[1.00 --> 11.22] We're going to continue our worship by reading together from Psalm 148 and then spending some time in that text. [11.32 --> 17.34] If you have a Bible handy, I would invite you to open that up to Psalm 148 or on your phone or device [17.34 --> 24.30] and have that in front of you as we will look pretty closely at a few verses going through that psalm. [24.30 --> 31.46] With Psalm 148 open before us, let me pray before I read. [34.60 --> 43.16] Lord God, we come to your word and we cry out saying, speak to us today. [44.28 --> 48.26] Speak to our hearts with the beauty of your glory. [48.26 --> 55.40] Make much of yourself in our midst through your word that our hearts might sing. [56.70 --> 62.10] May we join with all of creation and all the angels in singing your praises today. [62.30 --> 66.10] In Christ Jesus alone we pray. Amen. [69.08 --> 72.10] This is Psalm 148. [72.10 --> 75.56] Praise the Lord. [76.24 --> 77.90] Praise the Lord from the heavens. [78.22 --> 80.24] Praise him from the heights above. [81.18 --> 82.80] Praise him, all his angels. [83.06 --> 85.12] Praise him, all his heavenly hosts. [85.66 --> 87.32] Praise him, sun and moon. [88.04 --> 89.92] Praise him, all you shining stars. [90.60 --> 95.16] Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. [95.58 --> 100.20] Let them praise the name of the Lord for he commanded and they were created. [100.20 --> 103.90] He set them in place forever and ever. [104.34 --> 106.94] He gave a decree that will never pass away. [108.00 --> 112.62] Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, [113.24 --> 118.38] lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, [118.80 --> 122.28] you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, [122.72 --> 126.06] wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, [126.48 --> 128.40] kings of the earth and all nations, [128.40 --> 135.14] you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maiden, old men and children. [136.14 --> 143.14] Let them praise the name of the Lord for his name alone is exalted. [144.36 --> 147.54] His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. [147.54 --> 151.50] He has raised up for his people a horn. [152.50 --> 158.70] The praise of all his saints of Israel, the people close to his heart. [159.56 --> 161.28] Praise the Lord. [162.04 --> 163.40] This is the word of the Lord. [163.40 --> 173.16] In many ways, I love the Sunday after Christmas. [174.04 --> 180.66] Quickly, the rest of our culture and society sort of moves on to the next thing, right? [181.04 --> 185.14] Immediately after Christmas, Boxing Day appears for a blip, [185.26 --> 186.66] although it used to be Boxing Day. [186.66 --> 188.86] Now it's Boxing Week, it seems. [190.06 --> 195.66] But even quickly after that, we move into New Year's Eve celebrations and the like. [195.74 --> 200.24] People leave Christmas behind almost as fast as it appears after Thanksgiving. [201.82 --> 206.74] Or maybe Halloween, depending on your order of life together. [206.74 --> 215.42] I have a friend back home in Ontario who makes much every week or every year on Boxing Day [215.42 --> 220.14] of taking the Christmas tree out, bringing it to the back 40, and burning it as quickly as he can. [220.98 --> 223.08] Christmas comes and it leaves. [223.96 --> 225.22] But not in the church. [226.46 --> 231.98] Technically speaking, if we follow the liturgical calendar, the common lectionary, [231.98 --> 236.82] Christmas lasts for the two Sundays that follow December 25, [237.12 --> 239.62] whatever that happens to be in that calendar year. [239.72 --> 241.98] And so this year, that's through January 3rd. [242.98 --> 248.62] Now Christmas works out to a roughly two-week season that follows the season of Advent. [248.92 --> 254.46] As Mike was saying earlier, Advent is that season full of expectation and longing and waiting. [254.92 --> 257.68] And then you have Christmas, which lasts for about two weeks, [257.68 --> 261.04] and that's followed by the season of Epiphany, right? [261.04 --> 265.14] It's the season of the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. [265.18 --> 268.92] And that traditionally starts with the visit of the Magi, right? [268.98 --> 271.90] Epiphany means to reveal or to display. [272.74 --> 278.66] My point is, theologically or liturgically, it's still Christmas around here. [279.88 --> 288.16] And that means that we can be extra intentional in our marveling at the majesty of the incarnation, right? [288.16 --> 293.50] To be still amazed at the beauty of Emmanuel, God with us. [295.20 --> 302.04] If you joined us for our Christmas Day service, the last words that I spoke in that service are, [302.22 --> 308.28] in fact, the last words that we heard and have been hearing from the angels spoken to the shepherds, [308.38 --> 311.04] our Emmanuel kids' memory work all month long. [311.04 --> 315.40] And the last song that we sang was glory to God, right? [315.44 --> 318.88] We sang the song of the angels at the birth of Jesus. [319.10 --> 326.48] This morning, using Psalm 148, we're going to continue singing praise. [326.48 --> 330.64] Now, if you read along with me there, you saw it on the screen. [330.78 --> 335.38] Psalm 148 is pretty simple in its main theme, right? [335.42 --> 339.58] It's easy enough to see if you just look quickly at the verses. [339.84 --> 345.36] Ten times you get the imperative, you get the command to praise the Lord in the text. [345.44 --> 347.36] In Hebrew, that's hallelujah. [348.18 --> 349.30] Sounds familiar, right? [349.30 --> 352.12] Most of us know the word hallelujah, right? [352.28 --> 356.92] And then in addition to that, there are two more instances of incomplete verbs, [356.98 --> 360.20] of future tense verbs that will say they will praise the name of the Lord. [360.52 --> 363.66] Now, obviously, this psalm then is a call to praise. [363.82 --> 364.86] It's a command to sing. [364.94 --> 365.86] It's a call to worship. [366.02 --> 372.90] And so as we go through Psalm 148, we're going to see three distinct things. [372.90 --> 381.96] First, we will see that all creation is and will praise the Lord God for who he is, right? [382.06 --> 386.62] And as a result of that, we are commanded to do so. [387.76 --> 394.70] At the crown of creation then, number two, humanity has a special call to praise the Lord. [394.70 --> 405.20] But the jewel in that crown, that's God's chosen people, his church, have an extra special call to worship God. [405.88 --> 414.14] And then finally, we will land with this ladder, this call to worship God is made truly and obediently possible [414.14 --> 418.98] because God will raise up a horn for his people. [418.98 --> 425.70] And a horn that we know is not a trumpet, but it is Jesus. [426.94 --> 428.36] And so let's start with the first. [429.32 --> 433.38] That all creation is called to praise God. [434.40 --> 438.26] Now look at the whole text, and this is why I wanted you to have it in front of you. [438.50 --> 447.98] There is a clear and sporadic structure, or clear and specific structure, to the whole of the text here. [447.98 --> 451.60] There are four verses and then a chorus that begins with, [452.04 --> 454.48] let them praise the name of the Lord for two verses. [454.88 --> 459.02] And then there are another section of six verses and a chorus that begins, [459.20 --> 460.86] let them praise the name of the Lord. [461.48 --> 467.86] Now in each major section, you get every day of the creation story. [469.04 --> 474.00] I want to suggest to you this morning that the psalmist has in mind, [474.00 --> 481.56] when he writes this call to praise, he has in mind the story of creation from Genesis 1. [482.22 --> 484.44] Now there's some pretty clear parallels here, and let me show you. [484.48 --> 488.06] If you have Bibles in front of you, you can quickly jump to Genesis 1. [488.44 --> 490.38] That's the very first chapter in the Bible. [490.52 --> 492.40] It's the story of God creating the world. [493.12 --> 496.10] If you don't have a Bible, or if you want to just see the connections explicitly, [496.10 --> 499.58] we've put together a graphic to help us see that, [499.66 --> 503.50] and that will appear on your screens right now, or in a second or so, [504.30 --> 505.26] and we can see it. [506.14 --> 507.72] Genesis 1 begins, [507.72 --> 512.28] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [513.00 --> 517.14] Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, [517.20 --> 520.46] and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. [521.38 --> 522.54] And God said, [522.90 --> 525.28] Let there be light, and there was light. [525.72 --> 529.28] And God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. [529.74 --> 533.40] God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. [533.80 --> 537.14] And there was evening, and there was morning, the first day. [538.54 --> 545.54] Now that story of creation starts with a sort of nebulous unknown of chaos churning, right? [545.56 --> 547.52] It's formless and empty. [547.52 --> 552.94] There's a darkness that is over the deep, and the Spirit of God is over the waters. [553.62 --> 555.28] Now I don't know exactly what that is. [555.32 --> 557.04] I don't think anyone really does. [557.32 --> 563.34] But into that formless and void chaos, God speaks, and creation is born. [564.52 --> 567.66] Now verse 1 of Psalm 148 says, [567.72 --> 570.52] Praise Him from the heavens, or sky. [570.98 --> 574.78] Praise Him in the heights above, or another way to translate that is high places. [575.18 --> 580.54] The Spirit of God is hovering over whatever that is in the heights above. [581.38 --> 587.66] And in this story, you even get prehistory, still created, but prehistory being called to praise God. [588.22 --> 588.86] The psalm says, [588.86 --> 590.66] Praise Him, all His angels. [591.40 --> 596.18] But the point is that everything that is not God is created, even the angels, [596.18 --> 601.86] and everything that is not God is called to worship or praise God. [603.58 --> 606.78] Now in the Genesis story, on day two, you read, [606.78 --> 611.74] Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water. [612.54 --> 618.52] So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. [618.88 --> 619.64] And it was so. [620.38 --> 624.84] God called the expanse sky, and there was evening, and there was morning the second day. [625.54 --> 628.48] So you have water above and water below. [628.48 --> 631.86] And verse 4 of Psalm 148 says, [632.24 --> 636.32] Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the skies. [637.26 --> 643.66] Now waters above the skies is sometimes called the firmament in ancient Near Eastern cosmogony. [644.00 --> 648.78] And it's what comes crashing down in the flood story of Genesis 6 through 9. [649.08 --> 652.72] And in Genesis 7, verse 11, it says, [652.90 --> 654.88] The floodgates of the heavens opened. [655.16 --> 656.56] That's what we're talking about here. [656.56 --> 664.66] Thomas LeBlanc said that the ancients thought there was an ethereal and lofty ocean [664.66 --> 667.86] in which the worlds floated like ships on a sea. [668.22 --> 669.76] This is what crashes down. [669.84 --> 673.52] And this too is what is called to worship God. [674.58 --> 677.26] And then day three, right, in the Genesis story, [677.32 --> 679.94] the waters are gathered and you get dry ground. [680.02 --> 682.30] And that ground is populated with vegetation. [683.44 --> 684.74] Verse 7 of our psalm says, [684.74 --> 686.26] Praise the Lord from the earth. [686.26 --> 686.98] And verse 9, [687.54 --> 691.12] You mountains and hills, all fruit trees and cedars. [691.72 --> 694.32] Right down through the days of creation we can go. [694.44 --> 697.38] Day four is the creation of the sun and the moon and the stars, [697.54 --> 700.14] which we read in verse 3 of Psalm 148. [700.26 --> 701.84] Praise Him, sun and moon. [702.00 --> 703.94] Praise Him, all you shining stars. [704.90 --> 707.76] Day five, the oceans and the skies are filled. [708.46 --> 709.10] And we read, [709.20 --> 712.92] Praise Him, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths. [712.92 --> 716.16] And on day five, the skies are filled with flying creatures. [716.16 --> 724.66] And in verse 10, the flying birds are invited into this chorus of universal praise of Lord. [725.82 --> 732.06] On day six, God starts with wild animals and livestock and all creatures that move along the ground. [732.06 --> 734.62] And Psalm 148 verse 10 says, [734.62 --> 739.58] Wild animals and all cattle, small creatures, right, are all commanded to praise the Lord. [740.06 --> 743.52] And then day six ends with God creating humanity. [743.52 --> 745.56] And the Lord said, [745.56 --> 748.64] Let us make humanity in our image, in our likeness, [748.74 --> 752.62] so that they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky [752.62 --> 754.62] and over the livestock and all the wild animals [754.62 --> 756.90] and over all the creatures that move along the ground. [757.32 --> 761.70] So God created mankind in His own image. [761.80 --> 765.84] In the image of God, He created them male and female. [766.02 --> 766.86] He created them. [766.86 --> 773.70] All humanity, every station, every nation, every age, every gender, [774.10 --> 777.36] are called into the song of praise to the Lord. [777.74 --> 778.34] In verse 11, [778.78 --> 780.78] Kings of the earth and all nations, [781.20 --> 783.34] you princes and all rulers on earth, [783.46 --> 786.48] young men and women, elderly and children. [787.30 --> 791.76] Right, over the scope of the whole of Psalm 148 [791.76 --> 796.50] is every bit of creation and history and prehistory [796.50 --> 801.02] called together into the hymn of praise to the Lord. [802.64 --> 807.52] I love how theologian D.A. Carson puts it. [808.08 --> 808.66] He says, [809.66 --> 813.12] The denizens of the earth's oceans, [814.00 --> 817.18] the varied precipitation that waters the ground, [817.74 --> 820.12] the fury of unleashed storms, [820.12 --> 823.26] the majesty and beauty of mountains and hills, [823.42 --> 826.42] the spectacular diversity and color and beauty [826.42 --> 828.30] of the earth's flora and fauna, [828.62 --> 832.14] the scarcely imaginable array of the earth's births, [832.14 --> 835.70] all attest mutely but powerfully [835.70 --> 838.56] to the goodness and greatness of God. [839.54 --> 841.04] As part of that creation, [841.46 --> 844.64] human beings in all their diversity of their ranks [844.64 --> 845.88] and stations in life [845.88 --> 848.68] join this universal chorus of praise, [848.68 --> 851.42] not simply because he is bigger than we are, [851.68 --> 854.38] but because no matter how highly we envisage, [854.58 --> 855.98] his glory is splendor, [856.24 --> 857.74] it is higher yet, [857.90 --> 860.24] higher than anything and everything [860.24 --> 862.10] in all of creation. [864.62 --> 867.90] All creation is and will [867.90 --> 870.62] praise the Lord for who he is, [870.62 --> 874.18] and thus we are commanded to do so. [874.18 --> 879.80] Now these words from Carson [879.80 --> 882.76] also introduce our second point. [883.40 --> 884.46] As Carson said, [884.86 --> 886.02] As part of that creation, [886.18 --> 887.82] human beings in all their diversity [887.82 --> 889.80] and of their ranks of stations in life [889.80 --> 892.06] join this universal chorus of praise. [892.48 --> 894.32] Or, as I'm putting it today, [894.74 --> 896.12] the crown of creation, [896.38 --> 896.78] humanity, [897.04 --> 900.22] has a special call to praise the Lord, [900.22 --> 901.82] but the jewel in that crown, [901.96 --> 903.02] God's chosen people, [903.10 --> 903.62] his church, [903.82 --> 905.84] have an extra special call. [906.18 --> 907.10] So the first part of that. [907.64 --> 911.56] All humanity is called to praise God, [912.24 --> 914.62] just as the rest of creation [914.62 --> 917.62] is in its own way already doing. [918.22 --> 918.38] All right? [918.44 --> 920.28] Let them praise the name of the Lord [920.28 --> 922.14] for he alone is exalted. [922.60 --> 924.46] His splendor is above the earth [924.46 --> 925.32] and the heavens. [925.32 --> 927.26] Now first of all, [927.90 --> 930.64] notice that God is praised [930.64 --> 933.74] not because of what he has done, [934.54 --> 935.60] at least not yet, [936.08 --> 937.94] as a reason to praise him. [938.16 --> 939.74] That becomes one, of course, [940.20 --> 941.64] but in the first place, [941.76 --> 943.60] God is praised precisely [943.60 --> 946.38] because he is praiseworthy. [947.08 --> 947.20] Right? [947.30 --> 948.84] God is good and worthy [948.84 --> 950.24] of all honor and praise [950.24 --> 951.50] and majesty and power, [951.74 --> 953.58] even if he never created. [953.58 --> 956.92] Even if God never did a thing, [957.28 --> 959.14] God would be worthy of your worship. [960.14 --> 960.62] Now, of course, [960.68 --> 962.02] if God never did a thing, [962.12 --> 963.74] there would be no you to worship, [964.34 --> 966.50] but God would still be God [966.50 --> 967.66] and that's enough [967.66 --> 971.68] for him to be worthy of our worship. [973.00 --> 974.50] And also see carefully [974.50 --> 977.86] that God doesn't need your worship, [978.50 --> 980.00] but he does command it. [981.08 --> 981.22] Right? [981.22 --> 982.44] And not just in the sense [982.44 --> 984.08] of the imperative, [984.46 --> 986.26] of the you must worship, [986.40 --> 987.40] but he commands it [987.40 --> 988.90] also in the sense [988.90 --> 990.56] of beautiful, [990.82 --> 991.40] in the sense [991.40 --> 993.88] of his majesty [993.88 --> 996.36] captivates your heart [996.36 --> 997.50] and your imagination. [997.92 --> 1000.06] He captures your attention. [1002.26 --> 1004.50] When a person is, [1004.84 --> 1006.08] when it's said of a person [1006.08 --> 1008.04] that they command a room, [1008.04 --> 1011.36] that means that everyone's attention [1011.36 --> 1013.62] is fixated on them. [1014.06 --> 1014.28] Right? [1014.32 --> 1016.04] That they are drawn to that person. [1017.32 --> 1018.48] Now, in a similar way, [1018.60 --> 1021.94] our praises are drawn to God. [1022.08 --> 1024.18] We are drawn to God. [1024.72 --> 1026.62] Not only by virtue of being created [1026.62 --> 1028.08] in his image, [1028.14 --> 1029.92] though that no doubt helps [1029.92 --> 1031.82] because God has thus made us [1031.82 --> 1033.74] like himself and for himself, [1033.88 --> 1035.88] but we are also drawn to God, [1035.88 --> 1037.18] like all of creation, [1037.18 --> 1039.78] to sing the glory of his name [1039.78 --> 1040.94] and his nature. [1041.64 --> 1043.50] And this is true of all humanity, [1043.66 --> 1045.74] whether we believe in God or not. [1046.38 --> 1046.60] Right? [1046.66 --> 1049.80] Our hearts hunger and thirst for him. [1050.88 --> 1051.94] We long for him [1051.94 --> 1053.66] even if we don't admit [1053.66 --> 1055.62] or even if we don't know [1055.62 --> 1056.98] that we do, [1057.08 --> 1058.42] even if we can't put words [1058.42 --> 1059.40] to that longing. [1060.30 --> 1061.42] And this is why so many people [1061.42 --> 1063.78] try to fill that longing, [1064.04 --> 1065.14] that emptiness [1065.14 --> 1067.14] in their lives [1067.14 --> 1068.60] with things or people [1068.60 --> 1069.74] or money or power [1069.74 --> 1071.70] or drinks or drugs [1071.70 --> 1072.76] or whatever. [1073.02 --> 1074.46] It's because our hearts [1074.46 --> 1076.38] were made to worship. [1076.88 --> 1079.32] We are made to love our creator [1079.32 --> 1082.12] and the misplaced affection [1082.12 --> 1083.68] of our hearts [1083.68 --> 1084.90] is working out [1084.90 --> 1086.08] that sort of normative [1086.08 --> 1087.60] creational desire [1087.60 --> 1089.10] and it's being directed [1089.10 --> 1090.32] in the wrong way. [1091.42 --> 1095.12] The whole of humanity [1095.12 --> 1100.06] is called to worship God. [1101.00 --> 1102.88] The crown of creation, [1103.46 --> 1103.88] humanity, [1104.12 --> 1105.08] has a special call [1105.08 --> 1105.94] to worship God. [1106.20 --> 1108.26] But the jewel in that crown, [1108.42 --> 1109.46] God's chosen people, [1109.54 --> 1110.04] his church, [1110.44 --> 1111.20] you and me, [1111.28 --> 1111.90] all of us [1111.90 --> 1113.32] who by grace through faith [1113.32 --> 1114.40] believe in him, [1114.64 --> 1116.80] we have an extra special call [1116.80 --> 1118.68] to worship him. [1119.58 --> 1119.84] Right? [1119.84 --> 1121.22] If all creation sings [1121.22 --> 1122.32] and will sing [1122.32 --> 1123.10] and is commanded [1123.10 --> 1124.24] to sing the glories [1124.24 --> 1124.86] of the Lord, [1125.12 --> 1126.32] how much more so [1126.32 --> 1127.24] will you [1127.24 --> 1128.82] who know something [1128.82 --> 1129.92] of this God, [1130.86 --> 1131.84] how much more so [1131.84 --> 1133.20] will you be called [1133.20 --> 1134.72] to worship? [1135.62 --> 1136.44] And not just that [1136.44 --> 1137.66] and not just here, [1137.76 --> 1137.96] right, [1138.00 --> 1138.54] in church, [1138.62 --> 1139.76] whether you're in the building [1139.76 --> 1140.70] or you're at home, [1140.76 --> 1141.78] which is more likely, [1141.96 --> 1142.10] right, [1142.10 --> 1143.48] not just even on Sunday [1143.48 --> 1145.48] when it's relatively safe [1145.48 --> 1146.20] and expected [1146.20 --> 1147.20] and kind of normal [1147.20 --> 1147.80] to do it, [1148.04 --> 1148.20] right, [1148.20 --> 1148.94] if all creation [1148.94 --> 1150.18] is commanded to sing [1150.18 --> 1151.08] and does sing [1151.08 --> 1152.68] in response to who God is, [1152.82 --> 1154.16] how much more so [1154.16 --> 1155.44] is your whole life [1155.44 --> 1156.46] meant to be [1156.46 --> 1157.44] a hymn of praise [1157.44 --> 1158.04] to God [1158.04 --> 1159.56] who has created you [1159.56 --> 1160.90] and who has redeemed you? [1161.64 --> 1161.84] Right? [1161.90 --> 1162.52] Your work [1162.52 --> 1164.18] is a song of praise. [1164.28 --> 1164.92] Your play [1164.92 --> 1166.72] is a song of praise. [1166.82 --> 1167.56] Your hobbies [1167.56 --> 1169.16] are a song of praise. [1169.40 --> 1170.06] Your crafting, [1170.26 --> 1170.90] your puzzling, [1171.00 --> 1171.54] your reading, [1171.92 --> 1172.44] your gaming, [1172.68 --> 1173.80] your D&D [1173.80 --> 1175.30] or your CODing, [1175.56 --> 1176.82] everything you do [1176.82 --> 1178.56] is in praise to God [1178.56 --> 1181.28] or it ought to be. [1184.10 --> 1185.08] And as we continue [1185.08 --> 1186.88] the song of Christmas [1186.88 --> 1188.26] this year, [1188.76 --> 1190.92] as you see God [1190.92 --> 1192.80] come down in Jesus [1192.80 --> 1194.46] in answer to prayer [1194.46 --> 1195.50] and provision [1195.50 --> 1196.58] in response [1196.58 --> 1197.66] to that expectation [1197.66 --> 1198.38] and longing [1198.38 --> 1199.76] that filled the Advent season, [1200.12 --> 1201.70] are you worshiping God [1201.70 --> 1202.60] in all that you do? [1203.80 --> 1204.40] Or are you holding [1204.40 --> 1205.12] something back? [1205.94 --> 1207.12] Or are you misplacing, [1207.64 --> 1208.36] misdirecting [1208.36 --> 1209.68] your affections? [1210.10 --> 1210.96] Does every aspect [1210.96 --> 1212.02] of your life, [1212.10 --> 1213.30] does every square inch [1213.30 --> 1214.42] of your being [1214.42 --> 1215.66] belong to God? [1216.56 --> 1217.70] Because in reality, [1218.24 --> 1219.12] every micron, [1219.62 --> 1220.28] every atom [1220.28 --> 1222.18] and subatomic particle, [1222.64 --> 1223.62] every bit of matter [1223.62 --> 1224.72] and antimatter, [1225.08 --> 1226.58] all of it does. [1228.64 --> 1229.94] Make this season [1229.94 --> 1232.30] about praising the Creator. [1232.30 --> 1234.44] And not just here [1234.44 --> 1235.14] on Sunday [1235.14 --> 1235.92] when it's expected [1235.92 --> 1236.52] and safe, [1236.96 --> 1238.04] but everywhere [1238.04 --> 1239.96] and in every way. [1241.88 --> 1243.34] And let me be really clear [1243.34 --> 1246.50] because I get it. [1248.26 --> 1249.54] Lots of us are tired [1249.54 --> 1250.84] right now. [1252.36 --> 1253.80] Lots of us have had enough [1253.80 --> 1256.78] and we just can't [1256.78 --> 1258.44] do it anymore. [1259.86 --> 1261.14] There's a weariness [1261.14 --> 1263.40] that seeps [1263.40 --> 1264.74] into our bones [1264.74 --> 1266.00] right now. [1267.76 --> 1268.56] And it makes [1268.56 --> 1269.34] the normal parts [1269.34 --> 1270.12] of life hard, [1270.94 --> 1272.08] let alone [1272.08 --> 1272.70] the extraordinary [1272.70 --> 1273.66] parts of life. [1273.66 --> 1277.18] And right now [1277.18 --> 1278.10] we may not just [1278.10 --> 1279.56] feel like [1279.56 --> 1280.80] we can worship. [1282.10 --> 1283.24] There may not be [1283.24 --> 1283.84] a song [1283.84 --> 1284.44] that we want [1284.44 --> 1284.98] to sing [1284.98 --> 1287.30] and we can't [1287.30 --> 1287.78] do it. [1290.88 --> 1291.88] And God has made [1291.88 --> 1292.84] provision for that [1292.84 --> 1295.28] because this worship [1295.28 --> 1296.26] that we are called [1296.26 --> 1296.60] to, [1297.54 --> 1299.30] this call [1299.30 --> 1300.24] that is extended [1300.24 --> 1301.70] to all of humanity [1301.70 --> 1302.32] right, [1302.50 --> 1303.76] is interrupted, [1304.04 --> 1304.98] is muted, [1305.32 --> 1306.62] is cut short [1306.62 --> 1308.26] because of sin [1308.26 --> 1309.18] and because of [1309.18 --> 1310.02] the realities [1310.02 --> 1311.22] we face in the world. [1311.32 --> 1312.28] And apart from God [1312.28 --> 1313.36] acting in us [1313.36 --> 1313.82] and through us [1313.82 --> 1314.26] and for us, [1314.36 --> 1315.88] we can't do it [1315.88 --> 1316.52] right now. [1318.16 --> 1319.30] But that's [1319.30 --> 1321.68] God's point [1321.68 --> 1322.74] in this psalm. [1323.66 --> 1323.84] Right? [1323.92 --> 1324.88] This call [1324.88 --> 1325.66] to worship [1325.66 --> 1326.26] right, [1326.32 --> 1327.12] is truly [1327.12 --> 1329.04] and obediently [1329.04 --> 1329.86] possible [1329.86 --> 1331.12] in our lives [1331.12 --> 1332.44] only because [1332.44 --> 1333.36] God [1333.36 --> 1334.78] will raise up [1334.78 --> 1335.58] a horn [1335.58 --> 1336.72] for his people. [1337.72 --> 1338.34] A horn [1338.34 --> 1339.36] whom we know [1339.36 --> 1340.04] to be [1340.04 --> 1341.06] Jesus. [1342.68 --> 1343.50] The priest [1343.50 --> 1344.42] Zachariah [1344.42 --> 1345.60] at the circumcision [1345.60 --> 1346.56] and naming day [1346.56 --> 1347.38] of his son [1347.38 --> 1347.80] John, [1347.88 --> 1348.40] who we know [1348.40 --> 1349.10] will become [1349.10 --> 1349.86] John the Baptist, [1350.46 --> 1350.64] right, [1350.72 --> 1351.38] this priest [1351.38 --> 1352.22] Zachariah [1352.22 --> 1353.18] on that day [1353.18 --> 1354.48] says of Jesus [1354.48 --> 1355.70] who is not yet born, [1355.70 --> 1356.70] the Lord [1356.70 --> 1357.84] has raised up [1357.84 --> 1358.64] a horn [1358.64 --> 1359.64] of salvation [1359.64 --> 1360.38] for us. [1361.44 --> 1361.62] Right? [1361.66 --> 1362.06] Already [1362.06 --> 1363.30] this is being [1363.30 --> 1363.78] connected [1363.78 --> 1364.62] and revealed [1364.62 --> 1365.68] as Jesus. [1365.84 --> 1366.32] This horn [1366.32 --> 1367.02] of salvation [1367.02 --> 1368.28] who will make [1368.28 --> 1368.96] worship [1368.96 --> 1369.82] possible. [1370.26 --> 1370.48] Right? [1370.52 --> 1371.52] The unimaginably [1371.52 --> 1372.34] great God [1372.34 --> 1373.40] has not only [1373.40 --> 1374.14] called out [1374.14 --> 1374.92] of his own [1374.92 --> 1375.48] people [1375.48 --> 1376.54] to worship [1376.54 --> 1376.94] them [1376.94 --> 1377.98] but has raised [1377.98 --> 1378.90] up for us [1378.90 --> 1379.60] a horn, [1379.98 --> 1380.12] right, [1380.16 --> 1380.78] a symbol [1380.78 --> 1381.46] of a king, [1381.76 --> 1381.90] right, [1381.96 --> 1382.62] for the praise [1382.62 --> 1383.58] of all his saints. [1384.32 --> 1384.50] Right? [1384.52 --> 1384.84] And living [1384.84 --> 1385.66] on this side [1385.66 --> 1386.24] of Jesus' [1386.60 --> 1386.98] Christmas, [1387.20 --> 1387.84] on this side [1387.84 --> 1388.56] of the incarnation, [1389.12 --> 1390.02] living on this side [1390.02 --> 1390.96] of Easter [1390.96 --> 1391.74] after Jesus' [1392.04 --> 1392.96] life and death [1392.96 --> 1393.70] and resurrection, [1394.04 --> 1394.72] we know [1394.72 --> 1395.44] that the ultimate [1395.44 --> 1396.48] king in the line [1396.48 --> 1397.04] of David [1397.04 --> 1398.58] really is him, [1398.70 --> 1400.04] really is Jesus [1400.04 --> 1401.70] and so our praise [1401.70 --> 1403.12] joins the rest [1403.12 --> 1403.86] of the universe [1403.86 --> 1404.74] with particular [1404.74 --> 1405.38] intensity [1405.38 --> 1406.48] and particular [1406.48 --> 1406.96] gratitude [1406.96 --> 1408.16] because we [1408.16 --> 1409.36] know him, [1409.52 --> 1410.78] we know Jesus [1410.78 --> 1412.16] who lived the life [1412.16 --> 1413.34] I should have lived, [1413.34 --> 1415.06] Jesus who died [1415.06 --> 1415.70] the death [1415.70 --> 1416.92] that I deserved [1416.92 --> 1417.68] and Jesus [1417.68 --> 1418.88] who three days [1418.88 --> 1419.80] later was raised [1419.80 --> 1421.08] victorious over sin [1421.08 --> 1421.58] and death [1421.58 --> 1423.02] and now in his grace [1423.02 --> 1424.00] by faith [1424.00 --> 1424.96] grants me [1424.96 --> 1425.86] his righteousness [1425.86 --> 1427.44] even as my sin [1427.44 --> 1428.52] is put over [1428.52 --> 1429.26] to him. [1429.48 --> 1430.20] This Jesus [1430.20 --> 1431.20] grants us [1431.20 --> 1432.26] the victory [1432.26 --> 1433.58] of God. [1435.64 --> 1436.82] That's why we can [1436.82 --> 1437.16] worship [1437.16 --> 1439.94] even when we are [1439.94 --> 1440.42] tired, [1440.42 --> 1441.70] even when we are [1441.70 --> 1442.54] at our wits end, [1442.66 --> 1444.14] even when it feels [1444.14 --> 1445.16] like our life [1445.16 --> 1446.34] is crumbling [1446.34 --> 1449.46] because he has [1449.46 --> 1450.88] made a way. [1452.18 --> 1453.48] He has made it [1453.48 --> 1453.98] possible [1453.98 --> 1455.92] to praise the Lord [1455.92 --> 1458.14] and that [1458.14 --> 1459.86] makes me [1459.86 --> 1461.24] want to sing. [1462.36 --> 1463.10] Not only [1463.10 --> 1464.86] are your songs [1464.86 --> 1466.10] a song of praise [1466.10 --> 1466.72] to the Lord [1466.72 --> 1467.52] our God [1467.52 --> 1468.14] in Jesus [1468.14 --> 1469.28] but your life [1469.28 --> 1470.46] is a song [1470.46 --> 1471.60] and all creation [1471.60 --> 1472.88] is a song [1472.88 --> 1473.64] to the glory [1473.64 --> 1474.52] of God [1474.52 --> 1475.22] and so then [1475.22 --> 1475.92] let's sing [1475.92 --> 1476.66] with the angels [1476.66 --> 1477.58] of Luke 2. [1477.74 --> 1478.44] Let's sing [1478.44 --> 1479.16] with the angels [1479.16 --> 1480.38] of Revelation 4 [1480.38 --> 1481.20] and 5. [1481.32 --> 1481.82] Let's sing [1481.82 --> 1482.70] with the great cloud [1482.70 --> 1483.20] of witnesses [1483.20 --> 1483.98] who have gone on [1483.98 --> 1484.52] before us [1484.52 --> 1485.80] in praise of Jesus [1485.80 --> 1487.24] who are urging us [1487.24 --> 1488.88] to fix our eyes [1488.88 --> 1489.44] on him [1489.44 --> 1491.26] even as we [1491.26 --> 1492.36] persevere [1492.36 --> 1493.24] in the race [1493.24 --> 1494.28] marked out for us. [1494.60 --> 1495.38] Let's sing [1495.38 --> 1497.80] because you were [1497.80 --> 1498.34] created [1498.34 --> 1500.20] to worship. [1501.64 --> 1502.26] Praise [1502.26 --> 1502.98] the Lord. [1504.26 --> 1504.76] Hallelujah. [1506.64 --> 1507.06] Amen. [1508.22 --> 1508.56] Amen. [1508.56 --> 1508.70] Amen. [1509.16 --> 1510.10] Let's pray together. [1515.90 --> 1517.30] Lord Jesus [1517.30 --> 1520.54] may we see you [1520.54 --> 1522.00] most clearly [1522.00 --> 1523.56] today. [1523.56 --> 1527.02] may we love you [1527.02 --> 1527.94] with all our [1527.94 --> 1528.32] hearts [1528.32 --> 1529.22] affections [1529.22 --> 1530.12] and may we [1530.12 --> 1530.88] worship you [1530.88 --> 1532.30] with the song [1532.30 --> 1533.60] of our lives [1533.60 --> 1535.62] here in this place [1535.62 --> 1536.24] with word [1536.24 --> 1537.02] and music [1537.02 --> 1538.04] singing [1538.04 --> 1538.86] and dancing [1538.86 --> 1540.48] but also [1540.48 --> 1541.34] in the day [1541.34 --> 1541.80] to day [1541.80 --> 1542.58] of every day [1542.58 --> 1545.24] may we worship [1545.24 --> 1546.00] you. [1547.60 --> 1548.40] God we know [1548.40 --> 1549.04] that the truth [1549.04 --> 1550.28] of your movement [1550.28 --> 1551.00] in history [1551.00 --> 1551.90] is that the [1551.90 --> 1553.22] whole universe [1553.22 --> 1554.78] all of creation [1554.78 --> 1555.86] is singing [1555.86 --> 1556.86] and will sing [1556.86 --> 1557.58] your praises [1557.58 --> 1558.94] and so may we [1558.94 --> 1560.64] join our lives [1560.64 --> 1561.74] with that [1561.74 --> 1562.62] song [1562.62 --> 1563.54] today. [1565.16 --> 1566.32] Raise us up [1566.32 --> 1567.90] a mighty army [1567.90 --> 1569.34] to sing [1569.34 --> 1570.64] praise [1570.64 --> 1571.58] to you. [1573.16 --> 1574.46] All creatures [1574.46 --> 1575.42] of our [1575.42 --> 1576.02] God [1576.02 --> 1577.22] and King [1577.22 --> 1579.20] we praise [1579.20 --> 1580.28] him. [1581.12 --> 1581.42] Amen. [1581.42 --> 1581.56] Amen. [1581.56 --> 1581.58] Amen. [1581.58 --> 1581.60] Amen.