WEBVTT

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

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 That wonderful, difficult song we just heard is the heart of Micah chapter 7 set to music.

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 And you can hear and feel both the pain, some really hard things in there, especially when we look at ourselves.

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 And you can hear the joy too, can't you?

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 The hope that comes when we look to our God.

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 In fact, as you turn to Micah 7 this morning, in many ways this last chapter of Micah is a helpful summary of the whole book.

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 So the themes will sound familiar to you if you've been here the past few weeks.

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 So let's pray together this morning and ask for God's help as we look at His Word together.

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 Father, we need You.

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 And we ask for You to send Your Spirit in our midst today to teach our hearts to open them to hearing Your Word.

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 As we read it and as it is preached, we need You to use it not merely in our heads, but in our hearts.

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 Because we need You.

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 So would we know You more?

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 And this time we ask in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to focus this morning on the end of this chapter.

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 It's glorious and hopeful.

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 It's where we're going to spend most of our time.

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 But before we get there, we need to ache with Micah first.

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 He picks up here, as you just heard, with a lament over what he sees in his heart and in the people around him.

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 God's people who have, by and large, turned away from God and decided they're going to run in other directions.

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 And he says he looks and he feels despairing and empty like a tree picked clean of fruit.

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 Verse 1.

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 Woe is me!

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 For I have become as when the summer fruit has been gathered, as when the grapes have been gleaned.

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 There is no cluster to eat, no first ripe fig that my soul desires.

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 The godly has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind.

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 They all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts the other with a net.

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 Their hands are on what is evil to do it well.

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 The prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul.

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 Thus they weave it together.

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 The best of them is like a briar, the most upright of them a thorn hedge.

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 The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come.

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 Now their confusion is at hand.

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 Put no trust in a neighbor.

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 Have no confidence in a friend.

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 Guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.

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 For the son treats the father with contempt.

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 The daughter rises up against her mother.

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 The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

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 A man's enemies are the men of his own house.

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 Yikes.

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 It's as hard reading them as singing them, isn't it?

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 You can hear the echoes of Micah's words in earlier chapters, can't you?

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 From the people to their leaders who are supposed to be the ones who know how to turn them back to God,

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 but who are leading the charge away from him.

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 It's every man for himself.

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 No one to be trusted.

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 Violence, treachery, broken relationships, corrupt systems.

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 A lot of people playing church, right?

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 Going to the temple talking about God, but living however they please.

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 That's what Derek reminded us of during our confession from Micah chapter 6.

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 God makes it simple and straightforward.

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 Do justice, love, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

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 And we make our life's work, our heart's passion.

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 Not this wonderful relationship with God that he's called us into, but comfort for self.

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 And so Micah cries out in the face of this brokenness,

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 Woe is me!

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 It's the language of lament.

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 Lament.

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 The Bible's full of it.

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 From the Psalms, through the prophets and other places.

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 God's people crying out in honest pain and grief.

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 From the sin they see in their own heart, the brokenness around them.

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 Lament is honesty and desperation at the same time.

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 Seeing life clearly and acknowledging that it's not what it's supposed to be.

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 Maybe you've felt that.

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 God, help us.

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 We have so much to share but are so driven by selfish desires.

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 We live for this life and not for eternity.

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 Many of us lack zeal and the most passionate burnout.

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 We elevate one we respect and he falls morally or abandons the faith.

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 We even attack each other and kick those who have fallen while they're down.

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 Oh God, help!

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 For we're a mess!

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 Micah's been full of lament, hasn't he?

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 A lot of that in this prophecy.

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 Prophecy.

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 I'd ask us, where have we been convicted of our sin?

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 I don't know what God has put on your heart in the past few weeks as we've studied this prophecy together.

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 I don't know what heavy thing you may have brought in this morning on your heart.

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 But lament is a language we need to learn better.

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 Crying out.

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 It's just what ought to be done when we see these.

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 Crying out like Micah for the sin in our hearts.

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 For the corruption of God's people.

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 Oh, we're not what we ought to be, God.

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 For the brokenness of the culture around us.

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 All of that is right.

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 Right.

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 Often tears are appropriate in this life.

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 It's through them that we're actually seeing most clearly and most rightly.

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 We're seeing that on our own there is no hope.

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 Not a little bit.

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 Not maybe for the best of us.

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 No hope.

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 We've abandoned the one who made us.

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 Who's the only source of life.

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 And we can't make our way back to him.

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 And so we lament.

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 And then Micah's lament shifts.

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 He looks around and sees all of that and cries out.

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 Then he says, but as for me, I will never be faithless.

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 I would never betray a friend.

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 I will do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.

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 No.

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 No, that's actually not.

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 Where he starts.

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 Verse 7.

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 But as for me, I will look to the Lord.

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 I will wait for the God of my salvation.

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 My God will hear me.

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 As for me, I will look where?

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 To Yahweh.

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 The only thing that gives us hope in the face of the brokenness of our hearts and our world is a clear vision of God.

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 That's what Micah.

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 There's only one thing.

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 There's only one place to look.

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 The hope is not in us.

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 It's not in social progress.

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 Maybe all of us together will do better.

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 It's not in personal improvement.

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 Well, maybe the rest of them will fail, but I can pull through.

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 No.

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 It's in God himself.

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 And so Micah turns our eyes to God.

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 And that's where his prophecy will end.

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 With this glorious vision of who our God truly is.

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 And we so need it.

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 It might not be new information to you this morning.

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 But y'all, we have a lot of broken pictures of God.

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 That maybe even we don't realize we have.

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 But they distort our relationship with him so that we don't see him and know him as he wants us to.

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 And Micah wants us to see God.

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 And when we see him clearly, we see a God, yes, full of holiness and justice.

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 But a God of love.

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 Of steadfast love.

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 Forgiving love.

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 Unfailing love beyond our comprehension.

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 One of my favorite things in the world is scooping my girls up in my arms.

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 And talking with them about how much I love them.

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 It doesn't happen as often as it used to anymore.

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 But one morning this week, Lily woke up early and came downstairs.

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 And I got to scoop her up in my arms and talk with her for a little bit.

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 And I just sat there in the chair and held her and said,

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 Do you know Daddy loves you so much?

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 She said, Yes.

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 I said, Why does Daddy love you?

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 Because he does.

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 Yeah, yeah, because you're my girl.

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 Yeah, Daddy's sweet girl.

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 Yeah, yeah, that's right.

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 I said, Does Daddy love you because you always do everything right?

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 She knows that answer.

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 She said, No.

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 I said, Does Daddy love you because you got A's on your report card?

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 No.

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 Does Daddy love you because you scored a goal in the soccer game?

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 Yes.

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 Yes.

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 I have a cute, creative six-year-old.

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 I said, But what if tonight you kick the ball in the other goal?

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 Will Daddy still love you?

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 She said, Yes.

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 I said, What if you clipped down at school today?

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 She started getting tired of the questioning.

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 Yes, you will always love me because I am your girl.

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 I wasn't tired of it.

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 I said, Don't you ever forget that.

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 Don't ever, ever forget that.

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 I think that we, more than we admit, need to have that conversation with our Heavenly Father.

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 That's what Micah wants here.

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 He wants you to end in your father's arms, gazing in your lament into the eyes of your loving, forgiving, gracious God.

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 Listen to verses 18 through 20.

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 Who is a God like you?

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 Pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance.

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 He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in steadfast love.

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 He will again have compassion on us.

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 He will tread our iniquities underfoot.

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 You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

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 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

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 Who is a God like you?

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 That's what Micah's name means.

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 Let's marvel together for just a few minutes.

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 Who is like Yahweh?

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 Well, what is he like?

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 What's at his very core?

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 What makes God's heart happy?

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 One of my distorted visions of God is that he is just like me and many parents that I know.

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 I call this the adoring fan.

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 You know, he stands on the sidelines cheering me on, hoping I make a great play.

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 And when I do, he's so proud.

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 He jumps up and runs onto the field and picks me up and says, that's my boy.

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 He did it.

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 Look at verse 18 again.

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 Who is a God like you?

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 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression?

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 He does not retain his anger forever.

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 He delights in steadfast love.

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 What makes God's heart happy is his steadfast love.

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 Love that enters what?

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 Our sin, iniquity and transgression and loves us right there.

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 It's not when I hit a home run that he cheers the loudest.

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 It's even when I strike out that he runs to embrace me and says, that's my boy.

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 I love you.

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 It's like the father of the prodigal son, right?

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 He sees him at his lowest point, covered in pig slop.

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 And he runs out to him and embraces him and says, my boy, welcome home.

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 No other fathers acted like that.

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 But he delighted to.

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 He rejoiced in it.

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 Who is like our God?

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 This heart of love is where God begins when he's introducing himself.

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 All the way back in Exodus 34, he's talking to Moses.

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 He says, the Lord, the Lord, it's his name, Yahweh, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger,

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 abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands,

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 forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

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 Steadfast love, steadfast love for thousands, forgiving.

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 This is who I am, God says.

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 So there's hope in your lowest, at your worst, because our relationship involves not joy in your successes,

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 but delight in forgiving your failures.

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 Can you believe that?

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 He doesn't just tolerate that.

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 He loves to do it.

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 That's why Micah says here in verse 8 that it's in his deep darkness that Yahweh will be a light to him.

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 That in the midst of exile and the destruction of Jerusalem,

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 God will actually come and rebuild the walls and extend the boundaries of the city.

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 Verse 11.

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 Verse 14.

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 When his people are most alone,

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 they're neglected, feeling lost,

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 he will shepherd them and provide richly for them.

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 What amazing grace that enters into those places,

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 love that goes so far beyond what his people ever deserved

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 and pours out blessing on them

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 and loves every second of it.

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 That's who our God is

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 and what he delights to do.

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 He loves to love you.

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 Will, I've messed up again.

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 I don't deserve for anyone to love me, he said.

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 Substance addiction was wreaking havoc on this friend who was in my office a few months ago.

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 But we all have our addictions, don't we?

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 Those sins we keep going back to over and over.

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 The idols we consistently serve.

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 The failures we've begun to give up on.

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 And what he said to me in my office that day is true.

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 I don't deserve for anyone to love me.

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 I said, that's right.

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 The good news is that's not all that's true.

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 God loves people who don't deserve it, doesn't he?

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 But what if I've messed up again?

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 He will again have compassion on us,

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 tread our iniquities underfoot,

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 cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

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 Don't you love that word, again?

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 You messed up again,

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 but Yahweh has compassion again.

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 See, sometimes I can get on board with God being patient and loving.

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 You know, the God of second chances, right?

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 Y'all, I've blown a lot of second and third chances.

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 Anyone else?

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 It's so much better than that.

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 I have this vision of God being like an umpire.

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 You know, one strike, okay.

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 Nobody's perfect.

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 Two strikes, hey, be careful.

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 You're pushing it a little bit.

00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.879
 Three strikes, you're out.

00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.019
 Don't come to me.

00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.920
 Don't keep messing up and come back here.

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.819
 Learn your lesson.

00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:53.819
 Micah says, no way.

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.220
 No way.

00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:58.099
 No matter how many times God's people have blown it,

00:18:58.099 --> 00:19:00.439
 over and over, idol after idol,

00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:04.959
 he will again have compassion and forgive their sins.

00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.579
 You know why?

00:19:07.139 --> 00:19:10.159
 God's love keeps no record of wrongs.

00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.839
 1 Corinthians 13.

00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.919
 Psalm 130 says,

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:17.500
 if you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:20.419
 if you were counting and keeping track of all my mistakes,

00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:22.159
 Lord, who could stand?

00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:25.939
 But with you there is forgiveness that you may be feared.

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:28.400
 O Israel, hope in the Lord.

00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:30.799
 For with the Lord there is steadfast love.

00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.900
 With him is plentiful redemption.

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:37.519
 He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.519
 Steadfast love again.

00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:42.840
 Plentiful redemption.

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:46.000
 He will forgive again.

00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:48.340
 And he's shown it.

00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.480
 He doesn't just talk about it.

00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:51.480
 He's shown it with his people, hasn't he?

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:53.160
 Just marvel for a minute.

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:56.000
 But think with me that there's Adam in the garden

00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:58.019
 who disobeys God

00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:01.680
 when God was very clear about what he should or should not do.

00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.960
 And yet, God doesn't stop loving.

00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:08.220
 He promises to send a savior.

00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:10.600
 And then Noah,

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.600
 the best guy left in his day,

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.720
 after the flood and God saving him,

00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.900
 Noah gets drunk.

00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:22.280
 But God hangs a rainbow in the sky

00:20:22.280 --> 00:20:25.000
 because of his steadfast love.

00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:27.900
 Abraham lied and endangered his wife,

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.860
 but God promised to keep loving him

00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:31.120
 and his descendants,

00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.420
 generation after generation.

00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:36.759
 And when he sends Moses to lead his people out of Egypt,

00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.860
 they complain

00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:39.740
 and want to go back.

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:42.019
 But God still delivers them

00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.620
 through the Red Sea.

00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:46.839
 That wasn't enough.

00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:49.019
 God's people doubted his care

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:51.559
 in the wilderness for 40 years

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:54.879
 and God responds and feeds them every day

00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:58.659
 and leads them to the promised land.

00:21:00.459 --> 00:21:03.159
 David chose violent immorality.

00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.599
 But God promised to forgive

00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:10.119
 and put his descendant on the throne forever.

00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:11.939
 Jonah ran away from God,

00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:13.819
 wanted nothing to do with him

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:15.479
 or his love.

00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.739
 But God sent a storm,

00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:18.979
 a whale,

00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.199
 a plant,

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.199
 and a wind

00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:23.879
 all to chase Jonah down

00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:26.739
 and show him the beauty of his love.

00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:29.219
 And we get all the way here to Micah

00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:31.299
 and now God's sending his people

00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.819
 into exile

00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:36.039
 for their persistent idolatry.

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:38.619
 But at the same time,

00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:40.680
 promising that those who turn back

00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.859
 and trust him

00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:43.139
 will yet again

00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:45.519
 for the millionth time,

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.359
 what?

00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.259
 Be forgiven

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:50.019
 and loved

00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:51.480
 and brought back to him.

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:53.379
 And you think he's counted you out

00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.680
 for too many strikes?

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.659
 No way!

00:21:58.659 --> 00:22:01.259
 You can't out-sin his grace

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:03.619
 or out-run his love.

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:06.539
 Will he not revive us again

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.559
 in our day

00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:09.059
 with this kind of love?

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:11.419
 Doesn't that do something to you?

00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:14.019
 There's no one like this God.

00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:16.379
 He keeps forgiving

00:22:16.379 --> 00:22:17.599
 again

00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.619
 and again.

00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:25.779
 But how will God look at me

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.739
 then?

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.500
 I mean, really?

00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:30.159
 I've had some people say

00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:32.139
 that they forgave me before,

00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:34.259
 but our relationship

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.520
 got pretty distant.

00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.340
 A lot of hurt there.

00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:39.060
 A lot of coldness.

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.960
 Certainly, I'm on probation

00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:43.220
 with God, right?

00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:44.480
 I mean, it's been a lot, Will.

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:49.020
 Plus, I feel like he sees

00:22:49.020 --> 00:22:50.280
 and knows everything.

00:22:50.520 --> 00:22:52.600
 He's kind of like an Olympic judge

00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:54.600
 and I'm doing a gymnastics routine

00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:56.480
 and he doesn't miss anything.

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.140
 Every little stumble,

00:22:59.100 --> 00:22:59.740
 tenth of a point.

00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.480
 Every misstep,

00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.519
 ooh, half a point.

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:05.200
 You may still be on the beam,

00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.500
 but lose your balance

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.359
 even a little bit

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.400
 and it will be counted

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.259
 against you, right?

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.180
 Look at verse 19

00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.900
 one more time.

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.299
 He will tread

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:19.420
 our iniquities underfoot.

00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.220
 You will cast

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.680
 all our sins

00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.440
 into the depths

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:26.160
 of the sea.

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:29.380
 How's our relationship

00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:29.980
 with God?

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:32.000
 After all the agains

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.120
 he has to forgive?

00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.900
 I will forgive

00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.820
 their iniquity

00:23:36.820 --> 00:23:37.980
 and I will remember

00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.140
 their sin

00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.100
 no more.

00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:42.360
 Jeremiah 31, 34.

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.820
 Psalm 103.

00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:47.740
 He does not deal with us

00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.320
 according to our sins

00:23:49.320 --> 00:23:50.140
 nor repay us

00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.580
 according to our iniquities.

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.000
 As high as the heavens

00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:54.019
 are above the earth

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.960
 so great

00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.699
 is his steadfast love

00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:57.599
 toward those

00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.460
 who fear him.

00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:00.199
 As far as the east

00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:01.279
 is from the west

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.579
 so far

00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.960
 does he remove

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.460
 our transgressions

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.579
 from us.

00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.279
 Do you hear what

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:08.359
 this is saying?

00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.439
 It's not that God

00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:11.039
 can't think of sins

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.740
 anymore

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.699
 like he just can't

00:24:12.699 --> 00:24:13.480
 come up with it.

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.159
 It's that they're not

00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.859
 connected

00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.059
 to us.

00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:18.199
 When he thinks

00:24:18.199 --> 00:24:19.019
 of his children

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.279
 it's in love

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.660
 not connected

00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.779
 to our sin.

00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.579
 Remember

00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.579
 he delights

00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:27.220
 in steadfast love.

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.160
 He's not looking

00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.700
 to count something

00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.460
 against you.

00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.700
 That's not

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.099
 the way his heart is.

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.660
 He has trampled

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.839
 our sins

00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.720
 underfoot.

00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.220
 He has cast

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.119
 our sins

00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.400
 into the depths

00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.059
 of the sea

00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:43.059
 no longer on us

00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.500
 as far away

00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.440
 as you can imagine.

00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.220
 Imagine that.

00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:49.960
 washed away

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.579
 from us.

00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.000
 Every year

00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.980
 Orthodox Jews

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:56.460
 on Rosh Hashanah

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.240
 will go to a river

00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:59.319
 and empty their sins

00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.860
 out of their pockets

00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.660
 into the water

00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.779
 and watch them

00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.620
 symbolically

00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.680
 wash away.

00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:07.440
 Never able

00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.740
 to find them again

00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.100
 right?

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.000
 Couldn't possibly

00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.140
 track them down

00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:13.120
 and link them back

00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:14.600
 to me.

00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.079
 That's actually

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.180
 the picture here

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.600
 casting them

00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.600
 into the depths

00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:21.160
 of the sea.

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.860
 And in verse 18

00:25:23.860 --> 00:25:26.200
 pardoning iniquity

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.080
 not merely

00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.400
 my specific sins

00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:30.460
 but my sinful nature

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.759
 who I am

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.720
 God actually

00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.440
 lifts that burden

00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.640
 from me

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.920
 and takes it

00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.660
 on himself.

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:42.500
 John Bunyan

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.240
 pictures it

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.019
 famously

00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.840
 in Pilgrim's

00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.420
 Progress

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:47.560
 as Christian

00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.340
 has journeyed

00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:48.759
 long

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.400
 with the

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.100
 burden

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.120
 of sin

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.880
 on his back

00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.580
 until

00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:55.060
 as he nears

00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:56.340
 the celestial city

00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:58.480
 this great picture

00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:00.200
 up this way

00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.680
 therefore

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.440
 did burdened

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.320
 Christian run

00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.240
 but not without

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.240
 great difficulty

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.259
 because of the load

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.100
 on his back.

00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:08.179
 He ran thus

00:26:08.179 --> 00:26:08.779
 till he came

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.240
 at a place

00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.219
 somewhat ascending

00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:11.240
 and upon that

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.419
 place stood a cross

00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:13.419
 and a little below

00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.079
 in the bottom

00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.899
 a sepulcher

00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:16.599
 kids that's a

00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.439
 fancy word

00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:18.219
 for tomb

00:26:18.219 --> 00:26:19.159
 okay

00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.859
 sepulcher

00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.339
 so I saw

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.000
 in my dream

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.939
 that just as

00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:23.599
 Christian came

00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.419
 up to the cross

00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.199
 his burden

00:26:25.199 --> 00:26:25.859
 loosed from

00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.599
 off his shoulders

00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.359
 and fell

00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.240
 from off his back

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.639
 and began

00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.240
 to tumble

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.279
 and so continued

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.619
 to do

00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.199
 till it came

00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:31.699
 to the mouth

00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:32.539
 of the sepulcher

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.500
 where it fell

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.719
 in and I saw

00:26:34.719 --> 00:26:36.319
 it no more

00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:38.839
 at the cross

00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:40.139
 and the empty

00:26:40.139 --> 00:26:41.439
 tomb of Jesus

00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:42.399
 our sin

00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.519
 rolls away

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.519
 and is

00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.679
 no more

00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.059
 amen

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.799
 and so God

00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.500
 loves you

00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:50.240
 he can't

00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.380
 he loves you

00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:51.980
 even as he

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:53.160
 hates sin

00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.019
 he loves you

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.500
 because he

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.359
 looks at you

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.940
 and sees

00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.460
 not your failure

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:59.319
 but his son's

00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.099
 success

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.180
 in your

00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:02.359
 place

00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:04.160
 it's amazing

00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.819
 love

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:06.500
 isn't it

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:08.920
 close your eyes

00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.319
 for a minute

00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.920
 this morning

00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:13.019
 I want you to

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.559
 think of your

00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.079
 worst

00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.259
 sin

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.519
 what is it

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.940
 that sticks

00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.879
 to you

00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:20.119
 and you feel

00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.940
 you can never

00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.940
 get away from it

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.879
 can't get the

00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.579
 shame of it

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.640
 off of you

00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:27.839
 imagine that

00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.619
 sin being

00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:30.279
 placed on

00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.180
 Jesus

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:33.480
 at the cross

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.839
 being buried

00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.740
 forever

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.519
 in his

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.720
 empty tomb

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:40.279
 washing away

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:40.779
 with the

00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.379
 rushing river

00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.079
 into the

00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.920
 depths of the

00:27:43.920 --> 00:27:44.539
 sea

00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:46.359
 can you

00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:46.920
 see that

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.420
 happening

00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:49.940
 friend if you

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.859
 trust God

00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:52.019
 this is what

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.920
 he does

00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:54.200
 for you

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:56.079
 that's what

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.920
 his love

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.559
 is like

00:27:58.559 --> 00:28:00.539
 he takes

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.220
 it away

00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:02.099
 forever

00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:05.119
 and loves

00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.180
 and delights

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.759
 in you

00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:10.180
 if you've

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.940
 never known

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.159
 love like

00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.460
 that

00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.940
 you can

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.940
 experience it

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.779
 today

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:17.980
 right now

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.759
 maybe you've

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.279
 been at church

00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.120
 many times

00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.160
 or for many

00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.720
 years and

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.620
 thought that

00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.160
 God was

00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.799
 someone to

00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.680
 keep your

00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:25.799
 distance from

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.620
 lest he

00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.640
 catch you

00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:29.880
 he would

00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:30.400
 catch you

00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:31.000
 doing something

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.620
 wrong and

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.480
 get you for

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.740
 it

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.160
 Micah says

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:35.500
 you'll end up

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.920
 broken and

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.600
 hopeless

00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:39.339
 hiding from

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:39.779
 him

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:42.879
 but the God

00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.339
 of the Bible

00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.039
 is actually

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.859
 looking to

00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.459
 catch you

00:28:45.459 --> 00:28:46.959
 he is

00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:48.019
 he's coming

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.939
 to catch you

00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.599
 so that he

00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.559
 can scoop you

00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.099
 up in his

00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.879
 arms and

00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:52.859
 embrace you

00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:54.219
 and hold you

00:28:54.219 --> 00:28:55.659
 forgive you

00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:57.039
 and love you

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.480
 forever with a

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.159
 love that will

00:28:59.159 --> 00:29:00.719
 never let you

00:29:00.719 --> 00:29:01.179
 go

00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:02.279
 that's why he's

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.219
 looking for you

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:06.779
 he sent his

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.319
 son Jesus

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:09.480
 to take

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.319
 earth's

00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:10.839
 worst

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:12.480
 for you

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.539
 so that you

00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.079
 could have

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.839
 heaven's

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.740
 best

00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.620
 now

00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.880
 and forever

00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:20.019
 who

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.980
 is a

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.460
 God

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.319
 like

00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.360
 you

00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.680
 pardoning

00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.839
 iniquity

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.779
 passing

00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.299
 over

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.579
 transgression

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:30.059
 delighting

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.539
 in steadfast

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.240
 love

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.779
 he's the

00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.180
 one we

00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:33.880
 all

00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:34.720
 need

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.599
 to see

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.700
 this

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.099
 morning

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:39.339
 I don't

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.819
 know what

00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.819
 you've done

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:42.579
 each of you

00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.960
 I don't know

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.539
 how long

00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:44.980
 you've been

00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.759
 cold

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.319
 to God

00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.839
 but I know

00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.380
 that it is

00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.559
 no match

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.279
 for his

00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:51.799
 grace

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.299
 your sins

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:53.759
 not bigger

00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.240
 than his

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.660
 grace

00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:56.259
 your hearts

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.200
 not so cold

00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.940
 that his

00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.359
 love

00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.079
 can't

00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.859
 warm it

00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:01.680
 and he

00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.360
 loves

00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.299
 to do

00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.500
 that

00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:03.840
 do you

00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.660
 see him

00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.539
 clearly

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.279
 for the

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.840
 first time

00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:07.100
 maybe

00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:08.860
 do you

00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.200
 see him

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.740
 clearly

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.519
 ready to

00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.279
 forgive you

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.120
 again

00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.200
 this morning

00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:16.660
 do you

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:16.960
 see him

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.539
 longing to

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:17.860
 have you

00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.500
 run back

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:18.980
 into his

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.519
 arms

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.900
 to trust

00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:21.220
 him

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.160
 afresh

00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:22.860
 rather than

00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.539
 what you're

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.019
 doing right

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.240
 now

00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.100
 hiding from

00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:25.340
 him

00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:25.620
 in your

00:30:25.620 --> 00:30:26.140
 struggle

00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.940
 and pain

00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.220
 do you

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.640
 do you

00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:28.000
 hear

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.539
 and see

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:28.759
 your

00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.380
 father

00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.019
 wanting

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.680
 to welcome

00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:31.480
 you home

00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:32.360
 and hold

00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:32.980
 you and tell

00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:34.080
 you how much

00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.900
 he loves

00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.240
 you

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.759
 y'all

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.440
 why would

00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.059
 we run

00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.640
 anywhere else

00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:41.059
 but to him

00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:43.920
 he's a God

00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.960
 of steadfast

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.980
 love

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.140
 cry out to

00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:47.460
 him

00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.840
 even now

00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.880
 come talk

00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:50.360
 with us

00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.380
 more about

00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.019
 his love

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.140
 after the

00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.620
 service

00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:57.099
 kids

00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.439
 I want to

00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:57.859
 read you

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.239
 one more

00:30:58.239 --> 00:30:58.619
 picture

00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.439
 of God's

00:30:59.439 --> 00:30:59.639
 love

00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.079
 this morning

00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:00.359
 will y'all

00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:00.739
 come up

00:31:00.739 --> 00:31:00.959
 here

00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:01.399
 and sit

00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:01.639
 on the

00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:01.939
 steps

00:31:01.939 --> 00:31:02.239
 as we

00:31:02.239 --> 00:31:02.500
 finish

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.699
 the

00:31:02.699 --> 00:31:02.939
 sermon

00:31:02.939 --> 00:31:05.219
 so you

00:31:05.219 --> 00:31:05.559
 can hear

00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:05.839
 it really

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.179
 well

00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:12.899
 let's

00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:13.159
 sit over

00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:13.939
 here

00:31:13.939 --> 00:31:19.759
 this is a

00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.000
 book I

00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.379
 get to

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.159
 read with

00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:22.039
 my kids

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.639
 sometimes

00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:24.640
 written

00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:24.980
 by a

00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:25.360
 guy named

00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:25.759
 Brian

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.340
 Chappell

00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:30.820
 it's a

00:31:30.820 --> 00:31:31.160
 book that

00:31:31.160 --> 00:31:31.580
 helps us

00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:31.980
 learn about

00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.320
 how much

00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:32.880
 God loves

00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.120
 us

00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.420
 okay

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:35.200
 the title

00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.900
 is I'll

00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.280
 love you

00:31:36.280 --> 00:31:36.880
 anyway

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.420
 and always

00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.700
 okay

00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:43.500
 see the

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:43.820
 little girl

00:31:43.820 --> 00:31:44.080
 in that

00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:44.400
 picture

00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:46.180
 that little

00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:46.600
 girl's name

00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:47.080
 is Katie

00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:48.340
 okay

00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:50.120
 Katie poured

00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.820
 water from

00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:51.460
 her watering

00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.140
 can onto

00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:52.640
 the flower

00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:52.980
 bed

00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:54.180
 her mother

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.740
 was planting

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.520
 petunias near

00:31:55.520 --> 00:31:56.000
 the house

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.900
 Katie you can

00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.600
 water all

00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.320
 the flowers

00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:58.980
 mother told

00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:00.060
 her except

00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.740
 for daddy's

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.480
 favorite it's a

00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.220
 very special

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.960
 flower called

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.620
 an orchid

00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:04.600
 and only

00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:05.440
 daddy knows

00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.920
 how much

00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.580
 water it

00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.100
 needs

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:08.120
 so Katie

00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.720
 watered all

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.240
 the flowers

00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.860
 in the garden

00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:11.800
 she knew the

00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:12.180
 water would

00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:12.500
 make the

00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.120
 flowers grow

00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.780
 more beautiful

00:32:13.780 --> 00:32:14.680
 then she

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.759
 thought daddy

00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.240
 wants his

00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:16.840
 orchid to be

00:32:16.840 --> 00:32:17.600
 beautiful I'll

00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:18.340
 water it for

00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.100
 him too

00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.859
 she put a

00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:22.619
 deep pool of

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.379
 water around

00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:23.899
 the purple

00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:25.419
 flower Katie

00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:25.980
 did not know

00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.559
 that the orchid

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.259
 could only drink

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.319
 a little water

00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.240
 at a time

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.419
 and as the

00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.139
 afternoon wore

00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:31.839
 on the orchid

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.439
 began to

00:32:32.439 --> 00:32:33.139
 wilt and

00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:33.899
 its beautiful

00:32:33.899 --> 00:32:35.599
 blossoms fell

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.559
 to the ground

00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.899
 it's a sad

00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:38.559
 flower isn't

00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:40.919
 it that evening

00:32:40.919 --> 00:32:41.699
 after dinner the

00:32:41.699 --> 00:32:42.419
 family went out

00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:43.179
 into the yard to

00:32:43.179 --> 00:32:44.000
 enjoy the cool

00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:45.039
 air Katie's

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.619
 daddy happened

00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.359
 to glance over

00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.000
 at his orchid

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.519
 and a look of

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.599
 shock and sorrow

00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.259
 crossed his

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.859
 face when he

00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.259
 saw the

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.980
 withered flower

00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:52.059
 what happened

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.079
 to my orchid

00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:54.719
 he said

00:32:54.719 --> 00:32:57.299
 Katie hung her

00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:58.279
 head in shame

00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:59.759
 why hadn't

00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.759
 she obeyed

00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:03.059
 finally she

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.779
 whispered

00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:05.719
 I watered it

00:33:05.719 --> 00:33:07.719
 I'm so sorry

00:33:07.719 --> 00:33:10.240
 tears came to

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.719
 her eyes

00:33:10.719 --> 00:33:11.740
 daddy you're

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.719
 sad because I

00:33:12.719 --> 00:33:13.659
 hurt your flower

00:33:13.659 --> 00:33:15.219
 will you still

00:33:15.219 --> 00:33:15.939
 love me

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:19.420
 Katie's father

00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.080
 took his little

00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:20.860
 girl into his

00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.299
 arms

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:23.200
 because you

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.860
 disobeyed he

00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.320
 said you and

00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:24.960
 I are both

00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:26.039
 sad but

00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.420
 but nothing

00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:28.039
 you do

00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:29.380
 will ever make

00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:30.279
 me stop loving

00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.640
 you

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.840
 I'll love you

00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.500
 anyway

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:34.180
 and always

00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:36.059
 and her daddy

00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.000
 started to tell

00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.720
 her stories

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:39.320
 about how God

00:33:39.320 --> 00:33:40.059
 loves us

00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:41.079
 Adam and Eve

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:42.500
 and Noah

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:44.519
 and Abraham

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:46.480
 and Moses

00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:48.339
 and David

00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:50.159
 and then

00:33:50.159 --> 00:33:52.139
 God sent

00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:52.799
 who do you think

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.299
 that is

00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:54.179
 Jesus

00:33:54.179 --> 00:33:55.399
 baby Jesus

00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:57.480
 God's own son

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.179
 to save his

00:33:58.179 --> 00:33:59.319
 people from

00:33:59.319 --> 00:33:59.940
 their sins

00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.700
 God made

00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.359
 Jesus a

00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.940
 perfect sacrifice

00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:04.240
 for our sins

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.480
 Jesus loved us

00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.339
 so much he took

00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.339
 all the punishment

00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.219
 for our sins

00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.019
 when he suffered

00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.380
 on the cross

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.539
 and so when we

00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.299
 trust him God

00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:13.599
 takes our guilt

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.059
 away

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.420
 when we ask God

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.400
 to forgive our sin

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.079
 he says

00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.759
 guess what

00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:19.219
 I'll love you

00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.880
 anyway

00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:23.039
 and always

00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.900
 and her daddy

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:25.559
 said to her

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:25.840
 Katie

00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:27.119
 now you know

00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.860
 why nothing you do

00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:30.579
 will ever make me

00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.779
 stop loving you

00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:34.000
 I will love you

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.619
 anyway

00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:36.559
 and always

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.559
 let's pray

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:44.940
 Father we need

00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:47.079
 that kind of love

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:50.820
 it's not just

00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.860
 little kids

00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.920
 who disobey

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.699
 their parents

00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:56.619
 their parents

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.860
 disobey you

00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:59.539
 we do what we

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.420
 think is best

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:03.659
 we love to

00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:05.019
 live for ourselves

00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:06.920
 and honestly

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:08.000
 there are many

00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:08.880
 days where we

00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:10.059
 wonder if you

00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.199
 could still love

00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.699
 us

00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:16.079
 thank you

00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.380
 thank you for

00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:17.780
 Jesus

00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:20.300
 thank you for

00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:21.179
 being a God

00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:22.300
 who will never

00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:23.139
 ever let us

00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:23.420
 go

00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:24.659
 and will never

00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.820
 quit loving us

00:35:25.820 --> 00:35:27.079
 thank you for

00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:28.099
 sending your son

00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.699
 so that we can

00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.719
 believe that if you

00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:30.900
 would send him

00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.599
 for us

00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:33.300
 you will never

00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:34.400
 quit loving us

00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:35.000
 nothing could

00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:36.360
 ever separate us

00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:37.200
 from your love

00:35:37.200 --> 00:35:37.880
 that you've given

00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:38.780
 us in Jesus

00:35:38.780 --> 00:35:42.160
 pray these kids

00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:42.579
 would remember

00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:42.940
 that

00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:45.780
 pray their

00:35:45.780 --> 00:35:46.320
 pastor would

00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:46.960
 remember it

00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:48.460
 and their

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.000
 parents

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:50.400
 and all of us

00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:52.760
 and we would

00:35:52.760 --> 00:35:53.320
 know how much

00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:53.800
 you love us

00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.119
 and that would

00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:55.079
 bring great joy

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:56.559
 to our hearts

00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.240
 today and

00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.800
 every day

00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:58.780
 in Jesus name

00:35:58.780 --> 00:35:59.700
 amen

00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:04.280
 for more

00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:04.780
 information

00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:06.080
 visit us online

00:36:06.080 --> 00:36:06.480
 at

00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:07.380
 southwood.org

00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:09.480
 and

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.180
 to

00:36:10.180 --> 00:36:14.380
 know

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.200
 and

00:36:15.200 --> 00:36:15.660
 he

00:36:15.660 --> 00:36:16.000
Cs

00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:17.220
 in