WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.179 On Boxing Day 1944, a Japanese Imperial Army intelligent officer, Hiro Onado, was dropped off at Laban Island of the Philippines during World War II. 00:00:17.100 --> 00:00:28.320 He and three other soldiers were ordered to do all he could to hamper the Allies on the island, including destroying the airstrip and the pier at the harbor. 00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:36.920 The order also stated that under no circumstance was he to surrender or to take his own life. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:49.140 He took the order to heart, so he spent 29 years hiding out in the Philippine jungle after the war was ended in August 1945. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:01:00.600 Until his former commander traveled from Japan back to the island to relieve him from his duty by the Emperor's order in 1974. 00:01:01.960 --> 00:01:12.519 For 29 years, Onado and his companions carried out guerrilla activities and engaged in several shootouts with the local police. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:17.619 They had many pieces of evidence that the war has ended. 00:01:18.340 --> 00:01:27.159 The first one was in October 1945, when he saw an airdrop leaflet announcing that Japan had surrendered. 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:33.280 But their heart was not convinced and decided to stay hiding. 00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:40.560 One of his companions surrendered in 1950, and another one was killed in 1954. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:47.560 Onado finally lost his last companion in 1972 after another shootout. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:58.400 In February 1974, a young Japanese university jobber, Norio Tsuzuki, came to the island to look for him, 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:02.380 wanting to listen to Lieutenant Onado, wanting to listen to Lieutenant Onado. 00:02:03.980 --> 00:02:08.000 When asked by Suzuki, why would you not come out from the jungle? 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:15.740 Onado said he was waiting for his superior officer to relieve him of his order. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:24.240 So both government organized for his former commander to travel back to the island to order him to surrender formally. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:37.740 The stubborn refusal of hero or another to surrender for 29 years caused constant disturbance and trouble for the locals on the Philippines island. 00:02:38.659 --> 00:02:43.219 They stole their crops, they killed their livestock, and even some farmers too. 00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:52.419 Today's chapter, we will also witness a nation being assaulted by a series of disasters, 00:02:53.319 --> 00:03:04.539 and a leader who, despite these disasters, exacerbated the suffering of its people by repeatedly refusing to choose what is good and right. 00:03:05.539 --> 00:03:08.099 We will learn about Pharaoh and the plate, 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:12.419 but most of all we will learn about the power and mercy of God, 00:03:12.739 --> 00:03:16.359 and what will it take for you to surrender all of your life to God. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:25.419 Last week in chapter 3 and 4, we saw how God called and equipped Moses for the task he is about to do, 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:29.139 by promising that he will be with him always. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:33.000 After a couple of chapters of going back and forth, 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:39.459 we finally see Moses go up to Pharaoh in chapter 5 to deliver God's demand. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:46.219 He approached Pharaoh with his brother Aaron and proclaimed to him in chapter 5 verse 1, 00:03:46.779 --> 00:03:49.299 this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, say, 00:03:49.299 --> 00:03:55.060 let my people go so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:55.219 Moses. 00:03:56.420 --> 00:04:04.479 They did an incredible boat at risking their life to make such a demand upon Pharaoh, 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:07.939 but they did it without compromise. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:13.560 And there is no mention of Moses in this world. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:16.399 They were speaking for God. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:25.219 Moses finally realized that and took to his heart that God's liberation of his people 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:29.359 would be fulfilled through God's power, not his. 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:35.319 Moses was full of fear and self-centeredness before meeting the living God, 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:38.779 but God helped him to repent of his pride. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:44.839 He is now confident and focused on God's power and began to die to himself. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:52.679 In the New Testament, we see the disciples of Jesus experience the same kind of changes 00:04:52.679 --> 00:04:56.560 before and after the cross and the resurrection. 00:04:57.739 --> 00:05:02.000 They were changed because they have met the living Christ 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:04.219 and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:05:05.679 --> 00:05:11.639 Disciples of Jesus Christ were transformed because they have met the great I Am. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:18.500 If you are a Christian, are you living a transformed and transforming life? 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:20.219 Are you growing? 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:24.519 How have you been surrendering your whole life to live a life 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:27.860 that centers on glorifies and honor God? 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:32.860 When Moses approached Pharaoh, he did not come to negotiate. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:38.759 He came with a simple command that based on the authority of the living God. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:41.960 He delivered to Pharaoh God's demand, 00:05:42.460 --> 00:05:45.120 let my people go so that they may worship me. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:50.920 Now it was Pharaoh's turn to encounter the power of the living God. 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:52.780 How would he respond? 00:05:53.520 --> 00:05:55.360 Would he be transformed like Moses? 00:05:56.240 --> 00:06:00.319 Would he have changed of heart and obeyed the demand of God? 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:06.300 Moses' faith has increased through his interaction with God 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:11.519 as God transformed his heart and his willingness to trust and serve him. 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:18.100 When it comes to Pharaoh, his story will witness an exact opposite dynamic. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:24.519 Pharaoh's heart became like Moses' heart, hardened by self-love and pride. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:30.799 But unlike Moses, Pharaoh's heart proceeds on a path of further hardening. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:34.519 Pharaoh's heart never softened. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:39.079 Instead, it becomes increasingly resistant to God's love and will. 00:06:39.699 --> 00:06:42.979 He stubbornly refused to yield his heart towards God. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:46.740 During his first encounter with Moses and Aaron, 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:50.859 in Pharaoh's response to God's demand to free his people 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:54.139 and allow them to go to worship him, 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:56.759 we can see the starting condition of his heart. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:07:03.460 Pharaoh responds with contempt in Exodus 5, verse 2, saying, 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:07.319 Who is the Lord that I should obey him and let Israel go? 00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:11.040 I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go. 00:07:12.420 --> 00:07:16.819 Pharaoh's reply seems blatant disrespect to God's message. 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:21.360 How dare he speak like that to our almighty God? 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:24.659 But the statement of, I do not know the Lord, 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.500 is a true statement of where he is at. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.879 Before his encounter with God, 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.399 he considered himself a son of God, 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:36.819 and no one tells him what to do. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:42.379 Pharaoh had not previously encountered God or his message. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:47.560 In many ways, he was just like the rest of us in this regard. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:53.079 When many of us first heard God's message through the scripture, 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:58.139 some would have a similar reaction to this claim on our life. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:01.759 Like Pharaoh, we say in our hearts, 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:04.360 Who is the Lord that I should obey him? 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:06.699 And I do not know the Lord. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:13.139 Every person who does not know God begins in the same position that Pharaoh occupied, 00:08:14.159 --> 00:08:16.680 inclined not to accept God's truth. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:21.300 But God was not done with Pharaoh or any one of us. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:23.300 That is just the beginning. 00:08:23.300 --> 00:08:29.259 God responded to Pharaoh's confession of ignorance of him 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:31.819 by unleashing a series of events 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:38.440 that were meant to ensure that Pharaoh and Egypt would know the Lord. 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:40.960 I will speak about those events 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:45.820 of how God revealed his power to Pharaoh and his people in detail later. 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:48.039 But let's keep looking at Pharaoh's heart now. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:54.419 We saw in Exodus 5, verse 2, that Pharaoh is like a lot of us. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:58.439 When we begin our respective journey to find out more about God, 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:03.299 we begin this journey with an ignorant and resistant heart. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:06.419 But let's see what happened to his heart 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:09.019 as God revealed himself through the power of the plagues. 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:14.500 As each successive plague comes upon Egypt, 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.719 Pharaoh's heart has only one reaction. 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:21.199 It becomes hardened to God. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:27.399 That is an oversimplification of what is transpiring in Pharaoh's heart. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:32.279 In his commentary, J.A. Mottia points out that 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:36.059 when it comes to Pharaoh's heart and his progressive hardening, 00:09:36.719 --> 00:09:40.439 we encounter at least three ways to describe this process. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:43.680 First, in Exodus 7, 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:49.600 in verse 13, it tells us that Pharaoh's heart become hard. 00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:54.960 And verse 14, the Lord says Pharaoh's heart is unyeweling. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:02.040 Then in verse 23, Pharaoh did not take the first plague to heart. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:04.280 He did not allow his heart to be touched. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:08.459 Then if we go over to chapter 8, 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.759 from verse 15 to 32, 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:15.620 it declared that Pharaoh's hardened his own heart. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:20.519 So verse 19 states that Pharaoh's heart was hard, 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:22.639 just as the Lord has said. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:26.340 And finally, when we come to chapter 9, 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:32.559 verse 7, it says that Pharaoh investigated the truth of God's word, 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:35.100 yet his heart was unyeweling. 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:38.960 So there's this statement in verse 12 that 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:41.419 the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart. 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:45.019 We can see in chapter 9 and even chapter 10 00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:49.059 that Pharaoh even admit and confess that he has sinned. 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:53.179 But all aspects of Pharaoh's heart come to a culmination 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:57.179 in Exodus 9, 34 to 10, verse 1, 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:58.879 where Paul had just read out for us. 00:10:59.079 --> 00:10:59.799 But I'll read that again. 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:03.199 Exodus 9, verse 34. 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:08.019 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hell and thunder had stopped, 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.459 he sinned again. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:13.040 He and his official hardened their hearts. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.540 So Pharaoh's heart was hard, 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:18.300 and he would not let the Israelites go, 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:21.280 just as the Lord has said through Moses. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.259 Then the Lord said to Moses, 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:26.259 Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:28.600 and the heart of his official, 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:32.200 so that I may perform these signs of mine among them. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:37.360 There are two perspectives to the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, 00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:39.440 Pharaoh and God. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:43.680 By his moral choice, 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:48.500 Pharaoh let his heart become increasingly set in its way, 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:53.840 getting more stubborn and committed more and more irreversibly 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:57.980 to a cause of cultural genocide regarding the Israelites. 00:11:59.420 --> 00:12:03.060 Pharaoh is responsible for the hardening of his own heart 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:04.960 through his action and choice. 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:08.340 God has revealed himself to Pharaoh, 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:10.800 and Pharaoh chose to respond with rebellion. 00:12:11.920 --> 00:12:13.340 And with each rebellion, 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:17.540 Pharaoh's heart becomes more stubborn in its wickedness. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:21.740 His heart becomes more brutal and rigid 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.600 with each sinful choice he makes. 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:27.820 From God's perspective, 00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:31.259 as a moral ruler of this world, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.800 the hardening of Pharaoh's heart 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:36.360 is nothing more than a statement 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:39.700 that the point of no return has been reached. 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:42.740 Pharaoh's own choice 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.259 had made his heart so hard 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:46.320 that the only justly, 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:48.040 due consequence 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:51.199 is to judge that his heart is hardened. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.819 And God took the full responsibility 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:58.519 as creator of everything in this world 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.360 to say, 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:01.860 I have hardened his heart. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:05.820 The story of the hardening of Pharaoh's heart 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.080 revealed to us that 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:08.779 there is a point at which 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:12.860 God will no longer endure or bear 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:14.659 our rebellions towards him, 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:18.500 but rightfully judge us for what we are. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.279 After repeated rebellions, 00:13:22.800 --> 00:13:24.440 whereby Pharaoh hardened himself 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:27.019 against the revelation of God, 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:30.300 God judged him for his disobedience 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:32.740 and sealed his heart of stone. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.359 Don Carson's book, 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.359 For the Love of God, 00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:39.659 which I was using for my devotional earlier, 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:41.479 it says that 00:13:41.479 --> 00:13:46.059 God has not hardened a morally neutral man. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:49.899 He has pronounced judgment on a wicked man. 00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:52.779 Hell itself is a place 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:55.459 where repentance is no longer possible. 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:58.299 God's hardening has the effect 00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.899 of imposing that sentence 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:02.039 a little earlier than usual. 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:04.959 God's hardening 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:08.319 and Pharaoh's hardening of his own heart 00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:10.620 are mutually complementary. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:16.659 The dynamic at work in Pharaoh's heart 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:18.539 are not unique to him, 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:21.259 but revealing a general truth 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.319 about God and his sovereignty 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:25.379 over every human. 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:29.820 God is never complicit 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:32.279 in instigating or causing sin, 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:34.799 but he is not required 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:38.100 to stop us from having what we desire, 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.259 even if it is sinful. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:45.319 The cycle of hardening 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:47.439 that we see in Pharaoh's heart 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:49.120 is not limited to those 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.620 who do not believe in God. 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:53.720 Christian can also become 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:56.740 entangled in self-hardening cycle, 00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:59.100 whereby the hearts become stubborn 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.899 towards God. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.460 We build up a tolerance 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:04.899 to a particular sin in our life. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:08.199 We try to limit our obedience. 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:11.039 Instead of throwing ourselves 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:13.799 into God's service, 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:16.199 we try to limit what we do. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:20.019 What's the least I can get away with? 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.279 How far do I have to go? 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:25.039 Why should I have to deny my feelings? 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.740 Rather than suffering 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.199 for doing the right thing 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.419 and obeying God, 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.419 we all want comfort 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.699 and self-gloafification. 00:15:34.939 --> 00:15:36.059 And we get entangled 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:37.519 in a temporary, 00:15:38.199 --> 00:15:39.599 momentary release 00:15:39.599 --> 00:15:40.819 that sin gives us. 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:44.279 When it comes to obedience, 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.360 the writer of Hebrew 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.799 told us that 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:50.839 in chapter 5, 8 to 9, 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:53.360 that although Jesus 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.579 was the son of God, 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.939 he learned obedience 00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:58.099 from what he suffered. 00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.219 And once made perfect, 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:02.240 he became the source 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.480 of eternal salvation 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.279 for all who obey him. 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:08.120 Jesus obeyed God 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.879 even to the point of death 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.379 on the cross. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.759 God convicted us 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.940 of our sin 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:16.800 by Jesus' death 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:19.259 and softening our heart 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:21.620 by sacrificing his own son 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:23.279 to bear the judgment 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.879 of our rebellions. 00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:27.259 God become, 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.639 Jesus become the source 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.519 of eternal salvation 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.460 for all 00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:32.879 who committed 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.960 their whole life 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.740 to obey him. 00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.460 What happened 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:39.299 to the heart of Pharaoh 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.899 teaches us about 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:42.439 the power and sovereignty 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.740 of God's will. 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.200 It reminds us that 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:48.980 the significant changes 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.279 between the believers 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.799 and unbelievers 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:53.379 are not the absence 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.080 of sin, 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.600 but rather 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.720 the presence 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.940 of God's grace 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:59.740 in softening, 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:00.700 convicting, 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:01.780 and renewing 00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:02.800 the believers' hearts. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.420 Pharaoh's 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.980 continuous rebellions 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.640 and disregard 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:08.840 towards God's call 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:10.380 to turn to him 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.620 to lead 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:13.160 to severe consequences. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.900 A series of disasters 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.279 before Egypt 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.940 in 10 plates. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.500 Exodus 7-10 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.860 covers the first 9, 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.279 and the next week 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.000 we'll talk about 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.759 the last plate. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:30.259 So what do these plates 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.500 teach us about God? 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.419 The plate 00:17:33.419 --> 00:17:35.059 serves many purposes, 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.960 and God refers 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.919 to the plates 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.859 in chapter 7, 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.619 verse 3 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.559 as signs and wonders. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:44.099 The Bible tells us 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:45.419 that signs and wonders 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:47.279 are often performed 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.839 by God 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:49.139 for a very explicit 00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:50.879 and truthful purpose. 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:52.340 first, 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.420 there were 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.980 a tool 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.180 of judgment 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.880 upon Pharaoh 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:57.560 and Egypt 00:17:57.560 --> 00:17:58.700 for rebellions 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.560 against God 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:00.720 and the abuse 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.620 of God's people. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:04.080 Secondly, 00:18:04.800 --> 00:18:05.460 they are tools 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.240 of authentication. 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:08.100 They often serve 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.340 to validate 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:10.340 an authenticated 00:18:10.340 --> 00:18:11.900 message 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.840 of God's messages. 00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:14.940 The plates 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.020 conveyed to Pharaoh 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.819 that Moses 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.000 that Moses 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.859 was a representative 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.700 of the Lord 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:21.639 working with his authority. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.920 In the New Testament, 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.639 Jesus also 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:27.019 used signs and wonders 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:28.220 to authenticate 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.039 his roles 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.900 as a savior 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:31.060 and confirm 00:18:31.060 --> 00:18:32.000 his divinity. 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:35.120 The third purpose 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:37.200 of the signs and wonders 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.940 is they point 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.920 beyond themselves 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:40.220 to a more 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.380 significant truth. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.780 The plates 00:18:42.780 --> 00:18:43.460 immediately 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:45.060 revealed God's power. 00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.259 They answered 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.360 Pharaoh's declaration 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:48.700 back in 5, 00:18:48.780 --> 00:18:49.240 verse 2 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.019 that he did not 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.680 know the God 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.220 of Israel. 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:55.000 Between 5 to 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:58.100 chapter 11, 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.699 God declared 00:18:59.699 --> 00:19:00.519 numerous times 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.579 that the purpose 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.279 of his action 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.119 are so that 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:04.619 Pharaoh and Egypt 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.759 would know the Lord. 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.619 Those references 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.759 are shown 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.259 on the screen. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.779 In all these 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.299 chapters 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:13.019 in each of the plates, 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:15.219 God constantly 00:19:15.219 --> 00:19:15.859 repeats, 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:17.000 you will know 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.119 that I am the Lord. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.219 They also point 00:19:20.219 --> 00:19:20.799 beyond this 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.740 immediate event 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:23.059 to a greater truth 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.379 about God's patience 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.759 and not wanting 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.000 anyone to perish 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.900 but to come 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.579 to repentance. 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.599 God is powerful 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.819 and is a God 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.579 of mercy 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.799 and salvation. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.960 All these chapters 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:38.279 are God's 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.279 revealing himself. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.579 The purpose 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.200 of the plate 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.240 was to convey 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.819 the knowledge 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.400 of God 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.460 not simply 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.799 to Egypt 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.480 or Israel 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.839 but the world. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.259 Later in chapter 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.779 34 of Exodus, 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.400 it refers to God 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.740 as a compassionate 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.240 and merciful, 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.620 slow to anger, 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:01.220 lavish unfailing love 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.839 to a thousand generations 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:05.140 and forgiving wickedness, 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.799 rebellions and sin. 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.140 Yet, 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.859 he does not leave 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:11.319 the guilty unpunished. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.460 God is patient 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:15.839 in his application 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.579 of judgment. 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.599 His compassion 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.420 and mercy 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.880 are demonstrated 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.819 because he did not 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.279 send down 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.299 the full force 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.279 of his plate 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.940 until the seventh plate 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.379 which he said 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:29.019 in chapter 9, 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:29.920 verse 15 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.319 will wipe 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:33.259 Pharaoh 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.899 and Egypt 00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:34.579 off the earth. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.940 But before he does so, 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.680 he said in verse 19, 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.799 keep an order now 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:42.019 to bring your livestock 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.899 and everything 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:44.039 you have in the field 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:45.039 to a place 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.660 of shelter 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:47.160 because the hell 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.000 will fall 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:49.059 on every person 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.179 and the animal 00:20:50.179 --> 00:20:51.879 that has not 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.659 been brought in 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:54.460 and is still 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.319 out in the field 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.779 and they will die. 00:20:59.039 --> 00:20:59.419 Pharaoh 00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:00.319 has shown 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.299 no regards 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.399 for the suffering 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.119 of his people 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.399 for six plates, 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.539 repeatedly rebelling 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.440 against God. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.079 This plate 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.720 will take 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.639 human life 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:12.259 and the correct 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.879 response 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.919 means life 00:21:13.919 --> 00:21:14.740 and death. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.599 And what was 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.059 the response 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.599 of the people 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.119 at a time? 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.319 Let's look at 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.099 verse 20 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.099 of chapter 9. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.500 Those officials 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.219 of Pharaoh 00:21:25.219 --> 00:21:26.139 who fear 00:21:26.139 --> 00:21:26.639 the word 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.159 of the Lord 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:27.939 hurry 00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:28.919 to bring 00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.939 their slave 00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:30.599 and livestock 00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.279 inside, 00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.279 but those 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.899 who ignore 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:33.759 the word of God 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.079 left their slave 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.980 and livestock 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.980 in the field. 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.719 God provides 00:21:39.719 --> 00:21:40.099 Pharaoh 00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:41.119 and the Egyptians 00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:42.759 with ten plates 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.719 to spark 00:21:43.719 --> 00:21:44.219 repentance 00:21:44.219 --> 00:21:44.799 in them. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.619 Those that God 00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:47.319 have chosen 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.119 to show 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:48.679 mercy 00:21:48.679 --> 00:21:49.599 respond 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:50.379 accordingly 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.839 and were saved 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.259 and those 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.240 refuse to hear 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.339 the repeated 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.059 warning 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.879 and upset. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.839 God's 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.460 patience 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.659 and mercy 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.939 are sharply 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:03.200 contrasted 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.839 and revealed 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.419 by the stubbornness 00:22:05.419 --> 00:22:06.000 and cruelty 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.659 of Pharaoh 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.579 and his officials. 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.779 The plates 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.559 reveal that 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.179 God is 00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.759 patiently 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.720 merciful, 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:14.299 but they 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.160 also refuse 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.920 a point 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.799 of no return. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.900 This plate 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.079 a comfort 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:21.779 assurance 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.940 for those 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.519 who trust 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.200 in God 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:26.200 and horrific 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.740 certainty 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.740 of judgment 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.819 for those 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.500 who do not. 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.940 In the gospel 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.579 and the rest 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.460 of the New Testament, 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.519 the signs 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.180 and wonders 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.420 performed by Jesus 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:39.279 and the gospel's 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.480 very proclamation 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.779 serve a similar 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.600 ultimate purpose 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.640 as the plates. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.779 The gospel, 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.680 like the plates, 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:50.300 serves simultaneously 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:51.920 to assure those 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.620 who feed the word 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.240 of the Lord. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.980 Those who trust God 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.360 for his saving power 00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:58.580 and took the right 00:22:58.580 --> 00:23:00.039 action to respond 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.380 will have life. 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.700 And remind those 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:05.039 who ignore the word 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.639 of the Lord 00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.899 that while 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:08.359 God is patient, 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:09.839 God will ultimately 00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.819 bring judgment 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.599 upon those 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.519 who reject 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.359 Jesus Christ 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.680 and fail to 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.139 acknowledge 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:16.799 what God is doing 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:18.159 for and in 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:18.720 their life. 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.659 And at that time, 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:22.099 only death 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.899 remains. 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.720 God said 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:28.079 in chapter 9, 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.859 16 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:30.639 and chapter 10, 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.420 verse 2, 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:33.579 that one other 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.299 purpose for 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:34.919 these signs 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:36.419 is to show 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.579 that I may 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.279 show you 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.159 my power 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:40.359 and that my name 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.279 may be proclaimed 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.379 in all the earth 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:44.139 and that you 00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:44.720 may tell your 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.399 children and 00:23:45.399 --> 00:23:46.139 your grandchildren 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.200 how I dealt 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.259 harshly with 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.779 the Egyptians 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:50.200 and how I performed 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.799 my signs 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.759 among them 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.680 and that you 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.159 may know 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:53.980 that I am 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.440 the Lord. 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.859 What happened 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.399 to Pharaoh 00:23:57.399 --> 00:23:57.980 and those 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.440 Egyptians 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.599 who ignored 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.980 God's word 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.299 were designed 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:03.599 for the future 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.299 proclamation 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.399 that the God 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.059 we learn 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.759 from the Bible 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:08.000 is the only 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.039 true God 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.319 the world's 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.700 creator. 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.319 Like many 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.119 cultures of 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.559 today, 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:16.299 Pharaoh and 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:16.839 the Egyptians 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.519 believed in 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.319 many gods, 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.899 the sun gods, 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.000 the river gods, 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:22.000 the harvard gods. 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.339 Pharaoh was 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.039 seen as a 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.879 son of gods 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.560 so his 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:28.260 issue was 00:24:28.260 --> 00:24:29.260 why should I 00:24:29.260 --> 00:24:29.720 listen to 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.500 your God 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.620 when I have 00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:32.060 got my 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:32.680 gods of 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.140 my own? 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.560 He was 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:34.840 saying, 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:35.920 don't impose 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.360 your belief 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:36.780 on me. 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.940 People are 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.680 not offended 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.580 if you tell 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.100 them you 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.400 are a 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:41.820 Christian, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.020 choosing 00:24:43.020 --> 00:24:43.560 Christianity 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.960 as a 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.780 religion or 00:24:45.780 --> 00:24:46.400 spirituality 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.040 as long 00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:49.060 as you 00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:49.440 do not 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.860 proclaim 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:50.460 that Jesus 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.900 is the 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.480 only way 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.540 to God 00:24:52.540 --> 00:24:53.500 and only 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.220 truth and 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.940 relevant God. 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.840 the place 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:58.000 are God's 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.600 ways of 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.320 distinguishing 00:24:59.320 --> 00:25:00.260 himself as 00:25:00.260 --> 00:25:00.720 the only 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.420 true God 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.160 and only 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.100 relevant God 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.060 and declaring 00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:04.820 that he is 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:05.480 the only God 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.660 worth obeying. 00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:09.360 God defeated 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.360 the gods of 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.660 Egypt and 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.420 the gods of 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.420 our culture 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.420 that believe 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.980 all religions 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.560 are valid. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.860 Everyone has 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.480 a right to 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:18.980 live how 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.480 they like. 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.920 Many people 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.760 proclaim by 00:25:22.760 --> 00:25:23.280 their life 00:25:23.280 --> 00:25:24.520 choices that 00:25:24.520 --> 00:25:25.080 they are 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.460 their own 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:25.800 God. 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.040 they 00:25:27.040 --> 00:25:27.640 determine 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.700 who they 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.500 are and 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.820 how they 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.180 will live 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.700 their life. 00:25:32.020 --> 00:25:32.840 A lot 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.340 of Christians 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.340 also does 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:34.760 the same. 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.260 They 00:25:36.260 --> 00:25:36.660 choose 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.300 when, 00:25:37.760 --> 00:25:37.940 where, 00:25:38.040 --> 00:25:38.440 and how 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.040 they worship 00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:39.500 God, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.920 as if being 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.360 a Christian 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:41.800 is all 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.100 about 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:42.600 themselves. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.480 To them, 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.360 the gathering 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.020 of believers 00:25:46.020 --> 00:25:46.880 is nothing 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.420 to do 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.500 with mutual 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.500 encouragement 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.500 of one 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.080 and others. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.259 others. 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.139 Even 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.480 being 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.159 physically 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:56.960 among 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.460 believers, 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:58.759 they will 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.259 click in 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.679 and click 00:25:59.679 --> 00:26:00.579 off without 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:01.399 making any 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.759 effort to 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:05.000 interact or 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.679 engage with 00:26:05.679 --> 00:26:06.179 one another. 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:08.440 God's 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.980 confession. 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.460 They may 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:09.660 confess they 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.400 have sinned 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.299 when the 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:11.920 sufferings and 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.360 consequences of 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.140 sin come, 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.120 but go on 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.200 sinning when 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.720 the suffering 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.180 are taken 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.560 away. 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:21.039 but 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.899 deciding to 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.480 become a 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.000 Christian 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:24.419 was only 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.099 the beginning. 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.700 It matters 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.359 how you 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.099 are living 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:29.159 and growing 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.859 in your 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.679 obedience to 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:31.079 God's 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.399 words. 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:32.799 And more 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.480 importantly, 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.839 it's your 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.559 motivation 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.500 and your 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.940 attitude 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:38.379 behind those 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:38.899 obedience. 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.220 Jesus 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.859 has 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.259 come, 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.059 has 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.619 became 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.740 the source 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.319 of eternal 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.319 salvation for 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.019 all who 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.539 obey him. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.559 him because 00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.339 he learned 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.779 obedience from 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.179 what he 00:26:52.179 --> 00:26:52.519 suffered. 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:55.220 He suffered 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.079 the rejection 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.779 of man, 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:57.940 he suffered 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.639 the cross, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.919 and ultimately 00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:01.599 the rejection 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:02.259 of God 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.240 on the cross. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.259 By his 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.240 death and 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.759 resurrection, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.200 he bears 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:09.099 the consequences 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:10.019 and the 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.179 punishment that 00:27:11.179 --> 00:27:12.440 our rebellion's 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.079 stubborn 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.019 hearts 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.720 deserves. 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.440 The 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:16.819 resurrection 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.619 of Jesus 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:19.139 is the 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:19.379 most 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:19.859 excellent 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.739 signs and 00:27:20.739 --> 00:27:21.199 wonder 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:22.119 that God 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.699 performed. 00:27:23.739 --> 00:27:24.519 It means 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.719 to point us 00:27:25.719 --> 00:27:26.019 to the 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.859 powerful and 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.779 merciful God, 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.219 to acknowledge 00:27:29.219 --> 00:27:30.519 his patience 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.139 in dealing 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:31.699 with us. 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.980 not all 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.180 people who 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.600 have seen 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:35.980 God's 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.400 signs and 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.759 wonder 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.519 will end 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.080 up believing 00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:38.819 and fear 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.240 God. 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.460 Many 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:40.700 will 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.319 choose 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.019 to stay 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.460 stubborn 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.319 like 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.940 lieutenant 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.840 or 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.160 another 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.980 or 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.420 Pharaoh 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.440 and his 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.180 officials. 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.740 But to 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.620 you who 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.100 are here 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:51.779 in prison 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.559 today, 00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.360 because 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.759 Jesus 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.380 has fought 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.120 for us 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.880 and won, 00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:58.380 we no 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.240 longer need to 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:00.319 hide in the 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.899 jungle of 00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.359 life. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:02.980 Today, 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.079 God's 00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.519 word has 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.019 come to 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.139 you to 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.039 relieve you 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.659 and to 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.139 order you 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.819 to surrender. 00:28:09.939 --> 00:28:10.179 It 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.759 proclaim to 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.539 us the 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.039 name of 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.659 God is 00:28:12.659 --> 00:28:13.059 Jesus 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.559 Christ. 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.480 Hurry, 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.480 today is 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:16.859 your time 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.480 to surrender 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.779 and come 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.559 inside Jesus 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.179 to be 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:20.559 saved. 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:21.700 Don't 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.279 stay out 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.579 in the 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.519 field and 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.299 ignore God's 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.519 word. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:24.579 Amen. 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:24.639 Amen. 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:24.679 Amen. 00:28:24.679 --> 00:28:24.740 Amen. 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.139 Amen. 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.579 Amen. 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:25.679 Amen. 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:25.740 Amen. 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.639 Amen. 00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:26.679 Amen. 00:28:26.679 --> 00:28:26.720 Amen. 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:26.740 Amen. 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:26.779 Amen. 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:26.819 Amen. 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.259 Amen.