WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.240 Well, good evening to you all. 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:13.700 I'm glad to be back here together. 00:00:14.220 --> 00:00:19.140 As we've said already a couple of times, this is the Advent season. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:24.699 It's a season where we talk about hope and we talk about expectation and waiting. 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:33.200 It's also a time that we are able to freely acknowledge the reality that there are lots of questions that don't have easy answers. 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:37.079 Lots of needs that don't get met or fulfilled. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:41.179 Lots of problems that feel too large for us to solve. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:52.260 Those things that cause frustration or hopelessness are the things that we focus on in this time as we focus on the hope that is offered through Jesus Christ. 00:00:52.259 --> 00:01:02.640 And I think particularly in this season, even though the election is over, I don't know about you, but for me, much of the conversation around the election is ongoing. 00:01:03.739 --> 00:01:09.319 In our own community, there are people who are hurt, who are bewildered, who are confused. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:15.519 That others in the same community would have voted for one or the other candidate. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:20.519 There's a sense that something major has happened. 00:01:20.519 --> 00:01:21.680 Where do we go from here? 00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:24.520 And we've been talking a lot about that in this church. 00:01:25.300 --> 00:01:29.500 But one of the things that has happened, I think, more now than ever is that people have become deeply cynical. 00:01:31.020 --> 00:01:33.780 And this is something that you see every four years. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:38.840 We have candidates who put themselves out to run for office. 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:49.659 And what they're really doing every time they get on a microphone or give a speech is really they're offering hope in some form or another. 00:01:50.260 --> 00:01:51.320 They're selling hope. 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:54.280 They're selling a vision of a better world. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:59.520 And they're saying, if you elect me, I will be able to bring about this better world. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:07.399 And we heard often in this last election that you should think about what kind of world you want to live in when you vote. 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:15.640 And yet, invariably, many of the promises that are made during the campaign season are never fully realized. 00:02:16.640 --> 00:02:16.860 Right? 00:02:16.860 --> 00:02:22.680 And maybe this time around some of you are hoping the promises won't be fully realized. 00:02:23.220 --> 00:02:25.460 But many times that is the case. 00:02:26.740 --> 00:02:28.840 And so that breeds a kind of cynicism. 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:35.159 And what we need now more than ever is real hope, I think. 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:39.879 And that's why we're looking at the book of Isaiah through this Advent season. 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:42.819 It was written in the 8th century BC. 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:45.140 So it's a very old, ancient text. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:52.599 And yet there are some amazing parallels between this time in Israel's life and where we are right now. 00:02:52.599 --> 00:03:00.879 You have a human king named Ahaz in chapter 7 who refuses to trust the promises of God. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:03.060 And he ultimately fails as a king. 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:04.299 He's a wicked king. 00:03:05.439 --> 00:03:08.759 But even the best of the kings, right? 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:11.879 Even the good kings like Hezekiah. 00:03:12.139 --> 00:03:14.939 They all inevitably fall short. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:19.000 They all fail to do what God has called them to do. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:23.500 And Israel ultimately fails to be the nation that God has called them to be. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:28.719 And so what God says just before the passage we're looking at tonight is that He's going to do two things. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.419 He's going to humble Israel. 00:03:31.979 --> 00:03:34.240 And He likens them to a forest. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:36.539 And their pride is like this great forest. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:38.560 And He says, I'm going to clear cut the forest. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:41.020 I'm going to clear cut it. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:42.780 I'm going to reduce it to nothing. 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:44.860 You're just going to be smoldering stumps. 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:47.840 Pretty shocking imagery. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:51.139 And then He makes a promise. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:59.080 He says that one day, His response to this is He's going to Himself send a king. 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:04.740 And the king that He sends is not going to be like any king or ruler or president that we've ever seen. 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:11.400 But He says that through this king, the entire world is going to be remade. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:15.099 Through this king, the promise will be fully realized. 00:04:15.099 --> 00:04:22.339 And the world that comes from this king's rule will be the world that we all long for. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.939 The world as it ought to be. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:27.180 And so that's what we're going to look at in Isaiah chapter 11. 00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:28.620 The first ten verses. 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:31.139 Verses 1 through 5 tell us about the king. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:34.600 Verses 6 through 9 tell us about the kingdom. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:41.600 And then lastly, verse 10 shows us the invitation or the way into this kingdom. 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:43.120 This new world order. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.020 So let's pray for the Lord to lead us. 00:04:48.020 --> 00:04:54.020 Our Heavenly Father, the great promise of Christmas is that you're a God who enters in. 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:59.780 Who has come to pitch your tent in our midst. 00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:01.899 That your word has come. 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:07.819 And we know that the purpose of your written word is to reveal to us your living word, Jesus Christ. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:14.279 So we pray that by your power, that we would see your son Jesus Christ face to face. 00:05:15.219 --> 00:05:16.059 Through your word. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:17.979 We pray this in your son's holy name. 00:05:18.179 --> 00:05:18.379 Amen. 00:05:19.719 --> 00:05:23.959 So first of all, Isaiah chapter 11, verses 1 through 5. 00:05:24.539 --> 00:05:27.439 Look at what this tells us about this king. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:31.920 It's amazing if you realize what Isaiah is saying. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:36.980 In verse 1 it says that he'll come like a shoot from the stump of Jesse. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:38.279 So imagine a stump. 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:42.819 And then imagine a little shoot coming up out of the stump. 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:44.920 With a few little buds on it. 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:45.319 Right? 00:05:45.399 --> 00:05:46.139 That's what he's saying. 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:48.379 There's going to be, all is not lost. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:50.879 There's a little shoot that's going to come up out of this stump. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:53.759 And what he's saying is that even though the line of Jesse. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:57.259 That produced the greatest king Israel had ever known, King David. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:03.319 Even though there will never again be a united monarchy with a great king like David. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:07.079 That from this lineage, from this bloodline. 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:09.480 God's king is going to come. 00:06:09.959 --> 00:06:12.779 And do things that David could never even imagine. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:19.099 And then in verse 2 it says he's not merely going to be another human king. 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:21.620 He's actually going to be a divine king. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:25.259 It says the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. 00:06:25.780 --> 00:06:26.780 That's what that means. 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:29.040 And look at these characteristics. 00:06:29.319 --> 00:06:35.220 Imagine a presidential candidate being described in this way. 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:37.959 He has divine wisdom. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:41.439 Which means he has right judgment in all matters. 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:45.000 He has divine understanding. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:47.420 The ability to see to the heart of an issue. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.459 He doesn't get distracted by secondary things. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:52.199 He can see right to the heart of the issue. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:54.019 Counsel. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:57.399 Means he always knows the right course of action. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:06:59.399 Always knows what needs to be done. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:00.639 And then with it, power. 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:05.319 Means he actually has the ability to do what needs to be done. 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:08.139 A lot of people can know what needs to be done. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:09.599 He can actually carry it out. 00:07:10.740 --> 00:07:13.500 And then knowledge here doesn't just mean academic knowledge. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:16.000 It means intimate knowledge of the Lord. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:19.500 He knows God intimately. 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:21.819 An intimate familial connection. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:25.060 So all of these are amazing characteristics. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:30.319 But verse 3 is where you see the central qualification of this leader. 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:31.639 And what makes him different. 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:37.779 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:41.139 Think about what that is saying. 00:07:42.059 --> 00:07:43.859 It's a kind of odd thing to think about. 00:07:44.039 --> 00:07:47.339 My greatest delight is being afraid. 00:07:47.719 --> 00:07:50.879 My greatest joy in life is feeling fear. 00:07:51.739 --> 00:07:58.619 But what this is really saying is his central driving motivator is God's pleasure. 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:03.559 More than anything else, he wants God's pleasure. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:07.540 More than anything else, he dreads God's displeasure. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:12.120 The only thing that drives him is God's delight and pleasure. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:14.240 Imagine that quality. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:19.879 And because of that, because of that quality, he's a perfect leader. 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:23.040 It says he's not swayed by appearances, right? 00:08:24.040 --> 00:08:25.180 Or what he hears. 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:27.379 He's immune to lobbyists. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:29.819 They have no impact on him. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:34.039 He's immune to presidential approval ratings. 00:08:34.819 --> 00:08:35.819 He doesn't care. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.580 He doesn't care if they're up here. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.840 He doesn't care if they're down here. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.720 He doesn't care. 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:40.980 Because he's not looking at you. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:42.059 He's not looking at me. 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:43.399 He doesn't need our approval. 00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:44.779 He doesn't need our thumbs up. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:47.059 If we reject him, it doesn't matter. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:50.200 It's not going to sway him one centimeter from his course. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:52.600 Because the only one he's looking at is God. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:54.059 That's the only thing he cares about. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:59.379 So he's able to deal with the poor and the wicked with perfect equity. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:02.980 No partial treatment. 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.080 No blind spots. 00:09:05.900 --> 00:09:07.320 No good old boy systems. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:10.300 Perfect equity. 00:09:11.040 --> 00:09:12.900 Gives everybody exactly what they need. 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:15.820 And verse 5 essentially says that this king... 00:09:16.640 --> 00:09:17.800 Now verse 5 is poetic. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:21.500 It talks about righteousness and faithfulness being like a belt and a sash. 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:25.820 Now what we need to understand is that that's a way of referring to your most intimate undergarments. 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:26.500 Undergarments. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:27.180 So it's... 00:09:27.180 --> 00:09:31.080 I mean in layman's terms it's saying that his character is so rock solid... 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:33.220 That if you were to strip off all of his clothes... 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.820 You have loyalty and integrity printed on his boxer shorts. 00:09:36.140 --> 00:09:37.520 That's essentially what it's saying. 00:09:38.020 --> 00:09:38.180 Right? 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:42.360 And it's a way of saying if you take everything else away... 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:42.980 Loyalty... 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:44.820 Righteousness... 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:45.480 Faithfulness... 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.260 Integrity... 00:09:46.260 --> 00:09:48.260 That these are central to who he is. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:51.519 So imagine these qualities in a king. 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:56.480 And the point that it's making is that this king is totally and perfectly equipped... 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:58.500 To meet all of the challenges of this world. 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:01.059 To fix all that is broken. 00:10:01.340 --> 00:10:03.580 To make everything as it ought to be. 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:05.220 He's the one who can do it. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:11.259 Now I want to think for a minute because even though this is describing a divine king... 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:14.600 I think that we can learn something from this. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:19.460 What is the thing that makes this king so effective in his leadership? 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:22.039 It's what we just said. 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:25.799 It's that his delight is in the fear of the Lord. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:31.439 So he is always in line with God's will and God's desire. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.319 And I think that even though this is a divine king... 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:37.319 That we can actually learn something from this. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:37.919 Because listen... 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:40.000 I think this really applies to this community. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:43.320 You know, as smart as you may be. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:46.740 As well educated as you may be. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.320 As influential as you may be. 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:51.460 As connected as you may be. 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:52.980 Right? 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:56.539 As effective an organization as you may be working for. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:59.860 As wealthy as you may be. 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:01.440 Or may one day become. 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:04.580 All of those are great assets. 00:11:05.299 --> 00:11:08.039 They all can be incredibly useful. 00:11:08.039 --> 00:11:10.679 They're all potentially blessings from the Lord. 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:13.399 But what this is saying... 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:15.039 If I'm reading this correctly... 00:11:16.079 --> 00:11:18.399 Is this is saying that the world... 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.860 This broken world... 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:21.139 More than your smarts. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:22.480 More than your education. 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.679 More than your wealth. 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:24.959 More than your influence. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:27.039 That what this world actually needs... 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:30.039 Is this world needs... 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:31.039 Men and women... 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:33.039 Who are sold out... 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:36.399 And whose delight... 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.439 Is in the fear of the Lord. 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:40.379 That that's what the world needs. 00:11:41.599 --> 00:11:43.299 People whose overarching... 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:45.039 Central driving motivator... 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.559 Is God's pleasure. 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.039 People whose central fear... 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.699 Is God's displeasure. 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.319 In other words... 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:53.039 People who are immune... 00:11:53.719 --> 00:11:54.519 To approval ratings. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.039 People who don't care... 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:57.439 Whether or not others like them... 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:58.299 Or don't like them... 00:11:58.299 --> 00:11:59.819 Or approve of what they say... 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:01.000 Or approve of what they believe. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.559 People who aren't crippled... 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:03.940 By fear of shame... 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:04.399 Or rejection. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:06.620 People who have lost sight of that... 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:08.500 Because it's dimmed... 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.179 In comparison to the light... 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:11.519 Of God's joy. 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:15.039 People who are in other words... 00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:15.740 Fearless. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.139 Fearless. 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:20.139 Say what you want about me. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:23.000 The only thing I care about... 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:25.360 Is God's pleasure. 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:27.840 Imagine if people like that... 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.000 Were unleashed on this world. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.899 You can have wealth... 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:33.460 You can have intelligence... 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.399 You can have education... 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.179 You can have credentials... 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.100 You can have influence. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.360 But how is it going to be used? 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:42.100 In ways that satisfy the masses... 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.139 Or your own desires... 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:44.360 Or in ways that reflect... 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.139 The heart of God. 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.360 You want to make a difference? 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.440 Start there. 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:50.179 And the point is really this... 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.879 That I think we spend a lot of time... 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.000 And a lot of energy... 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:54.159 Investing in our career. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:55.700 Investing in our education. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:57.360 Investing in all of these things. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:57.940 And that's good. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.460 You're called to do those things. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:12:59.860 Right? 00:13:00.900 --> 00:13:01.920 Those are good things. 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:03.920 But often times... 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:05.160 Our relationship with God... 00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:06.280 Gets sidelined. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.220 It gets the leftovers. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.280 And this is saying... 00:13:09.280 --> 00:13:10.320 That needs to be reversed. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.600 Right? 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:15.019 Strive in your spiritual life... 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.900 In all that you do. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:18.680 Strive to see God become bigger... 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:19.720 And bigger and bigger. 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:21.240 And approval and rejection... 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.780 Become smaller and smaller... 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:23.180 And smaller. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.960 Until God fills your vision. 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:27.920 And then see how that ignites you... 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.899 In your vocation. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.659 See how it ignites you... 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.559 In your relationship. 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.379 See how it frees you... 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:35.779 To do what you're called to do. 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:40.339 The good news of Isaiah 11... 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:42.099 Is that God is sending someone... 00:13:42.099 --> 00:13:43.399 Exactly like that. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.819 And through him... 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:46.379 It's possible for us to become... 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.539 Like him. 00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:49.379 So let's talk more about... 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.819 His kingdom. 00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:52.699 Verses 6 through 9... 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:53.959 Go on to show us... 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:55.179 What the world will be like... 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.519 Once this new king... 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.819 Has remade it. 00:13:59.099 --> 00:14:01.319 So the result of this kind of leadership... 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:02.639 In a word is... 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.000 Peace. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.099 It's peace. 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:06.179 But you know... 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:06.959 Even as I say that... 00:14:06.959 --> 00:14:08.139 I wish we had another word. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:09.779 Because all too often... 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.819 We use peace... 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:11.859 In ways that... 00:14:11.859 --> 00:14:12.919 Come nowhere near... 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.859 The kind of peace... 00:14:13.859 --> 00:14:14.779 That you read about... 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.919 In Isaiah chapter 11. 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:17.759 You see primal... 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:19.179 Archetypal rivalries... 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.359 Being transformed. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.139 Things which have been divided... 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.860 Since creation itself... 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.720 Are now unified... 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:27.539 Once and for all. 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.799 You have wolves... 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.679 And leopards... 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.399 And lions... 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.240 And bears... 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.199 Living together in harmony... 00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:33.939 With lambs... 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:34.759 And goats... 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.759 And calves... 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.740 And cows. 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:39.480 No more predators... 00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:42.480 No more prey... 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:45.159 All are one. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:46.960 You know... 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.340 In this image of a child... 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:50.480 Over a den of poisonous snakes... 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.340 You know... 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.840 We discussed this passage... 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.659 With our staff... 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.399 And you know... 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.000 Deborah said... 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:55.180 You know... 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.220 Just the thought of... 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.560 Holding my hand near that... 00:14:57.560 --> 00:15:00.060 Kind of makes my blood pressure rise... 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:01.220 And I feel the same way... 00:15:01.220 --> 00:15:02.420 I don't know how many of you... 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:02.879 You know... 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.560 Just the idea of holding your hand out... 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:06.259 Over that dark hole... 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.159 You know... 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.420 I mean that makes me nervous... 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:09.279 Just standing here... 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:11.019 I don't think there are any snakes in here... 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:12.279 I hope not... 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.720 But it makes me nervous... 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.519 Just thinking about it... 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.120 And yeah... 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.940 This is saying that... 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:17.480 In this world... 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.480 An infant... 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.720 Would be... 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:22.159 In a den of snakes... 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:24.220 Every bit as safe... 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:26.560 As being in their own crib... 00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:28.159 It's that kind of world... 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.639 So what might that look like... 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.159 In our society... 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.019 Right? 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:36.560 The Israeli and the Palestinian... 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:36.779 Right? 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.879 The young black man... 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.159 And the white police officer... 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:43.620 You know... 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.840 The Trump supporter... 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.159 And the Clinton supporter... 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:46.639 You know... 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.279 You could go on and on... 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.339 I don't know if anybody saw... 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.980 That Saturday Night Live... 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.579 Skit... 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:53.120 Three days before the election... 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:55.259 Of Trump and Clinton... 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:55.500 You know... 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.100 Sort of saying... 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:57.299 We're done with all of this... 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.240 Don't you feel awful... 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.100 Don't you feel dirty... 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.199 And they join hands... 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.459 And they run out of the studio... 00:16:01.459 --> 00:16:02.379 And they go dancing... 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:03.459 Through the streets of New York... 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:04.139 Hugging each other... 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:05.759 And hugging one another's supporters... 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:08.039 And it was kind of a funny sketch... 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.059 But for me... 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:09.939 It provoked... 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.899 An enormous longing... 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.379 I didn't laugh... 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.100 I almost... 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.299 I almost teared up... 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:15.899 When I watched it... 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:18.159 Because I realized... 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:21.980 It feels like the only chance... 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.539 That we have to ever see anything like that... 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.179 Actually happen... 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:26.279 Is a comedy sketch... 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.819 Why does this have to be a comedy sketch? 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:29.659 Why can't this be real? 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.600 And I think a lot of people felt that way... 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:34.159 I think a lot of you feel that way... 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.659 Why does there have to be such division? 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.980 Hostility... 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.159 Hatred... 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:40.939 Because this goes beyond... 00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:42.620 Simple togetherness... 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.440 In verse 7... 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.840 You see that natures... 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.440 Are actually transformed... 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.440 Natures are transformed... 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:51.440 Carnivores actually become herbivores... 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.100 Now I need to point out... 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.440 This is not necessarily an argument for vegetarianism... 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:59.139 We can talk about that later... 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.440 But I feel compelled... 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:03.720 This is a metaphor... 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:05.220 That is meant to show us... 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:08.320 That the world has become so permeated by peace... 00:17:08.320 --> 00:17:10.019 So permeated... 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.920 By peace... 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:13.880 That the concept of violence... 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.440 Does no longer even exist... 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:18.440 Natures have been transformed... 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.519 Total cosmic peace... 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.440 It's not even possible... 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:24.539 For me to be hostile anymore... 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.440 It's not even in me... 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.620 Anymore... 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:28.440 My nature has been changed... 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:32.440 These images have inspired artists... 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.440 And thinkers... 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.440 For centuries... 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.539 I'm sure if you asked Ellen... 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:42.440 She could tell you all about... 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:44.440 The greatest paintings that have been inspired... 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.240 By these verses... 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.440 Beautiful... 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:51.759 The question it raises is... 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.600 How is it possible? 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.200 And the answer is this... 00:17:56.200 --> 00:18:00.200 That all of these signs of reconciliation... 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.200 Are like ripples... 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.259 It's a ripple effect... 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:05.259 Coming out from a central... 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.259 More deep... 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.200 More fundamental... 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.620 Act of reconciliation... 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.559 That has taken place... 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.559 And all of these are symptoms... 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.640 And signs... 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:15.519 That a more fundamental... 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.200 Reconciliation event... 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.200 Has happened... 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.059 And in verse 9... 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.120 We learn more about that... 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.700 It says... 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:22.580 They shall not hurt or destroy... 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:24.200 In all my holy mountain... 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.720 For... 00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:27.340 And that Hebrew word actually means... 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:28.480 Because... 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.100 So... 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:31.420 The reason they shall not hurt or destroy... 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:33.340 Is because... 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:36.200 The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord... 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.059 As the waters cover the sea... 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:40.480 The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord... 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.620 As the waters cover the sea... 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.299 Now... 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:45.420 This does not mean that everybody will have a PhD in theology... 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.539 It's not that kind of knowledge... 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.140 Again... 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:48.200 This is intimate... 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.200 Personal knowledge... 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:51.539 Everyone on the face of the earth... 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:53.539 Will now intimately... 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:55.599 Know the Lord... 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.819 Like you would know a lover... 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.980 Or a family member... 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.680 Intimate relational knowledge... 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:01.539 The whole world has come to know God... 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.539 Like that... 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:07.059 So why is the entire world at peace... 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:08.099 In Isaiah 11... 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.579 It's because finally... 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.420 Once and for all... 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.339 There is peace... 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.359 Between God... 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.539 And human beings... 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.379 Peace on earth... 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:17.680 And mercy mild... 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.539 God and sinners... 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:19.539 Reconciled... 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.139 Reconciled... 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:21.539 Because God and sinners are reconciled... 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.539 There is peace... 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.539 Everywhere... 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.240 And as a result... 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.859 We are given... 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.539 New natures... 00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.539 Hearts that are full of... 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:31.539 In emanating... 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.539 Peace... 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.740 So the point here is this... 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.680 The point of this next section... 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.539 Is that world peace... 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.759 Like we long for... 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.539 Is only possible after there is peace... 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.539 Between God and humanity... 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.440 Another way of saying it is... 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:48.539 There can only be horizontal peace... 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:50.700 If there is... 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.539 Vertical peace... 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:54.539 That's where it begins... 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:58.039 Now why does this matter? 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.180 Well because I think in the Advent... 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.539 And the Christmas season... 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:05.759 We talk a lot about hope... 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:07.000 We talk a lot about longing... 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.279 We talk a lot about peace... 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.759 We talk a lot about justice... 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.539 But more and more and more... 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.539 What I hear... 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:16.659 Is people talking about all that human beings... 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.660 Are capable of... 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:18.600 Right? 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:18.960 If we... 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.420 If we... 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.660 If we join hands... 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.660 If we get over our petty differences... 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:25.060 If we roll up our sleeves... 00:20:25.060 --> 00:20:26.540 If we work hard... 00:20:26.540 --> 00:20:28.660 Then through human ingenuity... 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.660 We can solve these problems... 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.660 We can overcome... 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.779 What's wrong with the world... 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:36.620 We can deal with the racial tension... 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.779 And the injustice... 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.800 And the poverty... 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:39.700 And the violence... 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:41.540 We can create a world... 00:20:41.540 --> 00:20:42.660 Where the wolf and the lamb... 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.880 Lie together... 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.820 We can do that... 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.980 Human beings can do that... 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.279 And that has become more and more... 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.819 The message of the Christmas season... 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:51.859 We can bring the kind of hope and peace... 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.740 The world needs... 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.819 Us... 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.299 Right? 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.500 And we don't know... 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.819 Maybe that requires... 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.819 Making all claws... 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.939 And all fangs... 00:21:00.939 --> 00:21:01.819 Illegal... 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.539 So we do away with that... 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:03.720 Right? 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.819 Then we give lambs... 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:05.819 Equal rights... 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:08.099 And protection under the law... 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:08.639 And then we... 00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:10.299 We enforce those laws... 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.819 And then we make all wolves... 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.819 Attend sensitivity training... 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:14.319 Training to learn... 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.599 That even if they're not... 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.079 Tearing a lamb to pieces... 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.819 There's such a thing as a microaggression... 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.980 Or maybe we just do away... 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:22.059 All together... 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.819 With the arbitrary social construct... 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.779 Of wolf and lamb... 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.859 But regardless... 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:28.019 We get to a point... 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.879 Where... 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.819 There is peace... 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.819 And it's a nice sentiment... 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.619 But I wonder... 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.240 Is it true? 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.220 Is it true? 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.819 If you know anything about... 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.539 Vaclav Havel... 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:41.819 He... 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.819 Was one of the great... 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:45.519 Thinkers and political leaders... 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.899 Of the 20th century... 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:48.019 He was the first president... 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.819 Of the Czech Republic... 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:52.079 He had had an opportunity... 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:53.119 To see socialism... 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.480 And capitalism up close... 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.399 And he had become... 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.339 More and more convinced... 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.819 That... 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.819 Neither... 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:00.819 Was capable of solving... 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.819 The greatest problems... 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:02.819 Facing... 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.819 Human beings... 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.679 He had seen that... 00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:07.960 Solving issues like... 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.819 Nuclear conflict... 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.819 Ethnic nationalism... 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:13.079 Environmental degradation... 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.099 That that takes more... 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.899 Than just changed policies... 00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:16.759 That you have to be able... 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.319 To change people... 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.819 Change hearts... 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.819 Change natures... 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.599 And he said... 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:22.859 You know... 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.759 It's all well and good... 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.659 For politicians... 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.700 To reiterate... 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.819 A thousand times... 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.779 How important it is... 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.819 To have universal respect... 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:29.819 For human rights... 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:30.700 He says... 00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:30.919 Yeah... 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:32.480 You can say that all day long... 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.500 Universal human rights... 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.019 Say it all day long... 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.019 But that's not going to make... 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.819 Any difference... 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:40.079 If we reject the God... 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:42.599 From whom those rights flow... 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.279 The one who endowed us with them... 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.759 To begin... 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.759 To begin with... 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.200 And you know... 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.299 Over his career... 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.439 Kind of as his career... 00:22:50.439 --> 00:22:50.819 Went on... 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.859 Europe was so... 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:55.259 So fascinated with capitalism... 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.799 And a kind of... 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:58.179 Technocratic approach... 00:22:58.179 --> 00:22:59.939 To solving these problems... 00:22:59.939 --> 00:23:01.519 That Havel more and more and more... 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.059 Became a kind of... 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.819 A kind of oddity... 00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.559 You know... 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.039 They would sort of... 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.720 Trot him out... 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:08.159 To make his speeches... 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:09.200 But then people... 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.439 More and more sort of... 00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:11.259 Disregarded... 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.139 What they thought to be... 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:13.939 Esoteric or unrealistic... 00:23:13.939 --> 00:23:15.500 Ideas... 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.419 And yet again... 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:16.980 And again... 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.759 And again... 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.799 Havel would say... 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.019 That the one... 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.259 Thing that we're lacking... 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.460 And the one thing that we need... 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.079 If we ever hope... 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.799 To make this a better world... 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:27.200 Is that we have to turn... 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.200 Back to God... 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:30.200 It has to start there... 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.399 And in one speech... 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.200 He gave at Stanford... 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:35.200 He says this... 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.440 Given its fatal... 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:38.240 Incorrigibility... 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.200 Meaning... 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.700 We just can't be convinced... 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.200 To change our minds... 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.539 Humanity probably will... 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:45.259 Have to go through... 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.200 Many more Rwandas... 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.200 And Chernobles... 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.559 Before it understands... 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.200 How unbelievably... 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.420 Shortsighted... 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.200 A human being can be... 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.200 Who has forgotten... 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:55.200 That he is not God... 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:58.519 The only hope... 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.200 For this world... 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.200 Is for us... 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:02.200 To remember that we are not God... 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.940 We are not the light... 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.200 We are not the hope... 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.200 And then to be reconciled... 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:11.100 To the one who is the light... 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.700 Who is the hope... 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:14.580 Who can actually give us... 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:15.200 New natures... 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:18.900 And that brings us to... 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.200 Verse 10... 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.319 How does that actually happen? 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.000 Verse 10... 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:25.360 The invitation into this kingdom... 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:27.080 So we've seen the king... 00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:28.900 The king who is able to... 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:30.200 He's perfectly qualified... 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.200 To deal with the problems of the world... 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.900 We've seen the kingdom... 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:34.059 A place of total... 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:35.460 Cosmic peace... 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.200 A place where we are given... 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.600 New natures... 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.840 The world is given... 00:24:38.840 --> 00:24:40.200 A new nature... 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:42.740 But then we see... 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.240 That that's only going to happen... 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.440 Once human beings... 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:47.059 Are reconciled to God... 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.039 And so the question becomes... 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.960 How does all this happen? 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.200 And in verse 10... 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.480 The last verse of our passage... 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.900 It says... 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.759 In that day... 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.200 The day that we're... 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.200 Describing here... 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:59.200 The root of Jesse... 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:01.200 Now that's interesting... 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.640 Is he a shoot? 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.059 Or is he a root? 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.460 Right? 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.539 He was a shoot... 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.640 Coming up out of the stump... 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.920 But now he's the root... 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:10.299 Under the stump... 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:12.200 So he's not just coming out of... 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.680 From Jesse... 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.200 He's actually... 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:16.000 The one from whom Jesse came... 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.500 He was there before Jesse... 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:19.000 He's the root and the shoot... 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.660 What does that mean? 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.360 The root of Jesse... 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.800 Who shall stand as a signal... 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:23.680 For the peoples... 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:25.500 Of him shall the nations inquire... 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.400 And his resting place... 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.920 Shall be glorious... 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.340 Now stand as a signal... 00:25:29.340 --> 00:25:30.600 Means like a banner... 00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:32.440 So imagine on a battlefield... 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.160 You know... 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:35.800 You raise the banner in the air... 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:36.519 And people... 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.220 Everybody around... 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.960 Sees the banner... 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.240 And they all rally to the banner... 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.620 Okay that's where we're meeting up... 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:40.800 Right? 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.880 Town meeting... 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.400 Banner... 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.420 Big banner goes up... 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:43.900 Everybody knows... 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.140 Okay that's where I need to go... 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.660 Everybody rallies to the banner... 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:48.540 Now this would have been... 00:25:48.540 --> 00:25:49.519 A mysterious thing... 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.519 For people to read... 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:53.019 Because wait a second... 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.519 You're talking about a king... 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.000 And now you're talking about... 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.859 The king being lifted up... 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:57.519 Well normally kings... 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.519 Lift a banner... 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:01.519 Or they have their standard bearer... 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.519 Lift the banner... 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:03.720 Right? 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.440 But kings don't normally get... 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.940 Lifted up like a banner... 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.779 And yet this is saying... 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:09.539 That the king is the banner... 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.539 He's the one... 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.339 Who is lifted up... 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.079 What does that mean? 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.559 Well it probably didn't make... 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.519 A lot of sense... 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:18.519 For quite a long time... 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:21.519 Until in John chapter 3... 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.900 We begin to see... 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.519 What it's talking about... 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:25.519 Jesus is talking... 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:27.759 With a man named Nicodemus... 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.099 And they're talking about... 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.960 The kingdom of God... 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.660 They're talking about... 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.519 This new world order... 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.980 And they're talking about... 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.519 The new nature... 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.519 That is required... 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.960 To be a part of this... 00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.980 New world order... 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.519 The new heart... 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:42.079 And Jesus is telling... 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.839 Nicodemus... 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.819 That the only way... 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.519 Into this kingdom... 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.519 Is that you have to be... 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.519 Born again... 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.519 Again... 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.519 You have to be given... 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.480 This new nature... 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.299 And Nicodemus says... 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.279 How can you possibly... 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.960 Be born again? 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.440 How does that work? 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:54.920 Right? 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:58.480 And look at what Jesus says... 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.519 Verse 14... 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.740 As Moses lifted up... 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.519 The serpent in the wilderness... 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:07.279 So must the son of man... 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.680 Be lifted up... 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:10.819 That whoever believes in him... 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:12.519 May have eternal life... 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.799 The son of man... 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.519 Must be lifted up... 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.980 What's the banner? 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.519 The banner is Jesus Christ... 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:21.720 On the cross... 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.539 The son of man... 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.519 Has to be lifted up... 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.900 So what happens? 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.519 Jesus comes... 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.279 As this king... 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.859 But he enters humbly... 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.059 Right? 00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.519 As a child... 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.339 And then he grows up... 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.200 And why does he come... 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.980 That first time? 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:36.379 Before he can remake the world... 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.619 He has to remake us... 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.160 Before he can remake us... 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.799 He has to reconcile us... 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.240 To God... 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.000 How does that happen? 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.799 Somebody has to pay for the sin... 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.819 And that's what he does... 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.000 He's lifted up... 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.940 Pays for the sin... 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.940 Atones for the world... 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:50.080 Reconciles us to God... 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:50.940 God and sinners reconciled... 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:54.160 And then the renewal can begin... 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.940 And has begun... 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:57.940 It's happening right now... 00:27:58.460 --> 00:28:02.940 Isaiah 11.10... 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:03.940 Is I believe... 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.940 The entire mission... 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.940 Of the church today... 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:09.940 This is why we are here... 00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:11.940 It's not to have... 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.940 Enjoyable services... 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.940 Or to do projects... 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.340 Or to all that thing... 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.100 All that's great... 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.940 And all that we do is great... 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.360 But listen... 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:20.759 If we lose sight of our... 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.779 Central purpose... 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.940 We'll lose our way... 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.940 We are standard bearers... 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:27.940 We're here to hold up the banner... 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.820 The banner of hope... 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.779 To lift it high... 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.940 To point to it... 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.940 To say... 00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.700 To a world that is suffering... 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.440 And struggling... 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.220 And confused... 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.940 And lost... 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.600 And sad... 00:28:36.600 --> 00:28:37.940 And divided... 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.279 If you want hope... 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.160 There it is... 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.160 This is your hope... 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.759 It's the only place you're going to find it... 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.259 All other promises of hope... 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.080 Will fall short... 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:45.940 This is the only one... 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.940 That will deliver... 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.940 More than you can imagine... 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.940 It's here... 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:52.940 Of him will the nations... 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.820 Inquire... 00:28:53.820 --> 00:28:55.100 People from every tongue... 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:55.880 And tribe... 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:55.940 Streaming... 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.940 Streaming... 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.799 In... 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.900 Realizing... 00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.620 That the cross... 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.880 Is the only place... 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.840 Where true hope... 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:02.680 Is offered... 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.779 Realizing that in the resurrection... 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:07.080 As Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 15... 00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:09.019 We actually see a preview... 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.860 Of this world... 00:29:09.860 --> 00:29:11.480 Described by Isaiah... 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:13.120 A resurrection world... 00:29:13.120 --> 00:29:15.680 Brought about by a resurrected king... 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.680 This is the purpose... 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.700 And how do we do that? 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:22.039 Not just by standing up here... 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:24.680 And pointing to this beautiful cross... 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:26.380 But in the way we live... 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.880 In the way we move... 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.880 In the way we have... 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:30.519 Our relationships... 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:32.720 We embody the peace... 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:34.259 Of Isaiah 11... 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.259 In our daily lives... 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.759 We seek peace... 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:38.400 We seek justice... 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:40.279 We are people of peace... 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.560 People of justice... 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:42.680 In a divided world... 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:44.259 We are the agents... 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.340 Of reconciliation... 00:29:45.340 --> 00:29:46.160 We're the first... 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.400 To lay down arms... 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:48.700 The first to withhold... 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.640 The hateful words... 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:51.460 The first to withhold... 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:51.880 Judgment... 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:53.900 The first to put ourselves out there... 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:55.100 And to become vulnerable... 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:56.300 And risk being hurt... 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:57.019 Or alienated... 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.280 Or rejected... 00:29:58.280 --> 00:29:59.140 We do that because... 00:29:59.140 --> 00:30:01.100 That is exactly what our king did... 00:30:01.100 --> 00:30:04.060 We become agents... 00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:04.940 Of peace... 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.820 And renewal... 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:06.519 And hope... 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:07.360 And we do this... 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:08.540 Not because we are the light... 00:30:08.540 --> 00:30:09.100 Or the answer... 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:12.100 But because when people see that... 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:14.420 And they wonder... 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.660 Where is that coming from? 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.320 We can then say... 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:19.100 It's coming from the banner... 00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:21.100 That's where it's coming from... 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:24.139 So this is the great hope of Christmas... 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:25.699 That the king has come... 00:30:25.699 --> 00:30:27.299 And the king will come again... 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:29.639 So now is the time... 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:31.299 To hold the banner of hope... 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:32.199 High in the air... 00:30:32.199 --> 00:30:33.299 For the world to see... 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:38.099 And to declare the promise of God... 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.299 That one day... 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:41.019 The lamb and the wolf... 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.299 Will lie down together... 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:45.299 One day this world will be made... 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.579 New... 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:48.299 The world it ought to have been... 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:51.099 The world that we long for... 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.839 Through the glory and the power of Jesus Christ... 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.779 Amen... 00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.399 I think that the helper's pigeons will not beual... 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:57.859 For the ironically so wanted to be seen... 00:30:58.500 --> 00:31:12.240 For the dépendance of the Holy Spirit... 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.099 Annoyed anyway... 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.539 To bake... 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.500 The opinion should not be mentioned... 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.160 It's like a doctor that's dumb... 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.480 The cause of this over... 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:18.940 To engage... 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.740 To engage... 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.819 To make the Holdm... 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.559 But where is that... 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.180 The defender of the life... 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.279 I just await Ahhh... 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.779 I just like theons... 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.779 Jesse Give me the opportunity to Revelation...