WEBVTT

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 Please keep that page open in Isaiah that we read earlier.

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 I'll turn to it now on page 599.

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 We're going to look at the first 11 verses of that chapter.

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! Let me pray for us before we do that.

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 Heavenly Father, thank you for this time of year

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 where we can reflect on the person of Jesus

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 as we wait and hope for his coming.

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 We pray you would help us to fix our eyes on him,

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 the perfecter and the pioneer of our faith.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 We are in a time of Advent.

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 Whether it is through seeing the Christmas lights

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 or the decorations or the adverts

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 or through hearing Michael Buble tell you,

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 we all know it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

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 We're in the yearly December run-up to Christmas,

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 the time of Advent,

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 as we wait for and hope for the arrival of Christ

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 or we reflect on that period of history

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 where people waited for and hoped for the first coming of Christ.

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 So we're in a yearly December time of Advent,

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 but we're also in a larger time of Advent

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 as we wait and hope for the second coming,

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 the second Advent arrival of Christ.

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 Both of these times involve waiting and hoping

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 dwelling on who Jesus is.

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 And whether it's December or any other time of year,

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 it matters what we think of Jesus.

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 We're dwelling on him.

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 We're waiting for him.

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 We're hoping for him.

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 So it matters who he is and what we think of him.

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 How do we view Jesus Christ?

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 At this time of year,

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 as the cards are getting sent out,

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 as we see school nativity plays and we sing carols,

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 it's tempting and we do think of Jesus

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 as the rosy-cheeked baby in a manger

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 surrounded by his mother and father

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 and shepherds and wise men.

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 In fact, for some people,

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 this isn't just a December view of Jesus.

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 There's a certain generation I hear of French people

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 that always view Jesus like this.

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 They call him le petit Jesus,

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 meaning little Jesus.

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 I'm not making it up.

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 I have a friend who's French who told me this.

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 He tells me that as he was growing up

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 in a completely non-Christian family,

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 his grandparents would say things to him like,

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 would petit Jesus do that?

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 Would he be behaving like this?

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 Petit Jesus?

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 Little Jesus.

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 He is kind of a benchmark for behavior.

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 He is innocent.

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 He's a nice benchmark for French children

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 and other children to look up to.

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 But is that it?

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 Is that all Jesus was?

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 We believe, yes, Jesus told us himself.

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 He came.

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 He is gentle and lowly in heart.

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 He humbled himself in being born as a baby.

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 But was his death only a demonstration

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 of that love and humility?

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 Or did it have a purpose beyond that?

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 Perhaps as you think of Jesus,

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 you don't think of the term Advent.

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 Maybe the term absent is better for you.

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 You wonder, who is Jesus?

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 Was he really born?

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 Where is he now?

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 What's he doing now?

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 As we look around and see wickedness in the world,

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 maybe he does feel absent to you

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 or like he doesn't care or can't do anything.

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 Well, as we look at Isaiah chapter 40 this evening,

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 we will see that Jesus came not only humbling himself,

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 but Jesus came to bring restoration for his people.

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 Jesus came to reveal the glory of God.

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 And he is not absent by any understanding.

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 He is reigning right now.

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 This is a rich passage.

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 We'll only be able to scratch the surface of it tonight,

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 but I hope we'll see its fulfillment in Jesus,

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 particularly in three things,

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 in his comfort, his glory, and his reign.

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 So our first heading tonight is this,

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 the comfort of restoration.

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 The comfort of restoration.

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 Let's look at verse one again.

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 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

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 And verse two, speak tenderly to Jerusalem.

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 If anyone in history was in need of comfort,

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 it was God's people at around 700 BC

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 when the book of Isaiah was written.

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 We're in chapter 40 today,

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 but for a lot of the last 39 chapters,

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 God has been warning Judah and Israel

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 of the consequences of their sin.

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 And he has been telling them that exile

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 will happen as a result of their sin.

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 They have been unfaithful to God.

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 They have been covenant breakers to him.

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 And they were facing exile as a result.

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 Chapter 39 ends with God telling the king,

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 Hezekiah, through Isaiah.

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 He's telling the king that this exile will happen

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 during your children's lifetime.

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 While they are on the throne,

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 this exile will take place.

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 So when Isaiah was written,

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 and in the following years,

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 when it was being read,

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 God's people were either facing imminent exile

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 or experiencing that exile.

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 They were in need of comfort,

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 in need of restoration.

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 And that is exactly what God is doing for them.

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 In fact, he's commanding someone

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 to speak comfort to his people.

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 Comfort them.

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 Speak tenderly to them.

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 This passage was famously set to music

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 in Handel's Messiah

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 using the King James Version.

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 It captures this beautifully.

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 It says,

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 Comfort ye my people.

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 He's telling someone,

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 Go, comfort my people.

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 Speak tenderly to them.

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 It's a verb, a command, a commission.

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 God is commanding someone

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 to comfort his people.

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 And the comfort is spelled out

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 in the verses that come afterwards.

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 The verses show us

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 that this comfort is restoration.

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 It is a comfort of restoration.

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 The first line, even,

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 just verse one,

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 begins to show what that restoration is.

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 Comfort, comfort my people,

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 says your God.

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 My people, your God.

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 These words echo the covenant

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 that God has made with his people.

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 In Genesis 17,

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 God says to Abraham,

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 I will establish my covenant

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 between me and you

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 and your offspring

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 throughout their generations.

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 I will be God to you

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 and to your offspring after you.

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 God reiterates it to Moses

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 in Exodus 6.

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 I will take you to be my people

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 and I will be your God.

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 When God says,

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 comfort my people,

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 says your God,

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 he is showing them

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 that that covenant relationship

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 is being restored.

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 Despite Israel's unfaithfulness,

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 despite their breaking

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 of the covenant,

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 God is faithful to them.

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 They are his people.

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 He is their God.

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 The relationship between God

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 and his people is restored.

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 He promises them

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 the comfort of restoration.

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 We see more of what

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 that restoration means

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 in verse 2.

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 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem

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 and cry to her

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 that her warfare is ended,

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 that her iniquity is pardoned,

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 that she is received

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 from the Lord's hand

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 double for all her sins.

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 Her warfare,

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 her exile is ended,

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 it's over.

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 Her iniquity is pardoned,

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 it's forgiven.

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 She is received

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 double for her sins.

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 That last phrase

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 is a curious one,

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 isn't it?

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 She's received double

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 for her sins.

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 It's not God saying

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 he's paid the price

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 on them twice over.

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 He's been heavy-handed

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 with them.

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 It's not saying that.

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 It's not saying

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 that Israel

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 have paid the price

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 for her sins,

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 I think.

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 I think we know this

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 for a couple of reasons.

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 If Israel had paid

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 the price of her own sins,

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 well,

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 what are the wages of sin?

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 The wages of sin

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 is death.

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 If you,

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 O Lord,

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 kept track of sins,

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 who could stand?

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 Israel can't have

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 finished paying the price

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 and still be standing.

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 It's impossible.

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 So we know this

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 for that reason.

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 I think we also know this

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 because we live

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 millennia after this

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 was written

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 and these events

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 took place.

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 We know that

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 while God's people

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 were geographically

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 restored back

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 to Jerusalem,

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 they were brought

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 from exile

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 from Babylon,

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 they were still

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 facing warfare

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 when the Roman

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 occupation took place.

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 So what is this pardon?

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 What is the end

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 of warfare?

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 What is this double

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 for her sins

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 she's received?

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 Well,

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 if we look to

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 the New Testament,

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 I think we get

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 a bit of a picture

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 of what this means.

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 Some 500 years later,

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 after the restoration,

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 the physical,

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 geographical restoration,

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 a man named Simeon

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 we meet in Luke chapter 2.

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 He is waiting

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 for the comfort of Israel,

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 for the consolation

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 of Israel.

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 It's the same word.

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 He is waiting

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 for this comfort

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 and he's been told

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 he will see it

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 in his lifetime

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 and he sees it come

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 in the person

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 of the Lord Jesus.

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 Simeon is waiting

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 for this consolation

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 and he sees it.

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 He calls Jesus

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 the Lord's Messiah,

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 Jesus Christ.

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 It is in Jesus

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 that we receive

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 this comfort.

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 It is in Jesus

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 that we receive

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 double from the Lord's hand.

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 And what is the double?

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 When we receive double

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 from the Lord's hand,

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 we receive pardon

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 in Jesus

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 and restoration

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 through him.

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 We said it in that confession.

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 He takes our rags

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 and clothes us

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 in his righteousness.

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 This double,

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 you could call it

00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.739
 a double imputation.

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 The imputation

00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:06.079
 of our sin to Jesus

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 and his righteousness

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 to us.

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 And so when Simeon

00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:12.700
 meets the infant

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 Lord Jesus,

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 he doesn't see him

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 as le petit Jesus,

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 but as God's chosen king.

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 He is the consolation

00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.120
 of Israel.

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 He is the means

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 of comfort,

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 of salvation,

00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:25.940
 of restoration.

00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:29.180
 We could alter

00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:30.240
 our first point

00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:31.379
 from the comfort

00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:31.919
 of restoration

00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:33.500
 to Jesus

00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.199
 brings

00:10:34.199 --> 00:10:35.219
 the comfort

00:10:35.219 --> 00:10:35.899
 of restoration.

00:10:37.579 --> 00:10:38.579
 Christians here,

00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.959
 hear these words

00:10:39.959 --> 00:10:40.539
 of comfort.

00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.919
 Christ has taken

00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:42.699
 your sins

00:10:42.699 --> 00:10:44.039
 and he has clothed you

00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:44.860
 with his righteousness.

00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:45.719
 You have received

00:10:45.719 --> 00:10:46.159
 double

00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:47.579
 from the Lord's hand.

00:10:49.319 --> 00:10:49.979
 Now verses

00:10:49.979 --> 00:10:50.639
 one and two

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.039
 act,

00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:51.899
 they're a bit like

00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:52.559
 the headline

00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:54.079
 of a newspaper

00:10:54.079 --> 00:10:55.039
 article for us.

00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:55.679
 And then the following

00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.319
 verses help

00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:57.980
 unpack what this

00:10:57.980 --> 00:10:58.879
 comfort of restoration

00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.379
 is.

00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:01.559
 In these verses

00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.039
 we see three voices

00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:04.539
 that are crying out

00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:05.799
 in verses three

00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:06.799
 and six and nine.

00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.559
 God commands them,

00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.519
 he commissions them

00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:11.419
 to comfort his people

00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:12.820
 and these voices,

00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.200
 these heralds,

00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.679
 go and explain

00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:16.720
 what the comfort

00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:17.220
 of restoration

00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:18.200
 is.

00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.399
 So the first voice

00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.899
 cries out in verses

00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:22.679
 three to five,

00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.899
 declaring that

00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:25.559
 the glory of the Lord

00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:26.419
 shall be revealed.

00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:28.399
 That's our second

00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.079
 heading tonight,

00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:30.199
 the glory of the Lord

00:11:30.199 --> 00:11:31.099
 shall be revealed.

00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:35.399
 Verses three to five,

00:11:35.459 --> 00:11:35.959
 let's look down

00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:36.659
 and read them again.

00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.759
 A voice cries,

00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.839
 in the wilderness

00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:40.979
 prepare the way

00:11:40.979 --> 00:11:41.679
 of the Lord.

00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.059
 Make straight

00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:43.699
 in the desert

00:11:43.699 --> 00:11:45.159
 a highway for our God.

00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:46.419
 Every valley

00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.279
 shall be lifted up

00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:48.000
 and every mountain

00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:48.399
 and hill

00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.059
 be made low.

00:11:49.479 --> 00:11:50.439
 The uneven ground

00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.159
 shall become level.

00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:52.339
 The rough places

00:11:52.339 --> 00:11:52.759
 are plain

00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:54.299
 and the glory

00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:54.819
 of the Lord

00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:55.659
 shall be revealed

00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:56.740
 and all flesh

00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:57.620
 shall see it together

00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.659
 for the mouth

00:11:58.659 --> 00:11:59.139
 of the Lord

00:11:59.139 --> 00:11:59.699
 has spoken.

00:12:03.339 --> 00:12:03.959
 Verses three

00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:04.539
 and four there,

00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.799
 I think they're

00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.159
 a bit like

00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:07.620
 a musical crescendo.

00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:08.559
 It's getting louder

00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:08.939
 and louder.

00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:09.779
 They're building up

00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:11.360
 to a big event

00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.279
 in the wilderness.

00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.019
 Prepare a way

00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.459
 for the Lord.

00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.259
 Make straight

00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:15.019
 in the desert

00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.659
 a highway.

00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:16.939
 Valleys will be lifted up,

00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.039
 mountains shall be made low.

00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:19.039
 The uneven ground

00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:19.699
 and rough places

00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:21.139
 shall become a plain.

00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.500
 That's anticipation.

00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.659
 It's like a drum roll.

00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:25.000
 We're building up

00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.759
 to a big event.

00:12:26.959 --> 00:12:28.059
 It's a bit like

00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:28.899
 that scene

00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.860
 in Jurassic Park

00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:30.379
 where they've got

00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:31.659
 the glasses of water

00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.500
 on the car dashboard

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.699
 and they hear

00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:34.199
 the footsteps

00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:34.740
 thudding

00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.500
 and they see

00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.259
 the water rippling.

00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:37.240
 They know something's coming.

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.339
 Something big

00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.120
 is about to happen.

00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:39.639
 What is it?

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.000
 What is it

00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.879
 that's about to happen?

00:12:45.079 --> 00:12:46.299
 Valleys shall be lifted up,

00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:47.639
 mountains shall be made low,

00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:48.919
 rough places

00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:49.779
 and uneven ground

00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.500
 shall become level

00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:52.000
 and the glory

00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.879
 of the Lord

00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.360
 shall be revealed.

00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.700
 That is the moment

00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.440
 of anticipation

00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.440
 they've been waiting for.

00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:00.720
 That's the big event.

00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:02.200
 The glory of the Lord

00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.299
 being revealed.

00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.740
 The desert highway

00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.919
 is for the Lord,

00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.879
 we saw in verse 3.

00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.720
 The glory of the Lord

00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.919
 is being revealed.

00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.320
 It is returning back

00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:13.340
 to the land.

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:16.740
 In Ezekiel 10 and 11,

00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:17.759
 you could look it up later,

00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.819
 you can read about

00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:20.379
 the glory of the Lord

00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:22.019
 departing from the temple.

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:24.360
 It departs from God's people.

00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:25.919
 It's a sign of God's judgment

00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:26.840
 on the people.

00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.740
 They were unfaithful.

00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:30.200
 They were covenant breakers

00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:32.639
 and so he's no longer

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.939
 among them in the temple.

00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:35.500
 But here,

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.819
 here they're given

00:13:36.819 --> 00:13:37.899
 the promise of the Lord

00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:39.779
 returning on a highway.

00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.879
 He will reveal his glory

00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.819
 to them again.

00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:45.700
 This restoration

00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:46.919
 that we're reading about,

00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.139
 this isn't just restoration

00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.339
 of people to land.

00:13:49.979 --> 00:13:50.860
 It is restoration

00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:53.299
 of God's presence

00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.339
 among the people

00:13:54.339 --> 00:13:55.299
 or of the people

00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.819
 to God's presence.

00:13:58.459 --> 00:13:59.360
 Every obstacle

00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.219
 that stands in the way,

00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:01.019
 mountain or valley,

00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.079
 shall be removed.

00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:04.299
 The way is being prepared

00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.019
 for the Lord

00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.240
 to return to the land.

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.019
 We see in verse 11,

00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:09.139
 as he returns to the land,

00:14:09.219 --> 00:14:10.039
 he will be leading

00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.759
 his people.

00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.719
 He will be their God.

00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:13.819
 They will be his people.

00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:14.759
 He will be dwelling

00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.480
 among them.

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:17.560
 And in restoring them

00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:18.539
 to his presence,

00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.360
 his glory shall be revealed.

00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.100
 These verses

00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.860
 are famously quoted

00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.659
 in all four Gospels

00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.779
 in the early pages

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.740
 of Mark 3,

00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:29.420
 Luke 1,

00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:30.399
 Matthew 3,

00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:30.879
 John 1.

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.820
 Each of them

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:35.300
 tell these words,

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.200
 but we hear them

00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.000
 through the voice

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.340
 of John the Baptist.

00:14:38.680 --> 00:14:39.159
 John the Baptist

00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.420
 goes into the wilderness

00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:42.360
 and he proclaims,

00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.620
 prepare the way

00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.279
 for the Lord.

00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:45.959
 And he reveals

00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.299
 that the one

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.599
 who will lead

00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.120
 his people

00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.479
 down this desert highway,

00:14:51.339 --> 00:14:52.659
 the one who will reveal

00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.779
 the glory of the Lord

00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.679
 is none other

00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:56.439
 than the Lord Jesus.

00:14:58.179 --> 00:15:00.399
 This is the true ending

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.639
 of the Jewish exile.

00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.559
 Not the return

00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:04.360
 to Jerusalem,

00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:05.799
 but the arrival

00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:06.519
 on the scene

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.199
 of Jesus.

00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:08.819
 He's announced

00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:09.680
 by John the Baptist,

00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:11.060
 Jesus, Emmanuel,

00:15:11.260 --> 00:15:12.820
 God dwelling with us.

00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.600
 John says

00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.160
 he came to testify

00:15:16.160 --> 00:15:17.140
 about the one

00:15:17.140 --> 00:15:17.840
 who is to come,

00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.600
 the Lamb of God

00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.360
 who takes away

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.280
 the sin of the world

00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:22.840
 to bring restoration

00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:24.420
 to the people

00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.780
 and to reveal

00:15:25.780 --> 00:15:26.879
 the glory of the Lord.

00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:29.860
 this is not

00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.139
 petit Jesus.

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.899
 This is the

00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.419
 climactic revelation

00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.179
 of the glory

00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:35.740
 of the Lord

00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.159
 in the person

00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:38.259
 of Jesus Christ.

00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.600
 He is the word

00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.820
 that became flesh.

00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.620
 He made his dwelling

00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.360
 among us.

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.700
 John says

00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.600
 we have seen

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.379
 his glory,

00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.080
 glory as of

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.220
 the only son

00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:49.840
 of the Father,

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:50.899
 full of grace

00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.580
 and truth.

00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:53.840
 again,

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:55.060
 we could alter

00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:55.560
 the heading,

00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.220
 sorry if you're

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:56.940
 taking notes,

00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:59.600
 from the glory

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.080
 of the Lord

00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.580
 revealed

00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:02.040
 to Jesus

00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:02.800
 reveals

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.780
 the glory

00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:04.379
 of the Lord.

00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.620
 Jesus

00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.700
 reveals

00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.200
 the glory

00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:07.740
 of the Lord.

00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.080
 As he leads

00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.560
 his people,

00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:10.379
 as he pardons

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.600
 them for their sin,

00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.740
 he clothes them

00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.440
 with his righteousness,

00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.360
 he restores them.

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:16.920
 And this event,

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.040
 this isn't just

00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:19.220
 for the Israelites.

00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:20.400
 Look again

00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:20.919
 at verse 5,

00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:21.559
 did you see that?

00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:22.559
 Verse 5,

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.519
 the glory of the Lord

00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.379
 shall be revealed

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:26.199
 and all flesh

00:16:26.199 --> 00:16:27.779
 shall see it together.

00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.240
 All flesh

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.539
 shall see this glory.

00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.579
 This is a huge theme

00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.480
 in these chapters

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.039
 of Isaiah.

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.299
 In Isaiah 49

00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:36.980
 and 57

00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.620
 we get the same idea

00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.120
 of this,

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.079
 this mountain

00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.939
 becoming a road,

00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.039
 these desert highways.

00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.319
 Build up,

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:43.860
 build up,

00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.879
 prepare the way,

00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:46.620
 remove every obstruction

00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:47.639
 from my people's way,

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.299
 the Lord says.

00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.419
 They shall come

00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.220
 from afar,

00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.539
 from the north

00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.299
 and the west.

00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.240
 God says,

00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.100
 peace,

00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:55.659
 peace,

00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.600
 to the far

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.319
 and the near.

00:16:58.699 --> 00:16:59.759
 This highway

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.179
 for the Lord

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.000
 to walk down

00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.340
 will not just be

00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:03.720
 for him

00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:05.000
 to lead the Israelites

00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.779
 but people

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.639
 of all nations.

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.720
 Isaiah 49,

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.220
 it is too small

00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.700
 a thing

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.799
 that God

00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.879
 would only restore

00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:13.799
 the tribes of Jacob.

00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:14.619
 It's too small

00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:14.920
 a thing.

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.600
 Jesus will be

00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.000
 a light

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.060
 for all nations

00:17:18.060 --> 00:17:19.800
 that God's salvation

00:17:19.800 --> 00:17:20.400
 may reach

00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.000
 to the end

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.700
 of the earth.

00:17:22.560 --> 00:17:23.620
 Jesus reveals

00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.259
 the glory

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:25.640
 internationally.

00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.060
 All flesh

00:17:28.060 --> 00:17:28.480
 shall see

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:28.980
 that glory.

00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.300
 And it isn't

00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:32.240
 an empty promise

00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.560
 either.

00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.519
 It would be all

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.000
 well and good

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.680
 to say that

00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.320
 but it's not

00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.160
 an empty promise.

00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:37.759
 Verse 5 says,

00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.799
 this is spoken

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.500
 by the mouth

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.039
 of the Lord.

00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.700
 And as the second

00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.660
 voice cries out

00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.000
 in verses 6 to 8

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.279
 we see that

00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.440
 whatever comes

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:46.960
 from the mouth

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.539
 of the Lord

00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:49.099
 will stand forever.

00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.140
 We say this line

00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.039
 after we hear

00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.819
 the Bible read here

00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.980
 because it summarizes

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.559
 what we know

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.140
 to be true.

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.200
 Grass withers,

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:57.900
 flowers fade,

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.559
 mankind just the same.

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.319
 But the word

00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.099
 of our God

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:03.220
 stands forever.

00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.900
 We can see

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.720
 the certainty

00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:08.319
 of Isaiah's words

00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.120
 now because we live

00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:10.440
 this side of the cross.

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.220
 We've seen

00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.480
 Jesus' glory

00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:14.120
 revealed.

00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.019
 We've seen

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.640
 the God's glory

00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.559
 revealed in Jesus.

00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.980
 Isaiah was written

00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.259
 700 years

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:24.240
 before Jesus' birth.

00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:25.100
 It shows us

00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:25.880
 the certainty

00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:27.180
 of God's words.

00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.019
 Men are like grass.

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.880
 They and their glory

00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:31.460
 fade.

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.660
 The kingdoms

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.940
 of the Babylonians

00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.660
 and the Assyrians

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.039
 fell.

00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.380
 But God's word

00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:36.980
 did not fall.

00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.080
 God's word stood

00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:39.640
 as not only

00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.860
 did the Israelites

00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:42.060
 return to Jerusalem

00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:43.500
 but Jesus was born

00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:45.280
 fulfilling prophecies

00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:46.280
 written centuries

00:18:46.280 --> 00:18:47.280
 and millennia

00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:48.160
 before his birth.

00:18:49.520 --> 00:18:50.780
 The word of our God

00:18:50.780 --> 00:18:52.140
 stands forever.

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.520
 So we that

00:18:54.520 --> 00:18:55.900
 read it,

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.360
 we can have

00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:57.700
 full confidence

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.880
 that there will

00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.500
 come a day

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.440
 when Jesus

00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.860
 restores his people,

00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.940
 when he leads them home,

00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.500
 people of all nations.

00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.440
 He is not absent,

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.140
 not in the least.

00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.579
 He has said

00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.500
 he will lead

00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.039
 his people

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.380
 revealing his glory

00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.299
 and he will.

00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.019
 His word

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.799
 accomplishes

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.380
 its purposes.

00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.299
 It will not return

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.380
 to him empty.

00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.880
 So this revelation

00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:21.460
 of the glory

00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:21.880
 of the Lord

00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.559
 is certain.

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.480
 Jesus brings

00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.519
 comfort of restoration

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.980
 and he will lead

00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.660
 his people home.

00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.640
 And he will do so

00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.619
 ruling

00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.619
 as shepherd

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.719
 and as king.

00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:33.039
 That's our final

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.239
 heading tonight.

00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.099
 I won't change this one.

00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.500
 Jesus rules

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.559
 as shepherd

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.119
 and king.

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.699
 Jesus rules

00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:39.979
 as shepherd

00:19:39.979 --> 00:19:40.259
 and king.

00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.199
 He reveals

00:19:41.199 --> 00:19:41.719
 the comfort

00:19:41.719 --> 00:19:42.279
 of restoration

00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.839
 or he brings

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.119
 the comfort

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.639
 of restoration

00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.259
 and reveals

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.759
 the glory

00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.339
 of the Lord.

00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.299
 He rules

00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:46.879
 as shepherd

00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.359
 and king.

00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.279
 Look at

00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.159
 verses 9 and 11

00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:50.619
 with me.

00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.839
 Go on up

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.699
 to a high mountain,

00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.379
 O Zion,

00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.779
 herald of good news.

00:19:57.679 --> 00:19:58.579
 Lift up your voice

00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.199
 with strength,

00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.899
 O Jerusalem,

00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.339
 herald of good news.

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.019
 Lift it up,

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.679
 fear not.

00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.099
 Say to the cities

00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.539
 of Judah,

00:20:04.679 --> 00:20:05.759
 behold your God.

00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.480
 Behold,

00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.159
 the Lord comes

00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:08.699
 with might

00:20:08.699 --> 00:20:09.299
 and his arm

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.039
 rules for him.

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.059
 Behold,

00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.139
 his reward is with him

00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:12.980
 and his recompense

00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.559
 before him.

00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.220
 He will tend his flock

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.819
 like a shepherd.

00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.480
 He will gather

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.119
 the lambs

00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:17.779
 in his arms.

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.379
 He will carry them

00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:19.980
 in his bosom

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.759
 and gently lead

00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.399
 those that are

00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:22.819
 with young.

00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:25.740
 Here,

00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:27.399
 the third voice,

00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.399
 the third herald

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:28.940
 is told,

00:20:29.080 --> 00:20:30.180
 go and cry out

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.180
 good news

00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.880
 saying,

00:20:32.320 --> 00:20:33.860
 behold your God.

00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:35.860
 He's told to go

00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:36.400
 and cry out

00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.140
 good news.

00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.740
 Good news,

00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:39.360
 the word is used

00:20:39.360 --> 00:20:40.360
 in the Old Testament

00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.880
 to say

00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:43.280
 kind of the good news

00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:44.640
 of a king's victory.

00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.519
 Herald would come

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.380
 back from battle

00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.080
 and proclaim

00:20:48.080 --> 00:20:48.860
 the good news

00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:49.900
 of the king's victory.

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.840
 We get that

00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.500
 in the Old Testament.

00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:53.420
 In the New Testament,

00:20:53.780 --> 00:20:54.620
 we read the word

00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.220
 good news

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.680
 in the opening lines

00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.700
 of Mark's gospel.

00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.580
 the beginning

00:20:59.580 --> 00:21:00.680
 of the good news

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.680
 of Jesus Christ,

00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:02.360
 the Messiah,

00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.240
 the Son of God.

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.300
 Simeon waited

00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:07.480
 for this good news,

00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.280
 this proclamation

00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:08.960
 of victory.

00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.660
 John the Baptist

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.740
 testified about

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.480
 this good news.

00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.800
 Good news,

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.300
 it literally means

00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:15.740
 gospel.

00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.300
 The good news

00:21:17.300 --> 00:21:18.540
 is Jesus Christ

00:21:18.540 --> 00:21:19.100
 himself.

00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.500
 He is the one

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.340
 that brings restoration,

00:21:22.540 --> 00:21:22.860
 we saw.

00:21:23.560 --> 00:21:24.400
 He is the one

00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.220
 who reveals

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.259
 the glory of the Lord.

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:28.799
 Jesus is the

00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.240
 victorious one,

00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:30.879
 the one whom

00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.940
 the heralds say,

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:33.099
 he reigns,

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.579
 behold your God.

00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.700
 And verses 10

00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.259
 and 11

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.339
 spell out

00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.119
 exactly

00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.920
 what sort of

00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:41.119
 ruler he is.

00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.660
 He rules

00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.619
 as shepherd

00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.420
 and king.

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.759
 Let's look

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.599
 first at how

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.779
 he reigns as king.

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.819
 He reigns as king

00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.519
 with might,

00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.980
 with a strong

00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.440
 arm,

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:55.759
 with might

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.320
 and a strong

00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:56.559
 arm.

00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.440
 It's the same

00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.140
 sort of language

00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.779
 as you see

00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.519
 in the Old Testament

00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.640
 about how God

00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.880
 rescued his people

00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:03.600
 from Egypt

00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:05.080
 with a mighty

00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:05.860
 hand and an

00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.779
 outstretched arm.

00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:09.320
 The same Lord

00:22:09.320 --> 00:22:10.580
 with a mighty

00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:10.980
 hand and

00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.680
 outstretched arm

00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.860
 who rescued

00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:13.759
 Israel from

00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.299
 the Egyptians.

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.820
 This is the same

00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.420
 Lord Jesus

00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.240
 who comes with

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.620
 might,

00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:18.559
 whose arm

00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.160
 rules,

00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.200
 who will bring

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.080
 restoration for

00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.559
 his people.

00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:23.399
 as we look

00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.039
 back to the

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.659
 wonders God

00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.299
 performed in

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.599
 Exodus.

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.200
 With that same

00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.039
 mighty arm,

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.440
 Jesus is ruling

00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.159
 and reigning

00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:31.240
 right now.

00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.899
 We see his

00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:35.039
 might in his

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:36.220
 life as he

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.119
 calms the storm,

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.700
 as he casts

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.339
 out demons,

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.759
 as he heals

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.659
 the sick and

00:22:40.659 --> 00:22:41.519
 raises the dead.

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.480
 Nothing is

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.419
 outside of his

00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:43.899
 authority.

00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.940
 Nothing is

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.480
 beyond his

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:45.839
 might.

00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.240
 Jesus reigns

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.000
 as king.

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:51.000
 And he

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.559
 brings his

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.519
 reward with

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:52.920
 him, his

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.539
 recompense

00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.140
 before him.

00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.380
 We know

00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.279
 that Jesus

00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.099
 will return

00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.980
 to judge the

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.380
 living and

00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:00.839
 the dead.

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.799
 And Revelation

00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.039
 22 says it

00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.680
 just like that,

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.339
 bringing his

00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.220
 recompense with

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.440
 him to repay

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.339
 each one for

00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.680
 what they have

00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:08.920
 done.

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.220
 And that is

00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.859
 true.

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.680
 But I don't

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.359
 think that is

00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.460
 what this

00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:13.960
 verse is

00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:15.019
 primarily talking

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.279
 about.

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:15.900
 When it says

00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.759
 his reward,

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.920
 his recompense,

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.940
 it's not

00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.560
 talking about

00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:20.840
 him rewarding

00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.519
 others at

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.039
 this point.

00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.500
 It's talking

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.300
 about the

00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:25.740
 reward he

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.519
 receives,

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.940
 his reward.

00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.700
 His reward

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.019
 is his

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.560
 people,

00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:33.000
 his flock,

00:23:33.800 --> 00:23:34.500
 those that

00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.080
 he leads.

00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.080
 And look

00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.660
 how he leads

00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:37.860
 them.

00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:40.220
 In verse

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.259
 11, he

00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.940
 leads them

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.980
 as a shepherd.

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.519
 He reigns

00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:44.980
 as a king

00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.620
 and he leads

00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.180
 as a shepherd.

00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:48.039
 He will

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.539
 tend to

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:48.680
 them.

00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.039
 He will

00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.580
 see to

00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.220
 their every

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.920
 need.

00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:51.779
 They shall

00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.180
 not want.

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.539
 He will

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.259
 restore their

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.660
 souls.

00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:54.799
 Just like

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.420
 David said,

00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.980
 they will

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.680
 fear no

00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.060
 evil.

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:57.480
 He is

00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.019
 with them.

00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:58.799
 God

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.279
 dwelling

00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.779
 with them.

00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.640
 His rod

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.380
 and his

00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.759
 staff

00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.180
 comfort

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.440
 them.

00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.580
 Verse

00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.220
 11 ends,

00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.240
 he will

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.519
 gently lead

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:07.980
 those that

00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.220
 are with

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.460
 young.

00:24:08.560 --> 00:24:08.779
 He will

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.420
 gather the

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.200
 lambs in

00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.960
 his arms.

00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.660
 Isn't that

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.640
 an astonishing

00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:14.140
 thought?

00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.320
 the same

00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:16.400
 mighty arm

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.040
 which he

00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:17.660
 rules with,

00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.140
 which he

00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:19.400
 rescued Israel

00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.640
 with,

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:19.980
 which he

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.680
 parted the

00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.120
 Red Sea

00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.480
 with,

00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.259
 he holds

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.780
 his lambs

00:24:23.780 --> 00:24:23.960
 with,

00:24:24.020 --> 00:24:24.460
 holding them

00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.960
 close to

00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.400
 his chest

00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.780
 as those

00:24:25.780 --> 00:24:26.180
 he loves

00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.620
 dearly.

00:24:27.580 --> 00:24:28.440
 The arm

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.320
 which leads

00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:31.620
 also are

00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:32.160
 the arms

00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.960
 which rule

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.740
 the universe.

00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:35.440
 The strong

00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.120
 one who

00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.080
 rules,

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:37.980
 who levels

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:39.020
 mountains and

00:24:39.020 --> 00:24:39.820
 raises valleys

00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.660
 is also

00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.700
 the good

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.880
 shepherd who

00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.460
 lays down

00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.040
 his life

00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:44.540
 for his

00:24:44.540 --> 00:24:44.820
 sheep.

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.880
 Say to

00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.380
 the cities

00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:47.920
 of Judah,

00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:49.620
 behold your

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.000
 God,

00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.580
 Jesus the

00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.180
 shepherd king.

00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:54.420
 Here we

00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.220
 get the

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.400
 full colour

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.200
 picture of

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.600
 what it

00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.140
 means to

00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.900
 receive double

00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.380
 from the

00:24:59.380 --> 00:24:59.680
 Lord's

00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.000
 hand.

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.440
 He doesn't

00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.380
 just pardon

00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:02.820
 our sin,

00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.300
 and that's

00:25:03.300 --> 00:25:03.680
 no small

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:03.940
 thing,

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.700
 but he

00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.420
 doesn't only

00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.300
 pardon our

00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.240
 sin and

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.740
 then leave

00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.300
 us to our

00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:08.880
 own devices.

00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:10.340
 He

00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.200
 pardons sin

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.180
 and he

00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.000
 carries his

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.059
 flock home.

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.100
 He has

00:25:16.100 --> 00:25:17.019
 rescued us

00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.779
 from the

00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.400
 dominion of

00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:18.840
 darkness,

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.319
 Colossians

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.660
 says,

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.720
 and brought

00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.259
 us into

00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.720
 the kingdom

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.900
 of light,

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.640
 his kingdom.

00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.460
 And so,

00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.759
 in this

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.580
 time of

00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:29.860
 advent,

00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.759
 what do

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.140
 you make

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.580
 of Jesus?

00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.539
 Is he

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.539
 le petit

00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:34.900
 Jesus,

00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.259
 the child

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.539
 in the

00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.779
 manger,

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.279
 innocent,

00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:37.840
 lowly,

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.240
 but nothing

00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.480
 more?

00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.160
 Or is

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.420
 he the

00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.720
 mighty

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.059
 one,

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.759
 who humbled

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.579
 himself beyond

00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.339
 belief in

00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:45.980
 being born as

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.400
 a baby,

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.339
 but yet is

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.859
 the one who

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:48.660
 brings restoration

00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.359
 for God's

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.700
 people,

00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.279
 God in the

00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.839
 flesh among

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.099
 us,

00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:53.059
 the consolation

00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.559
 of Israel?

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.099
 Is he

00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.500
 absent?

00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:58.559
 Isaiah

00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.380
 would tell

00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.039
 us he is

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.740
 not absent.

00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.099
 He is

00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.519
 reigning,

00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.359
 and while in

00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:04.920
 his sovereign

00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:06.779
 wisdom he is

00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.900
 permitting and

00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.660
 limiting evil

00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:08.920
 now,

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.400
 there will

00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:09.800
 come a

00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:11.000
 time when

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.400
 he comes

00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.360
 with recompense,

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.320
 ending sin

00:26:13.320 --> 00:26:13.779
 and death,

00:26:15.040 --> 00:26:15.940
 bringing his

00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.400
 reward,

00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.040
 his flock

00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.560
 with him.

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.300
 And at

00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:19.900
 that point we

00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.560
 will know once

00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.160
 and for all

00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.100
 that in all

00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:22.900
 things he has

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.519
 indeed been

00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.180
 ruling and

00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:25.160
 reigning with

00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.920
 a mighty arm.

00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.080
 He has been

00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.800
 working all

00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.400
 things for the

00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:28.740
 good of his

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.060
 people.

00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.940
 Cities of

00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.360
 Judah,

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.600
 behold your

00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:32.980
 God,

00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.320
 Jesus Christ,

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.040
 he brings the

00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.680
 comfort of

00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.200
 restoration,

00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.900
 he reveals the

00:26:37.900 --> 00:26:38.460
 glory of the

00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.700
 Lord,

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.640
 he rules as

00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.299
 shepherd and

00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:41.640
 as king.

00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.420
 Let me

00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:43.600
 pray.

00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:43.380
 Let me

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.660
 pray.

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:43.380
 Let me

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.660
 pray.

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:43.380
 Let me

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.660
 pray.

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:43.380
 Let me

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.660
 pray.

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:43.380
 Let me

00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.660
 pray.

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:47.559
 Let me

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


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00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559


00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:47.559