WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.060 I thought because the Christmas story is so familiar, we would look at it perhaps in a new way to see if we can gain some new insights about it. 00:00:10.779 --> 00:00:14.700 There are the first three Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:20.740 Strangely enough, in the Gospel of Mark, nothing is said about the Christmas story. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:27.760 No shepherds in the field, no wise men coming from the east, no star of David. 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:29.940 None of these things. 00:00:30.860 --> 00:00:35.300 The Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus' ministry as an adult. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:43.140 He is baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit comes upon him, and he immediately engages in ministry. 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:50.480 So in that sense, perhaps the first 30 years or whatever are not mentioned at all. 00:00:51.120 --> 00:00:55.359 Well, when you come to the Gospel of John, none of that is there either. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:58.960 And then John introduces this Greek word logos. 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:04.459 And if you know anything about Greek philosophy, the word logos is a technical term. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:11.060 But it is Matthew and Mark that give us the Christmas story. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:13.780 So let me tell you a story here. 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:16.879 And the story is this. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:22.759 Once upon a time, there was a really evil king. 00:01:23.479 --> 00:01:29.140 This evil king felt very threatened about his position and power. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:35.500 So because he was very threatened, he decided to get rid of what is causing him threat. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:41.319 So he decided to kill the children. 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:46.839 One of those children escaped in Egypt. 00:01:47.839 --> 00:01:54.439 And later on, this child came back and became the savior of his people. 00:01:55.579 --> 00:01:57.639 Now comes the difficult question. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:01:59.919 Whose story am I telling? 00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:02.620 Is it Moses? 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:02.799 Is it Moses? 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:12.340 There was an evil pharaoh who was afraid what might happen to Egypt if Egypt is attacked or invaded by the Libyans. 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:20.159 And so not wanting to fight against the Libyans while feeling insecure about what the Hebrews will do. 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:26.420 Worried that he would have to fight against Libya and slaves at the same time. 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:35.479 He decided to eliminate or to reduce the danger of the slaves by having the boys killed. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:43.779 And yet Moses escapes and floats in the river and is taken by Pharaoh's daughter. 00:02:45.019 --> 00:02:54.500 Later on, he kills an Egyptian and then escapes to the desert and comes back after he encounters God at the burning bush. 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:59.319 So it looks like I'm telling you the story about Moses. 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:02.319 But think about it this way. 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:08.400 There was an evil king named Herod who was not Jewish. 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:12.979 He was Edomian and he was a fairly paranoid king. 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:17.659 And so he hears the good news or he is maybe for him the bad news. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:19.960 Where is he born king of the Jews? 00:03:19.960 --> 00:03:21.320 Because we saw his star. 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:25.200 And he decides that the king of Jews is a danger to him. 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:30.760 So he asks the wise men, the magi, to find where he is so he could go worship the king. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:34.520 All along he is planning on killing the child. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:37.219 The family is warned. 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:38.360 Joseph is warned. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:40.300 They escape to Egypt. 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:43.660 They stay in Egypt until Herod dies. 00:03:43.660 --> 00:03:52.740 And then after Herod dies, they return to Israel, to the promised land. 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:59.040 And Jesus becomes the future reformer and savior of his people. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:04.960 So was my story about Moses or was it about Jesus? 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:16.680 The interesting thing to notice is that Matthew writes the story of Jesus using the framework of Moses. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:19.379 Now this is not a coincidence. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:30.560 Matthew is trying to make a point that just as Moses was the deliverer of his people, 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:34.480 just as Moses was used by God to save his people, 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:39.420 Jesus is also going to be used by God to save his people too. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:43.560 So the lines are parallel. 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:49.959 They both tell of a future deliverer who is going to come and rescue his people. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:57.160 Matthew wants us to see Jesus as a second Moses, a second savior, 00:04:57.160 --> 00:05:03.820 but of course with a much more greater task, namely to save the whole world and not just the Hebrews in Egypt. 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:07.080 That is one story. 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:10.140 Let me tell you another story. 00:05:11.200 --> 00:05:20.700 Once upon a time, there were an old man and woman, his wife. 00:05:21.400 --> 00:05:25.800 They were advanced in age and she was also barren. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:30.280 And consequently, they didn't have any children. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:38.180 So God sends them a special messenger to announce the birth of the child. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:43.480 The father doesn't believe the messenger. 00:05:45.080 --> 00:05:52.240 And nevertheless, God says that the child is going to be born. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:06:00.280 And the good news is announced to them. 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:04.040 What story am I telling you now? 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:09.639 Well, if you are in Genesis 17 and 18, 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:15.500 I'm telling you the story about Abraham and Sarah. 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:22.639 An old couple, barren wife, no child, 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:25.920 and yet the child will bring them great joy. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:31.100 And Abraham doesn't believe and he laughs. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:34.480 And Sarah doesn't believe and he laughs. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:38.060 And so finally, when they have a child, they name him Laughter. 00:06:39.140 --> 00:06:41.460 Which means God gets the last laugh. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:48.259 So the moral of the story is, don't laugh when God is serious. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:53.360 And yet, Abraham hears the good news. 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:59.220 So it could be that I'm talking to you about Abraham. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:01.480 But maybe it is not. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:02.699 Maybe it's Zechariah. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:07.720 And if you look at the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, 25, 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:09.759 you see the same things. 00:07:11.400 --> 00:07:15.220 So Matthew wants us to think about Moses 00:07:15.220 --> 00:07:17.580 and his calling. 00:07:19.140 --> 00:07:24.220 And Luke wants us to think about Abraham and his calling. 00:07:25.380 --> 00:07:29.280 Both of them are saying you will gain an insight 00:07:29.280 --> 00:07:33.920 if you think about Jesus as somehow analogous to Moses 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:36.980 or analogous to Abraham. 00:07:38.260 --> 00:07:43.380 If Moses and Jesus were great saviors of their people 00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:47.339 who were in bondage, what's the point of Luke? 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:50.199 Why mention Abraham? 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:55.360 Because the Abraham story begins basically in Genesis chapter 12. 00:07:56.100 --> 00:08:00.639 Before that, we have, first of all, a history of the world. 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:03.439 And it's a very bad history. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:07.219 And without going into all the bad history 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:09.579 that happened in the first 12 chapters, 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:12.639 you only need to remember the great flood 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:16.599 where God is so upset with the sin of the world 00:08:16.599 --> 00:08:19.740 that he decides to wipe out the human race 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:22.120 except for Noah and his family. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:26.180 And then the other major event is the Tower of Babel 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:28.659 and all the families of the earth. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.759 And so what happens in chapter 12 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:36.399 is that God stops discussing the history of the world 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:40.960 and now focuses on one family and one person. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:45.920 There is a shifting from universal history 00:08:45.920 --> 00:08:48.060 to very specific history. 00:08:49.060 --> 00:08:51.220 And it's the history of Abraham 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:55.420 and his descendants from whom will come Jesus. 00:08:56.560 --> 00:08:59.000 So Luke wants us to see 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:04.440 that Jesus is also God narrowing his focus 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:05.660 in terms of salvation, 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:07.179 but beyond that, 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:10.539 that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:13.519 made in the history of Abraham. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:19.319 So the two evangelists are trying to tell us 00:09:19.319 --> 00:09:20.399 think about Moses, 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:21.819 think about Abraham, 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:24.219 and then you're really ready to understand 00:09:24.219 --> 00:09:25.719 who Jesus is. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:29.399 When you read the Gospel of Luke, 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:31.939 chapter 1, verses 5 through 25, 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:35.159 there are several things that really stand out. 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:37.519 Let me point about five of them. 00:09:37.719 --> 00:09:38.579 So if you're taking notes, 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:40.740 take good notes. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:43.679 I want to mention five of them. 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:48.600 The first one is that Luke 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:52.860 constantly keeps referring to the Holy Spirit. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:56.819 So in chapter 1, verse 15, 00:09:56.820 --> 00:10:01.960 John the Baptist will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:04.100 Verse 35, 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:08.120 Mary will conceive by the Holy Spirit. 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:10.860 Chapter 1, verse 41, 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:13.060 Elizabeth, her relative, 00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:15.500 is filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:17.760 Verse 67, 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:20.680 Zechariah is filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:22.859 Simeon, in chapter 2, 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:24.339 is filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:24.339 --> 00:10:27.799 There is this constant reference to the Holy Spirit. 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:32.179 Why is Luke making this point 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:33.779 about the Holy Spirit? 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:37.379 Because of a very important thing. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:40.000 He wants to make a very important point. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.159 The last prophet in the Old Testament 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.120 was Malachi, 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:48.879 and Malachi was approximately 430 B.C. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:52.299 After Malachi, 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:55.179 all the rabbis recognized 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:58.600 that God didn't give us prophets, 00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:01.000 he didn't send messengers, 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:03.720 he didn't send his word, 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:06.539 that God, in a matter of speaking, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.440 was silent. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:10.940 Rabbis call that the bat kol, 00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:13.240 or the daughter of the voice, 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:14.380 in English. 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:16.020 But the point is, 00:11:16.260 --> 00:11:17.760 is that for approximately, 00:11:18.900 --> 00:11:21.020 God hasn't said a thing. 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:22.840 God is silent. 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:24.780 And, 00:11:25.020 --> 00:11:28.380 if the last thing that he said was wonderful, 00:11:28.540 --> 00:11:29.620 it's okay to be silent, 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:31.680 but take a look at the last thing 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:34.260 that God said before he went silent. 00:11:35.380 --> 00:11:37.140 Look at Malachi, 00:11:37.640 --> 00:11:39.060 the last chapter, 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:40.660 the last verse. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:50.260 The last sentence, 00:11:50.520 --> 00:11:51.340 or else, 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:55.040 I will come and strike the land with a curse. 00:11:56.440 --> 00:11:57.260 Shape up, 00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:59.700 or I will strike the land with a curse. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.620 And that's the end of the story. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.100 And we're all wondering, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:06.140 what happened after that? 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:11.259 Is he going to come and strike the land with a curse? 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.519 Or is the nation going to repent? 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:14.519 Where are we? 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.360 And what he is saying now, 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:20.039 what Luke is saying, 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.299 is God, 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.620 who has been silent, 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:24.740 now is speaking again. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:26.819 God, 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:28.860 who was in some ways distant, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:29.899 and remote, 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.759 and aloof, 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:33.940 is back involved in our lives. 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:37.840 And not only has he given us the Holy Spirit, 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:41.899 as all these five different individuals illustrate, 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:43.960 but that he is speaking. 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:51.440 And the angel is speaking to Zechariah, 00:12:51.680 --> 00:12:53.639 the angel is speaking to Mary, 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:56.160 Simeon is filled by the Holy Spirit, 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:59.179 and God is speaking again. 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:01.719 God is not far away. 00:13:02.579 --> 00:13:03.659 God is near. 00:13:04.339 --> 00:13:07.279 The God who was silent has broken the silent. 00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:08.819 He has returned, 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:13.279 and he is going to talk to us about something. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:18.179 Well, 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:21.620 he has a message to talk. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.179 He wants to convey a message. 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:26.219 And look what Luke does. 00:13:27.739 --> 00:13:30.039 I know he is describing it correctly, 00:13:30.839 --> 00:13:33.479 but I wonder if that is really what happened. 00:13:35.239 --> 00:13:35.359 So, 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:39.819 verse 8. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:41.419 Once, 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:44.199 when Zechariah's division was on duty, 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:48.159 and he was serving as priest before God, 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:50.479 he was chosen by lot, 00:13:51.099 --> 00:13:52.919 according to the custom of the priesthood, 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:56.819 to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:58.179 And you say, 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:58.379 oh, 00:13:58.439 --> 00:13:59.939 what's the significance of that? 00:14:00.579 --> 00:14:02.819 The significance of that is that there were 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:05.639 20,000 priests 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:08.159 at the time of Jesus. 00:14:09.479 --> 00:14:11.620 20,000 priests. 00:14:12.479 --> 00:14:15.939 Because there was such a large number of priests, 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:20.520 they divided them into 24 companies or divisions. 00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:21.960 So, 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.560 so, 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.580 so company number one, 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.600 company number two, 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.640 company number three, 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:26.760 company number four. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:27.920 And, 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:30.840 because there were far more priests 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:33.240 than there was a need in the temple, 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:37.720 each company would only serve two weeks in the temple. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:41.519 their job was only two weeks long. 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:43.480 One week in the spring 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.759 and one week in the fall. 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:46.019 Only two weeks. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:50.540 And each week they only needed two persons. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.720 Which means, 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.160 most of them 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:58.080 never entered into the holy place 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.180 to appear before God. 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:01.339 if you 00:15:01.339 --> 00:15:04.639 was the one who was chosen, 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.899 if you were the one who was chosen, 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:06.639 if, 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.099 if it was your turn, 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:10.799 this is like hitting the lottery. 00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:14.339 This is big time. 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:17.699 And it's more than winning money. 00:15:18.359 --> 00:15:21.099 You get to appear before God 00:15:21.099 --> 00:15:22.459 and to, 00:15:22.719 --> 00:15:24.519 and to add oil 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.279 to the candelabra or the lamp stand. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.439 So, 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.779 out of 20,000, 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:35.319 perhaps 3% 00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.879 made it. 00:15:38.739 --> 00:15:40.519 You remember the parable 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.679 of the Good Samaritan. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.899 There were priests 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.079 who came by 00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.539 and went around him. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.120 Many people have speculated, 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.299 why did the priests 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.279 go around him? 00:15:51.859 --> 00:15:53.039 Some have speculated 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:54.579 that since they were going down 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:55.359 to Jerusalem, 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.399 if they took care 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:59.159 of a corpse, 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:01.099 they would be unclean 00:16:01.099 --> 00:16:03.000 and they would disqualify 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.239 from serving in the temple. 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.819 And if it was 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:08.059 once in a lifetime 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.019 chance, 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.439 you know, 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:11.239 twice a year 00:16:11.239 --> 00:16:12.659 that you might have that chance, 00:16:12.739 --> 00:16:13.899 you wouldn't ruin it 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.639 with doing something like that. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.620 So, 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.559 Luke says, 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:22.899 they cast Lot 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:24.740 and it was Zachariah's turn. 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:27.120 Well, 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.460 God wants to talk to him. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.940 There are lots of ways 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:32.120 for God to talk to him. 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.840 You know what he could do? 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.519 He could give him 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.379 a dream. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.700 Other people 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.519 have had dreams. 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:41.879 Joseph had a dream. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:44.080 Pharaoh had a dream. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.120 Jacob had a dream. 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.279 Or, 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.779 if a dream 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:51.679 is not good enough, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.799 then, 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.720 you have a vision. 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.220 Isaiah says, 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:57.980 in the year 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:59.419 that King Uzziah died, 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:00.460 I saw the Lord 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:02.060 sitting on a throne. 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.100 So, 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.779 you have visions. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.759 But, 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.180 no. 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.680 No dreams. 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.599 No visions. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.160 It's his turn. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.319 He's probably higher 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:11.940 than a kite. 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.099 This is my once 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.720 in a lifetime. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.519 And he's an old man. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.039 He's not going to come down 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.319 to Jerusalem too many times. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:18.879 He's going to be 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.639 in retirement 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.700 home soon. 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.059 So, 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:23.420 maybe this is the last year. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.460 Maybe this is the second 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.299 to the last year. 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.079 And he, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.660 and it is his turn. 00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:28.639 I mean, 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.160 how more fantastic 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.819 can it be 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:32.480 as the crowning event 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.519 of all of his life? 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.980 And he goes in 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.639 and an angel 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.639 is waiting for him. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.039 But if, 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.660 what if it was 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.519 somebody else 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:43.400 who went in? 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:45.240 that what is 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.960 the angel going to say? 00:17:46.080 --> 00:17:46.460 Oops, 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.920 wrong person. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.820 I gotta go back. 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.280 Lord, 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.240 can you please 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.920 send him 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.460 so I can? 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.460 Yes, 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.519 it was casting lot. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.140 But was it 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.040 really coincidence? 00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.259 Was it just 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.300 rolling the dice? 00:18:01.780 --> 00:18:02.759 God is waiting 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.300 for him. 00:18:04.060 --> 00:18:04.759 And God 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.540 is waiting for him 00:18:05.540 --> 00:18:06.180 because God 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.960 has a really 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.140 important 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.540 message for him. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:11.899 and the message 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:12.359 of course 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.379 involves the birth 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:15.000 of John 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.399 the Baptist, 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.159 his son, 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:19.019 and ultimately 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.920 Jesus. 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.700 It is very 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.200 interesting to notice 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.940 that it is not 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:25.899 the parents 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.639 who name 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.299 their children. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.440 It is 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:32.099 God 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:32.819 who names 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.480 the children. 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.180 It is God 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.920 who gives them 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.700 names. 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.759 you know. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:43.940 Knowing 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:47.340 what I know 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:51.340 about my 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:51.980 own children 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.500 now, 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.620 I'm not sure 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.220 that I would have 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.819 given them 00:18:54.819 --> 00:18:55.380 their names. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:55.880 I don't know 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:56.539 if these names 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.400 really fit 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.759 their personalities. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.880 But when 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:02.580 names are given, 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.340 it is sometimes 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.900 given as a hope. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:06.100 Maybe this is 00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:06.900 what will happen. 00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.000 So 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.860 Noah is 00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:11.400 named 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.220 Noah 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.960 rather than 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.300 Robert. 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.720 And why 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.060 Noah? 00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:16.100 Because 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.720 maybe 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.000 he is the 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.519 one who 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.340 will give 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:20.019 us rest 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.540 from our 00:19:20.540 --> 00:19:20.940 work. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.280 So they're 00:19:22.280 --> 00:19:23.100 hoping maybe 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:23.700 this is the 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.460 promised Messiah. 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:24.720 Well, 00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.360 he wasn't. 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:26.500 You know. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.840 So the parents 00:19:28.840 --> 00:19:29.680 sometimes get it 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:29.960 right, 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.240 sometimes get it 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.560 wrong. 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.140 If you want 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.900 a funny name, 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:36.080 if you want 00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.820 to inflict 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.420 a name 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.840 on your 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.220 children 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.740 or your 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.220 grandchildren, 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.259 let me 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.040 recommend one 00:19:41.040 --> 00:19:41.840 from Isaiah 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.660 chapter 8, 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:43.620 Maher 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.140 Shalal 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.920 Khashbaz, 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.500 which means 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.420 quickly to the 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:47.780 plunder, 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:49.220 speedily to the 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.140 spoils of war. 00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:51.480 We're going 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:51.880 to be 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.500 invaded, 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:53.200 defeated, 00:19:53.600 --> 00:19:54.940 and plundered. 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:58.360 Maybe one 00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:58.740 of the, 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:01.820 maybe if we 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.080 have a 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:02.860 president in the 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.240 White House 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.740 who has a 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.059 child, 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:04.599 maybe they'll 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.079 name him 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.819 Maher 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.059 Shalal 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.740 Khashbaz, 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.220 or maybe the 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.500 opposition party, 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:09.980 I don't know. 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.880 But that's not a 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:12.680 good name to name 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.120 somebody. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:14.839 Maher 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.200 Shalal 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.880 Khashbaz. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.000 There is also 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.539 Shi'ar 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.099 Yashuv, 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.039 a remnant 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.700 will return, 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.440 or a remnant 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.099 will repent. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.380 Of course, 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:23.839 the wonderful 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:24.819 one is Emmanuel. 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:25.980 God is with 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.240 us, 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.059 and he is. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.400 In that case, 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:28.859 they got it 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.099 right. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:29.960 God got it 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.180 right, 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.839 which doesn't 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.500 surprise me very 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:31.740 much. 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:35.059 But God 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.839 decides to 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.440 name those 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.299 two boys 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:40.200 John and 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.599 Jesus. 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:43.019 John is 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.019 Johannan. 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:46.059 We recognize 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.059 it in English 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:47.900 or in German 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.940 in names like 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:51.720 Johann Sebastian 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.420 Bach, 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.740 or Johannes 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:56.200 Brahms. 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.759 we recognize 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.880 it in female 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.000 names like 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.400 Ann or 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:01.759 Anna, 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.640 the A-N-N, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.380 the Ann or 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.220 Anna or 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.220 Hanan or 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.960 Hannah or 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.400 things like 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.660 that. 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.039 All of these 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.720 words are 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.500 related to 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.019 Yohanan, 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:12.580 and Yohanan 00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:13.519 means the 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.440 grace of 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:14.799 God. 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.460 So this 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.160 act of 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.740 salvation 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:19.880 is going 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.340 to give 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:21.880 God the 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.960 setting to 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.480 show his 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.299 great grace. 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.480 we are 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.019 going to 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.579 see God's 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.639 grace in 00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.419 this salvation, 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:31.000 in what is 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.460 about to 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.779 happen. 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.339 And the 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:33.960 other name 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.359 is Jesus, 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.039 which is 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.579 Yeshua. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.680 And Yeshua 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.319 means, 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.619 is related to 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.339 Isaiah, 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.339 Hosea, 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.419 Joshua, 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.419 and it 00:21:46.419 --> 00:21:47.419 means salvation. 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:47.539 salvation. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.240 There are 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:50.440 four words 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.180 for salvation 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:51.880 in Hebrew. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.000 This one 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.720 happens to 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.660 emphasize 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:56.039 confrontation 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.420 between God 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.019 and his 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.680 enemies, 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.539 in which 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.259 God will 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.820 defeat his 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.360 enemies. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.460 So salvation, 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.039 not by 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.200 paying a 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.600 ransom, 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:08.840 that would 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.060 be 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:09.420 patha 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.400 and ga'al. 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.620 This is 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.200 more like 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.580 a confrontation. 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:15.740 It is 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.379 interesting 00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.179 that at 00:22:17.179 --> 00:22:17.480 the Mount 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:17.639 of 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.519 Transfiguration, 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:20.059 both 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.399 Moses and 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:21.939 Elijah 00:22:21.939 --> 00:22:22.960 appeared. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.919 Moses, 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.439 who had 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:27.039 faced and 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.039 defeated the 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.939 Egyptian gods, 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:30.720 and Elijah, 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.099 who faced and 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:32.679 defeated the 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:34.079 Phoenician gods. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:35.839 And God 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:36.359 is saying, 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.079 you know, 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:37.619 that was 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.579 first round, 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.319 second round, 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:39.879 wait till 00:22:39.879 --> 00:22:41.199 I see, 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:41.859 you know, 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.399 wait and see 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:42.759 what I'm 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:42.960 going to 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.160 do. 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.000 You know, 00:22:44.040 --> 00:22:44.220 you're 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.320 going to 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:44.700 look like 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.180 amateurs, 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:45.720 you know, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.180 back in 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:46.519 kindergarten. 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:47.940 You know, 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:48.680 by the time 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.320 I'm finished, 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.420 you'll really 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:50.940 see what 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.019 defeating my 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.519 enemies will 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:52.980 look like. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.000 And so 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.940 what we 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.440 are going 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.019 to see 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.560 is God's 00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.480 triumph over 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.320 his enemies, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.700 which is an 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.620 expression of 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:04.040 his grace 00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:05.000 to us, 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:06.500 to save 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:06.780 us. 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.680 That is 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.340 what God 00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:10.220 is going 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.800 to preach. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.400 This is what 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.940 God is 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.340 preaching. 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:13.680 That 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:15.960 he is 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.220 going to 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.360 be John. 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:17.900 He is 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.120 going to 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:18.440 be the 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.140 agent of 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.519 grace. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.680 He is 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.560 compared to 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:22.080 Elijah. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.460 Why 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.019 Elijah? 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.120 Well, 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.019 because 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.620 Elijah 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:28.259 confronted 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.080 Jezebel, 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.740 who was a 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.080 queen, 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.600 and told her, 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:32.180 you are 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.640 wrong. 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:33.780 Baal is 00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:34.220 not the 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.600 supreme 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.040 deity. 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:36.360 God is 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:36.840 the supreme 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.240 deity. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.380 And in 00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.580 two contests, 00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:40.600 defeated 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:42.559 the 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.359 Phoenician 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.240 Baal, 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.599 Baal 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:45.959 Zebel. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.919 And what 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:49.259 is going 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:49.699 to happen 00:23:49.699 --> 00:23:50.279 with Jesus 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.799 is that 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.519 he is 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:51.859 going to 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.299 confront 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:52.740 Satan. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:55.099 And he 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.379 is going 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:55.879 to defeat 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.159 him. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.160 king. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.880 But John 00:23:57.880 --> 00:23:58.360 the Baptist 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.779 is going 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.500 to confront 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.820 king 00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:02.320 Herod, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.480 as you 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:03.820 will see 00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:04.540 later on. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:05.900 So this 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.720 brave man 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.400 who is not 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.300 afraid to 00:24:08.300 --> 00:24:08.900 stand up in 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.320 front of 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:10.120 kings and 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.360 say, 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:10.759 you are 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.199 wrong. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.119 You are 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.719 disobeying 00:24:12.719 --> 00:24:13.139 God. 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.659 That is 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:16.879 that strong 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:18.539 stuff that 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.000 God is 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.279 going to 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:21.139 put in 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:21.919 John. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.740 So God 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.079 is going 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:24.379 to give 00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:24.799 us a 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.099 great 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:25.639 salvation 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:27.019 of his 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.599 triumph 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:29.319 that would 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.319 reflect his 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.240 great grace, 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:32.719 John and 00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:33.059 Jesus. 00:24:33.939 --> 00:24:34.399 But I 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:34.759 want you 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.219 to turn 00:24:35.219 --> 00:24:37.119 to chapter 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.779 1 in 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.059 Luke, 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:39.019 verse 17, 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.339 because that 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.920 is a 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.259 very, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.579 very 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.180 important 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.700 verse. 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.440 There are 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.000 two things 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.539 there I 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:45.940 want you 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.359 to see. 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.139 Please do 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.940 not miss 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:50.859 chapter 1, 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.680 verse 17. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.339 He is 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:56.920 describing 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.359 the 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:57.940 ministry 00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.920 of John 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.460 the Baptist 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:03.180 and he 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.480 says, 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.720 many of 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.160 the people 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.779 of Israel, 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.799 verse 16, 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.099 sorry, 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.799 verse 16, 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:08.759 many of 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.140 the people 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.619 of Israel 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.700 he will 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.319 bring back 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:11.640 to the 00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.059 Lord their 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.220 God and 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.559 he will 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.180 go on 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.799 before the 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.740 Lord in 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.339 the spirit 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.980 and power 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.619 of Elijah 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:19.019 to turn 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.920 the hearts 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.480 of the 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.200 fathers to 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.400 their 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:23.200 children and 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.119 the disobedient 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.579 to the 00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.200 wisdom of 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.819 the righteous 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.140 to make 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.039 ready a 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:29.319 people prepared 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.900 for the 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.160 Lord. 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.680 Let's take 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.140 a look at 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.619 the first 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.440 part and 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:33.779 then we'll 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.220 take a look 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.539 at the 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.259 second part. 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.480 The first 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.059 part in 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.819 verse 17, 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:38.919 he will 00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:39.579 go on 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.279 before the 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.779 Lord in 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.419 the spirit 00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:42.240 and power 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:43.099 of Elijah 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.359 to turn 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.039 the hearts 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.460 of the 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.519 fathers to 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:46.720 their 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.200 children. 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:49.319 In case 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:49.839 you're not 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.639 familiar with 00:25:50.639 --> 00:25:51.259 that verse, 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.720 please go 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.619 back to 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:55.179 Malachi, 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.679 the very 00:25:56.679 --> 00:25:57.940 last chapter 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.579 in the 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.200 Old Testament. 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:01.620 we saw 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:01.960 that the 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.420 Old Testament 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.980 ends with 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.400 the word 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.980 curse, 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.480 but look 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.100 at Malachi 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:07.140 chapter 4. 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.420 Look at 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.580 chapter 4 00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.880 verse 5. 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:19.519 See, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.259 I will 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.779 send you 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.400 the prophet 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.019 Elijah 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.620 before the 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.620 great and 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:26.559 dreadful day 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.000 of the 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.259 Lord, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:30.059 before that 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.599 great and 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.160 dreadful day 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.480 of the 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.160 Lord comes. 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.720 He will 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.400 turn the 00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:35.099 hearts of 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.740 the fathers 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.599 to their 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.200 children, 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.480 and the 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.819 hearts of 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.299 the children 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.779 to their 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.339 fathers, 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.940 or else 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.420 I will 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.019 come and 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.519 spike the 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.180 land before 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:45.619 the curse. 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.240 Jesus makes 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.960 it clear that 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.519 when he says 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.180 Elijah, he 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.680 doesn't mean 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.000 literally Elijah, 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:51.400 and the 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:51.940 angel makes 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.839 it clear that 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.359 he will come 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.119 in the spirit 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:55.019 and power of 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.420 Elijah, 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:55.480 Elijah, 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.600 but look 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:56.960 what he 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.519 will do. 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.779 Verse 6, 00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.440 he will 00:26:59.440 --> 00:26:59.940 turn the 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.400 hearts of 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:00.980 the fathers 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.220 to their 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.600 children. 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.060 So, 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.640 John the 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.240 Baptist is 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.580 going to 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.140 prepare the 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:11.400 way by 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.019 turning the 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.460 hearts of 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.000 the fathers 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.580 to their 00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:13.980 children, 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:14.620 and the 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:14.900 hearts of 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.320 the children 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:16.120 to their 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:16.519 fathers. 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.460 But, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.480 something else 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.000 in verse 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.640 17, 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.140 something else 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.700 in verse 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.259 17. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.460 To make 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:25.940 ready, 00:27:26.540 --> 00:27:27.259 the last 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.680 part of 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.400 verse 17 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:30.140 in Luke 00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.400 1, 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.300 to make 00:27:31.300 --> 00:27:32.020 ready a 00:27:32.020 --> 00:27:32.440 people 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.580 prepared 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:35.420 for the 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:35.720 Lord. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.360 A people 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.360 prepared 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.180 for the 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.420 Lord. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.060 Where does 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:41.640 that come 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:41.940 from? 00:27:42.520 --> 00:27:43.160 It comes 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.120 from Isaiah 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.840 chapter 40 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:47.480 verse 3. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:50.660 This is an 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.240 extremely 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.900 important 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.480 passage. 00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.360 If you're 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.519 going to 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:54.839 take a 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.079 nap, 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:55.759 now is 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.140 not the 00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:56.440 time to 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:56.799 do it. 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:02.620 Chapter 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.099 40, 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.579 which begins 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:05.980 with, 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.240 comfort ye, 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:07.819 comfort ye, 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.299 my people. 00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.620 How many 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.039 of us have 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.700 heard Handel's 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.059 Messiah? 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.299 A voice 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.799 of one, 00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:14.680 verse 3, 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.860 Isaiah 40 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.380 verse 3, 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.200 a voice 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.580 of one 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.160 calling 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.880 in the 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.220 desert, 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.320 prepare the 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:23.420 way for 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.420 the Lord. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.260 Make 00:28:25.260 --> 00:28:25.820 straight in 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:26.280 the wilderness 00:28:26.280 --> 00:28:26.860 a highway 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.380 for our 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.700 God, 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.040 preparing 00:28:29.040 --> 00:28:29.600 the way 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:29.980 for the 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.220 Lord. 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.140 That 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.640 passage 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:35.480 is from 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:35.900 Isaiah 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.920 chapter 40, 00:28:37.320 --> 00:28:38.140 but more 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.740 importantly, 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.340 it's from 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:39.800 Luke 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.980 chapter 3. 00:28:42.020 --> 00:28:42.460 So go 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.960 back to 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.300 Luke 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.260 chapter 3. 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:56.879 chapter 3, 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.640 verse 4, 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.799 Luke 3, 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.379 verse 4, 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.720 as is 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.599 written in 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.099 the book 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.379 of the 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:03.900 words of 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.619 Isaiah the 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:04.980 prophet. 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.440 He is 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:05.859 telling us 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.240 where he's 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.879 getting it 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.099 from. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.700 It's from 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.339 Isaiah. 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.440 Isaiah, 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.140 a voice of 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.779 one calling 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.140 in the 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:11.480 desert, 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.640 prepare the 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.119 way for 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.519 the Lord, 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.119 make 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.500 straight 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:14.979 paths 00:29:14.979 --> 00:29:16.539 for him. 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.079 And 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:20.239 the 00:29:20.239 --> 00:29:20.619 angel 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.759 says that 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.319 John the 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.959 Baptist is 00:29:22.959 --> 00:29:23.399 going to 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.419 prepare the 00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.039 way of 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.500 the Lord. 00:29:27.659 --> 00:29:28.599 And so 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:30.339 as that 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.979 is done, 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.339 the Lord 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.099 will then 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.579 be the 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.419 next great 00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:35.039 event. 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.419 This is a 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:36.759 preview. 00:29:36.959 --> 00:29:37.500 This is the 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:37.959 preparation. 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:38.859 This is the 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.559 overture. 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:41.079 this is the 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.440 beginning. 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.339 But it is a 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.200 very important 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.679 beginning. 00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:47.859 That's the 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:48.440 big picture, 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.639 God's salvation 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.359 for the world. 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:51.740 But God is 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.639 also interested 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.419 in small 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:53.980 things. 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:55.039 Not just 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.859 big things, 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.799 but small 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.240 things. 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:58.579 Please turn 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.059 to Luke 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.919 chapter 1. 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.919 And this 00:30:00.919 --> 00:30:01.319 is where 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:03.379 it might 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.319 apply to you 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:04.720 on a 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.579 personal level. 00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:06.940 As opposed 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.339 to this 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.980 huge 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:09.339 salvation 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:09.640 of the 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:09.799 whole 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.160 world. 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.200 John 3 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.620 16, 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.160 God so 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:12.460 loved the 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:12.700 world. 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.279 Well, 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.759 what about 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.099 me? 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.140 If he does 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:15.480 love the 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:15.860 whole world, 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.339 does that 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.099 mean me 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.220 as part 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.460 of the 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.920 world or 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.440 as me 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.079 individually? 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.660 Does God 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.079 know who 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.559 I am? 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:22.940 Does he 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.319 care? 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.339 And then 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.140 in Luke 00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.860 chapter 1 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:27.720 verse 23, 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.720 when his 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:32.519 time of 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.220 service was 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.700 completed, 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.559 he returned 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.039 home. 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.519 After this, 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.740 his wife 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.180 Elizabeth 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:38.700 became 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.140 pregnant 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.120 and for 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:40.880 five months 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.140 remained in 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:42.720 seclusion. 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.299 The Lord 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.900 had done 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.380 this for 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.579 me, 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.140 she said. 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.440 In these 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.940 days, 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.380 he has 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.279 shown his 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.000 favor and 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.019 taken away 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.059 my disgrace 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.660 among the 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.099 people. 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.500 His wife 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.220 was barren. 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.599 She felt 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.039 like an 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.579 outsider. 00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:05.339 When other 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:06.099 mothers took 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.920 their kids to 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.480 the park, 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.720 she didn't 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.240 have a 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.080 child to 00:31:10.080 --> 00:31:10.680 take to 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.180 the park. 00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:14.160 When other 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.519 mothers 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.120 discussed, 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:16.259 what is your 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.880 kid learning 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:18.060 in kindergarten, 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.660 she didn't 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.300 have a 00:31:20.300 --> 00:31:22.480 kid to 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:22.860 go to 00:31:22.860 --> 00:31:23.380 kindergarten 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.400 to tell 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.480 them what 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:25.840 he is 00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.160 learning. 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.000 She felt 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.820 an outsider. 00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:30.980 Psychologically, 00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.600 you're feeling 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.039 like I 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.699 have failed. 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:34.559 I need to 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:34.919 be a 00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.139 mother. 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.759 I speak 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.679 from experience. 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.000 My best 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.519 friend, 00:31:40.699 --> 00:31:41.219 my best 00:31:41.219 --> 00:31:41.799 friend in 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.559 college was 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:45.019 married and 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.459 for ten 00:31:45.459 --> 00:31:46.159 years they 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:46.799 tried and 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.379 didn't have a 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:47.699 child. 00:31:50.219 --> 00:31:51.379 She felt 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.219 more and 00:31:52.219 --> 00:31:53.139 more excluded. 00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:54.399 We're going 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:54.939 to go buy 00:31:54.939 --> 00:31:55.679 clothes for 00:31:55.679 --> 00:31:56.219 our children. 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:57.819 What's she 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.299 going to do? 00:31:58.299 --> 00:32:01.019 We're going 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.519 to go have 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.039 our children 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.980 immunized. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.740 What's she 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.079 going to 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.259 do? 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.599 For ten 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.779 years she 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.440 was barren 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.899 and she 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.539 felt like an 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:09.919 outsider. 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:10.859 Her best 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.399 friends tried 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.000 not to make 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.379 her feel 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:12.779 like an 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.339 outsider but 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:13.899 she felt. 00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.039 Well, it's 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.559 bad enough 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.159 psychologically 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.819 to feel an 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.299 outsider. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.619 It is 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:20.639 worse when 00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.119 the teachers 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.799 of the law 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.559 put their 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.279 burdens on 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.519 you. 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:25.339 There's a 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.680 rabbinic 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.279 statement that 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.279 said several 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.159 groups of 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.960 people are 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.400 cursed. 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:30.259 I disagree 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.720 with them 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.259 completely. 00:32:31.580 --> 00:32:32.720 I'm not 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.360 reciting this 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:33.759 because I 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.100 agree. 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:35.560 I'm 00:32:35.560 --> 00:32:37.820 quoting this 00:32:37.820 --> 00:32:38.160 to help 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.820 you understand 00:32:38.820 --> 00:32:40.040 what she 00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.480 was going 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:40.960 through but 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.500 I think 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:41.900 they are 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.440 really, 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.300 really wrong. 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.740 The first, 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.040 the most 00:32:47.040 --> 00:32:48.060 cursed people 00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:48.720 by God 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.440 were single 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:52.100 people which 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.740 I know 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.620 cannot possibly 00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:54.940 be true for 00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.779 all the fun 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.700 that my 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.380 students have 00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:57.960 at Trinity 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:59.480 which reflects 00:32:59.480 --> 00:32:59.980 in all the 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:00.579 bad grades 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:00.920 that they 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.340 get on 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:01.940 the test 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.000 because they 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.660 are partying 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.059 and not 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.480 studying. 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.519 So, the 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.240 first group 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.039 cursed people 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:10.880 are the 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:13.319 single. 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:15.160 The second 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.039 cursed group 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.980 are those 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.559 who do not 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.240 have children, 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:19.720 those who 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:21.720 are married 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.620 but have no 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:22.980 children. 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.079 children. 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:24.819 As a matter 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.180 of fact, 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.000 rabbis 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.460 said that 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.839 if a 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.700 woman is 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.299 barren, 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.759 her husband 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.680 can divorce 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.259 her because 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.860 she is not 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.779 allowing him 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.640 to obey the 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.200 commandment. 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.880 The first 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:40.039 great commandment, 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.880 be fruitful 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:43.920 and multiply 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.960 and fill the 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.579 whole earth. 00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:47.319 So, a 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.220 barren woman 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.380 is under a 00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:50.240 special curse, 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.620 said the 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.139 rabbis. 00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.579 And so, 00:33:55.719 --> 00:33:56.359 you feel 00:33:56.359 --> 00:33:57.799 that religious 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.439 people, 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.119 at least 00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.619 knowledgeable 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.179 people, 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.339 think you're 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:01.799 under a 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.159 curse and 00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:04.119 you feel a 00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:04.439 little bit 00:34:04.439 --> 00:34:06.159 ostracized from 00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:07.019 society, you 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:07.579 feel a little 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:09.019 bit alone and 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.480 you're getting 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:10.579 old and you 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.980 are asking 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.599 yourself, 00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:14.079 in my old 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.940 age when I 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.639 can't work, 00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.339 who will take 00:34:16.339 --> 00:34:16.940 care of me? 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:18.539 You know. 00:34:20.299 --> 00:34:21.239 Children are a 00:34:21.239 --> 00:34:21.539 blessing. 00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:22.199 says the 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.579 psalmist, 00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.039 if you have 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.420 eight, you 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:23.940 have eight 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.759 Christmas parties 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:26.400 to go to. 00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:27.699 Eight. 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.579 If you don't 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.119 have anybody, 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:30.579 where do you 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:30.900 go to? 00:34:31.799 --> 00:34:32.480 Who will help 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:32.900 you in your 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:34.000 sickness, in 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.719 your old age? 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:38.039 And so, she 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.299 felt ashamed 00:34:39.299 --> 00:34:40.139 and cursed. 00:34:40.859 --> 00:34:41.599 But guess what 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.440 God does for 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:42.699 her? 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.000 Luke chapter 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:45.380 one, verse 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:45.799 five. 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.460 The Lord has 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.319 done this for 00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:49.559 me. 00:34:49.559 --> 00:35:00.900 God is 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.840 thinking, I 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:03.039 am going to 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.500 save the 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:03.860 world. 00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:06.599 John 3, 16. 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.179 And God is 00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:09.199 saying, there 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.019 is this young 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.840 woman, there 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.519 is this old 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.739 woman who 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:14.239 feel isolated, 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.380 disgraced. 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:17.260 I think I'm 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:17.920 going to add 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:19.220 joy to her 00:35:19.220 --> 00:35:19.559 life. 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:22.960 And God, who 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.660 sees the big 00:35:23.660 --> 00:35:25.300 picture, also 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:26.420 sees the small 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:26.820 picture. 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:29.019 I count. 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.860 I know I 00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:32.880 count because 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.980 not even a 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.360 hair falls 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:36.900 without the 00:35:36.900 --> 00:35:37.320 knowledge of 00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:37.840 my father. 00:35:38.660 --> 00:35:39.400 I've always 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:39.840 thought it 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.559 would be fun. 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:40.920 I have 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:41.539 prayed about 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:41.780 this. 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.100 I don't know 00:35:42.100 --> 00:35:42.440 what that 00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:42.880 tells you about 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.280 my prayer 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:43.539 life. 00:35:43.640 --> 00:35:44.019 But I've 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:45.100 prayed that 00:35:45.100 --> 00:35:45.740 it would be 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.300 like a 00:35:46.300 --> 00:35:47.200 practical joke 00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:47.720 to go to 00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:49.380 a barber and 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.460 for God to 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:50.880 say, not 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.300 today. 00:35:51.300 --> 00:35:52.840 And the 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.280 barber going 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:54.039 like this and 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.780 nothing happens, 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.880 you know, starts 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:56.500 to think what's 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.039 wrong with the 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.600 instruments. 00:36:01.780 --> 00:36:04.080 God knows, God 00:36:04.080 --> 00:36:04.640 knows this. 00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:06.400 I'm not going to 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:06.760 pull it. 00:36:07.160 --> 00:36:08.760 I have to ask his 00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:09.560 permission first. 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:12.660 But God knows 00:36:12.660 --> 00:36:13.620 even small things 00:36:13.620 --> 00:36:14.100 about me. 00:36:16.160 --> 00:36:16.960 And he 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.880 understands our 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.200 shame. 00:36:19.160 --> 00:36:19.860 He understands 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:20.560 our disgrace. 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:21.980 And he is 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.420 there to 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:23.039 help us. 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.560 And he will 00:36:24.560 --> 00:36:25.100 send his 00:36:25.100 --> 00:36:26.300 grace and 00:36:26.300 --> 00:36:26.700 he will 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.200 send his 00:36:27.200 --> 00:36:27.600 power. 00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:30.840 For thine 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.200 is the 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:32.140 kingdom and 00:36:32.140 --> 00:36:33.000 the power and 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:34.700 the glory forever. 00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:35.940 Amen. 00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:38.100 That's just 00:36:38.100 --> 00:36:39.000 first base. 00:36:39.700 --> 00:36:40.340 We still have 00:36:40.340 --> 00:36:41.120 second, third, 00:36:41.280 --> 00:36:41.780 fourth, and 00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:42.180 then home. 00:36:44.740 --> 00:36:45.500 God bless 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:45.680 you.