WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.740 Well, good morning. 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:14.419 It's a real privilege and honor to be here at Christ the King, to be able to preach this 00:00:14.419 --> 00:00:14.740 morning. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:17.059 And it's an honor for a number of reasons. 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:24.920 One is the people, there have been people in this church who have played a big role 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:28.039 in my life and in my wife's life. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:32.859 So to be here and preach at Christ the King is a privilege for that reason. 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:40.799 And it's also a privilege to come and preach here as the head of school of Kenosha Christian 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:41.200 Academy. 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:50.159 We are so grateful for Christ the King and your support of us, but also of the people 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:52.219 here who are on mission with us. 00:00:52.219 --> 00:01:00.799 To be on mission with some of the families here at Christ the King is an honor and a 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:01.179 privilege. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:07.060 So I appreciate the opportunity to bring God's word to us this morning. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:14.019 So for the message today, I want to focus on a few stories. 00:01:14.740 --> 00:01:19.600 From the world's perspective, it's odd that we're still telling these stories because they 00:01:19.600 --> 00:01:23.260 have little to do with what we would see today as important. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:26.659 The people aren't rich or famous. 00:01:27.140 --> 00:01:28.340 They were actually poor. 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:34.320 They lived in small towns and lived ordinary lives when we first meet them. 00:01:34.520 --> 00:01:36.420 We know little of their personalities. 00:01:37.780 --> 00:01:43.740 And yet these stories are some of the turning points in God's redemptive work in the world. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:51.580 The story that I'll start with begins in 1 Samuel, where God is establishing his kingdom amongst 00:01:51.580 --> 00:01:52.460 the people of Israel. 00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:59.199 And when the King of the universe wants to break into this sin-cursed world, when he wants 00:01:59.199 --> 00:02:04.439 to reestablish his kingdom and fight the powers of darkness, what does he do? 00:02:05.539 --> 00:02:06.879 Who does he use? 00:02:07.099 --> 00:02:08.379 What does it look like? 00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:12.979 These are some of the questions we'll look at today, and here's how we're going to do it. 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.359 We're going to look at these stories like four acts in a play. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:21.120 So plays have these different acts that move the story along. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:23.340 And so we'll have four of those this morning. 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:29.520 In the first act, I'll start by telling the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, starting in chapter 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:35.300 1 and then chapter 2, which culminates in her prayer of thanksgiving to God. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:41.460 It's a fascinating prayer because of its beauty and depth, but it's also fascinating because 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:47.840 in this prayer is the unifying thread for the rest of the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, revealing 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:49.680 the DNA of God's kingdom. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:54.960 So after reading through the prayer, we'll walk through a few of those stories in Samuel 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:59.360 to show how the prayer helps us see the meaning of the book as a whole. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:06.219 But the DNA of God's kingdom extends beyond the book of Samuel. 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:09.439 It reveals the very nature of God and his people. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:15.560 And naturally, Hannah's prayer becomes an important passage at another key point in redemptive history. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:23.680 After we walk through Samuel, we'll turn to the act 2 in the play, where there's another turning 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:26.099 point in redemptive history that draws from Hannah's prayer. 00:03:26.640 --> 00:03:33.379 So we'll find this act 2 in the book of Luke and act 3 in the book of Acts. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:41.139 These books are the continuation, the drawing out of the DNA of Hannah's prayer. 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:48.259 And when we look through these passages, here's going to be one repeating thing, one repeating 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:49.680 call on our lives. 00:03:50.359 --> 00:03:55.560 As God's kingdom breaks into the world, humble yourselves before God. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:01.319 So as God's kingdom breaks into the world, humble yourselves before God. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:08.199 And if we humble ourselves before God and all that that entails, if we trust him to save 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:15.520 us and to work through us, then we'll be a part of this eternal kingdom, God's eternal kingdom 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:17.259 breaking into the world. 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:22.199 So before we get into 1 Samuel here, let me pray for us. 00:04:23.459 --> 00:04:26.959 Father, thank you for your word. 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:34.899 Thank you for how it tells this grand and great story about what you are doing in the world 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:38.240 and how you are doing it and how we can be a part of it. 00:04:39.240 --> 00:04:46.939 Thank you for this prayer from a young mom that tells us so much about your work and your 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:49.379 kingdom and about how we should respond. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:53.800 We ask for faith and strength to respond to it rightly. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:55.660 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:57.100 --> 00:05:00.240 All right, so you can turn in your Bibles to 1 Samuel. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:07.959 So the background of 1 Samuel is we, when we get to 1 Samuel 1, we're still at the end 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:09.759 of the period of the judges. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:16.279 And if you remember anything about the period of the judges, it was a pretty dark time in 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:17.099 Israel's history. 00:05:17.799 --> 00:05:24.439 By the time the book of judges ended, we're at one of the most depressing parts in Israel's story. 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:33.559 You have these stories of Israel's incredible brokenness and rebellion against God to the 00:05:33.559 --> 00:05:39.479 point that these stories are showing that Israel had become worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:48.660 So the end of the judges leaves us with these refrains that there was no king in Israel and 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:50.759 everyone did what was right in their own eyes. 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:57.180 And it leaves us longing for someone, for some king to come and lead the people of Israel out 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:00.379 of this darkness and under God's good rule. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:07.480 So that's the time we find ourselves in when we hear the opening words of the book of 1 Samuel 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:16.060 that tells us about a man named Elkanah, a man who has two wives, one named Peninnah and the other 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:16.379 Hannah. 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:22.879 And of these two wives, Peninnah has several children and Hannah has none. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:29.399 Every year they would go up to the temple in Shiloh and they would offer sacrifices to God 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:29.699 there. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:37.060 And this was a uniquely hurtful time for Hannah because Peninnah would use this time to rub 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:39.100 in that Hannah had no children. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:46.579 And in this day, and even more so in that day, to not be able to have children was a really 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:47.659 painful thing. 00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:50.659 It could even be a really shameful thing. 00:06:50.660 --> 00:06:55.060 And so for Hannah not to have any children was deeply hurtful and discouraging. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:59.260 And Peninnah would rub it in that she didn't have any children and that Peninnah did. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:04.020 And so this happened year after year as they went up to the temple. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:07.020 And one year, Hannah was at the end of herself. 00:07:07.140 --> 00:07:08.240 She was distraught. 00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:14.740 And so she goes up to the temple and she pours her heart out to God. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:20.520 And she cries out to him and she asks God to give her a child. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:26.560 And that if she does get a child, that she will give this child back to the Lord. 00:07:27.599 --> 00:07:30.599 And she's crying out in her heart to God. 00:07:31.359 --> 00:07:35.219 And she's visibly moved and distraught. 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:37.680 But no words are coming out of her mouth. 00:07:37.859 --> 00:07:43.680 And Eli, the priest, sees her in this state and he assumes that she's drunk. 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:48.019 And so he comes up to her and rebukes her and says, what are you doing? 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.280 Put your wine away from you. 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:52.319 Enough of this. 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:56.019 And Hannah responds, no, no, no, I'm not drunk. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:08:01.660 You see, I'm crying out to God that he would give me a child. 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:07.899 And Eli responds by saying, may God grant you what you asked for. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:15.459 So Hannah leaves and true to Eli's word, Hannah becomes pregnant. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:18.699 She gives birth to a child. 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:20.339 They name him Samuel. 00:08:21.419 --> 00:08:28.239 And after Samuel's weaned, true to Hannah's word, they take him back to the temple. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:33.320 And leave him to be in service to God for the rest of his life. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:38.560 And as they go up to the temple and worship God there, 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:44.600 Hannah breaks out into a prayer of thanksgiving to God. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:48.879 And this prayer of thanksgiving to God, as we'll see, 00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:55.720 sets the trajectory for the rest of the book and actually for the rest of the kingdom of God. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:57.560 So let's read this prayer together. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:02.759 It starts in chapter 2, and I'll read verses 1 through 11. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:08.299 And Hannah prayed and said, my heart exalts in the Lord. 00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:11.099 My horn is exalted in the Lord. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:14.939 My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:19.419 There is none holy like the Lord, for there is none besides you. 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.500 There is no rock like our God. 00:09:22.239 --> 00:09:24.019 Talk no more so very proudly. 00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:25.959 Let not arrogance come from your mouth. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:29.960 For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:34.080 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:36.860 Those who are full have hired themselves out for bread. 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:39.980 But those who are hungry have ceased to hunger. 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:44.620 The barren has born seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:47.039 The Lord kills and brings to life. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:50.539 He brings down to Sheol and rises up and raises up. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:52.440 The Lord makes poor and makes rich. 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:54.139 He brings low and he exalts. 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:56.919 He raises up the poor from the dust. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:10:01.659 He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:05.960 For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:11.580 He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness. 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:14.500 For not by might shall a man prevail. 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:17.620 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces. 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:20.460 Against them he will thunder in heaven. 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:23.460 The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. 00:10:23.660 --> 00:10:27.680 He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed. 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:34.639 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, and the boy was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli the priest. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:44.080 So this passage would certainly warrant extended exposition for an entire sermon. 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:50.199 But what I want to do here is just draw out a few pieces of this prayer, 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:55.960 and then show how they're traced out through the rest of the book of Samuel. 00:10:55.960 --> 00:11:00.800 So notice one of the main things here is that God is sovereign. 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:03.900 This is all over this prayer. 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:09.040 He talks about how God is the one who breaks the bows of the mighty. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:13.460 He binds, the feeble bind on strength. 00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:15.860 Those who are full have hired themselves out for bread, 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.740 but those who are hungry have ceased to hunger. 00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:20.700 So there's, God is the one doing all of this. 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:25.500 Throughout each of these verses, you can see how God's strength, his power, 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:31.840 his ability to do any work in the world, that God has that power. 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:34.240 The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:37.280 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces. 00:11:39.020 --> 00:11:43.680 We'll see this theme throughout, that God is strong and mighty, 00:11:43.900 --> 00:11:45.740 and he can do as he pleases. 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:51.360 We also see that the God raises up the humble, 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:54.680 and he casts down the proud. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:12:01.500 So you see how there's this reference kind of to Peninnah and Hannah and their situation, 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:05.539 that those who are full have hired themselves out for bread, 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:07.259 but those who are hungry have ceased to hunger. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:11.379 The barren has born seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:16.080 So there's this reversal of how things were. 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:19.220 Those who had a lot now find themselves with little. 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:23.220 Those who were strong and mighty are brought down. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:28.019 Those who were poor, God makes rich. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:32.879 God brings low when he pleases and he exalts. 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:38.960 And so the proper posture of God's people is to humble ourselves before him. 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:42.759 It's to recognize that we bring to God nothing, 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:47.420 that we don't go our own way, but submit to God and his words. 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:51.019 And then you see, so you see God is sovereign. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:53.220 You see how he raises up the humble. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:57.400 And then you see how he's going to raise up a king. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:00.300 You see that in verse 10, 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:04.900 that he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:08.000 And so through the book of Samuel, 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:10.740 we'll see this continuing on, 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:16.159 how God is going to raise up a king to rule over his people. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.939 So with that, what I want to do now 00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:23.620 is to take some stops throughout the book of Samuel 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:27.319 to show how some of the individual stories 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:29.079 and the details of this story 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:33.120 are drawing out the threads from this prayer. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:43.039 So to start, we'll go to 1 Samuel chapter 3. 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:48.879 So Samuel is a young boy ministering to the temple. 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:52.379 And in the temple, you have Eli the priest 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:55.879 and his sons Hophni and Phinehas. 00:13:56.700 --> 00:14:00.399 And these are some of the most powerful people 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:01.480 in the nation of Israel. 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:05.500 This is the priest and his sons ministering in the temple. 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:09.300 They have so much authority and responsibility. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:12.980 And we see that the sons in particular, 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:16.060 Hophni and Phinehas, are abusing this authority. 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:21.960 They are using it to get rich, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.480 to fill their stomachs. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:29.680 They're using it to indulge in sexual immorality. 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:34.259 And so, as we saw in Hannah's prayer, 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:36.360 that's not what God expects of his people. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.259 So we have this story 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:43.300 of God bringing a word of judgment 00:14:43.300 --> 00:14:46.019 to these powerful people. 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:49.500 Samuel, and who does he use but a little boy? 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:53.000 You might know this story. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:59.439 Samuel is sleeping, and he hears this voice of Samuel. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.039 Samuel. 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.980 So he runs over to Eli, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:05.279 thinking that Eli was calling him. 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:08.100 But Eli tells him to go back to sleep. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.419 And this happens a few times. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.639 And Eli realizes it was probably a message from the Lord. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:15.139 And so Samuel goes back the next time 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:16.319 and hears God's voice. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:18.600 And God tells this little boy 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:21.980 that he was going to judge Eli and his family. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:26.659 And so Eli ends up getting this message 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.800 of judgment on him and his family 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:30.200 from a little boy. 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:32.720 God raises up the humble, 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:35.500 and he casts down the proud. 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:38.940 So that's one of those stories. 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:41.039 Let's take a stop at another one of these stories. 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:46.600 I'll just give an overview of the story of Saul here. 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.460 So Israel is in a place 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:52.160 where they don't yet have a kingdom. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.840 They're this large family group of people 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.820 under Moses' law, 00:15:56.900 --> 00:15:59.540 but they don't yet have an established kingdom. 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:02.360 And they look out, and they see the world, 00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:05.280 and they see the world have these impressive kings. 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:07.620 These kings who rule over them, 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.780 who lead them in battle. 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:12.200 And Israel sees these other nations, 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:14.400 and they say, 00:16:14.400 --> 00:16:15.980 we want to be like them. 00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:18.340 We want kings like them. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.840 They think, 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:23.379 they're thinking like the world thinks. 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:25.980 They think that power and status 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:27.080 is what's important. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.620 And so God, to start, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.900 gives them what they want. 00:16:31.540 --> 00:16:33.460 He gives them a strong 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:35.379 and good-looking king 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:37.740 who can lead the people in battle. 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.740 And you see, 00:16:39.160 --> 00:16:43.400 Saul has military victory after victory. 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:46.040 He's conquering Israel's enemies. 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:47.360 He's doing everything 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:50.419 that a world might want in a king, 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:53.899 except he's doing it for himself. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:57.480 He's doing it to grow his own power, 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.919 to grow his own kingdom. 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.199 And God, 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:06.180 even though Saul was so powerful and strong, 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.339 he was no match for God. 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.879 That God is sovereign, 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:11.400 and so God decides 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:13.740 that he's going to cast Saul down. 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.720 He gives a word of judgment to him 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.280 because Saul was proud, 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.820 and so God casts him down 00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:20.980 and said that he's going to reject Saul 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.640 and his family. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.320 And that leaves them in need 00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.180 of another king, 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.760 and that takes us 00:17:26.760 --> 00:17:28.080 to the story of Samuel 00:17:28.080 --> 00:17:29.580 going to Bethlehem 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:31.960 to find a new king. 00:17:32.780 --> 00:17:34.240 Bethlehem wasn't the first place 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.940 that you would think 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.060 that he would go 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.059 to find a king, 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.379 but he does. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.099 He knocks on the door of Jesse. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:41.779 Jesse has eight sons, 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:44.679 and he goes into Jesse's house, 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:47.119 and Jesse brings before him 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.159 his oldest son, 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.500 and the oldest son 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:51.059 is what you would think of 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.559 as a king. 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.059 He was good-looking. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.740 He was tall and strong, 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:56.339 and Samuel thinks, 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.700 surely this man 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.700 should be the next king of Israel, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.799 and God tells, 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.079 do you remember what God tells him? 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.059 Like, 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:05.700 man looks on the outward appearance, 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.799 but God looks on the heart. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:10.279 And so, 00:18:10.919 --> 00:18:12.899 Jesse brings out his next son 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:13.899 and his next one, 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.639 and God says, 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.960 no, no, no, 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.559 and he says no 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.379 to all seven of his sons, 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:21.740 and Samuel says, 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:23.099 is there any more? 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:26.980 And Jesse says, 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.399 well, there's one more, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.599 but we didn't invite him 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:32.220 because he's the youngest, 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:34.419 and he's out watching the sheep. 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:37.779 So they bring in David, 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.880 the youngest son, 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:43.539 smaller than any of his brothers, 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.640 still young, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:46.180 and God tells him, 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.039 this is the one. 00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:49.380 Like, this is who I want 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.660 to be king of Israel. 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:51.880 You see, 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.519 God raises up the humble, 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.700 and he casts down the proud, 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:59.420 because we see David's heart 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.680 for the Lord, 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.100 that he didn't have, 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:02.840 at that time, 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.120 the outward appearance 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:05.279 that would have marked him 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:05.840 as a king, 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:08.860 but his heart was devoted to God, 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.880 and that's what God wanted. 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:12.420 That's what God cared about 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.380 in a king. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.700 And so, 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.940 in the next story, 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:16.400 we get the story 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.779 of David and Goliath. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:21.120 And if you read the details 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.000 of this story, 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:22.840 you see that 00:19:22.840 --> 00:19:24.880 throughout this story, 00:19:25.580 --> 00:19:27.900 there's this heightening 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.820 of the different power dynamics, 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:33.060 of status and significance, 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:36.580 of showing Goliath on one hand, 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:39.080 the mighty and strong Goliath, 00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:41.720 and the details of the text 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:44.920 show his strength and his size. 00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:49.920 And then we see how Israel cowers 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.620 before Goliath 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:53.460 as he issues this challenge 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:55.060 to the army of Israel. 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.139 Israel. 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:57.899 So as they're out 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.519 waiting 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:01.539 across from the Philistines, 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:04.119 David's brothers 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.960 were part of the Israelite army. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.460 And so one day, 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.819 David's father 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.779 tells David 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.539 to come in 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.579 from watching the sheep 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:13.599 and to go out 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:16.500 and give his brothers 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.639 some food. 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.440 And as he sends 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.619 his brothers out with food, 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.480 notice he also sends them, 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.179 he sends David out 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.820 with some cheese 00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:28.120 for the commander 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.000 of their thousand. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:30.680 So again, 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.400 these details show 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:33.039 he wants to schmooze 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:35.539 the important people 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.140 in the army. 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.700 So you have 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.600 the commander 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.279 of the thousands, 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:41.019 you have Saul, 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.600 you have David's 00:20:42.600 --> 00:20:43.720 strapping brothers, 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:46.000 and then you have David, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.960 this boy, 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.900 coming in 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.060 and he starts 00:20:51.060 --> 00:20:51.660 to hear 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.840 these rumblings 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:54.019 of what's going on 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.940 of this mighty Goliath 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:58.380 defying the living God 00:20:58.380 --> 00:21:00.120 and he gets upset. 00:21:00.300 --> 00:21:01.860 He gets worked up 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:03.519 and he says, 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:03.720 well, 00:21:03.800 --> 00:21:04.880 I can take him. 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.440 And his brother, 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.340 do you remember 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:09.440 his brother's response 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:09.960 of saying, 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.880 what are you doing here? 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:12.640 Like, 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.160 who's watching 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.100 those few sheep? 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:16.100 Just doing everything 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:16.560 he can 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:17.340 to contrast 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.220 the status 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.879 and power 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:20.679 of themselves 00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:21.799 and of Goliath 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.720 with David. 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.500 But David 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.720 is insistent 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:28.899 that he knew God, 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.059 he knew him so well, 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.919 and he also knew 00:21:30.919 --> 00:21:32.079 God's promise to him. 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:33.359 Because remember, 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.539 Samuel anointed 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.419 David 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.279 as the next king 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.779 of Israel, 00:21:37.199 --> 00:21:37.759 and David knew 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.159 that God 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:39.000 would keep his promise. 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.519 So David 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.879 works his way 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.779 up to the king, 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:44.500 Saul, 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.720 and says that 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:47.460 he wants to fight Goliath. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.319 So Saul, 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:48.779 at first, 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:49.500 sends him out 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.259 with his armor, 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.720 which David 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.079 can barely move in. 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.900 So David says, 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.500 I'm just going to, 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:54.940 no, 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:56.079 I'm just going to go out 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:57.640 with my sling 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:58.559 and these rocks. 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.920 And David does. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.799 He goes out 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.460 to the battlefield, 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.440 this boy 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:06.039 with no armor, 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.839 a sling in his hand 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:10.640 against this giant warrior 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:13.460 with this incredible armor, 00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:16.539 and he gives this speech 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.440 to Goliath 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:19.380 that you come to me 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:21.160 with a spear 00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:21.700 and a sword, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.880 but I come to you 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:23.920 in the name of the Lord. 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.360 Do you remember 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.660 that line from Hannah 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:29.240 for not by might, 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:29.940 not in might 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.680 does the Lord 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.740 raise up? 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:33.279 That God is the one 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:35.079 who doesn't need might 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.000 to win a battle. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.460 So David takes out 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.500 his sling with a rock, 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.740 he slings it around, 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.039 throws the rock 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.680 through the air, 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.880 and strikes Goliath 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.580 in the forehead 00:22:44.580 --> 00:22:45.720 and kills 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:47.160 the mighty Goliath. 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.320 God raises up 00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:49.160 the humble 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.660 and he casts down 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.880 the proud. 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.920 So do you see this? 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:56.320 How Hannah's prayer 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:59.240 operates as this thread 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.900 that's woven 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:01.259 through the book of Samuel? 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.400 How it's becoming 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.200 the DNA 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.960 of God's kingdom 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.420 and what God's people 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.100 should be? 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:11.899 Hannah gives us 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:12.879 the keys 00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.719 to understand 00:23:13.719 --> 00:23:14.419 these stories. 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.919 And if you read through 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:18.119 from 1 Samuel 1 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.779 through the end 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.299 of the book, 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.539 you'll see how 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.819 it goes through 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.719 the entire book. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:23.959 You'll see how 00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:25.759 God rejects Saul 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:27.399 and casts him down 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.259 because of his pride 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.939 and he raises up 00:23:29.939 --> 00:23:30.639 the humble David 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.659 who trusts in him. 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.359 And as you read on though, 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.139 you'll see that 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.939 David becomes proud too. 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:38.120 He ends up committing 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:39.360 adultery and murder. 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:41.920 He issues the census 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:44.279 and God casts down 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.900 even David. 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.779 But God made this promise 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.759 that he would use 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.660 David's house, 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.640 that he would use 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.400 the house of David 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:56.100 to restore his kingdom 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:57.240 and his world 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.980 in the world. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.320 So act, 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:02.140 this first act 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:04.100 comes to an end. 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.500 We get to the end 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.440 of Samuel 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.539 and see the kingdom 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:09.279 being passed on. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.759 We see that David 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.440 wasn't the savior 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.519 that they had hoped for 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:17.240 and neither were his children. 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.900 We're left longing 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:20.359 for one of David's sons 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:22.220 to restore his throne 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.740 and to restore 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:25.119 God's proper rule 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:26.140 which brings us 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.940 to Acts 2. 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.559 Around a thousand years later, 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.359 Israel was languishing. 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.740 They had returned 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.460 from exile, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.140 but God 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.339 was silent. 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.000 Israel was under 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.680 Roman rule. 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:40.160 A king from David's line 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.599 was nowhere to be found. 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.759 People of all different 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.259 kinds 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.779 were speculating 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.940 about how God 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.519 would intervene, 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.500 how God would 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.779 restore his people. 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.980 So how would the great 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.779 living God 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.460 return to establish 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.099 his kingdom? 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.440 C.S. Lewis describes 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.359 the moment this way. 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:02.299 The whole thing 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.719 narrows and narrows 00:25:03.719 --> 00:25:04.919 until at last 00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:05.719 it comes down 00:25:05.719 --> 00:25:06.519 to a little point, 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.759 small as the point 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.259 of a spear, 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.759 a Jewish girl 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:11.000 at her prayers. 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.659 That's right. 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:14.779 The grand story 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.379 of redemption 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.339 zooms in 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.819 on an engaged 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.639 Jewish girl 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.759 from no special family. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.599 An angel appears 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.019 to her 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.619 and tells her 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.639 that she will give birth 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.399 to the king 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.919 who will sit 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.859 on David's throne 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.759 forever. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:29.119 The story continues 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.019 with Mary 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.180 visiting her cousin 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.700 Elizabeth, 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.619 a previously 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.960 barren older woman, 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.099 remember Hannah, 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.460 who is also expecting. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.759 Mary greets her cousin 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.299 and then sings 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.519 a song of praise 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.019 to God. 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.900 Here are a few lines 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.319 from that, 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.299 from Luke 1, 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.980 51 through 53. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.940 He has shown strength 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.579 with his arms. 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.339 He has scattered 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.920 the proud 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.559 in their thoughts 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.140 of their hearts. 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.580 He has brought down 00:25:56.580 --> 00:25:57.000 the mighty 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.780 from their thrones 00:25:57.780 --> 00:25:58.400 and exalted 00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.640 those of humble estate. 00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:00.880 He has filled 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.440 the hungry 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.320 with good things 00:26:02.320 --> 00:26:03.280 and the rich 00:26:03.280 --> 00:26:04.640 he has sent away empty. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.920 Does that sound familiar? 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.960 It's almost a, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.880 part of that, 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.860 it's almost a quotation 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.960 from Hannah's prayer 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.540 in 1 Samuel 2. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.840 This new work 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:17.080 happening in God's kingdom 00:26:17.080 --> 00:26:17.680 is following 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.900 the same storyline 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.020 at the beginning 00:26:20.020 --> 00:26:21.280 of Israel's kingdom 00:26:21.280 --> 00:26:22.120 in the book of Samuel. 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.800 A barren woman 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:24.400 giving birth. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.960 God raising up 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.140 the most unlikely people. 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.720 A song of praise 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.300 from the mother 00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:30.820 singing about God's work 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:31.680 to raise the humble. 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.880 The establishment 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.759 of a new king. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.480 The weaving of these things 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.660 throughout the rest 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.120 of the book. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.900 It's just like before. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.220 It seems as though 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.140 God had picked 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:43.380 the least likely people 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.040 to be a part 00:26:44.040 --> 00:26:45.360 of this new turn 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.600 in his redemptive work. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.000 But if you know 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.300 the DNA of God's kingdom 00:26:49.300 --> 00:26:50.200 from Hannah's prayer, 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.759 then it's not 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.620 that all unlikely. 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:54.159 God had been working 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.379 this way all along. 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.619 Using the humble, 00:26:56.719 --> 00:26:57.799 the people no one else 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.359 expected. 00:26:58.479 --> 00:26:59.859 Those who trusted 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.719 in him 00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:02.259 and not in themselves. 00:27:03.479 --> 00:27:04.259 This DNA, 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.699 as we see it worked out 00:27:06.699 --> 00:27:07.279 in the rest 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.219 of the book of Luke, 00:27:09.219 --> 00:27:11.219 shows up most clearly 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:13.000 in the Davidic king, 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.619 Jesus himself. 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:17.459 So as Israel is charged 00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:17.799 with, 00:27:19.439 --> 00:27:20.879 in that time, 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:23.199 Israel has so many 00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:24.739 expectations of a Messiah. 00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.719 Of what this person 00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:27.579 will look like. 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:30.239 And as that's happening, 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.299 the Messiah slips in 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:34.019 without almost anyone noticing. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:36.079 He's born in a barn 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:37.239 laid to sleep 00:27:37.239 --> 00:27:38.539 in a freeing trough. 00:27:39.219 --> 00:27:40.179 He grows up 00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:41.359 in the backwoods town 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.159 of Nazareth. 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.360 And as the book 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.820 of Luke unfolds, 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:46.200 we see 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:48.180 the resemblance, 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.540 we see the resemblance 00:27:49.540 --> 00:27:51.300 to Samuel continue. 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.080 Just like Hannah's prayer 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:54.000 presents the theme 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.480 of the rest 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.300 of the book of Samuel, 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.480 Mary's prayer 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.500 sets the theme, 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.620 the major themes 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.980 of Luke 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.200 and Acts. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.380 So this theme 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.320 introduced by Hannah, 00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:04.620 that God raises up 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.060 the humble 00:28:05.060 --> 00:28:06.120 and casts down the proud, 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.040 shows up everywhere 00:28:07.040 --> 00:28:07.800 in the book of Luke. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.539 Jesus ministers 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.799 to the poor, 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.500 the sinners, 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.259 the blind, 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.319 the outcast. 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.440 He proclaims good news 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.079 to them, 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.779 that God's reign 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.419 is coming. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.460 Characters like 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.519 Zacchaeus, 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.639 Lazarus, 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.399 and the rich man, 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.220 the publican, 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.339 and the Pharisee 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.220 who pray in the temple, 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.440 the prodigal son, 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.579 those stories show up 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.740 only in the book of Luke. 00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.039 And in Luke's gospel, 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.119 more than any other, 00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:36.359 we hear Jesus calling 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:37.539 his followers 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.299 to minister 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.559 to the poor, 00:28:39.739 --> 00:28:40.259 the blind, 00:28:40.379 --> 00:28:41.119 and the outcasts. 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.719 It's continuing 00:28:42.719 --> 00:28:43.699 the same message, 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:46.119 the same unfolding DNA 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.819 from Hannah's prayer. 00:28:49.479 --> 00:28:51.359 And these stories 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.299 and these characters 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:53.399 are remarkable. 00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.739 But it's nothing compared 00:28:55.739 --> 00:28:58.259 to how this second act closes. 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.519 While most kings 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.119 are coronated 00:29:01.719 --> 00:29:02.599 in a palace 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:06.079 with a lavish ceremony, 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:08.939 King Jesus is crowned 00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:10.779 by dying naked 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.500 on a cross, 00:29:12.459 --> 00:29:13.179 being tortured 00:29:13.179 --> 00:29:13.879 and killed 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.059 to save his people 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.919 from their sins. 00:29:16.679 --> 00:29:17.619 You couldn't imagine 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.319 a more humble 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.559 and humiliating way 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.039 to die. 00:29:21.219 --> 00:29:22.359 Jesus embodies 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.559 the message, 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:25.639 the cry of Hannah's song 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:27.379 from so long before. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.679 But the story 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:30.379 doesn't end there. 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:32.240 because Jesus 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.580 is raised up 00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.400 by God 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.600 from the dead. 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.220 And this brings us 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.020 to Act 3 00:29:39.020 --> 00:29:39.720 in the story. 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.040 The risen 00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:43.240 King Jesus 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.760 ascends into heaven 00:29:44.760 --> 00:29:45.580 and he sends 00:29:45.580 --> 00:29:46.280 his spirit 00:29:46.280 --> 00:29:48.040 to empower the church 00:29:48.040 --> 00:29:48.660 to continue 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.160 his work. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.860 I know you went 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.240 through the book 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.240 of Acts last year, 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:52.980 so you probably 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.180 remember the many ways 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.760 that the church 00:29:54.760 --> 00:29:56.500 reflects the practices 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.160 of Jesus. 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:59.100 They carry the same 00:29:59.100 --> 00:29:59.980 DNA as him, 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.400 humble, trusting 00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:02.400 in the sovereign God 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:04.500 to bring people 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.180 to himself 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.100 and to build up 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.860 his kingdom. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.540 And so the cast 00:30:08.540 --> 00:30:09.500 of the early church 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:11.100 isn't Caiaphas 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:12.440 or Herod 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.019 or Nero. 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.600 It's fishermen, 00:30:15.340 --> 00:30:15.920 slaves, 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.080 jailers. 00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.420 God's people 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.060 aren't marked 00:30:19.060 --> 00:30:19.740 by a hunger 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.779 to pursue fame 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.519 or influence 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.759 on the world's term. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.640 They're marked 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.320 by humility, 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.620 care for the poor, 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:28.839 submission to God's word, 00:30:29.739 --> 00:30:30.839 preaching of the gospel 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:32.199 just like Hannah 00:30:32.199 --> 00:30:32.699 described, 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.139 just like Jesus 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:34.759 described. 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:38.500 And as Act 3 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.199 continues 00:30:39.199 --> 00:30:41.019 or as we move 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.319 into application, 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.179 Act 3 isn't over. 00:30:45.179 --> 00:30:46.479 We don't move on 00:30:46.479 --> 00:30:47.279 from Act 3 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.500 as we come to today 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.919 because as 00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:51.479 Christ the King Church, 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.959 this is your part 00:30:52.959 --> 00:30:53.500 of the story. 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:55.379 This is your act. 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:57.220 The DNA 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.140 of God's kingdom 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:59.460 found in Hannah's prayer 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.380 is your DNA. 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.160 You're trusting 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.200 in a sovereign God 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.540 who will rescue 00:31:04.540 --> 00:31:05.000 the world 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:06.060 through his King Jesus. 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.960 The risen Jesus' 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:09.540 spirit lives among you 00:31:09.540 --> 00:31:10.640 working to make you 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:11.780 humble and godly 00:31:11.780 --> 00:31:12.780 people like Hannah, 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.940 like Mary, 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.320 like Jesus, 00:31:16.260 --> 00:31:16.920 like Peter. 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:19.240 And as we close, 00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:20.180 I want to draw out 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.980 a few ways 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.040 that that looks 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:23.659 for us today, 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.920 both as individuals 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:27.099 and as Christ the King Church. 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.920 So for us 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.879 as individuals, 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.980 as we are surrounded 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.519 by pictures 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.799 of another kingdom, 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.119 maybe you're 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.680 a high school student 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.819 or a middle school student, 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.859 and when you're at school, 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:46.379 you feel the need 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.039 to fit in. 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:49.839 And you feel the need 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.559 to fit in 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.759 by being funny 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.500 or pretty 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.319 or by dressing 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.399 in a certain way. 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.420 You want to fit in 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.279 with the cool kids, 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:59.099 and that's not anything new. 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:01.480 That's what was happening 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.379 in Hannah's day. 00:32:02.500 --> 00:32:03.279 It's what was happening 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.659 in Mary's day. 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:06.640 Or maybe you're 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.440 at a job 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.940 where all the time 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.500 you're watching 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.640 as people are jockeying 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.360 for attention, 00:32:11.840 --> 00:32:12.779 for a raise, 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.860 for a new title. 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.460 They're schmoozing 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.080 the boss, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.980 misrepresenting 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.700 their own work 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.220 and yours 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.320 in order to get ahead. 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:21.820 Well, 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.500 you see, 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:22.920 first, 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.340 that doesn't work. 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.500 To try 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.500 and gain 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.000 the approval 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.420 of others 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:29.300 and get satisfaction 00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:29.820 from others, 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.519 it doesn't work. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.380 To try and raise 00:32:32.380 --> 00:32:33.080 yourself up 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:33.519 like that 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.259 doesn't work 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.980 because once you 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.279 become popular 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.839 or rich, 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.460 you realize 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.099 that it offers 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:39.059 no fulfillment 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.559 at all. 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.759 That you're left 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.539 emptier than 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.200 when you started. 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:43.660 Do you remember 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.319 those stories 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.900 of Eli 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.879 and his sons, 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:46.960 of Saul, 00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:48.039 of the Pharisees? 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:50.220 God casts them down. 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.119 It doesn't work out. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.379 God isn't impressed 00:32:53.379 --> 00:32:54.299 with their power 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.819 or with their looks 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.819 or with their strength. 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:59.119 But know also 00:32:59.119 --> 00:33:00.720 how God's ways 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.779 lead to life. 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.640 Instead of working 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:04.860 to puff up 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.640 your own image 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.440 or to fit in 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.000 with the crowd, 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:07.759 remember that 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.320 you're a part 00:33:08.320 --> 00:33:09.140 of a kingdom 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:09.900 that follows 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:11.320 a crucified Savior. 00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:12.980 One that 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:14.380 looks to serve 00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:15.600 people in his interactions 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.220 rather than 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.020 to be served. 00:33:17.820 --> 00:33:18.200 And remember 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:19.200 that following Jesus 00:33:19.200 --> 00:33:20.240 means looking different 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:21.000 from other people. 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.420 It means 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.620 often being unpopular 00:33:23.620 --> 00:33:24.500 because we care 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.620 about different things. 00:33:26.300 --> 00:33:26.840 And remember 00:33:26.840 --> 00:33:28.220 that on the other side 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.080 of the cross 00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:30.320 is resurrection 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:32.279 and life, 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.899 eternal life 00:33:33.899 --> 00:33:34.419 with Jesus. 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.839 That's a word 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.679 to individuals. 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.139 Now, 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:39.460 a word to 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.399 the church 00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:41.019 as the whole. 00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:43.960 We looked at 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.439 the DNA 00:33:44.439 --> 00:33:45.500 found in Hannah's prayer 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.759 and how it shouldn't 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:48.299 just mark individuals. 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.159 It should mark 00:33:49.159 --> 00:33:50.419 the people of God 00:33:50.419 --> 00:33:50.980 as a whole. 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.059 First, 00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:52.859 the nation of Israel 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.480 and now 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.379 in the church. 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.079 The first thing 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:57.339 I want to point to you, 00:33:57.679 --> 00:33:58.399 point out to you, 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.580 and point you to, 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.700 as Christ the King Church, 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.120 is the glory 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:04.060 of being part 00:34:04.060 --> 00:34:05.220 of Hannah's story, 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:07.019 of Jesus' story. 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:09.119 The living God 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:10.340 has chosen the church 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.360 as the primary way 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.460 to display 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.760 his redemptive work 00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:14.320 in the world. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.780 As the world 00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:16.740 looks to politics 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.300 and money, 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.039 you know that 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:19.280 God's redemptive work 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:19.960 is continuing 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.900 and breaking in 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:22.700 as you love the poor. 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.360 Study and submit 00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.119 to God's word, 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.280 deny yourselves, 00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:27.680 and gather regularly 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.799 around Jesus' table 00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:29.339 to remember 00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:30.359 his broken body 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.719 and spilled blood. 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.299 It breaks in 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:34.079 as you choose 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.299 to be humble before God, 00:34:35.379 --> 00:34:35.940 as you seek 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:37.119 to love God and neighbor, 00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:39.159 and if you have eyes to see, 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.179 you'll realize 00:34:40.179 --> 00:34:41.399 that's what's going on 00:34:41.399 --> 00:34:42.440 in these things. 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.940 And that is far better, 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:46.019 far more important 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.359 than what's going on 00:34:47.359 --> 00:34:48.259 in Washington 00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:49.119 or Madison 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:49.960 or Hollywood. 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.119 God's work 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:53.480 was through 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.379 a dejected, 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.159 barren woman, 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.519 a shepherd boy, 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.820 a teenage girl, 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.840 a crucified Messiah. 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:01.519 It can break in here 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.840 in this place 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:04.300 if you seek 00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:05.019 his kingdom 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:07.460 above earthly values. 00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.579 But there is still 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:11.119 a draw for us, 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.420 even as God's people, 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.519 to live by the rules 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.139 of other kingdoms. 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.860 We can be tempted 00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:16.559 by money 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.199 and influence, 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:18.259 things that aren't bad 00:35:18.259 --> 00:35:18.900 in themselves, 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.179 but become 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:21.159 the things we trust in. 00:35:21.159 --> 00:35:22.579 we can be tempted 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.920 to place 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:26.159 or we can be tempted 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:27.279 for our conversations 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:28.399 to be surrounded 00:35:28.399 --> 00:35:29.739 or centered around 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:32.179 values that more reflect 00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:33.039 values of the world 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:34.099 than of God's kingdom, 00:35:34.719 --> 00:35:35.920 where we're trying more 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:37.079 to impress other people 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:38.219 and show others 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.139 how important we are, 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.279 where we look 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:41.440 at outward appearance 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.739 more than the posture 00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:43.399 of the heart. 00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:45.199 But God calls us 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.199 to something different, 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:48.119 to not look 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:49.159 on the outward appearance, 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:50.299 but to look 00:35:50.299 --> 00:35:51.559 on the heart. 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:52.940 So when someone 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:54.299 comes into Christ the King, 00:35:54.359 --> 00:35:55.239 are they judged more 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:56.039 by their job 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:57.480 or social status, 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.759 or are they judged more 00:35:58.759 --> 00:36:00.339 by their sensed need 00:36:00.339 --> 00:36:01.500 for a savior? 00:36:03.379 --> 00:36:04.879 One other note here 00:36:04.879 --> 00:36:05.480 of application 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:07.019 for us as a church. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:08.879 There is a draw 00:36:08.879 --> 00:36:10.460 in the world 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:12.099 to think that politics 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:13.799 is the most important thing, 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:15.259 that that is 00:36:15.259 --> 00:36:17.199 the most important activity 00:36:17.199 --> 00:36:18.259 of the church. 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:19.420 But I think 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.460 a clear point 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:23.660 from Samuel and Luke 00:36:23.660 --> 00:36:25.800 is that what's going on here 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:27.900 in the church, 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:29.020 in the local church, 00:36:29.080 --> 00:36:30.340 is far more important 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.500 than politics. 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.660 There's an interesting passage 00:36:33.660 --> 00:36:35.840 in Luke chapter 3 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:38.740 where Luke mentions 00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:40.380 the most important people 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:40.820 in the world. 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.680 Remember, politics 00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:43.480 were really important 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.620 in Jesus' day too. 00:36:45.080 --> 00:36:45.860 They were really important. 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:46.940 It was what people 00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:47.740 were talking about. 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:49.239 And so in Luke chapter 3, 00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:50.939 it mentions them all. 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.919 Or the most important, 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.459 Caesar. 00:36:53.399 --> 00:36:54.539 It mentions Herod 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:55.259 and Pilate. 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:58.079 But it mentions them 00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:59.500 almost in order 00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:00.319 to forget them. 00:37:01.299 --> 00:37:02.519 It mentions them 00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:03.179 and then goes on 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.879 to talk about 00:37:03.879 --> 00:37:04.979 the Simeons 00:37:04.979 --> 00:37:06.519 and the shepherds 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.979 and the fishermen 00:37:07.979 --> 00:37:09.539 and John the Baptist. 00:37:10.279 --> 00:37:10.679 It says, 00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.859 yeah, there's Caesar 00:37:11.859 --> 00:37:13.599 and, by the way, 00:37:13.659 --> 00:37:14.399 there's Caesar 00:37:14.399 --> 00:37:15.299 and Herod and Pilate. 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:16.640 Let's get to the real story. 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:18.840 Let's get to the most important 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.620 part of the story. 00:37:20.260 --> 00:37:21.039 And it's the part 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:21.580 of the story 00:37:21.580 --> 00:37:22.900 that's talking about 00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:25.019 these humble people 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:27.240 who God is using 00:37:27.240 --> 00:37:28.700 to establish 00:37:28.700 --> 00:37:29.420 His kingdom 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:30.620 in the world. 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:33.140 And that's for us too. 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:35.180 That though politics 00:37:35.180 --> 00:37:36.260 can be an important way 00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:37.200 to love our neighbor 00:37:37.200 --> 00:37:39.120 and to do good, 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.880 it is not more important. 00:37:41.060 --> 00:37:41.920 It is not preeminent 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:43.240 over what is going on 00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:44.079 in the life 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:45.019 of the local church 00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:46.579 as we love each other 00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:48.079 and submit to God's word, 00:37:48.779 --> 00:37:50.119 as we preach the gospel, 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:52.799 as we do acts of love 00:37:52.799 --> 00:37:53.500 in our city. 00:37:53.979 --> 00:37:55.079 That is more important. 00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:56.699 That's where God 00:37:56.699 --> 00:37:59.379 is most glorified. 00:38:01.379 --> 00:38:02.359 Christ the King, 00:38:02.479 --> 00:38:03.879 we're a part of God's kingdom, 00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:05.079 God's story. 00:38:06.419 --> 00:38:07.259 And in a world 00:38:07.259 --> 00:38:08.699 dominated by appearance, 00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:09.519 status, 00:38:09.879 --> 00:38:10.599 money, and power, 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.980 we're a people 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:13.119 pursuing humility, 00:38:13.799 --> 00:38:15.019 submitting to God's word. 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:17.380 And as the church 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.099 in 2023, 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.079 we're still living 00:38:19.079 --> 00:38:20.319 in this third act 00:38:20.319 --> 00:38:21.139 of the story. 00:38:21.860 --> 00:38:22.860 There's a fourth act 00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:23.400 to come. 00:38:24.299 --> 00:38:24.779 One day, 00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:25.699 the trumpet will sound 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:27.000 and Jesus will return 00:38:27.000 --> 00:38:28.119 to establish His kingdom 00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:29.719 once and for all. 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:31.339 Hannah's prayer says 00:38:31.339 --> 00:38:32.480 that God will exalt 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:34.079 the horn of His anointed. 00:38:34.739 --> 00:38:35.539 And on that day, 00:38:35.880 --> 00:38:36.639 with the world 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.480 made right again, 00:38:37.839 --> 00:38:39.079 with death defeated, 00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:41.079 with every tear wiped away, 00:38:41.699 --> 00:38:42.920 every knee will bow 00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:44.480 and worship the King 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.440 who became obedient 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.420 to death, 00:38:46.880 --> 00:38:47.719 even the death 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.460 on a cross. 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:51.079 Let's pray together. 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:54.420 Father, 00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:57.059 we are so grateful 00:38:57.059 --> 00:38:57.679 to You 00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:58.619 for how You are 00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:59.440 working in the world. 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.679 You don't want 00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:03.759 what we bring to the table, 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:04.819 but You want us 00:39:04.819 --> 00:39:05.900 to humble ourselves 00:39:05.900 --> 00:39:06.599 before You. 00:39:06.699 --> 00:39:08.299 So may we do that. 00:39:09.079 --> 00:39:09.960 May we live 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.279 and dwell 00:39:11.279 --> 00:39:12.460 this story 00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:14.480 of Hannah's prayer, 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:16.079 of David, 00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:17.299 of Mary, 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:17.980 of Jesus. 00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:19.699 And may we long 00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.299 for the day 00:39:20.299 --> 00:39:21.639 when You will come 00:39:21.639 --> 00:39:22.380 and establish 00:39:22.380 --> 00:39:23.500 Your kingdom in full. 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.819 In Jesus' name, 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:25.360 Amen. 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:25.440 Amen. 00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:27.480 Amen. 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:27.579 Amen. 00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:29.400 Amen. 00:39:29.799 --> 00:39:30.920 Amen. 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:31.599 Amen. 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:31.960 Amen. 00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:32.739 Amen. 00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:33.539 Amen. 00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:33.920 Amen. 00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:34.619 Amen. 00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:34.719 Amen. 00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:34.819 Amen. 00:39:34.819 --> 00:39:35.400 Amen. 00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:35.519 Amen. 00:39:35.519 --> 00:39:35.759 Amen. 00:39:35.759 --> 00:39:36.739 Amen. 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:36.920 Amen. 00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:39.059 Amen.