WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.000 Well, when our country was in its infancy, the most powerful man in the land had an extremely important decision to make. 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:22.100 General George Washington had been given almost the powers of a dictator while he was the commander of the Continental Army. 00:00:22.100 --> 00:00:27.400 He could do basically anything he wanted with his power in order to defeat the British and win the war. 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:37.239 But now that the war was over, the question before him was whether he would stay in power or lay down his sword. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:43.539 He had the hearts of his countrymen, of his soldiers, and of the Congress. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:55.140 He could have easily marched into Philadelphia, tell the Continental Congress that he desired to remain in power as a conquering king at the head of a victorious army. 00:00:55.140 --> 00:01:01.120 And he would have been warmly received, because that's all that our country knew. 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:04.719 Ruled by a king, by one man. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:08.680 He would have been crowned king of a new monarchy, the American kingdom. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:22.560 But surprisingly, he marched into Philadelphia, all right, but he declared his mission accomplished, unbuckled his belt, and set his sword on the table, and walked back to civilian life. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:33.180 George Washington exercised his might in a very surprising way, because he knew it was in the best interest of his people. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:35.040 They didn't need another dictator. 00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:40.260 They needed a stable form of democratic government for the American people at the time. 00:01:40.980 --> 00:01:45.560 He exercised his might in a very surprising way. 00:01:45.560 --> 00:02:00.920 And this morning, it's our privilege to explore how the mightiest person, in the mightiest position of all, exercised his might in a very surprising way for the good of his people. 00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:09.060 Throughout the whole testimony of this book, scripture, and particularly in our passage today, 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:19.460 we cannot help but see that God exercises his might in surprising ways to deliver his people. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:26.400 God exercises his power in surprising ways to deliver his people. 00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:29.280 So we're going to start in Isaiah 9 to see this. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:35.300 And there we're going to see the first of four Ps that will guide us through our time together today. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:40.759 We're going to first see God's surprising promise in our passage for today. 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:45.879 We'll proceed there to see how that promise is based on a surprising pattern. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:52.439 We'll see how that all points to a very surprising person and a very surprising plan. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:54.319 So four Ps. 00:02:54.859 --> 00:02:57.759 Let's start with a surprising promise. 00:02:57.979 --> 00:03:06.219 In our passage for today, Isaiah the prophet foretells that God is going to deliver his people yet again. 00:03:06.359 --> 00:03:11.659 Last week, Pastor Mike introduced us to what was going on in Isaiah's day. 00:03:12.479 --> 00:03:21.579 Several generations after Israel's great King David died, who was the first monarch that God put over his people, 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:34.700 God's people were consistently choosing to trust other nations and their own wisdom instead of depending upon God and his word. 00:03:35.660 --> 00:03:38.400 They were choosing darkness over light. 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:47.560 They were becoming blind and stubborn, insisting on delivering themselves through their own strength or wisdom. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:55.620 And judgment was on its way in the form of foreign armies to come and conquer them. 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:58.520 This is the note that chapter 8 ends on in verse 22. 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:03.699 They will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:07.080 They will be thrust into thick darkness. 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:20.480 And yet, chapter 9, we see, unlooked for, surprisingly, on the other side of the gloom of judgment, God is promising light. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:30.480 In verse 1 of chapter 9, the very epicenter of the gloom and the darkness, which was the northern region of Galilee, 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:37.920 where the Assyrian hordes were going to first invade, God is saying that light is going to dawn there. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:48.259 In verses 3 through 5, Isaiah tells us that the dawning light would produce an expansive joy for God's people, 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:54.120 and that light would mean deliverance from bondage, victory over enemies, 00:04:54.280 --> 00:05:01.560 and an end to the warfare and the conflict that was coming because of their sin against God. 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:13.220 And we see that this light that produces joy because of this deliverance and this great victory is all centered on one person. 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:15.079 Let's look at verse 6. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:23.639 This whole work of gracious rescue and light would center upon this one ruler. 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:48.279 Last week, Pastor Mike unpacked the beauty of that first phrase, wonderful counselor, 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:55.979 one who has supernatural insight, miraculous wisdom that is going to deliver God's people. 00:05:56.179 --> 00:06:02.379 And today, I have the opportunity to unpack that word, that term, mighty God. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:05.779 We're going to focus in on that particularly this morning. 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:14.459 So, what is so surprising about this promise of a ruler who is to be called mighty God? 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:19.859 Well, that word mighty shows up all through your Bible in different ways. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:22.299 It's the Hebrew word gabor. 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:23.639 Everybody say it with me. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:24.120 Gabor. 00:06:25.239 --> 00:06:25.620 Nice. 00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:26.279 Turn to your neighbor. 00:06:26.419 --> 00:06:28.579 Tell them they're looking mighty gabor this morning. 00:06:30.099 --> 00:06:31.240 Looking mighty, mighty. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:41.419 Gabor is a synonym for other words in the Bible like strength, power, greatness. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:48.280 But interestingly enough, the majority of the times gabor is used in the Bible, it's referring to warriors. 00:06:49.020 --> 00:06:51.060 Mighty men of battle. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:59.680 David, the great warrior king, the anointed ruler of God's people, was called a gabor in 1 Samuel 16 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:06.620 when God tells Samuel to anoint David as king over God's people even though he was basically the runt of his family. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:17.199 And the very next chapter, 1 Samuel 17, this little runt gabor defeats the giant gabor, Goliath, the gabor of God's enemies. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:20.519 But God himself is also called a gabor. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:25.060 Great, mighty warrior, awesome God. 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:31.439 Later on in Isaiah 42 and Isaiah 49, God is described as rising up like a mighty warrior 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:40.500 to bring his people back from captivity in Babylon, laying waste to mountains, drawing up rivers in order to lead his people home. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:46.839 God has the might of a great warrior to deliver his people. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:52.600 And here we see, in verse 6, this future ruler of God's people, 00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:56.139 who's going to bring light and joy and deliverance to God's people, 00:07:56.139 --> 00:07:59.319 we see is called a gabor. 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:07.219 A mighty warrior who will bring joyful, triumphant deliverance to God's people walking in darkness. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:10.560 But not just a gabor. 00:08:11.219 --> 00:08:12.699 He is mighty. He is a warrior. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.979 But he's not merely a warrior. 00:08:16.159 --> 00:08:19.300 His name is to be called Mighty God. 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:26.920 I just can't help but wonder about what was going on in Isaiah the prophet's mind 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:30.360 when he took his quill or whatever he was using, 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:33.180 and he wrote that phrase. 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:36.180 Mighty God. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:42.200 Isaiah was a faithful worshiper of the one true God, Yahweh. 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:45.639 And Isaiah knew there was no God but Yahweh. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:47.299 He was passionately monotheistic. 00:08:47.299 --> 00:08:50.039 He only worshipped one God. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:54.339 And he knew that this one God does not share his glory with another. 00:08:54.819 --> 00:08:58.839 And yet, carried along by the Spirit of God, 00:08:59.959 --> 00:09:06.139 Isaiah is unmistakably calling this future ruler of Israel the mighty God. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:10.079 There's just no other way to interpret that phrase. 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:18.860 This coming king will share God's very name, his very character, and his very nature as God. 00:09:20.560 --> 00:09:25.980 But here's where we come to the jaw-dropping surprise of this promise. 00:09:26.520 --> 00:09:29.420 This future ruler who is to be called Mighty God, 00:09:29.540 --> 00:09:33.120 through whom God would accomplish such a mighty deliverance of his people, 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:35.620 is also human. 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:37.780 He has to be. 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:39.600 Look at the beginning of verse 6. 00:09:41.439 --> 00:09:43.819 To us, a child is born. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:47.600 To us, a son is given. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:55.220 In God's passionate and zealous love for this people in darkness, 00:09:55.399 --> 00:10:00.740 God is going to accomplish this great work of deliverance by being birthed. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:09.100 God is going to be birthed and not cease being God. 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:14.759 The surprising wonder of it is twofold. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:20.560 First, this human ruler is unashamedly and directly referred to as God himself. 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:25.340 But secondly, this mighty warrior, 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:28.639 who will single-handedly bring light to those in darkness, 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:30.080 and joy to the despairing, 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:32.680 and lift the burdens of slavery off the shoulders, 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:33.799 is coming, 00:10:34.579 --> 00:10:37.279 not as a conquering soldier, 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.399 but as a child, 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:41.120 an infant. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:46.339 This is the plain and simple reading of this God-breathed text. 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:50.359 We just can't get beyond the fact that he is called Mighty Warrior God, 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:52.120 and he is yet a human child. 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:54.919 What a surprising promise. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.679 But if we're reading our Old Testaments well, 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.440 it shouldn't be too surprising. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.519 Here's where we get to our second P. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:06.000 This promise is surprising, yes, 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:08.399 but it's also based on a surprising pattern. 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:12.200 A surprising pattern. 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:15.580 I always enjoy stories that have flashbacks. 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:20.580 Right now I'm reading Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia to my older kids, 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:24.379 and we just finished reading Trumpkin the Dwarf, 00:11:25.160 --> 00:11:28.780 giving a long flashback explanation to the Pevensey kids 00:11:28.780 --> 00:11:32.020 about what had happened in the several hundred years 00:11:32.020 --> 00:11:34.500 since they had last visited Narnia. 00:11:35.400 --> 00:11:36.620 So let's take a moment, 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:38.280 and let's do a little flashback. 00:11:39.180 --> 00:11:44.300 Let's do a flashback on the summary of the Old Testament story so far, 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:46.500 up to Isaiah's day. 00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:52.639 God has often exercised his might in surprising ways. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:59.759 He has consistently showed his might through human weakness 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.919 and through hopeless situations, 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:10.279 so that it was extremely clear who exactly was responsible for delivering his people. 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:11.139 Remember Abraham. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:14.059 Old dude with an old wife, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:17.500 100 years old and 90 years old respectively, 00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:21.460 and God's entire plan to redeem humanity 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:26.980 was totally dependent on this 90-year-old woman 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:30.559 conceiving a child in a 90-year-old body 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:33.259 when she couldn't even conceive when she was 20 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:34.439 because she was barren. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:38.620 Just to make sure that it was crystal clear 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:43.000 that God would bring about life out of death 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:46.100 in a hopeless situation and through human weakness. 00:12:47.260 --> 00:12:50.240 Jump ahead to the Red Sea Rescue, Exodus 14. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:53.920 God gets his people out of slavery in Egypt, 00:12:54.380 --> 00:12:56.840 and he leads them straight into what seems like a trap. 00:12:57.900 --> 00:13:00.200 There's water in front of them, enemies behind them, 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.160 and they have nowhere to go. 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.860 And they start freaking out. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.440 They start blaming God, saying, 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:06.259 why did you get us out of Egypt 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:08.500 when we're going to die here on the shores of the Red Sea? 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:10.180 And Moses tells his people, 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:13.419 just stop and stand back and watch God fight for you. 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:17.879 And then what seems like a major blunder on God's part 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:21.300 by leading his people into this weak and vulnerable position 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:24.440 turns out to be God the cunning warrior 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:27.879 leading his arrogant adversary into a trap 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:30.379 without Israel having to lift a finger. 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.519 God got the glory. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:35.980 Through human weakness and hopeless situations. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.720 Or think about the Battle of Jericho. 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:41.039 Joshua chapter 6, which wasn't much of a battle, right? 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.820 There was some marching in circles 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:46.440 by some circumcision sore warriors, 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.919 some shouting, some horn blowing, 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:51.980 and God the warrior gets the glory, 00:13:52.680 --> 00:13:55.200 and his people didn't have to do really anything 00:13:55.200 --> 00:13:56.220 except just trust him. 00:13:56.220 --> 00:14:01.540 Last week, Pastor Mike mentioned Gideon's defeat of the Midianites 00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:02.639 in Judges chapter 7. 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:08.560 God whittles Gideon's army down to less than 1% of its original size, 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:11.040 300 out of an original 32,000. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:14.160 And they defeat an innumerable horde of enemies 00:14:14.160 --> 00:14:16.300 just by blowing trumpets and smashing pottery. 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:17.539 God gets the glory. 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:23.259 God gets the glory when human weakness is on display 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:27.179 and his mighty strength is on display. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:30.579 We could mention David's defeat of Goliath, 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:33.699 Elijah's soaking wet altar on Mount Carmel, 00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:37.699 or what's coming up in Isaiah chapter 37 through 38, 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:39.239 sorry, 36 to 37. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:42.899 The Assyrian army, 200,000 strong nearly, 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:44.899 is camped on Jerusalem's doorstep, 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:48.179 and a single angel warrior slays them all on a night. 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:53.179 God uses human weakness and hopeless situations 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:56.239 to demonstrate that he and he alone 00:14:56.239 --> 00:14:58.559 is responsible for rescuing his people 00:14:58.559 --> 00:15:00.019 and getting glory over his enemies. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:06.179 So the surprising promise of a mighty God ruler 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:11.959 who is a human child is really not that surprising. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.959 It's based on a surprising pattern 00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:17.459 that God has shown ever since the beginning. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:20.379 Now, let's return to Isaiah. 00:15:21.400 --> 00:15:22.660 Let's look at our third P, 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:26.280 and let's turn our attention to the surprising person 00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:28.980 who was promised in Isaiah chapter nine 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:32.180 and see how Isaiah continues to speak about him 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:33.840 and who he turns out to be. 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:37.019 So third P, a surprising person. 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:40.480 Have you ever been at the grocery store 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:44.340 and you saw someone that immediately you recognize, 00:15:44.420 --> 00:15:45.060 like, I know them, 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.320 but you had to think pretty hard to remember 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.640 how you knew them 00:15:48.640 --> 00:15:50.900 and where you knew them from 00:15:50.900 --> 00:15:53.440 because you just weren't used to seeing them 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.300 in that context? 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.720 I was at the store with my son the other day 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:58.480 and I ran into a former co-worker of mine 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.400 and my brain had to work really hard 00:16:00.400 --> 00:16:01.280 for a few seconds to, 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.060 like, oh yeah, that's who she is. 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:05.100 So I wasn't used to seeing her there. 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:08.300 That same phenomenon happens 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.900 as we keep reading Isaiah. 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:14.879 If we keep reading Isaiah with our eyes kind of peeled for, 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:17.879 okay, so who's this person going to be? 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:19.879 This child, this mighty God, 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.980 this wonderful counselor, 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:22.039 this Emmanuel. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:25.720 How else is Isaiah going to talk about this person? 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.179 If we keep reading, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.519 what we keep, 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:30.860 we see in chapter nine and chapter 11, 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:34.960 this child is described with royal imagery, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:38.340 mighty imagery over and over again. 00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:41.019 He's the one who's going to sit on David's throne forever. 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:42.580 He's the prince of peace. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:44.759 The increase of his government will never end. 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:47.120 Flip to chapter 11 for just a second. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:53.700 There shall come forth, 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:55.019 chapter 11, verse one, 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.200 a shoot from the stump of Jesse, 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:59.200 a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.620 The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him, 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:03.240 a spirit of wisdom and understanding, 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.720 the spirit of counsel and might. 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.900 The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:09.319 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:11.360 He shall not judge by what his eyes see 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:13.799 or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:16.180 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:18.660 and decide with equity the meek of the earth. 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.100 And listen to this, authority. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:23.380 He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.700 with the breath of his lips. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.480 He shall kill the wicked. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:28.960 This child has authority. 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:31.880 He has power given to him from on high. 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:36.120 But once we hit chapter 40 in Isaiah, 00:17:36.560 --> 00:17:37.580 the language shifts. 00:17:38.020 --> 00:17:40.220 Flip with me to Isaiah chapter 42. 00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:44.240 Isaiah 42. 00:17:45.840 --> 00:17:49.240 All this royal, kingly, mighty imagery 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:51.920 that we see describing this future ruler 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:54.660 then shifts from royal imagery 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:56.760 into servant talk. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.200 Look at chapter 42 in Isaiah. 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.200 Isaiah 42. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:02.200 Isaiah 42. 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.880 Behold my servant, 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.380 whom I uphold, 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.100 my chosen, 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:07.200 in whom my soul delights. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:09.360 I have put my spirit upon him. 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:12.019 He will bring forth justice to the nations. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.940 He will not cry aloud 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.299 or lift up his voice 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:17.059 or make it heard in the street. 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.620 A bruised reed, 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.640 he will not break. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.340 A faintly burning wick, 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.400 he will not quench. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:25.059 He will faithfully bring forth justice. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:26.519 He will not grow faint 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.359 or be discouraged 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:29.139 till he has established justice 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:29.819 in the earth 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:32.839 and the coastlands wait for his law. 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.519 So there's, 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.859 kind of like the person 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.519 in the grocery store, 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.220 there's a lot here 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.639 that's familiar that we recognize. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.079 God approves of him. 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:42.879 He delights in him. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.259 The Holy Spirit is on him. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.339 He will bring justice 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.539 and righteousness in the earth. 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.019 So we recognize him, 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.379 but the setting, 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.660 the language is different. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.480 The emphasis is different. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.200 There's not a lot of royal might. 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:57.380 Instead, there's a lot of servant-like gentleness 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.440 and humility. 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:01.259 So is this the same person? 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:03.319 Is Isaiah talking about somebody else? 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.580 I thought we were looking for a mighty warrior, 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:08.279 a conquering king to deliver his people. 00:19:08.380 --> 00:19:10.600 Why do we now hear about a servant? 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:14.019 Well, that's the beautiful surprise 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.380 about this person. 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.360 As one author put it, 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.740 the king will be the servant 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:22.519 and the servant will be the king. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:26.059 So once we get to the Gospels 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:29.019 and we hear a birth announcement 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.339 on an angel's lips 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:32.000 in Luke chapter 2, 00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.759 turn there with me, 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.720 Luke chapter 2, 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:38.460 we shouldn't be too surprised 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:40.519 to hear this mingling 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:43.240 of royal might 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:45.319 and servant-like humility 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.920 in the same person. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.660 Luke 2. 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:52.420 Let's read verses 10 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.519 through 12 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.640 of Luke chapter 2, 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.420 this announcement 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.380 to the shepherds. 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.800 And the angel said to them, 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.519 Fear not, 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.120 for behold, 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.460 I bring you good news 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.300 of great joy 00:20:02.300 --> 00:20:03.200 that will be 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.440 for all the people. 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.180 For unto you 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.279 is born this day 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.420 in the city of David 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.180 a Savior 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.700 who is Christ 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.560 the Lord. 00:20:12.040 --> 00:20:12.880 And this will be 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.680 a sign for you. 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:15.000 You will find a baby 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:17.040 wrapped in swaddling cloths 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:19.059 and lying 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.299 in a manger. 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.740 Good news, 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.619 great joy, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.859 a Savior 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:29.559 in David's city, 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:32.659 the Christ, 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.359 the Messiah, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.740 the anointed ruler 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:37.039 that was foretold, 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.259 the Lord. 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:38.980 Did you catch that? 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.720 Christ the Lord. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:40.879 The Lord. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:45.480 But also a baby 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:47.260 born, 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:50.060 wrapped in swaddling cloths 00:20:50.060 --> 00:20:51.000 and lying 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.560 in a feed trough. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:55.840 Do you hear 00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:56.760 the tension? 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.180 Do you sense 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.180 the paradox? 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:03.580 Mighty God 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:05.440 of boundless power 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.400 and authority 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:08.700 bundled up 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.759 and weak, 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.980 exposed to the elements 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.900 in a stable 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.540 born to poor peasants 00:21:14.540 --> 00:21:15.600 who are under the thumb 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:17.080 of Roman rule. 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.300 Don't let 00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:24.019 this sight 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:25.460 pass you by 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:27.660 without adoration 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.420 bubbling up 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.019 in your heart. 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.580 Don't let 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.780 this Christmas 00:21:32.780 --> 00:21:34.440 pass by 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.300 without you 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.220 being utterly 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.000 astounded 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.079 that the mighty 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.099 God of endless 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.639 days 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.419 and limitless 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.460 wisdom and authority 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.220 gladly 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.419 and willingly 00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:44.559 and humbly 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.700 gave up his throne 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.220 for a feed trough. 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.379 If we cease 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.399 to be amazed 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.299 by the incarnation 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.519 of the Son of God, 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.519 then something 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.579 is not right 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.319 within us. 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.619 Lesser things 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.299 have claimed 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:02.980 our devotion 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.039 if we are not 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.960 in awe 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:06.279 at the sight 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.319 of God 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.319 incarnate 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.500 humbling himself 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.240 to the lowest 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.660 state of vulnerability. 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:13.900 All of history 00:22:13.900 --> 00:22:15.240 was building up 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.559 to this point 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.860 and all of history 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.960 looks back 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.240 to this point 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.200 when the mighty 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.940 God became 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.420 a weak 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.120 and helpless 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.700 infant. 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.759 Divinity 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.039 and humanity 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.559 forever fused 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.620 in a baby. 00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:35.559 one very surprising 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.479 person. 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:39.439 What is keeping 00:22:39.439 --> 00:22:39.959 you from 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:40.739 beholding 00:22:40.739 --> 00:22:43.179 this surprising 00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:44.279 person 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.539 with wonder 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.099 and awe? 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:49.139 there is nothing 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.980 else that God 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.939 desires for you 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:51.579 this Christmas 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.039 season 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.619 than to 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.619 freshly behold 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.599 the mighty 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.079 God 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.879 lying 00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:58.299 in an animal's 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.079 feed trough. 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:01.679 you have 00:23:01.679 --> 00:23:02.359 the ability 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:03.220 and you have 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.059 the responsibility 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.359 to set 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.179 everything else 00:23:06.179 --> 00:23:07.019 in its proper 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.679 place 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:09.139 in order that 00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:09.879 he might take 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.839 the rightful 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.359 place 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.379 in your 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.099 affections 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.059 and your 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.539 devotion. 00:23:16.399 --> 00:23:17.439 Oh come 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:18.139 let us 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.000 adore him. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.419 How can 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:20.980 we not? 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.359 What a 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.819 surprising 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.319 person. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:27.399 Lastly 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.879 let's look 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.339 at God's 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.859 surprising 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.419 plan. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.419 Let's go 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:33.700 back to 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.399 George Washington 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.019 for a minute. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.099 Old 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.559 George 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.200 after his 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.859 victory over 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.279 the British 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.879 he had some 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.359 options. 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.379 He had some 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:43.899 options. 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.159 How was he 00:23:45.159 --> 00:23:45.439 going to 00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:46.240 exercise his 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.579 mighty 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.379 authority? 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:47.939 I like 00:23:47.939 --> 00:23:48.220 having 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.759 options. 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.099 I like 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.500 driving up 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:51.119 to McDonald's 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.480 and I know 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.919 I have 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:53.299 thousands 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.059 of combinations 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.079 of possibilities 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.399 of options. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.480 It's rather 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.019 empowering. 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.779 God 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.980 had options. 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.299 He had a 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.779 rebellious 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.480 people on 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.059 his hand 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.339 in the 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:07.639 garden. 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.539 He had 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.200 options of 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.619 how to 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.639 exercise his 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.919 might and 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:13.460 deal with 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:13.619 them. 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.179 He could 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:15.379 have rightfully 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.639 and justly 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:19.399 and gloriously 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.399 for the sake 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:20.839 of his own 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.179 name been 00:24:22.179 --> 00:24:23.000 done with 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.319 the human 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.700 race. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:24.779 He could 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.379 have destroyed 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:25.879 Adam and 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.339 Eve in 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.539 their 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.000 rebellion 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.519 then and 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.679 there. 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.039 It was 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.519 his divine 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:29.919 right. 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:30.679 He had 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.159 told them 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.960 on the 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.279 day you 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.500 eat of 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:32.879 this tree 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.539 you shall 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.200 surely die 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:35.500 but they 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:35.940 did not. 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.559 Instead 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.700 he elected 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:40.460 to delay 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.099 judgment. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.619 He 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.359 exercised 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:44.980 his divine 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.519 might 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.339 surprisingly 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.200 to show 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.639 mercy. 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.339 That was 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.859 his plan. 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.379 Judgment 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.339 was delayed 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.079 and he 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.599 put into 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.319 effect a 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.220 very surprising 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.939 plan to 00:24:55.939 --> 00:24:56.619 redeem his 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.139 rebellious 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.919 image bearers. 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.279 Time and 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.879 again throughout 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.240 the Old 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.819 Testament as 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:01.220 we saw 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.819 earlier the 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.579 pattern was 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.059 to graciously 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.939 rescue an 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:05.519 undeserving 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.740 people by 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.759 exercising his 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.699 power through 00:25:08.699 --> 00:25:09.599 human weakness 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.439 and hopeless 00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:12.379 situations to 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:12.879 redeem his 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.179 people. 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.839 Turn with me 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.240 back to 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.740 Isaiah. 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:17.919 This time we're 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.279 going to 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.300 chapter 53. 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.500 Getting your 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:23.620 exercise in 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.019 the Bible 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.500 today. 00:25:24.800 --> 00:25:25.660 Sword drills. 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.420 Isaiah 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.940 chapter 53. 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.200 As I read 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.940 parts of this 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.700 very familiar 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:38.500 prophecy I 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:38.980 want you to 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.840 listen for 00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:41.240 the surprising 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.180 mingling of 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.420 mighty deliverance 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:45.420 and utter 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.400 human weakness 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.620 in God's 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:47.960 plan. 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.820 This is the 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.220 pinnacle, 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:51.080 the climax 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:52.660 of God's 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.900 surprising plan 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:55.120 to redeem 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.720 his people. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.340 We'll start 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.220 in chapter 52 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.040 verse 13. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.700 Behold my 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.300 servant shall 00:26:02.300 --> 00:26:03.160 act wisely. 00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:04.519 He shall be 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.240 high and 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.840 lifted up 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:07.560 and he 00:26:07.560 --> 00:26:08.100 shall be 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.680 exalted. 00:26:09.800 --> 00:26:10.560 As many 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:11.340 were astonished 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:11.800 at you, 00:26:12.580 --> 00:26:13.160 his appearance 00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:14.140 was so marred 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.860 beyond human 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:16.080 semblance and 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.579 his form 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.119 beyond that 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.379 of the 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.839 children of 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.359 mankind. 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.419 So he 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.419 shall sprinkle 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:21.740 many nations. 00:26:21.939 --> 00:26:22.559 Kings shall 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.039 shut their 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.759 mouths because 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.159 of him. 00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:24.879 For that 00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.319 which has 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.740 not been 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.159 told them 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.699 they see 00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:27.359 and that 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.720 which they 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.000 have not 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.539 heard they 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.099 understand. 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.699 Who has 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.619 believed what 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.139 he has heard 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.559 from us? 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:32.939 To whom 00:26:32.939 --> 00:26:33.339 has the 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.679 arm, 00:26:33.939 --> 00:26:34.599 the strength, 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.379 the might 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:35.740 of the 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.240 Lord been 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.699 revealed? 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.139 For he 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:38.439 grew up 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.919 before him 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:39.240 like a 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.939 young plant, 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:40.960 like a 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.299 root out 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:41.639 of dry 00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.059 ground. 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.119 He had 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:43.639 no form 00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.199 or majesty 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.580 that we 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:44.980 should look 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.279 at him, 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.259 no beauty 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.539 that we 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.080 should desire 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:47.380 him. 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.539 He was 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.220 despised 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.039 and rejected 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.640 by men, 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.700 a man of 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.319 sorrows and 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:52.960 acquainted with 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.360 grief. 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.559 And as one 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.220 from whom men 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.740 hide their 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.140 faces, 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.039 he was 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.980 despised and 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.559 we esteemed 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.140 him not. 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.160 Surely he 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.759 has borne our 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.940 griefs and 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.460 carried our 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:03.980 sorrows, 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.140 yet we 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.740 esteemed him 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.180 stricken, 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:06.880 smitten by 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.380 God and 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:07.940 afflicted. 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.720 But he 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.420 was pierced 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.019 for our 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.799 transgressions, 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.180 he was 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.860 crushed for 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.199 our 00:27:12.199 --> 00:27:12.819 iniquities. 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.939 Upon him 00:27:13.939 --> 00:27:14.299 was the 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.939 chastisement 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.379 that brought 00:27:15.379 --> 00:27:16.159 us peace, 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:16.959 and with 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:17.599 his wounds 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.819 we are 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.240 healed. 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.219 Go over 00:27:21.219 --> 00:27:21.959 with me to 00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:22.439 verse 10. 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.159 Yet it 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:24.619 was the 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.139 will of 00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.500 the Lord 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.059 to crush 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.279 him. 00:27:26.619 --> 00:27:27.099 He has 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:27.559 put him 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.119 to grief. 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:28.799 When his 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:29.339 soul makes 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:29.899 an offering 00:27:29.899 --> 00:27:30.439 for guilt, 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:30.919 he shall 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.459 see his 00:27:31.459 --> 00:27:31.859 offspring, 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.579 he shall 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:33.039 prolong 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.740 his days. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.500 The will 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:34.859 of the 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.099 Lord 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.379 shall 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:35.879 prosper 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.319 in his 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:36.659 hand. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.559 Out of 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.119 the anguish 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.479 of his 00:27:38.479 --> 00:27:38.799 soul, 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.219 he shall 00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:39.839 see and 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.500 be satisfied. 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.599 By his 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.079 knowledge 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.579 shall the 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:42.880 righteous 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.220 one, 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.819 my servant, 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.440 make many 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.759 to be 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.079 accounted 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.539 righteous, 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.440 and he 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:46.980 shall bear 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.220 their 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.759 iniquities. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:48.700 Therefore, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.500 I will 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.140 divide him 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:50.680 a portion 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.099 with the 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.279 many, 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:51.660 and he 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:51.859 shall 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.259 divide 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.480 the 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:52.839 spoil 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.220 with the 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.559 strong, 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.740 because he 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.140 poured 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.740 out his 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.119 soul 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.900 to death 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.059 and was 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.339 numbered 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:58.640 with the 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.440 transgressors. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.279 Do you 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.160 hear the 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.059 upside-down 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.940 surprise 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:06.019 that's 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.460 summarized 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.759 in verse 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.180 12? 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.359 The servant 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:09.440 king will 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.220 divide the 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:10.779 spoil with 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.440 the strong 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.019 because he 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.420 poured out 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.839 his soul 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.319 to death. 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.279 Dividing the 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.799 spoil was 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.279 what victors 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.519 of the 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.299 battles do. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.519 They conquer 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:19.940 the enemy, 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:20.720 they acquire 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.180 the spoil 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.660 of war. 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:22.799 But this 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.680 king's mighty 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.480 conquering was 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.240 not by pouring 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.600 out his 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:26.339 enemy's blood, 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.000 but through 00:28:27.000 --> 00:28:27.519 pouring out 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.039 his soul 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.559 to death 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:28.920 like a 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.559 humble servant. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.299 This was 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.819 God's 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.440 choice. 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.299 He had 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:34.740 options, 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.140 and this is 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.640 what he chose 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:36.980 to do. 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.319 He would 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.100 demonstrate his 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.039 might toward 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.939 rebellious sinners 00:28:40.939 --> 00:28:42.019 not by crushing 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.019 them, but by 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.799 being crushed 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.359 for them. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.980 So when we 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.659 behold the 00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.579 stricken servant 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:50.159 nailed to a 00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:51.079 Roman execution 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.939 stake in Luke 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:53.299 23, and he's 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:54.419 gasping for breath 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:55.359 and groaning 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.199 under the crushing 00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:57.059 weight of our 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.859 rebellion against 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:59.619 God, we hear 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.359 three groups of 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.240 people taunt him, 00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:03.199 and they tell him 00:29:03.199 --> 00:29:04.039 to save himself. 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:06.639 In Luke 23, 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.379 verse 35, the 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:09.019 Jewish leaders 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.019 mock Jesus, and 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.920 they say, he 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.599 saved others. 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:12.700 Let him save 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.980 himself, if he 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.759 is the Christ of 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.759 God, his chosen 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.139 one. 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:18.159 In the very next 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.740 verse, the Roman 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.619 soldiers mock him. 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.379 If you're the king 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.740 of the Jews, save 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.220 yourself. 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.259 The thief on the 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.279 cross next to him 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.559 rails at Jesus in 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.139 verse 39. 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.500 Are you not the 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.019 Christ? 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:31.440 Save yourself and 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:31.819 us. 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:31.859 Christ. 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:35.500 But the might of 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.319 this anointed 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:39.079 ruler, whose name 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.859 is Mighty God, was 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.879 surprisingly not 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:43.119 being exercised on 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.039 his own behalf to 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:46.879 save himself, but to 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.819 obey the will of his 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:49.500 father and to remain 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.939 on the cross for the 00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:51.700 sake of people 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:53.240 condemned to eternal 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:55.200 judgment for me and 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.659 for you. 00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:57.460 Jesus could have 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.639 stopped that whole 00:29:58.639 --> 00:30:00.519 ordeal even before it 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:00.919 started. 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.599 And at any point 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.539 during it, he could 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:05.439 have said enough. 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:08.079 But he exercised his 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:10.059 might in a surprising 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.460 way according to God's 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.899 surprising plan to take 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:14.259 each step toward the 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.799 cross and endure the 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:17.159 terrifying wrath of God 00:30:17.159 --> 00:30:18.240 on our behalf. 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:21.319 It was God's surprising 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.899 plan for Jesus, the 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:24.419 Messiah, the ruler, the 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:26.539 mighty God to use his 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.700 power to pour himself 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:29.279 out to death for an 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:31.059 undeserving people so we 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:31.899 could have life. 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:35.420 And three days later, God 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:37.279 mightily raised him from 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.700 death. 00:30:38.399 --> 00:30:40.160 And he is the risen Lord 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.879 Jesus, our mighty God 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.480 forever. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:45.980 This is God's surprising 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.660 plan. 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.980 But God's surprising plan is 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.599 not yet finished. 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.660 Our servant King Jesus is 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.940 right now enthroned in 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.319 glory. 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:57.980 Because he conquered his 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.139 enemies and delivered his 00:30:59.139 --> 00:30:59.839 people through the 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.139 humility and weakness of 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:03.799 the cross, God highly 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.799 exalted him and gave him 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:07.019 the name above every name 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:08.759 so that the name of Jesus 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:10.359 every knee should bow and 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.939 every tongue confess that 00:31:11.939 --> 00:31:13.679 Jesus is the mighty Lord 00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:15.119 to the glory of God the 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:15.419 Father. 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:18.079 And one day this mighty God 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.819 will return in full 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:21.659 splendor and strength to 00:31:21.659 --> 00:31:22.740 establish his kingdom 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.579 forever. 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:26.179 He will indeed judge in 00:31:26.179 --> 00:31:26.980 righteousness and 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:28.599 everything for you and me 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:30.519 will hinge on whether we 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:32.480 have bowed the knee to this 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.980 mighty God on this side of 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.480 eternity or not. 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:38.859 So how are we to respond to 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:41.399 this surprising news of 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:43.279 great joy of this mighty 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:45.579 servant King who conquers by 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:47.079 laying down his rights? 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.899 There are two things I'd like 00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:51.819 for us to consider how to 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.220 respond to this good news in 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.019 faith and obedience. 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.359 First, it's helpful to 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.519 identify where you're at. 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.319 If you have bowed the knee 00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.339 and trusted in this 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.599 trustworthy King, this 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:04.759 mighty God, then Paul's 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:06.259 words from Colossians 1 are 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.939 true of you. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.299 God has delivered you from 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:11.039 the domain of darkness and 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.240 transferred you into the 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.139 kingdom of his beloved 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:14.779 Son in whom we have 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.159 redemption, the forgiveness 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:17.039 of sins. 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.440 God has delivered you from 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.039 God. 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.539 So because of the might and 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:22.039 power of God exercised 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:24.579 through death and 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:27.039 resurrection of Jesus, he 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.980 has undone the power of 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.879 darkness over us. 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:32.579 He has brought us into the 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:35.059 kingdom of his light by being 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.339 under his gracious and 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.279 loving rule. 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:38.339 So give thanks. 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:40.460 Give thanks to this mighty 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:42.799 God if you are under his 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:44.740 mighty and loving rule. 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:47.120 On the other hand, if you're 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:49.200 aware that you have not 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.359 bowed the knee to this 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:52.019 mighty God who poured 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:54.420 himself out for you, if 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.099 you're aware that you have 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:57.099 a need to be rescued by 00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:59.759 him, call out to him. 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:02.559 Confess your offense to 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:02.900 God. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.880 Turn from it and turn to 00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.140 him. 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.960 He will transfer you from 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:10.240 Satan's dark dominion into 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:11.460 the kingdom of his beloved 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:11.920 Son. 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:16.940 Secondly, if you belong to 00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:19.380 this servant king, then you 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:20.519 have the privilege to join 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:22.039 him in his kingdom work now. 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.660 It's not flashy. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:27.240 It's not might makes right. 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:29.120 It's not worldly wisdom kind 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:29.580 of work. 00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:32.580 Rather, it's the joyful and 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:34.840 daily labor of taking up your 00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:36.440 cross as he took up his. 00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:39.960 It's denouncing our right to 00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:41.220 rule our own lives. 00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:43.620 Giving ourselves over to 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:45.340 death to self for Jesus' 00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:45.880 sake. 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.820 And there, and only there, 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.600 can we find the true joy 00:33:49.600 --> 00:33:52.180 that he brings and lasting 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.180 kingdom fruit. 00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:56.600 So servant-like humility and 00:33:56.600 --> 00:33:57.960 sacrificial obedience and 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.759 self-giving love are not just 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:01.080 the Lord Jesus' marching 00:34:01.080 --> 00:34:01.480 orders. 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:03.620 They are ours as well. 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:06.480 Exercising our right to lay 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:08.659 down our rights, our time, 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.960 our comfort, our resources for 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.720 the good of others. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:14.260 That is the normal pattern of 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:15.039 the Christian life. 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.960 Listen to Jesus' words from 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.579 John 13. 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:20.119 He just finished washing his 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.920 disciples' feet. 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:23.019 Listen to these words as if he's 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:24.440 speaking right to you. 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:26.880 You call me teacher and Lord, 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:28.539 and you are right, for so I am. 00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.920 If I then, your Lord and 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:32.240 teacher, have washed your feet, 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:34.139 you also ought to wash another's 00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.360 feet. 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:37.240 Truly, truly, I say to you, a 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:38.780 servant is not greater than his 00:34:38.780 --> 00:34:40.580 master, nor is a messenger 00:34:40.580 --> 00:34:41.780 greater than the one who sent 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.040 them. 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:44.500 If you know these things, blessed 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:46.740 are you if you do them. 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:51.040 So if mighty God incarnate has so 00:34:51.040 --> 00:34:53.920 powerfully given himself for you 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:55.840 so that you could be rescued from 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:57.260 the wrath of God on your sin, 00:34:58.160 --> 00:34:59.600 then surely we cannot be greater 00:34:59.600 --> 00:35:00.300 than our master. 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:04.519 We serve others because he served 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.000 us. 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:08.680 We love because he first loved us. 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:11.460 It is right for us to imitate the 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:13.820 mighty God who used his might to 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:14.480 serve us. 00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:19.940 So, in what area of your life are you 00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:21.500 needing to become more like the 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:24.500 mighty God who is the servant king? 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:28.119 How is the risen Lord Jesus calling 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:30.960 you to follow him into a joyful 00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:32.960 laying down of your rights and 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:34.860 comforts for the earthly and 00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:36.679 eternal good of those around you? 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:39.480 Is it in your marriage? 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:43.820 Humbly caring for your spouse and 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:45.219 putting their interests ahead of 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:45.559 your own? 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:48.300 Is it with your children? 00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:51.260 Giving yourself over to prayer for 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:53.840 them and patiently disciplining them 00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:55.900 and discipling them in the Lord? 00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:59.920 Are there opportunities for you to 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:02.320 humble yourself on behalf of 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.880 extended family members this 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:05.840 Christmas season or coworkers and 00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:09.059 serve them as the hands and feet of 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:11.400 Jesus even though it may cost you 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.059 in some way? 00:36:14.220 --> 00:36:16.680 Is it perhaps in the way that you 00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:19.039 spend your free time and energy and 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.660 finances? 00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:24.379 Are you hoarding time and energy and 00:36:24.379 --> 00:36:26.659 money that God has given you to build 00:36:26.659 --> 00:36:29.279 your own kingdom of self-security or are 00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:31.739 you seeking to trust the mighty God to 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:34.420 provide for you as you give yourself for 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.179 the good of others? 00:36:37.659 --> 00:36:41.659 So, whatever it is, go to God in 00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:48.279 prayer and ponder how to respond rightly to 00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:49.340 him in faith and obedience. 00:36:52.120 --> 00:36:54.100 Let's respond to his mighty love by 00:36:54.100 --> 00:36:57.040 trusting him, adoring him, and giving of 00:36:57.040 --> 00:36:59.820 ourselves in the same way for the good of 00:36:59.820 --> 00:37:02.300 those around us and for his great glory. 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.540 Let's pray. 00:37:03.540 --> 00:37:03.580 Let's pray. 00:37:03.579 --> 00:37:14.679 Father, thank you that it was your plan all 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:18.779 along to demonstrate your great mighty 00:37:18.779 --> 00:37:21.360 strength to deliver your people through 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:24.699 the cross and through the humble obedience 00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:26.699 and love of our Savior Jesus. 00:37:28.319 --> 00:37:29.900 Help us to trust you. 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:34.480 Help us to lay down our lives to you as 00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:41.019 living sacrifices to adore this child who 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:45.139 is God in the manger and to live for the 00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:48.740 risen servant king and all that you would 00:37:48.740 --> 00:37:49.740 have us do, Lord Jesus. 00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:52.119 Give us the faith and obedience we need 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:53.900 now and the power of your spirit to respond 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:54.400 to your word. 00:37:55.180 --> 00:37:56.460 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:37:56.460 --> 00:38:00.159 Thank you. 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:01.119 Amen. 00:38:05.159 --> 00:38:05.220 Amen.