WEBVTT NOTE Podcast: Acts 29 Vancouver Episode: The Banqueting Table Publishing Date: 2013-03-10T06:00:44-07:00 Podcast URL: https://acts29.ca Episode URL: https://acts29.ca/the-banqueting-table/ 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.600 The title of this banqueting table, that's what this teaching is called 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:09.800 and I'm looking forward to teaching it because 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:14.040 it's kinda new for me. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:17.960 Song of Songs chapter 2 verse 4 says 00:00:17.960 --> 00:00:21.440 He brought me to his banqueting house 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:25.280 and Psalm 23 verse 5 says 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:28.800 You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:32.520 or you prepare a banquet for me or the message says 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:36.640 you prepare a six course dinner for me in the presence of my enemies 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:40.160 so the point is okay so why does God say in 00:00:40.160 --> 00:00:44.440 Song of Songs chapter 2 verse 4 I'm bringing you into my banqueting table 00:00:44.440 --> 00:00:45.160 where you can 00:00:45.160 --> 00:00:49.880 be refreshed with the feast I have set for you. Why does He say 00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:55.120 that I'll prepare a table for you in the presence of my enemies? 00:00:56.000 --> 00:00:59.240 I want us to grasp this table that awaits 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:02.880 us every morning or every afternoon 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:07.520 let's just go with morning for now. I want us to begin to grasp 00:01:07.520 --> 00:01:12.280 this table that awaits us every morning and this table is there regardless of the 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:15.600 previous night and the incidents that may have happened 00:01:15.600 --> 00:01:19.160 this table is there regardless of the approaching afternoon and what that might 00:01:19.160 --> 00:01:19.960 look like. 00:01:19.960 --> 00:01:24.720 This banqueting table that God sets 00:01:24.720 --> 00:01:29.480 is there waiting for you man. I want us to just examine and grasp what this 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:30.240 table means. 00:01:30.240 --> 00:01:34.360 It's almost like soul food guys 00:01:34.360 --> 00:01:37.480 it's almost like soul food that sustains, 00:01:37.480 --> 00:01:42.000 refreshes, satisfies. One of the words that came to me while I was thinking of it is 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.800 you have that phrase on cereal boxes the breakfast of champions 00:01:45.800 --> 00:01:50.040 that's what we're talking about here. We're talking about the breakfast of 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:50.800 champions 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:55.400 set on this table which will be refreshing which will 00:01:55.400 --> 00:01:58.680 be able to sustain and which will be able to 00:01:58.680 --> 00:02:02.960 satisfy and the intent is to make you aware of it 00:02:02.960 --> 00:02:07.120 so that you'll seek it and come ready 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:10.800 to sit at this table. This is the thing guys sometimes I go into 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:15.040 I remember going into this really fancy restaurant 00:02:15.040 --> 00:02:18.800 and at this restaurant I had no idea 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:23.600 that breakfast was free. It was one of those five-starish kind of places 00:02:23.600 --> 00:02:27.360 and I thought you gotta pay big bucks for the breakfast so 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:30.880 I just thought I'll have a muffin or something because I really didn't want to spend 00:02:30.880 --> 00:02:34.840 30-40 dollars eating that amazing breakfast 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:38.520 but what I didn't know was the room that I had booked 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:42.360 came with the breakfast and so till you're aware 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:46.600 that you have this table waiting for you 00:02:46.720 --> 00:02:50.520 you won't go to sit at it and if you don't sit at it you won't eat it 00:02:50.520 --> 00:02:53.960 and it was only on the third day that I found out 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:58.760 that there was free breakfast and that third day I was leaving early in the 00:02:58.760 --> 00:02:59.240 morning 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:02.920 for the airport and I don't like eating a full breakfast before I fly 00:03:02.920 --> 00:03:06.600 and so throughout the flight I was just regretting it 00:03:06.600 --> 00:03:12.280 so the intent is to make you aware of it so that you'll seek and come ready to 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:14.520 sit at this table and then like Elijah 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.080 in 1 Kings 19 8 you'll find that once you become aware 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:22.600 of this banqueting table that God sets for you every morning 00:03:22.600 --> 00:03:26.320 when you're aware of this breakfast of champions that you can partake in 00:03:26.320 --> 00:03:31.560 when you're aware that there is food to be had for your spirit and soul that can 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:32.360 sustain 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:36.920 refresh and satisfy you what will happen then is just like in 1 Kings 19 8 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:40.080 with Elijah angels will feed you man 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:44.440 and you'll be strengthened to travel 40 days and 40 nights 00:03:44.440 --> 00:03:48.840 until you reach Horeb which is the mountain of God what am I talking about 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:50.080 remember that scene where 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:53.240 Elijah is sleeping and an angel comes and wakes him up and says 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:59.040 arise and eat and feeds him and says you've got a long ways to go and he gets up 00:03:59.040 --> 00:04:03.080 and he's sustained and strengthened and now he goes for another 40 days and 40 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:03.560 nights 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:07.440 to the mountain of God called Horeb and so 00:04:07.440 --> 00:04:11.080 what I'm trying to do is introduce to us this amazing 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:14.120 thing called the banqueting table that we can partake of 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:17.600 so what's this banqueting table like 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:21.200 and why should I attend and how should I respond to the invitation 00:04:21.200 --> 00:04:24.320 that's what we'll be talking about so the first thing about this table 00:04:24.320 --> 00:04:27.400 is guys it's breathtaking it's breathtaking 00:04:27.400 --> 00:04:30.920 so Jacob what am I supposed to do with this after you tell me 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:34.120 you're supposed to awaken every morning and say 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:37.200 there's a banqueting table waiting for me I'm gonna sit at it 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:40.600 and eat because it'll give me the strength to go through this day 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:44.280 and another 40 days and nights if necessary fed by the angels 00:04:44.280 --> 00:04:47.840 as I climb up the mountain of God and what is the mountain of God 00:04:47.840 --> 00:04:51.840 the mountain of God is the place where God dwells we'll talk about that 00:04:51.840 --> 00:04:52.400 another day 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:55.880 Zion and stuff like that we've already talked about regardless 00:04:55.880 --> 00:04:59.000 it's breathtaking this banqueting table is breathtaking how do you know that 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:00.400 first Kings 10 4 00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:04.520 first Kings 10 4 00:05:04.520 --> 00:05:09.440 first Kings 10 4 these are parallels that we need to draw guys 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:13.240 first Kings 10 4 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:16.560 it's a beautiful scripture it says there 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:19.440 and when the Queen of Sheba had seen 00:05:19.440 --> 00:05:23.640 all the wisdom of Solomon the house that he had built 00:05:23.640 --> 00:05:27.920 the food at his table the seating of his officials 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:32.240 the attendance of his servants and their clothing his cup bearers and his burnt 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:33.080 offerings 00:05:33.080 --> 00:05:37.040 that he had offered at the house of the Lord there was no more breath in her 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:41.200 talk about actual breathtaking scenes breathtaking is when 00:05:41.200 --> 00:05:44.360 you gasping for breath because it took your breath away man and this was the 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:46.680 Queen of Sheba who wasn't poor by the way 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:51.160 she was pretty with it too and so she comes to Solomon's palace 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:54.800 and sees the table man sees the food on the table 00:05:54.800 --> 00:05:59.000 the guys who served the officials who sit the arrangement and it's breathtaking 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:02.080 I wanna say to you that the table that we're talking about the banqueting table 00:06:02.080 --> 00:06:02.960 that we're talking about 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:06.520 it's breathtaking it's extravagant it's lavish 00:06:06.520 --> 00:06:09.560 it's bountiful it's abundant 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:13.360 it's generous when was the last time you got up in the morning thinking 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:16.640 hmm there's a table waiting for me that is lavish 00:06:16.640 --> 00:06:20.400 extravagant generous abundant and bountiful 00:06:20.400 --> 00:06:23.800 not too often that we wake up like that 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:28.920 that's what's waiting for you we're just scratching the surface 00:06:29.080 --> 00:06:32.400 it is beginning so 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:36.200 what does the food on this table look like guys it's fascinating 00:06:36.200 --> 00:06:40.880 this table has wisdom this table has insight 00:06:40.880 --> 00:06:46.240 this table has counsel this table has plans to prosper you 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:49.400 this table has I'll repeat the whole thing this table has the ability to 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:50.680 fatten your neck 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:54.560 so that no yolk fits on it this table has healing 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:59.480 did you know that healing is the bread of the children 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:03.600 that healing is the bread of the children of God healing is the bread 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:07.880 of the children of God and this table provides it can you imagine getting up 00:07:07.880 --> 00:07:08.840 every morning 00:07:08.840 --> 00:07:11.880 going and approaching this banqueting table that God says 00:07:11.880 --> 00:07:16.240 I have called you into my banqueting house and I prepared a table for you in 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:17.560 the presence of my enemies 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:20.960 come and eat and father can you please pass the bread which bread son 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:27.960 the bread of healing which is for children yes about 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:33.680 there's healing at this table there's repentance at this table there is new wine 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.000 at this table 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:39.680 there is the washing of feet at this table there is the leaning on Jesus's 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:41.600 bosom like John at this table 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:45.040 there's the breaking of the alabaster flask of perfume at this table 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:48.120 all that happened in the context of a meal guys 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:53.640 this is the kind of banqueting table we're being called to 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:56.720 let me repeat that again this table 00:07:56.720 --> 00:08:02.280 Reebs do you want to put it off I know you're there but you can listen if you 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:02.760 want to 00:08:02.760 --> 00:08:07.280 my sister's on the phone and she doesn't know 00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:11.400 guys this table has wisdom it has insight it has counsel 00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:15.400 plants to prosper you fatten your neck 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:19.640 there's healing at this table repentance new wine what new wine 00:08:19.640 --> 00:08:23.760 new ways of thinking that completely change the way you function 00:08:23.760 --> 00:08:28.160 there's a washing of feet at this table that happened in the context of a meal 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:32.760 there's a leaning on Jesus's bosom as John did there's a breaking of the 00:08:32.760 --> 00:08:34.440 alabaster flask of perfume 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:37.960 as the woman who poured it over her head so there's exchange at this table 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:41.000 and let me tell you something else that's there at this table which we 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:43.000 probably don't think should be at this table 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:47.120 there's correction at this table correction 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:52.200 is one of the rarest delicacies found on this table 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:56.640 it's a delicacy served by the king's cup bearers 00:08:56.640 --> 00:09:00.600 never look at correction as look at correction as 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:05.480 boy this is tender meat 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:09.400 a table which does not have correction is a table that 00:09:09.400 --> 00:09:13.240 is has a huge ingredient missing thank God 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:16.600 for cup bearers in your life who have the audacity 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:22.440 to come up and say to you you're wrong you need to be corrected 00:09:22.440 --> 00:09:25.800 we never see them as people who are 00:09:25.800 --> 00:09:29.760 who you necessarily always like but correction 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:34.760 is so vital to your life and mine 00:09:34.760 --> 00:09:41.760 if you don't have someone who corrects you you're poor 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:47.360 you're poor 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:50.880 I'm not talking just about your spouse 00:09:50.880 --> 00:09:55.560 that sometimes comes with salt and pepper 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:59.440 I'm talking about genuine correction cup bearers of the king of kings 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:04.040 to correct you thank God for them so my question is guys 00:10:04.040 --> 00:10:09.640 what did you eat and drink this morning with God at his banqueting table of 00:10:09.640 --> 00:10:10.280 delight 00:10:10.280 --> 00:10:14.000 you go to the table of delight you go up and say father 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:17.440 breakfast of champions I'm here banqueting table of the king what did you 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:19.280 eat and drink with him today 00:10:19.280 --> 00:10:23.880 at his table of delight remember guys 00:10:23.880 --> 00:10:28.600 I've said this in different ways and I'm saying it again today it's a line that I 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:33.640 that is in the song of songs but it's also a line that John Piper came up with 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:35.720 God is most glorified in you 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:39.900 when you are most satisfied with him 00:10:39.900 --> 00:10:44.900 God is most glorified dynasty when you are most satisfied with him 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:48.400 it's so naturally when God is 00:10:48.400 --> 00:10:55.400 when you are most satisfied with God that is when he's most glorified in you 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:59.660 when you're not satisfied with him it shows 00:10:59.660 --> 00:11:01.660 Boy, it shows when you're not happy with your wife. 00:11:07.660 --> 00:11:11.460 But when you're happy with her, it's a whole different ballgame, man. 00:11:16.260 --> 00:11:19.460 He is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied with him. 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:21.560 In him. That's the song we sang, eh? 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:23.760 That's why I kept going back to that line. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:28.660 We delight ourselves at your table, oh God. 00:11:28.660 --> 00:11:32.660 You do all things well, just look at our lives. 00:11:33.160 --> 00:11:34.160 Isn't that cool? 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:36.560 You do all things well, just look at our lives. 00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:38.160 What a measure, man. 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:42.460 Like I said, one of the greatest compliments you can give the father is 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:45.260 just so you know, oh God, you're a great shepherd. 00:11:45.260 --> 00:11:47.960 I'm really satisfied with the management of my life. 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:52.060 What a statement to make. 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:55.860 And we can feel the love of God in this place. 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:57.860 I believe your goodness. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:59.860 I receive your grace. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:03.660 We delight ourselves at your table, oh God. 00:12:03.660 --> 00:12:07.860 You do all things well, just look at our lives. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.860 I love that line. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:09.860 Just look at my life. 00:12:10.260 --> 00:12:16.660 If you want to see how well God is doing, that should be our statement. 00:12:18.060 --> 00:12:19.860 The second thing about this line is that 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:26.060 the second thing about this banqueting table is that it offers protective hospitality. 00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:28.860 It offers protective hospitality. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:31.660 Crazy word, protective hospitality. 00:12:31.660 --> 00:12:37.460 Guys, in the ancient Near East, where most of the Old Testament stories are set, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:42.260 when a traveler was received by his host, 00:12:42.260 --> 00:12:47.560 what the host would do is his host would spread food before him. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.560 And in setting the table with food before him, 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:54.560 not only was the host meeting the guy's hunger and being hospitable, 00:12:54.560 --> 00:13:00.160 but he was also guaranteeing immunity from any enemy who attempted to harm him. 00:13:00.160 --> 00:13:01.160 Let me say that again. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:04.860 In the ancient Near East, where most of the Old Testament stories happen, 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:09.260 when a host invited you home and set food before you, 00:13:09.260 --> 00:13:12.360 what he was saying is, listen, I want to be hospitable to you. 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:14.060 But the moment I set food before you, 00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:19.860 I also want you to know that I guarantee immunity from anybody who comes as an enemy to harm you. 00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:24.060 Look at Genesis 19, verses 6 to 8. 00:13:34.060 --> 00:13:37.860 And so, Lord takes them inside his house and shuts the door. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:39.660 And they start knocking on the door. 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:44.260 And Lord comes out and says, listen, I have set a table before these men. 00:13:44.260 --> 00:13:46.360 I have invited them into my house. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:48.360 I am their host. 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:50.460 And I've set a table before them. 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:54.260 You cannot touch them because now they are under my protection. 00:13:54.260 --> 00:14:00.960 I'm even willing to send my daughters out to you, but you can't touch my guests. 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:03.460 I mean, look at Genesis 19, verses 6 to 8. 00:14:06.060 --> 00:14:07.860 Genesis 19, 6 to 8. 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:15.960 Lord went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him and said, 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:18.160 I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. 00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:20.460 Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. 00:14:20.460 --> 00:14:23.860 Let me bring them out to you and do with them as you please. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:27.460 Only do nothing to these men for they have come under the shelter of my roof. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:35.860 As twisted and perverse as that sounds, the point I'm trying to make is something else. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:40.460 That once you spread out food before your guests as a host, 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:45.360 you were saying, I guarantee immunity from any enemy who attempts to harm. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:49.360 This is what God is saying when he says to David, 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:55.160 I now set up a table before you in the presence of my enemies. 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:57.460 God is saying, I'm the host. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:15:00.260 You're my friend and you're my guest. 00:15:00.260 --> 00:15:02.460 And I'm going to spread out a table before you. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:06.960 And in spreading out that table, I'm making an announcement 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:10.860 that you are now under my protection and my immunity. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:15.760 You are in my house and nothing shall harm you. 00:15:15.760 --> 00:15:20.260 And depending on how generous and how powerful the host was, 00:15:20.260 --> 00:15:24.260 the greater the immunity that the guest had. 00:15:24.260 --> 00:15:29.160 And the fact is my host whose name happens to be Yahweh 00:15:29.160 --> 00:15:32.660 is the ruler of the entire world and this is my father's world. 00:15:32.660 --> 00:15:37.660 And therefore, his unlimited control and power is a display 00:15:37.660 --> 00:15:44.360 when he says, Jacob, I invite you to sit at a table in the presence of your enemies. 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:47.860 Because in doing that, I'm giving you protective hospitality. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:51.160 Come and eat at this table every morning. 00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:53.660 The breakfast of champions is true. 00:15:53.660 --> 00:15:56.960 When you sit at this table, you come knowing, hmmm, 00:15:57.060 --> 00:15:59.760 He just spread out the food before me and in spreading out the food, 00:15:59.760 --> 00:16:04.460 he's declaring to me that he's guaranteeing me immunity from the enemy. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:07.360 Isn't that cool? 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.360 Any questions before we go on? 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:21.260 Move on? 00:16:21.260 --> 00:16:23.360 Okay. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:26.060 Next one, guys. 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:27.960 2 Samuel 9, 7, kindness. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:31.060 2 Samuel 9, 7. 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:37.060 If I can remember my Greek, I think kindness comes from a Greek word called Crestotis. 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:38.660 Are you impressed? 00:16:38.660 --> 00:16:41.460 Thank you. 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:46.660 I practiced that line many times at home this morning. 00:16:46.660 --> 00:16:50.360 2 Samuel 9, 7. 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:58.260 2 Samuel 9, 7. 00:16:58.260 --> 00:17:04.060 Samuel after kings or before kings? 00:17:04.060 --> 00:17:07.660 2 Samuel 9, 7. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.760 So David said to him, 00:17:09.760 --> 00:17:15.060 Do not fear, for I'll surely show you kindness for Jonathan's sake, 00:17:15.060 --> 00:17:16.460 for your father's sake, 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:20.360 and I will restore you all the land of Saul your grandfather, 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:24.860 and you shall eat bread at my table continually. 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:27.960 Guys, one of the things you need to realize about this banqueting table 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:30.560 is that it's a table of kindness. 00:17:30.560 --> 00:17:35.360 And this word kindness cannot be separated from a Hebrew word 00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:40.860 which is not something that Jason knows about. 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:43.460 The Hebrew word is called Chesed, a Chesed. 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:45.060 Well, Chesed. 00:17:45.060 --> 00:17:49.560 Chesed means loyal covenant love or a loving kindness. 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:51.060 That's what Chesed means. 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:53.460 And kindness cannot be separated from it. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:56.160 And so when we talk about this table being a table of kindness, 00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:00.160 you're talking about a table where God's loyal love. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:02.660 I love the, you know, when we say loving kindness, 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:06.260 it's so alien to our vocabulary 00:18:06.260 --> 00:18:07.960 because we don't tell our spouses, 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:10.360 I got great loving kindness towards you. 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:11.260 It doesn't work. 00:18:11.260 --> 00:18:14.860 But you're talking about something called loyal love. 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:18.060 This table is a table of loyal covenant love. 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:22.560 And you hear about it in Exodus 34, 6 00:18:22.560 --> 00:18:25.560 when Yahweh reveals his name to Israel, 00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:27.960 he says, I am slow to anger, full of mercy. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.860 And then he uses this word Chesed, 00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:35.260 which basically says I'm a God who keeps loyal covenant love with you. 00:18:35.260 --> 00:18:39.160 And why is this important to recognize about this table? 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:43.360 Because guys, his kindness is not dependent on kindness being returned. 00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:47.360 His kindness is not dependent on kindness being returned. 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:51.360 And in fact, his kindness is often tested by my hostility, 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:54.360 by my coldness, by my brazen defiance. 00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:58.360 And yet at this table, around this table, 00:18:58.360 --> 00:19:04.360 the host doesn't go around trying to spot my deficiencies 00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:07.360 or reminding me of the times I've been unkind to him. 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:11.360 Why does, why is it important to recognize 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:13.860 Why does, why is it important to know that? 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:15.860 Because every morning I can come to this table 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:18.360 regardless of what happened last night, 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:20.860 regardless of what may happen this afternoon, 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:23.360 I can come every morning to this table 00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.860 knowing that here is a table 00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:28.860 where loyal love and kindness will be poured out on Jacob. 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:33.360 Where the host is not looking to spot deficiencies, 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:37.360 but the host is willing to have me sit at this table and eat with him. 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:41.360 If there was anyone who didn't belong at that table, 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:44.360 it was Mephi-Bosher, Jonathan's son. 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:49.360 Because Saul had a house that had raved against David 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:51.360 and tried to kill him multiple times. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:53.360 But David goes looking, he goes looking. 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:55.360 He's not even passive about it. 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:57.360 He says, I've become king. 00:19:57.360 --> 00:20:01.360 Find me someone who I can show kindness to from the house of Saul. 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:06.360 Find me someone who I can show kindness to from the house of Callahan, 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:09.360 from the house of Venkatesh, from the house of Gough, 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:13.360 and even the Mebs and the Pantans. 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.360 Show me someone. 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:19.360 Bring them to the table. 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.860 That's the kind of banqueting table it is. 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:24.860 Kindness, kindness, morning to start at the morning. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:26.860 Do you understand why David said, 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:31.860 Oh father, every morning I will experience your loving kindness 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:34.860 and the evening I will speak of your faithfulness. 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:37.860 What a way to start the day. 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:40.860 Soaked in the kindness, in the loyal love of God. 00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:43.860 Great is your faithfulness. 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:46.860 The first part of that scripture is, 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:48.860 Oh God, great is your loving kindness every morning 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:50.860 and your faithfulness every night. 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:58.860 Imagine going out into the world baked and soaked 00:20:58.860 --> 00:21:01.860 in the loyal love and the kindness of God. 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:06.860 And when you sit around this table, 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:08.860 what happens is you get transformed 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:11.860 and now you stop spotting people's deficiencies too. 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:19.860 You don't whitewash them, 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:21.860 but your attitude changes. 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:24.860 Your attitude is not one who's looking for deficiencies. 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:29.860 But when you see them, you don't pretend they don't exist either. 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:31.860 Because that's the other side of Christian niceness. 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:37.860 I love the next point, man. 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:39.860 I love the next point. 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:44.860 You know, look at 2 Samuel 9.13. 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:51.860 So Mefi Boshet, the last verse in chapter 9, 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:54.860 So Mefi Boshet lived in Jerusalem, 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:57.860 for he ate always at the king's table. 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:59.860 Now he was lame in both his feet. 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:01.860 Now, so Mefi Boshet lived in Jerusalem, 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:04.860 for he always ate at the king's table. 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:06.860 He ate always at the king's table 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:08.860 and now he was lame in both his feet. 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:12.860 Guys, here is someone who has been crippled in his feet. 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:16.860 Long ago we did a study on what lame feet mean. 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:20.860 Lameness is an inability to walk in the purposes of God. 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:23.860 Lameness is an inability to walk in your birthright. 00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:26.860 Here was a boy who was born to be king. 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:29.860 And yet his family no longer exists. 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:32.860 His father, his grandfather and his brother, 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.860 his uncles have been killed. 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:39.860 He was swept away by his maid and broke his legs. 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:41.860 No longer a king. 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.860 Lost his birthright. 00:22:43.860 --> 00:22:46.860 No longer serving the purpose that he was born for. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:48.860 And yet what happens next? 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:52.860 He is brought to this table in the royal house. 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.860 And guess what? 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:56.860 When you sit at a table and someone comes from outside, 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.860 your lameness is covered. 00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:00.860 You see someone sitting at the king's table 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:02.860 but you don't see his lameness. 00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:04.860 Because your lameness is covered under a table. 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:09.860 You sit at a table, they can't see your lameness, man. 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:12.860 At this banqueting table, your lameness is covered. 00:23:12.860 --> 00:23:14.860 What is your lameness? 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:18.860 Your inability, your failure, your past, 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:21.860 your gaps, your deficiencies are covered. 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:24.860 Your gaps, your deficiencies are covered at this table. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:26.860 I love that about God. 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:30.860 I mean, I know you've heard this before 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:32.860 but it's worth reminding. 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:35.860 I remember once going to this church 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:39.860 and really messing up what I was supposed to teach. 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:43.860 And I come back and I was too vain 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:46.860 to ask anybody how I did. 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.860 Because I thought they'll think, 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:50.860 boy, this guy wants someone to praise him. 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:52.860 I really wanted someone to praise me and no one did. 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:55.860 And so I can't ask anybody, 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:57.860 so I come home and I'm stewing, 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.860 oh God, this was a big church, 00:23:58.860 --> 00:24:00.860 you gave me an opportunity, 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:02.860 I messed it up big time. 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:04.860 And I'm just stewing, man, I'm regretting it. 00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:07.860 And this went on from about 8 in the evening 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:09.860 to about midnight, man. 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.860 I was doing things and again it would come up. 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.860 Finally I turned to God and I said, 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:16.860 Father, I mean, no one said anything 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.860 and I know I messed up, 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:19.860 but I want to hear what you have to say about it. 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:21.860 I said, Father, I want to hear what you think. 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:23.860 What do you think of how I did? 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:26.860 And as clear as daylight, even though it was night, 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:28.860 He said, go out to your balcony 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:30.860 and I went up to my balcony and I said, look up. 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.860 And I looked up. 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.860 And as I looked up, 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:34.860 it's a typical Vancouver night 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:38.860 with open sky and clouds, open sky and clouds. 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:40.860 And as I'm looking, there's this open sky. 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:43.860 And as I'm looking, the clouds begin to cover that open sky 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:45.860 and it completely blots it out. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.860 And then another gap 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.860 and the clouds come and cover that. 00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:49.860 And as clear as day, I hear the Lord saying, 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:51.860 Jacob, always remember this for the rest of your life. 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:53.860 I will always cover the gaps for you. 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:55.860 I will always cover the gaps for you. 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:58.860 And I was standing in the balcony and weeping saying, 00:24:58.860 --> 00:25:00.860 because what was my question to Him? 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:02.860 Father, how did you think I did? 00:25:02.860 --> 00:25:03.860 I messed up. 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.860 What do you think of it? 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:07.860 And He said, I'll always cover the gaps for you. 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:10.860 Doesn't matter how inadequate you are. 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:13.860 Doesn't matter how you may have messed up your birthright 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.860 and squandered it. 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:16.860 Doesn't matter that your purpose is to do something 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:18.860 and doesn't matter that your purpose fell apart 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.860 because you messed up. 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:22.860 Doesn't matter that you're deficient in what you have done. 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:25.860 When you come and sit at this banqueting table, 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:27.860 the very tablecloth on that table 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:30.860 covers your legs and your lameness is covered. 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:32.860 It covers my lameness. 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:36.860 And I particularly say that to people here who are getting older. 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:42.860 That you may be thinking that my purpose, what purpose? 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:45.860 I'm already in the second or the third quarter of my life. 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:48.860 What purpose can I serve? 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:50.860 I've got enough problems to carry. 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.860 I'm saying to you, take this home tonight. 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:55.860 That your lameness is covered at this table. 00:25:57.860 --> 00:26:00.860 It is the sweetest form of restoration. 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:02.860 Sweetest form of restoration. 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:08.860 Where your lameness is covered and your purpose is still fulfilled 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:12.860 by virtue simply of where you are seated. 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:14.860 Of where you are seated. 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.860 That's what God is saying. 00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:18.860 Come son, sit at my table. 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.860 I'll cover your lameness. 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:22.860 Can you understand the difference it will make 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:25.860 when you decide every morning that I'm going to go sit at this table 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:28.860 this morning because I know my lameness will be covered 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:30.860 and my inadequacy will be covered. 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:32.860 The gaps will be covered. 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.860 Go ahead. 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:48.860 When my lameness is covered, I now begin to function at the royal table. 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:53.860 Suddenly it's like, yeah, I squandered my birthright 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:57.860 and my purpose was undone and I cannot walk well in the vision 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.860 God had set for me. 00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.860 But guess what? 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:03.860 I was born into a royal family and I was supposed to be king 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:07.860 and I still eat at the royal table for the rest of my life. 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:11.860 I still am able to function because I'm being restored. 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:16.860 Not only is my lameness covered, now the one I'm sitting with begins to heal my legs. 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:22.860 Some of us are so beaten down that all we can see are crippled legs. 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:27.860 Someone needs to cover these legs so that we can stop looking at them 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:30.860 and look at the one seated across and say, 00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:33.860 I'm sitting next to someone who is king and who has the power to heal. 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:36.860 Once I stop looking at my crippledness, 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:41.860 I'll start seeing and beholding the face of him who can change me from glory to glory, 00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:45.860 from faith to faith, from greater purpose to greater purpose. 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:48.860 Restores me, man. It restores me. 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:54.860 Because we are so used to seeing our crippledness. 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.860 All of us. 00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:01.860 I invite you to this table. Not I. 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:05.860 I'm just the invitation handler, hand around. 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:09.860 Hand out, or however it works. 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:15.860 The next thing about this table, guys. 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:22.860 Guys, understand the difference it will make if you sit at this table and make it part of your life every day. 00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:24.860 Man, it will change the way you function. 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:29.860 The next thing about this table is there's sumptuous grace at this table. 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:31.860 Sumptuous grace. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:34.860 John 6 53. 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:36.860 John 6 53. 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:40.860 John 6 53 is a scripture that turns so many people off. 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:46.860 It's crazy. Half of Jesus' followers or more left at this scripture. 00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.860 John 6 53. 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:53.860 And here's what John 6 53 says. 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:57.860 It says, 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:06.860 Truly, truly I say to you, 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:14.860 unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:16.860 And once He said that, 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:23.860 verse 60, when many of His disciples heard it, they said, this is a hard thing. Who can listen to it? 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:29.860 And soon, go to verse 66, after this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:34.860 And yet Jesus deliberately knowing that this scripture will affect people, 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:38.860 still goes ahead and does not add any sugar to it and says, 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:44.860 very truly I tell you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in Him. 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:51.860 Guys, I call this a table of sumptuous grace because this is a table where we gather to eat His flesh. 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:57.860 This banqueting table is a table where we gather to eat His flesh. 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:59.860 And don't worry Maya, I'll explain it. 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:02.860 This is a table where you gather to eat His flesh. 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:04.860 What do you mean by eating His flesh? 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:08.860 It means we partake of His very substance. 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:11.860 Your mom will explain that to you better. 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:13.860 But it's not what you think it is. 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:17.860 So let me say that again. 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:24.860 This is a table where you gather to eat His flesh or to partake of His very substance or the sum total of His person. 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:26.860 And what is the sum total of His person? 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:28.860 It's hidden in John 1.14 where it says, 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:37.860 And the Son of God came down to the earth and was made manifest in flesh and dwelt among men full of truth and grace. 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:40.860 The substance of God is truth and grace. 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:45.860 The substance of God is truth and grace. 00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:53.860 So when we eat of His flesh, what we are saying is we come to eat of the substance of God. 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:57.860 We come to eat of the sum totality of His person. 00:30:57.860 --> 00:31:00.860 And what is the sum totality of His person? 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.860 What is the substance of God? 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:12.860 It is this thing called grace where He was impoverished on the cross so that all sufficiency in all things comes to be through this amazing thing called grace. 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:17.860 Listen to this line again and again. 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:19.860 If you have one of these things that can keep rewinding, listen to it. 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:24.860 Because it will hit you like a ton of bricks one day and then like a huge boulder another day. 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:27.860 And it will either crush you or you will stumble over it. 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:30.860 Both are good things to happen. 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:34.860 Matthew 6.11 says, Give us this day our daily bread. 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.860 What are you saying? 00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:39.860 Oh God, besides the food that you will supply anyways, 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:48.860 what I am asking you is give me this day the grace, the very substance of yourself that is available to me because you were impoverished on the cross. 00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:52.860 Give me this day grace that I may have all sufficiency. 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:58.860 I come to you helplessly to eat of your flesh, to eat the bread of grace at your table. 00:32:08.860 --> 00:32:12.860 Tell me something in your life that is not a product of the grace of God. 00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:16.860 Give me anything in your life that is not a product of the grace of God. 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:19.860 One thing, one thing, challenging you. 00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:23.860 One thing in your life that is not a product of the grace of God. 00:32:24.860 --> 00:32:27.860 You are hearing these words, it's the grace of God. 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:29.860 He gave you ears and an ear drum. 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:34.860 You are nodding your head, it's the grace of God. 00:32:34.860 --> 00:32:36.860 He put the muscles in your neck together. 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:40.860 You are laughing now, it's the grace of God. 00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:42.860 You are laughing now, it's the grace of God. 00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:48.860 Because you realize the truth in what I am saying and you have 48 muscles in your jaw that allow you to smile. 00:32:50.860 --> 00:32:52.860 Actually it's 54. 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:56.860 And that could be the truth or it could not. 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:06.860 But the point is there is nothing in your life that is not by the sheer grace of God, 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:10.860 where He impoverishes Himself so that you have all sufficiency. 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:14.860 And the greater your helplessness, the greater the grace that you dwell in. 00:33:17.860 --> 00:33:21.860 The more full you are of yourself, the less you will eat at this banqueting table guys. 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:31.860 I remember once I went somewhere for dinner and they brought out watermelon in the beginning. 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:37.860 And I chomped away at the watermelon and the watermelon was really sweet. 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:39.860 So I am just consuming the watermelon. 00:33:39.860 --> 00:33:42.860 Finally when the dinner came out, there was no space man. 00:33:44.860 --> 00:33:46.860 Because my stomach was full of watermelon. 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:54.860 And when I saw what was spread before me, there was this hatred against watermelon that began to develop that day. 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:58.860 It was like, what a waste. 00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.860 It's water. 00:33:59.860 --> 00:34:00.860 It's water. 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:11.860 And so if you want to eat at this banqueting table, know this that the more hungry and helpless you are, 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:13.860 the more you partake of grace. 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:20.860 The more full of yourself you are, the less you partake of sumptuous grace that is put on this table. 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:23.860 Come helplessly every morning. 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:27.860 Come helplessly saying, Father, I want to eat of your flesh. 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.860 I want to eat of your flesh. 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:32.860 I want to eat the substance of who you are. 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:37.860 And I know that you said that the substance of you is truth and grace. 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.860 I want to eat of it. 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.860 How do I eat of it? 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:43.860 By coming to you and saying, I am helpless. 00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:47.860 I need all sufficiency and it's your being empty that provides me that today. 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.860 So I am asking for it. 00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:50.860 How do I eat of your truth? 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:54.860 I'll eat of your truth by delving into your word and devouring it. 00:34:55.860 --> 00:35:00.860 For in the breaking of the word, Judas and John in your heart will be revealed. 00:35:00.860 --> 00:35:01.860 Do you know that? 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:02.860 I've said that here before. 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:07.860 It is in the breaking of the word that the Judas in your heart and the John in your heart will be revealed. 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:09.860 Both sit right next to Jesus. 00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:17.860 One is leaning on his bosom and one is waiting to dip his bread with Jesus into the bowl to go and betray him. 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:20.860 In the breaking of the bread, both will be revealed in your heart. 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:30.860 This is why the word has the ability to sift and go deep in through marrow and bone right into your spirit and expose who you are before the Creator. 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:32.860 I love what the word does. 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:40.860 This is why I said correction is one of the most wonderful, pricey delicacies that you can eat at this table. 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.860 Second Timothy 3.16. 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:47.860 The word of God is sent to rebuke, to admonish, to correct. 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:49.860 Enjoy it. 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:53.860 Let Judas be revealed and you can chase him out. 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:57.860 Let John be revealed and let him recline on Jesus' chest. 00:35:57.860 --> 00:36:01.860 In the breaking of the word, this happens. 00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:05.860 Avoid it and you won't recognize John and Judas. 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:09.860 Surprising thing is both of them sit on both sides of Jesus. 00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:17.860 It's a table that binds, guys. 00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:24.860 It's a table that binds in the sense that when you eat at this table, you rarely sit alone at this table. 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:26.860 You don't sit alone at this table. 00:36:26.860 --> 00:36:29.860 When you come to this banqueting table, you eat at this table. 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.860 You eat at this table. 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:33.860 You don't sit alone at this table. 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:37.860 When you come to this banqueting table, you eat with others in the presence of Yahweh. 00:36:37.860 --> 00:36:39.860 It's a table that binds. 00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:43.860 Meaning this is not a table where you eat alone. 00:36:43.860 --> 00:36:48.860 Know that there around this table are others like you who have found the Father. 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:51.860 And they sit around this table and eat with Yahweh. 00:36:51.860 --> 00:36:52.860 Go to Exodus 24. 00:36:52.860 --> 00:36:53.860 I love that scripture. 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:55.860 Exodus 24. 00:36:55.860 --> 00:37:02.860 If there was one time in the Old Testament I'd have liked to participate or been in a scene, 00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:05.860 this would be a scene that I'd really like to be in. 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:10.860 These were ordinary people, but it blows my mind that this happened. 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:12.860 Exodus 24 verses 9 to 11. 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:20.860 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the 70 of the elders of Israel went up. 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:23.860 What did they see when they went up? 00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:25.860 They saw the God of Israel. 00:37:25.860 --> 00:37:30.860 There was under His feet as it were a pavement of sapphire. 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:35.860 Sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:39.860 And He did not lay His hands on the chief men and the people of Israel. 00:37:39.860 --> 00:37:41.860 And then look at what it says next. 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:45.860 And they beheld God and they ate and drank with Him. 00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:48.860 These are people in the Old Covenant. 00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:55.860 These are people who went up the mountain and ate and drank and beheld God. 00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:01.860 The living God. 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:05.860 Don't know what they saw, but it did say they saw. 00:38:05.860 --> 00:38:11.860 And when you see God, regardless of how He turns up, it's going to be very unmistakable. 00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:12.860 Don't worry about that one. 00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:17.860 And there was sapphire like stone beneath His feet and they ate and drank with God. 00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:20.860 What I'm trying to say is this is a banqueting table that you can come to 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:23.860 knowing that when you eat at this table you don't sit alone. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:28.860 But you eat with others in the presence of Yahweh as they did in Exodus 24. 00:38:28.860 --> 00:38:34.860 At this table guys you engage in koinonia, which is another Greek word as our resident scholar will tell you. 00:38:34.860 --> 00:38:37.860 Which means fellowship and participation. 00:38:37.860 --> 00:38:40.860 It's a partnership kind of participation. 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:44.860 Where at this table you engage in that kind of partnered participation 00:38:44.860 --> 00:38:48.860 where we are bound to one another in Christ, sharing one loaf. 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:51.860 If we were doing communion today, that's what we would understand. 00:38:51.860 --> 00:38:56.860 That listen, I'm coming to a banqueting table where I don't come as an individual and go home as an individual. 00:38:56.860 --> 00:38:59.860 I asked this question at the Bible study this week. 00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:04.860 How many of us came here this morning with this eager excitement that I'm going to the 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:10.860 I'm going to be part of a body of believers and I wonder how I'm going to mutually benefit someone else today. 00:39:10.860 --> 00:39:15.860 Or did we come here to have 40 individual experiences? 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:20.860 I know that I didn't come here this morning expecting an individual experience. 00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:24.860 If it happens, it happens as a byproduct. 00:39:24.860 --> 00:39:29.860 I came here to share in a common experience called Christ. 00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:33.860 I came here to share in a common experience called Christ. 00:39:33.860 --> 00:39:36.860 Unlimited in session amongst the people. 00:39:36.860 --> 00:39:43.860 And I came here thinking how can I benefit the rest of the body today? 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:46.860 So we come here not thinking of 40 individual experiences, 00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:50.860 but come to sit at a table together where someone says pass me the mustard, pass me the pepper. 00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:53.860 And this really is tasty and you join together. 00:39:53.860 --> 00:39:58.860 It's a tie that binds at this table where there's actual partnered participation. 00:39:58.860 --> 00:40:04.860 Participation and fellowship where we are bound to one another in Christ sharing one loaf. 00:40:04.860 --> 00:40:09.860 A banqueting table around which there are different expressions, different giftings, different personalities. 00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:12.860 My God look at Wayne and then look at Matt and then look at Kamal. 00:40:12.860 --> 00:40:14.860 Talk about different personalities. 00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:22.860 A banqueting table around which there are different expressions, different giftings, different personalities, different styles, different forms of ministering. 00:40:22.860 --> 00:40:28.860 But drawing from a common experience of the spirit for the benefit of one another. 00:40:28.860 --> 00:40:37.860 The longer we go into the future guys, the less this church should have one expression, one ministry, one gifting that comes from Jacob. 00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:48.860 And unless I begin to focus on that deliberately, you'll end up having this church only function in slow worship songs or medium fast worship songs. 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:57.860 In prophetic, in going to the nations, you will never see the light of rap or hip hop in this church. 00:40:57.860 --> 00:40:59.860 You won't see other gifts. 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:01.860 You won't see any other form of worship. Why? 00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:07.860 Because Jacob has a certain personality, a certain gifting, a certain way of expression, a certain way of ministry. 00:41:07.860 --> 00:41:11.860 While in the first five to seven years that is important to set the basis. 00:41:11.860 --> 00:41:17.860 If that is what continues, then I rob the spirit of God from bringing to the forefront in this church. 00:41:17.860 --> 00:41:19.860 The various expressions that sit here. 00:41:19.860 --> 00:41:27.860 This is the period of time when the one who founded the church has to begin to step back so that other gifts begin to come up. 00:41:27.860 --> 00:41:33.860 Otherwise we will all end up looking more or less like the gifts and the personality and the expressions that Jacob has. 00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:41.860 I can't imagine doing a hip hop song here for you during worship. 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.860 You don't have to smile Ryan. 00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:55.860 I can't do one of those rap thingies that James occasionally does because I don't let him do it too often. 00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:01.860 That's the kind of table we are talking about guys. 00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:14.860 A banqueting table around which different expressions, different giftings, personalities, styles, forms, ways of ministering before man and God drawn from the common experience of the spirit for the benefit of one another starts flourishing. 00:42:14.860 --> 00:42:18.860 If I had a choice, let's not go there. 00:42:18.860 --> 00:42:21.860 Moving on, let's end with table manners. 00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:25.860 So we are called to this banqueting table, but how do we approach this table? 00:42:25.860 --> 00:42:28.860 Is table manners required? 00:42:28.860 --> 00:42:31.860 Is there a dining etiquette to this banqueting table? 00:42:31.860 --> 00:42:41.860 So what is the dining etiquette expected at this banqueting table if you are to benefit from it and if you are to sit at it and eat well? 00:42:41.860 --> 00:42:49.860 First guys, it's in 1 Corinthians 10.21 and I love the way the message puts it because it ties right into what we are saying. 00:42:49.860 --> 00:42:51.860 Here's the way the message says it. 00:42:51.860 --> 00:42:53.860 So Jacob, you can't have it both ways. 00:42:53.860 --> 00:42:56.860 Banqueting with the master one day and slumming with demons the next. 00:42:56.860 --> 00:42:57.860 You can't have it both ways. 00:42:57.860 --> 00:43:02.860 Banqueting with the master one day and slumming with demons the next. 00:43:02.860 --> 00:43:06.860 Besides, the master just won't put up with it. 00:43:06.860 --> 00:43:08.860 Love the directness of that. 00:43:08.860 --> 00:43:10.860 1 Corinthians 10.21 from the message. 00:43:10.860 --> 00:43:11.860 You can't have it both ways. 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:16.860 You can't banquet with the master one day and go slumming with the demons the next. 00:43:16.860 --> 00:43:20.860 Besides, the master just won't put up with it. 00:43:20.860 --> 00:43:21.860 What is it trying to say? 00:43:21.860 --> 00:43:26.860 Guys, if you want to eat at this table, you can't pursue God and pursue the demonic. 00:43:26.860 --> 00:43:28.860 And what do you mean by pursuing the demonic? 00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:33.860 Pursuing outright habitual enjoyable sin. 00:43:33.860 --> 00:43:37.860 Can't banquet with God and slum with the demons. 00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:41.860 And some of us do that occasionally and some of us do that regularly. 00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:42.860 Can't do that. 00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:46.860 You cannot benefit from this table by banqueting at it and slumming with the demonic. 00:43:46.860 --> 00:43:49.860 And slumming with demons seems such a harsh way to put it. 00:43:49.860 --> 00:43:55.860 But that's what I do when I decide that I want to pursue sin. 00:43:55.860 --> 00:43:56.860 Notice my words. 00:43:56.860 --> 00:43:58.860 I'm not saying when you sin occasionally. 00:43:58.860 --> 00:44:06.860 I'm talking about the pursuit of sin. 00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:14.860 The pursuit of sin is when someone who is married chooses deliberately that I am going to pursue an affair. 00:44:14.860 --> 00:44:17.860 I'm going to start an affair with someone other than my spouse. 00:44:17.860 --> 00:44:19.860 And I'm going to pursue it. 00:44:19.860 --> 00:44:21.860 I've set my heart to it. 00:44:21.860 --> 00:44:24.860 You know there are times when we set our heart to sin. 00:44:24.860 --> 00:44:25.860 Can you believe that? 00:44:25.860 --> 00:44:27.860 I've done that. 00:44:27.860 --> 00:44:39.860 The second thing that on the side, this is just a side point that I felt I needed to bring up. 00:44:39.860 --> 00:44:43.860 Guys, just as the Lord's table as in communion, the breaking of bread. 00:44:43.860 --> 00:44:46.860 Just as the Lord's table binds us to one another in Christ. 00:44:46.860 --> 00:44:48.860 You understand that? 00:44:48.860 --> 00:44:51.860 When we eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 00:44:51.860 --> 00:44:53.860 When we break bread here in church. 00:44:53.860 --> 00:44:57.860 When we come to the Lord's table, it binds us to one another in Christ. 00:44:57.860 --> 00:45:02.860 In the same way, you need to be aware that you bind yourself to those... 00:45:02.860 --> 00:45:10.860 One of the things we need to understand is when we partake in a religious meal of some other religion. 00:45:10.860 --> 00:45:17.860 You are binding yourself to those whose meals are consecrated to idols or demons. 00:45:17.860 --> 00:45:23.860 That is one of the reasons I often, if you were to call me and ask me, would tell you. 00:45:23.860 --> 00:45:26.860 Do not participate in someone else's religious meals. 00:45:26.860 --> 00:45:30.860 Because just as we bind ourselves to each other in Christ. 00:45:30.860 --> 00:45:36.860 So when you partake in a religious meal dedicated to some other God. 00:45:36.860 --> 00:45:40.860 Even though it's not God and even though Paul says it's demonic. 00:45:40.860 --> 00:45:48.860 What you are doing is you are binding yourselves to them in their devotion to another God. 00:45:48.860 --> 00:45:49.860 Same principle applies. 00:45:49.860 --> 00:45:52.860 Which is why Paul told the Corinthians to watch out. 00:45:52.860 --> 00:45:53.860 That's just a side point. 00:45:53.860 --> 00:45:54.860 Second one. 00:45:54.860 --> 00:45:57.860 Guys, Daniel 1.12. 00:45:57.860 --> 00:45:59.860 Daniel 1.12. 00:45:59.860 --> 00:46:00.860 Daniel 1.12. 00:46:00.860 --> 00:46:06.860 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's delicacies. 00:46:06.860 --> 00:46:08.860 Nor with the wine which he drank. 00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:14.860 Another table manner is that when you come to participate at this banquering table. 00:46:14.860 --> 00:46:17.860 Then don't partake in the king's delicacies. 00:46:17.860 --> 00:46:20.860 The king as in the king of Babylon's delicacies. 00:46:20.860 --> 00:46:23.860 Don't mix your wines. 00:46:23.860 --> 00:46:31.860 Don't refuse to substitute or to adulterate your values for the sake of some temporary gain. 00:46:31.860 --> 00:46:36.860 Because that way the food on this table called the banquering table of God won't taste the same. 00:46:36.860 --> 00:46:45.860 I mean one of the things I get quite upset about often is when I go take a chunk of meat or fish and find out it's tofu. 00:46:47.860 --> 00:46:49.860 I mean it really gets me. 00:46:49.860 --> 00:46:51.860 And you don't realize it. 00:46:51.860 --> 00:46:59.860 And sometimes it looks so good that you take three, four pieces of it, plonk it on your table and then you eat it as tofu. 00:46:59.860 --> 00:47:05.860 That sinking feeling when you know the same what it looked like. 00:47:05.860 --> 00:47:09.860 I mean I'm just telling you my problem with tofu. 00:47:09.860 --> 00:47:11.860 I got nothing against tofu. 00:47:11.860 --> 00:47:14.860 Yeah. 00:47:14.860 --> 00:47:16.860 It's the same thing guys. 00:47:16.860 --> 00:47:26.860 Where we substitute or we adulterate real things with pretend things from the king's deities or king's delicacies. 00:47:26.860 --> 00:47:28.860 And Daniel said no to that. 00:47:28.860 --> 00:47:31.860 It was not a question of the pursuit of sin or the non-pursuit of sin. 00:47:31.860 --> 00:47:37.860 It is a question of there are certain values that I come with and I eat of this table called the banquering table of God. 00:47:37.860 --> 00:47:42.860 And I will not leave this banquering table and go and compromise those values. 00:47:42.860 --> 00:47:44.860 Or go and adulterate those values. 00:47:44.860 --> 00:47:46.860 Or go mix my drinks. 00:47:46.860 --> 00:47:49.860 Or go substitute my values once I leave this table. 00:47:49.860 --> 00:47:52.860 I'm sitting at this table and at this table I'll eat. 00:47:52.860 --> 00:47:57.860 And when I leave this table I go with my stomach full, satisfied, refreshed, sustained. 00:48:06.860 --> 00:48:10.860 Third thing we need to understand in terms of table manners at this table is guys. 00:48:10.860 --> 00:48:12.860 Hey Lynn. 00:48:12.860 --> 00:48:14.860 Good to see you. 00:48:14.860 --> 00:48:16.860 Good thing you didn't say the tofu thing. 00:48:16.860 --> 00:48:22.860 No, I think tofu is good as long as you label it tofu. 00:48:22.860 --> 00:48:24.860 Yeah. 00:48:24.860 --> 00:48:27.860 My problem is when I don't know it is tofu. 00:48:27.860 --> 00:48:34.860 Guys, thank God I'm not some famous guy who can cause tofu sales to plummet. 00:48:34.860 --> 00:48:36.860 Like when Oprah said something about beef. 00:48:36.860 --> 00:48:37.860 Okay. 00:48:37.860 --> 00:48:43.860 The third thing in terms of table manners guys at this banquering table is don't come as beggars. 00:48:43.860 --> 00:48:49.860 Don't come as a beggar or as a sluggard expecting crumbs when you come to this table. 00:48:49.860 --> 00:48:52.860 Don't come as a beggar to this table. 00:48:52.860 --> 00:48:59.860 Don't come as a lazy sluggard to this table who comes and sits at the table and has the elbow on the table and says, 00:48:59.860 --> 00:49:03.860 Feed me because you can't put your hand into the bowl and move it to your mouth. 00:49:03.860 --> 00:49:06.860 Yeah, it happens Maya. 00:49:06.860 --> 00:49:16.860 I mean I remember one of the things my dad and mom had to teach me was I wouldn't move my elbow from the table when I was eating. 00:49:16.860 --> 00:49:22.860 So instead of my and I wouldn't move my face from the table. 00:49:22.860 --> 00:49:31.860 So a lot of things would spill because I wouldn't lift my elbow off the table and I'd go this way and in between it would spill because the elbow would always rest on the table. 00:49:31.860 --> 00:49:41.860 And my dad had to teach me how not to place my elbows on the table so that every part of my body is movable while eating. 00:49:41.860 --> 00:49:44.860 Why was it convenient to keep the elbow on the table? 00:49:44.860 --> 00:49:46.860 Because it's a lazy sluggard. 00:49:47.860 --> 00:49:51.860 You cannot come to this table as a sluggard, as a lazy one. 00:49:51.860 --> 00:50:00.860 Unfortunately, many of us will not be able to fully participate in this table because we come to this table as lazy sluggards. 00:50:00.860 --> 00:50:03.860 Where it's all there but feed me. 00:50:04.860 --> 00:50:07.860 You've got to move your arm man, you've got to get your elbows off the table. 00:50:07.860 --> 00:50:12.860 And second don't come to this table like a beggar. 00:50:12.860 --> 00:50:14.860 Even the Syrophoenician woman knew that. 00:50:14.860 --> 00:50:17.860 Jesus says to her, but it's the dogs that eat the crumbs. 00:50:17.860 --> 00:50:20.860 Dogs and beggars like me and I am not scared of that. 00:50:20.860 --> 00:50:27.860 And I'm just saying that if you don't eat the crumbs and you're not being careful with your body, 00:50:27.860 --> 00:50:30.100 Syrophoenician woman knew that. 00:50:30.100 --> 00:50:31.220 Jesus says to her, 00:50:31.220 --> 00:50:33.020 but it's the dogs that eat the crumbs. 00:50:33.020 --> 00:50:35.380 Dogs and beggars survive on crumbs. 00:50:35.380 --> 00:50:37.100 When I come to this banqueting table, 00:50:37.100 --> 00:50:38.900 I'm not coming there and saying, 00:50:40.420 --> 00:50:43.140 I can wait here and perhaps you can throw me some crumbs. 00:50:43.140 --> 00:50:45.220 No, no, no, you've been invited as a son. 00:50:46.400 --> 00:50:48.460 You've been invited as someone God desperately 00:50:48.460 --> 00:50:50.580 wants to show kindness to. 00:50:50.580 --> 00:50:53.940 You've been invited by the host of hosts 00:50:53.940 --> 00:50:57.300 as an honored guest, as he says in Isaiah 43, 00:50:57.300 --> 00:50:58.860 that you are an honored guest 00:51:00.860 --> 00:51:04.120 who's being given immunity and protective hospitality. 00:51:04.120 --> 00:51:06.900 You've come to a table that's breathtaking, 00:51:06.900 --> 00:51:09.160 not to watch from a distance while you salivate, 00:51:09.160 --> 00:51:11.680 but someone who can partake of that table. 00:51:11.680 --> 00:51:16.260 So do not come to this table as a beggar or as a sluggard 00:51:16.260 --> 00:51:19.140 because both will cause you to survive on crumbs. 00:51:19.140 --> 00:51:21.100 And there are many, many Christians 00:51:21.100 --> 00:51:22.720 who come to this table lazy, 00:51:22.840 --> 00:51:24.320 who come to this table lazy. 00:51:33.440 --> 00:51:37.080 I got stuff in my cupboards, guys, 00:51:37.080 --> 00:51:39.560 that people gave me long, long ago 00:51:41.160 --> 00:51:43.880 that should be thrown out now because it's expired 00:51:43.880 --> 00:51:47.120 because it involves cutting and chopping and mixing. 00:51:47.120 --> 00:51:50.060 It involves cutting and chopping and mixing. 00:51:54.760 --> 00:51:57.120 The point being, I'm too lazy to do that. 00:51:58.800 --> 00:51:59.800 Is that stuff good? 00:51:59.800 --> 00:52:02.060 Yes, it is, but it involves work. 00:52:05.320 --> 00:52:06.960 Can't be like that at this table. 00:52:09.360 --> 00:52:11.560 No cutting and chopping and no chopping. 00:52:11.760 --> 00:52:14.760 They come to the table because I'm trying to eat. 00:52:14.760 --> 00:52:19.760 Yeah, and praise the Lord, the two knives I had disappeared. 00:52:23.500 --> 00:52:25.960 I brought them to the banquet here 00:52:25.960 --> 00:52:27.960 and someone got rid of them, 00:52:27.960 --> 00:52:31.160 so the little chopping that used to happen has stopped too. 00:52:33.400 --> 00:52:35.840 I mean, I used to cut my sausages on Saturday mornings. 00:52:35.840 --> 00:52:37.280 Even that has stopped now. 00:52:37.480 --> 00:52:38.480 No, thanks. 00:52:38.480 --> 00:52:40.080 If you want to stay, my friend. 00:52:46.080 --> 00:52:50.480 Guys, so come to this table as expectant, eager children 00:52:50.480 --> 00:52:52.480 because it's an honor that's given to you 00:52:52.480 --> 00:52:55.680 and you should not despise it or squander it like Esau. 00:52:55.680 --> 00:52:57.680 Hey, the clock is wrong, right? 00:52:57.680 --> 00:52:58.680 It's not the clock. 00:52:58.680 --> 00:52:59.680 It's the clock. 00:52:59.680 --> 00:53:00.680 It's the clock. 00:53:00.680 --> 00:53:01.680 It's the clock. 00:53:01.680 --> 00:53:02.680 It's the clock. 00:53:02.680 --> 00:53:03.680 It's the clock. 00:53:03.680 --> 00:53:04.680 It's the clock. 00:53:04.680 --> 00:53:05.680 It's the clock. 00:53:05.680 --> 00:53:06.680 It's the clock. 00:53:06.680 --> 00:53:07.680 The clock is wrong, right? 00:53:07.680 --> 00:53:08.680 Yeah. 00:53:08.680 --> 00:53:11.680 Okay, we are done in three minutes. 00:53:11.680 --> 00:53:14.680 I thought we had a lot of time. 00:53:18.680 --> 00:53:23.680 Yeah, so don't despise or squander your invitation to this table. 00:53:23.680 --> 00:53:25.680 Guys, the next thing is come dressed. 00:53:25.680 --> 00:53:27.680 Come dressed. 00:53:27.680 --> 00:53:31.680 There was a banqueting table that was spread for people 00:53:31.680 --> 00:53:33.680 in Matthew 22 verses 11 and 12. 00:53:33.680 --> 00:53:38.680 And they went and called people from the streets, from the byways and the highways. 00:53:38.680 --> 00:53:42.680 And they all came and there was one man sitting there and he wasn't dressed. 00:53:42.680 --> 00:53:45.680 And the guy who called them to the banquet says, 00:53:45.680 --> 00:53:46.680 what are you doing here? 00:53:46.680 --> 00:53:47.680 How come you're not dressed? 00:53:47.680 --> 00:53:48.680 And he threw him into the outer darkness. 00:53:48.680 --> 00:53:51.680 What does it mean to come dressed to the table? 00:53:51.680 --> 00:53:58.680 To come dressed to the table is to come not in earned righteousness or self-effort. 00:53:58.680 --> 00:54:01.680 Many times we come to God and eat well of Him. 00:54:01.680 --> 00:54:05.680 Once we've had three or four days where we've done stuff or we've accomplished stuff 00:54:05.680 --> 00:54:10.680 or we have a sense of great righteousness or things that have worked out well. 00:54:10.680 --> 00:54:11.680 I'm a champion for God. 00:54:11.680 --> 00:54:12.680 No, no, no, no, no. 00:54:12.680 --> 00:54:16.680 You come to this table not with self-effort or with earned righteousness 00:54:16.680 --> 00:54:18.680 or with a track record of good days. 00:54:18.680 --> 00:54:24.680 But you come to this table wearing the garment of God's righteousness. 00:54:24.680 --> 00:54:25.680 How do we know this? 00:54:25.680 --> 00:54:28.680 Because in Revelation 19, 6 to 8 it says, 00:54:28.680 --> 00:54:32.680 And there was a huge wedding feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb 00:54:32.680 --> 00:54:34.680 that was spread out for the saints. 00:54:34.680 --> 00:54:37.680 And how did the saints come dressed to this marriage supper? 00:54:37.680 --> 00:54:40.680 They came dressed in the robes of righteousness. 00:54:40.680 --> 00:54:42.680 That's what it says. 00:54:42.680 --> 00:54:44.680 So what does this come dressed mean? 00:54:44.680 --> 00:54:48.680 To come dressed means come wearing garments that are righteous 00:54:48.680 --> 00:54:51.680 but are dusty because you walked a mile in it. 00:54:51.680 --> 00:54:53.680 Hello, did you hear that? 00:54:53.680 --> 00:54:58.680 I'm not talking about coming in the garment of righteousness of God. 00:54:58.680 --> 00:55:01.680 Just that. It should have dust on it. 00:55:01.680 --> 00:55:05.680 Your clothes, your garments of righteousness should be dusty 00:55:05.680 --> 00:55:07.680 because you've been walking in them. 00:55:07.680 --> 00:55:11.680 You know how to live out righteousness. 00:55:11.680 --> 00:55:15.680 Too many of us come because there's a church service or something. 00:55:15.680 --> 00:55:18.680 We come dressed in these beautiful white righteous robes. 00:55:18.680 --> 00:55:21.680 And that's wonderful. That's where you start. 00:55:21.680 --> 00:55:24.680 But don't leave them back here. You're not in a choir 00:55:24.680 --> 00:55:26.680 where you leave those gowns and go home. 00:55:26.680 --> 00:55:29.680 Go walking in them. When you come back next Sunday, 00:55:29.680 --> 00:55:32.680 let me scrape the dust off your robes of righteousness 00:55:32.680 --> 00:55:34.680 because you walked many miles in them. 00:55:34.680 --> 00:55:36.680 It's called practical righteousness. 00:55:38.680 --> 00:55:41.680 May your righteous garments be dusty. 00:55:41.680 --> 00:55:43.680 Jesus' garments were dusty. 00:55:43.680 --> 00:55:46.680 He wouldn't spend all his time sitting in the temple 00:55:46.680 --> 00:55:49.680 and then come out and give a sermon and go back. 00:55:49.680 --> 00:55:52.680 His garments and his feet were always dusty. 00:55:53.680 --> 00:55:55.680 May my righteous garments be dusty 00:55:55.680 --> 00:55:57.680 because I walked miles in them. 00:55:57.680 --> 00:55:59.680 Living out righteousness. 00:55:59.680 --> 00:56:01.680 Yes, it is a righteousness that comes from God. 00:56:01.680 --> 00:56:03.680 But now I live it out. 00:56:04.680 --> 00:56:08.680 Come dressed to this table and you will have 00:56:08.680 --> 00:56:12.680 the ingredients in this banquet go deep into wherever it needs to go. 00:56:12.680 --> 00:56:14.680 It'll enrich you. 00:56:15.680 --> 00:56:17.680 Finally guys, last point. 00:56:17.680 --> 00:56:19.680 When you come to this banqueting table, 00:56:19.680 --> 00:56:21.680 chase vultures away. 00:56:21.680 --> 00:56:23.680 Chase vultures away. 00:56:23.680 --> 00:56:25.680 Chase vultures away. 00:56:27.680 --> 00:56:29.680 Chase vultures away. 00:56:29.680 --> 00:56:31.680 What I mean by that, 00:56:31.680 --> 00:56:34.680 God set a banquet for Abraham in Genesis 15. 00:56:36.680 --> 00:56:39.680 A banquet of sorts. It was more a sacrifice. 00:56:39.680 --> 00:56:41.680 And it was lying there. 00:56:42.680 --> 00:56:44.680 A carcass is cut in two. 00:56:44.680 --> 00:56:46.680 Birds cut in two. 00:56:46.680 --> 00:56:49.680 Waiting for a torch from God to pass through. 00:56:50.680 --> 00:56:52.680 And nothing was happening. 00:56:52.680 --> 00:56:56.680 And birds of prey began to descend. 00:56:56.680 --> 00:56:59.680 And Abraham went around chasing these vultures away. 00:57:00.680 --> 00:57:03.680 Chasing little foxes away as it says in the Song of Songs. 00:57:03.680 --> 00:57:05.680 The point being guys, 00:57:05.680 --> 00:57:07.680 when you come to this banquet, 00:57:07.680 --> 00:57:10.680 chase deceptive doctrine away. 00:57:10.680 --> 00:57:12.680 Chase discouragement away. 00:57:12.680 --> 00:57:13.680 Chase demons away. 00:57:13.680 --> 00:57:15.680 Chase human decoys away. 00:57:15.680 --> 00:57:18.680 That would distract you or contaminate or steal 00:57:18.680 --> 00:57:20.680 from your right to eat at this banquet. 00:57:20.680 --> 00:57:22.680 Chase it away. 00:57:22.680 --> 00:57:24.680 Because there'll be mornings when you get up 00:57:24.680 --> 00:57:26.680 and there'll be deceptions waiting for you. 00:57:26.680 --> 00:57:28.680 Human decoys who, 00:57:28.680 --> 00:57:30.680 before you even get to this table, 00:57:30.680 --> 00:57:31.680 trip you up. 00:57:31.680 --> 00:57:33.680 There'll be doctrines that are wrong, 00:57:33.680 --> 00:57:35.680 that come up in your mind that you learned many years ago. 00:57:35.680 --> 00:57:39.680 There'll be discouragement and sometimes depression that comes up. 00:57:39.680 --> 00:57:41.680 Thinking, ah forget it. 00:57:41.680 --> 00:57:42.680 And on days like that, 00:57:42.680 --> 00:57:44.680 chase these vultures away. 00:57:44.680 --> 00:57:47.680 Because they're trying to steal your right to sit at that table. 00:57:47.680 --> 00:57:50.680 They're trying to contaminate the food on that table. 00:57:50.680 --> 00:57:52.680 Chase them away. 00:57:52.680 --> 00:57:55.680 Because this banqueting table is yours to eat at. 00:57:57.680 --> 00:57:58.680 Turn up every morning. 00:57:58.680 --> 00:58:00.680 So tomorrow as you wake up, 00:58:00.680 --> 00:58:02.680 or today, I mean if you want to wake up, 00:58:02.680 --> 00:58:04.680 you can go and sleep this afternoon and wake up too. 00:58:04.680 --> 00:58:07.680 So tomorrow or this afternoon as you awaken, 00:58:07.680 --> 00:58:10.680 may you hear the word of Song of Songs, 00:58:10.680 --> 00:58:11.680 chapter 2. 00:58:11.680 --> 00:58:13.680 It says, arise my darling, 00:58:13.680 --> 00:58:15.720 my beautiful one, come with me. 00:58:15.720 --> 00:58:17.680 Let me bring you into my banqueting house. 00:58:17.680 --> 00:58:20.680 Let me spread my banner of love over you 이게 00:58:20.680 --> 00:58:24.500 Let me refresh youtone do you feeding with me on 00:58:24.500 --> 00:58:26.700 me and savor my love. 00:58:26.700 --> 00:58:27.680 Let me read that again. 00:58:27.680 --> 00:58:28.620 Arise my darling, 00:58:28.620 --> 00:58:29.880 my beautiful one, 00:58:29.880 --> 00:58:30.880 come with me. 00:58:30.880 --> 00:58:33.720 Let me bring you into my banqueting house. 00:58:33.720 --> 00:58:35.680 Let me spread my banner of love over you. 00:58:35.680 --> 00:58:37.600 Let me refresh you Vice 00:58:37.600 --> 00:58:39.620 you feast on me 00:58:39.620 --> 00:58:42.880 and how do you feast with me and save 00:58:42.880 --> 00:58:47.080 May your reply be, to you I will run my beloved. 00:58:47.080 --> 00:58:50.020 You've captured my heart. 00:58:50.020 --> 00:58:51.760 Eat well guys, eat well. 00:58:51.760 --> 00:58:53.960 I'll see you on the 24th. 00:58:53.960 --> 00:59:00.360 I actually like you guys.