WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

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 Thank you guys. I love that song. I love the music of Christmas in general. Yes, I started listening long before Thanksgiving,

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 which I know for some of you is a violation of everything sacred.

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 But there is a lot of really, really good Christmas music, really great songs written through the centuries about Jesus' birth,

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 some of which many of us will get to enjoy together tonight. Looking forward to those songs.

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 But for the next few Sundays leading up to Christmas, I want to take some of those rich lyrics that we've sung and loved

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 and I want to contemplate them together. We'll call it Songs of a Savior.

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 This morning, learning about our Savior and His birth from the words of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

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 Now that said, I'm not preaching song lyrics.

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 We preach God's word from this pulpit.

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 And there are no exceptions, including this one.

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 I'm just letting some of these great Christmas carols lead us to different passages that will feed our souls this Christmas.

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 This morning, we're going to focus on a prophecy from Jeremiah chapter 30.

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 We'll look at some other passages too.

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 But it's the theme of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel that led me to Jeremiah 30.

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 One more thing about songs.

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 One of the reasons we love songs and one of the ways that they help us so much is that they engage our emotions in a unique way, don't they?

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 Songs do that, whether it's the lyrics themselves, the tunes, the corporate singing of them.

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 All of it connects with our hearts.

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 And in our relationship with God, we Presbyterians sometimes struggle with that part.

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 We sometimes struggle to connect things that we know in our heads with our hearts and our emotions, don't we?

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 But it's really important.

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 So I hope that spending some time connecting biblical truth to beloved songs will help all of us to know our Savior and to worship our Savior more with all our hearts and minds and strength.

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 That's what I want for us this Christmas season.

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 Let's pray together and then we'll look at God's Word as it speaks into our lives.

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 Pray with me.

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 Father, we most of all need to know you.

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 You've been reminding us of that day after day, week after week as we come and open your Word.

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 And as the prophets have called us back to a relationship with you and knowing you.

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 And now that's why you've sent Jesus.

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 That we would know you up close and personal.

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 And so, Father, we long for that.

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 We know that's your heart for us.

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 And we ask this morning as we open your Word that you would today send your Spirit.

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 To open our eyes and open our hearts that we might know you and love you more.

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 Help us, we pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Imagine just a minute this morning that you're a young person.

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 When Malachi prophesied to God's people around 460 B.C.

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 You remember the striking words of the prophet.

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 Warnings that frightened you.

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 Promises that inspired you.

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 And then all of a sudden he was gone.

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 The hope of a deliverer to come stayed there in your heart.

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 You read other prophets.

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 You studied the Torah.

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 You learned of Yahweh's character.

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 And you waited.

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 The rest of your life.

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 And your children's lives.

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 And your grandchildren's lives.

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 And nothing.

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 No other prophets of Yahweh seemed to be speaking.

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 Occasionally a strong leader popped up and got everybody's hopes up.

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 But then he faded.

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 Entire lifetimes.

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 Generations.

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 Centuries.

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 Past.

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 In silence.

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 Imagine trying to hang on to faith.

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 Imagine trying to pass on faith to the next generation.

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 You cling to the words of God's promises.

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 And the stories of God's faithfulness.

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 And the glory of God's character.

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 But you're longing to hear from God.

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 To have God actually show up.

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 To experience that hope that you've only heard of.

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 Over 400 years.

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 That's a long time, isn't it?

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 A lot of waiting.

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 I almost put down as the text for this morning.

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 This blank page between Malachi and Matthew.

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 You have one of those in your Bibles?

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 It's one blank page usually.

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 And the end of the prophets.

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 Since we've just finished Malachi.

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 And our study of the minor prophets.

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 God.

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 I just.

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 Display my foolish pride.

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 For people to respond.

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 To his call to repent.

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 And to return to him.

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 I mean.

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 Certainly God is active here.

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 But.

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 People are longing for more.

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 For God himself.

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 To come.

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 As he's promised so many times.

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 And here God.

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 God's going to come.

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 And it doesn't seem to be.

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 Happening.

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 It's a long way.

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 To live.

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 The God.

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 The God.

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 Gives voice.

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 To the Christ.

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 Such a long way.

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 To live.

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 Kids.

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 Do you know what Emmanuel.

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 Anybody know what that word.

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 It's a big word.

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 I'm a desperate man.

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 The word Emmanuel means.

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 God is with us.

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 God is with us.

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 That's what it.

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 You've been more patient all this time.

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 You were me.

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 I've given up long ago.

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 He's the only one who can help us.

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 Come be with me.

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 Like a bunch of times.

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 Maybe when you're in the world.

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 It's a dark.

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 He's been in the world.

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 I've given up mommy.

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 Daddy.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 It's a sad way to live.

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 Such a sad, sad way to live.

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 Without God showing up.

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 They face the only cross.

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 I'm a desperate man.

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 You're in the shadow.

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 I'm in desperate need.

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 I'm here saving him.

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 The O come.

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 Come help me.

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 Come help me.

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 It's that longing.

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 Oh, getting desperate for God to come.

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 Not sure how much longer they can hold on without him showing up.

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 Some of them certainly gave up.

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 Come on.

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 Come on.

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 It's too much.

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 It's not worth it.

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 It's too long.

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 Maybe we don't have to try to.

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 but they

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 It's all I need and go on.

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 But the pain and the simple truth.

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 He speaks to the issue of what is it going on.

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 I'm a desperate man.

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 I'm in desperate need of your saving end.

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 Come and rest me.

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 I'm in desperate need of your saving end.

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 Come and rest me.

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 He delivers to God's exiled people.

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 For thus says the Lord, verse 12,

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 Your hurt is incurable and your wound is grievous.

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 There is none to uphold your cause.

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 No medicine for your wound.

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 No healing for you.

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 All your lovers have forgotten you.

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 They care nothing for you.

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 For I've dealt you the blow of an enemy.

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 The punishment of a merciless foe.

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 Because your guilt is great.

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 Because your sins are flagrant.

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 Why do you cry out over your hurt?

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 Your pain is incurable.

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 Because your guilt is great.

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 Because your sins are flagrant.

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 I have done these things to you.

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 Give up on yourselves.

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 On your self-sufficiency, he says.

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 Your situation really is as bad as you think.

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 Probably even worse.

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 Your wound is deep and beyond cure.

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 Your guilt is unmanageable.

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 Your sins are obvious and condemning.

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 And God's people hearing this weeping prophet,

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 as Jeremiah is known,

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 they join in with the weeping, right?

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 Psalm 137.

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 The exiles weep.

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 How can we sing the songs of God

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 in a foreign land?

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 We might say,

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 do you seriously want me to sing Christmas carols

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 in the face of my real life, pastor?

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 You being serious with me four weeks in a row?

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 It's hard for me even thinking

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 of what some of y'all are feeling

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 because you've shared some of that with me.

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 Why life is hard.

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 Why singing like that might be hard.

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 One of our members

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 sent me a text a few weeks ago saying,

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 could you preach sometime

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 about going through something tragic

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 with long-term effects?

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 I'm just not hearing what God says to me here.

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 Brother, we can relate.

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 And hopefully you'll hear with me

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 some of what God says to us

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 in those situations.

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 We can relate here, can't we?

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 Maybe especially during the Christmas season,

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 we feel it.

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 We live in a place that is not our home

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 and God sometimes seems absent

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 or silent.

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 I've talked with enough of us to know

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 we have felt and we do feel this.

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 Some of us are stuck in dead-end jobs

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 that don't give us dignity or worth.

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 No light at the end of the tunnel.

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 Some of us are struggling to fit in

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 with friends at school

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 and it hurts

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 and it seems to get worse,

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 not better.

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 Some of us are battling chronic pain

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 that we can hardly describe to anyone else.

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 It's limiting.

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 It's isolating.

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 Some of us are aching

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 with the loss of a loved one,

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 maybe more acutely this time of year.

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 Some of us are waging

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 what feels like a lifelong battle

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 with sinful desires,

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 addictions,

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 with anger.

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 And these things and many others

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 make us feel like the exiles that we are, right?

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 Not fitting in.

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 Not finding fulfillment here.

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 Not feeling hopeful.

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 And realizing that all of these

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 either directly or often indirectly

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 result from our sins,

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 our failures,

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 our idols.

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 And Jeremiah begins by saying,

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 yep,

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 that's the truth.

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 If you don't feel any of these

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 longings or groanings

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 in yourself,

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 think beyond yourself

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 to the hunger,

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 the genocide,

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 the trafficking of people

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 in our own country

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 and around the world.

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 I'm not seeing you, God.

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 This doesn't feel right to me.

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 How can I just keep going on

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 with all of this?

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 Those words of the song

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 Deliver Us

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 that we'll hear tonight,

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 we heard last Sunday,

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 are haunting, aren't they?

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 Our sins more numerous

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 than all the lambs we've slain.

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 Our shackles made with our own hands.

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 sins.

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 We've made our own bed.

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 But we look at it

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 and it's disgusting.

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 It's horrible.

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 Oh, Yahweh,

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 break this silence

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 if you can.

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 We cry out

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 and yet the struggle continues

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 as we are born captive to sin.

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 As we live in a world

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 broken and cursed by sin's effects.

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 As we find our flesh

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 warring against our spirits

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 so that we live so often

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 for ourselves,

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 the pain persists.

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 The longing for whom

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 keeps gnawing.

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 Yes?

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 You with me in this?

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 You're about ready for me

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 to leave it?

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 We live here, don't we?

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 Maybe not every day

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 you feel it the same way,

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 but do you feel that ache?

00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.699
 Do you recognize that longing,

00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.459
 that cry in your heart?

00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:13.099
 God is warning us through Jeremiah

00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:16.739
 not to take our predicament lightly.

00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.439
 Quit pretending.

00:16:22.079 --> 00:16:22.719
 I'm fine.

00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:23.879
 Good.

00:16:23.979 --> 00:16:24.839
 Yeah, you know, fine.

00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.139
 Yeah.

00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:25.919
 Yeah, fine.

00:16:26.859 --> 00:16:28.039
 How can you pray for us?

00:16:28.839 --> 00:16:29.659
 Ah, I mean,

00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:31.500
 my aunt's goldfish

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.319
 lost a fin.

00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:34.819
 Yeah, but I mean,

00:16:34.839 --> 00:16:35.259
 that's about it.

00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.639
 We're good.

00:16:35.719 --> 00:16:35.959
 Really?

00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.219
 Really?

00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.500
 We're good?

00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:36.879
 Fine.

00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.339
 Good.

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.620
 Yeah, we trust Jesus.

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.719
 We know God.

00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.719
 I mean, we go to church,

00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.240
 don't we?

00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:44.240
 We're good.

00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:44.819
 Fine.

00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:45.639
 Fine.

00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:45.959
 Yep.

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:51.079
 Y'all, we are so self-sufficient.

00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.699
 We don't even realize it

00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:53.539
 sometimes.

00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.740
 We hate receiving help

00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.279
 from anyone.

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:59.459
 And God is telling us

00:16:59.459 --> 00:16:59.980
 this morning

00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:01.500
 that when we deny

00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.339
 the reality

00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:04.139
 of our helpless situation,

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:06.440
 we miss our true hope

00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:10.039
 because we are not it.

00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.379
 It's not me.

00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:13.039
 It's not you.

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.039
 When we depend on ourselves,

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.960
 when we insist we are okay,

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:20.019
 when we commit to trying harder

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.859
 to handle it,

00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:22.839
 we are barricading ourselves

00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.920
 against the one

00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.220
 who can truly help.

00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.799
 When we seek to fight sin

00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.379
 and Satan

00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:30.200
 without surrendering to God,

00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.200
 without depending

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.039
 on His strength,

00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:34.139
 we really are hopeless.

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.700
 I know you're ready

00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.559
 for me to get to the hope,

00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.819
 but before we do,

00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:45.240
 Jeremiah has one more warning.

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.279
 One more thing

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.420
 we should give up on

00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:50.639
 beside ourselves.

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.279
 Look at verse 14.

00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:54.019
 All your lovers

00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:55.119
 have forgotten you.

00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:57.559
 They care nothing for you.

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.899
 Give up on being

00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:02.339
 sufficient yourselves

00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.279
 and give up on your idols

00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:06.179
 that promise to be enough

00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:07.439
 to fulfill you.

00:18:08.479 --> 00:18:09.339
 For God's people,

00:18:09.479 --> 00:18:10.139
 it was sometimes

00:18:10.139 --> 00:18:11.699
 the nations around them

00:18:11.699 --> 00:18:12.899
 that looked strong enough

00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.659
 to provide security.

00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.979
 For God's people,

00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.899
 it was sometimes

00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:20.039
 idols of wood and stone,

00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:20.939
 other gods

00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:22.379
 who promised to provide

00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:24.440
 fertility or rain

00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:26.500
 or whatever they needed.

00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.060
 For God's people then,

00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:28.980
 it was sometimes

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.420
 the people of the other nations

00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.400
 in whom they thought

00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:33.620
 they would find life

00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:35.300
 in that relationship.

00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:36.760
 And God says,

00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.320
 no.

00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:40.700
 None of those lovers

00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.680
 truly care for you,

00:18:43.020 --> 00:18:44.780
 can truly help you.

00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:49.460
 See, when you're in exile,

00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:53.259
 when you don't feel at home

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.440
 where you are,

00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:56.019
 it's so appealing,

00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.819
 isn't it,

00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.740
 to look for that feeling

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.799
 of home,

00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.559
 comfort,

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.099
 rest,

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.220
 belonging,

00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.039
 security,

00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.000
 in someone

00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:08.259
 or somewhere else

00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:10.220
 other than God.

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:14.059
 after all the chaos

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.860
 of travel

00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:16.180
 and football

00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.259
 and arguing

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.700
 and decorating,

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.400
 last night,

00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.640
 my family

00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.420
 finally had the moment.

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.360
 You know,

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.259
 we turned off

00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.740
 all the lights

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:27.319
 and turned on the lights

00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.420
 on the Christmas tree.

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:31.240
 We sat on the sofa together

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.539
 for just that moment

00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.079
 and sang Christmas carols.

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.319
 All that chaos

00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:38.180
 for that one moment,

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:40.000
 that one magical moment

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.720
 of peace.

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:44.420
 Not a bad idea,

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:47.240
 but a bad idol.

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:48.880
 Right?

00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.140
 It's good

00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:52.000
 when it turns

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.339
 our hearts to God.

00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.500
 Bad

00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.480
 when we find

00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.119
 our hope

00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:57.940
 in it.

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.259
 See,

00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.400
 we don't want to admit

00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.559
 we're exiles

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.880
 here,

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.400
 do we?

00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.599
 So when we find

00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.019
 ourselves

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.779
 groaning,

00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:09.980
 hurting,

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.140
 longing

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.339
 for something more,

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.420
 it's tempting

00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.920
 to think

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.619
 we will find

00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:15.119
 relief

00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.900
 in a better

00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.640
 relationship,

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:19.140
 in a little more money,

00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.579
 in an escape

00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.319
 to Netflix,

00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.380
 in even

00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.680
 a more moral

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.059
 or religious lifestyle.

00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.799
 Hope

00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:29.500
 in social status,

00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.980
 hope in children,

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.279
 hope in success

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.420
 or popularity.

00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:34.560
 prosperity.

00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:37.120
 It's so tempting

00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.420
 because it offers

00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.120
 a glimmer

00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:39.720
 of light

00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.620
 in the darkness.

00:20:42.060 --> 00:20:43.220
 It's so tempting

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.000
 because so many

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.580
 of our idols

00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:45.519
 have an element

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.039
 of goodness

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.060
 or truth in them

00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.480
 like that

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.420
 sparkling Christmas tree

00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:50.180
 moment.

00:20:51.560 --> 00:20:52.660
 It's so tempting

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.980
 because we feel

00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.620
 lost and we long

00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.920
 for a temporary home

00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.620
 even if it's

00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.480
 just for the night,

00:20:58.560 --> 00:20:59.500
 just for that one moment

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:01.160
 to feel at peace

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.259
 some moment,

00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:03.540
 however briefly,

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.500
 where the ache

00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.240
 or the longing

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.160
 is soothed.

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.220
 And God says,

00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.759
 no,

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.560
 those things

00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:12.820
 cannot actually

00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:13.400
 deliver

00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.840
 what they promise.

00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:16.839
 They can't heal

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:19.019
 your incurable wound.

00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.279
 They can't deal

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.139
 with your overwhelming guilt.

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.240
 They can't provide

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:25.159
 you permanent security.

00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:27.500
 And when we deny

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.399
 that reality

00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:29.779
 and go running off

00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.480
 after our glittering

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.339
 idols of our hearts,

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:36.699
 we miss our only hope.

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.919
 We do this

00:21:39.919 --> 00:21:41.019
 in so many ways, y'all.

00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:44.299
 We keep the groaning

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.639
 and the longing

00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.619
 at arm's length

00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:48.680
 by living in a nice

00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.319
 enough neighborhood

00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:51.659
 with nice enough friends,

00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.259
 with nice enough kids

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.639
 in a nice enough church

00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:57.700
 because we hate admitting

00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.399
 we're aliens

00:21:58.399 --> 00:22:00.079
 and strangers here

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.299
 and for at least

00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.419
 parts of our days

00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:03.279
 we can feel

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.720
 that we're at home.

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.559
 We soothe ourselves

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.919
 with half-truths.

00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.779
 We settle for quick fixes.

00:22:10.139 --> 00:22:12.299
 We stop at feeling hope

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.460
 rather than truly

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.700
 having hope.

00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:16.819
 And in so doing,

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:19.279
 we miss

00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:22.159
 our only hope.

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.599
 When there is only

00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:25.379
 one real solution,

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:27.519
 settling for any other one

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.019
 keeps you from finding

00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.720
 the real one,

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.299
 doesn't it?

00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.559
 When you stop

00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:33.079
 and get satisfied there.

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.119
 It's like masking

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.299
 your need for emergency surgery

00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:37.440
 with enough pain medication

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.180
 that you don't feel

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.339
 you need the doctor anymore.

00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:41.519
 that's dangerous.

00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:48.240
 The words of this song

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.980
 are crying out

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.039
 the right thing.

00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.740
 Oh come,

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.740
 oh come,

00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.679
 Emmanuel

00:22:53.679 --> 00:22:54.639
 and ransom

00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:55.939
 captive Israel

00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:57.579
 that mourns

00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.500
 in lonely exile here

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:02.699
 until the Son of God

00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.779
 appear.

00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:06.319
 Unless, God,

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.720
 you show up,

00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:09.180
 we will be mourning

00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:10.279
 in exile.

00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.720
 We will be battling sin

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.940
 and often losing.

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.259
 We will be grieving

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.620
 over death.

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.100
 We will be longing

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.019
 for the home

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.620
 that we were made for.

00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.440
 How many of these

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.920
 real situations

00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.720
 we're facing,

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.819
 including certainly

00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.799
 the fact that we are

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.180
 living as exiles

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.720
 in a world

00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.539
 where we are aliens

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.360
 and strangers,

00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.220
 will not be cured

00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:37.319
 by anything short

00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:39.200
 of Jesus coming again

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.559
 to take us home

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.600
 to be with him

00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:42.339
 forever.

00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.059
 You know that, right?

00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.240
 The Israelites'

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.440
 one hope

00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.799
 was a Savior

00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:51.180
 coming to rescue them.

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:54.319
 And our one hope

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.819
 is that same Savior

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.880
 coming again

00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.000
 to rescue us.

00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.279
 Amen?

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.839
 That's it.

00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.620
 There aren't other ones.

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:03.360
 There are substitutes.

00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:06.740
 there are sooths

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:08.000
 for a moment.

00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:12.000
 But he's our only hope.

00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:13.379
 Listen to Jeremiah

00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.819
 gloriously bring

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.799
 that hope home

00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.179
 to God's people

00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:19.079
 walking in darkness

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.240
 like us.

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.779
 Then fear not,

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.120
 O Jacob,

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.200
 my servant,

00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.180
 declares the Lord.

00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.299
 Nor be dismayed,

00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.220
 O Israel,

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.220
 for behold,

00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.420
 I will save you

00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.620
 from far away

00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.980
 and your offspring

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.859
 from the land

00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.759
 of their captivity.

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.440
 Jacob shall return

00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.299
 and have quiet

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.859
 and ease

00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.720
 and none shall

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.620
 make him afraid

00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:42.140
 for I am with you

00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.720
 to save you,

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:46.220
 declares the Lord.

00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:48.700
 God with us

00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:50.539
 to save us.

00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:52.420
 That's the Christmas message,

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:52.640
 right?

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.100
 It's the Christmas message

00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:55.720
 the angel first speaks

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.279
 to Joseph

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.980
 in Matthew chapter 1.

00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.559
 She will bear a son

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.519
 and you shall call

00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.360
 his name Jesus

00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:04.100
 for he will save

00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.680
 his people

00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.799
 from their sins.

00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.880
 And all this took place

00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.339
 to fulfill

00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.799
 what the Lord

00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.279
 had spoken

00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.140
 by the prophet.

00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.000
 Behold,

00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:12.200
 the virgin shall conceive

00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.079
 and bear a son

00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.620
 and they shall call

00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.279
 his name

00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.160
 Emmanuel,

00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.079
 which means

00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:20.119
 God with us,

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.559
 right?

00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.980
 God with us

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.480
 to save us.

00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.460
 Remember,

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.720
 God shows up

00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.359
 as a baby

00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:29.160
 after 400 plus

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.839
 years of waiting.

00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:32.839
 None of us

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.899
 has yet waited

00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:34.779
 that long

00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.920
 in our lives.

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.420
 There's no need

00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.980
 for us to deny it.

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.619
 Often,

00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.240
 God seems absent

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:47.680
 or silent.

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.660
 He seems absent

00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.539
 or silent

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.259
 in our lives

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.480
 for any number

00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.160
 of reasons

00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:57.759
 and we feel that

00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.839
 but Jesus comes

00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:01.420
 to remind us

00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:03.019
 even in those moments

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.799
 it's still not time

00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.819
 to give up

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.980
 on God,

00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.500
 is it?

00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:08.720
 Yes,

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.660
 give up on yourselves.

00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.440
 Yes,

00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.720
 give up on your idols

00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.819
 but no,

00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.980
 in those moments

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.160
 God's not

00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.640
 actually absent

00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.740
 or silent.

00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:19.059
 Just wait.

00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:20.920
 What's about to happen?

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.279
 He breaks in

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:24.100
 with a sky-glowing

00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:25.519
 herald of angels.

00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.220
 Not simply

00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:28.000
 sending some

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.319
 words of hope

00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.200
 to hang on to.

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.700
 not merely

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:33.080
 sending another prophet

00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:34.240
 to go tell you

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.140
 how to be

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.880
 but actually

00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.259
 entering in

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.180
 himself

00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.240
 breaking in

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.180
 as Emmanuel

00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.299
 and being

00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.460
 with us

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.240
 to save us

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.000
 to save his people

00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.920
 from their sins.

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:50.060
 That's what happens

00:26:50.060 --> 00:26:50.519
 at the end

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.620
 of all that waiting

00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:53.000
 because God loves

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.300
 to bring his light

00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.720
 into the darkest nights

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.080
 to bring his hope

00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:57.680
 into the most

00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:59.440
 hopeless places.

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.120
 Listen to Jeremiah

00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:02.880
 one more time.

00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.600
 It's after

00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.120
 recapping

00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:07.380
 that incurable pain

00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.300
 we read about earlier

00:27:08.300 --> 00:27:09.740
 the great guilt

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.660
 and sin

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.700
 in verse 15

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.880
 he says

00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.660
 therefore

00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:16.700
 therefore what?

00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.019
 I mean

00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.800
 you finish it, right?

00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:20.419
 incurable wounds

00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:21.879
 and great guilt

00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:23.059
 and sin

00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.879
 that's overwhelming

00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.799
 therefore what?

00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:26.480
 You're sent away

00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.480
 in exile forever?

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.879
 Therefore

00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:30.440
 I will punish you

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.399
 with certain death?

00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.379
 What does it say?

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.299
 No.

00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:36.279
 Therefore

00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.700
 all who devour you

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.619
 shall be devoured.

00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.720
 All your foes

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.799
 every one of them

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.440
 shall go

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.539
 into captivity.

00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.079
 Those who plunder you

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.960
 shall be plundered.

00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.200
 All who prey on you

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.639
 I will make a prey.

00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.680
 The very opposite

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:49.960
 of what we deserve, right?

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.680
 What the world

00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.560
 is going on?

00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.620
 Verse 17

00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:56.200
 For I

00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.860
 will restore health

00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.420
 to you

00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.440
 and your wounds

00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.460
 I will heal

00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.740
 declares the Lord

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:03.180
 because they have

00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.820
 called you

00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:04.779
 an outcast.

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.920
 It is Zion

00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.420
 for whom no one cares.

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.299
 Did you hear that?

00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:12.799
 God saves his people

00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:15.279
 not in spite

00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:17.759
 of their outcast status

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:19.799
 but because

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:23.159
 of their outcast status

00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:24.559
 because he loves

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.119
 to heal

00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.720
 when the wounds

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.419
 are incurable.

00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:29.099
 Because he loves

00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.779
 to rescue

00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.819
 when no one else

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.379
 is able to

00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.480
 and there's no other hope.

00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.519
 John Calvin says

00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.240
 of this verse

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:38.079
 when therefore

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.200
 the people

00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.960
 should become

00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.319
 so sunk

00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.140
 in misery

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.819
 as to make

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.620
 all to think

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.539
 their deliverance

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.180
 hopeless

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:48.480
 God promises

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.259
 that he would

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.900
 then

00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:51.079
 be

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.559
 their redeemer.

00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:57.599
 Is that where

00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.139
 you are today?

00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.679
 Are you honestly

00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:04.259
 looking at life

00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.679
 and

00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:06.740
 you're groaning

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:09.139
 you're longing

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:11.700
 you're crying out

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.500
 you've thought

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.859
 how could I not

00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:15.159
 give up?

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.119
 It seems to make sense

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.960
 it's the only

00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:20.720
 reasonable path forward

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:24.059
 God loves

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:25.819
 then

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:28.480
 to be your redeemer

00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.140
 he loves

00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.900
 now

00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.700
 if that's

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.680
 where you are

00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.079
 and what

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.759
 your heart

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.299
 is feeling

00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:33.839
 this morning

00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:34.799
 to be the one

00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.380
 who comes

00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:36.039
 and enters in

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.640
 and meets you

00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:38.160
 right there.

00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.759
 That's what he's like.

00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.759
 Listen

00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.440
 friends

00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:43.900
 we

00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:45.980
 like God's people

00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.140
 are exiles

00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.940
 who've been given

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.980
 God's word

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.019
 to study

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:52.420
 to learn

00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.460
 his character

00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:55.220
 to trust

00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.559
 his promises

00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.359
 even

00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.619
 and especially

00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:00.200
 for the moments

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.460
 of groaning

00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:03.099
 he gives it

00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.720
 to us again

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.279
 this morning

00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.079
 for that

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.139
 because God

00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:07.359
 is the only one

00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.319
 who can truly

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:09.000
 help people

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.519
 groaning

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.180
 as deeply

00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.379
 and honestly

00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:12.259
 and painfully

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.960
 as we are

00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:16.220
 he loves

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.960
 to make us

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.879
 like Paul

00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.600
 who remained

00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:20.220
 because of

00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:20.860
 God's being

00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:21.340
 with him

00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.820
 in the midst

00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:22.520
 of real

00:30:22.520 --> 00:30:23.340
 difficulties

00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:24.260
 sorrowful

00:30:24.260 --> 00:30:25.600
 yet always

00:30:25.600 --> 00:30:26.380
 rejoicing

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:28.360
 having nothing

00:30:28.360 --> 00:30:30.240
 and yet

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.140
 possessing

00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:32.240
 everything

00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:34.940
 2nd Corinthians

00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:35.580
 6

00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:39.340
 own the pain

00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:42.140
 give up

00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.279
 on any

00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:44.039
 other cure

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:46.340
 and then

00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.380
 rejoice

00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:49.259
 rejoice

00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.320
 Emmanuel

00:30:50.320 --> 00:30:51.039
 shall

00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.860
 come

00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.960
 God

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.620
 with us

00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.680
 kids

00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.680
 one more

00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.200
 time

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.279
 want you to

00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:58.740
 help us

00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.200
 what does

00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.620
 Emmanuel

00:30:59.620 --> 00:31:00.240
 mean

00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:02.259
 God

00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.019
 is

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:04.420
 with us

00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:06.059
 don't forget

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.599
 that

00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.720
 you will

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.559
 never

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.000
 be alone

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.720
 because of

00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.039
 that

00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:16.339
 thus says

00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.039
 the Lord

00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.599
 behold I

00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.180
 will restore

00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.960
 the fortunes

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.599
 of the tents

00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:21.079
 of Jacob

00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:21.480
 and have

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.079
 compassion

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.740
 on his

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.279
 dwellings

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.920
 the city

00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:24.259
 shall be

00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.660
 rebuilt

00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.039
 on its

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.319
 mound

00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.579
 and the

00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:25.980
 palace

00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.539
 shall stand

00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:26.880
 where it

00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.240
 used to

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.420
 be

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.079
 out of

00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.259
 them

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.460
 shall

00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:28.640
 come

00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.079
 songs

00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.279
 of

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.859
 thanksgiving

00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.639
 the voices

00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.079
 of those

00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.899
 who celebrate

00:31:31.899 --> 00:31:32.599
 I will

00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.079
 multiply

00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.439
 them

00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:33.699
 and they

00:31:33.699 --> 00:31:33.859
 shall

00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.099
 not

00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.299
 be

00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.639
 few

00:31:34.639 --> 00:31:35.079
 I'll

00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:35.240
 make

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.439
 them

00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:35.859
 honored

00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.219
 and they

00:31:36.219 --> 00:31:36.419
 shall

00:31:36.419 --> 00:31:36.699
 not

00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:36.919
 be

00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:37.399
 small

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:37.879
 their

00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.399
 children

00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:38.719
 shall

00:31:38.719 --> 00:31:38.899
 be

00:31:38.899 --> 00:31:39.219
 as they

00:31:39.219 --> 00:31:39.419
 were

00:31:39.419 --> 00:31:39.759
 of old

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:39.919
 their

00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.719
 congregation

00:31:40.719 --> 00:31:41.099
 shall

00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.240
 be

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.740
 established

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.240
 before

00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.479
 me

00:31:42.479 --> 00:31:42.959
 I'll

00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:43.219
 punish

00:31:43.219 --> 00:31:43.559
 all

00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:43.719
 who

00:31:43.719 --> 00:31:44.179
 oppress

00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:44.599
 them

00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.519
 and

00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:45.939
 listen

00:31:45.939 --> 00:31:46.379
 to this

00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:46.919
 listen

00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.219
 to who's

00:31:47.219 --> 00:31:47.339
 in

00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.659
 charge

00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:48.059
 their

00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.659
 prince

00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:49.359
 shall

00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:49.599
 be

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:49.979
 one

00:31:49.979 --> 00:31:50.199
 of

00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:50.879
 themselves

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.599
 their

00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.240
 ruler

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:52.559
 shall

00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:52.799
 come

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.059
 out

00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.619
 from

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:53.839
 their

00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.199
 midst

00:31:54.199 --> 00:31:54.699
 we know

00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.459
 that one

00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:55.740
 don't

00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:55.939
 we

00:31:55.939 --> 00:31:56.679
 that great

00:31:56.679 --> 00:31:57.479
 prince

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.319
 of God's

00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.680
 people

00:31:58.680 --> 00:31:59.480
 I will

00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.000
 make him

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.620
 draw near

00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:00.940
 and he

00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.160
 shall

00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.599
 approach

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:01.799
 me

00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.180
 for who

00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.360
 would

00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:02.860
 dare

00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.380
 of himself

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.640
 to

00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.059
 approach

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.259
 me

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.700
 declares

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:04.960
 the

00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.220
 Lord

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:07.599
 and then

00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:07.900
 the best

00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.240
 part

00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:10.079
 of all

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.240
 these

00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:10.700
 promises

00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.099
 of all

00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.700
 of God

00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.519
 showing up

00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.259
 in the

00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.720
 pain

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.339
 you

00:32:14.339 --> 00:32:14.960
 shall

00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.400
 be

00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.180
 my

00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.039
 people

00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.480
 and

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.059
 I

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.680
 will

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.200
 be

00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.380
 your

00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.880
 God

00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:26.799
 for

00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.200
 us

00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:29.220
 looking

00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:29.640
 back

00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.259
 on

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.539
 Jesus

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:30.819
 these

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:30.940
 are

00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.140
 no

00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:31.420
 pie

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:31.559
 in

00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:31.700
 the

00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:31.940
 sky

00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:32.539
 promises

00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.559
 maybe

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:33.880
 God

00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.019
 will

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.299
 show

00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:34.660
 up

00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:36.140
 God

00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.880
 has

00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.880
 actually

00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.779
 come

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.440
 Jesus

00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:39.880
 has

00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.460
 come

00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.100
 once

00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:41.600
 he's

00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:41.860
 left

00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.120
 his

00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.779
 spirit

00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.259
 as a

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:43.819
 deposit

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.660
 in

00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.240
 us

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.819
 and

00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.039
 he's

00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.580
 promised

00:32:46.580 --> 00:32:47.059
 to

00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.460
 come

00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.039
 again

00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.759
 for

00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.299
 us

00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.940
 so

00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.259
 this

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.720
 song

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.120
 and

00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:51.360
 this

00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:52.080
 passage

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.819
 point

00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.120
 us

00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:53.380
 to

00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.039
 our

00:32:54.039 --> 00:32:55.340
 only

00:32:55.340 --> 00:32:56.380
 true

00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.620
 hope

00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:59.060
 Emmanuel

00:32:59.060 --> 00:33:00.020
 shall

00:33:00.020 --> 00:33:01.020
 come

00:33:01.020 --> 00:33:01.680
 God

00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.240
 with

00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.680
 us

00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.020
 to

00:33:03.020 --> 00:33:03.280
 be

00:33:03.280 --> 00:33:03.740
 with

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.140
 us

00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:04.500
 and

00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:04.760
 be

00:33:04.760 --> 00:33:05.080
 our

00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:05.580
 God

00:33:05.580 --> 00:33:06.600
 forever

00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:09.240
 let's

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.420
 not

00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.800
 settle

00:33:09.800 --> 00:33:10.820
 for

00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:11.120
 anything

00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:11.580
 less

00:33:11.580 --> 00:33:12.040
 let's

00:33:12.040 --> 00:33:12.220
 not

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.540
 settle

00:33:12.540 --> 00:33:12.780
 for

00:33:12.780 --> 00:33:13.200
 anything

00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.000
 less

00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:14.360
 than

00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:14.800
 Emmanuel

00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.640
 as

00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.020
 our

00:33:16.020 --> 00:33:16.620
 savior

00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:18.280
 God

00:33:18.280 --> 00:33:19.300
 as

00:33:19.300 --> 00:33:19.640
 our

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.060
 hope

00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:20.760
 heaven

00:33:20.760 --> 00:33:22.340
 as

00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:22.540
 our

00:33:22.540 --> 00:33:22.940
 home

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:24.900
 let's

00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.180
 pray

00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:29.799
 oh

00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.039
 holy

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.440
 spirit

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.980
 help

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.160
 our

00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:31.640
 hearts

00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:35.580
 that

00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:35.920
 so

00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.820
 easily

00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.100
 and

00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:37.480
 quickly

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:39.600
 settle

00:33:39.600 --> 00:33:39.820
 for

00:33:39.820 --> 00:33:40.640
 substitutes

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:42.440
 for

00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:42.759
 false

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.180
 hope

00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.240
 that

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.380
 won't

00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:44.620
 really

00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:45.259
 last

00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:50.259
 strengthen

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.480
 our

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.900
 faith

00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:52.400
 even

00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:52.560
 as

00:33:52.560 --> 00:33:52.680
 we

00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:52.880
 look

00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:53.340
 back

00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:54.500
 even

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.700
 as

00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:54.840
 we

00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:55.160
 see

00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:55.360
 you

00:33:55.360 --> 00:33:55.740
 fulfill

00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.040
 your

00:33:56.040 --> 00:33:56.580
 promises

00:33:56.580 --> 00:33:56.980
 to

00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.440
 God's

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:57.759
 people

00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.240
 after

00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.980
 centuries

00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.300
 of

00:33:59.300 --> 00:33:59.660
 waiting

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:01.019
 that

00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.220
 we

00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:01.400
 will

00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:01.759
 find

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.040
 you

00:34:02.040 --> 00:34:02.280
 to

00:34:02.280 --> 00:34:02.460
 be

00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:02.860
 faithful

00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.440
 again

00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.000
 to

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.280
 us

00:34:04.280 --> 00:34:04.440
 and

00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:04.580
 to

00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:04.759
 know

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:04.960
 that

00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.280
 we

00:34:05.280 --> 00:34:06.340
 can

00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:06.700
 trust

00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.040
 you

00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:10.320
 God

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:10.539
 we're

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.880
 hurting

00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:13.039
 some

00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.260
 of us

00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:13.599
 feel it

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.119
 personally

00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.519
 some

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:14.980
 of us

00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.039
 because

00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.260
 we're

00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:16.539
 in this

00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:16.940
 family

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.480
 together

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:19.000
 we have

00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.260
 brothers

00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:19.920
 and sisters

00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.659
 longing

00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.679
 and groaning

00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:22.920
 and crying

00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.400
 out

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.699
 here in

00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.019
 this

00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.760
 church

00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:26.199
 family

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.599
 around

00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:26.840
 the

00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.199
 world

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:29.820
 and

00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:30.059
 we

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:31.019
 together

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.539
 say

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.380
 God

00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.079
 don't

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.559
 let us

00:34:33.559 --> 00:34:33.880
 have

00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.340
 any

00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:34.840
 hope

00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.179
 but

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:35.579
 you

00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.360
 because

00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:36.659
 we

00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.199
 believe

00:34:37.199 --> 00:34:37.539
 you

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.000
 have

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.420
 come

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:38.679
 and

00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:38.900
 you

00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.199
 will

00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.679
 come

00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.559
 again

00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:43.039
 why

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.159
 we

00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:43.440
 cry

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:43.639
 out

00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:43.780
 to

00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:43.900
 you

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.340
 together

00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:46.599
 trust

00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:46.900
 you

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.960
 to

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.160
 meet

00:34:48.160 --> 00:34:48.440
 us

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:48.660
 and

00:34:48.660 --> 00:34:48.780
 be

00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:49.000
 with

00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:49.320
 us

00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:49.619
 and

00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:49.900
 save

00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.300
 us

00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:55.500
 for

00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:55.700
 more

00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.220
 information

00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:57.019
 visit us

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.519
 online

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:57.920
 at

00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.820
 southwood.org