WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480
 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540
 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:10.620
 Join us.

00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:18.140
 We began a sermon series last Sunday in the Gospel of Luke.

00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:25.980
 Getting a chance to hear Luke talk to us about the purpose of writing his book, that we would

00:00:25.980 --> 00:00:31.539
 have our doubts and our struggles brought to God and have them addressed by his word

00:00:31.539 --> 00:00:40.539
 with truth about Jesus, who he is, what he did, how he turns our expectations and assumptions

00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:47.480
 upside down and yet at the same time remains at the center always, always the focus of our

00:00:47.480 --> 00:00:50.700
 attention and of what God is doing in our lives.

00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:52.600
 And that's true this week.

00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:57.280
 Even before we get to the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, he's at the center.

00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:00.000
 It's all about him.

00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:07.280
 The whole point this morning as the angel Gabriel comes to two different people is that Jesus

00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:09.120
 is no ordinary baby.

00:01:10.540 --> 00:01:18.099
 In fact, that in Jesus, God displays his redeeming grace and his rescuing power in a unique way.

00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:21.640
 This will indeed be a unique child to be born.

00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:28.140
 The unique circumstances we'll read this morning surrounding his birth will highlight his unique

00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:35.319
 identity and mission while at the same time they'll demonstrate the astonishing and unique

00:01:35.319 --> 00:01:37.239
 power of God.

00:01:38.419 --> 00:01:41.959
 For now, I'm just going to read the end of the passage we'll look at this morning.

00:01:41.959 --> 00:01:49.459
 Beginning in verse 34 after Gabriel has delivered a shocking message to the Virgin Mary,

00:01:49.919 --> 00:01:52.679
 you will bear the Son of God.

00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:57.419
 Hear God's word at Luke 1 in verse 34.

00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:03.060
 And Mary said to the angel, how will this be since I am a virgin?

00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:09.800
 And the angel answered her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most

00:02:09.800 --> 00:02:11.520
 High will overshadow you.

00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:16.960
 Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.

00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:22.180
 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son.

00:02:22.480 --> 00:02:25.280
 And this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:29.400
 For nothing will be impossible with God.

00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:33.520
 And Mary said, behold, I am the servant of the Lord.

00:02:33.740 --> 00:02:36.860
 Let it be to me according to your word.

00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:39.900
 And the angel departed from her.

00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:41.759
 Pray with me.

00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:47.300
 Father, thank you for your word.

00:02:47.480 --> 00:02:56.520
 Thank you for this passage that reminds us very directly that nothing is impossible with

00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:57.120
 God.

00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:03.360
 And because of that, Father, we come to you this morning with things that may seem impossible

00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:04.620
 to us.

00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:07.659
 And we ask that you would speak to us.

00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:09.620
 That we would hear.

00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:16.360
 That we would have not just ears to hear, but minds to understand and hearts to believe.

00:03:18.040 --> 00:03:20.080
 So, Father, would you do that?

00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:22.480
 Would you even speak through me?

00:03:22.480 --> 00:03:26.480
 Through someone who himself must believe again today?

00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:35.780
 Father, use me and speak clearly through your spirit that we might be changed forever.

00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:40.080
 Do that because we desperately need you.

00:03:40.180 --> 00:03:41.599
 We need you to speak to us.

00:03:41.700 --> 00:03:43.020
 We need you to change us.

00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:45.560
 And we ask it in Jesus' name.

00:03:46.480 --> 00:03:46.840
 Amen.

00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:46.979
 Amen.

00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:52.960
 I mentioned we're going to look at two angelic visits this morning.

00:03:53.700 --> 00:03:57.980
 Luke sets them up as an interesting study in comparison and contrast.

00:03:58.480 --> 00:04:00.879
 You'll see that as we read through them.

00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:03.840
 You'll notice the similarities and differences.

00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:07.659
 Let's look at the first one beginning in verse 5.

00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:35.860
 Zechariah and Elizabeth.

00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:42.500
 Elizabeth, a priest and his wife of pure religious pedigree, have been faithfully following God

00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:43.699
 for many years.

00:04:44.400 --> 00:04:46.720
 All the way into their old age, right?

00:04:47.540 --> 00:04:52.920
 And all along as they've followed God, they've been doing so with a heavy burden.

00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:56.460
 With unfulfilled longings.

00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:00.020
 The desire of their hearts to have a child.

00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:02.859
 But Elizabeth is barren.

00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:10.740
 We find out later on in verse 25 that this is not only a deep grief for them, but also

00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:12.259
 a public shame.

00:05:13.399 --> 00:05:18.579
 The passage is clear that their situation is not, in fact, a divine punishment.

00:05:19.359 --> 00:05:22.599
 But people in the community have taken it as such.

00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:26.420
 As an indication of a lack of God's blessing towards them.

00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:27.420
 A reproach.

00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:28.860
 A black mark.

00:05:29.140 --> 00:05:34.379
 A burden that they have now carried beyond their childbearing years.

00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:41.200
 And as we keep reading, Zechariah goes into the temple of God at the peak of his religious

00:05:41.200 --> 00:05:43.520
 service to burn the incense.

00:05:43.900 --> 00:05:48.120
 This would have been the only day of his life he got chosen for this special task.

00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:53.060
 And in the middle of it, an angel shows up with a message for him.

00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:54.360
 Verse 11.

00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:59.220
 There appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:03.879
 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him and fear fell upon him.

00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:08.319
 But the angel said to him, do not be afraid, Zechariah.

00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:11.139
 For your prayer has been heard.

00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:16.420
 And your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall call his name John.

00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.319
 Imagine the emotion Zechariah is having.

00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:23.280
 He didn't see this coming and all of a sudden a son.

00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:24.879
 A son.

00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:27.100
 We've been waiting for this.

00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:29.660
 But the angel continues.

00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:30.819
 Verse 14.

00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:35.519
 And you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth.

00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:37.439
 For he will be great before the Lord.

00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:40.459
 And he must not drink wine or strong drink.

00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:44.040
 And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb.

00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:48.180
 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:51.680
 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.

00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:54.300
 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.

00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.840
 And the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.

00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:00.439
 To make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

00:07:01.820 --> 00:07:02.920
 Not just a son.

00:07:04.400 --> 00:07:06.220
 Not just any son.

00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:10.020
 Now certainly Zechariah had prayed for a son.

00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:12.240
 I suspect many times.

00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:16.820
 But the prayer the angel says has been heard.

00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:21.180
 Is most likely his prayer for the redemption of God's people.

00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:24.120
 That he would have just been praying before the altar of God.

00:07:24.760 --> 00:07:27.120
 For God to break his silence.

00:07:27.560 --> 00:07:28.620
 400 years.

00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:32.160
 And send the Messiah to rescue his people.

00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:35.740
 And that indeed is what the angel is announcing.

00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:40.800
 Zechariah's son John will prepare the way for God's gracious redemption.

00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:42.060
 It's happening.

00:07:44.640 --> 00:07:46.980
 But Zechariah can't believe what he hears.

00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:50.100
 Maybe you don't blame him.

00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:53.560
 But he protests that they're too old.

00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:55.760
 And he asks for a sign.

00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:57.080
 And he receives one.

00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:59.340
 A gracious discipline.

00:07:59.340 --> 00:08:02.060
 To help him trust God's word.

00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:02.860
 He will be mute.

00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:05.700
 Until the baby is born.

00:08:07.400 --> 00:08:12.560
 So this scene closes with Elizabeth rejoicing in God's grace to her.

00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:15.160
 She says thus is the Lord done for me.

00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.560
 In the days when he looked on me.

00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:21.500
 To take away my reproach among people.

00:08:22.140 --> 00:08:23.960
 How incredible she says.

00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:27.580
 God has heard the cry of our hearts.

00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:31.680
 Our whole lives we have suffered waiting for a son.

00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:37.199
 Our whole lives we have suffered waiting for God's redemption of his people.

00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:40.919
 We've carried grief.

00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.480
 We've carried shame.

00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:45.120
 We've felt forgotten.

00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:49.639
 And now both these things are going to happen at the same time.

00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:53.759
 Both the things we've been longing for and waiting for are coming.

00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:57.419
 And isn't this just like God?

00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:02.139
 Who time and again uses childless couples.

00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:05.319
 In the advancement of his kingdom.

00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:08.799
 Just think back to many examples in the Old Testament.

00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:11.259
 You could start with Abraham and Sarah, right?

00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:17.319
 Childless at the age of a hundred and then Isaac comes.

00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:24.100
 You could think of Hannah and Elkanah who are blessed with Samuel later in life.

00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:30.120
 Think of widowed Ruth who not only receives a husband in Boaz.

00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:35.620
 But then with him bearing children who are in the line of Jesus.

00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:44.560
 God meets us in our pain and our disgrace to remind us that he's not forgotten us.

00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:52.139
 And also to show his miraculous power that indeed nothing is impossible with God.

00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:53.940
 That's the message here.

00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:59.159
 No barren womb prevents him from giving life and rescuing his people.

00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:05.159
 He's intent on giving gifts that people have not earned.

00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:09.120
 He has a son coming for Zechariah and Elizabeth.

00:10:09.839 --> 00:10:13.240
 And a savior coming for his people.

00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:18.639
 Elizabeth realizes when she says this at the end of this scene.

00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:24.039
 I think she realizes in her suffering what our African American brothers and sisters

00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:27.360
 have learned over the years in their suffering.

00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:30.220
 As one of their sayings goes,

00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:33.759
 God may not come when you want him.

00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:36.899
 But he's always on time.

00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:38.899
 That's true, isn't it?

00:10:39.319 --> 00:10:40.879
 It may not always be our time.

00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:42.580
 It may not always be what we want.

00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:45.319
 But it is right on time.

00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:49.759
 Elizabeth helps us hear the message that the angel delivered to Zechariah.

00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:52.059
 It's a message of grace.

00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:55.019
 Of unmerited favor from God.

00:10:55.399 --> 00:10:58.379
 That we'll hear repeatedly this morning.

00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:01.960
 God's message through Gabriel is this.

00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:04.700
 Grace to you, Zechariah.

00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.039
 Don't lose heart.

00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:09.120
 Don't be afraid.

00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:11.419
 Don't give up hope.

00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:17.639
 My redeeming grace and rescuing power are coming to you.

00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.840
 And through you to many others.

00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:23.720
 That's what Zechariah hears.

00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:31.460
 But then the scene shifts from mighty Jerusalem to a tiny town called Nazareth.

00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:34.200
 Of which it is said in these days,

00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.639
 Can anything good come from Nazareth?

00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.220
 They didn't think so.

00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:42.759
 But Gabriel visits there a young woman named Mary

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:45.120
 who's engaged to a man named Joseph.

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:48.340
 Yes, the Mary and Joseph you're familiar with.

00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:54.379
 You can be quite confident as you begin to read the portion of God's word

00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.980
 where Gabriel comes to Mary

00:11:55.980 --> 00:12:01.360
 that Mary didn't have grand thoughts of herself before the angel came.

00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:04.639
 Too young to be important.

00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:09.980
 Women were not well respected in the culture of the day.

00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.700
 And besides that, she's from Nazareth.

00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:15.040
 Low expectations.

00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:18.240
 Let me explain it to you this way so you.

00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:21.019
 Get a little bit of the feeling of how Mary might have felt.

00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.639
 I was watching the Olympics this week

00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.879
 and saw a swimming race where all the attention was focused

00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:31.759
 in the middle of the pool on the American and Australian swimmers,

00:12:31.960 --> 00:12:35.280
 the powerhouse favorites who were supposed to win the race,

00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.460
 the top qualifiers.

00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.960
 Everybody was watching them.

00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:41.759
 And down at the bottom in lane one,

00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:44.080
 almost off of the screen on my TV,

00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.460
 was a swimmer from Kazakhstan.

00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:50.700
 Kazakhstan, the great swimming powerhouse

00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:54.400
 with a grand total of zero swimming medals

00:12:54.400 --> 00:12:56.759
 in the history of the country, I believe.

00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:01.700
 The commentators, of course, glossed right over him

00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:04.620
 saying something like he had a personal best in the semis

00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:06.340
 just to kind of get in the pool here,

00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:07.220
 don't pay attention,

00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:09.220
 watch the ones in the middle.

00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:11.700
 And having been dismissed,

00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.680
 with no one watching him,

00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:15.980
 at the last second this guy creeps up,

00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:17.019
 sticks out his hand,

00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:20.200
 and touches first a gold medal for Kazakhstan.

00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.500
 Kazakhstan.

00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:25.440
 Nazareth.

00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:30.060
 She never would have expected to be of great significance.

00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:34.859
 But the angel comes and brings grace to Mary too.

00:13:35.059 --> 00:13:36.539
 Listen, verse 28.

00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.119
 He came to her and said,

00:13:38.239 --> 00:13:39.859
 Greetings, O favored one,

00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:41.599
 the Lord is with you.

00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:45.319
 But she was greatly troubled at the saying

00:13:45.319 --> 00:13:48.000
 and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

00:13:48.339 --> 00:13:49.559
 And the angel said to her,

00:13:49.859 --> 00:13:51.839
 Do not be afraid, Mary,

00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:56.019
 for you have found favor with God.

00:13:56.019 --> 00:14:01.740
 Now, saying Mary was greatly troubled as Zechariah was

00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:04.419
 has to be an understatement, doesn't it?

00:14:05.079 --> 00:14:06.199
 She's very young.

00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:08.059
 Many think as young as 12 years old

00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:10.600
 or perhaps her early teens at most.

00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.879
 She lives in the middle of nowhere

00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.779
 in a place full of nobodies

00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:18.059
 and an angel shows up to talk to her.

00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:21.120
 Just being there would have been overwhelming.

00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.199
 But what's the message?

00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:26.020
 The message again to her is grace

00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:28.180
 as it was to Zechariah.

00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:32.920
 Favored one means recipient of grace from God.

00:14:33.040 --> 00:14:34.960
 That's what the word is actually saying.

00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:38.220
 That God's special blessing and God's presence,

00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.340
 the Lord is with you,

00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:42.020
 both are being promised to her.

00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:45.980
 You have found favor with God

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:49.080
 is again saying God has graciously determined

00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:50.259
 to bless you.

00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:54.419
 These words to Mary are often misunderstood,

00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:57.299
 but the nature of the divine favor

00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:58.419
 that's coming to her

00:14:58.419 --> 00:15:01.120
 is emphasizing not her merit,

00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:04.279
 but rather God's great generosity.

00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:07.720
 It's not so much Mary full of grace

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.279
 that attracts God,

00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.840
 but God so full of grace

00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:14.720
 that He pours out on Mary

00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:17.019
 so that she is blessed.

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:21.840
 First, God promises His grace to Mary.

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:25.199
 But then as if that weren't enough,

00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.259
 it gets even more remarkable.

00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.439
 Verse 31,

00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:30.559
 Behold, you will conceive in your womb

00:15:30.559 --> 00:15:31.460
 and bear a son

00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:33.059
 and you shall call His name Jesus.

00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.720
 He will be great

00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:36.939
 and will be called the Son of the Most High.

00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.919
 And the Lord God will give to Him

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:40.379
 the throne of His father David

00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:42.860
 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever

00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:47.180
 and of His kingdom there will be no end.

00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:51.419
 The grace God gives to you, Mary,

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:54.240
 is also going to be through you

00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.759
 to many others.

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.360
 You're going to have a son.

00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.180
 But again, not just any son.

00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:03.779
 The Son of God.

00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:07.080
 His name, Jesus, tells you,

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.659
 Yahweh saves.

00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:10.740
 And that's the plan here, right?

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:12.259
 As we just read it.

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.720
 This is the Son of God,

00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:15.240
 the promised Messiah,

00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.240
 the one who's promised

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.779
 to reign over God's people forever.

00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.700
 The one that they've been waiting for

00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:27.000
 to sit on David's throne forever.

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.879
 He's going to be the hero.

00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:31.379
 He's going to be the hope of the world.

00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:34.039
 This is even bigger than a gold medal for Kazakhstan.

00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.600
 This is the most important person

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.539
 in human history

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:39.120
 through all the Old Testament.

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:43.060
 The one Mary and all her family and friends

00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:44.779
 know is the hope of God's people.

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.179
 They've heard about Him.

00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.840
 He's the one she's read about

00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:49.340
 over and over in the prophets

00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:51.539
 but never knew when to expect.

00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:55.220
 The one of greatest significance

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:59.679
 will come through one of seeming insignificance.

00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:03.919
 The Messiah seemed almost like a dream to Mary

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:06.319
 and now I will be His mother?

00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:06.460
 Mother?

00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.579
 But Mary believes.

00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.700
 She assumes it will happen

00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:15.019
 but she does want to know

00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.480
 how this is going to work out.

00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:18.799
 You know, I got a fiance after all.

00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:21.700
 She wasn't hoping for a pregnancy.

00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.139
 It's going to be complicated for sure

00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:26.240
 and the angel explains in the words

00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:28.779
 that we read earlier how it happens.

00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:31.539
 Just like this miraculous event

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.680
 taking place with your relative Elizabeth,

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:35.200
 the reason this can happen

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:39.200
 is that nothing will be impossible with God.

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.299
 You need to know, Mary,

00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:43.259
 that God is powerful enough

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.240
 to overcome your insignificance,

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.539
 your youthfulness,

00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:48.099
 your station in life.

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:50.279
 He rescues His people

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:52.960
 because of His great power.

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:56.340
 And isn't this just like God?

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:59.720
 To condescend to Mary.

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:03.180
 Isaiah tells us that God dwells

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:05.880
 in high and lofty places.

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.559
 Places like heaven.

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:10.900
 Places like the temple in Jerusalem

00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.600
 and so on.

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:16.799
 But that He meets with the lowly.

00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:21.440
 that He meets with young Mary in Nazareth

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.960
 and gives her through Gabriel

00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:26.299
 the message of grace.

00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:29.700
 Grace to you, Mary.

00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.619
 Don't lose heart.

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.559
 Don't be afraid.

00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.980
 Don't give up hope.

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.319
 My redeeming power,

00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:40.000
 my redeeming grace,

00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:41.299
 my rescuing power

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.899
 are coming to you

00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:46.099
 and through you to many others.

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.399
 Now part of the many others

00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:52.259
 that God's promising His grace is coming to

00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:54.599
 is all of Israel, His people.

00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:57.200
 You've probably picked up on the similarities

00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:59.579
 between the accounts of Gabriel's visits

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:01.240
 to Zechariah and to Mary

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:03.440
 and I've tried to highlight along the way

00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.960
 some of the distinct differences too.

00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:08.440
 Look at some of the differences this way.

00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:11.159
 First of all, Zechariah's a man.

00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.039
 He's male.

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.579
 Mary is female.

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.619
 Zechariah is old.

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.859
 Mary is young.

00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:22.579
 Zechariah has long been a faithful priest.

00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:26.139
 Mary's merely a maidservant.

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:30.259
 Zechariah is there in the temple at Jerusalem

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:34.440
 and Mary is stuck in nowhere Nazareth.

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:38.480
 Side note before we move on,

00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:41.740
 which one of these two responds appropriately

00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:43.400
 to the angel's message.

00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:47.200
 It's not the one you might expect, is it?

00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.519
 And we're going to come back to that

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.259
 as we go through the Gospel of Luke

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.960
 because as I told you last week,

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:54.900
 one of the things Luke is going to show us

00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.980
 over and over again

00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:58.519
 is it's the insignificant outsiders

00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.799
 who become honored insiders

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.039
 in God's kingdom.

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.559
 This is how he works

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:05.160
 and this is one example of it

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.099
 here at the beginning.

00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:09.000
 Zechariah's mute.

00:20:09.459 --> 00:20:11.819
 Mary's commended and praised for her faith.

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:14.559
 But for now, notice

00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:16.699
 that despite their different responses,

00:20:17.139 --> 00:20:19.639
 grace comes to both of them, doesn't it?

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.819
 To the two extremes of the spectrum

00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.359
 of God's people

00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:25.439
 covering everyone in between,

00:20:26.439 --> 00:20:27.679
 grace comes to them.

00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.879
 To both of them

00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:31.500
 who may have been feeling overlooked.

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:35.539
 Imagine what God's people in general

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:37.259
 must have been feeling.

00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:40.440
 Overlooked may have been putting it mildly.

00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.420
 For 400 years,

00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:44.059
 they haven't heard from a prophet.

00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:46.339
 Used to happen all the time.

00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.740
 Where is God?

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.920
 Why is he silent?

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.420
 Has he forgotten about us?

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:54.880
 Certainly they wondered.

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.960
 We're back home finally,

00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:59.279
 but with the Romans on the throne,

00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:01.079
 not the Davidic king

00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.660
 who's supposed to be reigning

00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:04.299
 and ruling over us.

00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:07.399
 We've got all these promises from God,

00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.680
 but fulfillment-wise,

00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:12.700
 I'm not really seeing a lot of it turning out.

00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:16.200
 Certainly God's slow at best.

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:20.639
 God must have seemed very far away to them.

00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:22.639
 Some, I'm sure, felt the grief

00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:25.259
 and the disgrace that Zechariah

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.500
 and Elizabeth felt.

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:30.799
 Others, I'm sure, felt the insignificance,

00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:34.079
 the smallness that Mary felt.

00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:36.240
 But all of them would have been

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:39.539
 in the same place of needing to hear from God,

00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:42.680
 of being desperate for him to act,

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.700
 to speak,

00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.960
 to come and rescue.

00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:48.319
 And so these messages of grace

00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:50.660
 are speaking to all God's people,

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:54.079
 to the old men as well as to the young girls,

00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:56.259
 to the ones in the temple in Jerusalem,

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:59.119
 all the way over to the nobodies in Nazareth.

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.919
 It's finally happening.

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.579
 Someone named John is coming

00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:05.939
 to turn many of us to the Lord our God,

00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:08.019
 to make ready for him a people

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:11.819
 prepared for the coming of the Lord.

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:14.259
 And then the Messiah himself is coming,

00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:16.740
 the son of God, the Davidic king,

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:19.659
 the eternal ruler of God's people.

00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:21.659
 God's fulfilling his promises.

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:25.040
 We can have hope again.

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:28.180
 He's going to use the old

00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.700
 as well as the young

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.320
 for his saving purposes.

00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.480
 What about me?

00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.019
 That means me.

00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:35.640
 He'll use me.

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:39.560
 And so we hear the message of his grace.

00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:42.840
 Grace to you, my beloved people.

00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.420
 Don't lose heart.

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:47.460
 Don't be afraid.

00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:50.120
 Don't give up hope.

00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:53.600
 My redeeming grace, my rescuing power

00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:56.080
 are coming to you and through you

00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:57.700
 to many others.

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.860
 And that's the message of grace

00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:03.160
 that each of us needs to hear

00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:05.519
 and trust this morning.

00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.980
 In general, you see,

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:09.060
 it's not too hard for us to believe

00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:11.600
 that nothing is impossible with God.

00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.660
 It sounds good.

00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.820
 It feels good, we like to think,

00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.820
 that his redeeming grace

00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:18.019
 and rescuing power

00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:20.800
 will come to and through the overlooked

00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:23.040
 because we love a good underdog story,

00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.440
 don't we?

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.800
 I mean, that sounds great.

00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.040
 Sure, that could happen.

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:30.920
 God could do it through Zechariah and Elizabeth.

00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.480
 God could do it through Mary.

00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:34.220
 He could use anybody.

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:38.559
 It's not so easy to believe

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:41.720
 when you are the one who's overlooked, is it?

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:45.860
 When you're the one feeling the shame

00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:47.779
 or the disgrace.

00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:51.700
 When you're the one who feels insignificant

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.680
 and small.

00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.819
 When you carry shame

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:58.019
 or you've experienced rejection

00:23:58.019 --> 00:24:01.299
 or unfulfilled longings

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:05.000
 like Mary or Zechariah or Elizabeth,

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:09.019
 it's easier then to respond like Zechariah

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:11.139
 to the promise of God's grace.

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.559
 Oh yeah, sure.

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.039
 But me?

00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.180
 No.

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.160
 But us?

00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.559
 No.

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.359
 We're too old.

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:23.639
 I've blown it too badly.

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.979
 You don't understand.

00:24:26.199 --> 00:24:27.979
 It's easier to feel that

00:24:27.979 --> 00:24:30.279
 than it is to respond with faith

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.779
 like Mary.

00:24:33.159 --> 00:24:35.279
 I think of just some of the conversations

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.419
 I've had recently

00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:38.899
 and I realize that it's very hard

00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.759
 for us to believe this message

00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.779
 for ourselves.

00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.779
 There's the older couple

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:47.379
 with grown kids who are wayward

00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:49.000
 and they worry.

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:52.039
 They followed God all their lives

00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:53.559
 and they expected better

00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:55.240
 but now it's embarrassing.

00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.380
 Perhaps others will think

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.759
 they weren't very good parents

00:24:58.759 --> 00:25:01.619
 and could God still use even them

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:03.079
 to reach their kids?

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.920
 There's the elder who feels

00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:09.240
 God has seemed distant lately

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:12.819
 and wonders if the exciting feeling

00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:14.160
 of nearness to God

00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:16.039
 that he loves to share with others

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.420
 will ever return.

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:21.519
 There's the young woman

00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.720
 without children

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:24.880
 even though that's the desire

00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.759
 of her heart

00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:29.259
 and some days she feels marginalized

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:31.420
 some days she feels

00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.880
 just painfully empty

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:35.460
 and like she can't share

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:37.380
 with someone she'd long to share with.

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.119
 There's the pastor

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:44.339
 I don't talk to myself that often

00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.819
 but when I do I try to tell you.

00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:48.139
 The pastor's struggling

00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:49.480
 some days to believe

00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.559
 he's significant

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:52.639
 if the church is not making

00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.500
 a big splash

00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.119
 like the one across town.

00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:57.139
 Am I doing great things

00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.839
 for the kingdom?

00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:00.179
 Is God at work here too

00:26:00.179 --> 00:26:01.659
 with ordinary,

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:04.539
 inadequate me?

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:08.519
 There's the guy staring

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.799
 divorce in the face

00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:11.899
 and maybe not for the first time

00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:14.299
 and fearing the shame

00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.059
 and disgrace

00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.339
 that Elizabeth felt

00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.579
 from the community

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:19.220
 and thinking he'll be sidelined

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.779
 in God's plan.

00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.059
 There's the high schooler

00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.559
 who grew up in the church

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:27.920
 but now doesn't sense

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.180
 she has significance.

00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:31.259
 Wonders about her place

00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.259
 in God's kingdom.

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:34.799
 Where do high schoolers fit in?

00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:35.879
 It doesn't seem

00:26:35.879 --> 00:26:37.200
 to be a place for her.

00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.879
 There's the mother

00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.920
 who's exhausted

00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:43.039
 without ever leaving the house

00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.420
 to do something

00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.980
 that feels truly important

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.319
 to her

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.160
 and it seems

00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.980
 no one notices

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:51.259
 except her toddlers.

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:55.039
 Now when we feel emotions

00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:56.019
 like those

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.819
 and others

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:58.339
 that you may be feeling

00:26:58.339 --> 00:27:00.419
 it's hard to believe

00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:02.079
 God's message of grace

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.959
 is for us

00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:03.459
 isn't it?

00:27:03.919 --> 00:27:05.419
 It's very difficult

00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.519
 to imagine there

00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.980
 that God could not only

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.139
 rescue us

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.399
 but that he could use us

00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.379
 for the sake of others.

00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.579
 We seem left out

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:15.179
 and we get discouraged

00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:17.399
 and we're hopeless even.

00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:20.319
 But it's what God says

00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.459
 to us this morning.

00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:22.740
 It's the message

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.099
 he wants you to hear.

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:26.439
 God's grace to us

00:27:26.439 --> 00:27:28.399
 grace to you

00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:29.359
 dear ones

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.959
 whom he loves.

00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.519
 Grace to you

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.240
 who feel

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.259
 overlooked.

00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.359
 Grace to you

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.199
 who feel

00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:37.859
 neglected.

00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.119
 Grace to you

00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.559
 who feel

00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.459
 ashamed.

00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.639
 Don't lose heart.

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.559
 Don't be afraid.

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.579
 Don't give up hope.

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:51.859
 my redeeming grace

00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.679
 my rescuing power

00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:55.099
 are coming to you

00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:55.740
 and through you

00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.720
 to many others

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:58.539
 it's how he works.

00:27:58.899 --> 00:27:59.539
 It's people

00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.059
 who feel

00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.779
 overlooked

00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.519
 and disgraced

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.579
 or insignificant

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.439
 that God

00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:05.819
 delights to bring

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.500
 his grace

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.579
 to and through.

00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.339
 You remember Daniel

00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.159
 just this summer

00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:12.099
 and his ordinary faith

00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:13.919
 in an extraordinary God?

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.359
 That's the point.

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.299
 Ordinary people

00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.899
 like us

00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:17.960
 can believe

00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.720
 the promises

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.640
 of a God

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:21.120
 who nothing

00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:22.360
 is impossible for.

00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:23.940
 He's the one

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.480
 who is great

00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:27.039
 not us.

00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:28.759
 I don't know

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.160
 if you heard

00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:30.340
 the interview

00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.319
 with synchronized

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.799
 divers

00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.940
 David Badiah

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.980
 and Steele Johnson

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.319
 after they won

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.519
 an Olympic silver medal

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.059
 this week.

00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.299
 Apparently all I did

00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.059
 was watch Olympics

00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.640
 this week.

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:39.920
 Sorry.

00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.340
 It was a great interview.

00:28:42.840 --> 00:28:43.299
 They asked him

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.640
 how do you

00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.720
 keep calm

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.840
 with the pressure

00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.720
 of the Olympics

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.100
 bearing down on you?

00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.799
 And they both gave

00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.680
 great responses

00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.880
 one after the other.

00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.360
 How do we stay cool

00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:54.039
 under pressure?

00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.980
 Well you see

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.600
 it's not as big a deal

00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:57.460
 as y'all might be

00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.240
 picturing it

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.299
 because my identity

00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.579
 is in Christ

00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:02.299
 they both said.

00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.600
 My significance

00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.380
 is rooted

00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.660
 in Jesus Christ

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.299
 and so

00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.660
 standing up there

00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.299
 on the diving board

00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.900
 at the Olympics

00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:10.259
 it wasn't all

00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:11.720
 that pressure packed.

00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.400
 It wasn't all

00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.460
 riding on that

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:15.319
 one dive.

00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.740
 A great answer.

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.240
 What I didn't love

00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.759
 is how they instantly

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:22.039
 seemed to become

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:24.380
 heroic Christian examples.

00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.360
 They were the ones

00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:27.200
 who'd finally

00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.579
 made a testimony

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.720
 for Jesus

00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:32.960
 because it made me feel

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.700
 like if I really

00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.240
 wanted to make

00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.319
 a difference for Jesus

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.039
 I'd have to start

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.519
 by winning

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.360
 an Olympic medal

00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.620
 and then talking

00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:39.279
 about Jesus

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.000
 on TV.

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:42.539
 And how was I

00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.160
 ever going to get

00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.779
 from here

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:45.240
 to there?

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.819
 What about the lady

00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.380
 facing cancer

00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.140
 at home

00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:51.319
 with her identity

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.299
 rooted in Christ?

00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.339
 Or the young person

00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.339
 entering a new school

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:58.079
 or the man

00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.099
 losing his job

00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:01.599
 with their identity

00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:03.279
 rooted in Christ?

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.319
 We don't have to be

00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:06.039
 the Lord's

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.619
 Olympic medalists.

00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.200
 We can just be

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.380
 the Lord's servant

00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:12.880
 the way Mary

00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.559
 was.

00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.279
 See the message

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.440
 of God's grace

00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.220
 meeting us

00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.819
 in all those

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.980
 ordinary places

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.539
 in Jesus

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.900
 is powerful too

00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:22.319
 when you share that

00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.440
 with others.

00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.940
 Don't you long

00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.180
 to experience

00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.360
 and express

00:30:27.360 --> 00:30:28.340
 God's grace?

00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.400
 To have the

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.559
 rescuing power

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.500
 of God flow

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.200
 to you

00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.440
 and then through you

00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.400
 to many others?

00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.960
 It is this

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.340
 amazingly unique

00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:39.059
 Jesus

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.459
 whose angels

00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:41.019
 are coming

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.939
 to talk to people

00:30:41.939 --> 00:30:43.319
 about his birth.

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.579
 He's promised

00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:45.399
 in this passage

00:30:45.399 --> 00:30:46.919
 he's actually

00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:48.019
 already come

00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.759
 to us.

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.059
 He's not someone

00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:51.339
 we're looking forward

00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.379
 to maybe one day

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.519
 that will develop.

00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:54.839
 He has come

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.379
 to us

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.139
 as evidence

00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.659
 that God

00:30:56.659 --> 00:30:57.679
 is speaking grace

00:30:57.679 --> 00:30:58.279
 to us

00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.579
 and himself

00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:01.179
 the very content

00:31:01.179 --> 00:31:03.480
 of that message.

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.720
 In Jesus

00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.240
 God's redeeming

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:06.579
 grace

00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.259
 and rescuing

00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.680
 power

00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.640
 have already

00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:10.360
 come to us

00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:11.500
 so we can believe

00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.339
 he will continue

00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.259
 to meet us

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.779
 right where we are.

00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.279
 Because you see

00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:17.240
 it's not actually

00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.039
 something new

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.720
 that we are putting

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.519
 our hope in

00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.460
 and waiting for.

00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.839
 It's not about us

00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.460
 getting everything

00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.480
 we ask for

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.940
 and all our desires

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.579
 fulfilled.

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.839
 Mary wasn't asking

00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.539
 for a child

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.000
 was she?

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:31.500
 Not every childless

00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.500
 couple in Israel

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.220
 were promised

00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.799
 a son

00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:35.220
 like Zechariah

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.819
 and Elizabeth

00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.380
 but everyone

00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:38.740
 received the message

00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.819
 of God's grace

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.819
 through John.

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.119
 Not every

00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.240
 insignificant young

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.019
 woman in Israel

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.720
 was promised

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.500
 to be the mother

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:47.500
 of God's son

00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.259
 like Mary

00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.460
 but everyone

00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.720
 received the message

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.759
 of God's grace

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.900
 the fulfillment

00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.019
 of God's promises

00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.819
 the hope

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.900
 for eternity

00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.700
 and redemption

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.960
 through Jesus.

00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:01.859
 that's for all of us.

00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.359
 God's message

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:03.819
 of grace

00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.960
 for all of us

00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:06.000
 because it's

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.079
 here at the cross

00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.779
 isn't it?

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.700
 That Jesus

00:32:09.700 --> 00:32:11.279
 provided for us

00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:12.259
 the greatest

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.059
 instance

00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:14.299
 of God's

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.599
 rescuing power

00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.960
 his redeeming

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.420
 grace

00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.259
 coming to

00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:19.099
 the overlooked

00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.200
 because Jesus

00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.960
 himself

00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.220
 became overlooked

00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:25.279
 by his father.

00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:26.980
 Jesus himself

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.119
 took upon him

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.299
 our shame

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.619
 on the cross

00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.759
 he carried

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:33.639
 our griefs

00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.899
 on the cross

00:32:34.899 --> 00:32:36.879
 and was punished

00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.959
 and put away

00:32:37.959 --> 00:32:40.319
 in our place.

00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:41.959
 What was just

00:32:41.959 --> 00:32:42.539
 the promise

00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.199
 of a baby

00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:44.439
 to Zechariah

00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:45.859
 and to Mary

00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.619
 has become

00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:47.359
 a man

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:48.699
 who lived

00:32:48.699 --> 00:32:49.599
 for us

00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.859
 and died

00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:52.000
 for us

00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.900
 so that

00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.279
 what is

00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.099
 promised

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.680
 in Jesus

00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.160
 would be

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.500
 true

00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.440
 for all

00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:57.779
 of us

00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.359
 no matter

00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.039
 how badly

00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.680
 we failed

00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:00.279
 no matter

00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.319
 how insignificant

00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.099
 we feel

00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:02.440
 no matter

00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.700
 how undeserving

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.440
 we are

00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.319
 that all

00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:05.660
 of us

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.220
 who trust

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.799
 in him

00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.240
 would be

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.900
 welcomed

00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:09.279
 at the table

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.059
 of the

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.460
 father

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.420
 of heaven.

00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:13.339
 That's the

00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.259
 message of grace

00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.960
 for you this

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.259
 morning.

00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.960
 It's the

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.779
 message Jesus

00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.980
 preaches to us

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.700
 through his

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.680
 body and blood

00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.560
 which he offers

00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.180
 to us

00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.160
 this morning.

00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.640
 Grace

00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.960
 to you.

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.759
 Grace.

00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:28.160
 He has come

00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.440
 in power

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.720
 to rescue

00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.740
 us

00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:33.120
 and he will

00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:33.940
 through you

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.500
 share

00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.759
 that good news

00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:36.560
 of his grace

00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:37.660
 with many others.

00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:39.519
 Remember what he

00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.980
 told his disciples

00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:43.620
 as he instituted

00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.140
 this supper.

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.539
 He said

00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.519
 I received from the

00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.480
 Lord what I also

00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.480
 delivered to you

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.840
 that the Lord Jesus

00:33:48.840 --> 00:33:49.400
 on the night

00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.060
 he was betrayed

00:33:50.060 --> 00:33:50.820
 took bread

00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:51.920
 and when he had

00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:52.460
 given thanks

00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.180
 he broke it

00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.620
 and said

00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.620
 this is my body

00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:55.680
 which is for you

00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:56.580
 do this

00:33:56.580 --> 00:33:57.180
 in remembrance

00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:57.860
 of me.

00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.880
 In the same way

00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.560
 also he took

00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:00.980
 the cup

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.700
 after supper

00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.140
 saying

00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.720
 this cup

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.240
 is the new

00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.600
 covenant

00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.480
 in my blood

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.300
 do this

00:34:05.300 --> 00:34:05.800
 as often

00:34:05.800 --> 00:34:06.460
 as you drink

00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.180
 it in remembrance

00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.840
 of me

00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:08.760
 for as often

00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.300
 as you eat

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.860
 this bread

00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.380
 and drink

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.039
 this cup

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:12.460
 you proclaim

00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.019
 the Lord's

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.460
 death

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:15.500
 until he comes.

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:18.139
 this is the

00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.079
 table of the

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.420
 Lord

00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:19.960
 where we're

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.460
 reminded

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.199
 that nothing

00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.219
 is impossible

00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:23.039
 with God

00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.159
 where we're

00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.559
 reminded

00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.219
 that he could

00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:25.880
 save me

00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:27.840
 that he could

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.659
 save you

00:34:28.659 --> 00:34:30.219
 because he could

00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:30.659
 come

00:34:30.659 --> 00:34:31.880
 and has come

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:33.159
 and has taken

00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.900
 our place

00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:35.800
 this is not the

00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.780
 table of Southwood

00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:37.900
 or the Presbyterian

00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.340
 church

00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.260
 if you know

00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:39.719
 Jesus

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.579
 and that he

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.179
 has stood

00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:42.239
 in your place

00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:44.079
 for your sins

00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.019
 come

00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:46.000
 welcome

00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:47.119
 and eat

00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.739
 with us

00:34:47.739 --> 00:34:49.099
 if you don't

00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.659
 know Jesus

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.259
 if you say

00:34:50.259 --> 00:34:51.239
 that sounds

00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.459
 interesting to me

00:34:52.459 --> 00:34:53.199
 I've heard him

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:54.259
 talked of before

00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:55.459
 but you don't

00:34:55.459 --> 00:34:55.959
 know him

00:34:55.959 --> 00:34:57.000
 and trust him

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.319
 to be the only

00:34:58.319 --> 00:34:59.179
 reason that you

00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.039
 could walk in

00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.159
 to the throne room

00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:02.259
 of the holy God

00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:03.399
 and be at peace

00:35:03.399 --> 00:35:04.799
 then don't come

00:35:04.799 --> 00:35:05.439
 and pretend

00:35:05.439 --> 00:35:06.219
 outwardly

00:35:06.219 --> 00:35:06.899
 something that's

00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.579
 not true

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.319
 inwardly

00:35:08.319 --> 00:35:10.019
 we'd much

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.479
 rather you

00:35:10.479 --> 00:35:11.319
 actually meet

00:35:11.319 --> 00:35:11.959
 Jesus

00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:13.400
 not just

00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:13.920
 the bread

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.539
 and the juice

00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.139
 that represent

00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:15.679
 to us

00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.159
 his body

00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.559
 and blood

00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:16.960
 we'd love

00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.440
 to introduce

00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:17.820
 you to

00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:18.260
 Jesus

00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:19.400
 so I'd

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:19.820
 encourage you

00:35:19.820 --> 00:35:20.440
 not to

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.199
 take the

00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:21.599
 elements

00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.199
 but to

00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:22.639
 wait

00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.019
 and to

00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.320
 come

00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:23.539
 and to

00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:23.820
 talk

00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.179
 with us

00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:24.460
 and hear

00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:24.800
 more

00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.679
 about who

00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:25.920
 Jesus

00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.380
 is

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.420
 let me

00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:27.659
 pray

00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:27.900
 and then

00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.019
 we'll

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.340
 come

00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:28.679
 to the

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:28.920
 table

00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.440
 together

00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:32.460
 Father

00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:32.940
 it is a

00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:33.579
 good thing

00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:34.079
 that nothing

00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:34.780
 is impossible

00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.639
 for you

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.360
 because we

00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:37.000
 are those

00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:37.720
 who could

00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:38.220
 not have

00:35:38.220 --> 00:35:38.599
 made it

00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:38.960
 to you

00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:39.300
 on our

00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:39.579
 own

00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.780
 we could

00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.320
 never

00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:41.860
 have done

00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:42.320
 enough

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:43.320
 and gotten

00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.100
 things figured

00:35:44.100 --> 00:35:44.820
 out enough

00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:45.880
 to deserve

00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:47.240
 to eat

00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:47.800
 with you

00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:48.400
 and yet

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:48.920
 you have

00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.740
 invited us

00:35:49.740 --> 00:35:50.940
 to come

00:35:50.940 --> 00:35:51.720
 you have

00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:52.360
 made the

00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:53.140
 way for

00:35:53.140 --> 00:35:53.580
 us

00:35:53.580 --> 00:35:54.360
 through the

00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:54.860
 blood of

00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.220
 Jesus

00:35:55.220 --> 00:35:55.820
 and so

00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.480
 we thank

00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.800
 you

00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:58.059
 for that

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.640
 would you

00:35:58.640 --> 00:35:59.120
 take these

00:35:59.120 --> 00:35:59.820
 very common

00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.300
 elements

00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.140
 that give

00:36:01.140 --> 00:36:01.660
 us just a

00:36:01.660 --> 00:36:02.400
 picture of

00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.000
 his body

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.400
 and his

00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:03.760
 blood

00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:04.600
 and make

00:36:04.600 --> 00:36:05.260
 them effective

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:05.760
 in our

00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.200
 hearts

00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:06.720
 to build

00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:07.539
 our faith

00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.240
 and our

00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:08.900
 trust in

00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.300
 him

00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.620
 that he

00:36:09.620 --> 00:36:09.840
 would be

00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:10.280
 the only

00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:10.740
 one we

00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:11.180
 trust

00:36:11.180 --> 00:36:11.960
 strengthen

00:36:11.960 --> 00:36:12.220
 our

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:12.620
 faith

00:36:12.620 --> 00:36:14.019
 we ask

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.380
 in his

00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:14.740
 name

00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:16.120
 amen

00:36:16.120 --> 00:36:20.400
 for more

00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:20.920
 information

00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.700
 visit us

00:36:21.700 --> 00:36:22.220
 online

00:36:22.220 --> 00:36:22.600
 at

00:36:22.600 --> 00:36:23.519
 southwood.org