WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:03.140 Well, good morning again, and welcome to Church of the Advent. 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.799 My name is Jeff, and I'm one of the pastors here. 00:00:05.900 --> 00:00:09.740 We're so grateful that you've joined us, especially if this is your first time or if 00:00:09.740 --> 00:00:10.919 you're new to our church. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:21.420 Imagine that you go to sleep tonight, and you are awakened suddenly at 2.30 in the morning, 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:29.420 and your eyes are trying to focus because the whole entire house is pitch dark. 00:00:30.579 --> 00:00:35.399 And you realize that the power has gone out inside the whole house. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:42.700 You're alone at home, and everything's dark, and you hear the sound of something rustling 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:47.799 downstairs, and you reach for your phone, but you realize that you forgot to charge it before 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:49.179 you went to bed, and your phone's dead. 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:55.260 And so you get out of bed, and you head down the stairs to the kitchen, and you open the 00:00:55.259 --> 00:01:00.679 doors to the basement, and it creaks open with a loud creak, and you look down into the 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:03.420 darkness of the basement, but you can't see anything. 00:01:03.539 --> 00:01:05.000 There's no natural light. 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:06.200 There's no windows down there. 00:01:06.200 --> 00:01:12.240 And as you head down the stairs, you can't see anything, but you can sense the presence 00:01:12.240 --> 00:01:12.799 of shadows. 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:18.620 And what you experience in that moment is fear. 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:20.040 Fear. 00:01:20.180 --> 00:01:20.920 It's anxiety. 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:26.359 It's awareness of the unknown, but that the unknown might somehow be a threat. 00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:31.620 This morning, we come to the fourth and final week of the season of Advent. 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:38.079 And Advent, in the church calendar, is a season that begins in the dark. 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:40.180 It begins in the dark. 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:44.520 From the scripture passages we read, to the songs that we sing, to the prayers that we 00:01:44.520 --> 00:01:49.640 pray, to the physical reality of having less sunlight outside and the days ending earlier 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:54.420 and having more physical darkness, Advent begins in the dark. 00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:58.700 And in the season of Advent, we face the world as it is. 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:04.280 We face the darkness of the world and all its suffering and all its grief and all of its 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:04.760 injustice. 00:02:06.080 --> 00:02:08.740 And we also face the darkness within our own hearts. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:18.780 This is not a season of forced sentimentalism, but it's a season of gospel realism, where we 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:20.520 look at the world realistically. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:26.900 But the beauty of the season of Advent is that the season of Advent doesn't stay in the 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:34.200 dark, but that it actually, that there is an ever-growing light, that there is a light 00:02:34.200 --> 00:02:36.500 that's kindled, there is a light that grows. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:41.439 And part of the way that we try to embody this is in the Advent wreath, that every week 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:42.460 we light another candle. 00:02:43.080 --> 00:02:47.580 And it's the sense that even though we live in the darkness, that we are a people who are 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:50.599 part of a story that has ever-growing light. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:57.219 We don't get to the joy in the light of Christmas without passing through the darkness. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:02.780 And the lectionary passages this morning lead us to confront an aspect of the darkness that 00:03:02.780 --> 00:03:06.780 we often don't like to think about or talk about, and that's fear. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:10.740 What is it that makes you most afraid? 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:14.080 What is it that gets your heart pounding? 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:18.379 What is it that keeps you up at night and makes your palms sweat? 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:26.259 Maybe if you're a young kid, maybe it's the fear of going to a new school and entering into 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:30.819 a classroom that you've never seen, and seeing a teacher you've never seen, with students 00:03:30.819 --> 00:03:31.939 you've never seen. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.479 And you wonder, will the other kids like me? 00:03:34.539 --> 00:03:35.919 Will I have friends? 00:03:36.079 --> 00:03:39.399 Or will I be bullied and picked on as the new kid? 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:43.840 If you're a teenager, maybe you're worried about grades at school, and you're wondering, 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:49.120 will I do well enough this year so I can get into the classes next year I need to so that 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:53.500 I can get my application ready for college so I can get into a good college? 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:59.219 Will I finally have a group of friends that finally accepts me for me, or will I always 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:01.580 feel like I'm on the outside of some friend group? 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:05.879 For some of you, maybe it's the fear surrounding your job. 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:09.300 Will I do well enough to advance in my company? 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:11.139 Will I be able to move forward? 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:14.259 How long will I feel stuck? 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:17.100 Will I be able to keep this job? 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:19.040 Do people at work like me? 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:20.779 Is my boss disappointed in me? 00:04:20.779 --> 00:04:24.159 Maybe it's the fears around being a parent. 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:26.500 Are we doing enough? 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:29.119 Are we reading the right books? 00:04:29.179 --> 00:04:30.839 Are we following the best advice? 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:32.719 Are they going to the right school? 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:33.799 Are they in the right program? 00:04:34.659 --> 00:04:36.099 What if they rebel when they get older? 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:38.279 What if we don't have enough money for college? 00:04:39.799 --> 00:04:41.619 Maybe it's the fears about being single. 00:04:42.119 --> 00:04:43.219 What if I never get married? 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:44.299 What if I never have kids? 00:04:44.359 --> 00:04:45.899 What if I never find that special someone? 00:04:46.059 --> 00:04:48.639 What if I'm alone for the rest of my life? 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:51.860 Maybe it's the fears of the future. 00:04:51.979 --> 00:04:55.979 Maybe it's worrying about a mom or a dad or a grandparent getting sick. 00:04:57.019 --> 00:04:58.159 What if they're not okay? 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:00.259 What if we lose someone we love? 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:05.279 What if I get injured or sick and I can't work and provide for my family? 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:16.419 It's that feeling that you get when you're waiting for test results from the doctor and you get a call and you see that it's the doctor's number that pops up on your screen. 00:05:16.539 --> 00:05:22.339 And it's that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you feel right before you press the button to answer it. 00:05:23.299 --> 00:05:25.559 And you wonder, what are they going to say? 00:05:26.179 --> 00:05:27.279 What is the news going to be? 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:29.159 And how is my life going to change? 00:05:30.859 --> 00:05:31.299 Fear. 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:31.379 Fear. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:34.460 All of us are afraid of something. 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:37.280 Many of us are afraid of more than one thing. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:40.199 The question is, what do you do with it? 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:42.280 How do you process it? 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:45.060 How do you deal with what you're afraid of in life? 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:46.580 Where do you go to for security? 00:05:47.460 --> 00:05:48.680 Where do you go to for protection? 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:51.160 Where do you go to for safety and comfort? 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:59.340 Fear is a prominent theme in our lives and it's also a prominent theme in the passages that we just read. 00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:06.739 Here in Isaiah 7, in Matthew chapter 1, we see people who are in fear, but we also see something else. 00:06:07.919 --> 00:06:14.959 We also see that there is good news about fear in the Advent and Christmas season. 00:06:15.060 --> 00:06:17.559 And we find it in the sign of Emmanuel. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:23.459 Both Isaiah 7 and Matthew 1 talk about Emmanuel, which means God with us. 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:36.779 And in Emmanuel, it's in Emmanuel that in the midst of the darkness of our fears, that we find true security, true assurance, true comfort, even amidst our darkest fears. 00:06:36.779 --> 00:06:42.359 So we're going to look at, from Isaiah 7 and Matthew 1, we're going to look at a couple of things. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:51.699 We're going to look at, in the midst of our fears, in the midst of the darkness of our fears, the allure of worldly security and the promise of true security. 00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:55.659 The allure of worldly security and the promise of true security. 00:06:55.739 --> 00:06:56.819 But before we do that, let's pray. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:07:03.420 Lord, we acknowledge that you are in our midst and we ask that your Holy Spirit would speak to us. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:13.600 Lord, this morning, all of us are in need of assurance and comfort and hope and security with what we're facing and what we're afraid of. 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:17.219 Lord, would you come speak to us now, we pray. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:18.339 Amen. 00:07:18.339 --> 00:07:18.419 Amen. 00:07:19.619 --> 00:07:24.579 So first of all, let's look at the allure of worldly security. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:33.239 The background scene in Isaiah chapter 7, there's a lot going on, but the background scene is that there is an impending military invasion. 00:07:34.179 --> 00:07:41.199 The kingdom of Assyria was the large imperial empire to the north who dominated the region with their military power. 00:07:42.039 --> 00:07:46.039 And the king of Assyria was a guy named Tiglath-Pileser III. 00:07:46.559 --> 00:07:48.179 And you don't need to know anything about him. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:49.360 His name is just intimidating. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.420 Like Tiglath-Pileser. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.759 That just sounds scary. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:59.340 And Tiglath-Pileser had great visions to expand his empire and all of the smaller kingdoms in the region feared him. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:09.240 And so this led the northern kingdom of Israel, the northern kingdom of Israel, which had already turned away from the Lord, to form an alliance with the kingdom of Syria. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:11.840 Not to be confused with Assyria. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.300 They're two different kingdoms. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:14.120 It's confusing. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:15.100 But those are two different kingdoms. 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:20.140 And so meanwhile, Ahaz is the king in the southern kingdom of Judah. 00:08:20.260 --> 00:08:23.240 And he is the king who sits on David's throne. 00:08:24.320 --> 00:08:30.240 And in theory, he is supposed to be the king who leads the faithful remnant of God's people. 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:38.100 In theory, he is supposed to be the king who sits on David's throne, who leads the people of God to follow the Lord faithfully. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:45.139 And Ahaz learns about this newly formed alliance between Israel and Syria. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:51.159 Israel and Syria are preparing to march to Jerusalem and attack it and capture it. 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:54.080 In Isaiah chapter 7, verse 2, it says, 00:08:54.080 --> 00:09:12.940 This is a powerful image of a king and a people who are shaken with fear. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:22.900 The news brought fear not only of the military conflict or maybe the loss of political sovereignty, but the fear of the end of David's throne. 00:09:23.020 --> 00:09:24.980 The northern kingdom had already abandoned the Lord. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:35.520 And if Jerusalem were to be captured and if the Davidic king were to be conquered, then that would likely mean the end of the story for God's people. 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:42.279 And so this is an existential crisis for the people of Judah and for King Ahaz. 00:09:43.899 --> 00:09:46.639 But it's not an existential crisis for God. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:49.220 God is not shaken. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:53.059 He is the one who sits on his throne and rules over all the nations. 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:53.960 He is unmoved. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:10:01.500 And through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord speaks a word of comfort and assurance and hope to Ahaz in the midst of his fear. 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:05.120 And he says, this impending invasion is not going to happen. 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:07.059 I'm not going to let it happen. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:16.319 He says in verse 4 that Israel and Syria, they look like they're a blazing fire, but actually they are two smoldering stumps of firewood. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:18.960 And in just a few years, they won't even be kingdoms anymore. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:21.840 And so he calls Ahaz to trust him. 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:22.960 He says, do not fear. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.139 Do not let your heart be faint. 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:26.019 You can trust me. 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.539 You can trust my promises. 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:30.399 I'm not going to let the house of David fall. 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:31.939 I'm in control. 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:39.560 The story of Israel, the story of the Davidic king is not going to end because I'm sovereign, because I'm in control. 00:10:39.640 --> 00:10:40.520 I'm not going to let it happen. 00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:44.020 And he calls Ahaz to respond in faith. 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:48.960 He calls Ahaz to trust in his promises amidst his fear. 00:10:48.960 --> 00:10:56.240 In verse 9, the Lord says to Ahaz, if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. 00:10:57.340 --> 00:11:01.780 And so this is a turning point in the history of the people of God. 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:06.799 What Ahaz decides to do here will ultimately determine the trajectory of God's people. 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:10.339 If he trusts in the Lord's promises, the kingdom will stand. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:13.259 But if he fails to trust in the Lord, the kingdom will fall. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:16.379 And so what is Ahaz going to do with his fear? 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.439 How is he going to respond? 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:25.179 Will he trust in the Lord and his promises, or will he seek safety and security elsewhere? 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:30.719 And these are questions that are important for us to reflect on today as well. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:34.419 What do you do when you experience fear? 00:11:34.579 --> 00:11:35.559 What do you do when you're afraid? 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:37.539 Where do you go? 00:11:38.739 --> 00:11:39.579 Where do you turn? 00:11:40.459 --> 00:11:41.419 Where do you seek comfort? 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:42.179 Where do you seek assurance? 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:43.779 Where do you seek security? 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:49.740 What are you trusting in to keep you safe and secure from the unknown of the future? 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:56.480 Do you trust in the promises that God has made to you in his word, that he's sovereign, that he's in control? 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.100 Or do you turn elsewhere? 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:09.600 Sadly, as the story continues, we learn that Ahaz turns elsewhere, that he turns away from the Lord to the great king of Assyria. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:16.259 And in 2 Kings 16, we learn and we read that Ahaz sends a message to the king of Syria, and he says, 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:23.259 I am your servant and your son, come up and rescue me from the king of Syria and from the hand of the king of Israel. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:30.740 And he pays him a large amount of gold and silver as protection, and he looks to the king of Assyria, Tiglath-Pileser, 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:34.539 to come and rescue him, to come and provide his security. 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:41.360 And so Ahaz secures military protection, but he surrenders his heart. 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.319 He surrenders his heart. 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:50.160 In 2 Kings 16, we read that Ahaz transformed the temple in Jerusalem to be a temple of pagan idolatry. 00:12:51.260 --> 00:12:55.020 The temple of the Lord was turned into a temple of idol worship. 00:12:57.220 --> 00:13:01.340 Because you see, the place where Ahaz found safety, 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:04.879 the place where Ahaz sought security among his fears, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:08.100 was also the place where he worshipped. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:12.560 The place that he sought security was the place that he worshipped. 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:16.039 But that didn't work in the long run. 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:18.619 See, that only replaced old fears with new fears. 00:13:19.479 --> 00:13:24.979 The second half of Isaiah chapter 7 shows that even though the northern threat had been taken care of, 00:13:25.979 --> 00:13:27.239 that there were new fears coming. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:32.159 One day, the king of Assyria would come and occupy the land of Judah. 00:13:32.859 --> 00:13:34.079 The land would be devastated. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.500 The people would be impoverished. 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:37.660 The people would be stripped of their dignity. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:40.920 And for the rest of the story, from here on out, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:44.520 God's people are going to live under foreign occupation, foreign rule. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:49.180 From Assyria to Babylon, to Persia, to Greece, to Rome. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:52.520 They're going to live under a foreign power. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:59.079 You know, the security that the world has to offer is often really alluring. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.100 It's really tempting. 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:04.639 We're all drawn to various things to help manage our fears. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:10.720 Having a solid 401K, a solid retirement investment account, 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:13.039 makes us feel financially secure. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:16.579 Nutrition supplements, dieting, workout plans, 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:20.279 help us to feel safe and secure about our physical health. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:26.779 Newly elected leaders that we voted for help us feel less afraid of the direction of our country. 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:29.139 And all of these things are good things. 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:31.539 They can all be received as gifts from God as good things. 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:35.819 But they will all fail us as our ultimate sense of security. 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:40.980 They will all fail us as our ultimate source of security. 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:41.799 How do you know? 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:46.379 How do you know if something is your ultimate source of security? 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.360 How do you know that? 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.220 How do you identify it? 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:55.399 Your ultimate source of security is that thing in your life that you would say, 00:14:55.600 --> 00:15:00.639 if I have that, if I have that, then I will no longer be afraid. 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:08.720 If I have that, if I have this, then I'll no longer be afraid of my circumstances. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:11.300 If I have this, then I'll no longer be afraid of my future. 00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:17.240 If I have this, I'll no longer be afraid of what other people think of me. 00:15:18.479 --> 00:15:21.379 If I have this, I'll no longer be afraid of not having enough. 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:22.679 I'll no longer be afraid of failure. 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:26.399 I'll no longer be afraid of not being enough. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:30.099 If I have this, then I'll no longer be afraid. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.179 What is that thing for you? 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.859 How would you fill in that blank? 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:40.299 Ultimately, what you are trusting in to deal with your fear, to deal with what you're afraid of, 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:42.279 that is ultimately what you worship. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:47.699 And you might be here and you say, you know, well, Jeff, that's great, but I'm not a religious person. 00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:48.919 I don't necessarily believe in God. 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:50.139 I'm just here. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.219 I just found my way here. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.000 A friend invited me. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:57.379 But I'm secular, and I think the fact that you worship God is great, but I'm not a worshiper. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.580 I'm not religious. 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:05.240 Well, listen to the non-religious secular author, David Foster Wallace, 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:09.440 one of the best writers and novelists of the 20th century. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:15.299 David Foster Wallace gave a graduation speech at Kenyon College called This is Water. 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:17.259 Some of you may have read it or seen it before. 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:21.860 And here's what the secular thinker, David Foster Wallace, says. 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.519 He says, 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:28.240 In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:30.659 There's no such thing as not worshiping. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.759 Everybody worships. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:36.259 The only choice that we get is what to worship. 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:41.000 And an outstanding reason for choosing some sort of God or spiritual type thing to worship 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:44.179 is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:48.860 If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.019 then you will never feel like you have enough. 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:56.679 Worship your own body and beauty and sexual allure, and you will always feel ugly. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:17:01.200 And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally plant you. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.440 Worship power. 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.640 You will feel weak and afraid. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:09.940 And you will need ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.920 Worship your intellect. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:18.980 Being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:26.140 But the problem of worshiping at the altar of worldly security, even if you're not, don't consider yourself a religious person, 00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:32.339 is that worldly security will always end up making you feel more insecure. 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:36.959 It will always replace old fears with new ones. 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:42.359 There's a story about John D. Rockefeller that you may have heard before. 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:46.059 John D. Rockefeller, of course, was one of the wealthiest people in American history, 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:50.179 became extremely wealthy through founding the Standard Oil Company, 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:53.039 and in many ways had a monopoly over the oil industry. 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:57.379 And in the early 20th century, he was known by far as being the richest person in the world. 00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:01.079 And the story goes that somebody asked Rockefeller one day, 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.619 and they asked him, 00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:05.460 how much money is enough money? 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.460 How much money is enough money? 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:11.220 And Rockefeller said, 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:13.639 just a little bit more. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.039 Just a little bit more. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.680 You have the richest person in the world 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.940 saying, how much is enough? 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:22.620 And the answer is, just a little bit more. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.480 I don't have enough. 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:27.720 You can be the richest person in the world and not feel like you have enough. 00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:28.720 Why? 00:18:28.840 --> 00:18:31.900 Because nothing in this world will give us the kind of security, 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.340 will give us the kind of comfort, 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:35.860 will give us the kind of assurance that we long for. 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:38.559 It can only make us more insecure 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:41.039 if we make it the object of our worship, 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:43.680 if we make it the center of the orbit of our lives. 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:46.519 And so what we need is something better. 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:49.559 What we need is true security. 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:54.319 What we need is the kind of thing that allows us to know deep down in our bones 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:57.879 that no matter what happens, we're secure, we're safe. 00:18:58.240 --> 00:19:00.779 No matter what happens, we'll be okay. 00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:04.960 No matter what happens, everything will turn out for good. 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.919 No matter what the future holds. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:11.720 And that is what the sign of Emmanuel offers us. 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.179 That is what we see here. 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:15.240 That is what is offered to us, is true security. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:20.180 True security that actually gives us the kind of comfort that we need in the midst of our fear. 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.759 So let's look at the promise of true security. 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.859 The promise of true security. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.980 In verses 10 through 12, 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:29.940 the Lord tells Ahaz to ask him for a sign. 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:34.220 A sign that would prove God's faithfulness to keep his promises. 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:36.400 But because of his lack of faith, he actually refuses. 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:40.859 He refuses because of the hardness of his heart. 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:48.619 Now this is the only place in Scripture where God himself tells somebody to ask him for a sign. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:53.199 This is an incredibly gracious thing for the Lord to do. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:56.659 The Lord longs for Ahaz to trust him with his fears. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:20:00.959 The Lord longs to be the ultimate source of security for him. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.719 But Ahaz is so enamored. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.659 He's so a lord. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:08.099 He's so centered on worldly security. 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:10.659 He's so blinded by the sin of his unbelief. 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:13.099 That he can't even see. 00:20:13.219 --> 00:20:14.099 He can't even fathom. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:19.379 That the Lord might be able to give him something better than the king of Assyria can give him. 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:23.079 In verse 14, the Lord says, 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:24.939 Okay, you don't trust me? 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.500 Fine. 00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:27.639 I'm going to give you a sign anyway. 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:35.080 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel. 00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:39.600 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:47.060 And before he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:51.940 And so the sign that the Lord gives is a child that's to be born. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:54.040 What do we learn about this child? 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.940 What do we learn about this sign? 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:58.820 Well, we learn that he's going to be born of a miraculous birth. 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.840 He's going to be born of a virgin. 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:04.299 We learn that he's going to be named Emmanuel, which means God with us. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.700 We learn that he's going to be born into poverty. 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:10.779 Curds and honey were the food of impoverished people. 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:17.519 And we also learn that his life is going to be a timeline for the fulfillment of God's promises. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:25.700 Even while he's still really young, before he is able to know the difference between right and wrong, the threat of Israel and Syria will be over. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:30.059 In only a few years, Ahaz's worst fears are going to be gone. 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:37.220 And the question is, is this fulfilled in Isaiah and Ahaz's day? 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:39.839 Or is it fulfilled later on? 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:43.620 And the answer is yes. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.039 The answer is yes. 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:49.819 There's a partial fulfillment of this promise here in Isaiah chapter 8. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:55.680 There is a child born in Isaiah chapter 8, and within his lifetime, Israel and Syria are defeated. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:22:00.960 But none of the other promises here are fulfilled with this child. 00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:02.140 He was not named Emmanuel. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.740 He was not born into poverty. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:06.140 He was not born of a virgin birth. 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:16.100 And so what is partially fulfilled in the birth of a child in Isaiah chapter 8 is fully fulfilled in the birth of a child in Matthew chapter 1. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:28.419 As Joseph is considering how to divorce Mary quietly, because she has obviously been unfaithful before the wedding has actually taken place. 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:34.000 As he is considering this, an angel appears to him in a dream and says to him in verse 20, 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:41.459 Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:48.240 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:54.319 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has spoken by the prophet in Isaiah chapter 7. 00:22:54.920 --> 00:23:01.200 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which means God, with us. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:10.400 This sign in Isaiah 7 that's partially fulfilled in Isaiah chapter 8 is fully and finally revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ. 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.340 He's born of a virgin. 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.319 He's born into poverty. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.720 He's called Emmanuel, God with us. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:24.100 And friends, this is not only where we see God's promises fulfilled in history, 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:29.680 but this is where we find our true security to face our fears today. 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:32.340 This is where we find security. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:38.759 This is where we find the deep comfort that we need, because it's in Jesus that our deepest fears are driven away. 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:42.400 It's in Jesus that our deepest fears are driven away. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:46.119 Do you notice the first thing the angel says to Joseph? 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.980 Don't be afraid. 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.119 Don't be afraid. 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:57.359 Do you know, did you see, did you notice the first thing that the Lord says to Ahaz? 00:23:58.839 --> 00:24:02.400 In Isaiah chapter 7, don't be afraid. 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.379 Don't be afraid. 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:09.700 What is the most common thing that Jesus tells people in his ministry? 00:24:10.560 --> 00:24:12.860 What is the most repeated thing that Jesus tells other people? 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.280 Don't be afraid. 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:19.840 What is the most repeated command in all of Scripture? 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:23.560 Old Testament, New Testament, what's the most repeated command? 00:24:25.020 --> 00:24:27.220 Do not fear. 00:24:28.020 --> 00:24:29.940 Don't be afraid. 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:36.019 The presence of God in Jesus Christ is the absence of fear, 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:38.340 because he is the love of God incarnate. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:40.380 He is the love of God made flesh. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:43.160 1 John chapter 4 says that there is no fear in love, 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:45.900 but perfect love casts out fear. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.180 It casts it out. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:50.940 And the presence of Jesus is perfect love. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.880 And he, out of love, out of his love for us, 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.580 out of his love for his good creation, 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:59.759 he was born into this world to overcome everything that makes us afraid. 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:04.659 He was born to overcome everything that makes us afraid. 00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.599 How did he do it? 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:08.099 How did he overcome it? 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.859 Well, one day, 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.019 Jesus, the Jesus that was born in Matthew chapter 1, 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.679 one day, 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.899 Jesus Christ himself, God himself, 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:21.039 would be shaken to his core. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:25.859 He would be shaken to his core as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:30.000 The one who tells us not to be afraid, to not fear, 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:34.460 would tremble in the garden of Gethsemane. 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:37.779 The one who is named Emmanuel, 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.539 the one who is God with us, 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:43.839 would be without God on the cross. 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.659 He would cry out, 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.000 My God, my God, 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.519 why have you forsaken me? 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:51.940 Jesus Christ experienced cosmic fear, 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.220 eternal fear, 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:59.139 to make us fully and eternally secure and safe with him. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.879 In the cross and resurrection, 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:04.680 Jesus overcame that which we should fear most in the world, 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.339 evil and sin and death. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:09.200 He overcame our worst fears, 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:12.759 so that we would be radically and eternally secure in him. 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.960 And when you see that that's what he did, 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:17.480 when you see that he did that for you, 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.119 that he did that for you, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:22.740 you can believe him and you can trust him when he says, 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.299 I'll never leave you or forsake you. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:27.700 I'll never reject you. 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.940 I'll never condemn you. 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:32.299 Nothing in all creation can separate you from my love. 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.619 Nothing in all creation, 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.759 neither the present nor the future, 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.500 neither height nor depth, 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:38.859 not even death, 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:40.839 nothing can separate you from my love. 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:47.859 and even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.679 even in that place, 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.759 I am with you. 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.460 I am with you. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.059 And friends, 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.059 that is a kind of comfort, 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.880 that is a kind of security, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.920 that is a kind of assurance 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.759 that the world can't give you. 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.799 You won't be able to find it 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:07.240 in a 401k. 00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:08.460 You won't be able to find it 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.440 in a political leader. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.840 You won't be able to find it in a family, 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:11.480 in a spouse. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.559 You won't be able to find it anywhere. 00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:14.960 Only Jesus. 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:16.680 Only Jesus can give you that kind of 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.640 security. 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:17.759 security. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.660 And if you know, 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:22.500 if you know that Jesus Christ 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:24.460 in His cross and His resurrection 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.740 has already overcome 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.880 your greatest fears, 00:27:27.040 --> 00:27:28.440 if He's already overcome 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:30.020 evil and sin and death, 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.160 and if you know 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:32.640 that you're eternally secure in Him, 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.460 then you know that you can trust Him 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:37.120 with all of your other fears, 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.420 all of the fears that you face 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.540 day to day, 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:41.259 compared to evil and sin and death. 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:42.840 Everything else, 00:27:43.780 --> 00:27:46.060 everything else is like a 00:27:46.060 --> 00:27:46.980 smoldering ember. 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:49.100 It's a smoldering ember 00:27:49.100 --> 00:27:50.000 that soon is going to be 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.060 up in smoke 00:27:51.060 --> 00:27:53.280 compared to Jesus. 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:56.860 What is it that makes you 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.980 most afraid? 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:00.580 What is it that keeps you 00:28:00.580 --> 00:28:01.360 up at night? 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:04.820 What makes your palms sweat? 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.920 I want you to imagine 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.800 seeing yourself 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:11.480 in the midst of that fear. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.780 Imagine yourself 00:28:13.780 --> 00:28:15.180 in the middle of that place, 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:16.780 in the middle of that situation. 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:21.960 Now imagine Jesus 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:24.240 right there in the middle 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:26.060 of that situation with you. 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.860 Imagine Jesus 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:29.540 standing right beside you 00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:31.100 in the middle of that fear. 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:34.259 And He's right beside you. 00:28:35.020 --> 00:28:36.500 And He's looking at you. 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.880 And He's looking at you 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:40.900 with eyes of tenderness 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:42.980 grace and compassion 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.759 and love. 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:47.960 And He says to you, 00:28:48.560 --> 00:28:50.300 I know. 00:28:52.300 --> 00:28:52.980 I know. 00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:55.820 I know. 00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:58.280 But don't 00:28:58.280 --> 00:28:59.280 be afraid. 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:01.380 Don't be afraid. 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.060 I love you. 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:04.400 I'm with you. 00:29:04.820 --> 00:29:06.580 I'm here with you. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.600 I'm right beside you. 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.319 I'm never, 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.279 ever, ever 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.299 going to leave you. 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.079 You are mine. 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.500 I love you. 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.539 Nothing in all creation 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.379 can separate you 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.359 from my love. 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.240 And you can trust me. 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.819 You're safe. 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.819 You're secure. 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.179 Eternally. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.199 Now and forever. 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.599 Nothing in all creation 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.599 can separate you 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.539 from my love. 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:29.599 Not even this. 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.480 Not even this. 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:34.420 And you don't have 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.519 to try to control 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.059 everything. 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:38.000 You don't have to try 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.880 to manage your fear. 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.620 You don't have to try 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:41.319 to control the situation. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:44.819 Because I'm in control. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.480 I hold the universe 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:49.099 in the palm of my hand. 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.420 I uphold the universe 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.779 by the word of my power. 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.500 I'm in control. 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.559 You don't have to be. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.279 You can let go. 00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:00.039 You can trust in me. 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:02.240 Don't be afraid. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:05.639 Don't be afraid. 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.019 And friends, 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:09.960 that is what Emmanuel means. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:13.579 That's what God with us means. 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.379 I actually think that 00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:18.399 the next sentence 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.859 after God with us is 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:22.019 God is with us. 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.139 Don't be afraid. 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.159 God is with us 00:30:25.159 --> 00:30:27.099 so we don't have to be afraid. 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.700 Emmanuel means that 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.940 all of our greatest fears 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.299 have already been conquered 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:31.840 by Jesus. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.680 Emmanuel means that 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:35.120 all that we need 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:36.519 to face our current fears, 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.620 we already have 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.640 in Jesus. 00:30:39.820 --> 00:30:40.860 Emmanuel means that 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:42.480 the assurance that we 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.620 will one day live 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.140 without fear, 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:46.779 we have in Jesus. 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:48.640 So stand firm 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.360 in your faith 00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:50.200 in Him. 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:51.960 Friends, 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:54.080 don't worship 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:55.439 at the altar 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:55.460 at the altar 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.699 of worldly security. 00:30:56.699 --> 00:30:57.759 Don't let your heart 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.759 be drawn 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:01.000 towards what can't save. 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.579 Don't let your heart 00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.139 be drawn 00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:04.159 to something 00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:05.579 that is simply 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.339 just going to replace 00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:06.960 old fears 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.259 with new fears. 00:31:09.559 --> 00:31:11.000 Find true security 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.519 in Emmanuel. 00:31:11.699 --> 00:31:12.519 Find true security 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.919 in God with us 00:31:13.919 --> 00:31:15.059 and Jesus Christ. 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:17.439 None of us know 00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:18.480 what the future holds, 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:20.779 but we know 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.240 the one 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:23.059 who holds the future 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:24.620 in the palm of His hands 00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:26.539 and His name is Emmanuel 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:28.319 and He's God with us 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:29.000 and He says, 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:29.579 I love you, 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:31.220 I'm with you, 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.799 don't be afraid. 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.380 Don't be afraid. 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:35.740 Let's pray. 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:39.400 Jesus, 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:39.779 thank you 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.680 that you are 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.759 Emmanuel, 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:44.339 that you came 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:46.180 into the world 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:49.180 to release us 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.799 from the power 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.220 of fear 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.940 by your very presence, 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.859 by your very love. 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:53.920 Lord, 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.460 would you be 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.980 our comfort, 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.460 would you be 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.120 our security, 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.720 would you be 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.180 our King, 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:58.759 we pray. 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:00.620 In the name 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.079 of the Father 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.980 and the Son 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.180 and the Holy Spirit. 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.299 Amen. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.740 Amen.