WEBVTT

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 We read from Isaiah chapter 9, roughly 732 BC.

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 I'd like to read now from Matthew chapter 4, roughly 28, 29 AD.

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 Matthew 4 at verse 12.

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 And you see, Matthew, the author, is capturing this beginning of Jesus' ministry, the first sermon.

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 And he connects the ministry of Jesus and the message of Isaiah seamlessly.

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 So Matthew chapter 4 at verse 12, and I'll read to the end of that chapter.

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 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.

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 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali,

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 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah.

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 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.

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 The people living in darkness have seen a great light.

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 On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

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 From that time on, Jesus began to preach.

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 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

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 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.

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 They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

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 Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.

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 At once they left their nets and followed him.

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 Going on from there, he saw two old other brothers, James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

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 They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets.

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 Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

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 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom,

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 and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

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 News about him spread all over Syria.

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 And people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases.

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 Those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.

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 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region across the Jordan followed him.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 And may God add to this reading of his word, his blessing.

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 So we have this great text, this great promise of Isaiah chapter 9, fulfilled, yes, in the incarnation, the birth of Jesus.

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 But notice that the gospel writer Matthew connects the fulfillment of the promise with the commencement of Jesus' preaching.

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 That not only has he been born, but now he is beginning to preach.

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 And that great promise that was recorded seven centuries earlier is being fulfilled.

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 Crowds of people from all different places, all different backgrounds are coming to him.

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 And finding the fulfillment of that promise.

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 You see, our God keeps his word.

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 He makes and he keeps promises.

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 And his timing is perfect timing.

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 Now, on my computer, when I log on, I get a notification.

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 And the notification is, on this day in history.

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 I love history.

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 I love, and I was reminded yesterday that on the 1st of January, 1863, I should have known this, but I had to be reminded.

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 But on that day, the Emancipation Proclamation came into force.

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 Abraham Lincoln, a few months earlier, had declared.

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 And he declared powerfully.

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 He said that on the 1st day of January.

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 See, this is in September.

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 And he's looking ahead 100 days.

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 He says, on that 1st day of September, in the year of our Lord, 1863,

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 all persons held as slaves within any state or designated part of a state,

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 the people whereof then be in rebellion against the United States,

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 shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.

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 A proclamation of freedom that would take effect 100 days in the future.

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 And when that proclamation was issued, it was issued not just as words, but as words accompanied by power.

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 And that's exactly what God's word is.

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 Words accompanied with power.

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 Because God has the power to achieve what he promises.

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 So in 1863, on the 1st of January, the proclamation commenced with these words.

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 Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States,

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 by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.

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 So he is saying, on this day, anyone held as a slave in these states

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 will be then, thenceforward, and forever free.

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 So it is a proclamation of freedom accompanied with all the power and the authority

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 that he has as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army and the United States Navy.

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 Turn with me for a moment back to Isaiah chapter 9.

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 And let's grasp something of the promise that is given

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 and something of the power that accompanies this promise

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 to see how God has a way of bringing into effect

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 a message of hope, a message of encouragement,

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 and a message of enthusiasm.

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 And if you can leave with those three words in your mind at the start of this new year,

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 hope, encouragement, and enthusiasm,

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 then I think the message of Isaiah will be rooted in our hearts, in our minds,

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 and we can look to see God working out his plan and his purpose.

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 So we come to chapter 9,

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 and if we want to emphasize hope, encouragement, and enthusiasm,

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 it's a strange commencement, isn't it?

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 Because we have a motif here,

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 and this motif is characterized by three words that each begin with the letter D.

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 The first word is defeat,

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 the second word is darkness,

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 and the third word is death.

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 Not a promising start for a promise, is it?

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 Defeat, darkness, and death.

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 At the beginning of chapter 9,

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 nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who are in distress.

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 In the past, he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali.

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 It's interesting that Matthew, when he begins to quote Isaiah 9,

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 he quotes from the beginning,

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 and he mentions Zebulun, and he mentions Naphtali,

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 these places in the northern part of Israel, of the kingdom of Israel.

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 And this is a place,

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 and this is why we have an insight into the rough date of Isaiah 9,

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 is because in 732 B.C.,

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 the Assyrian Empire began to conquer the north.

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 The Assyrians began to conquer these lands,

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 and to absorb these lands into their empire.

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 So this is a period of time

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 where the people of God are experiencing defeat,

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 and they are experiencing distress.

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 Now, in the ancient Near East,

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 the predominant empire at this time

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 was the Assyrian Empire.

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 If you remember in Isaiah chapter 6,

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 the year that King Uzziah died,

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 this was a good time for Judah.

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 It's often called a golden age of Judah.

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 But even that is a far cry from the real golden age

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 which existed under Solomon.

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 Solomon's reign,

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 the empire that Solomon built,

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 was the largest

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 that the combined nation of Israel and Judah had together,

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 the United Kingdom had.

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 Ever since Solomon's time,

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 it was a time of decline.

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 And by the time of Isaiah chapter 9,

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 the decline is obvious.

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 The enemies are getting stronger,

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 and the people of God are getting weaker.

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 Now, it's interesting that Isaiah

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 doesn't even mention the Assyrians by name.

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 Doesn't mention them as a nation.

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 Doesn't mention their emperor.

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 This happened to be Tiglath-Pileser III.

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 Now, like yourself,

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 we're all interested to some extent

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 in the history of the ancient Near East.

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 But there are weeks that go by

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 when I don't even think of the Assyrian Empire.

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 There might be months that go by

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 where you don't give that empire a second thought.

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 You see, that empire is a footnote now in history.

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 It was a big deal at this time,

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 but it's no longer a big deal.

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 You see, empires rise and empires fall.

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 The Assyrians had all power and all authority

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 so much that their emperor would sign decrees.

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 There was a later king called Ashurbanipal.

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 He would sign his decrees.

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 I am Ashurbanipal,

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 the king of the world,

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 the king of Assyria.

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 Because it was true,

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 if you were king of Assyria,

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 you were effectively king of the known world.

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 And now we don't think much of the Assyrian Empire.

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 We don't remember Ashurbanipal or Tiglath-Pileser III,

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 but we remember Jesus.

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 Because Jesus, the one promised here,

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 is the king.

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 And his empire is not an empire of time or of place,

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 but his empire expands across ages,

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 across generations,

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 so that this promise given 2,700 years ago

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 has now found its fulfillment

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 in time, in place,

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 but also in experience.

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 You see, this isn't just a study in ancient history.

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 This is a present reality for the people of God.

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 Because we read these promises,

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 and we read these guarantees

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 that God gives us about himself and about us.

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 So it's a time of defeat.

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 The Assyrians are on the rise,

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 and Israel is on the decline.

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 It's a time of darkness,

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 the people walking in darkness.

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 And it's not only dark,

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 but it's deep darkness,

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 in the second half of verse 2,

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 on those living in the land of the shadow of death.

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 Darkness is so deep

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 that it's like the words that we sang in Psalm 23.

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 Yea, though I walk through the valley

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 of the shadow of death.

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 So darkness is deep,

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 and death is near.

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 So that's the motif.

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 Death.

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 Defeat,

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 darkness,

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 and death.

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 But the remarkable thing is that

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 when light shines,

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 darkness disappears.

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 And we're told that a light is shining,

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 and it's a bright light.

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 And you see,

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 the first point I want to make here

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 is that at just the right time,

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 at just the right place,

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 in just the right circumstance,

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 God shows up.

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 Unexpected,

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 in many regards.

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 Surprising,

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 by many accounts.

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 But yet,

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 God shows up

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 at just the right time,

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 in just the right place,

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 at just the right setting.

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 When you would least expect it,

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 there he is.

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 And you see,

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 this scene of darkness,

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 this scene of defeat,

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 this scene of death,

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 is transformed

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 by light,

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 is transformed

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 by the arrival

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 of one

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 who will soon be described,

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 a son,

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 a child.

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 So this darkness

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 now is dispelled.

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 This defeat

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 is somehow being unraveled.

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 Why?

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 Because light has come.

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 As you read,

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 the opening verses

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 of John's Gospel

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 were told,

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 in him was life,

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 and that life

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 was the light of men.

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 Jesus enters this world

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 of darkness,

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 and he brings light.

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 Jesus enters this world

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 that is characterized

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 by death and defeat,

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 and he brings victory,

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 and he brings life,

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 and he brings joy,

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 and he brings peace.

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 So this scene

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 is now transformed

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 at just the right time.

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 Now,

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 I mentioned

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 the Emancipation Proclamation,

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 and there was

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 a hundred-day gap.

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 The president

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 makes a promise,

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 and he says,

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 in a hundred days,

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 this will be the case.

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 It's not a hundred days.

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 It's over 700 years

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 between the promise

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 and the fulfillment.

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 And you think

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 that's quite a long time.

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 That's quite a long wait.

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 Well,

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 God's timing

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 is perfect timing

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 because he is

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 infinitely wise,

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 he is infinitely great,

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 he is infinitely good,

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 so this promise

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 was intended

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 to keep

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 the people

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 of God

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 going.

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 And sometimes

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 we need

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 that promise

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 to keep

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 going.

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 Our circumstances,

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 if we look

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 at our circumstances,

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 we are attempted

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 to distress

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 and despair.

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 But when we turn

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 to God's word,

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 there we have

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 an ample supply

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 of hope,

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 an ample supply

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 of comfort,

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 an ample supply

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 of encouragement.

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 So this opening

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 motif,

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 death,

00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:34.700
 defeat,

00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.500
 and darkness,

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.340
 now light

00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.139
 is shining.

00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.379
 Verses 3 and 5,

00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:41.299
 again,

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.460
 we see

00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:44.759
 this transformation

00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.080
 taking place.

00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.259
 Verse 3,

00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:59.759
 So now we have

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.439
 a new scene.

00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.019
 Instead of defeat,

00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:02.720
 darkness,

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.419
 and death,

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.559
 we have

00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.799
 increase,

00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.139
 multiplication,

00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:08.639
 joy,

00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.799
 and celebration.

00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:11.879
 How has this

00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.360
 happened?

00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.580
 How is this

00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.200
 possible?

00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.139
 You see,

00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.759
 this is a time

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.879
 when the people

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.360
 of God

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.279
 are experiencing

00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.539
 not increase,

00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:22.699
 but decrease.

00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:23.779
 They're not

00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:25.120
 experiencing addition,

00:15:25.699 --> 00:15:26.679
 they're experiencing

00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.720
 subtraction.

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.199
 The land

00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.340
 is reducing.

00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:30.879
 Why?

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.899
 Because the northern

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.399
 neighbor,

00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.039
 Assyria,

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.659
 is advancing south.

00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.960
 And it's not

00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.860
 going to be too long

00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.600
 before the whole

00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.519
 northern kingdom

00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.299
 disappears,

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.100
 absorbed into

00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.860
 this vast empire.

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.919
 But God says

00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.039
 that's not the

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.500
 case.

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.500
 You see,

00:15:48.579 --> 00:15:49.659
 God is at work

00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.620
 in multiplication.

00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:52.459
 Now you might

00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:52.779
 remember,

00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.399
 maybe some of you

00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:54.179
 younger people here

00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.139
 are taking maths

00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.740
 at school.

00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.240
 You might remember

00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:58.479
 that there's what's

00:15:58.479 --> 00:15:59.459
 called a progression,

00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.299
 an arithmetic

00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.099
 progression.

00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.740
 When you go 2

00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.639
 and 4

00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.439
 and 6

00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.099
 and 8,

00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:06.039
 you add

00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.979
 2 plus 2

00:16:06.979 --> 00:16:07.399
 plus 2

00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:07.779
 plus 2.

00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.819
 And you see

00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:09.479
 that's a steady

00:16:09.479 --> 00:16:10.039
 progression.

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.519
 But if you have

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.139
 what's described

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.919
 as a geometric

00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.500
 progression,

00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.759
 you go from

00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.940
 2 to 4

00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.559
 to 8

00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.240
 to 16

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.740
 to 32.

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.320
 It's a multiplication.

00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.759
 Something that's

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.620
 small becomes

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.600
 very big

00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.919
 very quickly.

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.179
 And this message

00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:26.840
 that Isaiah

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:27.600
 is delivering

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.259
 to the people

00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:30.000
 seems so unusual

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.820
 because the writing

00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.820
 is on the wall.

00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:34.399
 We have a northern

00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.220
 neighbor that's

00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:36.580
 far more powerful

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.240
 than us.

00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.559
 We are not getting

00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:38.899
 bigger,

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.460
 we are getting

00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.059
 smaller.

00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.039
 There's not light,

00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.799
 there's darkness,

00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.620
 there's not hope,

00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.460
 there's despair,

00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.820
 but God is saying

00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.960
 a time is coming

00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.779
 and a time is coming

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.600
 where the nation

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.500
 will expand

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.879
 and expand rapidly.

00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.139
 You see,

00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.860
 God has a way

00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.659
 of multiplying.

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.879
 Let me give you

00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.320
 an example.

00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.700
 For over

00:16:58.700 --> 00:16:59.679
 a hundred years,

00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.240
 there was an

00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:01.539
 intensive effort

00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.899
 to bring the

00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.860
 gospel to the

00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.700
 nation and to

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.299
 the people of

00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.700
 China.

00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.460
 Hudson Taylor,

00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.400
 China Inland

00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.440
 Mission for one,

00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.420
 but many

00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.799
 Western organizations

00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.680
 and Western

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.119
 missionary

00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:15.299
 organizations

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.579
 sent people

00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:17.119
 to China.

00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.099
 By 1949,

00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.399
 it was estimated

00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.079
 that there was

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.019
 one million

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.279
 Chinese Christians.

00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:25.339
 And in that

00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.779
 year,

00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.220
 Chairman Mao

00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.799
 expelled every

00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.819
 Western missionary,

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.579
 expelled every

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.460
 Western mission

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.159
 organization,

00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.440
 and the thinking

00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:35.960
 was quite

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:36.879
 understandable.

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.200
 This is a

00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.259
 Western faith.

00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.559
 If we get

00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.119
 rid of the

00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:41.839
 Westerners,

00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.299
 if we get

00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:42.740
 rid of the

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.519
 Western money,

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.680
 this faith

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.420
 will soon

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.099
 disappear.

00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.339
 Something

00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:48.920
 remarkable

00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.440
 happened.

00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.660
 In those

00:17:50.660 --> 00:17:51.660
 next 60 or

00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.779
 70 years,

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.140
 the church

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.660
 of one

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:56.579
 million probably

00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.640
 by estimation

00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.279
 became a

00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:58.859
 church of

00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.379
 a hundred

00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.039
 million.

00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.940
 One Chinese

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.920
 Christian person

00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.119
 in 1949,

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.519
 there's now

00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.000
 a hundred.

00:18:06.680 --> 00:18:07.240
 That's what

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.700
 multiplication

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.600
 looks like.

00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.400
 When God

00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.019
 takes something

00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.440
 that looks

00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.140
 small and

00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:11.380
 he says,

00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:11.620
 I'm going

00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:11.880
 to make

00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.460
 it big.

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.160
 I'm going

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:13.400
 to make

00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.120
 it big in

00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:14.940
 the circumstances

00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.299
 that you

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.940
 would think

00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:17.160
 is impossible.

00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.960
 The resources,

00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.720
 the personnel,

00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.480
 everything that

00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.299
 you would expect

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.220
 is necessary.

00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.480
 God says he

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.340
 can work in

00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.160
 ways that we

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.860
 can never

00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:28.059
 understand or

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.519
 predict.

00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:30.220
 So I want

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.819
 us to begin

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.740
 this year with

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.680
 optimism.

00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.180
 I want us to

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.220
 see what God

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.380
 is able to do

00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:37.240
 and I want

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.700
 us to see

00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.160
 what God

00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:38.780
 has promised

00:18:38.780 --> 00:18:39.340
 to do

00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:40.080
 and how

00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:40.760
 God can

00:18:40.760 --> 00:18:41.340
 take a

00:18:41.340 --> 00:18:41.920
 situation

00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.780
 that seems

00:18:42.780 --> 00:18:43.680
 hopeless

00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:45.320
 and bring

00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:46.000
 multiplication

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.280
 and bring

00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:48.140
 increase

00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:49.120
 and bring

00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.680
 joy.

00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:50.940
 Because the

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.500
 language of

00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.140
 these verses

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.420
 is the

00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.100
 language of

00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:54.580
 Egypt.

00:18:55.520 --> 00:18:56.060
 It's the

00:18:56.060 --> 00:18:56.700
 language of

00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.200
 oppression.

00:18:57.800 --> 00:18:58.300
 It's the

00:18:58.300 --> 00:18:58.920
 language of

00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.520
 slavery.

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:00.760
 For as in

00:19:00.760 --> 00:19:01.440
 the day of

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.980
 Midian's

00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.400
 defeat,

00:19:02.540 --> 00:19:02.820
 you have

00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:03.520
 shattered the

00:19:03.520 --> 00:19:04.680
 yoke that

00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.560
 burdens them,

00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.759
 the bar

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.559
 across their

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.000
 shoulders,

00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:08.819
 the rod

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.220
 of their

00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.980
 oppressor.

00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.839
 God has

00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.659
 a way of

00:19:12.659 --> 00:19:13.299
 removing

00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:16.099
 and transforming.

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.960
 He removes

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.000
 the oppressor.

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.379
 He transforms

00:19:20.379 --> 00:19:21.559
 the circumstances

00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.379
 of his people.

00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.659
 So instead of

00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.440
 being a captive

00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:24.940
 people,

00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:25.960
 they're a free

00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:26.399
 people.

00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:27.399
 Instead of

00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:27.779
 being an

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:28.240
 oppressed

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.759
 people,

00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:29.879
 they are now

00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.519
 a joyful

00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.059
 people.

00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.639
 And even

00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:33.259
 that mention

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.899
 of Midian,

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.139
 remember

00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.280
 the account

00:19:36.280 --> 00:19:36.920
 and judges

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.640
 of Gideon?

00:19:38.520 --> 00:19:39.259
 The first

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.800
 time we

00:19:39.800 --> 00:19:40.300
 encounter

00:19:40.300 --> 00:19:40.840
 Gideon,

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:41.259
 what is he

00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.540
 doing?

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.600
 He's

00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.180
 threshing

00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.640
 wheat in

00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.100
 a wine

00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.620
 press.

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.980
 Why is he

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.340
 threshing

00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:47.759
 wheat in

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.180
 a wine

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.620
 press?

00:19:49.020 --> 00:19:49.900
 Because the

00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.800
 Midianites

00:19:50.800 --> 00:19:52.280
 are plundering

00:19:52.280 --> 00:19:53.520
 the harvest.

00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.640
 They're taking

00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.420
 everything

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.200
 away.

00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.360
 So if you

00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:57.680
 want to

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.460
 preserve what

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:58.920
 you have,

00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.360
 you need to

00:19:59.360 --> 00:19:59.920
 hide it.

00:20:01.020 --> 00:20:01.620
 And Isaiah

00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.200
 is saying,

00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:02.740
 you remember

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.320
 what happened

00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:03.860
 in Midian,

00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.939
 when Midian

00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:05.379
 was the

00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:05.639
 enemy,

00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.199
 you remember

00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:06.779
 what happened

00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.399
 in Egypt.

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.500
 God

00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.459
 intervened.

00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.859
 God intervened

00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.539
 at just the

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.279
 right time,

00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.439
 in just the

00:20:13.439 --> 00:20:14.299
 right situation,

00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:15.099
 and he

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.139
 transformed

00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:16.539
 the

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:18.279
 circumstances

00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.879
 of his

00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:19.240
 people.

00:20:20.179 --> 00:20:20.539
 And this

00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.059
 is why it's

00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.639
 so important

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.359
 to study the

00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:22.859
 history of

00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.479
 the past.

00:20:23.979 --> 00:20:24.579
 Because we

00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:24.959
 see what

00:20:24.959 --> 00:20:25.699
 God has

00:20:25.699 --> 00:20:26.079
 done,

00:20:26.439 --> 00:20:26.759
 and we

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.179
 see what

00:20:27.179 --> 00:20:27.859
 God can

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.259
 do,

00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:28.879
 and we

00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.219
 are then

00:20:29.219 --> 00:20:29.459
 given

00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:30.119
 comfort and

00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:30.639
 encouragement

00:20:30.639 --> 00:20:31.339
 for today

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:31.859
 and for

00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.359
 tomorrow.

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:34.079
 And as

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.459
 you read

00:20:34.459 --> 00:20:34.899
 through this

00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.559
 passage,

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.639
 you might

00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:38.079
 notice that

00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.659
 the verbs

00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:40.000
 that are

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.619
 used,

00:20:40.719 --> 00:20:41.619
 because Isaiah

00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.119
 is talking

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.500
 about the

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:42.899
 future,

00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.539
 but strangely

00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.339
 he uses

00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.399
 past tense

00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.259
 verbs to

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:47.699
 talk about

00:20:47.699 --> 00:20:48.199
 the future.

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.740
 We don't

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.179
 do that

00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:50.579
 normally.

00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:52.039
 If I tell

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.419
 you I'm

00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.319
 going home

00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.079
 to have

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.719
 lunch and

00:20:54.719 --> 00:20:55.059
 I will

00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.679
 have,

00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.559
 you know,

00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:57.199
 I will use

00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.679
 words like

00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.019
 will.

00:20:58.719 --> 00:20:58.979
 You know,

00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.299
 when I

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.899
 describe the

00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:00.259
 future,

00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:00.779
 I don't

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.379
 talk about

00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:02.200
 past tense

00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.700
 events,

00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:04.000
 but Isaiah

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.620
 is so

00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.480
 confident,

00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.300
 or in

00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:08.040
 this word,

00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.460
 in this

00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.000
 message,

00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.900
 that he's

00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:10.520
 presenting

00:21:10.520 --> 00:21:11.540
 something as

00:21:11.540 --> 00:21:12.040
 if it has

00:21:12.040 --> 00:21:13.300
 already been

00:21:13.300 --> 00:21:14.060
 achieved.

00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.600
 That is how

00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:16.720
 reliable God

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.200
 is.

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.120
 You can

00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:18.900
 take his

00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:19.880
 word to

00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.500
 the bank,

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.360
 and you'll

00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.420
 never be

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.000
 disappointed.

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:23.740
 You'll

00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.680
 never be

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.160
 discouraged.

00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.340
 So instead

00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:28.260
 of slavery,

00:21:29.020 --> 00:21:29.880
 instead of

00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:30.740
 hardship,

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.960
 instead of

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.620
 suffering,

00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.620
 we have

00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.319
 here a

00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.019
 picture of

00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.559
 joy,

00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.500
 a picture

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.380
 of abundance,

00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.220
 a picture

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.039
 of freedom,

00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:39.880
 a picture

00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.799
 of security,

00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.380
 a picture

00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.539
 of safety.

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:43.900
 You see,

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.480
 God has

00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:44.940
 a way of

00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.960
 changing our

00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.740
 circumstances

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.900
 and transforming

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.940
 our status.

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:51.019
 The 1st of

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.420
 January,

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.440
 1863,

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.180
 the President

00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.700
 of the United

00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.700
 States declared

00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.339
 those that

00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.099
 were held in

00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.000
 slavery to be

00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.380
 free.

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.460
 And from

00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.079
 that point

00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.500
 forward,

00:21:59.599 --> 00:21:59.859
 they were

00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.220
 free.

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.420
 Because he

00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:02.079
 said it,

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.019
 he meant

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.299
 it,

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:03.960
 and he

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.519
 accompanied

00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:04.900
 his

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.440
 proclamation

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.299
 with power.

00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.720
 God is

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.700
 describing his

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.519
 people now,

00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.579
 no longer

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.400
 as slaves,

00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.519
 no longer

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.019
 as in

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.420
 danger,

00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.099
 no longer

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.720
 in distress,

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.279
 but a

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:15.839
 people who

00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.259
 are to be

00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.740
 characterized

00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.579
 by joy,

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:18.819
 by

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:21.279
 celebration,

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.640
 and by

00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.799
 increase and

00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.339
 multiplication.

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.559
 salvation.

00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:26.480
 And as we

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.000
 come then

00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.439
 to the

00:22:27.439 --> 00:22:28.480
 final portion

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.059
 of this

00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.699
 passage,

00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.359
 how is it

00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.779
 possible that

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.679
 this transformation

00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.459
 can take

00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:34.959
 place?

00:22:34.959 --> 00:22:36.240
 How can a

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.819
 scene of

00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.399
 defeat,

00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:38.679
 of

00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:40.359
 captivity,

00:22:40.959 --> 00:22:42.059
 of suffering,

00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:43.319
 of darkness

00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:44.099
 and distress,

00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.079
 how can that

00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:46.500
 situation be

00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.439
 transformed?

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.279
 Verse 6,

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.859
 for to us

00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.799
 a child

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.920
 is born,

00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:54.079
 to us

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.599
 a son

00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.059
 is given.

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:56.920
 There is

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.399
 one who

00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.079
 comes

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.399
 and who

00:22:59.399 --> 00:23:00.039
 achieves

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.779
 and fulfills

00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.559
 and provides

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.379
 and enables

00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.440
 the impossible

00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:03.899
 to be

00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:04.440
 possible.

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:05.859
 Isn't that

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.359
 the refrain

00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.960
 that we often

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.639
 see throughout

00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.180
 the Bible?

00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.460
 With man,

00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:09.819
 this is

00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.399
 impossible.

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.599
 With us,

00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.079
 this is

00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.700
 impossible.

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.759
 Your

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.440
 circumstances

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.339
 today might

00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.099
 seem to be

00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:16.779
 impossible.

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.579
 The despair,

00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.399
 the distress,

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.359
 the discouragement.

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.839
 The Bible

00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.480
 is not

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.559
 a self-help

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.119
 book.

00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.259
 Whatever it

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.559
 is,

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.059
 it's not

00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.599
 that.

00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:27.939
 Because the

00:23:27.939 --> 00:23:28.419
 help that

00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:28.899
 we need

00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.339
 does not

00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.879
 come from

00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.419
 ourselves.

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.619
 If we

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.399
 could help

00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:33.119
 ourselves,

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.240
 surely we

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.579
 would have

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:34.839
 helped

00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.339
 ourselves

00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.939
 by now.

00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.179
 The help

00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:37.500
 that is

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.359
 described here

00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:38.799
 is not

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.519
 coming from

00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.079
 the people,

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:40.859
 but is

00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.559
 coming from

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.339
 God for

00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:42.919
 his people.

00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:44.579
 A child,

00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.619
 a son.

00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:46.919
 And we're

00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:47.519
 told that the

00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.240
 government will

00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.680
 be on

00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.500
 his shoulders.

00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.099
 Think of

00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.620
 that image.

00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:53.200
 The government

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.620
 of the world

00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.900
 rests upon

00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.539
 the shoulders

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.019
 of this

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.539
 child,

00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.339
 this son,

00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.759
 which means

00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.099
 that he

00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.059
 can carry

00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.140
 a heavy

00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:02.839
 load.

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.000
 You and

00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.559
 I cannot

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.500
 carry heavy

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.980
 loads.

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.900
 We are

00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.799
 often burdened

00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.259
 or weighed

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.900
 down or

00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.500
 oppressed.

00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:11.960
 And that's

00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.500
 why when you

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:12.980
 think of the

00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.539
 ministry of

00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:13.859
 Jesus,

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.339
 we look

00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.299
 at the

00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.799
 beginning of

00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.079
 Jesus'

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:16.859
 ministry in

00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.199
 Matthew,

00:24:17.659 --> 00:24:18.079
 if you

00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.659
 read through

00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:19.159
 just a few

00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.839
 more chapters,

00:24:19.959 --> 00:24:20.240
 you'll come

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.639
 to the end

00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.059
 of Matthew

00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.899
 chapter 11,

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.159
 where Jesus

00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.500
 says,

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:23.959
 come to

00:24:23.959 --> 00:24:24.259
 me,

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.279
 all who

00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:25.839
 are weary

00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.899
 and burdened,

00:24:27.199 --> 00:24:27.579
 and I

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:27.939
 will give

00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.659
 you rest.

00:24:29.479 --> 00:24:29.799
 Now,

00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.279
 how is he

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.619
 able to

00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:31.279
 say that?

00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:32.159
 He's able

00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:32.759
 to say that

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.139
 because he

00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:33.639
 can carry

00:24:33.639 --> 00:24:33.959
 the whole

00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:34.439
 world on

00:24:34.439 --> 00:24:34.919
 his shoulders.

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.199
 He is

00:24:36.199 --> 00:24:37.059
 that strong.

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.779
 He is

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.559
 that powerful.

00:24:39.159 --> 00:24:39.679
 So that

00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.559
 which crushes

00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.599
 us has

00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.500
 no impact

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:42.939
 on him

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.460
 because he

00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.960
 is that

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.640
 strong,

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.860
 that great,

00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:46.680
 and that

00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.100
 mighty.

00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:49.039
 So not

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.380
 only does

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:49.940
 he carry

00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:50.519
 the government,

00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:51.960
 we're told

00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.259
 that he

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.059
 is called

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.900
 Wonderful

00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.980
 Counselor,

00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.299
 Mighty God,

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:56.960
 Everlasting

00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.519
 Father,

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.539
 Prince of

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.160
 Peace.

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.039
 Wonderful

00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.779
 Counselor.

00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.120
 In this

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:03.400
 city,

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.259
 there's a

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.160
 counseling service

00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.820
 called New

00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.320
 Growth

00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:07.160
 Counseling.

00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:07.980
 Louise

00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.360
 McMillan and

00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.740
 colleagues provide

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.820
 Christian counseling

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.419
 for people

00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:13.099
 who have

00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.439
 problems.

00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.500
 Many

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.119
 different kinds

00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.679
 of problems,

00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.240
 many different

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.619
 kinds of

00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.159
 situations,

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.039
 and there's

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.679
 a huge

00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.379
 value in

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.700
 Christian

00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.200
 counseling

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.639
 of talking

00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.240
 with someone

00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.700
 who can

00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:25.599
 help you

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.299
 see or

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.859
 maybe work

00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.159
 through

00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:27.980
 problems,

00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.359
 but any

00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.339
 counselor will

00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.119
 tell you

00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.839
 that they

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.379
 encounter

00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.419
 situations that

00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:33.899
 are beyond

00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.179
 them.

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.220
 They've

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.779
 never seen

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.259
 this kind

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.740
 of problem,

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.039
 they don't

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.480
 know what

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.079
 to say,

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.980
 but the

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.659
 counselor that

00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.159
 we have

00:25:40.159 --> 00:25:40.519
 in the

00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:40.899
 sun,

00:25:41.439 --> 00:25:41.779
 in the

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.319
 child,

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.399
 never

00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:45.420
 encounters a

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.039
 problem that

00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:46.359
 is too

00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:46.819
 great,

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.619
 never

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.440
 encounters a

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.119
 difficulty that

00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.440
 is too

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.059
 complex.

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:50.779
 This

00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.619
 counselor never

00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.579
 needs advice,

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.879
 this counselor

00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.579
 never needs

00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.339
 wisdom because

00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.019
 he has all

00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.099
 wisdom and

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.079
 all knowledge.

00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.139
 We're describing

00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:01.059
 him here also

00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:01.759
 as mighty

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.779
 God or as

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.460
 a warrior

00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.099
 God.

00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.240
 Now the

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.940
 Assyrians were

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.500
 a warrior

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.160
 empire,

00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.359
 but our

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.559
 God fights

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.399
 for us,

00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.040
 and he

00:26:11.040 --> 00:26:11.759
 can defeat

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.660
 any foe,

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.060
 he can

00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:13.580
 thwart

00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.380
 any enemy.

00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:15.480
 So when

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:15.920
 we have

00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.340
 him on

00:26:16.340 --> 00:26:17.040
 our side,

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.800
 we not

00:26:17.800 --> 00:26:18.240
 only have

00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.000
 all wisdom,

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:19.920
 we have

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.940
 all strength.

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.000
 And not

00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.500
 only do we

00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.840
 have a

00:26:23.840 --> 00:26:24.240
 God who

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.780
 is mighty

00:26:24.780 --> 00:26:25.080
 and a

00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.460
 God who

00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.080
 is wise,

00:26:26.340 --> 00:26:26.780
 but we

00:26:26.780 --> 00:26:27.080
 have a

00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.440
 God who

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.160
 is relational

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.980
 by his

00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.580
 very nature.

00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.680
 He knows

00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:30.940
 us,

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.440
 he loves

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:31.660
 us,

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.100
 he makes

00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.519
 us part

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:32.800
 of his

00:26:32.800 --> 00:26:33.259
 family.

00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.380
 You see,

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.700
 there's a

00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.200
 change of

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.780
 status.

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.780
 The captive

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.440
 people have

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.319
 become free.

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.500
 The people

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.980
 in distress

00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.539
 have become

00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.059
 joyful.

00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.460
 But those

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.379
 who are

00:26:44.379 --> 00:26:45.460
 separated from

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.220
 God now

00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.980
 become part

00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.519
 of God's

00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.000
 family.

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.240
 It's

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.779
 interesting that

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.559
 here one of

00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.019
 the titles

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.619
 given to

00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.180
 the Son

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:53.319
 is Everlasting

00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.839
 Father.

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.639
 Now this

00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.240
 doesn't mean

00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.460
 that,

00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.759
 this doesn't

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.639
 conflict with

00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:59.379
 our understanding

00:26:59.379 --> 00:26:59.920
 of Father,

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.240
 Son,

00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.579
 and Holy

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:00.960
 Spirit.

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.059
 But the

00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.799
 title here

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.379
 is one

00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.799
 who has

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.440
 no beginning,

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.279
 one who

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.200
 has no end,

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.960
 and one

00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.360
 who looks

00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:07.960
 upon us

00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.360
 as a

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.900
 member of

00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.640
 his family

00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.960
 with care,

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:11.799
 with concern,

00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.200
 and with

00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.779
 compassion.

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:13.940
 So the

00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:14.680
 mighty God,

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.240
 the warrior

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.700
 God,

00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.920
 is Everlasting

00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.500
 Father.

00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.039
 And he's

00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.680
 Prince of

00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.220
 Peace.

00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.299
 In an

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.740
 age of

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.160
 warfare,

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.840
 God is

00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.180
 a God

00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.620
 who brings

00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.160
 peace.

00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:24.980
 In an

00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.460
 age of

00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:25.960
 military

00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.500
 defeat,

00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.039
 a God

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.480
 who brings

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.000
 victory,

00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:28.759
 but a

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.200
 God who

00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.799
 declares

00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.620
 peace.

00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:32.660
 Another

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.480
 anniversary that

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.019
 passed in

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.380
 December,

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.140
 December 7,

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.080
 1941,

00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.360
 was the

00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.059
 attack on

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.759
 Pearl Harbor

00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.279
 by the

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.759
 Japanese

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.340
 Empire,

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.539
 and war

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.259
 commenced.

00:27:43.340 --> 00:27:44.000
 Human beings

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.600
 can declare

00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.120
 war,

00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.120
 but only

00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:46.759
 God can

00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.080
 declare

00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.740
 peace,

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.860
 because his

00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.700
 declaration is

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.440
 accompanied with

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.360
 the power to

00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.980
 achieve peace.

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.440
 And we're

00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.299
 told that this

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.720
 peace and

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.539
 his government

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:59.000
 will extend

00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.920
 and extend

00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.740
 and extend.

00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:03.000
 The 20th

00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.559
 century was

00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.179
 the most

00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:05.619
 successful

00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.599
 century for

00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.220
 the missionary

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.119
 enterprise of

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.539
 the Christian

00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.019
 church.

00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:09.700
 We might not

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.319
 realize that,

00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:11.019
 but it is.

00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.679
 That 100-year

00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:13.599
 period was the

00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.559
 most successful

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.359
 period of

00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:18.059
 Christian evangelization

00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.159
 since the

00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.879
 book of Acts.

00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.399
 The 21st

00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.059
 century has

00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:23.559
 the ability

00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.099
 of being

00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.039
 even greater

00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.039
 in terms of

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.639
 more people

00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.399
 being reached

00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:27.839
 with the

00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.279
 gospel.

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:30.000
 Just to

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.379
 give you a

00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.019
 statistic that

00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.639
 is remarkable,

00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:33.279
 in 1900,

00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:33.980
 the high

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.619
 water mark

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:34.859
 of the

00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.220
 Western

00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.700
 missionary

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.500
 endeavor,

00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:37.639
 there were

00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:38.319
 10 million

00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.139
 Christians on

00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:40.279
 the continent

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.000
 of Africa,

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.579
 10% of the

00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.139
 population.

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.399
 By the end

00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.000
 of the 20th

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.480
 century,

00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.759
 there were

00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:49.519
 360 million

00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.379
 Africans on

00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:50.899
 the continent

00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:51.460
 of Africa,

00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.119
 half of

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:53.399
 which were

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.960
 Christians.

00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.519
 This is the

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.460
 largest shift

00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.000
 in religious

00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.859
 affiliation that

00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.559
 has ever been

00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.740
 identified anywhere

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:01.719
 at any time.

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.139
 This is what

00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:04.639
 God does when

00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.759
 he extends his

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.139
 kingdom.

00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:09.279
 I mentioned

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.599
 the word

00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.199
 enthusiasm,

00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:10.959
 and with this

00:29:10.959 --> 00:29:11.359
 I want to

00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.019
 close,

00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.740
 because at the

00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.339
 end of this

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.119
 great promise,

00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:16.079
 we're told that

00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.179
 the zeal of

00:29:17.179 --> 00:29:17.779
 the Lord

00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:19.559
 Almighty will

00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.859
 accomplish this,

00:29:21.699 --> 00:29:22.799
 that God has

00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.719
 an intense

00:29:23.719 --> 00:29:25.719
 commitment to

00:29:25.719 --> 00:29:26.659
 fulfill his

00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:27.500
 own promise.

00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.379
 and he

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.779
 fulfills that

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.459
 promise with

00:29:30.459 --> 00:29:31.279
 great zeal,

00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.719
 with great

00:29:32.719 --> 00:29:33.379
 enthusiasm,

00:29:33.679 --> 00:29:34.079
 with great

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.619
 intensity.

00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.119
 And I would

00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:36.819
 like to suggest

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.500
 that as this

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.319
 year commences,

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.679
 that we might

00:29:39.679 --> 00:29:40.619
 hope to share

00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.679
 something of

00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:42.559
 this enthusiasm.

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.179
 So I want you

00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:45.000
 to be optimistic,

00:29:45.199 --> 00:29:46.079
 not pessimistic.

00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:46.959
 I want you to

00:29:46.959 --> 00:29:47.719
 have hope and

00:29:47.719 --> 00:29:48.339
 not despair.

00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.459
 I want you to

00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:50.500
 reflect on light

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.459
 and not darkness,

00:29:51.459 --> 00:29:52.859
 but I want you to

00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:54.240
 consider what it

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.079
 means to be

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.099
 enthusiastic.

00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.660
 We all have

00:29:58.660 --> 00:29:59.500
 different temperaments.

00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.620
 Some of us are

00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.819
 half empty people,

00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.480
 some of us are

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.240
 glass half full

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.680
 people,

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.200
 but I want us to

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.000
 be enthusiastic

00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.620
 if we are

00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.120
 Christians.

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.120
 Ralph Waldo

00:30:09.120 --> 00:30:09.960
 Emerson, a great

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.380
 essayist in America,

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.240
 put it this way.

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.240
 He said,

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.500
 enthusiasm is one

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:14.880
 of the most

00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:16.039
 powerful engines

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.859
 of success.

00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.460
 When you do a

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.079
 thing, do it

00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:19.559
 with all your

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:19.980
 might.

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.200
 Put your whole

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.099
 soul into it,

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.940
 stamp it with your

00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.840
 own personality,

00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:24.940
 be active,

00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:25.840
 be energetic,

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.000
 be enthusiastic

00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.940
 and faithful,

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.900
 and you will

00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:29.640
 accomplish your

00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.059
 object.

00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.740
 Nothing great

00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.940
 was ever achieved

00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.880
 without enthusiasm.

00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:36.080
 There's a zealous

00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:37.759
 enthusiasm of God

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.940
 that not only does

00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.480
 he promise,

00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.600
 but he achieves.

00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.740
 Not only does he

00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.920
 make commitments,

00:30:43.080 --> 00:30:43.820
 but he fulfills

00:30:43.820 --> 00:30:44.559
 those commitments.

00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.900
 And I think there

00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.700
 should be something

00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.840
 of that enthusiasm

00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:49.400
 in the people

00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.220
 of God.

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:51.900
 Let me give you

00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.720
 just one example.

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.279
 In the early part

00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.920
 of the 18th

00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.360
 century,

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.000
 the 1700s,

00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.880
 the cause of

00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.620
 Jesus was at

00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.220
 a very low

00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.200
 ebb in the

00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.940
 United Kingdom,

00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.140
 in the American

00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:03.759
 colonies.

00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:06.259
 It was exactly

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.180
 the opposite.

00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:07.980
 It was exactly

00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.820
 the time in which

00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.620
 you didn't expect

00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.380
 much to happen

00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.120
 because not much

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.779
 was happening.

00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:14.100
 But God raised

00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:15.279
 up a generation

00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.440
 of preachers,

00:31:16.580 --> 00:31:17.240
 of pastors,

00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.440
 of evangelists

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.660
 that brought

00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.440
 the gospel

00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.580
 to the United

00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:22.000
 Kingdom,

00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:22.539
 to England,

00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.120
 to Scotland,

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.580
 to Wales,

00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.180
 to Ireland,

00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.320
 to the United

00:31:25.320 --> 00:31:25.960
 States,

00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.180
 at just the

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.740
 right moment

00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.320
 when things

00:31:28.320 --> 00:31:29.059
 seemed to be

00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.720
 going from bad

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.480
 to worse.

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.160
 And these

00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:34.900
 preachers were

00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.740
 described as

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.299
 enthusiasts.

00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:38.000
 But that wasn't

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.500
 a compliment.

00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:39.779
 They were

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.440
 described as

00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.340
 enthusiasts in

00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:41.779
 religion.

00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.799
 And religion

00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.299
 wasn't meant

00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.180
 to be enthusiastic.

00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:45.559
 Religion was

00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.039
 something that you

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.440
 had in your

00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.180
 private life,

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.400
 and you

00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:47.880
 kept that

00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:48.440
 privately.

00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.560
 But people

00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.100
 like John

00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.660
 Wesley or

00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.000
 George

00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.440
 Whitefield

00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.820
 became

00:31:51.820 --> 00:31:52.560
 enthusiasts

00:31:52.560 --> 00:31:53.299
 for the

00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.799
 gospel.

00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:55.240
 Whitefield

00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:55.860
 once said,

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.460
 other men

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.000
 may preach

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.620
 the gospel

00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.180
 better than

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.539
 I,

00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.000
 but no man

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.680
 can preach

00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.160
 a better

00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.740
 gospel.

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.060
 John

00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:03.420
 Wesley,

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.080
 his contemporary,

00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:04.700
 said this,

00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:04.960
 he said,

00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.720
 catch on fire

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.580
 with enthusiasm

00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.799
 and people

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.440
 will come

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.400
 for miles

00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:10.560
 to see you

00:32:10.560 --> 00:32:10.940
 burn.

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.640
 George

00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.060
 Whitefield

00:32:13.060 --> 00:32:13.860
 traveled many

00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:14.560
 times to the

00:32:14.560 --> 00:32:15.080
 United States,

00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:15.640
 to the U.S.

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.120
 colonies,

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:17.619
 and on his

00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.339
 last journey

00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:18.699
 there,

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.819
 it was clear

00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.299
 that his

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:20.899
 life was

00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:21.479
 coming to

00:32:21.479 --> 00:32:21.979
 an end.

00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:22.719
 He was

00:32:22.719 --> 00:32:23.059
 only in

00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.759
 his 50s,

00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.259
 but still

00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.719
 it was obvious

00:32:25.719 --> 00:32:26.159
 that he was

00:32:26.159 --> 00:32:26.819
 growing weaker.

00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.199
 And on one

00:32:28.199 --> 00:32:28.500
 evening,

00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:28.839
 it was the

00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.579
 27th of

00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.019
 September

00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.379
 1770,

00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.659
 a friend

00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:33.099
 said,

00:32:33.239 --> 00:32:33.500
 sir,

00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.459
 you are

00:32:34.459 --> 00:32:35.199
 more fit

00:32:35.199 --> 00:32:35.699
 to go to

00:32:35.699 --> 00:32:36.139
 bed than

00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:36.779
 to preach.

00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.459
 And George

00:32:38.459 --> 00:32:38.839
 Whitefield

00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.319
 replied,

00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:39.639
 true,

00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:39.979
 sir.

00:32:40.739 --> 00:32:41.039
 But then

00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.659
 he prayed,

00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:43.039
 Lord Jesus,

00:32:43.179 --> 00:32:43.799
 I am weary

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.619
 in thy work,

00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.479
 but not of

00:32:45.479 --> 00:32:46.079
 thy work.

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.799
 I have

00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.239
 not yet

00:32:47.239 --> 00:32:47.599
 finished

00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.259
 my course.

00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:48.699
 Let me

00:32:48.699 --> 00:32:49.059
 go and

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.559
 speak for

00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.339
 thee once

00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:50.819
 more in

00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.439
 the fields.

00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.459
 Seal thy

00:32:52.459 --> 00:32:53.059
 truth and

00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.339
 let me

00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.019
 come home

00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.039
 and die.

00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.599
 He stood

00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.179
 on a barrel

00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:57.659
 and preached

00:32:57.659 --> 00:32:58.059
 for two

00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.679
 hours that

00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:59.039
 evening.

00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:00.479
 When he

00:33:00.479 --> 00:33:00.839
 went to

00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.159
 bed,

00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.719
 he said,

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.000
 I would

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.719
 rather wear

00:33:02.719 --> 00:33:03.359
 out than

00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.039
 rust out.

00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.379
 This was

00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.099
 in the

00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.500
 Massachusetts

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.079
 colony.

00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:07.799
 That next

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.179
 morning,

00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.000
 he died

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.759
 and was

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.359
 buried there

00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:10.699
 in the

00:33:10.699 --> 00:33:12.059
 United States.

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.419
 That's what

00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:13.959
 enthusiasm

00:33:13.959 --> 00:33:14.699
 looks like,

00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.380
 going forth

00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:15.640
 in the

00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:15.980
 name of

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.299
 Jesus

00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.860
 with the

00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.120
 sure

00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:17.580
 promise

00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:17.840
 of the

00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.240
 gospel,

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:18.960
 knowing

00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:19.779
 that God's

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.340
 word will

00:33:20.340 --> 00:33:20.960
 always be

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.440
 fulfilled,

00:33:21.840 --> 00:33:22.220
 God's

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.940
 promises are

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.740
 always yes

00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.279
 and amen,

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.400
 and God

00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.960
 has a way

00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:26.539
 of using

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.240
 ordinary

00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.420
 people to

00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:29.039
 accomplish

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.920
 extraordinary

00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:31.460
 things so

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.180
 that all the

00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.539
 credit,

00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.200
 all the

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.640
 praise,

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.240
 all the

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.779
 honor is

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.259
 his.

00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.440
 So we

00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.120
 have hope

00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:38.080
 today in

00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.600
 Jesus,

00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.720
 the son,

00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:40.640
 the child.

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.440
 we have

00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.040
 hope in

00:33:42.040 --> 00:33:42.920
 his gospel,

00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.140
 even that

00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.440
 portion of

00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.320
 chapter 4 in

00:33:46.320 --> 00:33:46.840
 Matthew that

00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:47.320
 we read.

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.480
 All different

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:48.980
 kinds of

00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:49.300
 people,

00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:50.060
 with all

00:33:50.060 --> 00:33:50.660
 different kinds

00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.320
 of problems,

00:33:51.520 --> 00:33:52.020
 from all

00:33:52.020 --> 00:33:52.680
 different kinds

00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.259
 of places,

00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.180
 came to

00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.020
 him and

00:33:55.020 --> 00:33:56.060
 each one

00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:56.840
 was healed.

00:33:57.520 --> 00:33:58.300
 That's his

00:33:58.300 --> 00:33:58.840
 power,

00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.759
 that's his

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.240
 authority.

00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.280
 So this

00:34:01.280 --> 00:34:02.000
 promise goes

00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.580
 forth in

00:34:02.580 --> 00:34:03.040
 the name

00:34:03.040 --> 00:34:03.780
 of God,

00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.580
 who cannot

00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.200
 lie,

00:34:05.560 --> 00:34:06.200
 goes forth

00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.740
 with his

00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.240
 power,

00:34:07.560 --> 00:34:08.240
 and has

00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:08.740
 been and

00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.460
 is being

00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.140
 achieved.

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:10.920
 So if

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.500
 you are a

00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.099
 follower of

00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.400
 Jesus,

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.119
 be hopeful,

00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.519
 be encouraged,

00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.299
 be enthusiastic,

00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.699
 and if you're

00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.819
 not yet trusting

00:34:17.819 --> 00:34:18.299
 in this

00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.739
 Jesus,

00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.239
 place all of

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:20.799
 your cares

00:34:20.799 --> 00:34:21.379
 on him,

00:34:21.859 --> 00:34:22.460
 come to

00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.039
 him and

00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.619
 come to

00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:24.259
 know this

00:34:24.259 --> 00:34:24.759
 joy,

00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:25.799
 this light,

00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.579
 this life,

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.259
 this hope,

00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:28.219
 and come to

00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:29.119
 experience for

00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:30.480
 yourself what

00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.679
 it means to

00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.500
 be a child

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:32.940
 of this

00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.440
 God,

00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:34.199
 to be a

00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:34.599
 member of

00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.239
 this family,

00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.179
 to be a

00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:37.219
 follower of

00:34:37.219 --> 00:34:37.920
 this Savior.

00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.019
 And may God

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.920
 bless you this

00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.360
 day,

00:34:40.680 --> 00:34:41.180
 and this

00:34:41.180 --> 00:34:41.579
 year,

00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.440
 and may

00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:43.000
 all the

00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.539
 glory be

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:43.940
 his.

00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:44.840
 Let's

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.159
 pray.

00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:46.800
 Father, we

00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.220
 ask that you

00:34:47.220 --> 00:34:47.720
 would encourage

00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:48.460
 us, strengthen

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.119
 us, and equip

00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:49.440
 us.

00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.500
 We thank you

00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:50.860
 for these

00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.920
 precious promises

00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.460
 that are

00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:53.019
 yea and

00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.760
 amen in

00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:54.440
 Christ Jesus.

00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.760
 We thank you

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.260
 that what you

00:34:56.260 --> 00:34:57.159
 say you mean,

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:57.900
 what you

00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.500
 promise you

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.000
 fulfill,

00:34:59.360 --> 00:34:59.800
 and you

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.639
 delight in

00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:01.760
 using ordinary

00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:02.519
 people like

00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.700
 us to

00:35:03.700 --> 00:35:04.639
 demonstrate the

00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.260
 extraordinary

00:35:05.260 --> 00:35:06.500
 power,

00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:07.400
 the

00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.059
 extraordinary

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.940
 grace,

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:09.539
 the

00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.179
 extraordinary

00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:11.000
 wisdom,

00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:11.659
 the

00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:12.320
 extraordinary

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.860
 love that

00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.639
 is found in

00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:15.500
 Jesus Christ.

00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.599
 We thank you

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:16.980
 that he can

00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.400
 carry the

00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:18.000
 whole world

00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.420
 on his

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.759
 shoulders,

00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:19.980
 and that his

00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.799
 government is

00:35:20.799 --> 00:35:22.259
 increasing day

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.840
 by day,

00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:23.679
 that his

00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.179
 kingdom is

00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:24.519
 growing,

00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.779
 that men

00:35:25.779 --> 00:35:26.219
 and women

00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:26.679
 and boys

00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.179
 and girls

00:35:27.179 --> 00:35:27.779
 throughout this

00:35:27.779 --> 00:35:28.199
 world are

00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:28.639
 coming to

00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.099
 know him,

00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:29.940
 and in

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.559
 knowing him

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:30.960
 are coming

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.380
 to know

00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:33.059
 life abundant

00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:34.119
 and life

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.559
 eternal.

00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:35.639
 So give us

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.179
 encouragement

00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:36.579
 today,

00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:36.920
 Lord.

00:35:37.239 --> 00:35:37.759
 Give us

00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:38.579
 hope in

00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:39.239
 great measure

00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:40.360
 and help us

00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:40.639
 to be

00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:41.380
 enthusiastic

00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.119
 in the

00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.579
 gospel,

00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.519
 in the

00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.079
 service of

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.619
 our Lord,

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.579
 in the

00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.119
 encouragement

00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:46.519
 of one

00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:46.880
 another,

00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:47.820
 and in

00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:48.000
 the

00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.639
 proclamation

00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.659
 of these

00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.500
 great and

00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:50.900
 precious

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.440
 promises,

00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:52.699
 the son,

00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:53.920
 the child,

00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:54.940
 the wonderful

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.519
 counselor,

00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:56.639
 the mighty

00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:57.019
 God,

00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:57.659
 the everlasting

00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.199
 father,

00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:59.019
 the prince

00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.980
 of peace.

00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:01.320
 We pray in

00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:01.779
 the name of

00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:02.300
 Jesus.

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.320
 Amen.

00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.560
 Now our

00:36:05.560 --> 00:36:06.180
 final item

00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:06.820
 of praise

00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.400
 is that

00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:08.540
 magnificent

00:36:08.540 --> 00:36:09.280
 hymn written

00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:09.960
 by Charles

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:10.500
 Wesley,

00:36:11.660 --> 00:36:12.240
 Hark the

00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.740
 Herald

00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:14.080
 Angels Sing.

00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.560
 Let's stand

00:36:15.560 --> 00:36:15.960
 together.