WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:19.240 If you have your Bibles with you, open them to the Gospel of Luke as we continue our study. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:29.359 Once again, we'll be reading in Luke 7, beginning at verse 11 and reading down through verse 17. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.420 If you don't have a Bible, you'll see the words on the screen so you can follow along as I read. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:46.320 So here now, the Gospels, we see it, we hear it from Luke 7, beginning at verse 11. 00:00:47.900 --> 00:00:52.120 Soon afterward, he went to a town called Nain. 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:57.420 And his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 00:00:57.420 --> 00:01:00.640 And he drew near to the gate of the town. 00:01:01.160 --> 00:01:07.379 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:10.480 the only son of his mother. 00:01:11.260 --> 00:01:12.519 And she was a widow. 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:16.920 And a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:21.700 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:24.540 And he said to her, do not weep. 00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:27.719 Then he came up and touched the bier. 00:01:28.180 --> 00:01:29.859 And the bearers stood still. 00:01:30.299 --> 00:01:34.280 And he said, young man, I say to you, arise. 00:01:35.879 --> 00:01:40.040 And the dead man sat up and began to speak. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:43.120 And Jesus gave him to his mother. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:46.359 And fear seized them all. 00:01:46.800 --> 00:01:51.560 And they glorified God, saying, a great prophet has arisen among us. 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:54.580 And God has visited his people. 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:02.480 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:15.080 As we just sang to cling to the crucified, let's pray together as I lead us that indeed as we go through the study of his word, 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:19.740 that is where he'll take us to the crucified. 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:21.140 Let's pray. 00:02:21.139 --> 00:02:25.639 Father, would you grant us the gift of your spirit? 00:02:26.579 --> 00:02:29.879 Would you help us to know you? 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:32.719 Would you open up your word to us? 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:46.599 We come in here to this place with so many things that potentially could distract us, could take our attention, could draw us away. 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:50.799 But Father, would you pierce through all that? 00:02:51.139 --> 00:02:56.419 Would you shine the light of truth into our hearts? 00:02:57.479 --> 00:03:00.179 But not just truth. 00:03:01.359 --> 00:03:03.439 Would you shine the light of your glory? 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:05.679 All that you are. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:13.339 And draw us into a deeper, fuller knowledge of you. 00:03:14.419 --> 00:03:17.879 Would you reveal to us the crucified? 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:18.120 The one who died. 00:03:19.079 --> 00:03:20.219 The one who died. 00:03:20.979 --> 00:03:22.740 The one who lived for us. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:24.680 But yet the one who was raised. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:27.599 Would you draw us to him? 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:33.900 And we pray in the name of the living word, our Lord Jesus. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:35.139 Amen. 00:03:35.139 --> 00:03:35.259 Amen. 00:03:38.619 --> 00:03:45.199 You know, if you remember back a couple months ago, as we were going through Luke, we were in chapter 4. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:55.179 And Jesus, as his ministry commenced, he preached his first sermon at a synagogue in Nazareth. 00:03:55.180 --> 00:04:01.439 And he quoted, he read words from Isaiah the prophet, Isaiah 61. 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:08.199 And as Luke gives it to us in chapter 4, verses 18 and 19, Jesus said this. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:09.680 He said, 00:04:09.680 --> 00:04:39.480 Of course, right after reading these words, he takes his hearers back farther into the Old Testament, 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:41.580 and tells them two stories. 00:04:41.900 --> 00:04:46.140 Stories of which almost got him killed prematurely. 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:49.120 Of course, we know that was not going to happen, but still. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:55.180 One of those stories was about a Syrian general named Naaman. 00:04:56.560 --> 00:04:59.259 And Naaman had leprosy. 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:08.139 And Naaman went to, heard of this great healing power that was with Elisha. 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:14.519 And so he went to Israel to see Elisha that he might be cured. 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:23.939 And we see a parallel of that story in the story that we looked at last week with the Roman centurion and his servant. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:37.639 This week, we see another parallel because the other story that Jesus referred to was a widow in Sidon. 00:05:38.500 --> 00:05:45.639 A non-Jew who had an only son who died. 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:53.019 And she called on help from Elijah, the great prophet. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:06:03.360 And Elijah, through a miraculous intervention of the Spirit of God, was able to raise this widow's son from the dead. 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:08.019 And here, now we see another parallel. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:10.500 And so what is Jesus doing in all this? 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:23.879 Jesus is drawing direct parallels to this time where God came and visited his people. 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:35.620 In those particular stories with the widow of Sidon and Naaman the Syrian demonstrated this. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:38.740 But now Luke is doing the same thing. 00:06:38.740 --> 00:06:45.800 Except he's doing it in an even bigger way. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:52.240 Because now it's not just a great prophet that has come to Israel. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:57.720 But God himself. 00:06:57.720 --> 00:07:09.460 The key, the main theme of all that Jesus was coming to do, we see in that sermon, in those words that he spoke way back in Nazareth. 00:07:09.880 --> 00:07:11.120 In chapter 4. 00:07:11.940 --> 00:07:13.600 And the theme is this. 00:07:13.900 --> 00:07:17.840 Is that I, the Redeemer, have come to bring release. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:20.680 Release from the captives. 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:22.700 Release from those who are oppressed. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:28.719 And in these two accounts that we see of the centurion and this widow from Nain. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:39.980 We see the ministry of release that Jesus proclaimed is now demonstrated in a very tangible form. 00:07:41.419 --> 00:07:45.259 And so we not only hear about release that's coming, we see it. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:51.620 And so this is what I want to turn our attention to, particularly in this story of the widow. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:59.379 How we see redemption unfold in these very tangible situations. 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:08.039 The first thing I want us to see here is how in redemption despair is turned to hope. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:11.920 What we've got here is a story of a widow. 00:08:13.700 --> 00:08:20.900 And this is a very, this is a far more desperate situation that you might initially realize. 00:08:21.900 --> 00:08:30.700 For a widow, a widow in that culture was in many ways the most desperate of people. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:40.860 A woman was dependent upon her husband to not only provide for her and to care for her and all of her material needs. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:46.899 She really found much of her place in society through him. 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:58.759 And then if something happened to him, then her son, her offspring would then take care of her for the rest of her days. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:03.799 This woman is on her way to a funeral. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:10.879 And unfortunately, it's a path she's already been on once before. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:15.860 She had a husband and one son. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:21.220 Her husband, we don't know how long ago, died. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:28.879 But it wasn't that terribly long ago because this man who was on this funeral bar was a young man. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:38.220 The words that are used here is that he was more likely a teenager who died very prematurely. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:47.980 And so now she is at the head of this large procession coming out of this village. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:57.200 A most desperate, helpless, alone widow. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:04.280 And you imagine, I mean, the grief that she bears over losing a son. 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:07.379 And I know some of you here have experienced that. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:16.840 But that grief was just multiplied because she is now looking at hopelessness. 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:19.840 She has no one. 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:22.320 No one to care for her. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:24.060 No one to provide for her. 00:10:25.160 --> 00:10:31.060 She is a most desperate woman. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:41.040 And so to this widow, Jesus brings the ministry of release. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:43.319 He meets her. 00:10:44.199 --> 00:10:45.259 And it's interesting. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:50.299 This whole setting, it's like there's a collision of two worlds. 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:56.699 You see this great crowd of people coming out of the city, out of the gate of the village, 00:10:56.759 --> 00:11:00.980 right when another crowd is just about to come. 00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:06.259 And so they meet with Jesus right in the middle. 00:11:08.079 --> 00:11:10.019 And Jesus does three things. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:16.559 The first thing he does, if you look at the text, he says he felt compassion. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:21.519 And I love that, but this is a strong word. 00:11:21.699 --> 00:11:30.840 In other words, Jesus felt this woman's pain and desperation and hopelessness down in his gut. 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:33.840 He embraced her pain. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:37.240 He knew her pain. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:40.180 This is what we would call empathy. 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:42.840 But yet even more than that. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:45.759 He had compassion on her. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:54.320 He was willing to enter into that pain to the point that he knew what she felt. 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:57.519 He didn't hurt just for her. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:00.019 He hurt with her. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:08.879 When Jesus comes to us, he doesn't just know about our struggle. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.460 He knows our struggle. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:16.320 He knows it personally. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.560 He knows it intimately. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.920 He enters into it. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:25.719 And he doesn't just throw little help grenades from the outside. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:32.819 But he dives into it himself and helps us there. 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:38.460 You know, how can he enter into this kind of pain? 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:40.600 How can he do that even with us? 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:44.800 Well, with this woman in particular, he knows. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:45.799 He knows. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:49.519 And he will know very, very soon. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:58.159 Because of his close relationship with his father, who will lose his only son. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:13:04.339 But in this life, Jesus comes in full humanity. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:06.779 He comes into our world. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:08.559 He doesn't help us from afar. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:13.719 He comes into life to help us. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:16.480 He knows what it means for us to hurt. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:23.039 I love the words from Hebrews 4, verse 15 through 16, where the writer there says, 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:28.579 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:35.579 but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 00:13:36.839 --> 00:13:41.939 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:44.899 and find grace to help in time of need. 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:50.519 You know, some years ago when we lived overseas, that was a really hard time for me. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:55.379 It was a time where I struggled with depression because life was just hard. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:14:03.980 I got some severe tension headaches every time I heard the gate bell ring and somebody speaking Hungarian. 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:09.819 Because I didn't know if they were come collecting money or they were going to turn off my water or what. 00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:14.939 But you add all this stuff, it was really hard. 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:20.139 And so I looked to find some help, somebody to talk to, somebody that I can engage with. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:25.139 To guide me and just help steer me through this really hard time. 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:31.679 But I wanted somebody who had lived as a missionary, 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:34.860 who had struggled as a missionary, 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:38.860 who had followed Christ faithfully as a missionary. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:46.019 I wanted someone, I had to have somebody who understood, 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:53.419 who knew what I was going through because they had been where I was. 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.840 But that's what we get with Jesus. 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:59.899 He has been tempted in every way. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:02.019 He has faced every struggle. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:03.019 He knows. 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.939 He knows. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.659 Intimately and personally. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.519 Just like he did with this woman. 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:11.819 But the second thing he does with her 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:16.139 is he tells her to stop crying. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:19.740 And you might think this a little strange. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:22.480 I mean, if I was at a funeral and I walked up to the, 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:25.679 to a widow who had just lost her husband 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.379 and said, ah, stop crying, 00:15:27.739 --> 00:15:29.759 I'd probably get slapped. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:32.919 And I should. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.359 So what, what's Jesus doing here? 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:43.599 Well, there's, the big difference here with him 00:15:43.599 --> 00:15:45.019 is that he knew what was coming. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:49.500 He knew what was about to happen. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:53.659 And because he knows the end of the story, 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:59.159 he can say, hey, hey, don't cry. 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:04.279 Just wait and see what's coming. 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:10.120 She was about to experience something 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:12.159 that was beyond her wildest imaginations 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:16.500 because her dead son she was going to walk home with 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:18.480 in just a few minutes. 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:21.839 You know, we see throughout the scriptures 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:23.360 what Jesus tells us. 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:27.919 He commands us over and over and over again 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.980 to rejoice. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.399 To celebrate. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:35.059 To be filled with joy. 00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:37.480 Rejoice. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.179 Again, I'll say rejoice. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:42.259 Though your life may be full of trouble right now. 00:16:42.859 --> 00:16:43.339 Rejoice. 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:45.319 And we think, what? 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:53.139 But those commands to rejoice point us to something. 00:16:54.579 --> 00:16:56.359 And he tells us to rejoice 00:16:56.359 --> 00:17:00.959 because he knows the end of the story. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:05.539 He's not just caught up in the moment. 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.899 He knows where it's all going. 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:11.060 And in a sense, what he's saying to us is, 00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:15.320 guys, just wait. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.580 Just wait a minute. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:24.000 What's coming is beyond your wildest imagination. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:27.019 Just hang on. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.480 Rejoice. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.600 Oh, it's going to be good. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:37.719 He knows the rest of the story. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:41.059 This is one of the things I love about being a Christian. 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.659 You know, oftentimes we're, 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:45.419 you go buy a book 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:47.939 and the last thing you were tempted to 00:17:47.939 --> 00:17:50.459 jump to the end and read that final chapter 00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:52.000 because I want to know who did it. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.939 I don't know how it was done. 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:57.779 And then you maybe go back and read the rest. 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.500 But we know that takes a lot of the fun 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.940 and the mystery out of the story. 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:03.779 Well, Jesus does that for us intentionally. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.240 He says, read the end. 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.660 It's good. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.660 And then go back 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:12.480 and look at the rest. 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:15.900 And so even though we struggle, 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:19.160 even though we're in the midst of pain and hardship 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:20.500 at the moment, 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.360 Jesus said, hang on. 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.120 Story's not over. 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:30.079 It ends up really good. 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.839 You know, but then finally, 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.660 Jesus says to the son, 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.960 I love this. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:40.860 He says, not to the woman, but to the son. 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:43.599 He says, I say to you, arise. 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.919 And as soon as he does it, 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:47.319 or before he does it, 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.459 he does something else. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:51.099 If you'll notice this little detail here 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:54.500 is that he reaches out and touches the buyer. 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:58.079 That is, it's kind of like a stretcher 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:02.240 or a platform that is carrying this dead body. 00:19:02.719 --> 00:19:04.879 And Jesus reaches out and touches it. 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:06.479 You're not supposed to do that. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:09.879 Because anything that touches that, 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:13.520 anything that's associated with death 00:19:13.520 --> 00:19:15.720 can ceremonially pollute 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:18.740 and make unclean whoever touches it. 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:21.460 Jesus intentionally, 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:24.220 he could have told the guys carrying it, 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:26.080 just say, hold up a second. 00:19:27.100 --> 00:19:28.480 He doesn't do that. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.220 He touches it. 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:36.660 Why is this? 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:41.460 It's because he is about to enter into 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:45.660 this very death 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:47.700 of this young man. 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:53.340 And he's, it also says that Jesus gives him back to his mother. 00:19:53.340 --> 00:19:54.900 And he does so 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.340 because 00:19:56.340 --> 00:19:59.799 this son's death. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:03.980 Jesus just made his own. 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:08.039 He touched it 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:11.039 because he was taking that death upon himself. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:15.379 He was going to die. 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:18.180 But he also was going to be raised. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.460 As we see the young man sitting up. 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:26.379 But this is what Jesus has come to do. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:29.220 He has come to enter into the darkness, 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.440 enter into our hopelessness, 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:33.180 enter into our struggle. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:35.180 And he embraces it 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.759 and takes it upon himself. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:41.019 He doesn't just tell us about it. 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.900 He makes it his own. 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:47.620 And he breaks the hold. 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:51.600 And he gives us release. 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.799 So what are we struggling with? 00:20:56.560 --> 00:20:58.100 Something going on in your life 00:20:58.100 --> 00:21:00.400 that's kind of given you a sense of hopelessness, 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:01.900 a sense of struggle, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.480 and says, you don't know what you're going to do. 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:05.100 You don't know where you're going to go. 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:07.120 You don't know how you're going to get out of this. 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:09.180 You need somebody to set you free. 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:13.180 Jesus enters into that. 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.740 And he says, come to me. 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:19.320 I made it my own. 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:23.920 So that you can now be set free. 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:31.000 Jesus not only replaces 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:34.819 hopelessness or despair 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:36.859 with hope. 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:39.900 He also replaces death 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.579 with life. 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:46.299 And this is the second thing we have to know. 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.619 This is a head-on collision 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:50.779 between this crowd and this woman. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:53.519 And this woman following this path 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:55.099 that's become all too familiar, 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.559 heading to the graveyard, 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:02.000 heading to the grave 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.579 where the son was going to be laid. 00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:06.359 And the only thing that was standing in her way 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:08.659 was Jesus. 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:13.119 And Jesus stopped everything. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.059 That young man was going to be laid 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.579 next to his father, 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.240 except today, 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:23.500 Jesus interrupted that journey. 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:28.079 You know, Hebrews 12, 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.400 or Hebrews 2, 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.319 excuse me, 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.259 verse 14 and 15 says this. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:36.900 Since therefore the children share 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:38.339 in flesh and blood, 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:41.240 he himself likewise partook of the same things, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:44.279 that through death 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.980 he might destroy the one 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:48.019 who has the power of death, 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:50.379 that is the devil, 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:53.940 and deliver all those 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:56.000 who through fear of death 00:22:56.000 --> 00:23:00.059 were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.980 You know, this is the part of the sermon 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.480 that not too many preachers 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.539 really like to preach, 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:09.180 to preach about death. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.839 But there's something pretty critical 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.019 for us to understand. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:16.220 Because unfortunately, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:18.240 if you haven't heard 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.200 or gotten the memo, 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:21.440 all of us are going to face death. 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:24.579 It is part of the curse 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:26.579 that we have inherited from Adam 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:28.859 because of his disobedience. 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:31.039 He was promised death 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:33.440 in all of those who follow him. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.000 And because he didn't do 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.139 what he was supposed to, 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:39.440 every one of us have a common, 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:42.079 a common end. 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:45.480 And we can't avoid it. 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:48.579 We are cursed with death. 00:23:50.179 --> 00:23:52.379 But yet it's the fear of death 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:55.539 that enslaves us. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.879 I mean, we will do anything. 00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.480 What? 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.859 You don't talk about it. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:06.259 You don't want to think about it. 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:09.059 We're doing everything we can 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.439 to avoid it. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:12.820 You know, our medicine cabinets 00:24:12.820 --> 00:24:13.900 are full of drugs 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:15.779 which are designed to put it off. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.340 We go to the health club 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:21.740 to try to stop the aging process. 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:27.340 We do everything we can to avoid it. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.779 But in so much of life 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:35.240 death lives under the control 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.960 or the shadow 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:41.599 of death. 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.319 Death is the end. 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.599 We know that 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:49.680 when that time comes, 00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:53.960 all second chances are over. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:58.360 we're going to stand and face 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.180 our maker. 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:02.720 I honestly think that's the part 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.259 that scares us the most. 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:07.340 But it's all going to be done 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:08.480 and we're going to give account 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:11.319 for how we've lived. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.460 And that thought 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.660 for some of us 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:21.319 sends chills 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.819 through our bones. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.700 Because we know 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:28.599 we deserve it. 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.720 But that's the road 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.399 we're headed to 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:35.139 and the final verdict. 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.700 And boy, aren't you encouraged. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:44.920 So we avoid talking about it. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.620 We don't want to think about it. 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:48.360 We make jokes about it 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:50.120 to kind of just ease our tension 00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:51.019 and the fear. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.240 And so 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:57.600 and that's where we're headed 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.880 when this life is over. 00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.559 Unless 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:06.120 we meet Jesus on the way. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:11.380 And if we meet Jesus on the way 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:13.680 he could disrupt everything. 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:16.259 Even our journey 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.220 to the grave. 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.380 You know, 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.600 and again, 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.100 that's 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:23.799 it goes back to Jesus 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.680 even touching, 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.840 entering into 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:27.539 this man's death. 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.140 Very intentionally. 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:35.340 He touched it because 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.799 in that short time 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:38.220 he 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.839 would be 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.259 the dead son. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.039 You know, 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.240 I hate death. 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.039 Sort of. 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.039 You know, 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.000 a couple years ago 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:56.879 I was diagnosed 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:58.019 with cancer. 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.180 Fortunately, 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.859 in my case, 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.559 it was the kind 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.740 that was very easily cured. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:03.839 word. 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.339 And, 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.160 you know, 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:08.039 you go have surgery 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.740 and it's over 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.359 and it's done. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.980 It's not always the case. 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.859 But there's something 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:14.519 about that C word 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:16.519 that when we hear it, 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.799 especially in relationship 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.680 to us, 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.660 that is like a kick 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.220 in the gut. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.700 But I remember 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.799 thinking about it. 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:27.779 I was standing 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.899 in my bathroom doorway 00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:30.579 one day, 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.680 it was just right after, 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.039 and I thought about it 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.799 and all of a sudden 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.579 this thought went 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.460 through my mind 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.200 and it says, 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:37.740 um, 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:40.839 this might be it. 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.759 This just might be 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.639 my ticket home. 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.659 And strangely, 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:51.740 I started feeling 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.700 not terrified, 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.360 but giddy. 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.920 Because I knew 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:02.580 what that meant 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:03.600 was 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:06.600 I could very soon 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:09.160 be in the arms 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:11.140 of my true love. 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.080 I mean, 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:14.000 I would hate it 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:15.620 because of the pain 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.360 that my family 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.840 would experience, 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:19.480 especially my dear bride. 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:22.399 But 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:24.879 there was something 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:28.279 inside that said, 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:30.000 yes! 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.259 Finally! 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:36.079 All the struggle here 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.759 is going to be over. 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:38.059 I'm going to be home 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:39.159 with 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:40.859 the one 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:42.659 that I loved. 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:47.819 Because 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.700 Jesus met me 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.019 on the way 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.119 to the grave. 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:55.879 When I was dead, 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:58.579 Jesus spoke 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:00.859 and brought life. 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:06.000 Because there is life 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.319 on the other side. 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.639 A life 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.779 so rich 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.980 and deep 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.419 it is beyond 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:13.579 imagination. 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:18.859 the one 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.619 whom I loved 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.119 and placed 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:20.619 my hope, 00:29:20.699 --> 00:29:21.019 the one 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.619 who died 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.460 in my place, 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.579 who tasted 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.519 death for me, 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.079 the one 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.179 who was raised 00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:27.059 to new life 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.699 for me, 00:29:29.699 --> 00:29:31.399 I would see 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:34.399 with outstretched arms 00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:36.720 welcoming me 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.879 home. 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:42.340 and that 00:29:42.340 --> 00:29:43.320 only comes 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:43.780 about 00:29:43.780 --> 00:29:45.800 when we 00:29:45.800 --> 00:29:46.460 meet Jesus. 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.880 Facing 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:51.700 our hope 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:56.040 in a hope 00:29:56.040 --> 00:29:57.060 that supersedes 00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:57.940 all fear 00:29:57.940 --> 00:30:00.640 and that kind 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.180 of hope 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:02.360 can set us 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.720 free 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.700 from this 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.300 fear 00:30:04.300 --> 00:30:05.540 of death 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.420 that enslaves 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:06.819 us. 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.779 Because 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.500 the only 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.220 begotten 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.639 son 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.839 took the 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.440 place 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.359 of that 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:14.980 widow's 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.319 son 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:17.359 and became 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.980 the son 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:19.259 who died 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.139 instead. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.279 And suffered 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.799 death 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.440 to its 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.279 fullest degree. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:27.240 and now 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.220 offers us 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.879 life 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:29.619 to its 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.019 fullest 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.740 degree. 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.680 So, 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.539 have you 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:36.940 met him? 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.220 You know, 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.879 in a way, 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.940 I really want 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.299 to speak 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.660 to some 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:43.899 of you 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.539 younger ones. 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.139 You know, 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:46.539 and this is 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.019 not at all 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.440 to scare 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.599 you, 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.099 but it is 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:48.500 to bring 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.279 some sobriety 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.859 because when 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.399 we're young, 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.039 we think 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.299 we're 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.099 indestructible, 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.539 we think 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:52.740 we're 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.420 invulnerable. 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.420 And we 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:55.859 don't think 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.379 about this 00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:56.960 at all. 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.420 But unfortunately, 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.240 it's a reality. 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.839 I've been 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.680 to funerals 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:06.440 of young 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.980 ones 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:09.940 who were 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.440 taken way 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.920 before their 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.200 time. 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.879 I've been 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.379 to funerals 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:15.720 from older 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:16.720 folks 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.779 who die 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.599 of disease 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.899 or 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:21.599 those who 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:21.819 have even 00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.319 taken their 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.160 own lives. 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:27.480 and funerals 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.279 are good 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:30.220 because they 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.879 remind us 00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.240 of this 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.539 end 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:33.440 and they 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:33.940 call us 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.299 to be 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.700 sober. 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:36.240 One of the 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.619 scriptures 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:38.420 that 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:42.359 we see 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.759 in 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.839 Psalm 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.619 90 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:46.440 verse 12, 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.700 Moses writes 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:47.980 in this 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.339 Psalm, 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.359 teach us 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:49.779 to number 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.519 our days 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.119 so that we 00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:51.460 can have 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:51.779 a heart 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.240 of wisdom. 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:54.700 wisdom 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.579 is knowing 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.299 that we're 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.819 vulnerable. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.220 Wisdom 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.140 is knowing 00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.819 that we 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.519 are not 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.160 immortal. 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.819 Wisdom 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.799 is knowing 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:05.079 that our 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.620 days are 00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:06.000 numbered 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.279 and how 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.680 are we 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:08.339 going to 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.880 face 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.480 that 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.579 reality? 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:13.720 Well, 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:13.839 see, 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.420 it's a good 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.000 thing 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:16.740 if we've 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.480 met Jesus 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:20.980 because he 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.640 takes that 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.180 place. 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:27.180 One more 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.500 thing. 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.099 We see 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.420 dread 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:30.860 becomes 00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:31.259 faith. 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.700 In the 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.180 last couple 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.539 of verses, 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.559 the people 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.519 that respond 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.299 to this 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.779 miracle, 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.460 when Jesus 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.299 raises this 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:39.900 young man 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.660 from the 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.200 dead, 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.279 he raised 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.640 him up 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:42.840 and the 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.300 response 00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:43.540 of the 00:32:43.540 --> 00:32:43.900 people 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:45.000 is almost 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.240 verbatim 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:48.520 what the 00:32:48.520 --> 00:32:49.700 people said 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.060 or the 00:32:50.060 --> 00:32:50.500 woman, 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.200 the widow 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.340 from Sidon 00:32:52.340 --> 00:32:53.020 said when 00:32:53.020 --> 00:32:54.020 Elijah raised 00:32:54.020 --> 00:32:54.800 her son. 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:56.680 He says 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.740 a great 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.580 prophet has 00:32:58.580 --> 00:32:59.020 come to 00:32:59.020 --> 00:32:59.380 his people. 00:32:59.520 --> 00:33:00.020 God has 00:33:00.020 --> 00:33:00.740 visited his 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.200 people. 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.820 And so 00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:07.120 this is 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:07.720 really the 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.280 message. 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:10.599 it brings 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:10.920 us to 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.139 that 00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:11.720 identity 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.059 of 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.460 Jesus. 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.660 And as 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.259 we're facing 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.960 life and 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.559 we're facing 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.200 all that is 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.779 about it, 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.779 who is 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.079 this 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.680 Jesus? 00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:22.119 And this 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.599 is what we 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:22.899 have to 00:33:22.899 --> 00:33:23.240 come to 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.839 terms with. 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.839 The people 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.519 thought a 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.299 great prophet 00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:27.960 had risen. 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.539 Well, 00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.379 Jesus is 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:33.799 more than 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.119 a great 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:34.460 prophet. 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:34.579 prophet. 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:38.180 He has 00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:38.519 to be 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.019 because a 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.759 great prophet 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.819 is not 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.480 going to be 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.200 the answer 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.980 for our 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.559 eternity. 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.880 If you 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.360 think that 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:46.880 Jesus is 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:47.220 just a 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:47.860 great prophet, 00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:48.420 a great 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.319 moral person, 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:49.980 a great 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.420 teacher, 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.720 that's fine. 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:53.620 You'll learn 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.380 some things, 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.079 but that's 00:33:55.079 --> 00:33:55.420 not going 00:33:55.420 --> 00:33:55.980 to help 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:57.799 because we 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:58.700 need release 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:00.259 from much 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.340 bigger things. 00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:02.120 We need 00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:03.519 release from 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.240 not only the 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:04.799 struggles of 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.460 this life, 00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:06.180 but what is 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:06.799 to come. 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.539 And Jesus 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.619 can help 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:14.260 us because 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.940 he's not 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.280 just a 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:15.880 great prophet, 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:19.119 but God 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.380 has visited 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.579 his people. 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.559 God 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.579 himself 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:26.840 has come. 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.460 God 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.280 himself 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:30.880 has 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.739 entered 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.500 into 00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.519 the darkness, 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.920 the curse 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.880 of this 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.420 world 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:37.239 and this 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:37.820 life, 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:39.719 and he 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.480 has embraced 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.099 it as 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:41.800 his own. 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:45.500 And now 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.340 has put it 00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:46.980 to death 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.719 through 00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.639 his death. 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:51.699 And he's 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.500 bringing light 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:54.239 into the 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:54.719 darkness. 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:54.859 Christ. 00:34:54.859 --> 00:34:58.299 Have you 00:34:58.299 --> 00:34:58.799 embraced 00:34:58.799 --> 00:34:59.299 this 00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.159 Christ? 00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:03.139 Is this 00:35:03.139 --> 00:35:03.839 who Jesus 00:35:03.839 --> 00:35:04.559 is? 00:35:07.919 --> 00:35:08.559 Well, 00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.000 it is 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.319 who he 00:35:09.319 --> 00:35:09.679 is. 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.399 And he 00:35:12.399 --> 00:35:13.459 now invites 00:35:13.459 --> 00:35:14.079 you 00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:15.419 to come. 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.559 To come 00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.299 to him, 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.379 to give you 00:35:19.379 --> 00:35:20.159 release from 00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:20.799 your fears, 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.819 to give you 00:35:21.819 --> 00:35:22.559 release from 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.199 your struggle 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:24.480 and hopelessness 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:26.559 and impotence 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.119 to deal 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.480 with the 00:35:27.480 --> 00:35:27.799 struggles 00:35:27.799 --> 00:35:28.359 of life. 00:35:28.819 --> 00:35:29.299 Come. 00:35:31.299 --> 00:35:31.879 God 00:35:31.879 --> 00:35:32.639 has 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.079 visited 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:34.779 his people. 00:35:36.879 --> 00:35:37.439 Come 00:35:37.439 --> 00:35:37.799 to the 00:35:37.799 --> 00:35:38.099 one 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:39.339 who is 00:35:39.339 --> 00:35:39.779 crucified. 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:42.259 Come 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:42.579 to the 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:42.919 one who 00:35:42.919 --> 00:35:43.699 was raised. 00:35:44.679 --> 00:35:45.019 Come 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.319 to the 00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.619 one 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.319 who 00:35:46.319 --> 00:35:47.139 ascended. 00:35:47.379 --> 00:35:47.599 Come 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:47.960 to the 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.239 one 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:48.639 who 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:48.960 now 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.859 reigns 00:35:49.859 --> 00:35:50.699 even 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.099 over 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.480 death 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:52.000 itself. 00:35:53.199 --> 00:35:54.139 come 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:55.779 to the 00:35:55.779 --> 00:35:56.219 redeemer 00:35:56.219 --> 00:35:59.319 as we 00:35:59.319 --> 00:35:59.500 pray 00:35:59.500 --> 00:35:59.839 together. 00:36:01.839 --> 00:36:02.679 Father, 00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:03.219 would you 00:36:03.219 --> 00:36:05.799 give us 00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.219 eyes 00:36:06.219 --> 00:36:08.799 to see 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:10.000 the 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.379 crucified? 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.579 Would you 00:36:13.579 --> 00:36:13.919 give us 00:36:13.919 --> 00:36:14.519 eyes to 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:14.819 see 00:36:14.819 --> 00:36:17.059 that you 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:17.279 have 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:17.699 visited? 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.339 And would 00:36:20.339 --> 00:36:20.739 you shine 00:36:20.739 --> 00:36:21.159 the light 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.839 into our 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:22.420 darkness 00:36:22.420 --> 00:36:24.420 and drive 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:24.880 it away 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:27.220 that we 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:27.900 might know 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.100 the light 00:36:29.100 --> 00:36:29.840 of life? 00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:31.539 Would you 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.780 shine the 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.480 light of 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:34.059 your glory 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.579 into our 00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.519 darkness so 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.000 that even 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.880 in the 00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.539 struggles of 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.039 this life, 00:36:38.180 --> 00:36:38.600 we might 00:36:38.600 --> 00:36:39.740 rejoice because 00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.420 we have 00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:41.140 real hope? 00:36:43.640 --> 00:36:44.440 And if 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:44.780 there are 00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:45.360 those here 00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:45.840 who do 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:46.340 not know 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:46.700 you, 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:49.700 would you 00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:50.280 pull back 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.980 the darkness, 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:52.100 push back 00:36:52.100 --> 00:36:52.860 the darkness, 00:36:54.700 --> 00:36:55.240 shine the 00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:55.580 light of 00:36:55.580 --> 00:36:56.100 your glory, 00:36:57.180 --> 00:36:58.960 and invite 00:36:58.960 --> 00:36:59.460 them home 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:01.380 to the 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:01.820 place they 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.200 were made 00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:02.480 for. 00:37:04.320 --> 00:37:05.200 Do this 00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:05.800 in Jesus' 00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:06.200 name. 00:37:07.080 --> 00:37:07.320 Amen. 00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:07.420 Amen. 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.260 For more 00:37:12.260 --> 00:37:12.780 information, 00:37:13.160 --> 00:37:13.580 visit us 00:37:13.580 --> 00:37:14.500 online at 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.380 southwood.org.