WEBVTT 00:00:00.340 --> 00:00:01.880 Open it up to us. 00:00:07.940 --> 00:00:10.960 So Luke chapter 1, starting at verse 26. 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:13.519 26 is actually on 1026. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:23.480 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:28.539 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:30.899 The virgin's name was Mary. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:33.879 The angel went to her and said, 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:37.960 Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:43.259 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:45.280 But the angel said to her, 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:49.239 Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. 00:00:49.799 --> 00:00:54.259 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 00:00:54.259 --> 00:00:58.299 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:02.899 The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 00:01:03.100 --> 00:01:05.859 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:07.859 His kingdom will never end. 00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:12.799 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:14.640 The angel answered, 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:16.879 The Holy Spirit will come upon you, 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:19.840 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:23.439 So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 00:01:24.380 --> 00:01:27.960 Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:31.560 and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:35.000 For nothing is impossible with God. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:38.180 I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:40.340 May it be to me as you have said. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:41.859 Then the angel left her. 00:01:43.460 --> 00:01:44.120 Thanks, Charlie. 00:01:44.120 --> 00:02:03.980 Thanks very much, Connor. 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:08.659 There's notes being handed out. 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:10.340 If you'd like to follow along, 00:02:10.439 --> 00:02:16.500 it's a way of just helping to process and think through 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:17.879 what we're looking at this morning. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.120 And if you've got questions, 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:21.879 please feel free to ask after. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:43.780 So we're going to look at a section of what we might traditionally call 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:45.060 the Christmas story. 00:02:45.060 --> 00:02:49.120 And it's a story not only to hear, 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:51.520 it's a story to tell. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:54.680 And with that in mind, 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:56.379 let me just encourage you 00:02:56.379 --> 00:02:59.400 and remind us all that on Wednesday, 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:01.300 we'll be giving out calendars. 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:04.099 And through the calendars each month, 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:05.939 there's verses from the Bible, 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:07.699 and throughout the calendar, 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:10.280 there's readings, 00:03:10.980 --> 00:03:13.159 which tell people the story, 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:16.680 the true story of Christ coming into the world. 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:18.599 And then next Sunday, 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:20.719 just to remind you again, 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:23.199 that at five o'clock is our carol service. 00:03:23.900 --> 00:03:24.359 And again, 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:27.699 it's a way of telling the story to people, 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:29.020 inviting people to come. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:31.680 So these little invites that I'm holding up here at the table, 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:33.219 please avail of them 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:36.139 and do invite people to come along. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:40.199 Well, let's pray. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:40.240 Let's pray. 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:48.799 Our Father God, 00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:51.960 we thank you for your word. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:59.819 We thank you for this account of the coming of Christ into the world. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:04.319 We thank you that just as Luke has written, 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:06.979 that we can now read it 00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:10.879 and hear your truth being spoken to us. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:16.139 And we pray that it will be a truth that changes us, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:22.399 a truth that sets our hearts on fire, 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:26.300 that reveals to us afresh 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:30.360 the wonder of God the King 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:32.600 coming into this world. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:35.780 we pray, Father, 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:37.340 that not one of us will leave 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:40.300 without you doing a work in our lives 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:44.520 and showing us Christ more fully 00:04:44.520 --> 00:04:47.620 so that we may delight in him, 00:04:48.260 --> 00:04:48.980 love him, 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:51.320 and serve him more and more. 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:53.960 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:54.820 --> 00:04:55.200 Amen. 00:04:55.200 --> 00:04:55.340 Amen. 00:04:55.340 --> 00:04:55.400 Amen. 00:04:55.400 --> 00:04:55.420 Amen. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:55.439 Amen. 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:55.480 Amen. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:57.360 Amen. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:06.140 Well, do you really believe this story, 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:09.420 the story that was just read to us? 00:05:10.580 --> 00:05:13.800 Don't you think it's a little bit far-fetched, 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:16.320 all this talk of angels appearing 00:05:16.320 --> 00:05:18.500 and virgins conceiving? 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:21.960 No one really believes this stuff anymore. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:24.740 It's a nice story, 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:28.540 but it's not really a true story, 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:29.040 is it? 00:05:31.340 --> 00:05:32.460 Richard Dawkins, 00:05:33.280 --> 00:05:36.280 formerly Oxford University's professor 00:05:36.280 --> 00:05:38.600 for the public understanding of science, 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:42.240 so a very well-respected man in these fields, 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:44.400 says what many people believe. 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:45.980 He says this, 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:48.480 it's supernatural nonsense 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:51.220 to believe in the virgin birth. 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:53.980 You cannot be an intellectual, 00:05:54.340 --> 00:05:55.560 scientific thinker 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:58.900 and still hold religious beliefs. 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:01.500 It seems that for many, 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.900 unless something can be explained scientifically, 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:06.880 it simply can't be true. 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:09.000 Science, we are told, 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:10.900 has proved that there's no such thing 00:06:10.900 --> 00:06:11.600 as the miraculous. 00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:13.700 Angels do not appear 00:06:13.700 --> 00:06:16.520 and virgins do not conceive. 00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:21.079 Well, before we write this story off 00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:22.639 as a simple fairy tale 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:23.899 or as just a legend, 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:26.060 let's consider this. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:29.919 If God is going to say something, 00:06:30.859 --> 00:06:33.719 and if God is going to do something, 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:36.899 why should we be surprised 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:38.279 if it does not fit 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:40.919 the normal boundaries of science? 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:44.240 What kind of God would he be 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.720 if he were confined 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:48.460 to the natural laws of science? 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:51.540 God is not constrained 00:06:51.540 --> 00:06:52.939 to the tests and formula 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:54.100 of a laboratory. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:57.700 If God created these laws, 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:01.139 is he not free to act outside 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:02.780 these laws? 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.139 So when God says something, 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:09.240 when God does something, 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:11.879 we should not be surprised 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:12.879 if it doesn't fit 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:15.199 our everyday experience. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.199 You see, God speaks 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.100 and God acts 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.180 in an extraordinary way 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:25.600 to get our attention. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:28.300 First, 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:30.860 God speaks 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:33.920 to announce his grace. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:36.439 Look at verse 26. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:39.480 In the sixth month, 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:42.879 God sent the angel Gabriel 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:44.699 to Nazareth. 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:49.439 When God sends an angel, 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:51.860 something big 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:53.579 is about to happen. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:56.579 You see, angels appearing 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:59.560 is not an everyday experience. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:01.399 When Mary saw 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:02.920 and heard the angel, 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:03.920 she doesn't say, 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:06.040 oh, it's Gabriel again. 00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:06.980 How are you? 00:08:08.280 --> 00:08:09.960 No, Mary's in complete 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:10.939 and utter shock. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:12.640 Look at verse 29. 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:15.140 Mary was greatly troubled 00:08:15.140 --> 00:08:17.080 at the words 00:08:17.080 --> 00:08:18.360 and wondered. 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.540 The wonder is not 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:21.760 in kind of awe 00:08:21.760 --> 00:08:22.520 and amazement, 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:24.660 but am I seeing things? 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:26.720 Is this really an angel? 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:29.280 Verse 30. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:31.180 But the angel said to her, 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:34.460 do not be afraid, Mary. 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:36.900 Mary is terrified. 00:08:37.300 --> 00:08:38.139 She's scared. 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:40.379 The visit of an angel 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:42.920 is not a normal experience. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:45.620 So when God sends an angel, 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:48.360 it demands our attention. 00:08:49.420 --> 00:08:52.600 God has something important to say. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:56.300 When we were growing up, 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:58.720 we didn't have a TV in the home, 00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:02.040 but my father had a wireless radio. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.480 And at the dinner table, 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.600 it would always be on 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:07.740 in the background 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:08.920 and with all the noise 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:09.720 and all the talk, 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:11.060 no one could ever hear it. 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:13.820 But then just before six o'clock, 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:15.779 you would hear this 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:16.899 beep, 00:09:17.460 --> 00:09:17.860 beep, 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:18.820 beep, 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:20.260 beep 00:09:20.260 --> 00:09:22.080 from the wireless. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.400 It was the cue 00:09:23.400 --> 00:09:24.280 that the news 00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:25.660 was just about to come on 00:09:25.660 --> 00:09:27.300 and we all had to shut up 00:09:27.300 --> 00:09:28.700 so Dad could listen. 00:09:29.900 --> 00:09:31.060 Now the sending 00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:32.240 of an angel 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.000 is God's way 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.240 of interrupting 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.360 the normal run of life. 00:09:37.680 --> 00:09:39.379 It's God's megaphone 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.480 into the noise 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:41.320 of this world. 00:09:41.780 --> 00:09:42.840 God's way of saying, 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:44.340 shut up and listen. 00:09:45.780 --> 00:09:47.000 I have some news 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:48.820 and I want you to hear it. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:52.299 Because what the angel 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:53.200 has to say 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:55.139 is what God 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:55.879 has to say. 00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.279 So what is it 00:09:58.279 --> 00:09:58.960 that God 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.580 has to say? 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:02.620 Well, 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:04.200 he speaks in grace. 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.039 Verse 28. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:08.460 The angel 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:09.580 went to Mary 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:10.220 and said, 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:11.320 greetings, 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:13.120 you who are 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.220 highly favoured. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:16.019 the Lord 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.220 is with you. 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:19.340 Mary 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:21.279 is favoured. 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.139 Literally, 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:23.860 it means 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:25.060 grace 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:26.500 has come 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:26.960 to you 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:27.920 or grace 00:10:27.920 --> 00:10:28.480 has come 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:29.300 upon you. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:30.600 Not because 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:31.379 Mary was 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.200 special 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:33.220 or sinless, 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:34.840 but simply 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:35.580 because of 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:36.220 God's 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.800 amazing grace. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:39.220 God could have 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:39.700 chosen 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.779 anyone. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:42.120 But, 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.540 look at verse 30, 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.399 the angel 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.039 said to her, 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:47.099 do not be afraid, 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:47.459 Mary. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.599 You 00:10:48.599 --> 00:10:50.139 have found 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:51.019 favour 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.059 or you 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:52.899 have found 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:53.539 grace 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.980 with God. 00:10:55.839 --> 00:10:56.939 Mary's not even 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:58.059 looking for God. 00:10:58.819 --> 00:10:59.719 She's not even 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:00.879 expecting any kind 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.439 of visit. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:02.659 But yet, 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.159 God 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.419 intervenes 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.579 into her life 00:11:05.579 --> 00:11:06.639 and that's what 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.500 grace is. 00:11:07.839 --> 00:11:08.819 God's goodness 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:10.059 and generosity 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:11.379 and kindness 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.839 intervening 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:14.000 invading 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.320 our lives. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:16.940 Not because 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:17.639 we've earned 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.560 it or deserve 00:11:18.560 --> 00:11:18.960 it, 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.660 but because 00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:21.280 God 00:11:21.280 --> 00:11:22.780 loves us. 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.320 You see, 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.280 we can be so 00:11:26.280 --> 00:11:27.139 familiar with 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:27.840 this story 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:29.519 that we can 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:30.639 miss the point 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.040 of the story. 00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:33.700 Look at how 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.060 Luke 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:35.280 begins 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:36.379 his introduction 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.139 to this 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:37.980 story in 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.980 verse 26. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:41.159 In the 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.860 sixth month, 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:42.560 that is the 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:43.340 sixth month 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:45.460 of Elizabeth's 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:46.039 pregnancy, 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:46.840 that's the 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.879 cousin of 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:48.240 Mary, 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:49.820 God sent 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:50.420 the angel 00:11:50.420 --> 00:11:51.480 Gabriel to 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:53.100 Nazareth, 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:55.000 a town in 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:55.460 Galilee. 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.159 Now, 00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:57.980 Galilee was 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.879 a region 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:00.019 that was at 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.700 the very 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.680 edge of 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.259 the nation 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.639 of Israel, 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.680 the northern 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:05.360 edge. 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.220 and Nazareth 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:08.139 was at the 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.120 very edge 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.279 of Galilee. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:12.019 It's like 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.919 talking about 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:13.840 Ballyhillon. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.159 You know 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:15.899 Ballyhillon? 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:16.899 It's at the 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:17.980 very tip of 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.779 Midden Head, 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.659 at the very 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:20.600 top of 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.000 Donegal. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:21.620 It's kind 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.759 of who 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.399 goes there 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:23.840 kind of 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:24.279 place. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:25.700 Nazareth 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:27.200 is not the 00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:27.700 centre of 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.200 the universe. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:29.259 It was a 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:29.700 small, 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:30.480 backward 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:31.019 town. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.700 Archaeologists 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.420 can tell us 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:33.699 that it 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:33.979 was a 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:34.439 town of 00:12:34.439 --> 00:12:35.360 no more 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:35.799 than just 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:36.819 50 houses. 00:12:38.219 --> 00:12:38.919 In fact, 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.819 one disciple 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:40.419 would later 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:40.879 make the 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.459 derogatory 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:42.000 comment, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.120 Nazareth, 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:44.779 can anything 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.559 good come 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.059 from there? 00:12:46.979 --> 00:12:47.620 You never 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.899 went to 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:49.519 Nazareth. 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:51.479 You left 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:51.919 there as 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.339 quick as 00:12:52.339 --> 00:12:52.759 possible. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.819 But that's 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:56.539 where God 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.419 chooses to 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:58.419 go and 00:12:58.419 --> 00:12:59.079 announce his 00:12:59.079 --> 00:12:59.639 message. 00:13:01.179 --> 00:13:01.799 And if 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:02.620 that doesn't 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.679 seem strange, 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:04.860 look at 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.440 who God 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:06.120 chooses to 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.720 talk to, 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:08.000 verse 27. 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:09.600 To a 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.120 virgin 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:10.740 pledged 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:11.179 to be 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:12.500 married to 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:12.860 a man 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.200 named 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:13.720 Joseph, 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.560 a descendant 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.139 of David, 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.700 the virgin's 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.720 name was 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.159 Mary. 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:20.519 Who's 00:13:20.519 --> 00:13:20.899 Mary? 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.000 Well, 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.419 that's the 00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:23.840 point. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:24.560 Nobody 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.340 knows who 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.039 Mary is. 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.320 She's a 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.019 small-time 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.779 girl in a 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.440 small-time 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:29.840 town. 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:30.720 In fact, 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.620 she's probably 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.600 not much 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.159 older than 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.039 15 years 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.539 of age 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.480 because that's 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.179 when marriage 00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:37.019 arrangements would 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.399 happen. 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:39.440 She's a 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:39.919 nobody. 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.360 We don't 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:42.740 have any 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.519 background or 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.220 any recording 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:44.820 of who she 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.279 is or 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.539 anything about 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.060 her family. 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.200 Now, 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.659 doesn't all 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.299 this strike 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:51.759 you as 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.360 odd? 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:53.980 God 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.820 chooses an 00:13:54.820 --> 00:13:55.460 ordinary 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:57.159 person in 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:57.980 an ordinary 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.360 place to 00:13:59.360 --> 00:13:59.860 announce 00:13:59.860 --> 00:13:59.879 to announce 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:01.300 his grand 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.019 message? 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.879 Surely God 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.659 could do much 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.240 better than 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:05.480 that. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.360 Why not 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.940 announce it 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:07.740 in Jerusalem, 00:14:08.200 --> 00:14:08.879 the capital, 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:10.600 somewhere really 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.220 important? 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:13.779 Why not 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.639 choose someone 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.820 wealthy or 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.779 well-known, 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.899 someone from 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.460 a religious 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:19.279 establishment? 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.240 Why does 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.659 God deliberately 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.139 and intentionally 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.560 go to this 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.739 back-a-beyond 00:14:27.739 --> 00:14:29.319 town and 00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:29.919 speak to 00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:30.819 an unknown 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:31.819 trembling 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:33.000 teenage 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.699 girl? 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.199 Because 00:14:37.199 --> 00:14:38.819 God 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.479 comes 00:14:39.479 --> 00:14:40.539 and speaks 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:41.699 in grace. 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:43.839 You see, 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:44.599 what God 00:14:44.599 --> 00:14:45.519 has to say, 00:14:46.739 --> 00:14:47.339 he has to 00:14:47.339 --> 00:14:47.719 say to 00:14:47.719 --> 00:14:48.319 people like 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:48.779 you and 00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:49.039 me. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.779 God has 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:51.279 come to 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:52.019 ordinary 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.419 people in 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:54.139 ordinary 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.919 places. 00:14:55.459 --> 00:14:55.899 You see, 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.500 the point 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:56.879 of this 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.819 great story 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:58.919 is that 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.899 no one 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.799 is off 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:01.559 limits 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:03.199 from God's 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:03.639 grace. 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.079 You don't 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:07.620 have to be 00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:08.179 important 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.500 or wealthy 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.799 or well-known. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:12.159 You don't 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.779 have to come 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.600 from a certain 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.279 address and 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:14.799 have studied 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.539 at a certain 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.139 college. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.319 You don't 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:17.919 even have to 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:18.259 have it 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.759 together. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.240 You just 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.019 have to be 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.000 undeserving 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.199 and that's 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:23.600 what we 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:23.939 are. 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:26.340 God 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:26.760 could have 00:15:26.760 --> 00:15:27.160 chosen 00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:28.080 anyone 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.980 in any 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.600 place, 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.600 but in 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.320 his grace 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:32.320 he chose 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.440 Mary 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:35.300 in 00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:36.300 Nazareth. 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.200 And so 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.160 God chooses 00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:41.360 to intervene 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.460 into our 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.120 world and 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.740 into our 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.700 lives by 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.360 his son, 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.240 the Lord 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.860 Jesus 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.740 Christ, 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:48.860 speaking 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:50.060 his truth 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:51.020 through his 00:15:51.020 --> 00:15:52.240 word and 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:53.240 calling people 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:53.899 like you 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.320 and me, 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.299 ordinary 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.820 individuals, 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.360 nobodies in 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.000 this world, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.100 calling us 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.680 to come and 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.399 serve him, 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.480 to love him, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.759 to obey him 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.539 because no 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:07.100 one is 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.940 off limits 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:09.519 from God's 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:09.940 grace. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:13.259 But what is 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.960 this news? 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:15.820 What is 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:16.840 God announcing? 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.120 What is he 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.060 going to 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:19.379 do? 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:22.139 Well, 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:22.980 God acts 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.159 to establish 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.840 his king. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.340 Verse 31. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.679 The angel 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.320 said to 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:31.639 Mary, 00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.460 verse 31, 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.120 you will be 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.659 with child, 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.360 give birth to 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:34.820 a son and 00:16:34.820 --> 00:16:35.100 you're going 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.340 to give 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:35.580 him the 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:36.200 name Jesus. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:38.799 Now, 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:41.059 women get 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.759 pregnant all 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.259 the time. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.259 There's 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:43.539 nothing 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.279 extraordinary 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.259 about that. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.379 Except in 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.240 Mary's case, 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.379 it is a 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.879 supernatural 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.719 act of 00:16:50.719 --> 00:16:51.019 God. 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.959 Verse 34, 00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.740 how is 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.219 this going 00:16:54.219 --> 00:16:54.859 to be? 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.319 Mary asked 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:56.839 the angel. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:58.279 I'm a 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:58.659 virgin. 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.740 Mary didn't 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:04.079 doubt that 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.480 she could 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:04.859 have a 00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:05.139 son. 00:17:05.659 --> 00:17:06.279 After all, 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.619 she was 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.000 soon to 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.440 be married 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.159 to Joseph 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.920 and like 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.500 every young 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:09.680 girl, 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.519 she dreamed 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:10.960 of being 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.340 a mother. 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.240 The problem 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:12.800 for Mary 00:17:12.800 --> 00:17:13.300 was, 00:17:14.340 --> 00:17:15.240 how can 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.980 I have 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:16.680 a son 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:18.160 when I 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.600 am still 00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:19.080 a virgin? 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.860 It's 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:21.580 impossible. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.720 This is 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.580 nonsense. 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.700 Virgins 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.700 do not 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.540 conceive. 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.140 Unless, 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.700 of course, 00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:30.620 God chooses 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.300 to act 00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:32.259 in a 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.000 supernatural 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.700 way. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.380 Verse 35, 00:17:36.580 --> 00:17:37.160 the angel 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.700 answered, 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.460 the Holy 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.220 Spirit will 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.460 come upon 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:41.880 you, 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.220 and the 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.900 power of 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.360 the Most 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.980 High will 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.759 overshadow 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.140 you. 00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:50.120 This is 00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:51.620 unique in 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:52.460 the history 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.440 of the 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.800 world. 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.940 No other 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:57.240 child has 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:57.900 been born 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.800 in this 00:17:58.800 --> 00:17:59.180 way. 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:00.920 Millions of 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:01.500 children have 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.019 been born. 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:05.240 Billions have 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.840 been born. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.899 children have 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:08.740 been born. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:08.759 But no child 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.879 has been 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.419 born this 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:10.699 way. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.199 God, by the 00:18:13.199 --> 00:18:13.879 power of 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.419 his Holy 00:18:14.419 --> 00:18:14.919 Spirit, 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.740 caused Mary 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.459 to be 00:18:17.459 --> 00:18:17.959 pregnant 00:18:17.959 --> 00:18:19.139 without the 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:19.980 normal means 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.799 of sexual 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.639 intercourse. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.179 This is not 00:18:23.179 --> 00:18:23.919 ordinary. 00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:24.959 This is 00:18:24.959 --> 00:18:26.019 extraordinary. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.079 This is 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.720 supernatural. 00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:28.959 This is 00:18:28.959 --> 00:18:29.740 God's way 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.419 of getting 00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.220 the world's 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:32.199 attention and 00:18:32.199 --> 00:18:32.519 saying, 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.339 I am 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:33.799 going to 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.019 do 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.579 something 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.960 grand and 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.819 amazing and 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.220 I want 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.139 you to 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.819 pay attention 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.319 to what 00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:40.240 I am 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.700 going to 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:40.980 do. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.019 So what 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.579 is God 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.059 going to 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.259 do? 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.799 Well, 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.160 look at 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:48.799 verse 31 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.240 again. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.680 You will 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:51.980 have a 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.299 child, 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:52.740 you'll give 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.980 birth to 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.379 a son, 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.879 and you're 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.339 to name 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:56.740 him 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.920 Jesus. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:58.120 Jesus. 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.920 The name 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.140 Jesus means 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.519 the Lord 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.700 saves. 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.160 So this 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:07.580 child born 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.019 to be 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.160 Mary is 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:09.660 God's 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.320 means of 00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:11.380 saving this 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.180 disordered 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.160 world and 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.860 its broken 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.779 people. 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:16.560 At this 00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.039 stage of 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.519 the story, 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:17.920 we're not 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.680 told exactly 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.560 how it's 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:19.980 all going 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.460 to happen, 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.480 but simply 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.519 that this 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.279 child, 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:23.860 Jesus, 00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:25.759 is going 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.680 to save. 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:30.759 four things 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.440 were told 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.519 by Luke 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:32.900 at this 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.320 point. 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:34.940 First, 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.600 he is the 00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.039 promised 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.740 king. 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.600 In the 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.100 chronicles 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.840 of Narnia, 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:43.279 the land 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.960 of Narnia 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.800 is frozen 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:45.820 in ice 00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.500 and snow, 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.860 ruled by 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:48.360 the wicked 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.400 white witch. 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.720 But then 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.460 as you read 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:51.840 through the 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.300 story, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.120 the land 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.820 begins to 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.240 thaw, 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:54.940 and the 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.840 ice begins 00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.460 to melt, 00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:57.320 and the 00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:57.779 animals 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.180 of the 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.579 forest 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.200 recognize 00:19:59.200 --> 00:19:59.639 the 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.119 sign. 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:02.000 Aslan, 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:02.859 the king, 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.500 he's 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.879 coming. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.240 Now, 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:06.700 the first 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.399 readers of 00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:07.759 Luke's 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.059 gospel, 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.460 as they 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.139 read this 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.500 text, 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.519 would have 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.079 said the 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.359 same. 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.299 The king, 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:13.460 he's 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:13.899 come. 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:15.759 You see, 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.579 all through 00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:17.139 the Old 00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:17.619 Testament, 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.440 God had 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.019 been promised, 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:19.480 the whole 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.279 story of 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.619 the Old 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:20.980 Testament, 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.039 is God's 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.720 great promise 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.099 that he 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.899 would establish 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.680 his king. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:24.720 king. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.400 Listen to 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.820 this from 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.320 the prophet 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.200 Isaiah, 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.900 speaking all 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.640 those hundreds 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.380 of years 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.140 before, 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.240 700 years 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.840 before the 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.259 birth of 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.660 Christ. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.360 This is 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:35.700 what he 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.060 says, 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.860 Therefore, 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.940 the Lord 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.900 himself will 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.560 give you a 00:20:39.560 --> 00:20:40.000 sign. 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.860 The virgin 00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.600 will be with 00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.240 child and 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.039 give birth to 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.519 a son. 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.060 So as these 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:48.100 first readers, 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.060 as they began 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:50.019 to read Luke's 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.360 gospel, 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.200 and they come 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:52.440 across Mary, 00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.100 a virgin, 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.299 giving birth, 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:55.960 they would 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.940 recognize the 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.819 sign and 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.140 they would 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:59.740 declare God's 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.420 promised king 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.140 has come. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.100 God is 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:04.140 ruling all of 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.819 history and 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.940 all of time 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.980 and bringing 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:08.000 to fulfilment 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.080 his promise 00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:10.319 to bring his 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.940 king. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.940 But he's not 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.700 just a promised 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.240 king, he's 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.740 the ruling 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.120 king. 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.380 Nations 00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.200 today, like 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.720 Britain, 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.100 they have 00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:22.960 kings, but 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.019 they're largely 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.720 symbolic. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.039 They don't 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.519 have any 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.860 real power. 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.680 But God's 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.220 king is the 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.720 one who will 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.240 rule with 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.720 absolute power 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:34.160 and supreme 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.799 authority. 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.259 Look at 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.160 verse 32. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.420 He will be 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.840 great and 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.640 will be called 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:41.120 son of the 00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:41.980 most high. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.319 God's 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.440 king sits 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:45.880 on the 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:46.519 world's 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:46.819 throne. 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.900 He rules 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.640 over all 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.319 people and 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.100 all things. 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.199 He holds 00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:51.980 the reins of 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.699 all power. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.859 He decides 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:54.559 what is right 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.019 and what is 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.240 wrong. 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.019 He will 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.779 determine the 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.240 course of 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.179 history and 00:21:58.179 --> 00:21:58.779 the decisions 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.419 of man. 00:22:04.219 --> 00:22:05.019 But he's 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.439 more than 00:22:05.439 --> 00:22:05.879 that. 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.439 He's the 00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:07.980 eternal 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.359 king. 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.519 Some rulers 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.319 and kings 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:13.299 reign for a 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.919 long time 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.439 over a 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:14.779 nation. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:14.819 king. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.440 We know 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:17.779 of one 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.299 recently, 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:18.740 Fidel 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.319 Castro. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.420 For years 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.920 he ruled 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:21.639 over Cuba. 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.019 But eventually 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.879 they die 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.359 and someone 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.039 else comes 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.899 and takes 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.700 their place. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.500 But not 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.180 with God's 00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:31.440 king. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.899 Verse 33. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.279 He will 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.379 reign over 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:35.960 the house 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.940 of Jacob 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.139 forever. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.240 His 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.139 kingdom will 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:41.740 never end. 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.920 this king 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.680 is not 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.099 going to 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.880 be pushed 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.960 out or 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.839 overthrown 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:48.259 or replaced. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.319 Yes, 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.859 he will 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.480 die but 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:50.920 he will 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:52.059 rise again. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.380 He will 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.099 be king 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.359 forever 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.420 over all 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.039 time and 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.579 over all 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.440 people and 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.140 over all 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.839 history. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.579 And he 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:07.000 is God 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.779 the king. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.799 Kings in 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.359 the past 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:11.980 as rulers 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.700 do today 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.419 behave as 00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:13.839 if they 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.680 are a 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.039 god. 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:16.759 Dictating, 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:17.759 ruling, 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.899 just like 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.460 we want 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:19.740 to do 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.059 with our 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.559 own lives. 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.299 We think 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.639 we're 00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:22.059 God. 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.619 But this 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.619 child is 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.839 God the 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:26.220 king. 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.319 Look at 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.619 the end 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:27.960 of verse 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.700 35. 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.680 As the 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.299 angel says 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.779 to Mary, 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.639 so the 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:32.619 holy one 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:34.159 to be 00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.839 born will 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.519 be called 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.639 the son 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.740 of God. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.259 You see 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.839 the virgin 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.519 conception 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.379 is not 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:41.859 just to 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.240 get our 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.720 attention. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.379 It's 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:43.839 there to 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.299 tell us 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.379 that this 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.279 child born 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.900 to Mary 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:48.079 doesn't have 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.559 an earthly 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.059 father. 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.160 He has 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.980 a heavenly 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.460 father. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.160 In other 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:53.420 words, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.400 his nature 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.799 is divine. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.740 He is 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.720 fully God. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.259 He will 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.799 be called, 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.119 end of 00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.740 verse 35, 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.299 the son 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.220 of God, 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:02.900 a title 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.599 making him 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.680 equal or 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.759 one with 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.519 God. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:06.660 God. 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:10.019 So God 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:12.019 acts in 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.759 a supernatural 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.559 way to 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.019 show us 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.559 that this 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:16.000 child is 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.920 nothing less 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.779 than the 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.980 eternal God 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.139 come in 00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:21.240 human form 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.940 into our 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.460 world to 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.940 save. 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.759 This is no 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.619 ordinary 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.319 child. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.680 In fact, 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.700 this supernatural 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.500 conception 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.759 proves to 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.500 us his 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.180 supernatural 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.940 role. 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.980 He is 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.980 God's 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.400 saving 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.820 king. 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.220 And he's 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.860 not voted 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.440 in by 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.240 popular 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:42.840 demand, 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.580 but he 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.019 has been 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.940 installed 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:46.060 among the 00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:46.680 nations of 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.200 the world 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.440 by God. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.500 His rule 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.400 doesn't depend 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.180 on the 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.620 will of 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.180 the people, 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:53.980 whether they 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.480 like him 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.880 or not, 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.039 but he 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:56.680 is there 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.420 by the 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.380 will of 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.799 God. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.120 And that 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.720 will will 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.299 not be 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.440 overturned. 00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.380 His 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.100 kingdom is 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.500 built, 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:05.319 not by 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:05.899 our 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:06.539 support. 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:07.079 His 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.459 kingdom 00:25:07.459 --> 00:25:08.279 is 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.059 established 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.079 by God 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.679 because 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:11.539 he 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.240 is 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.319 God. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.519 Now, 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:17.919 we might 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.379 have trouble 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:18.740 with a 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.240 God who 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.279 acts and 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.059 intervenes 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.419 in this 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:21.759 way. 00:25:23.459 --> 00:25:24.379 But if 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:25.399 God is 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:26.240 truly 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.439 God, 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.399 does he 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.059 not have 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.819 the right 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.859 to install 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.339 his 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:32.819 king? 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:34.599 and 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.419 establish 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:35.899 his 00:25:35.899 --> 00:25:36.319 rule 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.019 over 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.720 all 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.240 people 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:38.819 and 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.099 over 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.700 all 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.139 nations? 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.879 You see, 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.759 this child 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.759 born to 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.899 Mary is 00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:46.599 your 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.039 king 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.639 and my 00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:48.960 king. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.259 He is 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.159 the world's 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.419 king, 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.379 whether we 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.119 like it, 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.019 whether we 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.539 bow to 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.700 him or 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.179 not. 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.099 He is 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.099 our 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.480 king. 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.419 So, 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:06.740 God 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.480 announces 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.099 speaking 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.740 his 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.319 grace 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.279 into 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.559 this 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.000 world 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.379 and 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:13.679 God 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.099 acts 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.399 to 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.240 establish 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.139 his 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.639 king. 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.719 Now, 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.019 again, 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.699 because this 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:21.379 story is 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.099 just so 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.599 familiar 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.299 to us, 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:23.839 we could 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.779 write about 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:24.959 it, 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.319 we could 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.699 tell it 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.180 to people. 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.819 It can 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.319 be so 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.039 familiar that 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.440 we might 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.740 think, 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.019 you know, 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.680 this was 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.299 just easy 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.880 for Mary. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.259 Oh, 00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:33.500 yeah, 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.319 have a 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.580 baby, 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.019 God's 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.200 son, 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.860 no problem, 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.559 what's 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.059 next on 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.580 the agenda? 00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:39.240 But it 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.839 wasn't. 00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:40.939 Mary is 00:26:40.939 --> 00:26:41.759 deeply 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.759 troubled. 00:26:43.699 --> 00:26:44.099 She's 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.000 terrified. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.319 She's 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.259 doubting. 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.039 She's 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.879 questioning. 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.079 An angel 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.859 has just 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.359 appeared 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.279 telling her 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.899 that she's 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.240 going to 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.899 give birth 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.659 to God 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:55.159 the king. 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.099 How 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.859 can this 00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.199 be? 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.279 I'm not 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.579 even 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.019 married. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.779 What am 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.099 I going 00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:03.480 to tell 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.000 Joseph? 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.779 What if 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.240 he doesn't 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.980 believe me? 00:27:06.659 --> 00:27:07.359 I'm just 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.899 a young 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.799 girl living 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.159 in a 00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:09.899 small town. 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.539 This 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.359 can't be 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:11.740 happening. 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.479 This is 00:27:12.479 --> 00:27:12.719 not 00:27:12.719 --> 00:27:13.199 possible. 00:27:16.179 --> 00:27:16.819 Well, 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.259 listen to 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.579 what the 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.319 angel said, 00:27:18.479 --> 00:27:19.299 verse 37. 00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.279 For 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.659 nothing 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.599 is 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.240 impossible 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.539 with 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:26.919 God. 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.359 It's 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.759 not saying 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.240 that God 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.019 will do 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.979 anything 00:27:31.979 --> 00:27:32.199 and 00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:32.599 everything, 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.479 but 00:27:33.479 --> 00:27:33.959 literally 00:27:33.959 --> 00:27:34.259 it's 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.500 saying 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.079 no 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.959 word 00:27:35.959 --> 00:27:36.379 of 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:36.759 God 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.220 will 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.680 fail. 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:38.720 Mary, 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.500 everything 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.279 God 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:40.859 says 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.440 he is 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:41.680 going 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:41.900 to 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.240 do, 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:42.960 he 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.279 will 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.640 do, 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.879 and it 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.059 will 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.539 not 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:46.240 fail. 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:46.980 It 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.299 will 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.660 come 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:47.859 to 00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:48.359 pass. 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.119 So 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.440 Mary, 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:51.960 what God 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.299 has said 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.599 is going 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:52.940 to happen 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.339 in your 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:53.759 life, 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:54.700 will 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.200 happen. 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.579 In a 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:57.859 sense, 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.240 it's a 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.759 call for 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.140 Mary 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.400 to 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.079 obey 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.059 God's 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.439 word 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:03.720 and 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.299 trust 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.460 God's 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.119 actions. 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.079 And 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.379 that's 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:08.859 exactly 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.199 what 00:28:09.199 --> 00:28:09.480 Mary 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.939 does. 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.199 She 00:28:11.199 --> 00:28:12.359 surrenders 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:12.759 to 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.359 God 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:14.039 the 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.480 King. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.419 Verse 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:15.919 38. 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.019 I 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.599 am 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.599 the 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.139 Lord's 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:20.619 servant, 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.299 Mary 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:22.819 answered. 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:24.679 May 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:25.079 it be 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.659 to me 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.539 as 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:26.899 you 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.119 have 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.519 said. 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.619 then 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:29.799 the 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.099 angel 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.480 left 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:30.700 her. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.039 You 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.240 see, 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:33.660 let's 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.099 get 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.579 ourselves 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:34.920 into 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.220 the 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.539 feet 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:36.779 of 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.119 Mary. 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.279 Mary 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.740 might 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:39.980 not 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.279 like 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.779 everything 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.079 that 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.240 is 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.539 asked 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:41.700 of 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:41.940 her, 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.519 but 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:43.759 yet 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.000 she 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.879 obeys 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:46.039 despite 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.680 all 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:46.900 her 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.359 doubts 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.700 and 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:47.940 all 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.139 her 00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:48.639 questions. 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.059 I 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.480 am 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.299 the 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.900 Lord's 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:53.059 servant. 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.139 And 00:28:56.139 --> 00:28:56.379 Mary 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:56.740 might 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:56.940 not 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.500 understand 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.079 everything 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.559 that is 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.019 asked 00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.200 of 00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.420 her, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.740 but 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.000 she 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.859 trusts 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.559 despite 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.240 all 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:03.480 her 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.960 troubles 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.319 and 00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.940 all 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.160 her 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:05.740 fears. 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.500 May 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.720 it 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.019 be 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.299 to 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.619 me 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.079 as 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.420 you 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.779 have 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.240 said. 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.539 I 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:12.799 don't 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.440 understand 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:13.859 everything 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.299 that is 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.559 going 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:14.859 on. 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.319 I 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.720 can't 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:15.980 see 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.279 how 00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:16.839 all 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.079 this 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.220 is 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:17.400 going 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:17.500 to 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:17.740 work 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:17.980 out, 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.460 how 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:18.680 I'm 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:18.819 going 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:18.940 to 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.220 tell 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.640 people, 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.160 how 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.400 they're 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:20.539 going 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:20.660 to 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.180 respond. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:21.940 I 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.220 just 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.880 don't 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.039 know 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.359 what's 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:23.539 going 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:23.799 on 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.099 here, 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.319 but 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.519 I 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:25.740 will 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.119 obey 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.460 you. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.799 And I 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.019 will 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.480 trust 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.799 you 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.220 because 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.920 what 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.160 you 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:30.680 say 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.400 and what 00:29:31.400 --> 00:29:31.579 you 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:31.980 do 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.640 and how 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:32.880 you 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.319 act 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.319 is 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:34.660 always 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.160 right. 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:40.620 now 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:40.980 as we 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.259 hear 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.560 this 00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:41.900 true 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.440 story 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.680 of 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.160 God's 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.440 King 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:43.960 coming 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.279 into 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.460 the 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:44.880 world, 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.100 intervening, 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.160 invading 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:48.759 by his 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.200 grace, 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.120 the same 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.960 response is 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.680 required from 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.940 you and 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.440 from me. 00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.460 Thinking 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.160 and studying 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.800 about this 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:58.320 this week 00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:58.840 and reading, 00:29:59.460 --> 00:29:59.920 I came 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.540 across one 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.900 writer who 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.279 put it 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.759 like this. 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.359 he asks 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:03.960 two 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.599 questions 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.039 which I 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.440 think get 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.200 behind the 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.980 response of 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.279 Mary. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.039 And here's 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.339 the two 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.079 questions that 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.539 we're going 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.960 to settle 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:13.240 on and 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.980 reflect on. 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.440 Here's the 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.019 first one. 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.180 As we 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.700 think of 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.599 God coming 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:20.039 the King 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.480 into the 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:20.900 world, 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:24.480 speaking 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.440 his grace, 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.740 establishing 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.440 his King. 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.099 Here's the 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.839 first question. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:31.179 are you 00:30:31.179 --> 00:30:33.359 willing to 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.539 obey anything 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.819 God says 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.480 in his 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:36.779 word, 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.359 the Bible, 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.019 whether you 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.659 like it 00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:40.919 or not? 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:43.179 Are you 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:43.720 willing to 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.519 accept the 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.079 King's 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.639 commands 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:47.599 on how 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:47.980 we should 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.359 live? 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:50.980 Mary was 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.559 called to. 00:30:52.699 --> 00:30:53.379 Are you 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.019 willing to 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.819 submit to 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.519 his word 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.819 in regards 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.619 to marriage? 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.839 not how I 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.579 think marriage 00:30:59.579 --> 00:30:59.959 should be, 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.579 but what 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.159 does God 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.500 say? 00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:03.779 Are you 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.459 willing to 00:31:04.459 --> 00:31:05.199 submit to 00:31:05.199 --> 00:31:06.299 his words 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.859 in regards 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.539 to church? 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:08.279 Not what I 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:08.899 think about 00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:09.259 church, 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.079 but what 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.659 does God 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.000 say? 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.839 Am I 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.379 willing to 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:15.059 submit to 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.879 his every 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.619 command and 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.439 live under 00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:18.239 its authority? 00:31:18.719 --> 00:31:19.179 Can we 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:20.159 say, as 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:20.859 Mary said 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.339 in verse 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.199 38, 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.779 I am 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.479 the Lord's 00:31:24.479 --> 00:31:25.099 servant. 00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:26.419 I will 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:27.859 obey. 00:31:32.179 --> 00:31:32.859 Here's the 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.579 other question. 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.500 Are you 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:36.980 willing to 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.699 trust God 00:31:37.699 --> 00:31:38.199 with how 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:38.959 he acts 00:31:38.959 --> 00:31:39.559 in your 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.079 life, 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:42.099 whether you 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.579 understand 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.019 it or 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.439 not? 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.779 Mary didn't 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.279 understand 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.899 everything that 00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.319 was going 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.619 on. 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.699 Are you 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:53.279 willing to 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.980 accept the 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.639 things that 00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:56.040 God brings 00:31:56.040 --> 00:31:56.580 into your 00:31:56.580 --> 00:31:57.600 life, the 00:31:57.600 --> 00:31:58.620 circumstances 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.240 that you 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.259 must go 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.620 through? 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.860 Are you 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.560 willing to 00:32:03.560 --> 00:32:04.380 surrender to 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:06.400 his gracious 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:08.620 interventions in 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.400 your life, 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:11.180 whether that 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:12.140 is a path of 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:14.180 suffering or 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.920 a path of 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.400 honour? 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:18.240 can we 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.259 say, as 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.100 Mary said 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:21.180 in verse 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:21.860 38, 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:23.680 may it 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:24.480 be to 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:26.360 me as 00:32:26.360 --> 00:32:26.980 you have 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.500 said. 00:32:30.080 --> 00:32:31.000 I will 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.660 trust you. 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.700 I can't 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.600 actually see 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.820 the point of 00:32:36.820 --> 00:32:37.600 why I'm 00:32:37.600 --> 00:32:38.180 going through 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.480 this or 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.300 why I have 00:32:40.300 --> 00:32:40.680 to go 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.340 through this, 00:32:42.340 --> 00:32:43.380 but I will 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.060 trust you. 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:47.839 you see, 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.899 I think we 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:49.440 all want to 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:49.740 be in 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.299 control of 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:50.879 our lives. 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:52.639 We all 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:53.059 want to 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.759 decide what 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.440 is best. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.079 We don't 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:56.700 want God 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.960 intervening or 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:59.159 interfering with 00:32:59.159 --> 00:33:00.079 what we 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.460 should do. 00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.039 We don't 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.619 want people 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:02.139 telling us 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:02.539 how to 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:02.879 live. 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.500 But if 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.119 God the 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.919 King is 00:33:06.919 --> 00:33:07.379 King, 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.419 does he 00:33:10.419 --> 00:33:10.980 not have 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:11.539 the right 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.680 to say 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.720 to us 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.940 what we 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.500 should do 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.579 and what 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.079 should happen 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.420 in our 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:17.879 lives? 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.259 Who are 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:19.720 we to 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:20.579 speak back 00:33:20.579 --> 00:33:21.319 to this 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:21.960 God who 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.220 spoke through 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.819 the angel, 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.279 who establishes 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.740 his King? 00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.759 What right 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.619 have I to 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.559 say, you 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.019 should do 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.879 this and 00:33:29.879 --> 00:33:30.399 you shouldn't 00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:31.059 do that? 00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:35.559 my life 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:37.599 and your 00:33:37.599 --> 00:33:38.119 life 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:39.919 belongs 00:33:39.919 --> 00:33:41.200 to God. 00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:44.980 What you 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.940 say to me, 00:33:46.139 --> 00:33:46.399 Father, 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:47.039 through your 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.399 word, 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.839 I will 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.240 obey. 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.839 And what 00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.579 you do 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.359 in and 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:54.839 through my 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.399 life, 00:33:56.919 --> 00:33:57.240 Father, 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:59.440 I will 00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.099 trust. 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:06.000 are we 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:06.179 the 00:34:06.179 --> 00:34:06.679 Lord's 00:34:06.679 --> 00:34:07.019 servant? 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.619 Can we 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.219 say, may 00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:10.840 it be to 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.019 me as 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.420 you have 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:12.799 said? 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.019 This is 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:16.559 God's 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:16.880 King. 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.340 He demands 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:19.960 our life. 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.659 Obey 00:34:21.659 --> 00:34:22.039 him. 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:23.699 Trust 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:23.960 him. 00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.360 Let's 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:26.619 pray. 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:33.239 adds 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.119 him to 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:41.079 him.