WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:19.699 We're back in Luke chapter 13 this morning, and I want us to jump right in at verse 10 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:28.719 of Luke 13, where King Jesus begins a show and tell, as it were, about His kingdom. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:36.060 He wants us to see some really awesome, challenging, hopeful things about His kingdom. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:40.039 And I'll give you some review and context as we go. 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:45.460 So verse 10, we're going to read the passage in pieces along the way this morning. 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:47.620 First, Jesus shows. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.060 This is the kingdom on display. 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:56.799 Now, He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, and there was a woman who had 00:00:56.799 --> 00:00:59.599 had a disabling spirit for 18 years. 00:01:00.179 --> 00:01:02.719 She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 00:01:03.820 --> 00:01:08.759 And when Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, woman, you are freed from 00:01:08.759 --> 00:01:09.539 your disability. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:16.939 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:22.159 Here's Luke again calling us to Jesus, right? 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:25.179 Calling our attention to focus on Him. 00:01:25.239 --> 00:01:29.879 He wants us to take in for just a minute the marvel of who Jesus is. 00:01:30.579 --> 00:01:34.939 Jesus is the one bringing God's kingdom to us in powerful ways. 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:36.539 So here He is. 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:40.159 He's in church one morning, and He's teaching. 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:43.079 So He's the center of attention. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:49.780 All eyes are on Him, but His eyes are on a woman no one else seems to notice. 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:52.759 He calls her up. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:56.879 He brings the overlooked woman up front with Him, and what happens? 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:01.379 He heals her right there in front of everybody. 00:02:01.699 --> 00:02:08.419 He sets her free from a disability that she's had 18 years as a result of Satan's oppression. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:11.780 Now, it's not casting a demon out. 00:02:11.859 --> 00:02:13.439 This is not demonic possession. 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:21.259 But Jesus makes it clear later that this is a quick and clear and powerful victory over 00:02:21.259 --> 00:02:23.239 Satan in the sight of everybody. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:30.159 Here Jesus is in what will actually be the final synagogue appearance that He makes in 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:31.279 the Gospel of Luke. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:38.319 And as He's there, He recalls what He said in His first time in the synagogue in Luke 4, 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:41.979 that He comes to set captives free. 00:02:42.520 --> 00:02:43.960 This is what He's doing, right? 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.800 This woman is freed, freed from her oppression. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:53.840 And as we've seen Jesus do over and over, He doesn't merely set her free, but He restores 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:54.719 her in community. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:03:01.639 He brings her up, welcomes the outsider in, into His kingdom community. 00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:03.479 He touches her. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:12.400 He brings her visibly into a place of prominence to everybody's attention, right in front of 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:16.680 those who'd stopped noticing her after 18 years. 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:21.539 Jesus is showing us His kingdom and what it looks like. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:29.719 And it's so important for us to see this morning that it's King Jesus' power over Satan and 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:35.079 the kingdom of evil that is what we are celebrating whenever the kingdom advances, right? 00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:42.139 He is the source of that growth, that victory, whenever it happens. 00:03:43.519 --> 00:03:47.840 But notice also that this powerful healing happens when? 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:47.879 Amen. 00:03:48.780 --> 00:03:50.259 On the Sabbath day. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:57.500 Last week as we arrived at this passage, Ron so helpfully reminded us of a biblical perspective 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:01.400 on the Sabbath as a gift to us. 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:08.659 God's gift to us that among other things we would celebrate God's redemption so that our 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:16.840 hearts, our minds, our bodies could truly rest in Jesus and in our Father's good care for us. 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:24.859 So here particularly, Jesus is highlighting the value of kingdom activity on the Sabbath. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:32.279 When you engage in kingdom advancing activity with a heart for the King, you celebrate the 00:04:32.279 --> 00:04:35.659 Sabbath and the Lord of the Sabbath, the King Himself. 00:04:37.239 --> 00:04:39.479 See, the Sabbath, we sometimes get confused. 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:47.560 It's not so much for focusing on all the things you must avoid doing, but rather here for focusing 00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:52.140 on all the things you can enjoy doing to celebrate the King. 00:04:53.140 --> 00:04:59.259 Of course, public worship must be a big part of that, but there are so many other things that 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:05.379 demonstrate and remind us of our trust in the power of King Jesus, that it's about Him and not 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:13.000 about a dependence on ourselves, like freeing someone from bondage, praying for those who 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:18.159 are hurting, visiting those who are lonely, caring for those who are needy. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:19.879 You could go on and on. 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:26.060 Have you thought intentionally about your Sundays in that light, not just the things I can't do? 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:32.439 What are the ways I can enjoy celebrating rest and trust in Jesus? 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:38.699 What could a day that points you to deep rest in Jesus because you are sharing His power 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:42.959 and joy in His kingdom with others, what could that look like? 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:47.560 Talk about that with your family or with your small group. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:50.439 Those are really fun, rich conversations. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:59.620 But back to this story, here's this miraculously healed woman now standing straight up front with 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:00.000 Jesus. 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:07.280 And after 18 years, it seems just obvious that kingdom celebration is going to erupt now, right? 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:09.259 This is the time. 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:11.899 We're all going to rejoice in what's happened. 00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:20.660 But our hearts are so bent towards ourselves, we often miss the kingdom when it's right in front 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:21.079 of us. 00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:27.399 That's why I said even kingdom advancing activity with a heart for the king. 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:33.300 Because our hearts are what's really at issue on the Sabbath and all the time. 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:40.839 And even when we're doing kingdom advancing things, good things, we can get our hearts focused on 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:44.240 ourselves and so miss the kingdom. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:47.639 It's exactly what happens in this story. 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:49.419 Verse 14. 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:56.180 But the ruler of the synagogue, the guy who was in charge of the service, indignant because 00:06:56.180 --> 00:07:01.720 Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, there are six days in which work ought 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:02.400 to be done. 00:07:02.700 --> 00:07:06.460 Come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:14.680 Then the Lord answered him, you hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:17.480 or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:23.900 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for 18 years, be loosed from 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:25.480 this bond on the Sabbath day? 00:07:27.020 --> 00:07:31.420 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame and all the people rejoiced 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:35.400 at all the glorious things that were done by him. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:42.580 Some of them realize here is a Sabbath opportunity to celebrate God's redemptive work if ever there 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:46.659 was one right here delivered to us at our worship service this morning. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.539 But the pastor misses it. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:53.939 It's a reminder that I need your help. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:08:02.219 A member of his flock healed, set free after 18 years of bondage. 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:03.719 And what does he do? 00:08:03.919 --> 00:08:07.519 He rebukes her rather than rejoicing with her. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:09.439 Come get healed on another day. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:19.639 The Messiah King himself is in his synagogue and he's hung up on himself. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.699 Stop for a second and ask ourselves, could we be like him? 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:31.459 I mean the vision of Southwood is to advance the kingdom of God. 00:08:32.079 --> 00:08:34.199 It's all about him and his kingdom. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:36.820 That's what we want to see happen, what we want to be a part of. 00:08:38.860 --> 00:08:42.020 I bet that was the desire of the synagogue ruler too. 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:46.840 He might have liked that vision to see the kingdom of God advance. 00:08:47.160 --> 00:08:54.080 And yet the kingdom advances right under his nose in great power and he misses it. 00:08:56.040 --> 00:08:56.500 Why? 00:08:57.920 --> 00:09:00.540 How do we miss the kingdom? 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:06.959 Well, one way is by clinging to self-promoting religiosity. 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:13.659 Ron mentioned this last week as a consistent issue that the religious leaders had with the Sabbath. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:17.740 This ruler is obsessing over extra-biblical restrictions. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:20.439 Things that you couldn't do on the Sabbath. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:23.319 Not God's law as Jesus will point out. 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:29.480 He's doing it in an effort to keep himself important and at the center of attention. 00:09:30.020 --> 00:09:32.860 Self-promoting religiosity. 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:41.140 He's missing out on the celebration, the joy of the kingdom because he's too focused on himself. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:50.539 Can I imagine God seems to be really working in a church across town and great things are happening, 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:54.179 but their theology is worse than mine. 00:09:55.819 --> 00:10:00.539 So I'll just focus on that and critique rather than celebrate. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:05.099 Not that I've ever done anything like that. 00:10:05.579 --> 00:10:14.240 Not that your heart would ever be so focused on yourself that you wouldn't be able to rejoice with God working in another place. 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:21.120 Listen, if our Sabbath keeping, if our theology of baptism, 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:29.960 if our godly parenting is resulting in us feeling better than others, 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:36.639 then it's causing us to miss the kingdom and the king. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:46.820 If we think we're better than other people because of something we know, 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:49.740 something we've done, something we believe, 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:53.799 then we're actually missing the kingdom and the king like the synagogue ruler. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:11:00.980 But notice as Jesus responds to him that others in the room have followed their leader and missed the kingdom. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:07.519 You hypocrites, Jesus says, and he continues to address them in the plural. 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:08.960 It's not just the one guy. 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:11.220 There's a lot of people who are nodding their heads with him, right? 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:17.340 They're supporting the blind leader rather than rejoicing with their healed sister. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:23.580 We miss the kingdom when we overlook the seemingly insignificant. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:28.379 Only the important people can advance God's kingdom, we think. 00:11:29.160 --> 00:11:35.840 Only the wealthy, only the public speakers, only those with position and influence. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:45.540 It's this complex we can get after the national championship game when Tua stands in front of a microphone and says, 00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:48.100 I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:49.940 And we think, yes! 00:11:50.940 --> 00:11:52.920 There goes the kingdom advancing. 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:59.620 That's good, but stop and think what we could be doing. 00:11:59.959 --> 00:12:05.759 Now if I'm a young person, now to be a significant part of God's kingdom advancing, 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:09.939 to be something people are really excited about and really see the kingdom moving forward, 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:15.639 not only do I have to love Jesus deeply and share him passionately with others, that's not enough. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:19.919 Now I have to be a quarterback who wins a national championship and does it on TV. 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.919 No! 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.339 No! 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:26.959 That's not what it takes. 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:29.599 That's not required. 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:33.339 We miss the kingdom advancing through the seemingly insignificant. 00:12:34.079 --> 00:12:35.959 And Jesus is going to bring us back to this. 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:40.699 But one last way we can miss the kingdom that I see here, 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:45.360 and that's by assuming that some brokenness is beyond help. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:51.419 Why had all these people not been noticing the woman that Jesus noticed? 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:59.399 I don't know for sure, but perhaps after 18 years they gave up hope that she could be healed. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:03.899 They'd just gotten used to the brokenness around them every day. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.659 It's easy to do, isn't it? 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:11.379 Well, the kingdom of God is not working here, I guess. 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.240 You ever thought that? 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:17.440 Jesus says she's a daughter of Abraham, 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:25.259 which may be an indication of how he comes to set all of Israel free from their bondage and their hopelessness. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:30.399 Do you give up on some people in your life? 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:37.220 Do you get discouraged about the kingdom of God as a whole when you look around at our culture? 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:45.540 No one, no one is beyond the reach of Jesus, 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:49.200 of the king and his transformative power. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:52.240 God's kingdom is still advancing. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:58.300 Sometimes it's easy to believe the narrative that the next generation of Americans are leaving the faith, 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:02.840 caught up in secular intellectualism on college campuses. 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:10.800 And then you realize how many UAH rocket scientists are sitting just in this section of this sanctuary almost every Sunday. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.460 We're so glad y'all are here. 00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:18.019 Then I talked to my sister at Washington University in St. Louis where she works on campus 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:20.320 with some of the brightest students from around the world 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:25.519 and says they're coming to know Jesus and worship him in larger numbers than they've ever had before 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:27.280 and getting connected to the church there. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:35.159 Chase Dawes represents this congregation on the campus of UC Berkeley in California. 00:14:35.939 --> 00:14:41.439 And he reports that the kingdom of God is advancing even there, even in California. 00:14:42.459 --> 00:14:47.480 Among those students that we'd rather make fun of when we see them on the news and say that's what they're all like. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.600 No, the kingdom is advancing. 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:58.899 But we know that true biblical Christianity also struggles in our country in many ways. 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.120 Sometimes we lose hope. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:05.080 We lose hope because we forget what we get to see next weekend. 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:06.620 Y'all, please don't miss next weekend. 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.259 It's going to be so exciting. 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:12.540 Don't forget what God is doing around the world. 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:20.779 In the global south, in Peru and India and other places, the church of Jesus Christ is exploding. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:24.959 We're going to hear about that from people who are over there. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.099 Don't miss that. 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:30.099 See, this is what Jesus wants to make sure that we don't miss. 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:32.740 We're about seeing his kingdom advance. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.759 It's what we want all of our lives to be about. 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:38.459 And so he wants us to know what it looks like so that we don't miss it. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:45.600 He wants us to join in the celebration, the joy of the kingdom, not miss what's going on. 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:53.360 He wants that for his disciples and the people at church on this morning where he heals this woman and rebukes the synagogue rulers. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:16:00.480 So having shown them the kingdom but knowing they're still confused, he now tells them about it. 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:07.240 He tells two short parables to help explain what's going on in his kingdom. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:09.279 He's explaining it to them. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:10.560 He's explaining it to us. 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.740 Verse 18. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:17.899 I don't know for sure if the woman's still standing there but it seems like maybe she is. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:20.600 There's a therefore connecting these parables. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:23.940 It sounds like Jesus is continuing his teaching there up front. 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:27.560 He said, therefore, what is the kingdom of God like? 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.820 And to what shall I compare it? 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:39.120 It's like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden and it grew and became a tree and the birds of the air made nests in its branches. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:43.379 And again he said, to what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:50.640 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until it was all leavened. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:55.760 Jesus stopped his sermon to heal the woman but I don't think he was through teaching. 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:58.700 He says, let me help you all out. 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.779 I want you to understand what's going on here right in front of you. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.240 Let me tell you about my kingdom. 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:06.119 It's so important that I don't want you to miss this. 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:16.079 Both these parables contrast small, humble beginnings with big, glorious growth. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.180 That's what they're teaching us. 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:21.240 First, that the kingdom will grow. 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:27.620 That the power of Jesus that claims victory over Satan will transform people and places. 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:28.960 It can't be stopped. 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:34.900 The kingdom, like the tiny mustard seed, grows into a full tree. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:37.299 Probably a tree about 10 to 12 feet tall. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:40.519 But it's not just about the size of the tree, is it? 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.900 But also its impact. 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:46.140 The birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:51.780 It's an Old Testament image of the nations benefiting from the flourishing of God's kingdom. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:57.300 And coming in to find refuge and rest in that kingdom. 00:17:58.580 --> 00:18:03.320 Remember, Luke is telling us of good news, of great joy for all people. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:07.180 When this kingdom comes, it's going to bless the nations. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:12.500 They're going to be gathered in and find that joy and rest. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:20.359 And similarly, the little bit of yeast works its way through dough and transforms mere dough into bread. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:27.960 The transformative power of Jesus produces growth and change where agents of his kingdom, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:33.740 little beacons of kingdom light and hope, infiltrate society. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:42.259 And families, neighborhoods, workplaces, cities begin to look different and feel different. 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:47.660 And they're never the same because the power of the king is incredible and unstoppable. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.940 And it shows up and works. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:56.279 And then notice especially what Jesus doesn't want us to miss about his kingdom. 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.480 Yes, it will grow. 00:18:58.259 --> 00:19:01.200 And you can be hopeful and encouraged because of that. 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:06.559 But don't miss that this amazingly transformative power, 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:09.779 this unstoppable kingdom advance, 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:14.879 often comes through the apparently insignificant or overlooked. 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:19.720 When people in Jesus' day heard mustard seed, 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:21.619 they thought small. 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:29.500 And from the amount of mustard seed and yeast that I could hold between my fingers, 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:35.879 Jesus says comes a big tree and bread to feed, 00:19:35.939 --> 00:19:38.419 a hundred more loaves of bread. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:41.199 It's what's described in this parable. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:46.139 The kingdom you should be on the lookout for will not usually look impressive. 00:19:47.419 --> 00:19:49.279 You may be tempted to overlook it. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:53.259 The numbers may not be initially impressive when you hear about it. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:58.200 It may come through people and in places that appear insignificant. 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:05.279 But Jesus says my power shows up and makes the insignificant eternally significant. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:09.399 The king shows up and brings the neglected into the spotlight. 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:13.059 Jesus brings his kingdom power to bear 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:17.680 and your mundane and normal becomes supernatural. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:24.180 Where do things feel small in your life? 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:29.399 Where have you lost the joy of kingdom celebration? 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:35.559 Where have you concluded what you're doing or who you are is insignificant? 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:39.980 Jesus wants to give you kingdom eyes to see, 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:44.839 to believe his power is working in big, significant ways. 00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:46.200 Because remember, it's about his power. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:48.759 That's the one at work when the kingdom advances. 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:54.240 Maybe for you it's as you talk month after month 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:57.579 with one single mom from Jobs for Life 00:20:57.579 --> 00:21:04.919 and you struggle to see the generations who will be impacted by the gospel 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:10.159 through your small, inconsistent presence in her life. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:13.199 Because the king's power is great. 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:18.159 Maybe it's when you lead in a church or ministry 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:21.480 that's smaller than what you're used to. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:25.680 In a smaller city than you're used to. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:28.480 And you think, am I really making a difference 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.099 if the numbers are small, 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:32.180 if there aren't as many people in the room? 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.779 And God's power is big 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:37.819 and multiplies those for his kingdom. 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.900 Maybe it's when you used to work 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:44.700 in an important position for a big company 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:46.180 and you felt like you had a purpose 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:48.680 and now you're just stuck at home. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.799 You're nap trapped a lot of days. 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:54.440 Sometimes you smell like diapers. 00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:58.460 And God's power says, 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.640 watch me do big things 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:02.680 through small faithfulness. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.059 Maybe it's a season of life 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:08.360 where you can't get out and about much anymore 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:10.160 and all you can do is pray. 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.059 Maybe it's a morning with you and two kids 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.039 in the nursery room. 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:17.599 Maybe it's a job every day, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.659 day after day, 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:21.299 with no funding and no deep purpose 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.819 and no sense that this project 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:24.460 is ever gonna be used for anything. 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:29.039 And Jesus is showing up this morning 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.899 to tap you on the shoulder 00:22:30.899 --> 00:22:32.659 and whisper, 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.359 mustard seed. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:36.839 Leaven. 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.759 Trust me. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.419 Trust my power. 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:44.500 When I show up with people 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.700 others have overlooked 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.019 or deemed insignificant, 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:49.220 do you see how big things happen? 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.240 Will you trust me 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.860 that as you bring me with you 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.580 where I've placed you every day, 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.800 I can handle how important you are 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:58.920 and the things you do are? 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.860 I've got that. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:05.400 One person at a time. 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:08.460 One day at a time. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.720 Francis Schaeffer said, 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.940 there are no little people 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:13.120 or little places. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.940 That's how the kingdom advances. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.319 One person, 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.900 one day at a time 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.700 and it's because 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:21.160 the king's power 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.299 is so great. 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.920 He's the one who heals. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.700 That's why in undeveloped 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.100 Peruvian mountain regions 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:28.920 and remote Indian villages 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:30.079 without electricity, 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:32.500 the king's power explodes 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:35.100 and people are never the same. 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:37.219 That's why as we seek 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:38.419 to advance God's kingdom, 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:40.259 we expect to find ourselves 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.679 in the midst of the least 00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.819 and the lost, 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.759 the littlest, 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.439 the lonely 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:45.439 and the left out 00:23:45.439 --> 00:23:46.439 because that's where 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:48.439 King Jesus shows up powerfully. 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.839 That's who's standing with him 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.740 at the front of the church. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.759 That's how he works. 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:54.199 That's where his kingdom power 00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:55.019 comes to bear. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.079 He's always been like this 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.879 in building his kingdom, 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.419 hasn't he? 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:01.660 I love how British pastor 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:03.240 J.C. Ryle says it. 00:24:03.300 --> 00:24:04.019 He writes this, 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:06.160 Christianity is a religion 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.620 which at first seems 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.880 so feeble and helpless 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.660 and powerless 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:11.240 that it could not live. 00:24:12.060 --> 00:24:12.900 Its first founder 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.240 was one who was poor 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.240 in this world 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.580 and he ended his life 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.600 by dying the death 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.480 of a malefactor 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.380 on the cross. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.720 Its first adherents 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.600 were a little company 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.560 whose number probably 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:24.779 did not exceed a thousand 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.660 when the Lord Jesus 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.640 left this world. 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:28.640 Its first preachers 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.560 were a few fishermen 00:24:29.560 --> 00:24:30.420 and publicans 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.660 who were most of them 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:33.140 unlearned and ignorant men. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.980 Its first starting point 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.120 was a despised corner 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.360 of the earth called Judea, 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:39.660 a petty tributary province 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:41.700 of the vast empire of Rome. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.180 Its first doctrine 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.520 was imminently calculated 00:24:44.520 --> 00:24:45.800 to call forth 00:24:45.800 --> 00:24:46.700 the enmity 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:48.100 of the natural heart. 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.240 Christ crucified 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:51.259 was to the Jews 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.420 a stumbling block 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.700 and to the Greeks 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.020 foolishness. 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:56.620 Its first movement 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.279 brought down 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.879 on its friends 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.619 persecution 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.779 from all quarters. 00:25:00.739 --> 00:25:01.239 Pharisees 00:25:01.239 --> 00:25:02.099 and Sadducees 00:25:02.099 --> 00:25:02.679 and Jews 00:25:02.679 --> 00:25:03.639 and Gentiles, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.139 ignorant idolaters 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:07.079 and self-conceited philosophers 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.319 all agreed 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.839 in hating 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:10.139 and opposing Christianity. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.239 It was a sect 00:25:11.239 --> 00:25:12.819 everywhere spoken against. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.339 These are no empty assertions. 00:25:15.479 --> 00:25:16.939 They're simple historical facts 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:18.179 which no one can deny. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.000 If ever 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.259 there was a religion 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.659 that was a little grain 00:25:22.659 --> 00:25:23.319 of seed 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.379 at its beginning, 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:26.060 that religion 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:27.120 was the gospel. 00:25:28.040 --> 00:25:29.180 But the progress 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.120 of the gospel 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.820 is great 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:32.300 and steady 00:25:32.300 --> 00:25:34.060 and continuous. 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.800 Great 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:37.540 gospel progress 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:39.560 from a little grain 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:41.180 of a seed. 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.020 That's the story 00:25:42.020 --> 00:25:42.940 of Jesus, right? 00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:45.140 Bear with me 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:45.860 just a couple minutes 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:47.280 while I take that story 00:25:47.280 --> 00:25:48.060 back even further. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.800 The beauty of this 00:25:49.800 --> 00:25:50.420 and the way that 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:52.040 God has always been 00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.900 building his kingdom, 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.920 I'm not going to mention 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.800 every place in the story 00:25:55.800 --> 00:25:56.860 where the insignificant 00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:58.240 becomes significant 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.000 but consider these 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.320 and be encouraged 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:02.420 by some of these chapters 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.220 in the story. 00:26:03.320 --> 00:26:03.880 I think you're going to 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.640 hear yourself 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.820 in some of these. 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.320 God starts building 00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:09.240 his kingdom, 00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:09.740 his people 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.400 in many ways 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.180 with Abraham. 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.900 An old man 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.220 passed his prime 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:17.960 in a rocky marriage. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.440 There's a young woman 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.340 named Leah 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.600 in a chapter 00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.700 shortly after that 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.500 who is rejected 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.320 by everyone. 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.400 She's neglected 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.400 by her husband 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.700 after he's tricked 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.820 into marrying her 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:31.660 because he wouldn't 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.400 have otherwise. 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.700 And yet, 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.720 God chose her. 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.240 God chooses her 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:39.380 to be in the line 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.820 of the Messiah King, 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.440 to be blessed by him 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.660 when she was cursed 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:45.019 by everyone else. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:48.240 You may think of David 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.960 as a mighty king 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:51.259 but he was a young, 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.359 scrawny, 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.660 shepherd boy 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:55.099 that even Samuel, 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.000 when he comes, 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.339 never thought God 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.920 would have his eye on 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.839 to be the king. 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:02.200 But God gets David's heart 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.079 and the kingdom 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.500 moves forward in power. 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:08.180 There's an unnamed 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:10.359 Jewish servant girl, 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:11.779 captured, 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.940 mistreated, 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.119 torn from her family 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:16.460 by an invading army 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:18.740 and she becomes a servant 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.319 to a Syrian general. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.599 Easy for her to decide, 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:25.579 forget it with this God. 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:27.019 Who is he? 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:28.579 Why would I trust him? 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:29.799 But instead of turning 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.559 from God, 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.879 she brings the hope 00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:33.079 and healing of Yahweh 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:34.099 to the nations 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:36.740 by telling this Syrian general 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.399 named Naaman 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:38.920 where he can find a cure 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.859 for his leprosy 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:41.680 from Yahweh. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:44.619 And of course, 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.279 you know the young 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.000 single girl 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:47.180 from Nazareth, 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.879 nowhere town, 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.960 who became pregnant, 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.420 nearly found herself 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.180 put aside 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.399 by even the man 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.019 who loved her, 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:57.399 who simply says 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.420 she will trust God 00:27:58.420 --> 00:28:00.259 and becomes the mother 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.839 of the Son of God. 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:04.099 And it's ultimately 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:05.220 that child, isn't it? 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:07.099 Who himself is born 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.740 in a stable 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.980 in middle of nowhere, 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.740 Bethlehem, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.940 and grows up 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.140 as a son of a carpenter? 00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.960 It's that child 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.019 through whom God does 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:16.480 the most significant thing 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.359 that has ever happened 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.579 in the history of the world. 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.859 It's through him. 00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:23.240 God does that most significant thing 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.019 through someone 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.359 no one else would have seen 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:26.500 as significant. 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.480 Ryle is right. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:30.240 He was rejected by the world, 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:32.000 hung on a cross to die, 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.599 and in that moment, 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:36.460 at his lowest seeming point 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.640 of insignificance, 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.119 he actually conquers 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:40.180 and brings the power 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.819 of his kingdom 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.900 to its fullness. 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.819 In that very moment, 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.880 it's that king, 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.539 it's that Jesus 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:49.420 who wants us to slow down 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.019 this morning 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.339 and come back 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.039 to a woman 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:53.339 bent over 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.660 for 18 years, 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.839 looked over 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:59.099 by everyone else, 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:01.139 and realized 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.079 she's a daughter 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.299 of Abraham. 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:05.879 She's yet another character 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:07.039 in that great story 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.859 that God started 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.839 in many ways 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.059 with insignificant 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.879 nobody, 00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:11.599 Abraham. 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.899 She's insignificant 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.719 to many, 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.500 but a perfect place 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.679 for the power 00:29:18.679 --> 00:29:19.339 of Jesus 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.679 to transform 00:29:20.679 --> 00:29:22.079 and demonstrate 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:23.599 his kingdom. 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:27.099 you're like her. 00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:30.399 Do you know 00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:31.159 what it feels like 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.859 to be invisible 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:33.139 to everyone else, 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.819 but noticed 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:36.459 and adored 00:29:36.459 --> 00:29:37.899 by Jesus? 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:40.039 Do you see 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.839 how his power 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.019 over sin 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.899 and death 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.599 and Satan 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.839 brings hope 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:47.939 into every hopeless situation 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:49.259 that it's so great 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.659 you could never give up 00:29:50.659 --> 00:29:51.379 that the kingdom 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.359 might show up there? 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:54.579 can you believe 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:56.559 that this powerful king 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.919 goes with you 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:59.459 into every moment 00:29:59.459 --> 00:30:00.579 of every day 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.799 and every situation 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.000 to transform 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:05.879 your mundane place, 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.819 to make it 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:08.639 eternally significant 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:10.759 because of his power, 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:11.939 for the sake 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:13.399 of his kingdom, 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:15.539 even when you can't see it? 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.439 Can you believe 00:30:16.439 --> 00:30:17.199 he goes with you 00:30:17.199 --> 00:30:17.639 like that? 00:30:18.219 --> 00:30:19.299 This is our king. 00:30:21.199 --> 00:30:21.979 Let's pray. 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:24.779 King Jesus, 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.639 we worship you. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.059 We thank you 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.799 that you would 00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:32.099 love 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:35.819 and dwell in 00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:37.899 and work through 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:40.179 even very 00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:41.779 ordinary 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:43.099 insignificant 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:45.379 people like us 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:46.319 who a lot of times 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.699 fail, 00:30:48.699 --> 00:30:49.539 who sometimes 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.079 even miss 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.759 what you're doing 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.660 in our lives, 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:55.000 that you keep 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.559 forgiving, 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.460 you keep 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.259 bearing with us 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.059 and you keep 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.019 bringing your power 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.339 in great ways. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:01.740 Jesus, 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.759 give us hope 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.960 that we might 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:05.259 live for your kingdom 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:08.339 because we love you 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:10.240 and because we trust 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.740 your power 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.440 to be at work. 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.039 Show up in ways 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:14.019 that we don't expect, 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.839 even this week, 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:17.459 and help us 00:31:17.459 --> 00:31:18.139 to trust you 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.199 and see you 00:31:19.199 --> 00:31:19.759 as great. 00:31:20.679 --> 00:31:21.240 We ask it 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.740 in your name. 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.539 Amen. 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:22.639 Amen. 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.919 For more information, 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.220 visit us online 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.500 at southwood.org.