WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.820 I am not mad at you. 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:06.960 You probably knew that. 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:10.660 But I find myself having to say that a lot. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:14.099 I hadn't planned on saying this. 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:18.059 It's because I wrestle with something called BRF syndrome. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:19.559 I don't know if you know what that is. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:21.219 You can look it up later. 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:23.420 It has something to do with my resting face. 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:30.420 Also, at times I can get pretty dour and sarcastic. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:31.940 And that's a fault of mine. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:33.020 It's a sin, really. 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:36.520 And the core group leaders experienced this a couple months ago. 00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:38.579 Somebody asked me after a meeting with the core group leaders, 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:41.660 were you angry or sad or what? 00:00:41.760 --> 00:00:42.640 I'm like, no, it was great. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:43.500 It was fine. 00:00:45.540 --> 00:00:47.400 But core group leaders, I apologize to you. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:48.660 You need more than just that. 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:50.359 You need my encouragement. 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:51.980 I really love you guys and all you do. 00:00:51.979 --> 00:00:54.879 But I'm not mad at you either. 00:00:57.659 --> 00:00:59.759 Has anybody ever said, I'm not mad at you, 00:00:59.779 --> 00:01:01.599 and that came as a big relief? 00:01:03.879 --> 00:01:06.420 I think that's true for most of us, right? 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:10.539 Especially when they say, I'm not mad at you anymore. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:16.019 I remember very distinctly a friend of mine saying that to me. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:17.640 I was leading rehearsal. 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:19.439 This was about 12 years ago. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:21.479 And I snapped at him. 00:01:21.480 --> 00:01:23.980 And I didn't apologize afterwards. 00:01:24.160 --> 00:01:25.260 And then I just let it go. 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:27.600 And it completely crushed him. 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:32.159 And over time, he removed himself from me and contacted with me. 00:01:32.460 --> 00:01:34.079 And I gradually noticed it. 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:38.659 But by the time I really realized it, it felt like it was too late. 00:01:39.320 --> 00:01:42.219 And I was really embarrassed by it. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:44.280 And afraid, actually. 00:01:44.760 --> 00:01:47.659 And I just hoped the whole thing would resolve itself on its own. 00:01:48.859 --> 00:01:50.420 But surprise, it did not. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:52.200 It remained bad. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:53.219 And it got worse. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:01:55.819 And I finally had to humble myself. 00:01:56.260 --> 00:01:57.340 And I went to his house. 00:01:57.400 --> 00:01:58.700 And I asked for his forgiveness. 00:01:58.700 --> 00:02:02.359 And he explained how he had been hurt. 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:04.060 And he was right and was justified. 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:07.680 But then he said, Dan, I forgive you. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:08.900 Completely. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:11.759 It's as if it never happened. 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:25.159 And it made me want to tell others about it, too. 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:26.219 I went and told my wife. 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:26.899 I told my friends. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:27.639 Like, look at this guy. 00:02:27.679 --> 00:02:29.079 He just forgave me for this. 00:02:29.079 --> 00:02:29.719 Just like that. 00:02:29.739 --> 00:02:30.340 It was amazing. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:33.680 And now I'm telling you about it. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:42.719 Now, what if the person mad at you was not your friend, but somebody in a position of power or influence? 00:02:43.140 --> 00:02:46.819 An elected official, a judge, the president, the king. 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:49.780 Or how about the creator of the universe? 00:02:50.439 --> 00:02:52.219 What if it was God that was mad at you? 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:57.500 This is the position that the nation of Judah finds itself in, in Isaiah chapter 12. 00:02:57.620 --> 00:02:59.379 It's the first text that we read tonight. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:04.180 The nation of Judah is going to learn that God's not angry anymore. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:14.640 And we're going to see that the removal of that wrath, or as theologians put it, the expiation of that wrath, brings four things. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.180 It brings repentance. 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:18.240 It brings trust. 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:19.879 It brings joy. 00:03:20.480 --> 00:03:21.759 And it brings mission. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:24.860 But you know where we're going, right? 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:27.640 I mean, ultimately, we're not talking about Judah. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:30.180 We're talking about us. 00:03:30.700 --> 00:03:32.000 I'm talking about you. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:41.800 Some of you have walked into this room tonight not quite sure of what God thinks of you. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:48.080 Some of you, when you walked into the room, think that God is angry with you. 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:49.879 Or he's displeased. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:52.060 Or that he has a frown on his face. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:59.280 Or maybe he was okay when you walked in, but who knows what he'll be like tomorrow, the next time you screw up. 00:04:01.740 --> 00:04:07.280 Some of you know how you screw up over and over, and you wonder, really, how can God love a person like me? 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:11.479 Now, how do I know this about you or us? 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:19.839 And it's because half the people that come into my office, half the people that I counsel, wrestle with this specific point. 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:25.199 They're unsure about this point, that God loves them and likes them. 00:04:25.859 --> 00:04:27.500 And is completely pleased with them. 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:30.899 This is not a rebuke for them or for you. 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:36.899 This is going to be an invitation to receive the affection that God is already lavishing on you. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:44.259 Now, some of you feel pretty confident that God likes you, but for some reason that doesn't make much of a difference. 00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:47.000 Like, you wonder, where's the joy that I used to experience? 00:04:47.159 --> 00:04:49.419 Or the confidence I used to know? 00:04:49.420 --> 00:04:54.840 Friends, I'm here to tell you that if you're in Christ, God loves you. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:56.800 He likes you. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:57.960 He's crazy about you. 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:01.319 He really wants you to know that. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.640 So let's pray and ask him for help, okay? 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:09.460 God, give us the power, together with all your holy people, 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:18.000 to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is your love. 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:21.400 For our good and for your glory. 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:22.460 Amen. 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:28.480 So let's take first a look at where we are in the Bible. 00:05:28.580 --> 00:05:29.500 We're in the book of Isaiah. 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:36.900 The prophet Isaiah lived and worked in the nation of Judah during the 8th and 7th centuries BC. 00:05:37.980 --> 00:05:40.060 He began working during the reign of Ahaz. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:43.660 Ahaz was a pretty despicable king. 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:47.720 And he led his people into some detestable practices. 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:49.480 He shuttered up the temple. 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:54.300 He set up altars all over the country to worship other gods, pagan gods. 00:05:54.520 --> 00:05:57.040 He even performed child sacrifices. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:02.980 He burned his own sons to pagan gods as an offering. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:07.500 During his reign, Judah was attacked on all sides. 00:06:08.140 --> 00:06:09.740 And instead of going to God for help, 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:14.380 he pledged allegiance to Judah's biggest enemy, 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:16.320 the kingdom of Assyria. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:24.579 And so God, through the prophet, speaks judgment on Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:29.040 Now this is chapter 6 through 12 that I'm talking about. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:32.139 Now, as bad as it is, 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:36.579 because God is compassionate and he's merciful, 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:43.120 God continually promises restoration and hope in the midst of all these judgments. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:46.079 And if you've been attending church for several years, 00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:48.060 you may remember some of those promises. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.620 We hear them during the season of Advent every year. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:53.139 This promise is centered on a future king, 00:06:53.340 --> 00:06:55.220 one who would be called a wonderful counselor, 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:56.620 mighty God, 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:58.120 everlasting father, 00:06:58.720 --> 00:06:59.439 prince of peace. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:04.160 The promises also describe a profound future peace that the king brings, 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:06.840 a peace which you also hear about during Advent, 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:09.459 when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, 00:07:09.859 --> 00:07:11.899 and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:14.759 and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together, 00:07:15.099 --> 00:07:16.679 and the little child shall lead them. 00:07:16.719 --> 00:07:17.419 Does that sound familiar? 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:18.399 That's Isaiah 11. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:24.060 So after pronouncements of judgment and deliverance, 00:07:24.159 --> 00:07:25.399 judgment and deliverance, 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:26.779 we arrive at chapter 12. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:28.539 And verse 1 says, 00:07:29.539 --> 00:07:30.599 you will say in that day, 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:32.859 and here the word you is singular. 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:35.279 So we often hear and read in the Bible 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:39.919 ourselves being addressed as you. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:42.259 Usually it's in you plural, right? 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:46.159 God or the writers of Scripture are addressing you as a church. 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.800 But here's you singular. 00:07:48.219 --> 00:07:52.699 So you are as free to be as individualistic with this verse as you'd like. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:58.439 You will say on that day, 00:07:58.539 --> 00:08:00.219 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.539 for though you were angry with me, 00:08:03.159 --> 00:08:06.339 your anger turned away that you might comfort me. 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:10.219 So where does that anger come from? 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:14.620 Well, it comes in a very different place. 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:16.539 It comes from a very different place 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:19.199 than, say, human anger would come. 00:08:20.459 --> 00:08:22.879 See, when Isaiah is writing and speaking, 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:25.920 he's very concerned about the holiness of God. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:27.819 He uses a title for God, 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.000 the Holy One of Israel, 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:30.740 25 times. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.139 In the rest of the whole Old Testament, 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:33.620 you only find that seven times. 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:36.039 And in the beginning of this section, 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.139 in chapter 6, 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.679 Isaiah describes a vision he had 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:40.539 of God, 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:42.399 a king seated on a throne, 00:08:42.599 --> 00:08:43.419 surrounded by 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:45.519 burning angels, 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:46.939 seraphim and cheraphim. 00:08:47.239 --> 00:08:48.019 And they're crying out, 00:08:48.099 --> 00:08:49.139 Holy, holy, holy 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:50.979 is the Lord of hosts. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:53.299 Heaven and earth are full of his glory. 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:55.859 God is so holy 00:08:55.859 --> 00:08:58.339 that Isaiah can't even describe him. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:08:59.179 All he can describe 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:00.479 is the hem of his robe. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:03.659 And this is because holiness 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:06.680 means profoundly pure, 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:10.320 profoundly separate, 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:12.039 other. 00:09:13.539 --> 00:09:14.460 This holiness 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:18.500 constitutes an awesome threat 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.300 to an unworthy, 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:21.639 careless, 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:23.259 rejecting, 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:25.800 and unresponsive people. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:28.719 How does one 00:09:28.719 --> 00:09:29.659 assuage 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:31.019 anger like that? 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:32.659 One doesn't. 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.219 One doesn't. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:35.559 It's the choice of God 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:36.519 to forgive 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:38.299 and to comfort. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:40.959 The rest of the book of Isaiah 00:09:40.959 --> 00:09:42.079 fleshes that out. 00:09:43.979 --> 00:09:45.000 But this God 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.299 goes to great lengths 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:47.359 to deal with sin, 00:09:48.719 --> 00:09:50.479 to reclaim the sinner, 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.519 to create a righteous people 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.279 for himself. 00:09:54.219 --> 00:09:55.419 How does he do this? 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:57.740 Well, I think we need 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:58.799 to trace through Scripture 00:09:58.799 --> 00:09:59.399 how God 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:01.240 deals with sin. 00:10:02.219 --> 00:10:02.459 Okay? 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:04.000 We go to the book of Leviticus, 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:04.979 chapter 17, 00:10:05.659 --> 00:10:06.639 and it says, 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.199 For the life of a creature 00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:09.240 is in the blood. 00:10:09.599 --> 00:10:10.559 And God says, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.859 I have given it to you 00:10:11.859 --> 00:10:12.799 to make atonement 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:13.479 for yourselves 00:10:13.479 --> 00:10:14.219 on the altar. 00:10:14.819 --> 00:10:15.579 It is the blood 00:10:15.579 --> 00:10:16.639 that makes atonement 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.859 for one's life. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.699 The New Testament 00:10:19.699 --> 00:10:20.839 agrees with this. 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:21.879 In Hebrews, 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:22.799 chapter 9, 00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:24.319 verse 22, 00:10:24.319 --> 00:10:25.120 which says, 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:26.359 Indeed, 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:27.839 under the law, 00:10:28.479 --> 00:10:29.259 almost everything 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:30.639 is purified with blood. 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.519 Without the shedding of blood, 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.620 there is no forgiveness 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.319 of sins. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.099 So a question 00:10:36.099 --> 00:10:37.500 to ask might be, 00:10:38.359 --> 00:10:38.620 well, 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.299 if that's true, 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:40.879 then how many sacrifices 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.299 must be made? 00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:42.799 I mean, 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.740 must I keep offering sacrifices 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:45.859 for every little sin 00:10:45.859 --> 00:10:46.319 that I do? 00:10:46.339 --> 00:10:47.299 And that's a great question. 00:10:47.339 --> 00:10:48.099 And one of the prophets 00:10:48.099 --> 00:10:49.459 actually asks 00:10:49.459 --> 00:10:50.419 that question himself. 00:10:50.839 --> 00:10:51.839 The prophet Micah, 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:54.160 he asks this, 00:10:55.160 --> 00:10:56.519 with what shall I come 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.280 before the Lord 00:10:57.280 --> 00:10:59.200 and bow myself 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:00.320 before God on high? 00:11:01.280 --> 00:11:02.300 Shall I come before him 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:03.280 with burnt offerings, 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:05.220 with calves a year old? 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.960 Will the Lord be pleased 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:08.180 with thousands of rams, 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:09.000 with ten thousands 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.060 of rivers of oil? 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:12.420 Shall I give my firstborn 00:11:12.420 --> 00:11:14.620 for my transgression, 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:16.360 the fruit of my body, 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:18.180 for the sin of my soul? 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:19.539 See, already that system 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.179 doesn't seem to be 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:21.199 making sense to him. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:21.599 Right. 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:22.539 Because it's pointing 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:24.319 towards something else. 00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:26.779 God goes to great lengths 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:27.899 to solve this dilemma. 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.859 He himself became 00:11:29.859 --> 00:11:31.259 the perfect sacrifice 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:32.459 once for all 00:11:32.459 --> 00:11:33.299 through the death 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:35.099 of his firstborn son, 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:36.519 Jesus Christ. 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:39.000 Hebrews chapter 10 says, 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.799 but when Christ had offered 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:41.759 for all time 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:44.740 a single sacrifice for sins, 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.179 he sat down 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:47.419 at the right hand of God 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:49.679 for by a single offering, 00:11:50.339 --> 00:11:51.219 he has perfected 00:11:51.219 --> 00:11:52.019 for all time 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.620 those who are being sanctified. 00:11:54.939 --> 00:11:55.939 So it's done. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.699 Sin is faced once for all 00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:03.819 and then is cast 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:05.939 by the grace of God 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.839 into the depths of the sea. 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:14.199 And now we are at one 00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:14.860 with Christ. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:17.259 we are now brought 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.460 into union 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:19.840 with God's own son. 00:12:20.560 --> 00:12:22.039 We share life with him. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.139 And when God sees us, 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.879 he sees his son 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:29.779 on whom since eternity past, 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:31.519 he has lavished love, 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:32.779 affection, 00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:34.379 praise, 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.440 and intimacy. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.940 And now we get all of that. 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.840 Who wouldn't want that? 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.519 Who wouldn't want 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:43.279 the love of a father? 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.939 The affection of a father? 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:49.159 The praise of a father? 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.799 Intimacy with the father? 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:56.319 As Charles Spurgeon said, 00:12:57.439 --> 00:13:00.199 God is so boundlessly pleased 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:00.980 with Jesus 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.939 that in him, 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:04.539 God is altogether 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:06.039 well pleased with us. 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:11.139 A catechism is a method 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:11.659 of teaching 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.279 through question and answer. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.539 And there's one called 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:17.339 the Heidelberg Catechism. 00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:19.759 It summarizes everything 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.919 we've just talked about 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.620 by asking, 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:22.879 how are you right with God? 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:23.059 You know, 00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:23.980 I put this in the slides. 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:25.120 It's after all the scripture readings. 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:25.599 Is it up there? 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:26.879 Great. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:28.579 Let's answer this together. 00:13:28.719 --> 00:13:29.059 Church, 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.620 how are you right with God? 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:33.220 Only by true faith 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.399 in Jesus Christ, 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:36.539 even though my conscience 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.519 accuses me 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:39.879 of having grievously sinned 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.360 against all God's commandments 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.580 and of never having kept 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:44.399 any of them, 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.899 and even though 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:47.299 I am still inclined 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.519 toward all evil, 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:49.759 nevertheless, 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:52.299 without my deserving it at all, 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.980 out of sheer grace, 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.019 God grants and credits 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.680 to me 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:58.279 the perfect satisfaction, 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.379 righteousness, 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.360 and holiness of Christ 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.839 as if I had never sinned 00:14:03.839 --> 00:14:05.159 nor been a sinner, 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:06.799 as if I had been 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.299 as perfectly obedient 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:10.759 as Christ was obedient for me. 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.860 All I need to do 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:15.100 is to accept this gift of God 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.480 with a believing heart. 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.079 That's it. 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:17.779 That's all. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.620 Believe. 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:20.199 Friends, believe. 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.860 It makes the world of difference. 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:22.860 Believe. 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.179 Your Father loves you. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:27.100 He's so crazy about you. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.440 He wants to pour affection. 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:29.580 Just receive it. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.200 Just receive it. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.420 What happens when we accept this gift? 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.340 What happens when we are made right with God? 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.500 Well, a lot. 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.779 But four things that we'll look at tonight. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.519 Four things that we find here 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:47.560 in Isaiah chapter 12. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:49.139 The first is repentance. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:52.779 A regular turning away from sin. 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.959 And this is very important. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.600 And it's not explicit here in the passage, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.240 but it's strongly implicit. 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:02.100 Because this is how Old Testament prophecies work. 00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:06.019 Old Testament prophecies are usually judgment 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:08.039 or they're, 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:11.559 excuse me, 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:16.159 they're judgment or they're blessing. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.819 They're, yes. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:19.800 Somebody help me out. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.260 Now, most of the time, 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.660 there were contingencies on these 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:27.520 judgments or promises. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.900 If God pronounced judgment on a nation 00:15:29.900 --> 00:15:30.820 and the nation repents, 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.460 he would relent. 00:15:31.760 --> 00:15:34.160 If God declared that a nation would prosper, 00:15:34.640 --> 00:15:35.879 but the nation became wicked, 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.120 he would relent of the good 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:39.540 that he had intended for that nation. 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.680 And so this is why, 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:42.140 during the season of Advent, 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:44.460 repentance is emphasized. 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:47.879 We push repentance to a place of honor 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.920 at the table 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:51.660 in our worship together. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.680 Waiting for God's deliverance 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:56.860 has always been accompanied by repentance. 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.900 Here's the key for us as the church. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.160 If we are in Christ, 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.440 we will repent. 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.759 Because as Christians, 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:05.360 being in Christ, 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.220 it's in our DNA. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.540 He tells us he will give us his Holy Spirit, 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:12.340 that he will write his law on our hearts. 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:14.940 But when we are made right with God, 00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:19.000 we will live lives of repentance. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.740 So second, 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:25.620 we learn to trust God alone. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.940 So first is repentance, 00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:28.139 second is trust. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.100 Verse two says, 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:32.600 Behold, God is my salvation. 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:33.700 I will trust 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:35.800 and will not be afraid. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.620 For the Lord God is my strength and my song, 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.600 and he's become my salvation. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.440 Now remember, 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:44.180 when Judah ran into trouble, 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:47.000 Judah sought help not from God, 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:49.519 but from the kingdom of Assyria. 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:52.320 It didn't work out for Judah. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:55.240 Judah would remain a puppet state 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.240 of a greater power 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:58.040 until the end of its existence. 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:01.600 The consequences of trusting anyone 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.220 or anything besides God 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.620 are always disastrous. 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:08.220 Yet we're always drawn to trust something besides God 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.839 for comfort, 00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:09.640 for a meaning, 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.500 for feeling alive. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:12.839 For us, 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:14.240 those things tend to be power 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.059 or money 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.180 or order 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.380 or achievement. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.460 For instance, 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:20.039 not long before the film director, 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.120 Sidney Pollack, 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:21.500 died, 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.480 there was an article written about 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.360 his inability to slow down 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:27.559 and enjoy his final years 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.559 with his loved ones. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.039 Though he was unwell 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.860 and the grueling process of filmmaking 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:34.180 was wearing him down, 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:36.380 he couldn't justify his existence 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.180 if he stopped. 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.420 He explained, 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:40.360 every time I finish a picture, 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:42.620 I feel like I've done something 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.580 I'm supposed to do 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.200 in the sense 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.820 that I've earned my stay 00:17:45.820 --> 00:17:46.500 here on earth 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.460 for yet another year. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:50.140 And then it would start all over again. 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:51.900 Make a film, 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.740 work hard, 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.480 achieve, 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.140 earn another year on earth 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.340 until he died. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.620 Now I think a lot of us 00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:00.560 can relate to that, right? 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.879 Some of us, 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.399 we derive our sense of worth 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:06.659 in feeling right about a cause. 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.619 And you see that one 00:18:08.619 --> 00:18:10.200 all the time nowadays, right? 00:18:11.139 --> 00:18:11.980 It's not enough to have 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.819 a certain value, 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:15.579 but in a perverse way, 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:17.259 we're comforted from being outraged 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.559 when that value is transgressed. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:23.019 Feeling right makes us feel righteous. 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.240 But for those on whom God 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.519 has lavished his approval 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.179 and affection, 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:28.460 God's approval is enough. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:31.000 We don't have to feel right. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.279 We don't even have to be right. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.360 We don't have to chase 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.819 something else for comfort, 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.059 for meaning, 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.940 for contentment. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.559 The third thing happens 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:44.279 when we are made right with God 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.880 is joy. 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.259 Joy is the evidence 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.860 of having been reconciled 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:49.980 with our Holy Father. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.079 In verse 3, 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.100 Isaiah writes, 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:55.140 with joy you will draw water 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.519 from the well's salvation. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:58.519 Now here he shifts 00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:01.119 to the second person plural. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.279 First it was singular, 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.400 now it's plural. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.240 There's a joy that happens 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.539 when we gather together 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.480 as God's reconciled people 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.259 and declare the stories 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:12.039 of how God has rescued us 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.240 and redeemed us. 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.960 And you know this, 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.819 especially if you were here 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.639 two weeks ago 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:17.599 and saw the baptisms, right? 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.400 Who here either wept 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:21.180 or almost wept 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.960 when Ali was baptized 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:25.500 two weeks ago, right? 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.620 To see the water 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:28.579 pour down from his head, 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.160 down his face, 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.460 and onto his 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:33.880 very stylish shirt. 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.620 Who didn't get the chills 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:38.120 to hear Ali 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:39.480 declared our brother 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:41.440 and to see those babies 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.100 marked as God's own children? 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.620 There's a joy 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.660 that's infectious 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:48.640 when we gather together 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.840 to declare the praises 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:51.200 of the one who has saved us. 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:53.460 This is why the writer 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.860 of the Hebrews tells us, 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.140 let us consider 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.700 how to stir up one another 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.880 to love and good works, 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:02.180 not neglecting to meet together, 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:04.160 as is the habit of some, 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.299 but encouraging one another 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.240 and all the more 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.640 as you see the day drawing near. 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.160 So repentance, 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.779 trust, 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.019 joy, 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.500 and fourthly, 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.900 that's a word, right? 00:20:18.900 --> 00:20:19.480 Fourthly, 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.140 fourthly, 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.080 mission. 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.340 Come as a result 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:24.779 of being made right with God. 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.740 Verse four says, 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.500 and you will say in that day, 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:31.100 give thanks to the Lord, 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.880 call upon his name, 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.640 make known his deeds 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:35.519 among the peoples, 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.620 proclaim that his name 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.200 is exalted, 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:39.080 sing praises to the Lord, 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.539 for he has done gloriously. 00:20:41.360 --> 00:20:42.420 Let this be made known 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.220 in all the earth. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:43.779 Shout 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:45.259 and sing for joy, 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.519 O inhabitant of Zion, 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.240 for great in your midst 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.640 is the Holy One of Israel. 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:53.000 experiencing the radical, 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.620 extravagant love of Christ 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.740 compels to share it 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.280 with the world. 00:20:56.820 --> 00:20:58.259 We do this all the time, 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:58.540 right, 00:20:58.580 --> 00:21:00.040 when we find things beautiful. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.759 A piece of music, 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.780 a movie, 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.920 a sunset, 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.660 a poem, 00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:05.520 a vista, 00:21:06.280 --> 00:21:06.860 a book, 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.220 an insane goal 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.100 by Lionel Messi. 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:11.159 We want to praise it 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:12.659 and we want to share that 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:13.179 with others, 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.519 right? 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.740 We experience this 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.419 every week 00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:18.000 in our worship. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.539 God gathers us in. 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.699 We declare his praises. 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.159 He feeds us 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:25.199 with his own word 00:21:25.199 --> 00:21:27.559 and his own self. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.740 And then he sends us out. 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.980 What do we hear 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.959 right before we leave? 00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:34.559 Let us, 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.240 anybody know? 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:38.039 Let us go forth 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:39.140 into the, 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.140 yes, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:41.859 let us go forth 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.400 into the world, 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.440 rejoicing in the power 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.039 of the Holy Spirit. 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:44.519 Thanks, Annika. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.079 How can we declare 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.920 God's names 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.960 to peoples of the earth? 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.120 How can we make 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:52.620 that proclamation global 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.700 as Isaiah suggests? 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:53.960 Well, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.019 for some of us 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.660 it might mean 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.720 going overseas, 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:57.700 right? 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.859 But I think 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.680 for most of us 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:01.779 it doesn't mean that. 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.120 It doesn't mean 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.660 we go overseas 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.480 and share the gospel 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.380 in a different language. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.860 but we can still 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.720 support and strengthen 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.580 national churches 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:09.440 that are preaching 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.980 the gospel. 00:22:12.040 --> 00:22:12.780 I think it's 00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:13.600 really important now 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.100 more than ever. 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.440 Personally, 00:22:14.520 --> 00:22:15.400 our family has a deep 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.020 heart for Europe. 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:17.300 We've long loved Europe 00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:19.080 and it used to be 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.520 that the church 00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:20.540 focused a lot 00:22:20.540 --> 00:22:21.020 of its efforts 00:22:21.020 --> 00:22:22.100 on the Middle East 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.740 and on Asia. 00:22:23.780 --> 00:22:24.520 But now people 00:22:24.520 --> 00:22:25.060 from those lands 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:26.300 are moving to Europe. 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:29.620 Now they're being forced 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.340 to move to Europe. 00:22:31.760 --> 00:22:32.700 And the opportunity 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.860 to preach the gospel 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.779 to them is greater 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.459 than it's ever 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:36.019 been before. 00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:39.119 So another thing 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:39.599 you can do 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.139 and this is what 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:41.179 my family did 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.519 and this is 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:44.419 we moved to 00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.139 Washington, D.C. 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:48.679 You're already here 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:50.559 and you can stay. 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:53.079 You can stay in D.C. 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.099 Stay here. 00:22:54.219 --> 00:22:55.939 Join a core group. 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.839 Love the city 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:58.059 long term. 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.699 Work for its prosperity 00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:01.219 long term. 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.420 The nations are here 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.360 in Washington, D.C. 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.360 The opportunities here 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.380 are boundless. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.660 This is why we came. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.759 This is why we love D.C. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.039 And why we love to be 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:11.680 a part of this church. 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.259 So, 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.819 let's review. 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.319 Because we've been 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.319 reconciled with God. 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.519 We repent. 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.339 We have trust. 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:28.579 We have joy. 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.879 We're sent on mission. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.639 There was a sci-fi TV show 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.839 back in 2002 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:40.500 called Firefly. 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:44.279 It was canceled 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:46.359 after only 14 episodes 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.299 fueling the ire 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.559 from those fans 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.179 that believed it 00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:50.839 to be the best TV show 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.419 of all time. 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:53.019 Not necessarily 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.879 one of those persons. 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:56.720 Now, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.280 realizing 00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:58.660 an opportunity, 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.020 this show 00:24:00.020 --> 00:24:00.540 was made 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:01.060 into 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:02.280 a motion picture 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:02.660 and 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.660 it was called 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.260 Serenity 00:24:04.260 --> 00:24:04.740 and geeks 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.840 everywhere rejoiced. 00:24:07.280 --> 00:24:07.500 Now, 00:24:07.540 --> 00:24:07.980 some of these 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.260 passionate fans 00:24:09.260 --> 00:24:10.480 call themselves 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.220 brown coats. 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.240 I won't bore you 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.860 with the details 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.320 from the show 00:24:14.320 --> 00:24:14.960 explaining why 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:16.000 they call themselves this 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.980 but needless to say 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:19.260 they wore brown coats. 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:21.700 the premiere 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:23.240 came 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:25.379 and on opening night 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.220 all over the country 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.960 the brown coats 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.460 came out. 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.819 And they didn't just 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:31.160 go to see the movie. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:34.000 They bought extra tickets. 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.259 They would walk 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.900 around the mall 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.759 in their brown coats 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.799 and they would pass out 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.940 tickets to strangers. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.099 This was 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.660 their enthusiasm 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:45.420 for this film. 00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:48.940 How much more? 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.000 How so much more? 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.140 I'm not trying 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.640 to reduce 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:53.660 the story of redemption 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.600 to a sci-fi film. 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:57.480 How much more 00:24:57.480 --> 00:25:00.360 should we tell others 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.620 about what we've received? 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.060 Right? 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.960 What we've experienced 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.720 in Christ. 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.500 A story. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.700 A beautiful story. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.180 The story of God 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.920 redeeming 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.180 and reconciling 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.220 the world to himself. 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:15.839 This God 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.500 gives us 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.640 clothes to wear 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:19.160 the robes of righteousness 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.860 that belong 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.860 to his own son. 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.480 And in Christ 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:25.400 God delights in us 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:27.360 and lavishes us 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.380 with love 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.640 and calls us 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.279 his beloved 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.220 sons and daughters. 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.299 In the name 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.940 of the Father 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.740 and of the Son 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.880 and of the Holy Spirit. 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.880 Amen. 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.160 Let's pray. 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:40.160 Father, 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.940 what a joy 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.519 to know 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.480 that you have 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.980 forever forgotten 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.840 our sins 00:25:48.840 --> 00:25:50.019 cast them 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.540 forever 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:52.680 deep into the ocean. 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.900 You will never 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.540 deal with us 00:25:55.540 --> 00:25:56.720 according to our sins 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:58.820 or reward us 00:25:58.820 --> 00:26:00.180 according to our iniquities. 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.500 For on the cross 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:04.060 you dealt with Jesus 00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:05.200 according to our sins 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.080 and rewarded him 00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:07.320 according to our iniquities. 00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.139 Father, 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.279 thank you for such 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.419 a lavish salvation. 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:12.879 Rescue us 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:15.299 in those delusional moments 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.139 when we forget 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.980 your forgetfulness. 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.500 When we begin acting 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.159 as though Jesus' 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.819 sacrifice for our sins 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.599 wasn't enough. 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.279 When we think 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.200 there's something more 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.700 we can do 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.039 to gain your acceptance 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.799 and curry your favor. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.059 When we hear 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.740 the accusations 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.319 of Satan 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.099 more clearly 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:32.740 than your rejoicing 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.240 over us 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.740 with singing. 00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:37.039 So banner over us 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.099 in love 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:40.859 because Jesus' 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.879 words to us 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.859 are it is finished. 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.539 So with great peace 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:47.480 and fresh gratitude 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:50.180 we pray in his name. 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:52.259 Amen.