WEBVTT 00:00:00.860 --> 00:00:10.460 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Shine Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:16.440 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:22.519 Not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:31.299 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good, they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:36.700 Which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. 00:00:37.379 --> 00:00:43.120 We're finishing this morning our series for Advent in the book of Genesis and we're jumping forward. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:48.899 Last Sunday we were in Genesis chapter 22 and now we're going forward all the way to chapter 49. 00:00:48.899 --> 00:00:55.879 So it means that we've skipped a large part of the story, but if you're familiar with the book of Genesis, you know that we've tracked the story of Abraham, 00:00:57.179 --> 00:01:00.619 followed by Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:08.439 And we're coming to this story now where Jacob, also called Israel, calls his sons to him to give them a blessing. 00:01:08.739 --> 00:01:12.079 And so I'm going to invite you to turn there with me, Genesis chapter 49. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:15.819 You can turn in your worship guide or in your Bible or in your phone. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:22.679 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's Word and God tells us that His Word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold. 00:01:23.039 --> 00:01:27.459 And it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:32.419 And so that's why we read now Genesis chapter 49, starting at verse 1. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:49.579 And now we're going to skip to verse 8. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:02:19.560 Verse 9. 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:26.200 Verse 11. 00:02:26.200 --> 00:02:46.939 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:55.800 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again that you speak to us as you always do through your Word. 00:02:56.659 --> 00:03:01.020 And we also confess that we come this morning with many distractions. 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:10.439 We come with the normal, everyday distractions that hit us week by week of work and family and emails and phone calls and text messages. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:14.800 And we also come to you with the special distractions of this season. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:21.699 As we rush from event to event, as we worry about what to buy and who to buy it for, 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:27.179 as we look forward and plan all the details of our celebrations later this week. 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:29.180 We ask that you would help us this morning. 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:35.040 That you would help us to reorient our minds and to fix our eyes on you. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:43.120 That no matter the distractions that face us, we would see Jesus now as you show him to us in your Word. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:46.359 That we wouldn't miss his glory and his beauty. 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:50.379 We ask that you would show us our desperate need for your grace. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:54.439 And you'd also show us how you meet us at that very same point of need. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:58.219 And we ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:03:58.639 --> 00:03:58.919 Amen. 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:08.800 In October of 2019, feels like more than two years ago, but only about two years ago, 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:14.479 the national news broke with shock and curiosity and amusement 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:20.500 because the rapper and fashion designer, Kanye West, came out with his new album, 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:22.659 which he called Jesus is King. 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:26.260 Now, if you're familiar with Kanye, you know this was partially surprising 00:04:26.260 --> 00:04:31.460 because most of his albums had been about him worshipping himself more than anyone else. 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:37.180 But this album got a lot of attention as people questioned 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:41.640 whether Kanye's conversion to Christianity was true and authentic. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:46.820 Now, for many people, the surprising part was the fact that Kanye was the one 00:04:46.820 --> 00:04:48.080 who had come out with this album. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:50.600 I'm going to suggest for you this morning, though, 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:55.040 that there is at least one other very surprising element of this 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:57.800 that was overlooked, perhaps, by many, and that is this. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:02.300 Kanye tells us that his album was meant to be an expression of the gospel. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:06.200 And if his album was meant to be that, we would have expected a different title, right? 00:05:06.260 --> 00:05:09.620 In America, we would have said, Jesus is Savior, right? 00:05:09.640 --> 00:05:10.700 Or Jesus saves. 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:13.180 That's the phrase that we're familiar with. 00:05:13.220 --> 00:05:15.060 That's the way that Christians in America talk. 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:18.920 If we saw a billboard or a bumper sticker, that's what it would read for us. 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:20.300 It would just say, Jesus saves. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:21.920 Come to salvation in Jesus. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:25.740 But in fact, Kanye is highlighting something for us that's important to remember, 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:30.220 which is that Jesus' salvation cannot be separated from his kingship. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:36.319 Jesus as king is actually an essential part of the proclamation of the gospel. 00:05:36.779 --> 00:05:38.720 And so as we've gone through the book of Genesis together, 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:40.259 we've seen a variety of categories. 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:41.420 Remember Genesis 3. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:06:11.400 Genesis 3. 00:06:11.420 --> 00:06:16.920 We see one of the most neglected aspects of Jesus today, 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:19.660 and that is Jesus as our king. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:23.259 And in fact, that's something that we maybe overlook, 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:26.000 but we celebrate and sing about during Christmas. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:30.580 It's one of the reasons, by the way, that we sing and why songs are important. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:31.580 They shape our theology. 00:06:31.780 --> 00:06:33.520 So this morning, we sang, 00:06:33.700 --> 00:06:35.660 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, which says this, 00:06:36.100 --> 00:06:38.819 O Come, O King of Nations, find. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:42.719 We also sang the first Noel, where we said over and over, 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:45.439 Born is the king of Israel. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:48.779 If you come on Christmas Eve this Friday, 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:50.939 we're going to sing Joy to the World, which says this, 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:53.259 Let the earth receive her king. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:56.459 We're also going to sing Joyful Joyful We Adore You, 00:06:56.539 --> 00:07:02.579 which says, Praise resounds as earth rejoices in the birth of Christ the king. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:06.300 And so we're going to do something simple this morning. 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:08.419 As we look at Genesis chapter 49, 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.079 we're simply going to dream together. 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:14.500 We're going to be reminded of what type of king Jesus is. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.479 And we're going to dream together 00:07:16.479 --> 00:07:19.779 and be reminded of what kind of kingdom it is that he brings. 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:21.019 What is it going to look like? 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:26.039 Why is this promise in prediction that we find here? 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.779 Why is it actually good news? 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:30.019 We're going to have something of a movie preview here. 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:30.919 We're going to get a taste. 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.319 We're going to get a small picture of what it is that we're looking forward to, 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:38.680 what it is that we're longing for and celebrating and singing about at Advent. 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:43.159 We're going to get a contour, a bit of an outline of what is to come. 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.419 And as we do this, it's important to remember that we, 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:46.960 as we live our lives in this world, 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:52.060 we look to all sorts of kings and places and people and experiences 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.720 to bring in a perfect world. 00:07:54.840 --> 00:07:57.580 But what the Bible reminds us of is that it is Jesus 00:07:57.580 --> 00:08:03.379 who is our only hope to bring a world without suffering and without pain. 00:08:04.280 --> 00:08:07.900 And so it's tempting to walk around looking 20 feet ahead of us, 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:10.220 just seeing what's before our feet. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:12.560 What we're going to do this morning is actually look up. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:15.060 We're going to bring our eyes up and look up at the horizon. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:18.840 That we would have a greater and broader perspective of this world 00:08:18.840 --> 00:08:20.040 and Jesus' role in it. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:22.340 That we would know the great hope that we have 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:25.340 as we look forward to the King who has come 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:28.020 and also the King who is coming. 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:31.360 And Genesis chapter 49 is going to help us with that. 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:32.560 So I'm going to jump right in. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:37.080 We're given this prediction by Jacob, also known as Israel, 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.960 as what's going to happen with the tribe of Judah. 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:42.100 And you might be wondering what in the world this has to do with Jesus. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:44.320 And in a sense, that's a fair question 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.900 because he's talking about something 00:08:45.900 --> 00:08:47.960 that's going to have some fulfillment 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:50.780 in the near future rather than the far future. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:56.500 But Judah is also the tribe from which Jesus comes. 00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:59.500 And so there's multiple layers to this prophecy 00:08:59.500 --> 00:09:01.440 that he gives us about his son Judah, 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:04.260 this tribe that's going to become great in Israel. 00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:07.060 Some of it we're going to see fulfilled in King David, 00:09:07.160 --> 00:09:08.520 the greatest king of Israel. 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:12.300 King David, however, points us forward to King Jesus. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.879 And so when we see these things, 00:09:13.979 --> 00:09:15.879 they are true in one sense of David, 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:19.219 true in an ultimate and fuller sense in Jesus. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:22.019 And so we see first in chapter 8 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:25.839 that we are going to have this king 00:09:25.839 --> 00:09:30.120 who is going to be ruling here over Judah. 00:09:30.219 --> 00:09:34.159 He's going to be the greatest of all the tribes of Israel. 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:38.159 In fact, this is something that we know 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.039 as you read the genealogies around Advent. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:42.799 If you read Matthew chapter 1, verse 1, 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:43.899 what does it say about Jesus? 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:48.079 It says he's the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.879 So we're meant to be reminded that Jesus is the one 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:54.279 who is pointing us back to these promises made to Judah. 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:57.519 Jesus is born in Bethlehem, also known as the city of David. 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:00.139 So he shares a birthplace with the great king. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:02.439 He shares that origin of the tribe of Judah. 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:07.020 And so David for us is the proximate king of Israel. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:08.540 He's the proximate fulfillment of this. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:11.840 He is not the ultimate king from the tribe of Judah. 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:14.260 We're told who that is in the book of Revelation, 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.360 the very end of the Bible. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:18.200 Revelation chapter 5, verse 5 tells us this, 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:19.800 and one of the elders said to me, 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.160 weep no more. 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:23.840 Behold, the line of the tribe of Judah, 00:10:23.920 --> 00:10:25.480 the root of David has conquered 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:29.460 so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:33.259 In other words, Jesus is the lion from the tribe of Judah. 00:10:33.420 --> 00:10:36.000 He comes as the tribe that's greatest 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.900 among all the tribes of Israel. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:39.280 That's what we're told here in verse 8. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.720 Your brothers shall praise you. 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:44.220 Your father's sons shall bow down before you. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:47.400 We find out here, though, he's not just a leader over Judah. 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:50.220 He's also going to be victorious over many enemies. 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:53.019 So we see the first picture again in verse 8. 00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:57.240 We're told your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies. 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:59.899 Now, if your hand is on the neck of your enemies, 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:02.379 this is a way of saying that the battle is over. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:05.799 It is time for that person to tap out. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:06.899 They are on the ground. 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:08.759 This is a picture that we're being given 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:10.960 of dominance and power and victory. 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:12.240 And if that weren't enough, 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:14.080 we see the same thing in verse 9. 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.740 We have this picture of this lion 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:18.639 who's going out and is successful in killing prey. 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:20.200 He's a wonderful predator. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.279 Verse 9, Judah is a lion's cub. 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.100 From the prey, my son, you have gone up, 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:28.580 which is a way of saying this lion has killed another animal. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.000 Now he's going to go on the hunt again. 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:33.560 He stooped down. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.300 He crouched as a lion. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:38.639 In other words, this lion has finished with one prey. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.700 He's sitting and waiting for another. 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:44.340 No one wants to mess with him. 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:46.840 That's why we're told at the very end of verse 9, 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:49.120 who dares rouse him? 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:51.860 In other words, leave this lion alone. 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:56.560 He is not just the king of Israel. 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:00.220 He's also victorious in battle. 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.580 And so this gives us our first picture here 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:04.200 of what it is that we're longing for 00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:07.560 as we lift our eyes up from 20 feet in front of us 00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:09.299 and we look up at the horizon 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:11.279 to get a bigger picture of this world 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.820 and what is coming for it. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:15.620 You know that if you've ever been in a foreign country 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.879 for any amount of time, 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:19.820 you begin to think about all the things 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:21.299 that you miss in your home country. 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.480 You begin to think about all the things 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:24.399 that you long for. 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:26.120 Maybe you even make a list 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:28.560 of what you can't wait to get back to. 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:30.799 Maybe it's Reese's peanut butter cups. 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:33.720 Maybe it's the large variety of soft drinks 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.060 that we have access to in America. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:37.480 Maybe it's simply being back in a place 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.779 where the language of the country 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:40.019 is also your language. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:44.399 As Christians, we want to have this same sort of longing 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.980 for our true home, 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:50.039 the home where Jesus reigns and rules as king. 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.879 And so if we're going to make a list 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.740 of what we long for, 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:54.879 what we learn about this lion 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:57.039 is he's going to rule a place that looks like this. 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:58.000 It's going to be a place 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:00.539 where bullies don't win anymore. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.620 That's what his kingdom is going to look like. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.159 It's going to look like a place 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:07.539 where the powerful don't oppress the weak. 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:10.460 Instead, they use their power to protect them. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:14.480 One of my favorite definitions of authority is this. 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:16.940 Good and true authority is when the person 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:19.960 who has authority over you cares about you 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:22.300 more than you care about yourself. 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:26.120 They love you more than you love you. 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:29.660 That's what this king is going to be like. 00:13:30.400 --> 00:13:33.100 This kingdom where this lion conquers all his enemies 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.400 is going to be the type of kingdom 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:36.600 where when you go to check on your relatives 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.500 in the nursing home, 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:39.159 you're not going to worry about 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:41.059 whether someone stole something from them 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.779 or took advantage of them. 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.679 In fact, there won't be nursing homes. 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:47.299 We'll have restored and full bodies. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.779 This is going to be the kind of kingdom, 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.700 the kingdom ruled by this powerful lion 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:54.159 where when you walk to your car at night, 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.100 you don't worry about 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:56.240 who might be lurking in the dark. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.860 This is the sort of kingdom 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:00.139 when you're driving around, 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:02.220 you don't wonder if you remember to lock your door. 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:04.899 This is the sort of kingdom 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:06.939 where you're not going to buy insurance 00:14:06.939 --> 00:14:08.199 for identity theft. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:11.079 LifeLock is going to be out of business. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.419 You're not going to worry about 00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:16.799 how secure your passwords are. 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.759 You're not going to worry about 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:20.120 changing them every three months, 00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:21.939 and you're not going to be concerned 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:23.699 of whether they have the right number of letters 00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:25.919 and symbols and exclamation marks. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.259 You're not going to worry about 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.600 whether the police show up in time. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:34.500 You're not going to feel any need 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:36.080 as you go through your life 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.700 to conceal carry. 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:41.200 That's going to be the type of kingdom 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.360 that Jesus rules over. 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:43.779 That's what we see in this lion. 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:45.980 Yes, he is gracious and kind, 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:48.820 and he is powerful and ferocious. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.320 The king who comes from Judah, 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:54.100 verse 9, is a lion's cub. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:57.660 He crouches down as a lion. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:15:02.179 And so no one dares to rouse him. 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:05.139 This king, however, 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:06.879 is not just going to be powerful. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:10.620 He's also going to be a worldwide king. 00:15:10.719 --> 00:15:11.699 We see this expansion 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:13.719 from just ruling over tribes 00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:15.699 to ruling over the entire world 00:15:15.699 --> 00:15:16.500 in verse 10. 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:18.980 The scepter shall not depart from Judah 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.019 or the ruler's staff 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.120 from between his feet 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:22.600 until tribute comes to him. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.579 And here's the key part. 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:26.319 And to him shall be the obedience 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.780 of the peoples. 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:32.160 Tribute comes to him. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.500 This is something that's going to happen 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.660 for the worldwide king. 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:36.720 All the nations are going to come 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.920 and worship him. 00:15:38.260 --> 00:15:39.140 The Davidic king, 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.120 the one who's meant to be 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.940 the great ruler over all of Israel, 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.460 is not just going to rule Israel. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:46.240 He is going to rule the entire world. 00:15:47.520 --> 00:15:49.760 This rule is going to expand. 00:15:49.900 --> 00:15:50.820 It's going to grow. 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.640 And again, we see this 00:15:52.640 --> 00:15:54.880 in Matthew's genealogy. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.879 After we're told 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.539 where Jesus comes from, 00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.439 that he's the descendant 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:01.379 of Abraham and David, 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.460 we see wise men 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.539 who come to visit him, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.600 bringing gifts from afar, 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:08.840 which is the first fulfillment 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.220 of this king 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:11.259 receiving tribute 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.399 from the nations. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:14.639 Okay? 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:17.159 Yes, Jesus is a man 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.019 come to earth 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.100 to die for our sins, 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.919 and he's also the king. 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.460 That's what the magi 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.500 know and understand. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.740 They're bringing tribute 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:26.460 as people from other nations. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.700 And so that's the beginning 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.460 of the fulfillment 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.019 of this promise. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.559 We see it in a small part 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:38.240 in King David 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.519 from the tribe of Judah, 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:39.940 but of course, 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.899 he doesn't fulfill it, right? 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.679 David does not rule 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:44.120 over the entire world. 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:45.159 Instead, we look 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:47.399 to the great and glorious future 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.860 that only comes with Jesus, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.759 often referred to 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:52.259 as David's greater son. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.059 And so there's going to be 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:58.019 this worldwide kingdom. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.120 In fact, we're told about it 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.379 in Revelation chapter 7. 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.019 There's a part 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.279 that we still look forward to, 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:03.179 right, as we're longing 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.980 and thinking about 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.819 what the kingdom will be. 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.980 Revelation chapter 7 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.539 says this, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:27.779 This is this picture 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.940 of the entire world 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.980 coming to worship God. 00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.599 We get a similar vision 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.519 in Revelation chapter 21. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.819 We're told this, 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.319 The city, that is the New Jerusalem, 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:38.079 has no need of sun or moon 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:38.900 to shine on it, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.379 for the glory of God 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:41.220 gives its light, 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:43.220 and its lamp is the Lamb. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.799 By its light will the nations walk, 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.319 and the kings of the earth 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:49.119 will bring their glory into it. 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.220 It's another picture 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.400 of the tribute coming in. 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:54.000 And its gates will never be shut by day, 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.359 and there will be no night there. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.139 They will bring into it 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:59.359 the glory and honor of the nations, 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:01.480 but nothing unclean 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.359 will ever enter it, 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:04.419 nor anyone who does 00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:06.019 what is detestable or false, 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.439 but only those who are written 00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:09.259 in the Lamb's book of life. 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.419 So John in Revelation 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.899 is giving us another picture 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.319 of all the nations coming 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.240 to worship this worldwide king. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.179 He's helping us see 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:18.159 what we've already been told 00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.919 in verse 10, 00:18:19.439 --> 00:18:21.000 Until tribute comes to him, 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.819 and to him 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:23.299 shall be the obedience 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.659 of the peoples. 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.559 And so what do we dream about then 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.779 as we look at Jesus' kingdom? 00:18:28.979 --> 00:18:30.399 Well, it's going to be 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:31.640 the end of wars. 00:18:32.540 --> 00:18:33.380 It's going to be 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:35.540 the end of international politics. 00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.920 When Jesus is king, 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.840 we're not going to worry 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.660 about problems 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:42.320 between Russia and the Ukraine. 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.920 When Jesus is king, 00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:47.680 we're not going to worry 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.600 about the rise 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.780 of rogue states. 00:18:51.060 --> 00:18:52.019 All the nations 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.340 are simply going to come 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:55.460 and bring their tribute to him. 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.620 He is going to be 00:18:57.619 --> 00:18:59.299 the worldwide king. 00:19:01.719 --> 00:19:02.719 This passage, though, 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.599 doesn't just tell us 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.439 about Jesus' glory 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:06.939 and his rule, 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.559 his power, 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:08.159 his dominion. 00:19:08.199 --> 00:19:08.899 It also gives us 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.899 one final picture 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.659 of what this world 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.619 is going to look like, 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.319 what the kingdom 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.619 of the Lion of Judah 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:16.879 is going to offer to us. 00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:17.939 And it's going to be 00:19:17.939 --> 00:19:19.819 a place of great 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:21.439 and tremendous wealth. 00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:22.739 And so look with me 00:19:22.739 --> 00:19:24.959 at verses 11 and 12. 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.639 In verse 11, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.620 we're told he's going 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.660 to bind his foal 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.280 to the vine 00:19:28.280 --> 00:19:29.880 and his donkey's colt 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.759 to the choice vine, 00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:32.000 which may seem 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.240 enigmatic at first, 00:19:33.300 --> 00:19:34.140 but what the author 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.940 of Genesis is trying 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.660 to tell us is this. 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.480 There's going to be 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:38.540 an incredible grape harvest. 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.520 Okay? 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.340 This grape harvest 00:19:41.340 --> 00:19:43.540 is going to be so great 00:19:43.540 --> 00:19:45.240 that the man in charge of it 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.280 is not going to hesitate 00:19:46.280 --> 00:19:47.620 to tie his donkey 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.780 to one of the grape vines. 00:19:49.780 --> 00:19:50.840 In other words, 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:52.220 he has so many grapes 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.520 and so many grape vines, 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.940 he couldn't care less 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.980 if the donkey eats up 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.740 some of his best. 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:59.400 He has more of the best 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.160 than he knows 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.840 what to do with. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:02.900 So he ties a donkey to it 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.100 and doesn't even think about it. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.740 And it's shocking here, right? 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.340 Because we, 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.539 if we're people living 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.559 and receiving this message 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.279 for the first time, 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:09.779 we're thinking 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:11.120 as agricultural farmers, 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.820 what a reckless thing it is 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.799 to tie your donkey 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.660 to your grape vine. 00:20:16.080 --> 00:20:17.420 There's so much wealth, 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.559 it just doesn't matter. 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.360 There's always going to be 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.299 more precious grapes. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.079 So you can let the donkey 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.980 run free 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.619 and eat the finest things 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.139 you have. 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.859 It would be like this. 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.440 It would be like someone 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.000 in America, 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:29.720 me telling you, 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.119 you know what? 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:31.579 The kingdom is going to be 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.599 so great 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:34.259 that people are going to 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.960 cook up whole wagyu steaks 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.299 and give them to their dog. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.240 Okay? 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.819 Not just the scraps. 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.079 No. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.159 The dog is going to get 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.419 his own steak. 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:44.339 Okay? 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:46.159 That's how much abundance 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.399 and wealth is here. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:49.099 People are going to buy 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.879 filet mignons, 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.719 they're going to cut them 00:20:50.719 --> 00:20:51.779 in fine strips 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.779 and they're going to put them 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.480 in the cat bowl. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.259 That's how much abundance 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.579 there is in this world. 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.039 Okay? 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.779 That's the image 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.480 we're given here 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.879 of the wine. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.459 What would you know 00:21:02.459 --> 00:21:03.279 about that person? 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.039 If that person was 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.980 cooking up whole wagyu steaks 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.000 and giving them to the dog 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.079 and cooking up a filet mignon 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.579 and putting it in the cat's bowl, 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.599 what would you say 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.299 about that person? 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.459 Yeah, you could say 00:21:13.459 --> 00:21:13.980 they're crazy. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.779 You could also say, 00:21:14.959 --> 00:21:15.279 wow, 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.939 that person has 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:18.539 a lot of money. 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.379 Right? 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:22.480 In this kingdom, 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.199 there is going to be 00:21:24.199 --> 00:21:25.959 an overabundance. 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.819 That's going to be 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.759 how much wealth 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.759 this kingdom has. 00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:30.359 People are going to tie 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.039 their donkeys 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.240 to great grapevines. 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:34.000 They're going to let 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.219 their animals eat 00:21:35.219 --> 00:21:37.059 their finest food. 00:21:38.199 --> 00:21:39.439 That's the same image 00:21:39.439 --> 00:21:40.240 we have here 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:42.139 in verses 11 and 12. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.000 So verse 11, 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.419 at the end, 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.459 he's washed his garments 00:21:44.459 --> 00:21:45.039 in wine 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.839 and his vesture 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:47.759 in the blood of grapes. 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.679 Now there's two ways 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.460 of taking this. 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.420 One is, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.440 there's so much wine, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.600 they're treating it like water. 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.420 So they're washing 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.240 their clothes 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:57.100 in $500 bottles of wine 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.680 because they just have 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.480 so many of them. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.820 The other possibility 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:01.640 is that they're 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.720 threshing out this wine, 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.720 they're stomping on it 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.420 to make wine, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:06.160 and there's so many grapes, 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.440 it's just squirting up 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.299 all over their clothes 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.100 and it's washing it. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.840 That's how abundant it is. 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.759 Either way, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.820 the point is the same. 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:15.620 There's this unprecedented wealth. 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.039 There's just everything 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.099 that you would need 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.959 and more, right? 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.459 Verse 12, 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.199 also some debate 00:22:22.199 --> 00:22:23.359 over what this means. 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:24.619 The big point of verse 12 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:26.519 is that they are full 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.879 of health and vitality. 00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:28.899 Okay? 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:30.399 They have this food 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:33.059 that is making them strong. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.399 It's been pointed out 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.259 that the Bible 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:38.459 begins and ends 00:22:38.459 --> 00:22:39.179 in this place 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:39.779 of great wealth. 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:40.779 Genesis chapter 1, 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.579 the Garden of Eden. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.500 Adam and Eve 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.480 are given dominion 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.339 over the whole earth 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:44.880 and they're told 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:46.400 that every plant and tree 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.319 is theirs for food. 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.900 And then if we fast forward 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.680 to the last book 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.119 of the Bible, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.980 Revelation chapter 21, 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.380 the New Jerusalem 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.180 as it's described 00:22:54.180 --> 00:22:55.019 is a place 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.019 of incredible wealth. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.339 Now one of the most 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.339 famous descriptions 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.759 comes from verse 21 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.740 which tells us this, 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.000 the street of the city 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.579 was pure gold 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:05.680 like transparent glass. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.440 There's so much gold, 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.099 they're paving 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.079 the streets with it. 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:13.139 There's so much wine 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:14.199 and good grapes, 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.220 they're letting their animals 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.659 eat the very best food. 00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:21.839 We want an age 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.799 of prosperity, right? 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.980 It's common for 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.299 there to be talk 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.500 about the end of poverty 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:30.159 or the end of hunger. 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.980 We want abundance 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:34.460 to be normalized. 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.980 We want to have enough 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.779 that we don't worry 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.740 about budgeting, right? 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.859 Bad news is this, 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:45.419 that's not going to happen 00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:46.059 in this world. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.059 No one who tells you 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:50.039 that they have a plan 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.099 to make it happen 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:53.359 understands the state 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.139 of humanity. 00:23:55.639 --> 00:23:56.579 Good news, 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.799 it will happen. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.659 It's just not going to happen 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:03.779 with an earthly king. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:06.059 We can't have it 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:07.339 with a mere human. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:09.720 And so again, 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.199 as we dream together, 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:12.759 as we work 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.619 our imagination, 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.599 I want you to think 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.059 about this. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.659 This is what 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.500 the kingdom 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.799 that the lion 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.819 from the tribe of Judah 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:21.279 is going to look like. 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.319 People are going to work 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:24.279 simply for the joy of it. 00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:27.059 You're not going to worry 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.879 about whether you've 00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:28.480 worked enough 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.399 or whether you've 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:29.959 saved enough. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.099 You're not going to worry 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.959 about whether you have 00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:33.759 enough to retire. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:36.559 couples will not argue 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.460 about finances. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.019 In fact, 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:40.140 Matthew chapter 22 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.099 tells us there won't be 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:41.779 marriage in heaven. 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.099 You're not going to worry 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:45.379 about college funds. 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.339 There's going to be 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.759 plenty 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.879 and more than plenty. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.839 You're not going to feel shame 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:54.539 about not having as much 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.660 as other people 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.759 in the community around you. 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:59.200 You're not going to feel shame 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.200 about not being able 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:01.039 to afford 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.200 the same experiences 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:04.440 or provide the same things 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.019 for your family. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.840 There is not going to be 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.539 any more poverty. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.580 Poverty is not an issue 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:11.519 when people are washing 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.120 their clothes 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:13.200 in fine wine, right? 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.140 Parents won't pressure 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.840 their kids 00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:18.140 into lucrative careers. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.559 People won't be chasing 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.120 their dreams 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.840 by trying to leverage assets 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:25.240 and generate passive income. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.860 There's just going to be 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.539 this abundance. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.080 There's going to be 00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:29.120 this overflowing 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.440 in the kingdom. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.799 There aren't going to be 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.639 arguments about 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:33.519 which money belongs 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:33.919 to who. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.299 Lawyers will not be 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.240 helping resolve 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.299 inheritance disputes. 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.700 They're going to have 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.559 a lot less business. 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:44.259 There's just going to be 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.159 more than enough 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:46.059 in every category. 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.680 There's going to be 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.000 more than you can ask 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.940 or imagine. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.859 As you know, 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.759 presidents love 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.419 to take credit 00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:54.419 for economic growth. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.079 Anything good 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.659 that happens 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:57.180 while they're in office? 00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.079 Brag about a booming 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.899 economy, right? 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:02.500 This kingdom 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.500 is going to be 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.040 the pinnacle. 00:26:05.060 --> 00:26:05.840 It's going to be 00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:07.019 the most booming economy. 00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:09.420 It's going to be 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.120 when we see 00:26:10.120 --> 00:26:11.400 the greatest economy 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.780 of all time. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.280 Now at this point 00:26:16.280 --> 00:26:16.980 you might be wondering 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.620 what in the world 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.200 does any of this 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.580 have to do 00:26:18.580 --> 00:26:19.140 with the gospel? 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.440 Gospel, right? 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.259 Our belief that Jesus 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.860 comes to die 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:24.200 and save sinners. 00:26:25.280 --> 00:26:25.560 Well, 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.540 Jesus is the Savior 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:27.700 and he is saving you 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.360 from something. 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.240 He is saving you 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.279 from God's wrath 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.379 and his punishment. 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:32.979 However, 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.019 Jesus is not just 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.579 saving you 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.419 from something. 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.759 Jesus is saving you 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.740 into something. 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:40.240 Jesus is saving you 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.759 into a kingdom 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.279 where he is king. 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.619 He's saving you 00:26:45.619 --> 00:26:46.379 into a kingdom 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.839 where he is king. 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:48.899 And so we get to see 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.979 this picture here 00:26:49.979 --> 00:26:51.579 of how the story ends. 00:26:52.679 --> 00:26:53.619 If you're a Christian, 00:26:53.959 --> 00:26:55.299 you don't know 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.359 the future in one sense. 00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:56.719 You don't know 00:26:56.719 --> 00:26:57.599 what the rest of your life 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.459 is going to look like. 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:00.159 You do know 00:27:00.159 --> 00:27:00.679 the future 00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.819 in another sense. 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.919 You know, 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.059 no matter what happens 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:05.319 to you in this world, 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.799 how your story 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.759 is going to end. 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:10.240 Your story 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.339 is going to end 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.759 in this kingdom 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.619 that we've been 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.199 dreaming about. 00:27:15.219 --> 00:27:16.159 Your story 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:17.179 is going to end 00:27:17.179 --> 00:27:17.879 in a place 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.919 that is ruled 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:21.619 by this king. 00:27:21.719 --> 00:27:22.259 And so that's 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.899 what we sang 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:24.279 right before 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.099 the sermon, 00:27:25.219 --> 00:27:25.699 O Jerusalem. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:25.819 Jerusalem. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.340 It's a story 00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:28.000 of longing. 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.600 It's a song 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.080 of longing. 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.059 It's a song 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:31.180 of looking forward 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.059 to the future 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.620 that we know 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.059 is coming. 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.480 And so we talked 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.160 about the wealth 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.120 together when we sang 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:36.500 this. 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.019 They have told us 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.580 of a table 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:40.039 where the poor 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.000 are honored guests, 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.720 where all the weary 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.460 wanderers 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.860 come in 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:46.059 to bless 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.759 and rest. 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.380 That's the place 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.319 where people 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.539 tie their donkeys 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.720 to the finest 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:53.340 grapevines. 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:55.799 that's the place 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.359 where people 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:58.039 serve steaks 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.339 to their pets. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.579 It's going 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.139 to be a feast. 00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:04.539 Now Jesus, 00:28:04.959 --> 00:28:05.659 our Lord Jesus 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.639 also tells us 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.419 about a feast 00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:08.720 in Matthew 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.459 chapter 22. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.480 He tells this 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:11.980 parable 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.480 of the wedding 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:13.899 feast. 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:14.579 You're welcome 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.119 to turn there 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.599 with me now. 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:16.039 It's in Matthew 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.019 chapter 22 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.480 verses 1 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.179 through 14. 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.279 And he tells 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:21.759 them this. 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.839 The kingdom 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.279 of heaven 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.960 may be compared 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.680 to a king 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:26.039 who gave a wedding 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:27.059 feast for his son 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.980 and sent his servants 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:29.000 to call those 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.619 who were invited 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.579 to the wedding feast, 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.859 but they would not 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.220 come. 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:33.920 Again, 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.599 he sent other 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.359 servants saying, 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.039 tell those 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.680 who are invited, 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.160 see, 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.920 I have prepared 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.440 my dinner, 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.519 my oxen, 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.480 and my fat calves 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.299 have been slaughtered 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.519 and everything is ready. 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.119 Come to the wedding feast. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.480 So Jesus has a feast. 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.440 He's inviting people. 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.839 Many aren't listening. 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.680 Verse 5. 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.660 But they paid no attention 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.640 and went off, 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.160 one to his farm, 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.480 another to his business, 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:56.100 while the rest seized 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.740 his servants, 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:58.220 treated them shamefully, 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.920 and killed them. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.779 The king was angry, 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:02.019 and he sent his troops 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.960 and destroyed those 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.019 murderers and burned 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.519 their city. 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.180 Then he said to his 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.440 servants, 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.279 the wedding feast 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.779 is ready, 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:09.080 but those invited 00:29:09.080 --> 00:29:09.740 are not worthy. 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.140 Go therefore 00:29:11.140 --> 00:29:12.259 to the main roads 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.279 and invite to the wedding 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.080 feast as many 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.740 as you find. 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.240 And those servants 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.259 went out into the roads 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.119 and gathered all 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.839 whom they found, 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.740 both bad and good. 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:21.420 So the wedding hall 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:23.720 was filled with guests. 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.039 In other words, 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.559 Jesus is telling us this. 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.819 There is a feast 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.640 and a kingdom 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.440 that he has prepared. 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:35.180 And it is for those 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:37.039 who accept his invitation 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.680 to the wedding. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.379 This kingdom 00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.599 is for 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.799 and is only for 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:44.180 those who have faith 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.879 and hope 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.799 in Jesus Christ. 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.859 It is for 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.799 and only for 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.539 those who have 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.259 looked to Christ 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.899 and seen 00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:51.119 that he is the one 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.480 who lived the perfect life 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.399 that they should have lived. 00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:54.299 He is the one 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.339 who died the death 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.220 that they should have died 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.819 accepting 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:59.139 his sacrifice 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:00.000 on their behalf, 00:30:00.139 --> 00:30:00.700 knowing that 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.559 when he died, 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.440 he took 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.559 the wrath of God 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.220 that we deserve. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.000 For anyone 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.099 and everyone 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:07.859 who has faith 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.720 in Jesus Christ, 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.680 this is the feast 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:12.259 that is waiting for them. 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:13.379 This is the wedding feast. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.200 This is the picture 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.840 that we're given 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.819 about the kingdom 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.440 that is ruled 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.100 by the lion 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:17.840 from the tribe 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.660 of Judah. 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.740 And so the final question 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.580 for us this morning 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.019 is this, 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:23.920 will you be 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.960 at the feast? 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:28.600 Will you come 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:30.580 when the king 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.920 invites you? 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.880 If you have more questions 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.539 about that, 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.559 one of the things 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.420 that we've done recently 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.240 in our worship guide, 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:38.720 you'll see 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.140 near the end, 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:41.880 we have a long 00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.840 explanation 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.700 of what it means 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.220 to be someone 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.759 who follows 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.380 after the king 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.200 on page 10. 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.880 And so, 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.880 not necessarily now, 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.300 but I invite you 00:30:51.300 --> 00:30:52.300 to take your worship guide 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:52.860 home with you 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.500 to review it. 00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.060 If you have more questions 00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:55.759 about this king 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.300 or this kingdom, 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:56.660 of course, 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.420 we're happy to talk 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.780 with you. 00:30:58.320 --> 00:30:59.220 And I invite you 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.680 to look through 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.259 that page 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.020 and think about 00:31:01.020 --> 00:31:02.080 whether Jesus 00:31:02.080 --> 00:31:02.920 is your king, 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.220 what it means 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.100 for you to follow him 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:06.619 and to trust him 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:08.539 so that you can be 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.839 someone who shows up 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:11.359 to the wedding feast. 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:14.359 Now, 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:14.659 earlier, 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.359 I gave you 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.199 a list 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:17.419 of Christmas hymns 00:31:17.419 --> 00:31:18.679 that we sang 00:31:18.679 --> 00:31:19.319 this morning 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.379 that pointed 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.219 to Jesus 00:31:21.219 --> 00:31:22.659 as our king. 00:31:22.959 --> 00:31:24.000 And there's one hymn 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.279 that I didn't mention 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.079 on page 6 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:26.939 because we haven't 00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:27.519 sung it yet. 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.779 But we're about 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.319 to sing it. 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:29.619 It's called 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.659 What Child Is This? 00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.119 And first, 00:31:32.179 --> 00:31:32.579 it tells us 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.119 in the chorus, 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.500 this is Christ, 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.140 the king 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:36.819 whom shepherds guard 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.619 and angels sing. 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.500 And then we're told 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.579 this in the final verse. 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.559 So bring him incense, 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.400 gold, and myrrh. 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.240 Come, peasant king, 00:31:44.319 --> 00:31:44.839 to own him. 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.480 The king of kings 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:48.259 salvation brings. 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.420 Let loving hearts 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:51.660 enthrone him. 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.920 And so that's the hope 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.740 and command for us 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.079 as well, 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:55.920 that our hearts 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:57.160 would enthrone 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.279 this baby 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.839 who comes 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.660 into the world 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.920 not just as one 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.400 to die, 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.420 but one who comes 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.619 to rule and reign 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.339 as the king. 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.740 As the lion 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.960 from the tribe 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:07.859 of Judah. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:08.980 Let's pray. 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.660 Our Father in heaven, 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:13.000 we praise you 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.559 and thank you 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.059 this morning 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:15.440 that you give us hope 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.539 that no matter 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.160 what happens 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:18.160 in this world, 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.039 you are a king 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.940 who's bringing a kingdom. 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:21.660 We ask that you would 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:23.799 use that truth 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.460 in our lives 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.400 to keep us 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.440 from despair 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.319 and to grow our hope. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.400 We ask that you 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.299 would remind us 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.920 of that, 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.400 that it would be 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:32.660 for the front 00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.300 of our minds, 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:33.960 Father, 00:32:34.060 --> 00:32:35.000 in the many distractions 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.840 that come against us 00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:37.400 this week 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:39.000 and this coming year 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.180 that we would never forget 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:41.759 that you are our great savior 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.720 and our great king. 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:44.160 We ask all these things 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.920 in the mighty name 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.660 of our king, 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.480 Jesus Christ. 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.060 Amen. 00:32:47.060 --> 00:32:47.200 Amen. 00:32:48.800 --> 00:32:50.140 I invite you to stand 00:32:50.140 --> 00:32:51.060 for our closing hymn. 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.120 Amen.