WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:07.719 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:13.700 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:19.359 In a loud voice she exclaimed, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear. 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:23.600 But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:28.179 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 00:00:28.919 --> 00:00:33.719 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. 00:00:34.619 --> 00:00:43.280 And Mary said, My soul glories the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:48.939 For now all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:55.399 Holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 00:00:55.399 --> 00:01:01.479 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm. He has scattered those who are proud in their innermost thoughts. 00:01:02.019 --> 00:01:05.519 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble. 00:01:06.179 --> 00:01:10.120 He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:15.859 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abram and his descendants forever, 00:01:16.459 --> 00:01:18.620 even as he said to our fathers. 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:23.920 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned home. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:35.640 Thanks very much, Ross. 00:01:35.659 --> 00:01:35.740 Thanks. 00:01:40.240 --> 00:01:44.599 I haven't any sheets with notes, but there is a new sheet, 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:49.900 which has got a great Christmas theme on the inside. 00:01:49.900 --> 00:01:52.280 I wasn't very observant. 00:01:52.520 --> 00:01:56.820 I even looked at it and read it and didn't realise that it was actually in the shape of a Christmas tree. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:01:58.680 So, sorry about that. 00:01:59.420 --> 00:02:00.340 But it's very nice. 00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:06.820 Yeah, but there are new sheets, and on the back there's a place where you can take notes. 00:02:07.700 --> 00:02:16.460 So let's look at this familiar song of Mary, often called the Magnificat. 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:20.420 And we're going to look at that specifically this morning. 00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:24.420 But before we do, we're going to pray and ask for God's help. 00:02:24.500 --> 00:02:26.319 So let's pray right now. 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:44.120 Our Father God, we thank you so much that we have a record of the story, 00:02:44.120 --> 00:02:48.520 the true story of the coming of Christ. 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:54.900 And we pray that these words that we look at, that may be familiar, 00:02:55.060 --> 00:02:58.500 maybe we've heard them sung already this Christmas, 00:02:59.219 --> 00:03:03.860 that they would penetrate deep into our lives, 00:03:05.180 --> 00:03:07.379 bringing a fresh understanding, 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:10.219 but by the power of your Holy Spirit, 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:12.939 that they would transform us and change us, 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:19.560 so that we become the people that you intend us to be. 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:23.519 So we ask for your help in Jesus' name. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:24.680 Amen. 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:33.060 Enjoy your Christmas. 00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:39.560 Those were some of the words that I was writing in my Christmas cards to some relatives this week. 00:03:40.260 --> 00:03:44.340 It's the sort of thing that we say to our friends as we've been leaving work 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:46.840 or we bump into somebody while we've been out shopping. 00:03:47.520 --> 00:03:48.740 Enjoy your Christmas. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:54.180 Well, how are we meant to enjoy Christmas? 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:00.460 Because for many people, Christmas is anything but joyful. 00:04:02.700 --> 00:04:06.420 Like how is the community of Newtown in the US 00:04:06.420 --> 00:04:12.680 who endured those terrible school shootings meant to enjoy Christmas? 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:18.060 Or the families that we've heard about in recent days 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:24.480 who are coping with the suicide of a father or a couple of daughters. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:27.800 How are they meant to enjoy Christmas? 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:34.519 You see, for many people, Christmas is anything but joyful. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.840 Perhaps you know somebody who's lost a job 00:04:38.840 --> 00:04:42.560 and it's, you know, it's financially tight and it's been a struggle. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:47.600 Maybe somebody's been diagnosed with a serious illness. 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:54.180 Where are we to find joy when life is turned upside down? 00:04:56.660 --> 00:05:02.000 Well, Luke's account of the Christmas story is one that is filled with joy. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:09.319 Luke opens his gospel in chapter 1 with the announcement of two births. 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:14.560 The first birth concerns Elizabeth and Zachariah. 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:17.079 We read about them in chapter 1, verse 7. 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:24.139 They had no children because Elizabeth was barren 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:26.779 and they were both well on in years. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:29.259 They were past the age of having children. 00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:31.939 But God had different ideas. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:33.699 Verse 13. 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:36.779 But the angel said to him, 00:05:36.860 --> 00:05:38.439 Do not be afraid, Zachariah. 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:40.040 Your prayer has been heard. 00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:42.600 Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son 00:05:42.600 --> 00:05:44.420 and you are to give him the name John. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:46.040 This would be John the Baptist. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:48.180 Verse 14. 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:52.659 He will be a joy and a delight to you 00:05:52.660 --> 00:05:57.060 and many will rejoice because of his birth. 00:05:58.300 --> 00:06:01.120 Now we can understand parents who get excited 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:03.740 and who are joyful because they're going to have a child 00:06:03.740 --> 00:06:06.740 and their close friends would be joyful. 00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:09.600 But Luke tells us here in verse 14 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:16.140 that many will rejoice because of his birth. 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:20.699 Well, why would people who don't even know this family 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:22.319 be filled with joy? 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:26.599 Well, the answer comes in verse 16 of chapter 1. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:31.019 This is telling us what John will do when he grows up. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:31.759 Verse 16. 00:06:32.219 --> 00:06:34.459 Many of the people of Israel will John, 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:37.800 that's he, will bring back to the Lord their God 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:40.740 and he will go on before the Lord. 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:42.399 What will we do? 00:06:42.479 --> 00:06:43.839 Look at the end of verse 17. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:48.539 To make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.579 John was to be an announcer. 00:06:52.979 --> 00:06:54.859 He was to stand before the people 00:06:54.859 --> 00:06:57.319 and announce good news to tell people 00:06:57.319 --> 00:07:01.159 that God's Messiah, Jesus Christ, was coming. 00:07:01.539 --> 00:07:03.120 The long-awaited King, 00:07:03.919 --> 00:07:05.839 who has come to renew broken lives 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:08.819 and restore this disordered world, 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:12.000 was about to come and enter into this world. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:16.500 That's why many people would rejoice. 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:22.079 But then there was the announcement of another birth. 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:26.480 We read of that in verse 31 of chapter 1. 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:28.959 Mary is told she's going to have a baby. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:31.839 And the angel said to her, verse 31, 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:34.839 you will be with child and give birth to a son 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:36.480 and you are to give him the name Jesus. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.000 He will be great and will be called 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:40.379 Son of the Most High. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:43.819 The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:46.180 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:48.839 His kingdom will never end. 00:07:49.219 --> 00:07:51.719 Here's the announcement that an eternal king 00:07:51.719 --> 00:07:54.939 with absolute power and supreme authority 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:58.139 was going to bring justice and peace. 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:01.419 And on hearing this news, 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:04.539 Mary, who's going to have this child, 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:07.159 goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth, 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:10.419 who's also pregnant with John. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:14.139 And we read of this meeting in verse 41. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:16.979 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:19.560 the baby leaped in her womb 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:22.419 and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.579 Now we're told what the significance 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:26.560 of this leap in the womb is. 00:08:26.560 --> 00:08:27.819 Look at verse 44. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:32.980 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:37.899 the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:42.940 Even the unborn John, it's interpreted, 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:45.440 was filled with joy. 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:48.320 The kicking in his mother's womb 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:50.379 was a kick of delight 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:54.120 because God's eternal king, 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:56.120 the rescuing Messiah, 00:08:56.679 --> 00:08:59.480 was about to be born into this world. 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:05.299 And all of this leads up to Mary's song, 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:07.240 the Magnificat. 00:09:07.679 --> 00:09:11.240 It's a song that is bursting with joy. 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:13.580 Let's look at verse 46. 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:14.660 So Mary said, 00:09:15.040 --> 00:09:16.800 My soul glorifies, 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:19.000 or my soul magnifies the Lord, 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:22.540 and my spirit rejoices 00:09:22.540 --> 00:09:25.160 in God my Saviour. 00:09:26.920 --> 00:09:29.160 So Luke introduces us 00:09:29.160 --> 00:09:31.320 to this great theme of joy, 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:32.840 and in particular, 00:09:33.020 --> 00:09:36.360 this joy with the coming of Christ. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:39.740 Now I think if we can get to the heart 00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:40.779 of this joy, 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:42.820 we can, 00:09:42.899 --> 00:09:45.340 whatever we experience in life, 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:48.300 not only enjoy Christmas, 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:52.120 but enjoy every day of the year. 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:53.399 And that doesn't mean to say 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.919 we'll all be jumping up and down 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:55.799 and waving banners 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:56.860 and all happy, happy, 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:59.740 but a deep inner joy, 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:04.560 even in times of hurt and struggle, 00:10:04.700 --> 00:10:07.519 that sustains us and keeps us. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:10.480 That is the joy that is on offer. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:13.440 So we're going to look at this song together, 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:15.060 Mary's song, 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:17.560 and three things we're going to take from it. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:18.399 The first is this, 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:20.460 the reason for joy. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:23.440 The reason for joy. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.259 Mary's joy is found, 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:26.980 look at verse 47, 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:29.940 my spirit rejoices 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:33.379 in God my Saviour. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:37.160 So joy is not found in things, 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:40.259 it's not found in the amount of presents we get, 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:42.120 it's not found in people, 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:44.519 our spouse or our relationships, 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:48.440 it's not found in good fortune or success 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:49.960 or how healthy I feel, 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.000 no. 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:52.940 It's all found, 00:10:53.040 --> 00:10:53.940 look at those words, 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:57.060 in God my Saviour. 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:00.139 And Mary's song is telling us 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:01.519 that this Saviour, 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:04.200 the salvation that God has to bring to us, 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:07.900 is not something that we have to achieve. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.480 It's not something we have to do 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:12.280 to be able to get. 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:16.419 It's all something that has been done for you. 00:11:17.199 --> 00:11:18.279 Look at verse 49. 00:11:19.459 --> 00:11:20.139 She says, 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.559 for the Mighty One, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.919 this is the Saviour, 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:27.740 the Mighty One has done great things for me. 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:31.620 Look how the rest of the song goes. 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:33.139 Verse 51. 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:34.159 He, 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:35.539 this is the Mighty One, 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:39.580 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm. 00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:40.840 Verse 52, 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:43.139 He has brought down rulers. 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:44.220 Verse 53, 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:46.500 He has filled the hungry. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.179 54, 00:11:47.179 --> 00:11:48.720 He has helped. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:54.200 It's all about what God has done for you. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:56.620 He has achieved something for us. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:12:00.759 And that's why Mary is filled with joy, 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:03.059 because it's not up to her, 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:05.500 it's all what God has done for her. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:08.279 And we can have this same joy. 00:12:09.460 --> 00:12:12.960 And if we can grasp the joy that's on offer, 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:16.879 it will change our lives forever. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:19.340 Look at verse 48. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:24.360 He has been mindful of the humble state of His servants. 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:27.720 From now on, 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:28.879 here's the change, 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:30.639 from now on, 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:34.980 all generations will call me blessed. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:38.879 Mary will be considered blessed by people, 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:40.679 not because she's special, 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:45.320 not because she's given birth to God's Son, 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:51.659 but because she has received God's salvation. 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:54.080 The focus of her joy, 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.179 verse 47, 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:57.879 is in God my Saviour. 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:00.200 And because of that, 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.759 from now on, 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:05.279 her life is never going to be the same again. 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:08.460 Not because she has to get up and feed the child at night, 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:14.100 but because God has intervened into her life with salvation. 00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:15.519 From now on, 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.919 all generations will call me blessed, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.539 because I've received salvation. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:24.819 her life has been changed and transformed. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:27.419 It's nothing less than a new beginning. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.980 And what happened to Mary 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:32.500 can also happen to us. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:35.659 We too can have this, 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:37.379 from now on, 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.699 joy in our lives. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:42.419 Let me give you an example of this 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:44.679 that comes a little bit later in Luke. 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.059 Luke chapter 5, 00:13:46.579 --> 00:13:47.639 verse 8. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.159 As we think about how we can have this 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:53.279 from now on experience. 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:57.379 Luke chapter 5 and verse 8. 00:13:58.459 --> 00:14:01.539 This is about 30 years later. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:03.159 Jesus, as an older man, 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:04.879 has just begun his ministry. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:08.439 The men who would become his disciples 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.980 are out fishing on the boat. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:12.059 They haven't caught anything. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.399 And he says to them, 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:13.639 you know, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.519 put your nets over 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:16.580 and they catch a whole load of fish. 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:19.299 And then there's this encounter 00:14:19.299 --> 00:14:20.620 with Simon Peter 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.720 and Jesus, 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.539 verse 8. 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:25.419 When Simon Peter saw this, 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:27.320 he fell at Jesus' knees 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:27.820 and said, 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:30.039 go away from me, Lord. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:31.740 I am a sinful man. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:34.740 He observes there's this kind of distance. 00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:37.440 How can I relate to this person? 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:39.860 Verse 9. 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.500 For he and all his companions 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:43.360 were astonished at the catch of fish 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.080 they had taken. 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:46.039 And so were James and John 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.960 and the sons of Zebedee, 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.879 Simon's partners. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:51.899 Then Jesus said to Simon, 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:54.259 don't be afraid. 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:57.139 From now on, 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.620 you will catch men. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:01.960 You see, 00:15:02.060 --> 00:15:02.980 this encounter 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:05.759 with God's Saviour, 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:07.019 Jesus Christ, 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.100 has changed their life 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:10.139 at a juncture, 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.360 at a point in time 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.560 where he will say, 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.120 from now on, 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:16.360 your life is going to be different. 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:19.460 You're going to catch men. 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.639 You're going to bring people 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.700 to God. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:25.039 And this is the same thing 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.860 that is happening 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.299 in Mary's life. 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.620 If God intervenes 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:30.060 and brings salvation, 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.480 from now on, 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.899 everything will be different 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:36.200 because of the salvation, 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.060 the joy 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.899 that God has brought 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.519 into your life. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.799 So the reason for joy, 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:44.560 first of all, 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.399 is found 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.779 in God, 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.740 my Saviour, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.360 who changes 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:52.080 our life. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.080 the joy 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:55.520 is the joy 00:15:55.520 --> 00:15:56.120 that Mary has. 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.320 The experience 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:59.100 of joy. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.560 Because the joy 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:03.000 that Mary has 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.720 is something 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:06.180 for us to experience 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:07.660 every single day. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:09.000 It's not just 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.259 a kind of once off 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.320 and that's it. 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.240 This is to be 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:13.980 experienced 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.700 every day. 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:16.040 Look at verse 50. 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:20.539 His mercy 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:22.519 extends to those 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.059 who fear Him 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:25.639 from generation 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.639 to generation. 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:28.139 The word mercy 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:30.099 means this. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.360 God's unconditional 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.679 grace 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:35.079 and compassion. 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.899 That's what mercy 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.620 here means. 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.839 God's unconditional 00:16:38.839 --> 00:16:40.059 grace and compassion. 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.179 We see it again 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.159 in verse 54. 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.799 He has helped 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.019 His servant Israel 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.179 remembering 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:48.059 to be merciful. 00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.779 This is the character 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.480 of God. 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.759 That He continues 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:54.299 to pour out 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.819 His grace. 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.779 He continues 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.779 to remember 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:58.159 to pour out 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.839 His grace 00:16:58.839 --> 00:17:00.159 and His compassion 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.919 upon His people. 00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.799 It overflows 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.839 to His people. 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.700 That's why Mary 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.960 is filled with joy 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.180 because she's come 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.460 to experience 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.120 God's grace 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.860 and compassion 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.600 in her life. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.460 But what does 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.039 this grace, 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.779 this mercy 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.940 look like 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.100 in our life? 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.299 Well, there's two things. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.120 First, the humble 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:24.160 are lifted. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.579 In verse 52, 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.340 the humble 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:28.519 are lifted. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.279 He has brought 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.000 down rulers 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.100 from their thrones 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:35.019 but has lifted 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.920 up the humble. 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:37.900 Now, generally 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.440 speaking, 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.420 we think of those 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:39.900 who are in 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.340 positions of 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:43.000 power and influence. 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.959 They get what 00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:44.519 they want 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.480 when they want 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:46.279 because they know 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:47.059 the right people 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.659 and they have 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:48.500 the right resources. 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.099 They just need 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.939 to click their fingers 00:17:49.939 --> 00:17:50.559 or say this 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.299 and they get 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:51.879 what they want 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:52.480 because of their 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:52.980 position. 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:54.859 Whereas those 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.639 who fail 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:56.519 and fall, 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.579 they always 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.319 lose out 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.519 and they get 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.139 overlooked. 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.799 They're disregarded 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.659 and they're 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.299 rejected. 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:06.779 But God 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.480 completely 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.399 reverses 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:08.879 this way 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.420 of thinking. 00:18:10.280 --> 00:18:10.780 God has 00:18:10.780 --> 00:18:11.300 a different 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:11.720 way of 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.020 working 00:18:12.020 --> 00:18:12.660 in our lives. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.120 Look what it 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.140 says in verse 52. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.260 He brings 00:18:15.260 --> 00:18:16.320 down the rulers 00:18:16.320 --> 00:18:16.860 from their 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.440 thrones 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.020 but he 00:18:19.020 --> 00:18:19.960 lifts up 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:21.340 the humble. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:22.960 God 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.880 takes people 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:24.680 of a low 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.280 position, 00:18:26.280 --> 00:18:27.240 meaning those 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.700 who are 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:29.160 spiritually weak 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:31.160 and vulnerable 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.740 and he lifts 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.460 them up. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.940 He forgives 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.240 them. 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.380 He welcomes 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:36.720 them. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.140 And through 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.980 his salvation 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.640 we become 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.940 children of 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.620 the true 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:43.320 king and 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:44.080 become part 00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.500 of his 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.280 eternal 00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:45.840 kingdom. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:47.880 The low 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:49.000 are the 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.440 ones who 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:49.940 are raised 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.480 to become 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.520 great in 00:18:51.520 --> 00:18:51.960 the eyes 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.460 of God. 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.200 And they 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:54.440 are the 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.040 ones as we 00:18:55.040 --> 00:18:55.480 read through 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:55.920 the Bible 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.980 story are 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:58.060 given thrones 00:18:58.060 --> 00:18:59.220 on which to 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.840 rule from 00:18:59.840 --> 00:19:00.660 in the new 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.220 heavens and 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.540 the new 00:19:01.540 --> 00:19:01.900 earth. 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.080 So God 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:04.700 pours his 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.380 grace and 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:06.120 his mercy 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:07.360 into people's 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:07.860 lives to 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.460 bring them 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.480 up, to 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.460 elevate them 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.840 to becoming 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:13.100 children of 00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:13.620 the true 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.040 king. 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:15.860 But not 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:16.400 only are the 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.060 humble lifted, 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.180 second, the 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.400 hungry are 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.880 filled. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.200 Verse 53. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.700 He has 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.440 filled the 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.280 hungry with 00:19:26.280 --> 00:19:27.260 good things 00:19:27.260 --> 00:19:29.060 but has 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:29.640 sent the 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.500 rich away 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.140 empty. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.100 Again, we 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:33.760 think of those 00:19:33.760 --> 00:19:34.400 who are rich 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:34.780 that they 00:19:34.780 --> 00:19:35.000 have 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.640 everything 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:36.080 that they 00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.360 want. 00:19:36.780 --> 00:19:37.340 Money isn't 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:37.740 an object. 00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:38.120 They can 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:38.460 go and 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.900 buy their 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.680 Apple iPod 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.440 and Apple 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.900 this and 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:41.600 everything else. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:41.900 They can 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.680 get everything 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.320 they want. 00:19:44.540 --> 00:19:45.120 But those 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.420 who are 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.780 poor, well 00:19:46.780 --> 00:19:47.220 they stay 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.680 poor, they 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.259 get nothing. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:49.759 They're 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.680 ignored, they're 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.380 isolated. 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.540 But God 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:54.080 again, he 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:55.140 reverses this 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:55.820 way of thinking. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.920 God turns it 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.500 all on its 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:57.880 head. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.200 Verse 53, 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.800 he fills the 00:20:00.800 --> 00:20:01.560 hungry, he 00:20:01.560 --> 00:20:02.259 fills them with 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.920 good things but 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.460 the rich are 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.900 sent away 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.320 empty. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.860 What does 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.220 all that 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:07.440 mean? 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.120 Well, it 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.780 means those 00:20:09.780 --> 00:20:10.160 who are 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:11.080 hungry in 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:11.640 the sense 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:13.100 that not 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:13.880 so much the 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:15.840 material wealth 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.380 we're thinking 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.540 here, but 00:20:17.540 --> 00:20:18.360 those who see 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:19.500 their spiritual 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.660 emptiness. 00:20:22.540 --> 00:20:23.380 And he 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.820 fills them. 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:26.740 He satisfies 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.500 them with 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.640 good things. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.480 He brings 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.680 forgiveness into 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.220 their lives. 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:32.400 He fills 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.160 their life with 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:33.620 peace. 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.900 He pours 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.380 into their 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:35.880 life his 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:36.800 grace and 00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:37.519 his compassion. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.779 He fills 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.400 their lives 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.040 with joy. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.540 Because in 00:20:42.540 --> 00:20:43.360 God our 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.640 Saviour, we 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.640 have everything 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.660 that we need. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.140 The perfect 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.660 gift. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.420 It's never 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.880 going to 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.380 disappoint. 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.380 We're never 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.860 going to 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:53.620 lack anything. 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:54.540 Everything 00:20:54.540 --> 00:20:55.560 that we need 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:56.680 is found 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:58.600 in God our 00:20:58.600 --> 00:20:59.279 Saviour. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:01.279 God's 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:03.279 God's 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.279 God's 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.399 God's 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.319 very own 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.160 child. 00:21:08.399 --> 00:21:09.339 He fills 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.899 the hungry 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:11.160 with good 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:11.539 things. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.220 And this 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.539 is a 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.500 picture of 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.059 the God 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:15.920 who extends 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.740 his mercy 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.700 to us on 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.359 a day-to-day 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:18.799 basis. 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:19.879 He pours in 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.599 his grace and 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.079 compassion. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.299 He reverses 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.259 our status and 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:23.799 our position 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.299 in life. 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.279 He fills 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.299 us and 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.180 he satisfies 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.920 us. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.019 But before 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.480 we move 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.619 on, we 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:34.180 also need 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.740 to see that 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.579 this salvation 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.039 is what I 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:38.440 call holistic. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.319 And by 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.920 that I mean 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.539 God is 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:43.160 concerned for 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.700 the whole 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.220 person. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.940 Not just 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.279 the spiritual. 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:47.759 He's 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.379 concerned for 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.920 the whole 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:50.279 person and 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.319 the whole 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.000 world. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.660 So God 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.300 is concerned 00:21:55.300 --> 00:21:55.880 yes to 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.640 reconcile 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.240 broken 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.019 spiritual 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.660 lives. 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.320 But he's 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:00.779 come to 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.680 reconcile a 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.300 disordered 00:22:02.300 --> 00:22:03.279 physical world. 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:04.720 This is 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.220 part of 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.779 Mary's 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.340 celebration 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.320 in her 00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:07.700 song. 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.180 Yes, God 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.680 has come to 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.100 deal with 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:10.519 sins. 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.360 He's also 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:11.840 come to 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.320 establish 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:12.860 justice. 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.340 This is 00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:14.900 Mary's 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.759 joy and 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.120 this can 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:16.660 be our 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.560 joy because 00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:18.380 the salvation 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:18.880 of God 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.519 is so 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.200 extensive. 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.100 It's about 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.800 the restoration 00:22:22.800 --> 00:22:23.759 of all 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.380 things. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:25.680 It's about 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.380 the ruthless 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.640 rulers who 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.440 care little 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.220 for the 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.060 justice and 00:22:30.060 --> 00:22:30.759 the peace of 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.480 other people 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:33.140 being pulled 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:33.660 down. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.279 It's about 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:35.840 the wealthy 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.519 rich who 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.100 care little 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:37.460 for the 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:37.960 poor and 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.480 the hungry 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.740 being sent 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.560 away empty. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.680 Because God 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.080 in his 00:22:43.080 --> 00:22:43.800 salvation 00:22:43.800 --> 00:22:45.560 reverses all 00:22:45.560 --> 00:22:45.900 of that 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:47.340 disorder and 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:48.220 he renews 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.580 what is 00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:48.980 broken. 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:50.100 He fixes 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:51.180 it all so 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.720 the world 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.580 is put right 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:52.940 again. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.380 And one 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:54.880 day we 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.259 are going 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.799 to see 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.340 that in 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.940 all its 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.299 fullness. 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.120 And this 00:22:58.120 --> 00:22:58.480 is what 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.080 Mary is 00:22:59.080 --> 00:22:59.600 celebrating 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.140 that one 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.600 day God 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.100 is going 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:01.559 to put 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.279 everything 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.860 right. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.259 And there 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.580 will not 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:04.940 be a 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.279 hungry 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.720 belly 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.279 left. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.840 And there 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.100 will not 00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:08.440 be a 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:08.700 rich 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.279 person 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.360 who 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.000 discounts 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.279 the 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.640 poor 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:13.840 or acts 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.380 with 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:14.980 injustice. 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:16.820 God 00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:18.080 will do 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:18.380 it. 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.400 verse 54 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.180 he has 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.560 helped 00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:20.820 his 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.200 servant 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.800 Israel 00:23:21.800 --> 00:23:22.860 remembering 00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.440 to be 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.860 merciful 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.180 to 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.740 Abraham 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.640 and 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:25.880 his 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.640 descendants 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.220 forever. 00:23:29.020 --> 00:23:30.060 Even as 00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.360 he said 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:30.660 to our 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.240 forefathers 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.140 he's done 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:32.700 this before 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.120 and he 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:33.760 will continue 00:23:33.760 --> 00:23:34.220 to do 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.520 it. 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.320 So the 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:38.280 experience 00:23:38.280 --> 00:23:39.000 of joy 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:40.460 comes as 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.720 we know 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.540 God's grace 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.340 and compassion 00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.100 being poured 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:44.620 into our 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.100 lives. 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:46.099 and the 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.919 realisation 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:48.159 that he 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:48.559 is going 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.359 to change 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.039 this world 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.679 into something 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.480 glorious 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.599 and beautiful. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.159 So we've 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:56.519 got the 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.119 reason for 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:57.480 joy, 00:23:58.939 --> 00:23:59.459 the 00:23:59.459 --> 00:24:00.319 experience 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.879 of joy 00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:02.879 and then 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.279 the third 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.659 one is 00:24:03.659 --> 00:24:04.399 simply this, 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.059 the path 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.679 to joy. 00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:08.859 And it's 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.719 great talking 00:24:09.719 --> 00:24:11.219 about Mary's 00:24:11.219 --> 00:24:11.839 experience 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.399 and the 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:12.959 joy that 00:24:12.959 --> 00:24:13.899 she has 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.900 joy. 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.720 But let's 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.240 just focus 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.920 this a 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.820 minute more 00:24:17.820 --> 00:24:18.780 personally to 00:24:18.780 --> 00:24:19.240 ourselves. 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:19.960 How do 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.900 we get 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.460 this same 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.340 joy into 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:22.880 our own 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:23.320 lives? 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.420 How do 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.259 we make 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.780 it part of 00:24:25.780 --> 00:24:26.519 my day-to-day 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.440 experience? 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.000 Because 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.000 sometimes Mary 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.620 is portrayed 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.180 as somebody 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.940 who is above 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.420 human, 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:33.780 almost 00:24:33.780 --> 00:24:34.580 God-like 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.160 status. 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.140 Well, 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.820 Mary was 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.420 special. 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.019 She was 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.740 chosen by 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.220 God to 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.720 bring her 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.120 son, 00:24:42.120 --> 00:24:43.120 bring God's 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.759 son into 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.339 the world, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.480 but Mary 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.000 was just 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.480 like you 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.000 and me. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.079 And what 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.460 Mary 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.359 experienced 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.000 can also 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.700 be our 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.440 experience. 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.079 Let me 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.759 show us 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.420 how we 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.960 can get 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.700 this joy 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.859 into our 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.819 lives on 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.460 a day-to-day 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.039 basis. 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.200 Look at 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.940 verse 48. 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.740 It's 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.000 saying, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.879 God has 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.779 been mindful 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:10.379 of the 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.039 humble 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.079 state 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.980 of his 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.480 servant. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:15.519 Or look 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.799 at verse 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.379 52. 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.279 He has 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.579 brought 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:17.919 down 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.279 rulers 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.819 from their 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.299 thrones, 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.579 but has 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.220 lifted up 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.519 the 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.759 humble. 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:24.819 You see, 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.439 the path 00:25:25.439 --> 00:25:26.159 to joy 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:28.139 is humility. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.359 It's 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.359 only those 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.299 who recognize 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.240 their low 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.839 position. 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.259 It's 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.000 only those 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.379 who can 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:37.079 see within 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:37.619 themselves 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.139 that they 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:39.500 are empty, 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.339 that they 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.739 can be 00:25:41.739 --> 00:25:42.139 filled 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:43.219 with joy. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.919 And Mary 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:45.419 was that 00:25:45.419 --> 00:25:45.919 kind of 00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:46.339 person. 00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:47.519 And so 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.839 in this 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.059 sense, 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:48.500 she's a 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:48.839 model 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.479 example 00:25:49.479 --> 00:25:50.319 of how 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:50.559 we 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.179 receive 00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:52.139 joy. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:54.879 Now, 00:25:54.979 --> 00:25:55.459 let's face 00:25:55.459 --> 00:25:55.679 it, 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.219 humility 00:25:56.219 --> 00:25:57.119 is not 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.579 something 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.139 any of 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.419 us are 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:58.859 very good 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.159 at. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.699 We want 00:26:00.699 --> 00:26:00.959 to be 00:26:00.959 --> 00:26:01.479 seen as 00:26:01.479 --> 00:26:02.339 self-sufficient, 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.399 self-dependent. 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:06.140 the world 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.880 teaches us 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.500 to manage 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.100 all by 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.519 ourselves. 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.019 We don't 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:09.900 need anyone 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.500 and we 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.040 don't need 00:26:11.040 --> 00:26:11.460 anything. 00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:12.860 In fact, 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.480 if anything's 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.780 broken, 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.160 I can 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.780 fix it. 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:16.720 And if 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.160 we are to 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.759 admit that 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.160 we need 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:18.600 help or 00:26:18.600 --> 00:26:19.040 support, 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.759 well, 00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.140 that's just 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:20.740 a sign of 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.060 weakness 00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:21.860 and frailty. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.300 But that's 00:26:24.300 --> 00:26:24.960 not how we 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.380 come to 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:25.660 God. 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.580 That's not 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.060 how we 00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:28.320 find joy. 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.100 In fact, 00:26:30.280 --> 00:26:31.259 pride has 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.820 the opposite 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.300 effect. 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:32.680 Look at 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.360 verse 51. 00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:34.240 He has 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:34.779 performed 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.639 mighty deeds 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.039 with his 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.359 arm, 00:26:37.179 --> 00:26:37.879 but he 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.639 has scattered 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.419 those who 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:40.279 are proud 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.659 in their 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:42.199 inmost 00:26:42.199 --> 00:26:42.779 thoughts. 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.119 Rather than 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:46.059 being welcomed 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:47.579 in and 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.539 filled and 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.339 satisfied, 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.599 the proud 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.639 instead are 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.459 scattered. 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.159 They are 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.859 brought down 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.819 low and 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.079 they are 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.859 left empty. 00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:02.439 The true 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:03.139 sign of 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:03.640 humility 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:05.300 is to 00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:05.720 say that 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.020 we have 00:27:06.020 --> 00:27:06.820 nothing to 00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:07.480 bring to 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:07.880 God. 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.640 We have 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.200 nothing to 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.140 offer to 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.500 God. 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.320 In fact, 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.100 all we can 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:12.560 bring to 00:27:12.560 --> 00:27:13.420 God is 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.640 our 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.200 emptiness 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:16.020 and our 00:27:16.020 --> 00:27:16.460 weakness. 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.000 That's the 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.860 only way we 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.440 can come to 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:19.800 God. 00:27:20.280 --> 00:27:21.020 And when we 00:27:21.020 --> 00:27:21.700 come in 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.420 humility, 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.580 God will 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.460 fill us 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:27.120 with his 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:27.520 joy. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:29.519 God will 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:29.960 be 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.519 to 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.019 God will 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.160 be. 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.299 When we were 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.599 little, 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.480 we had a 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.059 very simple 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.639 television. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:35.779 It was 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.279 black and 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.599 white, 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.680 RTE1 and 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.759 RTE2. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.139 That was it. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.859 And every 00:27:42.859 --> 00:27:43.579 Christmas we 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.279 would watch the 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.920 same things. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.400 It was 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:46.599 Willy Wonka's 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.440 Chocolate Factory 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.940 and maybe in the 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:49.480 afternoon, 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.619 Oliver Twist. 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:50.819 Twist. 00:27:51.959 --> 00:27:52.519 And we 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:52.959 would watch 00:27:52.959 --> 00:27:53.619 Oliver Twist 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.359 all the time. 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:55.819 And we 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.479 come to that 00:27:56.479 --> 00:27:57.039 point, you 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.339 know the 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.819 story, little 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.059 Oliver, the 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.139 homeless orphan 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.059 in that 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.899 boarding school. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.019 And there he 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.619 comes where 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.119 they get their 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.119 slop of porridge 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.739 or whatever it 00:28:07.739 --> 00:28:08.319 is into the 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.239 bowl and they 00:28:09.239 --> 00:28:09.819 all have their 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.179 fill. 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:10.919 Well, not 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:11.339 really because 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.719 they're still 00:28:11.719 --> 00:28:12.099 hungry. 00:28:12.719 --> 00:28:13.279 And Oliver 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:15.679 goes forward, 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.239 doesn't he, with 00:28:16.239 --> 00:28:17.059 his empty bowl 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.779 and everybody 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.699 stops their 00:28:18.699 --> 00:28:19.519 silence as he 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.219 makes his way 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.660 up to the 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.220 front to the 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.000 boarding master 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.100 and he holds 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:23.880 out his bowl 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.860 before him and 00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.140 he goes, 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.440 please sir, 00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.640 can I have 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.259 some more? 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.120 And then the 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:30.960 great big bellow, 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:31.860 more! 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.559 And then the 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.720 riot takes place 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.180 as they go 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.059 chasing after 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.319 Oliver, running 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.740 through the 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.500 legs of all the 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.539 kids and under 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.160 the tables. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.360 But I want you 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.940 to take that 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.779 image and that 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.519 picture of 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:47.940 Oliver. 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.299 That's how 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:51.779 we're to 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.920 come before 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.400 God. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.900 To come with 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:57.460 empty hands, 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.480 to come before 00:28:59.480 --> 00:28:59.880 him, 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.299 please sir, 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:06.440 fill my 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.880 life, 00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:08.660 fill my 00:29:08.660 --> 00:29:09.079 life. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.620 And the 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.440 difference here 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.200 though is not 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.900 that we get a 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.740 bellowing roar 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:17.000 more and being 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.920 chased out and 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:20.060 kicked out, but 00:29:20.060 --> 00:29:20.940 we come before 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.700 a gracious, 00:29:22.800 --> 00:29:23.560 compassionate, 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.960 merciful and 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.840 loving father 00:29:26.840 --> 00:29:29.580 who will fill 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:31.779 our lives with 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.300 joy. 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.440 Fill our lives 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.320 with joy because 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.580 in God we find 00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:37.900 our saviour. 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.140 We come with 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:41.000 our emptiness, 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:42.279 we come with 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.080 our poverty, 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:45.539 and he fills 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.059 us like 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.939 nothing before 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:49.539 till our lives 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:50.759 are overflowing 00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:52.279 with joy. 00:29:53.199 --> 00:29:54.480 A joy that we 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.819 can bring to 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.259 the world in 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.059 which we live. 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.240 So as we 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.759 think about 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.339 Christmas, 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.679 think about 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.339 the joy 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:06.960 that is found 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.480 only in 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.000 God our 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.480 saviour. 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.539 How we can 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.659 experience it 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:13.279 and how we 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:14.140 receive it 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.880 every day. 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:16.680 Come in 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.200 humility 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.779 with your 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.680 open hands 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:21.380 asking God 00:30:21.380 --> 00:30:22.900 to fill 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.519 your life. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.740 Let's pray. 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.860 Our 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:38.420 Father God, 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.040 we thank you 00:30:39.040 --> 00:30:39.779 so much. 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:43.320 that in 00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:43.900 you there 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.759 is everything 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.180 that we 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.580 need. 00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.759 That you 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.400 fill us 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.620 and you 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.700 satisfy us 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.279 like none 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:50.540 other. 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.940 And without 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.940 Christ in 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.540 our lives 00:30:55.540 --> 00:30:56.060 day to 00:30:56.060 --> 00:30:56.320 day, 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.259 we will 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:58.880 always be 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.400 in want. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.720 But we 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.180 thank you 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.820 that when we 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:03.519 humbly come 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.200 before you, 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:06.019 you fill us 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.279 with your 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:07.640 joy. 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.779 You give 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.400 us the joy 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:11.200 of salvation, 00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:12.880 the joy 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.240 of your 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.060 grace and 00:31:14.060 --> 00:31:14.640 compassion 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.560 every day, 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.519 the blessing 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.300 of a future, 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.900 of a world 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.440 that will be 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.040 put right. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.460 Help us 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:25.000 as we come 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.620 before you 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.280 right now. 00:31:27.280 --> 00:31:28.280 We hold 00:31:28.280 --> 00:31:28.720 out our 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.080 hands, 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.680 our lives 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.400 before you, 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.800 humbly admit 00:31:32.800 --> 00:31:33.519 our emptiness 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.859 and our 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.400 weakness 00:31:35.400 --> 00:31:37.940 and pray 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.379 that you 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:38.879 would fill 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:40.519 us like 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.139 only you 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:41.440 can. 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.940 We ask 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.379 this in 00:31:45.379 --> 00:31:45.759 Jesus' 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.180 name. 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.180 Amen. 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:52.200 Well, 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.539 we're going 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.039 to sing 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:55.560 angels from 00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:56.080 the realms 00:31:56.080 --> 00:31:56.799 of glory. 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.279 Come and 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.640 worship, 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.120 worship 00:31:59.120 --> 00:31:59.720 Christ. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.220 Amen. 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.259 Amen. 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.320 Amen. 00:32:00.320 --> 00:32:00.440 Amen. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.100 Amen. 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.140 Amen. 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.320 Amen. 00:32:01.320 --> 00:32:01.440 Amen. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:01.480 Amen. 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:01.500 Amen. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:01.920 Amen. 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.000 Amen. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.080 Amen. 00:32:02.080 --> 00:32:02.420 Amen. 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:02.500 Amen. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:02.519 Amen. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.120 Amen. 00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.460 Amen.