WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 The story of the book of Exodus is one that we perhaps know all too well, don't we? 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:12.500 Whether it's through, sitting through many Exodus sermon series, or whether it's just because your kids repetitively make you watch The Prince of Egypt. 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:16.500 It begins, doesn't it, with the birth of Moses. 00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:24.500 A boy who providentially is rescued by God from Pharaoh's plan to kill all the sons of Israel. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:37.320 By rescuing him, being placed in a boat, placed into the river Nile, only to be discovered by Pharaoh's daughter and raised up in the presence of the man who sought to kill him. 00:00:39.019 --> 00:00:50.400 And by the time we get to Exodus 3, Moses is now grown up to a man, and he's killed a fellow Egyptian, an Egyptian slave master. 00:00:50.399 --> 00:00:59.420 He's fled to the land of Midian, which is in the back end of nowhere, and he's become a simple shepherd who tends the flocks of his father-in-law. 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:10.019 And in verse 1 of our passage today, Moses, while wandering the wilderness of Horeb, is confronted by the living God. 00:01:10.019 --> 00:01:13.819 In such a remarkable way. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.539 And he's given a colossal message of salvation. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:24.039 It plays itself out throughout the rest of the book of Exodus, but throughout the rest of history. 00:01:26.179 --> 00:01:28.479 And in our time today, that's what we're going to be thinking about. 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:34.019 We're going to be thinking about this colossal message, this salvation of God. 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:39.899 Next time, we're going to be continuing looking through Exodus 3, thinking about the God of salvation. 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:47.599 But as we walk through our passage today, through our narrative, I want us to just marvel at the salvation of God. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:57.979 Because it genuinely blows away our small, individualistic, me and my personal relationship with Jesus attitude towards salvation. 00:01:57.980 --> 00:02:02.980 And it gives us a picture of salvation that genuinely should cause us to gasp. 00:02:04.460 --> 00:02:06.980 It should genuinely cause you to be comforted. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:13.159 And realign maybe why you think God saved you in the first place. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:17.680 Why is it that God saves people like you and me? 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:19.960 So let's just dive straight into our passage. 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:24.000 Under our first heading, first of three, thinking about salvation. 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:27.000 And our first heading is, Salvation is Shocking. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:28.879 Salvation is Shocking. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:31.020 Verses 1 to 5 of chapter 3. 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:33.340 Now these verses are very familiar. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:35.900 Moses, he's now tending flocks in the wilderness. 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:39.280 And out of the corner of his eye, he sees something unusual. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:41.419 And he does a double take. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:47.060 I'm not from London, so I've done a lot of double takes while I've been on the tube, seeing unusual things. 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:50.120 But what's unusual about this, 00:02:50.699 --> 00:02:55.719 is not that there's a bush burning in a dry, barren, hot desert. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:00.199 What he does a double take for, is as he looks closer, 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:05.439 he saw that although this bush was on fire, it wasn't being consumed. 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:09.360 He does a double take because what he's seeing is miraculous. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:12.740 That he heads closer and moves in. 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:20.120 And we know that from verse 2, don't we, that it's God who has appeared to him in the fire, in the midst of this bush. 00:03:20.640 --> 00:03:22.640 But Moses is unaware of this. 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:28.020 He just sees this remarkable sign until God speaks. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:33.200 God speaks from the bush, calls to Moses, and tells him, 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:40.280 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:46.340 And that he must take his sandals off, because this is holy ground. 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:51.759 And before he has a chance to kind of kick off his flip-flops, 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:55.920 he's on the ground, covering his face, trembling with fear. 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:01.240 Trembling with fear before a holy God. 00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:08.099 Before we carry on, just a quick side point. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:10.879 What is it that makes things holy? 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:13.780 What is it that makes things holy? 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:16.819 Is it the function they perform? 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:20.659 Is it because this object does holy things? 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:23.180 Is it the actions that someone does? 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:25.959 They do holy things. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:27.500 Or is it just arbitrary? 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:30.959 This is holy, this isn't, and it's just kind of, there's two lists. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:33.699 What makes you holy? 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:39.120 John, the burning bush makes it really clear, isn't it? 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:44.120 That the presence of the living, holy God is what makes things holy. 00:04:46.840 --> 00:04:49.959 Holy, this is just massive implications. 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:56.120 The reason that you are holy is because the presence of the living God 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:59.120 has made his home in you by his Spirit. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:05.439 He has transformed you from the very ordinary to the very unordinary. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:12.819 He has taken his residence in you, and we manifest his holiness in our living and actions. 00:05:13.719 --> 00:05:15.420 That's what's going on with this bush. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:23.000 If we could spend hours talking about this, but God, by being here, has made us holy. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:28.199 And God, by being there in that story, has made this ordinary bush holy. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:32.579 So he kicks off his sandals and falls to the ground. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:36.139 And there's something right about that, isn't there? 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:41.980 Being confronted by the God of the universe, it is right that he trembles. 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:47.040 But why is it that he hides and trembles with fear? 00:05:47.140 --> 00:05:47.840 What is it? 00:05:49.400 --> 00:05:52.800 Because I think this is what makes salvation really shocking. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:56.700 And this is what makes it so shocking. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:02.980 The God, who is above creation, has come down to his creation. 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:05.819 And therefore his creatures tremble. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:09.939 Because God is so big. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.560 We talked about this, didn't we, kids, in the Sunday school. 00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:16.740 God is so big, and we are so small. 00:06:17.900 --> 00:06:18.580 Think about it. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:20.860 It's like a great bear meeting a baby. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.780 You know, it's so extreme. 00:06:24.900 --> 00:06:29.780 It's scary for finite beings like you and me to meet the infinite creator. 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:33.799 But there's something else going on. 00:06:34.099 --> 00:06:40.559 Although we know intrinsically there's something right about that trembling before a holy God who is so great. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:43.299 He hides. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:47.439 He hides. 00:06:48.599 --> 00:06:50.599 Where immediately does your mind go? 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:53.199 It's back to Genesis 3, isn't it? 00:06:54.259 --> 00:06:59.559 Confronted with God, Adam and Eve, having sinned, hide. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.179 And are afraid. 00:07:02.159 --> 00:07:06.439 They're afraid because they knew they deserve punishment before this holy God. 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:12.659 They knew that in the same way that Moses knows, confronted with the same God, 00:07:12.659 --> 00:07:16.139 that it's not just the greatness of God that causes them to tremble, 00:07:16.699 --> 00:07:19.319 but the pure perfection of God too. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:25.939 So we tremble before this God, in and of ourselves. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:30.839 Not just because the distance between the creator and the creature is so great, 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:38.699 but because he is so perfect, and we are so sinful. 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:45.639 Or as you put it with the kids, he is big and perfect, and we are small and sinful. 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:55.039 Our sin and its consequences make it impossible, impossible for us to get to know God on our own. 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:58.139 Now, do you really believe that? 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:04.079 Do you tremble at the prospect of coming face to face with this God? 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:07.779 Because he is so great, and we are so not. 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:16.259 The only way is that he must come down with a message of how this holy God can save people for himself. 00:08:17.359 --> 00:08:20.879 If God is going to be known personally, if he's going to be known savingly, 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.619 he must take the initiative. 00:08:23.039 --> 00:08:24.539 But salvation is shocking, 00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:28.479 because it comes to people who don't deserve it like us. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:31.500 like Moses, the great Moses, 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:35.039 who did not deserve to hear this message of salvation. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.820 That's important to remember, isn't it? 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:43.820 Is God about to save his people because they're better? 00:08:45.800 --> 00:08:46.320 No. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:52.399 Is he about to save his people because they're less sinful than the Egyptians who have enslaved them? 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:54.120 No. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.300 Absolutely not. 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:57.959 God saves people. 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:01.279 Saves people like you and me, 00:09:01.599 --> 00:09:03.120 because we belong to him. 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:06.579 He saves because we belong to him. 00:09:07.059 --> 00:09:10.339 We are his children, his bride, his treasured possession. 00:09:10.839 --> 00:09:12.419 Yet these are descriptions of you, 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:14.000 if you are trusting Christ this morning. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:18.500 Here this morning, we are so small and sinful, 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:21.599 and yet God has revealed himself as the God who saves people, 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:24.240 because he is great. 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:26.259 Not because we are. 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:30.559 And this message of salvation, 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:32.299 which is so shocking, 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.479 is unpacked for us in verses 7 to 9. 00:09:34.799 --> 00:09:36.279 The message of salvation is outlined, 00:09:37.359 --> 00:09:39.019 and it is astounding. 00:09:40.199 --> 00:09:40.899 Verse 8, 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:42.759 his plan to act in history 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:46.079 is to save his people from slavery to Pharaoh, 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.819 and bring them, verse 8, 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:50.859 into a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:51.860 Not slaves, 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:52.360 not slaves, 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:55.159 but free in a perfect land, 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.300 unparalleled in their known world. 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:00.379 And we all know, don't we, 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:02.039 how great salvation is. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:06.159 But look at what provokes it in verses 7 to 9. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:09.200 It sandwiches this promise of salvation in verse 8. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:11.740 Verse 7, 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:14.800 surely I have seen the affliction of my people. 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:16.879 I have heard their cry. 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:18.800 And verse 9, 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:21.580 the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:25.560 and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppressed them. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:28.419 Think. 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:35.079 If salvation arises because God cares about his people, 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.879 the small sinful people that we just talked about, 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:43.599 salvation arises because of their cry to him. 00:10:45.479 --> 00:10:47.319 It seems so simple, doesn't it? 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:49.339 That the holy God of the entire universe, 00:10:49.479 --> 00:10:51.059 the infinitely high and great one, 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.039 in need of nothing, 00:10:52.479 --> 00:10:54.359 stoops down and even cares 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:55.980 for people like you and me. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:59.600 Doesn't it just make you want to sing with that psalm? 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:02.960 What is man that you are mindful of him? 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:05.800 Or the son of man that you care for him? 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.419 God sees, hears, 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.500 knows the plight of his people, 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.840 and it moves into action. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:15.440 God sees your plight, 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.159 your struggle, 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:21.100 and as we cry out to him on our knees, 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:23.340 as we corporately confess 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.700 and need for his help. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.920 God sees. 00:11:27.540 --> 00:11:28.480 God knows. 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:30.060 God cares. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:31.840 And it moves him to action. 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.300 Joy, it is a universal truth, isn't it? 00:11:36.340 --> 00:11:37.980 That no one runs faster 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.800 than a mum running after their toddler 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:41.940 who has just tripped and fallen. 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:43.100 Yeah. 00:11:43.280 --> 00:11:44.980 And what moves that mum 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:46.700 as she sprints across the playground 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:47.620 to try and catch them 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.660 before they graze their knee? 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:50.540 Well, it's the distress 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:51.860 and plight of their children. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:55.680 And God's love for his people, 00:11:56.520 --> 00:11:58.000 those who belong to him, 00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:01.440 well, it moves him to action 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:02.940 when he sees them struggling. 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:06.260 But, 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:09.180 we've got to be really clear here. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:11.300 We've got to be really clear. 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:12.580 Because there's something 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:15.220 that feels almost a little bit odd, 00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:15.680 isn't there? 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:18.020 Because we could end up thinking, 00:12:18.760 --> 00:12:19.420 you know, God, 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:21.420 he's busy over here, 00:12:21.580 --> 00:12:22.800 and then he suddenly sees 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:25.260 that his people are in distress over here, 00:12:25.300 --> 00:12:25.620 and he thinks, 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:27.660 I've got to come up with a plan 00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.680 to go and rescue them. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:33.399 God's plan seems to be failing. 00:12:33.739 --> 00:12:34.559 You know, the plan A? 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.259 The plan A with Abraham 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:38.739 to go and make for himself a people, 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:40.500 a great nation where they'll be blessed? 00:12:40.839 --> 00:12:41.739 It seems to be failing, 00:12:41.839 --> 00:12:42.279 so quick, 00:12:42.479 --> 00:12:43.799 God have come up with a plan B 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.299 to go and get these people out of slavery. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.959 But look at verses 24 and 25 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:52.059 of Exodus chapter 2. 00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:54.479 Because the same idea 00:12:54.479 --> 00:12:57.219 of God responding to the pleas 00:12:57.219 --> 00:12:58.219 and cries of his people 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:58.879 come up again. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.759 Read with me. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:03.040 They cried out for help. 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:05.240 Their cry for rescue from slavery 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.240 came up to God, 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:08.240 and he heard their groaning. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.360 But then look what God does. 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.460 He remembers. 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:16.060 And God remembered his covenant 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:17.620 with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:20.580 God saw the sons of Israel, 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:22.759 and God took notice of them. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.639 What does the Bible mean 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:28.299 when it says God remembers? 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:31.179 Because it sure is clear 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:32.759 that it doesn't mean that he's forgotten. 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:34.580 So what does it mean 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.519 when God remembers? 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:40.179 Well, this is a much richer idea 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.580 than forgetting and recalling 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.279 some information. 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:45.980 It's the idea that God acts 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:48.439 on the promises he's formerly made. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:50.480 God acts 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:53.760 in a way that he is formally promised. 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:57.660 God recalls who he is 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:59.240 and what he said he'll do, 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.740 and he acts. 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:04.340 And that's what we have here 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:05.539 with the salvation of his people 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.039 from Egypt. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.799 The salvation of God 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.080 revealed to Moses 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:11.279 is rooted in what he's already promised 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.060 long, long, long ago. 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:15.820 Israel's exodus from Egypt 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:17.779 is God's fulfillment 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:19.539 of his promises to Abraham. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.680 This is not, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:23.080 we've got to be really clear on this, 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:25.519 this is not God initiating plan B. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:28.240 A new plan never heard of before. 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.759 Instead, he's simply fulfilling 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:33.120 what he's already promised 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.940 to the great, great, great 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.019 grandparents of the faith, 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:37.139 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.419 You know, when God hears 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.879 his people's groans, 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.799 he remembers his covenant 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:44.399 with Abraham 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:46.879 and acts to keep his promises. 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:49.779 Taking Israel out of, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.659 taking Israel out of Egypt 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:53.980 was part of this perfect plan all along. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.060 From the beginning, 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.419 and part of the blessings, 00:14:57.419 --> 00:14:59.019 promised in that relationship, 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.679 he's established already 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:02.159 with Abraham in Genesis 15. 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.240 You don't have to turn to it, 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.219 but I'm going to read it to you. 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.039 Do you remember that great promise 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.459 with Abraham that God makes? 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.419 Well, this is part of it. 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.779 Know for certain 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:13.039 that your offspring 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.939 will be sojourned 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:15.279 in a land that is not theirs, 00:15:15.479 --> 00:15:16.979 and they will be servants there, 00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:19.099 and they will be afflicted 00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:21.139 for 400 years. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.360 But, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.259 I will bring judgment 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.500 on the nation they serve. 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.659 No plan B. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.240 This has always been plan A. 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.539 You know well, 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:34.840 don't you? 00:15:35.059 --> 00:15:36.039 It didn't have to happen 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.439 yesterday, 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.860 but any time a church 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.379 organises a church picnic, 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.360 they always need 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.139 a wet weather plan, 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.559 don't they? 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.000 You know, 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:43.279 we long to be sat 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:43.879 in the sunshine 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.240 eating tiny sausage rolls 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.879 and playing frisbee, 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.080 but every organiser 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.899 of a church picnic 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.100 knows we need somewhere 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.279 to dash quickly. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:55.080 But the thing is, 00:15:55.180 --> 00:15:56.779 God has no wet weather plan. 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.940 God has no plan B. 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.240 It's just not that way. 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.620 It's not as though 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.700 there was plan A with Adam, 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.840 plan B with Moses, 00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:09.620 but then his people 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.379 got put in slavery, 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:12.460 so plan C was getting 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.879 out of Egypt, 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:14.600 and then, 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.560 you know, 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.779 what we are on plan J 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:17.460 with Jesus. 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.680 It's not the way 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.160 it happens. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.639 salvation, 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:25.100 and in which God's people 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.560 are free from slavery, 00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:28.620 not from Pharaoh, 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.639 but from sin and death, 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.200 in which he gives 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.320 not the land 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.720 of the Canaanites, 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:39.620 but a new creation. 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:42.240 You know, 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:42.680 this, 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.440 this has always been 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.259 God's plan A, 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:47.100 and we see the shadow here. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.279 Jesus coming is for us, 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.319 is part of plan A, 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.679 and the way that we know that 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:54.799 is because we see it here 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.220 pictured. 00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:00.519 If you're anything like me, 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:01.319 do you ever feel like 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:02.240 God's plan is failing? 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:04.740 Do you ever look at your 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.639 situation and your 00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:06.220 circumstances, 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:06.660 and you go, 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.240 it doesn't really seem like 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.480 God's kingdom's advancing. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:12.299 when loved ones die, 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.500 and things are difficult, 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.759 and there's real struggle, 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.839 and that person isn't 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.839 responding to the gospel, 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:17.880 and you go, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:19.220 IBC should have built 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.500 their new building by now, 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.039 and we should have 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.519 filled it. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.059 Do you ever feel like 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.019 God's plan is failing? 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.279 Take great comfort 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:30.019 in knowing there is 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.980 no plan B, 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:33.500 but every step of the way, 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.660 God is fulfilling 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.480 his purpose, 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.559 exactly as he planned 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.660 from all eternity. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.160 I just think that's 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:43.500 amazing, 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:43.860 isn't it? 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.440 Just always remember, 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.920 God is 100% 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.099 on plan, 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.240 on track 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:49.860 with plan A. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.240 Jesus has come, 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:53.799 conquered sin and death, 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.120 and is freeing people 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.839 like you and me 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.140 who were formerly slaves, 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.759 and is gathering his church 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.940 slowly and surely, 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.360 and he will come back 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.339 to deliver all that 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.079 plan A has promised. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:05.319 And we know that 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:06.099 because we see it 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.119 pictured here in Exodus. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.799 Take comfort. 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.659 Take comfort. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.679 There is no plan B. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:16.819 Well, that was 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.679 our second point. 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:18.980 And our final point 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:20.799 is something, again, 00:18:20.919 --> 00:18:22.279 that we might know, 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:24.139 but we very, 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.279 very quickly forget. 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.559 And that is 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:29.559 the goal of this salvation. 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.240 Look down at verse 12. 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.799 Verse 12. 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:36.439 He said, 00:18:36.899 --> 00:18:38.019 But I will be with you, 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:39.000 and this shall be 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.220 the sign for you, 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.119 that I have sent you. 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.539 When you have brought 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:45.019 the people out of Egypt, 00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:47.099 you shall serve God 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.119 on this mountain. 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.839 It's just before 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.960 we get to that amazing, 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:54.179 the huge revelation 00:18:54.179 --> 00:18:55.579 of God's personal name, 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.019 I am. 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.099 In verse 14, 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.980 which is what we're 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.500 going to be spending 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.059 a lot of next week 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.679 looking at, 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.619 we're given this insight 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:06.000 into Moses' reservations 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.460 about taking this message 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.179 of salvation, 00:19:08.679 --> 00:19:09.879 both to the Israelites 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:10.859 but also to Pharaoh. 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:13.500 And he kind of says, 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.339 Who am I? 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.079 Who am I 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.879 that I should go 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.079 to Pharaoh 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.039 and take this message 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.579 of salvation? 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.919 Or more precisely, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.500 who am I 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.399 that I should go to Pharaoh 00:19:22.399 --> 00:19:23.740 and that I should bring out 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.500 the children of Egypt? 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.519 Who am I 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.700 to do this great thing? 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:28.599 Now, 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.719 is this Moses being humble? 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.759 We always have that, 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:32.179 don't we? 00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:32.959 We're given 00:19:32.959 --> 00:19:34.719 callings by the Lord 00:19:34.719 --> 00:19:35.059 and we go, 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.819 Who am I to do 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.519 this great thing? 00:19:37.219 --> 00:19:38.119 Is it really humble? 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.199 Is it just kind of 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.299 being the British 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.919 self-deprecating nature? 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.799 I don't think it is. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.759 I think what we're reading 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.719 is the response 00:19:48.719 --> 00:19:49.500 of a man 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.859 who has wrongly 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.779 fixed his eyes 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.719 on himself 00:19:52.719 --> 00:19:54.279 and his own circumstances 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:56.160 rather than 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:57.399 looking to the one 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:57.799 who's going to be 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.460 doing the saving. 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.200 The one who is going 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.920 to be accomplishing 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.599 his plan A. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:05.339 But what's even more amazing 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:05.899 is that 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:07.279 God's answer 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:09.579 is sign. 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.099 It's not just 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.440 I'll do it. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.240 But the sign is 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.440 when everyone 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.259 is worshipping 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.879 at the end 00:20:16.879 --> 00:20:18.119 you will know 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.119 that he has done it. 00:20:20.740 --> 00:20:21.639 In other words, 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.240 he's saying, 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:22.819 Moses, 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.559 look, here's the sign 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.939 that it's 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:27.179 me that's going 00:20:27.179 --> 00:20:27.740 to be doing it 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.879 and not you, Moses. 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.599 But I'm going to 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.359 bring the people out 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.200 and not you. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.399 Because they're going 00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:34.539 to come to this mountain, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.619 the mountain that 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.439 you're stood on, 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.579 Mount Samui, 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.779 and they're going 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.579 to start worshipping. 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.819 And they're not going 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.659 to be worshipping you, 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.000 Moses. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.480 They're going to be 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.220 worshipping me. 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.960 And this is the goal 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.240 of my salvation. 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.200 The purpose 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.059 for which I am 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.860 saving people. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.559 The goal is 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.620 that you will be 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.059 saved. 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.779 If you're a non-Christian 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.120 neighbor, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.400 as you bump into them 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.039 on the way home 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.960 from church today, 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.400 or they pop over 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.140 there at the head 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.779 of the fence 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.640 this sunny afternoon, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.980 or maybe, 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.500 kids, 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.799 when you go to school 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:10.160 and your friends say, 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.200 I know you go to church, 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.299 why is it that 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.259 God saves people? 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.720 What's the purpose 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.779 in God saving people? 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.259 What would your answer be? 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:20.400 I'm sure we've come up 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.220 with lots of good answers. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.119 So we don't have 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.779 to go to hell. 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.900 Maybe so we get 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.500 to go to heaven. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.400 Maybe so we don't 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.579 feel guilty anymore. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.599 Maybe so we don't 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.559 have to fear death. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.299 Maybe so we can go 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.279 to a school hall 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.960 each Sunday morning 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:36.640 and hear from 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.480 God's word. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.720 So all of these 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.539 are really good answers, 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:42.420 but they all serve 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:44.000 a much bigger goal. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:45.799 And that is that 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.960 we might become 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.700 worshippers. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.700 Exodus, 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.339 chapter 3 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.059 and verse 12 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.940 makes this point 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.680 beyond doubt. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.559 Israel are led out 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.220 so that they 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.839 can become 00:21:58.839 --> 00:22:00.140 worshippers of God. 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.640 But it's a pattern 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.319 that keeps going. 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.240 If you want to 00:22:03.240 --> 00:22:03.880 flick with me, 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:05.359 Exodus 3.18 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:06.460 And they will 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.539 listen to my voice 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.420 and you and the 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.039 elders of Israel 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:09.700 shall go to the 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.160 king of Egypt 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.559 and say, 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.240 Lord, 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.079 the God of the 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.960 Hebrews has met 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.359 with us 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.319 and now please 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.979 let us go 00:22:14.979 --> 00:22:15.639 three days 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:16.079 journey into 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:16.500 the wilderness. 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.059 Why? 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.599 So that we may 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.799 sacrifice to the 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.179 Lord. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.019 Or 4.23 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.899 Look down again 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.319 with me. 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.179 4.23 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.379 And I say to you, 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.500 let my son go 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.279 that he might 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.059 serve me. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.639 Or 5. 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.959 Chapter 5 00:22:33.959 --> 00:22:34.519 verse 1 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:36.159 Thus says the 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.139 Lord God of Israel, 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.339 let my people go 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.139 that they may 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.039 hold a feast 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.699 to me in the 00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:41.039 wilderness. 00:22:41.459 --> 00:22:41.959 Or 5. 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.659 Verse 3 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:44.300 5. 00:22:44.300 --> 00:22:44.759 Verse 3. 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.440 Thanks. 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:50.720 Sorry. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:53.279 And then he said, 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:53.960 God of Hebrews 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.600 has met with us. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.240 Please let us go 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.600 three days 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.340 journey in order 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.860 that we may 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:57.960 sacrifice to the 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.960 Lord our God. 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.880 These are just, 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.880 it just keeps 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:03.620 going and going 00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:05.140 and going and 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.440 builds and the 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.200 message of 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.560 scripture keeps 00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:10.100 unfolding and we 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:11.220 keep going until 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.980 we reach the 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.160 climax in Revelation 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.620 when God has 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.400 gathered people 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.819 from every tribe, 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:17.660 tongue and 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.579 nation and 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.200 they are all 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.079 around the throne 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.120 crying holy, 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.319 holy, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.339 holy. 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.559 The reason that 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.440 God saves people 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.299 is that he might 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.759 have a people 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.620 that worship 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.900 and know him. 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.559 All of history, 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:34.000 all of planet A, 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.360 God coming down 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:35.920 to give this 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.860 salvation that is 00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.220 shocking, 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.539 is that we might 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.579 gather on a mountain 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:41.119 and declare his 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.539 glory. 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.839 I just want to 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.619 close with this. 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.980 Salvation is 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.819 really incredible 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:51.619 because we don't 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.240 deserve it. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.699 God is infinitely 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:54.579 great and we are 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.460 infinitely small. 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:58.220 He is pure and 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.199 perfect and we are 00:23:59.199 --> 00:24:00.339 sinful and rebellious. 00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:02.839 But from the 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.879 beginning he has 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:05.659 always had a plan 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.579 to save a people, 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.759 not because they are 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.599 great but because 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.219 he is. 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.759 And the goal of 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.199 this, 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.879 Exodus tells us, 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.819 verse 12, 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:16.839 that they would 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.199 come to Mount 00:24:18.199 --> 00:24:19.319 Sinai to worship. 00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:21.500 And think of the 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:24.079 joy in that day, 00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:24.980 no longer in 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.219 slavery for 400 00:24:26.219 --> 00:24:26.779 years. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.159 Their first day 00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:29.659 off in 400 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:30.759 years and they 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.399 gather on the 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.559 mountain and 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.459 worship the Lord. 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.740 The thing is, 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.039 we're not 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.759 covered, are we, 00:24:36.939 --> 00:24:37.439 at Mount 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:37.819 Sinai. 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:39.859 that we're 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.419 gathered somewhere 00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:41.159 far greater. 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.240 Now hear how 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.399 Hebrews puts it. 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.539 Hebrews 12, 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.179 for you have not 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.439 come for what 00:24:49.439 --> 00:24:50.119 can be touched. 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:52.079 Here this morning, 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.220 you have not 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.159 come to what 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.879 can be touched. 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:56.859 But you, 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.399 sat here this 00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:58.759 morning, 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.279 because of the 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.139 salvation that 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:01.939 God has given, 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.940 God's plan A, 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.539 we have come to 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.539 Mount Zion, 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:07.120 to the city of 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:08.120 the living God, 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.140 to the heavenly 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.759 Jerusalem, 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.160 to innumerable 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.840 angels in 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.700 festal gatherings, 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.440 and to the 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.340 assembly of the 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:14.960 firstborn, 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.059 who are enrolled 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.620 in heaven, 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.519 and to the 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:17.920 God, 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.240 and to God, 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.420 the judge of all, 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.220 and to the 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.920 spirits of the 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.539 righteous made 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.000 perfect, 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.420 and to Jesus, 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:26.960 the mediator of 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.700 a new covenant. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:30.140 That has been 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.080 God's plan A, 00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:31.960 from the very 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.360 beginning. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.779 Moved to action 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.500 by the struggles 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.160 of his people, 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:38.059 and all that we 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.200 might glory in 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.039 what he is, 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.900 and what he has 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.200 done. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.080 Let's pray.