WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

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 Amen. Thanks, y'all. Thanks, James.

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 It's a beautiful arrangement of those beautiful words straight from Isaiah chapter 40,

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 which we're going to be reading here in just a minute.

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 Remember, we're trying this Christmas season to slow down a little bit,

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 to consider our hearts, how the reality of the Christmas story,

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 the incarnation of the Son of God speaks to and should shape the deepest parts of who we are.

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 And so last week we started by talking about our deep longings,

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 our desire for fulfillment, for the things in this world to be as they should be.

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 We saw in Isaiah 11 that the promise of Christmas is an eternal hope

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 for those longings one day, someday to be truly met

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 as Jesus comes to make us and the world everything we were created to be.

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 Christmas gives us an eternal hope,

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 not a hope placed in a temporary change of circumstances or improvement in life situation,

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 but rather hope in an eternal Savior

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 and His complete and lasting fulfillment of our deepest longings.

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 And you may say, and you may have said to yourself last week,

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 well, that's nice. That's all well and good.

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 That's true. I believe that.

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 But my life is hard.

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 Things are tough.

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 I'm looking forward to eternity, but today is really difficult for me.

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 What I'm facing now is still overwhelming to me.

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 Does God care anything about that?

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 Does Christmas have anything to speak to me in this life at all?

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 Well, it does.

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 And it's never less than that eternal hope,

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 but it's also a message of comfort for us right where we are today as well.

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 That's what we'll hear this morning in Isaiah chapter 40.

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 This passage is written to God's people in exile,

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 taken away from the promised land under an oppressive foreign ruler,

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 without a home,

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 seemingly without a God to care for them.

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 Listen to God's message for those people in Isaiah 40 at verse 1.

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 The message is comfort.

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 Comfort.

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 Comfort.

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 Comfort my people, says your God.

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 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended,

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 that her iniquity is pardoned,

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 that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

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 A voice cries,

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 in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord.

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 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

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 Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low.

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 The uneven ground shall become level and the rough places a plain.

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 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

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 For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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 A voice says cry.

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 And I said,

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 What shall I cry?

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 All flesh is grass and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

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 The grass withers.

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 The flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it.

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 Surely the people are grass.

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 The grass withers.

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 The flower fades.

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 But the word of our God will stand forever.

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 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news.

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 Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news.

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 Lift it up.

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 Fear not.

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 Say to the cities of Judah,

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 Behold your God.

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 Behold the Lord God comes with might.

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 And his arm rules for him.

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 Behold his reward is with him and his recompense before him.

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 He will tend his flock like a shepherd.

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 He will gather the lambs in his arms.

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 He will carry them in his bosom.

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 And gently lead those that are with young.

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 Thus far God's holy, inerrant, infallible word.

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 As we just read, the grass withers.

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 The flower fades.

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 But the word of our God will indeed stand forever.

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 Let's ask for his help now as we look to his word together this morning.

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 Pray with me.

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 Father, we are so grateful for the gift of your word.

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 For the privilege of holding it.

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 Of reading it.

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 Of hearing it.

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 And then of your spirit working it into our hearts.

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 Changing us by it.

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 That it would be what shapes our hearts.

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 More than anything else we read this week.

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 More than anything else we watch or experience this week.

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 Would you, Father, open our hearts.

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 Soften them to your word.

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 And speak to us clearly.

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 I need to hear from you.

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 We need to hear from you.

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 And so would you speak through your word.

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 As you love to do.

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 We thank you for that.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Kids, some of you will know my friend Alexander.

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 Alexander had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

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 Some of you have read about his day before.

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 Alexander looks like that all the time.

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 That's the kind of face you have when you have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

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 I'm not going to read you his whole story this morning.

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 But I want to give you just a taste of the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

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 It goes like this.

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 I went to sleep with gum in my mouth.

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 And now there's gum in my hair.

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 And when I got out of bed this morning, I tripped on the skateboard.

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 And by mistake, I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running.

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 And I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

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 At breakfast, Anthony found a Corvette Stingray car kit in his breakfast cereal box.

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 And Nick found a junior undercover agent code ring in his breakfast cereal box.

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 But in my breakfast cereal box, all I found was breakfast cereal.

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 I think I'll move to Australia.

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 At school, Mrs. Dickens liked Paul's picture of the sailboat better than my picture of the invisible castle.

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 At singing time, she said I sang too loud.

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 At counting time, she said I left out 16.

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 Who needs 16?

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 I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

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 I could tell because Paul said I wasn't his best friend anymore.

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 He said that Philip Parker was his best friend.

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 And that Albert Moya was his next best friend.

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 And that I was only his third best friend.

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 There were two cupcakes in Philip Parker's lunch bag.

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 And Albert got a Hershey bar with almonds.

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 And Paul's mother gave him a piece of jelly roll that had little coconut sprinkles on the top.

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 Guess whose mother forgot to put in dessert?

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 It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

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 That's what it was because after school, my mom took us all to the dentist.

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 And Dr. Fields found a cavity just in me.

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 Come back next week and I'll fix it, Dr. Fields said.

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 Next week, I said, I'm going to Australia.

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 On the way downstairs, the elevator door closed on my foot.

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 And while we were waiting for my mom to go get the car, Anthony made me fall where it was muddy.

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 And then when I started crying because of the mud, Nick said I was a crybaby.

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 And while I was punching Nick for saying crybaby, my mom came back with the car and scolded me for being muddy and fighting.

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 It's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, I told everybody.

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 No one even answered.

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 There were lima beans for dinner and I hate limas.

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 There was kissing on TV and I hate kissing.

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 My bath was too hot, I got soap in my eyes, my marble went down the drain and I had to wear my railroad train pajamas.

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 I hate my railroad train pajamas.

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 When I went to bed, Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep and the Mickey Mouse nightlight burned out and I bit my tongue.

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 The cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not with me.

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 It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

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 My mom says some days are like that.

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 Even in Australia.

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 Those hard days happen, don't they?

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 Even in Australia.

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 Kids, have you ever had a really, really hard day?

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 Anybody had a hard day?

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 Yes, some of you have had.

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 And all of your parents are thinking, no, you've never had a really, really hard day before.

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 You have, we've all had hard days.

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 The things that are hard for us may be different from the ones that are hard for Alexander.

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 But we've all had really hard days, haven't we?

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 Sometimes we feel like day after day after day for a season of days.

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 God's people, as I said earlier, are facing some of those really hard days when God speaks to them in Isaiah 40.

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 It's written to people in specific, difficult situations in their lives.

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 Their whole world has been shattered.

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 They're far away from home in exile.

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 Nothing around that is comforting to them.

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 They're feeling alone and abandoned by the God who has promised them good.

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 Many of them are depressed about themselves because they know that their idolatry has led to this.

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 The darkness has gotten so great around them, they describe that in Isaiah,

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 that they've begun to wonder if God even cares about them and their plight.

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 In verse 27 of this chapter, they say,

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 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,

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 My way is hidden from the Lord, and my cause is disregarded by my God?

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 Why is God not fixing this?

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 Where is He in the disappointment that I'm living?

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 Does He even care and know about how hard this is?

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 Those are only some of the questions that we ask in our grief, aren't they?

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 Why is God not solving the problems I'm facing in this world?

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 Where are you, God?

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 Are you even there?

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 Do you even care about my pain, about the deep disappointment I feel with where I am,

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 with how things are?

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 Some of us are asking those questions this morning.

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 Some of us have asked them in other particular situations in our lives,

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 when the grief has mounted in our hearts.

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 Most of us will ask them again,

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 when the pain and the grief comes back,

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 and we weren't planning on it or expecting it,

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 and these questions will come quickly to our hearts.

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 Something happens and your world is shattered.

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 You feel alone and overwhelmed with grief.

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 Your husband abandons you,

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 and you grieve the loss of a dream of family life.

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 You suffer a life-changing illness or injury,

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 and you grieve the loss of normalcy and functionality.

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 You fall into that sin again,

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 and you feel beaten down,

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 and you grieve the loss of self-worth,

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 and your hope for ever being different,

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 or ever overcoming this.

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 You feel the darkness of depression closing in around you,

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 and you grieve the loss of joy in life,

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 and the hope of having a good day ever again.

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 Getting out of bed may be hard.

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 Laughing may be hard.

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 Praying may be really hard.

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 And we say things in those moments like,

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 no one has been where I am.

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 I just feel so alone.

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 No one understands or cares about how I feel.

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 And when we say those things,

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 we quite naturally start to feel the same things about God,

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 don't we?

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 Just like the Israelites,

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 feeling,

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 He's abandoned me too.

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 He doesn't care about me.

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 Perhaps I don't even deserve for Him to care

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 about me after what I've done.

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 How could He possibly still care about me?

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 And He can't be trusted anyway.

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 I become a Christian.

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 I start going to church.

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 I really start trying to live for Jesus.

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 And then all this happens?

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 I mean,

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 here I am.

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 I find myself,

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 God, is this how you treat people

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 who try to live for you?

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 Is that the way you work, God?

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 So deep,

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 deep grief is something that we're all familiar with

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 in one way or another.

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 It may be different for each of us,

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 but we know the feeling.

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 Now Isaiah in his prophecy

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 has already promised eternal hope

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 in a coming Messiah.

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 But here in chapter 40,

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 the focus of his ministry shifts

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 from talking to people

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 about a potential coming exile

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 and warning them about that

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 to actually speaking to those

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 who find themselves in exile.

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 And for most of the rest

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 of this lengthy prophetic book,

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 that's what he's doing.

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 He's addressing those people,

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 offering comfort

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 to those who are in exile,

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 grieving their difficult plight.

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 And that's how Isaiah starts

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 this section at the beginning

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 of chapter 40, right?

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 Comfort!

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 Comfort my people,

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 says the Lord.

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 And the comfort is not complex.

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 I'm not going to pretend

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 like it is this morning,

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 but it's exactly the comfort

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 that we need.

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 The essence of comfort

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 in Isaiah 40,

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 the comfort of Christmas,

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 is God is with us.

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 You are not alone.

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 You have not been abandoned.

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 Your pain is not purposeless.

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 God is with you.

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 That's actually the essence

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 of comfort, isn't it?

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 Think about it.

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 What's most comforting to you

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 in your low, dark places?

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 What does comfort feel like?

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 Who's been comforting to you?

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 Comfort is the person

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 who just shows up with you,

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 isn't it?

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 Who enters into your pain

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 and your grief

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 and who stays with you

00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:53.840
 while it hurts.

00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:56.240
 And even if it keeps hurting,

00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:59.139
 they stay with you.

00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:01.399
 They stay there with you.

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.379
 They're for you.

00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.379
 And God Himself

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:08.840
 shows up with us.

00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:09.840
 I'm not going to make it

00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:11.699
 more complex than that.

00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.659
 But as you walk through

00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.460
 these verses

00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:15.639
 and see more of who God is,

00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:17.139
 it makes it perhaps

00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.399
 even more beautiful

00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:20.220
 and even more comforting

00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.360
 to us.

00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.299
 Tell me more about this God

00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:25.299
 who's there with me,

00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.720
 who shows up.

00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.840
 How can I know He's with me

00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.980
 and for me?

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:30.800
 Because, well,

00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:32.519
 it does not feel like that.

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:35.040
 That's not what I feel

00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:35.879
 in those moments.

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.779
 I don't feel like He's with me

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.840
 or for me.

00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.960
 Who is He?

00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.100
 Well, the God promised

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.420
 to be with us first

00:16:46.420 --> 00:16:48.379
 is the God whose commitment

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.519
 to His people

00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:51.420
 is unwavering.

00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:53.620
 Look at just the first verse

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.379
 of this chapter.

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.899
 There's enough comfort

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:58.419
 in these two pronouns alone

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.740
 for the whole sanctuary

00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:00.799
 of us this morning.

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.539
 Look at that.

00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.519
 Comfort, comfort,

00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.039
 my people,

00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:08.039
 says your God.

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:11.460
 Comfort, my people,

00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:15.160
 says your God.

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:17.000
 They've done nothing

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.579
 to earn the status

00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:19.359
 as His people

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.680
 and everything

00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.420
 to lose it.

00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:24.960
 God has even had to send them

00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.259
 into exile,

00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.620
 into agony,

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.220
 apart from the things

00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.060
 that He has promised

00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:31.000
 for them.

00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:32.580
 But as I do that,

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.100
 He says,

00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.560
 you are still

00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:36.880
 my people

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.700
 and I am still

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:41.000
 your God.

00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.039
 He says,

00:17:42.300 --> 00:17:43.700
 speaking tenderly

00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.100
 to us,

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:45.640
 verse 2.

00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.360
 It's the comfort

00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:49.100
 of a crying child

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:50.399
 who has failed

00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:52.379
 and fears the rejection

00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.599
 of everyone

00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:55.179
 being scooped up

00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:56.099
 by a parent

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.779
 and told,

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:59.319
 oh my sweet girl,

00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:02.319
 your daddy is here.

00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:03.399
 I've got you.

00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:07.319
 My beloved friend,

00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:09.819
 I'm your friend.

00:18:09.939 --> 00:18:11.879
 I'm here for you.

00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:14.159
 I'm not going anywhere.

00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:16.600
 God says,

00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.680
 our relationship

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.140
 hasn't changed

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.500
 because you ran

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.440
 the other way

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.880
 or because life

00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:23.680
 made you feel

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.740
 like I had.

00:18:25.540 --> 00:18:26.420
 It didn't change

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.140
 our relationship.

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.259
 I'm your God

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.180
 and you're my

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.340
 people,

00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.900
 my children.

00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:35.820
 Then the God

00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:37.400
 promised to be with us

00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.380
 is the God

00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:39.300
 whose arrival

00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.279
 coming to us

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.840
 is promised

00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:42.420
 and prepared for.

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:44.120
 Remember from our study

00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:45.340
 of Luke recently

00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:46.240
 the very words

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.480
 of these next few verses

00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:49.000
 being used of John the Baptist?

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.160
 Verses 3-5,

00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.900
 he came to prepare hearts

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.600
 to welcome

00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.600
 and receive

00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:56.039
 the coming Savior.

00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.120
 That's what's meant

00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:58.080
 by these verses.

00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.580
 A voice cries,

00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.259
 in the wilderness

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.220
 prepare the way

00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.820
 of the Lord.

00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.180
 Make straight in the desert

00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.759
 a highway for our God.

00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:05.720
 Every valley

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.600
 shall be lifted up.

00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.259
 Every mountain

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:07.660
 and hill

00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.420
 be made low.

00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.820
 The uneven ground

00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.759
 shall become level.

00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.660
 The rough places

00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.360
 a plain.

00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:14.500
 What can happen?

00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:15.100
 What's all the

00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:16.840
 geographical description

00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.519
 for?

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.660
 The glory of the Lord

00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.779
 shall be revealed

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.960
 and all flesh

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.240
 shall see it together.

00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.039
 The way for God

00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.740
 to come to us

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.560
 is being prepared

00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:28.220
 and made smooth.

00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.800
 God's coming to us

00:19:30.800 --> 00:19:32.240
 is so certain

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.920
 and so important

00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.840
 that it's been

00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.420
 carefully prepared for

00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.740
 so he can come quickly

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.759
 and surely

00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:40.180
 to us.

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.440
 a smooth

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.080
 straight path

00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.140
 has been made

00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:45.720
 so God's glory

00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.100
 can be revealed

00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:48.400
 in our midst.

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.640
 God is showing

00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:50.560
 up

00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:51.820
 with us.

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.060
 But how do I know

00:19:55.060 --> 00:19:55.519
 for sure?

00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.320
 Can I trust

00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:59.500
 that promise?

00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.320
 The one that it says

00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:01.900
 the mouth

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.799
 of the Lord

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.080
 has spoken

00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:05.440
 that this is going

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:05.960
 to happen.

00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:06.480
 Will it?

00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.039
 Really?

00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.839
 Because I mean

00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.700
 lots of people

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.740
 promise things

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.119
 to me

00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.839
 only to let me down.

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.519
 I've experienced

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:14.819
 that.

00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.779
 Will that's

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.779
 even some of the

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.599
 people I've trusted

00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.159
 the most

00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:19.259
 and that's a large

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.740
 part of where

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.420
 my grief

00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:21.619
 is coming from

00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:22.779
 this morning.

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.839
 even the ones

00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:24.299
 I thought

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.160
 would always

00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:25.819
 be here

00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.539
 with me

00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.039
 are not

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.180
 anymore.

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.619
 The God

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.180
 promising

00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.759
 to come

00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.619
 be with you

00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.839
 is the God

00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.660
 whose word

00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.920
 can be trusted

00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.819
 when nothing

00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:39.299
 and no one

00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.740
 else

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.799
 can.

00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.000
 It's what Isaiah

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.339
 tells us in verse 6.

00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.099
 A voice says

00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.480
 cry.

00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.759
 I said what shall I cry?

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.399
 All flesh is grass

00:20:48.399 --> 00:20:49.299
 and all its beauty

00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.000
 like the flower

00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.700
 of the field.

00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:51.940
 The grass

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.380
 withers

00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.960
 the flower

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.519
 fades

00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.180
 when the breath

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.700
 of the Lord

00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.519
 blows on it.

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.960
 Surely the people

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.880
 are grass.

00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:58.840
 The grass

00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.279
 withers

00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.160
 the flower

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:00.820
 fades

00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:02.080
 but different

00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:03.440
 from all of those

00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.940
 from all those

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.400
 people

00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.559
 from everything

00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.299
 in creation

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.880
 the word

00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.640
 of our God

00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.940
 will stand

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:11.500
 forever.

00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.920
 People are weak

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.660
 right?

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.140
 They may lie.

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.180
 They may die.

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:23.360
 A spouse

00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.380
 may abandon

00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:24.759
 you.

00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.279
 A best friend

00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.180
 may move

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.600
 away.

00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.140
 A pastor

00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.900
 may fall

00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.980
 into moral

00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.560
 failure.

00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:34.440
 Ultimate

00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.019
 trust

00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.060
 can't be placed

00:21:36.060 --> 00:21:36.940
 in any

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.840
 person.

00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:39.000
 So ultimate

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.600
 comfort

00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:40.799
 can't come

00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.480
 from any

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.240
 person.

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.259
 But

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.220
 the word

00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:45.240
 of our God

00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.620
 will stand

00:21:46.620 --> 00:21:47.360
 forever.

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.059
 you can

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.479
 count

00:21:48.479 --> 00:21:49.139
 on what

00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.799
 he says

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.279
 he's going

00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.740
 to do

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.419
 happening

00:21:51.419 --> 00:21:52.199
 in your

00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:52.619
 life.

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.259
 Even when

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.639
 you feel

00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:54.679
 everyone else

00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.539
 has left

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:55.939
 you

00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.659
 your God

00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.240
 promises

00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.279
 he's moving

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.240
 towards you.

00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.059
 He's with

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.459
 you

00:22:01.459 --> 00:22:02.519
 and for

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.939
 you.

00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.379
 We got to

00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:05.859
 keep moving

00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.199
 because it's

00:22:06.199 --> 00:22:06.539
 just getting

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.059
 better and I'm

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.339
 going to keep

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.079
 talking more.

00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:09.740
 Here's the

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.599
 great announcement

00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.740
 of comfort

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.439
 that God

00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.079
 wants everyone

00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:13.599
 to hear.

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.259
 What's it

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.439
 going to

00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:15.120
 what's the

00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.660
 whole thing

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.720
 building towards

00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.240
 God's being

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.519
 revealed.

00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:17.960
 He's here.

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.320
 You can

00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.000
 trust him.

00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.259
 Go up on a

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.840
 high mountain

00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:21.299
 Zion.

00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:21.860
 Herald of

00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.299
 good news.

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.220
 Lift up your

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.740
 voice with

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.200
 strength.

00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:24.759
 Jerusalem

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.440
 herald of

00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:25.860
 good news.

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.620
 Lift it

00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:26.799
 up.

00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.380
 Fear not.

00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.160
 Say

00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.660
 what's the

00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.140
 announcement?

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.580
 Behold

00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.720
 your God.

00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.580
 That's the

00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.279
 big news.

00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.740
 It's short.

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.380
 It's simple.

00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.519
 God's here.

00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.360
 Ta-da!

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.980
 That's the

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.440
 announcement.

00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:42.580
 commitment.

00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.140
 That's what

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.220
 Isaiah has to

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.100
 declare.

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.680
 The tidings of

00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.480
 comfort and

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:48.860
 joy.

00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:50.620
 Behold your

00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.500
 God.

00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:53.059
 Behold your

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.519
 God comes

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.740
 with might.

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.340
 And his arm

00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.400
 rules for him.

00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.120
 He's coming.

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.279
 He's strong and

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:01.640
 mighty.

00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.660
 The rest of the

00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.580
 chapter here in

00:23:03.580 --> 00:23:04.360
 Isaiah is going

00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:05.220
 to go to great

00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.299
 lengths to talk

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.980
 about God's

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.340
 awesome power.

00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.700
 Nothing can

00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:12.240
 keep him from

00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.579
 us.

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.480
 He's the

00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:13.940
 sovereign

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.940
 creator and

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.880
 ruler whose

00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:16.519
 might is

00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.480
 incomparable.

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.079
 Nothing in

00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:20.019
 all of creation

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.900
 could keep him

00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.700
 from us.

00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.440
 But what I want

00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.319
 you to see even

00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.940
 more so,

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.259
 before I get

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.079
 distracted by that

00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.299
 more,

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.579
 before God goes

00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.460
 into all of

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.079
 that about his

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.279
 great might,

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.160
 is that it is

00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.579
 matched only

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.940
 by his tender

00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.940
 care.

00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:37.180
 Verse 11.

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:40.299
 He will tend

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:41.160
 his flock like

00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.640
 a shepherd.

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.680
 He will gather

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.720
 the lambs in

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.380
 his arms.

00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.600
 He will carry

00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:47.100
 them in his

00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:47.660
 bosom and

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.340
 gently lead

00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.640
 those that are

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.160
 with young.

00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.680
 He will tend

00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.400
 his flock like

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.840
 a shepherd.

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.560
 He will gather

00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:54.620
 the lambs in

00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.120
 his arms.

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.039
 And we say it

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.620
 that way because

00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.259
 that's the way we

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:57.660
 talk.

00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.380
 He gathers the

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.019
 lambs in his

00:23:59.019 --> 00:23:59.460
 arms.

00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.220
 Actually,

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.820
 in the Hebrew,

00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:02.740
 the word arms

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:04.019
 is the exact same

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.259
 word from verse

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.740
 10.

00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.960
 His arm that

00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.940
 rules for him

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.259
 is again singular

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.819
 down here.

00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:11.279
 He will gather

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.519
 the lambs in

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:14.240
 his arm.

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.839
 In the same

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:18.140
 mighty arm.

00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:20.079
 God's strong

00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:21.500
 arm is his

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:24.000
 tender arm.

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.240
 It's the same

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.539
 mighty arm that

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.160
 demolishes kings

00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.839
 that also scoops

00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.900
 us up when

00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.700
 we're broken and

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.119
 holds us close

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.400
 to his heart and

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.680
 cares for us.

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.200
 The arm that

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.580
 provides ruling

00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.860
 power for the

00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:41.140
 whole world

00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:43.100
 provides resting

00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:45.140
 peace for his

00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.460
 lambs, for his

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.900
 little children.

00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:49.360
 It controls the

00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:50.480
 stars and the

00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.600
 seasons and

00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:53.180
 carries us at

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:55.340
 the same time.

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.780
 Wow.

00:24:59.780 --> 00:25:01.120
 You know why?

00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.500
 You know why God

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:03.980
 does that?

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.859
 You know why his

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:06.500
 mighty arm can be

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:08.619
 his tender arm?

00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.640
 Why do we get

00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.539
 that kind of

00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:12.000
 attention from the

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.599
 ruler of the

00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.019
 universe?

00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.480
 You know.

00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.660
 Because he loves

00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.119
 us.

00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.240
 No, no, it's not

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.160
 possible.

00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.460
 If he loved me,

00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:23.240
 he wouldn't let...

00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.960
 No, listen.

00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:26.039
 He loves you

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.759
 so much

00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.980
 that he would

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.779
 lead you

00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.180
 into those dark

00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:33.019
 places partially

00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.920
 so you'll

00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:35.420
 experience and

00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.940
 know for sure

00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.600
 that he will

00:25:37.600 --> 00:25:38.980
 never leave

00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.380
 you.

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.980
 Even there.

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.519
 He hasn't led

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.180
 you there so

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.140
 that you'll prove

00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.799
 to yourself he

00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.840
 doesn't care about

00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.039
 you.

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.539
 He's walked with

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.460
 you there so

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.100
 that you can know

00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.779
 if he's there,

00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.400
 he'll never leave

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.880
 you anywhere,

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.460
 that you can

00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:55.519
 always trust him

00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.460
 to be with you.

00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.240
 He didn't stop

00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.440
 short of death

00:25:58.440 --> 00:26:00.200
 itself for you.

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.160
 He's with you

00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.640
 when you don't

00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.340
 feel it.

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.580
 His heart

00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.900
 treasures his

00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.500
 people personally.

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.620
 Look back at

00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.440
 verse 10.

00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.720
 The Lord God

00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.680
 comes with might

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.400
 and his arm

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.299
 rules for him.

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.380
 Behold, his

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.940
 reward is with

00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.860
 him and his

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.960
 recompense, the

00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.539
 thing he's getting

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.980
 back, is before

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.320
 him.

00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.500
 He will tend

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.460
 his flock like a

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.420
 shepherd, gather

00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.259
 the lambs in his

00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.400
 arms, carry them

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.900
 in his bosom, gently

00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:32.320
 lead those that are

00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:32.960
 with young.

00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.560
 Who's his reward?

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.460
 What's his

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.720
 recompense?

00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.220
 It's his flock,

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.100
 right?

00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.980
 That he will gather

00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.820
 and carry and not

00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:46.259
 just as one big

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.580
 group that he has

00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.940
 gathered to himself

00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.100
 but with intimate

00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:52.380
 personal care

00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:54.759
 and gently

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.740
 lead those

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.059
 that are

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.519
 with young.

00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.579
 He is most

00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.460
 tender

00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:04.119
 with those

00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:04.599
 who are

00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.740
 most

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.980
 hurting.

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.839
 What a good

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.339
 God.

00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:11.220
 Most tender

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.180
 with those

00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.559
 who are

00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.460
 most

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.339
 hurting

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.079
 and he knows

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.420
 them.

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.960
 If you're thinking

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.319
 that your grief

00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.160
 might be too

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:19.660
 deep,

00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.700
 that your sin

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.720
 might be too

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.160
 big,

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.339
 that your pain

00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.160
 might be too

00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:26.019
 devastating,

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.680
 it's not.

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.440
 You can actually

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.500
 expect him

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.120
 in your life

00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:32.920
 to be

00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.740
 especially

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.620
 present

00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:36.000
 there.

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.380
 Especially

00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.519
 forgiving.

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.960
 Especially

00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.180
 comforting.

00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.799
 He is most

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.700
 tender with

00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.079
 those

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.039
 most

00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.100
 hurting.

00:27:46.600 --> 00:27:47.180
 You will

00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.980
 experience

00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.019
 over time

00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.940
 what Joseph

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.680
 learned when

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.019
 he was

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.940
 being sold

00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.640
 into Egypt

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.340
 away from

00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.360
 the promised

00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.820
 land.

00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.120
 What

00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:56.400
 Corrie ten Boom

00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.160
 articulated

00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.380
 after enduring

00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.440
 a Nazi

00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.600
 prison camp.

00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.600
 There is

00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:02.360
 no pit

00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.539
 so deep

00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:05.299
 that he

00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:06.299
 is not

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.299
 deeper

00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.480
 still.

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.840
 Dear ones,

00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.440
 listen.

00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.420
 This is the

00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.519
 good shepherd.

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.000
 You may have

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.420
 known some

00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.039
 bad ones.

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.039
 This is the

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.619
 good shepherd.

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.220
 He calls

00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.779
 his sheep

00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.819
 by name

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.920
 and they

00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.299
 hear his

00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.839
 voice.

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.059
 Your name

00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.599
 is written

00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.399
 on the

00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.279
 palm of

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.899
 his hand.

00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:29.859
 He will

00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:31.000
 never forget

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.319
 you.

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.079
 No matter

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.779
 how bad

00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.200
 your day

00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.779
 has been,

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.519
 no matter

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.599
 how terrible

00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.180
 your life

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.019
 circumstances

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.740
 are and

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.299
 what they're

00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:38.920
 telling you,

00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.859
 he has not

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.819
 abandoned you

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.980
 and he

00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.119
 never will

00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.920
 forget you.

00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:44.659
 He will

00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:46.180
 always,

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.740
 always be

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.339
 with you

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.899
 wherever

00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:50.199
 you are.

00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:52.079
 Dare I

00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.679
 say even

00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.819
 in Australia.

00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.459
 This last

00:28:57.459 --> 00:28:58.139
 image here

00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:58.919
 of God

00:28:58.919 --> 00:28:59.259
 as the

00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.039
 tender shepherd,

00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.019
 I couldn't

00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.359
 help but

00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:01.819
 think of

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.779
 Psalm 23.

00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.539
 Right?

00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:04.939
 The Lord

00:29:04.939 --> 00:29:06.779
 is my

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.599
 shepherd.

00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.379
 And so

00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:10.500
 even when

00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.099
 I walk

00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:11.819
 through the

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.699
 valley of

00:29:12.699 --> 00:29:13.199
 the shadow

00:29:13.199 --> 00:29:13.799
 of death,

00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.039
 I will fear

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.139
 no evil

00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:17.060
 for you

00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:18.060
 are what?

00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:20.780
 With me.

00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.620
 Your rod

00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.000
 and your

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.540
 staff,

00:29:23.780 --> 00:29:24.040
 they do

00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:24.300
 what?

00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.640
 Comfort

00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.400
 me.

00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.500
 Because you're

00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.500
 with me.

00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.640
 Even there,

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.300
 even in the

00:29:31.300 --> 00:29:32.800
 darkest places

00:29:32.800 --> 00:29:33.440
 David has

00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.100
 been,

00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.460
 you're

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.420
 with me.

00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:37.460
 And so

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:37.759
 I'm

00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.759
 comforted.

00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:39.840
 That's the

00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.520
 comfort

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.900
 of Christmas

00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.559
 for our

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.079
 grieving,

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.240
 hurting

00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.139
 hearts.

00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:45.879
 God

00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.680
 is

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:48.319
 with us.

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.299
 Emmanuel.

00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.339
 That's what it

00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.660
 means.

00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.680
 Ron read the

00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:51.859
 verse,

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.319
 the angel

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.779
 telling

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.299
 Joseph,

00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:54.660
 his name

00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:54.859
 will be

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.359
 Emmanuel.

00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.099
 God

00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:57.480
 with us.

00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.099
 In the

00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.759
 person of

00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.180
 Jesus,

00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.440
 the baby

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:00.879
 in the

00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.220
 manger,

00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:01.879
 God has

00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.559
 broken

00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.480
 into our

00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.059
 pain

00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.059
 and endured

00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.759
 the worst

00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.139
 of it

00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:07.039
 with us

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.039
 and for

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.559
 us.

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.299
 The message

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.940
 of Christmas

00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.859
 is that God

00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.500
 loves us

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.359
 so much

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.419
 that nothing

00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:15.500
 can keep

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.419
 him from

00:30:16.419 --> 00:30:16.839
 us.

00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:17.480
 He will

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.319
 come and

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.059
 find us

00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.879
 wherever we

00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.220
 are.

00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.599
 From the

00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.099
 lowly

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.779
 manger

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.259
 to the

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.220
 sorrowful

00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.980
 shedding of

00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:27.019
 tears at

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.639
 the grave

00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.319
 of a loved

00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:28.700
 one,

00:30:29.419 --> 00:30:30.000
 to the

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.639
 horrific

00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:32.019
 pain

00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.039
 of the

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.720
 cross,

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:35.659
 he knows

00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.639
 our

00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.700
 grief,

00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:38.859
 doesn't he?

00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:40.200
 He knows

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.480
 our grief.

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.379
 That's why

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:44.119
 it's tidings

00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:45.000
 of comfort

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.460
 and joy

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.960
 that in

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.700
 Bethlehem

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.440
 was born

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.500
 the Son

00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.460
 of God

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.679
 by name.

00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.220
 The God

00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.879
 of heaven

00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:55.639
 was right

00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:56.200
 there with

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.539
 them,

00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.359
 the angels

00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:57.839
 telling the

00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.159
 shepherds.

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.740
 He's over

00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.059
 there in

00:30:59.059 --> 00:30:59.779
 Bethlehem,

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.740
 right over

00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.679
 there near

00:31:01.679 --> 00:31:02.139
 you.

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.619
 God

00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.579
 himself

00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.599
 in

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.919
 Bethlehem.

00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.659
 Tidings

00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:08.659
 of comfort

00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.599
 and joy.

00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:10.259
 You can

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.979
 behold

00:31:10.979 --> 00:31:12.299
 your God

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.679
 with you.

00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:17.759
 As we

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.219
 prepare to

00:31:18.219 --> 00:31:18.479
 come to

00:31:18.479 --> 00:31:19.059
 the Lord's

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.579
 table

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.159
 together,

00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.019
 let me see

00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.419
 if I can

00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:21.959
 connect

00:31:21.959 --> 00:31:23.119
 last week

00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.579
 and this

00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.159
 week in

00:31:24.159 --> 00:31:25.259
 one really

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.699
 important

00:31:25.699 --> 00:31:26.039
 way.

00:31:27.459 --> 00:31:28.019
 Last week

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.539
 we talked

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.000
 about our

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.119
 hope for

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:30.699
 eternity,

00:31:30.939 --> 00:31:31.179
 right?

00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.440
 that we

00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.420
 still long

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.360
 and await

00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.060
 the coming

00:31:35.060 --> 00:31:35.740
 of Jesus

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.519
 again to

00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.180
 make us

00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:38.080
 and all

00:31:38.080 --> 00:31:38.700
 creation

00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.820
 as we

00:31:39.820 --> 00:31:40.600
 should be.

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.500
 And this

00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.039
 morning we've

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.500
 been talking

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.600
 about comfort

00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.700
 for today

00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.600
 that God

00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:46.519
 is with us

00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.400
 now.

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.180
 But you see

00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.799
 those two

00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.539
 things can't

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.480
 be separated

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:52.920
 entirely.

00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.779
 When we

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.860
 experience the

00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:57.180
 comfort of

00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:58.140
 God with

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.820
 us, we

00:31:58.820 --> 00:32:00.120
 are experiencing

00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:01.500
 eternity

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.980
 today.

00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.060
 That's what

00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:05.920
 is happening

00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.880
 this morning.

00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:07.700
 Part of the

00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.640
 comfort we

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.759
 receive is

00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.100
 that the

00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.580
 God who

00:32:10.580 --> 00:32:11.259
 is with

00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.480
 us today

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.440
 has made

00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.380
 our eternity

00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:15.400
 sure.

00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.460
 Verse two

00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:16.980
 says he's

00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.360
 not just

00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:17.640
 going to

00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:18.820
 hang around,

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.940
 just be

00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.900
 here with

00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.160
 us.

00:32:21.280 --> 00:32:21.920
 He's bringing

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:23.160
 peace to

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.740
 our warfare.

00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:24.180
 He's a

00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:24.740
 mighty God.

00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:25.140
 He's doing

00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:25.920
 something for

00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.200
 us.

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.360
 He's forgiving

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:28.679
 our sins

00:32:28.679 --> 00:32:30.000
 so that

00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:31.000
 he can be

00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.779
 with us

00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.699
 forever.

00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.119
 And we

00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:36.099
 get a

00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:37.219
 foretaste,

00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.839
 a glimpse,

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:39.959
 a taste

00:32:39.959 --> 00:32:40.879
 of that

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.419
 eternal

00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.119
 reality

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:42.979
 today

00:32:42.979 --> 00:32:44.719
 in his

00:32:44.719 --> 00:32:45.500
 being

00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.579
 with

00:32:46.579 --> 00:32:47.399
 us.

00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.079
 The

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:48.779
 communion

00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.500
 table that

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.459
 God sets

00:32:50.459 --> 00:32:51.279
 before us

00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.459
 today is

00:32:52.459 --> 00:32:53.179
 a picture

00:32:53.179 --> 00:32:53.959
 of the

00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:54.879
 wedding feast

00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.619
 of the

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.379
 Lamb that

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.019
 will go on

00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.279
 and we

00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.879
 will enjoy

00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:58.319
 for

00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:59.139
 eternity

00:32:59.139 --> 00:33:00.339
 with our

00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:00.960
 God.

00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:01.680
 This is a

00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.599
 picture of

00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:02.759
 that.

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.339
 This is a

00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:03.819
 rehearsal

00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.400
 dinner,

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.240
 if you

00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.579
 will,

00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.259
 where there

00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:06.779
 is a

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.920
 wedding feast

00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.980
 to come

00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.480
 with God.

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.200
 Those who

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.519
 will be

00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.279
 seated at

00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.119
 that table

00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.720
 at the

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.359
 wedding feast

00:33:14.359 --> 00:33:14.740
 of the

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.440
 Lamb are

00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.339
 those seated

00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.259
 at this

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.339
 table today

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.779
 tasting just

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.740
 a little bit

00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:22.119
 of eternity

00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:24.200
 because that's

00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:24.759
 true.

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:24.799
 true.

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.839
 It's true

00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.740
 that Jesus

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.700
 has gone

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.099
 to the

00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:29.000
 cross so

00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.700
 that our

00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.960
 sins can

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.640
 be forgiven.

00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.559
 That's an

00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.680
 eternal reality

00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.059
 that we taste

00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.759
 a little bit

00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.559
 of this

00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:37.059
 morning at

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.599
 this table

00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:38.680
 even while

00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.240
 we still

00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.779
 struggle

00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:41.079
 with our

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:41.599
 sins.

00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:42.920
 There's an

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.019
 eternal reality

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.039
 that God is

00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.980
 with us

00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.920
 forever

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.059
 and you

00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:48.519
 get to

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.140
 taste

00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:50.220
 just a

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.799
 little bit

00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.619
 of God

00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.700
 being with

00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.240
 you

00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.419
 today

00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:55.480
 even while

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:55.940
 you still

00:33:55.940 --> 00:33:57.180
 wait to

00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:57.599
 be with

00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:57.960
 Him

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.299
 forever.

00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.180
 We already

00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:03.099
 sit today

00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:03.839
 at this

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.599
 table and

00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.440
 experience

00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:06.579
 the comfort

00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.720
 of God

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.300
 with us

00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:08.719
 that He

00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.380
 would come

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.340
 and eat

00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.880
 with us.

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.779
 May that

00:34:11.779 --> 00:34:12.900
 eternal hope

00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.400
 and that

00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.659
 comfort today

00:34:14.659 --> 00:34:15.400
 both give us

00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.759
 great joy

00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:18.239
 as we come

00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.259
 to celebrate

00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:20.199
 together.

00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:22.680
 These are

00:34:22.680 --> 00:34:23.080
 the words of

00:34:23.080 --> 00:34:24.000
 institution of

00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.780
 this supper

00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.740
 in 1 Corinthians

00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:26.300
 11.

00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:27.200
 Paul writes,

00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:27.700
 I received

00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:28.039
 from the

00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.500
 Lord what I

00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.260
 also delivered

00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:29.880
 to you

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.680
 that the

00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.260
 Lord Jesus

00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.920
 on the night

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.240
 He was

00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:32.660
 betrayed

00:34:32.660 --> 00:34:33.480
 took bread

00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.700
 and when

00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:34.900
 He had

00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.519
 given thanks

00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.080
 He broke

00:34:36.080 --> 00:34:36.539
 it and

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:36.980
 said,

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:37.740
 this is

00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:38.460
 my body

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.240
 which is

00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:39.840
 for you.

00:34:40.600 --> 00:34:41.160
 Do this

00:34:41.160 --> 00:34:41.820
 in remembrance

00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.460
 of me.

00:34:43.640 --> 00:34:44.300
 In the same

00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:44.840
 way also

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.280
 He took

00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:45.740
 the cup

00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.460
 after supper

00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.860
 saying,

00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:47.780
 this cup

00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:48.260
 is the new

00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:48.620
 covenant

00:34:48.620 --> 00:34:49.480
 in my blood.

00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.260
 Do this

00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.780
 as often

00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.160
 as you

00:34:51.160 --> 00:34:51.660
 drink it

00:34:51.660 --> 00:34:52.500
 in remembrance

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:53.240
 of me

00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:54.240
 for as often

00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:54.620
 as you

00:34:54.620 --> 00:34:55.120
 eat this

00:34:55.120 --> 00:34:55.460
 bread

00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.240
 and drink

00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:56.800
 the cup

00:34:56.800 --> 00:34:57.800
 you proclaim

00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.560
 the Lord's

00:34:58.560 --> 00:34:59.000
 death

00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.460
 until He

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:00.960
 comes.

00:35:03.620 --> 00:35:04.660
 This table

00:35:04.660 --> 00:35:05.720
 is the Lord's

00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.000
 table.

00:35:06.660 --> 00:35:07.300
 He has

00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:07.720
 said it.

00:35:08.040 --> 00:35:08.880
 He comes

00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.800
 to eat

00:35:09.800 --> 00:35:11.140
 with us.

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.840
 It's not

00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.320
 the table

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.160
 of Southwood

00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:13.480
 or the

00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.260
 Presbyterian

00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:14.760
 church.

00:35:15.540 --> 00:35:16.280
 So if you

00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:17.320
 know by

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:18.280
 trusting in

00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:18.820
 Christ

00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:19.560
 the hope

00:35:19.560 --> 00:35:20.440
 of eternity

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.500
 with God

00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.560
 come and

00:35:22.560 --> 00:35:23.360
 celebrate a

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.019
 foretaste

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.420
 of that

00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.300
 this morning

00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:26.060
 at this

00:35:26.060 --> 00:35:26.460
 table.

00:35:27.700 --> 00:35:28.440
 And if you

00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:29.400
 don't know

00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:29.940
 Jesus,

00:35:30.100 --> 00:35:30.800
 if you don't

00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:31.480
 know the

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.480
 eternal hope

00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:33.100
 of having

00:35:33.100 --> 00:35:33.800
 your sins

00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:34.300
 forgiven,

00:35:34.540 --> 00:35:34.940
 if you're

00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.440
 not willing

00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:35.920
 this morning

00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.600
 to turn

00:35:36.600 --> 00:35:37.380
 from your

00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:37.840
 sins and

00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.440
 trust Him

00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.140
 again,

00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.019
 believer,

00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:41.760
 don't come

00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:42.240
 to this

00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:42.760
 table.

00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.440
 I'd encourage

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.340
 you not to

00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:46.120
 come to

00:35:46.120 --> 00:35:46.579
 the thing

00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:46.920
 that's

00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.440
 temporary

00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:48.340
 and try

00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:48.600
 to have

00:35:48.600 --> 00:35:49.240
 a foretaste

00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:49.720
 of something

00:35:49.720 --> 00:35:50.200
 that's not

00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:50.900
 eternally

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.980
 true for

00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.220
 you.

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:52.880
 Rather,

00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:54.120
 come to

00:35:54.120 --> 00:35:55.300
 Jesus and

00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.559
 have eternity

00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.519
 dealt with.

00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.519
 Then come

00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.180
 and celebrate

00:35:59.180 --> 00:35:59.740
 with us

00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:00.320
 something that

00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.000
 for you

00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.780
 will then be

00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:02.760
 truly a

00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:03.400
 foretaste

00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:03.940
 of an

00:36:03.940 --> 00:36:04.420
 eternal

00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.500
 reality.

00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:07.280
 If you

00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.100
 trust Jesus,

00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:09.059
 if He

00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.880
 secures your

00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:10.380
 eternity,

00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.640
 your God

00:36:11.640 --> 00:36:13.059
 meets with

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.620
 you now.

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:14.559
 Come.

00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:15.460
 Come and

00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.460
 meet with

00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:16.739
 Him.

00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.440
 Let's pray.

00:36:19.719 --> 00:36:20.380
 Father,

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.219
 that you

00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.840
 would have

00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:24.699
 ever moved

00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:25.559
 towards us

00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:27.039
 is astonishing

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.719
 to us.

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:30.900
 We ran

00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:31.500
 from you.

00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:32.480
 We run

00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.519
 from you.

00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.299
 And you've

00:36:35.299 --> 00:36:35.940
 set the table

00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.639
 again this

00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:36.960
 morning.

00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:38.699
 Day after

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.259
 day,

00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:39.940
 you invite

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.639
 us home.

00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.299
 Moment by

00:36:42.299 --> 00:36:42.679
 moment,

00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.039
 you remind

00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:45.380
 us that

00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:45.699
 we're your

00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.119
 children.

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:47.719
 And we're

00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:48.380
 so grateful.

00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.500
 Might these

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.340
 common elements

00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:51.880
 have a very

00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.820
 sacred purpose

00:36:52.820 --> 00:36:53.440
 this morning.

00:36:54.320 --> 00:36:54.539
 Father,

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:54.940
 in our

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.460
 hearts,

00:36:56.279 --> 00:36:56.759
 would they

00:36:56.759 --> 00:36:57.360
 remind us

00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:57.840
 deeply,

00:36:58.000 --> 00:36:58.320
 would they

00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:59.239
 comfort us

00:36:59.239 --> 00:36:59.639
 with the

00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.259
 knowledge of

00:37:00.259 --> 00:37:00.900
 your presence

00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:01.539
 and your

00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.019
 love,

00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:03.000
 that you're

00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.599
 with us

00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:03.940
 and that

00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.440
 you're for

00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.340
 us always

00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:06.360
 because of

00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:06.659
 Jesus.

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.039
 And we ask

00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:08.500
 it in His

00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:08.820
 name.

00:37:09.659 --> 00:37:09.960
 Amen.

00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.079
 Amen.

00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:14.539
 For more

00:37:14.539 --> 00:37:15.039
 information,

00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:15.840
 visit us

00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:16.719
 online at

00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:17.619
 southwood.org.

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.539
 For more

00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:18.880
 information,

00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.539
 visit us

00:37:19.539 --> 00:37:20.539
 online at

00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.719
 southwood.org.

00:37:21.859 --> 00:37:22.179
 World milk,

00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:26.859
 in 17

00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:31.439
 hours and

00:37:31.439 --> 00:37:32.859
 hours and

00:37:32.939 --> 00:37:33.139
 we awareness

00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:33.699
 of

00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:35.039
 you

00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:37.099
 and

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:37.299
 F

00:37:37.399 --> 00:37:38.579
 after

00:37:38.579 --> 00:37:39.059
 higher

00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:39.159
riage,

00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:49.000
 you