WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.919
 Good morning.

00:00:03.300 --> 00:00:07.520
 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church,

00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:10.679
 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today.

00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:14.599
 Special welcome if you are new or visiting with us.

00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:20.379
 We are glad you're here, and we're glad you're here not because we are trying to fill seats,

00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:25.660
 but we are glad you're here because we are following after Jesus together as one community.

00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:32.219
 And as we follow after Jesus, we are convinced that there is no one so good that they don't need God's grace,

00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.759
 and no one so bad that they can't have it.

00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:39.200
 And that means that God has something to say to everyone in his word,

00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:41.700
 and everyone needs to hear what God has to say.

00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:44.500
 And so that's what we do at this portion of our worship service.

00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:46.939
 We look at God's word so that we can hear from him.

00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:49.920
 If you've been with us, you know we're in the book of Nehemiah.

00:00:49.980 --> 00:00:52.359
 The book of Nehemiah is about a man named Nehemiah.

00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:54.560
 It takes place in the Old Testament.

00:00:54.560 --> 00:00:58.080
 So it's about God's people before Jesus' first coming.

00:00:59.480 --> 00:01:04.159
 And in this portion of the Old Testament, we're in the 5th century B.C.

00:01:05.020 --> 00:01:07.460
 It's around 446, 445.

00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:10.299
 God's people have been in exile, and now they've returned.

00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:13.060
 But even though they're returning to the city of Jerusalem,

00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:17.480
 the city that God had given them with the purpose of being a light to the nations,

00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:20.359
 they've neglected God's city and God's ways.

00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:24.819
 As we saw in chapter 1, the wall around Jerusalem had fallen down,

00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:28.400
 and so Nehemiah, so discouraged in seeing the sin of God's people,

00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:31.019
 repented with tears and fasting and prayer.

00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:33.359
 And so he turned away from sin.

00:01:34.099 --> 00:01:37.640
 Then we saw in chapter 2 that Nehemiah did not just turn away from sin,

00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:39.439
 but he turned back to God and his mission.

00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:42.879
 He returned to Jerusalem and began leadership in rebuilding the wall.

00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:48.079
 And then last week in chapter 3, we saw the tremendous impact that happened

00:01:48.079 --> 00:01:49.899
 when it was not just Nehemiah working,

00:01:50.239 --> 00:01:52.640
 but also all of God's people coming together,

00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:54.500
 each contributing whatever they could,

00:01:55.259 --> 00:01:58.119
 putting aside their preferences and their differences

00:01:58.119 --> 00:02:00.579
 to work together towards one mission.

00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:04.560
 And so we saw that we can have different people with different missions

00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:06.120
 or different people with one mission,

00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:09.259
 and the impact that happened in chapter 3

00:02:09.259 --> 00:02:12.500
 when there was different people with one mission was tremendous.

00:02:14.740 --> 00:02:16.420
 Now, if I were to ask any one of you,

00:02:16.480 --> 00:02:17.620
 or you were to go to any church

00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:20.700
 that is seeking to be active and vibrant,

00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:24.259
 you would hear people say that they want to have an impact.

00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:28.700
 In fact, I would be surprised if there was someone

00:02:28.700 --> 00:02:31.000
 who told me they were uninterested in having an impact.

00:02:31.200 --> 00:02:33.180
 They did not want to have any impact.

00:02:33.180 --> 00:02:36.319
 But there's a problem with impact.

00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:40.420
 As one man has said, impact and opposition go together.

00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:44.180
 Impact and opposition go together.

00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:48.540
 You cannot change something without overcoming a force.

00:02:49.379 --> 00:02:51.580
 Even if this is something destructive, right,

00:02:51.600 --> 00:02:55.379
 you can't change a wall or a building without moving things,

00:02:56.140 --> 00:02:57.740
 without taking things that would oppose you.

00:02:58.600 --> 00:03:00.960
 You cannot rebuild a wall like they're doing here

00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:02.200
 without opposition as well.

00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:05.719
 And so as we see the excitement from chapter 3,

00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:08.260
 the excitement of God's people going out on God's mission,

00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:10.740
 trying to have an impact and rebuild,

00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:13.560
 we should expect nothing less

00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:15.080
 than for them to experience opposition.

00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:17.200
 And that's what we're going to see here in chapter 4.

00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:19.719
 And so the question that we have is,

00:03:19.860 --> 00:03:21.860
 what happens when opposition comes?

00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:24.920
 We know that it's going to happen

00:03:24.920 --> 00:03:26.560
 if we have an impact.

00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:28.659
 We know that we're going to face it

00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:29.719
 if we want an impact.

00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:31.639
 And so how do we prepare?

00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:34.379
 What do we know and do when opposition comes?

00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:38.020
 It's with that that we are in Nehemiah chapter 4.

00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:39.360
 You can turn there with me in your Bibles.

00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:42.340
 It's also printed in the very end of your worship guide.

00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:44.340
 As we come to this chapter,

00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:46.300
 remember that this is God's word.

00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:49.280
 And God tells us in Jeremiah

00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:50.900
 that his word is a hammer

00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:53.079
 that breaks a rock into pieces.

00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:55.140
 In other words,

00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:56.280
 there is no opposition

00:03:56.280 --> 00:03:59.260
 that can stand up against the impact of God's word.

00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:00.680
 And so that's why we turn to it now,

00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:03.380
 starting in Nehemiah chapter 4 in verse 1.

00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:06.760
 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall,

00:04:06.880 --> 00:04:08.760
 he was angry and greatly enraged,

00:04:08.880 --> 00:04:10.160
 and he jeered at the Jews.

00:04:11.160 --> 00:04:12.960
 And he said in the presence of his brothers

00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:14.260
 and of the army of Samaria,

00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:16.759
 what are these feeble Jews doing?

00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:19.420
 Will they restore it for themselves?

00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:21.439
 Will they sacrifice?

00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:24.240
 Will they finish up in a day?

00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:26.719
 Will they revive the stones

00:04:26.719 --> 00:04:27.920
 out of the heaps of rubbish

00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:29.360
 and burned ones at that?

00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:32.480
 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him,

00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:32.939
 and he said,

00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:33.339
 Yes.

00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:34.620
 What are they building?

00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:36.699
 If a fox goes up on it,

00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:38.319
 he will break down their stone wall.

00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:40.100
 Verse 4.

00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:41.860
 Hear, O our God,

00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:42.980
 for we are despised.

00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.579
 Turn back their taunt on their own heads

00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:46.920
 and give them up to be plundered

00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:48.500
 in a land where they are captives.

00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:50.759
 Do not cover their guilt

00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:52.079
 and let not their sin

00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:53.519
 be blotted out from your sight,

00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.680
 for they have provoked you to anger

00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:56.740
 in the presence of the builders.

00:04:58.019 --> 00:04:59.180
 So we built the wall,

00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:01.839
 and all the wall was joined together

00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:03.300
 to half its height,

00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:05.599
 for the people had a mind to work.

00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:07.439
 Verse 7.

00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:09.899
 But when Sanballat and Tobiah

00:05:09.899 --> 00:05:11.439
 and the Arabs and the Ammonites

00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:12.500
 and the Ashdodites

00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:14.519
 heard that the repairing of the walls

00:05:14.519 --> 00:05:15.939
 of Jerusalem was going forward

00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:17.920
 and that the breaches were beginning

00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:18.740
 to be closed,

00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:20.259
 they were very angry.

00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:22.420
 And they all plotted together

00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:24.120
 to come and fight against Jerusalem

00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:25.500
 and to cause confusion in it.

00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:27.540
 And we prayed to our God

00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:28.819
 and set a guard as protection

00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:30.220
 against them day and night.

00:05:31.659 --> 00:05:32.879
 In Judah it was said,

00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:33.920
 the strength of those

00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:35.259
 who bear the burdens is failing.

00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:37.159
 There is too much rubble.

00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:39.899
 By ourselves we will not be able

00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:40.860
 to rebuild the wall.

00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:42.719
 Verse 11.

00:05:43.719 --> 00:05:44.740
 And our enemies said,

00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:46.180
 they will not know or see

00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:47.240
 till we come among them

00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:48.779
 and kill them and stop the work.

00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:51.459
 At that time the Jews

00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:52.319
 who lived near them

00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:53.480
 came from all directions

00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:55.000
 and said to us ten times,

00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:56.620
 you must return to us.

00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:58.959
 So in all the lowest parts

00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:00.339
 of the space behind the wall,

00:06:00.339 --> 00:06:01.679
 in open places,

00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:03.319
 I stationed the people

00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.179
 by their clans

00:06:04.179 --> 00:06:05.000
 with their swords,

00:06:05.179 --> 00:06:05.759
 their spears,

00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:06.419
 and their bows.

00:06:07.299 --> 00:06:08.599
 And I looked and arose

00:06:08.599 --> 00:06:09.560
 and said to the nobles

00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:10.299
 and to the officials

00:06:10.299 --> 00:06:11.479
 and to the rest of the people,

00:06:12.179 --> 00:06:13.259
 do not be afraid of them.

00:06:14.299 --> 00:06:15.259
 Remember the Lord

00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:17.179
 who is great and awesome

00:06:17.179 --> 00:06:19.239
 and fight for your brothers,

00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:20.139
 your sons,

00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:21.019
 your daughters,

00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:21.879
 your wives,

00:06:22.039 --> 00:06:22.939
 and your homes.

00:06:24.159 --> 00:06:25.039
 Verse 15.

00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:27.059
 When our enemies heard

00:06:27.059 --> 00:06:28.159
 that it was known to us

00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:29.479
 and that God had frustrated

00:06:29.479 --> 00:06:30.120
 their plan,

00:06:30.339 --> 00:06:32.000
 we all returned to the wall,

00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.039
 each to his work.

00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:34.779
 From that day on,

00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:35.679
 half of my servants

00:06:35.679 --> 00:06:36.619
 worked on construction

00:06:36.619 --> 00:06:37.959
 and half held the spears,

00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:39.560
 shields, bows,

00:06:39.979 --> 00:06:40.779
 and coats of mail.

00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:43.319
 And the leaders stood behind

00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:44.419
 the whole house of Judah

00:06:44.419 --> 00:06:46.079
 who were building on the wall.

00:06:47.059 --> 00:06:48.259
 Those who carried burdens

00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:49.539
 were loaded in such a way

00:06:49.539 --> 00:06:50.799
 that each labored on the work

00:06:50.799 --> 00:06:51.519
 with one hand

00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.799
 and held his weapon

00:06:52.799 --> 00:06:53.359
 with the other.

00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:54.879
 Verse 18.

00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:56.719
 And each of the builders

00:06:56.719 --> 00:06:57.879
 had his sword strapped

00:06:57.879 --> 00:06:58.459
 at his side

00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.079
 which he built

00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:00.899
 while he built.

00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.420
 The man who sounded

00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:02.839
 the trumpet

00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:03.639
 was beside me.

00:07:04.219 --> 00:07:05.439
 And I said to the nobles

00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:06.219
 and to the officials

00:07:06.219 --> 00:07:07.439
 and to the rest of the people,

00:07:08.219 --> 00:07:09.259
 the work is great

00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:10.259
 and widely spread

00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:11.459
 and we are separated

00:07:11.459 --> 00:07:12.079
 on the wall

00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.480
 far from one another.

00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:14.980
 In the place

00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:15.540
 where you hear

00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:16.500
 the sound of the trumpet

00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:17.519
 rally to us there,

00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:19.560
 our God will fight for us.

00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:21.159
 Verse 21.

00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:23.300
 So he labored at the work

00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:24.020
 and half of them

00:07:24.020 --> 00:07:24.740
 held the spears

00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:25.600
 from the break of dawn

00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:26.740
 until the stars came out.

00:07:27.520 --> 00:07:28.920
 I also said to the people

00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:29.600
 at that time,

00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:31.140
 Let every man

00:07:31.140 --> 00:07:31.740
 and his servants

00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:32.600
 pass the night

00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:33.360
 within Jerusalem

00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:35.020
 that they may be a guard

00:07:35.020 --> 00:07:35.920
 for us by night

00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:37.120
 and may labor by day.

00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:38.900
 So neither I

00:07:38.900 --> 00:07:39.660
 nor my brothers

00:07:39.660 --> 00:07:40.500
 nor my servants

00:07:40.500 --> 00:07:41.660
 nor the men of the guard

00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:42.379
 who followed me,

00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:43.360
 none of us

00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:44.300
 took off our clothes.

00:07:45.080 --> 00:07:46.140
 Each kept his weapon

00:07:46.140 --> 00:07:47.320
 at his right hand.

00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:49.800
 Please pray with me

00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:50.819
 as we come to this portion

00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:51.520
 of God's word.

00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:55.960
 Dear Father in heaven,

00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:56.840
 we thank you

00:07:56.840 --> 00:07:57.480
 that your word

00:07:57.480 --> 00:07:58.319
 is a hammer

00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.360
 that breaks a rock

00:07:59.360 --> 00:07:59.840
 into pieces.

00:08:01.020 --> 00:08:01.720
 We thank you

00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:02.580
 that it's powerful,

00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.960
 brought things to life

00:08:05.960 --> 00:08:06.819
 at the beginning

00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:07.580
 of your creation.

00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.780
 It brings us

00:08:08.780 --> 00:08:09.519
 to life now.

00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:11.180
 And so we ask

00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:12.319
 that you would do that

00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:13.379
 by your spirit

00:08:13.379 --> 00:08:13.879
 this morning.

00:08:14.900 --> 00:08:15.800
 That you would send

00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:16.259
 your spirit

00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.120
 to help us

00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:18.400
 as we hear from you.

00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:19.160
 That you would

00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:20.420
 speak to us

00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:21.340
 things that we can

00:08:21.340 --> 00:08:21.960
 understand

00:08:21.960 --> 00:08:23.320
 and apply

00:08:23.320 --> 00:08:24.120
 and know

00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:25.260
 and love about you.

00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:26.780
 Most of all,

00:08:26.820 --> 00:08:27.680
 we ask that you would

00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:28.580
 cast a spotlight

00:08:28.580 --> 00:08:29.340
 on Jesus

00:08:29.340 --> 00:08:30.620
 so that we could

00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:31.360
 see him as

00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.120
 more beautiful

00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.600
 than anything else.

00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:35.860
 We ask all these things

00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.720
 in the name of your son.

00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:37.700
 Amen.

00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:40.960
 If you remember

00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:41.860
 from chapter 2,

00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:42.740
 that was the first time

00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:43.300
 that we met

00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:43.920
 these opponents

00:08:43.920 --> 00:08:44.580
 of Nehemiah

00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.019
 and I mentioned

00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:45.460
 that we were going

00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.000
 to talk more

00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:46.680
 about them later.

00:08:47.139 --> 00:08:48.139
 Because in chapter 2,

00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:49.019
 all they had to do

00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:51.159
 was question Nehemiah.

00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:51.819
 They were confident

00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:52.559
 that he was not

00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:53.419
 going to succeed.

00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:54.919
 And then if you remember

00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:55.539
 at the very end

00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.000
 of the chapter,

00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:56.759
 they asked him

00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:57.319
 if he was trying

00:08:57.319 --> 00:08:58.519
 to rebel against the king.

00:08:58.620 --> 00:08:59.240
 And he had his

00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:00.179
 famous answer

00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:01.019
 in which he did not

00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:02.039
 actually tell them

00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:02.840
 what they wanted to hear.

00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:03.639
 He did not talk

00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:04.439
 about the king at all

00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:05.179
 but instead said

00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:05.919
 that God was going

00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:06.740
 to fight for them.

00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.080
 Now after chapter 3,

00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:11.159
 with the tremendous

00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:12.679
 building that happened

00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:13.539
 with God's people,

00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:15.519
 we see that as the

00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.899
 impact that they're having

00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.679
 increases, so does

00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:18.299
 the opposition.

00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:20.019
 It was small opposition

00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:20.840
 in chapter 2

00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:21.679
 because Nehemiah

00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:22.860
 had small impact.

00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:24.399
 And now that he's

00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:25.299
 had big impact,

00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.019
 large impact,

00:09:26.079 --> 00:09:27.139
 it is big and large

00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:27.639
 opposition.

00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:29.319
 We start out here

00:09:29.319 --> 00:09:30.000
 with essentially

00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:31.319
 an ancient Near Eastern

00:09:31.319 --> 00:09:32.500
 Twitter thread

00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:34.620
 with the mocking

00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.399
 from these leaders.

00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:37.519
 First of all,

00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:38.360
 in verse 1,

00:09:39.199 --> 00:09:39.919
 they're enraged

00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:40.399
 and jeering.

00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.279
 we can imagine

00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:43.299
 them posting

00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:44.500
 quick,

00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:46.720
 small character

00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.519
 posts about

00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:48.860
 the ridiculousness

00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:49.980
 of these Israelites

00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:50.500
 who are trying

00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:51.299
 to rebuild the wall.

00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.000
 He calls them

00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.100
 feeble in verse 2

00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:55.220
 and then he mocks

00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.019
 them for their

00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:56.439
 spirituality.

00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:57.019
 He says,

00:09:57.220 --> 00:09:58.799
 will they sacrifice?

00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:00.600
 In other words,

00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:01.639
 are they going to use

00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:03.279
 a spiritual solution

00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.399
 to a physical problem?

00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.899
 Don't they understand

00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:06.879
 that this is a wall?

00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:08.779
 These silly Jews.

00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.579
 The resources

00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:11.179
 that they have,

00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.220
 the tools that they have,

00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:13.319
 have nothing to do

00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:13.799
 with the problem

00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:14.459
 that's in front of them.

00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:14.799
 In fact,

00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:15.339
 if you look at

00:10:15.339 --> 00:10:17.059
 chapter 3,

00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:17.539
 they know that

00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:18.199
 they're having

00:10:18.199 --> 00:10:19.639
 priests build the wall.

00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:21.179
 So what are these

00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:21.699
 priests doing?

00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:22.959
 They're just sacrificing,

00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.259
 trying to rebuild.

00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:25.779
 And then the mocking

00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:26.600
 gets even worse

00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:28.179
 with Tobiah the Ammonite.

00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.399
 We can imagine him

00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.879
 posting an animated

00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:31.819
 picture of a fox.

00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.720
 He says,

00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:34.899
 if a fox goes up on it,

00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:35.699
 he will break down

00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:36.539
 their stone wall.

00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:39.839
 And so what starts

00:10:39.839 --> 00:10:40.559
 out with mocking,

00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:40.919
 however,

00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:42.299
 continues to become

00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:43.360
 even worse than that.

00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:45.740
 Because in verse 11,

00:10:45.819 --> 00:10:46.459
 we find out

00:10:46.459 --> 00:10:47.259
 that these enemies

00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:49.079
 are not just making fun

00:10:49.079 --> 00:10:49.759
 of God's people.

00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.559
 They're not just

00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:52.639
 mocking their methods.

00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.279
 They're not just

00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.199
 talking about how foolish

00:10:56.199 --> 00:10:56.539
 they are.

00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:57.100
 They actually have

00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:57.799
 a real plan.

00:10:59.019 --> 00:10:59.779
 And our enemy said,

00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:00.319
 verse 11,

00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:01.259
 they will not know

00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:02.480
 or see till we come

00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:03.639
 among them and kill them

00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.959
 and stop the work.

00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.199
 We saw before that

00:11:07.199 --> 00:11:08.279
 in verse 7 and 8

00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:08.819
 that there was

00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:10.279
 a real plan.

00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:10.799
 They're plotting

00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:11.419
 in verse 8

00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:12.559
 to come together

00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.799
 and fight against Jerusalem

00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.500
 and cause confusion in it.

00:11:17.159 --> 00:11:18.000
 And if this sounds

00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:18.980
 like an idle threat,

00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.559
 this is one of the places

00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:22.639
 where what the Bible

00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.720
 tells us is also

00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.779
 attested to

00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:25.939
 in other ancient documents.

00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:26.699
 And so we know

00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:27.919
 that these leaders

00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:29.039
 were very powerful.

00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:32.500
 This Arab leader

00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.419
 is not just the leader

00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.059
 of one group.

00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:34.860
 He's actually the leader

00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.899
 of multiple tribes.

00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:38.600
 The Ammonites

00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:39.079
 would have been

00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:41.740
 a powerful Jewish family

00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.139
 with great political influence.

00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:44.759
 And Sambalot,

00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.459
 who we've met

00:11:45.459 --> 00:11:46.360
 a couple times before,

00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:46.919
 was the governor

00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:47.539
 of Samaria.

00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:49.620
 Geographically,

00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:50.919
 they would have represented

00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:51.919
 an area that would have

00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:53.120
 surrounded all of Jerusalem.

00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:54.779
 And so these are

00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:56.259
 not just idle,

00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.059
 mocking threats,

00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:57.539
 but these are

00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:58.600
 very powerful

00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.579
 political figures

00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:00.740
 who are coming up

00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.579
 against God's people.

00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:02.220
 It would be

00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.819
 completely understandable

00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:05.140
 for them to be afraid

00:12:05.140 --> 00:12:06.700
 and confused

00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:07.200
 and worried

00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:07.840
 about what was going

00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.240
 to happen.

00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:11.800
 And so what we see first

00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:12.520
 is that God

00:12:12.520 --> 00:12:14.440
 has real enemies.

00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:17.620
 Deciding it as it is

00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.400
 to talk about

00:12:18.400 --> 00:12:19.840
 returning to God's ways

00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:20.620
 and His mission,

00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.660
 if we return

00:12:22.660 --> 00:12:23.500
 to God's ways

00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.040
 and His mission,

00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:25.040
 we are going to get

00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:25.940
 to meet His enemies.

00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.960
 God has real enemies

00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:31.500
 that hate His ways.

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.659
 They want to destroy

00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.340
 His people

00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.279
 and His mission.

00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.600
 That's why 1 Peter

00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.360
 tells us to be

00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.059
 sober-minded

00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:40.200
 because the devil

00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:41.019
 prowls around

00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:42.080
 like a roaring lion

00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:42.779
 seeking someone

00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.360
 to devour.

00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.580
 Now in this chapter here,

00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:49.240
 we see actual death threats.

00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:50.980
 If you are a Christian

00:12:50.980 --> 00:12:51.639
 in certain parts

00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.039
 of the world,

00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.840
 you'll face that.

00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.700
 So this is not unknown

00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.960
 from what Christians

00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.799
 today are facing.

00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.299
 That's not what we face

00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:00.279
 here in the United States.

00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.939
 So the last time

00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:02.459
 I checked,

00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:03.939
 I don't think

00:13:03.939 --> 00:13:05.439
 necessarily killing.

00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:06.079
 We don't see people

00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:06.779
 put in prison.

00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.199
 But we do see

00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.480
 an awful lot

00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.480
 of lies

00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.740
 and we see

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.419
 an awful lot

00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:13.000
 of lawsuits.

00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.500
 We see lies

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.059
 and lawsuits

00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:17.860
 in the U.S.

00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.899
 We see people

00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:22.579
 on both ends

00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:23.579
 of the political spectrum

00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:24.399
 who are opposed

00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.459
 to God and His ways,

00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.240
 who are enemies

00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:26.799
 of God.

00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.539
 We see people

00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.740
 who oppress the poor.

00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.579
 which is a group

00:13:31.579 --> 00:13:32.480
 that God loves.

00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:34.519
 We see groups

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.079
 that are fighting

00:13:35.079 --> 00:13:37.279
 to devalue human life,

00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.980
 which God says

00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.120
 was made in His image.

00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.919
 We see groups

00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.720
 that are seeking

00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:45.159
 to divide people

00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.339
 along racial lines

00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:48.199
 when it was God

00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:49.519
 who made the nations.

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:49.620
 Christians.

00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:52.259
 We see groups

00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.740
 that are looking

00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.639
 to distort

00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.319
 and destroy marriage,

00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:56.199
 which God gave

00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:57.159
 as one of His greatest

00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.659
 gifts to humanity.

00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.019
 And then we just see

00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:01.759
 people who are

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.679
 spreading lies

00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:03.500
 about God

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.059
 and His people.

00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.000
 Not speaking

00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.600
 what is true,

00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.319
 but instead

00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:11.299
 making up stories

00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.779
 about what's

00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.620
 actually going on.

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:15.500
 And so I said

00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.220
 at the beginning

00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.279
 as I say every Sunday

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.919
 that there is

00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:19.019
 no one so good

00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:19.519
 they don't need

00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.060
 God's grace

00:14:20.060 --> 00:14:20.860
 and no one so bad

00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.560
 they can't have it.

00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:23.360
 But the harsh reality

00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.560
 is that while there is

00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:25.399
 no one so bad

00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:26.460
 they can't have

00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.000
 God's grace.

00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.799
 There are many people

00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.860
 who are not open to it.

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.419
 Martin Luther

00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:34.080
 had a friend of his,

00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.139
 his barber asked him

00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.360
 for advice about prayer.

00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.240
 This man wasn't sure

00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.899
 where to start

00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.700
 and so he knew

00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.940
 Martin Luther was a theologian

00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.299
 and he said

00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.100
 I really want some help.

00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.700
 I need some help

00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:43.440
 praying to God.

00:14:43.540 --> 00:14:44.220
 And so Martin Luther

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:46.580
 wrote something

00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:46.960
 that's become

00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.680
 very famous now

00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:48.540
 called A Simple Way

00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:48.980
 to Pray

00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.980
 which was something

00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.340
 he wrote.

00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:52.720
 He prays that God

00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.720
 would convert people

00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:54.360
 who are open

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.100
 to His grace

00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.740
 but he would also

00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.379
 restrain

00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.080
 and it might be

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:59.480
 divisive or destructive.

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.300
 And so as we offer

00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:03.480
 God's grace to everyone

00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.300
 we're fighting against

00:15:04.300 --> 00:15:05.259
 God and His ways.

00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.060
 And so what happens

00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.840
 when God's enemies

00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.720
 show up?

00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:14.580
 First of all

00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:15.420
 we see what's

00:15:15.420 --> 00:15:16.340
 completely natural

00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.159
 among God's people

00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:17.860
 that there's great

00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:19.000
 discouragement and fear.

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.320
 In verse 10

00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:24.720
 they decide

00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.500
 that they're actually

00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.259
 not going to be able

00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.879
 to do this.

00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.960
 They say by ourselves

00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.860
 we will not be able

00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.720
 to rebuild the wall.

00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.560
 And in a sense

00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:34.040
 they're right.

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.019
 By themselves

00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.620
 they're not going

00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.259
 to be able to.

00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.160
 But then they don't

00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:40.360
 just face discouragement

00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.840
 they face criticism

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.820
 from their own people.

00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.220
 There are other Jews

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:44.840
 who are watching

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.700
 what's going on

00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.419
 and they believe

00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.919
 that this is too dangerous

00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.560
 to continue.

00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:50.120
 And so in verse 12

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:52.419
 the Jews who lived

00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:52.840
 near them

00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.899
 came from all directions

00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.639
 and said to us

00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.320
 not just once

00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:55.980
 how many times?

00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:59.259
 They said ten times

00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.940
 you must return to us.

00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:05.240
 And so when we face

00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.840
 God's enemies

00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.460
 when we meet

00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.160
 God's enemies

00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:10.360
 discouragement is real.

00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.820
 We'll be tempted

00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:13.700
 to believe

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.500
 that we are not

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.440
 powerful enough

00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.320
 to face

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:16.900
 what's been brought

00:16:16.900 --> 00:16:17.580
 against us.

00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.280
 We will believe

00:16:19.280 --> 00:16:19.940
 and be tempted

00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.860
 to believe that

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.380
 the best thing

00:16:22.380 --> 00:16:22.780
 we can do

00:16:22.780 --> 00:16:23.280
 is retreat

00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:23.960
 and give up.

00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.380
 The devil has

00:16:28.380 --> 00:16:29.320
 different strategies.

00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:31.100
 C.S. Lewis

00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.560
 is famous

00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.220
 for talking about

00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:32.440
 these

00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.340
 in his Mere Christianity.

00:16:33.520 --> 00:16:34.240
 One of his strategies

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.900
 is to do

00:16:34.900 --> 00:16:35.840
 what we talked

00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:36.500
 about last week

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.379
 to convince people

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.200
 that there is

00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.180
 nothing more important

00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.020
 than their comforts

00:16:40.020 --> 00:16:40.640
 and their convenience.

00:16:41.760 --> 00:16:42.360
 That's one of

00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.200
 our enemy's

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:44.340
 most effective strategies

00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.100
 in North America.

00:16:46.260 --> 00:16:47.420
 But when that strategy

00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:48.100
 doesn't work

00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.900
 the other strategy

00:16:49.900 --> 00:16:50.540
 is to resort

00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:51.480
 to all out war.

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.200
 And so when God's

00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.220
 people had overcome

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.640
 the temptation

00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:57.900
 to go after

00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.720
 their own ways

00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.399
 and comforts

00:16:59.399 --> 00:16:59.899
 and preferences

00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.779
 in chapter 3

00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:01.799
 the enemy

00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:02.179
 is left

00:17:02.179 --> 00:17:03.120
 with only one option

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.400
 and that's this

00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.920
 to come at them

00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.519
 with tremendous

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.139
 opposition.

00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:11.539
 In the mini-series

00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.920
 Band of Brothers

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.539
 which follows

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.559
 a company

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.379
 of paratroopers

00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.279
 involved in D-Day

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.079
 there's a scene

00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.700
 near the end

00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.180
 where Lieutenant

00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:19.799
 Dick Winters

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.660
 is with his people

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.599
 it's the Battle

00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:22.240
 of the Bulge

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.339
 and as they show up

00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:23.720
 they meet

00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.420
 all these soldiers

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.299
 who are coming back

00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.119
 from the front lines.

00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.859
 They know that

00:17:27.859 --> 00:17:28.639
 they need ammunition

00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.279
 so if you know

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.599
 this scene

00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.139
 this is the one

00:17:30.139 --> 00:17:30.739
 where they're

00:17:30.739 --> 00:17:31.479
 trying to

00:17:31.479 --> 00:17:33.079
 easy companies

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.699
 trying to take

00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:34.259
 the ammunition

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.659
 that these

00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.359
 retreating soldiers

00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:35.679
 have

00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:36.199
 because they need

00:17:36.199 --> 00:17:37.019
 as much as they can.

00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:38.699
 And as they

00:17:38.699 --> 00:17:39.579
 go back

00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:41.019
 and they're passed

00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.659
 by all these men

00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:42.579
 one man stops

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.319
 to talk to

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:43.799
 Dick Winters

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.599
 and he says this

00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:47.239
 it looks like

00:17:47.239 --> 00:17:47.899
 you guys are going

00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:48.559
 to be surrounded

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:52.000
 and without

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.799
 missing a beat

00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.439
 and with a

00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.319
 straight face

00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.000
 and a monotone

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.979
 Dick simply says

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:58.640
 we're paratroopers

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.039
 Lieutenant

00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:01.420
 we are supposed

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.380
 to be surrounded

00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:08.200
 as we follow

00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.640
 God

00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:10.940
 and return

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.559
 from sin

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.319
 to everything

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.880
 that he's called

00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.240
 us to

00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:17.339
 we are supposed

00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:18.220
 to be surrounded

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:22.279
 if we are not

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:23.460
 facing opposition

00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:25.759
 then we are not

00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.779
 having any impact

00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:29.220
 and so rather

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:29.740
 than being

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.460
 discouraged

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:32.220
 we should not

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.940
 be surprised

00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.500
 it's naive

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.140
 to believe

00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:35.940
 that we can go

00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.840
 on God's mission

00:18:36.840 --> 00:18:37.319
 with him

00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.200
 and not face

00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:39.640
 great opposition

00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:41.360
 it's naive

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.000
 to believe

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.620
 that we can go

00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:43.340
 on God's mission

00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:43.980
 and not face

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.680
 discouragement

00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:48.440
 and so as we

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.480
 know that we're

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:49.940
 going to be

00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.340
 surrounded

00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:52.140
 as we know

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.500
 that we're going

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.920
 to face

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:53.500
 God's enemies

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.100
 coming up

00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:54.820
 against us

00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:57.840
 what can we

00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.120
 do

00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.900
 to have the

00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.320
 strength

00:19:00.320 --> 00:19:01.080
 and courage

00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:01.740
 to keep

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.039
 moving

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:06.100
 we see two

00:19:06.100 --> 00:19:06.680
 things that

00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.480
 Nehemiah leads

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.200
 his people in

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.299
 first

00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.420
 they pray

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:12.620
 this is the

00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.100
 same thing we

00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:13.640
 saw in chapter

00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:14.480
 two that prayer

00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:15.060
 and action

00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:15.940
 go together

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.600
 and so in

00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.080
 verse four

00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:18.580
 after this

00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:19.440
 mocking happens

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.259
 the very first

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.779
 thing they do

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.320
 is cry out

00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:21.759
 to God

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.000
 hear oh our

00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.580
 God for we

00:19:23.580 --> 00:19:24.320
 are despised

00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:25.940
 turn back

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.440
 their taunt

00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:26.960
 on their own

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.400
 heads and

00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:27.800
 give them up

00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.380
 to be plundered

00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.920
 in a land

00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.320
 where they are

00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:29.800
 captives

00:19:29.800 --> 00:19:32.380
 if this sounds

00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:32.800
 harsh

00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:34.800
 remember two

00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:35.080
 things

00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:35.460
 first

00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.259
 Nehemiah is

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.740
 not taking

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.400
 justice into

00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:37.759
 his own

00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.080
 hands

00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.599
 he's not

00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.240
 attacking these

00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.579
 people

00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.659
 he's not

00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.399
 taking a role

00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:42.919
 that belongs

00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:43.359
 to God

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.720
 and giving

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.279
 it to himself

00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.859
 instead he's

00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.480
 calling out

00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:46.199
 for God

00:19:46.199 --> 00:19:46.639
 to do what

00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.179
 God always

00:19:47.179 --> 00:19:47.679
 does to be

00:19:47.679 --> 00:19:48.159
 a great

00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:48.519
 and good

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:48.919
 judge

00:19:48.919 --> 00:19:51.259
 and second

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.759
 of all he

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.319
 is asking

00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.799
 here for

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.799
 God to do

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.099
 to these

00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.579
 people what

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:55.879
 he has

00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.539
 already done

00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:56.879
 to his

00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.480
 own people

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:59.259
 remember that

00:19:59.259 --> 00:19:59.779
 Israel is

00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.480
 returning now

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.179
 from exile

00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:02.759
 and being

00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.159
 in exile

00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:04.259
 meant that

00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.059
 they had

00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.720
 been plundered

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.319
 and been in

00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:06.740
 a land where

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:06.980
 they were

00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.439
 captives

00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:09.279
 and so

00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.160
 Nehemiah and

00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:10.519
 his people

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.039
 are crying

00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.580
 out to God

00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:12.000
 for justice

00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.440
 saying when

00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.039
 we turned

00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.500
 away from

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.080
 your ways

00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:15.480
 you took

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:15.840
 us into

00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.420
 exile and

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:16.700
 you let

00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.039
 us be

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.460
 plundered

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.440
 will you

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:18.960
 not at

00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.460
 least do

00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:19.880
 as much

00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.180
 for your

00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:20.519
 enemies

00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:23.279
 it's like

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:23.660
 a child

00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.220
 coming to

00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.700
 a parent

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.140
 saying

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:27.559
 you punished

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.200
 me in such

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.420
 a way

00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.740
 when I

00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.120
 did this

00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.779
 why won't

00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.180
 you punish

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.740
 my sibling

00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:32.600
 why do

00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:34.340
 I not

00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:34.740
 get away

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.059
 with this

00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.340
 but they

00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:35.660
 do

00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.259
 of course

00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.640
 the answer

00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.360
 is you're

00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:38.720
 the oldest

00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:38.920
 they're

00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.300
 the youngest

00:20:39.300 --> 00:20:39.680
 so it's

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.019
 different

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:43.720
 just kidding

00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.480
 but first

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:45.759
 of all

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.519
 they pray

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.759
 they cry

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.000
 out to

00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.180
 God

00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.540
 for his

00:20:48.540 --> 00:20:48.800
 help

00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:52.380
 but they

00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.800
 don't just

00:20:52.800 --> 00:20:53.120
 pray

00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:54.120
 they work

00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:56.160
 just as we

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.779
 saw before

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.340
 prayer and

00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:57.860
 action go

00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.200
 together

00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:00.180
 and so on

00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.519
 the one

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.000
 hand they

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:01.460
 don't just

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:01.900
 work they

00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.340
 don't just

00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:02.920
 put swords

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.220
 in their

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.700
 hands and

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.360
 station guards

00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:04.639
 but they

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:05.240
 also pray

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.839
 and on

00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.139
 the other

00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.539
 hand they

00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.039
 don't just

00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.359
 pray but

00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:09.740
 they also

00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.240
 work in

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.959
 station guards

00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:12.679
 and so

00:21:12.679 --> 00:21:13.240
 before we

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.619
 saw that

00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:13.979
 prayer and

00:21:13.979 --> 00:21:14.459
 action go

00:21:14.459 --> 00:21:15.079
 together in

00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.740
 general when

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.299
 we return to

00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.979
 God's ways

00:21:16.979 --> 00:21:17.919
 and here we

00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:18.539
 see not just

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.259
 in general that

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.519
 they go

00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.740
 together but

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.240
 that they go

00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.359
 together specifically

00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:23.079
 when we face

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.599
 opposition

00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:25.539
 that rather than

00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.240
 give in to

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.919
 discouragement

00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.539
 and fear

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:29.219
 we can cry

00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:29.659
 out to God

00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.259
 for justice

00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.839
 as they do

00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.139
 here

00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:33.560
 and then we

00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:34.120
 can turn back

00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:34.540
 to the work

00:21:34.540 --> 00:21:34.920
 he's given

00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.240
 us

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:40.140
 we don't

00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.720
 turn back

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:42.120
 as an act

00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:43.200
 simply of

00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.860
 blind faith

00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:46.500
 because not

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:47.000
 only do we

00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.720
 pray and we

00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.040
 act

00:21:48.040 --> 00:21:50.080
 but we also

00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:51.060
 know what

00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:51.440
 we've seen

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:51.940
 before in

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.400
 this book

00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.740
 that when we

00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.580
 follow God

00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:56.380
 when we are

00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.200
 pursuing him

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.500
 and his

00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:57.780
 kingdom

00:21:57.780 --> 00:21:58.240
 when we are

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:58.820
 looking to

00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.880
 bring God's

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.520
 kingdom here

00:22:00.520 --> 00:22:00.920
 on earth

00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.519
 just as it

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.060
 is in heaven

00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:03.620
 God's very

00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.620
 presence is

00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.360
 with us

00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:07.860
 Nehemiah

00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.320
 does not

00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:08.880
 just pray

00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.259
 but he

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.120
 reminds people

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:11.060
 in verse 14

00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:12.900
 that as they

00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.700
 face God's

00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.039
 enemies

00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.720
 God and his

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.360
 character are

00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:16.380
 much much

00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:16.740
 greater

00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.500
 and I

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:18.920
 looked and

00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.460
 arose and

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:19.840
 said to the

00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.340
 nobles and

00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:20.840
 to the officials

00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:21.300
 and to the

00:22:21.300 --> 00:22:21.720
 rest of the

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.320
 people do

00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:23.000
 not be afraid

00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.380
 of them

00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.900
 remember the

00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.500
 Lord who

00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.160
 is great

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.300
 and awesome

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:31.200
 we're not

00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.740
 just praying

00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.319
 and acting

00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:34.659
 but as we

00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.180
 face

00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:37.259
 vicious dogs

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.259
 coming after

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.599
 us

00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:40.519
 we know that

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:40.960
 God has

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.319
 them on a

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:41.539
 leash

00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:45.259
 and as we

00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.919
 face opposition

00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.579
 we know that

00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.099
 we don't do

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.559
 it alone

00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.980
 but God's

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.519
 power and

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.019
 his presence

00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.919
 are with us

00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.659
 because that

00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:52.099
 is what he's

00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.460
 promised

00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.940
 and so

00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.259
 that's the

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.799
 same thing

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.319
 we see

00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.920
 in verse 20

00:22:56.920 --> 00:23:00.039
 in the place

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.819
 where you hear

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.319
 the sound of

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:01.660
 the trumpet

00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.440
 rally to us

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:02.720
 there

00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:04.480
 our God

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.640
 will fight

00:23:05.640 --> 00:23:06.180
 for us

00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:09.000
 this is not

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.539
 blind faith

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.039
 that he says

00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.480
 because he's

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.000
 already seen

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.860
 it in verse 15

00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.500
 when our enemies

00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.000
 heard that it

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.500
 was known to

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.940
 us and that

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.299
 God had

00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:14.740
 frustrated

00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.579
 their plan

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:19.019
 God's

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.319
 presence

00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.680
 with his

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.180
 people is

00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.740
 not just a

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.340
 pie in the

00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.059
 sky presence

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.359
 it's not

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.679
 just a

00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:24.319
 hallmark card

00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.919
 encouragement

00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.440
 but it is

00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.440
 real intervention

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:29.539
 God does

00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:29.960
 not take

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.759
 away opposition

00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.259
 from his

00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.579
 people

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:33.859
 but he is

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.359
 there with

00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.419
 them as

00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:35.740
 we go

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.200
 through it

00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.599
 and when we

00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:39.220
 know that he

00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.039
 is great and

00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.659
 powerful

00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:42.299
 it puts

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:43.000
 everything else

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.919
 in perspective

00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:47.460
 if you are

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:49.179
 a Star Wars

00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:49.659
 fan you're

00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:50.200
 familiar with

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.259
 the first

00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.859
 scene of a

00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.319
 new hope

00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:54.279
 Luke is

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:54.699
 in the

00:23:54.699 --> 00:23:55.539
 Death Star

00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.000
 trench

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.899
 and he's

00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.240
 trying to

00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.599
 save the

00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:57.959
 rebellion

00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:59.740
 he's being

00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.279
 chased by

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.859
 Darth Vader

00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.259
 however

00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.599
 and it

00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.059
 seems that

00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:03.479
 all hope

00:24:03.479 --> 00:24:03.799
 is going

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.219
 to be

00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:04.619
 quickly

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.059
 lost

00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:06.000
 Darth Vader

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.459
 is flying

00:24:06.459 --> 00:24:07.079
 behind him

00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.679
 he's already

00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.259
 taken out

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.679
 many of the

00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.319
 rebel fighters

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.259
 there's not

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.659
 much hope

00:24:10.659 --> 00:24:11.039
 left

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:13.240
 and then

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.599
 out of

00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:13.959
 nowhere

00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:14.619
 Han Solo

00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.379
 shows up

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:17.179
 in the

00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:18.000
 Millennium Falcon

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:21.200
 Han Solo

00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:21.920
 takes out

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.819
 everyone who

00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.240
 is helping

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.819
 Darth Vader

00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:25.299
 and sends

00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.799
 Darth Vader

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.079
 and his

00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.400
 ships

00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.960
 careening

00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.400
 off

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.940
 into space

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:32.319
 and so

00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.799
 as Luke

00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.660
 pulls out

00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.900
 Han Solo

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.319
 tells him

00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.619
 you're all

00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.400
 clear kid

00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:38.779
 let's blow

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.220
 this thing

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.500
 and go

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:39.779
 home

00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:43.640
 when we

00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.400
 face God's

00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:44.700
 enemies

00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:46.039
 we are

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.980
 facing real

00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.360
 evil

00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:51.340
 but God

00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:54.039
 is great

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.840
 and awesome

00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:57.340
 and so

00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:58.160
 his power

00:24:58.160 --> 00:25:01.900
 is more

00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.500
 devastating

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.299
 it is more

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.740
 secure

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.000
 it is more

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.580
 reliable

00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:08.200
 than anything

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.940
 that our

00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:09.720
 enemies have

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.500
 to offer

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:15.099
 now we've

00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.619
 talked about

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.660
 God and

00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.140
 his enemies

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:17.619
 the fact

00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.480
 that we

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:18.839
 will meet

00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.099
 them

00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:21.339
 that they

00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.039
 oppose us

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:24.599
 but the

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.559
 hard truth

00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.200
 is that

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:27.779
 we

00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.539
 if we

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.920
 are in

00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.220
 Christ

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.460
 if we

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.920
 are following

00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:31.519
 after Jesus

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.160
 we're once

00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:32.779
 God's

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.059
 enemies

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:36.039
 and if we

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.099
 are not

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.539
 a Christian

00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:37.980
 if we have

00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.720
 questions or

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.259
 doubts or

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.900
 objections to

00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.339
 Christianity

00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:40.759
 we are

00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.119
 still

00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.439
 enemies

00:25:41.439 --> 00:25:41.959
 of God

00:25:41.959 --> 00:25:45.279
 and so

00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.839
 the story

00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.179
 and the

00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:46.639
 hope that

00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.039
 we hold

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.720
 out is

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.319
 not that

00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.779
 we are

00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.099
 the good

00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.500
 guys

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.500
 fighting

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:51.799
 against

00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.119
 the bad

00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:52.459
 guys

00:25:52.459 --> 00:25:54.240
 it is

00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:54.599
 not that

00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:54.919
 we are

00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:55.240
 somehow

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.720
 better

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.119
 than everyone

00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.679
 else around

00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.019
 us

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.119
 it's not

00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.439
 that we're

00:25:59.439 --> 00:25:59.859
 smarter

00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.980
 that we

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.399
 understand

00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:01.759
 God's

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.079
 ways

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:04.500
 we're

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.879
 able to

00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.359
 face

00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.759
 God's

00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.059
 enemies

00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:07.899
 we're

00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.339
 able to

00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:08.799
 know his

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.119
 greatness

00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.500
 and his

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.859
 power

00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.959
 enemies

00:26:10.959 --> 00:26:11.439
 because God

00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:11.699
 is the

00:26:11.699 --> 00:26:12.059
 one who

00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.599
 has taken

00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.179
 his enemies

00:26:13.179 --> 00:26:14.959
 and made

00:26:14.959 --> 00:26:15.299
 them his

00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.639
 friends

00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:18.079
 it's because

00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.559
 of Jesus

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.179
 death

00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:20.339
 that he

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:20.919
 took the

00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.279
 punishment

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.619
 that we

00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.059
 deserve

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.839
 that he

00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.359
 justified

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.899
 us as we

00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.359
 talked about

00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:24.839
 earlier in

00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.379
 this service

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:27.719
 his presence

00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:28.240
 is with us

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.679
 not because

00:26:28.679 --> 00:26:29.240
 we are good

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.799
 people but

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.439
 because Jesus

00:26:30.439 --> 00:26:31.199
 was willing

00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:33.699
 to let his

00:26:33.699 --> 00:26:34.359
 enemies crush

00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:34.619
 him

00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:37.719
 and so

00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:37.979
 when we

00:26:37.979 --> 00:26:38.719
 face God's

00:26:38.719 --> 00:26:38.979
 enemies

00:26:38.979 --> 00:26:39.500
 we do

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:39.739
 it

00:26:39.739 --> 00:26:42.699
 because God

00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:44.019
 wins against

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.500
 his enemies

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.039
 for us

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.539
 because he

00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.019
 was willing

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.539
 to let

00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.339
 God's

00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.500
 enemy

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:47.879
 crush

00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.099
 him

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:50.599
 and so

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:50.819
 as we

00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.239
 talk about

00:26:51.239 --> 00:26:51.739
 the gospel

00:26:51.739 --> 00:26:52.739
 as good

00:26:52.739 --> 00:26:52.979
 news

00:26:52.979 --> 00:26:53.419
 it's not

00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:53.919
 good news

00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:54.279
 that we

00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.439
 are asking

00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:55.939
 other people

00:26:55.939 --> 00:26:56.599
 to be good

00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.059
 like we're

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.319
 good

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:59.679
 but it's

00:26:59.679 --> 00:26:59.979
 the good

00:26:59.979 --> 00:27:00.419
 news that

00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:01.000
 no one is

00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.199
 good

00:27:01.199 --> 00:27:01.859
 only Jesus

00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.339
 is good

00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.779
 and so

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.079
 God's

00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.399
 presence

00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:04.699
 and his

00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.019
 power

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.500
 are with

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.839
 us

00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:07.119
 because

00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.319
 not because

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.679
 we are

00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.099
 better than

00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.439
 others

00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:12.119
 but because

00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.919
 God chose

00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:13.579
 through Christ

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.039
 to make

00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.559
 his enemies

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.179
 his people

00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:16.699
 and so

00:27:16.699 --> 00:27:17.339
 that's why

00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.299
 Paul tells

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.579
 us in

00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.099
 Romans chapter

00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.779
 5 that

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.339
 it was

00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.879
 while we

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.579
 were enemies

00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.359
 that Christ

00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.119
 died for us

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:25.119
 and so

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.479
 that's our

00:27:25.479 --> 00:27:25.839
 hope

00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.879
 and our

00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.419
 encouragement

00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:29.019
 it's what

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.459
 we cling

00:27:29.459 --> 00:27:29.740
 to

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.819
 as we

00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.319
 go out

00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:31.799
 on God's

00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.119
 mission

00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:33.779
 because we

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.139
 know that

00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.399
 as we

00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:34.839
 seek to

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.500
 have impact

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.139
 as we

00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:36.740
 follow after

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.119
 Jesus

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:39.220
 it's because

00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:39.599
 of him

00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:39.879
 and his

00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.220
 death

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.559
 that we

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:41.859
 are able

00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.319
 to face

00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.839
 the opposition

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.319
 that comes

00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.899
 against us

00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.919
 and so

00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:45.279
 that's our

00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:45.799
 great hope

00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.500
 and our

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.819
 prayer

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.940
 and our

00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.220
 dream

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:50.000
 please pray

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.839
 with me

00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:54.139
 dear father

00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.480
 in heaven

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:54.779
 we

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.339
 just thank

00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:56.700
 you for

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.339
 the opportunity

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.819
 to belong

00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.259
 to you

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.819
 thank you

00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.099
 that you

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.639
 allow us

00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.160
 to be

00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.759
 a part

00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.040
 of your

00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:03.280
 work

00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:03.520
 and your

00:28:03.520 --> 00:28:03.800
 mission

00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.120
 in this

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.420
 world

00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.720
 we know

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.000
 we don't

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.480
 deserve it

00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:06.900
 we haven't

00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.380
 earned it

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.620
 but you

00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:08.940
 give us

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.340
 the privilege

00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:09.720
 of doing

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:09.940
 it

00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.320
 so we

00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:10.700
 thank you

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.020
 we ask

00:28:11.020 --> 00:28:11.240
 that you

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.540
 would use

00:28:11.540 --> 00:28:11.860
 that to

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.280
 encourage

00:28:12.280 --> 00:28:12.720
 us

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:14.580
 even as

00:28:14.580 --> 00:28:15.100
 we face

00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.660
 obstacles

00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.200
 and enemies

00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.860
 as we

00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.280
 pursue

00:28:17.280 --> 00:28:18.420
 your will

00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:18.660
 and your

00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:18.980
 ways

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.300
 we ask

00:28:20.300 --> 00:28:20.720
 all these

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.140
 things in

00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.360
 the name

00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:21.640
 of your

00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:21.940
 son

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.860
 amen

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:28.339
 you

00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:29.279
 and

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.159
 you

00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:31.059
 you

00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:31.959
 you

00:28:31.959 --> 00:28:34.500
 you

00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:36.219
 you