WEBVTT

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 Ezra chapter 2 is on page 472 if you're using the Red Church Bibles.

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! Ezra chapter 2.

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 Ezra chapter 2.

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 Ezra chapter 2.

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 And Johnny in his kindness and compassion has asked me to read just four verses.

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 So I haven't had to stay up all night practicing the names.

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 Maybe Johnny is going to read the other 66.

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 I don't know.

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 But I'm going to read verses 1 to 2 and then 68 to 70 this morning from Ezra chapter 2.

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 So let's hear the word of God together.

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 Ezra 2 verse 1.

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 Now these are the people of the province who came up from captivity of the exiles,

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 whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had taken captive to Babylon.

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 They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town,

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 in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Sariah, Lachiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvi, Rahum, and Banah.

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 The list of the men of the people of Israel.

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 And then jump down towards the end of the chapter in verse 68.

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 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem,

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 some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings towards the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

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 According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darocks of gold,

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 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments.

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 The priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants settled in their own towns,

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 along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.

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 Amen.

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 Thank you, Johnny.

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 Just talk amongst yourselves while I get settled here.

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 Okay, don't.

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 Keep our Bibles open at Ezra chapter 2, and let's pray.

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 Our Father God, would you please capture our hearts and minds afresh.

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 That we may listen carefully to your word.

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 Holy Spirit, will you teach us more about Jesus today?

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 And would you please lead us that we might worship Jesus with all of our life?

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, Ralph didn't get to do the exciting stuff.

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 This is great, isn't it?

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 Follow with me in the middle of verse 2.

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 The list of the men of the people of Israel.

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 The descendants of Parosh, 2,172.

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 Of Shephthah, 372.

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 Of Shephthah, 372.

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 Of Arrah, 775.

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 Of Path of Moab, through the line of Jeshua and Joab.

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 Now, isn't that interesting?

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 Through the line of Jeshua and Joab.

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 2,812.

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 2,812.

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 Of Elam, 1,254.

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 Of Zatu.

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 Great name.

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 945.

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 Anyone asleep yet?

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 It reminds me of history and maths at school.

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 Names I know nothing about.

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 And numbers which are entirely confusing.

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 During the week, I sat down to have lunch with my daughter Rebecca.

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 And very kindly, she asked me, Dad, how's the study going?

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 Well, I said, we're doing Jeshua too.

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 I know, she said.

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 I saw it at Sunday.

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 That big, long list.

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 Dad, just move on.

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 Well, that's how I felt.

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 Just turn the page and start in chapter 3.

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 Something a little bit more understandable.

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 But if we do that, we miss out on something very important.

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 You see, God could have left chapter 2 out of the Bible completely.

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 But since it's in the Bible, it must be for our edification and encouragement.

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 In fact, these verses teach us that God's people really matter.

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 God's people really matter.

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 First, the people of God will never be forgotten.

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 The people of God will never be forgotten.

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 Context, as we get into chapter 2.

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 Remember, God's people had broken the covenant.

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 They had failed to listen to God and to love God.

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 And because of their disobedience, God had disciplined them.

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 They were sent into exile by the Babylonians for 70 years.

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 And now those 70 years are up.

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 And so we read in chapter 2, verse 1.

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 Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles,

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 whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had taken captive to Babylon.

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 They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town.

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 Now this tells us two really important things.

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 First, that God always keeps his promise to his people.

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 He keeps his promise to his people.

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 Not only had God promised exile, he had promised their return.

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 He would always keep a people for himself.

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 Keep your finger in Ezra and just jump forward a few books to Jeremiah.

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 Jeremiah 32.

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 And verse 37.

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 Jeremiah 32, verse 37.

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 This is what God says through the prophet.

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 He says,

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 I will surely gather them, that is my people,

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 from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath.

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 I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety.

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 They will be my people and I will be their God.

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 Verse 40.

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 I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

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 I will never stop doing good to them.

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 I will inspire them to fear me so that they will never turn away from me.

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 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

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 Back to Ezra.

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 You see, God had promised that he would preserve a people for himself.

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 They will be my people and I will be their God.

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 God is committed to his people.

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 He doesn't give up on his people.

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 He promised their return and return they did.

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 God always keeps his promise to his people.

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 But more than that,

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 God remembers the names of his people.

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 He remembers the names of a people.

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 Look at verse 1.

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 Now these are the people who came up from captivity.

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 And in case anyone gets confused about who they are,

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 guess what?

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 They're all recorded.

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 Look again at verse 2.

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 This is the list of the men of the people of Israel.

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 The descendants of Parosh.

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 2,172.

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 All their clans.

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 And no, we're not going to read through them all.

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 But here we have all their clans and all their exact number.

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 Verse 21.

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 There were the men of Bethlehem, of Netthopah.

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 56.

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 Of Anathoth.

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 128.

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 Of Asmetev.

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 42.

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 They are all remembered.

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 They're engraved in history.

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 Recently, there was the 9-11 memorial.

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 25 years since the Twin Towers were attacked.

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 On that day, 2,977 people were killed.

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 As a lasting memory, the names of every victim are inscribed at that memorial place.

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 In fact, on the 11th of September, every year, their names are read aloud by family members.

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 Now, could you imagine if the master of ceremonies stood up and said,

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 Well, a lot of people died here a long time ago.

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 But, you know, we just don't have time to mention them all.

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 No.

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 No.

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 They can't be forgotten.

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 Each one is remembered.

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 Each one is recorded.

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 Well, here we have a list of the names of those God rescued from captivity.

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 It's a lot of people.

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 In fact, verse 64 gives us the total number.

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 The whole company numbered 42,360.

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 That's a lot of people.

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 You see, the writers could have made verse 64 verse 2 and not bothered with all the list of names.

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 But no, they can't do that.

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 They can't be forgotten.

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 Each one is named and precious.

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 Each one is known by God and is special to him.

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 Isaiah puts it well.

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 Here the people of God are crying out.

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 The Lord has forsaken me.

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 The Lord has forgotten me.

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 Do you ever think that?

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 God responds.

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 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she is born?

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 Though she may forget, I will not forget you.

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 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.

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 Your walls are ever before me.

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 Now let me say, if you here today belong to God.

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 You are not forgotten by God.

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 Whatever may happen.

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 You are God's treasured possession.

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 Special.

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 Remembered.

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 Engraved.

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 Graved.

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 On his hands.

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 In fact, your name is written into a special book.

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 And we'll come back to that in a minute.

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 But for now, be encouraged.

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 That the people of God.

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 Will never, ever.

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 Be forgotten.

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 By God Almighty.

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 So, the people of God are never, ever forgotten.

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 Second.

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 The people of God are gathered to worship.

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 You see, when God rescued his people and brought them back from exile and brought them to their land, it was for a purpose.

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 The purpose was to worship God.

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 Two things we need to look at here.

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 First, look at the temple workers.

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 Look at the list of names that we have here.

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 It's divided into sections.

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 So, verse 2, we have the people of Israel and their list of names is recorded.

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 Then in verse 36, we have the priests.

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 Verse 40, the Levites.

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 Verse 41, the musicians.

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 Verse 42, the gatekeepers of the temple.

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 Verse 43, we have the temple servants.

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 And then jump over to verse 58.

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 We have the temple servants again, which includes servants of Solomon.

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 Now, all these people here, the priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers, the servants.

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 They've all got something in common.

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 Something that keeps them together.

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 And what is that?

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 They are all responsible for the worship of God in the temple.

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 The priests would sacrifice the animals.

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 The Levites would help the priests.

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 The musicians would sing.

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 The gatekeepers would make sure that the unclean didn't get in.

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 And the servants, well, they assisted wherever there was help needed.

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 They were all responsible for the worship of God.

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 No names are mentioned here about the construction workers.

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 Nothing about the planners.

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 But the names of the temple workers, they're all highlighted.

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 They seem to get special treatment.

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 In other words, worship is God's priority.

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 Look at how it's put in verse 70.

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 And who gets special mention?

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 Well, the priests and the Levites and the musicians and the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns along with some of the other people.

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 And the rest of the Israelites settled in their own towns.

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 You see, they're marked out as being different because worship matters.

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 Which brings us to not just temple workers, but the worship of God.

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 You see, this isn't the first time that God's people were in exile.

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 You know your Bible history.

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 About a thousand years before, God's people were in captivity in Egypt.

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 And God saw his people and he remembered his promise to his people and he rescued them through Moses.

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 Exodus records for us what God said to Moses.

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 Do you remember?

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 Remember, when the people have been brought out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain.

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 God's purpose is that his people would be gathered together to worship him.

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 In fact, seven more times, God would say to Moses, go to Pharaoh and say to him, this is what the Lord says.

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 Let my people go so that they may worship me.

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 Every time Pharaoh turned around and says, no, I'm not letting them go.

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 Off Moses would go again.

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 This is what the Lord says.

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 Let my people go so that they may worship me.

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 You see, the purpose of rescuing them from exile was so they could worship God.

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 That they would live for God.

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 Serve God.

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 Honor God.

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 Give to God.

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 They were to celebrate and remember their redemption through the Exodus.

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 Now in Ezra, we find the same thing happening.

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 Just as there was an Exodus from Egypt, so we have another Exodus from Babylon.

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 God redeems his people so he might gather them together to the worship of God.

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 You see, God longs for a people who will love him and honor him.

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 A God who redeems and saves and changes our life is worthy of our worship.

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 God brings his people together.

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 And he will never forget them.

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 And he calls us to worship him.

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 Now, which brings us to number three.

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 The people of God always come to Jesus.

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 You see, it's clear from the text in Ezra that while we have a list of all the names,

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 not everyone who returned were part of God's people.

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 Essentially, they were divided into two groups.

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 And they were divided like this.

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 There were those who were excluded.

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 Look at verse 59 with me.

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 Forgive any mispronounciations here.

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 The following came up from the towns of Tel Mela, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Ad Don and Immer.

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 But the families could not show that their families were descended from Israel.

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 They didn't have the right credentials.

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 They didn't have the birth cert.

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 They had no record of their family lineage.

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 It seems they were in the same category as some of the priests.

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 Verse 61.

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 And from among the priests, there were the descendants of Hababaya, Hagkaz, Brasilia.

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 We'll just go to verse 62 because this is the important bit.

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 These search for their family records.

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 But they could not find them.

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 So they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.

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 Shut out.

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 You see, to come under the covenant blessings,

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 you had to show that you were descended from Israel.

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 You had to be able to trace your family line all the way back to, remember them?

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 Isaac, Jacob, Abraham.

00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:03.659
 And if you had the records to prove it, you were in.

00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:06.879
 You were part of the big family of God.

00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:11.080
 But if you didn't have the family records, you were excluded.

00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:13.800
 No longer part of the community.

00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:20.740
 But the problem was much deeper than just a few people who couldn't find their names in a record.

00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:27.040
 You see, the rest of the people may have had the paperwork and had the stamp of approval.

00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:32.059
 But they had all failed to live as God's family should.

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:39.940
 Instead of worshipping God, they went back to worship other gods.

00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:44.960
 If you read the end of Ezra and Nehemiah, it's terribly depressing.

00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:48.980
 Because after all of God bringing them back again,

00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:53.680
 they do exactly the same thing and break the covenant again.

00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:57.720
 Although God had redeemed them,

00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:00.160
 they would reject him.

00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:06.640
 You see, it wasn't just those who couldn't find their names in the records who were excluded.

00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:11.299
 It was anybody who didn't keep the covenant.

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:14.880
 They too were excluded.

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:19.440
 In other words, based on their own performances,

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:23.279
 they would all be excluded.

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:28.299
 Which brings us to a really important question.

00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:34.519
 Who then are the people of God?

00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:37.740
 Who are those who are included?

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:42.060
 Who gets to be part of God's big family?

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:49.079
 And how does God keep his promise that the people of God will never be forgotten?

00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:51.559
 But if they keep messing up,

00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:54.619
 how do they remain part of God's family?

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:59.659
 Well, the story of the Bible makes it clear

00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:03.980
 that we need someone much better than ourselves.

00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:11.120
 You see, the true people of God are those who come to Jesus.

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:16.660
 Two things we're going to look at as we finish to bring it all together.

00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.099
 Here's the first one.

00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:24.079
 Jesus is the true Israel.

00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:26.079
 Jesus is the true Israel.

00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.859
 What do we mean by that?

00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:35.000
 Well, there is only one who has lived a faithful and obedient life.

00:24:35.719 --> 00:24:36.839
 And that's Jesus.

00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:40.679
 He alone is the one who has kept the covenant.

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:43.920
 He is that faithful worshipper

00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:46.720
 who never turned to any other God

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:50.740
 but did everything his father asked of him.

00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:54.580
 You see, Jesus is the true Israel.

00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:57.120
 He is the son of God

00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:58.720
 who is included

00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:01.220
 and never excluded.

00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:05.559
 So if he's in

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:08.460
 and he's part of the family of God

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:11.319
 what do I need to do

00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:13.420
 to be part of the family?

00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:17.620
 Well, we all need to be related to Jesus

00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:20.640
 by our faith.

00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:25.860
 Go with me please to Ephesians chapter 1.

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:29.500
 Ephesians chapter 1.

00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:38.140
 So we're asking the question

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.539
 what do we need to do

00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:42.079
 to be included?

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:46.460
 We need to be related to Jesus

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:48.140
 by faith.

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:51.420
 So Ephesians chapter 1

00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:54.120
 verse 13.

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:08.380
 Let's read verse 13.

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:12.259
 And you also

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:15.420
 were included in Christ

00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:17.500
 when you heard the message

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.960
 of truth.

00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:21.720
 The gospel of your salvation.

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.680
 When you heard the good news

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.299
 about Jesus Christ

00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:28.759
 the true Israel

00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:31.000
 the perfect obedient son

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:33.759
 who stands in your place

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.579
 representing you

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:39.079
 pouring out blessings upon you

00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.839
 and in our place

00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.940
 taking the curse that we deserve.

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:48.480
 When you were included in Christ

00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:50.240
 when you heard the message of truth

00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.500
 the gospel of salvation

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:53.880
 when you believed

00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:57.180
 when you trusted Christ

00:26:57.180 --> 00:27:00.019
 that he is your life

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:02.279
 you were marked in him

00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.000
 with a seal

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.720
 the promised Holy Spirit

00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.660
 who is a deposit

00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:09.619
 guaranteeing our inheritance

00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:12.299
 until the redemption of those

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.619
 who are God's possession

00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:15.379
 to the praise

00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:17.039
 of his glory.

00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.719
 Turn the page

00:27:18.719 --> 00:27:19.959
 to chapter 2

00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:20.779
 verse 12.

00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:23.519
 He goes on to explain it

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.719
 a bit more.

00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.639
 Remember

00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.819
 verse 12

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.879
 that at that time

00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:32.079
 you were separate

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.299
 from Christ

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.819
 excluded

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.619
 from citizenship

00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:37.019
 in Israel

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.619
 and foreigners

00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.519
 to the covenants

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.259
 of the promise

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.500
 without hope

00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.699
 and without God

00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.539
 in the world

00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.759
 but now

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:46.519
 in Christ Jesus

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:48.120
 you who were once

00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.200
 far away

00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:51.759
 excluded

00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.600
 and shut out

00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:54.680
 have been brought near

00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:57.120
 by the blood of Christ.

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.259
 Verse 19

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.940
 Consequently

00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.980
 you are no longer

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.840
 foreigners

00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:04.980
 and strangers

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:07.259
 but fellow citizens

00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.880
 with God's people

00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:11.660
 and also members

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:13.759
 of his family.

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:15.720
 You see

00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:17.980
 when we come

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.620
 to Jesus

00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.680
 just as people

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.660
 in the Old Testament

00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.820
 look forward

00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:22.560
 in faith

00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.720
 to Jesus coming

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:26.380
 when we trusted

00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.160
 in Jesus

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:29.380
 we are truly

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.779
 included

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:32.759
 never forgotten

00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.759
 always

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.940
 remembered.

00:28:36.560 --> 00:28:37.420
 In fact

00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.080
 as members

00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:39.120
 of God's family

00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:40.119
 our names

00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.699
 are written

00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:41.639
 on a list

00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:43.479
 remember

00:28:43.479 --> 00:28:44.299
 what that book

00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.599
 is

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.059
 Revelation

00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.019
 calls it

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.399
 the

00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:48.199
 book of life

00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:49.500
 or the

00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.059
 Lamb's

00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.859
 book of life

00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.699
 if you want

00:28:51.699 --> 00:28:52.259
 to just flick

00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.839
 the page

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.659
 because it's

00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.319
 very close

00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.199
 to Philippians

00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:55.919
 chapter 4

00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:56.559
 it's the next

00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.519
 letter along

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.919
 just very quickly

00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.959
 as an example

00:29:00.959 --> 00:29:02.579
 Philippians

00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.559
 chapter 4

00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:05.000
 and verse

00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.659
 3

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:12.960
 so Paul writes

00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.320
 he says

00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.620
 yes

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.240
 and I ask

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.420
 you

00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.000
 my true

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.519
 companion

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.160
 help these

00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:16.460
 women

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.060
 since they

00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.820
 have contended

00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:18.759
 at my side

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.900
 in the cause

00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.600
 of the gospel

00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.320
 along with

00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:21.660
 Clement

00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.300
 and the rest

00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:22.600
 of his

00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:23.340
 co-workers

00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:26.440
 whose names

00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:27.360
 are in

00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:28.019
 the book

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.500
 of life

00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:31.380
 isn't that

00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.000
 wonderful

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:34.420
 God has

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.559
 a book

00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.200
 of life

00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:38.019
 and in it

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:39.539
 are the names

00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.460
 of his

00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:40.940
 people

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.779
 and they can

00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.339
 never be

00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.000
 erased

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.359
 or removed

00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.900
 it is written

00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.859
 permanently

00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:48.980
 and

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.259
 eternally

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.819
 if you are

00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.859
 trusting in

00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:53.240
 Jesus

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.339
 you are

00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.019
 never

00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.819
 ever

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.019
 excluded

00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:59.019
 you're always

00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.619
 included

00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:01.259
 and nothing

00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.919
 can get you

00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:02.659
 off the list

00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.379
 not your

00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:03.879
 sin

00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:05.019
 not Satan

00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.299
 not suffering

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:08.079
 nothing

00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:10.059
 you are

00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.659
 forever

00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.599
 secure

00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:12.779
 in him

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.839
 he is

00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.659
 the true

00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.279
 Israel

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.539
 our true

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.379
 representative

00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:18.579
 and we are

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.719
 related to him

00:30:19.719 --> 00:30:21.259
 by faith

00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.459
 what is

00:30:22.459 --> 00:30:23.579
 Christ's

00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.819
 is ours

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:26.579
 we belong

00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.779
 forever

00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:30.000
 the second

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:31.460
 thing we need

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.139
 to get right

00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.480
 here

00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.960
 is that if

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.660
 Jesus is the

00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.359
 true Israel

00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.339
 the church

00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:36.960
 is the

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.779
 new

00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.839
 Israel

00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:40.119
 you see

00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.819
 when we trust

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.319
 in Jesus

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.839
 we're not

00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.339
 left in

00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:42.940
 isolation

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.920
 we become

00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.480
 part of

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:44.720
 his

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.740
 community

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.579
 the church

00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.379
 God's

00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:48.859
 family

00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:50.220
 you see

00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.980
 Jesus

00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:52.200
 rescued us

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.240
 from exile

00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.019
 he has

00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.980
 redeemed us

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.480
 from our

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.119
 captivity

00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.519
 to sin

00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.659
 and death

00:30:58.659 --> 00:30:59.759
 and hell

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:01.619
 and he now

00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:02.219
 leads us

00:31:02.219 --> 00:31:02.939
 on a new

00:31:02.939 --> 00:31:03.559
 exodus

00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:05.239
 he brings us

00:31:05.239 --> 00:31:05.739
 out

00:31:05.739 --> 00:31:07.299
 so that we

00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.819
 might

00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:08.879
 worship

00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.939
 God

00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:11.619
 for that's

00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.379
 God's purpose

00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.159
 for us

00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:14.919
 we are a

00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.419
 people

00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.319
 gathered

00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:17.179
 together

00:31:17.179 --> 00:31:18.500
 to worship

00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.059
 God

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.019
 with our

00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:20.599
 lives

00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:22.500
 remember how

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.379
 Paul put it

00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.119
 to the church

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:24.619
 Rome

00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:26.359
 he says

00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:26.979
 therefore I

00:31:26.979 --> 00:31:27.500
 urge you

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.139
 my brothers

00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:28.859
 and sisters

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:30.479
 in view

00:31:30.479 --> 00:31:31.219
 of God's

00:31:31.219 --> 00:31:31.659
 mercy

00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:33.839
 just pause

00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:35.119
 and think

00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:35.899
 back to the

00:31:35.899 --> 00:31:36.579
 mercy of

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:36.959
 God

00:31:36.959 --> 00:31:38.019
 how he

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.779
 has redeemed

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.279
 you and

00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.139
 rescued you

00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:40.759
 and saved

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.039
 you

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:42.239
 what's our

00:31:42.239 --> 00:31:42.919
 response

00:31:42.919 --> 00:31:44.619
 to offer

00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.519
 our bodies

00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.500
 as a living

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.459
 sacrifice

00:31:47.459 --> 00:31:49.119
 holy and

00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.939
 pleasing to

00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:50.379
 God

00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:51.500
 this is

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.440
 your true

00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:53.900
 and proper

00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.860
 worship

00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:57.000
 this is

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.480
 God's

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.280
 great purpose

00:31:58.280 --> 00:31:58.680
 for his

00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.100
 people

00:31:59.100 --> 00:32:00.060
 from beginning

00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.720
 to end

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.420
 it's the

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.180
 story of

00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.780
 the Bible

00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:04.400
 one writer

00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:04.860
 put it

00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:05.600
 like this

00:32:05.600 --> 00:32:08.520
 you can

00:32:08.520 --> 00:32:09.020
 follow it

00:32:09.020 --> 00:32:09.760
 on screen

00:32:09.760 --> 00:32:11.180
 redemption

00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:12.220
 is the

00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:12.880
 means

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:14.280
 worship

00:32:14.280 --> 00:32:15.280
 is the

00:32:15.280 --> 00:32:15.680
 goal

00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.860
 it's the

00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.400
 purpose of

00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:17.860
 history

00:32:17.859 --> 00:32:18.839
 the goal

00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.179
 of the

00:32:19.179 --> 00:32:19.519
 whole

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.219
 Christian

00:32:20.219 --> 00:32:20.899
 story

00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:21.799
 worship

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.319
 isn't

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.959
 just one

00:32:22.959 --> 00:32:23.559
 segment

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:23.979
 of the

00:32:23.979 --> 00:32:24.359
 Christian

00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:24.759
 life

00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.079
 among

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.799
 others

00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:27.159
 worship

00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:27.919
 is this

00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.559
 is the

00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.240
 entire

00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.479
 Christian

00:32:30.479 --> 00:32:31.500
 life

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:34.179
 now if

00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:34.419
 you've

00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:34.939
 known the

00:32:34.939 --> 00:32:35.519
 mercy of

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:35.819
 God

00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.159
 in your

00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:36.599
 life

00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:38.000
 if you've

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.219
 been

00:32:38.219 --> 00:32:38.839
 redeemed

00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.779
 from sin

00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.740
 and hell

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.379
 by God

00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.159
 you are

00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.759
 called

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.539
 together

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.399
 with

00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:44.919
 God's

00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:45.359
 people

00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:47.199
 to worship

00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:48.059
 him

00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:49.339
 not just

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.659
 for a

00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.079
 couple of

00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.619
 hours on

00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.059
 a Sunday

00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.519
 morning

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.939
 but with

00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:53.500
 your whole

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.179
 life

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:55.679
 God

00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.219
 gathers

00:32:56.219 --> 00:32:56.740
 us

00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.799
 that we

00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.479
 would be

00:32:58.479 --> 00:32:59.119
 a

00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.899
 worshiping

00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:01.019
 people

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:04.939
 one day

00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:07.000
 the Lord

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.699
 Jesus is

00:33:07.699 --> 00:33:08.119
 going to

00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:08.779
 come again

00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:11.059
 and the

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.439
 book of

00:33:11.439 --> 00:33:11.859
 life

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:13.559
 will be

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.039
 opened

00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:16.240
 and all

00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.059
 the names

00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:18.279
 of those

00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.859
 who trust

00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.519
 in Jesus

00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.879
 will be

00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:21.299
 read

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:23.579
 is your

00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.059
 name

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:25.319
 in the

00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.700
 book of

00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.139
 life

00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:28.980
 for those

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.659
 whose names

00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:30.240
 are written

00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.180
 you will

00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.539
 gather

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.119
 together

00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.859
 with all

00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.319
 God's

00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:33.720
 people

00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.879
 of all

00:33:34.879 --> 00:33:35.539
 time

00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.159
 and in

00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:36.420
 all

00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:36.940
 history

00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:40.240
 I can't

00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:40.599
 wait

00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:42.799
 perfect

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.339
 joy

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.799
 comfort

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:46.659
 everybody

00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:47.559
 God's

00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:47.980
 people

00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.639
 together

00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:50.240
 doesn't

00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.859
 that lead

00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.700
 you to

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.159
 worship

00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:53.099
 God

00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:54.779
 to honor

00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:55.159
 him

00:33:55.159 --> 00:33:56.500
 and live

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.079
 for him

00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:59.579
 doesn't

00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.039
 it make

00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:00.539
 you want

00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.319
 to sing

00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:03.579
 before the

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.180
 throne of

00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:05.000
 God above

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.480
 I have a

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.099
 strong

00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:07.940
 a perfect

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.420
 plea

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:10.180
 a great

00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:10.960
 high priest

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.079
 whose name

00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.700
 is love

00:34:12.700 --> 00:34:14.340
 and ever

00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:14.880
 lives

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.460
 and pleads

00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:16.980
 for me

00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.980
 my name

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:21.139
 is graven

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.480
 on his

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.000
 hands

00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:24.860
 his crucified

00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:25.659
 hands

00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.940
 who died

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.519
 for me

00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.039
 my name

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.680
 is written

00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.820
 on his

00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.400
 heart

00:34:31.400 --> 00:34:33.099
 I know

00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:33.760
 that while

00:34:33.760 --> 00:34:34.240
 in heaven

00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.180
 he stands

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.980
 no tongue

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.819
 can bid

00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.259
 me

00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:39.359
 thence

00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:39.919
 depart

00:34:39.919 --> 00:34:44.919
 brothers and

00:34:44.919 --> 00:34:45.460
 sisters

00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:47.259
 rejoice

00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.879
 that your

00:34:48.879 --> 00:34:49.539
 name

00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.960
 is written

00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:52.179
 in the

00:34:52.179 --> 00:34:52.579
 book of

00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.039
 life

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:55.179
 let's

00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.500
 pray

00:34:55.500 --> 00:35:09.400
 what a

00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.219
 story

00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:12.219
 what a

00:35:12.219 --> 00:35:12.760
 wonderful

00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:13.460
 true

00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.320
 story

00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:15.820
 of a

00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.340
 savior

00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.179
 Jesus

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.840
 Christ

00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:19.539
 who has

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.119
 redeemed

00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:20.679
 us

00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:22.280
 because he

00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:22.679
 never

00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.340
 forgets

00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:23.739
 us

00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:25.099
 that we

00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.519
 might

00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.239
 worship

00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:27.099
 him

00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:29.279
 lord

00:35:29.279 --> 00:35:31.739
 thank you

00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:33.159
 what more

00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:33.599
 can we

00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:34.099
 say

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.819
 but praise

00:35:35.819 --> 00:35:36.379
 you

00:35:36.379 --> 00:35:38.619
 for all

00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:38.979
 that you

00:35:38.979 --> 00:35:39.579
 have done

00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:41.079
 your

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.679
 great

00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:42.259
 mercy

00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.759
 in

00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:44.439
 response

00:35:44.439 --> 00:35:45.179
 we offer

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:46.000
 our bodies

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.759
 as living

00:35:46.759 --> 00:35:47.739
 sacrifices

00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:49.279
 holy

00:35:49.279 --> 00:35:50.319
 and

00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:50.859
 pleasing

00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:51.939
 to you

00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:53.420
 our

00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.000
 worship

00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.139
 of a

00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.440
 great

00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:55.900
 God

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:58.119
 amen