WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.599 Hi, my name is George Sinclair. I'm the lead pastor of Church of the Messiah. 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:20.480 ! It is wonderful that you would like to check out some of the sermons done by Church of the Messiah, 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:25.679 either by myself or some of the others. Listen, just a couple of things. First of all, would you pray for us 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:32.159 that we will open God's Word well to His glory and for the good of people like yourself? 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:37.359 The second thing is, if you aren't connected to a church and if you are a Christian, 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:42.159 we really, I would really like to encourage you to find a good local church where they believe the 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:48.799 Bible, they preach the gospel, and if you have some trouble finding that, send us an email. We will do 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:55.120 what we can to help connect you with a good local church wherever you are. And if you're a non-Christian, 00:00:55.119 --> 00:01:00.320 checking us out, we're really, really, really glad you're doing that. Don't hesitate to send us 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:05.280 questions. It helps me actually to know, as I'm preaching, how to deal with the types of things 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:18.319 that you're really struggling with. So God bless. Father, you know that some of us here are maybe 00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:26.479 dealing with a lot of shame. And Father, you know why they're feeling that, but there are many here 00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:32.399 probably feeling a great deal of shame. And we give you thanks and praise, Father, that your Word speaks 00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:40.320 to us, the real me, the real each of these people, the real them. And it speaks realistically, and it 00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:46.160 speaks, Father, with compassion and mercy and hope. And so I ask, Father, that your Holy Spirit would 00:01:46.800 --> 00:01:52.640 continue to fall with gentle but penetrating power, so that we might know that you are our Father in 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:59.760 Heaven, that Jesus is the Savior who loves us and wants us to be His, and that you speak to us tender 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:05.280 words of love and encouragement and hope. And so, Father, we ask that your Holy Spirit would bring the 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:12.319 truths of this Word into your hearts, the hearts of everyone here. And I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:13.759 Please be seated. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:28.879 I don't just read nerdy political and cultural op-ed pieces. I read the newspaper. I read all sorts of 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:34.400 things in it. And this week, just the other day, I read part of an interview, maybe all of the 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:41.840 interview, at least as it was published, with one of the voice actresses, the main star, voice actress 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:52.400 star for the huge hit movie, the K-pop Demon Hunters. And the person who played Rumi, her name is Arden Cho. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:54.719 I don't know if I've pronounced that correctly. She gave an interview. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:59.759 And one of the things which was really interesting about the interview, lots of things were interesting, 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:06.879 but one of the things that was interesting is that she said that hopefully this movie would 00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:14.879 hopefully really help people who feel unseen. And she implied that she herself felt unseen to be seen. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:19.919 That that's one of the benefits of this movie, that those who are unseen like her can be seen. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:28.879 And especially for young women who are of Asian descent, and in particular, because she's Korean, 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:36.639 for Korean young women and girls to actually feel seen. And I thought, wow, like, 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:43.919 I mean, here she is being interviewed, and I'm reading about it. And I'm not saying this is a put down. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:49.679 I don't take, sorry, if I said anything to imply that, I am not saying that whatsoever. What I am saying is this. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:54.799 It is a very common human problem of not feeling that you're seen. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:02.319 Of going through your day and your week and your month and your years and your decade feeling completely and utterly unseen. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:06.639 And she gave voice to that very, I think, very well and very articulately. 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:15.199 And so that the Bible text that we're going to look at today has some very profound and helpful and hopeful things to say about that phenomenon. 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:17.839 For those of us who feel unseen. 00:04:18.479 --> 00:04:23.680 And feeling unseen often goes along with another experience that people struggle with. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:24.959 And that's the feeling of shame. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:31.120 That often we feel a deep sense of shame. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:35.120 And that means that there's something fundamentally wrong with us. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:40.000 There's something, it's not that we do wrong things, but that there's something that we're wrong. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:44.879 It's not that we do some types of things that break relationships, but that we're broken. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:52.879 It's not just that we do some things occasionally that push people away, but there's something fundamentally about us that pushes us away. 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:57.600 Where makes us, makes the me, the you, unseen. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.719 And we feel deep shame around that. 00:05:00.719 --> 00:05:09.319 And this Bible text that we're going to look at actually has some very profound and helpful things for those of us struggling with feeling seen. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:14.120 And struggling, or maybe not struggling because you've just surrendered to feeling shame. 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:18.159 You've just accepted that you will be unseen and feel shame for the rest of your life. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:22.800 There's a very profound good news in this text that we're going to look at. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:23.360 Today. 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:29.560 So if you take out your Bibles, we're going to be looking at Luke chapter 2, verses 8 to 14. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:33.279 Luke chapter 2, verses 8 to 14. 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:40.920 And just as you sort of turn to that, what we're doing is during this season of Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:45.180 we're looking at four songs of the Savior in the Gospel of Luke. 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:51.079 Two of the songs of the Savior are before his birth, and two of the songs of the Savior are after his birth. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:53.939 So we looked at Mary's song, the Magnificat. 00:05:54.039 --> 00:05:56.599 Then we looked at Zechariah's song, the Benedictus. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:02.859 Today we look at the Gloria in Excelsis, which is the song the angels sang after the birth of Jesus. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:12.060 And then next Sunday we'll look at the Nunc Dimittis, which is the song or the poetry that Simeon prayed over the baby Jesus when he came into the temple. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:20.280 And so in the flow of this, and on Christmas Eve, by the way, we'll look at the text that goes just before this, the actual account of the birth of Jesus. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:24.300 But this takes place just after the birth of Jesus that same evening. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:28.280 So here's what happens, and it goes like this. 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:33.040 And in the same region, it's about a kilometer or two away. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:39.939 So in the same region, probably a couple kilometers away, there were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:47.180 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:49.480 Now, just pause here. 00:06:49.780 --> 00:06:57.840 This is a very shocking development, and it's because it's so familiar to Christians that we've lost the sense of shock. 00:06:58.340 --> 00:07:05.399 So the first thing about that, first thing to maybe get your mind around it, and I'm a guy, so I can say this. 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:17.419 But when you're thinking of the shepherds, okay, they probably weren't writing love poetry or working on their Hebrew grammar or praying. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:23.139 Think working class guys out in the bush with no women. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:29.659 Young working class guys out in the bush with no women. 00:07:29.660 --> 00:07:41.660 Now, for married people, I hope I didn't introduce an awkward question from your wife as to what it might have been like when you were a young man in the bush with no women spending time. 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:44.960 But as I said, it probably wasn't writing poetry. 00:07:45.280 --> 00:07:46.900 They probably weren't sharing their feelings. 00:07:48.700 --> 00:07:50.520 They were being young guys out in the bush. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:57.360 And maybe even some little guys acting like young guys out in the field away from women from several days. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:08:02.500 And so they're doing whatever young guys would do in that type of situation. 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:06.259 And all of a sudden, an angel shows up. 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:11.340 And you can see all sorts of reasons why they might be filled with fear. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:17.300 They might be wondering what the angel just overheard, amongst other things, or what they witnessed before they noticed it. 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:18.720 They would have noticed the angel right away. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.639 But one of the things about that, then, is if you think about it, 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:27.139 most of us probably, if we were giving God advice as to who the angel should show up to for this important announcement, 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:28.759 would not have picked these guys. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:31.139 In fact, if anything, we might have said, 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:36.500 God, go to their wives and girlfriends and daughters and sisters, not them. 00:08:36.819 --> 00:08:37.899 They're way more worthy. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:40.879 But we wouldn't have picked these guys out in the field. 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:42.539 But the angel picks them. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:50.220 And right off the bat, you're seeing more and more aspects of how this is a profoundly biblical and Christian story. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:56.620 And so there's this big, big shock. 00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:00.500 And one of the things, by the way, when you see here, look at that verse 9 again. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:04.200 And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:08.720 The word glory here can also be translated as majesty. 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:14.620 If you think of some coronation scene, and it's just really done very, very well. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:17.720 And just this sense of majesty. 00:09:17.800 --> 00:09:19.740 I don't know how to describe it other than just say the word. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:22.340 But it also would include the word beauty. 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:32.100 So they see, in a sense, this beauty and this glory that is, in a sense, always with God, connected to God. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.299 And one of the things that's shocking about this, 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:39.259 if all of us have probably seen really stunning sunsets, 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:42.299 in really stunning vistas. 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:49.039 And if you think then of what these shepherds are seeing, they're seeing something way more than that. 00:09:49.359 --> 00:09:52.799 But they're also seeing uncreated light. 00:09:55.799 --> 00:09:56.539 Uncreated light. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:57.339 We only live in it. 00:09:57.399 --> 00:09:58.679 We've only seen created light. 00:09:58.779 --> 00:10:00.319 They're seeing uncreated light. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:04.000 Uncreated radiance that comes right from the uncreated God. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.460 And they see it. 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:08.600 And, um... 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:12.600 And it's just... 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.700 It's just glory. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:14.539 That's all they can say. 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.980 It's just a very, very simple word. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:20.259 Now, if this is all that happened to them, 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.840 we would never have heard about the story. 00:10:23.560 --> 00:10:26.700 Like, you can be guaranteed that they probably would have been... 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:30.039 had people buy them cheap wine for years to come to hear the story. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:31.779 But nobody... 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:32.759 None of us would have heard it. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:36.560 Why we've heard the story is not only the context, but what happens next. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:38.240 It's the message that comes to them. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:39.639 And that takes place... 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.860 Start looking at verse 10. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.620 And in verse 10 it says, 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:44.100 And the angel said to them, 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:48.580 Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:50.379 that will be for all the people. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:54.879 Now, one of the things about this is that it is good news for all the people. 00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:57.659 It's encouraging us to talk and tell... 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:59.200 When we hear the good news in a moment, 00:10:59.300 --> 00:11:01.279 that we're to tell this good news to all people. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.480 We aren't to say, 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:05.399 This person is way too bad, way too wicked, 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:07.440 so we won't tell them this news. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.200 We aren't to say, 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:11.360 This person is too completely given over to fentanyl 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.740 that we won't tell them this news. 00:11:12.900 --> 00:11:13.780 We aren't to say, 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.700 This person is so high in the government, 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.700 or so wealthy, 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:19.440 or so powerful that we won't tell them this news. 00:11:19.520 --> 00:11:20.800 This is news for all people. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.000 Years ago, 00:11:23.420 --> 00:11:24.620 I guess maybe not that long, 00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:25.420 years ago, 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:27.060 there was a woman who came to this church 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:28.280 who, believe it or not, 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:32.180 she was the fashion advisor 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:34.140 to three prime minister's wives. 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:38.399 So she would meet with the wife of the prime minister 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:40.879 privately in their residence, 00:11:41.199 --> 00:11:43.939 and she would help the prime minister's wife 00:11:43.939 --> 00:11:45.120 pick out the clothes 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:48.259 that she would be wearing for upcoming events. 00:11:48.699 --> 00:11:50.759 And they'd talk about fabrics and designers 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.519 and colors and accessories 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.799 and all of that type of stuff. 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:55.860 And she was a very bold woman. 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:59.439 She always also told the woman about Jesus. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:03.440 And that's really what all of us should be like. 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:05.040 Not to be intimidated 00:12:05.040 --> 00:12:06.880 by either somebody's goodness, 00:12:07.180 --> 00:12:07.740 their evil, 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:08.760 their power, 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:09.580 their wealth, 00:12:10.160 --> 00:12:13.140 but to be willing to tell people about Jesus, 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:14.100 the good news. 00:12:14.520 --> 00:12:17.300 And that's what the all people means here. 00:12:17.380 --> 00:12:18.100 And the other thing here, 00:12:18.140 --> 00:12:19.840 which is really important for us to notice, 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:20.980 is that the, 00:12:21.040 --> 00:12:22.120 look again at verse 10, 00:12:22.180 --> 00:12:22.440 it says, 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:23.560 And the angel said to them, 00:12:23.660 --> 00:12:24.620 Fear not, for behold, 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.000 I bring you good news. 00:12:26.060 --> 00:12:27.100 That's the word gospel. 00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.900 I bring you good news. 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:30.860 And I can't say it enough 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:33.740 because it's something which we Christians 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:35.120 keep falling into, 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.439 that we have good news for the world. 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:38.679 We don't have good rules. 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.559 We don't have good advice. 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.899 We don't have good examples per se. 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:44.720 We don't have good rituals. 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:46.939 We don't have good things like this. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.220 It's all news. 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:51.259 We get to share this most wonderful news 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.879 in the world with human beings. 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.039 And it's news which is to be shared 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:56.799 because God wants people to hear. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:59.839 And God wants people to hear this news 00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:02.019 and want to say yes to it. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.839 Please include me. 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.819 Please take me 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:08.740 to be part of what this good news is all about. 00:13:09.219 --> 00:13:09.939 So what is the news? 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:10.859 Well, that's what happens 00:13:10.859 --> 00:13:12.439 that we begin to hear in verse 11. 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:13.579 Verse 11, 00:13:13.979 --> 00:13:15.679 For unto you is born this day 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.719 in the city of David 00:13:16.719 --> 00:13:19.000 a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.539 Unto you for, 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.259 this is the, 00:13:21.479 --> 00:13:22.759 why is the news good? 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.759 Unto you is born this day 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:25.860 in the city of David 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:28.799 a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:31.220 Now, this is the first time 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:33.759 that these three momentous terms 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.960 all appear together 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:38.659 and talking about the exact same person. 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.659 So it's not saying 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:42.360 that Mary had triplets. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.340 One is Savior, 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.139 one is Christ, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:45.980 and one is Lord. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.779 No, there's just one baby. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:49.019 But this one baby 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:49.600 is, 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:51.039 it can be described 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:51.919 as the Savior. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.319 In fact, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.000 in, 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:53.939 in, 00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:55.500 in the original language 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:57.099 there's no definite article there 00:13:57.099 --> 00:13:58.860 so it should literally be translated. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.259 It, 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:00.759 it doesn't, 00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:01.979 it's not grammatical English. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.419 It should literally be translated 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.360 for unto you is born 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.120 this day 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.000 in the city of David 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:06.539 Savior. 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.179 Savior is born. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.599 And this Savior 00:14:10.599 --> 00:14:12.139 is the Messiah 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:13.599 and this Savior 00:14:13.599 --> 00:14:14.919 is God Himself. 00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:17.360 The word translated here 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:17.839 is Lord 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:18.779 should be understood 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.519 as referring to God Himself. 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:22.439 and so Savior means 00:14:22.439 --> 00:14:23.919 that for all of the longings 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.419 that human beings have had 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.500 that we, 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.639 that they would be delivered, 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.819 that things would be made right, 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:33.179 the one who we long for 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:35.379 was born in Bethlehem 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.199 on this night. 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:38.460 Christ is the word Messiah. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:38.919 It's, 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:40.799 it's really even more deeply connected 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.399 to the longings of the human heart, 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:44.480 the longing of the promises of God 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.259 and of things being made right 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.199 with human beings 00:14:47.199 --> 00:14:47.919 and with God 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:49.840 and things just being made right 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:51.139 and all of those promises 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:51.960 that, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.560 that, 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:54.200 that there will be good 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:55.519 and all of these promises 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.680 are captured in this term Messiah 00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.620 and the Savior 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.519 and the Messiah 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.639 was born that evening 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.860 and the Lord 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:03.060 is born that evening. 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.280 God Himself 00:15:04.280 --> 00:15:06.040 has entered into His creation 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:07.160 and, 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.200 and that's 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.660 who this baby is. 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.560 This baby 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.399 has come 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:14.200 to bring the promises 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:14.879 of God 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.620 to completion 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.420 and fulfillment 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.620 and to make you 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.539 right with Him 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:19.519 and it is God 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.399 Himself 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.459 who is doing this 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:22.659 in the person of His Son 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:24.620 and it just happened 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:26.019 a couple of kilometers away. 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.539 Now, 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.500 there's lots of big ideas 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.579 which I've just said 00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:33.639 and that's why 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.620 this next bit 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.699 is really important 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.979 or we won't understand them. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.199 Look at what it says 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.120 in verse 12 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.460 and this will be 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.379 a sign for you. 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.560 You will find, 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.460 so how are you going, 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.919 the implication is 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.960 the shepherd should go 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.840 and this will be 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:49.620 a sign for you. 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.500 You will find a baby 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.560 wrapped in swaddling cloths 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:55.299 and lying in a manger. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.080 In other words, 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.159 the implication is 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.759 you should go 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.379 and when you go, 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:01.980 don't look for the best house. 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:02.659 In fact, 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:04.180 don't look for a house at all. 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:06.460 Look for an animal shelter 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.100 and when you look 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.100 for an animal shelter 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.820 because there will be 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:11.120 lots of animal shelters, 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:13.580 look for the animal shelter 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.600 because there will only be one. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.120 There will only be 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.259 one animal shelter 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.779 in Bethlehem 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.279 where there's a baby 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:21.180 lying in an animal's 00:16:21.180 --> 00:16:22.000 feeding trough. 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:26.840 You have to go, 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:27.920 huh? 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:30.879 Huh? 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.200 So, 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.840 there's several things 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.220 about this 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.220 which are really important. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:35.740 You see, 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.060 the thing is 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:40.179 our minds tend to go 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.139 in certain directions. 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:41.500 So, 00:16:41.579 --> 00:16:42.039 you hear, 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:42.539 you know, 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:43.279 all this thing I said 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.659 about the mighty deliverer 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.879 that delivers from 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:46.979 all the different things, 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.159 you know, 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.619 whether it's, 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:47.879 you know, 00:16:47.979 --> 00:16:50.000 any type of enemy, 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:50.819 whether enemies 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:51.859 in external world, 00:16:51.979 --> 00:16:52.819 demonic enemies, 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.519 whether it's, 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.219 you know, 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.259 enemies of sickness 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.819 or disease 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:57.039 or, 00:16:57.219 --> 00:16:57.579 you know, 00:16:57.739 --> 00:16:58.739 or sin, 00:16:58.839 --> 00:16:59.279 all of that. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.359 There's huge, 00:17:00.479 --> 00:17:01.279 huge ideas. 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.579 Thank you. 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.859 This person 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.759 who's going to be born 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.299 last week 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.259 in Zechariah's song 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.399 is described as God 00:17:12.399 --> 00:17:13.220 raising up a horn 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.879 of salvation. 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:14.980 And I said, 00:17:15.179 --> 00:17:15.500 in that, 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.500 what you need to think of 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.159 is you need to think of 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:18.119 a really big elephant 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:19.200 and its tusks 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.440 or a rhinoceros 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.359 with its horn 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.859 or a huge bull 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.859 with its horns 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:25.700 or a huge bull moose 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.539 with its horns. 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.759 And that's this image. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:28.460 Okay? 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.639 And so you have 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.720 all of these things 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.980 and our minds 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.899 will move in certain 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.799 types of directions 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.779 when we hear this, 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.980 but it's not just 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.139 these songs of the Savior 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:38.539 are introducing Jesus 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.500 but they're not just, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.940 you don't just take them, 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:42.160 the rest of the story 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:42.839 fleshes out 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:44.119 what on earth that means. 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.819 And so you hear 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:48.539 these wonderful titles 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:51.160 and it is a baby 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.859 in a feeding trough 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.920 in an animal shelter 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:56.879 in Nowheresville. 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.639 When you're thinking of, 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:03.680 and so that's the second thing, 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.240 you know, 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.740 about this. 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.539 It's in a sense 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.740 it's inviting you to see 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.879 as you go through 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.779 the whole gospel, 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:11.639 it's inviting you to say, 00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.940 oh, okay, 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.539 well that's what 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:15.379 the Savior's like. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.899 Oh, like he's going to be born, 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.859 that's really cool. 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.420 Like, that's really cool. 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.779 Like the Savior's going to, 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.839 is in a feeding trough. 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.299 Oh, like, that's really cool. 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.940 Like the Savior 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.559 casts out demons. 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.339 Oh, like, 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.460 oh, that's really cool. 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:30.759 Like the Savior feeds people. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.000 Oh, that's really cool. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:34.420 Like the Savior 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.180 and God himself. 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.240 This is what God is like. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.920 The real God is like 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.859 that he's, you know, 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.740 even when there's some, 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.059 you know, 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.299 woman who's led 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.400 a completely and utterly 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.460 disreputable life 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.420 and nobody likes her 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:45.359 and everybody hates her 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.759 and he talks to her 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.319 and welcomes her. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.319 That's what God's like. 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.680 That's what the Savior's like. 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.640 Oh, and that's what 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.440 the Savior's like. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.279 That's really cool. 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:53.259 The Savior is like, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.539 is Jesus, 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.720 is dying on the cross. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.279 That's what, 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.839 you need the story 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:59.360 to fill in the words. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:18:59.759 Otherwise, 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.960 we'll go in all of these 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.799 different directions. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.660 And you see, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.720 that's why this story 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.720 is such a profoundly 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.759 Christian story. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.259 You would never see 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.420 a story like this 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.000 in the Quran 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:10.200 or the Hadiths. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.460 On one level, 00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.600 Allah doesn't even 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.740 really like people. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.759 Do you know that 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.000 the Quran teaches 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.600 that everybody who dies 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.460 goes to hell? 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.059 Truth. 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.140 Everybody who dies 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.779 in the Quran, 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.000 everybody who dies 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.640 goes to hell. 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:27.059 And then Allah 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:28.480 picks some people 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.259 out of hell 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.700 to go to his heaven. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.539 Allah doesn't even 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.460 speak directly 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.339 to Muhammad. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.420 Allah speaks 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.240 to an angel. 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.120 There's always 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:41.039 intermediaries. 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.700 It is, 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.339 in a sense, 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.819 an offensive idea 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.960 to think that Allah 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.900 would be 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.759 in a feeding trough. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.500 It is a denial 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.380 of his glory 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.259 and his majesty. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.500 And if you think 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.839 about our friends, 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.819 maybe not at the 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.619 very folk level 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.839 of Hinduism and Buddhism, 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.680 but at the more 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:02.240 philosophical levels 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.579 of Hinduism and Buddhism, 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:06.539 a story of God himself, 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.940 of the Savior himself 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:09.039 coming and being born 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.960 is not a story 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.799 that they would tell 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.700 because the whole hope 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:14.240 of Hinduism and Buddhism 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.379 at a higher level 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.180 is that you will 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.579 undertake these exercises 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.259 so that you will 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.319 no longer be born. 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:22.819 That's the hope, 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:23.220 that you will 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.319 no longer be born. 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.259 And so this is a story 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.240 telling you the exact 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.240 wrong stuff. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.939 And in paganism, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.599 while the gods, 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.319 if they come, 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:32.899 they're going to come 00:20:32.899 --> 00:20:33.439 as fully, 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.659 full, big men 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.039 and women 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:36.119 and do all sorts 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.899 of types of things 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:37.679 and maybe they'll be 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.460 hidden for a bit, 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:40.460 but it's not the way 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.460 they would tell the story. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:41.939 And of course, 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.480 in secular world, 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:43.779 you know, 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.659 we would automatically 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:45.559 think that if things 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.139 like this were going 00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.520 to happen, 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.520 it should be somebody 00:20:47.520 --> 00:20:48.259 more powerful, 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:48.980 more important, 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.700 more connected, 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.460 more prestige, 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.540 more followers, 00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:53.660 all of that type of thing. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.780 This is a profoundly 00:20:54.780 --> 00:20:57.259 Christian and Jewish story. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.460 The Old Testament, 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.960 what our Jewish friends 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.640 call the Tanakh, 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.640 we call the Old Testament, 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:03.680 is filled with 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:05.480 David is the youngest son, 00:21:05.560 --> 00:21:06.660 not the oldest son. 00:21:06.780 --> 00:21:08.800 It's filled with this surprise 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.980 and it culminates 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.900 in how God is going to save 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:14.640 in a profoundly Christian story 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:16.380 that's only Christian 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:19.140 and that even in our culture, 00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:20.120 when we resonate 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:21.980 with stories like this, 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.580 whether our culture 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:25.160 realizes or not, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.280 it is breathing 00:21:26.280 --> 00:21:27.560 in the air 00:21:27.560 --> 00:21:29.060 of Christianity. 00:21:30.780 --> 00:21:31.880 And it's also, 00:21:32.040 --> 00:21:32.500 of course, 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:33.160 touching us 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.620 at a point 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.520 of our deep longings 00:21:34.520 --> 00:21:35.100 and yearnings, 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.280 that God would take 00:21:37.280 --> 00:21:37.900 the lowly. 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.000 God would take 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.540 the lowly. 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:44.700 Now we come 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.759 to the actual song, 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.339 right? 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:46.980 They say, 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.180 verse 12, 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.059 and this will be 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.839 a sign for you. 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.619 This will be 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:53.440 a sign for you. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.839 You will find 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.519 a baby wrapped 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.440 in swaddling clothes 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.220 lying in a manger. 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:57.899 And suddenly, 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.019 there was with the angel 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.639 a multitude 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:00.859 of the heavenly host 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:02.379 praising God 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:02.899 and saying, 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.259 just before I say that, 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.339 this is more 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.019 an in-house thing 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.920 for those who have 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.539 been Anglicans 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.299 for a long time, 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.539 or Roman Catholics 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.259 and Lutherans. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.319 If you see a lot 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.039 of liturgies 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.779 that have been written 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.859 since the 70s 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.639 up until today, 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.920 a lot of liturgies 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.200 get rid of the phrase 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.299 the Lord God of hosts. 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.940 And you know why 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.980 they get rid of that phrase? 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.000 Because hosts 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.240 means angel armies. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.019 And so the people 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.039 writing the liturgies 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.539 think it's too militaristic 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.599 and imperialistic, 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.740 and so they get rid of it 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.220 even though it's 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.799 in the Bible. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:34.099 And just they gong 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.659 the word, 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.420 because they don't like 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.059 something that 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.539 might imply armies. 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:39.159 But that's when it says here, 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.940 and suddenly verse 13 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.720 was with the angel, 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.119 the heavenly host. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.799 That means angel armies. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.779 Angel armies 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.839 praising God 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.299 and saying, 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.099 glory to God 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.720 in the highest 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.399 and on earth 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.480 peace among those 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.359 with whom he is pleased. 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:56.599 Or quite literally, 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:59.240 glory to God 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.859 in the highest 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.700 and on earth 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:02.399 peace among those 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:04.460 men and women 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.779 of his good pleasure. 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.700 That's what it's saying. 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.620 That's the song. 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:09.600 Glory to God 00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.299 in the highest 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.380 and on earth 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.200 peace among 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.860 those men 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.500 and women 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.500 who are of 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:17.019 his good pleasure. 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.460 And the word glory 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.319 here means that 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.700 we're to brag about God, 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.920 we're to talk about God, 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.900 we're to be unashamed 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.279 about the triune God, 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.539 we are to hope 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.559 in the triune God, 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.880 we are to extol him, 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.019 we are to adore him, 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:30.319 we are to praise him, 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.460 and we are to do it 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.299 with our minds 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.180 and with our lips 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.200 and with our time 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.920 and our body. 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.279 And for those of you 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.720 who are very creative 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:39.380 with dance, 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:40.279 with plays, 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.060 with poetry, 00:23:41.340 --> 00:23:42.140 with music, 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:45.360 and no matter 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:47.279 how much we praise 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.320 the triune God, 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:50.120 he is still even more, 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.660 even more. 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:53.300 You read the Narnia Chronicles, 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.160 I just finished 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.800 listening to them 00:23:54.800 --> 00:23:55.560 on audio, 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.320 the Ottawa Public Library, 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:59.340 seven fantastic versions 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:00.580 of the Narnia Chronicles. 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.039 If you haven't read them, 00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:03.220 take them out of the library, 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:04.720 listen to them in order, 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.160 and further up 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.900 and further in, 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.339 further up and further in, 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.559 we'll never exhaust 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.920 the glory of God. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.519 And that's what it's saying here. 00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.100 And peace, 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:15.100 it's not referring to wars, 00:24:15.400 --> 00:24:16.980 it's not referring to emotions. 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.539 How do you understand that? 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.460 Well, you understand that 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.799 by reading the rest of the story. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.900 By reading the rest of the story. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.839 The rest of the story 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:25.900 tells you what this peace means, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.319 and it means peace with God. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:29.100 It means peace with your creator. 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:31.179 It means peace with the one 00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:32.980 who will save, 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.839 can save you. 00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:35.179 It means peace with the one 00:24:35.179 --> 00:24:37.159 who will be the final judge about you. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.919 It means peace with goodness itself, 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:40.980 justice itself, 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:42.039 mercy itself, 00:24:42.419 --> 00:24:43.299 beauty itself, 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.579 love itself. 00:24:44.699 --> 00:24:46.259 It means peace with God, 00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:47.959 given as a gift. 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.819 And it's a type of 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:51.500 an ontological type of thing. 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.759 For those of you who are here 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.099 and you've been considering 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:55.059 the Christian faith, 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:56.199 there comes a point in time 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.200 to be a Christian 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.900 is not to kiss your mind goodbye. 00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:00.220 It's not you think 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.840 and you reason, 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.340 but at some point in time 00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:03.860 you need to just say, 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.539 God, you know, 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:06.220 I think I know enough 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.279 and I realize right now 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.360 that there's a part of me 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.059 in my flesh 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.180 that will always want to know 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.900 a little bit more, 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.860 think a little bit more, 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:13.080 try to answer a little bit more 00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:13.740 of the questions, 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.799 but there comes a point in time 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.580 when you just say, 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.240 I'm in. 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.900 I'm yours. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.900 Take me. 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:23.720 You know, 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.559 that's why, 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.299 are you born again? 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.339 That's what this peace with God is. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.319 You're born again. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.519 You're born again. 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.220 And you're made right with God. 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.460 You have peace with God. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:38.120 And there's a really interesting interview 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.220 that I just saw 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:41.000 with the guy 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.000 who's a really good friend 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.600 with a guy, 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.660 he has an important podcast 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.259 called The Diary of the CEO. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.940 He's a guy worth 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.860 tens and tens of millions of dollars. 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:52.319 His name is Andrew Scott Logan. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.380 He lives in Dubai. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.480 Young, 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.680 good-looking, 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.319 creative entrepreneur 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.900 who just became a Christian 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.539 within the last year and a half or two. 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.180 And he became a Christian 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.400 in the most surprising way 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.759 because he became a Christian 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.839 not because his life 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.519 was in the pits, 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.640 but because he was 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:09.140 unbelievably successful. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.779 And he came to start 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.759 to say to himself, 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:14.019 is that all there is? 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.460 Is that all there is? 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:21.319 And he ends up giving his life to Christ. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.019 And one of the things 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.579 which he says 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.420 is really interesting 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.059 in the interview 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.420 is that he said 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.160 on one hand 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:28.180 he had a profound sense of peace 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.980 that comes from being at peace with God. 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.579 But he also said, 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.619 honestly, 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.519 to Glenn, 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.379 the interviewer, 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.359 it's actually harder 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.079 being a Christian 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.359 than it was being a non-Christian. 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.839 And Glenn says, 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:38.980 well, 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.539 why is that? 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:39.879 He said, 00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:40.019 well, 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.419 on one hand, 00:26:40.459 --> 00:26:40.879 there's peace, 00:26:40.959 --> 00:26:41.519 but on the other hand, 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.319 I mean, 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.220 God convicts me 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.899 that I shouldn't do certain things 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:49.199 or that I have to apologize 00:26:49.199 --> 00:26:49.859 or, 00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:51.559 or, 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.179 you know, 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.119 maybe I should be doing 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.399 something different in my life. 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.740 And there's this constant 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:57.039 sense of unsettling, 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:58.399 but all of this unsettling 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.879 just creates this deeper type 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.159 of harmony with God 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:02.220 because that's partially 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.659 what this, 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.519 this is, 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.319 is being talked about. 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:06.799 The Peace is a harmony with God, 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.939 a balance with God. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.579 And even the fact that this peace 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.779 is talking about harmony, 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.799 that's so, 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.700 that's so wonderful 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.119 because, 00:27:13.439 --> 00:27:13.599 you know, 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.539 when you have harmony, 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.480 you have harmony, 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.019 you have a, 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.399 you know, 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.419 you have a male voice 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:18.460 and a female voice 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.279 and you have different, 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.879 you have different baritones 00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.599 and basses 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.679 and you have all these different, 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.679 all coming together 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:26.039 and it's not a monotonous sound. 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.599 It's not a, 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.899 it's not just the sound 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:29.220 of crashing and banging 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.339 and like dump trucks 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.639 doing things 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.639 and jackhammers. 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:32.919 It's, 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.799 it's music, 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.639 it's beautiful, 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.440 it flows, 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.700 it's active 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.159 and it brings together 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.159 these things 00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:40.480 which would be discordant 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.619 all by themselves 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.960 and brought together 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.279 to sound like a harmony 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.859 and that's what God wants 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.940 to give to human beings 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.779 and what he's doing 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.940 through the birth of his son 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.279 that moment, 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:50.680 that, 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.099 that, 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.940 that night 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:53.139 in Bethlehem. 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.819 Now I said I would talk 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:58.059 about being seen and unseen 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.119 and I need to do that 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:00.220 with my last few minutes 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.799 which are here. 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:02.099 Let's look at the text again, 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.359 glory to God in the highest, 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:04.679 and on peace, 00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:06.119 and on earth peace 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.799 among those 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.019 with whom he is pleased 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.659 or literally, 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.339 glory to God in the highest 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:12.199 and on earth peace 00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:13.899 among those 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:15.619 men and women 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:17.619 of his good pleasure. 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:21.739 Now this is an idea 00:28:21.739 --> 00:28:22.739 that lots of people 00:28:22.739 --> 00:28:23.619 find scary. 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:24.899 It's the doctrine 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.539 of election. 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.839 It's the doctrine 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:30.359 that God chooses you 00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.599 before you choose him 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:33.599 and there's lots 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.139 of Christians. 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.119 I for a long time 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:36.000 didn't like the idea. 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:36.879 I resisted it 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.559 even though it's 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.659 all the way through 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.159 the Bible 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:40.699 and, 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:42.759 but that's what it's saying 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.400 and of course 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:46.500 the fear is 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.440 that when you hear that, 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:47.980 those of you 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.480 who are here 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.200 and you hear that 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.599 and you say, 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.240 well George, 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:52.079 now that explains 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.180 why I'm not a Christian. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.460 You finally explained it. 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.079 All my life 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:58.099 I'm not getting chosen. 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:59.900 I don't get the jobs. 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:01.119 I don't get the promotions. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.099 You know, 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.180 I don't get the kids. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:05.039 I don't get the goodies. 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.819 I don't get all 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.879 these types of things. 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.799 I'm unseen 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:10.440 and nobody cares about me 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.220 and George, 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.460 if I was completely honest 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:12.880 with you, 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:14.000 one of my great fears 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.400 is that I will get 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:16.420 to a certain age 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.340 and I will spend 00:29:17.340 --> 00:29:18.680 my entire life alone 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:20.220 because I am unseen 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.539 and this is just 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.320 another example. 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.580 Nobody sees me. 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.779 God's not going to see me 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.940 and all I have to say 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.820 is that is two things. 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:27.500 First of all, 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:29.860 God is not the mean girls 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:33.400 because in the mean girls, 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.600 you have the mean girls 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.519 show up to a group 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.360 of six people 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.779 to just invite two 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.720 of the six 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.500 in front of the other four 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:42.039 so the other four 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.839 are completely 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:44.380 and utterly humiliated. 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.519 That plays me 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.140 to the second thing. 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:49.460 You just heard this? 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:52.200 That means he's calling you. 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:57.279 I just read it to you. 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:59.079 You just heard the invitation. 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.519 He's calling you. 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.500 You're not unseen. 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:07.579 And look at the way 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.119 he describes being seen. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.079 It's so interesting 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.359 in this particular text. 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.039 It describes, 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.859 what does it say again? 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:13.900 And on earth, 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.279 peace, 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.980 that's harmony 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.000 or peace with God, 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.859 harmony with God 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:18.720 among those men 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.299 and women 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.400 of his good pleasure. 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.599 For those of us 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.859 who are dealing with shame, 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.839 God looks right 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:26.240 into the very center of you 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.819 and he describes 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.619 that he wants you 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.440 to be his 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:31.279 and he describes you 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.279 as the woman 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.279 or the man 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:36.539 of his good pleasure. 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.160 I mean, 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.720 for those of you 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.819 who struggle with shame, 00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:45.619 you should take this 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:47.660 out of his good pleasure 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.680 he called me 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.460 and put it up 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.240 beside the mirror. 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.799 I don't recommend tattoos. 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.799 I'm not against them either. 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.879 You're going to get a tattoo? 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.279 Put it on the inside 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.779 of your arm. 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.339 I am a woman 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.299 of his good pleasure. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.940 I'm a man 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.819 of his good pleasure. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.259 That's what the gospel is. 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.460 He wants you to say yes 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.180 to Jesus 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:12.159 because he has pleasure 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:13.180 in you 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.680 and he wants you 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:16.200 to know his glory 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:17.180 and his love 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.180 and his splendor 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:19.000 and his pleasure. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:24.039 And even this thing here again 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.899 in terms of you 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.279 and you know, 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:25.659 you think, 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:25.819 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.980 there's something wrong with me. 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:28.259 Isn't that the whole idea here 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.680 of peace 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.539 and his harmony? 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.519 No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.740 Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.119 Okay. 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.299 You know, 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:35.140 John Ortberg, 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.220 the book was only, 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.299 was all right, 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:39.059 but the title's spectacular, right? 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.119 Everyone is normal 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.240 until you get to know them. 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:43.700 Then you realize 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:46.140 you're actually pretty weird. 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:49.040 But this isn't saying 00:31:49.040 --> 00:31:50.180 God's goal 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.759 is to make everybody vanilla, 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.340 make you all the same. 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:54.920 No, no, no. 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.660 God's going to take 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.560 those quirkiness, 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:59.340 those really weird things, 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.600 those broken pieces 00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:01.660 and he's going to start 00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.580 to heal them together 00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:03.259 and he makes 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.360 this beautiful harmony 00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:05.140 out of you 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.300 and your uniqueness 00:32:06.300 --> 00:32:07.980 and you are a person 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.900 of his good pleasure. 00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:13.080 And then the final thing 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:13.700 to take from it 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.740 is you get a vision of heaven. 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:16.599 Oh my, 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.240 what is heaven going to be like? 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:20.220 Glory to God in the highest 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.799 and on earth peace 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:23.259 to those men and women 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.279 of his good pleasure 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.779 and it's being sung 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.960 by the angel armies 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:28.279 and it's being heard 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.759 by shepherds in the field 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.880 and you get this vision of heaven 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:33.660 that this news of harmony 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.559 that even now 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.000 throughout the entire planet, 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:37.359 whether we were in the Congo 00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.920 or whether we are in Singapore 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.279 or in Taiwan 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.640 or Nigeria 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.859 or Manhattan 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.079 or Venezuela 00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:45.339 or Colombia, 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:46.240 there are people 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.199 who are singing 00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:48.619 God's praises today 00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:50.240 and we are all one 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.379 redeemed humanity 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.240 in Christ 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.539 and our future 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:55.240 is to be in harmony 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.319 with angels 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:57.399 and archangels 00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:58.419 and all the company 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.919 of heaven 00:32:58.919 --> 00:33:00.500 and we will behold 00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.859 the uncreated light, 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.419 the beauty 00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:03.079 and the glory 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:04.279 of the triune God 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.099 and we will sing 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.899 his glory 00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:07.500 and we will be filled 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.359 with joy. 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:11.819 that is your future 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:13.039 in Christ. 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:17.079 Not because I say it 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.619 but because this says it. 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:21.419 Give your life to Christ 00:33:21.419 --> 00:33:22.299 if you haven't 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.339 and if you struggle 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:24.279 with being unseen 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.859 and maybe you are unseen 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:26.579 by everybody 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:28.139 but God sees you 00:33:28.139 --> 00:33:29.259 and he sees you 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.019 as his person 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.859 of good pleasure. 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:33.439 That's what he's calling you to. 00:33:33.699 --> 00:33:34.399 Let's stand 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:35.219 and close in prayer. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:35.799 Good grief, 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.819 what else can I say? 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.980 People who know me, 00:33:45.159 --> 00:33:46.319 I'm actually very shy 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.639 and not very demonstrative. 00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:49.059 I didn't, 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.779 somebody was just telling me 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:52.079 that speakers choreograph 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:52.559 this stuff 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:52.879 and I said, 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.119 no, I don't choreograph anything. 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.980 I never know actually 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.980 how I'm going to bring it across 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.879 when I start speaking 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.379 but I just, 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.980 that was how I had to say that today 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.879 because it's so glorious. 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:01.079 Let's bow our heads 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.419 in prayer. 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:01.819 Father, 00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:03.180 if there are any here 00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:04.059 who have not yet given 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:05.000 their lives to Jesus, 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.299 may you help them right now 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.180 to call out to you 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.519 and say, 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:07.819 Father, 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.539 this good news, 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.619 I want it to be for me. 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:10.260 Take me, 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.059 take me. 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:13.320 I desire to submit to you 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.500 to be in this harmony 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.420 and peace with you 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:15.840 and Father, 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.800 for all of us 00:34:16.800 --> 00:34:18.119 who at different times 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.400 struggle with being unseen 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.380 and all of us struggle 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.199 at different times 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:21.739 with shame, 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.380 Father, 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.260 we ask that you bring 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.500 this good news of Jesus 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.880 deep into our hearts 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:27.099 that this might be 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.659 the story that forms us. 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.840 This might be the story 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:31.340 that we stand on. 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:32.659 This might be the story 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:34.759 by which we filter, 00:34:34.879 --> 00:34:35.879 that with which we hear. 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:37.259 This might be the story 00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:38.639 by which we see the future. 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:40.279 This might be the story 00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:42.019 by which we see other people 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.619 and that even how we see 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.319 our communities 00:34:44.319 --> 00:34:45.299 and our culture 00:34:45.299 --> 00:34:47.000 and what we desire to do, 00:34:47.379 --> 00:34:48.359 that they might all know 00:34:48.359 --> 00:34:49.259 the glory of God. 00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:49.759 We ask, 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:50.099 Father, 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.879 in your mercy 00:34:50.879 --> 00:34:52.279 that you would bring this story 00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:53.699 deep into our hearts 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:54.440 and form us. 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:56.480 We ask this in the name of Jesus 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:58.539 and all God's people said, 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.819 Amen. 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:03.659 Amen. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:03.659 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:03.659 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:03.659