WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.700 A great section dealing with how God comforts us, how God comforts his people. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:16.240 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:23.379 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:31.099 that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 00:00:32.239 --> 00:00:41.000 A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:46.060 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low. 00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:53.380 The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places are plain, and the glory of the Lord will be revealed, 00:00:54.180 --> 00:00:59.500 and all mankind together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 00:01:00.800 --> 00:01:04.500 A voice says, cry out, and I said, what shall I cry? 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:10.820 All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:16.899 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. 00:01:18.019 --> 00:01:26.839 Surely the people are grass, the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:33.019 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:38.899 You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:41.100 Lift it up, lift it up, do not be afraid. 00:01:41.800 --> 00:01:44.560 Say to the towns of Judah, here is your God. 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:49.800 See, the sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. 00:01:50.600 --> 00:01:55.540 See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 00:01:56.780 --> 00:01:59.180 He tends his flock like a shepherd. 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:05.500 He gathers the lambs in his arms, and carries them close to his heart. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:10.300 He gently leads those that have young. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:17.139 Okay, we are thinking about preparing and waiting. 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:22.159 Preparing for the king of grace. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:28.920 But waiting is very much a feature of this time of year, isn't it? 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:32.459 Waiting for the holidays to come. 00:02:32.799 --> 00:02:35.239 It always feels like a really long term. 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:41.000 If you are unfortunate enough to leave your Christmas shopping till late, 00:02:41.119 --> 00:02:46.459 you will find yourself waiting for a long time in car park queues, and then in shop queues. 00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:53.120 It's a time of waiting for family and friends to gather together for joy and celebration. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:59.620 It's a time of waiting for nativity and carols by candlelight. 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:04.360 Anticipation and waiting can be a wonderful thing. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:11.640 You know, when we talk with our kids about Christmas, I still remember my own excitement. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:16.340 Come Christmas Eve as a kid, waiting for watch night services. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:20.000 We always got to open a present early on Christmas Eve. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:21.640 We always got to watch a Christmas movie. 00:03:22.220 --> 00:03:25.080 The anticipation of Christmas is a really wonderful thing. 00:03:26.100 --> 00:03:29.060 But anticipation and waiting can be a dreadful thing too, can't it? 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:37.159 When time stops, when our thoughts are consumed by that thing that lurks on the horizon, 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:42.800 that bad news perhaps, that difficulty in our relationship and the conversation 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:45.199 that we know we're going to need to have. 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:49.840 How we wait very much depends on what we're waiting for. 00:03:51.099 --> 00:03:56.920 If you were to read the whole of Isaiah, in a sense you see that it's a prophecy 00:03:56.919 --> 00:03:59.839 all about two different kinds of waiting. 00:04:00.899 --> 00:04:05.959 Because for God's people Israel, all the way through this prophecy, 00:04:06.459 --> 00:04:12.019 there is the warning and the stark reality that God's people were to go into exile. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:15.799 They were about to face punishment from the Lord. 00:04:15.799 --> 00:04:20.019 But that wasn't the only kind of waiting they were invited to. 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:23.399 They were also told that God would be faithful. 00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:29.899 That he would return to them and show them grace and bring them back from exile. 00:04:30.039 --> 00:04:33.919 And so they were to wait also with hope and expectation. 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:38.579 And as we see, as we read through Isaiah, we've been thinking about it in the morning 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:45.379 and in the evening, there is this promise that ties in with the coming of Jesus. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:51.399 So 700 years before Jesus came, Isaiah, God through Isaiah, was promising hope. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:54.000 Because Jesus, the King of Grace, was coming. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:05:01.319 But what was true for Israel and what's true for us as well is that only God could transform their waiting. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:07.959 Only God could allow them to anticipate their future with hope instead of fear because of judgment. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:11.759 And this, in a sense, takes us to the heart of the gospel. 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:15.179 And when we think about what's the story of the Bible, 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:19.040 we find there is God and God is our creator. 00:05:19.340 --> 00:05:23.420 And God is to be our Lord and our King. 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:28.720 But we find from the very first human beings till ourselves, 00:05:29.720 --> 00:05:32.460 we are disloyal rebels. 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:35.259 We are seeking revolution. 00:05:35.460 --> 00:05:40.120 We would love to, by ourselves, overthrow God's rights to be King. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:47.459 In all of our hearts, there is that inclination, no King but me, no law but my law. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:52.420 And because that's true, because that sin is at root in our hearts, 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:54.759 what should we be waiting for from God? 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:00.360 We should be waiting for his just judgment to fall, just like the people. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:06.600 We should be waiting for God's judgment, the wages of sin, which are death. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:13.500 Yet, because all of us, by nature, because of our actions, because of our sin nature, 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:15.400 we are guilty before God. 00:06:16.520 --> 00:06:18.720 But the hope of Christmas is this, 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:23.280 that we are invited, because of Jesus, to wait with hope. 00:06:23.760 --> 00:06:29.160 Because God, in his grace, sends Jesus as a gift of his love. 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:32.840 Jesus takes our place, becomes our substitute, 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:36.300 dies as if he were the worst of rebels. 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:40.600 Jesus dies taking the sin of his people, 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:44.680 with the result that, by God's grace, 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:47.660 and through faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:50.520 people like us can be forgiven. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:54.180 People like us can be called children of God. 00:06:54.840 --> 00:06:57.580 People like us can now wait for the future, 00:06:57.960 --> 00:06:59.260 anticipating glory, 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:02.320 instead of destruction. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:06.180 So we're thinking about waiting. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:08.120 Waiting for the promised king. 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:11.599 Let's think together about the message, 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:14.219 the message of comfort. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:15.719 And where does that comfort come? 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:16.639 You know, verse 1, 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.539 comfort my people, 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:19.680 says your God. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:24.180 That comfort comes from the fact that there is promised grace beyond judgment. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:27.879 This text has a context. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.259 In Isaiah chapter 39, 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:33.000 and at verse 5 through 7, 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:35.379 we get the most clear announcement yet, 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:36.040 in the book, 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:37.579 of judgment to come. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:38.879 So let's read that together. 00:07:39.340 --> 00:07:41.079 Isaiah 39 at verse 5, 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.560 Isaiah said to Hezekiah, 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.240 he's the king, 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.439 hear the word of the Lord Almighty. 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:48.599 The time will surely come when everything in your palace 00:07:48.599 --> 00:07:51.079 and all that your fathers have stored up until this day 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:52.919 will be carried off to Babylon. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:54.240 Nothing will be left, 00:07:54.339 --> 00:07:54.919 says the Lord. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.919 And some of your own descendants, 00:07:57.079 --> 00:07:58.139 your own flesh and blood, 00:07:58.479 --> 00:07:59.539 who will be born to you, 00:07:59.579 --> 00:08:00.500 will be taken away, 00:08:00.799 --> 00:08:02.099 and they will become eunuchs 00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:05.240 in the palace of the king of Babylon. 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.159 Judgment is coming in the form of exile. 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:10.299 They're going to be taken away as prisoners to Babylon. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:11.000 For what? 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:13.300 You read the book of Isaiah, 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.879 and you find they were trusting in foreign kings 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:18.379 for their security rather than trusting in God. 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:22.340 You find a catalogue of abuse and injustice 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:24.460 towards the poor and the needy. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:28.000 You find them polluting pure worship, 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:29.860 engaging in idolatry, 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:31.720 engaging in wild living. 00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:34.960 Basically, the judgment was coming 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:37.580 because while they'd been called to be a holy people 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:39.100 and to be a kingdom of priests 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:41.060 and to be a light to the nations, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:45.860 they were absolutely failing in those roles. 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:48.080 They were in covenant with God. 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:50.600 And under the terms of the covenant, 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.740 there was blessings when God's people 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.440 walked in obedience to him, 00:08:54.580 --> 00:08:56.360 but there would be curse 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:58.759 when they walked in disobedience. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:05.519 And so the tone largely of the first 39 chapters of Isaiah 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:08.399 is when it's speaking to Israel directly, 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.220 it's to say, 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:10.419 you've been unfaithful, 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:12.439 yet God says, 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:13.639 I will remain faithful. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:15.779 A remnant will be saved, 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:17.100 not because you deserve it, 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:20.200 but because of my grace. 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:24.580 It's that same theme that Jesus picks up. 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:27.200 We were reading in family worship this morning, 00:09:27.280 --> 00:09:28.960 the story of the prodigal son. 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:31.639 You know, that younger son 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.560 who wanted nothing to do with his dad, 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:34.580 who took his dad's money 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:36.400 and wasted it on wild living. 00:09:37.520 --> 00:09:38.540 Going back home, 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:41.879 not sure what he was going to receive. 00:09:41.920 --> 00:09:42.540 And he got back, 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:43.360 would he be welcomed? 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.639 He didn't really expect so. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:45.520 But his dad, 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:47.220 full of grace and love, 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.879 ran to him and welcomed him 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:49.639 and through a feast 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:52.360 and a celebration for him. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.259 And this is the hope 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:55.480 for Old Testament Israel. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.480 This is the hope for us today 00:09:57.480 --> 00:09:59.399 that there is the promise in Jesus 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:02.139 of grace beyond judgment. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.899 Isaiah chapter 40, 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:06.860 it begins a new section in the book 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:09.259 going all the way through to chapter 55. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:13.240 And the theme is that of comfort 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:16.039 and hope and God's gracious provision. 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:19.079 So to a people about to go into exile, 00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:20.599 waiting for that, 00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:23.419 they're also able to wait with hope. 00:10:23.839 --> 00:10:25.099 Here is their motivation 00:10:25.099 --> 00:10:27.719 for them to trust God 00:10:27.719 --> 00:10:29.299 as they face exile. 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:31.639 Here is their one source of hope 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.519 as their world is about to be turned upside down. 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:39.419 Their hope is in God and his grace. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:41.740 Verse one, 00:10:43.079 --> 00:10:44.959 who is God speaking to there 00:10:44.959 --> 00:10:45.939 when he says, 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:47.860 comfort, comfort my people, 00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:49.179 says your God. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:52.679 He's speaking to three voices 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.860 or three messengers. 00:10:55.059 --> 00:10:57.219 Roddy, they read them for us. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.659 So you see in verse three, 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.199 this is the one we're going to focus on, 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:02.000 a voice of one calling. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:02.919 And he has, 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:04.980 this voice has a message 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:06.819 of comfort and hope. 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:09.120 Verse six to eight, 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:11.139 there is the second voice. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:14.559 And that voice too speaks hope 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.659 that God's word, 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:18.299 God's word of promise will stand. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:21.159 And then verses nine to 11, 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.899 there is this third voice, 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.119 this third message. 00:11:24.219 --> 00:11:25.479 And it too speaks hope 00:11:25.479 --> 00:11:27.799 that your savior king, 00:11:28.119 --> 00:11:30.159 your powerful shepherd king, 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.939 will come. 00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:34.200 So verse one, 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:36.780 God is speaking to these three messengers 00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:37.240 and he's saying, 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:38.380 here's your tone. 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:41.020 Your tone to rebellious, 00:11:41.160 --> 00:11:41.880 disobedient people 00:11:41.880 --> 00:11:43.260 is to be that of comfort, 00:11:43.760 --> 00:11:44.740 of kindness, 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:47.520 of parental care. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:49.340 Verse two, 00:11:49.780 --> 00:11:52.900 speak tenderly to Jerusalem. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:55.780 Use a gentle tone. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.440 Also the idea of persuading the people 00:11:58.440 --> 00:11:59.620 to return, 00:11:59.760 --> 00:12:01.700 to receive this invitation 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:05.520 back to the love of God. 00:12:06.420 --> 00:12:07.900 It's a message of comfort 00:12:07.900 --> 00:12:10.200 and it's to be spoken tenderly 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:13.260 because there is good news here. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.540 Proclaim to her 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:17.880 that her hard service 00:12:17.880 --> 00:12:19.260 has been completed. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.480 So here's the thing, 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:22.360 even before they go into exile, 00:12:23.220 --> 00:12:25.120 so they know in Babylon, 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.620 they're going to face 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.139 conditions of slavery. 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:28.919 There's going to be 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:30.940 hard labor going on there. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.799 But even before that happens, 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:34.019 there is this promise 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:36.019 it will not be the last word. 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:39.299 That time will come to an end 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:42.240 and you will return home. 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:45.320 Proclaim that her hard service 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.159 has been completed, 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.460 that her sin 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:50.120 has been paid for. 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:53.139 This brings to mind 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:55.600 the language of sacrifice, 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.620 that there is an offering 00:12:58.620 --> 00:13:01.399 that will satisfy God's justice 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.620 against their moral 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:05.360 and spiritual guilt. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.299 Proclaim to her 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:08.220 that she has received 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.419 from the Lord's hand 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:12.039 double for all her sins. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:12.720 She's received 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.940 from the Lord's hand. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.720 Again, in the context of sacrifice, 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.879 who is it that sets up 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.039 the sacrificial system? 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:19.500 It's God. 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.539 God says, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:22.019 here is how you are 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.919 to worship me. 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:24.320 Here is how you are 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:26.200 to find a way of forgiveness 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:27.139 and atonement 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.299 for your sins. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:29.960 And God says, 00:13:30.299 --> 00:13:32.240 I will forgive you 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:34.679 and I will welcome you 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:36.139 and I will regard you 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.500 as my own people. 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.679 You will receive double. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.179 God will deal generously 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.740 with you. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.720 So here is a message 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.759 of real comfort 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:47.240 for unfaithful people 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:50.460 if they will turn back to God, 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.220 if they will receive 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:55.039 the grace that he offers. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:57.200 Here in the Old Testament, 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:58.740 we find this wonderful 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:00.340 gospel announcement 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:01.899 that with God, 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.820 there is a grace 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:03.899 that is greater 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.899 than all of our sin. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:09.320 How is that possible? 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.779 Well, remember Isaiah 40 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.480 is part of a bigger section, 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.580 40 to 55. 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:16.280 That section 00:14:16.280 --> 00:14:18.200 climaxes 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:20.360 with the announcement 00:14:20.360 --> 00:14:22.000 of the suffering servant 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.500 of Isaiah 52 and 53 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:26.620 and the hope 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.200 and the joy 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:27.860 that he brings 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:29.320 in 54 and 55. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.560 So the question 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:32.420 for the people 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.780 then was, 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:35.620 who is this suffering servant 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.960 that we are to wait for, 00:14:37.020 --> 00:14:37.780 that we are to pin 00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:38.660 our hopes on? 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.219 And we know 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:41.100 that he is Jesus. 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:43.240 We know that Jesus, 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:45.139 the child in the manger, 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:47.299 is the man on the cross 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.059 at Calvary, 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.219 is the promised 00:14:49.219 --> 00:14:50.139 suffering servant 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.799 that we find 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:51.819 in the book of Isaiah. 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.399 He is the one 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:55.139 who is wounded for us. 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:55.600 He is the one 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.699 who is punished for us. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.079 He is the one 00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:57.639 who is killed 00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.860 for our sin 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.059 and our rebellion. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.740 And it's by his wounds, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:03.799 Isaiah says, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.740 that we are healed. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.899 It's in his death 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.419 that we die 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.579 to the power of sin 00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:10.480 over us. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.459 That we have a new master 00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:14.439 and his name is Jesus. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.799 And in his resurrection life, 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.139 we enjoy true life 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:21.319 and real freedom. 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:24.399 There is comfort 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.840 because there is grace 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.819 beyond judgment. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.179 And because that is true for us, 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:33.179 because we receive grace, 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.860 we are also to be those 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:38.340 who extend grace to others. 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:42.500 One of our favorite TV shows 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.840 is Modern Family. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:45.620 And in Modern Family, 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.659 there is a Christmas episode. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:50.340 The household that is involved 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.759 is the Dunphy family 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:53.580 and the dad is usually 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.700 a bit of a soft touch. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.759 But he decides there comes a point 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:58.480 where he needs to lay down the law. 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:01.240 And so there is this suspicious burn mark 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:02.399 that is found on their couch. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.720 And he presumes one of the kids 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:05.279 has been smoking. 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:07.199 And so he announces to the family, 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.519 this usual soft touch guy, 00:16:08.579 --> 00:16:09.860 he announces Christmas is cancelled. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.559 And he drags the Christmas tree 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.759 out into the garden. 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:15.199 And the whole episode 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:17.319 is about his angst 00:16:17.319 --> 00:16:19.340 because Christmas has been cancelled. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.600 And our family joke, 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.539 we talk about it quite a lot. 00:16:21.579 --> 00:16:22.819 Let's not be the family 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:24.419 that cancels Christmas. 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.620 Let's not be the family 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.699 that's so heavy on judgment 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:29.680 that we forget 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:31.540 to show grace 00:16:31.540 --> 00:16:33.020 to our children, 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.340 to the people 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:35.820 in our family, 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:37.140 in our neighborhood. 00:16:37.140 --> 00:16:39.540 Because we have received grace, 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.560 we are to spread 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:42.620 the grace of God 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.759 to others. 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.980 What do we do 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.480 with the mistakes 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:48.920 and failures of others? 00:16:49.540 --> 00:16:51.540 Are we quick to jump on them? 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.440 To judge and criticize? 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.259 Do we keep bringing up 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.100 those mistakes 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.279 so we never move past 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.259 and we don't allow others 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.100 to move past? 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.120 Or do we choose to remember 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.039 that love covers 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:05.200 over a multitude of sins? 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:09.240 This extension of grace 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.319 is a great way 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.660 to be counter-cultural 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:13.859 in a really positive way. 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.839 In a world where people 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.839 are quick to jump to, 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:18.079 these are my rights 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.019 that I demand. 00:17:20.119 --> 00:17:21.379 In a world that's really quick 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.279 to say that person 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.839 should pay for that offense 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.579 or for that wrong, 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:26.220 we can dazzle 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:28.059 with the grace of God 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.799 that we find 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.299 in Jesus Christ. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.519 So there is comfort here 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:35.059 because there is this promise 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:37.619 of grace beyond judgment. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.659 Let's think now 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.939 about this messenger 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:43.980 in verses 3 to 5. 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.960 What's his message? 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.039 His message is 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.039 prepare 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.619 because the king of glory 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:50.879 and grace 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:52.179 is coming. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:54.700 Let's read those verses. 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.320 A voice of one calling 00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:57.700 in the desert, 00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.900 prepare the way 00:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.580 for the Lord. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.600 Make straight 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:01.440 in the wilderness 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.160 a highway 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:03.060 for our God. 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.580 Every valley 00:18:04.580 --> 00:18:05.640 shall be raised up, 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.440 every mountain 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:07.620 and hill made low. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.039 The rough ground 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.000 shall become level, 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.860 the rugged places 00:18:11.860 --> 00:18:13.180 a plain. 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.380 And the glory 00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:14.860 of the Lord 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.720 will be revealed 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:17.460 and all mankind 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.880 together will see it 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:19.519 for the mouth 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.140 of the Lord 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.279 has spoken. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.619 Here's the picture. 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:23.680 It's the picture 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:25.240 of a royal procession 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.819 that's on the move. 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.220 And when royalty 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:29.160 was on the move 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.700 in this day 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.559 then the route 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.920 had to be made ready. 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.039 You had to do your best 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.240 to level the ground 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.019 so when the king 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.559 went through 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.220 and his horses 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:39.240 he had smooth passage. 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.859 That was still 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:41.500 the thinking 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.720 when Jesus 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.599 on his donkey 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.220 made his 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.859 triumphal entry 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.660 into Jerusalem. 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.480 What did the crowds 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.460 do for their king? 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.720 They put their cloaks 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.759 and their palm branches 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.660 on the ground 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:55.400 to make the way smooth 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:58.240 because royalty 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.840 was coming. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:01.940 On a much lesser level 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.600 I used to work 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:06.120 as a school boy 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.880 and then as a student 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:07.579 in the co-op 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.240 in Port Tree 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:10.140 and one summer 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:12.359 the national boss 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.160 of the co-op 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.759 was coming 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.259 all the way 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:15.140 from Manchester 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:17.299 to visit our store. 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.120 And so what came next 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:20.099 was a frenzy 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.740 of just ridiculous 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.960 artificial activity. 00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:23.559 So there was loads 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.299 of repainting 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.019 that was done 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:26.640 loads of cleaning 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.480 we all had to do 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.160 extra hours 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.700 to make sure 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.599 all the stuff 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.180 on the shelves 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.880 was like nice 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.019 and straightened up 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.160 for those few minutes 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.759 when he'd come 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.539 and have a quick chat 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.059 and disappear 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.599 and it was all 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.879 to really 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.679 no much purpose 00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:39.259 at all. 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.339 But somebody 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:41.119 really important 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.659 was coming 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.799 and so we had 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.419 to prepare 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:44.399 the way. 00:19:45.679 --> 00:19:46.339 Someone important 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.579 is coming here 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.960 and so it's time 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.059 to prepare. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.119 The road must be 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.519 straight and smooth 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.740 and free 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.899 of obstacles. 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.500 It's a way 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:55.859 of saying 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.980 this king 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:57.740 this king 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.240 that Isaiah 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.720 has been told 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.259 to speak about 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.039 he's coming 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.639 he'll come quickly 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.679 he won't be 00:20:02.679 --> 00:20:03.659 delayed. 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.240 So the question 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.820 for us again 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:06.420 is which king 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:07.019 is coming? 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.640 Who are we 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:10.160 preparing for? 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.440 As Isaiah 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.660 brings this message 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:15.259 who's coming 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.800 verse 3 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:16.960 prepare the way 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:19.160 for the Lord. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.519 The personal 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.340 powerful 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.420 covenant making 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:23.880 God 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.500 is coming 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:27.279 for his people. 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.340 This is 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:28.940 verse 3 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:30.120 God's 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.900 highway. 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.400 He is on 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:33.019 his way 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.519 to bring 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.079 grace 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.619 beyond 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.139 judgment 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:35.599 and he 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.400 will not 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.259 be stopped. 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.680 This will 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.599 be a 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.240 powerful 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.500 revelation. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:43.559 Verse 5 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.299 the glory 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.299 of the Lord 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.359 will 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:47.319 be revealed 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:49.359 because 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.139 whenever God 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.619 is acting 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.160 to save 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.539 people 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.940 we inevitably 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.779 see his 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.200 glory. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.339 You think 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.660 about it 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.000 through the 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.299 Bible. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.839 You think 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.619 about how 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.660 God saved 00:20:58.660 --> 00:21:00.099 Noah 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:01.019 and he 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.439 receives 00:21:01.439 --> 00:21:01.919 glory 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.240 for 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.039 providing 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.359 for 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.659 Noah 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:04.559 in the 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:04.959 ark. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.339 God 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.000 gets glory 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.319 for the 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.639 way he 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.240 rescues 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.819 his people 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:10.139 from slavery 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:10.599 in Egypt 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.039 because he 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.740 delivers those 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.219 plagues 00:21:12.219 --> 00:21:12.480 and he 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.279 opens the 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:13.740 Red Sea 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.319 so Israel 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.179 can travel 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:15.619 through 00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.699 safely. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.039 So often 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.500 in the Old 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:18.859 Testament 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:19.740 God gets 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:20.399 glory for 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:20.980 saving his 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.719 people because 00:21:21.719 --> 00:21:22.899 he fights 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.559 the battles 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.439 for them. 00:21:24.959 --> 00:21:25.319 The people 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.159 wait and 00:21:26.159 --> 00:21:26.759 see the 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.419 deliverance 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:28.039 of God 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.700 and when 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.900 God comes 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.460 in human 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.320 form as 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:33.120 the Lord 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.880 Jesus Christ 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.320 he gets 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:36.240 glory as 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.700 he dies 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.080 for our 00:21:37.080 --> 00:21:37.400 sin on 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.960 the cross. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.440 That's what 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.220 Jesus prayed 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.640 for. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.120 That he 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.460 would be 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.120 glorified, 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:43.940 that his 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.880 father would 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:45.740 be glorified 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.860 and there 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.640 is glory 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.519 there as 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.519 he accomplishes 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.180 the plan of 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.720 salvation, 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.880 as he opens 00:21:51.880 --> 00:21:53.060 the way for 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:53.480 men and 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:53.680 women, 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.200 boys and 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.400 girls, 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.820 back to 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.279 God. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.980 There is 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:59.420 glory whenever 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.200 any of us 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:00.779 individually 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:02.440 come to 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.240 faith in 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.539 the Lord 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:03.840 Jesus. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.400 He's worked 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.980 the miracle 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.980 of grace 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.500 and glory 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:06.840 in our 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:07.440 hearts. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.000 There is 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.720 the glory 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.740 that comes 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.360 because the 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.519 Lord is 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.740 present. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:15.539 Here's 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.080 another way 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:17.660 of Isaiah 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:19.100 saying prepare 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:20.840 for Emmanuel, 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.380 prepare for 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:23.259 God to be 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:23.920 with you, 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:25.160 God in 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.220 his glory 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.220 to be 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:27.940 with you. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.539 And notice 00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:29.960 that this 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.640 won't just 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.400 be for a 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:31.740 few. 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.799 Remember the 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.620 extent of 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.039 God's 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.500 generous 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:35.980 grace. 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.380 This isn't 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.059 now just 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.279 for a 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.680 remnant, 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.360 a small 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.180 portion of 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.620 Israel. 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.940 When this 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.000 king comes, 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.759 when this 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.180 king of 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.839 glory and 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.460 grace is 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.860 revealed, 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.039 verse 5, 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.079 all mankind 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:51.100 together will 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.720 see it. 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.180 Jesus and 00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:53.839 his glory is 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.299 to stand 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.699 as a 00:22:54.699 --> 00:22:55.599 universal 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:57.019 revelation 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.720 of God's 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.619 grace for 00:22:58.619 --> 00:23:00.019 the world. 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.559 So this 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.059 king is 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.559 coming. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.619 We are 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.439 invited to 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.559 prepare and 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.079 this visit 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.899 is certain. 00:23:08.699 --> 00:23:09.319 Verse 5, 00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:10.319 the mouth 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.919 of the 00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:12.220 Lord has 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.439 spoken. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:17.500 So this 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.380 voice that 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.380 speaks tender 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.840 comfort is 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.580 saying to 00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:22.299 people about 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.920 to go into 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.460 exile, 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.559 people living 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.759 in moral 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.600 and spiritual 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.120 darkness, 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:27.900 saying God 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.820 himself is 00:23:28.820 --> 00:23:29.279 coming. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.380 He will 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.400 come revealing 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.420 his glory to 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:32.820 the world. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.580 He has come 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:34.519 to bring 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.180 freedom. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.960 He has come 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.799 announcing sins 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.440 will be 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.559 forgiven. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:41.599 Do we 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.059 see where 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.399 this is 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:42.700 heading? 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.899 Do we 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.480 see why 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.859 700 years 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.440 later, 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.740 as Mark 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.519 and Matthew 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.099 were writing 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.299 their gospels, 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.379 they saw 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.859 John the 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.220 Baptist as 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.059 this messenger? 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.139 As they 00:23:55.139 --> 00:23:55.899 reflected on 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.599 the life of 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.899 Jesus and 00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.740 his ministry 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.200 and his 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.779 saving work 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.179 on the cross 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:00.419 where they 00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:00.579 thought, 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:01.039 well, 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:01.740 obviously, 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:02.960 John the 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.519 Baptist was 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:03.960 sent to 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.559 prepare the 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.599 way for 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.319 King Jesus. 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.279 And it 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.799 helps us to 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.500 understand why 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:09.839 John, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.200 when he's 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:10.720 writing his 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.119 gospel, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.559 said the 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.259 word became 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.480 flesh and 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.079 dwelt among 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.519 us and we 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.140 have seen 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.559 his glory, 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.119 the glory of 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.200 the one and 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.779 only, 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.200 full of grace 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.400 and truth 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.140 because this 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.500 king, 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.180 King Jesus, 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.660 he's the 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.000 Lord. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:26.700 So for 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.160 Israel, 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.440 then here is 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.079 a hope for 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.819 them to hold 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.279 on to. 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:30.980 Here is 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.940 something worth 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.819 waiting for. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.220 Yes, 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.799 they're waiting 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.440 for exile, 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:34.960 but yes, 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.619 they're also 00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:36.900 promised that 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.740 there is grace 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.480 beyond that. 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.299 judgment and 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:40.960 for us, 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.380 well, 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:42.880 we know that 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.460 Jesus has 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.819 come. 00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.460 We know that 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.120 his grace and 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:47.039 his glory have 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.980 appeared. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.339 We have come 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.380 to know 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:52.700 grace beyond 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.319 the judgment 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:53.700 that we 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.220 deserve 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:56.059 because that's 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:56.539 the message 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.200 that the cross 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.980 speaks to us. 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.400 We look at the 00:24:59.400 --> 00:24:59.900 cross and we 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.680 realize that's 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.420 what my sin 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.140 deserves. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.559 And we look 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.099 at the cross 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:04.500 and we say, 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.680 that's God's 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.359 grace so that 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.240 I don't have 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.559 to receive 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.220 the punishment 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.039 that my sin 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.759 deserves. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.299 So when days 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.180 seem dumb, 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.819 when we mess 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.079 up, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.920 when we fail 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.519 and when we 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:17.900 sin, 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.960 we have this 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.839 message of 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:21.380 comfort that 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.000 our King 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.039 has come 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.440 and he is 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.779 for us. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.200 And it's a 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:27.920 message for us 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.920 to share also. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:30.600 for the 00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:30.980 people that 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.400 we know 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.300 who seem 00:25:32.300 --> 00:25:32.860 to lack 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:33.259 hope, 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.420 who live 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.080 with fear 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.940 and uncertainty, 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.400 who are 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.080 looking for 00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:38.140 something solid 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.340 to hold 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:39.960 on to. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.740 We can 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.360 say to 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:43.680 people, 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:44.759 did you 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.140 know that 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.779 our God 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.840 offers comfort 00:25:47.840 --> 00:25:48.320 and hope? 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:49.860 And he's 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.320 shown us that 00:25:50.320 --> 00:25:50.920 by giving us 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.279 Jesus. 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:53.360 So as we 00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:55.019 await our 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.860 King's return, 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.039 so this first 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.259 group, 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:57.740 they're waiting 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.300 for the King 00:25:58.300 --> 00:25:58.900 to come, 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.320 our King 00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:00.800 has already 00:26:00.800 --> 00:26:01.060 come, 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:01.360 now we're 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:01.920 waiting for 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.620 his return. 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.860 We can be 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.539 involved in 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.200 this work of 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.940 preparing the 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.240 way, 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.140 preparing the 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.039 way so that 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.620 others might 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.700 see and 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.800 respond to 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:14.160 the glory of 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.740 King Jesus. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.100 We can 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:16.779 prepare the 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.360 way by 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.820 perhaps inviting 00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:19.400 people to 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.759 come to 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.560 nativity or 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.300 to carols by 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:22.800 candlelight. 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.240 We can 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.200 prepare the 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.720 way by 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.740 sharing our 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.580 faith with 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.140 our colleagues 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:27.480 and our 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.120 family members. 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:28.459 we can 00:26:28.459 --> 00:26:29.259 prepare the 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.619 way by 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.219 inviting 00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:30.879 someone to 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.859 read the 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.559 Bible with 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:32.919 us and 00:26:32.919 --> 00:26:34.219 all so that 00:26:34.219 --> 00:26:34.739 people would 00:26:34.739 --> 00:26:36.239 see the 00:26:36.239 --> 00:26:37.259 glory of 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:37.779 the Lord 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.579 as we 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.199 find it 00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:40.159 in Jesus. 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.919 Let's pray 00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.599 together. 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:58.699 together.