WEBVTT

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 Nathan, I remember now.

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 Fourteen children, sixteen altogether.

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!

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 Ephesians 2, verse 11.

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 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh called uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands.

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 Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

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 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

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 For he himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

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 By abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two.

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 So making peace.

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 And might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

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 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

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 For through him we both have access in one spirit to the Father.

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 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

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 Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.

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 In whom the whole structure being built or joined together grows in a holy temple or into a holy temple in the Lord.

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 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

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 Father, we thank you for your word.

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 That it is the revelation of you.

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 That it is our souls meet.

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 That it is light for our lives.

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 We ask God that by your Spirit you would illumine us today.

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 And enable us to gain from your word that we might live more faithfully to you.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Today's Advent focus is on peace.

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 Peace is a significant part of the gospel.

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 And it is not surprising then that it is a major part of the Christmas story.

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 In fact, it was the only benefit mentioned by that great angelic host when they announced to the shepherds,

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 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

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 That being so, it is surprising that we do not hear more about peace.

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 I try to think back of all the sermons I heard about peace.

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 I can't remember that many.

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 Maybe once or twice during Christmas.

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 For the most part, our understanding of words, specifically peace, comes from our culture.

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 When I was young, I heard a lot about peace.

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 It was during the Vietnam War and the peace movement that surrounded that, that I was a young teenager.

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 And to my mind at that time, peace was cool.

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 We had our own peace sign, you know, and then the circle with the upside down cross.

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 We had our own peace songs, peace train, imagine.

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 And for me, peace was simply an end to the war.

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 Later on, when my family and I lived in Israel, peace took on a different concept.

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 It was primarily associated with a process to bring some kind of coexistence,

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 compromised coexistence between the Arabs and Israel.

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 And today, when I hear the word peace, it's usually in reference to a state of mind, tranquility, a calmness.

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 I asked my children this week what they think when they hear the word peace.

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 And most of them had the same answer.

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 One of them even reminded me of an illustration I used in a sermon once,

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 called Depicting a Dove Sound Asleep in the Midst of a Storm.

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 Peace is one of those words that has a wide range of meaning.

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 It can refer to the absence of war, treaty between countries, civil order, and tranquility.

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 And if you look through the scriptures, you'll see that the Bible uses the term in all those various ways as well.

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 But I'd like us to focus this morning on one aspect, the one that's mentioned here in Ephesians chapter 2.

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 And I think this passage is significant because it's perhaps the only place in scripture where peace is developed

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 in this gospel sense the way it is.

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 When this passage of scripture regarding peace is understood,

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 I think it sets a foundation for the rest of those aspects of peace.

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 And so this really is a foundational passage when wanting to understand Christmas peace.

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 And I think it's God's will for us to experience this peace in a greater way.

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 I'd like to suggest this morning that these verses in Ephesians reveal the true peace of Christmas.

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 It's not a typical Christmas passage, but it is a gospel passage.

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 It's the shalom of the Old Testament.

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 It's the wholesome unity between people and with God that's provided by the sacrifice of Christ.

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 I believe one of the main reasons we have this passage here in Ephesians is because

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 God wants us to more fully appreciate peace.

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 And to make every effort to maintain that peace, to keep that peace in the church,

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 in our relationships with one another.

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 Now, the concept of peace is the focus specifically of verses 13 through 18.

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 But to better understand what the apostle says about it,

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 we need to consider the context before and after those verses.

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 And that's why I've read from verses 11 to 22 this morning.

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 Each of those sections has something to contribute to this idea of the peace of Christmas.

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 And so first, we'll look at verses 11 and 12 again.

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 And from these verses, I'd like to suggest that in order to appreciate

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 and maintain the peace of Christmas,

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 you must remind yourself of why you needed it.

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 Look at verses 11 again.

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 Begin with verse 11.

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 It begins,

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 Therefore remember that at one time,

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 you Gentiles in the flesh,

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 called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision,

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 which is made in the flesh by hands.

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 Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ,

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 alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,

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 and strangers to the covenants of promise,

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 having no hope and without God in the world.

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 Now, this verse 11 contains really

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 what is the first directive in this amazing letter.

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 It's the first directive.

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 And all it's asking us to do here is remember something.

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 It's a challenge to remind yourself of your life

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 before you believed in Christ.

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 Now, that challenge follows an important theme

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 that begins in chapter 1,

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 and I'd like to just give a brief survey

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 or summary of what we find there.

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 Paul introduces the letter in chapter 1

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 by giving praise to God

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 for everything that's involved

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 in His including us in His great plan,

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 His plan to bring unity

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 to all of His creation.

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 That's verses 3 through 14 in chapter 1.

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 The apostle calls it in verse 10,

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 God's plan for the fullness of time

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 to unite all things in Him,

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 in heaven and on earth.

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 Then in verse 15,

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 he begins to pray for his readers

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 that God would enable them

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 to gain a better understanding of God

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 and His plan

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 and God's ability to carry out that plan.

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 Specifically, he wants believers in Jesus

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 to understand their hope,

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 verses 17 and 18,

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 to understand the importance God places

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 on their or our part in His plan,

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 verse 18,

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 and then to understand the significance

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 of the power that He provides

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 on our behalf,

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 in verse 19.

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 And beginning with verse 20,

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 all the way through verse 10

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 of the next chapter,

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 we have an elaboration

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 of that prayer

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 and of that power.

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 It's the same power

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 that raised Christ from the dead

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 and lifted Him

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 to the supreme position

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 over all authority

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 in heaven and on earth.

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 And it's the same power

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 that raised you and I

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 from the dead,

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 spiritual death.

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 In chapter 2,

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 verses 1 through 3,

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 freeing us

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 from the servitude

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 of the devil

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 and the world

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 and our own fleshly passions.

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 And He did all of that

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 by grace.

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 By grace alone

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 bringing about

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 this powerful deliverance.

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 Now that's the brief introduction

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 to the next section then,

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 verses 11 through 22.

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 And here then,

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 He begins by inviting

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 His Gentile readers

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 to remember something significant

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 about their relationship

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 to God's plan.

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 And that is,

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 at one time,

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 they were excluded from it.

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 Now He describes

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 this exclusion

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 in very careful,

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 systematic,

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 evocative language.

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 He says

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 that

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 they were

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 derogatorily

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 called

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 the uncircumcision

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 by those who were

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 the circumcision.

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 That was

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 not a friendly term

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 that

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 was used

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 about the Gentiles.

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 He says

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 they were separated.

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 He calls them

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 alienated

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 and strangers

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 in these terms

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 specifically

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 in reference

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 to the Messiah

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 and the community

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 of Israel

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 and the covenants

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 that God had promised

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 to them.

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 And then

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 more generally

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 they were

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 therefore

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 because they were

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 excluded from

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 God's people

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 they were hopeless.

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 and godless

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 in the world.

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 Now that was

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 a big deal

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 for the Apostle Paul.

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 There was no

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 greater distinction

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 between the Jew

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 and the Gentile.

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 The Gentiles

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 might have tolerated

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 been tolerated

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 by the Jewish people

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 but the distinction

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 was clearly

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 maintained.

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 To the religious Jew

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 the Gentile

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 was a dog.

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 And there was

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 a wall of partition

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 in the temple

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 courtyard

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 that kept

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 the Gentiles

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 out of

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 the more

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 holy areas

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 with a dire

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 warning

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 that if they

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 would cross

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 they would cross

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 at the expense

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 of their life.

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 Hostility

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 was always

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 under the surface

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 and there was

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 such a strong

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 division

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 that

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 when the

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 Gentiles

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 first received

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 the gospel

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 it became

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 a major

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 controversy

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 in the church.

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 How can

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 they

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 be a part

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 of the church?

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 They must

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 be circumcised

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 or

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 can they even

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 be a part

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 of the church?

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 But to the Gentile

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 there was a huge

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 gap as well

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 because they

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 experienced

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 a growing

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 hatred

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 because of

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 what they

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 considered

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 this Jewish

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 arrogance

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 that they

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 were the

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 people of

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 God.

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 And that

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 hostility

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 has continued

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 to this day

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 with many

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 still alive

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 who witnessed

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 the most

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 greatest

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 act of

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 genocide

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 in all

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 of human

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 history.

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 but the

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 scriptures

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 instruction

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 to remember

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 doesn't

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 seem that

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 relevant

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 to us

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 today.

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 It's

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 been almost

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 2,000 years

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 since Paul

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 wrote this

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 passage

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 and gave

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 this directive

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 to remember

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 and a lot

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 has changed.

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 We

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 haven't

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 really

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 experienced

00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.419
 this animosity

00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.120
 between

00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.080
 Jews

00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.159
 and Gentiles.

00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:46.500
 We

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.460
 don't

00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:47.700
 really

00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.139
 know

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.360
 it

00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:48.759
 that

00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.179
 well.

00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.320
 In

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:51.519
 fact,

00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:51.840
 we even

00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.120
 live in

00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.500
 a culture

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:52.860
 where

00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.879
 tolerance

00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:54.440
 is

00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:55.799
 heralded

00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.159
 as a

00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.299
 good

00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:56.799
 thing.

00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.080
 But we

00:15:59.080 --> 00:15:59.279
 should

00:15:59.279 --> 00:15:59.779
 still

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.500
 try to

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:00.799
 see

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.399
 ourselves

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.799
 in that

00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.340
 situation

00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:02.779
 because I

00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.120
 think it's

00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.700
 important

00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.340
 for

00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.139
 appreciating

00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.360
 the

00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.000
 change

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.860
 that

00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.080
 took

00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:08.639
 place.

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.379
 From

00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.799
 the time

00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:10.440
 of Abraham

00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:10.980
 to the

00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.460
 time of

00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:11.980
 Christ,

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:12.580
 almost

00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.480
 exclusively

00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.360
 God's

00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.159
 plan

00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:15.919
 focused

00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.459
 on the

00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:16.679
 Jewish

00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:17.079
 people,

00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:17.879
 on the

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:18.259
 people of

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:18.659
 Israel.

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.939
 And those

00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:22.079
 during that

00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:23.379
 entire period

00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.179
 who died

00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.500
 outside the

00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:25.740
 Jewish

00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.339
 community

00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:27.199
 and faith

00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:28.699
 died

00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:29.219
 lost.

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.059
 Their

00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.659
 exclusion

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:36.459
 was our

00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:37.279
 exclusion.

00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:40.279
 Outside

00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.179
 of Christ,

00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.079
 outside of

00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:42.439
 God.

00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.440
 Christ,

00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.280
 now the

00:16:44.280 --> 00:16:45.160
 peace of

00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:45.760
 Christmas

00:16:45.760 --> 00:16:48.520
 was needed

00:16:48.520 --> 00:16:50.620
 because we

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.120
 were all

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.820
 outsiders.

00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.600
 We were

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.140
 hopeless.

00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.060
 We were

00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:55.700
 objects of

00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.080
 God's

00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.620
 wrath.

00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.240
 And I

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.620
 think knowing

00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:59.020
 this is

00:16:59.020 --> 00:16:59.620
 essential

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.780
 to

00:17:00.780 --> 00:17:01.680
 anticipating

00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.860
 or appreciating

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:05.019
 and holding

00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.320
 on to the

00:17:06.320 --> 00:17:06.779
 peace

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.500
 of Christmas.

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.640
 Christmas.

00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.559
 Now the

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.400
 second part

00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.960
 of the

00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.539
 passage,

00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.240
 the heart

00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.460
 of this

00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.839
 passage this

00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.400
 morning is

00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.640
 verses 13

00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.299
 through 18.

00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.279
 That section

00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.400
 is really the

00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.180
 core of

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.559
 Paul's

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.519
 message here.

00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:24.900
 And as

00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.359
 such, I

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:25.859
 believe it

00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.980
 encourages us

00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.319
 that in

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.400
 order to

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.480
 appreciate and

00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.319
 maintain the

00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:31.779
 peace of

00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.220
 Christmas,

00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.240
 you must

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.500
 embrace the

00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.599
 central role of

00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:38.000
 Christ in

00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.699
 that peace.

00:17:39.439 --> 00:17:40.179
 In order to

00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:41.379
 maintain, to

00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:42.699
 appreciate the

00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:43.139
 peace of

00:17:43.139 --> 00:17:43.959
 Christmas, you

00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:45.059
 must embrace

00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.179
 the central

00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:47.299
 role of

00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.419
 Christ in

00:17:48.419 --> 00:17:49.059
 that peace.

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.799
 Verse 13

00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.519
 begins with a

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.480
 wonderful contrast.

00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.779
 But now, in

00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.799
 Christ Jesus,

00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.399
 you who once

00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.379
 were far off

00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:58.839
 have been

00:17:58.839 --> 00:17:59.779
 brought near

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:01.059
 by the

00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.519
 blood of

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.000
 Christ.

00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.919
 See, Christ

00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:04.419
 changes

00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:05.059
 everything,

00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:05.559
 doesn't he?

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:08.259
 but it's

00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.799
 not just

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.539
 his birth,

00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.039
 his life,

00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.980
 that makes

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.799
 the change.

00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.019
 It's by the

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.740
 blood of

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.759
 Christ, we're

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:20.240
 told, that

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.759
 we are brought

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.059
 near.

00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.039
 Once we were

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.639
 separated,

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.700
 alienated,

00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.339
 outside,

00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.200
 hopeless,

00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.159
 godless, but

00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:28.879
 now in

00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:30.960
 Christ, and

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.519
 specifically

00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.720
 because of

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.480
 his death,

00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:34.899
 we are

00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.299
 included.

00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:37.679
 you like to

00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:39.759
 belong, to

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.480
 feel that you

00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:40.980
 belong.

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.000
 Wouldn't it

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.119
 be a lonely

00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:45.259
 life, just

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.379
 being outside?

00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.099
 Well, this

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:52.539
 is belonging

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.139
 to the

00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:53.519
 ultimate

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.039
 degree.

00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.279
 This is what

00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:57.740
 God has

00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.659
 provided in

00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:59.179
 Christ.

00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.480
 Each one of

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.279
 us can be

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.819
 included.

00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.819
 God has

00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.819
 wanted to

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:03.819


00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:03.960
 included.

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:03.859
 Now, there

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.200
 are many

00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.779
 ways that

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.359
 we benefit

00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.259
 from Christ's

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.859
 life, from

00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.379
 his death

00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.119
 and resurrection,

00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.379
 but the

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.099
 benefit that's

00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.960
 emphasized in

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.619
 this passage

00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.200
 here is

00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.700
 peace.

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.460
 And it

00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.519
 makes it

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.980
 clear that

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.299
 there's a

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.799
 connection

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.859
 between our

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.779
 being included

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:22.720
 and peace.

00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:26.460
 first ten

00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.380
 verses of

00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.420
 chapter two

00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.920
 focus on

00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.319
 an individual

00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:32.920
 aspect of

00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.339
 salvation.

00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:33.799
 And perhaps

00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.400
 this is why

00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:34.920
 it's one of

00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:36.640
 the most

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.279
 popular

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.480
 passages of

00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.299
 Ephesians,

00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:41.120
 most well-known

00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:41.680
 anyway.

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.539
 But here in

00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.259
 verses 11

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.240
 through 22,

00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:45.759
 there's a

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.180
 shift,

00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.480
 specifically

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.779
 verses 13

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.339
 through 18.

00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:49.799
 There's a

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.199
 shift.

00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.319
 And the

00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:52.939
 shift is one

00:19:52.939 --> 00:19:53.720
 of relationship.

00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:55.939
 See, in the

00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:57.279
 past, Gentiles

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.959
 were separated,

00:19:59.159 --> 00:19:59.720
 not only from

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.539
 God, but from

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.339
 the people of

00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.679
 God.

00:20:03.699 --> 00:20:04.740
 And what

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.220
 then does

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.500
 salvation do

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.639
 for that

00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.319
 relationship?

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.759
 It changes

00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.699
 the relationship.

00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:14.299
 It brings a

00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:16.179
 change, not

00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:17.159
 only in our

00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:17.899
 relationship to

00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:18.619
 God, but in

00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.359
 our relationship

00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.719
 to others.

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.119
 And that's

00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.899
 why I believe

00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:22.979
 we find this

00:20:22.979 --> 00:20:23.919
 focus here on

00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:24.379
 peace.

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.939
 And it's such a

00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:26.619
 significant

00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:27.599
 distinction that

00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.099
 the apostle

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:29.159
 develops this

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:31.159
 idea through

00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.779
 the next five

00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.159
 verses.

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.479
 The idea of

00:20:34.479 --> 00:20:35.039
 being brought

00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.839
 near is

00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.519
 equated with

00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:36.979
 peace.

00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.539
 And that

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.839
 peace is

00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.899
 inseparably

00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:42.099
 linked to

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.419
 Jesus.

00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.159
 And so what

00:20:44.159 --> 00:20:44.579
 I'd like to

00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:45.379
 do is take a

00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:46.359
 couple moments

00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:48.019
 and highlight

00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.940
 three ways

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.000
 in those

00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:52.440
 verses that

00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.119
 peace is

00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.639
 linked to

00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.019
 Jesus.

00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.879
 First of

00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:56.799
 all, he's

00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.539
 introduced with

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.119
 the sentence,

00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.720
 he himself

00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:01.079
 is our

00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.339
 peace.

00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:01.579
 That's

00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:02.299
 verse 14.

00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:03.379
 For he

00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.940
 himself is

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.839
 our

00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.700
 peace.

00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.819
 Now that's

00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.599
 a significant

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:11.379
 designation.

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.400
 And what I

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.119
 believe it does

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.480
 is it

00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.639
 describes for

00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.060
 us the

00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:17.200
 way in

00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.120
 which peace

00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:19.180
 is

00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.800
 accomplished.

00:21:21.320 --> 00:21:22.280
 The only

00:21:22.280 --> 00:21:23.500
 way in

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.000
 which peace

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.600
 is accomplished.

00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:25.960
 It's the

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.780
 prince of

00:21:26.780 --> 00:21:27.680
 peace himself

00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.700
 that made

00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.100
 peace

00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:29.700
 possible.

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.780
 Now there's

00:21:30.780 --> 00:21:31.440
 two phrases

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.380
 that I'd just

00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.040
 like to draw to

00:21:33.040 --> 00:21:33.560
 your attention

00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:34.000
 in verses

00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.620
 14 and

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:34.960
 15.

00:21:35.280 --> 00:21:36.140
 In verse

00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.880
 14 it

00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.400
 says,

00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:40.000
 in his

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.060
 flesh.

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.500
 Now that's

00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:43.960
 an obvious

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.880
 reference to

00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.259
 the death

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:45.880
 of Christ.

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.859
 It was the

00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.319
 death of

00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:48.960
 Christ that

00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.299
 made real

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.819
 peace

00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.380
 possible.

00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:51.819
 The other

00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.720
 phrase is in

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.359
 verse 15.

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.740
 It says,

00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.960
 in himself.

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.819
 The unity

00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.500
 that is being

00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.500
 described here

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:00.799
 in this

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:02.359
 verse occurs

00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:02.779
 where?

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.619
 In a

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.640
 location that

00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.119
 is in

00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.599
 Christ.

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.339
 That's where

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:07.740
 it takes

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.279
 place.

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.299
 It's not

00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.859
 some general

00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.500
 external

00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.079
 peace.

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.159
 peace.

00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.159
 It's one

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.899
 that's only

00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.919
 possible to

00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:16.000
 those who

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.379
 have been

00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.579
 by faith

00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.519
 united with

00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.859
 him.

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.099
 And this

00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.439
 way,

00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:24.279
 by Christ's

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.659
 work and

00:22:25.659 --> 00:22:26.119
 in union

00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.619
 with him,

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.939
 peace is

00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:28.460
 possible.

00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.220
 I think

00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.379
 it's

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:31.759
 interesting

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.839
 that

00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:35.699
 typically

00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:36.079
 the

00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.419
 Christian

00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:36.899
 message

00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.220
 about

00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.579
 peace

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:37.779
 is

00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.819
 some

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.579
 general

00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.720
 peace.

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.839
 peace

00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.579
 to all

00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:42.900
 of you.

00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.319
 It's a

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.620
 peaceful

00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.200
 season.

00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.380
 God

00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:47.920
 wants the

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.420
 world to

00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:48.960
 experience

00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.600
 and enjoy

00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:50.200
 peace.

00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:51.700
 As a

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:51.900
 boy,

00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.279
 we used

00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.799
 to watch,

00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:53.579
 we're a

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:53.700
 good

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.019
 Catholic

00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.380
 family,

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:54.880
 we watched

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.440
 the Ten

00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:55.980
 Commandments

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.559
 every year

00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.180
 and

00:22:58.180 --> 00:23:00.539
 went to

00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.940
 church on

00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.319
 Christmas

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.259
 and

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.880
 Easter.

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.220
 But

00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.640
 before we

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:06.900
 went to

00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.220
 church on

00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.420
 Easter,

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:07.960
 we watched

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.240
 the Ten

00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.660
 Commandments

00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.200
 because it

00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.519
 came out

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:09.960
 every year.

00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:13.440
 And I

00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.820
 remember

00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:14.240
 after

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.279
 coming to

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.700
 faith in

00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.320
 Christ that

00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:18.460
 we watched

00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:18.960
 the Ten

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.400
 Commandments

00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.779
 again and

00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.019
 I was

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.400
 shocked because

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:22.960
 at the end,

00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:23.279
 you know,

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:23.779
 Charlton

00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.040
 Heston,

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.320
 I mean,

00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.040
 Moses stands

00:23:25.040 --> 00:23:26.779
 up there and

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.080
 he says,

00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.380
 go into

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.200
 the land and

00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.600
 proclaim

00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:31.640
 liberty to

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.040
 all its

00:23:32.040 --> 00:23:32.500
 inhabitants.

00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.460
 I thought,

00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.480
 wait a

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:34.779
 minute,

00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.400
 that's not

00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.140
 what happened.

00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:38.920
 he didn't

00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:39.360
 tell them

00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:39.720
 to go

00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:39.980
 in and

00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.300
 proclaim

00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:40.759
 liberty.

00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.380
 He said,

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.279
 you're going

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.519
 to go

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.019
 slaughter

00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.700
 everybody.

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.500
 That was

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.900
 a big

00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.700
 change for

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:47.940
 me.

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:48.920
 I think

00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.340
 the same

00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.340
 thing is

00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:50.800
 true about

00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:51.360
 peace in

00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.000
 this season.

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:52.820
 You know,

00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.840
 we typically

00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:56.640
 herald peace

00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.259
 as this

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.360
 general

00:23:58.360 --> 00:24:00.980
 experience

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.360
 that God

00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:01.820
 wants the

00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:02.180
 world to

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.600
 experience.

00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:03.580
 It's not

00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.200
 like that

00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.480
 peace.

00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:05.920
 Because

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.759
 peace can

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.019
 only happen

00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.460
 in Christ.

00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.480
 The message

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.220
 is peace

00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.360
 is only

00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.660
 to those

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.900
 who are

00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.580
 in Christ.

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.059
 And that's

00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.559
 why he

00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.259
 himself

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.519
 is

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:21.120
 our peace.

00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.539
 The second

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.039
 way peace

00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.380
 is linked

00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:22.799
 to Jesus

00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.360
 is found

00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:23.640
 at the

00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:23.860
 end of

00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.600
 verse 15

00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.539
 where it

00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:25.880
 says

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.299
 that

00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:28.400
 it says

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:30.759
 so

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.620
 making

00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:32.539
 peace.

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:32.599
 peace.

00:24:32.659 --> 00:24:32.799
 Now,

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.139
 what's

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.339
 being

00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:34.819
 described

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.519
 here is

00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.379
 the result

00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:38.119
 of

00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.480
 Jesus'

00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:40.059
 peacemaking.

00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.920
 By

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.440
 dying on

00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.119
 the cross,

00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:44.839
 Jesus

00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.759
 destroyed

00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:47.200
 the very

00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.960
 thing that

00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.720
 kept Jews

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.460
 and Gentiles

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.099
 separated.

00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.420
 He calls

00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:51.680
 it a

00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.240
 wall of

00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.000
 hostility,

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.139
 the law

00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:54.879
 of commandments.

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:55.899
 It's

00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.579
 most likely

00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:56.859
 he had

00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.420
 in mind

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.299
 those

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.099
 specific

00:24:59.099 --> 00:25:00.099
 ceremonial

00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.579
 and

00:25:00.579 --> 00:25:01.240
 religious

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:01.879
 aspects

00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.140
 of

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.280
 the

00:25:02.280 --> 00:25:02.580
 law.

00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:03.960
 At

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.040
 the

00:25:04.040 --> 00:25:04.220
 very

00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.640
 least,

00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:04.960
 the

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.760
 sacrifices,

00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.020
 circumcision

00:25:07.020 --> 00:25:07.740
 itself,

00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.220
 but even

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.320
 the code

00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:11.220
 itself

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.660
 that

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:13.220
 sentenced

00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.880
 one to

00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.340
 death

00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:14.720
 for

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.460
 breaking

00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:16.320
 the

00:25:16.320 --> 00:25:16.640
 law.

00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.360
 Jesus'

00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.140
 death

00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.720
 brought

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.840
 an end

00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.480
 to those

00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.220
 ordinances

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.040
 that kept

00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:23.800
 the Jew

00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:24.080
 and the

00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:24.480
 Gentile

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.040
 separated.

00:25:26.260 --> 00:25:26.920
 And as

00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.440
 a result,

00:25:27.560 --> 00:25:28.020
 he made

00:25:28.020 --> 00:25:28.480
 a new

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:28.960
 entity.

00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.480
 We call

00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:30.680
 it

00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.100
 the

00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:31.520
 church.

00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.540
 that

00:25:33.540 --> 00:25:34.240
 consists

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.460
 of

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:34.880
 every

00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.460
 tribe

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.700
 and

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:35.980
 every

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.500
 language

00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.740
 and

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.980
 every

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.520
 people

00:25:37.520 --> 00:25:38.140
 and

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.360
 every

00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:38.780
 nation.

00:25:40.780 --> 00:25:41.720
 But that

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.400
 peace

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:45.380
 extends

00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.740
 beyond

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.360
 human

00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.840
 unity.

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:48.940
 Ultimately,

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.600
 according to

00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.160
 this verse,

00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:51.540
 it relates

00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:51.840
 to our

00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:52.300
 relationship

00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.960
 with God.

00:25:53.040 --> 00:25:53.320
 And the

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:53.920
 picture we

00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.420
 get here

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:55.720
 then is

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.760
 a peace

00:25:56.760 --> 00:25:58.100
 that is

00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:59.020
 collective.

00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:01.379
 it's

00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.079
 not just

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.559
 my

00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.220
 peace

00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.599
 and

00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.119
 your

00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.599
 peace,

00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:04.839
 although

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.759
 that's

00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.220
 one of

00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.519
 those

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.079
 aspects

00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.639
 that is

00:26:07.639 --> 00:26:07.980
 true.

00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.299
 Let the

00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.559
 peace

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.240
 of Christ

00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.720
 guard

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:10.920
 your

00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.160
 hearts

00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.339
 and

00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.740
 minds

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:11.980
 in

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.240
 Christ

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.539
 Jesus.

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.319
 There is

00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.700
 a sense

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:13.980
 in which

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.539
 peace

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:14.920
 is

00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.599
 individual,

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.559
 but that's

00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:16.859
 not the

00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:17.160
 point of

00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.339
 this

00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.879
 passage.

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.099
 This

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.480
 passage

00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.180
 is talking

00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.519
 about

00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.059
 something

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.599
 greater,

00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:21.859
 a

00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.119
 greater

00:26:22.119 --> 00:26:22.539
 plan

00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:22.879
 in which

00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:23.420
 God

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.259
 relates

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.799
 to

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:26.519
 his

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.000
 people

00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.299
 in

00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.799
 terms

00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.139
 of

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:28.419
 a

00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:28.819
 unity.

00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.299
 Jews

00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.599
 and

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.419
 Gentiles

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.299
 together,

00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.460
 one

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.159
 entity,

00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:35.740
 one

00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.559
 man

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.440
 approaching

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.059
 him

00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.039
 as

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.460
 one

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:41.159
 and

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.799
 united

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.500
 with

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:42.819
 him

00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.639
 in

00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:43.819
 that

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.359
 approach.

00:26:45.419 --> 00:26:45.859
 This

00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.440
 is the

00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.019
 collective

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.079
 reconciliation

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.659
 that I

00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.099
 believe the

00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:50.599
 passage

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.500
 is

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.039
 encouraging

00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.480
 us

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:52.740
 to

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.460
 understand.

00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:56.440
 The

00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:56.759
 third

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.079
 way

00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.299
 that

00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.639
 peace

00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:57.799
 is

00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.159
 connected

00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.399
 to

00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:58.680
 Jesus

00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:58.940
 is

00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.159
 found

00:26:59.159 --> 00:26:59.299
 in

00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.480
 verse

00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.079
 17.

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.539
 And

00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:02.799
 he

00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.440
 came

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:03.720
 and

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.180
 preached

00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.759
 peace

00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:04.980
 to

00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.220
 you

00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.379
 who

00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:05.539
 were

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:05.919
 far

00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:06.299
 off

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.879
 and

00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.559
 peace

00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.079
 to

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.579
 those

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.240
 who

00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.419
 were

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:09.819
 near.

00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:11.619
 And

00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:11.779
 so

00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:11.980
 here

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.159
 we're

00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:12.399
 told

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:12.579
 that

00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:12.819
 Jesus

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.339
 also

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.059
 preaches

00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.680
 peace.

00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.139
 He

00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.839
 not

00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.119
 only

00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.599
 is

00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.019
 peace,

00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.200
 he

00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.359
 not

00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:18.579
 only

00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.220
 makes

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.659
 peace,

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:19.879
 but

00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.059
 he

00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.639
 preaches

00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.879
 peace

00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:22.859
 to

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.059
 the

00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.480
 far

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.119
 and

00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.299
 to

00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:24.519
 the

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:24.779
 near.

00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.000
 The

00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.259
 added

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.619
 element

00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.960
 is

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.319
 this

00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.220
 proclamation

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.659
 that

00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.099
 Christ

00:27:29.099 --> 00:27:29.659
 himself

00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:30.339
 makes.

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.359
 Now

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:31.559
 this

00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:31.720
 is

00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:31.859
 an

00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.279
 allusion

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:32.539
 to

00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:32.680
 a

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.019
 passage

00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.240
 in

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.659
 Isaiah,

00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.019
 Isaiah

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.759
 57,

00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.799
 19,

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.339
 where

00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.980
 God

00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.559
 himself

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.240
 says

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.700
 peace,

00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.299
 peace,

00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.259
 to the

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.539
 far

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:40.859
 and to

00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.019
 the

00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.319
 near.

00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.059
 Paul

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.839
 uses it

00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.059
 in

00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:44.519
 reference

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:44.839
 to

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.519
 Christ

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.220
 himself

00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.059
 and

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.919
 the

00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:48.159
 Jew

00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:48.359
 and

00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:48.980
 Gentile.

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.700
 And

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.879
 what that

00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.419
 proclamation

00:27:52.419 --> 00:27:53.159
 is,

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.940
 is

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.259
 simply

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.460
 the

00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.840
 gospel.

00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.660
 This

00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.000
 is the

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.660
 invitation,

00:27:59.480 --> 00:27:59.900
 the

00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.539
 message and

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.500
 invitation that

00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.460
 every one of

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.259
 us have

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.880
 received.

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.640
 It invites

00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.140
 us to

00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.820
 reconciliation,

00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.400
 reconciliation

00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.259
 with God.

00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:08.940
 It invites

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.900
 us to

00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.620
 peace,

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.539
 peace

00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.360
 with

00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.000
 others.

00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.400
 And it

00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.160
 invites us

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.940
 to free

00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:18.740
 unhindered

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.620
 access to

00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.080
 God

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.279
 and

00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.559
 therefore

00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:21.819
 to

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.240
 benefit

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.599
 from

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.619
 all

00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:23.819
 that

00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:23.980
 he

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.319
 is

00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:24.460
 on

00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:24.599
 our

00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.179
 behalf.

00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.059
 There

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.379
 is a

00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:27.779
 way in

00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:27.980
 which

00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.319
 Jew

00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.539
 and

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.039
 Gentile

00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.619
 together,

00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.379
 in

00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:30.559
 which

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.980
 every

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.559
 tongue

00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:31.779
 and

00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.240
 tribe

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.480
 and

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.899
 nation

00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.639
 together,

00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.240
 in

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.439
 which

00:28:34.439 --> 00:28:34.919
 you

00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.399
 and

00:28:35.399 --> 00:28:35.960
 I

00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.899
 together

00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:38.240
 have

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.679
 access

00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:38.960
 to

00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.319
 God.

00:28:43.939 --> 00:28:44.679
 This

00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:45.460
 is the

00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.859
 peace

00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.619
 of

00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.039
 Christmas.

00:28:48.719 --> 00:28:49.159
 There's

00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:49.539
 no

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.439
 true

00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:51.379
 lasting

00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.439
 peace

00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.359
 apart

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:53.779
 from

00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:53.979
 the

00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:54.359
 peace

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:54.599
 of

00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.099
 Christmas.

00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:56.619
 No

00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:56.919
 peace

00:28:56.919 --> 00:28:57.439
 process,

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:58.579
 no

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:58.879
 peace

00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.379
 movement,

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.559
 no

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.199
 imagining,

00:29:01.979 --> 00:29:02.240
 no

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.839
 drugs,

00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:03.559
 no

00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.000
 genetic

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.879
 engineering,

00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:05.759
 no

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.439
 meditation

00:29:06.439 --> 00:29:07.179
 can

00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:07.699
 accomplish

00:29:07.699 --> 00:29:09.019
 what

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.479
 Christ

00:29:09.479 --> 00:29:09.699
 has

00:29:09.699 --> 00:29:10.199
 accomplished

00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.079
 to

00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.359
 make

00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.079
 peace.

00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.500
 He

00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:14.019
 himself

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.299
 has

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.679
 dealt

00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:15.339
 once

00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.699
 and

00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:15.919
 for

00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:16.339
 all

00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.000
 with

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.480
 all

00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:17.720
 the

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.319
 problems

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.039
 that

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.559
 hinder

00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.619
 peace.

00:29:21.199 --> 00:29:21.279
 And

00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.379
 he

00:29:21.379 --> 00:29:21.519
 has

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:21.839
 called

00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.139
 us

00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.359
 to

00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.059
 experience

00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.679
 that

00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.139
 peace.

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.179
 And

00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:26.619
 finally,

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.579
 the

00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:27.879
 last

00:29:27.879 --> 00:29:28.259
 section

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.419
 of

00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:28.579
 our

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.179
 passage

00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:30.379
 provides

00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:30.740
 one

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.159
 further

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.619
 aspect

00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:31.919
 that

00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:32.079
 I'd

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.299
 like

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:32.480
 to

00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:32.740
 look

00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.059
 at

00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:34.220
 with

00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.599
 regard

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:34.779
 to

00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:34.959
 this

00:29:34.959 --> 00:29:35.259
 peace

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.419
 of

00:29:35.419 --> 00:29:35.779
 Christmas.

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.079
 In

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.359
 verses

00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.519
 19

00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:37.899
 through

00:29:37.899 --> 00:29:38.799
 22,

00:29:39.139 --> 00:29:39.259
 we

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.419
 are

00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:40.279
 reminded

00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.579
 of

00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.039
 God's

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.519
 ultimate

00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.240
 plan

00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:42.740
 for

00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.839
 peace.

00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:45.279
 from

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.519
 this

00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.959
 section

00:29:45.959 --> 00:29:46.199
 we

00:29:46.199 --> 00:29:46.379
 can

00:29:46.379 --> 00:29:46.740
 glean

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.000
 that

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.480
 in

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:47.879
 order

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.199
 to

00:29:48.199 --> 00:29:48.720
 appreciate

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.319
 and

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.939
 maintain

00:29:49.939 --> 00:29:50.740
 the

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.000
 peace

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.159
 of

00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.699
 Christmas,

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.679
 we

00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:52.919
 must

00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:53.559
 anticipate

00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.319
 God's

00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:54.779
 ultimate

00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.480
 plan

00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.259
 for

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.439
 the

00:29:56.439 --> 00:29:56.899
 church.

00:29:58.179 --> 00:29:58.399
 In

00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:58.639
 order

00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:58.919
 to

00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.419
 appreciate

00:29:59.419 --> 00:29:59.899
 and

00:29:59.899 --> 00:30:00.480
 maintain

00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:00.740
 the

00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.039
 peace

00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.220
 of

00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.639
 Christmas,

00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:02.839
 you

00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.240
 must

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.039
 anticipate

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.379
 God's

00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:06.059
 ultimate

00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.779
 plan

00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.179
 for

00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:07.359
 the

00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.799
 church.

00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:09.399
 in

00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:09.599
 verse

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.159
 19

00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:10.559
 of

00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:10.720
 the

00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.139
 section

00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:13.440
 the

00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.099
 previous

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.460
 contrast

00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:15.779
 is

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.460
 summarized

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.879
 again.

00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:17.740
 He

00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:17.919
 says,

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.220
 so

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.639
 then

00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.259
 you

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.399
 are

00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:19.619
 no

00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.059
 longer

00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.759
 strangers

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.139
 and

00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.680
 aliens

00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.039
 but

00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:22.180
 you

00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.339
 are

00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:22.700
 fellow

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:24.079
 citizens

00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.500
 with

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:24.680
 the

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.059
 saints

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.759
 and

00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.200
 members

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.779
 of

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:26.919
 the

00:30:26.919 --> 00:30:27.319
 household

00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:27.559
 of

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:27.940
 God.

00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.000
 In

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.259
 this

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.740
 passage,

00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.059
 in

00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.240
 this

00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.659
 verse

00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:31.859
 and

00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.339
 following

00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:32.859
 verses,

00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:33.240
 the

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.659
 apostle

00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.180
 Paul

00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.740
 uses a

00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.359
 variety

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:35.819
 of

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.759
 metaphors

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.619
 to

00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.240
 describe

00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.599
 something

00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.140
 about

00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:40.579
 God's

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:40.940
 plan

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.339
 for

00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:41.859
 the

00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.259
 church.

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.759
 It

00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.279
 involves

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.460
 a

00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:45.819
 kingdom

00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.259
 or a

00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:46.680
 country

00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.099
 and

00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.879
 we

00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:48.359
 are

00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.539
 the

00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:48.940
 citizens.

00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:49.460
 It

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:49.960
 involves

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.440
 a

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.980
 household

00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.319
 and

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.920
 we

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.019
 are

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.200
 the

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.599
 members.

00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:53.640
 It

00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.259
 involves

00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:54.720
 a

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.180
 building.

00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:55.759
 There's

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:55.879
 a

00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:56.460
 foundation,

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:56.879
 there's

00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.039
 a

00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.799
 cornerstone

00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.180
 and

00:30:59.180 --> 00:30:59.319
 then

00:30:59.319 --> 00:30:59.559
 there's

00:30:59.559 --> 00:30:59.740
 the

00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.119
 structure

00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.879
 itself.

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:01.599
 The

00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:01.960
 apostles

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.259
 and

00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:02.640
 prophets

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.019
 are

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.559
 the

00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.180
 foundation,

00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:04.599
 Christ

00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:05.220
 himself

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.940
 is

00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.099
 the

00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.720
 cornerstone

00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.019
 and

00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.440
 we

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.000
 the

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.420
 united

00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:08.980
 believers

00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.319
 are

00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:09.519
 the

00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:09.940
 structure.

00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:11.880
 It's

00:31:11.880 --> 00:31:12.000
 a

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.240
 holy

00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.740
 temple.

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.680
 It's

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:13.819
 a

00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.160
 dwelling

00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.779
 place

00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.000
 of

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.480
 God.

00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.000
 Now

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.420
 how

00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:18.759
 this

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:20.079
 amazing

00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:21.460
 entity

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.279
 which

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.539
 is

00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.400
 called

00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:23.600
 New

00:31:23.600 --> 00:31:24.180
 Jerusalem

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:24.640
 and

00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.900
 Revelation

00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.779
 how

00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.019
 this

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.180
 will

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.660
 actually

00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.220
 look

00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.380
 I

00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:28.559
 think

00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:28.720
 is

00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.299
 beyond

00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:29.579
 our

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:29.940
 ability

00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.180
 to

00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:30.620
 grasp.

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.140
 We

00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.620
 just

00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:31.980
 have

00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.299
 these

00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.900
 metaphors

00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.019
 that

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.200
 we're

00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:33.880
 familiar

00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.180
 with

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.339
 so

00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:34.519
 we

00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.720
 can

00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.279
 get

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.480
 a

00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:35.880
 peek

00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.520
 into

00:31:36.520 --> 00:31:36.760
 what

00:31:36.760 --> 00:31:37.120
 God's

00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.500
 doing.

00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.500
 Why

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.820
 he's

00:31:39.820 --> 00:31:40.120
 called

00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:40.300
 us

00:31:40.300 --> 00:31:40.600
 together

00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:40.840
 as

00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:40.980
 a

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.360
 people.

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.340
 But

00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:43.480
 there

00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:43.620
 are

00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:43.940
 some

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.480
 aspects

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:44.740
 that

00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:44.960
 we

00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.120
 can

00:31:45.120 --> 00:31:45.300
 be

00:31:45.300 --> 00:31:45.560
 sure

00:31:45.560 --> 00:31:45.900
 about.

00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.340
 It

00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:48.520
 will

00:31:48.520 --> 00:31:49.020
 be

00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:53.780
 one

00:31:53.780 --> 00:31:54.360
 that

00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:54.860
 includes

00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:55.300
 eternal

00:31:55.300 --> 00:31:55.860
 peace.

00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:57.040
 It

00:31:57.040 --> 00:31:57.140
 will

00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.340
 be

00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:57.740
 free

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:59.080
 from

00:31:59.080 --> 00:31:59.740
 prejudice,

00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.720
 from

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.400
 hostility,

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:03.259
 personal

00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.640
 or

00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.100
 interpersonal

00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:05.140
 conflict

00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.980
 or war.

00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:07.140
 There

00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.259
 will

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.380
 be

00:32:07.380 --> 00:32:07.580
 no

00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:08.300
 isolation,

00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:08.820
 there

00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:08.920
 will

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.019
 be

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.200
 no

00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.780
 loneliness,

00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.280
 there

00:32:11.280 --> 00:32:11.400
 will

00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:11.560
 be

00:32:11.560 --> 00:32:12.300
 security

00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.780
 and

00:32:12.780 --> 00:32:13.340
 belonging,

00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:14.380
 there

00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:14.460
 will

00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:14.600
 be

00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.000
 perfect

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.600
 harmony

00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.160
 and

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.340
 the

00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:16.740
 joy

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.040
 of

00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:17.420
 God's

00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:17.900
 loving

00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.440
 and

00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.019
 everlasting

00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.820
 presence.

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.460
 And

00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:22.700
 we

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:22.900
 will

00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:23.519
 experience

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:23.800
 the

00:32:23.800 --> 00:32:24.340
 full

00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.240
 tranquility

00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:26.380
 of a

00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:26.740
 good,

00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:27.759
 and I

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:27.940
 mean

00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.740
 good

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.840
 life.

00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.720
 that's

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:32.920
 what

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.220
 he's

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.720
 depicting

00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.060
 here.

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.540
 That's

00:32:35.540 --> 00:32:35.660
 what

00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:35.780
 he

00:32:35.780 --> 00:32:36.100
 wants

00:32:36.100 --> 00:32:36.380
 us

00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:36.960
 to

00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.360
 look

00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.040
 forward

00:32:38.040 --> 00:32:38.640
 to.

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:39.700
 And

00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:39.840
 I

00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:39.980
 think

00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.180
 God

00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.420
 gives

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:40.660
 us

00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.160
 these

00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.720
 peeks

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:41.920
 into

00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.160
 his

00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:42.660
 plan

00:32:42.660 --> 00:32:42.920
 so

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.080
 that

00:32:43.080 --> 00:32:43.680
 we'll

00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:43.940
 have

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.400
 hope,

00:32:44.540 --> 00:32:44.640
 so

00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:44.900
 that

00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.820
 we'll

00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:46.380
 appreciate

00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:47.420
 what

00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:47.600
 he's

00:32:47.600 --> 00:32:47.800
 done

00:32:47.800 --> 00:32:48.000
 for

00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.140
 us,

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.259
 and

00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.480
 so

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:48.680
 that

00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.400
 we'll

00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:51.540
 have

00:32:51.540 --> 00:32:51.880
 renewed

00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.580
 strength

00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:52.900
 to be

00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.080
 able

00:32:53.080 --> 00:32:53.380
 to

00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.120
 maintain

00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:54.480
 that

00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:54.920
 hope

00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:55.780
 in

00:32:55.780 --> 00:32:55.860
 the

00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.060
 midst

00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:56.280
 of

00:32:56.280 --> 00:32:56.740
 all

00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:56.940
 the

00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.620
 distractions.

00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:58.800
 Because

00:32:58.800 --> 00:32:58.940
 I

00:32:58.940 --> 00:32:59.100
 think

00:32:59.100 --> 00:32:59.240
 it

00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.500
 takes

00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.019
 effort

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.860
 to

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.399
 maintain

00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:02.439
 this

00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:02.859
 hope

00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.119
 in the

00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:03.299
 world

00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:03.639
 today.

00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:04.859
 We

00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.199
 face

00:33:05.199 --> 00:33:05.879
 competing

00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:06.839
 attractions

00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.819
 every

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.240
 single

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.619
 day.

00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.679
 But

00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:10.919
 you have

00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:11.259
 to just

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.839
 take a

00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.059
 moment

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.699
 and ask

00:33:12.699 --> 00:33:13.079
 yourself,

00:33:13.219 --> 00:33:13.619
 what does

00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.240
 the world

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.119
 really have

00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.619
 to offer?

00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:16.859
 What

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.859
 do we

00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.639
 really have

00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:19.159
 to look

00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:19.839
 forward to

00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.539
 if we

00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.799
 believe

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.159
 what's

00:33:22.159 --> 00:33:22.899
 being told

00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:23.579
 to us?

00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:23.639
 peace.

00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.460
 One

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.740
 of the

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.240
 gurus

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.859
 of my

00:33:26.859 --> 00:33:27.740
 youth

00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:29.399
 preached

00:33:29.399 --> 00:33:29.740
 a

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.119
 peace

00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:30.399
 that

00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:30.960
 envisioned

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.339
 a

00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:31.759
 unified

00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.359
 world

00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:32.579
 of

00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.220
 brotherhood.

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:34.899
 He

00:33:34.899 --> 00:33:35.299
 invited

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:35.579
 us

00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:35.839
 to

00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:37.079
 imagine

00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.779
 a

00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.159
 world

00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.519
 without

00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.019
 hell

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.939
 or

00:33:39.939 --> 00:33:40.379
 heaven,

00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:41.299
 without

00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.919
 countries

00:33:41.919 --> 00:33:42.759
 or religion

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.939
 or possessions.

00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:45.839
 He

00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.299
 suggested

00:33:46.299 --> 00:33:46.679
 that if

00:33:46.679 --> 00:33:47.359
 we remove

00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:47.639
 these

00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:48.299
 externals,

00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:48.599
 we can

00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:48.799
 have

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.399
 peace

00:33:49.399 --> 00:33:51.099
 and the

00:33:51.099 --> 00:33:51.460
 world

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:51.960
 will be

00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.519
 as one.

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:57.299
 But his

00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:57.819
 popular

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.319
 message,

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:58.679
 in fact

00:33:58.679 --> 00:33:59.000
 it's so

00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.319
 popular,

00:33:59.419 --> 00:33:59.559
 it was

00:33:59.559 --> 00:33:59.899
 one of

00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.879
 the most

00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:03.359
 played

00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:04.339
 songs of

00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:05.799
 the last

00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.299
 century.

00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:07.559
 That's what

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:07.939
 they say

00:34:07.939 --> 00:34:08.279
 anyway.

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.380
 But his

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.239
 message was

00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.159
 doomed to

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.920
 fail because

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.019
 it really

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:14.599
 doesn't

00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.440
 address

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.940
 the problem

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.920
 inside us

00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.420
 that makes

00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:18.920
 peace

00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:19.599
 impossible.

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.360
 It

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.759
 doesn't.

00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:23.000
 Just

00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.619
 getting

00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:24.119
 rid of

00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.280
 the

00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.179
 exteriors

00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:26.500
 doesn't

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.000
 change

00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:27.400
 who you

00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:27.780
 and I

00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:28.219
 are on

00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:28.340
 the

00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:28.840
 inside.

00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.119
 It

00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:30.320
 doesn't

00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:31.860
 change

00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:32.500
 the

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.460
 selfishness

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:33.800
 and the

00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.679
 self-centeredness

00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.500
 and the

00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.400
 individual

00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.280
 focus that

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.840
 we have.

00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.400
 It

00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:38.659
 doesn't

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:38.980
 change

00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.360
 any of

00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.619
 that.

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.139
 I know

00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.739
 there's a

00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:45.219
 few of you

00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:45.820
 here that

00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.239
 are kind

00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:46.500
 of into

00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.159
 Star Wars.

00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:51.379
 what's

00:34:51.379 --> 00:34:51.599
 this I

00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:51.899
 hear about

00:34:51.899 --> 00:34:52.039
 a

00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.420
 marathon?

00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:59.179
 I was

00:34:59.179 --> 00:34:59.719
 a brand

00:34:59.719 --> 00:34:59.899
 new

00:34:59.899 --> 00:35:00.259
 Christian

00:35:00.259 --> 00:35:00.699
 when the

00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:01.059
 first

00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.799
 Star Wars

00:35:01.799 --> 00:35:02.299
 came out

00:35:02.299 --> 00:35:05.179
 and I

00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:05.899
 was fascinated

00:35:05.899 --> 00:35:06.539
 by the

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.139
 film and

00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.679
 I even

00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.779
 saw

00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.339
 some

00:35:10.339 --> 00:35:11.019
 parallels

00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.579
 that

00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.699
 really

00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:13.759
 seemed to

00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.440
 be encouraging.

00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:16.179
 the force

00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:16.599
 was the

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:17.440
 Holy Spirit

00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.320
 and

00:35:18.320 --> 00:35:20.079
 Obi-Wan

00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:20.780
 Kenobi's

00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.280
 sacrifice

00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.000
 was like

00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.700
 Christ.

00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.340
 He gave

00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.820
 himself

00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:25.840
 so Luke

00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.700
 could live.

00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:28.820
 It was

00:35:28.820 --> 00:35:29.320
 even called

00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:29.659
 A New

00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.059
 Hope.

00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:33.360
 And

00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.119
 even though

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.880
 I'm not

00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.400
 sure there

00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.840
 are some

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.340
 real

00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:38.159
 die-hard

00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.840
 followers

00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:39.700
 of the

00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.320
 philosophy

00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:40.860
 as well

00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.460
 as the

00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.360
 graphics

00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:42.820
 of the

00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.119
 movies,

00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:45.619
 it does

00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.059
 present

00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:46.279
 a

00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:47.900
 perspective

00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:49.039
 of peace.

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.359
 But it's

00:35:52.359 --> 00:35:52.799
 inadequate.

00:35:53.839 --> 00:35:54.099
 It's

00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.719
 perhaps more

00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.359
 realistic

00:35:55.359 --> 00:35:56.000
 than

00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:57.219
 Lenin's

00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:58.440
 world of

00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:58.859
 peace.

00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:01.119
 But it's

00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:02.179
 still

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.759
 inadequate.

00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:05.719
 Gradually

00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:06.199
 I began to

00:36:06.199 --> 00:36:06.759
 see that

00:36:06.759 --> 00:36:07.759
 there really

00:36:07.759 --> 00:36:08.500
 was no

00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:08.960
 hope.

00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:10.099
 The best

00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.480
 that it

00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:11.259
 could offer

00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:13.960
 was a

00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:14.600
 perpetual

00:36:14.600 --> 00:36:17.960
 coexistence

00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:18.320
 of good

00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:18.760
 and evil.

00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:20.540
 The good

00:36:20.540 --> 00:36:21.320
 and bad

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.740
 side of

00:36:21.740 --> 00:36:22.140
 the force.

00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:22.580
 It's just

00:36:22.580 --> 00:36:23.940
 a part

00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:24.240
 of what

00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:24.640
 is.

00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:25.960
 There's

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.720
 no changing

00:36:26.720 --> 00:36:27.040
 that.

00:36:27.700 --> 00:36:28.260
 The best

00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.540
 it could

00:36:28.540 --> 00:36:29.340
 provide for

00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.820
 us perhaps

00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:31.600
 was good

00:36:31.600 --> 00:36:32.500
 keeping

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:33.560
 evil in

00:36:33.560 --> 00:36:33.880
 check.

00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:33.980
 hope.

00:36:37.180 --> 00:36:38.280
 Come on.

00:36:39.160 --> 00:36:40.300
 What kind

00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:40.740
 of hope

00:36:40.740 --> 00:36:41.400
 is that?

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.180
 It has

00:36:44.180 --> 00:36:45.940
 no solution

00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.460
 to the

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.079
 evil that

00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.760
 exists in

00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:48.099
 the heart

00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:48.800
 of humanity.

00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:52.340
 That's not

00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:53.000
 real hope.

00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:54.680
 And it can

00:36:54.680 --> 00:36:55.680
 never produce

00:36:55.680 --> 00:36:56.460
 real peace.

00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:57.700
 Well,

00:36:57.740 --> 00:36:58.340
 God wants us

00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:58.940
 to appreciate

00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.740
 more fully

00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.420
 the peace

00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:00.860
 that only

00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:01.300
 he can

00:37:01.300 --> 00:37:01.700
 supply.

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:03.379
 he's not

00:37:03.379 --> 00:37:03.799
 only

00:37:03.799 --> 00:37:06.219
 given us

00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:06.759
 a solution

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.339
 to the

00:37:07.339 --> 00:37:07.879
 problem of

00:37:07.879 --> 00:37:08.219
 sin and

00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:08.460
 evil,

00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.179
 he has

00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:09.939
 the power

00:37:09.939 --> 00:37:11.939
 to take

00:37:11.939 --> 00:37:12.500
 care of

00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:13.679
 these

00:37:13.679 --> 00:37:15.099
 problems.

00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:16.519
 The

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:16.859
 resurrection

00:37:16.859 --> 00:37:17.779
 of Christ,

00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:18.480
 the new

00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:18.839
 birth,

00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.439
 demonstrate

00:37:19.439 --> 00:37:19.839
 that.

00:37:20.939 --> 00:37:21.579
 And God

00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:22.519
 will bring

00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.399
 his plan

00:37:23.399 --> 00:37:24.419
 into being,

00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.379
 a united,

00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:26.239
 eternal

00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:26.939
 universe

00:37:26.939 --> 00:37:27.859
 inhabited by

00:37:27.859 --> 00:37:29.019
 those who

00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:29.859
 are eternally

00:37:29.859 --> 00:37:30.759
 and joyfully

00:37:30.759 --> 00:37:31.279
 grateful.

00:37:31.699 --> 00:37:32.519
 for God's

00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.279
 grace and

00:37:33.279 --> 00:37:34.419
 continually

00:37:34.419 --> 00:37:35.699
 awed by

00:37:35.699 --> 00:37:36.359
 his greatness.

00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:38.819
 This is

00:37:38.819 --> 00:37:39.359
 the peace

00:37:39.359 --> 00:37:40.000
 of Christmas.

00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.439
 And Jesus

00:37:41.439 --> 00:37:42.319
 invites you

00:37:42.319 --> 00:37:43.019
 to this

00:37:43.019 --> 00:37:43.859
 peace and

00:37:43.859 --> 00:37:44.480
 to experience

00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:45.039
 it more

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.539
 fully.

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.239
 And so,

00:37:47.339 --> 00:37:47.839
 in conclusion,

00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.679
 let me remind

00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.439
 you of what

00:37:49.439 --> 00:37:50.339
 we've covered

00:37:50.339 --> 00:37:52.179
 and make

00:37:52.179 --> 00:37:52.639
 one,

00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:54.559
 I believe,

00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:55.139
 appropriate

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.739
 application.

00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.739
 peace and

00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:57.559
 peace.

00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:58.199
 I suggested

00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:58.619
 at the

00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:59.339
 beginning that

00:37:59.339 --> 00:38:00.319
 this passage

00:38:00.319 --> 00:38:01.279
 teaches that

00:38:01.279 --> 00:38:02.339
 you can

00:38:02.339 --> 00:38:03.439
 appreciate and

00:38:03.439 --> 00:38:04.559
 maintain the

00:38:04.559 --> 00:38:04.959
 peace of

00:38:04.959 --> 00:38:05.759
 Christmas by,

00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:06.619
 one,

00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.239
 reminding

00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:08.019
 yourself of

00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.500
 why you

00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:09.059
 needed it.

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:10.659
 Two,

00:38:10.759 --> 00:38:12.139
 by embracing

00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:12.799
 the central

00:38:12.799 --> 00:38:13.339
 role of

00:38:13.339 --> 00:38:14.919
 Christ in

00:38:14.919 --> 00:38:15.779
 providing it.

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.379
 And three,

00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:19.059
 by anticipating

00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:20.579
 the fulfillment

00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.279
 of God's

00:38:21.279 --> 00:38:22.340
 ultimate plan

00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:24.440
 for peace.

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:24.559
 peace.

00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:26.340
 That's the

00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:26.780
 church.

00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:29.079
 And I also

00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:29.840
 mentioned that

00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:31.260
 verse 11 of

00:38:31.260 --> 00:38:32.840
 chapter 2

00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:33.700
 contains the

00:38:33.700 --> 00:38:35.000
 first directive

00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:36.380
 in the letter.

00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:36.780
 And it was

00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.980
 simply a

00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:38.539
 challenge to

00:38:38.539 --> 00:38:39.320
 remember your

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.039
 life apart from

00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:41.340
 Christ and to

00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.019
 remember it in

00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:42.880
 context of what

00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.740
 God has done for

00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:44.700
 you in Christ.

00:38:45.340 --> 00:38:46.400
 That reminder,

00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.159
 I believe,

00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:49.539
 is encouraged in

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.619
 order to increase

00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:51.460
 our appreciation

00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.940
 of the peace

00:38:52.940 --> 00:38:54.420
 that the gospel

00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:55.220
 provides.

00:38:58.200 --> 00:38:58.900
 And it's

00:38:58.900 --> 00:38:59.480
 interesting that

00:38:59.480 --> 00:39:00.180
 there's only one

00:39:00.180 --> 00:39:01.099
 other directive

00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:02.059
 in the first

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:02.659
 three chapters.

00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:04.599
 Now I'm trying

00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.900
 to find a

00:39:05.900 --> 00:39:06.940
 biblical application

00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.599
 and I looked

00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.240
 everywhere in

00:39:08.240 --> 00:39:08.740
 the first three

00:39:08.740 --> 00:39:09.360
 chapters and

00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:10.159
 there's only that

00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:10.800
 directive and

00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.559
 there's only

00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:12.220
 another one and

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:13.019
 that was only

00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:13.800
 in the middle

00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.579
 of chapter 3

00:39:14.579 --> 00:39:15.220
 where Paul

00:39:15.220 --> 00:39:17.280
 tells his

00:39:17.280 --> 00:39:18.200
 readers not to

00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:18.800
 be discouraged

00:39:18.800 --> 00:39:20.559
 because he was

00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:21.860
 in prison for

00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.980
 their sake.

00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:25.159
 that's all we

00:39:25.159 --> 00:39:25.940
 find in three

00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:26.820
 chapters of

00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.820
 telling us what

00:39:27.820 --> 00:39:28.320
 to do.

00:39:29.960 --> 00:39:30.880
 But what is

00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:32.099
 amazing is that

00:39:32.099 --> 00:39:35.340
 chapter 4 which

00:39:35.340 --> 00:39:36.659
 begins a very

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:38.539
 practical part of

00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:40.119
 this book starts

00:39:40.119 --> 00:39:42.380
 in verse 1 with

00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:43.460
 a reference back

00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:45.039
 to peace.

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:47.840
 there we read

00:39:47.840 --> 00:39:50.059
 I therefore

00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:51.719
 the prisoner

00:39:51.719 --> 00:39:52.639
 of the Lord

00:39:52.639 --> 00:39:53.679
 a prisoner for

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.099
 the Lord

00:39:54.099 --> 00:39:55.199
 urge you to

00:39:55.199 --> 00:39:56.559
 walk in a

00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.460
 manner worthy

00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:58.519
 of the calling

00:39:58.519 --> 00:39:59.099
 to which you

00:39:59.099 --> 00:39:59.380
 have been

00:39:59.380 --> 00:39:59.900
 called

00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:03.500
 with all

00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:04.579
 humility and

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.239
 gentleness

00:40:05.239 --> 00:40:06.440
 with patience

00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:07.900
 bearing with

00:40:07.900 --> 00:40:08.599
 one another

00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:10.259
 eager to

00:40:10.259 --> 00:40:10.920
 maintain

00:40:10.920 --> 00:40:12.500
 the unity

00:40:12.500 --> 00:40:13.659
 of the

00:40:13.659 --> 00:40:14.200
 spirit

00:40:14.200 --> 00:40:15.460
 in the

00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.079
 bond

00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:17.599
 of peace.

00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:21.420
 Not only

00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:21.820
 does God

00:40:21.820 --> 00:40:22.340
 want us to

00:40:22.340 --> 00:40:22.940
 delight

00:40:22.940 --> 00:40:24.980
 in and

00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:25.920
 praise him

00:40:25.920 --> 00:40:26.340
 for the

00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:26.860
 peace that

00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:27.579
 he's provided

00:40:27.579 --> 00:40:29.559
 he wants us

00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:29.880
 to do

00:40:29.880 --> 00:40:30.820
 everything we

00:40:30.820 --> 00:40:31.400
 can he

00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:31.780
 wants us

00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.400
 to utilize

00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:33.539
 every gift

00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:34.360
 we have

00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.700
 to keep

00:40:35.700 --> 00:40:36.539
 that unity

00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:37.300
 a part

00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:38.460
 of our

00:40:38.460 --> 00:40:39.300
 daily lives

00:40:39.300 --> 00:40:40.700
 of our

00:40:40.700 --> 00:40:41.400
 life together

00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:41.820
 as a

00:40:41.820 --> 00:40:42.200
 people.

00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.380
 Do you

00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:44.519
 have

00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:45.100
 relationships

00:40:45.100 --> 00:40:45.560
 where you

00:40:45.560 --> 00:40:45.920
 experience

00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.460
 conflict?

00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.240
 Any of you?

00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:50.080
 We all

00:40:50.080 --> 00:40:50.280
 do.

00:40:51.660 --> 00:40:52.420
 I challenge

00:40:52.420 --> 00:40:53.160
 our peace

00:40:53.160 --> 00:40:55.000
 and God

00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:55.460
 is saying

00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:56.080
 I believe

00:40:56.080 --> 00:40:56.440
 to us

00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:57.080
 this morning

00:40:57.080 --> 00:40:58.880
 to value

00:40:58.880 --> 00:40:59.740
 this peace

00:40:59.740 --> 00:41:00.440
 that he

00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:01.700
 gave his

00:41:01.700 --> 00:41:02.320
 life

00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:04.180
 to

00:41:04.180 --> 00:41:05.480
 make

00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:08.580
 maintain

00:41:08.579 --> 00:41:09.079
 it.

00:41:09.259 --> 00:41:09.860
 Value it

00:41:09.860 --> 00:41:10.400
 so much

00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:10.799
 that you'll

00:41:10.799 --> 00:41:10.960
 do

00:41:10.960 --> 00:41:11.559
 anything

00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:13.539
 to

00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:13.880
 maintain

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.299
 it.

00:41:14.659 --> 00:41:14.940
 That

00:41:14.940 --> 00:41:15.440
 requires

00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.219
 humility.

00:41:17.500 --> 00:41:18.079
 It requires

00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:19.039
 gentleness.

00:41:20.079 --> 00:41:20.980
 It requires

00:41:20.980 --> 00:41:22.239
 patience.

00:41:23.799 --> 00:41:24.759
 It requires

00:41:24.759 --> 00:41:25.460
 bearing with

00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:26.000
 one another

00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:26.880
 in all of

00:41:26.880 --> 00:41:27.460
 our weaknesses.

00:41:29.259 --> 00:41:30.000
 Of all

00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:30.819
 that the

00:41:30.819 --> 00:41:31.460
 peace of

00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:31.840
 Christmas

00:41:31.840 --> 00:41:32.599
 provides

00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:33.000
 at the

00:41:33.000 --> 00:41:33.360
 heart of

00:41:33.360 --> 00:41:33.719
 it is

00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:34.259
 the unity

00:41:34.259 --> 00:41:35.539
 of souls

00:41:35.539 --> 00:41:36.119
 and the

00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:36.799
 blissful

00:41:36.799 --> 00:41:38.119
 reconciliation

00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:39.239
 that we

00:41:39.239 --> 00:41:39.639
 have with

00:41:39.639 --> 00:41:40.039
 God

00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:40.980
 and one

00:41:40.980 --> 00:41:41.299
 another.

00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:41.639
 Let's

00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:41.839
 pray.

00:41:41.839 --> 00:41:41.920
 Let's

00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:41.839
 pray.

00:41:41.839 --> 00:41:41.920
 Let's

00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:41.839
 pray.