WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:12.980 Amen. 00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:13.859 Thank you all. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:15.919 What a great reminder. 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:22.379 This morning we're stepping away from our study of Luke for a week. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:26.740 You may have heard that there's an election coming up. 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:29.800 So we're going to take a little break. 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:35.520 You may also know that we as Presbyterians never miss an opportunity to talk about election. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:42.520 Thank you. 00:00:43.760 --> 00:00:47.140 I told James I had a preacher joke at the beginning and I needed his help. 00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:58.840 In all seriousness, you don't hear a lot of explicitly political sermons here. 00:00:59.799 --> 00:01:06.000 Because we focus on declaring the truth of God's Word, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:15.920 And in fact, this sermon, while titled Key Election Issues, will likely disappoint you if you were hoping for specific advice for Tuesday, 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:19.120 as I've been asked for this morning on multiple occasions. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:26.980 But it is true that we as God's people should care about things like politics and elections. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:36.300 As we just read earlier in Jeremiah, God calls us to seek the good and pray for the places we live. 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:42.899 Our calling as followers of Jesus is to seek that His kingdom would come here on earth. 00:01:42.899 --> 00:01:46.060 This kingdom of justice and mercy and truth. 00:01:46.179 --> 00:01:48.179 That it would be more and more here on earth. 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:53.599 And that involves laws and leaders and systems and societies. 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:55.179 All of those things. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:58.140 God's Word has much to say about such matters. 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:28.120 God's Word has much to say about such matters. 00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:58.099 God's Word cares about elections. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:03.780 God's Word is unspiritual or worldly, beneath us, unimportant. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:11.159 But what I really want to address this morning from God's Word is what I call key election issues. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:16.640 But I mean the ones I've seen in an unhealthy way in my own heart. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:27.979 It's a confession really and part of that confession that I didn't plan for that I've realized this morning is I confess how much I care about what you think about what I'm about to say. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:32.299 I just say while I'm confessing I'll just start with that one. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:36.879 I feel like I'm going to disappoint everybody at the same time and that's not a real great feeling. 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:43.219 But those feelings and many others have been in my heart over the last few months. 00:03:43.340 --> 00:03:47.159 I've seen my emotions ride the waves of the news cycle. 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:57.719 I've been discouraged, hopeful, disgusted, anxious, and many things in between. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:02.639 And sometimes I would say those emotions have been very appropriate emotions. 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:12.519 But I've let my outlook on life be driven by the latest poll numbers, various conspiracy theories, 00:04:13.239 --> 00:04:17.379 even the relative hopes of third party candidates I've never heard of before. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:21.959 All sorts of things that have controlled me. 00:04:22.219 --> 00:04:26.519 Maybe this hasn't been the case for you with this election cycle. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:30.779 Maybe you have had your heart controlled by other things. 00:04:31.659 --> 00:04:34.120 Recent test results, maybe. 00:04:35.219 --> 00:04:37.240 Tumultuous relationships. 00:04:38.359 --> 00:04:39.919 The loss of a job. 00:04:41.039 --> 00:04:48.879 And you feel these circumstances in your life that they begin to control and drive your heart and your outlook on everything. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:54.159 They seem to be writing your story for you and telling you how you should approach life. 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:58.900 I believe many of us have felt it acutely with the election though. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:05.920 And one of the things God used this year to keep me anchored in the midst of the storms in my heart 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:09.600 was the book of Daniel as we studied it this summer. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:12.700 You missed the lion, didn't you? 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:14.640 It's been a little while. 00:05:14.760 --> 00:05:18.379 Yeah, one last visit from the lion on the slide. 00:05:19.280 --> 00:05:23.780 But it helped me because Daniel lived in a culture much like ours. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:28.100 He learned what it looked like to follow the true king there. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:32.960 To have a singular devotion to God in the midst of a pluralistic culture. 00:05:33.260 --> 00:05:35.380 And so that was really helpful to me. 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:38.700 Unfortunately for us, Babylon was not a democracy. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:41.460 So we don't get to see Daniel vote, do we? 00:05:42.520 --> 00:05:43.460 No help there. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:51.799 But this morning, I think there are several lessons we can revisit from the book of Daniel to help our hearts. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:58.079 It's not so much as we look back to Daniel, lessons for inside the voting booth. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:01.079 But much more so for inside our hearts. 00:06:02.099 --> 00:06:06.419 Not so much how to vote, but how to hope that I want us to consider. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:09.980 Let's pray and then we will look together at God's word. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:10.699 Pray with me. 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:18.259 Father, you know better than we do the struggles of our hearts. 00:06:19.280 --> 00:06:23.259 We probably haven't plumbed the depths of what's driving us. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:28.360 You see all the ugliness and sin that's mixed in there. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:31.100 And God, you love us. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:33.480 Even in the midst of that. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:36.240 And your word speaks to our struggles. 00:06:37.280 --> 00:06:38.720 We're so thankful for that. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:43.080 So would you speak to us clearly this morning. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:45.740 That we might be your people. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.580 For your glory. 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:51.300 We ask it in Jesus' name. 00:06:52.400 --> 00:06:52.720 Amen. 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:57.819 If you weren't here with us for our study of the book of Daniel. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:01.159 Or if you don't happen to remember every word of every sermon. 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:02.659 As we went through there. 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:09.120 The first half of the book is a book of stories about God's people living in exile. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:11.819 They've been taken into the land of Babylon. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:13.519 And so you get stories. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.279 Many of which you'll be familiar with. 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:17.259 Like Daniel in the lion's den. 00:07:17.719 --> 00:07:19.120 The fiery furnace. 00:07:19.719 --> 00:07:21.620 The handwriting on the wall and the like. 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:23.159 Many stories like that. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:25.459 And along the way. 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:28.500 And especially in the second half of the book of Daniel. 00:07:29.219 --> 00:07:32.000 God sends visions of heaven. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:36.979 These eternal realities that he sometimes gives directly to Daniel. 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:40.219 Sometimes he sends them in dreams or visions to a king. 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:41.779 And Daniel interprets them. 00:07:42.919 --> 00:07:44.099 But what God's doing. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:45.439 What's happening in Daniel. 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:47.060 Is that he's showing his people. 00:07:47.299 --> 00:07:49.179 How vital it is for them. 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:51.340 To remember these eternal realities. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:54.180 If they're going to be able to live as his people. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:07:55.560 In a foreign land. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.780 They're going to have to remember what's really true. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.379 What's eternally important. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.120 And so it enables us. 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:06.319 To engage as we are called to. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.340 In this world. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:09.340 As ambassadors of heaven. 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:11.879 Not of a particular nation. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:13.460 Or a particular party. 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:16.039 But of heaven. 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:17.419 That we need. 00:08:17.859 --> 00:08:18.939 An eternal perspective. 00:08:19.239 --> 00:08:21.139 On the issues that we face today. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.959 So we're going to look at a couple of them. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:26.319 They sound like election issues. 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:27.359 But they're a little different. 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:29.579 The first issue is the issue of power. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.439 And when we're talking about power. 00:08:33.579 --> 00:08:35.039 The book of Daniel highlights. 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:36.500 Our eternal king. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:38.720 As the one true king. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.960 In control of all others. 00:08:41.680 --> 00:08:43.300 It's like we've been talking about. 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.240 Already this morning. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:45.660 About God reigning. 00:08:45.780 --> 00:08:47.639 If there's a refrain in the book of Daniel. 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:48.560 It's this. 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:49.740 It happens over and over. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.240 In different people's words. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:53.120 Daniel chapter 4 verse 3. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.480 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. 00:08:55.780 --> 00:08:57.420 And his dominion endures. 00:08:57.420 --> 00:08:59.259 From generation to generation. 00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:01.100 The end of that chapter. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:03.280 His dominion is an everlasting dominion. 00:09:03.280 --> 00:09:04.920 And his kingdom endures. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.759 From generation to generation. 00:09:07.680 --> 00:09:09.420 The end of the story of Daniel. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:10.700 In the lion's den. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:12.280 The king proclaims. 00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:13.519 He is the living God. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.620 Enduring forever. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:17.100 His kingdom shall never be destroyed. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.000 And his dominion shall be to the end. 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:20.740 He delivers and rescues. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:22.340 He works signs and wonders. 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:24.100 In heaven and on earth. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:26.360 Then the vision of heaven. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:27.420 In Daniel 7. 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:30.259 To him was given dominion. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.060 And glory. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.120 And a kingdom. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:33.680 That all peoples. 00:09:33.680 --> 00:09:34.820 Nations and languages. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:36.139 Should serve him. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.160 This is Jesus. 00:09:37.300 --> 00:09:38.100 The son of man. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:39.240 His dominion. 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:40.799 Is an everlasting dominion. 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:42.220 Which shall not pass away. 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:43.820 And his kingdom one. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.940 That shall not be destroyed. 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:47.019 You hear it over. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:48.000 And over and over. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:49.560 These are just a few examples. 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:53.080 That Daniel's constantly being reminded. 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:55.440 Of the everlasting kingdom. 00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:57.019 And we know that's true. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:57.340 Right? 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:58.500 We've talked about it. 00:09:58.560 --> 00:09:59.220 We've rejoiced. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:00.639 And sung about it this morning. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:02.519 That God reigns forever. 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.019 And ever. 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.779 And over all other kings. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:05.059 Kings. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:08.199 But have we stopped to contemplate. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.019 What it means. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:10.120 That the God of heaven. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:12.779 The ancient of days. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:15.720 Who loves and cares for his people. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:17.959 Will remain on the throne. 00:10:18.079 --> 00:10:20.339 Well beyond Tuesday's election. 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:23.459 Has that started to matter to us? 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:26.740 That the authority of the most powerful leader in the world. 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:28.819 Pales in comparison to. 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:31.339 And ultimately comes from. 00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:33.399 The king of kings. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:33.600 Kings. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.419 And that will never change. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:38.000 So I can trust him. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:40.639 I can trust his promises. 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:44.079 I can trust his plans for the world around me. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.799 Because he's on the throne. 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:49.360 But the issue of power. 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:51.879 Is more than merely acknowledging. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:54.860 God is and always will be in charge. 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:56.120 As vital as that is. 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:57.919 It's a good reminder for us. 00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:00.439 It's one you probably expected to hear this morning. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.699 You needed to hear it. 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:02.740 We all did. 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:05.100 But it's even more than that. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:06.740 When we're thinking about power. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.860 And what that reality means for us. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:11.000 It's a matter for my heart. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:13.340 Of understanding how God works. 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:16.220 What his power looks like. 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:18.019 As it impacts this world. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.939 Because here's what goes on in my heart. 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:22.579 I grew up as one who thought. 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:24.059 That what God needed. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:25.579 For his power to go forth. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:27.460 For his kingdom to advance in the world. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:29.840 Was he needed Christians in the White House. 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:32.120 And Christian stars on TV. 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:35.920 And Christian athletes who would win all the championships. 00:11:36.060 --> 00:11:38.200 So that they could get there and publicly. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:41.259 In a very influential and powerful way. 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:43.200 Say all glory to God. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:45.080 Or this is only because of Jesus. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.920 Or whatever else they might say. 00:11:48.060 --> 00:11:49.000 God bless America. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:51.919 That's what needed to happen. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:53.820 And if those things could just happen. 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:56.299 And if everybody could just get influential. 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:58.000 And strong and powerful enough. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:00.500 The kingdom of God would go forward. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:04.340 And that still is in my heart a lot. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:08.179 What a warped sense of power that is. 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:12.000 That I think God's limited by our resources. 00:12:13.079 --> 00:12:14.039 Our plans. 00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:15.319 Our capabilities. 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:16.459 Our successes. 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:20.179 That we must be strong and impressive and influential. 00:12:20.479 --> 00:12:22.179 To advance his kingdom. 00:12:23.839 --> 00:12:27.239 The story of the book of Daniel is exactly the opposite. 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:29.959 It's about a God who advances his kingdom. 00:12:30.219 --> 00:12:33.039 Through apparent weakness and defeat. 00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:38.159 Nebuchadnezzar is the one who appears mighty and strong. 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.899 And influential. 00:12:39.219 --> 00:12:41.139 He's the king of Babylon for a while. 00:12:41.219 --> 00:12:41.419 Right? 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:44.259 And he appears to have the world at his fingertips. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.899 He's got the upper hand. 00:12:45.979 --> 00:12:48.939 He's got greater power than Yahweh it looks like. 00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:51.739 He's exerting greater influence in the world. 00:12:52.299 --> 00:12:53.139 He's got the votes. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.379 The positions of power. 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.719 The military might. 00:12:56.759 --> 00:13:00.539 And yet God is controlling the king's every move. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:04.879 And no one has unseated the ancient of days from his throne. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.839 God assures Daniel. 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:11.220 He remains on the throne long after Nebuchadnezzar is gone. 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:15.040 And king after king passes through the book of Daniel. 00:13:16.280 --> 00:13:22.200 In chapter 2 there's this great scene where Daniel and the rest of Nebuchadnezzar's wise men 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:26.220 are sentenced to be killed because they can't interpret the king's dream. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:35.879 And so the powerful captain of the king's guard himself shows up at the home of this measly exile to execute him. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:42.899 And Daniel facing execution does not actually start a public relations strategy. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:45.960 He doesn't devise a plan of escape. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:48.080 Rather do you remember what he does? 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:50.960 Daniel calls a prayer meeting. 00:13:51.900 --> 00:13:58.560 He invites his three friends together and four guys facing execution decide just to pray. 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:04.240 Not maybe a power play on their part to those who were watching. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:13.020 He and his three friends seek mercy from the God of heaven and God answers them with the meaning of the dream and saves their life. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:16.000 Here's what Daniel says in chapter 2 at verse 20. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:21.460 Blessed be the name of God forever and ever to whom belong wisdom and might. 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:23.779 He changes times and seasons. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:27.100 He removes kings and sets up kings. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:31.840 He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:34.699 There was no king Daniel needed to be afraid of. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:37.740 He prayed to the king who put that king in power. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:40.680 Remember that's what Daniel had to remember. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.840 That's what drove him to prayer. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:47.659 A pretty weak position seemingly for Daniel to be in. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:51.299 But he appeals to the throne of the almighty God. 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:56.240 Listen I know you know God's in charge of everything. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:59.480 But do you pray like it? 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:05.419 Is that where it drives you when you remember that God's in charge of everything? 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:12.259 Do you have as much hope for the impact of your prayer on Wednesday morning as you do for your vote on Tuesday afternoon? 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:15.199 And not just because you don't vote in a swing state. 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:21.839 Because you appeal to the king of kings when you pray. 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:24.860 Where are our hearts looking for strength? 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:30.099 What will the progress of God's kingdom look like when we see it coming? 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:35.779 Well often God is moving things forward through weakness and apparent defeat. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:39.159 Through the small and seemingly insignificant. 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:45.139 One of my favorite images from the book of Daniel after we went through the whole thing. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:48.420 Is from the dream that Daniel interprets in chapter 2. 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:55.320 You may remember it of a rock cut with no human hand. 00:15:55.320 --> 00:16:00.300 That crushes the outwardly great kingdoms of the world. 00:16:00.420 --> 00:16:03.100 God's teaching Daniel about true power. 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:05.760 And here's what he says about this small stone. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:08.940 The iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, the gold. 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:11.520 All these great kingdoms were broken in pieces. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:14.540 And became like the shaft of the summer threshing floors. 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:16.020 And the wind carried them away. 00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:18.280 So not a trace of them could be found. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:23.279 But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain. 00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:25.679 And filled the whole earth. 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.779 Verse 44. 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:32.759 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:35.419 Nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:39.519 It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end. 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:42.459 And it shall stand forever. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:50.620 Remember the stone, the small stone, Jesus, comes in an unimpressive manner. 00:16:51.660 --> 00:16:55.300 Suffers apparent defeat on the cross. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:58.840 But reveals the true power of God. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:04.079 And in so doing establishes a kingdom that fills the whole earth. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:07.980 You ever tried balancing on a stone? 00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:10.680 Not easy, huh? 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:17.220 What about balancing on a rock the size of the entire earth? 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:18.759 Could you stand on that? 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.340 That's a firm foundation, isn't it? 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:27.660 That's a safe place for us to be when we're knocked out of sorts. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:29.960 When we don't know where to trust. 00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:31.940 In our weakest moments. 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:34.920 We have a God to whom we must call out. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.900 Because He's the eternal King. 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.140 Fixed in power. 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.320 On His throne. 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.000 Forever. 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:45.500 A church that despairs due to the results of an election. 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:50.440 Or a church that declares ultimate victory due to the results of an election. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:56.080 Would be a church that has ceased to depend on her sovereign King. 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:59.980 And to follow His pattern for cultural impact. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:05.700 A church that remains hopeful and dependent. 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:09.440 Regardless of the outcome of an election. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.779 Testifies to the world. 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:13.980 To the power of the small stone. 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:18.559 And the active eternal reign of the King of Heaven. 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.900 That's what God calls us to. 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:29.620 My fearful, prayerless heart needs to remember the nature of true power. 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:37.779 And that underlying eternal reality of the true King is really at the heart of the book of Daniel. 00:18:38.199 --> 00:18:39.079 Who's ruling? 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.419 Who's in charge? 00:18:40.739 --> 00:18:42.379 Who's the true King? 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:45.859 And it's really at the heart of the story of all of Scripture. 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:50.259 And it drives these other two issues I want to mention briefly this morning. 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:53.700 The second issue is the issue of value. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:56.140 What's truly valuable? 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:58.579 What do I treasure? 00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:03.659 What I've seen in my heart is anxiety. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:07.299 Because as a Christian I want to be comfortable. 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.359 And to fit in. 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:13.859 I want life to be easy and to go well. 00:19:13.939 --> 00:19:16.619 And I want to feel like I'm right where I should be. 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:24.559 What I've read in blog after blog by Christian leaders who seem to agree we must make the right decision in this election. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:27.579 For the sake of the future of the church in America. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:32.799 And who of course disagree on what that right decision is. 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:39.899 What I've heard in time after time of reading them is fear of the church being marginalized. 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.279 Because of an election. 00:19:45.879 --> 00:19:48.799 Of course a president who loves God. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.879 Who reflects his character. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:53.759 Who honors his people would be wonderful. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:58.859 But if the true king is on the throne of heaven. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:01.740 Who the president of any country is. 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:03.859 And what impact it has on my life. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:07.319 Can't be of ultimate value can it? 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:14.759 No person in any position can do anything or be anything that would be the thing of ultimate worth. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:21.740 Daniel reminds us over and over that we have an eternal heavenly homeland. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:26.980 We are in exile on earth as Daniel was in Babylon. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.539 And so we are strangers. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:32.839 Who have and must maintain a distinctive identity. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:38.000 Who can't fit in and be comfortable with everything in our culture. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:46.799 Any more than Daniel could fit in and be comfortable with every part of the king's plan to assimilate him into Babylonian culture. 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:51.359 You remember what Daniel and his friends did at the beginning of the book, right? 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:56.640 They resolved not to defile themselves with the king's food. 00:20:57.440 --> 00:21:00.940 They had lots of choices of where they might not go along. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:03.079 How they might possibly be different. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:06.740 But they make an uncomfortable political decision. 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:10.279 That didn't help them fit in and get along. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:16.299 It was driven by their distinctive identity as followers of Yahweh. 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:24.059 In fact, God repeatedly tells Daniel that the future of his people, the people of God on earth, 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:29.980 involves not only sticking out as distinctive and being different, 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:34.680 but also involves significant suffering. 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:40.460 Not increased comfort and ease and political success. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:48.620 Chapter after chapter, visions of the people of God are going to suffer in ways that turns Daniel's stomach and grieves him. 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:51.779 That he can barely bear to hear and watch. 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:59.200 I need to remember that in one sense, this world should never feel like home to me. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:01.580 I should expect persecution. 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:06.299 I should expect leaders who have values different from God's. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:09.720 I should expect to be and feel out of place. 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:14.140 I didn't say those things shouldn't grieve my heart. 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:22.200 But I shouldn't avoid them as though comfort and power or fitting in is the pearl of great price, 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.080 the thing I must have. 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:28.259 Y'all, the pearl of great price is Jesus himself, right? 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:37.619 And my primary and distinctive identity is in Christ, a son of the King of Heaven, 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:43.619 with an eternal inheritance that everything else will pale in comparison to. 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:52.000 So suffering and difficulty will come and they'll remind me to cling to my eternal inheritance. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.000 Like Moses did. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:56.880 Remember how Hebrews puts it when it talks about Moses? 00:22:57.319 --> 00:23:02.000 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:09.819 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:17.299 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:20.299 for he was looking to the reward. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:31.259 The reproach of Christ, suffering, difficulty for Christ to be of greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. 00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:34.500 The success, the ease, the prosperity of Egypt. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.579 Why? 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.299 How? 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:42.779 Because he was looking to his reward. 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:47.919 Because something else over here weighed a lot more than all the treasures of Egypt. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:50.480 His eternal reward. 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:57.599 His eternal homeland was infinitely more valuable to him than the earthly one. 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:05.559 Is this election cycle revealing what you value in a way you really don't like to see or admit? 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:13.940 Have you lived in a church-saturated culture so long you expect to be at home here and fit in all the time? 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:18.259 Have you forgotten your primary citizenship is in heaven? 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:22.659 Not the U.S. of A., the Republican Party, the Democratic Party. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:28.519 Remember while you watch election returns Tuesday night, 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:31.980 that nothing you win or lose, 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:38.940 and nothing that that will gain you or lose you in the next four years 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:46.740 is nearly as valuable as what you already have forever in your eternal homeland. 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:49.380 Watch him with that in mind. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:54.140 Seeing the eternal king on his throne gives us a right perspective on power, 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:57.620 a right perspective on what's really valuable, 00:24:57.619 --> 00:25:01.659 and finally a right perspective on hope. 00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:07.259 Here's where I've struggled with this. 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:11.699 I am one of the least cynical people I know. 00:25:12.959 --> 00:25:15.899 And I have become cynical the last few months. 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:20.039 Some of you may have struggled with the same thing. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.979 Some of you are in my generation, 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:24.439 and we are good at being cynical. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:26.700 It is one of our great strengths. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:30.759 Cynicism is what we're known for. 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:33.059 And maybe for any of us, 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:36.460 the last few months have made you more cynical than you usually are. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.820 You may have become more cynical about politics. 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:41.500 You've given up on politicians. 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.580 Maybe you'd already done that. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:46.779 You may have become more cynical about Christians. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.940 Given up on them. 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:53.940 Regardless of who is elected, 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.259 you're going to hear in the weeks ahead 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:58.460 more of what you've heard a little bit of already 00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:01.279 about the demise of the church. 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:06.500 The evangelical church in America is crumbling and gone. 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.700 One way or the other, 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.299 no matter what happens, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:12.900 pundits will pronounce its end. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.700 But it's not true. 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:22.019 Listen to the biblical perspective on hope versus cynicism. 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:24.440 We, God's people, 00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:27.980 are promised eternal glory. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:31.600 Remember all the verses we read earlier 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:33.299 about the eternal kingdom 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:36.580 and the everlasting dominion of the king of heaven? 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:37.900 Listen to this. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.519 Daniel 7, verse 27. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.299 The kingdom and the dominion 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:43.880 and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.620 Seems like we've heard this before, right? 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:50.219 Shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:52.799 Their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:56.439 and all dominions shall serve and obey them. 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:59.199 So that the last verse of the book of Daniel, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.659 chapter 12, verse 13, 00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:01.639 God says, 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.839 Go your way till the end 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.599 and you shall rest 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:07.959 and shall stand in your allotted place 00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:10.019 at the end of the days. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:12.579 This is where our story is headed. 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:16.500 Right in the midst of some of the direst promises 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:19.019 of suffering for God's people, 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:23.079 an eternal hope dawns of glory. 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:29.679 A promise that we will stand in our allotted place, 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:32.220 ruling in glory forever and ever. 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:34.639 The eternal future of the people of God, 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.379 the church, 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.619 is glorious. 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:43.079 Politicians promise hope a lot 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:45.579 and rarely deliver. 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:50.759 But the kingdom of Jesus is a kingdom of hope 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:54.579 that always and eternally delivers. 00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:56.079 You can count on it. 00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:57.659 Even when it doesn't feel like it, 00:27:57.839 --> 00:28:00.339 even when it doesn't change everything today, 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:02.839 you can trust it. 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:04.939 When you're tempted to give up 00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:06.699 on the church altogether, 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.959 and you will be. 00:28:09.199 --> 00:28:11.099 Remember that she is an institution, 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:14.639 a community of hope. 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:16.459 Oh, listen. 00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:18.119 Imperfect? Yes. 00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:20.679 Corrupt? Yes. 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:25.000 I totally get where all of the cynicism comes from. 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:28.440 I've heard plenty of Christian leaders 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.160 speak in the last months 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.700 and write all sorts of stuff 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:33.140 and almost every time I hear it, 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.480 I wish they wouldn't have spoken at all. 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.819 That's why I didn't want to say anything this morning. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.200 But, 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:44.700 the church is a broken body 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.359 with a promise of healing. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.599 A corrupt group 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:52.079 with a promise of purification. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:55.159 A lowly bunch 00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:58.839 with a promise of glory. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:02.159 We have hope, 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.859 not because we're better than the other people, 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:08.299 not because our institution is free 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:10.480 from the problems all the other ones have, 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.579 but because someone is coming 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:14.559 to redeem and rescue us 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:16.220 from even ourselves. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.980 How is it possible 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:21.159 that we could have that kind of a hope? 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:24.559 Only because we are amazingly, 00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:26.279 gloriously, 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:28.899 and inextricably forever 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.839 connected 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.819 to King Jesus. 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.519 His dominion 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:35.279 is an everlasting dominion 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.819 that shall not pass away 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:38.059 and His kingdom, 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:39.879 one that shall not be destroyed, 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.779 and now, 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:41.919 their kingdom 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:44.139 shall be an everlasting kingdom 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.339 and all dominions 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.039 shall serve 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.859 and obey 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.179 them. 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:50.740 They're connected to Him. 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:52.920 One commentator speaks 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:54.400 of this incredible grace 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:55.420 this way, 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.700 so the servants 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.980 have no kingdom 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.859 apart from their king 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.920 and the king 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:02.079 does not reign 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:03.519 without His servants. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.420 Jesus just cannot stand 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:07.339 being separated 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.779 from His people. 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.700 What a great 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:12.140 and gracious 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.880 and glorious king 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.559 He is. 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:17.019 Spurgeon's vision of heaven 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.900 says it this way, 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:19.080 if I may but 00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:20.420 see the king 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.340 in His beauty, 00:30:21.540 --> 00:30:22.259 in the fullness 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.220 of His joy, 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.300 when He shall take 00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.360 by the right hand 00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.340 her for whom 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:26.860 He shed 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:28.060 His precious blood 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:29.040 and shall know 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:29.620 the joy 00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.640 which was set 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.220 before Him 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.180 for which He endured 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.759 the cross 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:34.080 despising the shame, 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.560 I shall be blessed 00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:36.420 indeed. 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.080 Oh, 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.640 what a day 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.340 that will be 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.420 when every member 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.140 of Christ 00:30:40.140 --> 00:30:41.480 shall be crowned 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.140 in Him 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.519 and with Him 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.779 and every member 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.940 of the mystical body 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.279 shall be glorified 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.440 in the glory 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.920 of the bridegroom. 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.579 What must it be 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.680 to be there? 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:57.039 Let that glorious vision 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:59.440 impact your cynicism. 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:02.139 We can have hope 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:03.559 today 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.900 in the midst 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.879 of our cynicism. 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:08.440 We must have hope 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:10.000 Wednesday morning 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:11.259 because Jesus 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.099 is not up 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.140 for re-election 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.579 and the reality 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:16.119 of our eternal King 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.880 with whom 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:17.900 we shall reign 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:19.299 must transform 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.279 our outlook 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.279 today. 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.559 You remember 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:25.119 when the early church 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:27.220 when they had martyrs 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:28.380 and they were burying them, 00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:28.660 you remember 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.440 what they wrote 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:31.059 on the tombstone. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.519 They would write 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.880 the appropriate date 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:35.380 of the martyr's death 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:38.079 followed by the phrase 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.640 in Latin 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.440 regnante 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:41.759 Jesu Christo 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:43.539 in the reign 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:45.640 of Jesus Christ. 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.900 They wrote that 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:50.420 as a discipline 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:51.519 to remind them 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.840 of their only hope 00:31:52.840 --> 00:31:54.200 in those times 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.160 when it didn't seem 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:55.700 at all like 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.539 the true King 00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.980 was Jesus Christ. 00:31:58.120 --> 00:31:59.100 When cynicism 00:31:59.100 --> 00:32:01.140 made much more sense 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:04.259 to remind them 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.820 that indeed 00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:06.140 He was on the throne 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.259 and would remain 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.900 on the throne 00:32:07.900 --> 00:32:08.779 so they were 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.980 eternally hopeful 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:12.119 connected to Him. 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.859 When this life 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:15.180 was indeed hopeless, 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:17.740 there was yet hope. 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:20.720 I need that plastered 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.639 across my heart. 00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:23.819 Regnante 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:25.099 Jesu Christo 00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.099 2016. 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:30.099 Friends, 00:32:30.219 --> 00:32:31.959 there is no power 00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:33.559 to match His power. 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.179 There is no homeland 00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:37.199 to rival 00:32:37.199 --> 00:32:38.459 our eternal 00:32:38.459 --> 00:32:40.039 heavenly home. 00:32:40.039 --> 00:32:41.859 There is no hope 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.919 to outlast 00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:44.039 the glorious promise 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.359 of reigning 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.379 with Him 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.219 forever. 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.339 Might we 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.139 indeed 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:50.839 this week 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:52.179 live as those 00:32:52.179 --> 00:32:52.799 who love 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.699 our neighbors, 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:55.460 who long 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:57.059 for eternity 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.779 and who hope 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.900 only 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:01.140 but always 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:03.039 in King Jesus. 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:03.980 Let's pray. 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.019 Let's pray. 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:10.079 Jesus, 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:11.619 you have won 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.220 for us 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.139 an eternal 00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:14.220 glory 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.940 beyond 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:16.420 what we could 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:16.839 imagine. 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:20.180 You've called us 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.160 now here 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.900 in this time 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.680 and in this place 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.200 where you've 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:24.960 put us 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.680 for the sake 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.900 of your kingdom. 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:29.160 Might you show us 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:30.960 how to live 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.859 and love 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:33.519 others well 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.699 for your glory. 00:33:36.219 --> 00:33:37.219 And might it 00:33:37.219 --> 00:33:38.419 begin this morning 00:33:38.419 --> 00:33:40.899 with a renewed 00:33:40.899 --> 00:33:41.919 vision 00:33:41.919 --> 00:33:43.479 of heaven 00:33:43.479 --> 00:33:44.939 and of our 00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:45.519 King 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.659 with whom 00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:47.699 we shall reign 00:33:47.699 --> 00:33:49.099 forever and ever 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:51.899 by the glory 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:52.819 of that 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.139 setting our hearts 00:33:54.139 --> 00:33:55.099 at peace 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:57.479 and on fire 00:33:57.479 --> 00:33:58.359 for King 00:33:58.359 --> 00:33:59.079 Jesus. 00:34:00.379 --> 00:34:01.000 Do that work 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.960 in each of our hearts. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.299 We ask for his sake. 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:04.180 Amen. 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.659 For more information, 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.960 visit us online 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.260 at southwood.org.