959 But in the end, it's only a passing thing. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:58.160 This shadow, even darkness must pass. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:05.920 A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:10.480 This story is just a story. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:16.639 And yet the sentiment of Psalm's words should resonate with us all. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:23.199 We know that it is so hard at times to see the light because of the darkness. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:28.720 It can at times feel overwhelming. 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:33.759 Each of us have felt darkness in our lives. 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:37.759 It touches us all, it impacts our lives. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:51.279 Moments of brokenness you experience personally, a broken relationship, and and you just don't understand with such pain and hurt how it ended up in this place. 00:05:52.959 --> 00:06:01.360 Or an incredibly difficult health diagnosis, which the outcome just looks devastating. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:07.120 Or the loss of a job, and and you have no clue what the future holds for you. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:13.600 This is our life, this is our experiences, this is our world. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:19.519 And yet the darkness goes much further than just our personal experience. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:25.120 You don't need to look hard to see the brokenness in this world. 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:28.399 It's impossible to miss it. 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:34.399 Whether it's war, famine, abuse, the list is endless. 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:39.279 Acts of unimaginable cruelty. 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:44.720 At times the darkness can feel overwhelming. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:50.000 We can wonder: is there truly any hope for us? 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:52.000 For our world? 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:56.000 We are in desperate need. 00:06:56.240 --> 00:07:01.600 We are in desperate need to gaze, our gaze to be lifted up. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:13.279 Lifted from the situations we are in, lifted from the emotions we feel, lifted from the experiences we have to see and hear our God speaking. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:15.439 This is what we need. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:30.399 Isaiah writes this book during the decline of Israel, in dark moments within their history, a moment in which they are facing even darker days. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:33.439 They are about to go into exile. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:43.759 Assyria is coming to conquer Judah, to bring them from the land, and yet within the darkness, within the brokenness, God speaks. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:49.519 God speaks, making clear his plans and purposes. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:56.720 We see that in verse 1, the word that Isaiah, the son of Amal, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:08:06.959 You see, for these people and for us, it is in those moments, in these moments, we need to hear God. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:27.600 In the dark moments, this is where we need to fix our gaze upon Him and allow Him to remind us of who He is, to know that He is not absent, He is not ignoring us, His love is not removed from us. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:45.360 God is working, God is present in these moments, unfolding His plans and purposes, breaking through the darkness, a darkness that can never and will never overcome Him. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:56.639 Because for us, unlike the first hearers, we can see that this isn't just about what is coming, but what has already come. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:10.159 That we get the joy, the privilege in this season to celebrate both the first Advent in Jesus coming, but also we look forward to the second when He will return. 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:15.519 Throughout history, kingdoms have come and gone. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:19.600 But God's kingdom is forever. 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:23.679 His kingdom is the kingdom we all long for. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:30.000 His kingdom is the kingdom that he came to reveal to us. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:38.159 A kingdom that has begun and will fully one day be realized when Christ returns. 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:50.240 That though we are traveling through darkness all around us with struggles and pains, the light has come. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:54.000 And this is where we need to fix our gaze. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:55.519 Upon the light. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:00.000 And because he has come, we can be confident he will return. 00:10:00.799 --> 00:10:14.159 So what I want for us is for us to see, see the king and his kingdom, a kingdom that is an exalted kingdom, a magnetic kingdom, and a peaceful kingdom. 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:18.000 Hopefully the points will appear on the screen. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:18.879 Here we go. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:20.159 An exalted kingdom. 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.120 Lovely. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.679 Verse 2, read with me. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:34.960 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be lifted up above the hills. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:41.279 The imagery here is used to make a point about God and his kingdom. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:49.200 Throughout the Bible we find mountains being used, referred to at key moments. 00:10:49.600 --> 00:11:03.360 Whether it is the call to Abraham to go and sacrifice Isaac on a mountain, or where the Lord meets with Moses on Mount Sinai, or Jesus on many occasions going to a mountain. 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:11.840 Mountains hold significance, but the imagery of the mountain would not just resonate with God's people. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:15.440 This imagery would resonate with the nations. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:27.519 At this time, historically, people would have believed that mountains were the place where gods would dwell, where the gods would be, where they lived. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:30.559 So the imagery is unsurprising. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:39.039 What Isaiah is describing is what God in part has done, and then what he is doing. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:49.120 That he is not just abandoning his creation, no matter how dark it feels at times, but rather he is coming. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:12:00.320 Coming to establish his dwelling, his presence for all to see, to once and for all reveal himself to be above all others, without question. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:04.320 The one whose kingdom does not compare to any other. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.919 Do you see that in the text? 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:14.960 In the latter days, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted above the hills. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:21.840 This kingdom and the king of this kingdom have no one to compare to. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:25.519 It is an exalted kingdom above every other. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:29.039 It is lifted up above all others. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:32.639 And in this there is no stopping it. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:38.320 Isaiah is not describing an idea or an aspiration here. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:43.840 He isn't saying this in a way that he thinks this might happen. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:49.440 He's saying it with confidence, declaring this is going to happen. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:55.039 Because unlike any other kingdom, there is no doubt. 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:57.840 There's no uncertainty. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:00.399 Look around the world right now. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:09.600 The war in Ukraine, the situation in North Korea, the unrest in China and Iran, the situation in Afghanistan. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.039 It can feel so destabilizing. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:23.440 But we need to understand, we need to rest in the fact that every kingdom has fallen and every present kingdom will fall. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:27.840 But when we look to God's kingdom, his kingdom will never. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.759 It can never. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:33.039 This is what he is doing. 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:36.480 He is working all things in one direction. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:41.360 The mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:43.759 Utter confidence. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.559 Because it is his kingdom. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:50.720 God is laying out his clear plan and purpose. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.919 In this moment, can you imagine the people? 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:56.000 The uncertainty. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:58.639 They are headed towards exile. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:01.679 And in this moment, God is declaring this. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:06.159 This is who he is. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:13.440 Because whenever we begin to believe God is not in control, we miss him. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:17.039 We are not seeing him for who he is. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:22.960 The God of the Bible is working everything under his sovereign rule. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:27.360 If you read his word, it is inescapable. 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:32.240 This is what we are seeing in this text. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:37.679 Being exalted above all other powers and authorities. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:49.919 And yet, I think when we think about that, when I, if I were to ask you, what has your experience been with authority? 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:54.720 I suspect for most of us it hasn't always been positive. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:15:05.679 Or when we think about the perception of those who hold and have power, I don't think it's going to be fully positive. 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:15.360 Sadly, our experience of what we've seen and what we personally have experienced has been a lot of abuse at times. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:18.639 Abuse of power, abuse of authority. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:24.399 It is often what we think when we think about these things. 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:27.120 This idea of authority and power. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:34.399 We have just seen case after case, situation after situation, and it can make us despair. 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:41.679 But there is a wonderful clear reason you and I can rejoice in the coming of this kingdom. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:52.080 There is a clear reason you and I can have confidence in this kingdom because the kingdom is ruled by the true king. 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:59.840 And when we gaze upon the king, we find him to be like no other. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:10.399 At Advent we reflect and we gaze upon the king who does not use and abuse his power and authority. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:19.360 The king who does not seek his own interests, but reveals himself to be the one you can trust in. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:24.879 The king who lowers himself in order that we might be invited to come. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:32.639 The king who comes not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:47.120 Jesus Christ come as a baby, laying down his power and authority, experiencing and embracing poverty, embracing rejection, embracing suffering. 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.080 Do you see that? 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:54.720 Do you truly see him? 00:16:56.960 --> 00:17:00.240 Do you appreciate what we get to celebrate? 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:04.000 He has always existed. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.759 He is the eternal one. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:11.200 Jesus has no lack, no need, no want. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:18.240 He has been in perfect unity with God the Father and the Spirit. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.599 Jesus never had to come. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:32.079 But as God Himself with complete power and authority, what we see in the King of the kingdom is a laying down. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:42.799 Even though he is the one with all power and authority, he chooses to act for us, for you, for me. 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:48.480 To reveal his glory and grace to us. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:58.160 Not by domineering over us, not by simply demanding of us, but rather humbling himself. 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:07.039 Unlike any other power and authority we have ever or will ever see, this is who he is. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:11.440 When you see him, do you see him for who he is? 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:34.319 Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:36.160 This is the king. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:43.519 The way of his kingdom is to be displayed through complete humility. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:48.079 It is the king who is never self-seeking. 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:55.680 This is glorious, a king who gladly lays down his life, that we could come. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:07.119 It is due to his humility, his willingness, his obedience to his father, that he is the exalted one. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:26.559 Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confessed that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:37.279 We are in a moment within redemptive history, often referred to the now and not yet. 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:42.240 That when Jesus came as a baby, he came to bring his kingdom. 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:48.079 But we know his kingdom, though established, is only experienced in part. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:54.400 The day is coming when all will see and know the true King. 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:57.519 No one will question again. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:07.759 All will know, all will bow to his power and authority. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:13.119 The one who shows himself to be above all others. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:16.559 Do you belong to this kingdom? 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:22.559 Is your life actually oriented around this king? 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:28.880 What is clear is we either are or we are not. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:32.559 You're either in the kingdom or not in the kingdom. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:39.839 And the truth is here, we need to see it, we need to recognize God's kingdom for what it truly is. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.440 We are drawn toward it. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:48.960 We are transformed by it because it is a magnetic kingdom. 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.720 Look at the end of verse 2. 00:20:50.880 --> 00:21:04.880 All the nations shall flow to it, and many people shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.359 Notice what's happening. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:12.240 The nations are flowing up the mountain. 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:15.759 Now you might not like geography, that's okay. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:22.000 But if we think about a river, we know that rivers flow downhill, not uphill. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:30.480 That this is a picture, this is an image that is speaking to the attractional nature of God's kingdom. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:43.359 The image of people coming to God, unable to resist coming to Him, seeing His beauty and glory for what it is. 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.400 This is our story. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:51.920 I don't know who you are, all of you, some of you I know. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:56.400 But if you know and love Jesus, this is your story. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.759 Logic did not get you here. 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:02.640 Trusting in Jesus. 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:06.880 It may have helped, but it did not get you there. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:13.039 It is in the face and the beauty of Christ Himself that we surrender our lives. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:21.119 It is in his glory, when we see it for what it truly is, that is what transforms us. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:26.000 Unable to resist Him. 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:29.680 These people come to the one true God. 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:32.960 They submit their lives to the one true King. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:46.559 And it's so key that even in this moment, as God declares this to his covenant people, we understand the nations are in full view. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:23:00.640 From the beginning, God has had a plan and a purpose for not one single ethnicity, for not one singular people group, but for people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:06.880 The God of the Bible has always been about bringing people to himself. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.720 This is who he is. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:13.839 The challenge for you and I is whether is this our heart? 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:18.960 Is this something you are united to God in? 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:25.839 Do you have a heart to see men, women, young people, children come to know him? 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:30.160 Do you have a heart for those who do not know? 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:33.359 Do you grieve for their loss? 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:45.920 Do you have a heart for the nations, the many people around this world who have never heard the name of Jesus and are in desperate need of a Savior? 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:49.519 Because this is God's heart. 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:56.559 And if we come to know him as Lord and Savior, then our hearts should be for what he is for. 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:06.240 That we would be passionate to be used by him, walking faithfully before him for his glory and the good of all people. 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.880 This is a joy. 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:15.200 We cannot and should not try to pretend this is for someone else. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:20.000 If you know and love Jesus, then this is a call to you. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.160 What is happening? 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:24.079 Look at what's happening here. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.839 They have heard the invitation. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.880 What do they say? 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:32.079 Come, let us go up the mountain to the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.480 Do you get that? 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:42.319 The people are proclaiming to those around them, come, let us go up. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:48.880 That is not God saying those things, that is the people saying those things. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:55.599 Declaring to others, come, come, come see the one who is glorious. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:59.359 Come see the king and his kingdom. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:04.160 The question is to you, to me, is so simple. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:06.640 Who are we inviting to come? 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:14.079 Who are you pursuing, longing, praying, might see Christ Jesus for who he is? 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:22.480 To see the power of his life, death, and resurrection, to come to saving faith in him. 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:29.920 Because if we truly appreciate what God has done for us, then this will be our response. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:32.720 We will not be able to contain it. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:41.440 The only way we have been invited to come is because he chose to come, to make it possible for us to approach. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:49.440 A few chapters later in Isaiah, we get these verses, which are very well known. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:52.000 And we see Isaiah having this vision. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:57.920 And he comes before the Lord God Himself, who is sat on the throne in chapter 6. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:17.519 And in this moment he recognizes before a holy God he is utterly and completely undone, declaring, Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and because my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of armies. 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:28.880 Before a holy God, God Himself, fully holy, none of us can stand. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.720 We need to realize that. 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:39.680 Because what is happening here, this image is astonishing. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.000 Come, let us go up the mountain. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:44.000 That is astonishing. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:54.799 That we all, due to our rejection of God, the Creator God, due to our desire to live life our way, deserve his wrath and judgment. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:27:11.920 And yet the picture of these people flowing up the mountain to be with their God, the picture of us flowing up the mountain to be with our God is only because, not because we are worthy, not because we deserve it, but because he has acted. 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:15.039 He has done what we could never do. 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:18.640 He has done what we could never imagine him to do. 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:21.759 The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:28.160 Because the way we are able to go up this hill is because he went up another hill. 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:37.920 The hill of Calvary, facing our judgment, facing our rejection, facing death upon that cross. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:46.720 God's wrath poured out upon him instead of us, choosing to embrace all that we deserve. 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:53.440 In order that we might declare, come, let us go up to the mountain of our Lord. 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:59.680 It is tragic, it is tragic when we take this for granted. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:13.839 When I take this for granted, when I'm not captured by awe out the wonder of what he has done, that we get to come before God. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:19.359 That even now in his place he is with us by his spirit. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:30.559 That he calls us to come, declared righteous before him, viewed as sons and daughters, all because of Jesus. 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:38.880 Brother, sister in Christ, let us not allow this Advent season to just slip past us. 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:44.880 Let's not neglect what Christ has died for us to achieve. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:49.599 Do not let yourself to become numb toward the gospel. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:57.440 Consider how you might be stirred once again toward the beauty and the wonder of your Savior. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:06.640 None of us have earned the right to be called righteous, and yet by his grace we are. 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:28.640 Because in Isaiah's vision, I want you to just hear what happens. 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.519 So he is ruined, remember? 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:35.279 He thinks he is done because he's seen a holy God. 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.480 He deserves death. 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:37.519 And what happens? 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:45.119 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongues. 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:55.119 He touched my mouth and said with it and said, Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed, and your sin is atoned for. 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:58.799 Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking, Who will I send? 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:01.359 Who will go for us? 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:05.440 I said, Here I am, send me. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:23.519 See, when we grasp the depth of what has happened for us, when we truly allow our hearts to be stirred again and again by the beauty and the wonder of the gospel, then our natural reaction will be to go. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:27.200 To be, yes, Lord, use me. 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:38.640 I am here, as weak as I am, use me, gladly proclaiming the glory of the one who is truly glorious. 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:44.960 I get times sharing our faith can be daunting. 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:47.440 I get it, I appreciate that. 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:55.039 But when we allow ourselves to actually dwell on this, there will be no stopping. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:57.359 There will be no stopping you. 00:30:57.519 --> 00:31:03.440 The more you capture this, the more you can't help but declare it. 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:06.480 This is what we need to see here. 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:14.799 Joy that is contagious, joy that overflows to those around us in the joy of our salvation. 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:23.200 Understanding the gospel, seeing what Christ has done, gladly learning from him. 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:27.759 We don't reluctantly submit to him. 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:32.559 We know that his paths are the paths of life. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:48.720 As people in his kingdom, we come under his right and good authority, embracing all that he has for us is for our good and our eternal joy. 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.680 Do we know this? 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:55.119 Is your life marked by this? 00:31:55.680 --> 00:32:00.720 Because what is true is your life will be marked by what you love. 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:09.440 And as those who know and love Jesus, he should be the supreme love above any other love. 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:20.640 True, genuine faith is never just mere words, it is displayed in lives lived out for him. 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:24.400 Lives marked by his grace. 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:27.440 This is a slow road. 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:31.920 So don't hear me in saying this is just simplistic. 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:34.720 It doesn't happen overnight. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:39.359 It is a day by day, moment by moment, seeking him. 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:48.079 But when we find in our passage the people coming to God, they gladly long to follow Him. 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:51.759 I know we are often half-hearted. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:54.400 I feel that in my own being. 00:32:55.359 --> 00:32:59.279 Often we do not feel what we should feel. 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:04.720 Often we struggle to understand why we are not further along. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:10.559 But this is the beauty of the Christian faith. 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:19.680 That for us as Christians, our lives should be shaped by his word, realizing that there is a day coming when the work will be completed. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:28.160 When this kingdom will be fully realized, when we will be welcomed home. 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:33.200 Do not be disheartened, do not be discouraged. 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:35.519 Come in repentance and faith. 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:38.880 This is the Christian life. 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.960 Repentance and faith. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:47.519 Knowing that he who began a good work in you will see it to completion. 00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:55.519 In these final verses, we get this beautiful picture of where we are headed. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:57.680 A peaceful kingdom. 00:33:57.920 --> 00:34:00.319 Look down at the second part of verse 3. 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:05.599 For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:16.719 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plough shares and their spears into pruning hooks. 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:23.679 Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:28.400 I think it's so hard for us to imagine a world like this. 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:33.039 A world in which war is no more. 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:37.679 Conflict in relationships no more. 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:41.440 Peace reigning completely. 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:44.159 That is what we are seeing here. 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:53.360 Because when we even consider those in our lives we love, think about those you love, those you care for deeply. 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:55.119 Let's be honest. 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:59.519 Even in those relations we struggle sometimes. 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.599 It's hard at times. 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:03.440 Maybe you're better than me. 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:11.199 It's hard, and at times we might even say we're annoyed when really we mean we're angry. 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.679 Let's be real. 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:18.480 Christmas is supposed to be a joyful time, isn't it? 00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:29.360 Oh, family, yay! It seems rather stressful at times, full of tension, fights. 00:35:31.039 --> 00:36:00.480 But what we see is even more incredible, because the picture here is not just those we naturally love, but of the nations, people who are incredibly different, people who have experienced very different things, people who, in an earthly sense, have nothing in common, and yet they come toward their God united in him. 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:23.280 Because the true judge of all has come, and none can question him in his judgments, the one who fulfills the law perfectly, the one who is the word itself, the one who is fully just, the one who calls us to follow. 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:32.559 Christ Jesus Himself, bringing reconciliation, bringing healing, bringing restoration to the broken. 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:37.599 What we're seeing is a disarming taking place here. 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:43.360 They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:48.719 Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:59.679 When I was reflecting on the text in general, and I came to this bit, I was thinking about this, and I was like, Peter's gonna love this. 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:02.960 Peter Thompson is just gonna love this section. 00:37:03.039 --> 00:37:03.679 And guess what? 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:05.599 When I talked to him, what did he? 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:12.239 Oh, gardening tools, yay! That's all he focused on. 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:16.159 He was so excited, he loves gardening that lad. 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:19.760 But we should be excited. 00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:23.679 Not because of gardening, who cares about gardening? 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:27.199 But rather what this is pointing us toward. 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:33.199 These verses are speaking of us returning to the Garden of Eden. 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:49.039 A time in which there was no brokenness, a time in which there was no knowledge or understanding of war, a time in which there was no broken relationships, not with God, not with ourselves, not with others, not with creation. 00:37:50.400 --> 00:37:55.119 A time in which instead of fear and anxiety, peace ruled. 00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:58.480 You and I long for this. 00:37:58.719 --> 00:38:02.000 If you don't, I don't know what to do with you. 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:08.719 How desperately we should learn for the yearn for this day. 00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:10.880 No more strife. 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:13.199 No more fighting. 00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:14.639 Can you imagine? 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:32.400 None of those tensions you feel with him, of bitterness, anger, frustration, anxiety, coming under the rightful judge, learning from him, reflecting his character. 00:38:33.519 --> 00:38:43.119 You see, the more we are able to embrace his rule, the more we embrace his purposes for us, the more we will be free. 00:38:44.159 --> 00:39:04.000 Free from self-seeking, free from insecurity, free from dissatisfaction, free to forgive those who hurt us, free to show love that is unconditional, free to serve others without needing to be recognized. 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:09.760 Beginning to more and more reflect our Savior. 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:30.000 Because we entrust ourselves to the one who judges justly, we entrust ourselves to the one who died to make this possible, the one whom we celebrate at this time of year, in his coming, realizing his coming was for a beautiful and glorious purpose. 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:45.199 As Peter shared at the beginning, stealing my thing, but anyway, the Son shall visit us from on high, Luke says, to give light to those who sit in darkness in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace. 00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:54.480 This is what we rejoice in that Jesus came, taking on human flesh as a baby. 00:39:55.280 --> 00:40:00.880 Jesus died, absorbing the wrath and punishment we deserve. 00:40:01.840 --> 00:40:07.679 And Jesus rose victorious, offering life to us. 00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:13.679 And that in him we might experience no lasting peace. 00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:17.280 A peace that has no end. 00:40:19.440 --> 00:40:23.280 The cry of verse 5 is a cry we should all embrace. 00:40:23.760 --> 00:40:26.480 Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. 00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:32.000 Why would you want to walk anywhere else? 00:40:33.119 --> 00:40:35.599 Do you see where this is leading us? 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:40.079 Why would you want to ignore this invitation? 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:45.119 I don't know where you are spiritually speaking. 00:40:46.320 --> 00:40:49.679 I don't know if you feel numb in your faith at the minute. 00:40:50.159 --> 00:40:52.960 You know and love Jesus, but you just feel numb. 00:40:54.320 --> 00:40:58.000 Struggling to remember the last time you were in awe of God. 00:40:59.199 --> 00:41:08.159 Struggling to remember the last time you were just by yourself in prayer and just enjoying that communion with your father. 00:41:10.159 --> 00:41:16.639 Struggling to remember the last time you were with a brother or sister who was just life-giving. 00:41:18.559 --> 00:41:24.000 We need to see that we need to take seriously the care of our souls. 00:41:25.760 --> 00:41:31.280 Because what I am so aware of, life can be so busy. 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:34.239 It can be so full. 00:41:35.840 --> 00:41:42.079 And we can feel like we're just in a pinball machine, so to speak, bouncing around. 00:41:43.920 --> 00:41:51.360 And yet there is no greater thing for us than to be able to gaze upon the one we so desperately need. 00:41:53.280 --> 00:42:00.559 To have our hearts stirred again and again by the beauty, the wonder, and the glory of the gospel. 00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:06.639 Because we can experience much darkness in this world. 00:42:06.960 --> 00:42:08.000 I know we can. 00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:13.360 We can have times where we feel overwhelmed by it. 00:42:15.039 --> 00:42:40.320 But as those who know and love Jesus, as those who have put our faith in him, we walk by faith in the knowledge of the kingdom we all long for, knowing it is coming, knowing his work is complete, knowing he is returning, and on that day, peace will reign forever. 00:42:54.960 --> 00:43:01.199 If you found this helpful or want to know more about City Church Dublin, please visit our website found in the link below.