WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.060 How you guys doing? Oh, come on. That's the first Advent, and then we just go good. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:11.700 How you guys doing? Are you glad to be here? I hope so, yeah. 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:18.920 Hey, so we are welcoming our first Sunday of Advent for 2015. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:27.580 Advent is this idea of preparing our hearts, preparing our lives, preparing everything that we have and who we are for Christ. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:31.820 Christ is already here, but the question is, what are we going to do with him as he's here? 00:00:31.899 --> 00:00:38.859 How are we going to invite him into our life, into our homes, into our work, and wherever he has us? 00:00:40.619 --> 00:00:43.140 Okay, I've been trying to pray about whether I should share this. 00:00:43.979 --> 00:00:47.459 So, for me, we talked last week about serving. 00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:52.879 We talked about being servants and wherever God has called us as a family, and what does that look like for us as a church? 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:58.940 And this message is about serving, but it's about also letting God into our lives, 00:00:59.580 --> 00:01:04.480 letting God into our lives at different points of our life and letting him change us and speak to us. 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:07.579 God's word says that he's speaking to us all the time. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:10.480 The question is, do we hear him? 00:01:11.520 --> 00:01:18.500 And my confession is, is the area where I feel like I have the hardest time of letting him into my life often is with my kids. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:28.159 I feel like in the area of being a dad and being a parent, I probably fail more than I succeed. 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:32.900 And I'm sharing this with my kids right here, who I did not know who were going to be in here today, 00:01:33.319 --> 00:01:36.180 but it is the reality of my life. 00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:38.200 I didn't have a great role model. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:39.480 I'm still trying to learn what it is. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.420 I'm so thankful that God doesn't call us to be perfect parents, 00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:51.159 because if he did, my kid would not need, or our kids would not need a perfect Savior to take them and to love them. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:56.680 So, one of the hardest things in our family is putting our kids to bed at night. 00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:03.260 I don't know if you guys have this problem, but in my problem, my kids just cannot, they just don't want to go to bed. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:07.260 Again, I'm sharing this here, and now there's one kid, and they just said something, 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:10.099 they go to bed right away, but all the other kids do not go to bed. 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:12.340 Okay, Becca? So, you're okay. You're good. 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:15.319 She's the truth teller. 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:19.180 But, you know, my kids have a hard time, and so whenever it comes time to bedtime, 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:24.180 we enter into this phase of negotiation and stalling, negotiation and stalling, 00:02:24.299 --> 00:02:31.259 and they use all these different techniques to get as much time out of their sleep as they possibly can and to stay up. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:35.379 And so, this last week, I was putting one of them to bed, and they asked me to come into their room, 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:39.159 and they said, can you give me a back rub? 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:42.599 And so, I'm rubbing their back, and I have things to do. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:43.280 I'm busy, right? 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:49.060 I've been a servant for 15 minutes, and I'm ready to get off and go watch football or whatever I need to do as a dad, 00:02:49.139 --> 00:02:50.900 whatever is more important than that event. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.939 And I'm just being honest, and so, which is not good. 00:02:55.519 --> 00:02:58.900 And so, it's about time for me to get up and to leave, 00:02:59.139 --> 00:03:02.340 and this kid pulled the perfect stalling tactic of all time. 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:03.819 I said, I really have to go. 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:05.419 And they said, can you pray with me? 00:03:07.579 --> 00:03:11.900 You know, it'd be like if I were a banker, and they said, hey, can you explain to me derivatives? 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:15.579 You know, all of a sudden, you'd go, okay, I've got to stay in here and help my kids understand this, 00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:17.159 because no one understands this. 00:03:17.959 --> 00:03:21.079 But so, as a pastor, when your kid says, can you pray with me, 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:25.039 you feel like, okay, well, I can't just leave because they want me to pray with them. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:29.000 You know, and maybe this is a teachable moment of what God is teaching me 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:31.560 and what he wants me to learn in this process of being a dad. 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:35.299 And so, I said yes, and I paused. 00:03:37.459 --> 00:03:41.539 And I paused because I've been thinking about all the things that have been going on in our life 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:45.259 these last six or seven months, just the craziness that God's allowed us to experience 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:46.519 and all these things. 00:03:46.579 --> 00:03:49.500 And in this process, I'm trying to figure out how am I going to pray for this kid? 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:54.840 How am I going to pray that God would work in their life and to change them and to heal them? 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:57.099 And just to do an awesome work in their life. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:59.640 And so, I didn't say anything and it was dark. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:04.740 And all of a sudden, my kid asked me, are you still here? 00:04:06.860 --> 00:04:08.879 Are you still looking at me? 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:11.879 Are you still with me? 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:13.620 Because it was quiet. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:15.099 It was dark. 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:18.459 And they asked that question, are you still here? 00:04:18.680 --> 00:04:19.740 Are you watching me? 00:04:19.860 --> 00:04:21.000 Are you with me? 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:25.980 And I assured them that I was with them, that I was watching them, 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:30.259 that I was always going to be there as long as God allowed me to be there. 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:32.560 And I prayed with them. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:36.560 But I left that room, teachable moment. 00:04:36.660 --> 00:04:38.779 And I was hoping to have a teachable moment for my kids. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:42.220 But then I really, God was giving me a teachable moment in my life. 00:04:42.220 --> 00:04:48.320 And I walked through the house and I was thinking about all these promises that God has given to me as his kid. 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:51.300 Like I just gave my promises to my child. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:54.020 And so, I did this search as any good pastor would do. 00:04:54.080 --> 00:04:55.600 And I went on the internet and I did this thing. 00:04:55.760 --> 00:04:58.600 So, what is the most common promise that God gives his people? 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:03.320 And I was thinking it was going to be something about sin or temptation. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:06.519 Or just a happy life. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:07.680 Or freedom. 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:09.300 Or forgiveness. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:10.000 Or heaven. 00:05:10.099 --> 00:05:11.819 I thought that was what the promise was going to be about. 00:05:11.879 --> 00:05:13.180 And all those promises are amazing. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:14.740 And they're in the Bible that God talks to us. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:19.699 But what the Bible says, and the most quoted promise in all the Bible, 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:22.120 is God saying to you and to me, 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:24.219 I'll be with you. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:27.100 I'm here. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:29.939 Don't be afraid. 00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:32.500 You're not alone. 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:34.959 I'll be with you. 00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:39.659 And I thought about that promise as I talked to my kid. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:42.519 And as God is talking to us through his word. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:48.019 And I realized that this promise is probably the primary promise of all the Bible. 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:50.600 It's the central story of the Bible. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:51.360 I don't know if you know that. 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:53.039 But it's the central story of the Bible. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:56.659 The central story of the Bible is that God promises to be with us. 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:57.939 That he's seeking us out. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:00.800 The central story of the Bible is not Tobin seeking God. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.639 Because if that was what the Bible was all about, it'd be like one page. 00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:06.139 Because we don't seek God. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:15.339 But the central story of the Bible is about God seeking us out and pursuing us and going after us and loving us and wanting to be with us. 00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:24.439 And sometimes, guys, you know, when we're in the midst of life and we're living life and life is crazy and busy and there's darkness and things aren't going the way we want, 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:28.159 the Bible says that God continues to speak to us. 00:06:28.239 --> 00:06:29.159 He's talking to us. 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:31.160 He wants to be with us. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:33.680 Sometimes we can't hear that. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.640 Because there's chaos. 00:06:36.520 --> 00:06:37.460 And there's darkness. 00:06:38.640 --> 00:06:44.180 And what we see in this passage, there was chaos and there was darkness and there was unexpected things happening. 00:06:44.640 --> 00:06:49.100 And what you realize in the Bible is that no one's life turns out the way they wanted it to turn out. 00:06:50.080 --> 00:06:53.160 A minute God enters into a person's life, there's just upheaval. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:57.300 And there's unknown and there's craziness and there's uncertainty. 00:06:57.520 --> 00:07:04.040 And God works in your life and he wants to change you and he wants to do an amazing work in your heart. 00:07:05.440 --> 00:07:11.220 And the question of the Bible, the question of my life, the question of your life is are we going to let him do that? 00:07:13.400 --> 00:07:16.720 Are we going to listen to him as he speaks to us through his word? 00:07:17.760 --> 00:07:21.220 Are we going to listen to him as he speaks to us as we put our kids to bed? 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:28.440 Are we going to listen to him as he speaks to us when we go to the hospital or something hard happens in our life? 00:07:28.580 --> 00:07:34.500 Because the passage is saying in the midst of all this chaos, that God is speaking and he's doing things. 00:07:34.580 --> 00:07:37.040 And sometimes it's uncomfortable and sometimes it's unexpected. 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:41.740 And sometimes it's just utterly what we don't expect him to be doing. 00:07:42.220 --> 00:07:45.760 But he's making his name great and he's making people know about his son. 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.780 And the question is, will we listen to him? 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:59.220 Will we take time to pause in our day and at work and in our family and listen to him speak to us? 00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:01.560 Because that's the message of Advent. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:05.060 The message of Advent is God is here. 00:08:05.260 --> 00:08:06.480 He's with you. 00:08:07.960 --> 00:08:12.200 He wants a relationship with you. 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:15.459 Even when it doesn't seem like he's here. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:24.180 Because in this passage, when you read it, we have this kind of glorified way of reading it because we've read it so many times and we've seen Charlie Brown and the Snoopies do it so many different ways. 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:25.839 But it wasn't like that. 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.199 It was darkness. 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:39.819 I mean, it would be more appropriate to have the Star Wars theme going on, dun, dun, dun, in the days of the evil empire, than it would be Chopin and Peanuts playing. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:42.840 But we've forgotten that. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:45.060 And we've kind of sanitized it. 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:51.360 And when we sanitize things and make them look fun and happy and things like that, that sometimes we miss that in our lives. 00:08:51.400 --> 00:08:58.660 And we miss God working, especially when the things get difficult and they don't plan out the way we want them to plan out. 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:00.000 Does that make sense at all? 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.799 That's what this passage is about. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.700 It's about asking us the questions. 00:09:05.820 --> 00:09:07.720 Are we going to shut Christ out? 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:09.659 Are we going to allow him into our lives? 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:12.820 And everybody in this story had this chance. 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:18.539 They had this option of either to allow Christ into their life and what God was doing in them, or they had a chance to shut him out. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:21.740 And the story is about disturbing things. 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:23.820 The story is about inconvenient things. 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:27.639 The story is about things that are out of our control and not as we planned. 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:32.199 And yet God is working and doing all of these things in your life today. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:35.600 And the question is, do you know that? 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:40.919 Do you hear his voice? 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:49.759 When you read the story of his baby son being born for you, do you understand that? 00:09:49.759 --> 00:09:57.559 You look at this passage and what you learn right away is that historians have been telling us that for about 20 years before this passage, 00:09:57.879 --> 00:10:02.360 that there have been these stories, and you heard it in the advent, of this Messiah coming, this new Messiah is coming. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.879 He's going to come and he's going to free people. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:05.200 He's going to come with power. 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:06.700 And it wasn't just the Jewish people saying it. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.879 It was the Roman people saying it. 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:09.399 And other people were prophesying. 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:12.000 There were hundreds of prophecies of this Messiah coming. 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:14.319 And that he was going to come and he was going to set his people free. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.460 He was going to be a mighty warrior. 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:16.340 He was going to be a king. 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:18.419 He was going to bring freedom to all of God's people. 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:22.379 But in verses 10 through 12, what they got instead was a baby. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:26.240 Well, no one wants a baby. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:29.539 That doesn't fit into their plans at all. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:32.719 That's not what they figured out for their life or for their country or for their freedom. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.599 A baby can't do anything. 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:35.839 It's helpless. 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:43.039 And they wanted somebody with power and for strength and a warrior to free them and to come in there and just crush people. 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:46.939 I think it's so different than us today, right? 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:52.040 Because when I talk to people today, they want a baby. 00:10:54.440 --> 00:10:56.060 They don't want a warrior. 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:59.140 They don't want a king. 00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:05.920 I mean, one of my favorite theologians and one of the greatest philosophers of our day, Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights, 00:11:06.260 --> 00:11:09.560 he's having this discussion at the dinner table with his family. 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:11.780 And everybody's talking about what Jesus is like. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:18.559 And he's praying and he's going, oh, dear little baby Jesus, eight pounds, cuddly, warm little baby, sitting in a manger naked. 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:20.299 Please come here and be with us today. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:22.299 And everybody's arguing, this isn't what Jesus is like. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:23.159 Jesus is like this. 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.459 No, Jesus is like this. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.439 No, Jesus is like this. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:30.139 And he goes, I don't care what you think, but I like Jesus as a baby because he's just soft and cuddly. 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:32.019 And he doesn't ask me to do anything in my life. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:38.740 And I think that we're so much different than the people in Jesus' day because the people in Jesus' day, they wanted a warrior. 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:40.919 But today we know what Jesus is really like. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:48.259 We know that he came to serve and to sacrifice and to call all his people to sacrifice and to love and to care. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.139 And when we hear that message, we go, I don't want that. 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:51.779 I want a baby. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:56.019 Because a baby I can play with and I can cuddle with and I can put him aside. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.579 And it's so much easier. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:12:03.759 I mean, everything about this passage says that God works in ways we don't expect him to. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:07.160 That God is doing something different in our world. 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:10.800 I mean, if you just look at the story of Mary and Joseph. 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:15.180 I mean, in chapter 1, the angel Gabriel comes to her and he says, 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:16.400 Hail, favored one. 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:17.780 And she goes, well, what does that mean? 00:12:18.780 --> 00:12:20.400 And she's trying to ponder all these things. 00:12:20.420 --> 00:12:21.780 And he goes, well, you're going to be pregnant. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.800 She's probably 13 or 14 years old. 00:12:25.660 --> 00:12:27.180 She goes, well, I'm not even married yet. 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.399 He goes, well, I'm going to give you this great gift. 00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:29.219 God's going to give you this gift. 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:32.039 God's spirit has come upon you and you're going to have the Messiah. 00:12:33.479 --> 00:12:35.919 Now, that's probably not what she planned for her life. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:41.599 That's probably not what she wanted to be as a 13 or 14-year-old girl. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:45.019 In the culture, that was basically a death penalty. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:50.159 I mean, just last week they showed a video on YouTube of a girl being stoned to death in Iran 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:54.099 because she was caught having sex with somebody who wasn't her husband. 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:56.899 They don't talk about the husband, but they do the woman. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:02.819 And so when Mary heard this greetings in Luke 1, her world was turned upside down. 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:04.059 It wasn't like what she wanted. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.239 It wasn't like what she planned. 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.120 God was doing something else in her life. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:12.019 And she just chose to trust him. 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:14.899 I mean, the same with Joseph. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:17.959 Joseph was this 15 or 16-year-old boy. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:19.519 He was from royalty. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:25.539 He could go into a town and say, I'm Joseph, son of Amati, son of David, and everybody would know who he was. 00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:27.759 He's like the royalty of that town. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:31.639 But now he has a wife who's pregnant, but they're not married. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:38.439 And I'm sure that everything he planned for his life, everything that he wanted to have happen in his life, 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:42.240 everything that he logistically laid out came to pieces. 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:47.720 And he had to come to this point of in the darkness and in the chaos of how God was working in his life. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.220 Am I going to trust God? 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:52.000 Or am I going to trust myself? 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:55.259 Am I going to do something different in my life? 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:59.980 And the passage is full of stories like this. 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:06.600 And your lives are full of stories like this. 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:09.259 You have plans. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.279 You have hopes. 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.399 You have desires. 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:12.779 You have things you want to do. 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:20.379 And somehow God comes in in the midst of the darkness and the chaos and things are out of control. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:23.840 God speaks into your life and he wants to do something different. 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:25.100 He wants to change you. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:29.060 He wants to give you this life that you could not even dream of or even think of. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.600 And the question is, are you going to trust him? 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:34.180 Are you going to allow him to be God? 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:38.300 Are you going to make space for Christ in your life right now? 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:41.279 Are you going to make space for Christ at your workplace? 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:46.580 Are you going to make space for him in your marriage and all your relationships? 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:51.139 Or are you going to feel uncomfortable and say, you know, that's just not what I want. 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:52.060 I'm not going to do that. 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:54.259 I'm going to push that out of the way because that's not who I am. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:59.860 And that's the story of this first advent of Christ's coming. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:04.940 I mean, I love it because no one's plans worked out the way they planned. 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.539 Not even the shepherds. 00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:09.879 The shepherds were just planning to stay in the fields and shepherd their sheep. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:12.539 These are the fields. 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:16.200 These are the fields right outside of Bethlehem. 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:18.519 So six miles to the north is Jerusalem. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:21.500 In these fields, a lot of things happened. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:26.159 In these fields, Boaz met his wife Ruth. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:30.179 In these fields, David and his father and his family were. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:32.620 And one day the prophet comes and he anoints him king. 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:37.419 And in these fields, in this passage, there's a group of shepherds sitting there, 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:43.740 tending their sheep, watching them, thinking about what they want to do. 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:48.560 And all of a sudden, this angel comes in and he just blows their world and changes what they want to do. 00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.919 And God's speaking to them. 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:51.639 And they have the question of, are they going to listen to him? 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.980 Are they going to follow what God called them to do? 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.500 Are they not going to do that? 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:57.240 Are they going to do something different? 00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:00.159 And I love it because when you think about it, God says to them, 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.720 hey, this is where the baby's born. 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.779 He is a savior. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.539 He is Christ the Lord. 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.279 Go find him. 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:10.439 And you wonder what these guys are going to do because they're just peasants. 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:12.120 They're the guys that no one trusts. 00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:16.459 I mean, even in a court of law, a shepherd could not go in and give testimony because no one trusted them. 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:19.500 They were like considered liars and thieves. 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:22.879 And all of a sudden, God takes the most important message in the world 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:27.360 and he gives it to a group of liars and thieves and broken people, just like our church. 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:33.179 And he asks them to go out and look for this baby. 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:36.879 Can you imagine what that would have been like? 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:40.919 I mean, just think about this. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:43.479 They're not women here because women will be much more sensible. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.299 But they're guys. 00:16:46.239 --> 00:16:47.759 Guys never ask for directions. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:53.019 And so they leave these fields and they're probably leaving and there's several hundred sheep following them 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:55.259 because they don't leave the sheep because the sheep go wherever the master goes. 00:16:55.599 --> 00:16:59.379 And so they go into this little town of Bethlehem, which is about 400 houses. 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:05.420 And the story tells us and most cultural tells us that Jesus was born inside somebody's house. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:09.440 It was this big house on the door and then you would step down to go out the door. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:12.440 And when you step down, there's this little pin of animals. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:16.759 And when you came in at night, you put your sheep there because you wanted to protect your most valuable animals 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.180 and your cows and all those things. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:20.720 And you would step down and you'd open the door and you'd go out. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:24.319 So Jesus wasn't born out in this manger where everybody could see him. 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:25.380 He was born in somebody's house. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:30.059 And so you could see these shepherds going into this town and they're knocking on every door. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:33.860 They're not going to ask directions because they're dudes. 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:37.039 If they were shepherdess, they would have thought through it. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.000 They would have gritted it out. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:39.180 They would have just walked around listening. 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:41.000 But these guys just go in and they knock on every door. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:41.940 Knock, knock, knock. 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:42.480 Yeah, what do you want? 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:47.299 Yep, you know, it's going to sound crazy, but there's an angel and he said that the Messiah is born here 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.839 and there's a little baby. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:49.539 You don't have a little baby sitting with the animals, do you? 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.799 Honey, who is it? 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:53.319 These shepherds. 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:54.259 What do they want? 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.140 A Messiah. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.079 What? 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.059 Tell them to go away. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.680 No, he's not here. 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.100 Shut. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.720 What do you think they did next? 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.960 They went to the next door. 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:10.440 And they probably went from door to door to door in this town of 400 people 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:16.000 because knowing how God works, he probably didn't let them find them the first time 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:20.160 because he wanted the whole town to know that in this night, 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:24.799 your Savior was born. 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.640 And God's speaking to you. 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:30.740 And the question is, will we listen to him? 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.980 Will we make room for him? 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.539 Will we allow him into our lives? 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:38.299 Will we shut him out? 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.639 Will we? 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.259 Will we? 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.839 Will we? 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.339 Will we? 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:47.579 I've asked Sybil and Lobo to come up and to share a little bit about their journey 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:51.740 because I think journeys and Christmas is what we're about as a church. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.759 We talk about journeys. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:57.259 And this passage talks about sometimes God sends us on journeys, 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:59.720 and we're going to try to do this with Isaac. 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.799 We'll see what happens. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.460 Sometimes God sends us on journeys, 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:09.460 and these journeys don't turn out the way that we hoped or planned. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.439 And so I've asked him to come up. 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.799 How are you guys doing? 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:15.779 You did an awesome job reading. 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.339 You know that? 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:23.240 And you could tell she was distracted because Isaac was sitting there, 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.319 and he was just, whoo! 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:27.019 And she was just smiling and looking at him. 00:19:27.199 --> 00:19:28.319 So how are you guys doing? 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.019 Yeah, we're good. 00:19:29.439 --> 00:19:29.740 Okay. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:33.980 So we've talked a little bit about your story, and we've known you guys. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.240 How long have you been at Watermark now? 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.879 Four years. 00:19:35.939 --> 00:19:36.619 Four years, yeah. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:41.319 And so I thought we just wanted to share about your story. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:44.339 And so I wrote out some questions, and we're just going to kind of do a dialogue, 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.019 and we'll see. 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.699 Can you hold your baby brother? 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.439 That's awesome. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.720 Sure. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.320 Let us introduce us first. 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.759 Yeah, yeah, go ahead. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.880 So my name is Lobo. 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:53.320 I work as IT in a bank. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.460 So boring. 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.960 And this is Sybil. 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.400 She is an art consultant. 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.900 She appreciates art. 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:01.240 That's why 14 years ago she married me. 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:06.580 And this is Cassie, eight years old, year three. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:09.380 And this is Isaac, a year of eating. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.240 I apologize. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.480 She is a little bit cranky. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.240 Yeah. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.960 We'll see how it works. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.279 Yes. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:15.000 Let's see how it goes. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.440 Okay. 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:18.980 So maybe as we're talking about this journey and people being on journeys. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:19.440 Yeah. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:20.819 Sorry. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.160 I think. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.200 Maybe we can add a... 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:23.480 You want? 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.019 Yeah. 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.319 Sorry. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:25.339 You want to come get Isaac? 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.079 Yeah. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:29.240 Just so he doesn't fall off. 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.179 Oh, thank you. 00:20:30.439 --> 00:20:30.679 Sorry. 00:20:31.199 --> 00:20:31.579 No, no. 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:33.159 So maybe... 00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:33.939 And you guys sit down. 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.399 You can... 00:20:34.399 --> 00:20:34.579 Sure. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:37.199 Maybe would you just kind of share... 00:20:37.199 --> 00:20:39.539 I've asked you guys to think about your journey. 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:43.079 Maybe just share a little bit about what God... 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:47.399 What kind of journey God has had you on since you found out about being pregnant with... 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:49.720 Not you being pregnant, but her being pregnant. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.799 What have you found out about being pregnant with Isaac? 00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:58.000 I think the story starts when we took the Love and Respect course at Watermark. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:01.279 And we were really blessed by... 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:03.460 And also grateful by what we have learned from the course. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:04.740 Yeah. 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:07.359 I think it starts from being holy and pure. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:07.399 Sure. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:13.759 So from the course of Love and Respect, we realized that it is not really the intent of a marriage. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.919 We deal with our own problem. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:18.759 It's actually three of us. 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:20.939 You know, no bone, me, and God. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.399 Right. 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:25.559 So from that, you know, we learned quite a lot. 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:25.979 Yeah. 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:34.459 And for me, I think the most important thing I learned is between men and women, there's no right or wrong. 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.500 Just different. 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:39.420 And that's why we need God in our relationship. 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:42.539 There's a lot of single guys out there writing really quickly. 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.279 Yeah, I'm going to... 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.539 You want to repeat that again? 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.599 There's no right or wrong, just different. 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.119 Okay. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.799 So we need God as a triangle. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.599 There's no right or wrong, just different. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.299 Single guys. 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.819 Right that down. 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.359 Very guys. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.940 Write that down. 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:55.400 And I remember one... 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:57.279 I think once we have a huge argument. 00:21:58.119 --> 00:22:00.359 And then we're off to do different things. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.660 And I was home early. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.819 And she hasn't back home. 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.819 And I suddenly have that weird thinking. 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:10.139 It's like, well, maybe he finally realized she did something wrong. 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:15.039 And then maybe she's choosing a chocolate cake or mango mousse at Kofar. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.379 So I was waiting and waiting. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:18.059 And then she finally opened the door. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:20.639 And then she did bought something, but not from Kofar. 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:22.819 It's a plastic bag from Watson's. 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.339 You know what is it? 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.279 It's a nose patch. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:28.119 And then she said, hey, Lobo, look at what I bought you. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.819 It's a nose patch. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.839 It can fix your snoring. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.500 So it's like... 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:35.740 And I say, okay, this is no right or wrong, just different. 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:39.480 And then help with our marriage. 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:43.279 Basically, I think through the course, we found a lot of healing. 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:46.180 Because there was a lot of rough patches between us. 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:51.420 And we find that the self-reliance and independent really took the joy away from our marriage. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:56.539 So from that point on, you know, God was speaking to us. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:23:02.680 And there was one day that God told me that, you know, if you submit and obey, you will have a son. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:05.820 And, you know, I'll take care of your work and everything. 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.920 So not to worry. 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:07.620 Wow. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.120 Okay. 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:14.220 So with that process, what would you say would be, like, one of the most difficult things that you experienced 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:19.160 when you were talking about submitting and obeying and trusting God, working in your life? 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.660 What did you face during this time? 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:25.340 I think everything was all good, you know, until the third month of my pregnancy. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:28.480 We have to usually go through a blood test. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:31.220 That's when we have to test on Down syndrome. 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:36.360 And I found out that the baby I was carrying was very high. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:40.759 On the possibility of being Down syndrome, it was one to eight. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:47.740 And we need to go through a further test. 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:50.259 And it took two weeks for us to get the result. 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.900 And it's really a test of faith. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.200 But I was clearly failed. 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:58.500 Because when I first heard that news, I was really struggling. 00:23:58.860 --> 00:24:02.920 Because I'm an engineering background and worked for IT for many years. 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:04.920 So I think I'm pretty analytical. 00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:10.960 So my mind just started to go through the whole picture of the family for the next many years. 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:13.700 It's going to be a hard journey, especially when I grow old. 00:24:13.800 --> 00:24:14.840 I can't really take care of him. 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:17.340 All the picture is in a negative way. 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:21.980 And on the flip side, Sybil said to me, she's like, well, you know what, Noble? 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.700 I think I'm going to keep this baby. 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:27.160 Because she strongly feels that God has anchored this baby. 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.420 I remember this word, anchor. 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.680 It's really punched me hard. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:33.259 She said that God really anchored this baby hard and solid. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:36.840 And I said, well, I'm really on this low side. 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.680 So I'm really struggling. 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:40.059 And then she was like, oh, you're Sybil, right? 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.559 Not Mary. 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.500 So hallelujah. 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:47.740 And then I start to pray because I can't do nothing. 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.400 I start to pray and then pray and pray. 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:51.579 And then I remember one evening. 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.480 I really struggled. 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:54.099 And then I wanted to find a quiet place. 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:59.419 So before we went home, I go to the back side of the Hong Kong park. 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:01.039 There's like some public chairs. 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:04.579 And then I was like, I start to pray and start to ask God why. 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.179 And also I start to cry. 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.959 And then I lost my passion. 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.419 And then the emotion kicks in. 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:12.039 And I just look up at the sky and shout. 00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:14.039 And I said, so why? 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.079 Just answer me. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:15.579 Are you here? 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:19.919 And then suddenly there's some lightning on the sky. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.839 It's no rain. 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:24.139 So I'm actually pretty scared. 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.819 I said, oh, sorry. 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.859 Sorry for this stuff, man. 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:28.039 And clearly you're here. 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:30.559 And I just dashed down to Cane Row. 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.699 And I get a taxi home and sleep. 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.579 Now I look back. 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.299 Now I look back. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.959 I'm really glad that I encountered him. 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:41.240 So it's really a precious experience that I had. 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.279 He's real. 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.079 Yes, he's real. 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.299 Yeah. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.399 Okay. 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:51.220 What do you guys would say in this journey that you've been on? 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:54.360 Because it definitely is not turning out the way at this point. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:57.839 All your plans, all your hopes, everything you're doing. 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.240 It's nothing like you're doing. 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.680 Even as you say, I'm going to trust you, God. 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.440 I'm going to do this. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.420 And it's like, okay. 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:09.500 So what would you say were some of the things that the Lord used in your life just to help you work through this process? 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.680 What happened there? 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:22.360 Definitely community groups because we all prayed every other Thursday, you know, at Franklin and Teresa about the right timing to that, you know, the Trunks family can have an additional baby. 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:25.719 So I definitely know that it's from God. 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:36.200 And then, of course, during the two weeks while we wait for the final test, you know, Franklin and Teresa really lift us up in prayers and also provide a lot of wisdom. 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:40.100 There's this verse that always came up that two weeks. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:43.519 And it's Psalm 139, verse 1314. 00:26:43.519 --> 00:27:00.980 So from way at the beginning, you know, it's God's intention. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:06.220 No matter if the baby is sick, you know, Down syndrome, whatnot, it's given by God. 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:11.579 Yeah, for me, it's the pastor to help me. 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:15.259 So I work in a corporate setting for many years. 00:27:15.699 --> 00:27:20.240 So whenever there is incidents, what I usually do is escalate to the boss, right? 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.539 And we didn't skip level. 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:27.039 We escalate to the eldest first, which is Franklin and Teresa gave us some really good advice. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.559 And then we escalate to the next level to Pastor Tobin. 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:33.240 And then we went to the house. 00:27:33.439 --> 00:27:36.019 And then there was a very calm and spiritual conversations. 00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:38.740 And I was still on the negative side. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:40.460 I was still really struggling. 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:42.480 And I still finding a way out. 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.620 And I remember there's one conversation, one comment. 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:48.799 Christine and Christina and Tobin mentioned. 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:53.840 He said, well, Lobo, you may not have the experience to deal with a Down syndrome person, 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:57.440 but they are the most happiest person on the earth. 00:27:57.440 --> 00:28:03.180 And then you just do not believe, and you will not know how much fun and joy they will bring to the family. 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:05.640 And then it's amazing. 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:07.440 Then my perspective changed. 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.700 And I start to look in the positive way. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.940 And then I start to accept. 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:14.160 And the thinking is actually getting to a lie with the wall. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.900 So that's great. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:21.779 I think I shared maybe that the doctors told us the same thing about our KIPP was going to be a miscarriage. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:30.500 And when we were really down, a guy out of my team basically said, you know, doctors have been known to be wrong before, but God is never wrong. 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:33.180 So God's always in control on those things. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.759 That's awesome. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:41.500 So what would you say in this whole process, because this was several weeks and just phone calls and things like that, 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:45.019 what would you say in this process God was teaching you about himself? 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:50.319 Definitely, you know, it's a lesson of not controlling in our situation. 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:54.220 And we think, you know, we're really just earthly beings. 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:56.519 The ultimate provider is God. 00:28:58.119 --> 00:29:03.220 And really free us, you know, this thinking really free me from the bondage of questioning this and that. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:06.079 And that peace, you know, came about when we submit. 00:29:07.140 --> 00:29:07.500 Yes. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:12.099 And submission, you know, it's a beautiful story, you know, how Isaac's name came about. 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:21.319 After, you know, the day I gave my blood for the second test, I told Lobo that evening, I said, I think our son should be named Isaac. 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:24.720 Because, you know, the whole journey is like God has given. 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:30.700 Seems like, you know, he has asked us to sacrifice, but he will provide in the end. 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:32.759 So Isaac's name is perfect. 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.099 Yeah, very true, provide. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:37.519 Because that dude got a lot of hair. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.259 So it's actually provide more than he did. 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:44.980 And what I learned is how to pray. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:50.960 Being a Christian for many years, and I just, I think I just keep on praying what I want. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:52.980 And I just keep on praying what I need. 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:58.200 And I kind of think, oh, this is somehow aligned to his directions. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:30:02.880 But this incident is really, really big in terms of spiritual impact. 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.360 And also the test of faith. 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:06.819 So I just suddenly got the idea. 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:12.740 And I just pray for his wisdom to understand what he wants us to learn through this post-ex. 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:17.699 And more importantly is to let me understand what he's planned for. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:30.500 So when you guys are going through this, there were a couple other couples in the church also were struggling with some things that were very similar in the process. 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:33.600 And it came down to whether they were going to trust the Lord, right? 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:38.480 And do we believe that he's good even when things are chaotic and not like we planned? 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:41.659 And realize that his plans are so much greater than ours. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:53.719 And so I just maybe, if there's somebody here right now, you know, struggling with some of these things, with kids or other things in their life, what would you want them to know? 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:56.599 What would you share with them after you've come through this process? 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:58.719 And you're still coming through this process and you're still learning. 00:30:59.419 --> 00:31:01.619 What would you want them to know in that process? 00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:08.659 I would really share that, you know, God works differently in different ways in our lives. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:14.000 But ultimately, he knows what's the best for us, not us. 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:19.459 So submit and allow him to work amazing things in our lives, like you always say. 00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:23.479 And don't water it down with our own plans. 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:30.519 Yeah, for me, as one Bible verse really helped me is there's nothing you are not able to undergo. 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:33.940 I think for every test, I'm sure we can go through. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:40.099 But the other thing is he is born healthy, but that is only the beginning. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.819 We've still got a long way to go. 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:47.599 And I think that's why we need support from the church, community group, brother and sister. 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:51.439 And I think the most importantly is the intimacy with God. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.839 Great. 00:31:53.459 --> 00:32:00.319 Okay, so we're going to get to do something that I've been praying about forever since we've been part of your story. 00:32:00.419 --> 00:32:03.779 And we're going to dedicate Isaac today to the church family and to the Lord. 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:17.480 Wow, what's up? 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:20.960 Kiss, kiss? 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.359 Nope. 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:25.200 Okay, I'm going to ask you guys two questions. 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:27.160 I'm going to ask all of you questions. 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.099 Can I ask you that too? 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.839 Okay. 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:32.119 Okay, and I'm going to ask the church a question. 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:38.199 So in coming today and bringing Isaac before the Lord to be dedicated and before our church family, 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:41.959 do you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? 00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:44.319 Is your desire to... 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.639 I always cry like this, gosh. 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:53.380 Is it your desire to raise this boy and this beautiful girl in a household that always knows the Lord, 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:58.060 is always filled with trust and joy, even when things are chaotic and out of control? 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.800 Is that your desire? 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:04.980 Okay, guys, I'm going to ask you as a church family for these little kiddos here, 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:11.640 do you covenant with them to pray for them, to be in their life, to encourage them, 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:14.340 as they've talked about needing the help in the struggles and the journey? 00:33:15.280 --> 00:33:19.360 If you see these kids wandering and doing things they should not do, 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:23.560 and I know you never do that, you never disobey your mom, but do you? 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.060 Sometimes you do. 00:33:26.600 --> 00:33:29.100 Wow, can you hang out with my kids some more? 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.460 That'd be really good. 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:36.660 As you as a church family, do you covenant with them and with all the kids here, 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:39.040 whether you're single or married or whatever stage of your life, 00:33:39.120 --> 00:33:41.040 you are spiritual parents. 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:45.119 Do you covenant to help them, to encourage them, to instruct them? 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:48.980 For as long as you're a part of this community, would you say, I do? 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:50.619 I do. 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.139 Awesome. 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.960 Can I hold him? 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:53.659 Is that going to work? 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:54.460 What's up? 00:33:58.039 --> 00:34:06.879 My dear brother Isaac, son of the covenant, 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:11.420 I dedicate you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:34:12.140 --> 00:34:14.519 May you come to know our Lord at an early age. 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:17.119 May you do mighty, mighty things for his kingdom. 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:21.780 May you, even in the hours of darkness and doubt when things aren't going your way, 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:28.519 realize how faithful God is to you and how he's brought you to this place and that you can trust him. 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:30.920 Father, we love you. 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:32.420 We thank you for this precious family. 00:34:33.059 --> 00:34:35.039 We pray these things in your son Jesus' name. 00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:35.820 Amen. 00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:38.219 Okay, that's your family right there. 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:38.599 See them? 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:42.619 They're clapping for you. 00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:44.259 Is that awesome? 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:45.940 That's awesome. 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:46.619 See that over there? 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.619 Bye-bye. 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.500 Bye-bye. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:48.619 Bye-bye. 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:49.960 Bye-bye. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:50.819 Thanks, guys. 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.400 Bye-bye. 00:35:01.339 --> 00:35:02.219 That's awesome. 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:11.699 Okay, so I guess the question I need to ask all of us is, 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:19.379 do we have room in our lives right now for Christ speaking to us and working in our life? 00:35:21.159 --> 00:35:25.599 Are we open to him moving and changing and making things chaotic? 00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:30.319 Maybe not as we planned, not as we wanted, but as he wanted. 00:35:30.399 --> 00:35:32.980 Are we open to allowing him to change us? 00:35:34.839 --> 00:35:38.419 Are we open to understand why he came? 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:41.460 Is there a savior? 00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:45.200 Some people are going to read this story over and over again, 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:47.780 and when I talk to them about it, many people are just going to walk away, 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.659 and they're going to be indifferent. 00:35:50.180 --> 00:35:53.159 They're going to say, that sounds really cool, but I don't really need this right now. 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.880 It's not really who I am. 00:35:56.180 --> 00:35:59.099 I'm looking for other things in my life to give me hope and meaning and value. 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:02.760 Maybe someday I'll think about Christ. 00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:08.840 Some people, when I share this story, get angry, 00:36:09.560 --> 00:36:14.680 because we read the part about, were you a savior? 00:36:16.740 --> 00:36:22.940 And only people need saviors who are sick and hurting and in trouble. 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:26.760 And they look at this story and say, that's not me. 00:36:27.320 --> 00:36:28.599 I have my life together. 00:36:29.700 --> 00:36:30.519 I'm okay. 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.740 I don't need a savior. 00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:37.320 In fact, I'm doing pretty good as being God in my life. 00:36:41.220 --> 00:36:42.740 My prayer for all of us 00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:45.740 is that we realize that the message of Christmas, 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:47.420 this is in the darkness and in the chaos, 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:49.220 that God comes into our life, 00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:51.400 and he changes us. 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:56.119 He does something so much greater than we've ever planned 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.880 with our career, with our relationships, 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.599 with our kids, with our marriage, 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.619 wherever he has you. 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:03.679 God's plan is so much greater than your plan. 00:37:04.119 --> 00:37:06.740 But often to get to his plan, there's chaos, 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:09.260 and there's darkness, 00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:12.099 and there's uncertainty, 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:15.179 and there's difficulty. 00:37:16.780 --> 00:37:18.659 And the question we have to ask ourselves is, 00:37:18.760 --> 00:37:19.800 can we trust him? 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:24.340 Will we allow him into our life to change us? 00:37:26.680 --> 00:37:29.100 That's the message of Advent. 00:37:30.660 --> 00:37:31.900 That's the message of Christmas. 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:36.080 We need a savior. 00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:38.500 God sends his son. 00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:41.180 He's the only thing that will help us. 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:44.660 Will we allow him not into our life just for eternity, 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:46.879 but every day as you walk through the day? 00:37:47.839 --> 00:37:49.500 Will you allow this message to change us? 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.679 Will you allow God to speak to you? 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:54.539 Father, we thank you for this day. 00:37:54.759 --> 00:37:57.599 We thank you for your awesomeness, 00:37:57.980 --> 00:38:02.519 that you use history and stories to interweal them. 00:38:03.319 --> 00:38:05.719 You work in ways that we never would have planned 00:38:05.719 --> 00:38:06.879 or ever thought through. 00:38:06.880 --> 00:38:12.340 You do things that frustrate us and confuse us and break us 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:15.760 because you want to show us something different. 00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:18.740 You want to show us your son. 00:38:20.200 --> 00:38:21.780 You want to show us your love. 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:24.539 You want to show us your mercy. 00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:27.559 You want to show us your grace. 00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:32.739 And until you make our world's turn upside down 00:38:32.739 --> 00:38:34.440 and inside out and break us, 00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:37.840 Lord, we just will never, ever want those things. 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:41.639 Lord, I pray for us as a church. 00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:42.900 I pray for my heart. 00:38:44.259 --> 00:38:47.219 I pray for the elders and all the staff here. 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.799 I pray that we would walk with you, 00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:50.940 that we would trust you, 00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:54.500 that we'd realize that it's not our journey alone 00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:55.400 that we play out, 00:38:55.460 --> 00:38:57.340 but it's you working in our lives. 00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:59.980 Lord, we need you. 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.340 And I pray for those in here 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:04.059 who answered the first two ways. 00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:06.219 No, I don't have that need right now. 00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:07.820 No, that makes me really angry. 00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:09.940 Lord, I pray that you would work in their hearts, 00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:12.440 that you would show them a son 00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:15.659 who came to rescue them, 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:17.440 to free them, 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:21.519 to give them the life that they've always desired. 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:26.259 Pray, Lord, that you would open blinded eyes 00:39:26.260 --> 00:39:28.400 darkened hearts, 00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:30.500 and ears that are stopped. 00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:33.300 It's the message of your son. 00:39:34.720 --> 00:39:36.060 Lord, I pray for us as a church 00:39:36.060 --> 00:39:37.980 that we would never forget this message, 00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:40.080 that you're speaking to us 00:39:40.080 --> 00:39:41.160 as we go through our workplace, 00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.200 that you're speaking to us 00:39:42.200 --> 00:39:43.320 as we go through our families, 00:39:43.420 --> 00:39:44.240 that you're changing us, 00:39:44.300 --> 00:39:44.740 you're working, 00:39:45.580 --> 00:39:47.660 and you're asking us to trust you. 00:39:48.940 --> 00:39:50.680 May we be a people who trust you 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:52.779 because you're good, 00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:55.019 because you've given us 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:56.019 the most important thing, 00:39:57.279 --> 00:39:58.460 because you've promised 00:39:58.460 --> 00:40:01.119 to always, always be with us. 00:40:02.179 --> 00:40:03.119 We love you, 00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:05.219 and we pray these things 00:40:05.219 --> 00:40:06.239 in your son Jesus Christ, 00:40:06.359 --> 00:40:06.859 holy name. 00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:08.399 Amen. 00:40:08.399 --> 00:40:08.519 Amen. 00:40:08.519 --> 00:40:08.539 Amen. 00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:08.699 Amen. 00:40:08.699 --> 00:40:08.759 Amen. 00:40:08.759 --> 00:40:08.960 Amen. 00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:09.199 Amen. 00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:09.279 Amen. 00:40:09.279 --> 00:40:09.839 Amen. 00:40:09.839 --> 00:40:10.619 Amen. 00:40:10.619 --> 00:40:11.619 Amen. 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.559 Amen. 00:40:12.559 --> 00:40:12.619 Amen. 00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:12.739 Amen. 00:40:12.739 --> 00:40:12.940 Amen. 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:12.960 Amen.