WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church.

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 Would you turn with me to the book of Exodus, chapter 23.

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 That's page 64 in the Pew Bible.

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 We're going to look at verses 20 through 33.

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 Exodus 23, page 64.

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 So it's high school graduation season.

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 Congrats, high school seniors.

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 You know who you are.

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 Graduation is a bit of a climactic experience, isn't it?

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 You've come through to the other side of, in this case, high school.

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 In victory, you're done.

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 And there's no going back.

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 Praise the Lord.

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 It feels like you're on top of the world.

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 It's a good feeling.

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 But then, as the excitement dies down,

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 you realize that there's still a long road ahead.

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 College, work, dating, family, career,

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 it all still looms out there,

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 scary and big,

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 and at times, overwhelming.

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 Of course, that's not just for the high school graduates among us, right?

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 That feeling hits us at a lot of moments in life.

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 Retirement,

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 birth of a child,

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 taking a new job,

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 moving to a new city.

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 Well, in our text today,

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 we meet the people of Israel

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 at the foot of Mount Sinai.

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 And they, too,

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 have come through a similarly climactic experience.

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 God has rescued them from slavery in Egypt.

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 He's brought them through the Red Sea.

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 He's now spoken to them at Sinai.

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 They are on the top of the world.

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 But there's still a long road ahead.

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 After all,

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 they're still in the wilderness.

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 And they're not home yet.

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 Now, at the end of Exodus 23,

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 our text today,

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 God concludes the formal covenant at Sinai.

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 That is,

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 here are the final terms of God's binding relationship,

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 His covenant with His people.

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 So, let's hear what God has to say to His people

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 as they look out at the long road ahead.

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 Exodus 23, starting in verse 20.

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 Behold,

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 I send an angel before you

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 to guard you on the way

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 and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.

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 Pay careful attention to him

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 and obey his voice.

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 Do not rebel against him,

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 for he will not pardon your transgression,

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 for my name is in him.

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 But if you carefully obey his voice

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 and do all that I say,

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 then I will be an enemy to your enemies

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 and an adversary to your adversaries.

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 When my angel goes before you

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 and brings you to the Amorites

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 and the Hittites

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 and the Perizzites

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 and the Canaanites,

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 the Hivites

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 and the Jebusites

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 and I blot them out,

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 you shall not bow down to their gods

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 nor serve them

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 nor do as they do,

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 but you shall utterly overthrow them

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 and break their pillars in pieces.

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 You shall serve the Lord your God

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 and He will bless your bread and your water

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 and I will take sickness away from you.

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 None shall miscarry or be barren in your land.

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 I will fulfill the number of your days.

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 I will send my terror before you

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 and will throw into confusion

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 all the people against whom you shall come

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 and I will make all your enemies

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 turn their backs to you

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 and I will send hornets before you

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 which shall drive out the Hivites,

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 the Canaanites and the Hittites

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 from before you.

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 I will not drive them out

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 from before you in one year

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 lest the land become desolate

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 and the wild beasts multiply against you.

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 Little by little

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 I will drive them out from before you

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 until you have increased

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 and possess the land

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 and I will set your border

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 from the Red Sea

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 to the Sea of the Philistines

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 and from the wilderness

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 to the Euphrates

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 for I will give the inhabitants

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 of the land into your hand

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 and you shall drive them out before you.

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 You shall make no covenant

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 with them and their gods.

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 They shall not dwell in your land

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 lest they make you sin against me

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 for if you serve their gods

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 it will surely be a snare to you.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Heavenly Father,

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 we ask that you would grant us

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 the grace of your Holy Spirit

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 this morning

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 to understand

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 and to hear

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 what you are saying to us

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 through this word this morning.

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 Lord, we want to understand this text

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 in light of

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 the big picture

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 of what you've done for us in Christ.

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 So help us to do that

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 and help us not to be

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 callous

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 or feel fearful

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 or hard-hearted

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 as we come to you this morning

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 but would you

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 open up our minds

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 and our ears

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 and our hearts

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 to be receptive

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 to what you're saying

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 to each of us this morning.

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 Thank you for speaking to us, God.

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 We ask this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well,

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 the sum

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 of the passage

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 that we just read

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 is that God

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 is going to send an angel

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 before his people Israel

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 to settle them safely

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 in the land of Canaan.

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 And with this promise

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 comes a warning.

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 And the warning is

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 don't worship

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 their false gods.

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 Serve me.

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 Serve the Lord God alone.

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 Now,

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 the conquest

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 of Canaan

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 as it's sometimes called

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 which eventually happens

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 in the book of Joshua

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 we have to keep in mind

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 that that is a unique

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 event

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 in redemptive history

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 in the Bible.

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 All Jewish

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 and Christian commentators

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 agree

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 that the conquest

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 was a one-time

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 command

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 not meant to be repeated

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 in other times

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 or places.

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 And that means

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 we have to be careful

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 as we come to this text today

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 not to draw

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 the wrong conclusions

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 from a passage like this

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 as we think about

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 what it's saying to us.

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 After all,

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 we live in a different time

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 in a different place

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 in a different moment

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 in redemptive history.

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 With all that being said,

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 however,

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 that doesn't mean

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 that there aren't

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 some important lessons here

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 to be learned

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 for us.

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 And as a window

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 into that,

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 think about

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 where Israel is at

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 in the story

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 of salvation.

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 put yourself back

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 in their shoes

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 imaginatively.

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 Where are they?

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 The Israelites

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 are somewhere

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 between Egypt

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 and Canaan.

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 Right?

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 In other words,

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 they've been redeemed

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 but they're not yet home.

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 They've been baptized

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 through the Red Sea

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 but they've not yet

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 come to rest

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 in the promised land.

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 There are still,

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 as God tells them here,

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 many battles to come

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 and many trials to face.

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 Now,

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 spiritually speaking,

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 is not that true

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 of us,

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 the church,

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 today?

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 Christians, too,

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 have been redeemed.

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 We've been redeemed

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 through Christ's death

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 and resurrection.

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 The church has been baptized

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 through Christ's death

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 and resurrection.

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 But,

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 brothers and sisters,

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 we are not yet home.

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 We are not yet glorified

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 in the rest

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 God has in store for us.

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 There are still

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 many spiritual battles

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 to come

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 and many trials to face.

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 So,

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 what do we learn here then

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 for this road ahead?

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 Well,

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 the first resounding

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 message that we hear here

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 is that God

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 goes before us,

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 His people.

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 Notice that in verse 20

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 and verse 23,

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 God tells Israel twice

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 that His angel

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 will go before you.

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 Now,

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 briefly,

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 what are we to make

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 of this angel figure?

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 We've actually encountered

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 this angel a couple of times

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 so far in the book of Exodus.

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 We haven't spent a lot of time

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 thinking or talking

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 about this figure.

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 Back in chapter 3,

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 the angel showed up

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 at the call of Moses

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 in the burning bush.

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 And in chapter 14,

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 when Israel was crossing

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 the Red Sea,

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 this angel of the Lord

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 also shows up

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 protecting them

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 from the attacking

00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:20.759
 Egyptian armies.

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 Now,

00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:22.000
 here we're told

00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:22.800
 that this angel

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 once again

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 will guard them

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 and bring them

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 into the promised land.

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 Now,

00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:28.800
 angels in the Bible

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 are spiritual beings

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 who serve God's purposes

00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:33.240
 of redemption.

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 If you're a bit skeptical

00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:37.799
 about this whole

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 angel business,

00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:41.559
 on the one hand,

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 maybe you'll be comforted

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 to know that the Bible's

00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:45.460
 idea of angels

00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.980
 couldn't be further

00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:48.559
 from the popular imagination.

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 You know,

00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:49.840
 when you come to the Bible

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 and you hear

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 what angels are doing,

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 you know,

00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:53.759
 there's no fluffy wings.

00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:55.399
 There's no fat,

00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.420
 chubby little cherubs

00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:57.600
 with bows and arrows.

00:08:58.460 --> 00:08:59.000
 You know,

00:08:59.060 --> 00:09:01.160
 there's no Victorian women

00:09:01.160 --> 00:09:02.940
 in long flowing gowns

00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:03.860
 looking like they might

00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:04.860
 bring you some more milk

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 to put you to bed.

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 You know,

00:09:08.420 --> 00:09:09.940
 it's not Michael Landon

00:09:09.940 --> 00:09:10.980
 or that other lady

00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:12.160
 from Touched by an Angel,

00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:13.160
 you know,

00:09:13.180 --> 00:09:14.280
 who looks like they might

00:09:14.280 --> 00:09:15.900
 just be a really nice counselor,

00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:16.980
 someone you'd want

00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.100
 to knit a sweater with

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 and share a cup of tea.

00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.320
 Um,

00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.500
 no,

00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:21.960
 actually,

00:09:22.040 --> 00:09:22.680
 that's not the biblical

00:09:22.680 --> 00:09:23.759
 picture of angels at all.

00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:24.920
 Um,

00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.639
 angels are actually

00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:29.379
 beings of magnificent power

00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:30.340
 and beauty and glory.

00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:31.340
 Um,

00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.280
 and most people

00:09:32.280 --> 00:09:33.120
 end up falling down

00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:34.180
 and mistakenly

00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:34.820
 worshiping them

00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:35.540
 in the Bible.

00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.100
 Now,

00:09:37.160 --> 00:09:37.540
 what's more,

00:09:37.660 --> 00:09:38.740
 if what the Bible

00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:40.200
 says about angels

00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:41.240
 is true,

00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:41.980
 if you're wrestling

00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.420
 with that,

00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:43.000
 but think about it,

00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:43.680
 if what the Bible

00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:44.440
 says about angels

00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:45.220
 is true,

00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:47.720
 consider what that means

00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:48.920
 about God's love

00:09:48.920 --> 00:09:49.460
 for us.

00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.220
 Um,

00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:52.820
 and here's what I mean.

00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:53.980
 If there is a God,

00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:55.740
 and if that God

00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.379
 has created

00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.019
 not just a seen,

00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:59.500
 but also an unseen world

00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:00.940
 with creatures

00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:01.860
 full of His beauty

00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:03.060
 and power and joy

00:10:03.060 --> 00:10:03.720
 and an overflow

00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.259
 of His,

00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.000
 of His creative expression,

00:10:06.540 --> 00:10:07.220
 uh,

00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:07.820
 consider

00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.740
 that this God,

00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:10.519
 according to the Bible,

00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.320
 is willing

00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:13.060
 to marshal

00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.340
 even those highest,

00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.100
 most glorious,

00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.100
 heavenly beings

00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:17.480
 to carry out

00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.620
 His saving plan

00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.240
 for you.

00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:22.320
 In other words,

00:10:22.420 --> 00:10:23.420
 God doesn't withhold

00:10:23.420 --> 00:10:25.159
 any part of His creation,

00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:26.379
 seen or unseen,

00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.000
 from working for the good

00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:29.440
 for those He longs to save.

00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.600
 Isn't that an incredible message?

00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.580
 After all,

00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:35.759
 is it so hard to believe

00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:36.399
 that the God

00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:36.879
 who created

00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:37.620
 all the beauty

00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.279
 that we see

00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:39.980
 might also have

00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:41.340
 even more in store,

00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:42.000
 that there might be

00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.379
 an unseen transcendent realm

00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.019
 where this God

00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:44.759
 also displays

00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.200
 His beauty

00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:45.759
 and power

00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:46.960
 and majesty?

00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:48.700
 And is it not a wonder

00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.360
 to believe

00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.639
 that God in love

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.440
 commands even

00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.660
 that transcendent part

00:10:52.660 --> 00:10:53.200
 of His creation

00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:54.440
 to minister to those

00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:56.259
 who are to inherit salvation?

00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:58.980
 Little folks like you and me.

00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:04.639
 Well, back to Exodus 23.

00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:06.259
 Clearly,

00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:07.500
 this particular angel

00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:09.139
 has a special role

00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.639
 to play in the story, right?

00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:11.820
 Notice how closely

00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:13.100
 he's identified

00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:14.019
 with God's presence

00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.500
 and activity.

00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.480
 God tells Israel

00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.840
 to obey His voice

00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:17.560
 in verse 21.

00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:18.940
 And then in verse 22,

00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:20.360
 look at that verse with me.

00:11:20.660 --> 00:11:21.740
 What the angel says

00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.560
 and what God says

00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:23.519
 are almost interchangeable.

00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:23.899
 God says,

00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:25.540
 carefully obey His voice

00:11:25.540 --> 00:11:27.200
 and do all I say.

00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.180
 That's a very interesting

00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.019
 switch of pronouns.

00:11:32.040 --> 00:11:32.899
 And this angel seems

00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:34.720
 not just to convey

00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:36.660
 God's own voice,

00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:38.040
 but in verse 22,

00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:38.860
 this angel seems

00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:40.139
 to have God's own authority

00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.740
 to pardon

00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:42.139
 or not pardon transgression.

00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.600
 And then to top it all off,

00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:44.100
 God says,

00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.700
 my name is in Him.

00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:48.120
 That is God's revealed

00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.600
 character and glory

00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:50.660
 is somehow,

00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:52.920
 someway in this angel,

00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.879
 whatever that means.

00:11:55.800 --> 00:11:56.660
 In other words,

00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:59.300
 a closer identification

00:11:59.300 --> 00:12:00.520
 with God

00:12:00.520 --> 00:12:02.100
 couldn't be imagined.

00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:06.399
 is it any wonder

00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:08.139
 that many have looked back

00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.940
 at these Old Testament passages

00:12:09.940 --> 00:12:11.040
 about the angel of the Lord?

00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:12.200
 They've looked back

00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:12.980
 from the perspective

00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:13.860
 of the New Testament

00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.720
 and thought that

00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.240
 perhaps we are dealing

00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:19.659
 here with a pre-incarnate

00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:21.240
 appearance of Christ Himself,

00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.399
 God the Son,

00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:23.399
 the second person

00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:23.980
 of the Trinity.

00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:27.399
 Who else could be,

00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:28.240
 on the one hand,

00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.740
 distinguished from God?

00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:30.720
 Yes, it's different.

00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:31.759
 And yet at the same time,

00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:33.019
 so closely identified

00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:33.840
 with God.

00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.000
 But whether the angel

00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.960
 is actually

00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:40.659
 the pre-incarnate Christ

00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:41.580
 or not,

00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:45.680
 surely what we see

00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:46.460
 about this angel

00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.480
 in Exodus 23

00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:48.960
 ultimately finds

00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.720
 its fulfillment

00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:51.340
 in Christ the Lord.

00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.220
 God says,

00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.060
 my angel is going

00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.700
 to be with you

00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.620
 and go before you.

00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:57.000
 And the risen Lord Jesus

00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.100
 says to His disciples,

00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.659
 all authority on heaven

00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.820
 and earth belongs to me,

00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:01.759
 has been given to me,

00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:03.100
 and I'm with you always,

00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:04.259
 even to the end of the age.

00:13:04.920 --> 00:13:05.879
 If God was somehow

00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.879
 present with His people

00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:07.659
 through this angel,

00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:08.740
 how much more present

00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.700
 is God with us

00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:11.019
 in His own Son,

00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.440
 the risen Lord Jesus?

00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:15.899
 What good news that is,

00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.659
 that God is going

00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.680
 to be with us

00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:20.040
 in this personal,

00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:21.560
 present way.

00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:23.920
 And not just with us.

00:13:24.040 --> 00:13:25.060
 Notice what God says.

00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.460
 God says,

00:13:25.560 --> 00:13:26.500
 I'm not just going

00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.360
 to be with you,

00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:27.779
 but I'm going

00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.759
 to go before you.

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.519
 And hasn't the Lord Jesus

00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:36.059
 truly gone before us?

00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:39.320
 He's gone before us

00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.080
 into the depths

00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.480
 of our human condition

00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.480
 when He took on flesh,

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.000
 did He not?

00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:45.820
 And He went before us

00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:47.240
 in His temptation

00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:47.840
 in the wilderness

00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.960
 to know what it's like

00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.879
 to face trial

00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.559
 and temptation

00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:51.860
 and spiritual attack.

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.740
 And He went before us

00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.799
 in His earthly life

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.319
 as He ministered

00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:57.159
 and loved God

00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.659
 and loved others

00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:01.419
 and as He faced rejection

00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:03.259
 and as He faced challenge

00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:06.899
 and as He faced persecution.

00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.039
 And Jesus went before us

00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.919
 when He was arrested

00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.959
 and when He was crucified.

00:14:14.339 --> 00:14:15.279
 Jesus went before us

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.359
 even into the grave.

00:14:18.099 --> 00:14:19.559
 And Christ went before us

00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:20.500
 into the new life

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.179
 of resurrection.

00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:23.379
 and He went before us

00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.659
 into the heavenly places

00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.979
 when He ascended on high.

00:14:26.859 --> 00:14:28.000
 And we know that He will

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.399
 go before us one day

00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.120
 when He returns

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.439
 to make all things new.

00:14:32.859 --> 00:14:33.079
 Friends,

00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.719
 what good news

00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:35.319
 that Jesus is not just with us.

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.659
 God is not just with us

00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.339
 in His Son

00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:38.279
 by His Spirit,

00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:41.639
 but God is always before us.

00:14:43.339 --> 00:14:45.139
 Blazing the trail ahead.

00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:47.979
 Clearing the way for us.

00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:50.659
 Our buffer and our shield.

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:53.539
 Ultimately taking our sin,

00:14:53.920 --> 00:14:55.100
 giving us His righteousness,

00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.620
 filling us with His Spirit.

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.139
 Now for the Israelites,

00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:03.200
 God's angel going before them

00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.159
 meant that God would ultimately

00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:06.379
 drive out all their enemies

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.740
 and bring them safely home

00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.080
 to the promised land.

00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:12.460
 The victory against these warring tribes

00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.360
 that they would face

00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.460
 was assured.

00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:17.360
 The battle,

00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:18.200
 God said,

00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.779
 I would win it for you.

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:22.180
 God will terrify their enemies.

00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:23.620
 He will throw them into confusion.

00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.940
 He will make them

00:15:24.940 --> 00:15:26.000
 turn their backs and run.

00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:26.700
 Again and again,

00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.139
 God says,

00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.600
 I will drive them out.

00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:31.279
 I will make sure

00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.259
 that you make it safely

00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.100
 all the way home.

00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.580
 And friends,

00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.440
 isn't that the nature,

00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:39.420
 the real nature

00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.420
 of the biblical message?

00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:43.339
 That God does something for us

00:15:43.339 --> 00:15:44.579
 that we can't do.

00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:48.379
 Our enemies are too strong

00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:50.099
 and our guilt

00:15:50.099 --> 00:15:51.599
 is too great

00:15:51.599 --> 00:15:52.779
 for us

00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:54.059
 to save ourselves.

00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:56.559
 We can't make things right

00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.099
 with God.

00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.979
 We can't bring ourselves

00:15:58.979 --> 00:15:59.779
 into the rest

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.879
 God has for us

00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.620
 all on our own.

00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.439
 In fact,

00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.759
 it has to be

00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.480
 God's grace.

00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:07.560
 It has to be

00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:08.460
 God's action

00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.300
 on our behalf.

00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.360
 That's the only thing

00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.379
 that can assure us

00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.100
 of final

00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:15.019
 and complete salvation.

00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.659
 And that's meant

00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.500
 to give us hope

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.580
 and encouragement

00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.700
 as we look at the long

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.960
 spiritual road ahead.

00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.759
 You know,

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.600
 maybe you sit here

00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.360
 and you look ahead

00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.420
 and you see

00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.580
 some of the challenges ahead.

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.580
 Most of us

00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.159
 can't see

00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:30.700
 what challenges

00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.200
 are ahead.

00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.740
 And maybe

00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:33.420
 as you look ahead

00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.139
 you wonder,

00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.139
 man,

00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:36.240
 am I going to make it?

00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:41.000
 But we don't go alone.

00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.799
 God is before us.

00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:44.799
 Every battle,

00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.059
 every trial,

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.159
 He is there

00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.039
 to guard us

00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.480
 and to bring us in.

00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.159
 But this promise

00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.779
 also comes

00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.500
 with a clarification

00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:56.199
 here in this text.

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:56.779
 Yes,

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.460
 God promises

00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.779
 to go before His people.

00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.720
 But the second thing

00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.639
 we learn from this passage

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.879
 is that the battles

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.580
 are actually going

00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:03.240
 to be won

00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.839
 little by little.

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.420
 Look again

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.180
 at verses 29 and 30.

00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.039
 They tell us

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.640
 that when Israel

00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.500
 enters the land,

00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:12.079
 God won't drive out

00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:12.960
 the people all at once.

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.240
 It's going to be gradual.

00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:16.319
 Why?

00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.640
 Otherwise,

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:19.279
 if all the people

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.180
 just sort of disappeared,

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.420
 the uninhabited land

00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:23.460
 would become

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.720
 too much

00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.500
 for them to handle.

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.660
 They weren't strong enough.

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:28.880
 They weren't numerous enough

00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.740
 to be able

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.420
 to manage

00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.539
 that much.

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:34.879
 I think there's

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.440
 a really,

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.659
 really important

00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:37.899
 analogy here

00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.720
 to the Christian life.

00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:43.000
 How many of us

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:45.399
 have been frustrated

00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:48.619
 by a besetting sin

00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:50.700
 and wondered why

00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.639
 God doesn't just

00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:52.359
 take it away?

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.519
 But you know,

00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.279
 that is rarely

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.799
 how God works

00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.700
 in the Christian life.

00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.879
 The process

00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:03.839
 of sanctification,

00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.919
 of growing

00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.799
 in godliness

00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.960
 and Christ-like

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.399
 character

00:18:07.399 --> 00:18:08.579
 is gradual.

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.359
 It's progressive.

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.659
 It happens

00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:12.159
 little

00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:13.319
 by little.

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:16.220
 God knew

00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.099
 that if he drove

00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:18.059
 out all the people

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.500
 from Canaan

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:18.919
 at once,

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.659
 the land

00:18:19.659 --> 00:18:20.599
 would overwhelm

00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.099
 the Israelites.

00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:22.419
 You see,

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.039
 God's wisdom

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.480
 was so much

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.439
 deeper than theirs.

00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:27.599
 Perhaps God

00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.439
 has his reasons

00:18:28.439 --> 00:18:29.359
 for not removing

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:29.980
 all of your

00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.819
 besetting sins

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.779
 all at once,

00:18:32.439 --> 00:18:34.579
 of making sure

00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.419
 that it's a process

00:18:35.419 --> 00:18:36.039
 of little

00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.019
 by little

00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.759
 growth.

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.059
 You see,

00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.700
 there's a bigger

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.319
 story

00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:40.939
 that you're a part of,

00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.360
 and God

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:41.720
 is doing

00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.019
 a much

00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.660
 bigger

00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.559
 work

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.519
 in your life

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.480
 than you can imagine.

00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.299
 It's deeper

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.680
 and it's longer

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.539
 and it has

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.240
 a much

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.200
 greater end

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.100
 than most of us

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:52.000
 can conceive.

00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:56.120
 At the very least,

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.000
 the Lord is teaching

00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.960
 you to depend

00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.420
 on him

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.140
 each day,

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:01.440
 to take up

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.140
 the means

00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:02.779
 of grace

00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.920
 like prayer

00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.720
 and worship

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.400
 and the Lord's

00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:05.740
 supper

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.720
 and the filling

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.460
 of your mind

00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.000
 with scripture

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.720
 through reading

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.900
 and meditation,

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.240
 to take up

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.799
 these means

00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.259
 of Christ

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.860
 and to fight

00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.460
 the good fight

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.059
 of the faith.

00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.279
 He's teaching

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:16.960
 you to press

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.860
 on in obedience

00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:18.500
 and trust,

00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.559
 to not be passive

00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.640
 in our spiritual

00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:20.920
 growth,

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.720
 but active,

00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:23.019
 to keep in step

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.980
 with the spirit,

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.279
 to keep taking

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.200
 off the old self

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.900
 and putting on

00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:27.480
 the new self,

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.120
 as Paul said

00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.740
 in Ephesians.

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.240
 I sometimes think

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.900
 what sort of person

00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.559
 I would be

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.940
 had God simply

00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.680
 taken away

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.960
 some of my

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.860
 particular habitual

00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.920
 sins all at once.

00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.680
 And trust me,

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.120
 there are still

00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.299
 many left in my life

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.920
 that God has taken

00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:46.320
 care of.

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:46.840
 I don't stand

00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:47.259
 before you

00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:47.759
 a completely

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.720
 sanctified individual

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.259
 this morning,

00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:49.539
 but,

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:51.840
 you know,

00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.580
 I think had God

00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.140
 just given me

00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:53.900
 sort of instant

00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.420
 victory

00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:56.059
 over some of

00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.640
 these things,

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.720
 I imagine

00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.740
 that I would

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.539
 probably be

00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.340
 very proud.

00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.000
 Don't you think?

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:08.140
 I wouldn't know

00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.720
 what it's like

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.559
 to depend

00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.640
 on the Lord

00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.480
 each day.

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.359
 I would be

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.700
 probably a lot

00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:15.799
 more ingrained

00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.759
 in my natural

00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.700
 self-reliance.

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.700
 I wouldn't know

00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.140
 what it's like

00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.880
 to call out

00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:23.200
 to Him

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.759
 in prayer,

00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.680
 to wait on the Lord,

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.019
 to look to Him

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.140
 for daily grace.

00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:31.880
 And I certainly

00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.420
 wouldn't know

00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.259
 half so well

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.980
 how to minister

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.600
 to others

00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:35.340
 who struggle.

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.200
 I would probably

00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.040
 be much more

00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:39.600
 impatient

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:41.180
 and condescending.

00:20:44.780 --> 00:20:45.440
 So, friends,

00:20:45.520 --> 00:20:46.620
 God in His wisdom

00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:48.520
 gives us the victory

00:20:48.520 --> 00:20:50.200
 little by little

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:52.960
 so that the fields

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.020
 and the terrain

00:20:54.020 --> 00:20:55.420
 of our uncultivated

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.420
 hearts don't come

00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:58.500
 back to overwhelm us.

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.720
 I think there's

00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.500
 a special word here

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.480
 to the discouraged

00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.500
 among us this morning.

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.600
 Brothers and sisters,

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.120
 don't be downhearted

00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:10.680
 by the little

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.779
 by little nature

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.900
 of the Christian life.

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.740
 Don't be discouraged

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:17.019
 that it's a process

00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.000
 of growth.

00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:20.460
 And if you feel

00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.180
 like you can't even

00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.360
 see the little

00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:22.920
 by little,

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.440
 if it feels like

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:24.960
 you're not growing

00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.620
 at all,

00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.619
 then I would

00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.139
 encourage you

00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.639
 to get with

00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:28.179
 an older,

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.899
 more mature

00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.359
 Christian

00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.059
 who knows you

00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.439
 well

00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:32.339
 and ask them

00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.879
 what they see

00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.379
 in your life.

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:33.839
 Often,

00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.199
 we aren't the best

00:21:35.199 --> 00:21:35.879
 judge of our

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.899
 own spiritual state.

00:21:37.479 --> 00:21:37.699
 Often,

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.639
 others can see

00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.059
 the little

00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.000
 by little growth

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.839
 much better

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.559
 than we can.

00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:44.039
 So, friends,

00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.859
 don't be discouraged

00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.619
 that the Christian life

00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.359
 is a process.

00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.439
 Expect it.

00:21:48.739 --> 00:21:49.339
 Look at what

00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.399
 God is teaching

00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.299
 you through

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.459
 that little

00:21:52.459 --> 00:21:53.199
 by little

00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:54.419
 process of growth.

00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:57.480
 And perhaps

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.840
 there's also

00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:58.279
 a word here

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.880
 to the spiritually

00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.740
 complacent.

00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:02.800
 Friends,

00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.519
 are you in

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.039
 the fight?

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.279
 Notice at the

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.320
 end of verse 31,

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:10.039
 after God says,

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.960
 I will drive them

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.120
 out,

00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:11.900
 I will drive them

00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.680
 out numerous times,

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.480
 then God says,

00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:14.519
 I will give the

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.220
 inhabitants into

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.720
 your hand

00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.880
 and you shall

00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.460
 drive them out

00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.000
 before you.

00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.360
 Yes,

00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.140
 the victory

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.259
 ultimately belongs

00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.820
 to the Lord,

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:22.859
 Lord,

00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.919
 but you do

00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:25.000
 have a responsibility,

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.500
 a role to play

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.519
 in your growth

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.079
 and holiness.

00:22:31.639 --> 00:22:32.119
 So,

00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:32.679
 ask yourself

00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.240
 this morning,

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.299
 am I concerned

00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.119
 at all

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.579
 to engage

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.859
 in this little

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.779
 by little

00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.659
 growth?

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.099
 Or have I

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.119
 become complacent?

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.659
 Friends,

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.179
 do you care

00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:45.539
 at all

00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.019
 for the growth

00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.500
 of your fellow

00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:47.139
 church members?

00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.280
 believers?

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.020
 Are you praying

00:22:51.020 --> 00:22:51.620
 and encouraging

00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.800
 them in this

00:22:52.800 --> 00:22:53.420
 battle to become

00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.180
 more like Christ?

00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.220
 Here,

00:22:58.320 --> 00:22:59.140
 the call of this

00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.200
 passage is to

00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.340
 get in the game,

00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.960
 to fight the good

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.280
 fight,

00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:04.060
 to wake up

00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:04.900
 from your sleep.

00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.920
 And this leads us

00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.320
 to the third

00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:11.900
 and last lesson

00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.420
 of our passage,

00:23:12.520 --> 00:23:13.280
 the main exhortation

00:23:13.280 --> 00:23:13.840
 that God gives

00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:14.520
 to the Israelites

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:16.319
 as they're poised

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:16.639
 to enter

00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.420
 the promised land

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:17.879
 is that they

00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.359
 must have

00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.740
 nothing to do

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:21.220
 with the false

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.759
 gods of the

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.299
 people around

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.599
 them.

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.839
 In very stark

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.319
 language,

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:25.960
 God says,

00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:27.519
 when you encounter

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.660
 their idolatrous

00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:29.180
 practices,

00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:29.759
 here's what I

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.220
 want you to do.

00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:30.740
 I want you to

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.700
 completely overthrow

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.819
 them and smash

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.339
 all their pillars

00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.879
 into pieces

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.099
 and have nothing

00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.099
 to do with

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.460
 their false

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:36.819
 worship.

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.859
 Verse 32

00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.119
 says,

00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.500
 don't make

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.480
 any covenants

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.160
 with any of

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.680
 their gods.

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.820
 Don't compromise

00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:45.279
 with them

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.320
 in any way.

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.080
 Otherwise,

00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.840
 he says,

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.980
 it will be

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.519
 a snare

00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.039
 to you.

00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:52.980
 Now,

00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.200
 that's an

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.440
 interesting

00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.900
 little word

00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.180
 picture,

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.600
 isn't it?

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.620
 A snare.

00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:00.539
 Most of us

00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.779
 live in the

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.380
 city or in the

00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.779
 suburbs,

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.340
 so we don't

00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.720
 really go

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.840
 hunting a lot.

00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.880
 Some of you

00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.299
 like to go

00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.600
 hunting.

00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.100
 I doubt

00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:09.539
 many of you

00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.279
 hunt with a

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.740
 snare,

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.480
 which is like

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.060
 a small little

00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:13.519
 trap.

00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.100
 For a small

00:24:14.100 --> 00:24:14.680
 little animal.

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.080
 And doesn't a

00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:17.600
 snare sort of

00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.000
 seem like a

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.480
 harmless little

00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.519
 thing, right?

00:24:19.560 --> 00:24:19.940
 Something you

00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.299
 can kind of

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.060
 easily avoid,

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.880
 easily handle,

00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:22.539
 you just step

00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.000
 over it,

00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.519
 you watch out

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.160
 for it,

00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:27.080
 until you get

00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:27.440
 caught,

00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.400
 until you get

00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.759
 stuck.

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.720
 Idolatry and

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.779
 sin are like

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.299
 that, God

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.640
 says.

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.360
 You think you

00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:40.000
 can handle it.

00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.220
 You tell yourself

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.720
 that you have

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:42.980
 it under

00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.500
 control.

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.940
 So what if I

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:46.039
 indulge in a

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:47.480
 little compromise

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.500
 here or there?

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.960
 It's no big

00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.240
 deal.

00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.019
 I'm not really

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.759
 harming anyone.

00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.660
 And then,

00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:56.680
 it catches you.

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.100
 It traps you.

00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.920
 That lustful look

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.220
 here and there

00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.559
 becomes a

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.259
 consuming

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.600
 addiction.

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:10.740
 indulging in

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.299
 self-pity

00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.939
 every once in

00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:12.459
 a while

00:25:12.459 --> 00:25:13.740
 becomes a

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.459
 deep-seated

00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:15.079
 bitterness

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.419
 against God

00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.219
 and others.

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.799
 Bending the

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.379
 truth from

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.099
 time to time

00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.639
 at work

00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:24.019
 becomes a

00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.919
 growing

00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.839
 cover-up

00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.759
 that spirals

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.059
 out of

00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.639
 control.

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.879
 That

00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.759
 hunger

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.619
 for

00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.379
 whatever it

00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:35.820
 might be,

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.500
 comfort or

00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.180
 approval

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:40.480
 starts to

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:42.080
 dominate all

00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.320
 of your

00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:43.060
 relationships,

00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:45.100
 your own

00:25:45.100 --> 00:25:45.600
 view of

00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.400
 yourself and

00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.020
 others in

00:25:47.020 --> 00:25:47.600
 the world.

00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.520
 What this

00:25:49.520 --> 00:25:50.480
 passage teaches

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.120
 us is that

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.920
 if you see

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.600
 the sin in

00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.140
 your life,

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.880
 if you see

00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.760
 the idols in

00:25:56.760 --> 00:25:57.200
 your own

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.600
 heart,

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.080
 those things

00:25:59.080 --> 00:25:59.380
 that are

00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.400
 taking the

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.620
 place of

00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.060
 God in

00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.600
 your life,

00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.820
 the ultimate

00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:05.000
 drivers of

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.700
 your motivation

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.059
 and your

00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.579
 identity,

00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.180
 those good

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:08.660
 things that

00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:08.940
 have become

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.339
 ultimate

00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.940
 things,

00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:11.380
 if you see

00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:11.900
 those things

00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.200
 in your

00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.480
 heart,

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.059
 the Lord

00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.500
 is telling

00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:14.920
 His people

00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.119
 here,

00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:15.920
 don't

00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.759
 compromise.

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.099
 Be

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.779
 unrelenting

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.339
 in your

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.000
 approach to

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.420
 get rid

00:26:22.420 --> 00:26:22.740
 of them.

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.380
 Back in the

00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:25.839
 fall, we

00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.200
 walked very

00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.880
 slowly through

00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.579
 Romans chapter

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.259
 8, which is

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:30.319
 a chapter of

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.140
 much beauty

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.859
 and power

00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.579
 and glory

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.299
 and hope,

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.859
 and in

00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.119
 the middle

00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.419
 of that

00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:34.859
 chapter,

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.919
 Paul says,

00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:36.859
 here's what

00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.200
 you should

00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.659
 do with

00:26:37.659 --> 00:26:38.079
 your sinful

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.519
 nature.

00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.399
 Kill it.

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.799
 Put it to

00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.200
 death.

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.639
 You know,

00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.059
 no one ever

00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:52.299
 finds a spot

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.819
 of skin

00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.440
 cancer and

00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:54.859
 says,

00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.359
 no,

00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.500
 melanoma.

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.659
 It's no big

00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:57.899
 deal.

00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.139
 I can handle

00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.339
 that.

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.399
 You know,

00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:00.839
 I've got a lot

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.319
 of freckles.

00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.399
 It's genetic.

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.580
 I don't

00:27:03.580 --> 00:27:03.920
 tan.

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.100
 I freckle,

00:27:05.280 --> 00:27:05.600
 and then I

00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:05.860
 burn.

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.820
 No big deal.

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.420
 I can handle

00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:07.759
 this.

00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.060
 No one says

00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:10.320
 that.

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.440
 Why?

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.280
 Because that

00:27:14.280 --> 00:27:14.700
 thing is going

00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.200
 to spread

00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.700
 before you

00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.040
 know it

00:27:16.040 --> 00:27:16.460
 to other

00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:16.780
 parts of

00:27:16.780 --> 00:27:17.220
 your body

00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.860
 and it's

00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.040
 going to

00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:18.540
 kill you.

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.340
 Friends,

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:22.720
 it's the

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.440
 same with

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.040
 the idols

00:27:24.040 --> 00:27:24.660
 of our

00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.080
 hearts.

00:27:25.780 --> 00:27:26.360
 Whether they

00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:26.700
 come from

00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.600
 within or

00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:27.980
 whether they

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.440
 seep in

00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.720
 from the

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.259
 outside,

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.519
 they are

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.319
 a snare

00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.440
 ready to

00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.940
 trap

00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:34.019
 and destroy

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.519
 us.

00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.339
 And here's

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.900
 the stark

00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.359
 thing about

00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:40.980
 this passage.

00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.160
 God says

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.480
 if we

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.319
 persist

00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.480
 in harboring

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:44.920
 sin

00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.640
 and in

00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.759
 refusing to

00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.420
 heed God's

00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:47.839
 voice,

00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.460
 if we go

00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.140
 on in

00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.160
 unrepentant

00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.879
 idolatry,

00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.059
 thinking that

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.599
 we can have

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.319
 God's favor

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.900
 and blatantly

00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.700
 disobey God

00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.140
 at the same

00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:56.740
 time,

00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:59.079
 then what

00:27:59.079 --> 00:27:59.759
 God says

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.559
 earlier in

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:01.440
 verse 21

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.759
 will be

00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.099
 true of

00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.480
 us.

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.420
 He will

00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.039
 not pardon

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.660
 your

00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.420
 transgressions.

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.180
 That's a

00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:11.519
 stark

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.000
 verse.

00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.460
 But it's

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:15.759
 a very

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.500
 real warning.

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.019
 If we

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.099
 go on

00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:21.019
 refusing

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.740
 to heed

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.140
 God's

00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.579
 voice,

00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.319
 if we

00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.099
 persist

00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:25.339
 in

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.160
 unrepentant

00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.599
 sin,

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.359
 if we

00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:27.599
 never

00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.220
 humble

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.720
 ourselves

00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.120
 before

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.720
 Christ

00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.160
 as our

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.559
 Savior

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.420
 and as

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:31.539
 our

00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:31.920
 much

00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.200
 needed

00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.640
 Lord,

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:35.160
 if we

00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.400
 never

00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:35.900
 come to

00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.120
 God

00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.559
 and say,

00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.240
 I will

00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:37.579
 be done,

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:37.900
 Lord,

00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.460
 then God

00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:39.880
 will turn

00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.400
 to us

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.140
 and say,

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.579
 I will

00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.000
 be done.

00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.720
 Go.

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.319
 God

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.680
 will not

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:47.960
 pardon

00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.140
 our

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.880
 transgressions.

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.420
 However,

00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.039
 God

00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.800
 will

00:28:52.800 --> 00:28:53.920
 God

00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:53.960
 will

00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:56.320
 turn

00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:57.340
 from

00:28:57.340 --> 00:28:58.920
 self-reliance

00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.480
 and

00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.440
 self-direction

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.220
 and idolatry

00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.640
 and sin

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.279
 and turn

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.200
 to Christ.

00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.220
 God

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.039
 is rich

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.259
 and abundant

00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.940
 in mercy.

00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.900
 God

00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.320
 does not

00:29:11.320 --> 00:29:12.019
 expect us

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.519
 to be

00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.160
 sinless

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.660
 in this

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:13.860
 life.

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.080
 That is

00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.539
 not what

00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:14.720
 God

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.200
 requires.

00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:15.779
 God

00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.039
 doesn't

00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.460
 want

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.360
 perfect

00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:18.060
 people

00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:19.200
 because

00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:20.039
 newsflash,

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.519
 they don't

00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.000
 exist.

00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:23.019
 God

00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.240
 wants

00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.859
 humble

00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.359
 people

00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.319
 who

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.700
 know

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:25.879
 they

00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.039
 need

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.240
 a

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.539
 Savior

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.159
 and

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.319
 who

00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.759
 surrender

00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:28.019
 their

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.379
 lives

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:28.819
 to

00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.039
 him

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.179
 in

00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.379
 willing

00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:29.919
 trust.

00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.039
 And

00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.159
 when

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.299
 we

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.519
 come

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.619
 to

00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:31.740
 him

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:31.899
 with

00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:32.220
 that

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.759
 posture,

00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:33.759
 the

00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.099
 mercy

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.339
 of

00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:34.720
 God

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.519
 overflows

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.799
 beyond

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.139
 what we

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:38.539
 could ask

00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.059
 or think.

00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.639
 In

00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:41.819
 verses

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.480
 25 and

00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.819
 26,

00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.379
 listen

00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:43.899
 to how

00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.480
 God

00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.879
 woos

00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.419
 Israel

00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.399
 away from

00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:47.559
 the

00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:47.919
 worship

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.400
 of

00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.779
 idols

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.180
 to

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.460
 serve

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.640
 him

00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.000
 alone.

00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:50.620
 Look at

00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:50.779
 those

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.000
 verses

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.300
 again.

00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:51.440
 He

00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:51.640
 says,

00:29:52.060 --> 00:29:52.140
 you

00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:52.380
 shall

00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:52.700
 serve

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:52.880
 the

00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.080
 Lord

00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:53.240
 your

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.779
 God

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:55.400
 and

00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.500
 he

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.640
 will

00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:56.080
 bless

00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:56.300
 your

00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:56.539
 bread

00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:56.680
 and

00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:56.820
 your

00:29:56.820 --> 00:29:57.200
 water

00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.680
 and

00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:57.779
 I

00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:57.880
 will

00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.080
 take

00:29:58.080 --> 00:29:58.759
 sicknesses

00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.039
 away

00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.300
 from

00:29:59.300 --> 00:29:59.539
 you.

00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.180
 None

00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:00.420
 shall

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.160
 miscarry

00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.500
 or be

00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.019
 barren

00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.140
 in

00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.279
 your

00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.680
 land.

00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.100
 I

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.259
 will

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.860
 fulfill

00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.160
 the

00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.500
 number

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:04.800
 of

00:30:04.800 --> 00:30:04.920
 your

00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.560
 days.

00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.140
 It's

00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.300
 a

00:30:06.300 --> 00:30:06.539
 picture

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:06.779
 of

00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:07.300
 total

00:30:07.300 --> 00:30:08.039
 flourishing.

00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.100
 Friends,

00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.220
 what

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.420
 are you

00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:11.759
 looking

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.220
 for

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.460
 in

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.660
 those

00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.019
 idols

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.420
 of

00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:14.560
 your

00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:14.899
 heart

00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:15.039
 or

00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.139
 in

00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.339
 those

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.759
 sins

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:15.960
 that

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.099
 you

00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.539
 harbor?

00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.099
 When

00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.279
 you're

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.759
 driven

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.259
 by a

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.519
 need

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:19.700
 for

00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.440
 success,

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:20.659
 for

00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.039
 example,

00:30:21.159 --> 00:30:21.299
 what

00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.440
 is

00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:21.679
 you're

00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.159
 really

00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:22.559
 longing

00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.019
 for?

00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.480
 Acclaim,

00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.159
 affirmation,

00:30:27.159 --> 00:30:27.480
 a sense

00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.139
 of identity

00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.059
 and purpose,

00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:30.139
 a feeling

00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:30.859
 of worth?

00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:33.559
 What do

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.099
 you seek?

00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.159
 When

00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:38.500
 God

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:40.019
 says to

00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.220
 Old

00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:40.539
 Testament

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.940
 Israel

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.339
 that he's

00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:41.579
 going to

00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:41.919
 bless

00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:42.220
 him in

00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.379
 all

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:42.579
 these

00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.019
 ways,

00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.099
 he's

00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.440
 trying to

00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:44.720
 teach

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:44.879
 us

00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.220
 something.

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.420
 He's

00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:47.720
 trying to

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.119
 show

00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:48.339
 us

00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:48.539
 that

00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.240
 in

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.279
 him

00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.079
 we

00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.519
 find

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.279
 real

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.940
 life

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.819
 and

00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:53.980
 in

00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.299
 him

00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.819
 alone.

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.200
 The

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.359
 Old

00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:57.619
 Testament

00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.200
 promises

00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.500
 of

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:58.920
 physical

00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.160
 or

00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.559
 material

00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.119
 blessing

00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.379
 for

00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:00.660
 serving

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:00.859
 the

00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.079
 Lord

00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:01.579
 were

00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.200
 pointers

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.900
 to

00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.259
 something

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.639
 even

00:31:03.639 --> 00:31:04.039
 greater.

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.119
 God

00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.299
 no

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.599
 longer

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.119
 promises

00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.339
 us

00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:06.599
 long

00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:06.940
 life

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.059
 and

00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.440
 material

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.099
 prosperity.

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.740
 What

00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:09.839
 does

00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.019
 God

00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.379
 promise

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:10.700
 us?

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.440
 Resurrection

00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:12.980
 life.

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:15.319
 eternal

00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.920
 life as

00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.440
 heirs

00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.259
 of a

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.420
 new

00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:17.980
 creation.

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.160
 You

00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.259
 know,

00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:23.359
 the

00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:23.500
 Old

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:23.720
 Testament

00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.139
 Israelites

00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:24.460
 never

00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:24.859
 did

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.420
 drive

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:25.700
 out

00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:26.200
 the

00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:26.660
 Canaanites

00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.200
 completely.

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.099
 They

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.799
 persisted

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.379
 in being

00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:31.819
 a snare

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.339
 to them.

00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.460
 And they

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:34.660
 never

00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.039
 did get

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.420
 free

00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:35.960
 from the

00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.200
 false

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:36.559
 gods

00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:36.839
 and the

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.359
 idolatry

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:37.660
 around

00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:37.960
 them.

00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.720
 But

00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.160
 then

00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.680
 Christ

00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:42.740
 lost.

00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:44.779
 Their

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.100
 king,

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.519
 our

00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:45.960
 king

00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:46.640
 came.

00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:48.539
 And he

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.039
 went ahead

00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.560
 of us

00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:51.140
 and won

00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.380
 an even

00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:51.759
 greater

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.240
 victory

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.880
 and pioneered

00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:54.420
 away into

00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:54.660
 an even

00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.620
 better land.

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:57.900
 And he's

00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.620
 defeated all

00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:58.860
 of our

00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.340
 enemies to

00:31:59.340 --> 00:31:59.700
 bring us

00:31:59.700 --> 00:31:59.940
 there.

00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.160
 Through

00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:00.580
 his own

00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:00.920
 blood,

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.420
 Christ has

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:01.820
 defeated

00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.480
 our sin

00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.460
 and death

00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.080
 and he

00:32:04.080 --> 00:32:04.420
 commands

00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.240
 everyone

00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.140
 everywhere

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.759
 to turn

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.039
 to him

00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:07.340
 and be

00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:07.759
 saved.

00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.440
 And he

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.119
 promises

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.559
 to go

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.440
 before us

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.359
 and to

00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:12.680
 bring us

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.000
 all the

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.539
 way home.

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.420
 So

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:18.779
 brothers and

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.000
 sisters,

00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:19.299
 as we

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.579
 look at

00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:19.859
 the road

00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.259
 ahead

00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.400
 and all

00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:21.579
 the

00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.160
 daunting

00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.200
 trials

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.660
 that may

00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:23.960
 be in

00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.400
 store,

00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.379
 listen

00:32:25.379 --> 00:32:26.759
 to what

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:26.960
 the book

00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.339
 of Hebrews

00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:27.799
 says.

00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:28.960
 It says,

00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:29.640
 lay aside

00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.279
 every weight

00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.220
 and the

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.680
 sin which

00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.279
 clings so

00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.879
 closely

00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.720
 and let

00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.279
 us run

00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:34.900
 with endurance

00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.359
 the race

00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:35.799
 that is set

00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.399
 before us,

00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.960
 looking to

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.379
 Jesus,

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.500
 the pioneer

00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:41.059
 and perfecter

00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.379
 of our

00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:41.659
 faith,

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:41.940
 the one

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.519
 who goes

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.299
 before us,

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.019
 who for

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.599
 the joy

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:44.919
 that was

00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:45.460
 set before

00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:45.980
 him endured

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.659
 the cross,

00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:47.700
 despising

00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.299
 the shame

00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:48.940
 and is

00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.579
 seated at

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.139
 the right

00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:51.119
 hand of

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.559
 the throne

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.180
 of God,

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.099
 reigning

00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:53.839
 in glory,

00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.059
 coming one

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.000
 day to

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.619
 bring all

00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:58.039
 things into

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:59.159
 fullness and

00:32:59.159 --> 00:32:59.759
 to bring us

00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.919
 home safely.

00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.319
 Let's

00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:03.559
 pray.

00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:19.700
 Father,

00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.319
 perhaps as

00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:20.639
 we've

00:33:20.639 --> 00:33:21.299
 sat under

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:22.139
 this passage

00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.659
 this morning,

00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.180
 we realize

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.639
 that there

00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:24.899
 are some

00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:25.379
 areas of

00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.000
 our lives

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.220
 where we

00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.579
 have been

00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:27.819
 too

00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.519
 compromising

00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:30.319
 with the

00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:30.779
 idols of

00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.139
 our world

00:33:31.139 --> 00:33:31.940
 around us

00:33:31.940 --> 00:33:33.059
 or the

00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.659
 secret sins

00:33:33.659 --> 00:33:33.940
 of our

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.519
 own hearts.

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:39.599
 Father,

00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:39.940
 we bring

00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.359
 those sins

00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:40.859
 before you

00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.180
 now in

00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.519
 the quiet

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:41.819
 of our

00:33:41.819 --> 00:33:43.379
 hearts and

00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:43.740
 we ask

00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.019
 for your

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:44.440
 forgiveness.

00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:47.119
 God,

00:33:47.159 --> 00:33:47.440
 help us

00:33:47.440 --> 00:33:47.919
 to see

00:33:47.919 --> 00:33:48.319
 that in

00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:49.899
 you and

00:33:49.899 --> 00:33:50.119
 in you

00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.819
 alone belongs

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.119
 a real

00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:52.079
 blessing and

00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:53.019
 purpose and

00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.419
 joy.

00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.279
 God,

00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:57.700
 for many of

00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.019
 my brothers

00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.480
 and sisters

00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:58.879
 here this

00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.359
 morning who

00:33:59.359 --> 00:33:59.980
 are fearful

00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.519
 of the road

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:03.180
 ahead or

00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:03.619
 who may be

00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:04.399
 discouraged,

00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:06.200
 encouraged by

00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.700
 their growth

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.280
 and holiness

00:34:07.280 --> 00:34:08.000
 feeling that

00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:09.639
 they've just

00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.420
 not seen the

00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.760
 victory or the

00:34:11.760 --> 00:34:12.680
 conquest or the

00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.280
 growth that they

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:13.760
 would like to

00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:13.940
 see.

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.160
 Oh,

00:34:14.200 --> 00:34:14.380
 Lord,

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.680
 by your

00:34:14.680 --> 00:34:15.119
 spirit would

00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.720
 you encourage

00:34:15.720 --> 00:34:16.139
 them this

00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:16.440
 morning.

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.360
 Help them to

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.780
 see that all

00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.680
 is not lost,

00:34:20.740 --> 00:34:21.440
 that even if

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.960
 they've stumbled

00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.280
 for the

00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:22.800
 19th,

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:23.059
 for the

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.500
 20th,

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:23.760
 for the

00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:24.380
 21st,

00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.619
 for the

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.400
 100th time,

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:25.700
 God,

00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:26.200
 you never

00:34:26.200 --> 00:34:26.840
 turn away

00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.940
 the broken

00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.460
 hearted and

00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.079
 the contrite.

00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.619
 God,

00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.039
 you are near

00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.619
 to us and

00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:31.280
 you promise

00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.840
 to carry us

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.039
 through,

00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.619
 to go before

00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.019
 us.

00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:35.679
 Lord,

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.059
 help us to

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.639
 remember that

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.199
 this week,

00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.699
 that you are

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.239
 indeed before

00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:41.359
 us in all of

00:34:41.359 --> 00:34:41.779
 this earthly

00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.199
 pilgrimage.

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.679
 We pray this

00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.380
 in Jesus' name.

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:45.779
 Amen.