WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:06.700 Okay, so Luke chapter 1, verse 5. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:12.300 The birth of John the Baptist foretold. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:18.719 In the time of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:23.080 who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:26.820 His wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:30.420 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:35.240 observing all of the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:40.259 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:42.600 and they were both very old. 00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:49.620 Once, when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:54.299 he was chosen by lot according to the custom of the priesthood 00:00:54.299 --> 00:00:58.259 to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 00:01:00.379 --> 00:01:02.959 And when the time for the burning of incense came, 00:01:03.379 --> 00:01:06.299 all the assembled worshippers were praying outside. 00:01:07.819 --> 00:01:10.359 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, 00:01:10.539 --> 00:01:12.759 standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:17.780 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:20.000 But the angel said to him, 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:21.939 Do not be afraid, Zechariah. 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:24.159 Your prayer has been heard. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:26.840 Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, 00:01:27.240 --> 00:01:29.120 and you are to call him John. 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:32.640 He will be a joy and delight to you, 00:01:32.740 --> 00:01:34.939 and many will rejoice because of his birth, 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:37.700 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:41.480 He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:44.299 and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:46.399 even before he is born. 00:01:47.759 --> 00:01:50.500 He will bring back many of the people of Israel 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:51.719 to the Lord their God, 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:54.579 and he will go on before the Lord 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:56.920 in the spirit and power of Elijah 00:01:56.920 --> 00:01:59.899 to turn the hearts of the parents to their children 00:01:59.899 --> 00:02:02.780 and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:05.879 to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:08.699 Zechariah asked the angel, 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:10.579 How can I be sure of this? 00:02:11.019 --> 00:02:14.079 I'm an old man, and my wife is well on in years. 00:02:14.760 --> 00:02:16.200 The angel said to him, 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:17.620 I am Gabriel. 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:20.480 I stand in the presence of God, 00:02:20.719 --> 00:02:22.760 and I have been sent to speak to you 00:02:22.760 --> 00:02:24.500 and to tell you this good news. 00:02:25.640 --> 00:02:28.060 And now you will be silent 00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:31.060 and not able to speak until the day this happens, 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:33.540 because you did not believe my words, 00:02:33.540 --> 00:02:36.340 which will come true at their appointed time. 00:02:38.200 --> 00:02:40.540 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:43.100 and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:45.780 When he came out, he could not speak to them. 00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:48.780 They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:50.519 for he kept making signs to them, 00:02:50.579 --> 00:02:52.419 but remained unable to speak. 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:55.579 When his time of service was completed, 00:02:55.819 --> 00:02:56.840 he returned home. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:00.500 After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:02.939 and for five months remained in seclusion. 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:06.120 The Lord has done this for me, she said. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.680 In these days he has shown his favor 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:11.039 and taken away my disgrace among the people. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:14.479 The birth of Jesus foretold. 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:17.520 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:20.079 God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:21.439 a town in Galilee, 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:25.039 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, 00:03:25.579 --> 00:03:26.780 a descendant of David. 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:29.539 The virgin's name was Mary. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:31.800 The angel went to her and said, 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:34.180 Greetings, you who are highly favored. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:35.920 The Lord is with you. 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:38.920 Mary was greatly troubled at his words 00:03:38.920 --> 00:03:41.860 and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:43.740 But the angel said to her, 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:45.460 Do not be afraid, Mary. 00:03:45.740 --> 00:03:47.759 You have found favor with God. 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:51.020 You will conceive and give birth to a son 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:53.180 and you are to call him Jesus. 00:03:54.320 --> 00:03:55.640 He will be great 00:03:55.640 --> 00:03:58.060 and will be called the son of the Most High. 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:02.040 The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David 00:04:02.040 --> 00:04:05.420 and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:07.740 His kingdom will never end. 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:11.640 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:13.260 since I'm a virgin. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:15.040 The angel answered, 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:17.080 The Holy Spirit will come on you 00:04:17.080 --> 00:04:19.540 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:23.420 So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:26.140 Even Elizabeth, your relative, 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:28.520 is going to have a child in her old age 00:04:28.520 --> 00:04:31.280 and she who was said to be unable to conceive 00:04:31.280 --> 00:04:33.400 is in her sixth month. 00:04:34.220 --> 00:04:37.100 For no word from God will ever fail. 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:41.480 I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:43.780 May your word to me be fulfilled. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:46.600 Then the angel left her. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:05:03.120 Thank you so much, Joy, for reading. 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:10.900 These are big sections that we'll be going through in Luke. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:13.300 So we don't get to cover every little detail. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:15.300 So if there's questions afterwards 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:17.860 or you want to follow up on anything, please do. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.080 And if you haven't yet picked up your copy 00:05:20.080 --> 00:05:21.840 of Surprising Salvation, 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:24.819 which is a little overview of Luke's Gospel, 00:05:25.420 --> 00:05:26.920 there are plenty on the table. 00:05:27.100 --> 00:05:29.720 Pick up your copy and have a read. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:32.860 It'll help you as you go through this book. 00:05:33.520 --> 00:05:34.400 And we're going to pray 00:05:34.400 --> 00:05:36.740 because we need God's help. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:47.319 Father, thank you for Luke's Gospel, 00:05:47.960 --> 00:05:52.199 for this account of the life, 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:57.280 the birth of Jesus Christ. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:06:02.279 we pray that this true account 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:07.839 would impact us deeply this morning. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:12.739 That it wouldn't be just mere information 00:06:12.739 --> 00:06:15.559 and historical fact, 00:06:16.559 --> 00:06:21.479 but truth that changes each and every heart. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:27.540 Father, we want to be those who surrender 00:06:27.540 --> 00:06:30.580 and listen to your word 00:06:30.580 --> 00:06:35.319 and believe every promise of your word. 00:06:36.700 --> 00:06:39.480 So give us faith that we might do so. 00:06:40.700 --> 00:06:42.560 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:43.680 Amen. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:49.900 You're going to have a baby. 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:54.480 Well, that's really exciting news 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.740 for the parents, isn't it? 00:06:56.840 --> 00:06:59.019 Friends and family will be told. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:02.360 Pictures of scans will appear on Facebook. 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:04.699 The baby room decorated. 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:06.800 Clothes and buggies bought. 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:08.639 Baby showers organised. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:11.860 And with all the hype and chat that goes on, 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:12.919 you would think 00:07:12.919 --> 00:07:15.139 that this is the first baby 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:17.099 to arrive on planet Earth. 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:22.039 But it's really quite normal. 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:24.519 In fact, about, 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:27.099 according to the statistics anyway, 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:29.899 360,000 babies 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:32.919 are born every single day 00:07:32.919 --> 00:07:34.219 in the world. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:37.759 That works out at 3.5, 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:39.180 I know that's not possible, 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:39.939 but you know what I mean. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:41.800 4.5 babies a second. 00:07:42.839 --> 00:07:44.120 It's incredible, isn't it? 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:48.199 So being told you're going to have a baby 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:51.159 is a really normal experience. 00:07:52.219 --> 00:07:54.180 It may change your life, 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:58.579 but on the world scale of things, 00:07:58.659 --> 00:08:00.839 it's really not that special. 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:04.240 So when we're introduced, 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:05.659 as Luke does, 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:07.600 to Elizabeth and Mary 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:08.320 and tells them, 00:08:08.700 --> 00:08:09.960 you're going to have a baby. 00:08:11.320 --> 00:08:13.760 It appears to be the most normal, 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:15.480 natural thing in the world. 00:08:17.380 --> 00:08:19.060 But these birth announcements 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:20.760 are anything but normal. 00:08:21.440 --> 00:08:23.400 They are extraordinary 00:08:23.400 --> 00:08:27.379 because they change the course 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:28.920 of history. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:30.879 In fact, 00:08:31.020 --> 00:08:32.120 although they happened 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.720 2,000 years ago, 00:08:34.060 --> 00:08:36.200 they have a continuing impact 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.240 on my life 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.180 and your life 00:08:38.180 --> 00:08:39.440 right now. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.180 The birth announcement 00:08:43.180 --> 00:08:44.300 of John 00:08:44.300 --> 00:08:46.360 and of Jesus 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:49.159 means a new, 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:51.180 radical life 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:52.899 for you. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:56.139 So let's together see 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:58.519 how these birth announcements 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:01.019 impact our lives 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:02.179 today. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:04.740 First, 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.439 God intervenes 00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:08.720 by his grace. 00:09:09.720 --> 00:09:10.740 We're introduced 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:11.759 at the very beginning 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:13.860 of Luke's account 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:14.939 to a couple 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:16.120 named Zachariah 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.139 and his wife Elizabeth. 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:19.019 Zachariah, 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:19.840 well, 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:20.480 he worked 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.580 in the temple. 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:23.800 And we're told, 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:24.379 verse 6, 00:09:24.440 --> 00:09:25.259 that both of them 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:26.000 were upright 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:27.200 in the sight of God, 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:29.120 observing all the Lord's 00:09:29.120 --> 00:09:29.580 commandments 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:30.779 and regulations 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:31.700 blamelessly. 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:33.720 They were godly people. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:36.720 But, 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:37.680 verse 7, 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:39.159 they had no children. 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.060 Now, 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:42.620 all that 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.039 was going to change. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:46.420 Suddenly, 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:48.580 during a normal day's 00:09:48.580 --> 00:09:49.600 work in the temple 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:50.740 as Zachariah's 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:51.759 division is called 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:52.500 to service, 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:53.680 verse 11, 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:55.420 an angel of the Lord 00:09:55.420 --> 00:09:56.340 appeared to him, 00:09:57.060 --> 00:09:58.720 standing right at the side 00:09:58.720 --> 00:09:59.899 of the altar of incense 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:00.920 where he was working. 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.259 Now, 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:03.340 I don't know about you, 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:03.639 but 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:05.399 I'm not sure 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:07.259 when was the last time 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:08.120 you ever met 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:08.940 an angel. 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:12.460 Let's say 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:13.360 it's not part of our 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:14.540 normal experience, 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.060 is it? 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:16.980 Verse 12, 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:19.080 for when Zachariah 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:19.820 saw him, 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.600 he was startled 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:22.759 and was gripped 00:10:22.759 --> 00:10:23.399 with fear. 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:24.779 You see, 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.779 angels don't show up 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:27.580 very often 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:30.240 unless 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.639 God is about 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:33.860 to do something. 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:36.180 When we read about 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.300 angels appearing 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.039 in the Bible, 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:39.180 it's because 00:10:39.180 --> 00:10:40.060 God is 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:41.480 intervening. 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:43.060 God has 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:44.120 something to say. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.799 God has an announcement 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:46.560 to make. 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:48.960 And here it is, 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:49.740 verse 13. 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:52.100 The angel said to 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:53.000 Zachariah, 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:54.480 do not 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.419 be afraid. 00:10:56.960 --> 00:10:57.899 Your prayer 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:58.659 has been heard. 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:00.440 Your wife 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:00.840 Elizabeth 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:01.879 will bear you 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.320 a son 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:02.879 and you are to 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.600 give him the name 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:04.000 John. 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:05.899 He will be a joy 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:07.080 and delight to you. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:08.419 Of course he would be. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.299 After all 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:11.100 these years, 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:12.120 they would have 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:12.720 a child. 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:14.039 What a joy. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:16.419 But it ain't 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:17.360 going to stop there. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.779 Verse 14. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.820 He will be a joy 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:22.720 and delight 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.320 to you 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.600 and 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:25.500 many 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:27.360 will rejoice 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.320 because of 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:28.940 his birth. 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:29.659 This 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.940 is a birth 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:31.580 that will have 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.100 an impact 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:32.860 not just on 00:11:32.860 --> 00:11:33.539 one family 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:35.580 but across 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.299 the world 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.080 and through 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:38.000 centuries 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:40.039 and in our 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:40.840 life today. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:44.399 so what's 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:45.320 so special 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:47.060 about John? 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.120 What's he 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:48.700 going to do? 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.220 Well, we're told 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.860 in verse 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:53.960 15. 00:11:55.560 --> 00:11:56.019 He will be 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:56.800 great in the 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:57.340 sight of the 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:57.600 Lord. 00:11:58.560 --> 00:11:59.420 He is never 00:11:59.420 --> 00:12:00.259 to take wine 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:00.840 or other 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.960 fermented drink 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.820 and he will 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:04.580 be filled 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.180 with the 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:06.120 Holy Spirit 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.620 even 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:09.240 before he's 00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:09.560 born. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.040 So this 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:11.620 will be no 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.280 ordinary 00:12:12.280 --> 00:12:12.860 child. 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.220 He is 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.139 set apart 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:15.900 from God 00:12:15.900 --> 00:12:17.879 and he is 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:19.160 empowered by 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:19.660 God 00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:21.700 even before 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:22.160 he is 00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:22.500 born. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:25.340 but what 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:25.860 should make 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.600 us sit up 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.039 and listen 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.620 is what 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.000 he will 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.440 do. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.279 He will 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.340 be God's 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:30.779 prophet 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:31.759 speaking 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.500 God's 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.460 very word 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.259 to the 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.639 people. 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:37.980 Turn with 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.480 me please 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.220 back to 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:39.860 Malachi 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.100 which is 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:41.639 the last 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.059 book of 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:42.399 the Old 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:42.779 Testament. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.320 So going 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:43.820 backwards 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.340 you're in 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:44.620 Luke 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.299 you've 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.480 got to 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.000 go through 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.659 Mark 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:47.960 and then 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:48.299 you go 00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:48.620 through 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.200 Matthew 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:50.600 and then 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.120 we come 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:51.580 to 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.600 Malachi. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.680 So keep 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:55.080 working 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:55.540 back 00:12:55.540 --> 00:12:57.520 Mark 00:12:57.520 --> 00:12:58.120 Matthew 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.660 and then 00:12:58.660 --> 00:12:59.100 Malachi 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:00.600 to chapter 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.160 four 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:03.420 and 00:13:03.420 --> 00:13:03.820 verse 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:04.180 one. 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:06.560 So the 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:07.320 time 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:08.000 difference 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.840 between 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.960 Malachi 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:10.780 the end 00:13:10.780 --> 00:13:11.240 of Malachi 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:11.700 the end 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:11.900 of the 00:13:11.900 --> 00:13:12.060 Old 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:12.379 Testament 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.400 and the 00:13:13.400 --> 00:13:13.840 beginning 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.300 of Luke 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.920 the birth 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:15.420 announcement 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:16.040 of John 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:16.740 is about 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.500 400 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.140 years. 00:13:20.540 --> 00:13:21.120 And 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.879 God 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.360 hasn't 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:22.940 said 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:23.279 anything 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:23.639 at least 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:23.980 nothing 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:24.340 has been 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:24.940 recorded 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.539 about what 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:25.799 God 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.120 has said 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:26.500 so there's 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:26.700 been 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:27.679 silence 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:28.379 for 400 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:28.960 years. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:30.659 This 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.200 was one 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:31.440 of the 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:31.759 last 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.080 things 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:32.460 God 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:32.659 had 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.419 said 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:33.779 to the 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.139 people. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:34.899 Malachi 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.320 chapter 00:13:35.320 --> 00:13:35.779 four 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.120 verse 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:36.460 one. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:37.940 God 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.259 makes 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:38.539 this 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.120 promise. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.120 He 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.379 says 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:41.720 surely 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:42.320 the day 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:42.940 is coming. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:43.980 The day 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.659 is referring 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.180 here to 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:46.360 God's 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:46.940 judgment. 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:47.320 The 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:47.919 coming 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.379 again 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:48.980 of God 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:49.200 in 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:49.879 judgment. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.879 And he 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.179 says it 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:53.919 will burn 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.519 like a 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:54.840 furnace 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.560 and all 00:13:56.560 --> 00:13:57.139 the arrogant 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.179 and every 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.320 evil doer 00:13:59.320 --> 00:13:59.779 will be 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:00.580 stubble 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:01.919 and that 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:02.340 day 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:03.799 that is 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.259 coming 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:05.060 will set 00:14:05.060 --> 00:14:05.460 them on 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:05.820 fire 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:06.440 says the 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:06.840 Lord 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.620 Almighty. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.240 It's a 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.879 terrifying 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.779 picture of 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.340 God's 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:12.980 promised 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.539 judgment 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.179 to come 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.500 upon all 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.379 the evil 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.340 and injustice 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.879 in the 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.200 world. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:19.379 world. 00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:22.500 But there's 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.120 also another 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.740 promise. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:24.759 Look down 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.120 at verse 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.660 five. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.620 See I 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.379 will send 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:29.780 you the 00:14:29.780 --> 00:14:30.120 prophet 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:30.740 Elijah 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:32.180 before 00:14:32.180 --> 00:14:33.680 that 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.379 great and 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.879 dreadful 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.800 day of 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.220 the Lord 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:36.820 comes. 00:14:38.020 --> 00:14:38.800 So there's 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.220 hope. 00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:40.520 Verse 00:14:40.520 --> 00:14:40.879 six. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.120 He will 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.940 turn the 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:43.660 hearts of 00:14:43.660 --> 00:14:44.900 the fathers 00:14:44.900 --> 00:14:45.280 or the 00:14:45.280 --> 00:14:45.980 parents to 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.180 their 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.400 children and 00:14:47.400 --> 00:14:48.000 the hearts 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.420 of the 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.079 children to 00:14:49.079 --> 00:14:49.279 their 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:51.139 parents or 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:51.719 else I 00:14:51.719 --> 00:14:52.219 will come 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:53.079 and strike 00:14:53.079 --> 00:14:53.559 the land 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:53.879 with a 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.240 curse. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:56.699 Rather than 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.459 destruction 00:14:57.459 --> 00:14:58.339 and division 00:14:58.339 --> 00:15:00.039 God promises 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:00.579 that there 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:00.959 will be 00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:01.659 renewal 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.679 and 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.559 reconciliation. 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.959 Pictured in 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:07.719 families coming 00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:08.519 back together 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.439 God will 00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.279 send his 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:10.959 prophet who 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:11.579 will lead 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:12.179 his people 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:12.839 back to 00:15:12.839 --> 00:15:14.339 God so 00:15:14.339 --> 00:15:14.779 that they 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.659 might escape 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.240 God's 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:16.740 judgment. 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:19.480 The promise 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.079 of hope. 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:22.299 Now back 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:22.819 to Luke 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:24.199 chapter 00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:24.579 one. 00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:25.240 Four 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:25.819 hundred 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:27.039 years pass 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.399 and there's 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:27.779 not a 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.699 whisper, 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:29.939 not a 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.439 sound, 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:31.159 not a 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.659 voice until 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.899 the announcement 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.959 of John who 00:15:34.959 --> 00:15:35.439 is to be 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:35.819 born. 00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:36.759 And what do 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.159 we read 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:37.699 about in 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:37.959 verse 00:15:37.959 --> 00:15:38.579 sixteen? 00:15:40.439 --> 00:15:41.000 Chapter 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.399 one. 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:43.019 Many of 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.679 the people 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:44.659 of Israel 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.379 he will 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.340 bring back 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:46.779 to the 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.299 Lord their 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:47.659 God. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.340 Sound 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:48.819 familiar? 00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:52.039 And he 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:52.620 will go 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.360 before the 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:53.899 Lord in 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.539 the spirit 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:54.980 and the 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.519 power of 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:55.939 Elijah. 00:15:56.579 --> 00:15:57.319 Is this 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:58.059 the promise 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:58.720 that God 00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.240 had made 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.720 all those 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.319 hundreds of 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:01.059 years before? 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.600 He will 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.399 turn the 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.000 hearts of 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.699 the fathers 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.039 or the 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.699 parents to 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.419 their children 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:07.379 and the 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.319 disobedient 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:08.740 to the 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.319 wisdom of 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:09.899 the righteous 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:11.840 to make 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.860 ready a 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.360 people 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.139 prepared 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:15.080 for the 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.420 Lord. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:17.340 The 00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:18.000 announcement 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.060 of John's 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:19.639 birth is 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.480 not just 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.019 another 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.840 ordinary 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.580 baby. 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:24.040 This is 00:16:24.040 --> 00:16:24.620 God 00:16:24.620 --> 00:16:25.519 graciously 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.920 intervening 00:16:26.920 --> 00:16:27.460 into the 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:28.040 world and 00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:28.820 into my 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.360 life and 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.040 into your 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:30.460 life. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.460 John may 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.000 have since 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.440 died, 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:37.960 but the 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.860 promises of 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.460 God and 00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.019 the Word 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.540 of God 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.819 still stand 00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:42.379 today. 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.539 God's 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.019 promised 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.839 judgment in 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:45.360 the future 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.259 is still 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.879 to come. 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.819 And God 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.740 will punish 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.360 all who 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:50.759 live in 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.179 rebellion 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.959 against him. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.059 But through 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.719 the message 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.279 of John 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:54.679 we are 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.279 called to 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:55.879 get our 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.559 lives in 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:56.860 order, 00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:57.740 to turn 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.480 back in 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.059 repentance 00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:00.179 to God, 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.740 to experience 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.360 forgiveness 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.919 of our 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.879 sins so 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.399 that we 00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:05.159 can be 00:17:05.159 --> 00:17:06.000 ready and 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.259 prepared to 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.279 meet the 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.619 Lord. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.019 this is 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.759 God's 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.379 gracious 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:13.579 intervention 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:14.259 into the 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.599 world, 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.799 into my 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.480 life and 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.180 into your 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.639 life. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.000 And I 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.460 want us to 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.019 think about 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.579 that for a 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:24.759 minute. 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.000 If you 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.019 could ask 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:30.099 God to 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:31.139 intervene into 00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:31.940 your life 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.839 right now, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.879 what would 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.420 you want 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.299 him to do 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.259 in your 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.680 life? 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:37.880 life. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.400 Maybe you 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:41.779 would be 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.700 just like 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.100 Elizabeth. 00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:44.980 Look at 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.620 verse 7, 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.220 go back to 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.799 verse 7. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.120 Remember 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:49.500 Elizabeth? 00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:50.279 They had 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.980 no children. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.640 Elizabeth was 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.060 barren, 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:53.779 past the 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.000 age, 00:17:54.060 --> 00:17:54.539 wasn't able 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.140 to conceive, 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:55.560 they were 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:56.180 both well 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:56.920 on in years, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:57.880 couldn't have 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.299 children. 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:01.299 And not 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:01.799 to have a 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.299 baby at 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:02.779 that time 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.360 was a 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:04.460 real social 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:05.340 stigma. 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.399 you were 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:07.839 a disgrace 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:08.579 to the 00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:09.139 community. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.059 Not to 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.359 have a 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:11.699 child, 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.299 you were 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.500 an 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.099 outsider. 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.679 But God 00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:18.740 intervenes in 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.279 her life 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.220 and gives 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.599 her a 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.139 child and 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:21.899 look how 00:18:21.899 --> 00:18:22.299 Elizabeth 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.079 responds, 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.019 verse 25. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:26.839 It's a 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.699 celebration of 00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:28.199 God's 00:18:28.199 --> 00:18:28.639 grace. 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.859 The Lord 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:30.819 has done 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.399 this for 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:31.679 me. 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:33.919 In 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.699 these days 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.180 he has 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.720 shown his 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.180 favour, 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:36.940 literally, 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:37.920 God has 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.759 shown her 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:40.180 grace and 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.259 taken away 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.880 my disgrace 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:44.180 from among 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:44.799 the people. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.759 Elizabeth is 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.740 so thankful 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.299 for her 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.940 new son. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:50.880 But let's 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.279 not miss 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.860 the point. 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:52.860 She has 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.380 discovered 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.279 something even 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.740 greater. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.500 You see, 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.360 Elizabeth's 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:56.640 son, 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.360 John, 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:57.840 was to 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.680 lead people 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.200 back to 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.460 God, 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.340 people just 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.160 like Elizabeth. 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.240 And God 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.259 has graciously 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.720 intervened into 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.359 her life 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.379 and taken 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:07.099 away her 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.680 disgrace, 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.660 not just 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.220 socially, 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:13.119 but relationally 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.779 with God. 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:18.700 Now, 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.420 what is your 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:19.940 disgrace? 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:22.720 What is it 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.259 that you 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.440 carry in your 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.240 life that you 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.440 long that God 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.339 would intervene 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.680 and take it 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.039 away? 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.620 Could be 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.840 unemployment. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.259 It could be 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.340 the loneliness 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:38.539 of being 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.120 single. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.640 It could be 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.279 an illness 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.980 or an 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.660 impediment 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.080 that you 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:44.640 carry. 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.259 It might 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:47.799 be that you 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.259 don't have 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.720 a child. 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.580 And all 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:51.019 of these 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.519 in some 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:51.900 way can 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.420 be that 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.480 social 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.140 disgrace 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.980 where you 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.440 feel 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.539 outside 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.319 and you 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.059 long for 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.559 God to 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.059 intervene. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.059 Well, 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.500 the message 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:00.980 is that 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.659 God has 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.460 graciously 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.460 intervened 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:03.940 in our 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.579 life through 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.799 the coming 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.759 of John 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.579 who has 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.480 this message 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.980 to say 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.859 that through 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.500 repentance 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.379 we can be 00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:13.740 covered in 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.859 grace so 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.299 that we 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.180 never ever 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.680 face disgrace 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.700 before God 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.019 again, 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.899 not just 00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:20.599 socially with 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:20.899 others, 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:22.039 but relationally 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.720 with God. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:28.140 God is 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:28.460 going to 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.000 change 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.299 your 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.299 circumstances 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.100 completely, 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.940 but the 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.400 promise 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.079 here in 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.500 verse 25 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.519 is that 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.319 God will 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.440 shower and 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.380 pour out 00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:40.039 his grace 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.660 upon you 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.079 so that 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.460 you are 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.640 no longer 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.660 burdened 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.839 by the 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.480 guilt of 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.680 our 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.539 disgrace 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:48.360 of sin 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:50.420 and no 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.779 longer 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.579 burdened 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.199 or judged 00:20:52.199 --> 00:20:52.679 by the 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.619 expectations 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.339 of other 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:54.819 people 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.399 on how 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.059 you feel. 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.559 God 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.379 intervenes 00:20:59.379 --> 00:20:59.699 in your 00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:00.159 life, 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:01.519 radically 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.299 changing 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:02.679 you, 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.099 giving you 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.599 a new 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.240 identity, 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:05.819 a new 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.379 person, 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:07.480 that you 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.419 belong to 00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:08.859 God. 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:09.599 You no 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.199 longer are 00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:10.799 judged by 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.299 what other 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.960 people think 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.419 about you, 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.519 but what 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.480 God thinks 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.579 about you. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.119 God has 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:18.799 graciously 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.740 intervened 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:21.259 by his 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.799 grace. 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.380 Second, 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.299 God 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:26.859 enables 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:28.140 a new 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.559 beginning. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.380 So God 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.299 has intervened. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.259 What will 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.440 this intervention 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.059 look like? 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.579 Well, this 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:38.019 time, an 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.819 angel appears 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.980 to Mary. 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:40.819 Here's the 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.279 second 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.140 verse 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.660 announcement, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.559 verse 30. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.440 The 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.200 angel said 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.660 to Mary, 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.339 do not 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.079 be afraid. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.519 You have 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.019 found 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.599 favour. 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.059 Again, 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.559 literally, 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.099 God has 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:54.420 shown 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.380 grace to 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:55.660 you. 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.259 You will 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.740 be with 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.640 child and 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.400 give birth 00:21:59.400 --> 00:21:59.779 to a 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.140 son and 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.400 you are 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:00.740 to give 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.039 him the 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.359 name 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.380 Jesus. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.539 God is 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.440 intervening 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:06.140 in grace 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:07.420 through the 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.019 person of 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.420 Jesus. 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.079 And we're 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:11.720 told what 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.240 he will be 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.680 like. 00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:13.420 Look at 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.120 verse 32. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:14.980 He will 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.779 be great. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.099 He will 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.559 be called 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.200 Son of the 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.859 Most High. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:20.179 The Lord 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:20.699 God will 00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:21.019 give him 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.579 the throne 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.139 over his 00:22:22.139 --> 00:22:22.939 father David 00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.559 and he 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.119 will reign 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.519 over the 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.939 house of 00:22:24.939 --> 00:22:25.699 Jacob forever. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.019 His 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.639 kingdom 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.799 will never 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.299 end. 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.279 Now, 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.679 that is 00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.039 some 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.599 character 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.319 reference. 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.919 But these 00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:34.319 are more 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:34.839 than just 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.479 grand 00:22:35.479 --> 00:22:36.139 titles. 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.179 This 00:22:37.179 --> 00:22:38.299 being called 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.159 Great and 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.240 Son of the 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.899 Most High 00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:41.859 and having 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.259 this 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.819 throne 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.339 where he 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.179 reigns over 00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:46.079 all things 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.919 and a 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.359 kingdom 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:47.879 that will 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.359 never 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:48.819 end. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.759 These are 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.199 not just 00:22:50.199 --> 00:22:51.099 titles and 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.779 roles that 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.159 are just 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.699 kind of 00:22:52.699 --> 00:22:53.179 out there. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.639 These are 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.339 titles and 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.939 roles that 00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:55.519 belong to 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.179 God. 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.359 But are 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.220 now being 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.199 applied to 00:23:00.199 --> 00:23:01.119 Jesus. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.259 So Luke 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.779 is making 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.619 the extraordinary 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.379 claim that 00:23:05.379 --> 00:23:06.740 Jesus who is 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.319 going to be 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.859 born is 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.819 nothing less 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.759 than God 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.379 in human 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.000 flesh. 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.179 It's what we 00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:14.699 call the 00:23:14.699 --> 00:23:15.399 incarnation. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.279 God, 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:18.299 the Most 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.879 High, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.439 the Creator, 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.359 the Ruler 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.799 of the 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.159 Universe, 00:23:22.619 --> 00:23:23.399 who sits 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:23.839 on the 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.220 throne, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.399 who rules 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:26.159 over all 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.659 things, 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.539 who has 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.279 an eternal 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.980 kingdom that 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.480 will never 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.039 come to 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.460 an end. 00:23:31.419 --> 00:23:31.960 This 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.299 God takes 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.519 on humanity 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.879 and comes 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.779 down to 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:39.179 people like 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:39.899 us. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.439 You see, 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.299 in religions, 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:46.779 gods do 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.779 not come 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.319 near. 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.299 They remain 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.399 distant. 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.180 They are a 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.859 threat and 00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.519 they must be 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.159 appeased. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:54.859 They are 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:56.059 impersonal and 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.579 angry. 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:57.659 But the 00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.379 one true 00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:58.980 God, the 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.940 only God, 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.720 comes to 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.220 us in the 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.759 person of 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.139 Jesus. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.879 Look at the 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.159 end of 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:04.019 verse 35. 00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:04.799 So the 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.599 Holy One 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:05.940 to be 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.480 born will 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.099 be called 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.220 the Son 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.200 of God. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:12.059 Jesus is 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.120 not like 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:15.039 God or 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.039 a combination 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.059 of half 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.600 God and 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.460 half man. 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.559 Jesus is 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.960 God in 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.620 the flesh. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.120 So as 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.799 we read 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.480 through Luke's 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.059 Gospel, as 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:28.140 we listen to 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:28.680 what Jesus 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.240 says, as 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.960 we watch 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.700 him act, 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.779 we see 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.559 the beauty 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.059 and the 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.620 greatness 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.200 and the 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.640 holiness 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.180 and the 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.340 magnificence 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:39.019 of God 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.379 on display. 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:44.639 This is 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.480 not just 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.779 another baby 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.599 being born. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.559 This is 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.720 God coming 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:50.399 down to 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:50.919 us, 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.599 intervening 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.539 by grace 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.679 into our 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.299 lives. 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:57.980 But why 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.299 has he 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.659 come? 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.199 Sorry, I 00:25:02.199 --> 00:25:02.559 missed up 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:02.779 there. 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.539 Why has he 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:03.799 come? 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.139 Look at 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.980 verse 34. 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.339 How will 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.879 this be 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.819 as Mary 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.419 comes to 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.139 terms with 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:12.720 this shock 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.059 that she's 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.459 going to 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:15.240 have a 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.500 baby? 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.059 How can 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.659 this be, 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.299 Mary asked 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.619 the angel, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.279 since I'm 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.819 a virgin, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.659 I'm not 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.480 even married 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.299 yet, I 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.059 haven't slept 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.500 with anyone, 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.079 how can I 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.339 have a 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:23.659 baby? 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.339 The angel 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.919 answered, 00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:28.799 the Holy 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.619 Spirit will 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.279 come upon 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:32.139 you and 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:32.939 the power 00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:33.579 of the 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.439 Most High 00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:35.559 will 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.779 overshadow 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.139 you. 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.200 Mary will 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.639 become 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.299 pregnant 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.579 supernaturally, 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.099 not through 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.599 the seed 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.139 of a man, 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.759 but through 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.740 the creating 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:47.179 life-giving 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:48.440 work of 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.299 the power 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.159 of the 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.019 Holy Spirit. 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:54.940 Now this 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.419 not only 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:56.059 begins to 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.899 explain the 00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.379 birth of 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.759 Jesus, 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.740 but it 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.500 begins to 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.119 hint and 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.960 show us 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.980 what this 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.759 Jesus will 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.200 do. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.779 Keep your 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.299 finger in 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.920 Luke and 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:10.000 let's jump 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.920 all the way 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.460 back to 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.140 the very 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:13.500 beginning of 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.079 the Bible 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.900 to Genesis 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:16.279 chapter 1. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.400 Genesis 1 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:20.720 verse 1. 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.180 Because I 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.720 think Luke 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.160 here is 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:23.799 wanting us 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.319 to make 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.880 a connection. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.900 Genesis 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.819 chapter 1. 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:42.559 In the 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.000 beginning, 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:46.579 before time 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.079 began, 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.720 before anything 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.460 existed, 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:50.980 God, 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.000 eternal 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.539 God, 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.319 in the 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.680 beginning 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.279 God 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.160 created 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.400 the heavens, 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.160 everything 00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.880 above us, 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.799 and the 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.120 earth, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.200 all things 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.539 here. 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.980 Now the 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.420 earth was 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.019 formless 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.299 and empty, 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.619 darkness 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.279 was over 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.859 the surface 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:09.220 of the 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.519 deep, 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.259 and the 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.039 Spirit of 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.740 God was 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.639 hovering, 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.099 or 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:18.240 overshadowing, 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.119 the waters. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.399 It's the 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:23.399 exact same 00:27:23.399 --> 00:27:24.240 phrase that 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.819 we have in 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.500 Luke about 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.220 the birth 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.559 of Jesus. 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.680 The Spirit 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.860 overshadows, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.259 or hovers, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.200 over. 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.560 So in 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:36.120 Genesis, 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:38.060 the Spirit 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:38.759 of God 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.640 is at work 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.759 in the 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.519 creation of 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.120 the world. 00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:43.320 Verse 2, 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:43.740 we're told, 00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:44.279 chapter 1, 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:44.779 verse 2, 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:45.500 that the 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.140 world was 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:47.440 formless and 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:47.840 empty. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.259 Literally, 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.080 there was 00:27:49.080 --> 00:27:49.840 disorder, 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.039 there was 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.740 darkness. 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.299 Things were 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.920 not the way 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.460 they should 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.740 be. 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.660 So the 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.480 Spirit is 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.220 hovering, 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.620 is overshadowing, 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.299 and God, 00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.799 by His 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.160 power, 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.740 through His 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.039 Spirit, 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.359 brings about 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.019 a creation, 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.799 brings about 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.480 beauty, 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.480 brings about 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.059 order, 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.620 and God 00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.299 looks at His 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.960 creation and 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.180 says, 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.720 this is 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.380 good. 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.059 Now back 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.640 to Luke. 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:15.720 And in the 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.859 same way as 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.700 the angel 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.779 announces the 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.400 birth of 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.819 Jesus, 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:21.819 he says, 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:22.460 the Holy 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.359 Spirit will 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.099 come upon 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:24.379 you, 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.039 and the 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.679 power of 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.159 the Most 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:26.879 High will 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:28.299 hover, 00:28:28.719 --> 00:28:29.899 overshadow 00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:30.299 you. 00:28:32.179 --> 00:28:32.779 Bringing 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.559 about a 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.699 new creation 00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:36.259 through the 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.939 birth of 00:28:36.939 --> 00:28:37.379 Jesus, 00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:38.879 the coming 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.659 of Jesus 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.659 Christ into 00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.240 the world 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.519 will be like 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.319 that day, 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.359 the day of 00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:44.859 the first 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.559 creation, 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.539 as God 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.219 brought about 00:28:47.219 --> 00:28:47.759 a new 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.459 beginning and 00:28:48.459 --> 00:28:48.899 a new 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.539 life and 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:49.779 said, 00:28:49.939 --> 00:28:50.579 all this 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.119 is good, 00:28:51.439 --> 00:28:51.740 and He 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.019 says, 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:52.779 now through 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.500 my Son, 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.519 I will 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.980 bring a 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.759 new creation 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.200 in the 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.859 lives of 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.819 many people. 00:28:58.900 --> 00:28:59.359 He will 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:00.019 bring a 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.400 beauty and 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.559 an order out 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.400 of the chaos 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.500 and disorder 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.500 of our broken 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.180 lives, a 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.980 messed up 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.440 world. 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.299 In this 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.819 Jesus, 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:12.980 you will 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.039 find a new 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.700 creation, 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:16.119 as God 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.799 by His 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.339 power, 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.259 through His 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.960 Spirit and 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.579 through His 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:19.900 Son, 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.240 bring about a 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.960 new beginning, 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.180 a fresh 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.880 start in 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.559 your life. 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:30.079 Now let's 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:30.599 think about 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:30.980 that. 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.359 If you 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:33.740 were to 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.519 ask God 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.279 to change 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.299 anything in 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.160 your life, 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:39.339 what would 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.799 you want 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.220 Him to 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.720 change? 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.400 Maybe you 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:46.859 would ask 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.079 Him, 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.759 change where 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.319 I live, 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.200 change where 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.839 I work. 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:54.279 Perhaps you 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.619 would ask 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:54.879 God, 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.500 change how 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.960 I look, 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.339 I don't 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.900 like the 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.099 way I 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.220 look, 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.559 nobody 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.779 fancies 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.119 me. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.859 You might 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.319 ask God 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:02.960 to change 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.740 the relationship 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.259 that you're 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.519 in. 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:09.519 God is 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:09.879 saying, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:11.240 through 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.119 Jesus and 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:12.639 the power 00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.039 of my 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.700 Holy Spirit, 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.379 I have 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:14.779 come to 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.200 change 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.680 you. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.519 I have 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.000 come to 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.500 redeem 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.299 your life 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.700 from the 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.559 disorder and 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.599 chaos that 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:21.940 has been 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.700 caused by 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.379 our own 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.319 sin and 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.740 the sin 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.319 of others. 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.720 I have 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.240 come to 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.740 bring about 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.259 a new 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:28.980 beginning and 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.639 a fresh 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:30.220 start. 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.960 You see, 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.599 so often 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.019 what we 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.500 want from 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:34.980 God is, 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.259 God, 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.359 change my 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.259 circumstances. 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.539 Would you 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.539 change that 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.119 person? 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.980 But God's 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.740 priority says, 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.259 I want to 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.119 change you. 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:46.880 I want you 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.359 to change 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:48.119 my life. 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.160 You see, 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.019 God who 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.299 brought about 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.180 the creation 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.700 of the 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:55.660 world by 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.539 this same 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.720 power as 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.220 he brought 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.859 about the 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.380 supernatural 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:00.480 birth of 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:00.880 Jesus, 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.240 that same 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.839 power will 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.480 enable you 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:04.960 you to 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.039 start life 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:06.860 afresh, 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.559 to live 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.220 God's 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.519 way, 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.799 not our 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.279 own way. 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.620 So God 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:14.660 is graciously 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.920 intervening by 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:17.920 grace through 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.680 his son, 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.160 the Lord 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:20.120 Jesus Christ, 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.460 enabling a 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.200 new beginning 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.539 and a 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.440 fresh start. 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:26.819 Well, 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.360 how can we 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:28.500 experience that 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.240 for ourselves? 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:33.579 God calls 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:35.680 for trusting 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:37.099 submission. 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.500 You see, 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:40.180 if we are to 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.839 experience God's 00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:43.160 intervening grace 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.000 on a daily 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.620 basis, 00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.819 if we are to 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.559 know this 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:48.180 enabling power 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.660 to change the 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.380 things in our 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:51.120 lives so that 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:52.079 we go God's 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.339 way, 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.539 we must 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.120 submit to 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.359 him. 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:58.699 As we 00:31:58.699 --> 00:31:59.279 said at the 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.639 beginning, 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.399 the announcement 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.159 of a birth 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:02.599 is a very 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.939 normal everyday 00:32:03.939 --> 00:32:05.039 experience. 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.639 People get 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.479 pregnant every 00:32:07.479 --> 00:32:07.779 day. 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.199 People give 00:32:09.199 --> 00:32:10.059 birth every 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:10.299 day. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.519 It's really 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.459 not unique. 00:32:13.699 --> 00:32:14.559 Unless, of 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.079 course, you're 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:15.959 an old barren 00:32:15.959 --> 00:32:16.619 woman like 00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.779 Elizabeth or a 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.519 young virgin 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.199 girl like 00:32:19.199 --> 00:32:20.339 Mary, that 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.339 is not a 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.339 normal everyday 00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:23.399 experience. 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.579 Women past 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:26.220 the age of 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.939 childbearing 00:32:26.939 --> 00:32:27.919 can't get 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.899 pregnant and 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.500 girls who 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:29.859 have not 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:30.579 had sex 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.419 can't get 00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:31.859 pregnant. 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:34.139 In fact, we 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.679 would say 00:32:34.679 --> 00:32:36.179 it's impossible. 00:32:39.179 --> 00:32:40.039 But not 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:40.740 with God. 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:41.759 Look at 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.699 verse 36. 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:44.639 Mary is 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:45.759 trying to 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.259 work this 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.799 through and 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.439 the angel 00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:48.039 says to her 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.740 verse 36, 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.720 even Elizabeth, 00:32:49.939 --> 00:32:50.619 your relative, 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.779 is going to 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.519 have a child 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.259 in her old 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.079 age and 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:54.599 she who 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:55.039 was said 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:55.420 to be 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:55.920 barren, 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:56.819 unable to 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:56.960 have 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.299 children, 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:57.819 is in 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.279 her sixth 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.759 month. 00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.519 For 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:03.700 nothing is 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.500 impossible 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:06.319 with God. 00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:08.599 God is 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.119 saying what 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.859 is impossible 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.940 for you 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:12.639 is not 00:33:12.639 --> 00:33:13.500 impossible for 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:13.839 me. 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:16.579 And he's 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.019 saying the 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:17.599 same thing 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.019 to us, 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.720 not in 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.339 terms of 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:19.899 having 00:33:19.899 --> 00:33:20.420 children, 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:22.160 but experiencing 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:23.080 his grace 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:23.500 and his 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.259 change in 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.680 our lives. 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:25.880 It's not 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.580 possible for 00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:27.180 you to do 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.740 these things, 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:28.460 but I 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:28.960 can do 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.279 it. 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:33.759 Have a 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.080 look at 00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:34.960 Luke 18. 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:36.940 Just jump 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.620 forward a 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:39.519 few chapters, 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.340 Luke 18. 00:33:43.300 --> 00:33:43.940 Here we 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.360 have the 00:33:44.360 --> 00:33:45.039 true account 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.360 of a rich 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:46.900 ruler, a 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:47.480 very wealthy 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.900 man, who 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.000 comes asking 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:52.380 Jesus a 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:52.900 question. 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.420 Verse 18. 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.820 Chapter 18, 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:04.019 verse 18. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.460 And here's the 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:05.740 question. 00:34:05.860 --> 00:34:06.140 He says, 00:34:06.280 --> 00:34:07.320 good teacher, 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:10.019 what must I 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.440 do to 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.240 inherit eternal 00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:11.660 life? 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.820 How can I 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.660 receive this 00:34:13.660 --> 00:34:14.280 salvation? 00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:15.300 how can I 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:16.720 experience grace 00:34:16.720 --> 00:34:17.519 in my life 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:18.360 and this 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.480 transforming 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.120 change? 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.060 How can I 00:34:21.060 --> 00:34:21.600 have that? 00:34:23.600 --> 00:34:24.400 Well, look at 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.960 how Jesus 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.580 responds. 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:26.980 Here's part of 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.519 his answer, 00:34:27.660 --> 00:34:28.060 down in 00:34:28.060 --> 00:34:28.960 verse 24. 00:34:29.660 --> 00:34:30.460 Jesus looked 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:30.900 at him and 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.700 said, how 00:34:31.700 --> 00:34:32.480 hard it is 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.000 for the 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.720 rich to 00:34:33.720 --> 00:34:34.260 enter the 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:34.840 kingdom of 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.200 God. 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.780 Indeed, it 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.580 is easier 00:34:38.580 --> 00:34:38.980 for a 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.540 camel to 00:34:39.540 --> 00:34:39.960 go through 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.480 the eye 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:40.780 of a 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.140 needle 00:34:41.140 --> 00:34:42.480 than for 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:42.880 a rich 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.320 man to 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:43.760 enter the 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.220 kingdom of 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:44.500 God. 00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:46.700 Now, think 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.240 about that. 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:47.860 The eye 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.100 of a 00:34:48.100 --> 00:34:50.420 needle, how 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:50.720 do you 00:34:50.720 --> 00:34:51.320 fit an 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:52.060 animal and 00:34:52.060 --> 00:34:52.440 a camel 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:52.880 through the 00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.280 eye of a 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:53.500 needle? 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:54.860 Well, you 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.420 can't, can 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:55.580 you? 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.240 It's 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:56.800 impossible. 00:34:57.220 --> 00:34:57.860 And that's 00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.180 Jesus' 00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:58.720 point. 00:34:59.100 --> 00:34:59.860 He's saying, 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:01.120 you know, we 00:35:01.120 --> 00:35:01.640 can't do 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.320 these things on 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.580 our own. 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.720 It's impossible. 00:35:04.520 --> 00:35:05.400 Verse 26. 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.260 Those who 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:06.700 heard him 00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.700 asked, well 00:35:07.700 --> 00:35:08.120 then who 00:35:08.120 --> 00:35:08.520 can be 00:35:08.520 --> 00:35:08.860 saved? 00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:09.860 How can I 00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:10.300 be changed? 00:35:10.540 --> 00:35:11.000 Who can 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.500 do this? 00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.520 Jesus replied, 00:35:12.620 --> 00:35:13.380 verse 27, 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:14.280 what is 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.619 impossible with 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:17.880 men is 00:35:17.880 --> 00:35:19.619 possible with 00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:20.079 God. 00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:22.460 You see, we 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.240 cannot save 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:23.740 ourselves. 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:25.980 We can't 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.720 change who 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.059 we are. 00:35:27.140 --> 00:35:27.599 We can't 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.340 change those 00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:29.240 habits. 00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:29.880 We can't 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.579 change our 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.340 behaviours. 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.700 But God 00:35:33.700 --> 00:35:34.059 can. 00:35:35.160 --> 00:35:35.640 What's 00:35:35.640 --> 00:35:36.500 impossible for 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.119 us is 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.980 possible for 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.380 God. 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:40.519 God, by 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.280 his grace, 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.000 can save 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.480 the most 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.460 disinterested, 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.000 hardened, 00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:44.680 reluctant 00:35:44.680 --> 00:35:45.360 person. 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.059 God can 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.820 save you. 00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:49.800 And God, 00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:50.300 by his 00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:50.800 power, 00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:51.380 can bring 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:51.920 about a 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.720 new beginning 00:35:52.720 --> 00:35:53.260 from the 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:54.140 mess that 00:35:54.140 --> 00:35:54.480 has been 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.260 caused by 00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:55.720 our own 00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:56.140 sin. 00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:56.740 That 00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.680 tremble, 00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.900 continues on 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.380 through our 00:35:59.380 --> 00:35:59.660 lives. 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:00.380 What is 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:01.559 impossible for 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.000 us to 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.619 change, 00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:04.640 God says, 00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:05.199 it is 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.279 possible for 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:06.539 me, 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:08.579 because I 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.159 am God. 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:13.359 But how 00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:13.759 do we 00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:14.339 experience 00:36:14.339 --> 00:36:15.859 this work? 00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:19.699 Well, 00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:20.219 look how 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:21.179 Mary responds 00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:21.819 in verse 00:36:21.819 --> 00:36:22.559 38, 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:23.139 back in 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:23.819 chapter 1. 00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:26.179 Chapter 1, 00:36:26.259 --> 00:36:27.039 verse 38. 00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:32.079 I am 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:32.739 the Lord's 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.259 servant, 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:34.260 servant. 00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:35.300 Mary answered, 00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:37.260 may it be 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:38.640 to me as 00:36:38.640 --> 00:36:39.020 you have 00:36:39.020 --> 00:36:39.440 said. 00:36:40.680 --> 00:36:41.520 Then the 00:36:41.520 --> 00:36:42.180 angel left 00:36:42.180 --> 00:36:42.420 her. 00:36:44.120 --> 00:36:45.400 Mary responds 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:47.180 in faith, 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:48.700 trusting 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:50.200 submission. 00:36:51.280 --> 00:36:51.520 Do you 00:36:51.520 --> 00:36:51.940 see those 00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:52.600 two things 00:36:52.600 --> 00:36:53.180 she says? 00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:55.020 First, 00:36:55.200 --> 00:36:55.900 I am 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.860 the Lord's 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.460 servant, 00:36:57.620 --> 00:36:58.120 literally I 00:36:58.120 --> 00:36:58.380 am the 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.060 Lord's 00:36:59.060 --> 00:36:59.780 slave. 00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:01.800 I submit 00:37:01.800 --> 00:37:02.460 to you. 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.100 I am 00:37:04.100 --> 00:37:05.220 willing to 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:06.060 be used 00:37:06.060 --> 00:37:07.260 by God. 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:10.440 Your 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:11.060 will be 00:37:11.060 --> 00:37:11.940 done in 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:13.300 my life, 00:37:14.100 --> 00:37:16.840 not my 00:37:16.840 --> 00:37:17.300 will in 00:37:17.300 --> 00:37:18.000 my own 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.340 life. 00:37:18.420 --> 00:37:18.900 I want 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.200 you, 00:37:19.360 --> 00:37:19.500 God, 00:37:19.560 --> 00:37:19.920 to have 00:37:19.920 --> 00:37:20.360 your way 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:20.820 in me. 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.380 Now, 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:23.900 in a sense, 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.440 that's how 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:24.980 we too 00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:25.800 must respond. 00:37:26.600 --> 00:37:27.320 Maybe there's 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:28.000 an area of 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.460 your life 00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:28.820 that you 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.320 have not 00:37:29.320 --> 00:37:30.260 yet surrendered 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:30.860 to God. 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.420 you're 00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:31.840 holding 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.300 on to 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:32.559 it in 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:32.700 your 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.200 life and 00:37:33.200 --> 00:37:33.360 you're 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:33.720 saying, 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:34.760 mine, 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:35.940 this is 00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.720 my life, 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.099 I want 00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:37.460 to live 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.160 my way 00:37:38.160 --> 00:37:38.519 and do 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:38.880 my 00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.280 thing. 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.500 But we 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:42.960 will never 00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.900 experience 00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.440 God's 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:45.059 grace in 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.460 all its 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:45.800 fullness 00:37:45.800 --> 00:37:46.620 until we 00:37:46.620 --> 00:37:47.000 say, 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:48.780 I am 00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:49.019 the 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.620 Lord's 00:37:49.620 --> 00:37:50.220 servant. 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:52.420 Your 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:52.720 will, 00:37:53.720 --> 00:37:55.039 not my 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:55.300 will. 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:57.300 God's 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:58.220 will. 00:37:58.220 --> 00:37:58.900 But look 00:37:58.900 --> 00:37:59.160 at the 00:37:59.160 --> 00:37:59.420 second 00:37:59.420 --> 00:37:59.920 thing she 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:00.360 says. 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:03.060 May it 00:38:03.060 --> 00:38:03.580 be to 00:38:03.580 --> 00:38:04.300 me as 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:05.060 you have 00:38:05.060 --> 00:38:05.740 said. 00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:08.860 Now, 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.880 put yourself 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.560 in Mary's 00:38:10.560 --> 00:38:10.880 shoes. 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.640 This was 00:38:12.640 --> 00:38:13.560 something to 00:38:13.560 --> 00:38:14.000 take on 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:14.240 board. 00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:14.640 You're 00:38:14.640 --> 00:38:14.900 going to 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.160 have a 00:38:15.160 --> 00:38:15.360 baby. 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.680 She's 00:38:15.680 --> 00:38:16.160 a teenage 00:38:16.160 --> 00:38:16.560 girl. 00:38:18.760 --> 00:38:19.360 How do 00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:19.860 you respond 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.460 to that? 00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.500 May it 00:38:22.500 --> 00:38:22.960 be to 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.340 me as 00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:23.760 you have 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:24.060 said. 00:38:24.060 --> 00:38:24.640 I am 00:38:24.640 --> 00:38:25.280 willing to 00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:26.240 trust you 00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.640 God. 00:38:27.620 --> 00:38:28.300 I don't 00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:28.880 understand 00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:29.260 what's 00:38:29.260 --> 00:38:29.780 going on 00:38:29.780 --> 00:38:30.280 right now. 00:38:30.560 --> 00:38:31.240 I can't 00:38:31.240 --> 00:38:31.640 work it 00:38:31.640 --> 00:38:32.100 all out, 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:33.320 but I'm 00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:33.560 going to 00:38:33.560 --> 00:38:34.120 trust you. 00:38:36.660 --> 00:38:37.620 And that's 00:38:37.620 --> 00:38:38.540 our response. 00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:40.640 Perhaps we 00:38:40.640 --> 00:38:41.660 are fighting 00:38:41.660 --> 00:38:42.120 God's 00:38:42.120 --> 00:38:42.320 word. 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.220 We know 00:38:43.220 --> 00:38:43.840 what God 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.260 is saying 00:38:44.260 --> 00:38:44.600 to us. 00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:45.560 We know 00:38:45.560 --> 00:38:46.040 where we 00:38:46.040 --> 00:38:46.620 should obey. 00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:47.340 We know 00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:47.800 the sin 00:38:47.800 --> 00:38:48.160 that we 00:38:48.160 --> 00:38:48.740 must deal 00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.080 with. 00:38:49.540 --> 00:38:50.180 But we 00:38:50.180 --> 00:38:51.140 refuse to 00:38:51.140 --> 00:38:51.580 obey. 00:38:53.580 --> 00:38:54.320 And we're 00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:54.900 never ever 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.400 going to 00:38:55.400 --> 00:38:56.099 experience 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:56.740 God's 00:38:56.740 --> 00:38:57.400 change in 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:57.960 our life 00:38:57.960 --> 00:38:59.119 unless, 00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:00.760 like Mary, 00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:01.480 we turn 00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:01.980 and say, 00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:02.639 may it 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.139 be to 00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:03.860 me as 00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.400 you have 00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:04.860 said. 00:39:06.599 --> 00:39:07.860 I trust 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:09.440 your word. 00:39:10.680 --> 00:39:11.639 I can't 00:39:11.639 --> 00:39:12.139 figure out 00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:12.519 everything. 00:39:12.740 --> 00:39:13.240 There's parts 00:39:13.240 --> 00:39:14.059 I disagree 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.740 with and I 00:39:14.740 --> 00:39:15.680 can't comprehend, 00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:18.900 but I trust 00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.500 your word. 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:26.519 God intervenes 00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:27.059 by his 00:39:27.059 --> 00:39:27.599 grace. 00:39:29.679 --> 00:39:30.079 God 00:39:30.079 --> 00:39:31.000 enables a 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.239 new 00:39:31.239 --> 00:39:31.659 beginning. 00:39:33.659 --> 00:39:34.500 And he 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:35.239 calls us to 00:39:35.239 --> 00:39:35.800 submit, 00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:38.199 to trust, 00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:39.719 to have 00:39:39.719 --> 00:39:40.760 faith in 00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.139 God, 00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:43.760 and see 00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:44.440 him work 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.280 through your 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:45.699 life. 00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:45.819 faith. 00:39:47.439 --> 00:39:48.099 Let's 00:39:48.099 --> 00:39:48.559 stop, 00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:50.139 let's 00:39:50.139 --> 00:39:50.659 pause, 00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:52.319 and take 00:39:52.319 --> 00:39:52.739 a moment 00:39:52.739 --> 00:39:53.480 to reflect 00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:54.039 on that 00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:54.699 as we 00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:55.000 pray. 00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:55.079 Amen. 00:39:55.079 --> 00:40:14.639 Father, 00:40:14.739 --> 00:40:15.019 would you 00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:15.559 please 00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.659 forgive us 00:40:16.659 --> 00:40:19.119 for 00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:19.219 suffering