Sermon on Psalm 2

The church is the place where sin is exposed, and forgiven – where sin is no longer denied. You can get into the “LIP” of “TULIP” but if you don't have the "T" down you are in the wrong building. You'll always be defending yourself until you have this down. As long as you're still trying to impress people, you don't realize something yet. Just for the scriptural record:

1 Cor. 1:26-28 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

You'd be better off to be a fool. God is hiding things from you if you're wise. Look how wise the older brother was - he was blaming his father for rejecting him. Have you been as bad as the younger brother? The father has given everyone an inheritance. Sin is in the heart of man. Trusting in the heart of man, what you think has no fear of God in it. Success - the church isn't interested in your success. Is this disillusioning to you? The church is more interested in your failure. When I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Cor. 1:26-28 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

The church is called to be the off scouring of the world. There is no glory in it, no fleshly glory in it for man. All flesh is grass. The most brilliant flesh and the most religious flesh is grass. What have you been doing for God this week? I've been doing nothing for God.

Definition of Works: Anything done by you to get glory or to impress someone.

There is nothing left to do. If you did want to do something, you could at least receive the gospel. When you do, everything around you will bloom, starting with those closest to you.

1 Cor. 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Are you still trying to prove something? What demon is behind that? What demonic system is behind that? Prove something? Make dinner. Go to work. Clean your house. God has taken care of the important things like justification. Why should you bother ever again to justify yourself? Do you want to win in the world, go for it. But look! Not many wise, not many noble, and not many mighty are called. Didn't you lack diligence and personal integrity when you were out in the world? How could you end up here? Was your god-project sagging?

OBATHOC

As old beings we hope to get by with the ruse. That is why, most often precisely in the church, indignation reaches its highest pitch.

People are indignant that you didn't meet all of their natural needs. People get indignant because they don't have enough money. They are envious of someone else's money.

For the old beings repair to the church to look for help when their god-projects sag or falter, expecting to be affirmed. They will repair to you, church, and when they're not affirmed by you, when you tell them it is because of their sin, you can't even tell them that because they have it all justified. They are off in their metaphysical world where they are right about everything. They co-opt whatever you say. For me, I don't say much, do you? There are some people still trying to impress our detractors. I wish you wouldn't. You just stir up a bee’s nest. What is your real point in doing it? You’re fooling only yourself. Jesus said that if you raised the dead they still wouldn’t believe. What are you going to tell them?

Didn't you like the play the other night? What I liked about the play is that it was so un-together. There are children here who could impress you with their keyboard playing, but that is not their calling. Can’t you just see them in Carnegie Hall? I've known several concert pianists. Disciples are better off. It won't help. What do you want to be when you grow up? What a drag. Can't you see yourself as one of those guys who snowboard on the mountain’s forward edge - and get killed? Consider your calling. Before you got here the world figured out you lacked diligence and personal integrity. The only people who were your friends were those who were using you. Even the world, in its rejection of you, was trying to tell you something, even in your business.

What does Romans 1 say? They professed themselves to be wise and became fools. I don't think you'd ever say you were wise, but when it really comes down to it, do you think you know anything? God has made all that pointless because he hides things from the wise. Proverbs says that if you're wise in your own sight, you don't have fear of God. It says not to do that.

The older brother is so wise he still thinks he's right..

1 Samuel 15:20-23 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. [21] But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. [22] And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. [23] For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

What is this life you're still saving for yourself? If you're a Christian you don’t belong to you anymore. If you're in the church, the Bible says to obey them that have the rule over you. If you were called here and you don't obey those over you, let me un-call you right now. Leave now while there is still time. "Well, they're rejecting me."

Some heavy things start coming down in Saul's life. Are you trying to impress your wife? Try loving her. "Well, she should love me first." Lighten up; it's far worse than this.

1 Samuel 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

“You owe me” is what’s behind works for God. People want to do things to put God in their debt and then they want to put you in their debt. Beware of who wants to help you. "Well, you're rejecting my gifts." God doesn't need you or me, or anything. He doesn't need my help.

Peter, who am I? Upon that rock, I will build my church. Upon the rock of you know who I am. Do you know who he is today? Is he your master? To the rebellious this sounds like law. "Who me? I don't know why you're telling me this?" There is one of me who is rebellious. If you allow that rebellious one in you to reign you will reap some death - the wrath of God's law. Who are your friends? My friends don't acknowledge my brilliance - my gifts. The ones who know your gifts and are speaking to you are your friends. Aren't you impressed with my great gifts? NO!

What are you worked up about? I always like casting out devils, don't you? Let them go somewhere else because they're just not welcome here. You ought to tell them. Maybe the people who aren't your friends, those who are rejecting you, are your friends.

1 Samuel 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.

After Saul is finally pinned down, that he is a liar and he's been doing all these things for God and you, he's busted, and says, “Since I've lost the honor that comes from God, honor me before men.” How are you trying to get the honor that comes from men? How are you trying to impress people? On the slopes? Go for it! Bust your bottom! I might even pay $10 to see you. Do some exploits. Write the great American novel or a symphony. Get to where people appreciate you.

Who do you want to appreciate you? How about your wife and children? You've proved that you believe you’re justified daily, by Christ, when your wife and children start to recognize something about you. They see the strife start to go out of your life.

Saul still wants the praise that comes from man, which Jesus calls an abomination. Do these scriptures apply to you? If you think they do, then you'd say, "I abhor myself. Can I repent right now?"

Samuel is not always appreciative of what Saul wants.

1 Samuel 15:31-33 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord.

[32] Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. [33] And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.

The story gets worse, as you know. Envy and jealousy will rule his life. He hates God and David, who is his best friend. He puts that hatred, envy and jealously on his children, and eventually tries to kill Jonathan with a Javelin and his daughter hates her husband. She wants to control him and he won't be controlled by her. Where does Saul end up? In a battle with the Philistines He has to kill himself. His life ends in suicide, a better fate than the Philistines offered. He neglects to put any character in his daughter, and he gets mad at Jonathan because he loves David. He hates David more and more for it. He is driven by jealousy and envy.

When Saul of Tarsus was out killing the brethren he was zealous. Have you been zealous for God and thought you were doing something for him? Who was Saul really doing it for? Himself. Saul wants glory so he hates the anointing.

All I'm ever saying to everyone is, "Come on." I'd like to have a meeting after church today - we need some deacons. There are some civil works that need done from time to time. The highest thing you can be, according to Jim Durkin, is a Deacon. Who was he talking to? He must have been an optimist. Imagine saying to someone here, that the highest thing you could be is open to you.

Saul embarks on a holy war to justify himself - to be the center of everything and rule. He wants to rule his life, and the lives of others. This is the issue. People who can't rule over you may hate you. But you know Saul’s end, the end of his envy and his jealousy. Envy is a work of the flesh, and there is not one person in this room who would admit to it because they don't call a thing what it is. They don't know what's driving them; what they are angry about. Someone got something they wanted. “He got a bigger piece of the pie than me.” I can think of seven businesses right now that I could start and that would be profitable.

If your children can't sing in the choir and if they don't have a name they are withdrawn. When you won't bow down and let them rule over you they punish you. "I'm not going to come around you." Some parents wonder why people don't come around them, even their own children. Repair to the church and become indignant that your needs didn't get me. You have a need every day to be made a sinner. You might as well leave now.

I once saw a waitress in a restaurant cleaning a table and removing the dishes. She was doing it in love. Some things you don't forget. It isn't like there's anything wrong in clearing the table or doing the dishes, that's a good thing. But if you do it in anger and strife, it becomes an evil work. The works of the righteous would be mortal sins if they were not feared to be mortal sins.

Luther: If the righteous are to do their works, either good or bad, it seems, in supposed confidence in their works no matter how good, are really deadly, mortal sins.

How do you judge a thing? What is your motive? If you go to work to provide for your family, this is a good motive. I've seen men who go to work to escape their families.

When are works of the righteous not mortal sins, whey they fear they are? The apparent goodness of the deeds could be mortal sin, if your motive is to justify yourself. What wonderful deeds are you doing for God?

Page 39 - On Being a Theologian of the Cross.

To please yourself to enjoy yourself and your own works is to make yourself an idol. He who is self-confident without fear of God acts entirely in this manner. The terror of the servant.

Certainly, if I glory in your afflictions, even if they are deserved, it is evil.

A son of mine has fear of me because he wouldn't want to do anything to displease me. This is the kind of fear we want of God. You're not going to hell. You have been called and elected. But you get to a point where you wouldn't want to do anything to displease God - you become wretched when you do it. You delight in God after the inner man, the new creation.

The kingdom of God doesn't consist in Talk. Not everyone who says unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom, but those who do the will of the Father.

He will destroy the wisdom of the wise. You got any wisdom? From where are you draw your wisdom?

Hebrews 3:12-13 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. [13] But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

I want to expose a lie - that the morning meetings are shark meetings. Where would this lie come from? A man who hates the light and loves darkness Do me a favor and don't come to the meeting. The run is on and there are steelhead in the Cowlitz. Believe me, if I were continually thinking of needs, I'd start thinking about my own needs all the time and get my own businesses. Business is a good place. Stop and think about it. People in the world don't judge you if you serve them, they give you money. If you do a reasonably good job they thank you.

Have you been to the mountain, Mount Calvary, and are you sitting at the feet of the cross. If so, you'd be very slow to say you know anything. When a word comes to you, you'd be slow to reject it. Since you're not at the meeting, there is far less contention. I have no pleasure in listening to your contention. Please, do what you want.

But the Bible here says, "Take heed least there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief." How would you know what you believe? For one of you, even the best deeds you do are tainted with sin. My best works are tainted with sin. Even in preaching right now, I know my best works are tainted with sin. I've fallen into the same stuff; just try having a family, some of you.

How many of you have six, seven, or eight children? You'd better get 8 different plans. If you prosper, people hate you. But the root of your hatred is envy and jealousy. What you really hate is the anointing. God rejected Saul, has he rejected you? "One of me." I've heard that being used lately as a refuge. It is no refuge and it will eat your innards. The wrath of God will come upon this when you use this to your own advantage.

Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

You can't even know your own sins today. Your sin is that you're an addict; addicted to pride - addicted to yourself. You’re addicted to the glory you're not getting and the things you do to get it. This is always rejected from the praise of God. You'd better start with men. Let's face it, I haven't been praising you enough for all the good you've been doing and the help you've been giving me. This is all pointless. What really bothers people is when you tell them the good things they've been doing, the works they've been doing, God has made pointless.

Enjoy what you do, enjoy your wife, enjoy your children. "Don, we've got to build a church." I've been caught up in this. Jesus said, "I will build my church." This is not to say that he is not in and among us and we are not to build the church. Reproof is the definition of light. Jesus said he is the light of the world and his words are light. Why do people forsake the gathering of the saints? Because the light of the world is you Have you been called "here"? What's here? You can have a body but not be here. How many of us have done that a thousand times? Here is your inheritance. Take it and go, and bless you. One of the things you're delivered from is caring. "But it's my son, Don." It may come as a shock to you but God has sons too.

All this talk about your children, I don’t' want to hear it any more. Don't take this too literally. Of course I want to hear about your children. You children needed the law, and you ought to be thankful and stop rolling your eyes at your parents. You don't realize what it is to have a covering.

Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Don't do what you've done in times past. You hear the voice of the Lord speak through a brother or sister, your heart is so hard that you right away defend yourself.

God doesn't need Peter's sword to defend him. "If I wanted help, I would call 100 legions of angels." "Lord, didn't we do many things in your name." Yes, there is plenty of evil being done in his name right now. What must I do to be saved? Nothing - believe on the Lord Jesus, you and your whole household will be saved. When have I believed on the Lord Jesus? Never.

If it's just law, your children won't be convicted in their heart. Some children are more compliant than others. Some of you have large families, and each child is different. How many plans do you need if you have four? Four.

OBATHOTC: We find out that there are no great accomplishments required. This is all over. The real theologian of the cross moves away from having to prove anything because he is rendered entirely passive. Through anfechtung, the law kills the pride of man, thinking he still has something to prove. What he's trying to prove is that he's right? He really wants to prove that he is God. He can't call it what it is. He even masquerades as a humble guy no one understands at all. Like I said; when you got here, didn't the world understand you? They understood you fine. They understood your great plans and wisdom.

God's going to destroy the wisdom of the wise. So today, if you hear his voice... I can hear his voice through my children, and the people I employ. God can speak through masks.

Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

If you're driven you're not at rest. They didn't enter in because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

God ceased from his labors. How do I know you've ceased? No works. No works. What would cause an explosion is just the opposite of what we think – it is when you or I do nothing. The hilarity of it all is that people could come and enter in. The knowledge you have that would distinguish you from them would be all over. Jesus - look whom he hung out with. These are ignorant men, aren't you glad? Don't you wish you would have gotten a PhD? I just didn't have the right breaks? In the movie, A Beautiful Mind, the man became corrupt and the world thought he was brilliant. He wasn't right about everything and neither was Einstein. Where does that leave you?

Gen 11 - for you to keep your world you'll have to become Nebuchadnezzar. You'd have to build your inward Babylon, that no one understands but you, and you'll end up eating grass somewhere.

Jeremiah: Israel, you've been so wicked that I'm going to send Nebuchadnezzar to destroy your city. America is under wrath. War is the wrath of God, even if you’re on the right side. There are some higher up in authority that really hate war. You must fight Satan, even though you're for peace.

SABBATH - Do you know what a good work is? You didn't initiate it but subjected it to God. Who did you subject your ministry to? "Well, you're making me a puppet." If God's in charge am I a puppet? It's far worse than that, puppets never killed Christ or hated God's anointed. If these scriptures don't apply to you...

Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

A good work would be done in faith, but faith comes by hearing. And the work would be done in fear of God; that it could be mortal sin. Works aren't what you think. You might think works are things like opening a kitchen to feed the poor. Go ahead - I hope you have the money. Works are whatever you do to justify yourself. I've never heard someone say this. "I've been doing these things to justify my agenda - to prove I'm right." I've never heard people confess to this. Confession does the confessor a favor. We're called to confess daily. I'm not called to be right about everything every day; I'm called to be wrong. I am called to be baptized every day, so the resurrection of the crucified one can come forth. I am called to be crucified and risen with Christ. The things above aren't the lofty ideas men have. The theologian of the cross is down to earth. You can tell a theologian of the cross because his neighbors appreciate what he does. What they appreciate even more is the spirit it is done in.

Hebrews 4:11-12 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

People want to avoid the City because the word is in the city and it discerns their thoughts and the intentions and motives behind their thoughts. They want to avoid this at all cost. Light is in the world, but men prefer darkness, today. The theologian of glory prefers wisdom, the wisdom from below. God does a work in us. Even if you have to die physically, that is humbling. He gives us vocations. You people with families, God is doing a work in humbling you. Young men and women are not ready yet for this. You children needn't worry about what you worry about. If you get all worked up and fearful about it, that won't help.

A theologian of glory prefers wisdom because it is how he saves his life - he turns in on himself. We're addicted to it.

If I'm not drowned to it in baptism every day, I prefer wisdom. Do what you want; it is the quickest way. When it comes to glory, this is the worse addiction - the other addictions are just little children of that. People are mad because they repair to the church and are not getting glory, praise and honor. Saul lost it before God so he asks to be honored before men.

We're justified by one thing. Once we're standing at the feet of the cross it is the end. We look up and say, "I know who put him there."

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Psalm 2:1-2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,

You're his anointed. Did you forget? If you're walking after the flesh you'll forget He has anointed you with His Spirit.

Peter is always trying to help the Lord out - he's got his sword out.

Psalm 2:3-4 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Don't get in an uproar when the heathen rage. Even if they saw the dead raised they wouldn't believe. Are you wise in your own understanding? Do you trust in you heart? Do you trust that your works are good works?

You could abound with thanksgiving. I woke up with my usual round of thoughts this morning about how I'm failing. I was praying and half way through my prayer I had 20 more thoughts. The helper, the Holy Ghost, revealed to me that I was to give thanks for what God has already done. When you start thanking and praising God for what he has already done, everything you're trying to accomplish is finished. Believe and it is finished. Try to do the law and nothing ever gets done. Is it finished? Has God already claimed you? Are you his? Then he'll give you the grace to act like it - you'll actually begin to laugh.

Psalm 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Some day I'd like to preach on this, like a couple of thousand years from now. God has always been talking to you in his wrath. You never have heathen, hateful thoughts do you? You never see anyone after the flesh do you? Then I'm speaking to you. We want God to be nice because it is good for business. If we could just clean Jesus up. I tell my own children; unless you hate your father you can't be in this kingdom. Calm down, Grandma! What it really gets down to is that if you have to choose, if you don't choose him it won't be good for your children, your wife, your husband, etc.

Psalm 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Let the Lord deal with them. The demons always end up hating one another. It is not flesh and blood we're dealing with.

Psalm 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

I believe in the vexation of a man's spirit. I believe there are daughters that are vexed. I believe the sins of the parents are visited to the children to the third and fourth generation. I wouldn’t get worked up because Christ has broken the curse. The power of sin is broken in the blood of the cross. Every curse has been broken. For you to talk about Adam, your father, or your mother is pointless if you're the elect.

Psalm 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Sometimes this is the only way you'll hear from God. He speaks in his wrath and then, as in Psalm 107, you'll remember the Lord. Sometimes I think God's wrath has been slow in coming. But God is willing that none should perish. Don't think that everything isn't open and naked before him. Every thought you have he sees. All I can do about it is cry out for grace and mercy - receive the gospel, receive the good news today.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

What have you done to be owed anything? Do you want a debt owed to you or do you want to receive something by grace?

Isaiah 59:6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.

Have you proven what you can do yourself?

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

You could say this is a prayer for the church today. The Holy Spirit prays for us and intercedes through us. My prayer is that the church, what's called the church, could be saved. Stop and think of some of the most ridiculous, crazy and evil things you've done and you're still the church. You've done evil things, just in case you want to judge anyone.

Romans 10:2-3 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

What is God's righteousness? God's righteousness is Jesus Christ, through the gospel. People in this church are ignorant of Jesus Christ and his gospel? Absolutely. If they weren’t, they would cease from their own works and receive everything as gifts today, even though they have a flesh that clings to them as long as they are in this world and sin taints everything they do. They would know they are the sanctified Bride of Christ. God has made promises, exceedingly precious promises to us but the fulfillment of them is eschatological. As long as we’re in this world sin and the flesh will be among us. You've got each other and the Word in each other. You've got tapes. And in all these the word can come through and wash you. Even customers can have a word that washes you, particularly if you serve them well. It is refreshing to meet an honest unbeliever. Carlos Santana, "I'm a spiritual man." Sorry, Carlos, those are some filthy rags. Where there is no commitment, there is nothing above you and you despise authority. Seven men, ten men, can talk to you and you'll still insist that you're right. I'd just as soon be wrong. and argue as the penitent. The argument would be over. Argue as the penitent.

Under the law, everything is sin. Your very best works are tainted with sin. Leave off your sins today and believe God. "I can't." I know. “What do I have to do to be saved?” You've been an older brother, and been separated from your father and hated your brother. From your youth up you've done all those things to be owed something and for reward. But the father gives you your inheritance anyway. The prodigal returns and the Father is glad. The son says, "I'm not worthy to be your son." I may say I'm not worthy to be His son and I may even come with a plan to work my way back. "Give me your heart, son." I fear my father because he loves me so much. He can't even tell me how much he loves me. He's left his scripture that tells me, but I don't know if I get it this time around.

Life is Beautiful - This is what my father gave to me. Sometimes stories are better because there is theology in the story. God has given you an imagination and when you're really open, you can be convicted by a rock. You can look and see what's going on in the world and see that all your children are as Joshua. And the world is the father, seeking the answer for the riddle. People are dying and they’re trying to solve the riddle. Study to show yourself approved, but are you talking to your children. They don't really want to talk; they just want to know you'll talk to them if they need you to.

To what degree do you understand the righteousness of God and that it is given to you as a gift, through faith, and even that faith is a gift?

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

When you talk to the theologian of glory, tell him that God has made everything pointless. "You should love your Heavenly Father, love God more.” No - just hear what he's done for you. In the cross he has imputed to you his righteousness, and even the gift to believe this. Life can be restored as a gift. You don't have to do some works as a defense against the gift.

A good reason to do something is because God said. Daily exhort one another. I didn't say it, God did.

The children of Israel wouldn't believe God and so they didn't enter into his rest but died in the wilderness. Saul felt he was justified in wanting to murder David. He was jealous an envious and that was underneath it all. He wouldn't face it. He died in the wilderness.

This is talking about me. I'm the one who goes about seeking to establish my own righteousness.

Life is restored. The catechism says that by pure, divine mercy, without merit or worthiness in me, life is restored.

Do you do things to be seen of men, or have you despaired of men and want to hide from them and go about your business? Your business puts you in contact with men, and you are evangelizing - doing the work of an evangelist. Don't do your good works to sound a trumpet, as a hypocrite. Once you're crucified with Christ, this is all pointless. Who he saves, he justifies, and who he justifies he has already glorified - eschatologically it is finished.

There is no point in me trying to get any righteousness of my own because I'd be ignorant of the righteousness of God.

Have you proven what you can do? Calvin - true knowledge consists in two things - knowledge of ourselves and knowledge of God. Do you know who you are and do you know who God is? If we don't get this right, well believe our own fantasies and ideas about ourselves, and what we call "god." Know who you are.

The true knowledge of God has fruit attached to it. How's your wife? How are your children? How are your customers viewing you? This is down to earth. Your vocation is designed to cause you to flee from hope in yourself; your understanding, wisdom and strength, and receive a righteousness that is outside of you - daily. Life becomes a gift - not earned or owed to you.

We Americans, in all that has been given to us, are we thankful? God has to deal even with a nation regarding unthankfulness. The Church is the most political thing on earth. Our politics are agape, not need-meeting, not storge-izing people and making them dependent upon us, but telling them of the free gift of God with no strings attached. You can't do this unless you hear, and you can't hear without a preacher, every day, not just on Sunday. Is there a prophet, hear the prophet - the proclamation. We've been given gifts.

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Does this apply to you? Is that the root of what is called works - dead works, other people getting more recognition?

The works of the flesh. Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. The theologian of glory goes right along with envy. Saul hates and wants to murder David. I'm just as much Saul as any other man. But if you want to set me up, go ahead. I will admit that I've not done enough for you lately. My first 30 years of ministry I thought I had to do more for you, and you really helped me come to that realization. You don't think I’d judge you, do you?

John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."I'm blind. I don't know anything."

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; [2] To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Who has he called you to? To the weak things. Only the blind will hear and he has to make us blind; where we see the futility of all our knowledge and our works. Grace, Lord, that I would no longer remain ignorant of the righteousness that is in Christ, and I would cease from trying to establish my own righteousness through knowledge or works.

May the grace of God, the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you this week, and the Lord prosper you in every good thing. We prayed for our nation and our leaders.