WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 Everybody getting excited for Christmas?

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 Yes.

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 Yes.

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 Woo, that was an easy answer, right?

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 Yeah.

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 Yeah.

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 This morning, we are going to talk about a Christmas story, okay?

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 Okay.

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 About a very tiny person at Christmas named Jesus.

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 That's right, Zacchaeus.

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 Zacchaeus, Christmas story about Zacchaeus, right?

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 Not what you expected?

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 I know that it's a Christmas story, Zacchaeus' story, because I saw Zacchaeus in a Christmas tree on the way in this morning.

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 Can you look up there?

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 You see that?

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 Did anybody see that in the Christmas tree by the nursery?

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 Yes.

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 Yeah.

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 Yeah.

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 Zacchaeus climbing up in a Christmas tree.

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 That's how the story goes, right?

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 No.

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 Oh.

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 Well, you should look for that tree on your way out today, okay?

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 And Miss Angela gave me a very big book.

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 Did you know Zacchaeus was a very small person like many of you?

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 But I have a very big book about this very small person.

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 That's pretty cool, huh?

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 We can look at that later.

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 But I wanted to read Zacchaeus' story from the Bible instead, okay?

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 Can we do that together?

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 Do you think some of you, maybe some of you older kids, help me read this story for us?

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 You want to help us, Cooper?

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 Let's see.

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 We'll let you read a couple verses first, okay?

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 It starts right here.

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 This is Luke chapter 19.

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 You can turn there in your own Bibles if you'd like.

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 Starting at verse 1.

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 Just read a couple verses.

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 I'll help you out.

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 He entered Jericho.

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 He entered Jericho and was passing through.

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 And there was a man named Zacchaeus.

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 And he was a chief tax collector and was rich.

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 Very good.

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 So what that means is that Zacchaeus had gotten a lot of money stealing it from other people.

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 How do you think they felt about that?

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 Yeah.

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 Do you think they liked Zacchaeus very much?

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 No.

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 No.

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 Nobody really liked to be around Zacchaeus.

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 Okay.

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 Does somebody else want to read a couple verses?

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 You want to try for us?

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 Go ahead, Caroline.

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 Where do I start?

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 Right here at and.

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 And chief tax.

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 And he was.

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 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was.

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 But on account of the crowd, he could not because he was small.

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 Oh?

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 In?

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 In?

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 In?

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 Stature.

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 Stature.

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 Very good.

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 So what did he do, Lily?

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 Can you read at verse 4?

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 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him.

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 For he was about to pass that way.

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 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,

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 Zacchaeus, hurry up and come down, for I must stay at your house today.

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 One more.

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 So he hurried and came down and received him joyful.

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 So Zacchaeus was excited for Jesus to come to his house.

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 But what did all those people who didn't like Zacchaeus think?

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 Were they happy about that?

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 Should Jesus be with Zacchaeus?

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 When they saw it, they all grumbled.

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 He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.

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 And what happened when Jesus got to Zacchaeus' house?

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 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord,

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 Will you read the last verse for us, Cooper?

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 For the son of the man came to seek and save the lost.

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 The son of man came to seek and save the lost.

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 Do y'all like that story?

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 Who in that story came to seek and find Zacchaeus?

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 God.

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 Yeah, Jesus did.

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 That's right.

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 When nobody else was looking for Zacchaeus,

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 Jesus was looking for him, wasn't he?

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 Have any of y'all ever played hide and seek?

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 Yes.

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 Yeah?

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 Okay.

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 Y'all pretty good at hide and seek?

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 Yeah.

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 I bet some of you are really good hiders, aren't you?

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 Yeah.

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 You know what?

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 On my computer, I have a game of a class dojo.

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 A hide and seek game?

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 A dojo.

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 And it's also like a thing that teachers use in high school.

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 I go to Challenger Elementary if you don't know that.

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 That is so helpful.

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 And you love to play that game, don't you?

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 And Dojo Islands is the game.

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 And there's this little board that says hide and seek.

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 And if you go to it, it starts a game of hide and seek.

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 You can play hide and seek in person.

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 You can play hide and seek on the computer at your school.

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 It is a great.

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 And I bet, have you ever had a really good spot

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 and you've stayed there so long

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 that maybe you started to feel kind of alone

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 or uncomfortable.

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 Maybe it got dark.

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 And you kind of started wanting for somebody to find you

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 so that you wouldn't be alone anymore.

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 Yeah.

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 Yeah.

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 That's kind of how Zacchaeus felt.

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 Zacchaeus was feeling alone.

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 Nobody wanted to be with him.

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 He was feeling lost.

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 And he kind of wanted somebody to find him.

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 Didn't he?

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 He was looking for Jesus.

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 And the Bible says Jesus came to seek.

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 He was the one counting, right?

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 He came to seek and to save the lost.

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 He came to find us and rescue us

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 so that we will never, ever, ever be alone in the dark again.

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 Isn't that awesome?

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 That's why Jesus came to be born at Christmas

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 to seek out Zacchaeus and you and me.

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 Isn't that wonderful?

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 I love that Jesus loves us like that.

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 Can we pray and thank Jesus for that?

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 Jesus, thank you for how much you love us,

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 that you never leave us alone,

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 but you come and you find us no matter where we are.

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 And we're thankful for that.

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 And we pray that we would, especially this Christmas,

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 rejoice that you were born to save us.

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 Thank you so much.

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 And we thank you in your name.

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 Amen.

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 All right.

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 Now you can go back to your seats

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 and get to listen more about Zacchaeus and Jesus

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 unless you're going to kids' worship.

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 And if you are, Miss Katie will meet you

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 just out the back of the sanctuary.

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 There she is walking right out the back middle

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 if you're going to kids' worship.

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 Let all of them make sure they find the right place.

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 We are discussing this Advent season

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 why Christmas.

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 Reasons that Jesus tells us

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 why he came and was born.

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 Last week, we saw Jesus came for fulfillment, right?

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 For fulfillment of all of the Old Testament promises,

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 the requirements of God's law.

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 Jesus came to fulfill.

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 This morning, in that last verse of Zacchaeus' story,

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 Jesus explains that he came to seek

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 and to save the lost.

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 That statement of purpose in coming

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 is actually here an explanation

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 of how salvation came

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 to such an undeserving person as Zacchaeus,

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 someone you might not have thought

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 Jesus would come to.

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 He was a spiritual outsider,

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 a social outcast.

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 And how could he become an insider

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 in Abraham's family?

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 Finally, this passage says,

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 because Jesus came

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 to seek and save lost people

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 just like him.

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 That's why I mentioned hide and seek

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 to the kids.

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 In some ways, God and people

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 have been playing this game

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 for a very long time.

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 Just think back through the Bible story

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 with me for a minute, okay?

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 I'm gonna mention a few stories

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 where we see this,

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 people hiding, God seeking.

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 But you can probably think of others.

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 You can send them to me later

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 and tell me all of the good examples

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 you can think of.

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 But all the way back in the garden,

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 this starts.

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 When sin first enters the world,

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 what happens?

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 Adam and Eve, in their sin,

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 immediately try to hide from God,

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 don't they?

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 It's the very nature of sin

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 to separate us from God.

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 They try to sow fig leaves

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 for themselves to cover themselves

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 and it says they hide among the trees.

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 But what happens when they're hiding?

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 God comes

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 and he asks the first question

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 recorded in the Bible.

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 It's in Genesis 3 at verse 9.

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 What does God say?

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 Where are you?

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 You ever played that game with your kids?

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 And you walk around,

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 you already know where they are.

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 Where are you?

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 Where are you?

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 God, knowing exactly where Adam and Eve are,

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 calls them out,

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 seeks after them,

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 and so begins a game,

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 if you will,

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 that people in God have been playing

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 to this day.

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 Hagar is Sarah's servant

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 who gets run off

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 in utter despair

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 after having a child with Abraham.

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 She is helpless.

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 She is hopeless.

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 She is in the wilderness,

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 face down to the ground

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 when God comes and finds her,

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 restores her,

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 because she says,

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 he is the God who sees me.

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 When no one else seemed to see her

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 or want her

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 or care about her,

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 Yahweh did.

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 David thought he had hidden from God

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 after committing adultery

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 with Bathsheba,

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 murder of Uriah.

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 It seemed as though his sin

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 had gone unnoticed.

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 He'd gotten away with it.

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 But God sent the prophet Nathan

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 to David to expose his sin,

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 eventually to restore him,

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 rather than leaving him

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 distant from God,

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 in his sin,

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 God comes after him.

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 Maybe the most famous person

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 to run distant from God

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 is the prophet Jonah.

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 He famously ran the other direction

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 when God called him

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 to the Ninevites

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 and thought he would hide from God

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 in the belly of a ship

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 until God chased him down

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 and sent a storm

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 and eventually rescued Jonah

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 by sending what?

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 A whale

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 that brought him back

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 to God's path

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 to the Ninevites.

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 The prophet there serving

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 as a picture of God's people

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 who had also lost God's heart

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 to be a light

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 to the nations.

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 In fact,

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 God's people wandered

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 so far from him

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 and his design for them

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 that they were taken

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 into exile

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 out of the promised land,

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 scattered across the Middle East

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 for decades.

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 A lot of dark days,

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 a lot of lost people,

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 but what did God do?

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 God came and gathered them again,

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 didn't he?

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 He brought them back

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 from the nations

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 and he planted them

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 in Jerusalem again.

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 Time and time again, see?

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 The hound of heaven

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 has pursued his people,

00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.899
 has won them back to himself,

00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:35.360
 has not let them go.

00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.740
 And all of that

00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.860
 through the whole Old Testament

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.700
 leads, of course,

00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:40.600
 to the coming of Jesus,

00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.600
 the first Christmas.

00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.080
 God breaking in

00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.159
 and dwelling among us

00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:46.159
 so that we can see

00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:48.860
 most clearly and vividly

00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:50.879
 that seeking heart of God.

00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:52.560
 It's actually embodied

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:54.879
 as the Son of God himself

00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:57.200
 lives among us,

00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.259
 among people

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.879
 who've been so far away

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:01.700
 in so many ways.

00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:03.120
 And we see and we say,

00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:05.120
 yes, this is what God

00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.140
 is like, isn't it?

00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:09.040
 God with us.

00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.480
 He's always said

00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.680
 this was what he was like,

00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.820
 that he would seek after us

00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.820
 and be with us.

00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:16.740
 Yes, God with us, Emmanuel.

00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.560
 And Jesus shows us,

00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:21.600
 for example,

00:13:21.660 --> 00:13:22.620
 with the woman at the well.

00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.060
 And we saw this recently

00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:25.720
 in the Gospel of John,

00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:26.480
 in her story.

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.080
 She's not looking for Jesus

00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.879
 at all, is she?

00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.320
 In fact, she would rather

00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.820
 her sin not be exposed

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.700
 any more than it already is.

00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:35.519
 She's ashamed of it.

00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.500
 But Jesus gently

00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:40.639
 and persistently

00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.560
 exposes her,

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.540
 reveals himself,

00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:46.220
 and rescues her

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.620
 and her village

00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:49.720
 of undeserving Samaritans.

00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:53.019
 The seeking God

00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.279
 has come as a man

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.340
 into the darkness

00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.279
 of our world

00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.040
 and our hearts

00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:59.060
 to look for the lost.

00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.300
 Jesus says, if you will,

00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:02.560
 ready or not,

00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:04.220
 here I come.

00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:06.320
 And the light of the world

00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.800
 shines in

00:14:07.800 --> 00:14:09.160
 to find us

00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:09.899
 good news

00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.100
 of great joy

00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.300
 for all people,

00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:13.279
 a savior,

00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:14.620
 the light

00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.759
 coming into our darkness.

00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:18.299
 It keeps happening

00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.480
 with the Apostle Paul

00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.000
 who's hiding from Jesus

00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.299
 in a little bit different way.

00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:24.200
 He's intentionally hiding

00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.919
 as far away as possible

00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.559
 from Jesus

00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:29.159
 in his religious zeal,

00:14:29.419 --> 00:14:30.519
 his obedience

00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.879
 and persecution

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:33.700
 of this church.

00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:37.000
 But Jesus finds Saul

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.759
 on the road to Damascus

00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:40.340
 in the midst

00:14:40.340 --> 00:14:41.759
 of his self-righteous pride.

00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.580
 His pride,

00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.539
 the light shines

00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:46.000
 and it humbles him

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.439
 and it saves him

00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:48.799
 and then sends him

00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.759
 on his mission,

00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.360
 doesn't he?

00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.939
 Zacchaeus is not

00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:54.019
 the only example

00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:56.480
 of this hide-and-seek

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.179
 narrative in God's word.

00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.419
 People keep hiding.

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:02.279
 God keeps seeking

00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:04.360
 and now here at Christmas,

00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:06.179
 grace keeps winning

00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.580
 in Jesus.

00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:07.900
 Jesus.

00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.840
 People hide from God

00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.379
 in many different ways,

00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:13.800
 don't we?

00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:17.040
 I want you to think

00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:18.020
 about that for a minute,

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.960
 what it looks like

00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:20.000
 in your life.

00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:22.000
 We were created

00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:24.560
 to live close

00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:25.759
 with God.

00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.420
 That's what he made us for,

00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:29.660
 to know him personally,

00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:32.220
 to trust him deeply,

00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:34.800
 to obey him consistently

00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:36.540
 that this was what life

00:15:36.540 --> 00:15:37.480
 was to be about.

00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.160
 To know and love him.

00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.680
 It's where we belong,

00:15:41.900 --> 00:15:42.600
 so to speak.

00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:45.680
 So being lost, then,

00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:47.780
 is really any way

00:15:47.780 --> 00:15:49.120
 and any time

00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.520
 that we are distant

00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:51.980
 from God.

00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.740
 When you drive around

00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.940
 a city in India,

00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.680
 as I've had opportunity

00:15:58.680 --> 00:15:59.780
 to do recently,

00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:01.240
 you can feel

00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:03.200
 a spiritual darkness.

00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:05.060
 Everywhere you look,

00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.500
 Hindu temples,

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.220
 some really big

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.240
 and fancy,

00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.600
 some as small

00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.220
 as dog houses

00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:14.220
 with little statues

00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:14.700
 inside.

00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.700
 Hindu gods

00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.700
 and goddesses,

00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.039
 idols that you can

00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.000
 stop by

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.419
 and ask for help.

00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:25.399
 It's easy to assume

00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:25.919
 when you're there

00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.399
 that their idols

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:29.779
 are different from ours.

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:32.419
 but when you listen

00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:32.939
 long enough

00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.539
 to why,

00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.379
 for example,

00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.759
 some of these

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.279
 Hindus have recently

00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.399
 been persecuting

00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.360
 the Christians

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:40.159
 around them,

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.299
 you'll actually realize

00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:43.419
 it's not much

00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.959
 about the little statues.

00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:46.419
 That's really not,

00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.059
 it's not the,

00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.419
 it's not primarily

00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.279
 religious,

00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.179
 their reasons

00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.480
 for doing that.

00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:53.300
 they're motivated

00:16:53.300 --> 00:16:54.019
 by a desire

00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.300
 to keep things

00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:55.980
 in life

00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.259
 the way that they are,

00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:59.039
 to maintain

00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.539
 their political control,

00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.940
 their social power,

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:06.180
 their economic success,

00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.620
 all of those things

00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.860
 so that they can keep

00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:09.960
 their lives going

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:11.819
 the way that they enjoy

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.380
 and have the things

00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.420
 that they want

00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.819
 so that they can feel

00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.779
 fulfilled.

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:21.220
 now those idols,

00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:23.460
 I'm very familiar

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.539
 with those.

00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.259
 I recognize them.

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.740
 I see those same ones

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.379
 on the streets

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.000
 of Huntsville.

00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.619
 I'm thinking that

00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:34.559
 that's where I'm going

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.539
 to find life

00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.859
 apart from Jesus

00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:39.859
 by controlling my body

00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.879
 and how I look,

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.819
 by maintaining

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.980
 my possessions

00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.799
 and not letting anything

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.200
 in life that I like

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.000
 change.

00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.259
 I want life

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.559
 the way that I want it

00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.200
 and it makes me

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.440
 feel good,

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.799
 right?

00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.400
 I know that idol.

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.259
 We bring those idols

00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.900
 into this sanctuary

00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:58.140
 on Sundays,

00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:59.180
 I dare say.

00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:01.660
 See,

00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.420
 just like some of these

00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.420
 biblical characters

00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:05.319
 we've talked about,

00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.620
 we can hide from God

00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.779
 in a lot of places.

00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:10.000
 We can hide from God

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.279
 in our selfish pursuit

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.120
 of success,

00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:12.900
 can't we?

00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:15.080
 All the while thinking

00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.699
 that what life is about

00:18:16.699 --> 00:18:18.339
 is actually getting enough

00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.399
 and having life

00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:20.079
 work well enough

00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.079
 that I'm happy

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.359
 and significant

00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:24.439
 and don't really need

00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:25.539
 to depend on God

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.919
 or be close to Him

00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:28.299
 day by day.

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.799
 Fine if you want to,

00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:31.039
 but maybe I'll be good enough,

00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.740
 I won't really need that.

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.199
 We can be lost

00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:37.359
 or distant from God

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.799
 in our depression.

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:41.819
 perhaps still driven

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:44.119
 by our deep shame,

00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.619
 we might despair

00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.639
 of His care,

00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:50.779
 of His presence with us,

00:18:50.919 --> 00:18:52.279
 even of His existence.

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.940
 Many of us regularly hide

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.180
 from God in our work

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.399
 and busyness,

00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.500
 don't we?

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.339
 We're just so caught up

00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.740
 with thinking about other things

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.759
 and focused on what we're

00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.619
 scrolling through

00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.819
 all of the time,

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.779
 there's too much else

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.659
 to think about

00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:10.939
 to really focus much on Him.

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.079
 Did you know you could hide

00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.679
 from God

00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:16.079
 even in church?

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.899
 That's a big way

00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:20.059
 that Paul did it, right?

00:19:20.439 --> 00:19:21.919
 You can come in this building

00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:23.059
 and plenty of people

00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.819
 are very regular

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.960
 at doing that,

00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.960
 at going to church,

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.819
 but they are very distant

00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.319
 from God

00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.619
 because church,

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.379
 for them,

00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:31.480
 is actually a place

00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.659
 of religious performance

00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:35.179
 where maybe if I do enough

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.299
 and do well enough

00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.560
 and look good enough,

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:39.380
 I'm yet again affirmed

00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:39.960
 in the fact that

00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.180
 I don't really desperately

00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:43.560
 need to draw near to God

00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:45.140
 to have a relationship

00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.420
 to day by day

00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.500
 actually know Him

00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.640
 and depend on Him.

00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.700
 I can just go do

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.460
 that church thing

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.259
 every once in a while

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.160
 and I'll look good.

00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.440
 How about you?

00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:58.299
 How do you sometimes

00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:00.320
 feel lost,

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.480
 distant from God,

00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:07.860
 alone in a dark world?

00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:11.519
 Are you either intentionally

00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.920
 or maybe accidentally

00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:15.680
 hiding from God,

00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:18.740
 secretly longing to be found,

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:21.140
 wanting someone to show up

00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:22.840
 and break into the struggle

00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:24.539
 that you actually feel

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:26.500
 but often try to cover up?

00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.680
 I'm convinced

00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.399
 that's how Zacchaeus felt.

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.539
 It says he wanted

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.639
 to see Jesus,

00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:37.960
 at least from a hiding spot

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.859
 in the sycamore tree.

00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.720
 He'd have been able

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.259
 to get up there.

00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.000
 He'd also been able

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.819
 to kind of stay hidden.

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:47.099
 I think in part,

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.799
 Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.259
 because he'd heard

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.960
 that this rabbi

00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:53.059
 was different,

00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:55.599
 specifically different

00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:57.379
 toward tax collectors.

00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.779
 None of the other religious leaders

00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.859
 gave them the time of day.

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.619
 They didn't want to be

00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.379
 anywhere near Him.

00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:05.079
 They certainly would not

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.779
 have been caught

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.839
 in their presence

00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.740
 in their homes

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.259
 but I think Zacchaeus

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.980
 had heard about this Jesus.

00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.779
 Apparently,

00:21:11.919 --> 00:21:12.679
 one of his disciples

00:21:12.679 --> 00:21:13.879
 was a tax collector.

00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.519
 Rumor had it

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:18.379
 that he was all the time

00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:20.240
 eating and drinking

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.180
 with tax collectors

00:21:22.180 --> 00:21:23.460
 and other sinners

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:25.880
 and so Zacchaeus

00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:27.259
 heard that

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.240
 and he had been

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.140
 left out

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.180
 and hated

00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:32.000
 and sent off

00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:33.079
 as unclean

00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.759
 for far too long.

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.519
 I think he was interested

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.339
 in someone

00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.900
 who wouldn't

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.960
 treat him that way.

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.460
 Sure enough,

00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.700
 he meets Jesus

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.819
 and Jesus not only

00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:46.079
 comes to his house,

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.180
 Jesus brings

00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:48.180
 salvation

00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:49.480
 to his house,

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:49.960
 doesn't he?

00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.039
 Because,

00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.580
 good news for lost,

00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:53.440
 desperate,

00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:55.640
 hiding Zacchaeus,

00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:57.480
 Jesus came

00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.420
 for people

00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.600
 just like him.

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.480
 Y'all,

00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:03.960
 I hope

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:05.200
 that you don't think

00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.380
 Jesus came

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.220
 for Zacchaeus

00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.019
 and not for me.

00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.980
 I hope you don't hear

00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:11.019
 Jesus came to seek

00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.920
 and save the lost

00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.259
 and think,

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.039
 well that's good

00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.279
 for them out there somewhere.

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:14.960
 Friends,

00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:16.080
 this is good news

00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:16.799
 for us.

00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:18.079
 Wherever we might

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.200
 be hiding from God,

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.740
 however we're experiencing

00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.919
 that distance

00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:23.460
 from him this morning,

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:25.379
 however we are lost,

00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.399
 Jesus came

00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:28.299
 to seek

00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.639
 and to save

00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:30.539
 the lost.

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.599
 He wants to bring you

00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:33.059
 back close

00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.960
 to him.

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:36.299
 He says similar things

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.899
 in other places.

00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:38.460
 Mark,

00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:39.659
 chapter 2,

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.240
 Jesus is eating

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.960
 with tax collectors

00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.879
 and sinners

00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:45.300
 and the religious leaders

00:22:45.300 --> 00:22:45.560
 say,

00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:47.400
 why is he doing this?

00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.760
 They didn't understand

00:22:48.760 --> 00:22:50.380
 and Jesus said,

00:22:51.540 --> 00:22:52.520
 here's what you need

00:22:52.520 --> 00:22:53.000
 to understand.

00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.980
 Those who are well

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.700
 have no need

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.380
 of a physician.

00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.200
 It's those who are sick.

00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.400
 I came not to call

00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.040
 the righteous

00:23:00.040 --> 00:23:01.920
 but sinners.

00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.540
 Jesus came

00:23:04.540 --> 00:23:06.220
 expecting you

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.200
 to need him,

00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:08.680
 not hoping

00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.560
 that you wouldn't.

00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:11.100
 That's actually,

00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.220
 that would be the danger,

00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.720
 not being too bad,

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.980
 too desperately

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.900
 distant from him

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.980
 but in some ways

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.860
 being too good,

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:20.620
 too confidently close

00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.759
 that you don't even think

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:23.120
 he's necessary.

00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:26.360
 Are you actively

00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:28.440
 admitting your sin?

00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.319
 The idolatry

00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:31.880
 that looks bad

00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.980
 to everybody else?

00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.600
 Even the idolatry

00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.940
 that looks good

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.519
 to other people?

00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.960
 Both of those,

00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.680
 are you turning

00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.500
 to Jesus

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.880
 to rescue you

00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.580
 from both of them,

00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.460
 from anything

00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.200
 that would keep you

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.820
 from him?

00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:46.539
 He's here for that.

00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.360
 He's here to meet you

00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.660
 in that moment.

00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:53.539
 John 12, 46,

00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.220
 Jesus says,

00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:55.240
 another way

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.740
 of his saying

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.340
 why he's come,

00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.460
 I've come into

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.600
 the world as light

00:23:58.600 --> 00:24:00.460
 so that whoever

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.560
 believes in me

00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:03.500
 may not remain

00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.200
 in darkness.

00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.380
 What hope

00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.420
 this should give

00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:10.080
 the most discouraged

00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:12.320
 or hopeless

00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.080
 of us?

00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.220
 You can admit

00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.860
 the darkness

00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.680
 in you,

00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.460
 the darkness

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.580
 around you

00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:19.760
 because that's

00:24:19.760 --> 00:24:20.440
 why Jesus came.

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.320
 Jesus didn't come

00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:22.340
 to recruit

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.840
 an all-star team.

00:24:24.260 --> 00:24:25.020
 He didn't come

00:24:25.020 --> 00:24:25.840
 to find those

00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:26.940
 who were performing

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.760
 well already

00:24:27.760 --> 00:24:28.940
 who had the spotlight

00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.460
 on them

00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.620
 and pay them enough

00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.460
 to come over

00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.800
 and be on his team.

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.060
 That's not what Jesus did.

00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.040
 That's college football.

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:37.200
 That's what they do.

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.319
 Listen,

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:41.079
 Christmas is a rescue mission,

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.920
 not a recruiting trip.

00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.619
 It's very different.

00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.920
 Jesus came

00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:47.399
 to seek the hiding,

00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.519
 to find the lost,

00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:51.759
 to save the sinners.

00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.899
 Praise the Lord.

00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.240
 You don't have

00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.299
 to attract his attention.

00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.799
 Your stats don't have

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.420
 to be good enough

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.159
 for him to pay you

00:24:59.159 --> 00:24:59.879
 to be on his team.

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:01.059
 It's not how he works.

00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:04.659
 He's come to rescue you.

00:25:04.660 --> 00:25:05.160
 Remember,

00:25:05.300 --> 00:25:06.240
 he's embodying

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.000
 the heart

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:09.279
 of this seeking God.

00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.300
 Where does God

00:25:10.300 --> 00:25:11.500
 seek lost people?

00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.820
 It's all over the place.

00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.140
 God seeks us

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.440
 in the heights

00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.660
 of our success

00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.660
 and our pride

00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.980
 and our self-confidence.

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.320
 He knows we're lost there

00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:22.360
 and he comes after us

00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:24.100
 and in the depths

00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:25.660
 of depression

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.660
 and despair

00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.660
 and discouragement.

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.220
 He seeks those

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:34.000
 with broken minds.

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:38.579
 He seeks those

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.180
 with failing bodies

00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.519
 who feel like

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.519
 they can't even

00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.779
 keep it together anymore.

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.220
 They don't know

00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.339
 how many days they have.

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:49.299
 The Christ of Christmas

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.740
 comes to the fields

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.400
 of humble shepherds

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:54.059
 as well as to the courts

00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.140
 of kings

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.660
 and wise men.

00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.000
 He comes after

00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:00.059
 all those lost people.

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.440
 even perhaps

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.079
 especially

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.899
 to those

00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:03.740
 that no one else

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.559
 is looking for

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.099
 or wanting to be with.

00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.419
 Jesus comes.

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.379
 He comes for those people.

00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.879
 If that's you

00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.740
 and you think

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.480
 nobody has ever

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.599
 wanted to come for you,

00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.299
 Jesus does.

00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.159
 He has.

00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:20.940
 He'll come back

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.700
 for you again.

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:23.600
 He comes not merely

00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.480
 to locate people

00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.980
 like that

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.840
 but to love them,

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:28.319
 to rescue them,

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.720
 to bring them home

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.360
 because we are feeling

00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.539
 if we're honest

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.279
 most days

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.220
 we're feeling

00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.420
 some of that darkness,

00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:37.180
 some of that aloneness,

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.559
 some of that longing

00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.580
 for fulfillment

00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.319
 and things

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.360
 to be made right

00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:42.860
 and that is where

00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:44.660
 Jesus meets us

00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.900
 right where you are

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.759
 in sin,

00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.160
 in pain,

00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.420
 in emptiness.

00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:51.300
 Open your heart today

00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:52.740
 to receive him.

00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:54.019
 He has come.

00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.440
 It's where he met Zacchaeus.

00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.279
 Right?

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.340
 This is the point

00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.300
 of this story

00:26:59.300 --> 00:27:00.480
 that Jesus meets

00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.500
 Zacchaeus right there.

00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.680
 He seeks him out

00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.779
 even better than Zacchaeus

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.920
 is seeking him

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.200
 and that Zacchaeus

00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.360
 has money, right?

00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.480
 It's one of the very few

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.180
 things we know about him.

00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.800
 We know he's short

00:27:09.800 --> 00:27:10.380
 and he's rich.

00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:13.100
 Zacchaeus had money

00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:14.420
 that he had gotten

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.380
 because he was hoping

00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.539
 it would make him happy

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.420
 and significant

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:19.259
 and what happened

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.640
 is it was leaving him empty

00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.920
 and searching.

00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.480
 He was looking

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.980
 for Jesus

00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.720
 and then Jesus

00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.700
 brings salvation

00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.160
 to his house.

00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.200
 What happens?

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.820
 Notice.

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.680
 Zacchaeus now has

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.320
 a better source of life,

00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:34.900
 doesn't he?

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.420
 Of joy,

00:27:36.800 --> 00:27:37.700
 of significance,

00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:39.039
 of satisfaction

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:41.360
 and everybody can see it.

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.600
 Nobody misses this

00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.800
 in Zacchaeus' life.

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.480
 The guy who was greedy

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.799
 and stealing

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:48.599
 is now generous

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:50.900
 and sharing, right?

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.799
 Instead of scheming

00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:54.319
 how he can get more,

00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.900
 Zacchaeus is scheming

00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.279
 how he can give more.

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.839
 Give this stuff

00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.339
 to the poor.

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:00.960
 By the way,

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.740
 four times more

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.460
 back to that guy

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.220
 I took advantage of.

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.400
 A little bit more

00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.000
 over here to them.

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.920
 Give it away.

00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:09.980
 Friends,

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.960
 Jesus meets us

00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.880
 where we are.

00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.980
 He seeks us out

00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.759
 in our lostness

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.559
 but he doesn't

00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.799
 leave us there

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.160
 as the same person

00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:20.500
 because we no longer

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.819
 find life and fulfillment

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:23.660
 in the same place.

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:26.200
 Just like Zacchaeus,

00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.759
 when we get

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:30.360
 life and fulfillment

00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:31.160
 in Jesus,

00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.740
 we now scheme

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.059
 how to give it

00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.819
 to others.

00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:36.660
 How do we give life

00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.339
 to others?

00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.660
 As followers of Jesus,

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.660
 we go where he goes.

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.539
 Where does Jesus go?

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.579
 He goes seeking

00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.919
 after the lost.

00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.339
 We go following him

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.159
 after the least

00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:46.059
 and the lost

00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.859
 and the littlest

00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.720
 and the lonely

00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.779
 and the left out

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.679
 because that's where

00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.839
 Jesus goes.

00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:52.279
 They are on our radar.

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.919
 They are in our sights.

00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.199
 We're to proclaim

00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:56.399
 the excellencies

00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:57.960
 of him who called us

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.899
 out of darkness

00:28:58.899 --> 00:29:00.759
 into his marvelous light,

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.339
 the kingdom

00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:03.279
 of his beloved son.

00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:05.759
 Is that what marks

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.319
 your life?

00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:08.819
 Is that where I'd

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:10.019
 find you this afternoon?

00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:13.420
 Are you following Jesus

00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:15.180
 toward tax collectors

00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.859
 and sinners?

00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:19.400
 Are you shining light

00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.980
 into darkness

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.720
 that you know

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.680
 all too well?

00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:27.119
 In India,

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.160
 perhaps because

00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.779
 the darkness

00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.740
 is a bit easier

00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.259
 to see,

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.619
 Christians are always

00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.639
 talking about

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.539
 the urgency

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.579
 and the priority

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:37.259
 of sharing

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.839
 the light of Jesus

00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:40.240
 with family members,

00:29:41.459 --> 00:29:42.000
 with people

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.639
 in their village,

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.459
 with whoever

00:29:43.459 --> 00:29:44.639
 it happens to be

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.559
 that's right there

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.619
 and some of that,

00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.459
 to be fair,

00:29:47.679 --> 00:29:48.259
 is because

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.579
 those people

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.299
 might be ones

00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:51.279
 who would persecute you.

00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:54.539
 But mostly,

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.240
 it's because

00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:58.240
 there's a new life

00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.679
 that we didn't have before

00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:00.539
 that we now have

00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.439
 to offer others.

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.439
 We can offer them

00:30:02.439 --> 00:30:03.279
 a relationship

00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.439
 with a savior,

00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.519
 not a religion

00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.980
 of self-performance

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.359
 and working your way

00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.099
 up the mountain

00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:10.500
 to the gods.

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.220
 No,

00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.359
 we have something

00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.359
 to offer life

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.039
 that is new

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.500
 and so it is an urgent

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:17.119
 and constant priority

00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:17.700
 for them.

00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:20.839
 It challenged me.

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.099
 My brothers and sisters,

00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:26.879
 the darkness,

00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:28.839
 the idolatry,

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.740
 as I said,

00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:31.179
 is the same here.

00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.859
 It's hiding

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:35.119
 a darkness,

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.819
 a lostness

00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.679
 that we know

00:30:37.679 --> 00:30:38.599
 very well

00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.259
 ourselves.

00:30:40.199 --> 00:30:41.139
 So the need

00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:42.399
 to follow Jesus

00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:44.379
 towards those

00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.199
 who are lost,

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.539
 towards those

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.179
 who are hiding

00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:48.279
 is equally

00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.559
 an urgent priority

00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.699
 in Huntsville.

00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.859
 Even if the people

00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.319
 around you

00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.179
 have three kids,

00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:54.039
 two cars,

00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.899
 and a middle-class

00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.399
 lifestyle,

00:30:55.659 --> 00:30:56.539
 that's not what

00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:56.919
 brings you

00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:57.480
 into relationship

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.000
 with Jesus.

00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.919
 We need Jesus.

00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:03.039
 We need to know

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.219
 of our own emptiness

00:31:04.219 --> 00:31:06.139
 and our need

00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.519
 for him.

00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.679
 Don't be fooled

00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:11.559
 by external resources.

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.959
 Jesus comes

00:31:13.959 --> 00:31:14.519
 to seek

00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.519
 and to save

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.299
 Zacchaeus

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.259
 and he's already

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.659
 wealthy.

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.339
 That's not enough

00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:20.839
 for Jesus.

00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:22.639
 He's not going

00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:23.419
 to leave Zacchaeus

00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.120
 lost in his

00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.519
 richness.

00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.920
 Jesus came

00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.279
 to seek

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.740
 and to save

00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.800
 undeserving you

00:31:29.800 --> 00:31:30.539
 and me

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:32.100
 and he sends

00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:32.700
 us on that

00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.300
 same mission.

00:31:35.300 --> 00:31:36.160
 Why Christmas?

00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:39.200
 Because we

00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.640
 and many others

00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.320
 hide

00:31:41.320 --> 00:31:43.160
 and need

00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:43.759
 to be found.

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:48.099
 we and many others

00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:49.940
 sin

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.819
 and we need

00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.259
 a savior.

00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.720
 So Jesus

00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.099
 came

00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:57.859
 not just to earth

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.519
 to be born

00:31:58.519 --> 00:32:01.259
 but all the way

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.379
 to the cross

00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:03.980
 to die

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:06.099
 so that you

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.579
 can know

00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:08.059
 that no matter

00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:09.420
 how far away

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.940
 you are

00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.480
 from him,

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.759
 no matter

00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.799
 how lost

00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:13.339
 you feel

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:13.839
 and how

00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.380
 impossible

00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:14.920
 it seems

00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.299
 that God

00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:15.640
 could even

00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.180
 see you

00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.500
 because you

00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:16.940
 can't even

00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.940
 see or imagine

00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.480
 him

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.400
 that you're

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:20.680
 never too lost

00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.539
 and never

00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:22.420
 too far away

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.259
 for him to

00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.180
 find you

00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.620
 and save you

00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:26.680
 and bring you

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.039
 home.

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.500
 He sat

00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.220
 with his disciples

00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:30.819
 on the night

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.660
 that one of them

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.339
 betrayed him

00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:34.640
 and he took bread

00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:36.420
 and he broke it

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:37.000
 and he gave it

00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.360
 to them

00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:37.839
 as I

00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.819
 ministering

00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.399
 in his name

00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:40.139
 give this bread

00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.699
 to you

00:32:40.699 --> 00:32:42.219
 and he said

00:32:42.219 --> 00:32:42.919
 take and eat

00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:44.099
 this is my body

00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:46.240
 given for you

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.939
 do this in

00:32:47.939 --> 00:32:48.859
 remembrance of me

00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:50.459
 and in the same way

00:32:50.459 --> 00:32:51.119
 after supper

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.099
 he took the cup

00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.519
 and said

00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.099
 this cup

00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.000
 is the new covenant

00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.799
 in my blood

00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:55.679
 shed for many

00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.919
 for the forgiveness

00:32:56.919 --> 00:32:57.559
 of sins

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.439
 drink from it

00:32:58.439 --> 00:32:59.059
 all of you

00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.919
 for as often

00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:00.979
 as you eat this bread

00:33:00.979 --> 00:33:02.559
 and drink this cup

00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.179
 you proclaim

00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:04.479
 the Lord's death

00:33:04.479 --> 00:33:06.199
 until he comes

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.500
 you proclaim

00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.100
 in fact

00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:09.019
 that your hope

00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:11.539
 is in his dying

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:13.600
 in your place

00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.480
 this is not

00:33:14.480 --> 00:33:15.799
 the table of Southwood

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:17.660
 or the Presbyterian church

00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:19.460
 it is the Lord's table

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:21.559
 so if you trust

00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.700
 that not because

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.180
 of anything

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:23.960
 that you have done

00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.279
 but only because

00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:27.140
 of his amazing grace

00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:28.819
 that you were lost

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.819
 and now are found

00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:32.700
 then you please come

00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.880
 and celebrate him

00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.940
 with us this morning

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:37.519
 if in your heart

00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.600
 the verdict

00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:40.279
 is still out

00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.820
 on Jesus

00:33:40.820 --> 00:33:41.779
 perhaps you're

00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:43.059
 interested in him

00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:44.500
 it sounds interesting

00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.420
 and you're considering

00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:47.039
 that wonderful

00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.920
 but you're just

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.799
 not sure yet

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:50.019
 we're so glad

00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:51.340
 that you are here

00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:51.940
 this morning

00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:53.160
 we're glad

00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.680
 that you're able

00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:55.360
 to hear his heart

00:33:55.360 --> 00:33:56.100
 his purpose

00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:57.100
 and why he has come

00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:58.240
 to rescue people

00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.980
 just like us

00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.960
 we invite you

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.039
 to come forward

00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:01.900
 and back

00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.759
 to these tables

00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:04.220
 let us pray

00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:04.720
 to stay with you

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:06.160
 or to stay

00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.660
 where you are

00:34:06.660 --> 00:34:07.180
 in your seats

00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.139
 is just fine

00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:10.260
 but we want you

00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:11.019
 to know something

00:34:11.019 --> 00:34:12.519
 that if you stay there

00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.960
 while we're celebrating

00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.440
 together

00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.220
 it's not because

00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:16.420
 we're better than you are

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:18.260
 it's not it at all

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:20.039
 we're all hiders

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:22.800
 we're all hiders

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:24.059
 who desperately

00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.900
 desperately

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:26.320
 need a God

00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:27.280
 who will come

00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.480
 seek after us

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:30.280
 who keeps seeking us out

00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.179
 and keeps setting

00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.819
 this table

00:34:31.819 --> 00:34:33.179
 and keeps inviting

00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.179
 us back to him

00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.179
 he's doing that

00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.139
 for you this morning

00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:36.719
 as well

00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.779
 let's pray

00:34:37.779 --> 00:34:38.839
 and we'll come celebrate

00:34:38.839 --> 00:34:41.980
 Jesus thank you

00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:43.879
 that we can now

00:34:43.879 --> 00:34:44.899
 draw near to you

00:34:44.899 --> 00:34:46.299
 would in these moments

00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:47.159
 would you help us

00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:47.719
 to do that

00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.659
 in our hearts

00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.759
 knowing that you

00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:51.079
 have already come near

00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:53.119
 to meet us

00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:55.419
 that is the good news

00:34:55.419 --> 00:34:56.179
 of Christmas

00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.179
 you haven't stayed

00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:57.919
 far away

00:34:57.919 --> 00:34:59.480
 you have sought us out

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.940
 we don't have to climb a mountain

00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:02.760
 we don't have to pass a test

00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:05.480
 we just have to admit

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.579
 that we're lost

00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:08.179
 apart from you

00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:09.579
 that we're hopeless

00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.420
 without you

00:35:10.420 --> 00:35:11.960
 and here you are already

00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:14.280
 to welcome us home

00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.460
 we thank you for that

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:18.260
 do that through common elements

00:35:18.260 --> 00:35:19.639
 remind our hearts

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:21.039
 strengthen our faith

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:22.260
 in this truth

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:24.179
 we ask it in your name

00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:25.219
 amen

00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:27.679
 for more information

00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.919
 visit us online

00:35:28.919 --> 00:35:30.000
 at southwood.org

00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:55.199
 for more information