WEBVTT

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 I have the privilege of introducing a guest preacher this morning.

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 His name is Warren Betcher, and he's here with his wife Kim here in the front.

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 And Warren is the lead pastor of Southern Rich Church of New Jersey in Marlton.

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 And he also serves as the regional leader of our foundation.

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 So he's the leader of our Northeast region.

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 So he's really visiting us in that capacity to serve us, encourage us.

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 And he also serves at the national level on the executive committee of the Southern Rich Churches.

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 So he's wearing many hats, but he does it well faithfully.

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 And Warren and Kim are really, as a couple, one of the godbiest and most humble people I know.

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 And really look up to them.

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 And I'm really eager for you guys to get to know them as well and hear from them.

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 So please welcome with me, Warren.

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 I think I'll be preaching for us.

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 All right.

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 I'm right away going to make Sean nervous.

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 I'm moving the clock.

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 That's on the...

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 Just dividing the room.

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 It's great to be here with all of you.

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 My wife and I have looked forward to this time.

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 We were in Manchester last weekend.

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 So Cade's Cross Church with Jake Young.

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 Spent Saturday or Sunday with them and preached at that church.

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 Went to Acadia this week for the first time for us up in Maine.

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 Did tons of hiking up there.

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 Climbing different mountains, Cadillac mountains, different mountains.

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 And seeing the coastline.

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 And going on a whale watching cruise, which we've done once.

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 We enjoyed it.

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 We won't do it again.

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 But we did enjoy that.

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 And to be here is just such a privilege to be involved with you.

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 We were with the Roos last night along with Matt and Cheryl.

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 And Ray was there.

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 And just had time with them.

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 And so it's wonderful to be here with your church.

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 And I want you to know that your church is prayed for regularly.

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 So our church outside of Philadelphia or suburb of Philadelphia in Washington, New Jersey.

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 We pray for this church.

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 Actually, my son-in-law and my daughter really seriously considered being part of this church plan.

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 Sean came, spoke.

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 My son-in-law felt very moved in an unusual way because of respect for Sean, which I would share.

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 And they were wrestling.

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 Now, we were, to be honest, we were praying they wouldn't come.

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 So we're grandparents.

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 And so grandchildren means a lot to us.

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 We have five children, 12 grandchildren.

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 Can I have been married for 40 years?

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 So, but I want you to know this church is dear to our heart.

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 And we pray for you on a regular basis.

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 And you represent an answer to prayer.

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 There was a vision in Sovereign Grace at one point.

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 We were like, can you ever get a church in New England?

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 And that started with Paul Butler.

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 The first church planted into, or, yeah, Paul.

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 The first church planted into New England.

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 And now there's four churches in New England with more being planned.

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 And that's a phenomenal answer to God, that we would see churches gospel-wise, gospel outposts, in places where we need the gospel preached.

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 So I want you to know that your church is dear to us and you are praying for.

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 Ranging for those decisions you may never meet, but they do care and we are connected that way.

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 And also, my respect for Sean, who couldn't be hired by one of the graduates today, is that I'm preaching and not listening to him preach.

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 He's a smart guy.

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 And he's a very smart guy.

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 So I don't want to ask him questions.

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 He didn't ask me questions.

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 I'm not saying, well, actually, I want to hear your perspective on this issue.

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 Because you're probably going to have a more thought-out perspective than I'll have.

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 So he's a smart guy.

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 And I would say this about Sean.

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 He's a man full of faith.

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 And church planted does take faith.

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 He's a man full of faith.

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 And he's a very humble man.

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 Through the way that God has gifted him, his humility is profound.

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 And the other thing that stands out back to you that I've known about him is his courage.

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 And you want a pastor who has courage.

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 Because pastors are called to love and tell the truth.

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 And sometimes you can be liked.

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 And we all want to be liked.

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 Nobody walks around not wanting to be liked.

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 But that can become a trap if it hears you from telling the truth.

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 Sean, as a pastor, loves you and loves his people enough to always be truthful with them.

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 And to ground that truth in the grace of God.

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 So, Sean, thank you for having you serve up here.

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 And thank you for how you are being a gospel outpost.

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 We will be praying for your outreach barbecue picnic next Saturday.

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 So, that would be our prayer list this week on Thursday.

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 We will spend time as an fellowship training for your outreach that that gospel level will expand into this community.

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 So, thank you.

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 So, it's great to be with you this morning.

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 I'm going to be speaking over the love of God, which is a massive topic.

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 If you think about the Apostle John, twice in John 4.

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 He actually makes a statement in John 4, 8 and John 4, 16.

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 He has this phrase, God is love.

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 It's not the summary attribute of God, but it is an essential attribute.

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 When we think about who God is, this is one of the ways he describes himself.

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 That he is a God of love.

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 He is a loving God to us.

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 Paul writes in Ephesians 3, and it's a love that surpasses knowledge.

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 So, how do you talk about something that actually surpasses our ability to fully comprehend him?

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 And I believe I can say, in a young age, by now, 5, I'm 16 now, so I was 55 years.

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 I don't think I understood much of the gospel early, but I think I was genuinely saved.

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 I was a sinner.

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 I needed a sinner.

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 I was a sinner, and Jesus died for my sins.

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 But understanding the grace of God has been depressing.

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 But understanding really who I was, apart from God, that really was a sinner and really needed.

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 And because I was a Christian early in my life, I was in traditional school, I didn't do what I considered going to be immoral things.

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 So, in our chapels and school, the people who would come and speak would also come in, and they'd have these testimonies that were so unlike anything I had.

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 You know, drug use, immorality, crime.

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 We had a guy who was part of the warlocks, the motorcycle gang, and actually had a chapter.

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 Somebody got shot at his reddit.

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 And you're like, you're like, I don't have a testimony.

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 I don't do any of those things.

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 You're like, I think I lied once.

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 So, I think I did.

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 You know, and what happened in that is I didn't have an understanding what would have drove my sin.

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 Because I was very proud.

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 I wanted my own glory.

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 I wanted my own ease.

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 Those things did function for me.

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 But they didn't seem big.

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 So, because my sins didn't seem big, God's grace didn't seem big.

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 And it was really in my 20s when God started to really reveal the sins of my heart, the motivations of my heart.

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 And that was a real struggle.

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 Because then I really fell into the confirmation.

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 Am I even a Christian?

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 Why did I not change?

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 Why did I keep confessing the same sins?

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 And it was really in my 20s that the grace of God got really introduced.

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 The love of God got really introduced to me.

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 And that love just has grown, in my understanding, ever since.

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 It still is an inexpressible love.

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 And that's what we're going to be looking at this morning.

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 So, if you have your Bibles with you, open up here to Zephaniah chapter 3.

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 It's probably not a typical place you'd go.

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 So, you've got to go Old Testament.

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 And if you're looking for Zephaniah, just look at the index if you can't find it.

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 Don't act like you don't know where it is.

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 It's near the end of the Old Testament.

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 So, you hit the Matthew, you go too far.

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 Just go back about 20 pages.

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 And it comes to Zephaniah.

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 Zephaniah chapter 3.

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 Zephaniah is one of the minor prophets.

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 And they're called the minor prophets.

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 Not that they're less significant.

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 So, don't think of them that way.

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 But they're just shorter.

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 In fact, these books are very significant to us.

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 Here's what the minor prophets typically do.

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 They typically announce God's judgments.

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 Typically against God's people.

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 Who typically rebelled against God.

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 And that was true of Zephaniah.

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 So, here's what you'll see in the minor prophets.

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 You will see the holiness and the justice of God.

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 God's not to be trifled with.

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 We just finished a series in Joel.

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 Where God sent a massive locust claim.

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 To the people of Israel.

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 Where they were starving.

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 And then he followed that up with a drought.

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 And the first message in our series in Joel 1.

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 Was when God shouts.

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 In other words, God will give your attention.

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 To call you repentance.

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 God acts.

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 God is holy.

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 God is a jealous God.

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 He wants worship.

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 Our worship.

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 He wants our fidelity.

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 And our loyalty.

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 And the children of Israel regularly.

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 Went up and down with that.

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 And when they did.

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 God would bring judgment.

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 So, here's what the minor prophets.

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 If you think about it.

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 Oh, the justice is going to be clear.

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 The holiness is going to be clear.

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 But I think really what we see in these books as well.

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 Is that God's promise of restoration.

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 That God loves to rescue.

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 His people.

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 Who wander from him.

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 So, if you read the minor prophets.

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 Don't miss the big picture.

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 The big picture is God's rescue.

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 And restoration.

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 In the midst of our sin.

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 And that's what makes God's love.

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 One of the things that makes God's love.

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 So astounding.

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 Is who he loves.

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 The pictures of God's love.

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 Theoretically.

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 God loves you.

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 And if you have honest appraisal.

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 Look in the mirror.

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 Unthornish.

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 Not in your best moment.

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 Not in your public moment.

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 But in your private moment.

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 In your worst moments.

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 If you're a child of God.

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 He still loves you.

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 And his love does not wane.

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 He loves people like us.

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 People who are prone to wander.

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 Prone to leave.

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 The God we love.

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 So the title of this morning's message is.

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 Do you hear him sing?

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 Do you hear him sing?

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 Here's the main point.

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 God's love.

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 For his people.

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 Is to be the controlling influence of our lives.

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 The animating.

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 Motivating.

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 All encompassing.

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 Effect.

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 In our lives.

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 So.

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 Zephaniah chapter 3.

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 We're going to read this.

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 And then pray.

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 I'm going to read verses 14 through 17.

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 Sing aloud.

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 O daughter of Zion.

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 Shout.

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 O Israel.

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 Rejoice.

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 And exalt with all your heart.

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 O daughter of Jerusalem.

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 The Lord.

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 Has taken away the judgments against you.

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 He has cleared away your enemies.

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 The King of Israel.

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 The Lord.

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 Is in your midst.

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 You shall never again fear evil.

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 On that day shall be said to Jerusalem.

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 Fear not O Zion.

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 Let not your hands go weak.

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 The Lord your God is in your midst.

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 A mighty one who will save.

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 He will rejoice over you with gladness.

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 He will quiet you by his love.

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 He will exalt over you with loud singing.

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord.

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 Lord.

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 We have read your word.

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 And I pray that you bless the reading of your word.

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 The reading of your word alone is powerful.

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 If we slow down.

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 We pay attention.

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 These are your very words.

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 And spirit of God.

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 I pray that you would.

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 Empower those words in our heart right now.

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 Lord.

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 Please help me to serve people who you do love.

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 whom you set your affection to and upon.

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 Lord.

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 You have purchased with your own blood.

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 Lord.

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 For anyone here who does not know you.

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 May they.

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 May they see the God of love.

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 And what you've done to express love to them this morning.

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 And may they respond to that great love.

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 Lord.

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 Help me to preach your word accurately.

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 For the benefit of your people.

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 In Jesus name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 I'm sure you've all experienced things that have taken your breath away.

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 One of the things I love to do is I love to hike.

00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:13.739
 So I've hiked.

00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:15.059
 I've hiked up in Acadia.

00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:18.179
 I've hiked out in Washington dozens of times.

00:13:18.359 --> 00:13:18.620
 Probably.

00:13:19.599 --> 00:13:22.120
 I've done backpacking in the presidential range.

00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.579
 In the White Mountains.

00:13:24.099 --> 00:13:26.139
 Which can be very challenging.

00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.659
 I've also gone out west.

00:13:27.719 --> 00:13:29.639
 I hike out west pretty much every summer.

00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:33.779
 I'll go out in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming.

00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:36.279
 I'm going to Wyoming this summer.

00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.460
 And I'll hike in the mountains.

00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:39.439
 I'll backpack four or five days out.

00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:41.159
 I've seen Christmas bears out.

00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:41.519
 Which is.

00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:43.819
 Sounds very thrilling until you see them.

00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:46.059
 And you go from it sounds exciting to actually.

00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:49.419
 I could be terrified of getting minutes of that.

00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:52.379
 But I've seen beautiful things.

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:53.019
 True.

00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.679
 Glorious beauty.

00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:57.879
 And so I've gone up over mountaintops.

00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.919
 Over ridges.

00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.839
 Passes.

00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.419
 10,000.

00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.319
 11,000 feet.

00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.919
 And all of a sudden there'll be there.

00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:05.399
 Just a turquoise blue lake.

00:14:05.479 --> 00:14:06.539
 I mean it's pretty blue.

00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.699
 And it's just beautiful.

00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:10.819
 It's awe inspiring.

00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.599
 And then it's surrounded by snow capped mountains.

00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.399
 And you just look at it.

00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:16.039
 And you go wow.

00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:18.719
 Well this is gorgeous.

00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:20.539
 This is glorious.

00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.000
 This is beautiful.

00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:23.039
 This is majestic.

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.219
 And it takes your breath away.

00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:29.139
 I was in Yosemite National Park.

00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.779
 And did some big hiking air.

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:32.500
 And some backpacking air as well.

00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:34.659
 And we went to a place called Half Point.

00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:36.899
 And you can walk on Half Point.

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.559
 You can walk right out to the edge.

00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.799
 To a 3,000 foot cliff.

00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:43.439
 Now actually I don't walk out to the edge.

00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:45.039
 Because if you're walking out.

00:14:45.039 --> 00:14:46.879
 You realize there's still nothing.

00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:48.079
 I'm not seeing a slope.

00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.199
 And you walk.

00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:50.219
 Not this far.

00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:51.139
 I'm coming back a little bit far.

00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.519
 Next thing I'm on my knees.

00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.799
 And next thing I'm crawling.

00:14:54.579 --> 00:14:55.740
 And there's one thing you do.

00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:56.500
 You crawl.

00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.559
 And you look over.

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.639
 And it's 3,000 feet straight down.

00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.839
 I got a rock once.

00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.579
 It's through a rock.

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:06.679
 It counts about nine before you heard it did.

00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:08.679
 And it's just.

00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.139
 Ah.

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.939
 It takes your breath away.

00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:13.000
 Think about the experience.

00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.580
 This is a few of you.

00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.180
 And you've had it.

00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:16.100
 Taking your breath away.

00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.360
 And you're like.

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:17.740
 Ah.

00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:19.520
 Wow.

00:15:20.780 --> 00:15:21.220
 Wow.

00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.380
 That's amazing.

00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.000
 Brothers and sisters.

00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:27.580
 The love of God is meant to take our breath away.

00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:31.140
 It's meant to have that same effect.

00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.300
 Ah.

00:15:33.020 --> 00:15:34.560
 God would love me.

00:15:35.020 --> 00:15:35.400
 Ah.

00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.899
 That way.

00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.299
 Me.

00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.459
 It's meant to have an effect on us.

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:44.559
 To take our breath away.

00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:49.679
 This is what makes Zephaniah 3 an amazing text.

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.159
 It is an amazing text.

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:54.459
 And what makes it most amazing is the context.

00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.379
 So it's not just the text.

00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.579
 It's the context.

00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.819
 When this is written by the prophet Zephaniah,

00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:05.019
 at this point, all parts of society had turned from God.

00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.139
 Or were indifferent to God.

00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:10.139
 The priests were indifferent to God.

00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.959
 Had turned from God.

00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:13.439
 The princes were indifferent from God.

00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.220
 Or turned from God.

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.439
 The merchants were.

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.620
 Had turned against God.

00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:17.319
 The masses.

00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.840
 The elite people.

00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.259
 And the normal people.

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:23.579
 Basically the nation of Israel had turned away from God.

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.740
 Or had become indifferent to God.

00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:29.480
 And probably being indifferent to God is actually worse than turning from God.

00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:31.000
 So if you're turning from God.

00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.840
 You're coming against God.

00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.960
 You recognize it's there.

00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:33.579
 You're fighting.

00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.860
 Indifference is you're irrelevant.

00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:39.620
 Just treating someone like they're a non-person.

00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:45.420
 So indifference to God is a great evil.

00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.259
 A great affront.

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.860
 The creator of the universe.

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.180
 Who made this magnificent universe.

00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.740
 This complex universe.

00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.460
 And then people just walk around indifference.

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:57.500
 I listen to sports radio regularly.

00:16:57.780 --> 00:16:58.280
 And people always say.

00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.200
 Well yeah I believe in God.

00:16:59.300 --> 00:16:59.900
 I believe in the analysis.

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.800
 If I believe in God.

00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:01.019
 I'm like.

00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:02.480
 You just said something profound.

00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.960
 And you said it in such a trite way.

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.480
 It has no meaning to you.

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.299
 If there's a God.

00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.980
 He's either of ultimate being.

00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.240
 Or of no meaning.

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.079
 But there's not mid-ground to you.

00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.220
 And this nation.

00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.759
 That God had chosen.

00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:20.079
 Who God had delivered out of Egypt.

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:22.360
 Who God had done miraculous things to.

00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:24.059
 But God had made his own people well.

00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:24.959
 They were now.

00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:26.439
 Rebelling against God.

00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:28.759
 Or indifferent to God.

00:17:29.159 --> 00:17:31.219
 And it's in the midst of their indifference.

00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.699
 And their disobedience.

00:17:32.699 --> 00:17:33.879
 And their rebellion.

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:36.859
 That God gives the promises that we read.

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:39.839
 In Zephaniah chapter 3.

00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:42.579
 Now there's ways that this text is fulfilled.

00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.779
 In the Old Testament.

00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:46.740
 But this is mostly a messianic text.

00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:49.119
 It points what Christ will do.

00:17:49.719 --> 00:17:51.379
 And here's the news for us this morning.

00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:53.500
 Is God will always have the last word.

00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:55.560
 In the midst of their disobedience.

00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:57.180
 In the midst of their indifference.

00:17:57.520 --> 00:17:59.900
 God still is going to have the last word.

00:18:00.300 --> 00:18:01.520
 Here's why that's going to be discussed.

00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:04.380
 It means our circumstances do not have the last word.

00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.860
 It means other people in your life.

00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.620
 Do not have the last word.

00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.660
 And it means this.

00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:13.020
 Our sin does not always have the last word.

00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:16.720
 God has the last word.

00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.100
 So two points this morning.

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.019
 Simple points.

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.640
 Number one.

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:22.039
 God loves to love his people.

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.100
 And number two.

00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:26.180
 God's love is meant to control our lives.

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.740
 First point.

00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:30.339
 God loves to love his people.

00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:32.100
 Look at verse 17.

00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:35.120
 The Lord your God is in your midst.

00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.120
 Strongly.

00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:40.200
 A mighty one who will save.

00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:42.640
 Now pay attention to the second half.

00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:45.960
 He will rejoice over you with gladness.

00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:48.460
 He will quiet you by his love.

00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:54.020
 He will exalt over you with loud singing.

00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:57.220
 Do you notice what's true of God in this text?

00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:58.560
 There is no reluctance.

00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:01.220
 There is no duty in his love.

00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:04.380
 There is the light in his love.

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.300
 Now if you ask me.

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:09.640
 How or why is God the light in us?

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:12.060
 I really don't think I can answer that question.

00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:14.240
 Because he chose to.

00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.700
 Because we have potential.

00:19:20.520 --> 00:19:21.620
 There is no more of the good.

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:25.100
 It is a choice he made.

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.840
 It is the right he has.

00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.340
 And brothers and sisters.

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:32.200
 This is a consistent theme in scripture.

00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.440
 Listen to these following texts.

00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.460
 We have these for you.

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.740
 Psalm 149 verse 4.

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:41.779
 The Lord takes pleasure in his people.

00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:44.880
 He adores the humble with salvation.

00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:48.059
 Isaiah 62 verse 5.

00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:49.400
 The second half of verse 5.

00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:53.079
 As the bride who rejoices over the bride.

00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:56.660
 So shall God rejoice over you.

00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:59.380
 One of the great privileges I have.

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.579
 As being a pastor.

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.920
 I have done countless weddings it seems.

00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.640
 And one of the things I love.

00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.160
 Is when I am in the front eye.

00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.240
 I have a great seat.

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:09.019
 So I have a groom right next to me.

00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:11.180
 And then the bride comes.

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.460
 And I always like.

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.900
 When the doors close.

00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:15.099
 And all of a sudden they open.

00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.099
 And the bride appears.

00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.380
 I watch the groom.

00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.460
 I look at the bride for a moment.

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.500
 And then I watch the groom.

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.339
 You know what I notice?

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:25.019
 A man captivated.

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:27.480
 A man in utter joy.

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.759
 And a man saying.

00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.599
 Can you walk faster?

00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.019
 Right?

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:33.660
 With the slow letting walk.

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.620
 Grooms are like.

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.099
 Come on.

00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.680
 Move along.

00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.560
 Let's play a fast tune.

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.779
 Run down that aisle.

00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:41.220
 And that's how they think through that.

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.900
 And so there's this.

00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:45.440
 There's this delight that God has.

00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.580
 In us.

00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:50.980
 Like a bride who rejoices over the bride.

00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.920
 So shall God rejoice over you.

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.140
 Micah 7.18.

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.660
 Who wants a God like you?

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:57.680
 Pardoning and passing over transgressions.

00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:00.060
 Transgressions for the remnant of his inheritance.

00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:00.900
 Listen.

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.440
 He does not attain his anger forever.

00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.100
 Because he delights.

00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:06.240
 He delights.

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.180
 Instead.

00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.980
 Fast love.

00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.240
 Luke 15.

00:21:10.320 --> 00:21:11.539
 I think you're in a series of the Lord.

00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.220
 You're going to write a wonderful series.

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.000
 That will be.

00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:15.039
 It is for you.

00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:16.519
 Luke chapter 15.

00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:17.019
 Verse 7.

00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.200
 Just so I tell you.

00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.779
 There will be more joy in heaven.

00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.820
 Over one sinner who repents.

00:21:22.580 --> 00:21:24.380
 Than over 99 righteous persons.

00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:27.320
 Who need no repentance.

00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:32.260
 This is how God thinks about us.

00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:34.580
 Theologian Matthew Henry said it this way.

00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.660
 He's a theologian from the 1600s.

00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:39.100
 The great God only loves his saints.

00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:41.680
 But he loves to love them.

00:21:43.520 --> 00:21:44.760
 Now I want to pause for them.

00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.140
 And ask you a question.

00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:48.220
 Because you may be asking this question as well.

00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:50.800
 How can God sing over someone like me?

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:57.779
 How can God sing over someone like me?

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:02.779
 And if you're all like me at these times.

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.359
 You can look in the mirror and say.

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.139
 I'm a mess.

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.980
 And there's times I think about my life.

00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.240
 And you have.

00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:11.000
 You're 60 years.

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.019
 60 years old.

00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.000
 Five children.

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.980
 Twelve grandchildren.

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:17.359
 Been married for almost 40 years.

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:19.000
 You.

00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:21.359
 Really never miss church.

00:22:21.479 --> 00:22:23.359
 You went to a Christian school for 11 years.

00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:26.259
 Been a pastor now for 35 years almost.

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.819
 You should know that.

00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:33.240
 How can you make the same mistake?

00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:35.859
 How can you doubt?

00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:37.539
 How can you drift?

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:40.359
 How many times do you need to be rescued?

00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:43.759
 And I can just say, Lord, I'm a mess.

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.979
 That's not hyperbole.

00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:45.479
 It's not.

00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.059
 You know.

00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:48.440
 Sometimes you're going to think, well, I was a mess before I was a Christian.

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.480
 And I think you know how to resolve that mess.

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:53.980
 Before I knew Christ, I was like this.

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:57.179
 But after I knew Christ, I'm supposed to be like this.

00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.339
 What would happen to the gap?

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:05.419
 When we're not leading up and matching up to all of our expectations and all biblical expectations.

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.000
 It could be a mess.

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.700
 So I can make a mistake as a father.

00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:13.079
 And if you know my kids here, they come up and say, yeah.

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.779
 And we tell you, there were times he got angry.

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.919
 Simply angry.

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.199
 All he did is be apologized.

00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:18.059
 He owned it.

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.439
 But anger, as a husband.

00:23:22.199 --> 00:23:25.359
 40 years has not been just, man, look at that.

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.019
 And it just started with glory.

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.500
 And it's going glory to glory.

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.099
 My mom's here.

00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:31.119
 I can't say that.

00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:35.319
 You know, I mean, she would have.

00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:38.439
 How many times do I have to tell you my birthday's important to me?

00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:41.719
 Really?

00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:47.000
 You would think that pain alone would have had me learn that lesson.

00:23:49.199 --> 00:23:52.139
 But I was like, because I didn't know my birthday's being important.

00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:57.419
 So I got out, hey, I'll get a present sometime the week of.

00:23:57.420 --> 00:24:01.180
 And for some reason, her feelings were hurt.

00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:04.340
 And he said, well, how many times have that happened?

00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.860
 Yeah, probably for a decade.

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.840
 But, man, you are slow.

00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.420
 Yeah.

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.920
 I'm being honest.

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.880
 It's not ever early.

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.680
 I don't mean, slow learn.

00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:17.940
 And folks, sin is stupid, too.

00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.220
 So I'm a mess.

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.140
 As a pastor, I made mistakes.

00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:27.279
 As a person, my first, and this is actually,

00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:29.539
 my first message,

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:32.779
 first Easter message when I was a pastor was in 1993.

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:36.180
 And I was preaching out of Galatians 6.14,

00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.680
 where Paul talks about, you know,

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:40.140
 forgive my ghost except in Christ Jesus,

00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.620
 you know, the cross and the crucifix.

00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:43.000
 So no other post.

00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.340
 During the message,

00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:47.560
 there's times when people are laughing at the right times.

00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:49.360
 I'm actually, you know, they're saying something,

00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.720
 and they're laughing.

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.740
 And there's times I can tell that, you know,

00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:55.160
 oh, there's a little bit of soberness.

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.860
 And in the middle of the message,

00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.759
 the message is,

00:24:58.080 --> 00:24:59.880
 boast only in Christ.

00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.840
 I had this thought come to my mind.

00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.300
 This is a good message.

00:25:05.800 --> 00:25:07.779
 Now, that's a hard place to think as a pastor,

00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.560
 because that way you think,

00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:10.400
 hmm, this is a good message.

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.100
 What did I just do?

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.480
 I just boasted about a message

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:14.060
 that probably most people are going to remember

00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:14.759
 a week from now.

00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:16.140
 And I'm boasting about it.

00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:17.220
 It's my first Easter message.

00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.640
 And I'm boasting, this is a good message.

00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.300
 Point text.

00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.920
 We're always supposed to boast in Christ.

00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.840
 And then you start wondering,

00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:23.100
 is God going to kill me right now?

00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.819
 Like, is this going to be, like,

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.039
 we're going to get church playing done

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.719
 in, like, a week?

00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.740
 And it's going to be, well,

00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.379
 they started and they ended

00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:31.559
 because the guy died while preaching.

00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:38.539
 And while it's somewhat humorous,

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:41.439
 I do feel God's rescue in those moments.

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:42.879
 Because you know what,

00:25:42.919 --> 00:25:43.579
 in that message,

00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.299
 God was rescue.

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.399
 Because God did say,

00:25:46.699 --> 00:25:48.419
 what did you just boast in?

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:51.600
 Where are you going to find the identity?

00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:53.360
 And son,

00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.500
 pastor,

00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:57.360
 call man,

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.779
 I love you enough

00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.019
 and I love those people enough.

00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.880
 I don't want you to find your identity

00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.820
 in performance.

00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:04.680
 I don't want you to find your identity

00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:06.180
 in pastoral success.

00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:07.680
 If you do that,

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.880
 you'll not abusing people.

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.900
 You won't be a servant.

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.259
 You'll be a master.

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:17.940
 And I love you enough

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.879
 and I love them enough

00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.779
 to rescue you

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.720
 during the message

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.839
 to confront you,

00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.099
 to challenge you

00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:24.640
 in the message.

00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.059
 And so I'm preaching

00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:28.440
 and having a separate conversation,

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:28.960
 in a sense,

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.900
 with the Lord.

00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:33.259
 And I got in a good case.

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.460
 Because I'm boasting

00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:37.519
 in the wrong thing right now.

00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.039
 So when I say I'm a mess,

00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.879
 it's not hyperbole.

00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.839
 But what do I have to do with my hope?

00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:44.200
 Well, my hope is found

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.140
 in this text as well.

00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:47.180
 In the next verse,

00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.220
 verse 15,

00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.599
 the Lord has taken away

00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.619
 the judgments against you.

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.339
 So you know why

00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:52.440
 I can tell you that story?

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.500
 God has taken away

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:55.019
 that judgment against me.

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.640
 God has done something for me.

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:59.259
 Folks, God is not like us.

00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:01.339
 God loves messes.

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.259
 God loves messes.

00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.259
 God disciplines

00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:08.740
 even those that he loves.

00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.619
 And this is what it says

00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:12.079
 in Proverbs chapter 3.

00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:23.659
 Do you see what God puts together

00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:25.539
 that we don't generally put together?

00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.220
 Discipline and delight.

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.740
 Parentally,

00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:31.199
 I don't typically put

00:27:31.199 --> 00:27:32.759
 delight and discipline together.

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.579
 Discipline is my disfavor,

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.319
 right?

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:37.559
 And favors when you're okay.

00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.519
 But actually,

00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.480
 God delights

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:41.619
 in those he's also disciplined.

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.639
 Oh God,

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.740
 you are so,

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.319
 so very different

00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:48.319
 than who I am.

00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.319
 You love messes.

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.839
 You love your people.

00:27:53.939 --> 00:27:54.819
 Listen to this quote

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.700
 from Charles Spurgeon,

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:57.559
 who's my historical hero.

00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:59.399
 And apart from

00:27:59.399 --> 00:28:00.440
 biblical preachers,

00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.480
 I think the greatest preacher

00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.119
 of all time,

00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.179
 preached in England

00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:04.940
 as a young man

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.940
 and then preached faithfully

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.619
 over decades.

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.419
 Charles Spurgeon said this,

00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:10.139
 the Lord takes pleasure

00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:12.099
 in them to fear him,

00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.339
 imperfect

00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:15.619
 though they may be.

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.419
 He sees them

00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.599
 as they are to be

00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.799
 and so he rejoices

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.879
 over them.

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.139
 Even when they cannot

00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:23.679
 rejoice in themselves.

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.839
 If you're here today,

00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.179
 you're like,

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.500
 if you do my week,

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:30.519
 if you knew yesterday,

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.700
 if you're a parent,

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.319
 you could be saying

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.259
 if you knew this morning.

00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.259
 Or next week.

00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.339
 What happens next week?

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.919
 Don't give me your good week.

00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.259
 What happens

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.240
 when you have a bad week?

00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:45.179
 You have an indifferent week.

00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:48.099
 You have a more ridiculous week.

00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.519
 He rejoices over that

00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.359
 and anyone can not

00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.279
 rejoice in themselves.

00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.359
 When your face

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.839
 is blurred with tears,

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.899
 your eyes red with weeping,

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.880
 and your heart

00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.600
 heaves the sorrow for sin,

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:01.380
 the great Father

00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:03.280
 is rejoicing over you.

00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.980
 We are questioning,

00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.120
 doubting,

00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.259
 sorrowing,

00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:08.100
 trembling,

00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.920
 and all the while,

00:29:10.780 --> 00:29:11.800
 he who sees it from you,

00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:13.200
 the end from the beginning,

00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.640
 knows what will come

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.519
 out of the present

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.740
 disquietude,

00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.640
 and therefore rejoices.

00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:21.460
 let us rise in faith

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:23.640
 to share the joy

00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:25.780
 of God.

00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:28.620
 And there seems to be

00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:29.300
 in this text

00:29:29.300 --> 00:29:31.100
 just one condition.

00:29:32.020 --> 00:29:32.620
 And the condition

00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:34.120
 is that we seek refuge

00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:35.280
 and actually to go back,

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.220
 you know,

00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.840
 go back to verse 12,

00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:38.480
 just look up

00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.280
 from verse 14,

00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.060
 but it says here

00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:40.560
 in verse 12,

00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.840
 I believe in your risk

00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.860
 and people humble

00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.640
 and lowly,

00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:45.500
 they will seek refuge

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.680
 in the name

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:48.560
 of the Lord.

00:29:51.060 --> 00:29:51.940
 So what do they do?

00:29:52.020 --> 00:29:52.480
 These are people

00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.400
 who start to realize,

00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.220
 oh,

00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:56.200
 I need God,

00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.680
 I have been indifferent,

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.080
 and now what I'm doing,

00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:00.100
 I'm not going to make it up,

00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:01.280
 I'm not going to pay for it,

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.000
 I'm not going to try

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:03.360
 to reform myself,

00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:04.840
 I'm going to look

00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.520
 to God,

00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.980
 I will seek refuge

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.640
 in the name

00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:10.200
 of the Lord.

00:30:12.300 --> 00:30:13.620
 And that's where they

00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.620
 go,

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:17.200
 to God.

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.320
 Those who trust in God,

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.660
 oh,

00:30:20.780 --> 00:30:21.640
 he rejoices

00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.600
 over those

00:30:22.600 --> 00:30:23.380
 who trust in himself.

00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.240
 Question,

00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:24.980
 have you placed

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.580
 your trust

00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:26.480
 in Jesus Christ?

00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.880
 Have you?

00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:31.180
 Nothing more important,

00:30:32.040 --> 00:30:33.460
 most important question

00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:35.180
 to ever resolve

00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.820
 in your life,

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.619
 right?

00:30:37.679 --> 00:30:38.619
 Christ is either true

00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.319
 of all the things

00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.079
 he said were about

00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:40.759
 and suffered true,

00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:42.019
 but utterly false

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.899
 and not important.

00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.700
 Religion's not good

00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:49.200
 for just happy life,

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.200
 successful life,

00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:52.039
 well-ordered life.

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:53.879
 Paul would tell you

00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.579
 very clearly

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.679
 in 1 Corinthians 15,

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.679
 if Christ is not the race

00:30:57.679 --> 00:30:58.519
 and that your faith

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.139
 is futile,

00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.439
 you're still of your sins,

00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.099
 and you turn

00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:01.639
 and you're married

00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.679
 for tomorrow you die,

00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:03.859
 it doesn't matter.

00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:06.519
 But if it's true,

00:31:07.459 --> 00:31:08.879
 it's eminently true.

00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:12.339
 It claims us,

00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:14.519
 it empowers us,

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:18.059
 it directs our lives.

00:31:19.459 --> 00:31:20.179
 Do you know that God

00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:21.079
 loved you this way?

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.439
 That he,

00:31:21.879 --> 00:31:23.659
 God is not tolerating you.

00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:27.159
 And I think because

00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:28.439
 we grew up in so much

00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:29.619
 of a performance culture,

00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.959
 and in performance,

00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:31.679
 how we do it,

00:31:31.679 --> 00:31:33.099
 it's so hardwired in us,

00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.459
 how you deal,

00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.319
 what you got to do,

00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:35.740
 what's your,

00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.279
 you know,

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.899
 I played sports all gone,

00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.879
 how you performing,

00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:39.959
 did you work hard?

00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:42.099
 It's all my effort,

00:31:42.419 --> 00:31:42.759
 and then,

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.639
 and the feedback

00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.339
 to my effort.

00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.159
 Work hard,

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.219
 put more time in,

00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.299
 train more,

00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.659
 whatever's involved.

00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:52.659
 And there's so much

00:31:52.659 --> 00:31:54.219
 about performance

00:31:54.219 --> 00:31:55.099
 and acceptance,

00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:56.980
 and God says,

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.699
 you didn't have a make.

00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:59.720
 So he looks at the

00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.759
 performance of his son

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.960
 who lived a perfect life,

00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.340
 who died a death

00:32:03.340 --> 00:32:04.200
 in our place.

00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:05.600
 He says,

00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.559
 look to his performance.

00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.299
 And if you trust him,

00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:09.440
 if you seek refuge in him,

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.240
 oh,

00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.440
 I sing over you,

00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.519
 and I rejoice over you,

00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.620
 and I sorrow over you,

00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:18.100
 even in your worst moments.

00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.759
 Doesn't mean he doesn't care

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.580
 about those moments.

00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:23.319
 He'll rest for those moments,

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:25.679
 but his love does not change

00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:26.679
 in those moments.

00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.319
 So that's the first one,

00:32:28.379 --> 00:32:29.079
 God's love.

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.639
 God loves the love of people.

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.119
 Second one,

00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.000
 God's love is meant

00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.259
 to control our lives.

00:32:33.899 --> 00:32:35.039
 And when I say control,

00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:36.740
 fuel,

00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.500
 direct,

00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:39.919
 encompass,

00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.200
 animate,

00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:43.460
 empower our lives.

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.319
 God's love is meant

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.960
 to control our lives.

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.599
 So how?

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:48.700
 How does this text inform us

00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:49.659
 of God's love

00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:51.259
 to control our lives,

00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:52.319
 to influence our lives?

00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:52.859
 So one of them,

00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:54.099
 they want to be happy.

00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.139
 Look at verse 14.

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.219
 Sing around,

00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.099
 the Lord of Zion.

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.559
 Shower with Israel.

00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.000
 Rejoice and exalt

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:02.539
 with all your heart.

00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:06.919
 Be happy.

00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:08.519
 Now,

00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:08.779
 guys,

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.259
 wait a second.

00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:12.259
 I heard Sean preach.

00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.099
 Sean talks,

00:33:14.179 --> 00:33:15.319
 it's not just about happiness.

00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:16.219
 It's about holiness.

00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.039
 It's about our joy.

00:33:18.219 --> 00:33:18.579
 I'm not sure

00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.459
 a flip of happiness.

00:33:20.199 --> 00:33:21.119
 I'm trying to take

00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:21.559
 your text.

00:33:21.659 --> 00:33:22.019
 It says,

00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.819
 sing,

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.299
 rejoice,

00:33:23.479 --> 00:33:23.879
 exalt.

00:33:24.919 --> 00:33:25.839
 But here's what I think

00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.099
 that is.

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:27.000
 You can grieve

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.939
 and rejoice

00:33:27.939 --> 00:33:29.099
 at the same time.

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.000
 My wife and I

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.919
 experienced

00:33:31.919 --> 00:33:33.740
 in the last couple months,

00:33:33.979 --> 00:33:34.619
 I would say,

00:33:34.939 --> 00:33:35.459
 maybe the most

00:33:35.459 --> 00:33:36.159
 greatest trial

00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:36.859
 in our lives.

00:33:38.419 --> 00:33:38.979
 And so there's,

00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.119
 it was almost

00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:41.159
 a grief

00:33:41.159 --> 00:33:41.959
 that couldn't be covered.

00:33:42.719 --> 00:33:43.240
 And as we're

00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:44.379
 processing through that,

00:33:44.659 --> 00:33:45.179
 there was this,

00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:46.639
 this huge grief.

00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:48.700
 and yet,

00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:50.120
 there was also a,

00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.420
 still a,

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.460
 but I know God.

00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:57.080
 And that can't change.

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.420
 That won't change.

00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.440
 And I know God loves me.

00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:02.200
 I know God's fooling me.

00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:04.320
 And so you have this

00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:06.400
 grief on one side,

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.800
 and yet,

00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.539
 a joy

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.039
 and still a happenings

00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.480
 in the other.

00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.880
 And that just came from truth.

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.360
 And I thought,

00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:14.599
 you know,

00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:16.660
 whatever assails me,

00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.820
 on this side,

00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:20.019
 this side remains true.

00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:25.400
 So grief,

00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:27.340
 but rejoicing

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:29.860
 at the same time.

00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.019
 And there's a reason

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:34.000
 for us to be happy.

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.119
 There's a reason

00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:36.380
 for us to rejoice,

00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.280
 to resolve

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:38.519
 with all our heart.

00:34:38.659 --> 00:34:39.659
 And we find a reason

00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:41.239
 in verse 15.

00:34:42.259 --> 00:34:43.199
 So rejoice.

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:44.300
 Sing aloud, O Israel,

00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.380
 until our time.

00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:46.619
 Shout, O Israel.

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.679
 There's joy.

00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:48.639
 There's happiness.

00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:49.820
 Rejoice.

00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:49.980
 Rejoice.

00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:51.120
 It's all your heart,

00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:52.240
 O daughter of Jerusalem.

00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:53.200
 Why?

00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.380
 Because the Lord

00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:54.980
 has taken away

00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:56.980
 the judgments against you.

00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:58.580
 He has taken away

00:34:58.580 --> 00:35:00.019
 all judgments.

00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:01.160
 This is what Christ

00:35:01.160 --> 00:35:02.920
 has done for us.

00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.320
 This is the truth

00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.480
 that stays with us.

00:35:06.580 --> 00:35:07.340
 Regardless of what's

00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:08.200
 going on out here,

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.039
 circumstances,

00:35:09.640 --> 00:35:10.080
 people,

00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.220
 what are they doing?

00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.160
 What's happening?

00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.260
 Health reports.

00:35:13.640 --> 00:35:14.820
 Disappointments in life.

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.300
 Goals that were

00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.300
 toward the goals.

00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:20.720
 Dreams that did not

00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:21.760
 happen.

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.140
 What happens?

00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:23.420
 Why?

00:35:23.560 --> 00:35:24.460
 This is the other side.

00:35:24.780 --> 00:35:25.519
 He has taken away

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:27.000
 all judgments

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.120
 against me.

00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.320
 I love the hymn

00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.920
 of 4,000 times the same.

00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:33.300
 What's one of the

00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:34.060
 verses in that,

00:35:34.140 --> 00:35:35.519
 one of the statements

00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:35.880
 in that?

00:35:36.100 --> 00:35:37.120
 His blood can make

00:35:37.120 --> 00:35:38.060
 the fowls clean.

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:39.140
 His blood

00:35:39.140 --> 00:35:41.720
 availed for me.

00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:45.019
 In Matthew 7, 19,

00:35:45.339 --> 00:35:46.259
 it talks about our sin

00:35:46.259 --> 00:35:47.139
 being cast

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:48.339
 into the depths

00:35:48.339 --> 00:35:50.159
 of the city.

00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.279
 And that idea

00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.039
 of being cast

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.419
 into the depths

00:35:53.419 --> 00:35:53.799
 of the city

00:35:53.799 --> 00:35:54.739
 means you never

00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.779
 see it again.

00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.899
 It's never brought

00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:58.279
 back against you.

00:35:59.559 --> 00:36:00.539
 So why are we

00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:00.959
 happy?

00:36:01.919 --> 00:36:02.699
 Because Christ

00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:05.519
 died for our sins.

00:36:05.759 --> 00:36:06.719
 That is categorical.

00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:09.219
 If that's true,

00:36:09.299 --> 00:36:10.419
 if you believe that,

00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:12.280
 that's the most

00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.720
 defining part

00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:14.420
 of your life.

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.559
 Christ loved me

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.420
 so much.

00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:20.320
 For God so loved

00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:20.860
 the world,

00:36:20.980 --> 00:36:21.740
 this is God,

00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:22.599
 they create this

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.940
 immense, glorious,

00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:25.300
 complex world

00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:28.300
 by His voice

00:36:28.300 --> 00:36:30.680
 effortlessly.

00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:35.240
 Love me so much

00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:36.200
 that I love the world

00:36:36.200 --> 00:36:37.960
 that He gave His only Son.

00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:41.659
 That whoever believes

00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:42.599
 in Him shall not perish

00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:43.559
 in heaven's own life.

00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:46.079
 Do you see the lack,

00:36:46.139 --> 00:36:46.539
 in one sense,

00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.260
 the lack of effort

00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:48.280
 God had in creation?

00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:49.700
 He just spoke it

00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:51.240
 versus the effort

00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:52.220
 He had in redemption.

00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:55.240
 Redemption

00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:56.300
 cost His Son.

00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:58.680
 Creation

00:36:58.680 --> 00:37:00.119
 spoken.

00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.920
 Call it in a distance.

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.760
 Redemption

00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:08.480
 about together.

00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:11.119
 Redemption

00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:11.380
 said,

00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.019
 I have to send

00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.860
 my Son

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:14.960
 to die

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.599
 for indifferent

00:37:15.599 --> 00:37:16.260
 people,

00:37:17.280 --> 00:37:18.219
 rebellious people.

00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.579
 And I'm doing that

00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:22.460
 because I love it.

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.780
 And my Son

00:37:24.780 --> 00:37:25.300
 is going to die

00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:26.039
 on a cross.

00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.800
 And not just

00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:30.019
 the physical pain

00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.699
 of all that,

00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.139
 but we can talk

00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.900
 about all the physical

00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.639
 pain of dying

00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.360
 on a cross

00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:35.159
 and all that

00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:35.719
 happened to him

00:37:35.719 --> 00:37:37.260
 physically and body

00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:38.240
 and all the nerve

00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:38.680
 that means

00:37:38.680 --> 00:37:39.380
 and all the things

00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.060
 that he created

00:37:40.060 --> 00:37:40.740
 that they were

00:37:40.740 --> 00:37:42.540
 enraged in pain.

00:37:44.240 --> 00:37:45.500
 That was the spiritual.

00:37:46.680 --> 00:37:47.160
 This man

00:37:47.160 --> 00:37:48.240
 who knew no sin

00:37:48.240 --> 00:37:49.980
 had our sin

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:51.060
 placed upon him.

00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:52.840
 Our guilt

00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:54.080
 placed upon him.

00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.240
 Our worst

00:37:56.240 --> 00:37:56.580
 moments

00:37:56.580 --> 00:37:58.040
 placed upon him.

00:37:59.000 --> 00:37:59.540
 Our moments

00:37:59.540 --> 00:38:00.220
 when we didn't know

00:38:00.220 --> 00:38:00.580
 Christ

00:38:00.580 --> 00:38:01.740
 placed upon him.

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.520
 And our failures

00:38:02.520 --> 00:38:03.520
 after we know Christ

00:38:03.520 --> 00:38:04.740
 placed upon him.

00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.619
 Your sins

00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.059
 past,

00:38:06.199 --> 00:38:06.459
 present,

00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:06.939
 future

00:38:06.939 --> 00:38:08.199
 placed upon him.

00:38:08.399 --> 00:38:09.079
 And then you have

00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:10.259
 the God of justice

00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:11.099
 and holiness

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.719
 punish his own son.

00:38:15.259 --> 00:38:15.779
 And a man

00:38:15.779 --> 00:38:16.239
 remembered,

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:16.779
 oh,

00:38:17.359 --> 00:38:18.059
 creation

00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:19.439
 wants it's easy.

00:38:20.399 --> 00:38:20.959
 Redemption

00:38:20.959 --> 00:38:22.059
 costly.

00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.039
 For him.

00:38:25.899 --> 00:38:26.739
 But he loved us

00:38:26.739 --> 00:38:27.239
 that way

00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:27.599
 so

00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:28.579
 cause of that

00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:28.919
 oh,

00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.899
 we can now

00:38:29.899 --> 00:38:31.099
 be happy.

00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:32.879
 Our sins

00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:34.260
 have been resolved

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:36.019
 by Christ.

00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:37.360
 His blood

00:38:37.360 --> 00:38:37.800
 can make

00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:38.579
 the fallous

00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:39.079
 from him.

00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:41.180
 His blood

00:38:41.180 --> 00:38:42.119
 availed for me.

00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:44.180
 So,

00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:44.920
 be happy.

00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:45.300
 Secondly,

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.200
 be confident.

00:38:46.960 --> 00:38:47.599
 Be confident.

00:38:47.740 --> 00:38:48.340
 God is with you.

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.180
 Look what else

00:38:49.180 --> 00:38:49.599
 he says

00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:50.880
 in verse 15.

00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:52.480
 The Lord

00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.000
 has taken away

00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:53.500
 the judgments

00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:54.140
 against you.

00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:54.700
 What else

00:38:54.700 --> 00:38:55.079
 has he done?

00:38:55.280 --> 00:38:56.059
 He has cleared

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.980
 away your enemies.

00:38:57.820 --> 00:38:58.720
 The King of Israel,

00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.240
 the Lord,

00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:00.119
 is in your midst.

00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:01.340
 You shall never

00:39:01.340 --> 00:39:03.539
 again fear evil.

00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.120
 The Lord

00:39:04.120 --> 00:39:05.380
 is in your midst.

00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:06.400
 A mighty one

00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:08.680
 who will save.

00:39:09.740 --> 00:39:10.220
 And this is

00:39:10.220 --> 00:39:10.620
 the Lord here.

00:39:10.680 --> 00:39:11.519
 This is the covenant

00:39:11.519 --> 00:39:12.380
 keeping

00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.300
 majestic

00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:14.900
 God.

00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:17.280
 L-O-R-D

00:39:17.280 --> 00:39:17.960
 capitalized.

00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.600
 This is covenant

00:39:18.600 --> 00:39:19.180
 keeping

00:39:19.180 --> 00:39:20.039
 majestic

00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:20.800
 God

00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:21.420
 who does

00:39:21.420 --> 00:39:22.120
 all things,

00:39:22.260 --> 00:39:23.420
 has all power,

00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:24.700
 self-existent,

00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.900
 unchanging God.

00:39:26.160 --> 00:39:26.579
 He

00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.559
 will

00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:28.620
 save.

00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:30.159
 He

00:39:30.159 --> 00:39:30.380
 will

00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:30.619
 be

00:39:30.619 --> 00:39:31.319
 with you

00:39:31.319 --> 00:39:32.139
 for the

00:39:32.139 --> 00:39:32.799
 trial we are

00:39:32.799 --> 00:39:33.039
 in.

00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:33.440
 I,

00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:33.920
 for those

00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:34.339
 I am young,

00:39:34.339 --> 00:39:35.880
 I don't know

00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:36.779
 how to make sense

00:39:36.779 --> 00:39:37.359
 to this world,

00:39:37.599 --> 00:39:38.380
 nor how to live

00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:39.039
 in this world,

00:39:39.359 --> 00:39:39.960
 if you don't

00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:40.339
 have

00:39:40.339 --> 00:39:41.039
 Christ.

00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:42.619
 In other words,

00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:43.239
 you're either

00:39:43.239 --> 00:39:44.319
 not paying attention,

00:39:44.639 --> 00:39:45.299
 or everything's

00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:46.199
 breaking your way.

00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:47.960
 But what

00:39:47.960 --> 00:39:48.619
 happens when

00:39:48.619 --> 00:39:49.219
 the reality of

00:39:49.219 --> 00:39:49.579
 life

00:39:49.579 --> 00:39:50.299
 hits?

00:39:50.799 --> 00:39:51.579
 And hit

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:52.380
 then where?

00:39:53.880 --> 00:39:54.659
 Live long

00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:55.079
 enough,

00:39:55.699 --> 00:39:56.139
 and you

00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:56.699
 will suffer.

00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:59.460
 Live long

00:39:59.460 --> 00:39:59.859
 enough,

00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:00.519
 I don't

00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:00.939
 face it,

00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:02.159
 our expectations

00:40:02.159 --> 00:40:02.960
 won't be met.

00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:03.739
 Just a point

00:40:03.739 --> 00:40:04.219
 will happen.

00:40:05.339 --> 00:40:06.079
 My son

00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:07.259
 has Crohn's

00:40:07.259 --> 00:40:07.679
 disease.

00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:08.679
 He's in his

00:40:08.679 --> 00:40:09.139
 thirties.

00:40:09.219 --> 00:40:09.739
 He's had it

00:40:09.739 --> 00:40:10.259
 since his

00:40:10.259 --> 00:40:10.859
 teen years.

00:40:10.939 --> 00:40:11.239
 He's got it

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:11.699
 actually a

00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.239
 10 who

00:40:12.239 --> 00:40:12.839
 was diagnosed.

00:40:13.259 --> 00:40:13.679
 He's locked

00:40:13.679 --> 00:40:14.219
 about three

00:40:14.219 --> 00:40:14.699
 feet of his

00:40:14.699 --> 00:40:15.159
 intestines.

00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:19.059
 It's just

00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:20.019
 living in a

00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:20.559
 cursed,

00:40:20.719 --> 00:40:21.659
 fallen world.

00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:25.439
 And yet

00:40:25.439 --> 00:40:25.739
 there is

00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:26.559
 rejoicing in

00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:27.039
 his heart.

00:40:27.880 --> 00:40:28.099
 There is

00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:28.619
 a trusting

00:40:28.619 --> 00:40:29.139
 of God

00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:29.460
 in his

00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:29.779
 heart.

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:31.900
 There is

00:40:31.900 --> 00:40:32.360
 that if I

00:40:32.360 --> 00:40:32.820
 wait until I

00:40:32.820 --> 00:40:33.519
 feel good

00:40:33.519 --> 00:40:34.320
 to do

00:40:34.320 --> 00:40:34.579
 things,

00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:34.820
 Lord,

00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:35.239
 I'll never

00:40:35.239 --> 00:40:35.779
 do anything.

00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:38.059
 So I

00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:38.619
 serve with

00:40:38.619 --> 00:40:39.079
 the strength

00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:39.420
 that God

00:40:39.420 --> 00:40:39.739
 has given

00:40:39.739 --> 00:40:39.960
 me.

00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:40.519
 And he

00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.059
 knows this.

00:40:41.279 --> 00:40:41.579
 God's

00:40:41.579 --> 00:40:42.000
 a company

00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:42.360
 to keep

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.500
 me.

00:40:42.900 --> 00:40:43.539
 God is

00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:44.199
 with him

00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:44.860
 in the midst

00:40:44.860 --> 00:40:45.159
 of his

00:40:45.159 --> 00:40:45.639
 troubles.

00:40:47.259 --> 00:40:47.699
 And someday

00:40:47.699 --> 00:40:48.239
 his troubles

00:40:48.239 --> 00:40:48.940
 will all

00:40:48.940 --> 00:40:49.940
 resolve and

00:40:49.940 --> 00:40:50.519
 go away.

00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:52.500
 The king

00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:52.880
 of Israel,

00:40:53.059 --> 00:40:53.320
 the Lord

00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:53.779
 is in your

00:40:53.779 --> 00:40:54.059
 midst.

00:40:54.320 --> 00:40:54.619
 You shall

00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.320
 never again

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:57.039
 fear evil.

00:40:58.900 --> 00:40:59.160
 When you

00:40:59.160 --> 00:40:59.539
 finish this

00:40:59.539 --> 00:40:59.960
 series in

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.500
 1 Peter,

00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:02.039
 1 Peter 5

00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:02.539
 talks about

00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:03.100
 Satan being

00:41:03.100 --> 00:41:04.120
 a roaring

00:41:04.120 --> 00:41:04.740
 lion,

00:41:05.420 --> 00:41:05.940
 a lion who's

00:41:05.940 --> 00:41:06.860
 proud to

00:41:06.860 --> 00:41:07.380
 devour.

00:41:08.640 --> 00:41:09.019
 And we

00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:09.640
 not need

00:41:09.640 --> 00:41:10.340
 fear him.

00:41:11.100 --> 00:41:11.740
 We need to be

00:41:11.740 --> 00:41:12.440
 aware of him

00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:13.240
 without fear

00:41:13.240 --> 00:41:13.500
 him.

00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:14.539
 Resist him

00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:14.900
 and he

00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.460
 flees.

00:41:16.500 --> 00:41:17.000
 Why?

00:41:17.559 --> 00:41:18.140
 Because God

00:41:18.140 --> 00:41:18.700
 will clear out

00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:19.360
 my hands.

00:41:20.140 --> 00:41:20.539
 The Lord

00:41:20.539 --> 00:41:21.099
 God is

00:41:21.099 --> 00:41:22.199
 with me.

00:41:22.739 --> 00:41:23.179
 So we

00:41:23.179 --> 00:41:23.699
 can be

00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:24.320
 happy,

00:41:24.920 --> 00:41:25.320
 joyful,

00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:25.719
 we can

00:41:25.719 --> 00:41:26.820
 be confident.

00:41:28.820 --> 00:41:29.159
 Nothing

00:41:29.159 --> 00:41:29.779
 will change

00:41:29.779 --> 00:41:30.139
 the love

00:41:30.139 --> 00:41:30.480
 of God

00:41:30.480 --> 00:41:31.239
 towards us.

00:41:31.579 --> 00:41:31.860
 And what's

00:41:31.860 --> 00:41:32.159
 it say

00:41:32.159 --> 00:41:32.480
 here in

00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:33.039
 verse 17?

00:41:33.179 --> 00:41:33.460
 He will

00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:34.559
 quiet us

00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.099
 by his

00:41:35.099 --> 00:41:35.480
 love.

00:41:36.880 --> 00:41:37.119
 In

00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:37.880
 a child

00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.119
 when they

00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:38.340
 become

00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:38.779
 quiet,

00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:39.059
 they're

00:41:39.059 --> 00:41:40.019
 content

00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.340
 and

00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:40.519
 they're

00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.039
 secure.

00:41:42.420 --> 00:41:42.940
 And now

00:41:42.940 --> 00:41:43.619
 it's safe.

00:41:43.759 --> 00:41:44.000
 There's

00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:44.460
 something that

00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:45.000
 happens there

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:46.039
 quieted by

00:41:46.039 --> 00:41:46.519
 the love

00:41:46.519 --> 00:41:47.239
 of God.

00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:47.739
 His

00:41:47.739 --> 00:41:48.659
 unchanging,

00:41:49.179 --> 00:41:49.939
 rejoicing,

00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:51.859
 singing love.

00:41:52.239 --> 00:41:52.579
 We are

00:41:52.579 --> 00:41:53.819
 quieted by

00:41:53.819 --> 00:41:54.719
 that love.

00:41:55.639 --> 00:41:56.139
 Listen to this

00:41:56.139 --> 00:41:56.519
 quote from

00:41:56.519 --> 00:41:57.279
 Jerry Bridges.

00:41:59.319 --> 00:41:59.859
 We're going to

00:41:59.859 --> 00:42:00.399
 make a book

00:42:00.399 --> 00:42:01.079
 for that

00:42:01.079 --> 00:42:01.359
 we have

00:42:01.359 --> 00:42:01.559
 to do

00:42:01.559 --> 00:42:01.819
 with the

00:42:01.819 --> 00:42:02.039
 Lord

00:42:02.039 --> 00:42:02.479
 to now

00:42:02.479 --> 00:42:04.599
 for decades.

00:42:05.719 --> 00:42:05.919
 Jerry

00:42:05.919 --> 00:42:06.159
 Bridges

00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:06.399
 said,

00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:07.179
 just as

00:42:07.179 --> 00:42:07.519
 God's

00:42:07.519 --> 00:42:07.859
 love to

00:42:07.859 --> 00:42:08.219
 his son

00:42:08.219 --> 00:42:08.559
 cannot

00:42:08.559 --> 00:42:09.339
 change,

00:42:10.319 --> 00:42:10.599
 so his

00:42:10.599 --> 00:42:10.939
 love to

00:42:10.939 --> 00:42:11.359
 us

00:42:11.359 --> 00:42:12.039
 cannot

00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:12.759
 change.

00:42:13.539 --> 00:42:14.039
 Because we

00:42:14.039 --> 00:42:14.519
 are union

00:42:14.519 --> 00:42:14.899
 with what

00:42:14.899 --> 00:42:15.579
 he loves.

00:42:15.939 --> 00:42:16.319
 God's

00:42:16.319 --> 00:42:16.659
 love to

00:42:16.659 --> 00:42:16.799
 us

00:42:16.799 --> 00:42:17.059
 cannot

00:42:17.059 --> 00:42:17.439
 fail

00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:18.179
 anymore

00:42:18.179 --> 00:42:18.980
 than his

00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:20.059
 love to

00:42:20.059 --> 00:42:20.940
 Christ

00:42:20.940 --> 00:42:21.740
 can

00:42:21.740 --> 00:42:22.480
 fail.

00:42:23.900 --> 00:42:24.599
 May that

00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:25.360
 love

00:42:25.360 --> 00:42:26.800
 help your

00:42:26.800 --> 00:42:27.659
 confidence.

00:42:28.880 --> 00:42:29.139
 So,

00:42:29.800 --> 00:42:30.400
 be happy,

00:42:30.579 --> 00:42:31.159
 be joyful,

00:42:31.659 --> 00:42:31.940
 secondly,

00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:32.639
 be confident,

00:42:32.800 --> 00:42:33.059
 and lastly,

00:42:33.240 --> 00:42:33.820
 be zealous.

00:42:33.940 --> 00:42:34.119
 Look at

00:42:34.119 --> 00:42:34.900
 verse 16.

00:42:35.860 --> 00:42:36.220
 On that

00:42:36.220 --> 00:42:36.500
 day,

00:42:36.760 --> 00:42:36.780
 it's

00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:37.240
 something that

00:42:37.240 --> 00:42:37.440
 said to

00:42:37.440 --> 00:42:37.619
 Jesus,

00:42:37.780 --> 00:42:38.360
 fear not,

00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:38.960
 O Zion,

00:42:39.240 --> 00:42:39.720
 and let

00:42:39.720 --> 00:42:40.280
 not your

00:42:40.280 --> 00:42:41.039
 hands

00:42:41.039 --> 00:42:42.119
 grow

00:42:42.119 --> 00:42:43.059
 weak.

00:42:44.380 --> 00:42:44.659
 Here's

00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:44.840
 what it

00:42:44.840 --> 00:42:45.039
 starts.

00:42:45.200 --> 00:42:45.300
 I mean,

00:42:45.340 --> 00:42:45.760
 the great

00:42:45.760 --> 00:42:46.260
 king has

00:42:46.260 --> 00:42:47.059
 rescued you,

00:42:47.059 --> 00:42:47.579
 he has

00:42:47.579 --> 00:42:47.940
 set his

00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:48.719
 love upon

00:42:48.719 --> 00:42:49.079
 you,

00:42:49.320 --> 00:42:49.679
 so now

00:42:49.679 --> 00:42:50.539
 serve him

00:42:50.539 --> 00:42:51.219
 with all

00:42:51.219 --> 00:42:52.059
 your might.

00:42:52.420 --> 00:42:52.840
 Seek

00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:53.500
 his

00:42:53.500 --> 00:42:54.159
 kingdom

00:42:54.159 --> 00:42:55.019
 first.

00:42:56.719 --> 00:42:57.079
 One of the

00:42:57.079 --> 00:42:57.739
 great joys of

00:42:57.739 --> 00:42:58.000
 church

00:42:58.000 --> 00:42:58.199
 plans,

00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:58.719
 so you're,

00:42:59.219 --> 00:42:59.420
 Sean,

00:42:59.460 --> 00:42:59.980
 how long is the

00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:00.159
 church

00:43:00.159 --> 00:43:00.420
 been here,

00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:00.920
 three years?

00:43:01.699 --> 00:43:01.940
 Yes,

00:43:01.960 --> 00:43:02.420
 in three years,

00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:02.860
 a church

00:43:02.860 --> 00:43:03.199
 plan,

00:43:03.519 --> 00:43:03.880
 which is

00:43:03.880 --> 00:43:04.119
 somebody

00:43:04.119 --> 00:43:04.340
 in our

00:43:04.340 --> 00:43:04.820
 25th

00:43:04.820 --> 00:43:05.219
 anniversary.

00:43:06.799 --> 00:43:07.440
 What a

00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:08.299
 great thing

00:43:08.299 --> 00:43:08.599
 to go

00:43:08.599 --> 00:43:09.079
 plan a

00:43:09.079 --> 00:43:09.380
 church,

00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:10.239
 to be

00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:10.679
 involved.

00:43:11.619 --> 00:43:12.019
 What a

00:43:12.019 --> 00:43:12.440
 great thing

00:43:12.440 --> 00:43:13.000
 to watch

00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:13.880
 God work.

00:43:13.880 --> 00:43:15.860
 I mean,

00:43:15.920 --> 00:43:16.579
 it's just

00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:17.160
 thrilling.

00:43:17.700 --> 00:43:18.300
 I pray for

00:43:18.300 --> 00:43:18.740
 the day

00:43:18.740 --> 00:43:19.260
 when you

00:43:19.260 --> 00:43:19.720
 guys will

00:43:19.720 --> 00:43:20.200
 plan other

00:43:20.200 --> 00:43:20.700
 churches.

00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:22.960
 And the

00:43:22.960 --> 00:43:23.099
 only,

00:43:23.240 --> 00:43:23.700
 it's a

00:43:23.700 --> 00:43:24.440
 joyful day

00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:24.980
 and a

00:43:24.980 --> 00:43:25.519
 hard day,

00:43:25.940 --> 00:43:26.360
 because two

00:43:26.360 --> 00:43:26.820
 things happen

00:43:26.820 --> 00:43:27.260
 at once.

00:43:27.720 --> 00:43:27.940
 You're

00:43:27.940 --> 00:43:28.820
 excited for

00:43:28.820 --> 00:43:29.360
 we're

00:43:29.360 --> 00:43:29.680
 planning

00:43:29.680 --> 00:43:29.940
 another

00:43:29.940 --> 00:43:30.240
 church,

00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:31.039
 exhilarating,

00:43:31.360 --> 00:43:31.680
 and then

00:43:31.680 --> 00:43:31.820
 you're

00:43:31.820 --> 00:43:32.440
 saying goodbye

00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:32.720
 to some

00:43:32.720 --> 00:43:33.180
 friends.

00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:34.500
 And that's

00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:34.840
 painful.

00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:37.579
 It's like,

00:43:37.640 --> 00:43:38.380
 I love you.

00:43:38.380 --> 00:43:40.320
 And we're

00:43:40.320 --> 00:43:41.059
 still friends,

00:43:41.920 --> 00:43:42.460
 but we

00:43:42.460 --> 00:43:42.820
 don't see

00:43:42.820 --> 00:43:43.039
 each other

00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:43.340
 the same

00:43:43.340 --> 00:43:43.519
 way,

00:43:43.579 --> 00:43:43.880
 because you're

00:43:43.880 --> 00:43:44.320
 going somewhere

00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:45.000
 else to build

00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:45.579
 and do

00:43:45.579 --> 00:43:45.920
 something

00:43:45.920 --> 00:43:46.440
 differently.

00:43:47.920 --> 00:43:48.579
 And there's

00:43:48.579 --> 00:43:49.400
 a cost in

00:43:49.400 --> 00:43:49.660
 that.

00:43:51.900 --> 00:43:52.280
 And we

00:43:52.280 --> 00:43:52.860
 plan at two

00:43:52.860 --> 00:43:53.380
 churches,

00:43:54.220 --> 00:43:54.920
 in both

00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:55.800
 tears,

00:43:57.119 --> 00:43:57.760
 tears,

00:43:58.840 --> 00:43:59.480
 and joy.

00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:02.340
 Brothers,

00:44:02.400 --> 00:44:02.619
 sisters,

00:44:02.760 --> 00:44:03.960
 God loves

00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:04.400
 you this

00:44:04.400 --> 00:44:04.800
 way,

00:44:05.260 --> 00:44:05.780
 serve you

00:44:05.780 --> 00:44:06.079
 on your

00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:06.400
 heart.

00:44:06.400 --> 00:44:08.519
 One of

00:44:08.519 --> 00:44:08.680
 the things

00:44:08.680 --> 00:44:10.019
 I have

00:44:10.019 --> 00:44:10.460
 felt through

00:44:10.460 --> 00:44:11.820
 life is I

00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:12.280
 have no

00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:13.119
 regrets of

00:44:13.119 --> 00:44:13.780
 serving Christ

00:44:13.780 --> 00:44:14.380
 regardless of

00:44:14.380 --> 00:44:14.740
 the cost.

00:44:15.619 --> 00:44:15.960
 You asked

00:44:15.960 --> 00:44:16.400
 me to walk

00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:16.539
 in the

00:44:16.539 --> 00:44:16.720
 army,

00:44:16.840 --> 00:44:16.980
 you said

00:44:16.980 --> 00:44:17.480
 you're 60,

00:44:18.099 --> 00:44:18.460
 taught me

00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:18.680
 alive.

00:44:18.780 --> 00:44:19.220
 I taught

00:44:19.220 --> 00:44:19.559
 my Christian

00:44:19.559 --> 00:44:20.000
 school for

00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:20.619
 nine years,

00:44:21.400 --> 00:44:22.440
 there was a

00:44:22.440 --> 00:44:22.700
 lot of

00:44:22.700 --> 00:44:23.200
 sacrifices

00:44:23.200 --> 00:44:23.740
 involved in

00:44:23.740 --> 00:44:23.880
 that,

00:44:23.980 --> 00:44:24.300
 pastoral

00:44:24.300 --> 00:44:24.900
 ministry for

00:44:24.900 --> 00:44:25.980
 almost 30

00:44:25.980 --> 00:44:26.720
 years now.

00:44:27.599 --> 00:44:27.880
 So I've

00:44:27.880 --> 00:44:28.240
 been Christian

00:44:28.240 --> 00:44:28.660
 ministry,

00:44:28.840 --> 00:44:29.119
 really,

00:44:29.480 --> 00:44:30.340
 from when I

00:44:30.340 --> 00:44:30.760
 graduated

00:44:30.760 --> 00:44:31.860
 college to

00:44:31.860 --> 00:44:32.300
 today,

00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:33.340
 it's been

00:44:33.340 --> 00:44:33.780
 all Christian

00:44:33.780 --> 00:44:34.180
 ministry.

00:44:35.079 --> 00:44:35.320
 I said,

00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:35.480
 well,

00:44:35.500 --> 00:44:35.820
 what about

00:44:35.820 --> 00:44:36.380
 the sacrifice?

00:44:36.599 --> 00:44:36.800
 What about

00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:37.200
 the sacrifice?

00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:37.920
 Absolutely.

00:44:38.380 --> 00:44:38.559
 What about

00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:39.039
 the pressures?

00:44:39.260 --> 00:44:39.740
 Absolutely.

00:44:40.599 --> 00:44:41.240
 Are financial

00:44:41.240 --> 00:44:42.039
 pressures fun?

00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:42.920
 No.

00:44:43.619 --> 00:44:44.260
 They're not.

00:44:45.440 --> 00:44:46.340
 They're hard.

00:44:47.680 --> 00:44:48.500
 Very hard.

00:44:49.720 --> 00:44:50.579
 It was hard

00:44:50.579 --> 00:44:52.200
 driving home to

00:44:52.200 --> 00:44:52.900
 our apartment

00:44:52.900 --> 00:44:53.519
 and we hit

00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:53.940
 Pennsylvania

00:44:53.940 --> 00:44:54.840
 when I was a

00:44:54.840 --> 00:44:55.340
 Christian school

00:44:55.340 --> 00:44:56.619
 teacher and

00:44:56.619 --> 00:44:57.720
 you know,

00:44:57.920 --> 00:44:58.900
 the people from

00:44:58.900 --> 00:44:59.320
 the world are

00:44:59.320 --> 00:44:59.880
 walking by

00:44:59.880 --> 00:45:00.500
 drunk and

00:45:00.500 --> 00:45:01.180
 cursing and

00:45:01.180 --> 00:45:01.700
 they're not

00:45:01.700 --> 00:45:02.300
 next door and

00:45:02.300 --> 00:45:03.139
 it's being accused

00:45:03.139 --> 00:45:04.079
 of his wife and

00:45:04.079 --> 00:45:05.420
 we're living in an

00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:06.019
 apartment and

00:45:06.019 --> 00:45:06.559
 you're just like,

00:45:07.019 --> 00:45:07.199
 Lord,

00:45:07.280 --> 00:45:07.539
 you said,

00:45:07.659 --> 00:45:07.880
 you know,

00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:08.320
 what guilt is

00:45:08.320 --> 00:45:08.659
 one that we

00:45:08.659 --> 00:45:09.059
 can't ask for

00:45:09.059 --> 00:45:09.320
 an angel?

00:45:09.420 --> 00:45:09.900
 We can't ask a

00:45:09.900 --> 00:45:10.539
 whole bunch more

00:45:10.539 --> 00:45:12.159
 than this.

00:45:12.380 --> 00:45:12.679
 There were

00:45:12.679 --> 00:45:13.460
 sacrifices.

00:45:13.759 --> 00:45:14.599
 It was hard.

00:45:14.960 --> 00:45:15.440
 We're not in the

00:45:15.440 --> 00:45:16.139
 same place today.

00:45:16.219 --> 00:45:16.759
 I'm grateful.

00:45:17.539 --> 00:45:17.920
 But yes,

00:45:17.960 --> 00:45:18.719
 you regret

00:45:18.719 --> 00:45:19.780
 sacrifices for

00:45:19.780 --> 00:45:20.039
 God.

00:45:20.280 --> 00:45:20.920
 I'll tell you,

00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:22.340
 counter-workly

00:45:22.340 --> 00:45:22.960
 and absolutely,

00:45:23.739 --> 00:45:24.480
 I have no

00:45:24.480 --> 00:45:25.340
 regret in serving

00:45:25.340 --> 00:45:26.559
 Christ at any

00:45:26.559 --> 00:45:27.059
 moment in my

00:45:27.059 --> 00:45:27.400
 life,

00:45:27.659 --> 00:45:28.219
 regardless of

00:45:28.219 --> 00:45:28.559
 course.

00:45:30.099 --> 00:45:30.860
 So where do you

00:45:30.860 --> 00:45:31.420
 have regrets?

00:45:32.119 --> 00:45:32.420
 You know where I

00:45:32.420 --> 00:45:32.780
 have regrets?

00:45:32.860 --> 00:45:33.440
 Serving myself.

00:45:33.440 --> 00:45:35.720
 Oh, I have

00:45:35.720 --> 00:45:37.320
 I can answer

00:45:37.320 --> 00:45:38.400
 about stuff.

00:45:39.059 --> 00:45:40.000
 I can talk to

00:45:40.000 --> 00:45:40.320
 you about

00:45:40.320 --> 00:45:41.240
 mistakes,

00:45:41.860 --> 00:45:42.179
 reasons,

00:45:42.300 --> 00:45:42.700
 mistakes,

00:45:44.360 --> 00:45:45.940
 sins.

00:45:47.340 --> 00:45:47.659
 You know,

00:45:47.700 --> 00:45:48.099
 in serving

00:45:48.099 --> 00:45:48.539
 God,

00:45:49.179 --> 00:45:49.900
 not once.

00:45:51.380 --> 00:45:51.700
 I've had

00:45:51.700 --> 00:45:52.860
 different trips

00:45:52.860 --> 00:45:53.420
 to India,

00:45:53.860 --> 00:45:54.220
 where I've done

00:45:54.220 --> 00:45:54.619
 pastors'

00:45:54.780 --> 00:45:55.400
 conferences in

00:45:55.400 --> 00:45:56.039
 India and

00:45:56.039 --> 00:45:57.119
 going there and

00:45:57.119 --> 00:45:57.740
 because of the

00:45:57.740 --> 00:45:58.780
 places I was in,

00:45:59.119 --> 00:45:59.579
 my life has

00:45:59.579 --> 00:45:59.980
 never threatened.

00:45:59.980 --> 00:46:00.539
 I don't act

00:46:00.539 --> 00:46:01.139
 like I'm some

00:46:01.139 --> 00:46:02.099
 courageous guy

00:46:02.099 --> 00:46:02.480
 or not.

00:46:02.860 --> 00:46:03.659
 But driving

00:46:03.659 --> 00:46:04.480
 in India itself

00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:05.519
 can be life-threatening.

00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:06.500
 If you've ever

00:46:06.500 --> 00:46:07.139
 driven in India,

00:46:07.280 --> 00:46:08.400
 it's very challenging.

00:46:09.199 --> 00:46:09.860
 And I think of

00:46:09.860 --> 00:46:10.559
 places where

00:46:10.559 --> 00:46:11.360
 missionaries

00:46:11.360 --> 00:46:12.780
 have been killed,

00:46:13.179 --> 00:46:13.659
 they've earned

00:46:13.659 --> 00:46:14.740
 200 Christian

00:46:14.740 --> 00:46:15.280
 homes.

00:46:15.780 --> 00:46:16.280
 I always had a

00:46:16.280 --> 00:46:16.980
 pastor I met,

00:46:17.320 --> 00:46:17.900
 knew someone

00:46:17.900 --> 00:46:18.440
 who'd been killed

00:46:18.440 --> 00:46:19.000
 through faith,

00:46:19.260 --> 00:46:19.900
 and certainly I

00:46:19.900 --> 00:46:20.280
 didn't knew

00:46:20.280 --> 00:46:20.760
 someone who was

00:46:20.760 --> 00:46:21.079
 beaten.

00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:23.420
 And so when I

00:46:23.420 --> 00:46:23.619
 wrote,

00:46:23.719 --> 00:46:24.240
 I left,

00:46:24.440 --> 00:46:25.260
 I wrote letters

00:46:25.260 --> 00:46:26.019
 to my family

00:46:26.019 --> 00:46:26.740
 and my church.

00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:28.480
 There are hard

00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:29.079
 letters to write

00:46:29.079 --> 00:46:29.460
 anything,

00:46:29.619 --> 00:46:30.059
 I wish I'd

00:46:30.059 --> 00:46:30.579
 come back.

00:46:31.860 --> 00:46:32.159
 I'm writing

00:46:32.159 --> 00:46:32.840
 to my bars

00:46:32.840 --> 00:46:33.860
 and I'm not

00:46:33.860 --> 00:46:34.480
 walking down

00:46:34.480 --> 00:46:34.960
 the aisle.

00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:36.199
 I'm writing

00:46:36.199 --> 00:46:36.880
 to my sons.

00:46:37.860 --> 00:46:38.119
 I'm writing

00:46:38.119 --> 00:46:38.799
 to my church.

00:46:38.960 --> 00:46:39.099
 I'm writing

00:46:39.099 --> 00:46:39.759
 to my wife.

00:46:40.099 --> 00:46:40.539
 Meet them.

00:46:41.039 --> 00:46:41.440
 So I'm writing

00:46:41.440 --> 00:46:42.059
 these letters,

00:46:42.219 --> 00:46:42.579
 but I hope

00:46:42.579 --> 00:46:43.019
 they'll never be

00:46:43.019 --> 00:46:43.279
 sent.

00:46:44.400 --> 00:46:44.860
 And in all

00:46:44.860 --> 00:46:45.219
 those letters,

00:46:45.340 --> 00:46:45.659
 it's like,

00:46:45.799 --> 00:46:46.059
 you know,

00:46:46.119 --> 00:46:46.380
 we end it

00:46:46.380 --> 00:46:46.759
 this way.

00:46:47.199 --> 00:46:47.940
 Follow Christ

00:46:47.940 --> 00:46:48.340
 with all your

00:46:48.340 --> 00:46:48.679
 heart,

00:46:49.159 --> 00:46:49.599
 serve Him

00:46:49.599 --> 00:46:50.000
 with all your

00:46:50.000 --> 00:46:50.319
 mind.

00:46:51.340 --> 00:46:51.980
 You'll have

00:46:51.980 --> 00:46:52.500
 no regret.

00:46:53.619 --> 00:46:54.380
 There may be

00:46:54.380 --> 00:46:54.900
 costs,

00:46:55.579 --> 00:46:56.139
 but you will

00:46:56.139 --> 00:46:56.559
 not have

00:46:56.559 --> 00:46:56.779
 regret.

00:46:56.780 --> 00:46:59.260
 What you're

00:46:59.260 --> 00:46:59.740
 doing,

00:47:00.780 --> 00:47:01.060
 you're

00:47:01.060 --> 00:47:01.519
 starting.

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.160
 How do you

00:47:04.160 --> 00:47:04.380
 serve?

00:47:04.500 --> 00:47:05.000
 We've now

00:47:05.000 --> 00:47:05.540
 been 25

00:47:05.540 --> 00:47:05.780
 years.

00:47:05.860 --> 00:47:06.040
 We have

00:47:06.040 --> 00:47:06.440
 some guys

00:47:06.440 --> 00:47:06.620
 that have

00:47:06.620 --> 00:47:07.400
 been community

00:47:07.400 --> 00:47:07.960
 or community

00:47:07.960 --> 00:47:08.620
 or smaller

00:47:08.620 --> 00:47:09.400
 for 20

00:47:09.400 --> 00:47:09.840
 years.

00:47:10.500 --> 00:47:10.680
 I think,

00:47:10.760 --> 00:47:10.840
 you know,

00:47:10.920 --> 00:47:12.019
 what helps

00:47:12.019 --> 00:47:12.500
 a person

00:47:12.500 --> 00:47:13.940
 serve a

00:47:13.940 --> 00:47:14.420
 smaller group

00:47:14.420 --> 00:47:14.660
 of people

00:47:14.660 --> 00:47:15.040
 for 20

00:47:15.040 --> 00:47:15.220
 years?

00:47:15.780 --> 00:47:16.180
 Inspiration

00:47:16.180 --> 00:47:16.600
 can help

00:47:16.600 --> 00:47:16.960
 you for a

00:47:16.960 --> 00:47:17.220
 year or

00:47:17.220 --> 00:47:17.440
 two.

00:47:18.040 --> 00:47:18.260
 We're

00:47:18.260 --> 00:47:18.960
 inspired,

00:47:19.460 --> 00:47:19.820
 we're

00:47:19.820 --> 00:47:20.340
 acknowledging,

00:47:20.620 --> 00:47:20.780
 we're

00:47:20.780 --> 00:47:21.440
 starring,

00:47:21.660 --> 00:47:21.920
 it's a

00:47:21.920 --> 00:47:22.220
 startup

00:47:22.220 --> 00:47:22.820
 company,

00:47:22.820 --> 00:47:23.539
 we're

00:47:23.539 --> 00:47:24.180
 all in,

00:47:24.539 --> 00:47:24.820
 we're

00:47:24.820 --> 00:47:25.539
 70

00:47:25.539 --> 00:47:25.980
 hours a

00:47:25.980 --> 00:47:26.260
 week,

00:47:26.460 --> 00:47:27.559
 and what

00:47:27.559 --> 00:47:29.039
 happens over

00:47:29.039 --> 00:47:29.580
 time?

00:47:31.180 --> 00:47:31.460
 What

00:47:31.460 --> 00:47:32.340
 sustains

00:47:32.340 --> 00:47:33.740
 service over

00:47:33.740 --> 00:47:34.320
 time?

00:47:35.660 --> 00:47:35.900
 We know

00:47:35.900 --> 00:47:36.240
 it's a

00:47:36.240 --> 00:47:36.559
 God that

00:47:36.559 --> 00:47:36.940
 loves us

00:47:36.940 --> 00:47:37.620
 like this,

00:47:38.820 --> 00:47:40.380
 a God

00:47:40.380 --> 00:47:41.000
 that claims

00:47:41.000 --> 00:47:41.420
 us like

00:47:41.420 --> 00:47:41.800
 this,

00:47:42.640 --> 00:47:43.100
 a God

00:47:43.100 --> 00:47:43.440
 that's been

00:47:43.440 --> 00:47:44.080
 gracious to

00:47:44.080 --> 00:47:44.660
 us like

00:47:44.660 --> 00:47:45.180
 this.

00:47:46.340 --> 00:47:46.519
 So

00:47:46.519 --> 00:47:47.019
 serving,

00:47:47.200 --> 00:47:47.420
 you will

00:47:47.420 --> 00:47:48.039
 have no

00:47:48.039 --> 00:47:49.360
 regrets in

00:47:49.360 --> 00:47:49.940
 doing this.

00:47:50.360 --> 00:47:50.760
 Brothers and

00:47:50.760 --> 00:47:50.940
 sisters,

00:47:50.940 --> 00:47:52.500
 God loves

00:47:52.500 --> 00:47:53.179
 to love

00:47:53.179 --> 00:47:53.599
 us.

00:47:54.300 --> 00:47:55.099
 He rejoices

00:47:55.099 --> 00:47:56.139
 over you

00:47:56.139 --> 00:47:57.500
 with loud

00:47:57.500 --> 00:47:58.019
 singing.

00:47:58.159 --> 00:47:58.700
 Let this

00:47:58.700 --> 00:47:59.340
 be the

00:47:59.340 --> 00:48:00.000
 controlling

00:48:00.000 --> 00:48:00.420
 factor,

00:48:00.559 --> 00:48:01.159
 the compass,

00:48:01.599 --> 00:48:02.740
 the animating

00:48:02.740 --> 00:48:04.139
 effect in

00:48:04.139 --> 00:48:04.619
 your life

00:48:04.619 --> 00:48:05.159
 that sets

00:48:05.159 --> 00:48:06.340
 direction for

00:48:06.340 --> 00:48:06.740
 you.

00:48:07.900 --> 00:48:08.440
 More with

00:48:08.440 --> 00:48:09.179
 young audience.

00:48:12.659 --> 00:48:13.340
 Probably

00:48:13.340 --> 00:48:13.840
 ambitions.

00:48:15.659 --> 00:48:16.320
 Nothing

00:48:16.320 --> 00:48:17.159
 wrong with

00:48:17.159 --> 00:48:18.220
 jobs and

00:48:18.220 --> 00:48:18.780
 careers.

00:48:19.599 --> 00:48:19.820
 Nothing

00:48:19.820 --> 00:48:20.119
 wrong with

00:48:20.119 --> 00:48:20.420
 saving.

00:48:20.940 --> 00:48:21.519
 But what's

00:48:21.519 --> 00:48:22.000
 really

00:48:22.000 --> 00:48:22.500
 aiming,

00:48:22.960 --> 00:48:23.200
 what's

00:48:23.200 --> 00:48:23.500
 really

00:48:23.500 --> 00:48:24.220
 informing

00:48:24.220 --> 00:48:25.000
 your

00:48:25.000 --> 00:48:25.679
 priorities?

00:48:27.300 --> 00:48:27.860
 What

00:48:27.860 --> 00:48:28.059
 will

00:48:28.059 --> 00:48:28.940
 drive

00:48:28.940 --> 00:48:29.480
 your

00:48:29.480 --> 00:48:29.920
 priorities

00:48:29.920 --> 00:48:30.220
 at the

00:48:30.220 --> 00:48:30.500
 end of

00:48:30.500 --> 00:48:30.860
 the day?

00:48:33.820 --> 00:48:34.539
 Pray for

00:48:34.539 --> 00:48:35.099
 the children

00:48:35.099 --> 00:48:35.519
 in this

00:48:35.519 --> 00:48:35.840
 church,

00:48:35.900 --> 00:48:36.260
 and children

00:48:36.260 --> 00:48:36.679
 will grow up

00:48:36.679 --> 00:48:37.019
 and become

00:48:37.019 --> 00:48:37.579
 youth groups

00:48:37.579 --> 00:48:38.019
 on that.

00:48:40.240 --> 00:48:40.559
 You want

00:48:40.559 --> 00:48:41.480
 them to

00:48:41.480 --> 00:48:43.240
 see Christ

00:48:43.240 --> 00:48:43.519
 as the

00:48:43.519 --> 00:48:44.260
 most valuable

00:48:44.260 --> 00:48:45.519
 thing in

00:48:45.519 --> 00:48:45.980
 the world.

00:48:47.960 --> 00:48:48.619
 That's the

00:48:48.619 --> 00:48:49.119
 life, that's

00:48:49.119 --> 00:48:49.400
 what you're

00:48:49.400 --> 00:48:50.039
 building right

00:48:50.039 --> 00:48:50.360
 now.

00:48:51.740 --> 00:48:52.139
 That's the

00:48:52.139 --> 00:48:52.639
 example you

00:48:52.639 --> 00:48:53.119
 will set.

00:48:53.280 --> 00:48:53.740
 Thank you

00:48:53.740 --> 00:48:54.280
 for your

00:48:54.280 --> 00:48:54.579
 example.

00:48:54.720 --> 00:48:55.000
 Thank you

00:48:55.000 --> 00:48:55.519
 for what

00:48:55.519 --> 00:48:56.019
 you are

00:48:56.019 --> 00:48:56.539
 doing to

00:48:56.539 --> 00:48:57.539
 establish a

00:48:57.539 --> 00:48:58.700
 gospel presence

00:48:58.700 --> 00:48:59.380
 in Cambridge.

00:49:00.119 --> 00:49:00.700
 May that

00:49:00.700 --> 00:49:01.480
 gospel presence

00:49:01.480 --> 00:49:02.039
 in Cambridge

00:49:02.039 --> 00:49:03.079
 grow to

00:49:03.079 --> 00:49:03.559
 other

00:49:03.559 --> 00:49:04.599
 neighborhoods in

00:49:04.599 --> 00:49:05.380
 Cambridge and

00:49:05.380 --> 00:49:05.960
 beyond.

00:49:08.619 --> 00:49:09.539
 May the day

00:49:09.539 --> 00:49:09.840
 we say,

00:49:09.920 --> 00:49:10.300
 man, we've got

00:49:10.300 --> 00:49:10.980
 four churches

00:49:10.980 --> 00:49:11.360
 in the world.

00:49:11.760 --> 00:49:12.200
 It's all

00:49:12.200 --> 00:49:14.159
 many more

00:49:14.159 --> 00:49:14.639
 than that.

00:49:15.900 --> 00:49:16.619
 Many more

00:49:16.619 --> 00:49:17.099
 than that.

00:49:17.099 --> 00:49:19.339
 God's love

00:49:19.339 --> 00:49:20.400
 to us

00:49:20.400 --> 00:49:21.460
 informs us.

00:49:22.099 --> 00:49:22.619
 He loves

00:49:22.619 --> 00:49:22.819
 you.

00:49:22.920 --> 00:49:23.400
 He loves

00:49:23.400 --> 00:49:23.839
 to love

00:49:23.839 --> 00:49:24.099
 you.

00:49:24.639 --> 00:49:25.179
 Please

00:49:25.179 --> 00:49:26.099
 hear that.

00:49:26.179 --> 00:49:26.360
 And I'm

00:49:26.360 --> 00:49:26.460
 going to

00:49:26.460 --> 00:49:26.860
 close with

00:49:26.860 --> 00:49:27.319
 this quote

00:49:27.319 --> 00:49:28.539
 from Charles

00:49:28.539 --> 00:49:29.279
 Spurgeon.

00:49:29.280 --> 00:49:32.160
 this is what

00:49:32.160 --> 00:49:32.780
 Charles Spurgeon

00:49:32.780 --> 00:49:33.360
 says.

00:49:34.480 --> 00:49:35.160
 Let us

00:49:35.160 --> 00:49:35.720
 show to the

00:49:35.720 --> 00:49:36.380
 people of the

00:49:36.380 --> 00:49:36.880
 world.

00:49:37.680 --> 00:49:37.980
 Everybody

00:49:37.980 --> 00:49:38.500
 is watching

00:49:38.500 --> 00:49:38.860
 you.

00:49:38.860 --> 00:49:40.220
 wondering,

00:49:40.400 --> 00:49:40.880
 why would

00:49:40.880 --> 00:49:41.579
 you give?

00:49:43.960 --> 00:49:44.360
 I mean,

00:49:44.599 --> 00:49:45.460
 my word.

00:49:47.280 --> 00:49:47.700
 You're giving

00:49:47.700 --> 00:49:48.480
 how much

00:49:48.480 --> 00:49:49.480
 to a

00:49:49.480 --> 00:49:49.900
 church?

00:49:51.180 --> 00:49:51.800
 Why would

00:49:51.800 --> 00:49:52.579
 you serve?

00:49:55.400 --> 00:49:55.960
 Why are

00:49:55.960 --> 00:49:56.519
 certain people

00:49:56.519 --> 00:49:57.240
 today's a

00:49:57.240 --> 00:49:57.680
 hot one?

00:49:58.360 --> 00:49:58.740
 Why would

00:49:58.740 --> 00:49:59.420
 you be in

00:49:59.420 --> 00:50:00.000
 church on

00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:00.980
 Sunday morning?

00:50:01.440 --> 00:50:01.960
 It's your

00:50:01.960 --> 00:50:02.900
 day off.

00:50:05.900 --> 00:50:06.599
 What else

00:50:06.599 --> 00:50:07.160
 could you be

00:50:07.160 --> 00:50:07.599
 doing?

00:50:08.860 --> 00:50:09.280
 Let us

00:50:09.280 --> 00:50:09.780
 show to

00:50:09.780 --> 00:50:10.340
 the people

00:50:10.340 --> 00:50:10.740
 of the

00:50:10.740 --> 00:50:11.140
 world,

00:50:11.900 --> 00:50:12.640
 those people

00:50:12.640 --> 00:50:13.300
 that ask us

00:50:13.300 --> 00:50:14.180
 those questions,

00:50:14.820 --> 00:50:15.420
 who think

00:50:15.420 --> 00:50:16.039
 our religion

00:50:16.039 --> 00:50:16.360
 to be

00:50:16.360 --> 00:50:16.880
 slavery,

00:50:17.780 --> 00:50:18.500
 becoming a

00:50:18.500 --> 00:50:18.880
 Christian,

00:50:19.400 --> 00:50:20.140
 very limiting,

00:50:20.940 --> 00:50:21.840
 very legalistic,

00:50:21.920 --> 00:50:22.440
 who start to

00:50:22.440 --> 00:50:23.140
 have assumptions

00:50:23.140 --> 00:50:24.059
 about our

00:50:24.059 --> 00:50:24.400
 religion.

00:50:24.700 --> 00:50:25.320
 Let us

00:50:25.320 --> 00:50:25.780
 show to the

00:50:25.780 --> 00:50:26.200
 people of

00:50:26.200 --> 00:50:26.620
 the world

00:50:26.620 --> 00:50:27.240
 who think

00:50:27.240 --> 00:50:27.760
 our religion

00:50:27.760 --> 00:50:28.059
 to be

00:50:28.059 --> 00:50:28.440
 slavery,

00:50:28.780 --> 00:50:29.300
 that it

00:50:29.300 --> 00:50:30.200
 is to us

00:50:30.200 --> 00:50:31.360
 a delight

00:50:31.360 --> 00:50:32.760
 and a joy.

00:50:33.940 --> 00:50:34.559
 Let our

00:50:34.559 --> 00:50:35.220
 gladness

00:50:35.220 --> 00:50:35.940
 proclaim,

00:50:36.880 --> 00:50:37.420
 let our

00:50:37.420 --> 00:50:38.140
 gladness

00:50:38.140 --> 00:50:38.680
 proclaim,

00:50:38.860 --> 00:50:39.820
 that we

00:50:39.820 --> 00:50:41.480
 serve a

00:50:41.480 --> 00:50:42.240
 good

00:50:42.240 --> 00:50:43.480
 master,

00:50:44.680 --> 00:50:45.480
 one who

00:50:45.480 --> 00:50:46.880
 loves to

00:50:46.880 --> 00:50:48.079
 love his

00:50:48.079 --> 00:50:48.519
 people.

00:50:49.160 --> 00:50:49.380
 That's

00:50:49.380 --> 00:50:49.660
 fine.

00:50:54.660 --> 00:50:55.500
 God, I

00:50:55.500 --> 00:50:55.920
 thank you

00:50:55.920 --> 00:50:58.039
 for grace

00:50:58.039 --> 00:51:00.260
 that was

00:51:00.260 --> 00:51:00.980
 moving by

00:51:00.980 --> 00:51:01.660
 your love

00:51:01.660 --> 00:51:02.099
 for,

00:51:02.519 --> 00:51:04.700
 well, not

00:51:04.700 --> 00:51:05.140
 just for

00:51:05.140 --> 00:51:05.740
 Israel,

00:51:05.739 --> 00:51:07.279
 a nation

00:51:07.279 --> 00:51:08.059
 you call

00:51:08.059 --> 00:51:08.639
 those,

00:51:09.139 --> 00:51:09.419
 really

00:51:09.419 --> 00:51:09.699
 called

00:51:09.699 --> 00:51:10.079
 them out

00:51:10.079 --> 00:51:10.679
 of darkness.

00:51:12.019 --> 00:51:12.359
 There was a

00:51:12.359 --> 00:51:12.579
 time when

00:51:12.579 --> 00:51:12.859
 Abraham

00:51:12.859 --> 00:51:13.559
 didn't know

00:51:13.559 --> 00:51:13.859
 you,

00:51:14.000 --> 00:51:14.599
 didn't care,

00:51:15.879 --> 00:51:16.159
 and he

00:51:16.159 --> 00:51:17.099
 you revealed

00:51:17.099 --> 00:51:17.899
 yourself and

00:51:17.899 --> 00:51:18.479
 called into

00:51:18.479 --> 00:51:19.739
 your own

00:51:19.739 --> 00:51:21.039
 heart.

00:51:22.799 --> 00:51:22.979
 And in

00:51:22.980 --> 00:51:23.280
 God, you

00:51:23.280 --> 00:51:23.639
 made a

00:51:23.639 --> 00:51:24.099
 nation,

00:51:24.099 --> 00:51:24.579
 you made a

00:51:24.579 --> 00:51:25.500
 nation, not

00:51:25.500 --> 00:51:26.079
 a nation to

00:51:26.079 --> 00:51:26.519
 be just a

00:51:26.519 --> 00:51:26.960
 nation, but a

00:51:26.960 --> 00:51:27.340
 nation to

00:51:27.340 --> 00:51:27.539
 be a

00:51:27.539 --> 00:51:27.900
 light to

00:51:27.900 --> 00:51:28.500
 the world.

00:51:30.179 --> 00:51:30.740
 And God,

00:51:30.780 --> 00:51:31.119
 you've done

00:51:31.119 --> 00:51:31.519
 that through

00:51:31.519 --> 00:51:32.280
 Jesus Christ

00:51:32.280 --> 00:51:32.679
 now.

00:51:34.119 --> 00:51:34.960
 We thank you

00:51:34.960 --> 00:51:35.119
 that you

00:51:35.119 --> 00:51:35.900
 love us.

00:51:37.440 --> 00:51:38.139
 Lord, we

00:51:38.139 --> 00:51:39.000
 want to be

00:51:39.000 --> 00:51:40.059
 sanctified, we

00:51:40.059 --> 00:51:40.559
 want to grow

00:51:40.559 --> 00:51:41.240
 in holiness,

00:51:42.639 --> 00:51:43.360
 we want to

00:51:43.360 --> 00:51:44.619
 reflect who

00:51:44.619 --> 00:51:45.519
 Jesus is on

00:51:45.519 --> 00:51:46.059
 the earth,

00:51:46.860 --> 00:51:47.579
 we want our

00:51:47.579 --> 00:51:48.300
 lives to be

00:51:48.300 --> 00:51:49.059
 upright and

00:51:49.059 --> 00:51:49.920
 godly,

00:51:49.920 --> 00:51:52.079
 so that

00:51:52.079 --> 00:51:52.500
 those who

00:51:52.500 --> 00:51:53.260
 align us,

00:51:53.360 --> 00:51:53.659
 Lord, have

00:51:53.659 --> 00:51:55.079
 no standing

00:51:55.079 --> 00:51:56.460
 against us.

00:51:59.000 --> 00:51:59.840
 Lord, it's

00:51:59.840 --> 00:52:00.720
 all fueled

00:52:00.720 --> 00:52:01.480
 by how you

00:52:01.480 --> 00:52:02.159
 love us.

00:52:03.860 --> 00:52:04.420
 Lord, your

00:52:04.420 --> 00:52:04.860
 love is

00:52:04.860 --> 00:52:05.500
 generous,

00:52:06.700 --> 00:52:07.220
 gracious,

00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:09.639
 consistent,

00:52:09.900 --> 00:52:10.639
 and unchanging.

00:52:12.500 --> 00:52:13.220
 Lord, the

00:52:13.220 --> 00:52:13.700
 thing that you

00:52:13.700 --> 00:52:14.860
 delight in us

00:52:14.860 --> 00:52:15.920
 tomorrow morning,

00:52:16.480 --> 00:52:17.440
 we wake up

00:52:17.440 --> 00:52:18.280
 and we say

00:52:18.280 --> 00:52:19.099
 our sins are

00:52:19.099 --> 00:52:19.720
 not counted

00:52:19.719 --> 00:52:20.299
 against us

00:52:20.299 --> 00:52:20.719
 if we have

00:52:20.719 --> 00:52:21.439
 faith in

00:52:21.439 --> 00:52:21.919
 Jesus Christ

00:52:21.919 --> 00:52:22.219
 and we've

00:52:22.219 --> 00:52:22.719
 been humble

00:52:22.719 --> 00:52:23.179
 enough to

00:52:23.179 --> 00:52:23.879
 say, I

00:52:23.879 --> 00:52:24.419
 need a

00:52:24.419 --> 00:52:25.579
 savior and

00:52:25.579 --> 00:52:26.079
 I have

00:52:26.079 --> 00:52:26.480
 one in

00:52:26.480 --> 00:52:27.000
 Jesus.

00:52:28.879 --> 00:52:29.619
 But tomorrow

00:52:29.619 --> 00:52:30.059
 morning we

00:52:30.059 --> 00:52:30.399
 can wake up

00:52:30.399 --> 00:52:30.579
 and say,

00:52:30.659 --> 00:52:31.379
 oh, now my

00:52:31.379 --> 00:52:32.099
 sins are not

00:52:32.099 --> 00:52:32.679
 counted against

00:52:32.679 --> 00:52:33.799
 me, but God

00:52:33.799 --> 00:52:34.439
 has made me

00:52:34.439 --> 00:52:34.919
 his own.

00:52:36.500 --> 00:52:37.199
 I am his

00:52:37.199 --> 00:52:37.980
 child, I

00:52:37.980 --> 00:52:38.659
 am a daughter

00:52:38.659 --> 00:52:39.639
 or a son,

00:52:40.379 --> 00:52:41.319
 and I belong

00:52:41.319 --> 00:52:43.419
 to God, and

00:52:43.419 --> 00:52:44.379
 he will never

00:52:44.379 --> 00:52:45.839
 leave me nor

00:52:45.839 --> 00:52:46.639
 forsake me,

00:52:47.319 --> 00:52:48.559
 and he will

00:52:48.559 --> 00:52:50.139
 rejoice over

00:52:50.139 --> 00:52:51.500
 me with

00:52:51.500 --> 00:52:54.079
 sin, with

00:52:54.079 --> 00:52:55.000
 delight.

00:52:55.940 --> 00:52:56.579
 Thank you

00:52:56.579 --> 00:52:57.039
 that you are

00:52:57.039 --> 00:52:57.840
 that kind

00:52:57.840 --> 00:52:58.380
 of God, and

00:52:58.380 --> 00:52:59.119
 may we serve

00:52:59.119 --> 00:53:00.039
 you as that

00:53:00.039 --> 00:53:00.880
 kind of God.

00:53:01.659 --> 00:53:02.320
 We pray this

00:53:02.320 --> 00:53:03.119
 in Jesus' name.

00:53:03.980 --> 00:53:04.259
 Amen.

00:53:04.259 --> 00:53:04.460
 Amen.

00:53:04.460 --> 00:53:05.539
 Amen.

00:53:07.480 --> 00:53:07.699
 Amen.

00:53:07.699 --> 00:53:08.440
 Amen.

00:53:11.460 --> 00:53:12.000
 Amen.

00:53:12.000 --> 00:53:12.099
 Amen.

00:53:12.099 --> 00:53:12.440
 Amen.

00:53:12.440 --> 00:53:12.940
 Amen.

00:53:12.940 --> 00:53:13.119
 Amen.

00:53:13.119 --> 00:53:13.300
 Amen.

00:53:13.820 --> 00:53:14.159
 Amen.

00:53:23.340 --> 00:53:23.860
 Amen.

00:53:31.860 --> 00:53:32.280
 Amen.

00:53:32.280 --> 00:53:32.760
 Amen.

00:53:32.760 --> 00:53:33.300
 Amen.

00:53:33.300 --> 00:53:33.559
 Amen.