WEBVTT

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 I ask for God's blessing on our time.

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 Would you pray with me?

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 Father, thank you that you draw near to us in your word

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 to reveal to us, Jesus.

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 We pray by your spirit's presence

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 that for each of us,

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 there would be a fresh insight.

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 There would be a particular encounter.

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 Lord, there would be a moment

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 where we are more aware of your grace and mercy

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 given to us in Christ

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 than anything you are calling us to do.

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 Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of this gathering,

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 for what you're doing in and amongst

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 the people of Trinity Cambridge,

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 for your glory and the good of this community.

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 Join us now for Jesus' glory.

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 We pray this in his name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, that was a gracious introduction by Sean.

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 And thank you, brother, for those kind words.

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 I do wish that my wife, Linda, could be here.

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 She is with our church in Franklin, Massachusetts,

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 a sister church of yours.

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 And you'll hear about her later in the message.

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 But she sends her regards to you,

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 and as does our congregation.

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 I actually discovered that two of our members are here

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 celebrating their anniversary.

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 So I hope you'll get to know them, Tina and Mike Chang,

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 who can you just wave at the...

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 That's great.

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 I feel bad that they have to sit and listen to me,

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 having heard this message,

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 and would be eager for them to come again

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 so they can be ministered to by your lead pastor.

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 But happy anniversary to the Changs.

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 Real quick, when Sean comes to our church,

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 we always ask for a Trinity update.

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 So I'm assuming he would want me to give you,

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 in two minutes, a Crossway Church update.

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 We're celebrating our 16th year,

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 the beginning of our sixth in Franklin.

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 We started in a small community called Mansfield.

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 We were planted through Sovereign Grace Churches

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 back in 2001.

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 This past summer's been quite full for us as a congregation.

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 We attempted to do three things

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 in the course of about six weeks.

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 The first of which you may have heard of

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 was the celebration event in Lancaster, PA.

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 We had several families and singles participate in that,

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 which was a conference principally sponsored

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 by Sovereign Grace Churches in the Northeast,

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 but there were others who joined us.

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 That was immediately followed by a week of serving

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 and loving a community in East Providence,

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 a subset of Providence.

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 There's a new church work there called Godspeed,

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 and we've been working with them,

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 and they've been partnering with us for years,

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 and they recently moved into that community.

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 And so it's a ministry among the urban poor,

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 and we're joining them because our desire

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 is in a couple of years to plant a church

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 into another suburb of Providence, Pawtucket,

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 and learn not only the rhythms of life there

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 and meet the people,

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 but partner with churches in our region

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 for the sake of the gospel.

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 So we did that for a week.

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 Tina and her daughters were part of that,

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 and I believe they were part of the celebration too.

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 And then last week we had youth camp

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 with friends in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

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 And I don't know if you've ever been to a youth camp.

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 At 54 years old, a youth camp means no sleep,

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 radical change to your diet,

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 high energy activities all day,

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 and then when you return home,

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 about three days of foggy brain.

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 So I'm somewhere in that three day of foggy brain.

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 But glad to be here with you.

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 Thankful that we are partnering in our mission together

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 and thankful that you are a part of this community

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 as we are a part of our community

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 seeking to love our neighbors

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 and through our love point them to Christ our Savior.

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 It's a privilege to be here.

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 Our church, I believe,

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 our youth group was here with you earlier this year.

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 One of those was my daughter,

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 and so I'm glad now to see the Lusitania

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 with my own eyes with you in it.

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 How many of you, as we turn our attention to the text,

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 how many of you this summer

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 have been to either a show or a concert

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 or even seen a movie this summer?

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 Just shut by way of hands.

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 Great.

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 Then you can identify with this illustration

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 as we think about our passage this morning.

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 Where you sit when you attend Shakespeare on the Common

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 in downtown Boston

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 or watch Dunkirk, the movie,

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 if you take it in a theater,

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 or in my case, the U2 concert at Gillette,

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 where you sit shapes your experience

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 and perspective of what you see, doesn't it?

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 So where I sat at U2 was the only place

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 I could afford to sit,

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 which was the standing room-only free space,

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 which if you've been to Gillette Stadium,

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 you know that as you come from the upper level

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 to the lower level,

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 below the restaurant CBS scene,

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 there are some stairs there,

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 and there's a courtyard,

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 and they allow you for every concert,

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 whether it was Coldplay on Friday night

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 or U2 back in June,

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 to stand there,

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 and then when the concert begins

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 and they clear away the security,

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 they actually allow you to move all the way up

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 to where the fake lighthouse is

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 and the bridge,

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 and you can have a clear sight view

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 of the band performing.

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 What I didn't realize is,

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 though it was a great concert

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 because it was free,

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 is that I had friends,

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 actually church-planning friends,

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 who were in the cheap seats,

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 the nosebleed seats.

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 They were inside but up high,

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 and I could tell

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 because as I was tweeting out

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 during the concert,

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 excerpts from,

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 they were seeing my tweets

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 and texting me back,

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 where are you sitting?

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 I'm in the cheap, free spot.

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 Oh, we're up high.

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 And they had the panoramic view,

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 you know,

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 where everyone does their thing

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 with their cameras and their lights

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 and so there.

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 And then before the concert was over,

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 I realized that we had acquaintances

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 that were about 30 feet

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 from the front of the stage

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 in the general admission,

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 and so they let me know

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 at the end of the show

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 that they actually were in there.

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 They didn't want to see me

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 since they had paid so much

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 for their seats,

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 but they were,

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 and you know what I realized

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 in that moment?

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 I realized in that moment

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 that where you are

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 during a concert

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 or an event

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 shapes your perspective.

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 The book of Genesis

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 is a lot like that,

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 isn't it?

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 We are given

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 in the book of Genesis

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 chapters that cover

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 years,

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 maybe even decades

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 in the life of a character,

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 and so we get more

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 of the nosebleed

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 or the panoramic view

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 of the story

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 for God's purposes,

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 but this morning

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 we're in the general admission.

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 We're 30 feet

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 from the stage

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 because the narrative

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 slows down,

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 and God by his spirit

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 through this inspired word

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 brings us up close

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 into literally

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 a few hours

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 of Jacob's life,

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 pivotal hours,

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 so that we don't miss

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 the details

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 of this particular moment.

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 Why that's encouraging to me

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 as not only are you learning

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 how to read the scriptures,

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 it'll still encourage to me

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 how God relates to us.

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 In Christ,

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 God has brought you

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 and I

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 in close to him

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 so we don't miss

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 a single detail

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 of what he's like,

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 but if you're like me,

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 oftentimes in our relationship

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 with God,

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 we feel

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 as if God is far away,

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 and we're up

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 in the cheap seats

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 looking down,

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 and we know God's at work,

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 we don't quite understand

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 what he's doing

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 in the details

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 of our life,

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 or we can even feel

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 that we're outside

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 looking in,

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 but the good news is

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 that this passage

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 reminds us

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 is wherever we feel

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 we're sitting,

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 God draws near to us.

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 He continues to search

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 and seek

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 and find us

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 because of his great love,

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 which invites us

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 as we consider

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 the life of Jacob

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 this morning

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 to entrust ourselves

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 to God again

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 because of his

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 gracious promises

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 which are unfailing,

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 and that's the main point

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 this morning.

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 Wherever you find yourself

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 this morning,

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 wherever you are

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 in your understanding

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 of the scriptures,

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 your exploration

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 of Christianity,

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 your understanding

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 of the gospel,

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 perhaps you're new

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 to this church

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 or new to the faith,

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 the good news

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 of Genesis 32 and 33

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 is we can entrust

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 ourselves to God

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 because his gracious

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 promises to us

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 are filling,

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 but that's also true

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 for us who have been

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 walking with him

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 for a long time.

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 We need to be reminded,

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 we need to be renewed

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 in our hope

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 that we can

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 entrust ourselves

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 to God

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 because of his

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 gracious

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 and unfailing

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 promises to us.

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 This is a great

00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:49.919
 Old Testament chapter.

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 It's great

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 because not only

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 does the narrator

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 slow down

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 in order to help us

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 focus on Jacob's

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 remarkable transformation

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 as he returns

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 to Canaan,

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 confronts his fears,

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 and wrestles with God

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 in preparation

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 for his unexpected

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 and surprising

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 reconciliation

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 to his brother Esau,

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 but it's a great chapter

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 because of what it

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 reminds us

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 of Christ

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 and his purposes

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 and plans

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 for our lives.

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 I'm breaking down,

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 I'm going to limit

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 my comments

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 to chapter 32

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 and the structure

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 of the passage.

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 We're going to look

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 at three sections

00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:25.460
 this morning.

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 The first section,

00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:27.680
 the opening section,

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 verses 1 and 2,

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 Jacob's mounting fears

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 and reassurance

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 of faith.

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 And then the second section,

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 which we'll get to

00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:37.000
 in a moment,

00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:38.300
 beginning in verse 22,

00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.879
 Jacob's mortal

00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.840
 combat with the

00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:43.000
 mysterious figure

00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.659
 and then his memorable

00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:47.139
 reconciliation

00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:49.919
 with Esau at the end.

00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:51.139
 Let's look at the first section,

00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.299
 verses 1 and 2,

00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:55.639
 Jacob's mounting fears

00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:57.919
 and reassurance

00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:00.080
 of faith.

00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:05.120
 Let's look again

00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.779
 at what is recorded here.

00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.019
 Jacob went on his way.

00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:09.139
 The angels of God

00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:09.860
 met him

00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:11.340
 and when Jacob saw them,

00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:12.059
 he said,

00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.360
 this is God's camp.

00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.659
 So he called

00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:16.860
 the name

00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:18.379
 of the place

00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.179
 Mahanam.

00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:23.220
 The chapter opens

00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:25.159
 with the sudden visitation

00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.299
 of many angels.

00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:29.019
 These mighty

00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:31.600
 messengers of God,

00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:33.819
 Jacob exclaims,

00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:35.179
 are camping

00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:37.419
 near his camp.

00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:39.419
 So did you notice

00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:40.899
 that as Jacob

00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:42.779
 departed the land

00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.599
 with a vision

00:11:44.599 --> 00:11:45.319
 of angels,

00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:47.519
 he now reenters

00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.439
 the land

00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:50.000
 accompanied by

00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.419
 a host of angels.

00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:52.479
 In the story

00:11:52.479 --> 00:11:53.099
 of Jacob,

00:11:53.219 --> 00:11:54.759
 when he left

00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.620
 as a fugitive,

00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.319
 having stolen

00:11:58.319 --> 00:12:00.179
 his brother's birthright,

00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:02.019
 he left Canaan

00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:03.259
 with a vision

00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:04.399
 or dream of angels.

00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.720
 Now he reenters

00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.299
 the land

00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:07.360
 and he is

00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.699
 accompanied by

00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:10.120
 a host of angels.

00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.240
 And it begs the question,

00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.319
 I'm sure you asked

00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:14.019
 this question,

00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:15.000
 why?

00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.039
 Why do these

00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:17.759
 angels,

00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:18.480
 these mighty

00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.379
 messengers of God,

00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.819
 suddenly reappear

00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:22.439
 to the patriarch?

00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:25.400
 And I think,

00:12:25.880 --> 00:12:26.820
 I submit for your

00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:27.560
 consideration,

00:12:28.160 --> 00:12:28.880
 the abrupt

00:12:28.880 --> 00:12:29.660
 appearance

00:12:29.660 --> 00:12:30.700
 of not just

00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:31.420
 the angels,

00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:31.980
 but what does

00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.740
 Jacob call it?

00:12:32.780 --> 00:12:33.780
 Look down at your camp.

00:12:34.140 --> 00:12:34.940
 Look down at your text.

00:12:35.400 --> 00:12:36.200
 The camp

00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.180
 of God.

00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.120
 The abrupt

00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.840
 appearance

00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:41.700
 of these mighty

00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:42.260
 messengers,

00:12:42.420 --> 00:12:43.420
 the camp of God,

00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:43.980
 is because

00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.820
 God wants

00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.800
 to reassure

00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:47.060
 Jacob

00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:49.400
 of his presence.

00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:51.340
 When our fears

00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:53.220
 are mounting,

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.840
 God wants

00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:56.939
 to reassure

00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.360
 us

00:12:58.360 --> 00:12:59.620
 of his

00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:01.439
 presence

00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.000
 too.

00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:04.120
 Turn back

00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.699
 to Genesis 28.

00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.120
 Just look briefly

00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.139
 at verse 12

00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:09.840
 with me.

00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:11.059
 Jacob

00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:11.840
 has a dream.

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:15.280
 the twisted

00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:15.720
 one,

00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:16.759
 the manipulator,

00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:17.560
 the one who

00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:18.780
 steals

00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:19.639
 from his

00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.480
 brother

00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.420
 and lies

00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:21.940
 to his

00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:22.360
 father

00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:22.759
 to get

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.660
 what he wants,

00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.080
 now is a fugitive

00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:26.080
 fleeing his

00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.000
 brother Esau's

00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.960
 murderous plans

00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.019
 and he has a

00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:29.300
 dream.

00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:29.700
 And what does

00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.540
 he see in the

00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:30.920
 dream?

00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:31.639
 He sees

00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.500
 angels

00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.440
 ascending

00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.680
 and descending

00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:36.100
 on the ladder

00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.920
 into heaven,

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.480
 God's throne

00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:38.860
 room.

00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.340
 Now,

00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.340
 in this

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:41.740
 chapter,

00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.620
 chapter 32,

00:13:42.780 --> 00:13:43.240
 God gives

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:43.980
 him a second

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.540
 vision of

00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:44.960
 angels.

00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.180
 But this

00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:46.740
 is on his

00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.519
 return

00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.840
 into the

00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.740
 promised land.

00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:50.420
 Why is

00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:50.820
 God

00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.840
 doing

00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.720
 this?

00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.240
 What does

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.460
 it trigger

00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:55.259
 perhaps in

00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:55.920
 Jacob's

00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:56.899
 memory

00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.780
 as God

00:13:57.780 --> 00:13:58.080
 do this?

00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:58.660
 Besides his

00:13:58.660 --> 00:13:59.960
 awe of the

00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.660
 presence of

00:14:00.660 --> 00:14:01.460
 these mighty

00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:02.280
 angels,

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.320
 God is

00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:03.780
 reminding

00:14:03.780 --> 00:14:04.320
 Jacob

00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:06.240
 that he

00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:08.280
 is not

00:14:08.280 --> 00:14:09.460
 alone.

00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.840
 God

00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:10.960
 is not

00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:10.980
 this is

00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.120
 the

00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.160
 reminder

00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:12.720
 through

00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:12.980
 his

00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.780
 presence

00:14:13.780 --> 00:14:14.600
 of the

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.240
 promises

00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.759
 God

00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.120
 made

00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.379
 to

00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:16.920
 Jacob

00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:17.879
 when

00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.500
 he

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.519
 left.

00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.480
 the

00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.079
 Lord

00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:22.279
 Why should

00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:22.460
 that

00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:22.579
 be

00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:22.980
 important

00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:23.299
 to you?

00:14:23.439 --> 00:14:23.740
 Why is

00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:23.939
 that

00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:24.439
 important

00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:24.840
 to

00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:25.439
 Israel

00:14:25.439 --> 00:14:25.779
 too

00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:25.980
 who

00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.519
 originally

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.819
 received

00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:27.980
 the

00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.240
 story?

00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:28.720
 Why should

00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:29.039
 that be

00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:29.399
 important

00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:29.980
 to us

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:30.519
 at Trinity

00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.100
 Cambridge?

00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:35.879
 is because God never forgets his promises to us,

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.820
 even when we do.

00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:42.279
 He never forgets his promises.

00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:46.480
 But he often has to remind us of his promises

00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:49.860
 because we often forget his promises,

00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:53.659
 even those promises found his word.

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.519
 Now, think about it.

00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:58.420
 If your friend made you a promise

00:14:58.419 --> 00:15:02.019
 that was particularly meaningful and important to you,

00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:03.279
 would you forget it?

00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:05.379
 Probably not.

00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:08.319
 If you're married

00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:13.339
 and your spouse makes a promise to you

00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:15.079
 that's important to you,

00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.059
 do we forget it?

00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.459
 Never.

00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:22.919
 If your employer makes a promise to you

00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:24.339
 at the end of this year,

00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:26.519
 I promise you,

00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:29.320
 do we forget that?

00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.440
 Not on our lives,

00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:35.940
 but I often forget

00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:39.160
 the very promises God has made to me

00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:42.180
 and keeps in Christ.

00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:46.780
 This chapter reminds me

00:15:46.780 --> 00:15:49.500
 that even when I forget God's promises,

00:15:49.900 --> 00:15:52.300
 he remains faithful to keep them

00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:57.059
 and he will often remind me of them,

00:15:58.099 --> 00:16:01.219
 often in the context of God's gathered community,

00:16:01.839 --> 00:16:06.099
 but every day that I look to him

00:16:06.099 --> 00:16:10.819
 for reassurance of his grace.

00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.279
 No more do we need this

00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:15.659
 than when fears are mounting

00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:18.699
 and decisions are looming

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:21.259
 and conflicts are impending

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.720
 as was all facing Jacob.

00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:26.900
 What is the purpose of this vision for Jacob?

00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.620
 The purpose of this section

00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.400
 is to help Jacob

00:16:30.400 --> 00:16:32.680
 think about God's word to him in the past,

00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:35.520
 remember his word of promise in the presence,

00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:38.020
 and reassure him of his presence

00:16:38.020 --> 00:16:41.320
 so that he can be confident

00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:46.700
 that as he pursues reconciliation with Esau,

00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:51.640
 God is helping him too.

00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.600
 Friend, here's a question

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.920
 for purposeful reflection application.

00:16:56.680 --> 00:17:00.340
 What promise might God be helping you

00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.860
 to remember this week

00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:05.140
 as you obey him in the daily moments of life?

00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.960
 If you're not sure,

00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:09.600
 may I urge you to consider

00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:12.160
 your order of service,

00:17:12.800 --> 00:17:17.060
 which contains many promises

00:17:17.060 --> 00:17:18.280
 from God's word

00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:19.360
 of his forgiveness,

00:17:20.020 --> 00:17:21.520
 of his presence,

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.040
 of his provision,

00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:25.840
 and ultimately of his blessing

00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:28.000
 given to us in Christ.

00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:30.340
 God never forgets his promises.

00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:33.740
 Indeed, he often providentially reminds us of them

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.039
 so that we might not forget.

00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.039
 That's part one.

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:40.460
 Part two, as we transition.

00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:42.539
 Encouraged by the vision of the angels,

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:47.059
 Jacob now decides to do a hard thing first

00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:50.220
 to a matter that has been increasingly heavy

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:52.599
 on his heart for 20 years.

00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:57.079
 He decides to come back to Canaan

00:17:57.079 --> 00:18:00.400
 to pursue reconciliation with his brother

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:04.100
 after his terrible mistreatment of him

00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:06.800
 and their broken relationship.

00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:11.259
 Look again at verse 3.

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.220
 Chapter 32.

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:19.360
 And Jacob sent messengers before him

00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:21.860
 to Esau, his brother,

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.440
 in the land of Seir,

00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.420
 the country of Edom,

00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.460
 instructing them,

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:28.680
 Thus you shall say to my lord Esau,

00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.400
 Thus says your servant Jacob,

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.880
 I have sojourned with Laban

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.440
 and stayed until now.

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:38.019
 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks,

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.840
 male servants and female servants.

00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:43.600
 I have sent to tell my lord

00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:47.759
 in order that I may find favor

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:50.039
 in your sight.

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:54.819
 It's interesting as we look at this next section

00:18:54.819 --> 00:19:00.519
 that Esau does not block

00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:03.460
 Jacob's return trip into Canaan.

00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:06.539
 He had settled far to the south

00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:08.259
 at Mount Seir in Edom,

00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:12.319
 but apparently it was a spiritual necessity

00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:14.779
 for Jacob for making things right

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.599
 with his brother

00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:17.719
 that drove Jacob

00:19:17.719 --> 00:19:20.240
 to journey south first

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:22.139
 to where Esau was

00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:24.679
 for Canaan lies to the west.

00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:26.240
 In support of this,

00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:26.939
 Derek Kidner,

00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:29.679
 a wonderful Old Testament commentator,

00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:31.399
 observes that the sequence

00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:33.219
 of chapters 32 and 33,

00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:35.399
 which culminates in chapter 35,

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:37.719
 powerfully acts out the principles

00:19:37.719 --> 00:19:39.859
 of spiritual reconciliation

00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:44.259
 outlined in the New Testament.

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.799
 But did you notice

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.660
 Jacob's faith in God

00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.559
 is tested

00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:51.559
 as he begins his journey home?

00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.640
 Not by wild animals

00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:55.000
 that crouch at the border,

00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:57.160
 nor by raiding nomadic tribes

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.460
 that threaten to kill him

00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:01.140
 as an unwelcome visitor.

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:04.000
 Jacob's faith is tested

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.359
 by those noisemakers

00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:07.319
 that reside within our hearts too.

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.099
 Fear.

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.339
 The voice of fear.

00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:13.759
 And the reason it's often

00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:15.419
 a test of our faith

00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:16.799
 is because the voice of fear

00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.720
 is our own.

00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:20.159
 It's our own voice.

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:26.139
 The thing about fear in my life,

00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:28.439
 it's not only that it's a familiar voice,

00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:31.939
 but fear, as people have often noted,

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:34.259
 never travels alone.

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.199
 It's a pack animal.

00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:40.180
 And it always gathers friends.

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:43.799
 Friends like good desires that I have

00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:45.140
 that now feel threatened

00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:47.240
 by this course of action

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:49.819
 or this indication by God

00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.740
 to do something,

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:53.480
 which then makes the fear

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:56.080
 a test of my faith

00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:58.319
 in God's faithfulness

00:20:58.319 --> 00:21:02.900
 and his call to my obedience.

00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:05.680
 But notice how Jacob responds.

00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:08.400
 Jacob responds to his fears

00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:12.620
 with a peaceful gesture to Esau.

00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:15.480
 He sends to his brother

00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:19.500
 donkeys and oxen and flocks

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:22.080
 and male servants and female servants,

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.860
 verse 5,

00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:26.100
 so that he would find favor

00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:28.340
 in his sight.

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.940
 He sends messengers with gifts

00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:32.160
 and he sends them

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.960
 with a message of peace.

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:36.640
 The message Jacob tells his messengers

00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.920
 to share with Esau

00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:40.700
 speak of how God has blessed him

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:42.120
 with so many things

00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:44.180
 while serving Laban and Paranarum.

00:21:44.820 --> 00:21:47.460
 Jacob is not trying to aggravate

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.720
 or tweak Esau here.

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.440
 He's basically saying to his brother,

00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:52.759
 I am a very wealthy man.

00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:54.380
 I don't need anything of yours.

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:56.340
 I don't want to take anything of yours.

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.820
 I'm not going to trick you

00:21:57.820 --> 00:21:59.900
 out of anything that is yours.

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:02.240
 You can have everything that's yours

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.440
 because I don't need it

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.480
 because God has prospered me.

00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:09.680
 Jacob, I seek nothing that belongs to you

00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:13.200
 except your face.

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.600
 Wow!

00:22:16.300 --> 00:22:20.660
 Has Jacob changed from 20 years before?

00:22:20.800 --> 00:22:23.660
 The twister, the manipulator,

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:26.560
 the liar, the cheater, the schemer.

00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:33.680
 The thief now returns to Jacob

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:36.680
 and wants to make peace.

00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:39.779
 Did you notice how he addresses his brother?

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:44.300
 He addresses his brother as Lord.

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.900
 Verse 5,

00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:50.000
 I have sent to tell my Lord.

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:53.660
 These words may indicate Jacob's repentance

00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:57.539
 for stealing his older brother's blessing.

00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:01.839
 And so now he wants to honor Esau,

00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:03.240
 his older brother,

00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:04.460
 not only with gifts,

00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:08.039
 but with deference and respect.

00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:11.339
 But verse 6 tells us

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:14.380
 that the report of the messengers

00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:16.440
 is disturbing.

00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:18.500
 When we came to your brother Esau,

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.500
 he's coming now to meet you

00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:23.059
 and there are 400 men with him.

00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:26.299
 That would not indicate

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:29.620
 that they had been able to convey successfully

00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:32.340
 Jacob's overture to Esau.

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.380
 So Jacob, verse 7,

00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:35.340
 is filled with great distress.

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:38.240
 It would distress me

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:41.480
 if I hadn't seen him for 20 years

00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.660
 only to hear the news

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.860
 that he's coming to me

00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:46.339
 with an army of 400 men.

00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.539
 Oh my.

00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:49.720
 Let's pause for a moment

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.620
 and consider this.

00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:52.740
 God is at work in Jacob's life.

00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.299
 And of course,

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.380
 that of Israel's

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.700
 who first received the story

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.019
 about the end of the promised land

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.299
 to strengthen their faith

00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:01.039
 and renew their obedience in him.

00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.500
 First,

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.880
 he does so by reminding us

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.620
 that God often strengthens our faith

00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:08.279
 not by removing all danger

00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.620
 and pressure from our lives,

00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:11.939
 but by sustaining us through it.

00:24:12.439 --> 00:24:13.579
 God strengthens our faith

00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:15.939
 not by removing our trials,

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:18.459
 but by upholding us through them.

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.639
 Now let me just make a pause.

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.579
 This is a...

00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.799
 We just spent a week

00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:26.179
 at youth camp in Daniel.

00:24:26.699 --> 00:24:27.500
 So I'm going to use this

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.299
 as an illustration.

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:32.219
 It is true

00:24:32.219 --> 00:24:34.919
 that God doesn't remove us

00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:36.479
 from all of our trials

00:24:36.479 --> 00:24:38.059
 and temptations,

00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:39.219
 but to strengthen our faith.

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.759
 But did you notice

00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.680
 when those of you

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.019
 that have read the book of Daniel

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:45.339
 that when we get to chapter 3

00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.559
 and the famous story

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.660
 of his three companions

00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.600
 who were thrown

00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:50.160
 into the fiery furnace

00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:51.620
 for not bowing to the idols,

00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.299
 what it says of Daniel

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.539
 right before that chapter?

00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:58.160
 Daniel's doing the king's work.

00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.259
 He's on an assignment

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:02.720
 and Daniel is spared

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.660
 the trial of the fiery furnace

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:06.140
 at the end of chapter 2.

00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:08.460
 And as I read that

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.800
 and then read of the...

00:25:09.800 --> 00:25:11.560
 really the remarkable courage

00:25:11.560 --> 00:25:12.480
 and faith of the three

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.060
 that were thrown

00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:14.120
 into the fiery furnace

00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:17.380
 and stood faithful to God,

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.480
 I had this thought.

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:22.560
 How many fiery afflictions

00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:24.420
 has God spared me

00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:27.100
 that I'm unaware of?

00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:32.039
 And how often do I just simply pause

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.639
 and say,

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.980
 Lord, thank you,

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:36.899
 notwithstanding the fiery trial I'm in

00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:39.079
 for the many ways

00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:41.699
 you have spared me

00:25:41.699 --> 00:25:43.059
 or shown mercy to me

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.799
 or been uncommonly kind to me,

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.839
 which then brings perspective

00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:50.119
 and hope to the trial

00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:53.379
 and fears that I now face.

00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:55.340
 So when I say to you,

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:57.240
 God often strengthens our faith

00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.680
 not by removing us

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.940
 from all danger and pressure.

00:26:00.020 --> 00:26:01.120
 I don't want to imply by that

00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.040
 that the Christian life

00:26:02.040 --> 00:26:05.160
 is just one trial of our faith.

00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:08.000
 There are many, many stops

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.700
 along the way

00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.860
 where we can simply pause

00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:10.300
 and say,

00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:11.880
 thank you, Lord,

00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:13.980
 for your faithfulness

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:17.240
 in providing and protecting

00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:20.280
 and delivering me.

00:26:20.280 --> 00:26:21.700
 But he does not remove us

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.880
 from all of our trials.

00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.140
 So it took Jacob

00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.860
 enormous courage

00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:27.759
 to return to his homeland

00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:31.019
 and continue to seek out Esau.

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:33.360
 And so here's a final application point.

00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.640
 Spiritual courage

00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:37.640
 from our faith

00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:39.660
 is not found merely by God

00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:41.640
 removing all danger from our lives,

00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.759
 but by faith facing our fears,

00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.880
 obeying God's word,

00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.860
 and through God's blessing

00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:49.160
 growing in our faith

00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:51.200
 and dependency in Christ.

00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.640
 Friend,

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:53.080
 where might God

00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:55.319
 be testing your faith today?

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:58.360
 Where might God be testing

00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.779
 the corporate faith

00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.539
 of Trinity Cambridge Church?

00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:03.200
 Where might God be testing

00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:05.039
 and proving the faith

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.440
 of Crossway Church

00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:08.880
 or even the broader body of Christ

00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.740
 in this city or this region?

00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.840
 It's not by removing every danger

00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:14.299
 or difficulty from our life,

00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:16.340
 but by helping us face it

00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:18.519
 in order to deepen our faith

00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.960
 and our courage

00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:21.539
 through Christ this week.

00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:24.759
 How might God be encouraging you

00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.379
 to respond?

00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.379
 God strengthens our faith,

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.680
 not by removing all danger

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.200
 and pressure,

00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:32.180
 but by sustaining us through it.

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.460
 Which begs the question,

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:36.940
 how does God sustain Jacob through it?

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:38.079
 How did God do it?

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:39.680
 And what would God have to teach Israel

00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.220
 through it?

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.940
 And what did God,

00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.640
 by implication,

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.600
 teach us?

00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:44.740
 Verse 9,

00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:48.059
 Jacob's first recorded prayer

00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:50.140
 in all of Scripture.

00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.480
 One of the ways

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:54.779
 Jacob is sustained

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:57.019
 and finds the spiritual courage

00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:59.559
 necessary to face his brother Esau

00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:03.240
 is Jacob is learning how to pray.

00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.200
 Verse 9,

00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.980
 let's look at it again.

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.579
 O God of my father,

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.519
 Abraham,

00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.579
 and God of my father,

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.059
 Isaac.

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.660
 Notice he addresses God

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.680
 by his covenant name.

00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:14.360
 O Lord,

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:18.059
 L capital O capital R capital T,

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.299
 O Yahweh,

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.720
 who said to me,

00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:22.000
 return to your country

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.980
 and to your kindred

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.140
 that I may do you good.

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:26.120
 I am not worthy

00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:28.120
 of the least of all the deeds

00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.440
 of steadfast love

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.980
 and of faithfulness

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.319
 that you have shown

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.980
 to your servant,

00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.559
 for with only my staff

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.640
 I cross this Jordan.

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:37.060
 And now I have become two camps.

00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.759
 Please deliver me

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.920
 from the hand of my brother,

00:28:40.020 --> 00:28:41.200
 from the hand of Esau,

00:28:41.280 --> 00:28:42.100
 for I fear him,

00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:44.100
 that he may come and attack me,

00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.840
 the mothers with the children.

00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:47.759
 But you said,

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.980
 I will surely do you good

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.160
 and make your offspring

00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:52.660
 as the sand of the sea,

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:55.600
 which cannot be numbered

00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.680
 for the multitude.

00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:59.820
 What a prayer.

00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:01.640
 What a prayer.

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.200
 prayer.

00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:04.200
 Jacob provides Israel

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:06.500
 with a model prayer.

00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:08.320
 Jacob provides us

00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:10.280
 with a model prayer.

00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:11.160
 But here's what's interesting

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.480
 why this encourages me.

00:29:12.560 --> 00:29:13.540
 It's not a model prayer.

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:17.500
 This is Jacob's first recorded prayer

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:19.360
 in Scripture,

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:22.259
 meaning much of his life

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:24.440
 that has been walked out with God

00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:26.360
 has not enlisted

00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:30.099
 the grace reserved for prayer.

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:32.099
 But he is learning.

00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:34.579
 God in his mercy and grace

00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:36.299
 is teaching him.

00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:38.399
 Even at this late juncture

00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:39.959
 in this significant moment,

00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:42.259
 God is helping him

00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:44.219
 to express his need.

00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:45.500
 But notice,

00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:47.079
 not only does he express his need,

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:49.960
 he contemplates God's promises

00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.019
 while he prays.

00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.900
 Verse 12.

00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:54.600
 He bases his entire prayer

00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:56.799
 on the covenant promises

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.620
 God has already given to him.

00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.600
 You know, it's interesting.

00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.640
 Jacob's phrase here in verse 12

00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:05.259
 borrows both from what God said to him

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.259
 in Genesis 28,

00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:08.980
 but also from Genesis 22.

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:12.940
 And so conceivably,

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:15.140
 the language here of these prayers

00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:16.360
 is not just what God

00:30:16.360 --> 00:30:18.299
 has personally spoken to Jacob,

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.900
 which he has,

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:21.420
 but he is reciting the promises

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:24.720
 God gave to his ancestor Abraham.

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:28.180
 As if to say,

00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:33.299
 God's promises are unfailing.

00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.480
 And therefore,

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:38.120
 my faith,

00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:39.119
 listen,

00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:41.359
 is in God's word

00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:43.879
 and not my ability

00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:45.399
 to be faithful.

00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.619
 Let me say this again.

00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:49.419
 His model prayer

00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.239
 reminds me,

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.839
 reminds,

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:51.899
 is reminds us,

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.219
 is our faith

00:30:53.219 --> 00:30:55.119
 has a sure

00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.859
 and lasting hope.

00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.399
 It's in God's word

00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.459
 and God's promises

00:30:59.459 --> 00:31:02.339
 and not in our faithfulness.

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:07.259
 Why will Trinity Cambridge

00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:10.160
 prosper in the biblical sense

00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:10.859
 of that word?

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:14.480
 He will use our efforts.

00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:17.259
 He will be faithful

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.700
 to our sacrifices.

00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.299
 He will,

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.859
 he hears our prayers,

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.759
 but ultimately,

00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:23.099
 he will be faithful

00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:24.940
 to Trinity Cambridge Church

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.759
 in East Cambridge

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.579
 as he is faithful

00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:28.019
 to every Bible-believing,

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.259
 gospel-believing church

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.680
 in this city

00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.700
 and in this region

00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.559
 and in this nation.

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:34.839
 not because of our faithfulness.

00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:36.019
 He will be faithful

00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.399
 because he is faithful

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.419
 to his promises.

00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:40.940
 God's word

00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:43.299
 is a sure foundation.

00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:45.179
 And so Jacob

00:31:45.179 --> 00:31:46.819
 is pleading God's promises

00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.779
 as he prays.

00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:48.759
 Friend,

00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:51.399
 can you help me?

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:54.339
 And can we help one another

00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:56.940
 in the situations

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:58.759
 or difficulties we face?

00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:00.420
 not only to turn

00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:00.920
 to the Lord

00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.879
 in prayer this week,

00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.539
 but to remember,

00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:08.140
 remember specific promises

00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:10.559
 that help us

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:13.119
 put our trust in God's love

00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:14.819
 and faithfulness

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:16.500
 and promises to you.

00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.400
 Let me give you one

00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:19.180
 and we'll turn for home,

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.519
 Sean,

00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.480
 to close this out.

00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.799
 Psalm 9.

00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:23.099
 Turn with me to Psalm 9.

00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:27.579
 It's a simple verse

00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.480
 from Psalm 9.

00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.679
 And I need simple

00:32:31.679 --> 00:32:33.039
 at 54 to remember

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.459
 scripture.

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.679
 These people who memorize

00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:37.480
 the book of Hebrews

00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.240
 and recite them

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.859
 at conferences,

00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:40.139
 I have nothing in common

00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.559
 with them.

00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:42.279
 I can't remember

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:43.379
 my birthday

00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:44.740
 and my pin numbers anymore

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:46.480
 or how old I am.

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.980
 But I can remember this.

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.240
 Psalm 9,

00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:52.480
 verse 9 and 10.

00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.960
 The Lord is a stronghold

00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.920
 for the oppressed,

00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:58.140
 a stronghold

00:32:58.140 --> 00:33:01.700
 in times of trouble.

00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:04.339
 And those who know your name

00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.980
 put their trust in you.

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:08.120
 For you, O Lord,

00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:10.000
 have not forsaken

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:12.059
 those who seek you.

00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:13.380
 What a promise.

00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:16.480
 Those who know your name,

00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:18.220
 those who know Jesus,

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.720
 those who by grace and mercy

00:33:20.720 --> 00:33:22.500
 God in His kindness

00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:24.240
 has opened our eyes

00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.620
 to not only believe in Him

00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:27.440
 but receive from Him

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:29.000
 His precious promises

00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.860
 of forgiveness

00:33:29.860 --> 00:33:30.960
 and salvation

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.799
 and comfort

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:33.360
 and an abiding presence.

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.940
 Those who know your name

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.740
 not only put their trust in you,

00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:39.200
 but when we seek first

00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:40.539
 your kingdom

00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.940
 and its righteousness,

00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:42.799
 what's the promise?

00:33:43.600 --> 00:33:45.279
 He does not forsake us.

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:45.860
 Wow.

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.079
 Wow.

00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:50.379
 That simple promise

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:52.179
 becomes the fuel

00:33:52.179 --> 00:33:54.279
 for our intercession

00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:57.599
 when fears are mounting

00:33:57.599 --> 00:34:01.019
 and difficulties are real

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:03.719
 and the report of our messengers

00:34:03.719 --> 00:34:06.240
 is disturbing.

00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:10.820
 Friend, where might God

00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:12.500
 be desiring to strengthen

00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:14.539
 your faith this week

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.059
 in courage?

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.559
 Not by removing danger,

00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:19.500
 but by having you

00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:21.519
 simply remember

00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.760
 and recite

00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:24.639
 and reflect on

00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.940
 God's promises

00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:27.480
 in His Word

00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:29.679
 while you pray.

00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:32.039
 Plead the promise

00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.840
 while you pray

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.820
 because He is faithful.

00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:36.700
 Let's conclude

00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.720
 the passage

00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:40.220
 with His Mortal Kombat

00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:41.840
 22 to 32.

00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:46.680
 What a stunning

00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:48.460
 turn of events.

00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.800
 What a surprising

00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:51.760
 reversal

00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:55.460
 as God

00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:57.100
 deals first

00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:57.860
 with Jacob

00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:59.400
 before Jacob

00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:01.519
 has to deal

00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:04.220
 with Esau.

00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:08.720
 It would probably

00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:09.660
 be one of the

00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:10.660
 darkest nights

00:35:10.660 --> 00:35:11.680
 of Jacob's life

00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:12.640
 as he sat alone

00:35:12.640 --> 00:35:14.320
 reflecting on his past.

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:16.160
 He sent everyone

00:35:16.160 --> 00:35:16.880
 ahead of him

00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:18.180
 across the brook

00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:20.940
 and as he sits there,

00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:22.120
 have you ever had

00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:22.580
 one of those

00:35:22.580 --> 00:35:23.640
 sleepless nights

00:35:23.640 --> 00:35:24.720
 where your thoughts

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.580
 are racing

00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:26.600
 and you're considering

00:35:26.600 --> 00:35:27.440
 what tomorrow

00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.260
 might bring?

00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:30.560
 Jacob has an

00:35:30.560 --> 00:35:31.560
 unexpected,

00:35:33.160 --> 00:35:34.120
 unplanned

00:35:34.120 --> 00:35:35.800
 visit by this

00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:37.720
 mystery figure

00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:39.860
 and the effect

00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:40.960
 and my final point

00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.880
 is of this

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.820
 encounter

00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.920
 is that God

00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.700
 grows

00:35:44.700 --> 00:35:45.800
 Jacob's

00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:46.760
 faith

00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:48.760
 by transforming

00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.620
 his

00:35:49.620 --> 00:35:50.840
 weakness

00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.960
 into his

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.580
 greatest

00:35:52.580 --> 00:35:53.800
 strength.

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.420
 He

00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:56.240
 now

00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:56.979
 limps.

00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.539
 That becomes

00:35:58.539 --> 00:36:00.099
 his strength,

00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.739
 his asset,

00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:03.159
 his spiritual

00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:03.659
 gifting.

00:36:03.899 --> 00:36:04.659
 He now

00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:05.319
 will

00:36:05.319 --> 00:36:06.219
 limp.

00:36:07.659 --> 00:36:08.319
 It's a

00:36:08.319 --> 00:36:09.019
 crippling

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.179
 combat.

00:36:10.379 --> 00:36:10.819
 I don't know

00:36:10.819 --> 00:36:11.639
 what to compare

00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:11.979
 it to.

00:36:12.139 --> 00:36:13.359
 I don't do

00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:14.579
 boxing.

00:36:14.939 --> 00:36:15.679
 I never

00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.719
 wrestled.

00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:18.619
 I played

00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:19.139
 tennis.

00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:21.239
 I mean,

00:36:21.339 --> 00:36:21.960
 they're

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.519
 wrestling

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.379
 and sweating

00:36:23.379 --> 00:36:24.420
 and gouging

00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:25.420
 and pulling

00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:26.379
 and butting

00:36:26.379 --> 00:36:26.920
 heads

00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.900
 and I

00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.559
 think there's

00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.619
 bleeding going

00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.339
 on and

00:36:30.339 --> 00:36:31.279
 there's no

00:36:31.279 --> 00:36:32.159
 tap out

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:33.539
 and all

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.159
 Jacob could

00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:34.579
 do was

00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.299
 cling on

00:36:35.299 --> 00:36:35.799
 to this

00:36:35.799 --> 00:36:37.039
 angelic

00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.759
 mystery

00:36:37.759 --> 00:36:38.400
 figure

00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.199
 or lose

00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.759
 the battle

00:36:39.759 --> 00:36:42.119
 and he's

00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:43.199
 not even

00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:43.980
 sure who

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.299
 it is

00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:45.179
 he's wrestling

00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:45.799
 with.

00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.839
 It's dark.

00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:47.920
 It's not

00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.280
 like he can

00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:48.660
 whip out

00:36:48.660 --> 00:36:49.079
 his phone

00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:49.400
 and flip

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:49.700
 on his

00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:50.200
 flashlight

00:36:50.200 --> 00:36:50.640
 and put

00:36:50.640 --> 00:36:50.880
 it in

00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.360
 the things

00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:51.579
 fit.

00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.039
 Oh,

00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:52.700
 this is

00:36:52.700 --> 00:36:53.079
 the angel

00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:53.320
 Lord.

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:53.640
 Oh,

00:36:53.700 --> 00:36:53.960
 this is

00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.519
 the pre-incarnate

00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:54.740
 Christ.

00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.019
 Oh,

00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:55.320
 this is

00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:55.940
 a theophany

00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.220
 or all

00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:56.680
 things we

00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:57.579
 do to

00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.180
 make sense

00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.559
 of it.

00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.920
 But Hosea

00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:02.019
 chapter 12

00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.900
 tells us

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:04.559
 Jacob strove

00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:05.660
 with the

00:37:05.660 --> 00:37:06.000
 angel.

00:37:06.240 --> 00:37:06.800
 Jacob was

00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.620
 wrestling

00:37:07.620 --> 00:37:09.960
 with God

00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:10.579
 and God's

00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:10.940
 purposes

00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.880
 as he always

00:37:11.880 --> 00:37:12.380
 struggled

00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:14.340
 with God

00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:14.840
 and God's

00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:15.260
 purposes.

00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:16.860
 And yet

00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:17.140
 what he

00:37:17.140 --> 00:37:17.560
 had no

00:37:17.560 --> 00:37:18.380
 idea was

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:18.900
 that the

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.620
 figure was

00:37:19.620 --> 00:37:20.000
 not there

00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:20.740
 to punish

00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:21.140
 Jacob.

00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:21.480
 He was

00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:21.940
 not there

00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:24.740
 to condemn

00:37:24.740 --> 00:37:25.240
 him.

00:37:25.540 --> 00:37:26.820
 He was

00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:27.900
 in the

00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.400
 grip.

00:37:28.540 --> 00:37:28.940
 I love

00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.580
 this language

00:37:29.580 --> 00:37:30.100
 that Ian

00:37:30.100 --> 00:37:30.500
 DeGuit

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:30.880
 has given

00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:31.400
 us of

00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:32.000
 God's

00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.680
 relentless

00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:33.700
 grace.

00:37:36.140 --> 00:37:36.780
 In verse

00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.360
 25 it

00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:37.480
 says,

00:37:37.580 --> 00:37:37.720
 when the

00:37:37.720 --> 00:37:38.300
 man saw

00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:38.600
 that he

00:37:38.600 --> 00:37:38.960
 did not

00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.620
 prevail against

00:37:39.620 --> 00:37:39.980
 Jacob,

00:37:40.100 --> 00:37:40.880
 he touched

00:37:40.880 --> 00:37:41.380
 his hip

00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:42.120
 socket and

00:37:42.120 --> 00:37:43.000
 Jacob's hip

00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:43.620
 was put out

00:37:43.620 --> 00:37:44.100
 of joint

00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:45.920
 as he

00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:47.019
 wrestled

00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:47.299
 with him.

00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:47.519
 In other

00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:47.639
 words,

00:37:47.799 --> 00:37:48.619
 Jacob for

00:37:48.619 --> 00:37:49.099
 the rest

00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:49.360
 of his

00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.259
 life was

00:37:50.259 --> 00:37:51.799
 reduced to

00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:52.239
 weakness.

00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:53.460
 His injured

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:55.139
 leg useless

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:56.339
 and dangling.

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.380
 But,

00:37:58.099 --> 00:37:59.139
 here's amazing

00:37:59.139 --> 00:37:59.639
 grace,

00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:01.039
 though physically

00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.639
 weak,

00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:04.360
 by faith

00:38:04.360 --> 00:38:05.940
 he hung

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.559
 on,

00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.119
 didn't he?

00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.819
 Till God

00:38:08.819 --> 00:38:10.420
 blessed him.

00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:13.900
 Jacob

00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:14.800
 wrestled

00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.480
 with the

00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.539
 angel.

00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.260
 He is

00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:19.039
 reduced

00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:20.180
 to a

00:38:20.180 --> 00:38:20.599
 limp,

00:38:20.820 --> 00:38:21.380
 but he

00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:22.619
 hangs

00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.900
 on to

00:38:23.900 --> 00:38:24.840
 receive

00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:26.320
 blessing.

00:38:27.200 --> 00:38:27.360
 And the

00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:27.820
 blessing comes

00:38:27.820 --> 00:38:28.099
 in two

00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:28.380
 forms.

00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.139
 He receives

00:38:29.139 --> 00:38:29.700
 a new

00:38:29.700 --> 00:38:30.480
 name,

00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.460
 where we're

00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:35.119
 told that

00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:35.519
 you will no

00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:36.059
 longer be

00:38:36.059 --> 00:38:36.400
 called

00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:36.880
 Jacob,

00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.320
 but you

00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:38.700
 will be

00:38:38.700 --> 00:38:39.240
 called

00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:40.399
 Israel,

00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.000
 God's name

00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:42.619
 for his

00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.579
 covenant

00:38:43.579 --> 00:38:44.539
 partner and

00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.139
 for his

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:46.219
 chosen

00:38:46.219 --> 00:38:47.219
 people.

00:38:48.500 --> 00:38:49.579
 But also,

00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:50.679
 there will be

00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:51.719
 a memorial

00:38:51.719 --> 00:38:52.479
 that will be

00:38:52.479 --> 00:38:53.399
 established of

00:38:53.399 --> 00:38:53.899
 this event,

00:38:53.939 --> 00:38:54.279
 which will

00:38:54.279 --> 00:38:55.079
 remind his

00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:55.879
 descendants

00:38:55.879 --> 00:38:57.579
 of this

00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.359
 event and

00:38:58.359 --> 00:38:59.179
 its significance,

00:38:59.179 --> 00:39:00.019
 that in this

00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:01.079
 new name

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.000
 and in this

00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:03.079
 new identity

00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:03.859
 in which God

00:39:03.859 --> 00:39:04.619
 is a witness

00:39:04.619 --> 00:39:06.079
 between them

00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:06.940
 and him.

00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:07.880
 The

00:39:07.880 --> 00:39:08.699
 limp

00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.659
 to which

00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:10.940
 they now

00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.860
 have received

00:39:11.860 --> 00:39:12.799
 is their

00:39:12.799 --> 00:39:13.659
 greatest

00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:15.000
 strength.

00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.199
 No longer

00:39:17.199 --> 00:39:17.739
 would they be

00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.239
 known for

00:39:18.239 --> 00:39:18.960
 proud

00:39:18.960 --> 00:39:20.159
 self-sufficiency,

00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:21.279
 for figuring

00:39:21.279 --> 00:39:21.920
 it out,

00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:22.960
 but they

00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.500
 will be

00:39:23.500 --> 00:39:24.460
 known by

00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:25.360
 grace

00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:27.059
 as weak

00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:28.860
 and dependent

00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:30.940
 and dearly

00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:31.579
 loved

00:39:31.579 --> 00:39:32.740
 by the

00:39:32.740 --> 00:39:33.620
 God

00:39:33.620 --> 00:39:35.000
 who keeps

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:36.079
 his

00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:37.519
 promises.

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.300
 As we

00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:41.120
 conclude

00:39:41.120 --> 00:39:41.500
 and we

00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:42.200
 think about

00:39:42.200 --> 00:39:43.420
 the implications

00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:43.900
 of

00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:45.559
 this

00:39:45.559 --> 00:39:46.420
 passage

00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:48.200
 to us,

00:39:49.200 --> 00:39:51.099
 let us

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.620
 remember

00:39:51.620 --> 00:39:53.519
 that not

00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:53.960
 only does

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:55.840
 God keep

00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:56.380
 his

00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:57.980
 promises

00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.980
 to us,

00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:00.679
 but

00:40:00.679 --> 00:40:02.920
 the new

00:40:02.920 --> 00:40:03.599
 name we

00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.699
 receive in

00:40:04.699 --> 00:40:05.280
 Christ,

00:40:05.720 --> 00:40:06.519
 we are now

00:40:06.519 --> 00:40:08.320
 his sons

00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:09.740
 and daughters.

00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:12.179
 And the

00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:12.980
 weaknesses

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.699
 that we

00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:15.280
 often feel

00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:17.079
 as Christians,

00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:17.960
 both to

00:40:17.960 --> 00:40:18.619
 remember

00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:19.220
 God's

00:40:19.220 --> 00:40:19.820
 promises

00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:21.619
 and to

00:40:21.619 --> 00:40:22.639
 be faithful

00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:24.019
 to them.

00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:28.460
 That the

00:40:28.460 --> 00:40:30.799
 promise

00:40:30.799 --> 00:40:31.819
 of this

00:40:31.819 --> 00:40:32.599
 passage is

00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:33.480
 notwithstanding

00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:33.900
 our new

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.480
 identity and

00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:35.279
 notwithstanding

00:40:35.279 --> 00:40:36.539
 our weaknesses

00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:38.579
 that Jacob

00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:40.259
 held on

00:40:40.259 --> 00:40:41.480
 by grace

00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:43.339
 and that

00:40:43.339 --> 00:40:44.199
 we through

00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:45.259
 Christ are

00:40:45.259 --> 00:40:46.079
 given

00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:47.559
 the faith

00:40:47.559 --> 00:40:48.319
 and the

00:40:48.319 --> 00:40:48.980
 stamina,

00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:50.079
 albeit weak,

00:40:50.199 --> 00:40:51.239
 the ability

00:40:51.239 --> 00:40:52.879
 to hang

00:40:52.879 --> 00:40:53.919
 on to

00:40:53.919 --> 00:40:54.699
 God

00:40:54.699 --> 00:40:55.799
 by grace

00:40:55.799 --> 00:40:57.219
 and God

00:40:57.219 --> 00:40:58.639
 has promised

00:40:58.639 --> 00:40:59.619
 even in

00:40:59.619 --> 00:41:00.339
 our moments

00:41:00.339 --> 00:41:01.099
 of greatest

00:41:01.099 --> 00:41:01.779
 defeat

00:41:01.779 --> 00:41:03.539
 to hang

00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.279
 on to

00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:04.939
 us

00:41:04.939 --> 00:41:05.799
 until

00:41:05.799 --> 00:41:06.799
 his

00:41:06.799 --> 00:41:07.539
 purposes

00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:09.019
 are

00:41:09.019 --> 00:41:09.599
 performed.

00:41:11.379 --> 00:41:12.879
 In just a few

00:41:12.879 --> 00:41:13.459
 weeks we're going

00:41:13.459 --> 00:41:14.359
 to celebrate

00:41:14.359 --> 00:41:16.079
 the 500th

00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:17.199
 anniversary of

00:41:17.199 --> 00:41:17.879
 the Protestant

00:41:17.879 --> 00:41:18.419
 Reformation

00:41:18.420 --> 00:41:19.320
 and in

00:41:19.320 --> 00:41:19.840
 particular

00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:21.320
 the moment

00:41:21.320 --> 00:41:21.920
 where Martin

00:41:21.920 --> 00:41:23.119
 Luther nailed

00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:24.659
 his protests

00:41:24.659 --> 00:41:25.320
 if you will

00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:25.960
 to the

00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:27.840
 church door

00:41:27.840 --> 00:41:28.139
 in

00:41:28.139 --> 00:41:29.079
 Bittenberg,

00:41:29.200 --> 00:41:31.099
 his 95

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:32.119
 thesis.

00:41:34.200 --> 00:41:35.000
 Isn't it

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:35.460
 interesting

00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:36.420
 that the

00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:37.099
 hymn

00:41:37.099 --> 00:41:39.000
 that

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:40.119
 Luther

00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:41.740
 wrote,

00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:42.760
 A Mighty

00:41:42.760 --> 00:41:43.300
 Fortress

00:41:43.300 --> 00:41:43.659
 of Our

00:41:43.659 --> 00:41:44.039
 God,

00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:45.539
 has as its

00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:46.599
 second verse

00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:48.679
 did we

00:41:48.679 --> 00:41:49.159
 in our

00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:50.000
 own strength

00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.900
 confide

00:41:50.900 --> 00:41:52.219
 our

00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:52.779
 striving

00:41:52.779 --> 00:41:53.579
 would be

00:41:53.579 --> 00:41:54.659
 losing?

00:41:57.059 --> 00:41:57.940
 Did we

00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.279
 in our

00:41:58.279 --> 00:41:58.799
 own strength

00:41:58.799 --> 00:41:59.279
 confide

00:41:59.279 --> 00:41:59.860
 our striving

00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:00.259
 would be

00:42:00.259 --> 00:42:00.579
 losing?

00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:01.579
 Rather,

00:42:02.639 --> 00:42:03.000
 Luther

00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:04.719
 with us

00:42:04.719 --> 00:42:06.159
 invites us

00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:07.079
 to entrust

00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:07.619
 ourselves

00:42:07.619 --> 00:42:08.259
 to God

00:42:08.259 --> 00:42:09.619
 because his

00:42:09.619 --> 00:42:10.579
 blessings are

00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:11.279
 the result

00:42:11.279 --> 00:42:12.199
 of his

00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:13.039
 graciousness

00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:13.519
 to the

00:42:13.519 --> 00:42:14.460
 undeserving.

00:42:14.460 --> 00:42:14.639
 thing.

00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:15.679
 He is

00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:16.519
 faithful to

00:42:16.519 --> 00:42:16.699
 his

00:42:16.699 --> 00:42:17.179
 promises.

00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:18.400
 He has

00:42:18.400 --> 00:42:19.079
 committed

00:42:19.079 --> 00:42:20.119
 himself to

00:42:20.119 --> 00:42:21.420
 love us

00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:22.340
 eternally.

00:42:22.820 --> 00:42:23.320
 And in

00:42:23.320 --> 00:42:23.900
 Christ,

00:42:24.019 --> 00:42:25.039
 he is with

00:42:25.039 --> 00:42:25.780
 us to the

00:42:25.780 --> 00:42:26.900
 very end.

00:42:27.900 --> 00:42:28.500
 His purpose

00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:28.900
 is to

00:42:28.900 --> 00:42:29.360
 perform.

00:42:29.940 --> 00:42:30.480
 How blessed

00:42:30.480 --> 00:42:31.199
 we are when

00:42:31.199 --> 00:42:31.619
 we can

00:42:31.619 --> 00:42:32.320
 yield to

00:42:32.320 --> 00:42:34.800
 God in

00:42:34.800 --> 00:42:35.380
 the struggle

00:42:35.380 --> 00:42:36.780
 the way

00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:37.440
 Jacob did.

00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:39.900
 How blessed

00:42:39.900 --> 00:42:40.780
 we are when

00:42:40.780 --> 00:42:41.360
 a crisis

00:42:41.360 --> 00:42:42.220
 comes upon

00:42:42.220 --> 00:42:42.619
 us and

00:42:42.619 --> 00:42:43.260
 God lays

00:42:43.260 --> 00:42:43.700
 his hand

00:42:43.700 --> 00:42:44.200
 upon us

00:42:44.200 --> 00:42:44.540
 in that

00:42:44.540 --> 00:42:45.340
 crisis so

00:42:45.340 --> 00:42:45.780
 that we

00:42:45.780 --> 00:42:46.800
 become weak

00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.600
 and limp

00:42:47.600 --> 00:42:48.140
 and out of

00:42:48.140 --> 00:42:49.360
 joint with

00:42:49.360 --> 00:42:49.940
 an appalling

00:42:49.940 --> 00:42:50.460
 sense of

00:42:50.460 --> 00:42:50.820
 our own

00:42:50.820 --> 00:42:51.920
 weakness so

00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:52.460
 that we

00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:53.600
 can surrender

00:42:53.600 --> 00:42:54.880
 and say,

00:42:55.120 --> 00:42:55.560
 Lord,

00:42:56.180 --> 00:42:57.760
 I cling

00:42:57.760 --> 00:42:58.640
 to you.

00:43:00.000 --> 00:43:00.800
 Maybe God

00:43:00.800 --> 00:43:01.340
 is wrestling

00:43:01.340 --> 00:43:01.920
 with you

00:43:01.920 --> 00:43:02.440
 today.

00:43:03.560 --> 00:43:04.240
 He may be

00:43:04.240 --> 00:43:04.840
 saying to

00:43:04.840 --> 00:43:05.520
 you and

00:43:05.520 --> 00:43:06.100
 to me,

00:43:06.440 --> 00:43:07.060
 although you're

00:43:07.060 --> 00:43:07.700
 clever and

00:43:07.700 --> 00:43:08.380
 astute and

00:43:08.380 --> 00:43:08.800
 capable,

00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:11.020
 although you

00:43:11.020 --> 00:43:11.580
 have believed

00:43:11.579 --> 00:43:12.179
 in me,

00:43:12.860 --> 00:43:13.960
 you still

00:43:13.960 --> 00:43:15.259
 like to

00:43:15.259 --> 00:43:15.679
 make your

00:43:15.679 --> 00:43:15.860
 own

00:43:15.860 --> 00:43:16.279
 arrangements.

00:43:17.119 --> 00:43:17.980
 You still

00:43:17.980 --> 00:43:18.440
 like to

00:43:18.440 --> 00:43:19.279
 manipulate the

00:43:19.279 --> 00:43:20.239
 circumstances of

00:43:20.239 --> 00:43:20.639
 your own

00:43:20.639 --> 00:43:20.940
 life.

00:43:21.659 --> 00:43:22.599
 You still

00:43:22.599 --> 00:43:23.400
 like to be

00:43:23.400 --> 00:43:24.099
 in charge.

00:43:25.340 --> 00:43:26.099
 My child,

00:43:26.980 --> 00:43:27.659
 what is

00:43:27.659 --> 00:43:28.159
 your name?

00:43:30.119 --> 00:43:30.940
 Let's pray.

00:43:30.940 --> 00:43:37.480
 Lord, we're

00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:39.240
 grateful that

00:43:39.240 --> 00:43:40.280
 in Christ we

00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:41.260
 live in the

00:43:41.260 --> 00:43:41.840
 grip of

00:43:41.840 --> 00:43:42.460
 your

00:43:42.460 --> 00:43:44.159
 relentless

00:43:44.159 --> 00:43:44.860
 grace,

00:43:45.440 --> 00:43:46.980
 and we're

00:43:46.980 --> 00:43:47.800
 thankful for

00:43:47.800 --> 00:43:49.159
 this story,

00:43:49.740 --> 00:43:52.099
 your story,

00:43:52.260 --> 00:43:53.179
 God's story,

00:43:53.760 --> 00:43:55.720
 of your

00:43:55.720 --> 00:43:57.260
 faithful purposes

00:43:57.260 --> 00:43:58.599
 and plans for

00:43:58.599 --> 00:43:59.740
 your people

00:43:59.739 --> 00:44:02.199
 then and

00:44:02.199 --> 00:44:02.659
 your people

00:44:02.659 --> 00:44:03.079
 today.

00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.439
 Lord, you've

00:44:05.439 --> 00:44:06.099
 given us an

00:44:06.099 --> 00:44:07.459
 up-close view

00:44:07.459 --> 00:44:08.639
 of one man's

00:44:08.639 --> 00:44:09.159
 struggles,

00:44:10.019 --> 00:44:12.500
 and in so

00:44:12.500 --> 00:44:13.199
 doing, for

00:44:13.199 --> 00:44:14.299
 many here,

00:44:14.439 --> 00:44:15.939
 you've reminded

00:44:15.939 --> 00:44:18.459
 us of those

00:44:18.459 --> 00:44:19.599
 up-close

00:44:19.599 --> 00:44:20.559
 struggles that

00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:21.500
 we live with

00:44:21.500 --> 00:44:22.039
 every day.

00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:24.059
 First, thank

00:44:24.059 --> 00:44:26.079
 you for your

00:44:26.079 --> 00:44:26.979
 faithful promises,

00:44:26.980 --> 00:44:27.960
 promises, even

00:44:27.960 --> 00:44:28.460
 when we are

00:44:28.460 --> 00:44:29.940
 weak and feel

00:44:29.940 --> 00:44:30.659
 like our grip

00:44:30.659 --> 00:44:31.840
 is failing.

00:44:34.000 --> 00:44:34.940
 Now, Lord,

00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:35.780
 help us by

00:44:35.780 --> 00:44:37.840
 faith to

00:44:37.840 --> 00:44:38.599
 respond to

00:44:38.599 --> 00:44:39.179
 your word,

00:44:40.480 --> 00:44:41.800
 to receive

00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:44.059
 mercy this

00:44:44.059 --> 00:44:44.440
 morning,

00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:45.920
 and be

00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:47.719
 renewed in

00:44:47.719 --> 00:44:48.820
 our hope

00:44:48.820 --> 00:44:53.240
 that even

00:44:53.240 --> 00:44:54.220
 if my grip

00:44:54.220 --> 00:44:55.200
 feels like

00:44:55.200 --> 00:44:55.780
 it is

00:44:55.780 --> 00:44:57.960
 fading, one

00:44:57.960 --> 00:44:59.340
 holds tightly

00:44:59.340 --> 00:45:00.519
 to me,

00:45:01.400 --> 00:45:02.039
 Christ,

00:45:02.620 --> 00:45:03.260
 my

00:45:03.260 --> 00:45:03.940
 King.

00:45:06.120 --> 00:45:06.920
 And may

00:45:06.920 --> 00:45:07.720
 we, Lord,

00:45:07.840 --> 00:45:08.460
 leave here

00:45:08.460 --> 00:45:09.420
 confident,

00:45:10.200 --> 00:45:10.940
 more confident

00:45:10.940 --> 00:45:11.480
 than we are

00:45:11.480 --> 00:45:12.600
 on, not in

00:45:12.600 --> 00:45:13.240
 our efforts,

00:45:13.960 --> 00:45:14.860
 but in your

00:45:14.860 --> 00:45:15.980
 relentless grace

00:45:15.980 --> 00:45:17.280
 for Christ's

00:45:17.280 --> 00:45:18.980
 glory, and

00:45:18.980 --> 00:45:19.420
 for our

00:45:19.420 --> 00:45:19.699
 good.

00:45:20.500 --> 00:45:21.059
 We pray this

00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:21.460
 in Jesus'

00:45:21.699 --> 00:45:21.900
 name.

00:45:22.599 --> 00:45:22.820
 Everybody

00:45:22.820 --> 00:45:23.179
 said,

00:45:23.760 --> 00:45:24.480
 Amen.