WEBVTT

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 Father, we ask that the Holy Spirit would fall with fresh power upon us at this time.

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 We are here to be in your presence, to receive from you in a worthy manner.

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 Help us, Father, to be here, knowing that we are in your presence,

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 that we are in the presence of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 And, Father, we ask that you speak to us through your word,

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 that your word would come deeply into our hearts,

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 and that we would respond in a way that is for our true good,

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 for the good of this city, the good of creation, and for your great glory.

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 So, Father, do that wonderful work of your Holy Spirit, we pray.

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 And we ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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 Please be seated.

00:00:44.700 --> 00:00:47.520
 One of the things I tell people,

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 sometimes if people are asking me for a little bit of advice about how to handle a Bible study or a small group,

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 or for sometimes when I'm talking to people about sermons and how to do them,

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 is to, I mean, there's lots of different questions that we can ask,

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 but one of the questions to ask is, or just to realize,

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 that everything in the Bible is always speaking about something in our human condition.

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 It's speaking about some loves that we have, some fears that we have,

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 some hopes or yearnings that we have.

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 It's speaking about problems that we face.

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 It's speaking about the human condition, speaking about human problems, the human experience.

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 So part of the thing you can do is ask yourself, like, just for a second,

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 well, what human, and it can be more than one,

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 so what human thing is actually being addressed in this text?

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 We're preaching through the book of Haggai.

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 We're going to be doing a series in the summer called Knowing God,

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 where we'll look at a range of different texts about who God is.

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 But we're going through the book of Haggai.

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 And the text that we're looking at today actually speaks, not actually,

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 as if it's, well, what a surprise.

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 This week it does something different than the other weeks.

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 I have a bad habit of saying actually when I shouldn't.

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 This text talks about a very common human problem.

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 Maybe some of you are dealing with it now or have dealt with it in the past,

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 but if you haven't dealt with it yet, you're going to deal with it.

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 And the human problem is that you think about the situation you're in,

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 and the past was way better.

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 Either the present sucks, and the future either is just going to continue to suck

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 at the current level or it's going to even suck worse.

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 So you're in this situation.

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 The past was great.

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 The present sucks.

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 The future sucks.

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 So how do you deal with that?

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 Like how do you have hope when it just seems to be,

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 and not only that, it's not only that you know that the past seemed to be way better.

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 The present sucks.

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 The future sucks.

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 But the people around you would say the same thing.

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 Yeah, yeah, George, the past was way better.

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 Your current situation sucks.

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 And I don't see much hope.

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 All I see, as far as I can see, is just it sucks.

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 And how do you deal with that?

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 How do you live?

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 Or how do you actually try to do some things and actually accomplish something

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 if that's the situation that you're in?

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 And that's the situation that, in fact, one of the things that's so interesting about this story

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 is that's the situation, and God speaks into it.

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 And I think if we look at it, if you start to think,

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 okay, well, that's what's going on in this weird-sounding story

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 with these names that we can't pronounce,

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 you start to realize that the Bible says something very profound and powerful and wise

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 about the human condition and about hope, because we need hope to live.

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 So if you turn in your Bibles to Acts, I'm not Acts,

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 Haggai chapter 2, let's look at the text together.

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 Haggai chapter 2, verses 1 to 9.

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 And just the context, some of you, I know, are visual, very visual people.

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 And so if you're trying to imagine this text,

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 imagine photographs of Aleppo in Syria.

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 Imagine an area which has been completely and utterly devastated by war,

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 where, you know, there's the odd wall standing up, but there's rubble everywhere.

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 And that's the context of what's happening here.

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 And the context further is that this is taking place 66 years

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 after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians.

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 And so Babylon had destroyed the nation.

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 Jeremiah had prophesied that that was going to happen.

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 And it came true. But Jeremiah also prophesied that God was going to do another miracle,

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 that God was actually going to help some of the people would maintain their Jewish identity

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 and their worship and their reading of the Torah,

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 and that some would actually return to this place,

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 and that Jerusalem would end up eventually being rebuilt.

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 And that was partly what...

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 And so here we are, 66 years later,

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 we have a situation where people have come back to the city of Jerusalem,

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 and it's all in rubble.

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 They began to rebuild the temple,

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 but they got very severe pushback by the locals,

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 and so they gave up.

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 And it was in this context that Haggai begins to speak to them.

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 And first of all, he confronts them and says,

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 you need to put first things first.

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 If you want to have God bless you, you need to put first things first.

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 You need to have...you need to rebuild the temple.

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 And his word convicts them, the Holy Spirit convicts them,

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 and they start to rebuild the temple.

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 Just sort of before we go any further on that,

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 there's...you know, you've heard me say this a lot,

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 but it's well worth being...

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 I mean, one of the things we do about on Sunday mornings

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 is we come to be reminded of the truth that we need to be reminded of.

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 And what's at work in all of this

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 is that the people have forgotten God.

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 They've forgotten the Lord.

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 And because they'd forgotten him and rebelled against him,

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 they came under his judgment.

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 But the Lord had never forgotten them.

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 And the Lord had never forgotten his promises to them.

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 And here's the Christian context for us.

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 And this is very, very important to remember.

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 The Christian life is not about how strong your grip is in Jesus' hand.

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 The fact of the matter is, there will be times you really think,

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 yeah, I'm really holding on to Jesus really tight.

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 But there's going to be times when you've let go completely

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 or your hand is very weak.

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 But what matters isn't how strong your grip is in the hand of Jesus,

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 but his grip.

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 That's what matters.

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 That's your hope.

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 My hope is not that I have a really strong grip on Jesus.

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 My hope is that he has a very strong grip.

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 He has my hand and he will never let it go.

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 That's my hope.

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 And so it's in this context.

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 There's ruins.

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 They're just starting to rebuild.

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 It's been seven weeks since the last prophecy.

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 They've just begun to try to build and clear up the things

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 and to start to build the temple.

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 And it's in that situation that this text comes.

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 And here's how it goes.

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 In the seventh month, on the 21st day of the month,

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 the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai, the prophet.

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 Now, just sort of pause here.

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 This little seemingly meaningless little piece of information

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 is actually quite significant for a variety of reasons.

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 So first of all, it's telling us that there's been seven weeks.

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 In that seven weeks, there's been some Jewish festivals,

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 which they've kept.

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 They would have brought in some more of the harvest.

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 And they've also begun to rebuild the temple,

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 clear away some of the rubble,

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 and maybe try to figure out what stones they might be able to use

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 and looking for bits and pieces of wood they can use

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 and maybe even begin to think about how they could go out

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 to get the beams that they're going to have to get lumbered

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 and brought in close.

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 But they're just finishing the Feast of Tabernacles.

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 That's one of the things that this date tells us.

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 And this is actually not a sad thing for them,

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 but it's a reminder that God delivered their forebears,

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 their ancestors, out of slavery in Egypt

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 and to bring them into the Promised Land.

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 But when he brought them to the edge of the Promised Land,

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 they refused to go in.

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 They rebelled against him.

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 And so they spent 40 years in the wilderness

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 before eventually going into the Promised Land.

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 And in those 40 years in the wilderness,

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 they lived in tents and God provided for them.

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 And the Feast of the Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths

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 is that when they remember that.

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 But here's the thing.

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 Those of them that would have known their Tanakh,

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 they would have known their Torah,

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 they would have known that it was on this exact day

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 in the year 960 B.C.

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 that Solomon's temple was completed.

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 Now, one of the things to my shame is

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 my wife has lost both her mother and her father,

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 and I don't remember the dates of their death

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 or the dates of their birth.

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 But we all know that remembering the date of a lost one,

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 even many, many years later,

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 can cause some sadness, some sorrow.

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 I'm sure to my shame, not to my credit,

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 there's been some time my wife might be sad

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 and I might not remember that the reason she's sad

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 is that it was on that day,

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 whatever number of years ago,

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 that her mom died or her father died

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 or their birthday or something.

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 But anniversaries matter.

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 And so here we have a group of people amidst the rubble

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 trying to rebuild the temple.

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 And the day, some of them would remember,

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 this is the day 500 and some odd years earlier,

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 that the great temple of Solomon

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 was completed and dedicated.

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 And they just think of that

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 and they think of all that's been lost.

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 And they would definitely be looking

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 at what is in front of them

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 and thinking,

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 this doesn't look too good.

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 In fact, actually, God is going to walk towards that.

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 Look what happens in verse 2

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 and verse 3.

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 Speak now to Zerubbabel,

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 the son of Sheolatiel,

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 governor of Judah,

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 and to Joshua,

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 the son of Jehoshadak,

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 the high priest,

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 and to all the remnant of the people,

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 and say,

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 who is left among you

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 who saw this house in its former glory?

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 How do you see it now?

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 Is it not as nothing in your eyes?

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 Now this is one of the remarkable things about the Bible,

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 one of the powerful things about the Bible,

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 and one of the powerful things

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 that the Bible has to say about hope.

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 For the Bible,

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 hope isn't the same as optimism.

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 Optimism is,

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 things are going to get better.

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 I can make things better.

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 We can make things better.

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 I'm strong,

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 and you do that,

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 and we can do it.

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 We can all jump up and down

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 and do some chanting

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 and get psyched

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 and get pumped,

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 and we can deal with it,

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 and we can do things far better.

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 But the Bible never sugarcoats things,

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 and it's very interesting.

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 You see,

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 the beginning of hope

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 is the acknowledgement

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 of how bad the situation actually is.

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 Don't think about how bad things are.

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 The Bible doesn't say,

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 okay,

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 don't think about how bad things are.

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 Don't think about the past.

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 Repress those memories

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 of how the temple looked.

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 Because the temple

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 had been destroyed 66 years ago,

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 there would have been some people there in the crowd

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 who were 71 or 72 or older.

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 They would have remembered

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 what Solomon's temple looked like,

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 and even those who weren't there,

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 they would have heard stories

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 about how beautiful.

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 They would have heard the Tanakh read,

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 and they would have heard the stories

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 about how this temple was so beautiful

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 and the proportions

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 and the skilled workmanship

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 and the gold plating everywhere,

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 and it would have just looked

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 so majestic and glorious.

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 And they're thinking about all that past.

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 They have all that memory,

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 and they're looking at how the present,

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 the past was great,

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 the present sucks.

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 And as they're looking at these things,

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 what's going through their mind

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 is this is like nothing.

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 Like, this is like crap.

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 And God speaks right into it.

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 He doesn't say,

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 don't think in those terms.

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 He says, don't you think

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 that this is like nothing?

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 You see,

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 and this is another important thing

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 for us to remember as Christians.

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 It's one of the things

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 that the gospel makes

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 a very big difference for you and me.

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 It's not only in the gospel,

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 what really matters

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 is that Jesus,

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 when I put my hand in Jesus

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 to ask him to be my Savior and my Lord,

00:11:57.560 --> 00:12:00.300
 my hand will get weak often,

00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:01.980
 but his hand will never get weak.

00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:03.160
 He will never let me go.

00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:05.040
 He will never, ever, ever, ever,

00:12:05.040 --> 00:12:06.100
 ever let me go.

00:12:07.060 --> 00:12:08.139
 And one of the other things

00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.100
 which is so remarkable

00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:10.259
 is it's not that he's going to

00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.240
 never let me go

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.580
 because everything within me

00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:14.480
 is just hunky-dory wonderful.

00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:19.580
 But he knows the confusion,

00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.560
 the problems,

00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:21.420
 the doubts,

00:12:21.820 --> 00:12:22.440
 the sin

00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:24.500
 that I have in my own life,

00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.560
 the sins of commission

00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:26.519
 and the sins of omission.

00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.720
 And still he loves me.

00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.340
 He knew all of that

00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:29.360
 when he died for me.

00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:31.120
 Still he loves me.

00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:32.519
 You see,

00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.440
 the fact of the matter is

00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.420
 is that part of the reason

00:12:34.420 --> 00:12:35.440
 that many of us

00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.539
 have problems praying

00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:39.399
 is that we sort of think

00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.019
 there's a certain type of way

00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.980
 we're supposed to be

00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.139
 and a certain type of wording

00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:44.120
 that we're supposed to say

00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.240
 before we can talk.

00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.799
 But the fact of the matter is

00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.360
 is that we say,

00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.460
 okay, I guess I better pray.

00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.139
 And the inside of our head,

00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.059
 if people could look

00:12:51.059 --> 00:12:52.059
 at the inside of our head,

00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:53.100
 the inside of our head

00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:53.779
 would look as if

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.659
 there were 50 bees in there

00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.159
 all buzzing around

00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.779
 like this constantly.

00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:00.299
 And the fact of the matter is

00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:01.220
 is each one of those bees

00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:01.740
 is a thought.

00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:02.559
 And that's what's going on

00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:03.299
 inside of our head.

00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.299
 Or that we're just feeling

00:13:04.299 --> 00:13:05.539
 completely and utterly low

00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.600
 or completely depressed

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.659
 or completely angry.

00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:08.700
 And what we do

00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:10.080
 is we try to repress that

00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:11.279
 or pretend it's not there

00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.460
 so that we can say the prayers

00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:13.480
 that we're supposed to pray.

00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:15.000
 But the fact of the matter is

00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.980
 is that Jesus isn't going

00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:17.080
 to let go of my hand

00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.500
 if I let slip

00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:21.400
 that my head is like 50 bees

00:13:21.400 --> 00:13:23.620
 buzzing like crazy.

00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:24.480
 He's not going to say,

00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.040
 oh gosh,

00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:25.480
 I'm going to let go

00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:26.280
 of George's hand.

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:26.660
 No.

00:13:28.660 --> 00:13:30.000
 He already knows it.

00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:33.379
 In fact, prayer is the meeting

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.559
 place of the reality

00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.360
 of who I am

00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.000
 with the reality

00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.919
 of who God is

00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:37.419
 and the reality

00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.220
 of his word

00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:40.100
 that I can say,

00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.000
 Lord, I can hardly put

00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.879
 one thought together

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.620
 because that's what's

00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.559
 going on in my mind.

00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:45.080
 And in a sense,

00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.039
 I don't know what these people

00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:46.759
 are trying to pray,

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.539
 but the fact of the matter

00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:48.720
 is is that God knows

00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.259
 that they think this sucks.

00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.080
 And when they look around

00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.580
 the rubble,

00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:56.820
 they think the future sucks.

00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:56.940
 Yes.

00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:59.440
 Gosh, the past was great.

00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:01.840
 And that just makes you

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.080
 feeling more despondent,

00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:03.780
 more depressed,

00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:04.740
 more despairing.

00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.500
 And God just names it.

00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:08.840
 Listen to verse 3 again.

00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:09.820
 What does he say?

00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:10.740
 Not, oh, don't think

00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.500
 about those things

00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.440
 or oh, don't think about,

00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:12.920
 oh, he says,

00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:14.260
 who is left among you

00:14:14.260 --> 00:14:15.040
 who saw this house

00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:16.020
 in its former glory?

00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.960
 How do you see it now?

00:14:17.020 --> 00:14:17.800
 Is it not as nothing

00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:18.540
 in your eyes?

00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:21.040
 So what does God say

00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:21.860
 into this situation

00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:23.000
 after he's been realistic

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.980
 with them about

00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.320
 what they're actually thinking,

00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:26.620
 what they're actually feeling?

00:14:27.540 --> 00:14:28.600
 Well, he walks towards

00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.160
 the problem

00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:30.000
 and then he says,

00:14:30.180 --> 00:14:31.280
 we'll look at verse 4 and 5

00:14:31.280 --> 00:14:32.120
 and then verse 6 and 9.

00:14:32.160 --> 00:14:33.320
 He says some very remarkable

00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.260
 things to them,

00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:34.460
 which,

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.980
 and then actually

00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:36.920
 in verses 6 to 9,

00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:38.280
 we show up in the text,

00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.040
 believe it or not.

00:14:39.140 --> 00:14:39.740
 Yeah, actually,

00:14:39.920 --> 00:14:41.500
 we show up in the text

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:44.140
 in between verse 6 and 9.

00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:44.500
 But first,

00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.180
 listen to what it says

00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.180
 in verse 4 and 5.

00:14:47.900 --> 00:14:48.740
 Okay, so it says,

00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.040
 nothing in your eyes?

00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:50.640
 Verse 4,

00:14:50.760 --> 00:14:51.820
 yet now be strong,

00:14:52.380 --> 00:14:53.060
 O Zerubbabel,

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.080
 declares the Lord.

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.480
 Be strong,

00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.200
 O Joshua,

00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:57.340
 son of Jehozadak,

00:14:57.400 --> 00:14:58.060
 the high priest.

00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.180
 Be strong,

00:14:59.540 --> 00:15:00.700
 all you people of the land,

00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.580
 declares the Lord.

00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.200
 Work,

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.720
 not just work or else,

00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.240
 but work,

00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.220
 for I am with you,

00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.420
 declares the Lord of hosts.

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.560
 According to the covenant,

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.139
 he's with them,

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:10.400
 how?

00:15:10.800 --> 00:15:11.379
 He's with them

00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.520
 according to the covenant

00:15:12.520 --> 00:15:13.560
 that I made with you

00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:15.259
 when you came out of Egypt.

00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.720
 My spirit,

00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.660
 my Holy Spirit,

00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:19.060
 remains in your midst.

00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:20.859
 Fear not.

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.679
 That's the first word

00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.259
 that he says

00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:23.899
 when they think

00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:25.000
 the past is great,

00:15:25.099 --> 00:15:25.879
 the present sucks,

00:15:25.979 --> 00:15:27.500
 the future looks like more suck.

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.779
 And he,

00:15:30.099 --> 00:15:30.500
 first of all,

00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:31.199
 for some of them,

00:15:31.459 --> 00:15:33.299
 there's this great resonance,

00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:34.099
 an echo,

00:15:34.739 --> 00:15:36.659
 of the book of Joshua.

00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.659
 If you go back

00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:39.899
 and read Joshua 1,

00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:40.699
 in fact,

00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:41.959
 I was sharing

00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:42.919
 at the earlier service,

00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:44.079
 when my kids were younger,

00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:45.699
 we used to have these cassettes

00:15:45.699 --> 00:15:46.799
 that we'd play all the time

00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.559
 when we were driving.

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.199
 And they were GT

00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:50.919
 and the Halo Express.

00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.359
 I don't know

00:15:52.359 --> 00:15:53.219
 if they're still available,

00:15:53.479 --> 00:15:54.319
 but we loved them.

00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.240
 My kids liked them

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.719
 at the time,

00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.219
 and they were able

00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.740
 to learn Bible memorizing verses.

00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:59.199
 As soon as I see this,

00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.639
 I'm thinking,

00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.399
 have I not commanded

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:03.219
 you be strong and courageous?

00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:04.479
 Have I not commanded

00:16:04.479 --> 00:16:05.740
 you be strong and courageous?

00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.240
 Do not.

00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:07.620
 Anyway,

00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.959
 I won't sing anymore for you.

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.779
 I'll drive you all away.

00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.019
 But the fact of the matter

00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:12.599
 is if you read Joshua 1,

00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.039
 there's this constant refrain

00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.059
 as they're about to enter

00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:16.279
 into the promised land.

00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:18.139
 They've ended the time

00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.699
 in the tent.

00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.539
 They're about to enter

00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.519
 in the promised land,

00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:22.339
 and God says to Joshua,

00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.199
 be strong,

00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.199
 be strong,

00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.199
 be strong.

00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:26.459
 And so here they are.

00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.279
 They're embarked

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.379
 in the midst of the rubble.

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.099
 They're still under

00:16:29.099 --> 00:16:30.139
 the Persian Empire,

00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.620
 and they're about to,

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:33.519
 they've just begun the work

00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.779
 of rebuilding the temple.

00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.179
 And why does the temple matter?

00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.639
 The temple,

00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:36.959
 well,

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.679
 we'll get to that more

00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.299
 in a moment.

00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.859
 And God's word to them

00:16:39.859 --> 00:16:40.679
 is be strong,

00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:41.419
 be strong,

00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:41.979
 be strong.

00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.699
 And for some of them,

00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:42.939
 they'd go,

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.559
 that just is like

00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.039
 what God said to Joshua

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:46.419
 and the people of Israel

00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:49.379
 as they're about to build.

00:16:49.699 --> 00:16:50.879
 But there's something else

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.399
 which is here.

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.240
 It's not just that

00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.259
 they're to work,

00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.079
 but they're to work

00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:56.319
 knowing that God is with them.

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.379
 And God isn't with them

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.479
 just sort of as some type

00:16:58.479 --> 00:16:59.759
 of a presence

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:02.019
 or some type of judgmental presence

00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.919
 or just some mere,

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.019
 like, power.

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.480
 No,

00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.420
 he's present

00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.980
 as the God

00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.420
 who is in covenant

00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:10.240
 with them.

00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:11.879
 He has never,

00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:13.039
 they have forgotten

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:13.759
 his promises.

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.160
 They have not wanted

00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.059
 him to be with them,

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.619
 but he wants

00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.319
 to be with them

00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.640
 and that's what matters.

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.000
 And he's with them

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.759
 as the Lord.

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:23.740
 Now,

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.420
 this,

00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.619
 we can't really get,

00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.240
 I came up,

00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.440
 hopefully this analogy

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.379
 will help you a little bit.

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.819
 All the gender neutral stuff

00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:31.839
 and I don't know

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.900
 how many different pronouns

00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.339
 there are.

00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:33.960
 In some ways,

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.859
 it made me realize

00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:37.579
 that in the Jewish people,

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:39.039
 there were a generic word

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.640
 for God.

00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:39.680
 God.

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.860
 And then there was,

00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.259
 you know,

00:17:42.300 --> 00:17:44.020
 other names for specific gods.

00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.420
 And then there was the Lord.

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.940
 And the significance is

00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.300
 they don't use the word Elohim,

00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.460
 which is generic God.

00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:50.500
 They use the word Lord.

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.840
 And the difference between Elohim

00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:53.820
 or generic God

00:17:53.820 --> 00:17:54.360
 and Lord

00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:55.980
 is the difference between

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:58.520
 my children referring to me

00:17:58.520 --> 00:18:00.060
 as the sperm donor

00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:01.960
 or dad.

00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.480
 It's the difference between

00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.300
 my wife referring to me

00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:08.759
 as the sperm donor.

00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.460
 Or husband.

00:18:12.060 --> 00:18:13.520
 The difference is huge.

00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.780
 I'm not just

00:18:15.780 --> 00:18:17.300
 yet another sperm donor.

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.440
 I am the kid's dad.

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.820
 And they get to call me dad.

00:18:24.080 --> 00:18:25.620
 They don't get to call me sperm donor.

00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:27.780
 They get to call me dad.

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.420
 And these are relationship words.

00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:32.600
 These are not only relationship words,

00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.259
 but they're covenant words.

00:18:35.040 --> 00:18:36.740
 And so all the way through this text,

00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.220
 if you were,

00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:39.580
 like an interesting activity for you

00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.460
 would be to write out

00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.519
 or type out

00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.659
 all of Haggai

00:18:42.659 --> 00:18:43.480
 or print it out

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.559
 and then go and take a marker

00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.199
 and highlight

00:18:46.199 --> 00:18:47.799
 every time the word Lord

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.799
 or Lord of hosts

00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.720
 appears in the text.

00:18:49.919 --> 00:18:51.439
 And it's just saturated with this.

00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.579
 All of this speaking

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:54.240
 is he's using the words

00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.220
 to remind them

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.359
 that he is not just

00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.419
 the generic God.

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.480
 He is their God.

00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.740
 That he has created

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:00.879
 a covenant for them.

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.519
 He has never given up

00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.159
 on the covenant.

00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.299
 They have given up on it,

00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.579
 but he has never given up

00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.159
 on the covenant

00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:07.200
 with them

00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.100
 and he will continue

00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:09.000
 to fulfill it.

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:11.420
 And that is the God

00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.700
 who has led them out

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:14.279
 of slavery and bondage

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.900
 that he did it

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.000
 by his own power

00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.700
 and he led them out.

00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.460
 He kept them

00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.060
 in the wilderness.

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.340
 He brought them

00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.300
 into the promised land

00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:22.420
 and it's the same Lord

00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.600
 who is in covenant

00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.140
 with them,

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.420
 who's speaking with them

00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.000
 and he says,

00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.040
 what he's saying to them

00:19:27.040 --> 00:19:28.140
 is that I don't care

00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.100
 about the building

00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.740
 so much

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.960
 is that the building

00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.779
 is just a sign

00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.519
 that you want me

00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.379
 to be with you.

00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.379
 It would be as if,

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.119
 you know,

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.119
 it's the same type

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.599
 of thing.

00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.639
 If Louise and I

00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.440
 were going to go out

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.480
 to go to a patio

00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.819
 and as we're going out

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.180
 I'd said,

00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.759
 I think I'm going to

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.960
 take my wedding ring off

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.940
 and leave it home.

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.759
 She'd go,

00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.079
 what?

00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.319
 I could take your,

00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:54.740
 well actually

00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.599
 she might not say anything.

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.759
 The whole evening

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.460
 we're in the patio

00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:00.139
 she might not say anything

00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:01.639
 and then I would get it.

00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:02.740
 And you know what?

00:20:02.780 --> 00:20:03.460
 All of you folks

00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.759
 would say,

00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.540
 you go girl.

00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:06.960
 You lay into him.

00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:08.240
 He deserves it.

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:08.980
 Why?

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.120
 Well because this little

00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.040
 piece of metal

00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:12.380
 isn't just a piece of metal.

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.100
 It's a sign

00:20:14.100 --> 00:20:15.420
 that I'm married to Louise.

00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.620
 And if she knew

00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.480
 that I was going out

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.400
 taking the ring off

00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.120
 she'd know that

00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:23.360
 that was something wrong.

00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:23.800
 She'd say,

00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.160
 George,

00:20:24.300 --> 00:20:25.840
 the ring is a sign

00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:26.900
 that we're married.

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.960
 The ring is a sign

00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.180
 that I matter to you.

00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.600
 The ring is a sign

00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:33.520
 that you have forsaken

00:20:33.520 --> 00:20:34.200
 all others.

00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:36.380
 And so that's what's going on

00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.960
 with the temple.

00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.560
 God says,

00:20:38.780 --> 00:20:40.140
 the temple is a sign

00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.840
 that you want me

00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:42.580
 to be with you.

00:20:42.860 --> 00:20:43.800
 I don't need a temple

00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:45.720
 but it's a sign

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.680
 that you want me

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.440
 to be with you.

00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.640
 That's why last week

00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.660
 you have to put me first.

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.720
 And putting me first is,

00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:52.200
 you know,

00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.420
 like you could just

00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.920
 well imagine,

00:20:54.040 --> 00:20:54.220
 George,

00:20:54.300 --> 00:20:54.780
 I'm not going to have,

00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.560
 Louise could say to me,

00:20:55.780 --> 00:20:56.220
 I'm not going to have

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.240
 the conversation with you

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.120
 until you put the ring

00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:59.079
 back on your finger.

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.439
 And we're going to have

00:21:01.439 --> 00:21:02.179
 a conversation.

00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.019
 Put the ring on,

00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.119
 let's talk.

00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.159
 And God is saying,

00:21:05.219 --> 00:21:06.079
 you've got to put me first.

00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:06.959
 Build the temple.

00:21:09.919 --> 00:21:10.899
 And be strong.

00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.239
 Why?

00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.379
 Because I am with you.

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.139
 Now some of us might say,

00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:15.539
 well, George,

00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.399
 that's all interesting.

00:21:16.479 --> 00:21:17.500
 It's all this Jewish stuff

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.219
 that's all the way back.

00:21:19.219 --> 00:21:20.859
 And some of you

00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.419
 might be wondering,

00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:21.759
 you know,

00:21:22.479 --> 00:21:24.519
 why did they actually believe

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:26.859
 that this came from God?

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.319
 Like,

00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:28.400
 why did the Jewish people

00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.359
 put it in the Bible?

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.059
 Well,

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.660
 it's actually the next verses

00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:34.579
 that both are why

00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.500
 they would have put it

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.059
 in the Bible,

00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.559
 understood that this was something

00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.920
 that really did come from God,

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.220
 and it's also the next verses

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:42.279
 that give this whole other

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.240
 area of hope.

00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:43.480
 Like,

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.900
 their hope in the midst

00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.940
 of the fact that the past

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.720
 seemed to be great,

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.079
 the present sucks,

00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.940
 and the future sucks.

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.900
 Part of the thing is,

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.359
 God just says to them,

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:51.619
 listen,

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.900
 I'm with you.

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.059
 I am your Lord.

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.119
 I am the God of covenant.

00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.019
 You've got to just go ahead

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.079
 and work on those things.

00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:57.859
 But then,

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.240
 the promise continues

00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:00.379
 in a very different way

00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.200
 that helps to shape

00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.079
 our understanding of hope.

00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.839
 We show up.

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.039
 Listen to what it says.

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.519
 Verses 6, 7, 8, and 9.

00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:08.500
 For thus says the Lord of hosts,

00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.000
 yet once more in a little while,

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.659
 and I will shake the heavens

00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.159
 and the earth

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.440
 and the sea and the dry land,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.700
 and I will shake all nations

00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:18.279
 so that the treasures

00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.839
 of all nations shall come in,

00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.679
 and I will fill this house

00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:22.299
 with glory,

00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.339
 says the Lord of hosts.

00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:25.059
 The silver is mine

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.000
 and the gold is mine,

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.159
 declares the Lord of hosts.

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.460
 The latter glory of this house

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.879
 shall be greater than the former,

00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.299
 says the Lord of hosts.

00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.859
 And in this place,

00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:35.319
 I will give peace,

00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:38.039
 declares the Lord of hosts.

00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:41.259
 Now,

00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:43.659
 just sort of not going that in order,

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.419
 one of the things

00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:45.740
 which is really interesting there

00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.460
 is when he says,

00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.279
 the gold is mine

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.119
 and the silver is mine,

00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.539
 because you see,

00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.119
 one of the reasons

00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.960
 they're so depressed

00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:50.759
 about the present

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.960
 is,

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.400
 I mean,

00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.660
 the original temple

00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.960
 had all the gold,

00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:55.340
 everything,

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.759
 everything was covered in gold.

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.299
 It would have looked

00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.380
 just so spectacular.

00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:01.240
 And they're looking at this,

00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.019
 and they're going to be

00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.259
 taking things of rubble.

00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.460
 The Babylonians

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.360
 stripped the temple

00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.059
 of everything,

00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.680
 all the,

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.779
 anything of value

00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.840
 in the entire land

00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:09.960
 was taken to Babylon.

00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:12.100
 The Ark of the Covenant

00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.880
 was lost,

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.740
 taken to Babylon.

00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.799
 Everything's been taken away.

00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.920
 They're just dealing

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.599
 with rubble

00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:19.079
 and some stones.

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.740
 But God says,

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.019
 listen,

00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.180
 I don't care about gold.

00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.900
 I own all the gold.

00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.799
 You think I'm worried

00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.839
 about gold in the temple?

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.779
 I own all the gold.

00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.480
 You think I'm worried

00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:30.859
 about silver?

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.819
 I own all the silver.

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.359
 I don't need any silver or gold.

00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.160
 Like,

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.500
 it's not about silver or gold.

00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.000
 Right?

00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.160
 He said,

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.299
 build my house.

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.160
 But then there's

00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.880
 all this language

00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.579
 of shaking

00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:45.220
 and I didn't know this

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.019
 before I started

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.919
 to work on the sermon,

00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:49.460
 but it's a Hebrew idiom.

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:51.379
 It's a way of expressing

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.179
 what happens

00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:53.480
 when God shows up.

00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.480
 That God shakes.

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.179
 It's a theophany.

00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.199
 That's the geeky

00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:59.279
 theological word.

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.659
 It's theophany language.

00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.419
 It's the language

00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.439
 of God showing up.

00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:04.419
 And if you go back

00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:05.059
 and you read Exodus,

00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.919
 when God shows up

00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:07.019
 to make the covenant in Exodus,

00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.859
 there's a lightning

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.759
 and there's earthquakes

00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.980
 and all of that type of stuff.

00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:13.199
 And even in the New Testament,

00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.400
 when God shows up

00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.500
 in different ways,

00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.640
 like when Jesus appears

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.840
 to Saul of Tarsus

00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:18.500
 on his way

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:20.420
 to kill Christians

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.539
 or throw them in jail,

00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.319
 Jesus just shows up

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.960
 and the first thing

00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.380
 that happens

00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:25.039
 is everybody

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.559
 gets knocked off

00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.080
 their horses.

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.019
 Everybody just gets

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:29.080
 knocked on the ground.

00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.380
 In one of the,

00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:33.340
 I think it's in John's gospel,

00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.400
 when they come,

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.500
 Judas comes to capture

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:35.980
 Jesus

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:38.039
 and they say,

00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:38.700
 are you Jesus?

00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.100
 And he says,

00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.539
 I am.

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.359
 And it just,

00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.399
 the Holy Spirit,

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:41.980
 God shows up,

00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:42.659
 the Holy Spirit just,

00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.700
 they all fall down.

00:24:44.159 --> 00:24:45.180
 They get shaken.

00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.279
 They can't stand up.

00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.879
 And it's this powerful image

00:24:47.879 --> 00:24:49.460
 of that when the true God comes

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.940
 and things get shaken up.

00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:54.839
 And so he says,

00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.980
 I'm going to come

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.680
 and I'm going to be amongst,

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.220
 I'm going to shake up the earth

00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.740
 and the heavens

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.180
 and everything.

00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.480
 I'm going to shake up the nations

00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.639
 so that the nations will come in

00:25:02.639 --> 00:25:03.240
 and they're going to fill

00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.319
 this house with glory.

00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.619
 And there's going to be,

00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.240
 in a sense,

00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.180
 the treasures are going

00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.000
 to be brought in

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.360
 and all of these types of things.

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:11.100
 And this is one of the reasons

00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.380
 then why it is

00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.240
 that they would have known

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.320
 that this was a prophecy

00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:15.940
 that was actually from God

00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.840
 that they had to keep

00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.380
 and remember.

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.400
 Why is it?

00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.680
 Well,

00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.580
 because they knew

00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.680
 that within a year or two

00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.680
 of this prophecy,

00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:25.620
 why were they able

00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.600
 to finish the temple?

00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:30.080
 Because the emperor of Persia

00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:30.900
 paid for it.

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.480
 I mean,

00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.100
 just think of it

00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:35.840
 in today's terms,

00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.679
 the Ayatollah of Iran

00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:39.399
 says to the Jewish people,

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.859
 I want you to build my temple.

00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:44.179
 And I'm giving you

00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:45.059
 a blank check.

00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.799
 And they would have gone,

00:25:48.959 --> 00:25:49.259
 what?

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:52.039
 We don't have the resources

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.000
 to build the temple

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.399
 and the emperor of Persia

00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.639
 just sent a directive

00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:57.159
 to all of his bureaucrats

00:25:57.159 --> 00:25:57.720
 in the region

00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.199
 that I want the tax money

00:25:59.199 --> 00:26:00.079
 from this region

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.759
 to build the temple

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.779
 for Yahweh?

00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:05.139
 That's what happened.

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:08.000
 And fast forward,

00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.419
 Herod's great temple

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.919
 that Jesus appeared at.

00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:14.240
 Herod wasn't Jewish.

00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.039
 An Edomite

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.319
 built

00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:21.079
 one of the marvels

00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.059
 of the ancient world.

00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:22.679
 The temple

00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:25.579
 to the God of Abraham,

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.579
 Isaac, and Jacob

00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.419
 was built for

00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.419
 by Edomites.

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.720
 And his friends

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.740
 were all pagans.

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.099
 Pagans

00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.740
 paid for the temple

00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.599
 to make it glorious.

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.539
 And here's where

00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.120
 we show up

00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.779
 in the story.

00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.559
 You see,

00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.579
 the Jewish people,

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.420
 in a sense,

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.200
 the Jewish people,

00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.980
 they look at this

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.720
 and they just see

00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.380
 that part about

00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.440
 the shaking of the earth

00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.039
 and they think

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.019
 that they didn't,

00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.240
 it wasn't until

00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.079
 Jesus came

00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.200
 and authenticated himself

00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.279
 and vindicated himself

00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.099
 as the Messiah

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:00.819
 that we realize

00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.279
 that God

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.220
 is fulfilling

00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.139
 these prophecies

00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:04.500
 in a series of stages

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.180
 that the full shaking

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.599
 of the heaven,

00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:06.839
 I mean,

00:27:06.879 --> 00:27:07.720
 there was a shaking

00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.440
 that did happen

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.960
 with Jesus

00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:10.119
 when the temple,

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.440
 the curtain in the temple

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.359
 is torn in two

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.539
 from the top to the bottom

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.519
 so that the access

00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.180
 to God

00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.259
 is now shown

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.480
 to be open

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.359
 because of Jesus

00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.879
 having died upon the cross.

00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.059
 But we see there,

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.420
 you know,

00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.839
 at the Easter sermon,

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.779
 I talked about

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.879
 how in the Big Bang

00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.879
 you have

00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:28.519
 all of the universe,

00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.960
 all it emerges

00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.120
 out of this Big Bang

00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:31.640
 in a moment

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.259
 and everything

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.360
 can be traced back

00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:34.480
 to this propulsion.

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.240
 Things are moving

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.180
 apart from each other

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.500
 and in the same way

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.740
 that's what God does

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:41.340
 on a Friday afternoon

00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:43.240
 and an early Sunday morning

00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.180
 in Jerusalem

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.900
 where there is a man

00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.700
 that is rejected

00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.579
 by the people

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.680
 and he dies

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.600
 a shameful death

00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.500
 upon the cross

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.880
 and on the third day

00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:52.960
 the tomb is empty,

00:27:53.120 --> 00:27:54.299
 he appears alive

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:56.299
 and from this one little

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:58.620
 tiny insignificant moment

00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:00.179
 there becomes an explosion

00:28:00.179 --> 00:28:01.739
 that nobody believed

00:28:01.739 --> 00:28:02.659
 on an Easter Sunday

00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.479
 all of a sudden

00:28:03.479 --> 00:28:04.979
 Mary knows.

00:28:06.939 --> 00:28:08.059
 And then some people

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.439
 going to Emmaus

00:28:09.439 --> 00:28:11.139
 and then Peter knows

00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.779
 and then John knows

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.579
 and then the eleven disciples,

00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.979
 ten of the disciples know

00:28:15.979 --> 00:28:20.000
 and then Jesus' mother

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.779
 and brothers know

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.759
 and then five hundred know

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.679
 and then with Pentecost

00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.899
 it continues to grow

00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:29.120
 and from that one little moment

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.259
 on Good Friday

00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.460
 and on Easter Sunday

00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:33.880
 from that one insignificant event

00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:35.180
 that was so insignificant

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.140
 that no historian

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.660
 at the time

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.100
 would have thought

00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.800
 that it mattered

00:28:37.800 --> 00:28:39.940
 there has been

00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:41.259
 this propulsive growth

00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.220
 of the Christian faith

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.160
 so that it is the only

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:44.060
 universal faith

00:28:44.060 --> 00:28:44.880
 of every culture

00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:46.080
 and it continues to grow

00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:48.280
 all from that one moment

00:28:48.280 --> 00:28:48.920
 of propulsion.

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:51.519
 See the fact of the matter is

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:54.019
 what does it say here

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:54.740
 in verse nine?

00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.519
 And in this place

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.639
 I will give peace

00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.740
 declares the Lord.

00:28:58.879 --> 00:29:00.220
 In this place

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:02.359
 the one greater

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.180
 than the temple

00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:04.480
 shows up at the temple.

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.740
 Jesus, the true meeting place

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.259
 between the human being

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.759
 and God.

00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.960
 The true temple

00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.900
 arrives at the temple

00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:15.960
 and the true sacrifice

00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.799
 that the temple

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.519
 is all about

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.960
 is about to take place.

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.879
 That all of the sacrifices

00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:22.259
 specified in the laws

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.940
 are just a foreshadowing

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:26.180
 of the one true Lamb of God

00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:27.200
 who would die

00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.200
 for the sin of the world

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.340
 not only in the earth

00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:30.380
 but in the heavenlies

00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.500
 and that would be

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.620
 the one sacrifice

00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:34.180
 that makes all the sacrifices

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.420
 that had happened before

00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:37.259
 have any value or worth

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.559
 and that from now on

00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.680
 that we no longer need

00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.980
 because the one complete

00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.299
 perfect Lamb of God

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.480
 sacrificed himself

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.880
 so that human beings

00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:46.259
 could have peace with God.

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:49.460
 And so this text continues.

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.099
 The even greater temple,

00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:52.799
 the glory of God himself

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.519
 showing up

00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.660
 is all fulfilled

00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.960
 in this text

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.799
 which prophesies

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.059
 that it's all fulfilled.

00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.579
 And even the nations

00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.519
 coming to Israel

00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.420
 is all fulfilled.

00:30:01.559 --> 00:30:02.379
 If you have not yet

00:30:02.379 --> 00:30:03.559
 had a chance to go to Israel,

00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.839
 someday go to Jerusalem.

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.519
 And it is so wonderful.

00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.460
 You go to Jerusalem

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:09.180
 and you see the pilgrims

00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:10.220
 from Uganda,

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.200
 from Nigeria,

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.500
 from South Africa,

00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.359
 from Korea,

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.319
 from China,

00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.959
 from Argentina,

00:30:16.219 --> 00:30:17.059
 from Canada,

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.599
 from the whole world

00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:20.759
 coming there

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:23.059
 from all people groups.

00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:26.479
 And we know that

00:30:26.479 --> 00:30:27.619
 at some point in time

00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.799
 Jesus will return

00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.879
 and all things

00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.719
 will be shaken

00:30:30.719 --> 00:30:31.979
 and there will be

00:30:31.979 --> 00:30:32.559
 a new heaven

00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.359
 and a new earth

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:35.559
 and God will dwell with us.

00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.500
 And it's all there

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.959
 in this particular text.

00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:42.019
 Just sort of bringing

00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.639
 this whole thing

00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:43.880
 to some type of closing.

00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.080
 See, here's the way

00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:46.040
 it works psychologically

00:30:46.040 --> 00:30:46.860
 for us

00:30:46.860 --> 00:30:47.880
 and one of the reasons

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.160
 we need to come to church

00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:50.220
 and gather around the word

00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:51.460
 is to be reminded of it.

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.560
 What's my fallback position?

00:30:54.520 --> 00:30:55.660
 I can't do it,

00:30:56.060 --> 00:30:57.140
 so I won't.

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.800
 What does the Bible say?

00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.020
 George, I want you

00:31:01.020 --> 00:31:02.000
 to know that you can't.

00:31:03.620 --> 00:31:05.160
 But he will and can

00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:07.740
 so that I can say I will.

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:12.440
 You see, this is,

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.240
 and you know,

00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.859
 some of you know

00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:15.019
 I've just been so

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:17.519
 enraptured with the story

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.880
 the last year or more

00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:20.599
 of Jesus turning the water

00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.200
 into wine

00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:23.099
 and it's more and more

00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:24.339
 just made me realize

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.759
 that a big part

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.859
 of the whole Christian life

00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:28.620
 is in that very first miracle

00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.759
 that Jesus ever did.

00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.180
 That, you know,

00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:33.820
 Jesus asks for my obedience

00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:38.900
 and he does the great work

00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.519
 of grace.

00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:41.140
 If I just trust him

00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.960
 that he loves me

00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.320
 and he's asked me

00:31:43.320 --> 00:31:44.420
 to be obedient with him

00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.080
 with my money

00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:46.240
 or with my sexuality

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.259
 or with my time,

00:31:47.400 --> 00:31:48.860
 that he does the great work

00:31:48.860 --> 00:31:49.600
 if I'm obedient.

00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:51.259
 Because in that miracle,

00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:52.560
 it's such a wonderful miracle,

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.400
 Jesus asks the men

00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:56.799
 to put water into a stone jar

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:58.480
 and take it to the feast.

00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.720
 And that's all they do.

00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:03.220
 He turns the water into wine.

00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.539
 And that's so much

00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.500
 of what the Christian life

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.019
 is like.

00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:09.460
 George, just trust my word.

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.299
 Obey me in this.

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.680
 I'm going to turn

00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.500
 the water into wine.

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.079
 You don't have,

00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.799
 that's not even your job.

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.880
 You can't even do it, George.

00:32:16.100 --> 00:32:16.740
 Like, stop thinking

00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.460
 you can do it.

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.980
 Don't be stupid.

00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.259
 Just obey.

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.240
 It's my job

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.339
 to turn the water into wine.

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.519
 And that's the thing here

00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:27.620
 that he gives the people hope.

00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:29.279
 He says, listen,

00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:31.879
 just start building the temple.

00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:34.940
 And they start to build the temple.

00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:37.000
 And a year or two later,

00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:38.220
 they get the news.

00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:41.119
 They're probably just doing it.

00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:41.480
 Who knows?

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.240
 They don't tell you about it.

00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.799
 They're just doing it.

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:44.740
 Read Ezra and all a little bit about it.

00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.619
 And then they get the news

00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.680
 that the emperor of Persia

00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.200
 is going to give them

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.119
 all the money they need.

00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.720
 And little did they know

00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.839
 that they're just fulfilling

00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.879
 what God has said

00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.399
 and that by them fulfilling

00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:56.399
 what God has said,

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.579
 the people would continue.

00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:59.339
 And one day there would be a person,

00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.159
 in a sense,

00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.000
 from their loin

00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.919
 in the line of Jeroboam,

00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.299
 who would come

00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.099
 and be the temple

00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:06.339
 who is greater than the temple,

00:33:06.419 --> 00:33:07.139
 the true temple

00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:08.539
 and that true peace would be made.

00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:09.839
 And all of these great

00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.679
 and glorious things

00:33:10.679 --> 00:33:11.579
 will culminate

00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:13.179
 with Jesus coming a second time.

00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.720
 And all they do

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:16.019
 is their tiny little bit

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.519
 of obedience.

00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.539
 And God makes

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:19.079
 this most remarkable wine

00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.779
 down the road

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.519
 that they could never

00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.699
 possibly imagine.

00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.339
 And God invites us

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.220
 to do the same thing.

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:28.240
 Many of us are old enough

00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.740
 to remember

00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.319
 when churches

00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.400
 were way more full

00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:31.559
 and there were way more churches

00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:32.160
 and youth groups

00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:33.120
 were way more big

00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:34.240
 and it's really easy to say

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.880
 what's the point

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:36.079
 of trying to build things?

00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:37.319
 The past was great,

00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.160
 the present sucks

00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.799
 and I don't know

00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.460
 all of the trends

00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.039
 and say the future

00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.900
 is just going to suck.

00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:42.920
 And Jesus says,

00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.819
 build my church,

00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.579
 preach the gospel,

00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:48.120
 sing my praises,

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.700
 invest in youth groups,

00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.960
 invest in ministry,

00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.539
 invest in missionaries,

00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:55.159
 proclaim Jesus.

00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.379
 You be obedient,

00:33:58.539 --> 00:33:59.319
 I'll make the wine.

00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:04.059
 Just one final thing

00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:06.019
 to close it.

00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.739
 I was talking to somebody

00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:10.219
 this week

00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:10.960
 who's gone through

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.019
 a long season

00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.900
 of great sickness.

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:16.360
 And this is one of the things

00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.219
 which is so wonderful

00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.480
 about biblical hope

00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.659
 and the reason

00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.599
 we need to be reminded

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.119
 about it.

00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:24.699
 See, the Christian hope

00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.359
 doesn't say,

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.319
 hope in me

00:34:26.319 --> 00:34:27.839
 and all your lesser hopes

00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.859
 I'm going to annihilate.

00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.279
 No, the Bible doesn't say

00:34:31.279 --> 00:34:32.559
 you shouldn't plant tomatoes

00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.779
 and plants

00:34:33.779 --> 00:34:34.900
 and hope that you'll get tomatoes.

00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.619
 It doesn't say

00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.639
 I shouldn't go to school

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:38.359
 and hope I get a good job.

00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:38.960
 It doesn't say

00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.739
 I should maybe hope

00:34:39.739 --> 00:34:40.539
 I can get married

00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.960
 and all that.

00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.460
 No, it doesn't.

00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.539
 But what the Bible does

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:45.279
 is it both grounds your hope

00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:46.739
 and reorders your hope

00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.739
 when he is first.

00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:50.799
 But the fact of the matter is

00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:52.780
 there will come a point in time

00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:54.060
 when humanly speaking

00:34:54.060 --> 00:34:54.940
 there is no hope.

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:57.120
 There will come a point in time

00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:58.380
 when the cancer diagnosis

00:34:58.380 --> 00:34:59.200
 is final.

00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:02.280
 There will come a point in time

00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:03.200
 when you will be

00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:04.920
 in a very, very long season

00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:05.539
 of sickness

00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.840
 and when it's over

00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:08.220
 there still might be

00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:08.860
 some disability

00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:14.120
 that might be the rest

00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:14.820
 of your days.

00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:17.280
 Some of you might be

00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:18.820
 already facing that diagnosis

00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:20.039
 at the beginning of dementia

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:22.640
 the cancer of which

00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:23.640
 is now inoperable.

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:29.300
 But not only does the Bible

00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:31.600
 ground the small hopes

00:35:31.600 --> 00:35:32.880
 but the important hopes

00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.320
 that make up our daily life

00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:36.640
 but the Bible portrays

00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:37.760
 for the people of Jesus

00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.740
 who put their faith

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.640
 and trust in Jesus

00:35:39.640 --> 00:35:40.640
 that there is an ultimate

00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.680
 final hope

00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:44.000
 that death is not final.

00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:46.380
 And I was able to pray

00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.139
 with this person

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.480
 and say,

00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:48.599
 Father, thank you so much.

00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.719
 Father, we ask for healing.

00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.619
 We ask for wisdom

00:35:51.619 --> 00:35:52.340
 for the doctors.

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.360
 We ask for comfort

00:35:53.360 --> 00:35:54.480
 and healing of memories

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.659
 and the ability to handle

00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.420
 the situation

00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:57.199
 which is for you.

00:35:57.239 --> 00:35:58.239
 But Father, most of all

00:35:58.239 --> 00:35:59.500
 we ask that you fill us

00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.380
 both with hope.

00:36:01.159 --> 00:36:02.679
 Father, it is so good to know

00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:05.179
 that the day will come

00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:07.599
 when you,

00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:09.820
 I was referring to the other person,

00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.500
 when we will have

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.619
 resurrected bodies.

00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:14.980
 And we will be in the new heaven

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.699
 and the new earth.

00:36:17.760 --> 00:36:19.139
 And that is our final hope.

00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:20.579
 You see, because at the end of the day

00:36:20.579 --> 00:36:22.139
 the final hope

00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:23.380
 for all of us as Christians

00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:25.039
 is that even when we do come

00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:26.559
 to the valley of the shadow of death

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.500
 and we have to walk

00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.619
 and enter into the valley

00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.659
 of the shadow of death

00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:31.780
 and we will not emerge

00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:33.000
 on this side of death

00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:35.079
 but that we will actually walk

00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:36.840
 into the valley of the shadow of death,

00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:39.340
 that we do it in the hands of Jesus,

00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:41.600
 that he is our victor,

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.680
 he is our great sacrifice.

00:36:44.760 --> 00:36:45.820
 And when we emerge

00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:47.500
 from the valley of the shadow of death

00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.400
 on the far side

00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:49.039
 in the presence

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:50.300
 of our heavenly Father,

00:36:51.240 --> 00:36:52.200
 he will look at us

00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.579
 with the world's biggest smile

00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.500
 and say,

00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:57.840
 I am so glad you are with me.

00:36:58.100 --> 00:36:58.480
 Welcome.

00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:01.000
 I love you so much.

00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:04.400
 I have a kingdom prepared for you.

00:37:05.180 --> 00:37:07.079
 I have a new body prepared for you.

00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:10.159
 And every day that you have been mine,

00:37:10.259 --> 00:37:11.639
 I have seen you face to face,

00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:14.079
 but now today you see me face to face

00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:15.019
 for the first time.

00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:18.920
 And your seeing me face to face

00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:20.819
 will be the end of your story

00:37:20.819 --> 00:37:22.019
 for the end of your days.

00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:25.500
 And that is the final word

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:27.480
 for even the most least

00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.840
 and most broken Christian.

00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:33.760
 that is our ultimate hope.

00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:35.600
 It can never be taken away.

00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:38.480
 I invite you to stand in closing.

00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.200
 Just stand.

00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.059
 Let's pray.

00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:52.299
 Father, we give you thanks and praise

00:37:52.299 --> 00:37:54.079
 that you have made us

00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.079
 as human beings

00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:56.619
 to be able to hope in the future

00:37:56.619 --> 00:37:59.539
 and that hope is in fact important for us

00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.880
 as being fruitful

00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:03.759
 and being fruitful in the earth.

00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:04.699
 We thank you, Father.

00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:06.559
 We thank you that even when we sinned

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.199
 and rebelled

00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:08.659
 and things got all broken

00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.679
 and twisted within us,

00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:11.420
 that that didn't get taken away from us

00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.820
 and we thank you, Father,

00:38:12.880 --> 00:38:14.159
 that you are the God of hope,

00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:16.400
 that our faith in Christ

00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:18.280
 is to shape our hope

00:38:18.280 --> 00:38:19.320
 and ground our hope,

00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:21.000
 our main big hope

00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:22.760
 that goes into all eternity

00:38:22.760 --> 00:38:23.980
 and those lesser hopes

00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:25.420
 that we are important

00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.820
 in day-to-day affairs

00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:27.700
 and week-to-week

00:38:27.700 --> 00:38:28.460
 and month-to-month.

00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:30.159
 And Father, we ask that you make us

00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:32.900
 deeply aware of Jesus

00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:34.440
 and what he did for us on the cross.

00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:36.639
 We thank you that he will never let us go

00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.880
 when we put our hand in his,

00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:39.340
 that he will never let us go.

00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:41.519
 And we give you thanks and praise

00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:42.320
 that in him,

00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:44.059
 you have prepared for us

00:38:44.059 --> 00:38:45.820
 an eternity beyond our worth,

00:38:46.320 --> 00:38:48.079
 beyond what we deserve,

00:38:49.120 --> 00:38:50.640
 purely as a gift,

00:38:51.360 --> 00:38:54.500
 that we are your child

00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:56.059
 and we will know you face-to-face.

00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:57.760
 And so, Father,

00:38:57.820 --> 00:38:58.880
 we ask that you help us

00:38:58.880 --> 00:38:59.740
 to be more hopeful

00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:00.940
 as we face each day,

00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:03.620
 as we rebuild this church

00:39:03.620 --> 00:39:04.620
 and help the rebuilding

00:39:04.620 --> 00:39:05.440
 of other churches,

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.760
 as we spread the gospel

00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:08.000
 and share the gospel

00:39:08.000 --> 00:39:09.560
 and lift Jesus high.

00:39:09.680 --> 00:39:11.140
 Father, fill us with hope.

00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.740
 And we ask this in the name of Jesus,

00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.840
 your Son and our Savior.

00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.140
 Amen.