WEBVTT

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 corrupt leadership, justice not for the poor, but only for the wealthy.

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 The culture had left its origins in God's word.

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 Those who were supposed to be teaching God's word had sold out.

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 Whatever you wanted to hear, you could hear,

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 and you could buy it as long as you had enough money.

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 The middle class, the poor, are being squeezed out.

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 They were being ripped off.

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 Their houses, their properties were being stolen.

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 There was war.

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 There was fighting from outside and inside,

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 leaving some to ask,

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 why won't the leaders do something to help the people that they are in charge to help?

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 I'm not talking about anything happening in Australia.

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 I'm not talking about anything happening in the last hundred years.

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 I'm talking about Micah the prophet's time.

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 He was around hundreds of years before Jesus was born.

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 There was a leadership crisis in Judah.

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 Those in leadership were failing God's people,

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 and there were devastating consequences.

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 People were yearning for a good leader.

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 Someone that wasn't corrupt to lead them.

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 A leader to stand up in God's strength.

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 Because leadership always faces corruption because we are sinful people.

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 It's not just the cry of Micah's generation.

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 It's actually every period in history, including our own,

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 that we are people who are heavily influenced by those who lead us.

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 The reality is Micah's time is not that different to our time.

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 New South Wales is on fire.

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 Our interest rates are hurting many people.

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 People question whether our education system is failing our children.

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 Housing is hard for the next generation to buy into.

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 And Sydney is divided into ethnic backgrounds and social preferences.

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 So sometimes when we look at the leaders around us,

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 it can lead us to question,

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 why won't the leaders do something for the people?

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 People in all levels of leadership are susceptible to accusations of corruption,

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 infighting, bribery, and being influenced by outside parties.

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 It makes us yearn for good leadership.

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 Someone to lead us out of this mess for a leader who can't be bought and corrupted.

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 Now, in one sense, it can be easy to blame those in leadership at higher levels.

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 But the reality is that many of us are leaders too,

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 whether we are parents or older siblings, a boss at work,

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 even if we are just influential in our friendship group.

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 Many of us are leaders.

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 And we can desire to influence and lead in the right way.

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 Now, you might be thinking,

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 didn't James just get up after a little Christmas video asking,

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 why do we still need Christmas?

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 Isn't this supposed to be a Christmas talk?

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 But we will see that Jesus is, of course, the leader that we are longing for.

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 Even though we don't often see Jesus as a leader,

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 far more often we consider him, at this time of year,

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 Jesus is the cute little baby.

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 He's a person.

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 He's a saviour.

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 But Christmas is going to help us understand what kind of leader Jesus is

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 and how important he is.

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 And we're going to see that as we go through this prophecy from Micah.

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 So Micah, he was a prophet to God's southern kingdom,

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 the southern kingdom of Judah.

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 This is after the time of King David and King Solomon.

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 In King David and King Solomon's time, Israel was united,

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 but then it was divided into the north and into the south,

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 the northern kingdom of Israel, the southern kingdom of Judah.

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 And the northern kingdom was attacked and enslaved by the Assyrians.

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 We just saw reference to the Assyrians in the Bible reading.

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 And during this time, the Assyrians have come down.

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 They've attacked and enslaved the northern kingdom.

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 And the southern kingdom is there shaking in their boots.

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 The king, Hezekiah, at the time, he is worried.

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 He is not trusting God.

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 Instead, he decides to find some allies.

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 He's going to go and find the Egyptians,

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 find some other armies to bolster,

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 because Hezekiah, the king of the southern kingdom of Judah,

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 wasn't trusting that God would protect them.

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 It wasn't just that the king was fearful and not trusting God,

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 but the whole fabric of society was being torn apart.

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 The land of Judah was the promised land.

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 This is where God's people would be blessed when they followed God,

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 and when they obeyed him,

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 when they cared for the widow,

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 when they looked after the orphan and the oppressed.

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 And Judah had been richly blessed.

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 They had grown rich.

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 And as they grew rich,

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 it led to a callousness of heart,

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 to theft and a disregard for God's law.

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 And so they start to rip each other off.

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 As the leaders become corrupt,

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 so too the people.

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 Instead of working against a commercializing of culture,

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 they give in,

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 and they, just like today,

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 become all about material possessions.

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 So the fabric of society was being destroyed.

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 Society that was built on the care and protection of God's people,

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 people just like them,

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 it's being destroyed.

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 They're eating one another.

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 Compassionate generosity because of God's generosity to this people

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 who He's saved out of Egypt,

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 brought into this land,

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 built them up.

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 Instead of responding out of compassion and generosity to that,

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 it just becomes,

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 I'm the most important.

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 I've got to build up my little kingdom.

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 And so the rich get richer,

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 and the poor get poorer.

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 It starts with those in leadership,

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 the prophets,

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 the priests,

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 and the rulers.

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 Let me read from a little earlier in Micah,

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 from chapter 3, verse 11.

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 Her leaders judge for a bribe,

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 her priests teach for a price,

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 and her prophets tell fortunes for money.

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 How could a weak or poor person ever get justice,

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 if justice can be bought?

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 Priests were teaching people whatever the people wanted to be taught,

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 whatever they could be bought.

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 Instead of bringing God's word to people's lives,

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 and calling them to repent and follow God,

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 they were taking money,

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 saying,

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 don't worry,

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 everything's fine.

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 You just carry on with the way you're going,

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 as long as you keep giving me money.

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 Everything is all right.

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 And the prophets,

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 who were there to call kings to account,

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 to warn people about their actions,

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 well,

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 they've become fortune tellers,

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 reading crystal balls for dollars.

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 Can you imagine

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 that if Steve,

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 our senior minister's absence,

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 that we,

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 the staff team,

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 became just a little corrupt?

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 Just a little corrupt.

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 Can you imagine,

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 who can I pick on?

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 I'll pick on Soren.

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 Thank you, Soren.

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 Imagine if Soren wanted to come up

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 and confess a sin to me,

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 and he wanted to be encouraged that God forgives him,

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 and he wanted some assistance

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 and help to change his action,

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 and I said,

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 don't worry, brother,

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 the only change you need is a $50 note.

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 Pop it in there,

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 and you know what,

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 God will deal with it.

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 Don't worry about that.

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 Just a little bit of corruption.

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 Don't do that, by the way.

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 We'll confess your sin.

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 That part's okay.

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 And maybe with Nick,

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 maybe let's just say Nick,

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 just became a little,

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 just a little bit corrupt.

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 Instead of choosing songs

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 that enable us as a congregation

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 to praise God

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 that are connected with

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 where we're going in the service

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 and as a church,

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 glorifying God,

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 Nick instead started taking donations

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 to the Buy Nick a New Guitar scheme.

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 And you know,

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 do you know what,

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 you know,

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 if you want to choose a song next week,

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 you can just donate to that scheme.

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 If you want to choose all four of the songs next week,

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 well,

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 there's a bumper donation price for that.

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 I don't see Nick shaking his head.

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 Imagine if we just became a little bit corrupt.

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 That would have devastating consequences.

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 Those in leadership of the church

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 who were supposed to know the law

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 and God became corrupt.

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 And so it's no wonder

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 that the people of Israel,

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 of Judah,

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 become corrupted by riches too.

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 From chapter 2, verse 1.

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 Woe to those who plan iniquity,

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 to those who plot evil on their beds.

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 At mornings light,

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 they carry it out

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 because it is in their power to do it.

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 They covet fields

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 and they seize them

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 and houses and take them.

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 They defraud people of their homes.

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 They rob them of their inheritance.

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 This is a picture

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 of the rich getting richer.

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 They're stealing the middle class

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 and the poor's things.

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 They're stealing their houses,

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 their properties,

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 their fields,

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 their inheritance.

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 Those who have something to survive on,

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 it is all being taken by the rich.

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 Those who have power.

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 This whole nation is yearning

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 for good leadership.

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 All those who should be leading,

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 the prophets,

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 the priests,

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 the rulers,

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 they have all become corrupt.

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 This is a desperate

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 and terrible situation.

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 It needs something drastic to happen.

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 It's not going to be fixed

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 with an election,

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 the king dying,

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 a new king coming in,

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 or just a protest.

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 This needs divine intervention.

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 As I've read about these leaders

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 who became corrupt

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 in Micah's time

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 and seeing the justice system

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 which favours those who have money,

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 to see the rich

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 who are stealing

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 from the middle class

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 and the poor,

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 I can't help but think

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 of the situation

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 in many parts of this world,

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 including Sydney.

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 Just like in Judah's time,

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 we too have a heritage

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 following the Lord.

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 But I wonder

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 if our culture

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 has chased

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 commercial

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 and material gain

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 and we have fled the Lord.

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 Into this context,

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 Micah prophesies.

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 He calls on the people

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 to repent

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 with one of the most famous verses

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 from Micah,

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 from chapter 6, verse 8.

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 He calls on people

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 to act justly

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 and to love mercy

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 and to walk humbly

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 with your God.

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 And against those

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 abuses of leadership,

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 the kings who have been born

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 into the riches

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 who have failed,

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 he prophesies

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 about a ruler

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 who would come.

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 He prophesies

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 about a promised leader.

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 From chapter 5, verse 2.

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 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

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 though you are small

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 among the clans of Judah,

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 out of you

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 will come for me

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 one who will be ruler

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 over Israel,

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 whose origins

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 are from of old,

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 from ancient times.

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 Okay,

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 now it starts

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 sounding like

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 a Christmas talk.

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 We get a word

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 of Bethlehem.

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 That sounds familiar.

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 The new leader

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 would come from Bethlehem.

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 It's obviously Jesus.

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 Many people

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 have heard of Bethlehem.

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 What do we think

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 when we think

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 of the town of Bethlehem?

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 Give me some words.

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 Little, thank you.

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 Oh, little town of Bethlehem.

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 What else do we think

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 about the town of Bethlehem?

00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.259
 Manger.

00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:00.379
 Sorry, what was the other one?

00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:01.980
 Manger?

00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:02.679
 Did three people

00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.139
 just say manger

00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:03.659
 at the same time?

00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:04.579
 Manger.

00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:06.819
 Okay, manger is the food trough

00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:07.620
 of the animal

00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:09.620
 that Jesus was placed in.

00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:10.559
 What else do we think

00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.439
 about Bethlehem?

00:12:12.699 --> 00:12:14.259
 Yeah, Jesus' birth, sorry.

00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:16.100
 Shepherds.

00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.580
 Busy.

00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:17.259
 Busy.

00:12:17.540 --> 00:12:18.639
 Yep, yeah, it's very busy.

00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:20.040
 So when the census was taken,

00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.940
 Bethlehem is full of people.

00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:24.840
 And so we have a picture

00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.080
 of what Bethlehem is.

00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.360
 You know, next week

00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:29.420
 we'll see a bit more

00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:30.139
 about Bethlehem.

00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:31.080
 Come up four o'clock

00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:32.480
 for our Christmas carols

00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.200
 to find out more

00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:33.840
 about what happens

00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:34.379
 in Bethlehem.

00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.940
 But we know the story

00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:37.460
 of Bethlehem.

00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:38.779
 We know the nativity scene.

00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.779
 We drive past it.

00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.700
 It's on people's houses

00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.379
 if you've been

00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.220
 Christmas-like looking.

00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:44.720
 But the people

00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:46.240
 of Micah's time

00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.660
 didn't really know

00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:48.860
 anything about Bethlehem.

00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:51.000
 This is not a picture

00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.080
 that Micah is presenting.

00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:53.779
 Bethlehem was

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.440
 a little-known town.

00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.879
 It's not even mentioned

00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.700
 in the book of Joshua

00:12:58.700 --> 00:12:59.540
 where he lists

00:12:59.540 --> 00:13:00.980
 all of the towns.

00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:02.420
 It's not even in the list

00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:02.980
 of the towns.

00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.660
 This is an unimportant

00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:07.040
 backwater town

00:13:07.040 --> 00:13:08.639
 that had little significance.

00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:11.120
 Even Micah says

00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.199
 that they are small

00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:13.899
 among the clans of Judah.

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.399
 But out of this

00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.519
 insignificant,

00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:19.279
 know-nothing town

00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:21.259
 would come a ruler.

00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:23.759
 Not born into riches

00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:24.840
 like the rest

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:25.779
 of Israel's rulers.

00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:27.279
 He would come

00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.080
 in humility.

00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:29.759
 And we get this

00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.179
 really interesting phrase.

00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.039
 Whose origins

00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.819
 are from of old.

00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:37.139
 From ancient times.

00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.159
 This is a really

00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.259
 interesting phrase.

00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.319
 It has connections

00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:41.919
 with the historic kings.

00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.659
 So it has connections

00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.460
 with King David

00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:45.399
 who was from Bethlehem.

00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.840
 But it's also used

00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:49.080
 elsewhere in the Bible

00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:51.019
 to describe God himself

00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.580
 as God who was

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.759
 from ancient times

00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.299
 as in from everlasting.

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.720
 And so Micah

00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.740
 could be alluding

00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.620
 to the fact that

00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.539
 this expected ruler

00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:02.240
 is going to be

00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.700
 a supernatural leader.

00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:05.240
 That that is what

00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:05.720
 is needed

00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.980
 into this corrupt

00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.139
 and desperate time.

00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.600
 God himself

00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:11.460
 to come and lead.

00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.660
 Micah continues

00:14:13.660 --> 00:14:14.300
 to describe

00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:14.899
 what this ruler

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.500
 looks like

00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.560
 in verse 4.

00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.580
 He will stand

00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.879
 and shepherd his flock

00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.180
 in the strength

00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:21.879
 of the Lord

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.019
 in the majesty

00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.019
 of the name

00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.040
 of the Lord his God.

00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:26.300
 Again,

00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:27.300
 like King David

00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:28.080
 he would come

00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.980
 and be a shepherd

00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.019
 for the people.

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:32.240
 Strong and fit

00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.500
 unflinching

00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.159
 in leadership

00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.680
 against all of those

00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.220
 who would come

00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:36.980
 and attack him.

00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.379
 He would stand

00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.580
 under every pressure

00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.240
 and peril.

00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.980
 He will be resolute

00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.180
 making sure that

00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:43.759
 God's people

00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:45.159
 aren't fleeced again

00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:46.180
 but fed.

00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:47.620
 Cared for

00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.519
 not caged.

00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.820
 And he is fully devoted

00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.960
 to following the Lord.

00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.600
 Verse 4 again

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.360
 the second half.

00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:56.480
 And they will live securely

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.620
 for then his greatness

00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.320
 will reach

00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.120
 to the ends

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.759
 of the earth.

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:02.539
 Under this leader

00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.639
 God's people

00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.519
 will live securely.

00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.019
 Security is not found

00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.740
 in money

00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.120
 or technology

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.240
 or status.

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.480
 It's found

00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.840
 trusting in the shepherd

00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:13.740
 who guides

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.720
 his sheep.

00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.259
 And his territory

00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:17.000
 is not just going

00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.240
 to be Israel.

00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.480
 It's not going

00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.060
 to be just

00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:20.539
 the Middle East.

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.120
 It is going

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:22.580
 to go to the ends

00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.600
 of the earth.

00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:25.580
 Again,

00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.899
 this is lifting

00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.820
 people's eyes

00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:28.600
 to a ruler

00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.820
 not just being

00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:30.240
 the ruler

00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.879
 of Israel

00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.259
 but a supernatural

00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:32.899
 leader

00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.240
 of the whole world.

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.680
 And Micah

00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.899
 describes this ruler

00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.379
 as that he would

00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.659
 be our peace.

00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:41.960
 It's not that he

00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.120
 would bring peace

00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.060
 but that he

00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.519
 embodies peace.

00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:46.700
 He is

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.560
 peace

00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.540
 himself.

00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:50.879
 Micah has

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.100
 complete confidence

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.960
 for the future

00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.279
 that when this

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.300
 ruler comes

00:15:55.300 --> 00:15:56.360
 all will be well.

00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.440
 When this leader

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.440
 is in charge

00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.960
 God's people

00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:00.420
 will find

00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:01.200
 a new unity.

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.300
 They will go

00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:03.280
 from infighting

00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:04.060
 and corruption

00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:04.700
 and theft

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.400
 and bribery

00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:07.300
 to peace

00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.380
 and security.

00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.200
 Micah

00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.700
 builds up

00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.700
 such an

00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:12.640
 awesome picture

00:16:12.640 --> 00:16:13.940
 of this coming

00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.300
 king.

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.020
 He would be

00:16:15.020 --> 00:16:16.080
 Davidic

00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.240
 as in he would

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.820
 be like King

00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.160
 David.

00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.280
 He would care

00:16:19.280 --> 00:16:20.020
 and protect

00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:20.820
 and lead

00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:21.500
 and rule

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.740
 in purity

00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.100
 in God's

00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.680
 majesty

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.819
 with God.

00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:27.459
 This is a

00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:28.579
 very different

00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:29.120
 picture

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.439
 of the leaders

00:16:30.439 --> 00:16:31.439
 that they had.

00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:33.699
 A different

00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.579
 humble

00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.279
 king.

00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.559
 People are

00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.139
 yearning for

00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.419
 that.

00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:40.699
 I think

00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:41.179
 this is one

00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.659
 of the main

00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.839
 reasons why

00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:44.099
 Donald Trump

00:16:44.099 --> 00:16:44.579
 was elected

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.019
 president.

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:47.000
 Now I'm

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.459
 sure that

00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:47.979
 there are

00:16:47.979 --> 00:16:48.539
 many people

00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.219
 here who

00:16:49.219 --> 00:16:49.959
 are far

00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.299
 more into

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.859
 politics than

00:16:50.859 --> 00:16:51.539
 me and

00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.120
 know far

00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.559
 more about

00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:52.979
 this topic

00:16:52.979 --> 00:16:53.439
 than me

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.319
 but it

00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:54.859
 seems to

00:16:54.859 --> 00:16:55.119
 me that

00:16:55.119 --> 00:16:55.439
 one of

00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:55.899
 the reasons

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.459
 why Trump

00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:56.979
 was elected

00:16:56.979 --> 00:16:57.839
 president

00:16:57.839 --> 00:16:58.659
 because he

00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.000
 was so

00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.459
 different

00:16:59.459 --> 00:17:00.119
 and he

00:17:00.119 --> 00:17:00.339
 certainly

00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:00.619
 is a

00:17:00.619 --> 00:17:00.799
 different

00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.159
 person

00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.879
 but he

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.859
 appealed

00:17:02.859 --> 00:17:03.299
 to the

00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:03.579
 working

00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:03.979
 class

00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:04.319
 who felt

00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:04.919
 downtrodden.

00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:06.679
 He saw

00:17:06.679 --> 00:17:07.000
 that the

00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.319
 leadership

00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.839
 of the

00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.059
 United

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.379
 States

00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:09.039
 was corrupt

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.159
 and so

00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:10.559
 when he

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:10.960
 came

00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.460
 Trump

00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.139
 was promising

00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.740
 that he

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.079
 would get

00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:13.440
 rid of

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.019
 corruption

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.200
 and that

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:15.679
 he would

00:17:15.679 --> 00:17:16.319
 make

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.240
 America

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.919
 great

00:17:17.919 --> 00:17:18.480
 again.

00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:19.759
 No

00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.419
 wonder this

00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:21.039
 was appealing

00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.700
 to so many

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.099
 people.

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.240
 People who

00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.019
 see corruption

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.659
 in leadership

00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.539
 somebody comes

00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:25.919
 along and

00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:26.659
 says you're

00:17:26.659 --> 00:17:26.779
 going to

00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.099
 get rid of

00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:27.500
 the corruption

00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.599
 yes I'm

00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.079
 for that

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.740
 you're going

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:29.940
 to make

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.339
 this country

00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.899
 great well

00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:31.480
 I've always

00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:31.839
 wanted this

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.220
 country yes

00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:32.819
 let's do

00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.119
 that.

00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.599
 But Trump

00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:37.240
 is only a

00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.639
 man a

00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:39.220
 very sinful

00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.839
 man whether

00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.619
 or not he

00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.519
 makes America

00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.379
 great time

00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:44.399
 will tell but

00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:45.099
 even if he

00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:46.099
 does it's

00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.960
 only for a

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.559
 short period

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.139
 of time.

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.379
 In Micah's

00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:51.359
 time and in

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.059
 our time we

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.519
 need more

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.179
 than just a

00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:53.720
 strong leader

00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.399
 we need

00:17:54.399 --> 00:17:55.500
 a good

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.000
 leader.

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.879
 And this

00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:58.559
 is who

00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.480
 Jesus is.

00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.899
 He is the

00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.379
 leader who

00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.159
 came to

00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.000
 not just

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.539
 make one

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.639
 country great

00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:05.339
 he came to

00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.759
 make the

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.159
 world right

00:18:07.159 --> 00:18:07.940
 again.

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.039
 This is why

00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.500
 we need

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.159
 Christmas because

00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:11.779
 it shows us

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.359
 what kind of

00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.339
 leader Jesus

00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:13.980
 is.

00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.039
 Three things

00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.220
 three characteristics

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:19.120
 that this

00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:19.559
 part of

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.200
 Micah helps

00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:20.500
 us to

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.019
 understand who

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.539
 Jesus is.

00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:22.140
 Three things

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.039
 that he is

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.640
 humble that he

00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.759
 works from God's

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.920
 strength and that

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.779
 he knows our

00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.440
 situation.

00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.220
 Firstly he is

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.480
 humble.

00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.039
 He doesn't come

00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.480
 like these

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.299
 expected kings.

00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.720
 He doesn't come

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.440
 to riches he

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.100
 comes humbly.

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.579
 He's born in

00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.360
 that backwater

00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.420
 little town of

00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:39.980
 Bethlehem.

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.259
 He's born yes

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.220
 from the line of

00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:45.299
 kings but he is

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.839
 from ancient

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.460
 times.

00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.079
 He is from

00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.019
 God's line.

00:18:50.159 --> 00:18:51.039
 He who is

00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.899
 eternal has

00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.539
 been made

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.539
 temporary.

00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:56.220
 He is in a

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.139
 physical body

00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:58.139
 bound by

00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.720
 time.

00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:00.180
 And so Jesus

00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.079
 comes in

00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.539
 humility.

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.079
 He didn't

00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:03.119
 come to

00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:04.359
 take, to

00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.200
 rule, to

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:07.119
 rule and

00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:07.980
 then fleece

00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.740
 his own

00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.480
 pockets.

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.279
 He came,

00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.399
 he didn't

00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.119
 come to steal

00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.759
 and take, he

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.480
 came to obey

00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.960
 God.

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.099
 And to

00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.659
 become the

00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.319
 king of the

00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:17.960
 world but

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.940
 only by obeying

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.720
 God through his

00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.259
 death and

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.779
 resurrection.

00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:24.220
 Jesus knows

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.839
 who he is, he

00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:25.220
 knows his

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.980
 place and

00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.539
 unlike many

00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.000
 other leaders

00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.379
 he's not

00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.099
 grasping for

00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.899
 more and

00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:29.619
 more power.

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.359
 He knows

00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:31.859
 that God

00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.319
 will give

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.980
 him power

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.680
 at the

00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.379
 right time.

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.559
 So Jesus

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.379
 comes in

00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:37.879
 humility.

00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:38.879
 Second,

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.720
 the second

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.279
 person of

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:41.740
 the Trinity

00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.940
 doesn't come

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.419
 with all the

00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:44.000
 pomp and

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.240
 ceremony of

00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.819
 any other

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.160
 ruler.

00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.000
 You know

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.660
 whenever a

00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.039
 foreign

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.900
 dignitary comes

00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.180
 to a

00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.799
 country, how

00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.500
 much security

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.079
 and effort

00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.019
 there is that

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.480
 goes into

00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.039
 making sure

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.599
 their arrival

00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.180
 is just

00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.579
 right.

00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.000
 I really,

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.440
 for some

00:19:58.440 --> 00:19:58.819
 reason,

00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.460
 really enjoy

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.140
 the royals at

00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:01.519
 the moment.

00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.299
 Prince Harry,

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.099
 the whole,

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.000
 his marriage,

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:05.819
 I really enjoy

00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:05.960
 that.

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.799
 But that is so

00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.779
 much pomp and

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.240
 ceremony.

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.940
 Jesus doesn't

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.339
 come like

00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:09.620
 that.

00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.480
 He comes

00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:11.940
 to a

00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:13.740
 place that

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.059
 he would

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.819
 rule as

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.299
 a weak

00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.500
 little baby

00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:18.059
 whose parents

00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.620
 were a

00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.539
 tradie and

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.279
 an unmarried

00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.779
 teenager.

00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.539
 He is

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.380
 dependent upon

00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.920
 God's power

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.500
 and as Micah

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.180
 prophesied, he

00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.140
 would lead and

00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.880
 shepherd us in

00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.599
 God's strength

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.200
 and not his

00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.480
 own.

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.019
 And because he

00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.019
 is trusting in

00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.720
 somebody else's

00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.120
 strength, not

00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.460
 his own,

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.220
 Jesus is

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.660
 totally

00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.720
 incorruptible.

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.240
 He never

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.160
 sinned, he

00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.600
 couldn't be

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.539
 bought, he

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.100
 couldn't be

00:20:41.100 --> 00:20:42.059
 bribed, he

00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:42.720
 didn't give in

00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.339
 to sexual

00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.480
 temptation when

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:44.900
 offered.

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.059
 Jesus doesn't

00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.660
 lead to get

00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:50.019
 rich and to

00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.640
 give in to

00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.180
 those who

00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:51.680
 could bribe

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:51.900
 him.

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.759
 Jesus leads

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.480
 in God's

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.259
 strength and

00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.980
 it just gives

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.860
 him this

00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:58.240
 wonderful ability

00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.700
 to be

00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.500
 incorruptible

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.220
 and be the

00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.600
 leader who

00:21:01.600 --> 00:21:02.039
 we need.

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.420
 And finally,

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.100
 Jesus knows

00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:04.380
 what our

00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.100
 situation is

00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.380
 like.

00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:07.500
 He actually

00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.520
 came and

00:21:08.520 --> 00:21:09.280
 dwelt as a

00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:09.640
 person.

00:21:10.580 --> 00:21:11.260
 He knows

00:21:11.260 --> 00:21:12.120
 our situation.

00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:13.260
 He came as

00:21:13.260 --> 00:21:13.980
 a human to

00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.100
 save, to

00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.880
 redeem and

00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.640
 lead us.

00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:17.820
 He can

00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:18.800
 empathise with

00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:19.320
 us with our

00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:20.640
 pain and our

00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.180
 problems.

00:21:22.100 --> 00:21:22.820
 He is not a

00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:23.360
 leader who was

00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.060
 born with a

00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:25.220
 silver spoon in

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.620
 his mouth.

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.040
 He was not

00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:26.520
 sent to the

00:21:26.520 --> 00:21:27.320
 best schools.

00:21:27.760 --> 00:21:28.180
 He was not

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.120
 on a fast

00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:29.540
 track to

00:21:29.540 --> 00:21:30.260
 political high

00:21:30.260 --> 00:21:30.660
 places.

00:21:30.800 --> 00:21:31.620
 He was born

00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:33.700
 in humility

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.880
 and he

00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.340
 was lifted

00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.480
 high in

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.960
 his death

00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.340
 on the

00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:37.720
 cross.

00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.620
 Have you

00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.019
 ever seen

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.720
 the television

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.400
 show

00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.160
 Undercover

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.580
 Boss?

00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:44.779
 This is a

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.299
 series of

00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.900
 TV shows

00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.539
 where they

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.220
 take someone

00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.039
 very high in

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.519
 an organisation

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.740
 and they put

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.759
 them down

00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:52.160
 working at

00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.680
 KFC,

00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.840
 working drive

00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.120
 through,

00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:55.120
 and it's

00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.700
 often eye

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:56.620
 opening for

00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:58.059
 the boss

00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.799
 because they

00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:58.960
 go,

00:21:59.080 --> 00:21:59.420
 oh, I

00:21:59.420 --> 00:21:59.980
 didn't really

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.620
 know the

00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.140
 plight of

00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.740
 my people,

00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.940
 I didn't

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.460
 really know

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.079
 how hard

00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:04.640
 it was to

00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:04.960
 do this

00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.259
 job,

00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:05.819
 I didn't

00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.259
 realise what

00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:06.640
 a terrible

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.180
 boss I

00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.440
 was,

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.640
 you know,

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.140
 I really

00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.620
 like this

00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:08.900
 show,

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.339
 often the

00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:10.920
 bosses become

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.740
 better and

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.180
 they get to

00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.620
 help their

00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:12.960
 people.

00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.319
 Christmas

00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.019
 reminds us

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.480
 that Jesus

00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.140
 is not a

00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.000
 distant leader

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.720
 who is ruling

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.440
 in some

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.819
 CEO of some

00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.779
 high tower

00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.519
 off in some

00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.299
 business park.

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.880
 Jesus is not

00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.519
 a ruler who

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:26.980
 is ruling

00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.700
 from far

00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.740
 away who

00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.500
 does not

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.140
 know what

00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:30.660
 it's like.

00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:32.360
 He knows

00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.340
 our issues

00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:34.019
 intimately.

00:22:36.060 --> 00:22:36.519
 Unlike

00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.060
 Trump,

00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.840
 Jesus has

00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.680
 fulfilled the

00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.279
 promise to

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.779
 make the

00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.880
 world great

00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.640
 again,

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.580
 to make it

00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.440
 right again.

00:22:44.300 --> 00:22:44.779
 Not by

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.600
 making himself

00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.360
 look great,

00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.740
 but by his

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.380
 death and

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.920
 resurrection.

00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:49.779
 He has

00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.380
 ascended to

00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:50.900
 the throne

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.820
 above all

00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:52.259
 thrones.

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:52.960
 He has

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.380
 brought us

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.440
 back into

00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:54.960
 relationship

00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:55.519
 with God.

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.440
 Jesus is

00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.320
 the only one

00:22:58.320 --> 00:22:58.820
 that can be

00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.400
 trusted to

00:22:59.400 --> 00:22:59.680
 rule.

00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.660
 He's not

00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:00.980
 able to

00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.480
 be bought,

00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.380
 bribed,

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.080
 or beaten.

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.140
 He has

00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.880
 triumphed and

00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.259
 in his

00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.019
 victory he

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:08.140
 leads us

00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:08.560
 and he

00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:09.400
 feeds us.

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.480
 And he

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.360
 is now in

00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.080
 control of

00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:12.560
 the world.

00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:15.060
 So how do

00:23:15.060 --> 00:23:15.960
 we respond

00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:17.120
 to those

00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:17.680
 in leadership?

00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.000
 Much like

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.660
 Micah, we

00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.680
 can call

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.039
 them to

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.620
 account for

00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.160
 their behavior

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.140
 and call

00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.560
 them to

00:23:24.560 --> 00:23:25.080
 model their

00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:26.160
 leadership on

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.539
 something

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:26.940
 greater.

00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.519
 for Micah

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:30.019
 himself, he

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:32.820
 called the

00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.420
 leaders to

00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.019
 repent and

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.380
 to turn

00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:34.779
 back.

00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.039
 And for

00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.860
 Hezekiah, the

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.539
 king of

00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:39.140
 Judah, Hezekiah

00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.680
 did repent.

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.500
 He did

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:44.519
 not go with

00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.120
 those armies

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.460
 that he

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:47.019
 initially decided

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.559
 to go with.

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.799
 He trusted in

00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.200
 God.

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.440
 And Judah

00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.220
 was saved.

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.120
 Assyria did

00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:53.880
 not get through

00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.740
 the gates into

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.359
 Jerusalem.

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.180
 But it was

00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.880
 only temporary.

00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.599
 Other leaders

00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.599
 would come and

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.220
 they failed.

00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.819
 But we

00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.880
 can be

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.640
 calling our

00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.200
 leaders to

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.620
 account.

00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.900
 We should be

00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.660
 following Paul's

00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.480
 advice to his

00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.400
 protege, Timothy.

00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.539
 In 1 Timothy

00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:13.200
 chapter 2, he

00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.359
 calls Timothy

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.819
 to do this

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.200
 very thing.

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.660
 He says,

00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.940
 I urge then,

00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.799
 first of all,

00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:19.819
 that petitions,

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.539
 prayers,

00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.319
 intercession,

00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.180
 and thanksgiving

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.140
 be made for

00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.740
 all people.

00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.900
 for kings

00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.700
 and all

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.160
 those in

00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:26.579
 authority,

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.700
 that we

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.180
 may live

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:29.000
 peaceful and

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.759
 quiet lives

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.099
 in all

00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.519
 godliness

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.500
 and holiness.

00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:33.059
 So just

00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.559
 like Micah,

00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.160
 we should be

00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:34.779
 praying for

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.240
 those in

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.599
 leadership.

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.940
 Because leaders

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.779
 do have a

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.799
 great influence

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.900
 on us and

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.319
 on the

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:41.920
 direction of

00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.480
 our country.

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.519
 Be praying

00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.380
 for Australia.

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.000
 Be praying

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.799
 for what is

00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.480
 happening more

00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.460
 broadly in the

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.720
 world and for

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.500
 our leaders here

00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.059
 at church.

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.160
 For me,

00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.779
 I find it

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.900
 very easy

00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:56.120
 to ignore

00:24:56.120 --> 00:24:56.759
 what is

00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.220
 happening in

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.800
 politics in

00:24:57.800 --> 00:24:58.140
 Australia.

00:24:59.060 --> 00:24:59.720
 I'm not sure

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.500
 if you enjoy

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.200
 Australian

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:01.680
 politics,

00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.519
 but I find

00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.080
 it easy to

00:25:04.080 --> 00:25:04.580
 just ignore

00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:04.840
 it.

00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.100
 But let me

00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.660
 encourage you

00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.140
 not to do

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.400
 that.

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:08.840
 Let me

00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:09.400
 encourage you

00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.400
 to contact

00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.960
 your local

00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.320
 member,

00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.019
 to contact

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.540
 your ministers

00:25:12.540 --> 00:25:13.160
 of parliament,

00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:14.320
 to implore

00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:15.000
 them to see

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.900
 justice done,

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.900
 and to get

00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.800
 rid of

00:25:17.800 --> 00:25:18.320
 corruption.

00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:21.799
 Scott Morrison,

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:22.899
 our Prime

00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.099
 Minister,

00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:23.599
 came out

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.039
 this week

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.579
 and said

00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:25.859
 that he

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.119
 wanted

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.960
 Australia to

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.659
 be leaders

00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:29.000
 in technology

00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.980
 and security.

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.700
 And I think

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.099
 that's great.

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.819
 I think that's

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.099
 a wonderful

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.399
 thing.

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.539
 I think it's

00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.019
 a good thing

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.519
 to want to be

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.099
 leaders in

00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.480
 the world

00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:38.559
 like that.

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.279
 But I would

00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.339
 love if Scott

00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.099
 Morrison came

00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.599
 out and said,

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.579
 we want to be

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:44.220
 leaders in the

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.759
 world of

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.379
 compassion.

00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:47.420
 we want to

00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:47.920
 figure out

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.420
 how to

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.380
 care for

00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.080
 our refugees

00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:51.580
 in a loving

00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.100
 and generous

00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:52.540
 way.

00:25:54.300 --> 00:25:54.900
 Wouldn't it

00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.480
 be great

00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.460
 if our

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.220
 leaders were

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.940
 doing that?

00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.180
 Let me

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.580
 encourage you

00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:58.780
 to be

00:25:58.780 --> 00:25:59.340
 praying for

00:25:59.340 --> 00:25:59.620
 them.

00:26:00.300 --> 00:26:00.660
 Contact

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.080
 them and

00:26:01.080 --> 00:26:01.380
 tell them

00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:01.640
 that you're

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.060
 praying for

00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.180
 them.

00:26:02.760 --> 00:26:03.400
 Scott Morrison

00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:03.740
 is a

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.220
 Christian and

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.640
 I believe

00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:04.980
 he would

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.960
 be very

00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.740
 encouraged to

00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.100
 find out

00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:07.340
 that you

00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:07.700
 were praying

00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.060
 for him.

00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.800
 Looking more

00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:10.480
 broadly across

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.080
 the world,

00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.000
 we see the

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.640
 situation in

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.060
 Hong Kong.

00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.600
 It is a

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:14.880
 terrible

00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.580
 situation at

00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:15.920
 the moment.

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:16.880
 I'm not

00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.180
 sure if

00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.340
 you're

00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:17.900
 across it

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.000
 but there

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.920
 are large

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.880
 protests going

00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.580
 on and it

00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.580
 seems to be

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.200
 at a

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.680
 deadlock.

00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.520
 Regardless of

00:26:25.520 --> 00:26:26.020
 whether you

00:26:26.020 --> 00:26:26.520
 are for

00:26:26.520 --> 00:26:27.000
 those who

00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.640
 are protesting

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.880
 or whether

00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.800
 you are

00:26:29.800 --> 00:26:30.560
 against those

00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:30.780
 who are

00:26:30.780 --> 00:26:31.280
 protesting,

00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.720
 this is a

00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.840
 painful situation

00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:34.440
 that is not

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.040
 going to be

00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.620
 fixed very

00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.000
 easily.

00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.300
 Every day

00:26:38.300 --> 00:26:39.160
 it goes on,

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.780
 it seems to

00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:40.680
 be deteriorating

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.100
 further.

00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:42.920
 I don't know

00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:43.580
 what the leaders

00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:44.480
 of either side

00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:44.860
 are like,

00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:45.640
 I don't

00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.180
 know whether

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.740
 they're corrupt,

00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.820
 I have no

00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.340
 knowledge of

00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:50.920
 it, but I

00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.340
 also don't

00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:51.760
 have any

00:26:51.760 --> 00:26:52.320
 idea how

00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:52.680
 it can be

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.480
 reconciled.

00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:56.000
 As Paul

00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.760
 reminds us

00:26:56.760 --> 00:26:57.040
 in his

00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:57.360
 letter to

00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:57.640
 Timothy,

00:26:58.020 --> 00:26:58.360
 we should

00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:58.900
 be praying

00:26:58.900 --> 00:26:59.500
 that God

00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.700
 would intercede

00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.600
 on behalf

00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:01.980
 of these

00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.280
 leaders.

00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.340
 So pray

00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:04.920
 for the

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.500
 government in

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.960
 Hong Kong

00:27:05.960 --> 00:27:06.400
 and in

00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:06.640
 China.

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.420
 Pray for

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:07.880
 those who

00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.260
 are leading

00:27:08.260 --> 00:27:09.000
 the protests.

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:14.220
 even what's

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.660
 happening in

00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.279
 Europe at

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.720
 the moment,

00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.759
 I'm not

00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.000
 sure if

00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.460
 you're across

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.140
 the Brexit

00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:19.460
 deal,

00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.160
 it seems

00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.740
 there is

00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.420
 just instability

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.359
 in large

00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.200
 parts of our

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.759
 world at the

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.019
 moment.

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.440
 Be praying

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.980
 for them.

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.759
 For us

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.319
 locally here

00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:29.839
 as a church,

00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.539
 Steve, our

00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.019
 senior minister,

00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.440
 is on a

00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.059
 sabbatical at

00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.420
 the moment.

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.039
 He has

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.539
 taken some

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.160
 time out

00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:34.420
 of his

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:35.160
 normal work

00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.460
 to work

00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:36.800
 on his

00:27:36.800 --> 00:27:37.360
 spiritual,

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.019
 mental,

00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:38.920
 and physical

00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.360
 health.

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.660
 And for us

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.340
 as a church,

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.000
 it is so

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.640
 important that

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.519
 he is a

00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:43.980
 leader who

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.820
 is spiritually

00:27:44.820 --> 00:27:46.300
 well, so

00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:47.100
 that he does

00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.880
 not become

00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:49.160
 like the

00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.700
 leaders in

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.380
 Micah's time,

00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:51.640
 so that he

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.340
 is not trusting

00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:52.840
 in his

00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.360
 strength but

00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:53.820
 in God's

00:27:53.820 --> 00:27:54.140
 strength.

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.320
 When situations

00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:57.120
 are desperate,

00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.860
 when political

00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.680
 leaders fail,

00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.640
 it is a

00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:02.220
 painful reminder

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.240
 of why Jesus

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.000
 is so

00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.620
 necessary.

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.720
 He is the

00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.100
 leader who

00:28:07.100 --> 00:28:08.120
 is incorruptible,

00:28:08.300 --> 00:28:09.019
 who can't

00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.779
 be bribed,

00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:10.540
 bought,

00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.100
 or beaten.

00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:12.500
 And he

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.259
 is powerful.

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:15.080
 So we

00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.600
 shouldn't put

00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.480
 an unnecessary

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.279
 amount of

00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.080
 trust in the

00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:18.660
 leaders of

00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.240
 this world.

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.460
 They will

00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.100
 come and

00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:21.600
 go, they

00:28:21.600 --> 00:28:22.660
 will do

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:23.180
 good things

00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.640
 and bad,

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.140
 our political

00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.700
 leaders will

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.220
 put in new

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.820
 taxes and

00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:26.060
 they will

00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:26.820
 cut taxes,

00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:28.060
 but Jesus

00:28:28.060 --> 00:28:29.080
 is the only

00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.720
 one who

00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.340
 has climbed

00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.519
 to the top

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.140
 of the

00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.519
 leadership

00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:34.019
 ladder by

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.700
 obeying

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.220
 God

00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.960
 perfectly

00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:37.059
 and dying

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.700
 for us.

00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:39.360
 He paid

00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.039
 the cost

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.779
 of our

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.519
 sin and

00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:42.140
 our shame

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.680
 and he

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.400
 now sits

00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.680
 above every

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.980
 throne and

00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:46.319
 he will

00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:47.000
 return in

00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.299
 glory.

00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.559
 Christmas

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.460
 reminds us

00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.340
 of the kind

00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:51.920
 of leader

00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:53.039
 that Israel

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.759
 is desperate

00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.180
 for.

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.519
 It reminds

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.100
 us of the

00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.039
 leader that

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.120
 we are still

00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:58.940
 yearning for.

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.700
 No one is

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.680
 able to care

00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.380
 and to

00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:03.000
 lead and

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.519
 to guide

00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:03.920
 us like

00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.200
 Jesus

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.580
 is.

00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.299
 So when

00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.700
 we put

00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.180
 our trust

00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.500
 in him,

00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:07.840
 we will

00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.220
 not be

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.640
 let down.

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.279
 Let me

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.620
 pray for

00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:09.840
 us.

00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:11.240
 We will

00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:41.220
 Thank you.