1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,520 Let’s stand for the reading of God’s word together. 2 00:00:07,300 –> 00:00:11,480 In the last days the Mountain of the Lord’s temple 3 00:00:11,480 –> 00:00:14,640 will be established as chief among the mountains. 4 00:00:14,640 –> 00:00:17,219 It will be raised above the hills 5 00:00:17,219 –> 00:00:20,540 and peoples will stream to it. 6 00:00:21,340 –> 00:00:24,100 Many nations will come and say come, 7 00:00:24,100 –> 00:00:26,540 let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, 8 00:00:26,540 –> 00:00:28,900 to the house of the God of Jacob. 9 00:00:28,900 –> 00:00:31,660 He will teach us his ways 10 00:00:31,660 –> 00:00:34,799 so that we may walk in his paths. 11 00:00:35,820 –> 00:00:38,480 The law will go out from Zion, 12 00:00:38,480 –> 00:00:41,779 the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 13 00:00:41,779 –> 00:00:44,299 He will judge between many peoples 14 00:00:44,299 –> 00:00:48,980 and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. 15 00:00:48,980 –> 00:00:51,900 They will beat their swords into plowshares 16 00:00:51,900 –> 00:00:54,580 and their spears into pruninghooks. 17 00:00:54,580 –> 00:00:57,860 Nation will not take up sword against nation 18 00:00:57,860 –> 00:01:01,580 nor will they train for war anymore. 19 00:01:02,740 –> 00:01:07,540 Every man will sit under his own vine 20 00:01:07,540 –> 00:01:09,540 and under his own fig tree 21 00:01:09,540 –> 00:01:13,940 and no one will make them afraid 22 00:01:13,940 –> 00:01:18,440 for the Lord Almighty has spoken. 23 00:01:19,699 –> 00:01:23,620 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods. 24 00:01:23,620 –> 00:01:27,860 We will walk in the name of the Lord our God 25 00:01:27,860 –> 00:01:29,540 forever and ever. 26 00:01:31,260 –> 00:01:34,199 In that day, declares the lord, 27 00:01:34,199 –> 00:01:35,860 I will gather the lame, 28 00:01:35,860 –> 00:01:37,900 I will assemble the exiles 29 00:01:37,900 –> 00:01:40,599 and those I have brought to grief. 30 00:01:41,699 –> 00:01:45,059 I will make the lame a remnant. 31 00:01:45,059 –> 00:01:47,900 Those driven away, a strong nation. 32 00:01:48,980 –> 00:01:52,739 The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion, 33 00:01:52,779 –> 00:01:54,459 from that day and forever. 34 00:01:55,379 –> 00:01:57,519 As for you, oh watchtower of the flock, 35 00:01:57,519 –> 00:02:00,739 oh stronghold of the daughter of Zion, 36 00:02:00,739 –> 00:02:03,459 the former dominion will be restored to you. 37 00:02:03,459 –> 00:02:06,879 Kingship will come to the daughter of Jerusalem. 38 00:02:06,879 –> 00:02:08,820 Why do you now cry aloud? 39 00:02:09,660 –> 00:02:11,479 Have you no king? 40 00:02:11,479 –> 00:02:13,899 Has your counselor perished? 41 00:02:13,899 –> 00:02:17,820 The pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor. 42 00:02:18,740 –> 00:02:21,000 Writhe in agony, oh daughter of Zion, 43 00:02:21,059 –> 00:02:22,460 writhe like a woman in labor, 44 00:02:22,460 –> 00:02:25,559 for now you must leave the city 45 00:02:25,559 –> 00:02:27,779 to camp in the open field. 46 00:02:27,779 –> 00:02:29,720 You will go to Babylon. 47 00:02:30,880 –> 00:02:32,440 There you will be rescued, 48 00:02:33,300 –> 00:02:35,179 there the Lord will redeem you 49 00:02:35,179 –> 00:02:37,259 out of the hand of your enemies, 50 00:02:38,380 –> 00:02:42,240 but now many nations are gathered against you. 51 00:02:42,240 –> 00:02:45,539 They say let her be defiled, 52 00:02:45,539 –> 00:02:49,779 let our eyes gloat over Zion, 53 00:02:49,779 –> 00:02:53,380 but they do not know the thoughts of the Lord, 54 00:02:54,240 –> 00:02:56,779 they do not understand his plan. 55 00:02:56,779 –> 00:03:01,240 He who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor, 56 00:03:02,479 –> 00:03:05,580 rise and thresh, 57 00:03:05,580 –> 00:03:07,080 oh daughter of Zion, 58 00:03:07,080 –> 00:03:10,199 for I will give you horns of iron, 59 00:03:10,199 –> 00:03:12,679 I will give you hoofs of bronze, 60 00:03:12,679 –> 00:03:17,000 and you will break to pieces many nations. 61 00:03:17,759 –> 00:03:22,100 You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, 62 00:03:22,899 –> 00:03:26,940 their wealth to the Lord of all the Earth. 63 00:03:26,940 –> 00:03:28,880 A moment’s prayer before we’re seated. 64 00:03:29,800 –> 00:03:31,160 Father in heaven, 65 00:03:32,380 –> 00:03:34,580 speak to us through your word, 66 00:03:35,619 –> 00:03:38,660 and light hope within our hearts. 67 00:03:39,539 –> 00:03:42,160 For these things we ask, 68 00:03:42,160 –> 00:03:43,619 in Jesus’ name, 69 00:03:44,740 –> 00:03:45,580 amen. 70 00:03:47,720 –> 00:03:50,259 Well last week I had the opportunity 71 00:03:50,259 –> 00:03:52,320 of traveling to speak at a conference 72 00:03:52,320 –> 00:03:54,919 for pastors in California. 73 00:03:54,919 –> 00:03:58,759 And I find this recurring experience 74 00:03:58,759 –> 00:04:02,199 that whenever I walk through an airport, 75 00:04:02,199 –> 00:04:05,139 I am overcome by an overwhelming urge 76 00:04:05,139 –> 00:04:07,179 to buy a book. 77 00:04:07,179 –> 00:04:08,520 Which is really rather strange 78 00:04:08,520 –> 00:04:10,720 because it as my wife regularly points out, 79 00:04:10,720 –> 00:04:12,960 I am usually carrying a case 80 00:04:12,960 –> 00:04:15,039 that is already bulging with books 81 00:04:15,479 –> 00:04:17,040 that are still to be read, 82 00:04:17,040 –> 00:04:18,600 but it happens nonetheless. 83 00:04:18,600 –> 00:04:21,579 And on this trip browsing at the stand 84 00:04:21,579 –> 00:04:24,739 of new book releases in the airport, 85 00:04:24,739 –> 00:04:27,880 I found this one that’s just out. 86 00:04:27,880 –> 00:04:32,640 It is a new biography of John Lennon of Beatles fame 87 00:04:32,640 –> 00:04:35,600 by his first wife, Cynthia, 88 00:04:35,600 –> 00:04:40,480 complete with a foreword by their son, Julian. 89 00:04:40,480 –> 00:04:43,000 Now about half way through at this book, 90 00:04:43,019 –> 00:04:47,079 which is a fascinating account of a creative genius 91 00:04:47,079 –> 00:04:50,760 with big dreams and great struggles 92 00:04:50,760 –> 00:04:55,140 written by a woman who really never stopped loving him. 93 00:04:56,279 –> 00:04:59,260 Now one of John Lennon’s best-known songs 94 00:04:59,260 –> 00:05:02,559 is called Imagine, many will know it well. 95 00:05:02,559 –> 00:05:06,760 It paints a picture of life as John 96 00:05:06,760 –> 00:05:10,119 and so many others would want it to be. 97 00:05:10,119 –> 00:05:11,640 Let me read the words to you. 98 00:05:12,559 –> 00:05:14,640 Imagine there’s no heaven, 99 00:05:15,559 –> 00:05:17,480 it’s easy if you try. 100 00:05:17,480 –> 00:05:22,480 No hell below us, above us only sky. 101 00:05:22,660 –> 00:05:26,239 Imagine all the people living for today. 102 00:05:27,440 –> 00:05:30,200 Imagined there’s no countries, 103 00:05:30,200 –> 00:05:31,640 it isn’t hard to do. 104 00:05:31,640 –> 00:05:36,260 Nothing to kill or die for and no religion too. 105 00:05:36,260 –> 00:05:40,500 Imagine all the people living life in peace. 106 00:05:42,279 –> 00:05:44,700 Imagine no possessions. 107 00:05:45,559 –> 00:05:47,660 I wonder if you can. 108 00:05:47,660 –> 00:05:50,079 No need for greed or hunger. 109 00:05:50,079 –> 00:05:51,700 A brotherhood of man. 110 00:05:53,239 –> 00:05:56,779 Imagine all the people sharing all the world. 111 00:05:58,760 –> 00:06:03,019 You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one. 112 00:06:03,959 –> 00:06:06,000 I hope someday you’ll join us 113 00:06:06,920 –> 00:06:09,720 and the world will live as one. 114 00:06:11,899 –> 00:06:13,700 Now that is a powerful dream. 115 00:06:14,880 –> 00:06:18,480 And that song is loved around the world 116 00:06:18,480 –> 00:06:20,660 not only because it has a great tune 117 00:06:21,519 –> 00:06:24,000 but also because it strikes a chord 118 00:06:24,000 –> 00:06:27,119 in the hearts of millions of people. 119 00:06:27,119 –> 00:06:28,700 Imagine, imagine. 120 00:06:30,140 –> 00:06:31,660 Imagine no greed. 121 00:06:32,820 –> 00:06:34,220 Imagine no killing. 122 00:06:35,820 –> 00:06:37,959 Imagine no hunger. 123 00:06:38,959 –> 00:06:42,359 Imagine all the people sharing all the world. 124 00:06:43,880 –> 00:06:44,720 It’s a big dream. 125 00:06:47,040 –> 00:06:48,920 Now it seems from the words of the song 126 00:06:48,920 –> 00:06:52,559 that Lennon thought that that dream would best be achieved 127 00:06:52,559 –> 00:06:57,519 if there was no hope of heaven and no fear of hell. 128 00:06:59,040 –> 00:07:03,040 It would be best achieved, he thought, without religion 129 00:07:03,040 –> 00:07:06,820 and therefore presumably without God. 130 00:07:08,119 –> 00:07:11,119 In other words the dream was a dream 131 00:07:11,119 –> 00:07:16,119 that was based on a perception of a fundamental goodness 132 00:07:16,119 –> 00:07:20,500 in the human heart which if only it could be tapped 133 00:07:20,500 –> 00:07:25,500 and released would bring us into a new and better world. 134 00:07:27,079 –> 00:07:29,200 Imagine, imagine. 135 00:07:31,200 –> 00:07:34,420 Now a few months back PBS broadcast a recording 136 00:07:34,420 –> 00:07:36,880 that Karna and I watched with great pleasure 137 00:07:36,940 –> 00:07:41,940 of Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Concert. 138 00:07:44,799 –> 00:07:47,179 Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne 139 00:07:47,179 –> 00:07:49,920 in England for over 50 years 140 00:07:49,920 –> 00:07:53,420 and so to celebrate her jubilee on the throne 141 00:07:53,420 –> 00:07:56,579 she opened up the grounds of Buckingham Palace 142 00:07:56,579 –> 00:07:59,459 for a series of open air concerts. 143 00:07:59,459 –> 00:08:02,779 Now the last of these concerts was a pop concert 144 00:08:02,779 –> 00:08:06,480 with a galaxy of stars from the last 50 years 145 00:08:06,480 –> 00:08:08,920 and the whole event to a packed audience 146 00:08:08,920 –> 00:08:10,160 as you can imagine 147 00:08:10,160 –> 00:08:14,019 ended with Paul McCartney and Elton John 148 00:08:14,019 –> 00:08:17,339 and a host of others leading this vast crowd 149 00:08:17,339 –> 00:08:19,700 in the open air grounds of Buckingham Palace 150 00:08:19,700 –> 00:08:22,279 and they were singing the old Beatles song 151 00:08:22,279 –> 00:08:23,640 All You Need is Love 152 00:08:23,640 –> 00:08:24,799 you remember that one? 153 00:08:26,040 –> 00:08:28,619 Now I find myself thinking when I saw that 154 00:08:28,619 –> 00:08:32,260 what a great tragedy it was that John Lennon wasn’t there 155 00:08:32,260 –> 00:08:35,159 because of course he wrote that song with Paul McCartney 156 00:08:36,119 –> 00:08:38,119 All you need is love 157 00:08:40,000 –> 00:08:43,359 and perhaps he would have been there 158 00:08:43,359 –> 00:08:47,640 if it had not been for the deluded fan 159 00:08:47,640 –> 00:08:50,200 who gunned him down on the streets of New York 160 00:08:52,239 –> 00:08:54,440 All you need is love 161 00:08:55,840 –> 00:08:58,440 The problem is 162 00:08:58,440 –> 00:09:01,840 that we live in a world of violence 163 00:09:01,840 –> 00:09:05,440 Well getting on the plane and 164 00:09:05,440 –> 00:09:07,359 settling down into this book 165 00:09:07,359 –> 00:09:09,440 I found myself gripped by the first 166 00:09:09,440 –> 00:09:11,179 paragraph that I want to read to you 167 00:09:11,179 –> 00:09:13,640 This is from The Four Word 168 00:09:13,640 –> 00:09:16,919 that is written by John Lennon’s son, Julian 169 00:09:16,919 –> 00:09:18,760 Listen to this 170 00:09:19,979 –> 00:09:22,500 Growing up as John Lennon’s son 171 00:09:22,500 –> 00:09:24,940 has been a rocky path 172 00:09:24,940 –> 00:09:28,700 All my life, I’ve had people coming up to me 173 00:09:28,700 –> 00:09:29,599 and saying, 174 00:09:29,640 –> 00:09:30,840 I loved your dad 175 00:09:32,320 –> 00:09:37,000 I always have very mixed feelings when I hear this 176 00:09:37,000 –> 00:09:39,659 I know that dad was an idol to millions 177 00:09:39,659 –> 00:09:43,340 who grew up loving his music and his ideals 178 00:09:44,280 –> 00:09:50,059 But to me, he wasn’t a musician or a peace icon 179 00:09:50,059 –> 00:09:52,780 He was the father I loved 180 00:09:52,780 –> 00:09:54,780 And who let me down in so many ways 181 00:09:54,780 –> 00:09:57,299 After the age of five, 182 00:09:57,299 –> 00:09:58,940 when my parents separated, 183 00:09:59,979 –> 00:10:02,619 I saw him only a handful of times 184 00:10:03,179 –> 00:10:06,460 And when I did, he was often remote and intimidating 185 00:10:07,500 –> 00:10:10,179 I grew up longing for more contact with him 186 00:10:10,179 –> 00:10:13,359 but felt rejected and unimportant in his life 187 00:10:14,239 –> 00:10:16,739 Dad was a great talent 188 00:10:16,739 –> 00:10:22,119 a remarkable man who stood for peace and love in the world 189 00:10:23,059 –> 00:10:29,640 But at the same time, he found it very hard to show any peace and love to his first family 190 00:10:30,320 –> 00:10:32,320 my mother and me 191 00:10:36,380 –> 00:10:38,380 Imagine 192 00:10:39,659 –> 00:10:41,659 Imagine 193 00:10:44,299 –> 00:10:47,419 There are two problems with the dream set out and imagine 194 00:10:47,799 –> 00:10:49,799 there’s 195 00:10:49,880 –> 00:10:53,859 The problem around us imagine all the people 196 00:10:54,640 –> 00:10:56,640 living life in Peace 197 00:10:58,619 –> 00:11:04,520 But what are you going to do about the deluded gunman in New York and 198 00:11:05,960 –> 00:11:09,419 Then there’s not only the problem around us. There’s the problem within us 199 00:11:11,780 –> 00:11:14,880 Imagine all the people living life in Peace 200 00:11:14,979 –> 00:11:16,979 But 201 00:11:17,140 –> 00:11:21,239 How can a man or a woman hope to bring Peace and love to the world 202 00:11:21,760 –> 00:11:23,539 if 203 00:11:23,539 –> 00:11:28,559 He cannot bring Peace and Love to his own family his own son 204 00:11:32,500 –> 00:11:35,200 See if the dream of true community 205 00:11:36,859 –> 00:11:38,859 the end of war 206 00:11:39,780 –> 00:11:43,760 The end of hunger and peace on earth is to be realized 207 00:11:44,440 –> 00:11:49,099 then there has to be a solution to the problem around us and 208 00:11:49,840 –> 00:11:51,840 the problem within us 209 00:11:53,619 –> 00:11:57,500 That’s why I want you to turn to Micah chapter 4 with me today 210 00:11:58,479 –> 00:12:04,380 Because what you’ll find here is a description of peace and love that has some things in common with Lenin’s 211 00:12:04,559 –> 00:12:07,919 Imagine that strikes a chord within the human heart 212 00:12:08,599 –> 00:12:13,219 But the way in which it comes about is profoundly different 213 00:12:13,880 –> 00:12:16,400 From what is set out in the song 214 00:12:17,419 –> 00:12:18,340 Micah speaks 215 00:12:18,340 –> 00:12:24,380 You see that in verse 3 about a day when they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooked 216 00:12:24,500 –> 00:12:29,979 Where a nation will not take up sword against nation and nor will they train for war 217 00:12:30,960 –> 00:12:32,179 anymore 218 00:12:32,179 –> 00:12:35,599 Now look at what Micah’s describing. He is describing 219 00:12:36,219 –> 00:12:38,219 Total disarmament 220 00:12:38,900 –> 00:12:45,219 Something that has never ever been seen in the history of the world. We’ve had periods of some disarmament 221 00:12:45,659 –> 00:12:49,820 There has never in the history of the world been a total disarmament 222 00:12:49,820 –> 00:12:54,080 But that is what Micah is describing here in our terms today 223 00:12:54,080 –> 00:12:57,760 And he’s speaking of the last days and therefore we should think of it in this way 224 00:12:58,219 –> 00:13:00,119 nuclear missiles 225 00:13:00,119 –> 00:13:02,119 decommissioned 226 00:13:02,599 –> 00:13:04,599 Chemical weapons eliminated 227 00:13:05,440 –> 00:13:07,460 Surface to air missiles 228 00:13:08,460 –> 00:13:15,599 Exploded by being sent up into the sky without targets in the all-time World’s Greatest fireworks display 229 00:13:17,099 –> 00:13:19,099 Al Qaeda camps closed 230 00:13:20,200 –> 00:13:22,200 Guantanamo Bay emptied 231 00:13:22,200 –> 00:13:23,799 the u.s. Military 232 00:13:23,799 –> 00:13:25,599 honored thanked 233 00:13:25,599 –> 00:13:27,960 decommissioned and deployed in civilian affairs 234 00:13:28,580 –> 00:13:34,020 Defence budgets reallocated to seed planting for economic growth and development 235 00:13:35,260 –> 00:13:37,260 imagine imagine 236 00:13:38,940 –> 00:13:44,580 Now, of course we find it almost impossible to imagine because the only world you and I have ever known is 237 00:13:45,580 –> 00:13:51,700 One in which there is hostility and fear and the threat of attack and you switch on the news to see what color the threat 238 00:13:51,700 –> 00:13:53,700 Level is today 239 00:13:54,419 –> 00:13:57,940 We cannot imagine a world in which there is no need 240 00:13:58,000 –> 00:13:59,520 for defense 241 00:13:59,520 –> 00:14:01,520 can imagine 242 00:14:02,840 –> 00:14:08,820 But Micah speaks of a day when there will be such peace on earth not just peace that comes from the absence of war 243 00:14:08,820 –> 00:14:13,719 But peace that comes from the absence even of the threat of war and of hostility and therefore 244 00:14:14,140 –> 00:14:19,000 Military budgets and weapon systems will be a fading memory from the past 245 00:14:20,219 –> 00:14:22,219 imagine 246 00:14:22,500 –> 00:14:24,500 What a dream 247 00:14:25,299 –> 00:14:30,859 Along with this peace in verse 4. He makes it clear that there will also be security look at it 248 00:14:31,619 –> 00:14:34,400 Every man will sit under his own vine and 249 00:14:35,659 –> 00:14:40,059 Under his own fig tree and no one will make them afraid 250 00:14:42,539 –> 00:14:43,900 Now this is 251 00:14:43,900 –> 00:14:49,539 So different of course from the experience of Micah’s hearers that it would have been very hard for them to imagine 252 00:14:50,080 –> 00:14:55,020 We saw from chapter 3 if you were there last week here last week 253 00:14:55,020 –> 00:14:58,979 You may remember that the powerful land barons were seizing 254 00:14:59,500 –> 00:15:03,739 land from the poor driving them of their own land, but here 255 00:15:04,260 –> 00:15:08,260 There is security from that kind of violence 256 00:15:09,059 –> 00:15:14,539 Here every person is on his own land his own property his boundaries are secure 257 00:15:15,299 –> 00:15:20,340 Everyone sits under his own fig tree and no one makes them afraid no one makes them afraid 258 00:15:21,299 –> 00:15:23,299 I mean can you imagine that 259 00:15:24,140 –> 00:15:26,140 Can you imagine 260 00:15:26,599 –> 00:15:28,599 being able to walk any 261 00:15:29,340 –> 00:15:34,419 Street in Chicago at any time of day or night without fear 262 00:15:34,780 –> 00:15:38,979 Without ever looking over your shoulder or feeling in your pocket to make sure your wallet’s still there 263 00:15:39,020 –> 00:15:42,239 No one will make them afraid can you imagine doing business without any threat of lawsuits 264 00:15:46,219 –> 00:15:51,380 No one will make them afraid can you imagine going through airports with that out detectors 265 00:15:51,659 –> 00:15:52,900 Because there are no threats 266 00:15:52,900 –> 00:15:59,359 Can you imagine turning on the television news in the full confidence that there will not be a story of rape or violence 267 00:15:59,619 –> 00:16:02,280 Or no reports of any terror attack 268 00:16:02,280 –> 00:16:04,719 or no reports of any terror attack 269 00:16:06,840 –> 00:16:08,840 No one will make them afraid 270 00:16:10,200 –> 00:16:11,880 not even 271 00:16:11,880 –> 00:16:13,880 Satan himself 272 00:16:14,719 –> 00:16:19,000 Will be able to intimidate God’s people because he’s included with no one 273 00:16:21,200 –> 00:16:23,640 They will be beyond the reach even of temptation imagine 274 00:16:27,119 –> 00:16:29,880 Every man will sit under his own fig tree and 275 00:16:30,200 –> 00:16:35,000 No one will make them afraid peace and security. That’s quite a dream 276 00:16:38,179 –> 00:16:42,640 Now obviously these are very beautiful words and wonderful thoughts and they are light-years 277 00:16:42,900 –> 00:16:49,099 away from the reality of the world in which we live so the question is is Micah also a dreamer is 278 00:16:50,599 –> 00:16:53,159 Micah going to write at the end of chapter 4? 279 00:16:53,479 –> 00:16:59,000 You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one 280 00:16:59,880 –> 00:17:01,780 Is that what he’s saying? 281 00:17:02,599 –> 00:17:06,160 No look at the end of verse four. Will you 282 00:17:09,760 –> 00:17:11,760 Here’s his basis for what he writes 283 00:17:13,619 –> 00:17:19,079 For the mouth of the Lord Almighty has spoken 284 00:17:20,780 –> 00:17:26,280 See what he’s saying you need to know that as I write these things that are almost beyond what you can imagine 285 00:17:27,380 –> 00:17:29,380 I’m not dreaming 286 00:17:30,180 –> 00:17:37,160 What I Micah, I’m describing here is not some vague hope for a better world. It’s not a dream. It’s a promise and 287 00:17:37,599 –> 00:17:42,920 It is the promise of Almighty God Yahweh has spoken the mouth of the Lord 288 00:17:44,160 –> 00:17:46,160 Has spoken this 289 00:17:46,300 –> 00:17:48,380 God has said 290 00:17:49,839 –> 00:17:53,319 One day nation will not take up sword against nation 291 00:17:53,319 –> 00:17:55,319 They will beat their swords into plowshares 292 00:17:55,439 –> 00:17:59,920 Everyman will sit under his own fig tree and no one will make them afraid that’s the promise of God 293 00:18:02,839 –> 00:18:05,339 Now this obviously raises two questions 294 00:18:06,579 –> 00:18:09,560 The first is how in all the world will this ever happen? 295 00:18:10,280 –> 00:18:14,520 And the second question is when might we expect to see this happen? 296 00:18:14,900 –> 00:18:17,660 And so that’s what I want to focus for the rest of our time. How? 297 00:18:18,479 –> 00:18:20,479 and when how and 298 00:18:21,339 –> 00:18:22,959 when 299 00:18:22,959 –> 00:18:24,959 first of all how 300 00:18:25,859 –> 00:18:29,859 Look at verse one the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be 301 00:18:30,699 –> 00:18:31,780 established 302 00:18:31,780 –> 00:18:36,880 Now whenever you read in the old testament about the temple you need to realize that in the old testament 303 00:18:37,040 –> 00:18:39,619 The temple was the place of God’s presence 304 00:18:39,680 –> 00:18:44,520 This was the place where he said his presence would come down in a particular way on the earth 305 00:18:45,040 –> 00:18:52,280 remember God said in Exodus 25 that he would meet his people at the ark of the Covenant and the ark of the Covenant was 306 00:18:52,280 –> 00:18:59,800 Placed in the temple so that when Solomon’s temple was built the presence of God came down and the cloud of the glory of his presence 307 00:18:59,800 –> 00:19:03,819 Filled the temple so when we read about the temple in the Old Testament 308 00:19:03,819 –> 00:19:07,400 we’re talking about the place to which God has said he would come and 309 00:19:08,040 –> 00:19:11,180 Micah clearly foresees a day when God would visibly 310 00:19:11,520 –> 00:19:17,599 Come to his temple verse too many nations will come and say let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house 311 00:19:17,599 –> 00:19:18,599 of the God of Jacob 312 00:19:18,599 –> 00:19:24,199 And he will teach us his ways. Who’s the he obviously God himself 313 00:19:24,199 –> 00:19:30,079 this is the Lord himself having come in a visible form to his temple and 314 00:19:30,800 –> 00:19:32,900 if God is to come on 315 00:19:33,000 –> 00:19:39,760 Earth to a physical place in a way that is seen and known he must obviously come in some 316 00:19:40,040 –> 00:19:46,140 Visible form and so Micah is clearly anticipating a day when the Messiah the Christ 317 00:19:46,380 –> 00:19:48,459 Will come to the temple in 318 00:19:49,500 –> 00:19:50,680 Jerusalem 319 00:19:50,680 –> 00:19:53,540 This will be a day when God will draw near 320 00:19:54,180 –> 00:19:56,180 his presence and his word 321 00:19:56,640 –> 00:19:59,459 Will be made known on the Earth 322 00:20:00,819 –> 00:20:07,060 Now this sounds marvelous, but of course it does not answer the question of how there will be peace and security 323 00:20:07,900 –> 00:20:10,739 We still have the question while okay the presence of God comes 324 00:20:10,939 –> 00:20:15,979 But how will he deal with the deluded gunman the rapist the terrorist organization? 325 00:20:16,239 –> 00:20:21,520 how will he deal with the broken heart the abandoned mother the forlorn son and 326 00:20:21,979 –> 00:20:23,900 so forth 327 00:20:23,900 –> 00:20:28,760 Now Micah answers these questions about what will happen when the presence of the Lord comes 328 00:20:29,180 –> 00:20:32,079 With four simple statements that I want us to get hold of 329 00:20:32,900 –> 00:20:39,880 These are the statements that bring us from dreams to reality and from vague hopes to solid promises 330 00:20:40,300 –> 00:20:42,800 number one God will 331 00:20:43,599 –> 00:20:45,199 judge 332 00:20:45,199 –> 00:20:52,640 We find this both in verse 3 and in verses 11 and 12. Let’s look at both verse 3 he will judge between many peoples 333 00:20:53,540 –> 00:20:55,540 now 334 00:20:56,020 –> 00:20:58,500 This is telling us that God will resolve 335 00:20:59,359 –> 00:21:01,219 disputes 336 00:21:01,219 –> 00:21:03,219 among his own people 337 00:21:03,459 –> 00:21:05,459 He will exercise mediation 338 00:21:06,660 –> 00:21:08,660 He will bring reconciliation 339 00:21:09,660 –> 00:21:16,859 So many disputes even among God’s people never get resolved, but here Christ will resolve them 340 00:21:18,020 –> 00:21:23,339 That’s what God will do for his people. It’s a wonderful thing and Micah also tells us 341 00:21:23,979 –> 00:21:28,479 not only that he’ll bring the reconciliation of disputes among his people 342 00:21:29,260 –> 00:21:33,020 But he will also bring judgment towards his enemies 343 00:21:33,660 –> 00:21:35,260 Look at verse 11 344 00:21:35,260 –> 00:21:39,939 But now many nations are gathered against you that’s against Israel 345 00:21:40,439 –> 00:21:43,079 And that was of course the reality in Micah’s time 346 00:21:43,079 –> 00:21:47,000 And it has been through the years since many nations have wanted to destroy Israel 347 00:21:47,000 –> 00:21:52,859 They say verse 11 let her be defiled and their eyes gloat over Zion 348 00:21:54,140 –> 00:21:59,319 So there are many people that were in Micah’s day still are today who want to terrorize and to defile others 349 00:22:00,319 –> 00:22:02,479 They want to invade the land of others 350 00:22:02,520 –> 00:22:06,420 They want to promote violence and what is God going to do about that verse 12 351 00:22:06,719 –> 00:22:13,119 They do not know the thoughts of the Lord. They do not understand his plan. He who gathers them like sheaves 352 00:22:14,439 –> 00:22:16,439 to the threshing floor 353 00:22:17,119 –> 00:22:23,719 Say what happens to sheaves on the threshing, but you know what happens to sheaves on the threshing floor. Don’t you? 354 00:22:25,719 –> 00:22:27,719 They get fresh 355 00:22:28,719 –> 00:22:30,719 So 356 00:22:30,719 –> 00:22:35,119 What this is saying is that when the presence of God comes he will not only bring 357 00:22:35,760 –> 00:22:37,760 reconciliation to his people 358 00:22:38,760 –> 00:22:40,760 But he will bring judgment to his enemies 359 00:22:42,819 –> 00:22:47,719 They will be destroyed God will remove them from the face of the earth 360 00:22:49,520 –> 00:22:51,599 Those who persist in evil 361 00:22:51,599 –> 00:22:54,079 Now it’s worth pausing here 362 00:22:55,979 –> 00:23:01,579 I’ve often heard it said a God of love would never send people to hell 363 00:23:04,359 –> 00:23:06,359 It sounds good 364 00:23:07,619 –> 00:23:13,400 But it shows in the questioner an extraordinary naivete about the power of evil a 365 00:23:15,140 –> 00:23:18,640 God who would never send evil people to hell 366 00:23:19,619 –> 00:23:23,400 Would be unable to fulfill the promise of Micah 4 367 00:23:25,319 –> 00:23:31,560 What we need in this darkened world is someone who can overcome the power of evil 368 00:23:32,459 –> 00:23:34,459 both human evil and 369 00:23:34,819 –> 00:23:39,040 Demonic evil that lies behind it and that spoils this world 370 00:23:41,219 –> 00:23:45,319 If there was no judge there would be no end to evil 371 00:23:46,319 –> 00:23:49,140 Who can stop the bomber and the rapist? 372 00:23:50,560 –> 00:23:55,040 Who can break the drug cartel and the setter terror cell? 373 00:23:56,400 –> 00:23:59,459 Who can break the structures of self-interest? 374 00:24:00,300 –> 00:24:04,920 That have half the world hungry while the other half indulges in gluttony 375 00:24:05,099 –> 00:24:10,400 Half the world struggling to survive while the other half is drowning in its materialism 376 00:24:11,160 –> 00:24:13,160 who can change that 377 00:24:14,119 –> 00:24:19,140 Without the judge the vision of mica for would only be a dream as 378 00:24:19,979 –> 00:24:22,180 It has been throughout human history 379 00:24:23,459 –> 00:24:27,339 We can’t realize it without the judge 380 00:24:29,500 –> 00:24:31,099 Listen to this from David wells 381 00:24:31,099 –> 00:24:36,560 It’s been a paragraph that has really had great weight in my own life now for some years 382 00:24:36,560 –> 00:24:42,520 And it’s worth reading in full. He says this when we succeed in cloaking the holiness of God 383 00:24:43,719 –> 00:24:47,739 In focusing on his love to the exclusion of his wroth we 384 00:24:48,319 –> 00:24:50,319 Unsettle the whole moral universe 385 00:24:50,920 –> 00:24:53,739 We create a God who may be patient kindly and compassionate 386 00:24:54,579 –> 00:24:59,739 But who is without the will to resist what is wrong and without the power to destroy it 387 00:25:00,420 –> 00:25:07,640 But a God who is not holy cannot deal with the great darkness of corrupted human life the darker forces 388 00:25:07,939 –> 00:25:09,900 Behind it and the whole societal 389 00:25:10,219 –> 00:25:13,560 Fabric in which this rebellion has become normal 390 00:25:14,699 –> 00:25:17,319 Such a God produces a Christianity that is 391 00:25:17,920 –> 00:25:19,920 attractively amiable and civil 392 00:25:20,640 –> 00:25:27,459 But utterly unable to come to terms with the suffering of this fallen world because it is simply not on the same 393 00:25:27,839 –> 00:25:33,839 Moral scale as the transgressors to whom it presumes to speak a word of grace 394 00:25:36,119 –> 00:25:38,119 There’s no hope of Micah 4 395 00:25:39,079 –> 00:25:41,079 Without the judge 396 00:25:42,579 –> 00:25:44,579 Thank God 397 00:25:45,319 –> 00:25:47,319 That’s who he is 398 00:25:49,599 –> 00:25:51,719 Second he will gather 399 00:25:52,619 –> 00:25:57,359 he will judge, but he will gather verse 6 I will gather the lame I 400 00:25:58,839 –> 00:26:00,839 Will assemble the Exiles 401 00:26:01,560 –> 00:26:03,560 See, here’s the beauty 402 00:26:03,680 –> 00:26:10,719 Those who come under the ultimate judgment of God are those who continue to the end to shake their fist at him 403 00:26:13,079 –> 00:26:17,819 But for all who will come his arms are outstretched and 404 00:26:19,280 –> 00:26:22,520 He says I will gather and notice who he will gather 405 00:26:22,760 –> 00:26:28,760 He says I will gather the lame here are folks who have been injured by the cruelty of others 406 00:26:29,459 –> 00:26:32,060 They have difficulty walking by themselves 407 00:26:32,239 –> 00:26:36,160 themselves they cannot get where they want to go because of the 408 00:26:36,680 –> 00:26:40,760 injuries in their lives that can happen in so many ways. 409 00:26:41,760 –> 00:26:46,680 God says I will gather the lame. Can you imagine God saying this to you? 410 00:26:48,079 –> 00:26:52,660 Him coming to you in your wounds and saying I’m gonna gather you 411 00:26:53,040 –> 00:26:58,780 I’m gonna take you where you could not otherwise go come to me come into my arms 412 00:26:58,819 –> 00:27:01,680 Let me take you where you cannot otherwise get 413 00:27:02,060 –> 00:27:07,020 and He gathers all who will come and the New Testament says He never turns 414 00:27:07,020 –> 00:27:12,040 anyone away He’s the God who takes the initiative in reaching out to you 415 00:27:12,060 –> 00:27:16,719 and extending the invitation and saying with all your wounds and with all your 416 00:27:16,719 –> 00:27:21,199 weakness and with all the limping of your life I’m reaching out to you 417 00:27:21,219 –> 00:27:26,459 now let me take you, where you need to go 418 00:27:27,359 –> 00:27:30,619 Christ is gathering His own community 419 00:27:30,619 –> 00:27:37,839 come to me He says all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest 420 00:27:37,839 –> 00:27:44,300 He judges, He gathers the same God, same God 421 00:27:44,300 –> 00:27:47,959 Third, He rules, He rules God will rule 422 00:27:47,959 –> 00:27:53,459 verse 7 the Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion 423 00:27:53,699 –> 00:27:56,359 Now here’s something wonderful 424 00:27:56,359 –> 00:28:01,439 when you become one of Christ’s flock you submit your life to His rule 425 00:28:01,459 –> 00:28:03,859 that’s what it means to come to Him 426 00:28:03,859 –> 00:28:08,160 When He says come to me you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give 427 00:28:08,160 –> 00:28:09,819 you rest 428 00:28:09,819 –> 00:28:14,020 He immediately goes on to say what? Take my yolk upon you 429 00:28:14,020 –> 00:28:15,920 and learn of me 430 00:28:15,920 –> 00:28:17,579 Those He gathers 431 00:28:17,579 –> 00:28:19,839 He also rules 432 00:28:19,839 –> 00:28:22,140 Now, this is a wonderful thing because 433 00:28:22,140 –> 00:28:26,140 to rule means to give direction 434 00:28:26,140 –> 00:28:31,040 And Micah sees a day when people from many nations, from every culture 435 00:28:31,040 –> 00:28:33,079 will come to the Lord 436 00:28:33,079 –> 00:28:37,219 and He will give direction to their lives and they will come 437 00:28:37,219 –> 00:28:40,020 without reluctance 438 00:28:40,020 –> 00:28:41,900 There’s no forcing here there’s a 439 00:28:41,900 –> 00:28:44,540 a freedom, a desire 440 00:28:44,540 –> 00:28:49,500 a longing that our lives may be directed by the Lord Jesus Christ 441 00:28:49,520 –> 00:28:53,439 Look at verse two, many nations will come and say let’s go to the mountain 442 00:28:53,439 –> 00:28:54,500 of the Lord 443 00:28:54,500 –> 00:28:58,060 because there He’ll teach us His ways, and we can walk in His paths 444 00:28:58,060 –> 00:28:59,219 There’s no reluctance here 445 00:28:59,219 –> 00:29:01,319 here’s a community of people been saying 446 00:29:01,319 –> 00:29:06,640 Lord, we’ve discovered now that without you we’ll make a mess of our lives 447 00:29:06,640 –> 00:29:08,160 so this is how we want to live 448 00:29:08,160 –> 00:29:12,280 we want to draw near to you, and we want you to give us direction 449 00:29:12,280 –> 00:29:13,319 You rule over us 450 00:29:13,319 –> 00:29:14,819 you show us how to live 451 00:29:14,819 –> 00:29:16,339 we will walk in your ways 452 00:29:16,339 –> 00:29:18,900 for we have discovered that this is how we will be blessed 453 00:29:20,400 –> 00:29:25,380 And then verse 10, God will redeem 454 00:29:25,380 –> 00:29:27,060 God will redeem 455 00:29:27,060 –> 00:29:28,219 verse 10 456 00:29:28,219 –> 00:29:30,599 You will go to Babylon 457 00:29:30,599 –> 00:29:33,619 there you will be rescued 458 00:29:33,640 –> 00:29:38,719 there the Lord will redeem you out of the hand 459 00:29:38,719 –> 00:29:40,520 of your enemies 460 00:29:40,520 –> 00:29:46,400 Now redeeming, as you know, is to simply buy back what otherwise would be lost 461 00:29:47,319 –> 00:29:52,380 And here are these people who were told had gone into Babylon 462 00:29:52,380 –> 00:29:55,619 Happened literally of course in the Old Testament time 463 00:29:55,619 –> 00:29:59,599 and Figuratively in many many ways since Babylon throughout the Bible 464 00:29:59,599 –> 00:30:06,160 Often refers in a general way to resistance to God in human culture 465 00:30:06,160 –> 00:30:09,280 that begins in Genesis with the Tower of Babel 466 00:30:09,280 –> 00:30:11,400 and it runs all the way through to the book of Revelation 467 00:30:11,400 –> 00:30:15,439 where you have the great city of Babylon in the book of Revelation 468 00:30:15,479 –> 00:30:20,640 That is ultimately destroyed at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ 469 00:30:20,640 –> 00:30:25,079 and the marvelous thing here you see is that even Babylon 470 00:30:25,079 –> 00:30:27,319 finds its place in the plan of God 471 00:30:27,319 –> 00:30:30,260 because it’s there that you will be rescued 472 00:30:30,260 –> 00:30:34,900 It’s right in the middle of all the anti-God pressure 473 00:30:34,900 –> 00:30:37,400 that surrounds you and your life in this world 474 00:30:37,400 –> 00:30:40,160 that God will redeem you and you will experience 475 00:30:40,160 –> 00:30:42,199 His grace in your life 476 00:30:42,520 –> 00:30:45,339 There you will see the strong arm of God revealed 477 00:30:45,339 –> 00:30:47,939 He says to His people who He gathers and rules 478 00:30:47,939 –> 00:30:52,939 there the dark powers against you will be broken 479 00:30:54,400 –> 00:30:55,560 So now here’s the how 480 00:30:55,560 –> 00:30:58,979 here is how God fulfils His promise 481 00:31:00,180 –> 00:31:04,880 Micah says he’ll judge, he’ll gather, he’ll rule 482 00:31:06,000 –> 00:31:07,920 and he’ll redeem 483 00:31:07,920 –> 00:31:09,880 This is the God of the Bible 484 00:31:09,900 –> 00:31:12,540 This is the God who judges His enemies 485 00:31:12,540 –> 00:31:15,239 He gathers His people so that He can rule them 486 00:31:15,239 –> 00:31:16,859 and so that He can redeem them 487 00:31:16,859 –> 00:31:19,380 and He does it in Jesus Christ 488 00:31:19,380 –> 00:31:21,319 This is the pattern throughout the scripture 489 00:31:21,319 –> 00:31:23,699 He will do this for all who will come to Him 490 00:31:25,119 –> 00:31:28,640 And that is why, however lame, however wounded 491 00:31:28,640 –> 00:31:30,780 however bound your life has become 492 00:31:30,780 –> 00:31:35,239 there is living hope for you today, in Jesus Christ 493 00:31:35,239 –> 00:31:36,079 Isn’t that good? 494 00:31:38,599 –> 00:31:39,459 How? 495 00:31:40,839 –> 00:31:41,959 When? 496 00:31:41,959 –> 00:31:42,760 When? 497 00:31:43,859 –> 00:31:46,060 When will this happen? 498 00:31:47,680 –> 00:31:49,780 When should we look to see the promise 499 00:31:49,780 –> 00:31:52,500 of Micah chapter four being fulfilled? 500 00:31:53,359 –> 00:31:55,640 Let me give three answers 501 00:31:55,640 –> 00:31:57,920 First, inthe past 502 00:31:58,920 –> 00:32:02,280 There is some fulfillment of Micah in chapter four 503 00:32:02,280 –> 00:32:06,400 in events that took place 100 years after his time 504 00:32:06,479 –> 00:32:10,040 When God’s people were removed from Jerusalem 505 00:32:10,040 –> 00:32:12,459 and taken into Babylon 506 00:32:12,459 –> 00:32:14,640 as it says here in verse 10 507 00:32:14,640 –> 00:32:17,359 and then 70 years later they were indeed redeemed 508 00:32:17,359 –> 00:32:18,920 they were indeed brought back 509 00:32:20,119 –> 00:32:23,400 Those folks must have loved verse 10 510 00:32:23,400 –> 00:32:25,800 if you’d been in Babylon 500 years 511 00:32:25,800 –> 00:32:27,560 before the birth of Jesus Christ 512 00:32:27,560 –> 00:32:30,739 you would have loved Micah chapter four in verse 10 513 00:32:30,739 –> 00:32:32,760 You would have said that speaking to me 514 00:32:33,520 –> 00:32:35,040 and I thank God for it 515 00:32:35,040 –> 00:32:38,859 He’s not going to abandon me here in this wretched place 516 00:32:38,859 –> 00:32:41,219 and God did indeed overwhelm the Abylonians 517 00:32:41,219 –> 00:32:42,599 he did gather his people 518 00:32:42,599 –> 00:32:45,040 he did rule them and he did redeem them 519 00:32:46,119 –> 00:32:49,400 But its only a very, very small part 520 00:32:49,400 –> 00:32:54,219 of what Micah spoke of that was fulfilled 521 00:32:54,219 –> 00:32:56,979 those years before Jesus 522 00:32:56,979 –> 00:32:59,300 So lets move very quickly to the future 523 00:33:00,400 –> 00:33:03,040 And two ways in which this is fulfilled 524 00:33:03,040 –> 00:33:04,099 in the future 525 00:33:05,119 –> 00:33:07,520 First, in regards to what we call 526 00:33:07,520 –> 00:33:09,199 the millennium 527 00:33:09,199 –> 00:33:11,560 Revelation, Chapter 20 528 00:33:11,560 –> 00:33:13,439 Now many Christians see in these words 529 00:33:13,439 –> 00:33:15,579 the description of the millennium 530 00:33:15,579 –> 00:33:18,540 That is, a period of 1,000 years 531 00:33:18,540 –> 00:33:20,060 when Christ will reign 532 00:33:20,060 –> 00:33:22,459 literally and physically on the earth 533 00:33:22,459 –> 00:33:24,380 You can read about this particularly 534 00:33:24,380 –> 00:33:26,640 in Revelation and Chapter 20 535 00:33:27,859 –> 00:33:30,099 The nations of the earth 536 00:33:30,099 –> 00:33:32,699 will discover the blessings 537 00:33:32,699 –> 00:33:33,939 of the rule 538 00:33:34,040 –> 00:33:35,660 of Jesus Christ 539 00:33:38,459 –> 00:33:40,280 And God says that the earth 540 00:33:40,280 –> 00:33:43,180 will be filled with the glory of God 541 00:33:43,180 –> 00:33:45,900 as the waters cover the sea 542 00:33:47,599 –> 00:33:50,599 I find it helpful to think about prophecy 543 00:33:50,599 –> 00:33:52,880 as being like a range of mountains 544 00:33:52,880 –> 00:33:54,359 so that you can see one peak 545 00:33:54,359 –> 00:33:55,339 but behind is another 546 00:33:55,339 –> 00:33:57,140 and behind it is another 547 00:33:58,780 –> 00:34:00,699 And so even beyond the millennium 548 00:34:00,699 –> 00:34:02,859 there is another peak 549 00:34:02,900 –> 00:34:05,900 Beyond the last mountain top of time 550 00:34:05,900 –> 00:34:07,979 there is the horizon of eternity 551 00:34:08,000 –> 00:34:09,820 and in the future 552 00:34:09,820 –> 00:34:11,020 What Micah describes 553 00:34:11,020 –> 00:34:13,199 points us forward even beyond that 554 00:34:13,199 –> 00:34:14,760 into the new earth 555 00:34:14,760 –> 00:34:19,340 described in Revelation 21-22 556 00:34:19,340 –> 00:34:22,020 The ultimate fulfillment 557 00:34:22,020 –> 00:34:25,280 Beyond the summit of time 558 00:34:25,280 –> 00:34:28,340 Christian look at your eternal destiny 559 00:34:28,379 –> 00:34:33,219 Peace, security 560 00:34:33,219 –> 00:34:38,340 Freedom even from temptation 561 00:34:38,340 –> 00:34:40,939 and from Satan 562 00:34:40,939 –> 00:34:44,899 in the presence of the Lord 563 00:34:44,899 –> 00:34:46,459 living according to his path 564 00:34:46,459 –> 00:34:48,100 and therefore under the full 565 00:34:48,100 –> 00:34:49,699 blessing of his reign 566 00:34:49,699 –> 00:34:52,699 in all the creativity 567 00:34:52,699 –> 00:34:53,699 of a new life 568 00:34:53,699 –> 00:34:56,060 that has been opened up 569 00:34:56,060 –> 00:34:57,659 forever and forever 570 00:34:57,699 –> 00:35:00,179 and he shall reign forever 571 00:35:00,179 –> 00:35:03,699 and forever 572 00:35:03,699 –> 00:35:06,540 Past 573 00:35:06,540 –> 00:35:09,500 Future 574 00:35:09,500 –> 00:35:11,060 Here’s a question 575 00:35:11,060 –> 00:35:13,260 Does this have anything 576 00:35:13,260 –> 00:35:16,260 to say to us now? 577 00:35:16,260 –> 00:35:19,260 Anything? 578 00:35:19,260 –> 00:35:22,260 What about now? 579 00:35:22,260 –> 00:35:24,260 Is there any place 580 00:35:24,260 –> 00:35:25,260 in which we should look 581 00:35:25,260 –> 00:35:26,739 to see any evidence 582 00:35:26,739 –> 00:35:27,739 of what Micah chapter 4 583 00:35:27,739 –> 00:35:31,939 is talking about today? 584 00:35:31,939 –> 00:35:33,139 Now you’ll notice in verse 1 585 00:35:33,139 –> 00:35:34,139 right there 586 00:35:34,139 –> 00:35:35,139 that Micah says 587 00:35:35,139 –> 00:35:36,139 these things will happen 588 00:35:36,139 –> 00:35:37,939 in the last days 589 00:35:37,939 –> 00:35:39,540 Right? 590 00:35:39,540 –> 00:35:41,139 But the New Testament 591 00:35:41,139 –> 00:35:42,139 makes it very clear 592 00:35:42,139 –> 00:35:43,939 that we live in the last days now 593 00:35:43,939 –> 00:35:45,739 the last days have begun 594 00:35:45,739 –> 00:35:46,939 They began with the ascension 595 00:35:46,939 –> 00:35:47,939 of Jesus 596 00:35:47,939 –> 00:35:48,939 You remember on 597 00:35:48,939 –> 00:35:49,939 the day of Pentecost 598 00:35:49,939 –> 00:35:51,540 Peter quoted the prophet Joel 599 00:35:51,540 –> 00:35:53,340 saying that God’s spirit 600 00:35:53,340 –> 00:35:54,540 would be poured out 601 00:35:54,540 –> 00:35:55,540 in the last days 602 00:35:55,540 –> 00:35:57,540 Peter says this is the last days 603 00:35:57,540 –> 00:35:59,899 this is exactly what is happening now 604 00:35:59,899 –> 00:36:01,899 we’re in the last days 605 00:36:01,899 –> 00:36:03,540 Ever since the ascension of Jesus 606 00:36:03,540 –> 00:36:10,659 So since we are living in the last days 607 00:36:10,659 –> 00:36:11,659 where should we look 608 00:36:11,659 –> 00:36:16,459 to see what Micah describes today? 609 00:36:16,459 –> 00:36:17,459 Where should we look 610 00:36:17,459 –> 00:36:19,739 to see evidence 611 00:36:19,739 –> 00:36:21,739 of God’s presence 612 00:36:21,739 –> 00:36:25,139 on the earth 613 00:36:25,139 –> 00:36:26,020 Where would you look 614 00:36:26,020 –> 00:36:27,219 for a gathering of people 615 00:36:27,219 –> 00:36:28,939 who love God’s word 616 00:36:28,939 –> 00:36:31,340 and want to walk in his ways 617 00:36:31,340 –> 00:36:34,500 and under his rule 618 00:36:34,500 –> 00:36:35,500 Where would you expect 619 00:36:35,500 –> 00:36:36,300 to see God at work 620 00:36:36,300 –> 00:36:39,620 gathering a redeemed community 621 00:36:39,620 –> 00:36:44,179 that will live under his rule 622 00:36:44,179 –> 00:36:47,100 That’s our calling, isn’t it? 623 00:36:48,179 –> 00:36:50,020 Wherever God’s people 624 00:36:50,020 –> 00:36:52,659 pursue righteousness and peace 625 00:36:52,800 –> 00:36:55,199 there an expression of God’s reign 626 00:36:55,199 –> 00:36:58,780 is seen on the earth 627 00:36:58,780 –> 00:36:59,780 The apostle Paul says this 628 00:36:59,780 –> 00:37:01,739 in Romans chapter 14 629 00:37:01,739 –> 00:37:02,899 in verse 17 630 00:37:02,899 –> 00:37:04,179 God’s kingdom, he says 631 00:37:04,179 –> 00:37:06,340 This is what it’s about 632 00:37:06,340 –> 00:37:08,419 God’s rule, God’s reign, God’s kingdom 633 00:37:08,419 –> 00:37:10,100 it’s about righteousness, 634 00:37:10,100 –> 00:37:14,219 peace and joy in the Holy Spirit 635 00:37:14,219 –> 00:37:15,979 So wherever you see God’s people 636 00:37:15,979 –> 00:37:18,860 pursuing peace 637 00:37:18,860 –> 00:37:21,479 and acting in righteousness 638 00:37:21,800 –> 00:37:23,080 There you have an expression 639 00:37:23,080 –> 00:37:26,399 of God’s rule and of his redeemingLove 640 00:37:26,399 –> 00:37:28,879 and that’s our calling 641 00:37:28,879 –> 00:37:30,780 Our very purpose here 642 00:37:30,780 –> 00:37:32,919 until God takes us home to heaven 643 00:37:32,919 –> 00:37:34,520 is to shine the light of hope 644 00:37:34,520 –> 00:37:36,139 into a dark world 645 00:37:36,139 –> 00:37:37,219 that God should do this 646 00:37:37,219 –> 00:37:39,120 through gathered communities 647 00:37:39,120 –> 00:37:40,419 of redeemed people 648 00:37:40,419 –> 00:37:42,620 who pursue peace and righteousness 649 00:37:42,620 –> 00:37:44,459 because they live under his rule 650 00:37:44,459 –> 00:37:47,100 and whenever you see that happen 651 00:37:47,100 –> 00:37:51,260 you’re seeing a snapshot of his kingdom 652 00:37:51,260 –> 00:37:54,540 God’s kingdom comes 653 00:37:54,540 –> 00:37:58,159 when his will is done on earth 654 00:37:58,159 –> 00:38:01,860 as it is in heaven 655 00:38:01,860 –> 00:38:07,620 So I was reading this biography of John Lennon 656 00:38:07,620 –> 00:38:09,179 and thinking about his song 657 00:38:09,179 –> 00:38:17,219 Imagine, on the plane earlier this week 658 00:38:17,219 –> 00:38:20,600 and another song came to my mind 659 00:38:20,600 –> 00:38:24,340 by a Christian group called Mercy Me 660 00:38:24,340 –> 00:38:26,699 and it’s called I Can Only Imagine 661 00:38:26,699 –> 00:38:30,540 Two songs, Imagine, I Can Only Imagine 662 00:38:30,540 –> 00:38:35,620 Let me read the words of the second song to you 663 00:38:35,620 –> 00:38:39,820 I can only imagine what my eyes will see 664 00:38:39,820 –> 00:38:41,919 When your face is before me 665 00:38:41,919 –> 00:38:45,120 I can only imagine 666 00:38:45,120 –> 00:38:46,439 Surrounded by your glory 667 00:38:46,439 –> 00:38:48,919 what will my heart feel? 668 00:38:48,919 –> 00:38:50,379 Will I dance for you Jesus 669 00:38:50,379 –> 00:38:52,959 Or, in awe of you, be still? 670 00:38:52,959 –> 00:38:54,780 Will I stand in your presence 671 00:38:54,780 –> 00:38:56,219 or to my knees? 672 00:38:56,219 –> 00:38:57,219 Will I fall? 673 00:38:57,219 –> 00:38:58,800 Will I sing hallelujah? 674 00:38:58,800 –> 00:39:02,860 Will I be able to speak at all? 675 00:39:02,860 –> 00:39:06,340 I can only imagine 676 00:39:06,340 –> 00:39:09,739 I can only imagine 677 00:39:09,739 –> 00:39:13,760 Two songs 678 00:39:13,760 –> 00:39:19,580 one built on the feeding dream of a struggling man 679 00:39:19,580 –> 00:39:21,860 the other built on the unshakable promises 680 00:39:21,860 –> 00:39:25,659 of the living God 681 00:39:25,659 –> 00:39:30,659 That’s what’s on offer in the world folks 682 00:39:30,659 –> 00:39:32,340 and faced with the choice 683 00:39:32,340 –> 00:39:35,139 I want to build my life on the promise 684 00:39:35,139 –> 00:39:38,860 don’t you? 685 00:39:38,860 –> 00:39:39,860 And you know you could embrace 686 00:39:39,860 –> 00:39:40,860 that promise today 687 00:39:40,860 –> 00:39:46,419 You could come to Jesus Christ 688 00:39:46,419 –> 00:39:47,419 and you could say 689 00:39:47,419 –> 00:39:48,540 Gather me 690 00:39:48,540 –> 00:39:55,459 Bring me under your rule 691 00:39:55,459 –> 00:39:56,459 So that my life 692 00:39:56,459 –> 00:39:57,979 might become a place of light 693 00:39:57,979 –> 00:40:02,219 and hope for others 694 00:40:02,219 –> 00:40:03,540 And then on the last day 695 00:40:03,540 –> 00:40:07,179 gather me with all your people 696 00:40:07,179 –> 00:40:09,879 Into the joy of your presence 697 00:40:09,879 –> 00:40:11,739 Jesus Christ has come into the world 698 00:40:11,739 –> 00:40:16,100 so that the gift may be yours 699 00:40:16,100 –> 00:40:18,159 Let’s bow in his presence 700 00:40:18,219 –> 00:40:22,479 in prayer together 701 00:40:22,479 –> 00:40:23,479 We bow before you 702 00:40:23,479 –> 00:40:25,919 the sovereign Lord and judge 703 00:40:25,919 –> 00:40:30,399 of all the Earth 704 00:40:30,399 –> 00:40:31,479 The one who determines 705 00:40:31,479 –> 00:40:34,040 access into eternal life 706 00:40:34,040 –> 00:40:41,040 who opens and closes all doors 707 00:40:41,060 –> 00:40:42,219 We bless you that you 708 00:40:42,219 –> 00:40:44,120 have chosen to open wide 709 00:40:44,260 –> 00:40:45,840 a door for all who will 710 00:40:45,840 –> 00:40:49,399 come in your Son Jesus Christ 711 00:40:49,399 –> 00:40:53,280 Not only have you opened 712 00:40:53,280 –> 00:40:54,239 a door, you’ve come as 713 00:40:54,239 –> 00:40:55,439 the shepherd to gather 714 00:40:55,439 –> 00:40:56,760 the lame, the broken, 715 00:40:56,760 –> 00:40:59,040 the wounded 716 00:40:59,040 –> 00:41:00,120 So that even as we feel 717 00:41:00,120 –> 00:41:01,340 within our own souls 718 00:41:01,340 –> 00:41:02,540 all the problems of 719 00:41:02,540 –> 00:41:03,500 coming to you 720 00:41:03,500 –> 00:41:04,699 we find you coming 721 00:41:04,699 –> 00:41:06,280 even now, by your Spirit 722 00:41:06,280 –> 00:41:08,040 to us to gather us 723 00:41:08,040 –> 00:41:11,120 within your love 724 00:41:11,120 –> 00:41:12,360 and to lead us forward 725 00:41:12,360 –> 00:41:13,360 in all that it means 726 00:41:13,399 –> 00:41:14,399 to follow you 727 00:41:14,399 –> 00:41:16,179 Take us where we cannot 728 00:41:16,179 –> 00:41:18,159 go oh God 729 00:41:18,159 –> 00:41:21,739 through your Son Jesus Christ 730 00:41:21,739 –> 00:41:22,919 Gladly we place our 731 00:41:22,919 –> 00:41:26,040 lives under your rule 732 00:41:26,040 –> 00:41:27,239 gladly we ask that we 733 00:41:27,239 –> 00:41:28,679 may be more and more 734 00:41:28,679 –> 00:41:29,820 our redeemed community 735 00:41:29,820 –> 00:41:32,600 in which on Earth 736 00:41:32,600 –> 00:41:33,639 signs of the reign of 737 00:41:33,639 –> 00:41:35,000 Christ may already 738 00:41:35,000 –> 00:41:36,399 be seen in the darkened world 739 00:41:36,399 –> 00:41:39,699 And our eyes, and our 740 00:41:39,699 –> 00:41:40,639 minds, and our hearts 741 00:41:40,639 –> 00:41:41,840 are focused on a day 742 00:41:42,260 –> 00:41:42,780 to come 743 00:41:42,780 –> 00:41:45,199 where, drawn into your 744 00:41:45,199 –> 00:41:47,679 nearer presence, we 745 00:41:47,679 –> 00:41:49,760 shall sing and shout 746 00:41:49,760 –> 00:41:51,639 and perhaps in awe of 747 00:41:51,639 –> 00:41:53,399 silence declare your 748 00:41:53,399 –> 00:41:56,979 praise, in ways that we 749 00:41:56,979 –> 00:41:59,159 can scarce imagine 750 00:41:59,159 –> 00:42:03,600 But, one day we’ll know 751 00:42:03,600 –> 00:42:07,500 through Jesus Christ our Lord 752 00:42:07,500 –> 00:42:07,820 Amen