WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.980 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm one of the pastors here. It's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:10.720 --> 00:00:19.060 We are continuing this morning, really not just continuing, actually we're ending this morning, our series in the book of Genesis. 00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:24.760 Remember the book of Genesis tells the origin story of God's people beginning with Abraham. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:34.340 That's been our focus over the last four or five months to prepare us to do what we're going to do next week, which is to return to our series in Romans. 00:00:34.340 --> 00:00:43.920 We're going to be in Romans chapter 4 where Paul uses Abraham as this example that God's grace is by faith alone. 00:00:44.660 --> 00:00:51.359 Of course, we've also been asking this question as we go throughout Genesis of what does it look like to follow God in faith. 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:59.620 Last week we looked at Genesis chapter 24 with Isaac and Rebecca and we saw that God was faithful through generations. 00:00:59.619 --> 00:01:06.980 That even as Abraham and Sarah exit stage left, God's promises continue. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:12.719 We also saw that God was faithful to Abraham, faithful to refine and grow him. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:19.340 That Abraham was more and more obedient as his life went on. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:23.700 Here we're in chapter 25, the death of Abraham. 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:26.599 We're at the end of the road, so to speak. 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:28.739 We're going to focus on two things. 00:01:28.739 --> 00:01:37.759 First and mostly one final look at God's faithfulness to his promises. 00:01:39.459 --> 00:01:47.479 And also a reminder, as death often reminds us, of a life well lived. 00:01:48.399 --> 00:01:52.379 So with that, I invite you to turn with me to Genesis chapter 25. 00:01:52.379 --> 00:01:58.659 If you're new to the Bible, Genesis is going to be very easy for you to find since it happens to be the very first book. 00:01:59.259 --> 00:02:01.459 And so you just have to open up to the very beginning. 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:04.780 You can also turn where it's printed in your worship guide. 00:02:05.199 --> 00:02:07.560 As we come to it, remember that this is God's word. 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:16.000 Jeremiah chapter 23 tells us that God's word is a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:23.960 It's a way of saying that there is nothing so powerful that it can stand against God's word. 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:30.620 So that's why we read now Genesis chapter 25, starting at verse 1. 00:02:30.620 --> 00:03:00.379 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:04.780 But to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts. 00:03:05.480 --> 00:03:11.960 And while he was still living, he sent them away from his son Isaac eastward to the east country. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:13.860 Verse 7. 00:03:15.020 --> 00:03:20.780 These are the days of the years of Abraham's life, 175 years. 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:25.240 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:29.879 an old man and fool of years, and was gathered to his people. 00:03:31.100 --> 00:03:38.200 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar, the Hittite, 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:43.580 east of Mamre, the field that Abraham had purchased from the Hittites. 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:47.620 There Abraham was buried with Sarah, his wife. 00:03:48.760 --> 00:03:52.280 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:55.600 And Isaac settled at Bir Lahai Roy. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:57.500 Verse 12. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:05.599 These are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar, the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:10.620 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth. 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:21.019 Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar, Abdel, Mibsam, Mishma, Duma, Massa, Hadid, Tema, Jeter, Naphish, and Kedema. 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:27.740 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names by their villages and by their encampments. 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:30.800 Twelve princes according to their tribes. 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:37.300 These are the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years. 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:41.819 He breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people. 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:48.400 They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt, in the direction of Assyria. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:53.080 He settled over against all his kinsmen. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:58.379 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's Word. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:11.740 Our Father in Heaven, you have promised us in Isaiah chapter 55 that your word does not return to you void, but it accomplishes your purposes. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:16.139 So we ask this morning that you would honor that promise here and now, 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:20.319 that you would use this passage to accomplish great things in our lives. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:28.839 You would remind us once again of your character, your steadfastness, your love, 00:05:29.659 --> 00:05:32.339 that you would use it to shape us and form us, 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:36.920 that we would grow not merely in knowledge, but we would grow in love. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:40.860 We'd grow in our love and affection for Jesus Christ. 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:43.300 We'd grow in our reverence and our awe for him. 00:05:43.719 --> 00:05:45.519 We'd grow in our obedience to him. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:48.839 That you would remind us of what matters. 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:51.399 You'd help us to see clearly. 00:05:53.459 --> 00:05:57.079 Father, that we would worship you more and more. 00:05:57.419 --> 00:06:00.399 We ask all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:01.159 Amen. 00:06:05.539 --> 00:06:15.180 December of 1988 was the next to last month of the eight years of the Reagan administration. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:19.599 And so as they prepared for the handover in January of 1989, 00:06:20.219 --> 00:06:24.060 when President George H.W. Bush would take the oath of office, 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:33.639 the administration published a 60-page book with four categories and 48 specific areas 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:37.779 where Ronald Reagan believed he'd accomplished great things for the American people. 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:40.799 And the title of that publication was this. 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:45.799 Promises made, promises kept. 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:50.379 And the point, of course, is to show, at least Ronald Reagan was trying to show, 00:06:50.739 --> 00:06:53.179 hey, I honored my word. 00:06:53.239 --> 00:06:58.319 And that matters because as a voter, you know we are cynical when it comes to politicians. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:58.759 Right? 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.219 And we're cynical because we've had experience with them. 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:03.420 Right? 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:08.099 We know politicians often will say anything to get elected. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:13.040 And then magically, those things don't happen. 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:13.300 Right? 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:16.879 And so the perception is that politicians are lying. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:19.779 Reagan, on his way out, wanted to say, 00:07:19.779 --> 00:07:23.019 look, everything I said, I did. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.799 I honored my word. 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:29.819 Now, whether he did or not, we'll leave to the historians. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:33.359 The point is not whether you loved or hated Ronald Reagan. 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:34.279 The point is this. 00:07:34.539 --> 00:07:37.679 As we come to this passage, Genesis chapter 25, 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:42.339 the Abraham administration is coming to an end. 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:44.939 It's coming to a close. 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:47.819 But the point is not about Abraham. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:50.800 The point is about God. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:53.879 The final word of Abraham's life, 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.879 final word of this story, 00:07:56.420 --> 00:08:00.120 is that God has honored his word. 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:05.459 Promises he's made are promises he's kept. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:08.959 If you've been with us throughout this series for the last several months, 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:13.279 you know God's promises are one of the major themes 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:17.159 that we've turned to over and over again. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:19.399 And as we come to this passage, 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:25.060 the very structure of the passage points us in that direction one final time. 00:08:25.359 --> 00:08:29.299 I've told you guys before that I don't want you to just learn things 00:08:29.299 --> 00:08:31.240 that are in the Bible or about the Bible. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:34.399 I actually want you to learn how to read the Bible. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:37.159 And so whenever we come across a bookend, 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.559 I make a big deal about it. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:41.800 And we are coming once again to a bookend. 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:45.379 Abraham's death is in verses 7 through 11. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:49.400 It is enclosed on both sides by genealogy. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:50.280 So it's bookended. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.540 It's trapped there, 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:55.759 which tells us what the point is meant to be. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:09:00.400 It's pointing us towards the emphasis of this passage. 00:09:00.400 --> 00:09:01.379 It's telling us, 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:05.840 focus on this as you think about Abraham's death. 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:07.840 Focus on the genealogies. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:11.200 Focus on his descendants as his life comes to an end. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.740 There's another bookend that's happening, 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.680 not just in this story, but the entire story. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:18.899 So this is the end of the Abraham story. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:21.700 Go back with me to the beginning of the Abraham story. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.759 Genesis chapter 12. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:36.500 What do you need to become a great nation? 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:38.639 You need people. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:40.960 And how do you get people? 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:45.100 You have sons and daughters. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.340 Throughout the story, 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:50.379 this promise has intensified 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:53.559 as three different images were used 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:57.319 to represent how many children Abraham would have. 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:59.039 Genesis chapter 13. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:09:59.879 God says, 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:02.820 If you can count the dust of the earth, 00:10:03.679 --> 00:10:06.360 that's how many kids you will have. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.299 Genesis chapter 15. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:09.460 He comes to him and says, 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:10.779 Look at the sky. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:13.279 Can you number the stars? 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.179 If you can number the stars, 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:19.480 that's how many children you will have. 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:21.000 Genesis chapter 22. 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:22.379 He comes back again, 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.799 repeats the stars, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.199 and adds another image. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:30.199 Can you count the sand on the seashore? 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:32.259 If you can, 00:10:32.819 --> 00:10:37.399 that's how many descendants you're going to have. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.799 Dust, sand, stars. 00:10:42.079 --> 00:10:44.339 As Abraham dies, 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.099 it is already happening. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:52.139 He's already multiplying generation by generation. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:54.159 So the point is this. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:58.139 We are given genealogies 00:10:58.139 --> 00:11:00.939 before Abraham's death 00:11:00.939 --> 00:11:03.699 and after Abraham's death 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:05.000 to remind us 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.240 God is keeping his promise. 00:11:09.819 --> 00:11:11.399 One last time, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:14.740 what we've been told over and over again, 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:17.679 we're reminded of once more. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:21.179 Isaac will be the father of many nations. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:23.399 Not just the father of Isaac, 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:26.719 as many children as the dust, 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:28.219 as the stars, 00:11:28.579 --> 00:11:29.579 as the sand. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.479 You might wonder, 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.599 that's great. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.679 I'm glad that Abraham had lots of kids. 00:11:36.699 --> 00:11:37.839 What in the world 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:39.219 does that have to do with me 00:11:39.219 --> 00:11:40.679 in Colorado Springs 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.859 in September of 2025? 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.779 And it has many things to do with you. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:48.779 The most important of which is this. 00:11:49.439 --> 00:11:52.519 It is this promise of many descendants 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:54.139 from Abraham 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:57.000 that gets us fully and finally 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:58.699 to Jesus Christ. 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:03.659 It is because God honors his promise here 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:06.959 that he fulfills his promise there. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:09.900 And it's related to another promise, 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:12.019 also Genesis chapter 12. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.519 It wasn't just that God 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.500 was going to make Abraham 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.879 the father of many nations. 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:16.240 No. 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.660 In you, 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.840 all the families of the earth 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:22.460 shall be blessed. 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:26.280 How are all the families of the earth 00:12:26.280 --> 00:12:27.120 supposed to be blessed? 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:29.580 It is not simply 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:31.600 by Abraham having lots of kids. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:33.920 No. 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:35.000 The families of the earth 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.180 are going to be blessed 00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:36.879 by fulfilling 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.360 an even earlier promise 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:40.019 from Genesis chapter 3 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:42.360 that the seed of the woman 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:45.080 will crush the head of the serpent. 00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.580 In other words, 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:48.060 all the families of the earth 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:49.360 are going to be blessed 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.560 because one day 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:52.460 a descendant of Abraham, 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.840 that is Jesus Christ, 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.560 will come. 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.659 He will live the perfect life 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.940 that we should have lived. 00:12:58.800 --> 00:13:00.639 He will die the death. 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.399 We deserve to die. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.659 He will save his people 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:08.159 from their sins. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:12.340 All families of the earth 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:14.000 blessed in Christ. 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:17.480 Not merely the Jews. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:20.379 you as well. 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.779 I've been telling you 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.800 for weeks now, 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:25.139 one of our major questions 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.899 of Genesis is 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:26.740 what does it look like 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:29.399 to follow God in faith? 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.720 Following God in faith 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:34.539 looks like 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:36.300 constantly 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:38.860 reminding ourselves 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.379 of the promise 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.879 that he has kept 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:44.080 in Jesus Christ. 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:50.500 I've said that before 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.520 over the last number of months. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:54.180 That is the keystone 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:56.600 to every other promise. 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:59.180 It is the guarantee 00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:03.100 of every other prophecy. 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:05.820 Romans chapter 8, 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:08.500 he who did not spare 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.580 his own son 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:10.980 but gave him up 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.560 for us all, 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:14.619 how will he not 00:14:14.619 --> 00:14:15.899 also with him 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.319 graciously 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:18.399 give us 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:20.119 all things? 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:21.599 Which is a way 00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:22.059 of saying 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:23.419 if God kept 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.099 his promise 00:14:24.099 --> 00:14:24.919 about Jesus 00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:27.159 which he did, 00:14:28.219 --> 00:14:29.259 of course 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.619 he will keep 00:14:30.619 --> 00:14:32.819 every other one. 00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:34.759 If he kept 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.939 the hardest promise, 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.599 of course 00:14:37.599 --> 00:14:38.179 he'll keep 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.439 the easy ones. 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:41.940 promise 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:42.400 that God 00:14:42.400 --> 00:14:42.800 kept 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:43.620 to Abraham 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.680 is a promise 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.480 he has 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:46.960 kept 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:48.300 to us. 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.660 It's a promise 00:14:50.660 --> 00:14:51.060 he's kept 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:51.440 to you. 00:14:52.880 --> 00:14:53.780 That is a 00:14:53.780 --> 00:14:54.780 north star 00:14:54.780 --> 00:14:56.380 of the Christian life. 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.640 That's our 00:14:57.640 --> 00:14:58.720 horizon line 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.440 as we try to 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.600 keep big things 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.340 big and small 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.020 things small. 00:15:02.400 --> 00:15:03.400 I have a friend 00:15:03.400 --> 00:15:04.460 who I've known 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.620 for many years 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.500 who has struggled 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.020 with a variety 00:15:07.020 --> 00:15:07.500 of things 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.179 including his 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.679 own challenges 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.360 with depression 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.559 and at one 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.200 point he told 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.500 me 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.399 basically what 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.000 it comes down 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:15.659 to is this. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.879 When I get 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.919 up out of bed 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.120 every morning 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.279 I answer 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.220 this question. 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:24.220 Did Jesus 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.179 rise from 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:25.700 the dead 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:26.659 or did he 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.019 not? 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.240 And if he 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.539 did, 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.860 everything else 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.580 flows from that. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.480 Jesus rose 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.220 from the dead 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.659 everything else 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.700 will be 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.580 okay. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:43.180 Whenever we're 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:43.500 tempted 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:45.039 to doubt 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.019 God's word 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:48.080 or to doubt 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.120 God's 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.960 goodness 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:51.420 we can do 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:51.980 one 00:15:51.980 --> 00:15:53.240 very simple 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:53.600 thing. 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:55.480 We look 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.060 to God 00:15:57.060 --> 00:15:57.759 fulfilling 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:59.019 his promise 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.600 in his 00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.060 son 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:00.820 and our 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.320 savior 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.519 Jesus Christ. 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:04.439 that's what 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:04.960 it looks like 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.500 to follow 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.379 God 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.340 in faith. 00:16:08.579 --> 00:16:08.980 Remember 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.980 2 Corinthians 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.740 chapter 1 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.319 tells us 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:11.799 all the 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.319 promises 00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:13.019 of God 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.240 are yes 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.539 and amen 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:17.639 in Christ. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.240 Promises 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.659 made 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.779 promises 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.600 kept. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:30.060 There's a 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.700 focus here 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:31.659 not just 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.540 on children 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.500 in general 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.320 although that 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.060 is why we 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.259 have these 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.940 bookended 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.899 genealogies 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.100 but there's 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.800 also this 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.860 special focus 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.840 on Ishmael 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.340 in verses 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.620 12-18. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.480 It's 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.360 first 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.120 the first 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.519 set we 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:46.820 get 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.460 verses 1-4 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.120 is Keturah's 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.379 children. 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.000 So apparently 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.639 Abraham had 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.320 another wife 00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:51.920 we find out 00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:52.360 later in the 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:52.879 passage she 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.159 was a 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.560 concubine 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.759 but we 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.519 end here 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.000 with this 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.919 word about 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.560 Ishmael 00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:58.060 the special 00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:58.539 focus 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.379 which raises 00:16:59.379 --> 00:16:59.860 the question 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.440 why is 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.519 this important 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.639 as we think 00:17:03.639 --> 00:17:04.019 about the 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.720 end of 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.440 Abraham's 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.819 life? 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:06.960 Ishmael is 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.559 important for 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:07.900 a couple 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.299 reasons. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.140 One reason 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.579 is that 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.059 Ishmael 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.680 becomes one 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:10.940 of the 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.339 nations. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.279 Remember 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.819 the promise 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.140 at the 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:13.440 beginning 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:13.839 in chapter 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.460 12 was 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:14.900 that Abraham 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.400 would become 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:15.880 a great 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.279 nation. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:16.940 Later 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.279 God 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.099 adds to 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.299 that. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:18.620 He says 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:18.920 actually 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.360 you become 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:19.779 many 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.299 nations. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.079 Ishmael 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.360 is one 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:21.680 of that. 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.440 one of 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:22.660 those. 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:23.920 Another 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.420 reason 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.539 that we've 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:25.799 kind of 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.279 skipped over 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.600 a little 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.080 bit because 00:17:27.080 --> 00:17:27.340 we were 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:27.900 focusing on 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.560 other things 00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:29.259 is this. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:30.920 Abraham 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:32.660 loves 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:33.420 Ishmael. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.560 Remember 00:17:35.560 --> 00:17:36.000 in chapter 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.900 21 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.200 Isaac is 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.600 born and 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:40.080 there's this 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:41.140 rivalry that 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:42.240 develops between 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.960 Isaac and 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.480 Ishmael. 00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:44.279 So Sarah 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.779 comes to 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.360 Abraham and 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:45.920 she says 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:47.519 you have to 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.900 deal with 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.380 this Abraham. 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:48.500 Abraham. 00:17:49.300 --> 00:17:49.680 We didn't 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.080 talk about 00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:50.380 it at the 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:50.800 time because 00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:51.060 we were 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:51.600 focused on 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:51.880 God's 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.400 fulfillment of 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:52.900 the promise 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.500 but in 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:53.980 the Hebrew 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.740 there even 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.120 more than 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.380 in the 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:55.820 English you 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.300 can see 00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:57.860 Abraham is 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.700 livid. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.140 He's 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:00.640 livid at 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.240 the suggestion 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.880 that Ishmael 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.360 would be sent 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.420 away because 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:03.940 he loves 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.180 him. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.580 That's why 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:06.220 in that same 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:06.860 chapter God 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:07.300 has to come 00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:07.700 to Abraham 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.220 and say 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:09.000 do what 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.600 your wife 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.540 has told 00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:11.300 you to 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:11.600 do. 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:12.720 We saw 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.060 the same 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:13.500 thing back 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:13.920 in Genesis 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.940 chapter 17 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.900 God comes 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:16.320 to Abraham 00:18:16.320 --> 00:18:17.000 and says 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.600 look it's 00:18:17.600 --> 00:18:18.100 Sarah who's 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:18.440 going to 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:18.820 have a 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.240 child. 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.480 And Abraham 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.120 says yeah 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:21.440 but what 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.220 about Ishmael? 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.420 Sarah's in 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.920 her 90s. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.700 Can't Ishmael 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.340 be good 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:26.220 enough? 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:27.440 There's a 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:27.980 promise that's 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.700 repeated multiple 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.600 times both to 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.559 Abraham and to 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.860 Hagar that 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.620 Ishmael is 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.480 going to be 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.380 also the 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:34.960 father of a 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.220 nation. 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:35.860 In fact God 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:36.900 tells Hagar 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.660 Genesis chapter 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:39.700 16 he will 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.400 have so many 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.140 children they 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:42.200 can't be 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.539 numbered. 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.720 So the 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.680 promise is 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.259 kept about 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.420 offspring yes 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.600 promise also 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:51.960 kept about 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.720 Ishmael. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.340 So we're just 00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:54.720 going through the 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.019 list. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.759 Every promise 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.420 God makes 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.720 he keeps. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.340 All the 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:00.940 loose ends 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.420 are being 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.100 tied up. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.660 Promise 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:04.120 about the 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.880 children kept 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.940 promise about 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.660 Ishmael 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.840 kept promise 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.640 not just about 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.320 Ishmael but 00:19:09.320 --> 00:19:10.240 now turn for 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.720 me for a 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.680 second promise 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.400 about the 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:12.840 land. 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.620 We saw a 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.039 hint of 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.759 this chapter 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:17.319 23 with 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:17.759 Sarah's 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.319 death now 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:18.699 it comes 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:19.399 again here 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:20.239 verses 9 00:19:20.239 --> 00:19:20.919 and 10. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:21.899 We get to 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:22.459 the burial 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:23.139 of Abraham 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.899 where is he 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:25.259 buried? 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:27.159 With Sarah 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:28.239 in the cave 00:19:28.239 --> 00:19:29.119 he purchased 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:30.619 in the land 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.199 God had 00:19:32.199 --> 00:19:32.719 promised. 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.599 Once again 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:37.500 we end 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.339 where we 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:38.799 started. 00:19:40.219 --> 00:19:40.639 Remember 00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.359 Genesis chapter 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.019 12 we had 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.099 the promise 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.379 great nation 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.439 we had the 00:19:45.439 --> 00:19:46.039 promise of 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.740 great blessing 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.799 we also had 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.419 the promise 00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.099 of land. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:49.819 In fact that 00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.559 came first. 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:51.759 Go from 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.500 your country 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:54.019 and your 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.579 kindred 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.919 and your 00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:56.539 father's 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:56.959 house 00:19:56.959 --> 00:19:58.000 to the 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.519 land 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.319 that I 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.379 will show 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:00.699 you. 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.099 And then the 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.939 land promise 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:04.139 just like all 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.500 the other 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.339 promises is 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.399 repeated over 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.059 and over 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.899 again in 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.559 Genesis chapter 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.659 13 and 15 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.459 and 17. 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:12.000 and here 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.299 at the 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:12.640 end 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.299 Abraham 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.500 is buried 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.240 in the 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.180 land God 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.860 promised 00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:18.840 to give 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.100 him. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.400 Promises 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:23.900 made 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:25.200 promises 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:26.340 kept. 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.900 God has 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.340 kept his 00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:29.900 promise 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.319 about children 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:32.840 that they 00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:33.279 would be 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.940 as many 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.460 as the 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:34.940 dust 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.660 and the 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.180 stars 00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.880 and the 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:37.160 sand. 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:39.320 God has 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:39.860 kept his 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:40.340 promises 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:40.960 about 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.560 Ishmael 00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:42.700 whom 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.519 Abraham 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.300 deeply 00:20:44.300 --> 00:20:44.800 loved. 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.860 God has 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:47.380 kept his 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.920 promise 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.100 about the 00:20:49.100 --> 00:20:49.440 land. 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.259 Everything 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.040 God 00:20:53.040 --> 00:20:53.720 said 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:55.140 he's done. 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.720 Every 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.259 promise 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.420 fulfilled. 00:21:01.380 --> 00:21:02.380 We've 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:02.700 talked about 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.160 the promise 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.480 of the 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.040 blessing 00:21:04.040 --> 00:21:05.180 to all 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:05.680 the nations 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.140 how that 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.880 overflows 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.460 to you 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:07.960 in Jesus 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.480 Christ. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.480 The promise 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:09.799 of the 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.240 land 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.080 also 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.660 comes 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.279 to you 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.140 Christian. 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:14.740 Jesus 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.080 in the 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:15.680 New Testament 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.480 expands 00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.200 the promise 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.600 of the 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:17.920 land 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.440 from this 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:18.920 one 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.460 specific 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.039 plot 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.740 to the 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.180 entire 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:21.680 earth. 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:22.600 That's 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:22.779 what he 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.120 teaches 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.340 in the 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:24.580 Sermon 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:24.799 on the 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.039 Mount 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.519 in Matthew 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.220 chapter 5 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.480 Jesus 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.259 says this 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.220 blessed 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.680 are the 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.120 meek 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.680 for they 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.279 shall 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.840 inherit 00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:32.880 the 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.320 earth. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.320 That's 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:36.460 the 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.740 Christian 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.160 promise 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.380 the 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:37.660 Christian 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.039 hope 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.660 that 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.180 heaven 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:40.560 is 00:21:40.560 --> 00:21:40.840 when 00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.539 God's 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.140 presence 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.920 fills 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.940 not just 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.080 the 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:44.440 promised 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:44.799 land 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.940 not just 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:46.640 Jerusalem 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.680 no the 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.060 entire 00:21:48.060 --> 00:21:48.539 world. 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.039 Promise 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.440 of land 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:51.920 to Abraham 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.060 is just 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:54.240 the beginning 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:56.160 and Abraham 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.039 himself 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.000 knew that. 00:21:59.420 --> 00:21:59.960 Even 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.360 Abraham 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:01.340 was looking 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:01.940 beyond 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.279 this 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:02.840 one 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:03.220 plot 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.400 of 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:03.860 land 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:06.620 to 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.100 something 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.220 larger 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.580 and 00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:08.920 greater. 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.160 Brit 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.480 read it 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:10.860 for us 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.059 this 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.299 morning. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:11.600 We 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:11.980 talked 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.259 about 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.400 it 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:12.720 before 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:12.860 in 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:13.000 our 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.299 series 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.440 on 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:13.759 Abraham. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.680 Hebrews 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.140 chapter 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:15.640 11. 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:15.880 This 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.160 is on 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.620 verse 2 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:16.980 of your 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.259 worship 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:17.600 guide. 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.400 Speaking 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:18.759 about 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.220 Abraham 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.720 verse 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.120 10. 00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:20.960 For 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.140 he 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:21.380 was 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.720 looking 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.180 forward 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:22.380 to 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:22.580 the 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:22.980 city 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.259 that 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.660 has 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.440 foundations 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.440 whose 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.140 designer 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:27.100 and 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:27.680 builder 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:29.080 is 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:30.160 God. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:33.580 mentioned 00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.019 to you 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.620 just a 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:34.920 few 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.220 minutes 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.600 ago 00:22:35.600 --> 00:22:36.559 the 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:36.880 north 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.480 stars 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:37.880 of the 00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.259 Christian 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.480 the 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.680 things 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:38.820 that 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:38.960 we 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.420 fix 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:39.620 our 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:39.920 eyes 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.200 on. 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.279 One 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.440 of 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:41.700 them 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.400 is 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:42.700 Jesus' 00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.059 death 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.200 and 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.640 resurrection. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.799 That's 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.600 a main 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:47.080 thing. 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.620 I wake 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:47.940 up every 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.279 morning. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.220 Has 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.680 Jesus 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.400 or has 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:50.799 he not 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.120 risen 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.360 from 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:51.500 the 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.700 dead? 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.559 If 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:54.700 he 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.180 has 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.580 everything 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.259 else 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.259 flows 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.539 from 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:58.820 that. 00:22:59.400 --> 00:22:59.660 But 00:22:59.660 --> 00:22:59.940 here's 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.340 another 00:23:00.340 --> 00:23:00.700 north 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.140 star 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:02.320 we 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:02.840 look 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.380 to 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:03.680 the 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.220 heavenly 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.960 city 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.540 to 00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:05.920 come. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.360 We 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:08.860 look 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.060 to 00:23:09.060 --> 00:23:09.259 the 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.720 future 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.000 that 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.400 God 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:10.660 is 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.100 preparing 00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:11.980 for 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.180 his 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.520 people. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.000 The 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.680 same 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.380 place 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.160 Abraham 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.200 looked. 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.440 Abraham's 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:18.700 hope 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.560 was more 00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:19.980 and 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.480 greater 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.220 than 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.720 one 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.320 plot 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:22.800 of 00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.100 land. 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.320 And 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:26.480 so 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.840 for us 00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.020 we 00:23:27.020 --> 00:23:27.259 look 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.800 beyond 00:23:27.800 --> 00:23:28.940 this 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.280 one 00:23:29.280 --> 00:23:29.820 story 00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:30.340 and 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:30.520 this 00:23:30.520 --> 00:23:30.780 one 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.120 man 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.119 we 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.699 look 00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.199 to 00:23:33.199 --> 00:23:33.379 the 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.939 same 00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:34.539 city 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.139 he 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.579 longed 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:35.879 for. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:37.539 Thankfully 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:37.739 we 00:23:37.739 --> 00:23:37.839 don't 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:37.979 have 00:23:37.979 --> 00:23:38.099 to 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.419 wonder 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:38.699 too 00:23:38.699 --> 00:23:38.919 much 00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:39.179 about 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:39.319 it 00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.539 because 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:39.899 God 00:23:39.899 --> 00:23:40.279 tells 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.639 us 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:43.000 there's 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.299 another 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.019 bookend. 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.339 The 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:45.459 Bible 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:46.039 begins 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.299 in 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:46.619 Genesis 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.039 in a 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.359 garden. 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:48.459 It 00:23:48.459 --> 00:23:48.899 ends 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.559 in this 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:49.839 city, 00:23:49.939 --> 00:23:50.279 the city 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.699 that Abraham 00:23:50.699 --> 00:23:51.039 looked 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:51.339 forward 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.659 to. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.000 The 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.159 book 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:53.279 of 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.719 Revelation 00:23:53.719 --> 00:23:54.259 tells 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.599 us 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.039 what 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.339 this 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.679 city 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.079 looks 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.379 like. 00:23:56.379 --> 00:23:56.599 This 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:56.759 is 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.199 Revelation 00:23:57.199 --> 00:23:57.699 chapter 00:23:57.699 --> 00:23:58.339 21. 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:28.319 verse 1. 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:34.939 behold, the dwelling place of God is with men. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:40.899 He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:47.740 and God himself will be with them as their God. 00:24:49.439 --> 00:24:53.859 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.519 and death shall be no more. 00:24:58.319 --> 00:25:04.980 Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:09.899 for the former things have passed away. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:17.220 What does it look like to follow God in faith? 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:25.819 Christian, it looks like remembering every day two things. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:34.939 It looks like remembering every day that Jesus Christ did in fact die and rise again from the dead. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:42.039 And that because of that, he will honor every single promise. 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:53.240 It also looks like remembering every single day exactly what your future will be. 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:59.279 And your future will be this, that God will dwell with you, 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:02.900 you will be his people, 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:08.039 and God himself will be with you as your God. 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:17.720 And your future, like Abraham's, involves God wiping away every tear from your eyes. 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:22.519 It looks like death being no more, 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:28.160 and it looks like no mourning, no crying, no pain, 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:32.579 for the former things have passed away. 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:40.720 That is what it looks like to follow God in faith. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:48.640 Promises made, promises kept. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:59.480 If you live with those two things as the horizon line of your life, 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:02.180 I promise you, 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:07.140 everything else will fall into place. 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:14.060 Those are the north stars of the Christian. 00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:20.640 Those are how we live life in focus and on mission. 00:27:22.300 --> 00:27:26.500 It's how we keep our lives in perspective. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:39.920 In the midst of those, of course, 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:42.140 Abraham actually dies. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.079 Verses 7 through 11. 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:48.299 We have been with Abraham on a journey. 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:50.880 We started with him in chapter 12. 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:53.200 We were told he was 75 years old. 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:57.500 In chapter 21, when Isaac is born, 00:27:57.860 --> 00:28:00.220 we're told he's 100 years old. 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:02.480 And now, verse 7, he's what? 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:05.740 175. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:11.980 Now, our focus has been really on like 40 to 50 of those years. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:15.420 Obviously, the story spans a full 100. 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:18.680 Reminds us again of what I told you last week. 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:23.200 All of us, at some point, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:25.759 will exit stage left. 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:29.160 All of us, at some point, 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:34.080 end our walk in this world. 00:28:37.880 --> 00:28:39.560 Following God in faith 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:46.039 looks like living with death in mind. 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:52.099 How do we keep our future front and center, 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:52.980 that new Jerusalem? 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.500 Well, we have to remember 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:58.819 that what we have here and now is temporary. 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:02.079 And we remember that 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:08.099 as and when we think about the day of our death. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:14.099 Christian, 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:19.159 are you ready to die? 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.919 Because, by the way, you will. 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:30.819 If you're not a Christian, 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:37.240 are you ready to die? 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:43.299 Or are you pretending, 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:45.960 living as if, 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:50.400 this life will continue forever? 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:55.940 Will you let your death, 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:58.259 which will happen, 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:02.500 shape your life today? 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:08.740 There's an old saying you may have heard 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.740 that goes like this, 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.720 only one life 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:14.059 will soon be passed. 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:18.079 Only what's done for Christ 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.720 will last. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:24.099 Another person puts it this way, 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:25.740 this is on the back of your worship guide. 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:29.319 When life ends or is about to end, 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:33.359 absolutely everything else comes into focus. 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:37.779 The things that don't really matter, 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:41.440 but which we gave so much time to, 00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:45.620 now seem so empty and pointless. 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:48.500 The lives we touched 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:51.119 and the generosity we showed 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:54.159 and the love we gave or received 00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:57.659 now mean so much more. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:31:03.980 At the end of a life of great faith, 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.700 Abraham died. 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:10.620 Christian, non-Christian, 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.560 you will too. 00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:16.600 Live like it. 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:28.099 In his fantasy series, 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.959 The Stormlight Archive, 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:33.339 Brandon Sanderson introduces us 00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:35.240 to a character named Terevangian. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:38.159 And Terevangian is a king 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:40.939 who has an unusual problem, 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:44.139 which is that his days flip 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.199 between two things. 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:47.420 Some days, 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:49.600 he is extremely intelligent. 00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.539 He's a genius. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:52.400 He's able to think at a level 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:54.799 that the rest of us can only imagine. 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.539 On other days, 00:31:57.940 --> 00:32:00.000 he's extremely compassionate. 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.960 He has an empathy 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.819 that we cannot imagine. 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.940 But those two things 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:08.480 are never true on the same day. 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.900 So the compassionate days, 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.860 he's not smart. 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.400 The smart days, 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.740 not so compassionate. 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:17.340 And so when he's very intelligent, 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:20.319 he realizes he has to prepare himself 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:22.080 for the days when he's not. 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:23.740 And so on the days 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.019 when he thinks clearly, 00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:26.880 when he really sees what matters, 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:29.259 he hurries to write down 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.900 what it is he needs to remember. 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.279 He writes this book 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:33.299 called The Diagram, 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:35.059 which is his plan 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:37.259 to save the world. 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:39.920 And then on the days 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:41.579 he can't think straight, 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:43.500 he comes back to it. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.619 Because it reminds him, 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:46.579 okay, 00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:48.220 when I was thinking clearly, 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:50.339 this is what I knew 00:32:50.339 --> 00:32:52.200 had to happen. 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.200 Now, 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.299 if you're familiar with the series, 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.539 you know Teravangian 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:57.400 has some ethical problems. 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.240 The point, 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.379 though, 00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:58.779 is this. 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.759 He thinks clearly 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:01.200 on some days, 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:03.460 his mind is muddled 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:04.880 on others. 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:08.319 What does it look like 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.980 to follow God in faith? 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.620 It looks like 00:33:12.620 --> 00:33:15.000 living with focus 00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.440 on what matters 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:18.700 more than anything else. 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:21.220 and on the days 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:23.279 that we see that clearly, 00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:25.059 we cling to it. 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:27.100 We write it down. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.840 We return to it 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:29.819 again and again. 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:31.080 And so that on the days 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:32.059 when we are filled 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.740 with doubt 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.500 and fear 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.539 and confusion, 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.980 we return 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:38.519 back to what is true. 00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:41.660 God has given us, 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.039 in a sense, 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.940 our own diagram, 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.279 the things that we need 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.340 to cling to 00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:48.939 more than anything else. 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.179 That as we're distracted 00:33:50.179 --> 00:33:50.919 in this world, 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:52.220 pulled in so many 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.099 different directions 00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:54.019 and loves 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.879 and affections, 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.859 we return 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:57.139 over and over again 00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:57.720 to the fact 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.299 that Jesus 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.439 has died 00:33:59.439 --> 00:34:00.419 and risen from the dead. 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:03.019 And we return 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.159 over and over 00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:05.139 that no matter 00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:06.599 what happens now, 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.779 we know 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:09.059 what will happen 00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.759 then. 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.840 That we will be 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.619 with God 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.860 forever 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.920 as our God. 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:20.280 all I have needed, 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:22.079 thy hand 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.820 have provided. 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.820 Great is thy 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:25.820 faithfulness, 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:26.700 Lord, 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.200 unto me. 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.800 Let's pray. 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:32.480 Our Father in heaven, 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:34.320 we praise you 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:36.280 and thank you again 00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:37.260 that you have not 00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:38.079 left us 00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:39.059 as orphans 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:40.119 in a merciless universe, 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:41.340 but you have come 00:34:41.340 --> 00:34:42.300 and spoken clearly 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:43.420 to us in your word 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:45.280 that you remind us 00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:46.539 of what matters. 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:48.519 We ask that you would 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:50.220 capture our hearts, 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.920 that we would look 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:54.860 at the right horizon line. 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.760 We would have 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:57.019 the correct north star, 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.940 that we would return 00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:58.840 again and again 00:34:58.840 --> 00:34:59.800 to Jesus 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.519 and his death 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.280 and his resurrection, 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.200 to the future 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:02.960 that you hold 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.220 for us in this world, 00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:05.700 that it would cause us 00:35:05.700 --> 00:35:06.659 to walk forward 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.260 in faith 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.780 and obedience 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.420 and love. 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.880 We ask these things 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.659 in the mighty name 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.539 of Jesus Christ. 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.139 Amen.