WEBVTT

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 Have you heard the news?

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 Did you hear what's just happened?

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 I can't believe it.

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 Oh, you haven't heard?

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 You didn't see what's been on the front of social media

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 and the front of the newspapers?

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 Our ears tend to prick up at these types of things.

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 Maybe you were actually wondering

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 if I actually had some news to share.

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 It's one of the things that I think social media does really well.

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 It's constantly bombard us with new information.

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 If you keep pulling down or hitting refresh

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 on Facebook or Insta or Twitter,

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 it just continues to provide us with new things

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 for our eyes to look at

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 because our brains really like it.

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 They've figured out how much we like it

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 and how addicted we can be

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 to just getting new information in.

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 How would you feel if I shared the front page

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 of the news from 2005?

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 Would you care?

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 What if I, you know, it's that feeling of

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 showing someone a picture of a meme

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 that they've already seen.

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 It's just kind of like,

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 hmm, yeah, it's a good one.

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 But I wonder if there's some pieces of news.

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 I wonder if there's some pieces of information

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 that are still life-changing.

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 Some things that just stop us in our tracks.

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 You know, when an old friend

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 who you've been meeting with,

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 you've just been spending hours with them

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 for years and years and years,

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 when this old friend says to you,

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 I really still like catching up with you.

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 It's actually really wonderful.

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 You know, that's news you still want to hear.

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 When a family member tells you again

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 for the 400th time how much they love you.

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 Some of this news that we hear,

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 we may have heard before,

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 but some news can still impact our hearts.

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 It's Christmas time.

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 We've gathered late at night to celebrate,

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 to hear the old, old news

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 of Jesus coming as a baby.

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 I wonder what kind of news it is for you.

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 Is it news that we've just heard before

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 and it's not exciting

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 and we're actually looking for something

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 more interesting, more exciting for Christmas?

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 Or is there still something relevant for us

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 about this old news

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 that can still impact our hearts this year?

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 Tonight we're looking at how Mary,

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 the mother of Jesus,

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 responded to the news of Jesus.

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 And the challenge for us will be

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 to be amazed and transformed

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 at this old news.

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 Not like it's the first time we've heard it,

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 but because it is still meaningful for us.

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 So as we do this tonight,

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 let me pray for us.

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 Dear Heavenly Father,

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 I ask that you would help us

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 to encounter this news of Jesus' birth

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 afresh tonight

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 and that it would be life-changing again for us, Lord.

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 We ask this in your Son's name.

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 Amen.

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 We're going to see two things tonight.

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 First of all, we're going to see Mary's response to the news

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 and then we're going to consider

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 how we need to respond to this old news.

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 We come to Mary

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 and her response to hearing from God.

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 She is a young lady,

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 around the age of 15,

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 pledged to be married to a man by the name of Joseph.

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 And an angel appears to her with a message from God.

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 This is the freshest of news that you could get.

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 And she says,

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 please have your Bibles open,

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 have your notes open with me.

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 We're going to start in verse 28,

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 where we see the angel says,

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 greetings,

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 you who are highly favoured.

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 The Lord is with you.

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 Now, I'm not sure how you would respond

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 if you had an angel appear,

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 let alone describe you as highly favoured.

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 God,

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 at the start of this message,

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 is saying that,

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 Mary,

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 you are highly favoured.

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 I'm going to show my grace to you,

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 unmerited favour.

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 This is amazing,

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 that God would show His grace,

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 His unmerited favour to anyone,

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 let alone a 15-year-old girl

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 who could not have done anything to deserve it.

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 Mary responds to this announcement,

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 verse 29,

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 Mary was greatly troubled at His words,

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 and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

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 She doesn't immediately respond with joy.

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 She doesn't say,

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 wow,

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 I've been greatly favoured by God,

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 I've got to go and tell everybody.

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 She's troubled.

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 She has an emotional response.

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 She's trying to understand

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 what this message is

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 that the angelic being has brought to her.

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 Why am I highly favoured by God?

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 Why has God shown His grace to me?

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 Why would the Lord show His favour to me?

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 But it's not about her being special.

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 It's about God being gracious.

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 The God who chooses to love and show His grace,

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 even to unlikely people.

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 The angel continues in verse 30,

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 Do not be afraid, Mary,

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 you have found favour with God.

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 You will conceive and give birth to a son,

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 and you are to call Him Jesus.

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 He will be great,

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 and He will be called the Son of the Most High.

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 The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,

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 and He will reign over Jacob's descendants forever.

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 His kingdom will never end.

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 If she was confused and troubled

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 about being favoured by God,

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 imagine her now.

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 You're saying that I'm not only favoured by God,

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 but that before I,

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 and that's even before I get married,

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 I'm going to be pregnant with a baby,

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 and that that baby is going to be the long-expected Emmanuel,

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 God with us,

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 who's going to rule forever.

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 It's no wonder Mary responds to this amazing news

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 with surprise and with questions.

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 Verse 34,

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 Now, this is not a sign of doubt.

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 She's trying to understand God's good news to her.

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 But even before she can get to the theological implications

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 of the descendant of David coming,

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 of God's Son Himself, Jesus coming,

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 before she can get to those implications,

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 she's asking very practical questions.

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 God, how is this going to work?

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 I'm not married yet.

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 How am I supposed to have a baby?

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 She doesn't dismiss the good news because it's crazy,

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 but she's asking God,

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 help me understand your plan.

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 God, how is this going to work?

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 And the angel clarifies,

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 the Holy Spirit will come on you,

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 and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

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 And the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

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 Even Elizabeth, your relative,

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 is going to have a child in her old age.

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 Mary is given an explanation and a piece of proof.

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 Elizabeth, her very old relative,

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 will also have a miraculous birth.

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 I think this is actually a really wonderful piece of news

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 and a piece of proof for Mary.

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 I think it's really wonderful.

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 God has placed her in a situation

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 which no one will understand.

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 So she's going to be pregnant.

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 Her fiancé is not going to understand it.

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 Her parents aren't going to understand it.

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 The society around her is all going to be questioning

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 why this young, unmarried woman is pregnant.

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 How can this be?

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 Sure, you've said it's from God.

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 I'm not sure we believe you.

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 And yet God directs her to Elizabeth.

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 She also is going to have a miraculous birth.

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 People also wouldn't have been able to believe

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 that she was pregnant,

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 and yet she was six months pregnant.

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 God puts this into her hands

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 because Elizabeth will understand.

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 She's the only person who would.

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 And the angel calls on her to trust God's word.

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 No word from God will fail.

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 And Mary responds, wise beyond her years.

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 Verse 38,

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 I am the Lord's servant.

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 May your word to me be fulfilled.

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 I just think her response is wonderful.

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 God, I'm going to trust you.

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 I've got questions,

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 but I'm not going to be afraid.

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 I am your servant,

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 and I'm going to trust you.

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 After this, Mary goes to visit her relative.

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 And when she's there,

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 she responds to all that God is doing,

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 and she sings a song called the Magnificat,

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 where she praises and gives glory to God.

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 She rejoices.

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 She says,

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 My soul glorifies the Lord,

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 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

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 She is rejoicing.

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 She is praising God.

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 And Mary, just in these very short verses,

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 has gone on this wonderful journey.

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 She started at the good news,

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 troubled.

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 She was troubled,

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 unsure of this news.

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 She questions the angel,

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 and then she places her trust in God's word,

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 and finally rejoices with praise.

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 I remember where I was when I first heard the news about 9-11.

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 I remember I was sitting in high school.

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 It was year 11,

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 and a mate of mine was listening on the radio,

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 and he was giving me live updates of what was happening.

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 I remember hearing for the first time the full implications of COVID.

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 Last year,

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 I was camping.

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 I was out in the middle of nowhere in a tent.

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 I got a call from Steve,

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 saying,

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 things have gotten serious.

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 Even church is going to have to lock down.

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 We have some parts of news that just shape our lives,

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 and that are very memorable.

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 Do you remember the first time that the news of Jesus interrupted your life?

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 How much has it shaped your life since then?

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 Or maybe this is the first time that you're actually considering this news

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 of the Son of God coming,

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 that God would show unmerited favor and grace

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 on unworthy people like Mary and like you and me,

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 that God became a person to bring salvation,

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 that this news was life-changing for Mary,

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 but also for us.

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 This is news that we can't ignore.

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 And just like hearing about COVID that impacts everybody,

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 we can't pretend that the news of Jesus isn't for us.

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 We can't just say it's for someone else.

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 This message is for all people.

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 God sent His Son, Jesus,

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 for all people to be able to know and follow Him,

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 because one day we will stand before Him.

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 Now, you may have responded to this like Mary,

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 being troubled at the news.

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 And I think this is a good and rational response.

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 We should be troubled at this news.

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 Someone I know is dying of cancer at the moment.

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 And they don't want to talk about death.

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 They don't want to face the reality.

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 They don't want to use that big D word of death.

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 They're just placing their trust and their hope in doctors.

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 The doctors are going to fix it.

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 I don't have to think about my future.

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 The doctors have got it sorted.

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 But that would be like, you know,

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 thinking that COVID is not going to impact our lives,

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 or being on the Titanic that's going down,

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 and ignoring the calls to jump into a lifeboat.

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 Each of us need to consider our future

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 and what this news means for us.

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 We should be troubled by this news.

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 Troubled that we are in so desperate need,

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 God would have to come Himself.

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 We need God to favour us.

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 And the wonderful good news of the Bible

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 is that He does.

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 He has chosen to show His grace and His favour.

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 If this is news to you,

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 come and talk to me.

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 If you're still considering this,

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 talk to the person next to you.

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 Talk to the person that you're with.

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 Because I believe that

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 we can respond to this news like Mary.

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 We can place our trust in Jesus.

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 In God.

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 And that is the way,

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 just like Mary,

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 to have joy.

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 To rejoice at what God is doing.

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 Joy even in a broken world.

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 But what if this is old news?

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 What if this is a message

00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.740
 we've all heard before?

00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.540
 What if, you know,

00:12:50.640 --> 00:12:53.420
 it doesn't actually seem that exciting anymore?

00:12:53.780 --> 00:12:55.879
 It doesn't have that same, you know,

00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:58.580
 hit of adrenaline or a dopamine rush

00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:00.120
 when I'm flicking through Twitter

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.080
 that I get.

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.580
 It doesn't seem to be

00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:03.919
 life-changing joy anymore.

00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.379
 I think Mary's response

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.440
 to hearing the good news

00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.399
 is helpful for us

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.060
 as we consider the old news.

00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.879
 I think it is helpful for us

00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.360
 to consider what it is

00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:16.740
 to be troubled by this news.

00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:18.159
 To question God

00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:19.799
 and then to trust in Him

00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.259
 and finally to rejoice.

00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.320
 Starting with troubled.

00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:26.000
 Mary, when she heard this message

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:26.640
 from the angel,

00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:27.320
 she was troubled.

00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.120
 He said to her

00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.620
 that she was greatly favoured.

00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.879
 If you're feeling like

00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.860
 the news of Christmas

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.780
 isn't that new

00:13:34.780 --> 00:13:35.640
 or interesting anymore,

00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.920
 I want to encourage you

00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:37.820
 to sit in this.

00:13:38.660 --> 00:13:39.980
 Because God says to us

00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.600
 the same thing.

00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.700
 Sure, we haven't had

00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:43.200
 an angel visit us

00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:43.580
 and say,

00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:45.140
 hey, you're highly favoured.

00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:46.860
 We have God saying that

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.560
 to us in His Word.

00:13:47.640 --> 00:13:49.700
 Ephesians 1, 7 says,

00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:51.700
 In Him we have redemption

00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:53.240
 through His blood,

00:13:53.900 --> 00:13:55.140
 the forgiveness of sins

00:13:55.140 --> 00:13:56.660
 in accordance with the riches

00:13:56.660 --> 00:13:58.320
 of God's grace.

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.360
 God shows His grace,

00:14:01.900 --> 00:14:02.980
 His unmerited favour

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.840
 to each of us.

00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:06.680
 And this should trouble us.

00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:09.740
 This should disturb us.

00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:12.360
 It's news that should shake us

00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.920
 out of a mundane faith

00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.940
 because it's easy

00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:16.000
 to get used to Christmas

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.040
 that Jesus became a baby.

00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.740
 It's easy to get used

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.319
 to this news

00:14:20.319 --> 00:14:21.019
 and just go through

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:22.639
 a process of coming to church

00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.079
 week in and week out

00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:26.500
 and forget how amazing

00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.379
 and radical

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.899
 and troubling this news is.

00:14:30.099 --> 00:14:30.879
 Sometimes though,

00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:32.980
 God will creep up on us

00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.000
 and remind us

00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:35.039
 of this great truth.

00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.879
 Particularly when we've been

00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:38.679
 doing the wrong thing.

00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.879
 When we've been sinning.

00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:43.699
 When we've hurt someone else.

00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:44.980
 And we realise,

00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:47.240
 oh, I am despicable.

00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.539
 I am sinful.

00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:50.019
 And yet,

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.440
 Ephesians 1 verse 7,

00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.600
 God has shown

00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:57.799
 His immeasurable riches

00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:59.560
 in His grace to me.

00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:02.460
 I don't deserve anything good

00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:02.919
 from God

00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:04.360
 and yet He chooses

00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.539
 to love me.

00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.299
 Be reminded

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:11.840
 of this truth from Ephesians 1,

00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.120
 this word from Mary,

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.799
 God has poured out

00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:17.000
 His unmerited grace on us.

00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.319
 One of my favourite TV shows

00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:21.359
 of the past years

00:15:21.359 --> 00:15:22.559
 is a TV show called

00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:23.139
 Ted Lasso.

00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:24.979
 Not sure if you've seen it.

00:15:25.359 --> 00:15:26.339
 One of the characters

00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:27.519
 in this show

00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:29.559
 attempted to ruin

00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:30.939
 this main character,

00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:32.059
 Ted Lasso's life.

00:15:32.579 --> 00:15:33.719
 But when they realised

00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:34.599
 what they've done,

00:15:34.699 --> 00:15:36.799
 they came and apologised to Ted.

00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:38.879
 And He just says,

00:15:39.719 --> 00:15:40.939
 I forgive you.

00:15:41.959 --> 00:15:42.639
 The other person

00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.519
 cannot believe it

00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.399
 and they are brought

00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.159
 to tears.

00:15:46.979 --> 00:15:48.099
 God has shown

00:15:48.099 --> 00:15:49.779
 His amazing grace,

00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.000
 His amazing favour

00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.539
 to us.

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.519
 He says

00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.000
 far more than forgiveness.

00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.319
 He doesn't just forgive us,

00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.039
 but He chooses

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.120
 to show His riches

00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:58.479
 to us.

00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.559
 His love

00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:01.579
 that He would bring us

00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.359
 into His family.

00:16:02.459 --> 00:16:02.919
 He says,

00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:04.899
 you are more precious

00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.439
 to me.

00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.959
 God has shown

00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:08.959
 His amazing favour

00:16:08.959 --> 00:16:09.579
 that He would

00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:11.000
 choose you

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.839
 and me,

00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:14.219
 sinful enemies of God.

00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.000
 That He would shine

00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.079
 His face on us.

00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:19.000
 We should be troubled

00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.759
 by this.

00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.979
 We should be stirred

00:16:22.979 --> 00:16:23.740
 deep inside,

00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.919
 reminded that we

00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.919
 do not deserve it

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.159
 and it should remind us

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.919
 of how great

00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.559
 and wonderful

00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.339
 our God is

00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:30.659
 and our need

00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.500
 and our dependence

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.019
 on Him.

00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:35.120
 Secondly,

00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.979
 I think this news

00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:37.139
 for us is really helpful

00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:38.379
 because it reminds us

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.299
 that it is good

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.199
 to question God.

00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:42.139
 We can keep bringing

00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.179
 our questions to Him.

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.279
 James chapter 1

00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.939
 reminds us

00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:46.099
 that if any of us

00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:46.779
 lack wisdom

00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.339
 to ask God

00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:50.120
 and He gives generously

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.959
 to all

00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:52.179
 without reproach.

00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:54.120
 Asking questions

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.259
 is not a sign

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.379
 of a lack of faith.

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.079
 We can take

00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:58.980
 our questions to Him.

00:16:59.199 --> 00:16:59.939
 He's bigger than

00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:00.500
 our questions.

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.399
 He is sovereign.

00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.719
 We can be asking

00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:04.339
 questions like,

00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:04.500
 God,

00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.119
 how am I ever

00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.839
 going to stop

00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.879
 sinning like this?

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:07.980
 God,

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.559
 how will my family,

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:11.259
 my friends

00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.180
 ever come to know

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.639
 and love you,

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:12.899
 Lord?

00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.480
 God,

00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:16.079
 I'm really worried

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.539
 about what's happening

00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.159
 at the moment.

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.899
 I'm really worried

00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:20.019
 about case numbers

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.579
 in Sydney.

00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:21.339
 I'm really worried

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:21.879
 about COVID.

00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:22.839
 God,

00:17:22.879 --> 00:17:23.399
 I'm suffering

00:17:23.399 --> 00:17:24.000
 right now.

00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:28.000
 God is big enough

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.940
 for these questions.

00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:31.039
 Now,

00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:31.960
 God may speak

00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.880
 directly or even

00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.480
 through an angel,

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.380
 but as the angel

00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.059
 said to Mary,

00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.240
 God's word

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.039
 doesn't fail.

00:17:37.860 --> 00:17:39.000
 We have His word

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.920
 and He promises

00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.980
 that He is sovereign.

00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.680
 He is in control

00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:44.940
 today and tomorrow

00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.799
 and He is with us.

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.559
 So let me encourage you

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:50.320
 to be troubled

00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:52.779
 by this good news.

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.140
 Be encouraged

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.740
 to take

00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:56.000
 your questions

00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.500
 to Him

00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.099
 and then

00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.839
 each day

00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:01.519
 respond to the good news

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.980
 of the gospel

00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.799
 by choosing

00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.759
 to trust in Him.

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.740
 Trust that what God

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.799
 has said about our tomorrow,

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:08.000
 that He is sovereign

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.759
 for tomorrow,

00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.819
 that He has a plan.

00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.940
 Trust in that.

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.759
 Trust that His way

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.720
 and His plans

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.859
 are better than anything

00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.900
 that we could come up with.

00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.599
 And then finally,

00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.859
 to rejoice

00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:21.099
 with Mary

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.759
 at this news.

00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.579
 Rejoice

00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.380
 that God

00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.180
 would save

00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:25.720
 of people

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.600
 like us.

00:18:27.800 --> 00:18:28.960
 If you're feeling

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:31.240
 not excited

00:18:31.240 --> 00:18:32.220
 by this news,

00:18:33.060 --> 00:18:33.720
 this good news

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.220
 of Jesus,

00:18:34.540 --> 00:18:35.120
 be troubled,

00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:36.660
 take your questions

00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.020
 to God,

00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.780
 trust in Him

00:18:37.780 --> 00:18:39.300
 and then we can rejoice.

00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.880
 We can rejoice

00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:42.260
 because we don't need

00:18:42.260 --> 00:18:43.180
 to worry about tomorrow.

00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:44.300
 God has it sorted.

00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:47.320
 Lamentations 3

00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:48.000
 says,

00:18:48.000 --> 00:19:03.259
 When we daily

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.279
 remind ourselves

00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.759
 of God's mercies,

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.440
 they are new.

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.880
 His gospel

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:08.859
 is new to us.

00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:09.960
 Then the old news

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.900
 doesn't actually seem

00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.920
 old anymore.

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.880
 It is new.

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.920
 It is amazing.

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.180
 It is life-giving.

00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:17.720
 I have been

00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.960
 married to my wife

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.660
 Alyssa now

00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:21.960
 for almost 15 years.

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.600
 And I remember

00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.480
 the first time

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.320
 that we said

00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:25.820
 I love you

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.360
 to each other.

00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.539
 I reminded her

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.220
 of this the other day

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.720
 and it turns out

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.539
 she can't remember it.

00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.200
 I am very glad

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.279
 I can still remember it though.

00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:32.799
 And I said it,

00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:34.140
 it was on a train

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:35.039
 between our houses.

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.360
 We lived about

00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.060
 an hour apart

00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:38.440
 and I said it to her

00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.200
 on the train

00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.799
 and there was

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.779
 a very short pause

00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.440
 where my heart

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.259
 was in my mouth

00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.960
 and then she responded

00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.440
 with those

00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.319
 three little words.

00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.000
 But I remember

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.379
 thinking

00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:49.920
 what is she going

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.319
 to say?

00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:52.619
 Do I get off

00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.319
 the train now

00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.900
 at whatever stop

00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.420
 this is?

00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.740
 Is she going

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.400
 to run away

00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:56.900
 or is she going

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.819
 to say I love you

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.279
 back?

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.660
 And it was wonderful

00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:00.920
 news when she did

00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:02.400
 say it back to me.

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.640
 But since that time

00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.700
 let's say

00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.400
 that she has

00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:07.940
 either said

00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:08.559
 those words

00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.559
 or texted me

00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.079
 those words

00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.240
 every second day.

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.279
 That would be

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.299
 over two and a half

00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.380
 thousand times

00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.519
 that I've heard that.

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.359
 It is not news

00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:17.980
 to me anymore

00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.759
 that she loves me.

00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.640
 I'm pretty sure

00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.500
 I've gotten used

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.140
 to that idea.

00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.140
 But why haven't

00:20:24.140 --> 00:20:25.180
 I said to her

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.660
 stop telling me.

00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.900
 I don't need

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.620
 that information.

00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.299
 It's not news

00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:29.720
 to me anymore.

00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.839
 I'm actually really

00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.759
 bored by that piece

00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.319
 of information.

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.920
 Can't you tell me

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.359
 something new

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.839
 and exciting?

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.440
 It's probably

00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.279
 not the wisest

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.140
 thing to say

00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.440
 to her.

00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.920
 And yet

00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.480
 every day

00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.019
 when she says

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.480
 those words

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:44.920
 it's new.

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.099
 After we've had

00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.799
 an argument

00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.440
 or if there's

00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.059
 been pain

00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.940
 and conflict

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.799
 and I hear

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.359
 those words

00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.079
 it reminds me

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.720
 that we're okay.

00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.599
 That we're on

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.160
 the same side

00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.480
 that we're on

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.220
 the same team

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.859
 that we're going

00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.400
 in the same

00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:58.799
 direction.

00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.400
 Those words

00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.059
 have meaning

00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.279
 because of

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.019
 the relationship.

00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.680
 How much

00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.420
 more so

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.000
 with God

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.180
 when we hear

00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:07.660
 the news

00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.140
 again

00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.000
 that God

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.560
 loves us

00:21:09.560 --> 00:21:09.920
 enough

00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.240
 that he

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.440
 sent

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:10.759
 Jesus.

00:21:12.080 --> 00:21:12.660
 We need

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.060
 to hear it

00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.360
 again

00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:13.880
 after we've

00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.240
 sinned.

00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.740
 After we feel

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.720
 distant from

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:16.980
 him

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.520
 because it

00:21:17.520 --> 00:21:18.120
 reminds us

00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:18.960
 of how great

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.040
 his love

00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:20.680
 for you

00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:20.980
 is

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.860
 for me

00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:23.000
 is.

00:21:24.040 --> 00:21:24.720
 I need

00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.320
 to hear it.

00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.060
 We need

00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:26.440
 to hear it

00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:26.759
 when we're

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.320
 lost

00:21:27.320 --> 00:21:28.680
 or lonely

00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.860
 or when we're

00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.340
 far from

00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:30.620
 home.

00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.280
 We need

00:21:32.280 --> 00:21:32.620
 to hear

00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.160
 this good

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.660
 news

00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:35.060
 of the

00:21:35.060 --> 00:21:35.400
 gospel

00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:35.960
 of Jesus

00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.500
 coming

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.140
 when I'm

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.560
 questioning

00:21:37.560 --> 00:21:38.040
 God

00:21:38.040 --> 00:21:39.259
 when we're

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.680
 wondering

00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.180
 about the

00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.640
 season of

00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.120
 life in

00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:42.460
 because it

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.080
 reminds us

00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.600
 of the good

00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:43.980
 news that

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.420
 he is

00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:44.920
 sovereign

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.220
 he is in

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:46.779
 control of

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.460
 all things

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.740
 and then we

00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.560
 can rejoice.

00:21:50.300 --> 00:21:50.900
 Let me

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.200
 pray.

00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.560
 Heavenly

00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:54.960
 Father

00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:57.380
 we thank

00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.880
 you for

00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.680
 this good

00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.100
 news.

00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.540
 Lord I

00:22:00.540 --> 00:22:01.080
 ask that

00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:01.400
 it would

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.080
 be news

00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.660
 to us

00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.180
 again

00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.700
 today.

00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:04.799
 That it

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.140
 would not

00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:05.519
 just be

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.200
 information

00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.799
 but it

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.380
 would be

00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.779
 news that

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.380
 leads to

00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:09.940
 our lives

00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.240
 being

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.000
 transformed

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.160
 to trust

00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.700
 in you

00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.140
 to rejoice

00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.840
 with you

00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:16.019
 and all of

00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.500
 your goodness

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:16.960
 to us

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.240
 Lord.

00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:18.980
 Amen.