WEBVTT

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 so much that is changing so quickly.

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 And there's all this talk of the new normal,

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 and yet we are not certain what that new normal will be.

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 All we know now is that everything feels different.

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 And that can be profoundly disorienting.

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 It can leave us feeling like not only are we not in control,

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 but we don't even know which way is up.

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 And for that reason, we've been looking these last several weeks

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 at the Lord's Prayer.

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 And we're looking at this prayer not only to learn how to pray,

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 but because this prayer contains core truths.

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 It's a kind of summary, a distillation of a lot of theology

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 from the Old and the New Testament.

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 And ultimately, this prayer reminds us what is true.

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 It reminds us what we can count on.

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 It reminds us what we can hold on to,

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 and it feels like everything else is up for grabs.

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 And this is especially true when we come to the end of this prayer,

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 what we call the doxology of the prayer,

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 which says, for yours or for thine is the kingdom

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 and the power and the glory forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 Now, even though this last part of the prayer

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 was not recorded in Matthew's version of the prayer,

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 we know that the church has been praying this ending to the prayer

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 ever since the first century.

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 And this little piece of the prayer

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 is a deeply biblical prayer of praise.

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 That's what a doxology is.

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 It's a prayer of praise to God.

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 And it's a prayer that extols three great themes about God

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 that we see running all the way through Scripture.

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 And they are the themes of God's kingdom,

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 God's power, and God's glory.

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 And the reason that we're looking at these this morning is this.

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 I know of nothing that provides more comfort

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 or more true hope

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 than God's kingdom,

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 God's power,

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 and God's glory,

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 when we rightly understand them

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 and base our lives on them.

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 I know of no greater source of comfort or strength or hope.

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 So I want to look at each of these in detail.

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 And we're going to do that by looking at Revelation chapters 4 and 5.

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 Now, you may be wondering,

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 what in the world does Revelation have to do with the Lord's Prayer?

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 Well, Revelation is actually an amazing book of theology.

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 Now, most people don't think about that

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 because most of the time when we think theology,

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 we think in left-brain terms.

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 We think of systematic doctrines that are logically laid out,

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 presuppositions and inferences

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 that reflect what we know to be true in Scripture.

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 And that is certainly a hugely important part of theology.

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 But the book of Revelation is theology for the right brain.

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 The book of Revelation is filled with rich images

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 and fantastic scenes unfolding, visions.

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 It's filled with drama and poetry.

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 It paints a theological picture for our right brains.

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 And so it's a fantastic source for understanding

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 God's kingdom and power and glory.

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 And specifically, we see those in Revelation chapters 4 and 5.

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 God gives the Apostle John a vision

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 where he's taken up into the heavenly throne room

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 and he joins into a worship service that is already underway.

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 And in this vision,

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 God's kingdom and power and glory are put on full display.

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 So we're going to look at these chapters to understand

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 this ending to the Lord's Prayer

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 and why it offers such great comfort to us.

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord, we thank you for your word

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 and we thank you for your kingdom

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 and your power and your glory.

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 And we thank you for this prayer that's been handed down to us from Jesus.

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 And we pray that we would more deeply and accurately understand it

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 as we look at it this morning.

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 And we pray that through that,

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 we would come into a deeper relationship with you,

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 that we would fall more in love with you,

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 Lord, through your word.

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 We pray this in your son's holy name.

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 Amen.

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 So first of all, let's look at God's kingdom

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 as we see it unfolding here.

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 In the book of Revelation, when it opens,

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 we learn that John at this point in his life

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 is living in exile on the Isle of Patmos.

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 And he is no doubt feeling extremely disoriented

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 and out of control,

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 probably like many of us are right now.

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 And so God gives John a vision to reorient him,

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 to remind him of what is ultimately true,

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 despite what his life looks like in the moment.

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 And in this vision,

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 John enters into this heavenly worship service

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 that's already underway.

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 And verse two tells us that the first thing John sees is a throne.

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 He sees a throne.

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 And it says there is one seated on the throne.

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 And the thing that he realizes is that everyone

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 and everything in this room is centered around this throne.

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 This throne is the center of everything.

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 And what we realize looking at this image

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 is that this throne and the one seated on the throne,

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 this throne is the center of everything.

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 It's the center of the world.

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 It's the center of everything that exists.

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 And it's the source of all authority.

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 So all human thrones, all human governments,

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 all human leaders,

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 whether they're presidents or kings or queens or CEOs

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 or parents or teachers or coaches,

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 anyone with any kind of authority

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 is merely a reflection or a shadow of this throne.

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 This is the embodiment of true authority.

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 And so John recognizes this.

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 And then it says in verses nine and 10,

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 that the elders who are surrounding the throne,

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 they're worshiping the one seated on the throne.

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 They're singing praises to God.

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 And then it says they're casting their crowns down

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 before the throne.

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 Now that's very important.

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 When I ask, what is this showing us?

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 Well, this is showing us how life is meant to work,

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 how the world is meant to function.

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 So think of our solar system

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 and think about all of these massive bodies

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 moving through space.

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 And if you've ever seen a model of the solar system,

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 you see that there's incredible precision.

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 There's incredible order to the solar system.

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 And the question is raised,

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 well, why or how could all of these planets

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 be moving in such a beautiful choreography,

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 nothing ever bumping or slamming into each other,

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 all of these planets moving in perfect time

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 with all of the other ones.

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 And the reason there's such order

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 is because they're all centered on the same thing.

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 And in that case, the sun,

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 they're all oriented toward the sun.

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 And because of that,

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 they move in perfect harmony with one another.

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 Without that center,

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 without that common central point,

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 all of these,

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 there would be no solar system.

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 Things would be crashing into each other.

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 The beautiful order would give way to chaos.

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 And this is a way of understanding

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 why our world is the way it is.

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 Why human beings are always crashing into each other.

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 Why our agendas are always in conflict

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 with someone else's agenda.

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 Why there is so much fighting and conflict

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 and violence and injustice

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 and poverty and hate

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 and discrimination in the world.

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 Why these things exist

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 is because human beings have lost our common center.

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 We're no longer that solar system

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 of precision and harmony and order.

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 We have no center.

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 Or a better way to think of it is

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 we all have a different center.

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 We all have something around which we orbit.

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 Something that has taken the throne of our lives.

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 And that's different for all of us.

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 So our orbits are constantly changing.

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 Sometimes, as I think about my own life,

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 sometimes my needs take the central place in my life.

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 My needs take over

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 and they're driving my decisions.

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 Sometimes our fears claim the throne.

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 And sometimes our fears take that central place

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 in our lives.

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 They take over.

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 Sometimes our desires, they take over.

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 And they're driving us in our lives.

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 Sometimes our desires become that central thing.

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 But whatever sits on the throne of your life

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 will define you.

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 Whatever sits on the throne of your life

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 will define you.

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 Now, what does this have to do with the Lord's Prayer?

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 Well, every time we pray the Lord's Prayer

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 and every time we pray your kingdom,

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 every time we pray yours is the kingdom

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 or thine is the kingdom,

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 we are, in a sense, casting our crown

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 at the foot of this throne.

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 With those words, we are ultimately saying to God,

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 my life doesn't work when I'm the center of it.

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 Because that's not how it was designed to work.

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 My life doesn't work if my needs are the center of it,

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 if my fears are the center of it,

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 if my desires are the center of it.

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 My life doesn't work.

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 Not only does my life not work,

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 my relationships don't work.

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 I lose my way.

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 And so what we're saying with that prayer,

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 thine is the kingdom,

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 yours is the kingdom, God.

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 We're saying, I need you, God,

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 to sit on the throne of my life.

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 I need you to be the center of my solar system

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 and bring everything into harmony and order.

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 I need you to be the one to do that.

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 And so what that means is taking all of our needs

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 and all of our fears and all of our desires

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 and putting them under the authority of God,

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 casting our crowns down at the foot of his throne.

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 So every time you pray the Lord's prayer

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 and you say, thine is the kingdom,

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 I encourage you to envision this throne

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 and envision yourself casting your crown

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 down before this throne.

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 That's what you're saying.

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 So that's the first theme, God's kingdom,

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 God's kingship, God's throne.

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 The second thing we pray is, yours is the power.

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 Thine is the power.

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 And the symbol of God's power in Revelation,

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 in this place in Revelation is a scroll.

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 In verse one of chapter five, it says,

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 then I saw in the right hand of him

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 who is seated on the throne,

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 a scroll written within and on the back,

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 sealed with seven seals.

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 So God is holding a scroll in his right hand.

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 And it says this scroll is covered in writing.

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 Both sides have been absolutely covered,

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 top to bottom, front and back with writing.

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 And in John's vision, this scroll represents all of history.

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 It represents all of the events that have unfolded

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 since the creation of the universe.

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 Everything that has happened,

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 everything that is happening,

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 everything that will happen,

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 it's all written down here.

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 And in the Bible, this scroll that represents all of history

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 is in God's right hand.

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 And in the Bible, your right hand,

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 that is the hand of authority.

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 That's the hand of kingship.

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 That's the hand of strength.

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 And so what this image shows us,

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 again, right brain theology,

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 what this is teaching us visually

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 is that God has authority over all of history.

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 God holds all of history in his right hand.

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 And that makes sense that God would have authority over history

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 because God is the author of history.

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 And so it's the kind of authority that only an author can have.

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 And I think this is something that we need to be reminded of

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 every single day.

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 Because I think more often than not,

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 it seems like no one is in control.

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 It seems like there is no one who has authority over history.

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 No one who has authority over the events in our lives.

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 I mean, from our perspective,

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 life most of the time feels utterly random

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 and completely meaningless.

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 When we hear especially,

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 or when we hear of people suffering

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 or facing senseless tragedy,

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 or when we ourselves experience suffering

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 or senseless tragedy,

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 when we can't make sense of it,

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 when it seems random,

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 it's easy to look at all of life and to say,

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 this is all random and meaningless.

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 No one's in charge.

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 No one's calling the shots.

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 And it's natural in times like that

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 to begin to wonder, where is God in all of this?

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 Or how could God let something like this happen to me?

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 And these are questions that if we're honest,

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 I think we ask all the time in our lives.

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 But when we pray,

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 yours is the kingdom and the power,

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 we're talking about God's sovereignty over history.

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 God's power enacted all throughout history.

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 Now, this is utterly unique

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 because there are a lot of philosophies out there

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 that tend more toward fatalism or determinism.

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 They say that the end,

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 that the direction of history and the end of history

00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:13.259
 and our end is more or less fixed

00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:15.459
 and our choices don't really matter.

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:18.360
 So they say that our destiny is more or less determined

00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:19.959
 despite our choices.

00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:21.779
 You can try to fight your fate,

00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:23.059
 you can try to fight your destiny,

00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:25.379
 but destiny will win every time.

00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:28.259
 There are other worldviews and philosophies

00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:29.500
 that go in the opposite direction.

00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:33.779
 They tend to lean more towards emphasizing free will.

00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:37.379
 So they say that our choices do determine the outcome

00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:40.620
 and that we hold our destiny in our hands

00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:43.620
 and we have the power to write our own story.

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.059
 And so they say,

00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:47.220
 instead of saying that our destiny is determined

00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.500
 despite our choices,

00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:50.059
 they say our destiny is determined

00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.459
 because of our choices.

00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:54.600
 All right, so these are the two sort of categories

00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:56.059
 that we see in terms of worldview.

00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:59.759
 But what the scroll in heaven shows us,

00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:04.220
 the scroll in God's right hand shows us something else.

00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:07.460
 Because the God that we worship

00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:09.539
 is the author of history,

00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:13.819
 Christians have a much more beautiful and nuanced

00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:18.460
 and I think balanced understanding of how history works.

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:20.019
 Because what we believe

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:23.360
 is that God has such control over history.

00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:26.120
 He has such control over history

00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:30.100
 and yet he is so intimately involved in our lives

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:34.639
 that our destiny is determined through our choices.

00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.680
 So on the one hand,

00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:38.639
 we believe that our choices matter.

00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.080
 They make a difference.

00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.440
 They shape our lives.

00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.800
 They shape the world.

00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:45.820
 There are real consequences and implications.

00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:47.600
 They do have an impact

00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:49.740
 and we are responsible for our choices.

00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:51.800
 And yet on the other hand,

00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:55.639
 God is directing all of these courses and outcomes

00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:58.599
 and God is continually weaving everything together

00:14:58.599 --> 00:15:00.479
 like a great tapestry.

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.500
 If you've ever played chess

00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.979
 against somebody who's really good,

00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:08.559
 if you've ever played chess against a chess master,

00:15:08.979 --> 00:15:11.959
 you realize that as the game progresses,

00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:14.939
 you are free to make whatever choices you want.

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:17.819
 You can move whatever pieces on the board you want

00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:20.599
 and use whatever strategy you want.

00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.820
 But no matter what you do,

00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:23.240
 if you're playing against a true master,

00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.500
 no matter what you do,

00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:26.600
 eventually all of those moves

00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:29.040
 will lead one after another into checkmate.

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.500
 And it feels as though

00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:34.779
 all of the decisions that you made

00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:37.480
 were ultimately only contributing to that checkmate.

00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:39.720
 But that's what it means to play with somebody

00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:41.540
 who is really in control of the board

00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:43.300
 and they understand all of the pieces

00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:45.420
 and all of the movements in a way that we don't.

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:48.240
 And it's the same when it comes to God and history.

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:50.960
 No matter how much evil gets thrown at God,

00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:53.279
 no matter how much rebellion gets thrown at God,

00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:56.100
 no matter how much human beings turn their backs on God

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:58.720
 and ignore God and live in the world that God made

00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:01.220
 and act as though he doesn't exist,

00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.840
 no matter how much we do this,

00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:07.320
 it all gets folded into a sequence of events

00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:12.100
 that will one day lead to a new heavens and a new earth

00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:14.460
 and a God who stands before us

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:18.080
 and with compassion and empathy beyond all understanding

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:20.420
 wipes every tear away from our eyes.

00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:23.159
 That's the Christian hope.

00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:27.019
 So when we pray the Lord's Prayer

00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.420
 and when we say,

00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:30.220
 yours is the power,

00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:32.460
 think of that scroll.

00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:35.220
 Think of the fact that that scroll of history

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.980
 is in God's right hand.

00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:39.660
 No matter how hard life gets,

00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:42.320
 no matter how meaningless it all seems,

00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:44.460
 God is in control.

00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:47.120
 And whatever you're facing right now,

00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.440
 even if it doesn't make sense,

00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:50.820
 even if it looks like total chaos,

00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:52.820
 God is in control.

00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:55.100
 And we know how the story ends.

00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:58.680
 So that's God's kingdom

00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:00.439
 and then God's power.

00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.819
 But now we want to look at this third theme,

00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.879
 God's glory.

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.179
 In John's vision,

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.980
 the scroll is in God's right hand,

00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:13.079
 but the problem is that the scroll is sealed shut.

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:16.679
 And an angel says that they need someone

00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:19.019
 to come and open the scroll.

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.460
 And based on what we just said,

00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.539
 what that means is

00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:25.359
 they need someone who is worthy enough

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:28.699
 to enact God's plan in history,

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:30.299
 someone to open the scroll,

00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.879
 to bring it all to bear.

00:17:32.459 --> 00:17:35.639
 And John realizes that there's no one,

00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:37.000
 or so he thinks,

00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.979
 who can do that.

00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.299
 And so he begins to weep.

00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.439
 Because what hope is there

00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:42.779
 for all of the suffering in the world?

00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:44.799
 What hope is there for all of the injustice

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:47.279
 and the racism and the violence

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:49.979
 and the war?

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.699
 And what hope for resolution

00:17:52.699 --> 00:17:55.019
 do we have in the world that we live in

00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.839
 if no one can open the scroll,

00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:59.740
 if no one can enact God's plan?

00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:02.059
 And so John begins to weep.

00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:05.200
 And then Jesus arrives.

00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.500
 And you say,

00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:08.059
 well, where was Jesus all along?

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:10.000
 He wasn't there in the beginning of the scene,

00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.660
 and all of a sudden,

00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.819
 Jesus arrives.

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.660
 And this is a bit of a sidebar,

00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:16.160
 but because this is Ascension Sunday,

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:18.220
 and we on this day,

00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:20.319
 and actually a few days ago,

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.579
 we celebrate

00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:24.920
 after Jesus conquers sin and death,

00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:27.940
 through his crucifixion and resurrection,

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.879
 Jesus then ascends to the throne of heaven.

00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.220
 And so on this day,

00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.799
 we remember and celebrate

00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:35.079
 the ascension of Christ.

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:37.200
 Well, Revelation 4 and 5

00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:38.900
 shows us the ascension

00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.759
 from the perspective of heaven.

00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:41.940
 Right?

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.559
 So in Acts,

00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:44.799
 the disciples see Jesus ascend

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.240
 and depart from them.

00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:47.379
 But in Revelation,

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.819
 John is able to,

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.579
 through this vision,

00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.379
 witness Jesus arriving

00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:52.779
 in the heavenly throne room.

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:54.859
 This is the ascended Christ.

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.639
 And we know that

00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:56.599
 because in verse 5,

00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.980
 one of the elders says,

00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.019
 weep no more.

00:18:59.399 --> 00:18:59.920
 Behold,

00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:01.839
 the lion of the tribe of Judah,

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.819
 the root of David,

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.019
 has conquered.

00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.940
 He's conquered sin and death.

00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.740
 He's accomplished

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.700
 God's plan

00:19:08.379 --> 00:19:09.519
 on the cross

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.579
 and in the tomb

00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:13.259
 so that he can open the scroll

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.940
 and its seven seals.

00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:17.059
 So John is exuberant

00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.039
 and John turns

00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.620
 expecting to see Jesus

00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:21.759
 as this ferocious lion of Judah.

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.600
 But then something bizarre happens.

00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:26.400
 John doesn't see a lion.

00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.259
 John turns

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.640
 and he sees a lamb.

00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:32.100
 It says he sees a lamb

00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:32.799
 in verse 6,

00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.340
 I saw a lamb standing

00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:36.480
 as though it had been slain.

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.259
 Now in ancient literature,

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:41.059
 when it comes to symbolism,

00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.420
 lions and lambs

00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.940
 are basically opposites.

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:46.000
 Lions represent strength.

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.700
 They represent royalty.

00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.880
 They represent power.

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.120
 Lambs are the opposite.

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.420
 Lambs represent weakness

00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:55.000
 and powerlessness.

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.759
 And so the question

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.680
 of this whole section is,

00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.039
 which is he?

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:02.039
 Which is he?

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.440
 Is he, as the elder said,

00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.539
 the lion of Judah,

00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:06.860
 the ferocious lion?

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:09.400
 Or is he, as John sees,

00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:10.779
 the helpless lamb?

00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:12.880
 And of course,

00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.660
 the answer is,

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:15.440
 Jesus Christ is both.

00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:19.539
 He's both the lion and the lamb.

00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.299
 And this is the great paradox

00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.340
 of the Christian gospel.

00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.120
 You know, I think this is the thing

00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:26.600
 that sets Christianity apart

00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:28.539
 from any other religion

00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.220
 or philosophy

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.340
 or worldview out there.

00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.480
 It's one of the reasons

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:33.559
 that I first came to faith

00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.299
 as a Christian.

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.960
 The lion is the lamb.

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:40.279
 If you want to see God's glory,

00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:43.340
 if you want to see the jaw-dropping,

00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:45.299
 awe-inspiring radiance

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.940
 of God's character on display,

00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.539
 look at the cross

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:52.279
 where the lion became a lamb.

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.680
 On the cross,

00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:58.100
 the judge took on the judgment

00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.860
 that was meant for the world.

00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:01.740
 On the cross,

00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.859
 the conqueror

00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:05.379
 allowed himself to be conquered

00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:07.659
 for the sake of the world.

00:21:08.459 --> 00:21:09.439
 On the cross,

00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:11.519
 the king allowed his coronation

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:13.139
 to become a crucifixion

00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:15.599
 for the sake of the world.

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:19.679
 The cross turns our whole idea

00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:22.339
 of glory completely upside down.

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.379
 It completely flips everything

00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:24.959
 on its head

00:21:24.959 --> 00:21:26.419
 because we live in a culture

00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:28.699
 of self-glorification

00:21:28.699 --> 00:21:30.799
 and self-exaltation.

00:21:30.959 --> 00:21:33.500
 We worship wealth and status

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.839
 and success and influence

00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:37.139
 and celebrity.

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.079
 And yet God,

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.379
 in a world like ours,

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.179
 God reveals his glory

00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:44.779
 on the hardwood of the cross.

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:47.240
 which is a place

00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.599
 of humiliation and torture.

00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:51.659
 But there we see

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:53.719
 what true glory is.

00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:56.679
 Not self-exaltation,

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:59.139
 but self-donation.

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.339
 An act of love.

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.599
 Jesus Christ,

00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.579
 who lived the life

00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.619
 that we should have lived,

00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:09.079
 who was then willing

00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.119
 to die the death

00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:11.419
 that we deserve to die,

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:15.820
 His glory was His willingness

00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:17.600
 to give everything up

00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:19.160
 for us

00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.980
 because He loves us.

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.779
 And this shows us

00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:24.620
 what true glory really is.

00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.519
 So when we pray

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.620
 in the Lord's Prayer,

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:29.620
 yours is the glory.

00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.120
 Think of the cross.

00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.720
 Think of the cross of Christ.

00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.940
 And when we pray this prayer

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.700
 in the Lord's Prayer,

00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.460
 it's an opportunity

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.660
 not only for us

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:40.200
 to praise and worship

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:42.240
 God who is glory,

00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.759
 God to whom

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.240
 all glory belongs.

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.420
 We're not only able

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.380
 to praise and worship

00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.539
 the God

00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.539
 and the glory of the cross,

00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:51.460
 but we are also affirming

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:53.079
 this definition of glory

00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.680
 over and above that

00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.400
 of our culture.

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.640
 So God's glory

00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:01.200
 is reflected in us

00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.920
 when we take up our cross.

00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:05.380
 when we're willing

00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:08.140
 to follow Jesus faithfully

00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.420
 even when it costs us.

00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.039
 When we're willing

00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.140
 to give our lives to Him.

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.140
 And then when we're willing

00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:15.480
 to give ourselves

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.620
 to loving and serving

00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.600
 our neighbors

00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.140
 and the people

00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.960
 who God puts in our lives.

00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:22.140
 When we do those things,

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.900
 God's glory is reflected in us.

00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:26.060
 God's glory is reflected

00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:27.140
 all throughout the world.

00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:29.100
 It's reflected like the moon

00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:30.400
 reflects the light of the sun.

00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:33.180
 It's reflected in the everyday courage

00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:35.000
 of healthcare professionals

00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:36.640
 who are risking their lives

00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.220
 right now

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.759
 to treat people who are sick.

00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:41.019
 It's reflected in people

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:43.100
 who are giving financially

00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.019
 to support people

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:46.040
 who have been adversely affected

00:23:46.040 --> 00:23:47.460
 by this pandemic

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:49.340
 and the loss of their jobs.

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.720
 It's reflected in people

00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.600
 who are out on the street

00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.900
 handing out masks

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.440
 to people who need them.

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.740
 People who live on the street

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.620
 who don't have access

00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:59.400
 to things like that.

00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:01.140
 It's reflected in people

00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.620
 who are delivering food

00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.300
 and making sure

00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:04.600
 that everyone has enough to eat.

00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.220
 It's reflected in people

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.759
 who are simply taking the time

00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:09.080
 to check in on their neighbors

00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.640
 and to make sure

00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.300
 that they're okay.

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.920
 In all of these things,

00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.540
 most of these people

00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:14.860
 will never have their name in lights.

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.860
 They'll never have their name

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:17.019
 in the news.

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.759
 And yet in these quiet,

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:22.519
 often unrecognized acts

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.420
 of sacrifice,

00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.980
 they are reflecting

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.420
 the very heart

00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.800
 of the God of the universe.

00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.980
 that's true glory.

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.220
 So to bring all of this together,

00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:37.779
 life is unpredictable at best.

00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.940
 And I think in the coming months

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.659
 and years,

00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:42.200
 it's going to be

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.940
 a whole lot more of uncertainty.

00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:46.159
 And a whole lot is going to change.

00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:48.000
 And there will be a new normal.

00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.700
 And we're not sure

00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.519
 what that new normal

00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.220
 is going to be.

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.379
 And there's not a lot

00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.859
 to hold on to right now.

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:55.019
 But this final statement

00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.619
 of praise in the Lord's Prayer

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:58.699
 gives us three things

00:24:58.699 --> 00:25:00.299
 that are eternally true

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:02.699
 no matter what else happens.

00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.839
 God's kingdom.

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:07.319
 God sits on the throne of the world.

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.159
 God's power.

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.399
 He holds all of history

00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.459
 in his right hand.

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.879
 God's glory.

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:15.839
 The lion became a lamb

00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:17.740
 to save humanity.

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:20.359
 I don't think there's

00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:22.000
 any greater source of comfort

00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.220
 to be found

00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.880
 anywhere in the world.

00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:27.000
 And when you pray,

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.120
 and when you pray

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.019
 the Lord's Prayer,

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.380
 if you believe

00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.839
 these things to be true,

00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.599
 then say to God

00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.579
 when you're done praying,

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.400
 Amen.

00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:37.400
 Which is as important

00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.620
 as every other word

00:25:38.620 --> 00:25:39.299
 in this prayer

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.319
 because it's our way

00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:41.259
 of saying to God,

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.799
 I am more certain

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.620
 of your promises.

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.180
 And I am more certain

00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.960
 of your character.

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.600
 And I am more certain

00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:49.079
 of the truths in this prayer

00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.620
 than I am of anything else

00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.200
 in my life.

00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.180
 Amen says God.

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.360
 You and your character

00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:55.440
 and your promises,

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.920
 those are the foundation

00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.720
 of my life.

00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.200
 Amen.

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.240
 Amen.

00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.220
 Let's pray.

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.319
 Lord, we thank you.

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.940
 And now we ask that

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.460
 these things that are

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.440
 in our minds,

00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.240
 these realities

00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.000
 that we're holding

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.620
 in our minds

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:13.400
 would make the long journey

00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.160
 into our hearts.

00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.600
 And we pray that

00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.559
 that would be aided

00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.219
 by the power

00:26:17.219 --> 00:26:18.019
 of your Holy Spirit.

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.419
 We pray that you would

00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.939
 plant these truths,

00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:22.439
 God's kingship

00:26:22.439 --> 00:26:23.000
 and kingdom,

00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:23.799
 God's power

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.519
 and God's glory

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.980
 so deeply in our hearts

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.199
 that they would be

00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:27.639
 the center,

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.799
 that they would define

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.579
 and redefine

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.339
 our perspective

00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:33.099
 and even how we make

00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:33.939
 sense of this day.

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.379
 And we pray this,

00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.219
 Lord, for our good

00:26:36.219 --> 00:26:37.159
 and for your glory

00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.539
 in your Son's name.

00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.299
 Amen.

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:47.500
 Amen.

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.220
 Amen.

00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.359
 Amen.

00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.220
 Amen.

00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.480
 Amen.

00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:57.500
 Amen.

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.779
 Amen.

00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.399
 That song of Wayne