WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.600 Well, Merry Christmas, y'all. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:07.339 It is the beginning of the Christmas season, 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:09.240 and we are very excited for that. 00:00:09.380 --> 00:00:13.900 I enjoyed that Advent presentation on hope from our children. 00:00:14.780 --> 00:00:16.000 And that's what we're going to talk about. 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:17.179 We're going to talk about hope. 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:18.859 But before we talk about that, 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:22.780 how many of y'all spent some money this weekend? 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:25.539 Anybody spent some money on Black Friday? 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:26.080 Yes. 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:27.820 We had a few hands. 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:28.660 Loud and proud. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:29.199 There you go. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.500 I did, too. 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:32.219 How many of you got to spend some more money tomorrow? 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:33.140 It's Cyber Monday. 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:35.840 Don't forget, Giving Tuesday is coming. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:38.379 That's when you're supposed to charitably give, 00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:40.259 not just spend on yourself, right? 00:00:40.920 --> 00:00:41.600 All right. 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:45.980 Look, in this economy, I'm going to be honest with y'all, 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:50.700 I try to save up as many purchases as I possibly can for this weekend 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:54.840 because the sales that you find often allow you to purchase things 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:57.039 that it's hard other times to purchase. 00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:02.379 If you see a TV in my house, I probably got it for a steal on Black Friday at some point. 00:01:03.019 --> 00:01:04.299 That's just how it works. 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:07.159 I didn't knock anybody over for it. 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:10.159 That doesn't happen as much anymore, thankfully. 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:12.680 That's one good thing the internet has done for us. 00:01:12.760 --> 00:01:17.019 It's helped cut down on some of those crazy crowds over this shopping weekend. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:22.780 Listen, it's not necessarily all a bad thing. 00:01:23.479 --> 00:01:28.579 Sometimes it's allowing you to do something for someone that you would have a hard time otherwise doing. 00:01:28.899 --> 00:01:31.019 It's like I love you enough to buy a gift. 00:01:31.119 --> 00:01:32.879 I just don't love you enough to pay full price. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:33.500 You know what I mean? 00:01:33.500 --> 00:01:35.459 But that's not it. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:36.700 It's smart shopping. 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:37.760 And so that's all right. 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:43.519 But then, I tell you what, this has got to be Amazon's biggest time of the year, doesn't it? 00:01:44.319 --> 00:01:45.819 We drove down to Louisiana. 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:51.599 We spent the holidays with my, well, the holiday, I guess, with my parents down there. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:52.799 And we drove back. 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:56.959 And I don't know how many Amazon trucks we passed on the way back home. 00:01:58.659 --> 00:02:00.780 And we passed them because I was in a hurry to get home. 00:02:02.859 --> 00:02:06.879 But look, this is the time of year when the gifts start rolling in. 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:07.879 And then what happens? 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:08.819 They get wrapped. 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:12.219 And then they go under the tree. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:21.000 And then it's the worst time ever for children because they sit there and they look at the gifts. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:23.219 You can't open them yet. 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:25.139 You got to wait until Christmas, right? 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:27.620 By the way, that's Austin and Bo there. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:29.979 So, long time ago. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:31.560 In case you couldn't tell. 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:33.539 But that's what happens. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:35.699 The season of hope starts. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:41.960 And they're hoping that what is in those boxes matches what they were hoping to get for Christmas. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:45.939 And they won't find out until Christmas morning unless you open one on Christmas Eve. 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:47.979 Does anybody open a present on Christmas Eve? 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:49.400 Yeah, look at you. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:50.080 All right, good. 00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:51.820 I grew up with that tradition. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:52.700 We carry it on. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:53.760 We do like one present. 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:57.340 You can, whoever finds the pickle ornament on the tree. 00:02:58.300 --> 00:03:00.700 We have a green pickle that I hide on the tree. 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:04.360 And whoever finds that first gets to open the first present on Christmas Eve. 00:03:04.500 --> 00:03:05.840 That has nothing to do with the sermon. 00:03:05.940 --> 00:03:06.820 But now you know something. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:15.980 Anyway, like those kids waiting and watching the presents under the tree. 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:28.259 We all find ourselves waiting and watching for someone, the greatest gift of all, to come back and take us home to heaven. 00:03:28.259 --> 00:03:32.519 And that is a theme throughout the Bible. 00:03:32.519 --> 00:03:35.099 And it's a theme through the Christmas season. 00:03:35.099 --> 00:03:38.699 It's really what it's all about is hope. 00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:45.419 For generations, God's people were waiting and watching for the Messiah. 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:51.739 And on another note, he came and many of them missed it. 00:03:51.740 --> 00:04:01.379 But this hope, this anticipation, waiting and watching is what this season is all about. 00:04:01.480 --> 00:04:03.719 And that's the first theme of Advent. 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:05.080 So let's dive into it. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:08.200 The gift of Christmas is waiting. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:11.500 The gift of Christmas is waiting. 00:04:11.500 --> 00:04:14.960 Now, that doesn't sound all that fun. 00:04:15.479 --> 00:04:16.860 None of us love to wait. 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:20.379 I don't know how many of y'all have ever had to experience a DMV. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:24.500 Look, y'all are in, you're so spoiled here in this small town. 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:28.939 We can get things done down at the county offices without much weight usually. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:33.579 But how many of you have lived in a bigger city and you had to go stand in line at a DMV? 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:34.779 Did you enjoy that? 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.899 Was it just filling you with a rich, full experience? 00:04:39.019 --> 00:04:39.680 I don't think so. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:41.720 So DMV is no fun, right? 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:43.860 And I feel bad for the people that work there. 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:47.840 They have to put up with people who have waited in line all that time. 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:49.360 We don't like to wait. 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:56.939 One of my cardinal sins I will express to you right now, if you haven't already figured it out, is impatience. 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:00.040 I have a really hard time sitting and waiting. 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:04.199 And I'm trying to make my driving not reflect that quite as much. 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:05.340 Anyway. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:09.759 But let's go to Isaiah chapter 9. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:11.560 And let's look at a few verses here. 00:05:11.619 --> 00:05:12.699 Isaiah chapter 9. 00:05:13.119 --> 00:05:19.399 While you're turning there, we're kicking off this Christmas series called The Gift is Waiting. 00:05:21.099 --> 00:05:23.479 And today, we're talking about hope. 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:28.420 Today, we're talking about hope. 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:37.000 If you're going to give it our title, if you've got a bulletin in front of you, if you were handed one on the way in or you picked one up, they're in the back. 00:05:37.080 --> 00:05:39.300 It says, when waiting feels like wasting. 00:05:40.340 --> 00:05:41.520 Has anybody ever experienced that? 00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:42.720 You don't have to raise your hand right now. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:47.100 You're turning your pages or you're opening up the Bible app on your phone and that's fine. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:51.760 But listen, sometimes waiting can feel like wasting. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:56.459 So let's look at Isaiah chapter 9 in verse 2. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:58.259 I'm reading from the New Living Translation. 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:02.240 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:07.779 For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 00:06:08.039 --> 00:06:09.959 For a child is born to us. 00:06:10.339 --> 00:06:11.480 Man, what great words. 00:06:12.159 --> 00:06:14.360 A son is given to us. 00:06:14.899 --> 00:06:18.719 The government will rest on his shoulders and he will be called. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:20.140 Let's say it together. 00:06:20.640 --> 00:06:22.280 Wonderful Counselor. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:23.960 Mighty God. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.880 Everlasting Father. 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:27.040 Prince of Peace. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:28.300 Can we say those again together? 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:28.960 Ready? 00:06:29.260 --> 00:06:29.760 Those four. 00:06:30.280 --> 00:06:31.820 Wonderful Counselor. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:33.360 Mighty God. 00:06:33.940 --> 00:06:35.260 Everlasting Father. 00:06:35.760 --> 00:06:37.160 Prince of Peace. 00:06:37.700 --> 00:06:39.700 His government and his peace will never end. 00:06:39.700 --> 00:06:45.640 He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:51.919 That was written, folks, about 700 years before Jesus' birth. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:54.039 You think they had to wait? 00:06:55.659 --> 00:06:57.839 You think there was a period of anticipation? 00:06:58.639 --> 00:06:59.419 Of waiting? 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.740 Of sitting there looking at the presence under the tree waiting for them to be opened? 00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:06.860 That's kind of the same vibe that we get from this. 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:09.699 This wonderful gift is coming from God. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:11.819 But it's not here yet. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:13.800 We have to wait. 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:20.360 And so, we know, in hindsight, God's timing was perfect. 00:07:21.460 --> 00:07:27.000 It was the perfect time at the right time at the best time Jesus came. 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:32.139 But he gave them this magnificent promise. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:37.360 And then there was this massive pause before it actually happened. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:41.240 But God was working the whole time. 00:07:42.280 --> 00:07:43.420 There's a principle there. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:46.540 While we're waiting, God is working. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:49.020 Can we say that together? 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:52.199 While we're waiting, God is working. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.460 Y'all got to wake up a little bit. 00:07:53.520 --> 00:07:53.980 Here we go. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:57.639 Everybody, reach your hands up in the air like this. 00:07:57.960 --> 00:07:59.060 Kind of wave them at me. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:01.379 This is a wave offering to God. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:01.840 I'm kidding. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:03.079 We don't get into all that. 00:08:05.459 --> 00:08:06.339 Let's say it. 00:08:06.359 --> 00:08:06.539 Ready? 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:09.959 While we're waiting, God is working. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:10.679 One more time. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:13.739 While we're waiting, God is working. 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:15.219 We could say it this way. 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:16.539 Look at the screen, would you? 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:21.779 Waiting isn't wasted when God is working in the waiting. 00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:25.779 You probably have to read that again to understand what it's saying. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:31.319 Waiting isn't wasted when God is working in the waiting. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:38.559 So while we are waiting, we can be assured that God is working. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:41.639 The gift is waiting. 00:08:42.699 --> 00:08:45.139 So this waiting is not a waste. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.519 Well, let's dive into this. 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:49.480 Number one, if you're taking notes, you can fill it in in your bulletin. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.940 The pause has a purpose. 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:55.600 Remember, there was this promise from God, and then there was a pause. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:57.820 But there was a purpose behind the pause. 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.279 So let's dive into this. 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:03.159 Waiting isn't wasted when God is working in the waiting. 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:03.740 Why? 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:06.120 Because there is a purpose in the pause. 00:09:06.560 --> 00:09:09.940 Let's look at Lamentations chapter 3 and verse 26. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:12.180 I have it up on the screen. 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:14.240 Lamentations 3, 26. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:20.299 It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:23.139 It is good to wait. 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:23.799 Why? 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:26.860 Because waiting builds hope. 00:09:28.200 --> 00:09:30.960 And hope builds faith. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:35.379 Because hope will someday be realized. 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:37.180 Hope will be seen. 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:39.180 Hope will be fulfilled. 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:42.739 When it's hope in God. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:50.439 Look, I can hope that the Cowboys will win all the rest of their games and win their first Super Bowl in 30 years. 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:54.339 But that hope may not come to reality. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:54.879 Right? 00:09:55.859 --> 00:09:57.479 It's not even funny anymore. 00:09:57.739 --> 00:09:59.839 It's just been so long. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:10.019 When we put our hope in some things, in most things, there's a strong possibility it will let us down. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:14.800 When we put our hope in God, that will bear out. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.920 That will come to pass. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:23.980 And so we can hope and then we wait during that season of hope. 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:27.740 So it's good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:32.340 But y'all, everything in our culture is teaching us against this principle. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:35.019 It's leading us the other direction. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.720 It's saying there's no reason to wait. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:40.399 You should have it all here and now. 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:44.019 And you and I fall prey to that. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:52.680 We try to jump on every possible way to make our lives a little faster. 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:56.019 Remember, cut down the wait time. 00:10:57.979 --> 00:11:01.099 We'll give it any number of names or justification. 00:11:01.579 --> 00:11:04.339 Like, well, we're just trying to be more expeditious. 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:07.279 Or we're just trying to be good stewards of our time. 00:11:07.359 --> 00:11:10.019 And yes, there's nothing wrong with being good steward of your time. 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:12.299 But sometimes it's okay to wait. 00:11:12.739 --> 00:11:14.699 That's a hard thing to wrap my head around. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:16.179 And I suspect some of you. 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:19.099 But it's good for us. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:23.179 The Bible teaches us be still sometimes. 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:25.839 Sit. 00:11:26.919 --> 00:11:32.459 I think I shared with you some weeks ago that I started a principle based on a dear friend that I have. 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:35.839 He's a pastor of First Baptist Lorena, Texas, Heath Kirkwood. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:39.519 And he taught me this principle of silent prayer. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:45.120 And that doesn't mean, howdy friend, my friend came to visit today, the wasp. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.579 He always comes every sermon. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.079 So if you see one flying around, just leave it alone. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:57.639 My friend taught me this principle of sitting quietly in prayer. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:01.679 And that doesn't mean that I'm necessarily even praying in my head to God. 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:13.179 It's just sitting, emptying my heart, emptying my mind of all the distractions that will keep me from really locking in and listening to God's voice. 00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:15.659 And just waiting on God. 00:12:16.239 --> 00:12:20.259 And so every night, every Wednesday night, I should say, when we have our pastor's life group. 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.759 By the way, shameless plug for our life groups. 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.099 We've got Monday night men's group. 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:25.719 We've got two Tuesday night groups going. 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:28.859 We've got our Wednesday night pastor's life group that meets here. 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:35.019 But we will sit before we jump in, before we open in prayer and all that. 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:37.580 And we'll just sit in silence for a little bit. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.879 Because sometimes it's good to wait. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.560 It's good to pause. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:44.840 There is purpose in the pause. 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:48.320 It stops the hustle. 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:51.419 It stops everything that we brought into. 00:12:52.300 --> 00:12:53.420 All the burdens. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:55.639 All the weights. 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:56.519 All the distractions. 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.759 It stops all that. 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:59.700 It says, God, I'm going to set it down. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:00.899 I'm going to lay it down. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:03.799 I'm going to focus on you right now. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:06.879 So, there is purpose in the pause. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:11.799 It's good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:15.019 Pauses are not setbacks. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.480 They're setups. 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.220 What do we mean by that? 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.819 Pauses are not setbacks. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.259 They're setups. 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:29.279 Y'all, about 100% of the time, I will see every pause, every delay as a setback. 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:31.879 I will see it as a negative. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.960 Man, why did this happen? 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.799 I was all ready for whatever was supposed to come next. 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:38.979 But there was a delay. 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.179 There was a pause. 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.359 There was a setback. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:47.199 The truth is, God is using that to set you up for what he wants. 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:51.460 And it may be what you were working for. 00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:53.259 It may be what you planned for. 00:13:53.400 --> 00:13:55.800 But you weren't quite ready for it yet. 00:13:56.040 --> 00:14:05.660 So, God gave you a pause to set you up for something so much better than what you thought you were ready for. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:09.299 That could be in the area of a job. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.799 That could be in the area of financial problems. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:14.100 That could be in the area of relational problems. 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:19.620 There's all kinds of ways that God institutes pauses into our lives. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:23.559 Right here in the life of our church, sometimes we experience that. 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:26.740 The pauses are a positive thing. 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:27.559 They're good for us. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:30.579 It's good for the kids to have to wait before they open their gifts, right? 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:34.220 You can't just wrap them, put them under the tree, and then instantly the kids just pounce. 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.720 Because there's no anticipation. 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.800 There's no buildup. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:39.740 And so, the appreciation for it goes down. 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:44.080 So, sometimes it's the same for us. 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:52.680 God wants us to appreciate fully what he's going to do, how he's going to work, how he's going to show up. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:55.500 How many of you have seen God show up in your life? 00:14:55.660 --> 00:15:00.879 And you can testify by uplifted hand, I have seen God show up in my life. 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:01.360 Yeah. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:03.000 So many across this room. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:08.820 But he probably didn't show up exactly when you first hoped he would. 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:11.680 There was probably a bit of a pause. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:15.000 Sometimes that'll last days. 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:17.220 Sometimes it'll last years. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:20.279 But God's timing is perfect. 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:26.480 And he's setting you up for what he's going to do in his time. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:31.300 So, the illustration of that, man, there's nothing better than Joseph. 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:37.419 Genesis chapter 37 all the way through chapter 50 will tell you this story. 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:42.979 It'll lay it out in great detail of all the pauses that Joseph had to endure. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:50.219 God gave him these prophetic dreams of one day all this great success would come to Joseph. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:52.540 But he couldn't realize it then. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.540 He couldn't see it happen then. 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.580 He had to wait. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.120 And not only that, he had to be ignored. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.560 He had to be envied. 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:04.840 He had to be mocked and ridiculed because he had shared these dreams that God gave him. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:08.100 There was this tension, this tension with his family, his brothers. 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.960 And then he was sold into slavery. 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:13.019 And another pause, another setback, right? 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.500 But then he landed at Potiphar's house. 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:23.240 And Potiphar was a great master in Egypt and promoted Joseph and gave him all this responsibility and authority. 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:25.259 And Joseph's life then was going well. 00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:28.159 But then there was another pause, another setback. 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:34.779 And Potiphar levied that, Potiphar's wife levied that false accusation at him and had him thrown in prison. 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:47.100 And then he was at the end of his rope, sitting in an Egyptian prison, falsely accused, something he never did. 00:16:48.459 --> 00:16:55.399 But then God used that to give him favor with the jailer, to give him favor with the two men who worked for the Pharaoh. 00:16:55.939 --> 00:17:00.199 And then there was another setback as he interprets the dreams in prison. 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:06.080 As God gives him this gift of prophecy and interpretation, he interprets these dreams. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:08.600 And then they come to pass exactly as he interpreted. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:14.259 But one of the men who promised Joseph, I won't forget about you when I'm released from prison. 00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:15.420 I'll help you. 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.160 I'll be your advocate. 00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:16.860 I'll get you out. 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:17.600 And then what did he do? 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.000 He forgot. 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:25.000 So another setback, another pause, another season of waiting until finally he's summoned by Pharaoh. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:28.980 And then God's fulfillment of that promise in his life comes to pass. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.940 He's lifted up. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:35.000 He's given great power, a position of great influence for God. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:40.400 And then another setback comes when he's reunited with his brothers. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.799 But there's not instant reconciliation. 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:49.819 There's another pause, another season of waiting until Benjamin can come, until his father can come. 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:52.059 And then they're reunited and all is forgiven. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.380 And they get to live happily ever after, so to speak. 00:17:54.380 --> 00:18:01.120 But there were so many pauses, so many setbacks. 00:18:01.540 --> 00:18:03.020 Could we have endured that? 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:03.900 I don't know. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:06.380 Would we have given up at some point along the way? 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.460 I don't know. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.600 Have you endured your life? 00:18:11.540 --> 00:18:12.320 Have you given up? 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.220 Has there been one setback too many? 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:20.960 And you just refuse to see them now as setups from God? 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.860 That faith is weakened. 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:26.560 Faith has drained. 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:37.860 And sometimes it's hard to go into a Christmas season when it's supposed to be about hope and joy and all this when you're just feeling empty and broken. 00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:44.599 I pray that it's good for us. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.099 Good for us. 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:49.199 Good for our hearts to remember these words. 00:18:49.199 --> 00:18:56.519 That it's good to quietly wait for salvation from the Lord because we won't find salvation anywhere else. 00:18:56.519 --> 00:19:00.980 You can search the whole world over. 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:05.579 But you will not find salvation anywhere else. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:09.819 So, the pauses are good for us. 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:10.920 They have a purpose. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:13.160 And number two, hope is healthy. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.840 Hope is healthy. 00:19:15.800 --> 00:19:17.200 Fill in the blank if you'd like. 00:19:17.300 --> 00:19:19.100 Hope is healthy. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:22.080 Romans chapter 15 talks about this a little bit. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:26.859 Paul is writing to the church in Rome and he says, 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:36.599 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:44.399 And then he continues to say, then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:48.059 I talked a little bit about this to our staff last week. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:50.000 This confident hope. 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:54.939 There is a confidence that comes from having hope in God. 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.480 Why? 00:19:55.699 --> 00:19:57.819 Because he doesn't let us down. 00:19:57.819 --> 00:20:06.059 Because even when there have been moments of time and seasons when our confidence lacked, 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:11.740 eventually we saw God come through and then hindsight, we get to look back and see, 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.519 oh, that's what God was doing then. 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:15.639 That's why he took us through that. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:19.079 And that builds this confidence in him. 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:21.899 And so our hope is not uneducated. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.879 It's not misguided. 00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:26.980 Our hope has this strong confidence. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:35.899 Because we've experienced God coming through and it's built our faith time and time again. 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:39.079 And maybe you don't have everything you always wanted. 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:49.419 Truth is, we'll never have that experience of fulfillment until someday when God rights all the wrongs. 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:53.860 And everything is truly made right on earth. 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:57.940 And there is truly peace on earth, goodwill toward men. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.800 That day is coming. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:03.180 God's in the restoration process right now. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.860 He's in the renewal process right now. 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.720 And we get to be a part of that. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:12.640 We get to be a part of God's mission of redemption to this earth. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:21.880 But until that is completed, then we'll never experience that full satisfaction because not everything yet is healed. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:24.819 Not all the broken has been put back together. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:27.440 God is still working in this world. 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.980 Sin is still fighting. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.960 Sin is still actively working against God. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:34.779 Our flesh still fights back against our spirit. 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:40.480 And so we're never fully going to experience this idea of full satisfaction. 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:50.180 But we can have confidence that God is alive and well and working in us and in the world around us. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:52.880 So that is our source of hope. 00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.900 And from that, we get joy. 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:57.940 And from that, we get peace. 00:21:57.940 --> 00:22:03.680 Do you realize these are three of the themes of Advent that we're going to be covering during this Christmas season? 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.860 We're starting with hope today. 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:07.360 And then we're going to joy and then peace. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.820 And then we finish with love. 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:12.360 But this is where it all comes from. 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:15.039 It all comes from hope. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:20.279 So it starts with the source of hope, which is God. 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:24.759 And the hope we're talking about is a confident hope. 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.840 So hope is healthy. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:30.480 Fascinating thing. 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:35.299 If you want to dive into Romans chapter 15, I could not recommend it more, especially during this Christmas season. 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:40.980 In the verses leading up to verse 13 here, we're not going to take the time to do it today because I want to let you out a reasonable time. 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:47.820 But if you want to look back maybe in your own personal time with God or if you want to gather your family around the Bible and talk about this, 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:54.599 then Romans chapter 15, the verses leading up to verse 13, talk about Jesus, about his promised coming. 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:59.359 So it's perfect to kick off the Christmas season with Romans chapter 15. 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:03.519 And it's not often a passage that we read from during the Christmas season. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:08.779 But it's perfect for that, especially when we're talking about hope. 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:11.539 It all flows from hope. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:15.680 Interesting thing is, God knows this. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.480 He designed us this way. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:20.240 We need hope in our lives. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:23.380 I don't need you to raise your hand right now. 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.220 Please don't. 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:32.940 But if you can think back to a time of depression in your life, maybe it's now. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.620 Maybe it's recent. 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.299 Maybe it was long ago. 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:42.159 But if you can think back to a time when things were not all okay with you. 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:46.440 You sing that hymn, it is well with my soul. 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:50.359 And you had a hard time maybe singing that because it's not well with my soul right now. 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:55.879 You probably had a hard time saying there's a lot of hope. 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:57.940 You probably felt hopeless. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.839 Let me ask you this. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:03.500 How was your health during that time? 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:09.440 Because studies show, and I'll read this for you. 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.599 The print's kind of small. 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:15.000 Studies show that health and hope have a direct connection. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:26.460 A Harvard study tracking over 70,000 participants found that optimism could literally extend life by 10 to 15% with the most optimistic women. 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:29.139 I'm just focusing on women here. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.919 I didn't do that. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.720 That's not my. 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:37.240 Far more likely by 50 to 70% to reach 85. 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:40.480 The age of 85. 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.700 50 to 70% more likely. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:47.339 The effect, we're not talking about the power of positive thinking or what was that? 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.839 Norman Vincent Peale, whoever wrote that. 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.900 We're not talking about that. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.480 It showed up in biology. 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:59.819 Lower inflammation, calmer stress hormones, stronger immunity, reduced risk of heart disease. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:05.119 Reduced risk of stroke, cancer, even infections. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:08.460 Optimism is not talking about ignoring reality. 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:14.519 It means your body runs on the belief that the future is worth moving toward. 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.939 That's hope. 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:20.099 The belief that the future is worth moving toward. 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:22.079 Where do you find that hope? 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:24.839 You find it in your faith in God. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:30.399 That's where you find a hope that will not let you down. 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:34.720 And there is a direct correlation there to your physical health. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.939 Healthy optimism is hope. 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:46.299 So, hope rooted in God produces joy, peace, and confident trust. 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:49.919 And it literally strengthens the body and the mind. 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:54.940 So, I want to leave you with this thought on hope. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:59.619 Trusting God builds contagious confidence. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:04.980 Trusting God builds contagious confidence. 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:08.420 Why do we say that word contagious? 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:11.579 When we're just talking about health. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:19.079 I want to be the kind of person that doesn't spread a deadly contagion. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:23.079 And I'm not talking about COVID-19. 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:26.319 Or whatever else. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.420 Even the common cold. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:32.099 I'm talking about a Grinch spirit. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:32.680 Okay? 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.799 If we're going to put it in Christmas terms. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:37.720 I'm talking about a negative spirit. 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:41.420 I'm talking about being a Debbie Downer, so to speak. 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:45.240 Your spirit is contagious. 00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:48.900 To the people in your sphere of influence. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.039 And that could be your family. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.120 Could be your friends. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.660 Could be whoever interacts with you at the workplace. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.980 If you're retired. 00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:57.460 Whoever you spend your time with. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.900 And it can certainly be our church. 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:04.060 Please don't spread. 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:08.380 Your contagious bad spirit. 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:13.380 Instead, spread a contagious confidence in God. 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:16.260 Not confidence in me. 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:20.200 Not even confidence in the leadership of the church. 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:22.100 But confidence in God. 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:26.020 And that what he is doing is right. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:28.760 And even if you don't agree with everything. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:32.180 You have absolute confidence in God. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:35.420 And so you trust that he's got it under control. 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.960 He knows what he's doing. 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:39.720 And he's leading the church in the way it ought to go. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:43.740 And if you can't have that confidence. 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:47.160 Then find somewhere you can have that confidence. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.180 Because you need it. 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:51.000 You need the hope. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:56.559 So trusting God builds contagious confidence. 00:27:57.119 --> 00:28:00.019 When you have confidence in God and what he's doing. 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:02.359 It spreads to somebody else. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.859 In your sphere of influence. 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:08.079 Think about all the people inside the sphere of influence that you have. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.259 Who have you affected? 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:14.559 How have you affected their spirit? 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:17.279 How has your spirit affected their spirit? 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:19.940 I have to ask myself this question. 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:22.379 When I'm having a bad day. 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:24.079 Guess who else is having a bad day? 00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:26.059 Holly, Austin, and Bo. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.660 That's how it works. 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:33.440 We affect those around us. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:36.139 So we can affect them for good. 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.799 Or we can affect them for bad. 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:43.359 But trusting God builds contagious confidence. 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:44.079 And I promise you. 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:46.240 Each of those words was carefully chosen. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:49.019 Because contagious confidence doesn't just happen. 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:51.140 It builds over time. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:54.980 Hope builds over time. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:58.539 It's directly connected to faith. 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:01.500 Faith in God builds our hope. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.299 It builds our trust. 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:07.400 So hope is healthy for us. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.759 The pause has a purpose. 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.359 Waiting is never wasted. 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.539 Let's move on. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.980 Waiting works. 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.140 Waiting works. 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:21.539 Our last thought I want to leave you with today. 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:22.980 Waiting works. 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.500 I want you to go back to Genesis. 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.279 You don't have to turn in your Bible there. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:32.680 It's too many passages to turn to. 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:36.120 Unless you just like to be looking through it as we reference it. 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.299 But Abraham and Sarah. 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:41.359 This is Genesis 12 through 21. 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.399 Abraham and Sarah. 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.220 Think back. 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.759 If you don't know the story. 00:29:45.919 --> 00:29:47.339 Just bear with us for a minute. 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.720 Abraham the old patriarch of Israel. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:53.599 And God was using him as the leader of his people for a generation. 00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:57.240 And Sarah was his wife. 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.240 And she was childless. 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.839 She had no children. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:02.859 And then well into her old age. 00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:06.240 God promised her that she would have a child. 00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:11.899 She had to wait for a long time to have a child. 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.839 She wanted one. 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:14.000 She craved one. 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:19.919 We're not going to get into all the things she did to try to manipulate the system and bear a child. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:25.180 But her faith in God was enough. 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.580 It wasn't real strong. 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:30.460 When God initially promised her a child. 00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.160 What did she do? 00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:32.860 She laughed. 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:36.779 I can understand that. 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.400 You know. 00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:41.420 You say you're going to give me a child at how old I am. 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:41.900 No. 00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:42.740 No way. 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.300 No way. 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:47.779 But waiting strengthened her faith. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:52.099 And it made her the fulfillment of that child sweeter. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:55.339 And then God came through on his promise. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.220 Waiting does work. 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.720 Romans chapter 8. 00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:02.680 Romans chapter 8 and verse 18. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:04.660 It's too many to put on the screen. 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:06.079 So if you wouldn't mind turning over there. 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.460 Romans chapter 8. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:09.059 We read from Romans a moment ago. 00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.119 Now go to chapter 8. 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:14.599 This was Paul's one of the chief writings that Paul ever did. 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:17.440 He wrote it to the churches scattered throughout Rome. 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:20.339 And they would pass his letter through the churches. 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:25.160 And it gives us so much insight into the gospel of Jesus. 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.839 The good news of Jesus. 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:29.319 How God sees us. 00:31:30.139 --> 00:31:31.980 What he wants to offer us. 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:34.700 His free gift of eternal life. 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.139 And listen. 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:38.079 You might have been coming to church for a long time. 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:40.440 Maybe this is your first time in a long time. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.200 But regardless. 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.799 God loves you. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:46.460 He knows that you're not perfect. 00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:47.720 He knows you're a sinner. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.700 Believe me. 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.320 He knows. 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.880 He says we're all sinners. 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:52.360 We all need his forgiveness. 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:56.660 This is one of the themes of this letter that Paul wrote in Romans. 00:31:57.820 --> 00:31:59.000 He says all have sinned. 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.620 And the wages. 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:01.900 What we have earned from our sin. 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.740 Is death. 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:05.220 It's eternal separation from God. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:08.380 But the free gift of God is eternal life. 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:10.279 In Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:32:10.360 --> 00:32:12.120 And that's what we talk about during the Christmas season. 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.680 How God sent Jesus. 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.700 The little baby Jesus. 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:19.960 To grow up and be a sacrifice for our sins. 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.440 He would pay the penalty. 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.519 With his death on the cross. 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:26.799 And so because Jesus did that for us. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.819 Now we all have the opportunity. 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:31.039 To place our faith in him. 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.559 And say God. 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.759 I believe in you. 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.599 I believe. 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:36.200 I'm one of the ones that believes that Jesus is God. 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.279 And I put my faith in him. 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:39.559 To forgive me of my sin. 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.980 To save me from that. 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:44.200 And that's what we call getting saved. 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:46.339 How many of you can raise. 00:32:46.659 --> 00:32:46.980 Look. 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:49.319 We should have as many of you as possible on this one. 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:51.200 How many of you can testify by uplifted hand. 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:53.299 God has saved me from my sins. 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:53.799 Amen. 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:54.299 Yes. 00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.179 All across this room. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.980 Now if you couldn't raise your hand a moment ago. 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.659 That's okay. 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.860 I want to talk to you. 00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:01.660 Many of us would love to sit down and talk to you. 00:33:01.800 --> 00:33:03.400 And just show you from God's word. 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:04.800 We want you to at least hear. 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.620 How much God loves you. 00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:08.600 Wants to save you and forgive you. 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.120 And give you a new life. 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.019 We're not going to force you. 00:33:12.060 --> 00:33:13.000 We're not going to twist your arm. 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:15.279 But we want you to hear this good news. 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:16.960 That has changed so many lives. 00:33:17.040 --> 00:33:17.800 In this place. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.820 And around the world. 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.779 So this is kind of what Romans is about. 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.440 So keep that in the back of your mind. 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:25.740 As we read verses 18 through 25 of Romans 8. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:31.160 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.160 Okay. 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.740 So he's talking about suffering. 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.859 Everything they're going through. 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.680 This church in Rome was being persecuted. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.759 They were suffering a lot. 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:42.579 And he said what you're suffering now is nothing compared to how good it's going to be. 00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:45.220 The glory he's going to reveal to us later. 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:50.460 And then he says for all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day. 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:54.059 When God will reveal who his children really are. 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.279 Man you don't have to raise your hand. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:34:00.640 But how many of you would love to know who are God's real children on this earth? 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:03.799 Because there's a lot of people out there who say oh yeah man I'm a Christian. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:06.360 And you're looking at them like are you really? 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:09.159 Because you don't act like one. 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.840 You don't talk like one. 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.119 You're mean. 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.239 You're nasty. 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:15.559 You walk around with a scowl on your face all the time. 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:17.839 What exactly has God done in your life? 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.920 Because it's hard to tell. 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:19.539 Anyway. 00:34:20.319 --> 00:34:24.339 It'll be great to know someday who God's children really are. 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.480 He said he's going to reveal it. 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:32.739 Against its will all creation was subjected to God's curse. 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:43.359 Now we too wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children. 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:48.219 Including the new bodies he has promised us. 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:50.379 Yes and amen to that. 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:54.940 If we look forward to something we don't yet have. 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.059 We must. 00:34:56.660 --> 00:34:57.280 What does that say? 00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:59.720 Wait patiently. 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:03.160 And confidently. 00:35:04.160 --> 00:35:10.539 Right here in the New Living Translation it says we must wait patiently and confidently. 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:11.780 There's that word again. 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.200 Confidence. 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:13.799 Confidence. 00:35:14.399 --> 00:35:17.639 It's not just waiting like oh man this is the worst. 00:35:18.239 --> 00:35:19.059 I hate waiting. 00:35:19.819 --> 00:35:21.779 It's waiting with confidence. 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:24.839 That's saying God's got this thing figured out. 00:35:25.439 --> 00:35:27.139 It might be hard right now. 00:35:27.259 --> 00:35:29.099 But it's going to be so good later. 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:31.179 That's confidence. 00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:31.339 Confidence. 00:35:32.339 --> 00:35:37.199 That's saying I can endure whatever hardship this world brings me right now. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:39.699 This broken world in which I live. 00:35:39.879 --> 00:35:46.419 I can get through it because I have confident hope that God is on my side. 00:35:47.379 --> 00:35:48.759 God is who he says he is. 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:50.579 He will do what he says he will do. 00:35:50.819 --> 00:35:53.119 I've seen it in my life and he'll do it again. 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:55.679 That's confident waiting. 00:35:55.679 --> 00:36:06.819 If we trust in God the waiting is sweeter and it becomes less about the destination and more about the journey. 00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:14.299 Having a relationship with Jesus is not a get into heaven free card. 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:17.000 And it's not a get out of hell free card. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:23.800 This relationship God is intentional about this relationship right now. 00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:25.880 In the here and the now. 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:28.099 He has a purpose for us now. 00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:30.420 It's not just all about the future. 00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:33.500 I'm afraid sometimes with how we read the book of Revelation. 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:40.420 Or even how we have our eschatology or our doctrinal beliefs about the things that are going to happen in the future. 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:43.460 God gives us glimpses of that in the scriptures. 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:45.500 But we don't have the full playbook revealed to us. 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.099 And that's alright. 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:49.659 But I'm afraid we get so locked into that. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:55.840 We almost think of this life as just a momentary blip on the radar. 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:58.280 And it's like well this isn't really that important. 00:36:58.400 --> 00:37:00.239 Because we're just down here until we can get out of here. 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:07.420 The truth is God has a powerful purpose for us while we're on this earth. 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:09.480 He loves us so deeply. 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:11.920 And I don't think anybody would question that. 00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:15.119 Because he proved it on the cross how much he loves us. 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:18.599 And so he loves us so much. 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:24.219 That he's forfeiting his presence with us. 00:37:24.219 --> 00:37:29.039 To fulfill this powerful purpose he has for us on this earth. 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:31.439 So what is that purpose? 00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:34.259 There's purpose in the pause. 00:37:34.819 --> 00:37:36.099 There's purpose in the waiting. 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:38.019 There's purpose in the meantime. 00:37:39.379 --> 00:37:41.019 The season of in between. 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:50.460 And there's nothing so sweet as finding God's purpose for you. 00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:57.539 There's nothing so fulfilling as fulfilling God's purpose for you. 00:37:58.599 --> 00:38:00.539 Which is to have a good relationship with him. 00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:02.599 It's to bring him glory. 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.760 It's to make him known. 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:08.760 It's what he created us for. 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:13.300 So waiting is not wasting. 00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:15.139 You know what it actually is? 00:38:15.139 --> 00:38:15.219 Waiting is. 00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:18.879 Going the wrong way. 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.579 There we go. 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:23.759 Man I think I just lost this. 00:38:23.839 --> 00:38:26.379 Would you skip up to right after Romans 8. 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.319 18. 00:38:29.359 --> 00:38:29.920 There you go. 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.319 Thank you. 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:31.960 For some reason this thing quit working on me. 00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:33.599 Waiting is not wasting. 00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:34.659 You know what it actually is? 00:38:34.779 --> 00:38:35.339 It's worship. 00:38:37.420 --> 00:38:39.519 Waiting is how we worship. 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:44.980 Do you know what our kids have to admit. 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:47.440 When we don't let them open the presents right away. 00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:51.780 That mom and dad are in charge. 00:38:51.860 --> 00:38:52.759 And I have to listen to them. 00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:54.599 That's what they have to. 00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:57.059 They don't have to say it that way. 00:38:58.139 --> 00:39:00.579 But they have to agree with that. 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:02.320 And not just go tear into the boxes. 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:06.860 When we admit. 00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:09.200 That God is in charge. 00:39:09.200 --> 00:39:10.539 And his way is best. 00:39:11.620 --> 00:39:14.300 Then our waiting becomes worship. 00:39:15.660 --> 00:39:16.620 I recognize. 00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:19.559 That God has me in this season. 00:39:19.780 --> 00:39:20.880 For a purpose. 00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:23.800 There is a purpose behind this pause in my life. 00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:26.019 And so I am going to worship God. 00:39:26.120 --> 00:39:27.180 By not fighting it. 00:39:28.120 --> 00:39:29.620 I'm going to worship God. 00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:32.300 By not allowing myself to be miserable during it. 00:39:32.760 --> 00:39:33.780 I'm going to say. 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.140 God. 00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:35.920 I'm bringing you all my fears. 00:39:36.300 --> 00:39:37.820 I'm bringing you all my despair. 00:39:38.260 --> 00:39:40.320 And I'm going to cast them at your cross. 00:39:40.500 --> 00:39:40.940 And say. 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.240 God. 00:39:41.420 --> 00:39:41.880 Please. 00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:42.880 Redeem this. 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:44.660 Give me back the peace. 00:39:45.280 --> 00:39:46.100 There's an old song. 00:39:46.160 --> 00:39:47.080 And it wasn't even my favorite. 00:39:47.400 --> 00:39:49.940 But I think the words are appropriate for this moment. 00:39:50.180 --> 00:39:50.380 It said. 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:52.300 I'm trading my sorrows. 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:53.820 Anybody remember that one? 00:39:54.260 --> 00:39:54.980 Christian song. 00:39:55.100 --> 00:39:56.180 Maybe youth group a long time ago. 00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:57.640 I'm trading my sorrows. 00:39:57.640 --> 00:39:59.100 I'm trading my shame. 00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:02.260 We can trade all of that. 00:40:03.120 --> 00:40:04.519 For God's peace. 00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:05.660 God's joy. 00:40:06.160 --> 00:40:07.220 God's hope. 00:40:09.660 --> 00:40:10.920 When we worship him. 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.700 Say God. 00:40:12.780 --> 00:40:13.600 I'm recognizing you. 00:40:13.680 --> 00:40:15.200 I'm putting you in your rightful place. 00:40:15.960 --> 00:40:16.940 You're in control. 00:40:17.740 --> 00:40:19.559 I don't see how it's all going to happen. 00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:21.800 I don't know why it's this way. 00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:24.120 In my mind. 00:40:24.220 --> 00:40:25.420 I wish things were different. 00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:28.519 But I recognize you're allowing this. 00:40:30.820 --> 00:40:32.300 And so I'm trusting in you. 00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:34.500 And that is worship. 00:40:35.700 --> 00:40:37.500 And so waiting is never wasted. 00:40:38.060 --> 00:40:39.340 When God is working. 00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:40.260 In the waiting. 00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:40.780 Remember that? 00:40:41.440 --> 00:40:42.820 Waiting is never wasted. 00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:44.620 When God is working. 00:40:45.080 --> 00:40:45.680 In the waiting. 00:40:46.199 --> 00:40:47.759 I want to give you this final thought. 00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:48.299 And I'll be done. 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.339 There's a book. 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:52.460 Written called. 00:40:52.539 --> 00:40:53.480 The Sacred Slow. 00:40:54.960 --> 00:40:56.399 Would you take me up to that slide? 00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:57.980 The Sacred Slow. 00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.259 Written by. 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:05.780 Alicia Brett Choll. 00:41:06.040 --> 00:41:07.420 I think is how you say the last name. 00:41:09.260 --> 00:41:10.660 A Holy Departure. 00:41:10.900 --> 00:41:12.100 From Fast Faith. 00:41:13.640 --> 00:41:14.960 This book is powerful. 00:41:15.180 --> 00:41:15.640 In that. 00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:18.180 It asks us to slow down. 00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:21.800 And that's what I'm going to ask you to do. 00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:23.100 This Christmas season. 00:41:23.980 --> 00:41:25.640 And I'm going to ask myself to do that. 00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:27.460 Put it on the screen. 00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:28.320 Slow. 00:41:30.160 --> 00:41:30.600 Down. 00:41:33.540 --> 00:41:33.900 Slow. 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:34.780 Down. 00:41:35.680 --> 00:41:36.620 Can we say that together? 00:41:36.820 --> 00:41:37.840 Now you got to say all the O's. 00:41:37.920 --> 00:41:38.040 Ready? 00:41:38.740 --> 00:41:39.220 Slow. 00:41:41.340 --> 00:41:41.780 Down. 00:41:41.880 --> 00:41:42.300 That's right. 00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:44.040 Thank you. 00:41:44.160 --> 00:41:44.740 You beat us all. 00:41:46.060 --> 00:41:46.860 Slow down. 00:41:47.380 --> 00:41:47.760 Why? 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:49.760 Because the gift is waiting. 00:41:50.640 --> 00:41:52.800 God might want you to slow down. 00:41:52.920 --> 00:41:53.120 Look. 00:41:53.200 --> 00:41:54.700 Some things you might have to do fast. 00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:56.220 That's just the reality of life. 00:41:57.360 --> 00:42:00.540 But way too much of our life is fast. 00:42:00.539 --> 00:42:07.259 And way too much of our expectations of this life are quick and instant and immediate. 00:42:07.259 --> 00:42:16.480 And way too much of our expectations of our relationship with God and this Christian life that we walk is fast, instant, immediate. 00:42:16.480 --> 00:42:19.880 And God is asking us, slow down. 00:42:20.599 --> 00:42:21.380 Be with me. 00:42:22.139 --> 00:42:23.440 Embrace the struggle. 00:42:23.860 --> 00:42:25.119 Embrace this moment. 00:42:25.559 --> 00:42:25.760 Be. 00:42:26.039 --> 00:42:29.240 You want to get all philosophical with it or psychological with it. 00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:30.920 Be present wherever you are. 00:42:31.119 --> 00:42:32.059 And there's truth to that. 00:42:32.360 --> 00:42:33.480 We should be present. 00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:35.779 Be fully present wherever we are. 00:42:36.039 --> 00:42:39.259 Because where that is, God allowed you to be there. 00:42:39.699 --> 00:42:45.579 When that person approaches you asking for money and you're thinking, oh great, here comes another person asking for a handout. 00:42:45.739 --> 00:42:46.199 What in the world? 00:42:46.500 --> 00:42:48.420 God allowed that person to come to you. 00:42:49.019 --> 00:42:50.960 Doesn't mean you have to give them everything you own. 00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:54.579 But it might mean they need an interaction with a child of God at that moment. 00:42:54.579 --> 00:43:04.940 It might need, they need an interaction with someone full of hope, joy, peace, love, contentment, long-suffering, the fruits of the Spirit. 00:43:06.099 --> 00:43:08.519 So how can we slow down? 00:43:09.420 --> 00:43:12.299 How can we embrace the sacred slow? 00:43:12.519 --> 00:43:16.920 Or you could put it this way, how can we embrace the holy slowdown? 00:43:18.079 --> 00:43:19.840 The holy slowdown. 00:43:21.139 --> 00:43:22.259 Waiting is never wasted. 00:43:22.260 --> 00:43:29.860 Every sigh, every patient moment, every prayer builds hope that God is working in the waiting. 00:43:30.040 --> 00:43:33.660 So celebrate this holy slow of Advent. 00:43:34.720 --> 00:43:38.740 If you need to wake up 30 minutes earlier, take some time in prayer. 00:43:39.620 --> 00:43:42.740 If you need to go to bed a little bit later, take some time in prayer. 00:43:44.020 --> 00:43:46.700 If you need to stop, sit with God. 00:43:47.340 --> 00:43:48.260 Sit with your Savior. 00:43:49.780 --> 00:43:52.000 Advent is hope. 00:43:52.260 --> 00:43:53.140 It is trust. 00:43:53.260 --> 00:43:53.860 It is confidence. 00:43:55.060 --> 00:43:57.300 It is expectation of God who never fails. 00:43:58.200 --> 00:43:59.060 He's at work. 00:43:59.860 --> 00:44:00.840 The gift is Jesus. 00:44:01.540 --> 00:44:03.280 And the gift is already here with us. 00:44:03.940 --> 00:44:05.840 So embrace this moment with our Savior. 00:44:05.920 --> 00:44:06.880 Would you bow your head with me? 00:44:08.400 --> 00:44:10.760 God, right now you have challenged us from your word. 00:44:10.860 --> 00:44:12.520 I pray that you would challenge now our hearts. 00:44:12.600 --> 00:44:13.980 That you would apply it directly. 00:44:13.980 --> 00:44:17.900 I can't know every person's situation and exactly what they need to do. 00:44:18.139 --> 00:44:21.139 It's all I can do to keep my own walk with you. 00:44:22.420 --> 00:44:25.840 The center of my attention and what you want from me. 00:44:25.840 --> 00:44:32.740 So I just ask that right now you would do that by your spirit individually for each of us. 00:44:32.880 --> 00:44:33.680 Apply your word. 00:44:33.880 --> 00:44:36.579 Apply the principles that we've gleaned from it. 00:44:36.579 --> 00:44:42.099 Let no one walk out of here today without having heard from you. 00:44:42.099 --> 00:44:44.539 Without having experienced your presence. 00:44:45.500 --> 00:44:47.519 And this challenge to slow down. 00:44:49.059 --> 00:44:49.460 Wait. 00:44:50.940 --> 00:44:51.679 And hope. 00:44:52.940 --> 00:44:55.099 God, there are people who are hurting in this room. 00:44:55.679 --> 00:44:57.980 There are people who feel hopeless in this room. 00:44:58.299 --> 00:45:00.119 There are people who are struggling right now. 00:45:00.119 --> 00:45:01.920 That wish that things were different. 00:45:02.259 --> 00:45:04.480 That don't know maybe how they're going to be able to pay their bills. 00:45:04.619 --> 00:45:05.799 Or what's going to happen. 00:45:05.900 --> 00:45:08.000 Or how a relationship is ever going to be restored. 00:45:08.319 --> 00:45:09.359 They're worried about things. 00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:10.400 Fear has gripped their hearts. 00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:12.599 I pray that you would be the God of comfort to them. 00:45:12.980 --> 00:45:15.039 That you would be the God of hope to them. 00:45:18.960 --> 00:45:20.920 That you would show us, remind us. 00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:23.900 Why we place that faith in you to begin with. 00:45:25.079 --> 00:45:27.159 Why we place that hope in you to begin with. 00:45:27.159 --> 00:45:30.759 Church, in your seats right now. 00:45:30.819 --> 00:45:32.960 Would you just have a moment of quiet prayer with God? 00:45:41.559 --> 00:45:43.739 If you need to come down and kneel at the steps up front. 00:45:43.799 --> 00:45:45.420 If you'd like to do that, that's open to you. 00:45:46.559 --> 00:45:48.619 If you'd like to kneel where you are, remain seated. 00:45:53.960 --> 00:45:56.519 If you need to talk to a pastor, I'm up front. 00:45:56.519 --> 00:45:57.440 Jared's up front. 00:45:57.559 --> 00:45:58.980 We're able to talk with you. 00:45:58.980 --> 00:46:01.300 If you need someone to talk with, just come down and meet us here. 00:46:01.300 --> 00:46:01.800 We do. 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:01.800 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:31.780 Thank you.