WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 Let's bow our heads in prayer. 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:10.720 Father, you, you know, sometimes, Father, we can forget that we're saved by grace alone, 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:16.000 through faith alone, and Christ alone, and sometimes we can think it's just about rules 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:22.780 and doing this and doing that, and we can just forget, we can forget, Father, that your 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:27.600 Son has died for us, that he loves us, that you love us, that you want us to pour out 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:32.460 our hearts to you, that it's about having a relationship with you that changes you, and 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:37.160 I mean, not changes you, changes us and brings you glory, and so, Father, we ask that your 00:00:37.160 --> 00:00:43.900 Holy Spirit would give us a fresh appreciation for the intimate relationship you desire to 00:00:43.900 --> 00:00:49.780 have with us, and the intimate relationship you desire your churches, our church, to have 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:55.799 with you, and so we ask, Father, that your Holy Spirit would do this gentle but deep work 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:00.679 in our hearts that we might grow in these things, and we ask this in the name of Jesus, 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:01.919 your Son and our Savior. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:03.179 Amen. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:04.979 Please be seated. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:17.459 So, four or five years ago, some of you have heard this story before, four or five years 00:01:17.459 --> 00:01:24.280 ago, I think Louise's, my wife's birthday is in early January, and four or five years ago, 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:31.159 I think her birthday fell on a Tuesday night, so we have a tradition that we want to try 00:01:31.159 --> 00:01:34.879 to have as much of the family to come around to help celebrate, you know, honour the person 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:40.040 whose birthday it is, and celebrate that, and, you know, give gifts, and so because Louise's 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:45.379 actual birthday was on, I think it was a Tuesday night, we had the family thing on the weekend, 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:49.879 but it comes to Tuesday night, and it sort of feels funny to do nothing at all on her 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:52.619 actual birthday, like that just sort of feels like a bit wrong. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:58.500 So we decided that the two who still lived at home with us, and Louise and I, we'd go 00:01:58.500 --> 00:01:59.099 out for supper. 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:03.840 So, you know, we get all ready, pick a restaurant, and we go to the restaurant, and I'm going to 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:06.560 get some of these details probably wrong, but you're going to get the gist of it. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:09.859 We go to the restaurant that we've chosen, and the restaurant we've chosen isn't open, 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:13.980 because the staff is having their Christmas party that night. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:17.900 And I think we try another restaurant, and there's something similar going on. 00:02:17.940 --> 00:02:21.980 Then we're having a quick discussion about where we want to go, and Louise has a very 00:02:21.980 --> 00:02:28.720 clear idea about where she'd like us to go, but I know better not. 00:02:29.640 --> 00:02:36.860 Now, the place that Louise wanted to go was inexpensive, and I wanted to spend more money 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:37.220 than that. 00:02:37.219 --> 00:02:43.439 Now, listen, one of the things I need you to understand, I am not trying to justify myself. 00:02:45.139 --> 00:02:46.599 What I did was wrong. 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:49.319 Like, what I did was wrong. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:50.639 I didn't listen to my wife. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:56.259 And you can listen to the different ways that I was wrong, but I don't want it to sound 00:02:56.259 --> 00:02:57.800 as if I'm trying to justify myself. 00:02:57.879 --> 00:02:59.099 I'm not justifying myself. 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:05.139 And then we had a miserable evening, and we had a miserable evening because of me, and 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:06.259 I wouldn't listen to my wife. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:17.900 Now, this story helps us to understand what's going on in this scripture text, which to us, 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:23.939 when we just read it, looks very perplexing and very hard to appreciate and very hard to 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:24.520 understand. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:29.920 So it would be a great help to me if you would get your Bibles out and turn with me to Ezra 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:31.260 chapter 3, verse 1. 00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:35.879 And I mean, we will always have the words on the screen, but there is something about having 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:39.860 a Bible of your own and being able to look around, look at the verses before and after, 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:46.280 and it just helped to make the story more your own if you, in fact, can look at it yourself. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:52.060 And those of you who have tried to read the book of Ezra understand what I mean by saying 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:54.580 this is a book which is very hard to get into. 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:58.979 It's all weird names doing odd things and doesn't seem to relate to us. 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:04.599 But that story I had about Louise and myself celebrating the birthday will help us at a 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:09.479 very deep level to see why this is actually a very profound and helpful text and actually 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:11.599 speaks about the deep yearnings of our heart. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:16.040 So chapter 3, verse 1, here's how it begins. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:26.180 So just what's happened in terms of the context of the book is in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar destroys, 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:35.500 defeats Israel and Judah, destroys the city, takes the king away blinded into captivity, kills 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:39.199 the high priest, takes almost everybody into captivity. 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:47.319 The city is in ruins, the temple is in ruins, the holy things are gone, and looks as if 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:48.339 almost Israel is over. 00:04:48.459 --> 00:04:53.639 But a prophet by the name of Jeremiah prophesied that 70 years from now that even though they'd 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:55.699 been very sinful that God would bring them back. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:05:03.560 And God, one of the big themes of the book actually is how God uses pagan emperors to actually 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:04.620 accomplish his will. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:12.800 The Assyrians eventually get defeated and Cyrus, the first Persian king, becomes the new emperor 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:13.860 of a mighty empire. 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:18.340 And some of you might not know this, but up until not that many years ago, Iran was called 00:05:18.340 --> 00:05:18.800 Persia. 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:23.680 So imagine this is God doing something through the Ayatollah. 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:26.600 That's how crazy this is. 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:33.220 If all of a sudden the Ayatollah of Iran made a decision like this. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:36.200 That's the shocking thing about the story. 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:43.000 So all of a sudden, Cyrus makes this decision that the Jewish people who want it can return 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:45.000 to the ruins of their homeland. 00:05:47.400 --> 00:05:51.240 They, I mean, he might not think many want to go because who would want to leave civilization? 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:58.120 Who would want to leave all of the economic prosperity and safety and protection of living 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:04.180 at the center of the empire to go to these outlying area where there is just ruins and who knows 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:06.699 what wild and outlaw type things are going on there. 00:06:07.220 --> 00:06:11.699 But he makes a decree that they can go back and he even gives money and other types of things. 00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:14.439 And that's what we see in chapter one and chapter two. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:20.019 And so this is taking place about five hundred and three, about three years, two to three 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:21.860 years after Cyrus's decree. 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:22.839 They've come back. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:27.660 They've got their homes at least sorted out enough so that they have a roof over their 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:27.939 head. 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:31.420 And our story keeps up with chapter three, verse one. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:37.300 And when the seventh month came and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:39.639 as one man to Jerusalem. 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:47.139 Then arose Yeshua, the son of Jostak, and with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel, the son 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:49.339 of Shealatiel, with his kinsmen. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:57.479 And they built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it as it is written 00:06:57.479 --> 00:07:01.639 in the law of Moses, the man of God. 00:07:02.479 --> 00:07:03.659 Now, pause. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:05.479 Yikes. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:08.740 Okay, George, this is a stretch. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:16.300 You're saying this story is going to be helped by understanding having a birthday meal with 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:16.900 your wife. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:23.579 The law of Moses, 536 BC. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:30.460 And if you go further, all these burnt offerings and sacrifices, George, that is just religion. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:31.800 It's barbaric. 00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:35.079 It has nothing to do with us, but it does. 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:37.379 If you could put up the first point, that would be very helpful. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:39.399 Here's the first point. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:48.939 The real Lord, who really exists, created the real world, calls the real you into a real 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:52.019 covenant of real, unfailing love. 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:57.039 That is the message of the Old Testament. 00:07:57.159 --> 00:07:58.519 It is the message of the New Testament. 00:07:58.659 --> 00:08:02.919 We understand, of course, that there is a new covenant, a greater covenant, the final 00:08:02.919 --> 00:08:04.819 covenant that's brought about by Jesus. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:06.519 We celebrate it in the Lord's Supper. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:09.639 We're going to celebrate the Lord's Supper at the end of the service. 00:08:10.359 --> 00:08:16.359 The real Lord, who really exists, created the real world, calls the real you into a real 00:08:16.359 --> 00:08:18.199 covenant of real, unfailing love. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:20.339 You might notice, I think, the real bit's important. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:23.180 So here's the thing which is going on. 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:26.839 Earlier on, just before this, I prayed. 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:31.860 And I am a very simple, I'm a simpleton when it comes to this type of stuff. 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:38.120 And most Canadians, most Canadians, when they think of religion or spirituality, they think 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:39.879 of it as a type of affectation. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.980 It's like a hobby. 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:47.279 It just gives them some type of peace or inner hope. 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:51.659 You know, and many people say, well, I personally prefer some Jack Daniels or expensive wine. 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:53.179 That does the thing for me. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:54.500 But for others, you know, it's going to church. 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:56.820 You know, that's fine if that's what it does for you. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.939 And, you know, some good whiskey does it for me. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:08:59.820 Then, you know, that's fine. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:00.519 It's all cool. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:08.220 You know, and they don't think that the story, when we read things like this, they don't think 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:08.759 it's real. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:11.240 Not like a hockey game is real. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:14.699 And when people are talking about what happened in the hockey game, that's real. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:18.699 Or if somebody tells you about what happened at work, that that's real. 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.240 Or that your bank statements are real. 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:21.919 That religious stuff isn't real. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:23.799 It isn't real. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.899 But Christians believe it is real. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:33.720 When I did that prayer, I believe I am talking to a God that does exist who can hear my prayer. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:38.000 And that he will act in terms of what I've asked him to do. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.259 That's what I believe. 00:09:40.079 --> 00:09:40.639 I don't believe. 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:46.240 If I just thought it was an affectation, I wouldn't take up Jack Daniels or anything like that. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:48.120 But I'd have nothing to do with this place. 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:51.399 Like, I mean, this is a complete and utter waste of time. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:54.480 I believe there's a God who hears me. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.179 Who hears you. 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:57.699 When you pray to him. 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.679 I believe it's real. 00:10:00.219 --> 00:10:02.159 And that's what's at the heart of this story. 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:08.620 That this story is talking about what the Jewish people were doing and how it's real. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:11.219 Now, why on earth does this matter? 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:12.539 Well, here's why it matters. 00:10:13.459 --> 00:10:17.599 So, I was unbelievably shy with young women. 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:19.559 And I desperately wanted to have a girlfriend. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:23.179 But I could barely talk to a real woman. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:25.099 I could barely talk to them. 00:10:25.359 --> 00:10:26.759 But I wanted to have a girlfriend. 00:10:27.599 --> 00:10:30.939 I remember if I thought I might bump into a girl that I liked. 00:10:31.359 --> 00:10:32.299 I'm not making this up. 00:10:32.739 --> 00:10:37.039 I would make a checklist in my mind of things to talk about. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:39.620 And I would try to memorize it. 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:42.039 Because I was completely hopeless. 00:10:42.219 --> 00:10:44.219 Louise could tell you how hopeless I was. 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:46.000 There's still times I'm pretty hopeless. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:52.699 But the thing about it is I would daydream about doing something with this young woman. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.559 Go out and doing something. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:57.019 In my daydreams, of course, the conversation flows effortlessly. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:57.579 Effortlessly. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:10:59.460 We have a good time. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:01.840 We laugh. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:04.000 Everybody's happy. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.620 That's the real world. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:08.379 I mean, that's my imaginary girlfriend. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:09.960 But in the real world. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:16.199 And in fact, if I was having an imaginary birthday party for my imaginary girlfriend, 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:22.340 what happened to me that night wouldn't have ended up with my wife being terribly unhappy with me. 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:26.480 My imaginary girlfriend would have loved everything I wanted to do. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.860 She would have thought I was wonderful. 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:31.259 Everything would work out. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:34.820 And I would leave those daydreams feeling very pleased. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.000 But it's all imaginary. 00:11:38.040 --> 00:11:44.280 Well, because, dang it, like real people say things and have opinions and want things. 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:46.519 And you don't necessarily figure those things out. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:48.060 That's what happens in the real world. 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:59.979 So what we're seeing here in this text is actually, if God is real, okay, like, I don't want to offend you, 00:12:00.079 --> 00:12:06.479 but it's possible that your own boutique spirituality and religions is actually the equivalent, 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:09.839 the religious equivalent, of having an imaginary girlfriend. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:14.420 Because, you see, if there's in fact going to be a real God that really does exist, 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:18.800 it's going to be more like the birthday scenario, and it's in fact going to be like this. 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:25.240 This is actually proof that they're talking about, like, the real God who actually really exists. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:42.060 And so, you see, in the real world, Louise communicated to me how she wanted to be honored and celebrated and enjoyed. 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:45.440 And I needed her to communicate that. 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.799 And I ignored it. 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:50.379 Now, think about it here for a second. 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:59.919 And if you have a birthday party for your one-year-old, like little Dahlia is having a birthday in whatever, 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:06.659 eight, nine, ten months or whatever, you can't really ask Dahlia what she'd like for her birthday or what would be fun. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.740 I can give you a hint. 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:14.919 A cupcake with about this much cake and that much icing will make Dahlia very happy. 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:20.199 Put her in her little high chair and give her the cupcake with all that icing, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:23.059 and in a couple of minutes, the cupcake will be destroyed. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:32.959 There will be more cupcake and icing on the high chair, on the floor, on her face, in her hair, and all over her clothes than there is in her mouth, 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:34.019 and she'll be really happy. 00:13:35.219 --> 00:13:37.699 They get a bit older, you have to start asking them their opinion. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:42.299 You still don't really, you know, it might be that the five-year-old would just like endless bowls of candy, 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:46.019 and you'd say, well, we'll give you a candy, but you're not going to have endless bowls of them, right? 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:47.219 So they start to communicate it. 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:52.039 But as they get older, by the time they're old enough to be your peer, you've got to listen to them. 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.919 That's the only way you know. 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:55.620 But think about it for a second. 00:13:55.719 --> 00:14:00.959 If that's how we treat a child and that's how we treat a peer, by the time it comes to God, 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:07.359 if God is real and he is a person, well, I don't have the vaguest idea in the world how to honor him. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:15.340 I don't have the vaguest idea in the world how to celebrate him or enjoy him unless he communicates it to me. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:24.980 I am completely, utterly dependent upon him communicating it to me. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:31.279 And if I screw things up because I can't even listen to Louise, I have to listen to him. 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.399 And I can't second-guess him. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:36.779 I can't say, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you want that, but, you know, I think this is better. 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:39.699 No, I've got to listen to him. 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:46.659 So if you look back at the text, you'll notice, here's one of the keys to reading the whole book of Ezra. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:50.179 You'll notice that just before the end of verse 2 it says, 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:53.360 as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:56.120 And you're going to see, if you're careful, it's one of those things that you miss. 00:14:56.439 --> 00:15:02.620 But all the way through the book of Ezra, this little as it is written, as it is written, as it is written is always there. 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:03.539 Right? 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:05.919 But that's a sign that we're dealing with a real God. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.879 At least one who claims that this is the real God. 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:17.500 We have to be completely and utterly dependent upon him revealing to us how it is that we honor him and celebrate him and enjoy his presence. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:21.419 Now, some of you might say, George, okay, that's all very good. 00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:23.759 Come on, George. 00:15:24.459 --> 00:15:26.120 How barbaric is it? 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.500 You burnt animals? 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.059 Burnt? 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:37.339 Or, like, you take a cute little lamb or a cute little goat, you know, sheep, cut their throat and throw them on a fire? 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:40.579 Like, that's just all completely and utterly barbaric. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:46.819 Like, what's going on here with this type of stuff? 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:50.599 Well, let me just comment on it on a moment. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:53.920 But I think it'll be helpful if we look at the next few verses before I do. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.340 Let's look at verses 3 and following. 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.320 It'll make it clearer. 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.899 Verse 3. 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:01.080 So, remember, they've all gathered. 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.420 They want to offer burnt offerings. 00:16:03.540 --> 00:16:07.340 So, what they do is they, verse 3, they set the altar in its place. 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:12.820 Now, here, our English translation for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands. 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:18.640 It's a very, very literal translation, but it actually sort of obscures the meaning. 00:16:19.260 --> 00:16:21.940 Basically, they were afraid of the people around them. 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:26.960 And that's going to become an increasing theme, and I'm going to talk about it more in a couple of minutes. 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.480 But they were afraid. 00:16:28.640 --> 00:16:33.420 And in some ways, it sort of implies that their fear drove them even closer to God. 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:39.320 I mean, we can be afraid of people in our culture, 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:43.740 and the temptation is that when we're afraid of people that it'll silence us, 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:45.180 but it drove them to God. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.660 At least it did right then. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.379 And I'll continue reading. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:51.620 And they offered burnt offerings on the altar to the Lord, 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.500 burnt offerings morning and evening. 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:57.100 Now, here we go through this, all this weird stuff, and I'll explain it in a moment. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:17:00.480 And they kept the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles, as it is written. 00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.920 Remember, I said that's all the way through. 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:05.900 And offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:08.100 another version of as it is written. 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:11.699 As each day required, as it is written. 00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:15.740 And after that, the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon, 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.339 and all the appointed feasts of the Lord, 00:17:17.399 --> 00:17:21.259 and the offerings of everyone who made a free will offering to the Lord. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.759 From the first day of the seventh month, 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:25.119 they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, 00:17:25.219 --> 00:17:27.919 but the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.579 Okay, so what's going on with this? 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:38.000 Well, there's several things which are going on here which are important. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.299 The first one is, you don't have to have it up on there. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:45.519 Just remember that the key to understanding this text is that the real Lord, 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:47.699 who really exists, created the real world, 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:51.699 calls the real you into a real covenant of real and failing love. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:53.000 That's what's going on. 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.799 It's always the case. 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:58.399 It begins with Abraham right up to Jesus and the new covenant, 00:17:58.639 --> 00:18:00.319 and it continues on today. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.919 And so here's the point of the sacrifices. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:10.140 The sacrifice of an animal like that is real. 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:16.580 You hear the cry of the animal. 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:19.420 You hear the cries of the animal that are about to come. 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.560 There's the blood. 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.940 There's the smell of the awful. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.120 Like, it's real. 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:26.460 And it's real. 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:29.660 It's not just sort of sitting in silence in the comfort of your room 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:35.560 and thinking certain thoughts, which can just be all about imaginary gods. 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:37.420 This is very real. 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:38.500 It's very earthy. 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:39.620 It's very striking. 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:43.080 And if you're listening to God, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:47.640 he says these times of these sacrifices are times for you to remember the covenant. 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:51.759 Remember that I am the God, that he is the God who loves you, 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:55.279 that has rescued you, that's called you into a relationship with him. 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:59.079 It's a time not just to remember the covenant but to focus on God, 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:03.980 that this is being done in a sense for him and for our relationship 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:06.000 and to honour him and to glorify him. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:10.940 And it's also a time to remember that just as I have times when nobody can be married 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:14.539 for any length of time without having to learn to say they're sorry to their spouse 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.720 because we do wrong. 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:18.859 And if that's true of us with a spouse or even with a friend, 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:23.220 and there's times we have to apologise to our children that we've done something wrong, 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:27.279 but it's definitely the case that you cannot possibly have a relationship 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:30.519 with a God that's actually real that you never say sorry. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:34.319 If you have a religion like that or a spirituality, 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:36.539 you have an imaginary girlfriend. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:39.579 You have an imaginary God. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.079 Not real. 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.880 Sorry, I don't want to insult you. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:47.039 But you can't have a real relationship with a real person 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:49.740 without ever having to say you're sorry and make an amendment of life. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:53.240 And you see there's a great cost with the sacrifice. 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.299 Now, what about us? 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:58.480 If you could put up the second point, that would be very helpful. 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.700 Here's the thing to understand. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.839 I'll say this again at the end if I remember. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:06.460 The Lord Jesus Christ's death upon the cross 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:09.000 was the true and greater sacrifice 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:12.099 to which all the sacrifices pointed. 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.519 That's what Jesus told us. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:18.039 The Lord Jesus Christ's death upon the cross 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:20.339 was the true and greater sacrifice 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:23.079 to which all the sacrifices pointed. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:26.039 So we don't slaughter lambs. 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:29.059 We don't slaughter bulls and oxen. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.160 Why? 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:33.519 Because at one time for all people 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:36.579 on a busy road outside of Jerusalem 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:39.519 in a place that was so cosmopolitan 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:43.240 the charges against Jesus had to be read in three languages 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:46.039 Hebrew, Latin, and Greek 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:51.319 that Jesus, the Lamb of God, died on a cross 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:53.660 and in a sense what he did on earth 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:56.940 was also done in a sense in the transcendent, the spiritual 00:20:56.940 --> 00:21:00.819 that was a once-for-all offering of God, the Son of God 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.920 in our place to make us right with God. 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:07.139 So that we would enter into this real relationship 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:09.500 of real unfailing love with the real God. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.440 He provides that covenant 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.880 and all of these point to him. 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:20.040 But you notice that little bit about how the house of God wasn't made. 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:23.200 Look at the very end of verse 6. 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:23.820 It says, 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:27.980 but the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.880 Now that's a small thing here 00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:32.520 but once again this shows that we're talking about relationships. 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.660 I'm a sucker. 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:39.680 I am a sucker for The Rock 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:41.600 and his movies. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.700 I know it's corny 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:46.300 but you know if I just want to relax on a Sunday afternoon 00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:47.560 like I'll watch something 00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:50.120 I'll re-watch something like the San Andreas Fault 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:51.720 with you know 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.820 him flexing his muscles 00:21:53.820 --> 00:21:55.680 you know rescuing people 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:57.220 and doing all that type of stuff 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.660 with a caring... 00:21:58.660 --> 00:22:00.100 I'm a sucker for those things. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:02.259 Maybe some of you, now you have lower opinion of me 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.000 well that's fine. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.240 I'm a sucker for them. 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:08.079 And so if you watch something like that disaster movie 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.660 the San Andreas Fault breaks 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:13.160 you know the San Francisco's all having tidal waves 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.359 and all that type of stuff 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:17.160 and Dwayne Johnson 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:18.480 I can't remember his name in that 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:20.019 but he always plays the same character 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:22.019 so it doesn't really matter what his character name is 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.200 it's always Dwayne Johnson 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.740 the imaginary Dwayne Johnson. 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:27.180 I mean in real life he probably cries 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.079 when he cuts his finger 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.500 I don't know 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:30.440 but you know in those things he's indestructible 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:32.160 and completely and utterly fearless 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.579 and of course 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.559 so that you know 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.819 his daughter of course 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.960 is up in San Francisco 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:38.259 his wife is there 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.779 and so the whole movie 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:41.059 as things are falling apart 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:42.160 is his rushing 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.380 there 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:45.619 now what's he rushing to do? 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:48.939 if he was rushing 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:50.899 because he knew where there was land 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:52.299 and he was going to go to that land 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.959 and he was going to build a house 00:22:53.959 --> 00:22:56.579 and he was going to get everything set up with food 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:58.439 and then he went and rescued them 00:22:58.439 --> 00:23:00.259 well first of all 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.079 they'd have been dead 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:03.319 well that would have sucked 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:05.259 but even if he was successful 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.779 they'd say 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.859 like 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.980 are you a moron? 00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:09.779 like are you a loser? 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.920 like you really wanted to go build a house 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.279 before you came to be with us 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.099 and rescue us? 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:16.359 like what's all that about? 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:18.420 of course not 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:20.839 he goes to be with them 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:23.539 he goes to find them 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.539 he finds his wife 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.799 he finds his daughter 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.759 they're together 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:30.099 then they sort out all that stuff 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:32.700 that's what a real relationship of love is all about 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:34.160 and that's what's going on here 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:36.720 they begin with connecting with God 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:39.800 then we'll worry about the temple 00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:42.620 then we'll worry about the walls 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:45.840 because it begins with a real relationship 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.880 with a real God that really does exist 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:52.960 now 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:56.960 this next bit's a bit odd 00:23:56.960 --> 00:24:01.840 because all of a sudden 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:03.420 it talks about them starting to build the house 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.320 which we'll read in a moment 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:04.640 and it 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:07.779 and there's all these priests and Levites 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:10.580 and they have to supervise it 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.880 and it just seems really weird 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:13.680 well here 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.640 let's look at it 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:16.279 and I'll tell you how to understand it 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.740 it all 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.060 it 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:19.200 you have to think about it 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.580 with a real God 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:23.840 and a real relationship with that God 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:25.380 and if you don't think of it in those terms 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:27.160 nothing in the Bible is going to make sense 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:28.900 let's look at what it says 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.480 verse 7 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:33.839 so 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:35.759 the foundation hadn't even been based 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.680 so verse 7 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:39.420 they gave money to the masons and the carpenters 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:41.579 and food and drink and oil to the Sidonians 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.279 and the Tyrians 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:44.380 to bring cedar lodges from Lebanon 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.759 to the sea 00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.360 to Joppa 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.259 according to the grant 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.400 that they had from Cyrus 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.259 king of Persia 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.799 now in the second year 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.599 after their coming 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.940 to the house of God at Jerusalem 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:53.819 in the second month 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.519 Zerubbabel 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.799 the son of Sheal-Atil 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.360 and Yeshua 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.699 the son of Jehozadak 00:24:57.699 --> 00:24:59.199 made a beginning together 00:24:59.199 --> 00:25:00.519 with the rest of their kinsmen 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.259 and Yeshua 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:04.119 Yeshua is a priest 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.979 and with the other priests 00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:06.639 and the Levites 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.339 who had come from 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.019 to Jerusalem 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.819 from the captivity 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.219 they appointed the Levites 00:25:10.219 --> 00:25:11.559 from 20 years old and upward 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.679 to supervise the work 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:13.619 of the house of the Lord 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.699 and Yeshua 00:25:14.699 --> 00:25:15.439 with his sons 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:16.059 and his brothers 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.819 and Kadmiel 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.699 and his sons 00:25:17.699 --> 00:25:18.799 and the sons of Judah 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:20.859 together supervised the workmen 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.599 in the house of God 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.559 along with the sons 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.759 of Hinnadad 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.759 and the Levites 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.299 and their sons 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:28.440 and brothers 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.660 and we'll just sort of pause here 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.599 so what's going on? 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:33.140 well I think you're going to know this 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.200 instantly if I said this 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.019 if it turned out 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.579 that I'd won a small lottery 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.500 and I'd got 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:39.240 four or five hundred thousand dollars 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.759 and I decided 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.500 you know what I think 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.059 I'm going to do 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.119 I think I'm going to build 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.079 a brand new house 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.640 for Louise 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:48.099 and I'm not going to tell her 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:50.940 I'm going to find some land 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:53.440 and I'm going to design the house 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.799 and I'm going to 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.960 supervise the builders 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.840 and when it's all done 00:25:58.840 --> 00:26:00.080 I'm going to say to Louise 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:00.420 one day 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.420 let's go for a drive 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.120 out in the country 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:03.700 and we drive out 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.299 to the country 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.680 and I said 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.500 see that house? 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.920 does it look nice? 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.680 yeah it looks nice 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:11.140 I bought it 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:11.860 and designed it 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:13.080 and had it built for us 00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:15.059 do you think she'd be happy? 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.240 no 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:19.559 would she be right 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.240 to be unhappy? 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.120 yes 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:23.879 she'd probably say 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.399 something like 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:26.159 George you had that money 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.959 you didn't tell me 00:26:26.959 --> 00:26:28.279 and 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.899 you know how much 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.559 I would love 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.059 to design a house? 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.579 do you know how much 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.179 I would enjoy 00:26:35.179 --> 00:26:36.659 talking with you 00:26:36.659 --> 00:26:37.199 over it 00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:38.319 about designing a house? 00:26:38.479 --> 00:26:39.339 do you have any idea? 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:41.079 do you have any idea 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:42.599 what you robbed me of? 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.500 so what's going on here 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.239 is 00:26:46.239 --> 00:26:47.619 they have the priests 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:48.479 and the Levites 00:26:48.479 --> 00:26:49.639 supervising the building 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.100 the house 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.820 because the house 00:26:50.820 --> 00:26:51.660 has to be built 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:53.680 as it is written 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:55.500 it's God's house 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.860 he designs it 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:59.360 not them 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:01.040 and that's why 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:02.360 they're supervising it 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:04.600 they're supervising it 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.120 because 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:06.640 it's 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.920 for him 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:10.040 now 00:27:10.040 --> 00:27:11.280 some of you might say 00:27:11.280 --> 00:27:11.780 well George 00:27:11.780 --> 00:27:12.259 that's 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.580 you know 00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.800 that's a very 00:27:13.800 --> 00:27:14.780 creative way 00:27:14.780 --> 00:27:15.860 of reading the text 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:18.439 but I think 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:18.899 you're just 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:19.819 imposing that 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.500 on the text 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.139 I don't think 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:21.659 that's actually 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.299 something that 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.139 the text says 00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:23.740 I think you're 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.539 just making it up 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.059 and imposing 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.599 on the text 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.099 and it's a very 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:27.639 interesting re-reading 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.000 but that's not 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.859 what the text says 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.919 well it is 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:32.599 look at verse 10 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:33.419 and following 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:35.420 and when the builders 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.380 laid the foundation 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.000 of the temple 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.460 of the Lord 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.039 the priests 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.800 in their vestments 00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.380 came forward 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:40.140 with trumpets 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.840 and the Levites 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:41.900 the sons of Asaph 00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.600 with symbols 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.519 to praise the Lord 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:45.440 according to the directions 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.620 of David the king of Israel 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.039 in other words 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.039 just like one of you 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.960 or any of us 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.580 if we were going to build 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.400 a house or something 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.620 at a certain point in time 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.759 we might take a bit of a break 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.800 and have a barbecue 00:27:53.800 --> 00:27:55.060 and you know 00:27:55.060 --> 00:27:57.220 have a bit of a party 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.220 and so they've come 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.519 to a key part 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.320 they've cleared away 00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:00.880 enough room 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.380 that they can lay down 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.000 the foundation 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.740 they have a pause 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.400 they have a party 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:06.160 but look what happens next 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:08.100 and they sang responsibly 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.640 praising and giving thanks 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.240 to the Lord 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.240 what do they say 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.880 for he is good 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:14.800 for his steadfast love 00:28:14.800 --> 00:28:15.840 endures forever 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:17.020 toward Israel 00:28:17.020 --> 00:28:19.100 for he is good 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:21.060 for his steadfast love 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:21.900 endures forever 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.700 toward Israel 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:24.000 and all the people 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.560 shouted with a great shout 00:28:25.560 --> 00:28:26.920 when they praised the Lord 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.380 because the foundation 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.480 of the house of the Lord 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.160 was laid 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.620 now all the way 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.019 through this 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.759 every time you see 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.500 the word Lord 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.519 that's the covenant 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.500 name for God 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.380 it would be as if 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.500 you know 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:40.660 my grandkids 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:42.279 if they always refer 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.240 to it like a generic 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.540 type of grandfather 00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:46.320 and all 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.080 but they don't just 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:48.259 when they talk to me 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.660 I'm not their generic 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.380 grandfather 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.380 I'm their papa 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:53.840 when they talk 00:28:53.840 --> 00:28:54.540 about Louise 00:28:54.540 --> 00:28:55.900 she's not a generic 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:56.540 grandmother 00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.320 she's Nana 00:28:57.320 --> 00:28:58.700 she's their Nana 00:28:58.700 --> 00:29:00.059 and whenever you see 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.720 the word Lord 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.360 that's this 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.420 that's the covenant 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:03.279 name for God 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.960 that's their private 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.799 name for God 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.819 and when you see 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.779 this song right here 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.559 for he is good 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.660 for his steadfast love 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.440 endures forever 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.220 toward Israel 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.880 usually in the Bible 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.880 if you see this word 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.720 steadfast love 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.519 in the ESV 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.360 it's translated 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:17.920 one of the most 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.240 important words 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.640 in the Old Testament 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:22.100 and I can't pronounce it 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:22.799 because I can get that 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.940 I can't get that guttural 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.940 but it has said 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:28.299 and has said 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.720 is this idea 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:31.160 of this unfailing 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:32.900 steadfast 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.940 covenant 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:35.080 love 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:38.320 and it describes 00:29:38.320 --> 00:29:39.660 how the Lord 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:41.000 is towards his people 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.920 that his love 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:43.320 is a covenant love 00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:44.980 a relationship love 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:46.480 like marriage 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.200 is a covenant 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:49.000 at least in a Christian sense 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.360 and it's describing 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:52.180 this covenant love 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:53.140 between the Lord 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.680 with his covenant name 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.420 and his people 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.360 and his love 00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:57.620 is steadfast 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.759 it doesn't change 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.840 and it's unfailing 00:29:59.840 --> 00:30:02.060 it can never not exist 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:05.100 and that's the love 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.759 that he has 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.720 towards its people 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.519 you see the text 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.519 is trying to tell you 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.580 that it's not about 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.600 trying to figure out 00:30:10.600 --> 00:30:11.799 rules and religion 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.400 and ritual 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.060 that it's about 00:30:13.060 --> 00:30:14.680 relationship with a real God 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.460 that's what the text 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.600 is trying to tell you 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.980 if you could put up 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.600 the third point 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.620 that would be very helpful 00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:21.299 here's the thing 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.339 just as a bit of an 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.039 not an aside 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:24.180 it's a key part to this 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.919 it's a key part 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.919 to understanding Ezra 00:30:25.919 --> 00:30:27.579 and understanding yourselves 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:29.519 you have a longing 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.299 and a yearning 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.859 to be in a relationship 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:33.279 of unfailing love 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.539 that is good 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.259 and true 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.579 and realer than real 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.779 every human being 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:39.299 every human being 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:43.220 has a longing 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.940 and a yearning 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:45.279 to be in a relationship 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.440 of unfailing love 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.119 that is good 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.639 and true 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.680 and realer than real 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:50.200 we might not want 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.960 to acknowledge it 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:51.480 it might be 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.720 that it's dormant 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.660 for long periods 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.240 of time 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:56.640 it might just be 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.559 that in certain types 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.160 of context 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.480 it comes to the fore 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:01.019 but that is a love 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.460 that you have 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.360 it's ultimately 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.460 a love 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.759 a desire 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.700 that you have 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:06.720 to know 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:08.400 the chesed love 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.100 of the Lord 00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:11.180 and that he is not 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.460 just a generic God 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.519 but that he is 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.720 a God 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.700 whose name you know 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.940 and he knows 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.519 your name 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:19.240 it's also something 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.759 we desire 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:20.099 to have 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.620 as much as 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.000 possible 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.519 with people 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:21.940 you have 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.579 that yearning 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:24.299 only the gospel 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:25.559 satisfies the deep 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.480 yearning of your heart 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:29.299 only the gospel 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.660 satisfies the deep 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.339 longing 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.000 and yearning 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.700 of your heart 00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:36.420 if you could put up 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.099 the next point 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:41.359 if you have 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:42.279 you know 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.920 if you'd like to join 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.559 our music team 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.440 that would be wonderful 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.940 but usually 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.820 before the service 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:48.100 I pray some version 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.799 of this prayer 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.600 with the musicians 00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:51.799 and that is 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:53.100 you come into 00:31:53.100 --> 00:31:53.440 his presence 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:54.200 but it's describing 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.000 what we're doing 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.720 this morning 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:57.500 you come into 00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.160 his presence 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.940 to know him 00:31:58.940 --> 00:32:00.240 as the triune God 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.860 receive grace 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:02.480 from him 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.680 and respond 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.600 in a worthy manner 00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:06.100 that's what we do 00:32:06.100 --> 00:32:07.240 that's what this 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.100 is supposed to be about 00:32:08.100 --> 00:32:09.519 us coming 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.860 into the presence 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.980 of the triune God 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.720 we come together 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:16.220 with our brothers 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.920 and sisters 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.960 all adopted 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.599 by grace 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.519 into his family 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:20.940 and we come 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.799 to receive grace 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.259 from him 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.559 and we come 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.259 to respond 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.220 in a worthy manner 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:27.819 it's in this text 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:29.640 it's what's to 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.099 characterize 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.720 our worship 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.420 and our life 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:35.700 two more things 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.240 just to bring 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.120 this to a close 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:41.679 it's 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:44.439 and the first one 00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:45.279 is really 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.679 important for us 00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:48.599 because the fact 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:48.979 of the matter 00:32:48.979 --> 00:32:49.359 is 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:51.719 we have 00:32:51.719 --> 00:32:52.339 complicated 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:52.899 emotions 00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:55.679 people are 00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.379 complicated 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:58.239 the world 00:32:58.239 --> 00:32:58.919 keeps wanting 00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.419 to try to 00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:00.299 reduce us 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:02.259 a lot 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.959 most modern 00:33:02.959 --> 00:33:03.419 thought 00:33:03.419 --> 00:33:04.399 tends towards 00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:05.219 reductionism 00:33:05.219 --> 00:33:06.019 to reduce us 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.519 to something 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.039 simple 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:09.019 but the Bible 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.839 acknowledges 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.659 our emotional 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.480 complexity 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:13.399 and it's seen 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:13.879 here in this 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.559 very next part 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.039 of the story 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.279 look what happens 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.819 in verse 12 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:20.319 so the foundation 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.079 has been laid 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.639 there's a little 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.139 altar 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:24.619 at a certain 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.119 part of 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:26.119 surrounded by 00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:26.779 a foundation 00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.359 they're all 00:33:27.359 --> 00:33:28.279 ruins everywhere 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:30.159 they're afraid 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:30.759 of the people 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:32.559 but many of the 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:32.859 priests 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.559 verse 12 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.559 and the Levites 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.099 and heads 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.680 of the fathers 00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.119 houses 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:36.959 old men 00:33:36.959 --> 00:33:37.279 who had 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.739 seen the 00:33:37.739 --> 00:33:38.059 first 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:39.239 house 00:33:39.239 --> 00:33:39.599 that's 00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.099 Solomon's 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.379 temple 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:42.659 they wept 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.839 with a loud 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.319 voice 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:46.819 when they saw 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.439 the foundation 00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:48.079 of this house 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.719 being laid 00:33:48.719 --> 00:33:50.079 though many 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:50.879 shouted aloud 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:51.539 with joy 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.500 such a beautiful 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.019 picture 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:55.399 many weeping 00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:56.519 and many shouting 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.119 for joy 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:58.099 all at the same 00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:58.500 time 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.199 all in the same 00:33:59.199 --> 00:33:59.739 service 00:33:59.739 --> 00:34:01.599 so that the 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:02.519 people could not 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.099 distinguish 00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:04.059 verse 13 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:04.779 could not 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.299 distinguish 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.039 the sound 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.740 of the joyful 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.259 shout 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:07.719 from the 00:34:07.719 --> 00:34:08.059 sound 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.339 of the 00:34:08.339 --> 00:34:08.799 people's 00:34:08.799 --> 00:34:09.219 weeping 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:10.599 the people 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:10.980 shouted 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.500 with a great 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.940 shout 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.719 and the sound 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:13.059 was heard 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.579 far away 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.980 you know 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.079 here's the 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.420 thing 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:18.099 we just celebrated 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.659 a baptism 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.279 of a beautiful 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:19.799 little baby 00:34:19.799 --> 00:34:20.159 girl 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.500 there are also 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:23.039 women 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.759 and family 00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.500 there's families 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.159 in this church 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.679 that struggle 00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.639 with infertility 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:29.059 there's people 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:30.139 in this service 00:34:30.139 --> 00:34:30.799 who wish 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.159 that they 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.539 could be 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.859 married 00:34:31.859 --> 00:34:32.379 and have 00:34:32.379 --> 00:34:32.779 not been 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.199 able to 00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:33.739 be married 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:35.599 and on one 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.139 hand 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:37.119 to see 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.819 this beautiful 00:34:37.819 --> 00:34:38.699 baby girl 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.420 get baptized 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.219 on one 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.699 hand 00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.440 your heart 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.980 weeps 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:45.000 your heart 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.579 weeps 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:49.440 and for others 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:49.940 you're filled 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.559 with joy 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:52.539 and both 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.179 responses 00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:53.759 are good 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:55.400 and both 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:55.960 responses 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:56.400 can be 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:56.659 in the 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.019 church 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:58.400 they can 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:58.659 both 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:59.000 be in 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.460 your small 00:34:59.460 --> 00:34:59.900 group 00:34:59.900 --> 00:35:02.139 some 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.360 will 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:02.820 celebrate 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.480 the promotion 00:35:03.480 --> 00:35:04.039 that somebody 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.519 gets 00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:06.400 and others 00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.079 will be 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.619 sad 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.460 at their 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.079 own failure 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.559 in their 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.260 areas of 00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:11.280 professional 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:11.760 work 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:13.539 and both 00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:13.900 can be 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.240 there 00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:16.780 both 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.320 should be 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:17.539 there 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.139 not can 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.340 be 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:18.740 should 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.000 be 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.300 there 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:20.199 because 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:20.720 we are 00:35:20.720 --> 00:35:21.360 emotionally 00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:22.199 complex 00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:22.699 people 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:24.800 and our 00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:25.260 community 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.599 should 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.679 allow freedom 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.440 for emotional 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.159 complexity 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:30.599 and you know 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.159 Romans 8 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.599 says all 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:32.099 things work 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.659 together for 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.039 good for 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.420 those who 00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:33.940 love God 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.239 and this 00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:34.599 is another 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.139 place where 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:35.539 we both 00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:36.019 weep and 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:36.380 mourn at 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:36.719 the same 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.119 time 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.519 and that's 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.039 very true 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.619 obviously 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.519 for Christians 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.059 that's very 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:40.279 true 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:40.739 all things 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:41.299 work together 00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:41.699 for good 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:42.079 for those 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:42.380 who love 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.739 God 00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:43.480 but you 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:43.719 know 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:47.619 our sin 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:47.920 and our 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.420 rebellion 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:48.819 and our 00:35:48.819 --> 00:35:49.579 hard-headedness 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:49.880 and our 00:35:49.880 --> 00:35:50.480 just plain 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:51.279 stupidity 00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:52.099 and foolishness 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.619 sometimes 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:53.279 mean that 00:35:53.279 --> 00:35:53.799 we lose 00:35:53.799 --> 00:35:54.639 real goods 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.099 God 00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:55.500 gives us 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:55.759 a new 00:35:55.759 --> 00:35:56.039 good 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:57.139 but the 00:35:57.139 --> 00:35:57.559 real good 00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.099 is lost 00:35:58.099 --> 00:36:00.000 even when 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.219 we get 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:00.460 a new 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.719 good 00:36:00.719 --> 00:36:02.759 and so 00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:03.119 even in 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.619 our private 00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:04.139 lives we 00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:04.420 can have 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.039 times of 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.619 deep regret 00:36:05.619 --> 00:36:06.279 and weeping 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:06.839 at the 00:36:06.839 --> 00:36:07.179 good that 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:07.940 was lost 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:09.059 while we 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.679 accept and 00:36:09.679 --> 00:36:10.259 rejoice in 00:36:10.259 --> 00:36:10.639 the new 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.519 good that 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:11.839 God has 00:36:11.839 --> 00:36:12.420 given us 00:36:12.420 --> 00:36:15.500 just one 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.159 final thing 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:17.059 bringing this 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:17.759 to a close 00:36:17.759 --> 00:36:19.239 enemies 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:21.659 enemies 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:25.579 chapter 4 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.219 verses 1 00:36:26.219 --> 00:36:26.799 to 5 00:36:26.799 --> 00:36:27.679 now when 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:28.599 the adversaries 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.239 of Judah 00:36:29.239 --> 00:36:30.259 and Benjamin 00:36:30.259 --> 00:36:30.839 heard that 00:36:30.839 --> 00:36:31.479 the returned 00:36:31.479 --> 00:36:32.319 exiles were 00:36:32.319 --> 00:36:32.819 building a 00:36:32.819 --> 00:36:33.319 temple to 00:36:33.319 --> 00:36:33.699 the Lord 00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.019 the God 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.419 of Israel 00:36:34.419 --> 00:36:34.779 now just 00:36:34.779 --> 00:36:35.279 pause 00:36:35.279 --> 00:36:36.399 the word 00:36:36.399 --> 00:36:36.779 there for 00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.539 adversaries 00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:37.899 in the 00:36:37.899 --> 00:36:38.299 Hebrew 00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:39.919 the original 00:36:39.919 --> 00:36:40.479 language 00:36:40.479 --> 00:36:40.879 actually 00:36:40.879 --> 00:36:42.379 the original 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:43.139 language has 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:43.959 a range of 00:36:43.959 --> 00:36:44.299 meanings 00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:44.839 but all of 00:36:44.839 --> 00:36:45.079 them are 00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.500 bad 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.500 adversary 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.179 is actually 00:36:47.179 --> 00:36:47.659 the weakest 00:36:47.659 --> 00:36:48.379 of the 00:36:48.379 --> 00:36:48.739 senses 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:49.799 can also 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:50.399 be translated 00:36:50.399 --> 00:36:52.059 as foe 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.379 oppressor 00:36:53.379 --> 00:36:55.639 enemy 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.859 and it 00:36:56.859 --> 00:36:57.339 has with 00:36:57.339 --> 00:36:57.859 it as well 00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:58.719 sometimes it's 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.119 used to 00:36:59.119 --> 00:37:00.079 physical objects 00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:01.199 as a hard 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:02.219 pebble that 00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:02.879 cannot be 00:37:02.879 --> 00:37:03.459 broken or 00:37:03.459 --> 00:37:03.939 flint 00:37:03.939 --> 00:37:05.219 so it's 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:05.639 communicating 00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:06.479 this idea 00:37:06.479 --> 00:37:06.739 of an 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:07.439 oppressor 00:37:07.439 --> 00:37:07.919 who's like 00:37:07.919 --> 00:37:08.359 a hard 00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:08.839 pebble 00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:09.439 that can't 00:37:09.439 --> 00:37:10.019 be broken 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:14.559 now when 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.000 the 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:16.000 enemies 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:17.159 the oppressors 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.979 who are 00:37:17.979 --> 00:37:18.179 their 00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.659 neighbors 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.500 heard 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.759 that they 00:37:21.759 --> 00:37:21.899 had 00:37:21.899 --> 00:37:22.440 returned 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:23.940 well they're 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.579 the enemies 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.519 they're 00:37:25.519 --> 00:37:25.960 haters 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:28.639 they're 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.179 people who 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.699 want them 00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.219 to fail 00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:32.279 I don't 00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:32.679 think there's 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.259 anybody here 00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:33.940 over a 00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.619 certain age 00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:35.379 hasn't had 00:37:35.379 --> 00:37:35.819 somebody in 00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:36.159 their life 00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:36.539 who was a 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:36.799 hater 00:37:36.799 --> 00:37:42.639 and they 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.079 approached 00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:43.719 verse 2 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:44.879 that's the 00:37:44.879 --> 00:37:45.460 enemies 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.220 they approached 00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:46.760 Zerabbel 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:47.280 and the 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.619 heads of 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:47.740 the 00:37:47.740 --> 00:37:48.019 fathers 00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.440 houses 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:48.960 and said 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.300 to them 00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:52.099 let us 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:52.619 build with 00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:52.860 you 00:37:52.860 --> 00:37:53.800 for we 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:54.220 worship 00:37:54.220 --> 00:37:54.460 your 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:54.720 God 00:37:54.720 --> 00:37:55.059 as you 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:55.320 do 00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:56.460 and we 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:56.800 have been 00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.460 sacrificing 00:37:57.460 --> 00:37:57.920 to him 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.440 ever since 00:37:58.440 --> 00:37:58.980 the days 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.199 of 00:37:59.199 --> 00:37:59.639 Esar 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.639 and the 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:00.819 king of 00:38:00.819 --> 00:38:01.319 Assyria 00:38:01.319 --> 00:38:01.739 who brought 00:38:01.739 --> 00:38:02.199 us here 00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:05.420 but 00:38:05.420 --> 00:38:06.079 Zerabbel 00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:06.779 Yeshua 00:38:06.779 --> 00:38:07.179 and the 00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:07.519 rest of 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:07.859 the heads 00:38:07.859 --> 00:38:08.119 of the 00:38:08.119 --> 00:38:08.440 fathers 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:08.900 houses 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.500 and Israel 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:09.980 said to 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.139 them 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:11.199 you have 00:38:11.199 --> 00:38:11.559 nothing 00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.460 to do 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:12.819 with us 00:38:12.819 --> 00:38:13.239 in building 00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:13.679 a house 00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:14.039 to our 00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:14.359 God 00:38:14.359 --> 00:38:14.779 but we 00:38:14.779 --> 00:38:15.059 alone 00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.500 will build 00:38:15.500 --> 00:38:15.900 the house 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.279 to the 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.480 Lord 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:16.859 the God 00:38:16.859 --> 00:38:17.359 of Israel 00:38:17.359 --> 00:38:18.059 as King 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:18.639 Cyrus 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.339 the king 00:38:19.339 --> 00:38:19.920 of Persia 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:20.559 has commanded 00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:20.920 us 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:24.019 I'm going 00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:24.200 to say 00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:24.519 more about 00:38:24.519 --> 00:38:24.880 this in a 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:25.019 moment 00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:25.320 but I'll 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:25.639 just read 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:26.039 the final 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:26.680 two verses 00:38:26.680 --> 00:38:27.800 then the 00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:28.220 people of 00:38:28.220 --> 00:38:28.559 the land 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.220 discouraged 00:38:29.220 --> 00:38:29.720 the people 00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:30.180 of Judah 00:38:30.180 --> 00:38:31.000 other 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:31.559 translations 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:32.320 use stronger 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:32.860 words than 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:33.500 discouraged 00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:36.260 they harassed 00:38:36.260 --> 00:38:36.900 threatened 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:38.059 hated 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:39.800 cajoled 00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:40.420 insulted 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:42.139 hated 00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:43.519 the people 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:43.900 of Judah 00:38:43.900 --> 00:38:44.240 and made 00:38:44.240 --> 00:38:44.720 them afraid 00:38:44.720 --> 00:38:45.280 to build 00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:47.400 they bribed 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.680 counselors 00:38:48.680 --> 00:38:49.579 against them 00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.320 to frustrate 00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:51.100 their purpose 00:38:51.100 --> 00:38:52.480 all the days 00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.080 of Cyrus 00:38:53.080 --> 00:38:53.980 king of Persia 00:38:53.980 --> 00:38:54.640 even until 00:38:54.640 --> 00:38:55.200 the reign 00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:56.140 of Darius 00:38:56.140 --> 00:38:57.660 king of Persia 00:38:57.660 --> 00:39:00.480 now 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.640 if you go 00:39:01.640 --> 00:39:02.240 on to read 00:39:02.240 --> 00:39:02.760 the rest of 00:39:02.760 --> 00:39:03.340 chapter 4 00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:04.140 5 and 6 00:39:04.140 --> 00:39:04.640 which I'm 00:39:04.640 --> 00:39:04.940 not going 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:05.280 to read 00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:07.860 and one 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:08.140 of the things 00:39:08.140 --> 00:39:08.700 I've discovered 00:39:08.700 --> 00:39:09.140 that if it 00:39:09.140 --> 00:39:09.600 wants to be 00:39:09.600 --> 00:39:10.180 helpful to 00:39:10.180 --> 00:39:10.420 read 00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:10.940 you have to 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.559 pay attention 00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:11.940 to the 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.460 emperors 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:12.720 who are 00:39:12.720 --> 00:39:13.100 listed 00:39:13.100 --> 00:39:14.920 and it's 00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.380 helpful to 00:39:15.380 --> 00:39:15.600 maybe 00:39:15.600 --> 00:39:15.960 I'm going 00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:16.180 to have 00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:16.440 a little 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:16.960 piece of 00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:17.559 paper 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.200 that gives 00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:18.519 me the 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:18.900 names of 00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.460 the emperors 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:19.740 and the 00:39:19.740 --> 00:39:20.000 dates 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.340 that they 00:39:20.340 --> 00:39:20.739 reigned 00:39:20.739 --> 00:39:21.699 but what 00:39:21.699 --> 00:39:22.159 this book 00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:23.059 just casually 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.719 mentions 00:39:23.719 --> 00:39:25.519 is this 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:25.980 is over 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.380 a hundred 00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:27.000 years of 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:27.340 hatred 00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:30.639 this is 00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:32.480 intergenerational 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:33.280 hatred 00:39:33.280 --> 00:39:38.199 the scan 00:39:38.199 --> 00:39:38.739 of the books 00:39:38.739 --> 00:39:39.179 of Ezra 00:39:39.179 --> 00:39:39.980 and Nehemiah 00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:41.139 take place 00:39:41.139 --> 00:39:41.719 over a hundred 00:39:41.719 --> 00:39:42.199 years 00:39:42.199 --> 00:39:45.139 and these 00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:45.619 people who 00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.000 hated them 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:46.440 hated them 00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:46.940 for a hundred 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.480 years 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:48.079 a hundred 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.659 years of 00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.059 hatred 00:39:49.059 --> 00:39:53.619 now 00:39:53.619 --> 00:40:00.259 the 00:40:00.259 --> 00:40:00.779 communist 00:40:00.779 --> 00:40:01.579 kicked 00:40:01.579 --> 00:40:02.079 the 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:02.599 missionaries 00:40:02.599 --> 00:40:03.099 out of 00:40:03.099 --> 00:40:03.840 China 00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:05.219 about 00:40:05.219 --> 00:40:05.579 seven 00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:05.980 years 00:40:05.980 --> 00:40:06.320 ago 00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:07.420 our 00:40:07.420 --> 00:40:07.799 Chinese 00:40:07.799 --> 00:40:08.099 brothers 00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.400 and 00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:08.779 sisters 00:40:08.779 --> 00:40:09.039 have 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:09.840 faced 00:40:09.840 --> 00:40:10.679 intergeneral 00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:11.079 hatred 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:11.559 from the 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:11.900 communist 00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:12.360 party 00:40:12.360 --> 00:40:12.579 of 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:14.179 China 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:21.919 Khomeini 00:40:21.919 --> 00:40:22.719 took power 00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:24.019 in Iran 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:24.819 in late 00:40:24.819 --> 00:40:25.679 1970 00:40:25.679 --> 00:40:27.399 the underground 00:40:27.399 --> 00:40:28.419 church in Iran 00:40:28.419 --> 00:40:29.739 is coming up to 00:40:29.739 --> 00:40:30.960 55 years of 00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:31.339 hatred 00:40:31.339 --> 00:40:32.699 intergenerational 00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:33.159 hatred 00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:35.159 hatred 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:36.099 and we can go 00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:36.539 around the 00:40:36.539 --> 00:40:37.000 world of 00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:37.639 other places 00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:38.779 of intergenerational 00:40:38.779 --> 00:40:39.219 hatred 00:40:39.219 --> 00:40:41.639 now what you 00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:42.299 see the book of 00:40:42.299 --> 00:40:43.099 Ezra and Nehemiah 00:40:43.099 --> 00:40:43.899 about is the 00:40:43.899 --> 00:40:44.779 flip side of that 00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.319 because it doesn't 00:40:45.319 --> 00:40:46.000 focus on it 00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:46.659 if you could put up 00:40:46.659 --> 00:40:47.719 the point that 00:40:47.719 --> 00:40:48.139 would be very 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:48.519 helpful 00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:49.879 to follow the 00:40:49.879 --> 00:40:51.079 Lord involves a 00:40:51.079 --> 00:40:51.899 crucial and 00:40:51.899 --> 00:40:52.940 inescapable 00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:54.359 intergenerational 00:40:54.359 --> 00:40:55.000 dimension 00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:56.340 one of the 00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.860 questions that 00:40:56.860 --> 00:40:57.320 was put to 00:40:57.320 --> 00:40:57.559 me at 00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:58.059 GAFCON 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:58.480 which was 00:40:58.480 --> 00:40:58.900 very 00:40:58.900 --> 00:40:59.280 very 00:40:59.280 --> 00:40:59.980 it's been 00:40:59.980 --> 00:41:00.599 playing around 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.239 in my brain 00:41:01.239 --> 00:41:01.579 like a 00:41:01.579 --> 00:41:02.000 virus 00:41:02.000 --> 00:41:03.239 the question 00:41:03.239 --> 00:41:04.000 is who's 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:04.340 going to be 00:41:04.340 --> 00:41:04.960 the pastor 00:41:04.960 --> 00:41:05.300 of your 00:41:05.300 --> 00:41:05.539 great 00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.179 grandchildren 00:41:06.179 --> 00:41:07.420 we all 00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:07.820 hope that 00:41:07.820 --> 00:41:08.320 Jesus will 00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:08.820 come back 00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:09.219 but who's 00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:09.460 going to 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:09.780 pastor 00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:10.019 your 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:10.300 great 00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:10.860 grandchildren 00:41:10.860 --> 00:41:13.800 now on 00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:14.340 one hand 00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:14.800 we need 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:15.280 to live 00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:15.900 every day 00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.219 as if 00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:16.480 Jesus 00:41:16.480 --> 00:41:17.019 might come 00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:17.340 back 00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:17.719 tonight 00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:18.159 but on 00:41:18.159 --> 00:41:18.420 the other 00:41:18.420 --> 00:41:18.679 hand 00:41:18.679 --> 00:41:19.059 we need 00:41:19.059 --> 00:41:20.260 to wrestle 00:41:20.260 --> 00:41:20.860 with this 00:41:20.860 --> 00:41:21.940 intergenerational 00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:22.679 aspect of 00:41:22.679 --> 00:41:23.440 discipleship 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:24.579 that's why 00:41:24.579 --> 00:41:25.059 things like 00:41:25.059 --> 00:41:25.860 royal seminary 00:41:25.860 --> 00:41:26.279 and church 00:41:26.279 --> 00:41:26.840 planting are 00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:27.559 so important 00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.259 but it's 00:41:28.259 --> 00:41:28.719 also why 00:41:28.719 --> 00:41:29.119 we have to 00:41:29.119 --> 00:41:29.519 find ways 00:41:29.519 --> 00:41:29.860 to help 00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:30.699 parents raise 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:31.179 godly 00:41:31.179 --> 00:41:31.599 children 00:41:31.599 --> 00:41:32.139 have good 00:41:32.139 --> 00:41:32.799 Sunday school 00:41:32.799 --> 00:41:33.340 and good 00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:33.900 other types 00:41:33.900 --> 00:41:34.380 of mentoring 00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:34.819 and maybe 00:41:34.819 --> 00:41:35.159 we should 00:41:35.159 --> 00:41:35.460 be getting 00:41:35.460 --> 00:41:35.960 into helping 00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.840 people homeschool 00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:37.139 because 00:41:37.139 --> 00:41:38.059 increasingly 00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:38.819 our culture 00:41:38.819 --> 00:41:39.440 is very 00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:40.279 very 00:41:40.279 --> 00:41:41.940 anti-Christian 00:41:41.940 --> 00:41:43.940 but there's 00:41:43.940 --> 00:41:44.819 this inescapable 00:41:44.819 --> 00:41:45.480 thing and that's 00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:46.099 what's hidden 00:41:46.099 --> 00:41:46.799 in the book 00:41:46.799 --> 00:41:47.219 of Ezra 00:41:47.219 --> 00:41:47.639 it's part of 00:41:47.639 --> 00:41:48.159 the story 00:41:48.159 --> 00:41:48.539 of the book 00:41:48.539 --> 00:41:48.920 of Ezra 00:41:48.920 --> 00:41:49.579 and Nehemiah 00:41:49.579 --> 00:41:50.340 is that 00:41:50.340 --> 00:41:51.299 they fail 00:41:51.299 --> 00:41:52.759 they fail 00:41:52.759 --> 00:41:53.559 time and time 00:41:53.559 --> 00:41:53.980 and time 00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:54.380 and time 00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:54.699 again 00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.400 but God 00:41:55.400 --> 00:41:56.159 is faithful 00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:57.000 why 00:41:57.000 --> 00:41:58.079 because his 00:41:58.079 --> 00:41:58.719 love towards 00:41:58.719 --> 00:41:59.179 us is 00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.900 hesed 00:41:59.900 --> 00:42:00.599 it is 00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:01.360 steadfast 00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:01.719 it is 00:42:01.719 --> 00:42:02.420 unfailing 00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:02.780 it is 00:42:02.780 --> 00:42:03.179 covenant 00:42:03.179 --> 00:42:03.800 love 00:42:03.800 --> 00:42:04.719 and so 00:42:04.719 --> 00:42:05.599 they stumble 00:42:05.599 --> 00:42:06.519 they're going 00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:06.880 to spend 00:42:06.880 --> 00:42:07.920 17 years 00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:08.559 not building 00:42:08.559 --> 00:42:09.139 the temple 00:42:09.139 --> 00:42:10.559 it's going 00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:10.840 to take 00:42:10.840 --> 00:42:11.800 20 years 00:42:11.800 --> 00:42:12.320 to build 00:42:12.320 --> 00:42:12.960 the temple 00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:14.119 because of 00:42:14.119 --> 00:42:14.740 their fear 00:42:14.740 --> 00:42:16.480 but God 00:42:16.480 --> 00:42:17.139 never gives 00:42:17.139 --> 00:42:17.340 up 00:42:17.340 --> 00:42:18.079 he doesn't 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:18.679 give up 00:42:18.679 --> 00:42:19.360 even though 00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:19.960 many do 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:21.340 and he 00:42:21.340 --> 00:42:21.679 sends 00:42:21.679 --> 00:42:22.199 prophets 00:42:22.199 --> 00:42:22.980 to challenge 00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:23.199 them 00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:23.740 at a 00:42:23.740 --> 00:42:23.900 serious 00:42:23.900 --> 00:42:24.139 time 00:42:24.139 --> 00:42:24.699 and by 00:42:24.699 --> 00:42:24.920 the way 00:42:24.920 --> 00:42:25.179 you know 00:42:25.179 --> 00:42:25.480 something 00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:25.860 which is 00:42:25.860 --> 00:42:26.639 so interesting 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:27.119 about how 00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:27.679 the wisdom 00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:28.240 of God 00:42:28.240 --> 00:42:28.820 works 00:42:28.820 --> 00:42:30.980 when Israel 00:42:30.980 --> 00:42:31.699 was falling 00:42:31.699 --> 00:42:32.079 apart 00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:32.559 there was a 00:42:32.559 --> 00:42:33.179 prophet named 00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:33.659 Jeremiah 00:42:33.659 --> 00:42:34.360 who said 00:42:34.360 --> 00:42:34.659 there would 00:42:34.659 --> 00:42:35.360 be 70 00:42:35.360 --> 00:42:36.119 years 00:42:36.119 --> 00:42:37.199 before 00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:38.039 that the 00:42:38.039 --> 00:42:38.380 temple 00:42:38.380 --> 00:42:38.780 would be 00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.119 back 00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:39.360 and the 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:39.720 people of 00:42:39.720 --> 00:42:39.920 Israel 00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:40.119 would be 00:42:40.119 --> 00:42:40.300 back 00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:40.539 and the 00:42:40.539 --> 00:42:40.800 worship 00:42:40.800 --> 00:42:41.199 would be 00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:41.460 back 00:42:41.460 --> 00:42:42.300 they came 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:42.559 and they 00:42:42.559 --> 00:42:43.119 started to 00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:43.340 build 00:42:43.340 --> 00:42:43.720 you can 00:42:43.720 --> 00:42:44.220 check this 00:42:44.220 --> 00:42:44.599 with all 00:42:44.599 --> 00:42:45.059 the time 00:42:45.059 --> 00:42:45.440 references 00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:46.639 in 536 00:42:46.639 --> 00:42:47.380 BC 00:42:47.380 --> 00:42:49.119 they start 00:42:49.119 --> 00:42:49.900 to build 00:42:49.900 --> 00:42:50.500 the temple 00:42:50.500 --> 00:42:51.240 they fall 00:42:51.240 --> 00:42:51.980 into fear 00:42:51.980 --> 00:42:52.500 they end 00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:53.119 up finishing 00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:53.480 it in the 00:42:53.480 --> 00:42:54.780 year 560 00:42:54.780 --> 00:42:55.300 BC 00:42:55.300 --> 00:42:57.019 and 516 00:42:57.019 --> 00:42:57.760 year BC 00:42:57.760 --> 00:42:58.599 is 70 00:42:58.599 --> 00:42:59.559 years after 00:42:59.559 --> 00:43:00.079 the temple 00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:00.780 was destroyed 00:43:00.780 --> 00:43:01.700 in 586 00:43:01.700 --> 00:43:02.079 BC 00:43:02.079 --> 00:43:04.500 God kept 00:43:04.500 --> 00:43:05.099 his word 00:43:05.099 --> 00:43:06.220 it is 00:43:06.220 --> 00:43:06.559 written 00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:10.820 one final 00:43:10.820 --> 00:43:11.179 thing 00:43:11.179 --> 00:43:12.500 the Bible 00:43:12.500 --> 00:43:13.059 gives hope 00:43:13.059 --> 00:43:13.679 for enemies 00:43:13.679 --> 00:43:14.619 you could put 00:43:14.619 --> 00:43:15.099 up the final 00:43:15.099 --> 00:43:15.460 point 00:43:15.460 --> 00:43:18.279 here's the 00:43:18.279 --> 00:43:18.599 thing I want 00:43:18.599 --> 00:43:18.759 you to 00:43:18.759 --> 00:43:19.099 understand 00:43:19.099 --> 00:43:19.579 the Lord 00:43:19.579 --> 00:43:19.960 does not 00:43:19.960 --> 00:43:20.400 want more 00:43:20.400 --> 00:43:20.920 Canadians 00:43:20.920 --> 00:43:21.799 he has 00:43:21.799 --> 00:43:22.460 zero interest 00:43:22.460 --> 00:43:23.079 in Canadians 00:43:23.079 --> 00:43:23.900 he wants 00:43:23.900 --> 00:43:24.380 to adopt 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:25.079 more children 00:43:25.079 --> 00:43:26.259 to glorify 00:43:26.259 --> 00:43:26.699 and enjoy 00:43:26.699 --> 00:43:27.279 him forever 00:43:27.279 --> 00:43:28.380 forever 00:43:28.380 --> 00:43:30.059 when I went 00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:30.579 to Gafcon 00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:30.860 there were 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.779 52 nations 00:43:31.779 --> 00:43:32.380 represented 00:43:32.380 --> 00:43:33.519 and God 00:43:33.519 --> 00:43:33.960 doesn't want 00:43:33.960 --> 00:43:34.960 more Nigerians 00:43:34.960 --> 00:43:35.380 and more 00:43:35.380 --> 00:43:36.339 Singaporeans 00:43:36.339 --> 00:43:36.759 and more 00:43:36.759 --> 00:43:37.299 people from 00:43:37.299 --> 00:43:37.739 Indonesia 00:43:37.739 --> 00:43:38.319 he just 00:43:38.319 --> 00:43:38.699 wants more 00:43:38.699 --> 00:43:39.099 children 00:43:39.099 --> 00:43:41.059 you maintain 00:43:41.059 --> 00:43:41.779 aspects of 00:43:41.779 --> 00:43:42.339 your cultural 00:43:42.339 --> 00:43:42.739 identity 00:43:42.739 --> 00:43:43.139 that's 00:43:43.139 --> 00:43:44.659 wonderful 00:43:44.659 --> 00:43:46.159 that has 00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:46.460 to be 00:43:46.460 --> 00:43:46.759 if you're 00:43:46.759 --> 00:43:46.960 human 00:43:46.960 --> 00:43:47.159 you're 00:43:47.159 --> 00:43:47.299 going to 00:43:47.299 --> 00:43:47.440 have 00:43:47.440 --> 00:43:47.899 culture 00:43:47.899 --> 00:43:48.259 but at 00:43:48.259 --> 00:43:48.420 the end 00:43:48.420 --> 00:43:48.679 of the day 00:43:48.679 --> 00:43:48.920 he doesn't 00:43:48.920 --> 00:43:49.279 want more 00:43:49.279 --> 00:43:50.440 of that 00:43:50.440 --> 00:43:51.059 he wants 00:43:51.059 --> 00:43:52.359 you 00:43:52.359 --> 00:43:54.879 he wants 00:43:54.879 --> 00:43:55.239 you 00:43:55.239 --> 00:43:55.739 he wants 00:43:55.739 --> 00:43:56.099 you to be 00:43:56.099 --> 00:43:56.559 his child 00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:57.199 by adoption 00:43:57.199 --> 00:43:57.779 and grace 00:43:57.780 --> 00:43:58.600 now why 00:43:58.600 --> 00:43:58.800 why am I 00:43:58.800 --> 00:43:59.280 saying that 00:43:59.280 --> 00:43:59.980 it's not 00:43:59.980 --> 00:44:00.220 on the 00:44:00.220 --> 00:44:00.500 screen 00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:00.800 but if 00:44:00.800 --> 00:44:01.100 you turn 00:44:01.100 --> 00:44:01.480 to chapter 00:44:01.480 --> 00:44:02.120 6 verse 00:44:02.120 --> 00:44:02.600 21 00:44:02.600 --> 00:44:03.080 which is 00:44:03.080 --> 00:44:04.920 giving you 00:44:04.920 --> 00:44:05.860 chapter 4 00:44:05.860 --> 00:44:06.600 5 and 6 00:44:06.600 --> 00:44:07.000 gives you 00:44:07.000 --> 00:44:07.560 this 20 00:44:07.560 --> 00:44:08.720 year period 00:44:08.720 --> 00:44:09.180 before the 00:44:09.180 --> 00:44:09.660 temple ends 00:44:09.660 --> 00:44:10.000 up getting 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:10.360 built 00:44:10.360 --> 00:44:11.600 if you look 00:44:11.600 --> 00:44:11.960 at chapter 00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:12.560 6 verse 00:44:12.560 --> 00:44:13.160 21 00:44:13.160 --> 00:44:15.220 verse 19 00:44:15.220 --> 00:44:15.960 on the 14th 00:44:15.960 --> 00:44:16.280 day of the 00:44:16.280 --> 00:44:16.880 first month 00:44:16.880 --> 00:44:17.980 the returned 00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:18.560 exiles 00:44:18.560 --> 00:44:19.120 kept the 00:44:19.120 --> 00:44:19.600 Passover 00:44:19.600 --> 00:44:20.460 for the 00:44:20.460 --> 00:44:20.980 priests and 00:44:20.980 --> 00:44:21.380 Levites 00:44:21.380 --> 00:44:22.080 had purified 00:44:22.080 --> 00:44:22.600 themselves 00:44:22.600 --> 00:44:23.519 all of them 00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:24.120 were clean 00:44:24.120 --> 00:44:24.519 so they 00:44:24.519 --> 00:44:25.160 slaughtered the 00:44:25.160 --> 00:44:25.940 Passover lamb 00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.760 for all the 00:44:26.760 --> 00:44:27.260 returned 00:44:27.260 --> 00:44:28.019 exiles 00:44:28.019 --> 00:44:29.099 for their 00:44:29.099 --> 00:44:29.820 fellow priests 00:44:29.820 --> 00:44:30.139 and for 00:44:30.139 --> 00:44:30.619 themselves 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:31.380 it was 00:44:31.380 --> 00:44:31.740 eaten 00:44:31.740 --> 00:44:32.360 by the 00:44:32.360 --> 00:44:32.920 people of 00:44:32.920 --> 00:44:33.380 Israel 00:44:33.380 --> 00:44:33.740 who had 00:44:33.740 --> 00:44:34.159 returned 00:44:34.159 --> 00:44:34.900 from exile 00:44:34.900 --> 00:44:35.700 and also 00:44:35.700 --> 00:44:36.659 by everyone 00:44:36.659 --> 00:44:37.260 who had 00:44:37.260 --> 00:44:37.980 joined them 00:44:37.980 --> 00:44:38.720 and separated 00:44:38.720 --> 00:44:39.179 himself 00:44:39.179 --> 00:44:39.700 from the 00:44:39.700 --> 00:44:40.420 uncleanness 00:44:40.420 --> 00:44:40.740 of the 00:44:40.740 --> 00:44:41.260 peoples of 00:44:41.260 --> 00:44:41.700 the land 00:44:41.700 --> 00:44:42.480 to worship 00:44:42.480 --> 00:44:42.980 the Lord 00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:43.420 the God 00:44:43.420 --> 00:44:44.019 of Israel 00:44:44.019 --> 00:44:45.000 by some 00:44:45.000 --> 00:44:45.240 of the 00:44:45.240 --> 00:44:45.679 haters 00:44:45.679 --> 00:44:49.039 the people 00:44:49.039 --> 00:44:49.900 gave up 00:44:49.900 --> 00:44:51.059 having their 00:44:51.059 --> 00:44:51.740 children 00:44:51.740 --> 00:44:53.280 sacrificed 00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:54.200 to Moloch 00:44:54.200 --> 00:44:55.860 and who 00:44:55.860 --> 00:44:56.320 had hated 00:44:56.320 --> 00:44:57.079 the Israelites 00:44:57.079 --> 00:44:58.500 who become 00:44:58.500 --> 00:44:59.840 followers 00:44:59.840 --> 00:45:00.460 of the 00:45:00.460 --> 00:45:01.019 Lord 00:45:01.019 --> 00:45:04.420 hate 00:45:04.420 --> 00:45:04.760 doesn't 00:45:04.760 --> 00:45:05.079 have the 00:45:05.079 --> 00:45:05.880 final word 00:45:05.880 --> 00:45:08.340 God's 00:45:08.340 --> 00:45:08.840 heart is 00:45:08.840 --> 00:45:09.099 that he 00:45:09.099 --> 00:45:09.660 wants more 00:45:09.660 --> 00:45:10.220 children 00:45:10.220 --> 00:45:11.320 he doesn't 00:45:11.320 --> 00:45:11.720 want more 00:45:11.720 --> 00:45:12.099 people 00:45:12.099 --> 00:45:12.920 biologically 00:45:12.920 --> 00:45:13.559 descended 00:45:13.559 --> 00:45:14.620 from Abraham 00:45:14.620 --> 00:45:15.260 or from 00:45:15.260 --> 00:45:15.720 one of the 00:45:15.720 --> 00:45:15.980 twelve 00:45:15.980 --> 00:45:16.380 I mean he 00:45:16.380 --> 00:45:16.920 wants more 00:45:16.920 --> 00:45:17.260 of them 00:45:17.260 --> 00:45:17.820 sure he 00:45:17.820 --> 00:45:18.220 does 00:45:18.220 --> 00:45:19.260 but he 00:45:19.260 --> 00:45:20.500 brings you 00:45:20.500 --> 00:45:20.840 in by 00:45:20.840 --> 00:45:21.360 adoption 00:45:21.360 --> 00:45:22.160 and grace 00:45:22.160 --> 00:45:23.820 and we 00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:24.059 are to 00:45:24.059 --> 00:45:24.579 pray for 00:45:24.579 --> 00:45:24.820 our 00:45:24.820 --> 00:45:25.519 persecutors 00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:25.840 we are 00:45:25.840 --> 00:45:26.259 to pray 00:45:26.259 --> 00:45:26.739 for our 00:45:26.739 --> 00:45:27.099 haters 00:45:27.099 --> 00:45:28.860 we are 00:45:28.860 --> 00:45:29.259 to pray 00:45:29.259 --> 00:45:29.840 for them 00:45:29.840 --> 00:45:32.280 please stand 00:45:32.280 --> 00:45:34.079 as we 00:45:34.079 --> 00:45:34.380 bring it 00:45:34.380 --> 00:45:34.619 to a 00:45:34.619 --> 00:45:35.059 close 00:45:35.059 --> 00:45:42.579 you know 00:45:42.579 --> 00:45:42.860 I'm just 00:45:42.860 --> 00:45:43.059 gonna 00:45:43.059 --> 00:45:43.360 I'm gonna 00:45:43.360 --> 00:45:43.860 say one 00:45:43.860 --> 00:45:44.139 thing 00:45:44.139 --> 00:45:44.619 as I 00:45:44.619 --> 00:45:44.940 as I 00:45:44.940 --> 00:45:45.159 just 00:45:45.159 --> 00:45:45.480 yeah 00:45:45.480 --> 00:45:45.619 no 00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:45.780 let 00:45:45.780 --> 00:45:46.079 we'll 00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:46.239 just 00:45:46.239 --> 00:45:46.579 close 00:45:46.579 --> 00:45:47.000 let's 00:45:47.000 --> 00:45:47.340 close 00:45:47.340 --> 00:45:48.320 father 00:45:48.320 --> 00:45:51.280 we 00:45:51.280 --> 00:45:51.740 thank you 00:45:51.740 --> 00:45:52.380 that you 00:45:52.380 --> 00:45:52.680 are a 00:45:52.680 --> 00:45:52.960 god 00:45:52.960 --> 00:45:53.180 who 00:45:53.180 --> 00:45:53.480 loves 00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:53.820 us 00:45:53.820 --> 00:45:54.539 you 00:45:54.539 --> 00:45:54.860 really 00:45:54.860 --> 00:45:55.400 exist 00:45:55.400 --> 00:45:55.620 you 00:45:55.620 --> 00:45:55.940 call 00:45:55.940 --> 00:45:56.140 us 00:45:56.140 --> 00:45:56.539 into a 00:45:56.539 --> 00:45:56.760 real 00:45:56.760 --> 00:45:57.420 relationship 00:45:57.420 --> 00:45:58.120 with 00:45:58.120 --> 00:45:58.420 you 00:45:58.420 --> 00:45:59.380 you 00:45:59.380 --> 00:45:59.740 call 00:45:59.740 --> 00:45:59.940 us 00:45:59.940 --> 00:46:00.240 knowing 00:46:00.240 --> 00:46:00.440 what 00:46:00.440 --> 00:46:00.600 we're 00:46:00.600 --> 00:46:00.900 really 00:46:00.900 --> 00:46:01.360 like 00:46:01.360 --> 00:46:03.079 you 00:46:03.079 --> 00:46:03.539 adopt 00:46:03.539 --> 00:46:03.760 us 00:46:03.760 --> 00:46:04.079 as your 00:46:04.079 --> 00:46:04.559 child 00:46:04.559 --> 00:46:05.740 you 00:46:05.740 --> 00:46:06.180 call 00:46:06.180 --> 00:46:06.440 us 00:46:06.440 --> 00:46:06.780 to be 00:46:06.780 --> 00:46:07.120 part 00:46:07.120 --> 00:46:07.400 of your 00:46:07.400 --> 00:46:07.780 kingdom 00:46:07.780 --> 00:46:08.079 and 00:46:08.079 --> 00:46:08.900 you 00:46:08.900 --> 00:46:09.120 want 00:46:09.120 --> 00:46:09.240 us 00:46:09.240 --> 00:46:09.500 to be 00:46:09.500 --> 00:46:09.740 part 00:46:09.740 --> 00:46:09.860 of 00:46:09.860 --> 00:46:10.059 not 00:46:10.059 --> 00:46:10.280 just 00:46:10.280 --> 00:46:10.460 a 00:46:10.460 --> 00:46:10.880 generic 00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:11.360 abstract 00:46:11.360 --> 00:46:11.900 family 00:46:11.900 --> 00:46:12.140 but 00:46:12.140 --> 00:46:12.460 to have 00:46:12.460 --> 00:46:12.860 local 00:46:12.860 --> 00:46:13.340 churches 00:46:13.340 --> 00:46:13.740 that we 00:46:13.740 --> 00:46:14.059 can be 00:46:14.059 --> 00:46:14.400 part 00:46:14.400 --> 00:46:14.620 of 00:46:14.620 --> 00:46:14.900 where 00:46:14.900 --> 00:46:16.639 we 00:46:16.639 --> 00:46:17.039 can 00:46:17.039 --> 00:46:17.460 rejoice 00:46:17.460 --> 00:46:17.740 with 00:46:17.740 --> 00:46:18.000 those 00:46:18.000 --> 00:46:18.160 who 00:46:18.160 --> 00:46:18.639 rejoice 00:46:18.639 --> 00:46:18.920 and 00:46:18.920 --> 00:46:19.220 weep 00:46:19.220 --> 00:46:19.380 with 00:46:19.380 --> 00:46:19.680 those 00:46:19.680 --> 00:46:19.860 who 00:46:19.860 --> 00:46:20.200 weep 00:46:20.200 --> 00:46:20.340 and 00:46:20.340 --> 00:46:20.800 support 00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:21.160 those 00:46:21.160 --> 00:46:21.320 who 00:46:21.320 --> 00:46:21.500 need 00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:21.980 support 00:46:21.980 --> 00:46:22.300 and 00:46:22.300 --> 00:46:22.820 receive 00:46:22.820 --> 00:46:23.320 support 00:46:23.320 --> 00:46:23.519 when 00:46:23.519 --> 00:46:23.700 we 00:46:23.700 --> 00:46:23.920 need 00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:24.380 support 00:46:24.380 --> 00:46:24.639 and 00:46:24.639 --> 00:46:24.900 we 00:46:24.900 --> 00:46:25.059 can 00:46:25.059 --> 00:46:25.240 put 00:46:25.240 --> 00:46:25.400 an 00:46:25.400 --> 00:46:25.660 arm 00:46:25.660 --> 00:46:25.980 around 00:46:25.980 --> 00:46:26.340 people 00:46:26.340 --> 00:46:26.480 and 00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:26.599 they 00:46:26.599 --> 00:46:26.720 can 00:46:26.720 --> 00:46:26.900 put 00:46:26.900 --> 00:46:27.039 an 00:46:27.039 --> 00:46:27.280 arm 00:46:27.280 --> 00:46:27.599 around 00:46:27.599 --> 00:46:28.000 us 00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:28.139 and 00:46:28.139 --> 00:46:28.660 we 00:46:28.660 --> 00:46:28.840 can 00:46:28.840 --> 00:46:29.119 pray 00:46:29.119 --> 00:46:29.340 for 00:46:29.340 --> 00:46:29.700 people 00:46:29.700 --> 00:46:29.840 and 00:46:29.840 --> 00:46:29.980 they 00:46:29.980 --> 00:46:30.139 can 00:46:30.139 --> 00:46:30.380 pray 00:46:30.380 --> 00:46:30.619 for 00:46:30.619 --> 00:46:30.940 us 00:46:30.940 --> 00:46:31.099 and 00:46:31.099 --> 00:46:31.260 we 00:46:31.260 --> 00:46:31.440 can 00:46:31.440 --> 00:46:31.680 help 00:46:31.680 --> 00:46:31.900 each 00:46:31.900 --> 00:46:32.099 other 00:46:32.099 --> 00:46:32.380 out 00:46:32.380 --> 00:46:32.559 and 00:46:32.559 --> 00:46:33.519 we 00:46:33.519 --> 00:46:34.079 learn 00:46:34.079 --> 00:46:35.880 what 00:46:35.880 --> 00:46:36.019 it 00:46:36.019 --> 00:46:36.260 means 00:46:36.260 --> 00:46:36.780 to walk 00:46:36.780 --> 00:46:36.960 with 00:46:36.960 --> 00:46:37.079 you 00:46:37.079 --> 00:46:37.539 and follow 00:46:37.539 --> 00:46:37.740 you 00:46:37.739 --> 00:46:38.119 together 00:46:38.119 --> 00:46:38.479 and 00:46:38.479 --> 00:46:38.639 we 00:46:38.639 --> 00:46:38.799 can 00:46:38.799 --> 00:46:38.979 have 00:46:38.979 --> 00:46:39.119 a 00:46:39.119 --> 00:46:39.359 heart 00:46:39.359 --> 00:46:39.579 for 00:46:39.579 --> 00:46:39.779 our 00:46:39.779 --> 00:46:40.219 culture 00:46:40.219 --> 00:46:40.479 that 00:46:40.479 --> 00:46:40.699 even 00:46:40.699 --> 00:46:40.939 that 00:46:40.939 --> 00:46:41.239 parts 00:46:41.239 --> 00:46:41.359 of 00:46:41.359 --> 00:46:41.500 our 00:46:41.500 --> 00:46:41.839 culture 00:46:41.839 --> 00:46:42.039 that 00:46:42.039 --> 00:46:42.339 hate 00:46:42.339 --> 00:46:42.619 us 00:46:42.619 --> 00:46:43.419 that 00:46:43.419 --> 00:46:43.799 we 00:46:43.799 --> 00:46:44.059 don't 00:46:44.059 --> 00:46:44.379 hate 00:46:44.379 --> 00:46:44.859 them 00:46:44.859 --> 00:46:46.579 but 00:46:46.579 --> 00:46:46.679 that 00:46:46.679 --> 00:46:46.779 we 00:46:46.779 --> 00:46:46.939 would 00:46:46.939 --> 00:46:47.119 have 00:46:47.119 --> 00:46:47.500 strong 00:46:47.500 --> 00:46:48.139 confidence 00:46:48.139 --> 00:46:48.539 father 00:46:48.539 --> 00:46:48.779 that 00:46:48.779 --> 00:46:48.939 you 00:46:48.939 --> 00:46:49.079 are 00:46:49.079 --> 00:46:49.459 God 00:46:49.459 --> 00:46:49.659 that 00:46:49.659 --> 00:46:49.799 you 00:46:49.799 --> 00:46:49.939 are 00:46:49.939 --> 00:46:50.319 real 00:46:50.319 --> 00:46:50.619 that 00:46:50.619 --> 00:46:51.000 you 00:46:51.000 --> 00:46:51.159 have 00:46:51.159 --> 00:46:51.299 a 00:46:51.299 --> 00:46:51.599 plan 00:46:51.599 --> 00:46:51.779 and 00:46:51.779 --> 00:46:52.199 purpose 00:46:52.199 --> 00:46:52.519 that 00:46:52.519 --> 00:46:52.659 you 00:46:52.659 --> 00:46:52.799 are 00:46:52.799 --> 00:46:53.079 bringing 00:46:53.079 --> 00:46:53.419 things 00:46:53.419 --> 00:46:53.559 to 00:46:53.559 --> 00:46:53.679 their 00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:54.059 proper 00:46:54.059 --> 00:46:54.399 end 00:46:54.399 --> 00:46:54.579 and 00:46:54.579 --> 00:46:55.219 we 00:46:55.219 --> 00:46:55.419 can 00:46:55.419 --> 00:46:55.779 pray 00:46:55.779 --> 00:46:56.319 that 00:46:56.319 --> 00:46:56.419 you 00:46:56.419 --> 00:46:56.679 turn 00:46:56.679 --> 00:46:56.839 the 00:46:56.839 --> 00:46:57.099 hearts 00:46:57.099 --> 00:46:57.279 of 00:46:57.279 --> 00:46:57.619 haters 00:46:57.619 --> 00:46:57.939 away 00:46:57.939 --> 00:46:58.199 from 00:46:58.199 --> 00:46:58.519 hate 00:46:58.519 --> 00:46:59.719 not 00:46:59.719 --> 00:46:59.879 so 00:46:59.880 --> 00:47:00.079 much 00:47:00.079 --> 00:47:00.260 to 00:47:00.260 --> 00:47:00.460 love 00:47:00.460 --> 00:47:00.820 towards 00:47:00.820 --> 00:47:01.000 us 00:47:01.000 --> 00:47:01.180 but 00:47:01.180 --> 00:47:01.420 love 00:47:01.420 --> 00:47:01.860 towards 00:47:01.860 --> 00:47:02.240 you 00:47:02.240 --> 00:47:02.519 and 00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:03.180 from 00:47:03.180 --> 00:47:03.440 that 00:47:03.440 --> 00:47:03.680 love 00:47:03.680 --> 00:47:04.039 towards 00:47:04.039 --> 00:47:04.160 you 00:47:04.160 --> 00:47:04.300 will 00:47:04.300 --> 00:47:04.440 love 00:47:04.440 --> 00:47:04.800 towards 00:47:04.800 --> 00:47:05.099 us 00:47:05.099 --> 00:47:05.260 and 00:47:05.260 --> 00:47:05.539 father 00:47:05.539 --> 00:47:05.720 we 00:47:05.720 --> 00:47:06.000 ask 00:47:06.000 --> 00:47:06.119 that 00:47:06.119 --> 00:47:06.220 you 00:47:06.220 --> 00:47:06.500 help 00:47:06.500 --> 00:47:06.619 us 00:47:06.619 --> 00:47:06.760 to 00:47:06.760 --> 00:47:06.900 have 00:47:06.900 --> 00:47:07.140 such 00:47:07.140 --> 00:47:07.539 lives 00:47:07.539 --> 00:47:07.740 of 00:47:07.740 --> 00:47:08.079 prayer 00:47:08.079 --> 00:47:09.019 may 00:47:09.019 --> 00:47:09.220 the 00:47:09.220 --> 00:47:09.640 gospel 00:47:09.640 --> 00:47:10.039 grip 00:47:10.039 --> 00:47:10.380 us 00:47:10.380 --> 00:47:11.019 we 00:47:11.019 --> 00:47:11.300 ask 00:47:11.300 --> 00:47:11.480 this 00:47:11.480 --> 00:47:11.599 in 00:47:11.599 --> 00:47:11.700 the 00:47:11.700 --> 00:47:11.880 name 00:47:11.880 --> 00:47:12.059 of 00:47:12.059 --> 00:47:12.380 Jesus 00:47:12.380 --> 00:47:12.700 your 00:47:12.700 --> 00:47:13.000 son 00:47:13.000 --> 00:47:13.140 and 00:47:13.140 --> 00:47:13.320 our 00:47:13.320 --> 00:47:13.700 savior 00:47:13.700 --> 00:47:14.300 and 00:47:14.300 --> 00:47:14.460 all 00:47:14.460 --> 00:47:14.800 God's 00:47:14.800 --> 00:47:15.039 people 00:47:15.039 --> 00:47:15.480 said 00:47:15.480 --> 00:47:16.519 Amen