WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.900 Hi, and welcome to the Willow Ridge Church weekly podcast. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:25.500 This is where you can find audio for our current and past sermons. 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:27.800 We hope that you enjoy this week's installment, 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:30.880 and be sure to check back next week to hear the latest message. 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:32.080 Thanks for listening. 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:44.900 Good morning. 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:48.660 As we celebrate that Christ has come, 00:00:48.740 --> 00:00:53.820 we also want to remind ourselves of what God has given us the opportunity to do 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:56.200 in missions in this last calendar year, 00:00:56.360 --> 00:01:00.860 and we look forward for the opportunities of what God's going to call us to next year. 00:01:01.220 --> 00:01:04.180 And so we will continue on in our mission strategy. 00:01:04.380 --> 00:01:07.740 We'll be making those opportunities available around the first of the year. 00:01:08.100 --> 00:01:11.080 And so whether you're a middle school, high school student, or an adult, 00:01:11.160 --> 00:01:13.760 there's going to be an opportunity and a place for you to go, 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:17.360 and we would love for you to join us on one of these opportunities. 00:01:18.160 --> 00:01:21.200 If you've got your Bible, go ahead and open up to Luke chapter 1. 00:01:21.880 --> 00:01:25.860 Here in just a minute, we're going to start in verse 46. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:27.840 This week is Christmas. 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:30.520 I love this week. 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:32.160 I love this season. 00:01:32.660 --> 00:01:37.500 And especially with a lot of the things that we have going on around here this week. 00:01:37.660 --> 00:01:42.140 And today is one of those days we got to see our kids up on stage singing. 00:01:42.300 --> 00:01:45.520 And then this evening, as Pastor Dave told us about at 5 o'clock, 00:01:45.580 --> 00:01:51.180 we're going to be gathered back out in our parking lot to have a time of worship 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:57.420 as we have a bunch of different musicians and artists that are going to be here playing and singing Christmas songs. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:02.660 And so wonderful opportunity for us to come, be there, be together, be outdoors. 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:08.580 We keep checking the weather, and it does look like the weather is going to clear out after 1 o'clock, 00:02:08.660 --> 00:02:11.680 but we know the weatherman only has to be right half the time to be good, all right? 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:14.100 But we are praying that that will clear out. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:16.560 And if not, there will be a contingency plan. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:21.320 And we'll have hot drinks and snacks, and we'd love for you to be out here with us. 00:02:21.440 --> 00:02:26.640 And then at 5.30, on Christmas Eve, we will have our Christmas Eve service. 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:29.460 And we'd love for all of you to be here. 00:02:29.700 --> 00:02:34.920 And if you haven't been to one before, it is a family service, which means it's all of us in here, 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:37.480 from babies all the way up to great-grandma, all right? 00:02:37.660 --> 00:02:42.340 And so it is loud, it is chaotic, but it feels like home, and it feels like Christmas, and we love it. 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:45.800 So we're going to gather together, sing Christmas songs, talk about the Christmas story, 00:02:45.920 --> 00:02:51.280 and take the Lord's Supper, and would love for you to be here and join us with that. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:59.240 So let's go ahead and get into a part of the Christmas narrative this morning in Luke 1, starting in verse 46. 00:02:59.900 --> 00:03:00.720 And Scripture says, 00:03:01.200 --> 00:03:04.740 And Mary said, but we're going to see that Mary sang, all right? 00:03:04.920 --> 00:03:06.040 So in Mary sang, 00:03:06.040 --> 00:03:13.180 My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 00:03:13.880 --> 00:03:16.600 For he has looked upon the humble estate of his servant. 00:03:17.160 --> 00:03:21.900 For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:26.660 For he who is mighty has done great things for me, 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:35.180 And holy is his name, and his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:38.440 He has shown strength with his arm. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.540 He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 00:03:41.540 --> 00:03:46.660 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate. 00:03:47.440 --> 00:03:53.240 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:57.400 He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy. 00:03:57.820 --> 00:04:02.080 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his offspring forever. 00:04:02.700 --> 00:04:07.540 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:12.340 Now, if you're wondering, Bo, like, where in the world is the Christmas story in what you just read, 00:04:12.420 --> 00:04:16.180 this is part of it that gets left out for us from time to time. 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:26.660 In fact, this dialogue is happening probably somewhere about eight to nine months before the traditional Christmas story that we think of. 00:04:26.700 --> 00:04:29.700 And it's a song that Mary sings. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:38.380 And so we want to look at this song and see what God is communicating through his servant Mary, the mother of Christ. 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:44.900 And the first thing that I want us to look at in these verses this morning is simply Mary's response. 00:04:45.900 --> 00:04:51.180 So let's back up a little bit to understand the story and to remind ourselves. 00:04:51.580 --> 00:04:57.920 So Mary is a teenage girl, probably somewhere between the ages of 13 to 15 years old, 00:04:57.960 --> 00:05:03.660 and finds out from the angel Gabriel that God's favor is on her. 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:05.100 Now, I think that's important. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:09.100 It doesn't begin that you're going to have a son and his name's going to be Jesus. 00:05:09.100 --> 00:05:12.960 It begins with God's favor rests upon you. 00:05:14.320 --> 00:05:21.020 And that this virgin Mary will conceive a son as a virgin through the power of the Spirit of God, 00:05:21.080 --> 00:05:27.040 and his name will be Jesus, and he will reign over God's kingdom forever. 00:05:27.880 --> 00:05:32.760 And Gabriel also tells her that her relative, and we don't know how old Elizabeth is, 00:05:32.760 --> 00:05:41.960 but the Bible says that she's an old age, has also conceived a son, even though she is thought to be barren. 00:05:42.940 --> 00:05:47.680 And her son will be John the Baptist, the one who will go out into the wilderness, 00:05:48.140 --> 00:05:52.340 preparing the way and declaring for the coming Messiah. 00:05:53.100 --> 00:06:00.840 And so what we find with Mary at the end of this dialogue with Gabriel is that she trusts God. 00:06:01.340 --> 00:06:02.440 She trusts Him. 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:07.280 And then she leaves to go and be with Elizabeth. 00:06:07.960 --> 00:06:16.540 Now, this journey this teenage girl takes from her town to where Elizabeth is would have taken somewhere between 10 to 14 days. 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:22.860 It says that the army, when the army would march from this location to that location, it would take them 10 days. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:27.640 And so let's say that Mary is at her best, could do it in 10, 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:33.320 but if she takes a little bit more time moving from day to day, probably somewhere more around two weeks. 00:06:33.880 --> 00:06:37.100 And she walks into Elizabeth's house. 00:06:37.900 --> 00:06:39.200 Couldn't send a text message. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:41.080 Couldn't shoot an email. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:45.880 She's not posting on Instagram her different journeys on her way there, right? 00:06:46.460 --> 00:06:52.920 And so she walks in and the proclamation is made that Mary is there. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:59.460 And the Bible tells us that when Elizabeth finds out that Mary is there, a few things happen. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:06.200 Number one, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps with joy, right? 00:07:06.520 --> 00:07:09.620 The power of the Spirit of God of what God is doing. 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:13.260 And the birth of these two kids. 00:07:14.200 --> 00:07:23.440 And when Mary is there with Christ in her womb, very early on in her pregnancy, the baby leaps. 00:07:24.260 --> 00:07:29.760 Elizabeth says in that moment that Mary is blessed, that her baby is blessed. 00:07:29.760 --> 00:07:36.060 And then she says, why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 00:07:36.840 --> 00:07:40.160 Acknowledging the Savior Christ and who he is. 00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:42.960 And then Mary goes into a song. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:47.960 Now this kind of seems weird in our culture, in our context, right? 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:54.640 Like imagine you've got a relative that you haven't seen in a while and they come to your house and you greet them with a hug. 00:07:54.640 --> 00:08:01.100 And you tell them how blessed you are that they've come to visit you and then all of a sudden they just go into full-blown musical, right? 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.980 And start singing, right? 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:03.600 Well, this is kind of what happens. 00:08:03.760 --> 00:08:10.760 Now, we don't know if it's just spur of the moment that this song comes to Mary through the leading of the Spirit. 00:08:11.400 --> 00:08:18.920 We don't know that on her journey, as it's already been seen, that Mary, even at her young age, is a mature woman of faith. 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:27.000 That as she's journeying on, she's writing as the Spirit of God leads her, the lyrics and the words to this song. 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:40.720 We don't know, but we know that what we gain in this is Mary's response to not only all that she had experienced since Gabriel came to her, 00:08:40.880 --> 00:08:51.720 but this song that she sings is all that Mary has experienced in her young life as far as it comes to her relationship with the Lord. 00:08:52.780 --> 00:08:59.880 In Mary's testimony and song, it's not just one that's writing about God's faithfulness over the last 10 to 14 days. 00:09:00.520 --> 00:09:09.260 It's about the faithfulness of God for all of eternity, for all of existence, for all that Mary would have ever known. 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:17.020 And so we want to look at her song and understand these lyrics and the power of what they're communicating. 00:09:17.520 --> 00:09:19.660 Look back at verse 46 and 47. 00:09:20.660 --> 00:09:37.860 Literally, Mary's song says from the very beginning that she desires to enlarge God. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:43.720 She wants to make God larger, make God greater. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:49.020 Now, she can't, but what it means is she wants to make him known. 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:53.560 My soul magnifies the Lord. 00:09:54.020 --> 00:09:58.880 Let me sing to, let me show you the greatness of God. 00:09:59.780 --> 00:10:07.440 As if what you've seen before is hidden, but now it's under a microscope so that you can see. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:16.900 My soul magnifies the Lord, she says, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. 00:10:17.140 --> 00:10:25.180 Now, I can imagine while her spirit rejoices that her days have been a little bit stressful. 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:32.680 I don't think it's too far of a leap to say since Mary got that news almost two weeks ago 00:10:32.680 --> 00:10:35.520 that there's been some sleepless nights. 00:10:35.520 --> 00:10:37.620 There's been some anxious moments. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:44.960 She trusts the Lord, yes, but it's the battle and the practicality of living that out in her obedience to God. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:54.840 But what she says is, in spite of all of this, my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:11:01.860 Mary's desperation for who God is and her realization that she needs to be saved. 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:10.240 And what we see in this, and this is why I shared with you earlier, it's not just a song about God's faithfulness in the moment, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:16.640 but it's a song about what Mary knows about God and the existence in her entire life. 00:11:16.760 --> 00:11:23.220 And even going all the way back in the time in the life of her people, of God's faithfulness to Israel, 00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:25.300 is what she declares. 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:35.180 And over the course of her song, she shares these things of where her joy can be found and why she would magnify him. 00:11:35.400 --> 00:11:41.980 She sings of his might and his strength, that he's larger and stronger than anything in this world 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:44.760 and anything that you and I could imagine. 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:53.780 And in his power and his strength, though, she sings of and declares his mercy, his compassion, and his kindness toward all people. 00:11:54.380 --> 00:12:00.020 She declares his holiness, that he is perfect, not like any other. 00:12:01.280 --> 00:12:04.320 And in his perfection, that he is the helper. 00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:08.620 That he's not just above, but he's in. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:16.060 And he's in the battle, and he's with his people, and it's what he sees through. 00:12:17.300 --> 00:12:21.660 And then her song, as she declares who God is, and I love this aspect of it. 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:25.500 Who, not thinking about this, Mary, who's just spoken to by an angel of the Lord, 00:12:26.380 --> 00:12:28.280 says, but God also continues to speak. 00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:30.860 And he has spoken to his people. 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:39.400 And when he speaks, not only does he make known, but by speaking, we see that he is knowable. 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:40.060 Right? 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:42.220 And it's what we find in God's word. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:47.300 Not only does he speak so that he can make things known, 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:50.620 but God speaks so that he can be knowable. 00:12:51.020 --> 00:12:56.940 So that we can see him and meet him and learn about him and be in relationship with him. 00:12:57.180 --> 00:13:01.500 And all of these things is what God is for Mary. 00:13:02.260 --> 00:13:05.520 But it's also for what God is for you and I as well. 00:13:06.760 --> 00:13:10.800 I don't know the last few days, I don't know if you've noticed, it's been pretty foggy. 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:17.040 Last night, we went and had Christmas with my wife's family in Jackson, South Carolina. 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:20.560 And after we were done having Christmas with them, 00:13:21.380 --> 00:13:24.440 Aaron and I had driven separately so we could do some different things afterwards. 00:13:24.760 --> 00:13:30.340 And I started heading back to Lexington a little bit later and normally the drive takes me right 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:30.960 out an hour. 00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:35.680 But right as I got into my car and started leaving Jackson, the storm came in. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:40.120 And if you're wondering where that storm came from, it came from my Dodge Ram truck heading 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.840 down the interstate. 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:41.140 All right? 00:13:41.380 --> 00:13:46.920 Because it landed on me and stayed on me from Jackson through Lexington. 00:13:46.920 --> 00:13:47.180 Right? 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:48.320 And it got me here, all right? 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:53.440 And it took me, a drive that would normally take me an hour, it took me an hour and a half. 00:13:54.380 --> 00:13:59.340 Because of the fog and because of the rain, it felt like you could barely see in front of 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:03.560 your, the hood of my truck as I was making my way down the interstate. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:07.840 And we had a lot of days like this where we walk out and that's what we see. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:13.400 But spiritually speaking, for so many of us, that's the way things feel right now. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:22.040 And I can imagine for Mary, that thing seemed a little foggy, even though she had faith. 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:27.240 That thing seemed a little bit complicated because she could only see so far. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:34.360 But in this song for, for you, as you walk through these seasons, in the song for me, as I walk 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:40.580 through my seasons, in the song for Mary, we realize that we can trust God beyond what 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:45.020 we can see, that we can trust God beyond what we can understand because he is mighty and 00:14:45.020 --> 00:14:54.140 he is strong and he is filled with mercy and love and that he and he alone is holy and that 00:14:54.140 --> 00:15:00.260 he loves us and he steps in with us and he speaks to us and we know him. 00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:07.360 And so the root, the basis of this song is the depth out of who Mary is as she knows him. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:12.780 But not only does Mary respond, but Mary is going to respond by, by singing about, we're 00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:16.100 going to call kingdom blessing, kingdom blessing. 00:15:17.140 --> 00:15:19.540 Mary says in this song that she is blessed. 00:15:20.660 --> 00:15:23.560 Elizabeth has previously said that she is blessed. 00:15:24.140 --> 00:15:28.060 Gabriel, the angel, when he comes to her, says that she is blessed. 00:15:28.380 --> 00:15:33.800 And you and I, as followers of Jesus Christ, standing on this side of the birth of Christ, 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:39.660 would look at Mary and say, yes, Mary, the mother of Jesus, she was blessed. 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:42.820 But the question I have for you this morning is how? 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.540 How? 00:15:45.880 --> 00:15:48.780 Mary doesn't get rich because of this. 00:15:49.780 --> 00:15:55.000 Mary isn't freed from the struggles of pregnancy or childbirth. 00:15:55.740 --> 00:16:08.140 In life, she will lose her husband and she will watch her very son be betrayed, beaten, tried, and executed. 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.840 So how was Mary blessed? 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:15.640 How many of us want to sign up for that? 00:16:17.400 --> 00:16:20.620 To live the life that she would have of struggle? 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:24.380 To live the life that she would have of suffering? 00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:28.500 To live the life that she would have of loss? 00:16:29.640 --> 00:16:31.460 But we say that she's blessed. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:33.440 So how was she blessed? 00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:35.180 Look at verse 50. 00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:45.080 She says, and his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 00:16:45.880 --> 00:16:51.320 Mary's going to give us three opportunities in this song that she sings where she talks about kingdom blessing. 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:55.320 Of what it means to be blessed as a follower of Christ. 00:16:55.760 --> 00:16:59.680 Of what Jesus does for us in our relationship with him. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.660 Of what it means to be blessed in our faith. 00:17:02.760 --> 00:17:04.300 And these are what we begin to see. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:10.260 And the first thing she says is, and his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.940 And so we are blessed with mercy. 00:17:12.300 --> 00:17:17.760 You and I, as followers of Jesus Christ, we live in God's compassion and God's kindness. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:22.600 And God gives this to us from the words of Mary, from the words of scripture. 00:17:22.820 --> 00:17:24.500 This happens when we fear him. 00:17:25.320 --> 00:17:25.720 Fear him. 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:29.000 And it doesn't seem that blessing comes from fear, does it? 00:17:29.800 --> 00:17:31.480 That's not what logic teaches us. 00:17:31.540 --> 00:17:33.300 That's not what the world teaches us. 00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:36.960 But the fear of God is not what we think of when you and I think of fear. 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:39.720 When you and I think of fear, we think of terror. 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:46.640 But when the fear of God is discussed, it's the awe and reverence of God. 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:49.440 So what does it mean to fear God? 00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:52.280 What does it mean to be in awe of God? 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:55.920 Two things that I think we can draw from this passage of scripture is this. 00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:59.840 Number one, to fear the Lord means to recognize his greatness. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.960 To recognize his greatness. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.440 Now, I'm a basketball guy. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:07.560 I don't know if anybody else is a basketball guy, but I'm a basketball guy. 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:08.500 I love basketball. 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.420 I love the NBA. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.800 I love the NBA. 00:18:10.800 --> 00:18:15.160 I know I'm definitely in a minority of people in love in the NBA, but I love the NBA. 00:18:15.820 --> 00:18:22.800 But an argument that exists from time to time within the NBA is, who is greater, Michael 00:18:22.800 --> 00:18:25.060 Jordan or LeBron James? 00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:29.060 And my statement to that is simply this. 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:30.760 You're asking the wrong question. 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:33.280 Is it Michael Jordan? 00:18:33.520 --> 00:18:34.820 Is it Magic Johnson? 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.180 Is it Larry Bird? 00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:38.420 I like, well, LeBron's not even in the conversation. 00:18:38.760 --> 00:18:41.520 But we want to pick and choose and bring people in. 00:18:41.520 --> 00:18:44.960 When we talk about, hey, what's the greatest restaurant that you've ever been to? 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:47.900 Well, you can pick this restaurant, and you can pick this restaurant. 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:50.120 What's the greatest song that you've ever heard? 00:18:50.300 --> 00:18:52.700 You can pick this song, and you can pick this song. 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:58.640 But when it comes to the greatness of God, there's no one that should even be in the breath. 00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:00.980 Because it's who he is. 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:07.160 And that his greatness, we're struck in awe, because there is none like him. 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:11.280 And it means to stand in the awe. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:17.700 We've never seen, we've never experienced, nor ever we will, anything greater than God. 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:24.600 But the second that fear or awe should set within us is our smallness. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:31.460 We pale in comparison when it comes to the things of God. 00:19:32.300 --> 00:19:36.280 And what the Bible would define that out for us is humility. 00:19:37.060 --> 00:19:41.700 The humility as we approach him, then humility as we come to him. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:46.920 Just as Mary talks about kingdom blessing in this song, 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:49.880 Jesus does the same thing in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:53.280 And there in Matthew 5, 5, he says this, 00:19:54.280 --> 00:19:58.540 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:03.880 Jesus has got a group of his followers, a group of people who are curious that have come up to him. 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:06.940 And he gathers on the side of this mountain, the side of this hill, 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:10.640 and he's going to draw them to, and he's going to explain the kingdom of God. 00:20:11.520 --> 00:20:16.900 And he begins by talking about in the Beatitudes of what it means to be blessed. 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:19.920 And he speaks to more than we're just going to look at this morning, 00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:23.420 but everything that he says is countercultural to where they are. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:27.060 Everything that Mary is declaring is countercultural to where she is, 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:30.720 and is countercultural to where we find ourselves today. 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:33.980 But the truths of both ring out in one another. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:42.400 Jesus says, Blessed are the meek, not the strong, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:48.900 To fear God and to be meek are very similar 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:55.080 because they both recognize who we are in light of the gospel, right? 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:58.500 Who we are in light of the gospel. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:02.480 Desperate sinners who need to be saved, 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.820 who've done nothing to earn or deserve, 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:06.960 but it is only in the goodness of God. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:12.380 And he is great, and we are not, is what we find. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.660 Mary continues on in her song. 00:21:14.780 --> 00:21:15.980 Look down at verse 51. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:20.900 She says, He has shown strength with his arm. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:24.440 And then begins to talk about the difference in the blessing, 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.800 the difference in the kingdom. 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:30.180 She says, He has scattered the proud and the thoughts of their hearts, right? 00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:32.440 Verse 52. 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:35.800 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones 00:21:35.800 --> 00:21:40.060 and exalted those of humble estate. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:44.480 Exalted those who the world thinks less of. 00:21:45.300 --> 00:21:48.460 Exalted of those who we would never think. 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:52.260 We would think the proud because of what they know, 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:54.160 of what they've done, of what they've accomplished. 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:57.280 We would think of the mighty because they have their thrones 00:21:57.280 --> 00:21:58.820 and all that they've worked toward, 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:00.420 all that's been passed on to them, 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:02.080 all that comes from their family name. 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:03.580 But Mary says, no, no, no, no. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:07.580 He's exalted those of humble estates. 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:13.240 God brings down the powerful and exalts those who are not. 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:17.180 And what we begin to see throughout the Christmas story, 00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:19.480 what we see throughout Scripture, 00:22:20.320 --> 00:22:23.440 is the men and women of God chooses. 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:27.380 And the question is, why does God choose who he chooses? 00:22:28.260 --> 00:22:29.200 You ever looked at Scripture? 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:31.300 I heard a pastor say this this week, 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:33.620 and I love this three-word phrase. 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:36.780 He said this, God chooses afterthoughts. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:39.940 God chooses afterthoughts. 00:22:40.540 --> 00:22:43.400 God chooses the last person picked for the dodgeball team, 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:45.000 or maybe the person not picked at all. 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:48.680 God picks the person that you never knew of, 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.920 that you didn't have, 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:56.680 but Scripture is filled with those chosen by him. 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:59.960 We could stay in here from now until Christmas, 00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:00.760 recounting those, 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:02.480 but I just want to draw a few of them 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:04.660 to your mind real quick this morning. 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.180 Rahab, 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:09.460 a woman in the lineage of Jesus, 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:13.140 who was used in a powerful way by God 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:14.600 to save the Israelites 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:18.700 and help them overtake the pagan city of Jericho. 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.060 She was an afterthought. 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.140 She was a prostitute. 00:23:24.540 --> 00:23:24.940 David, 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:26.780 King David, 00:23:27.820 --> 00:23:28.800 Warrior David, 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.080 Musician David, 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:33.380 of all the things that we think of 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.840 with David and Goliath. 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.200 David described in Scripture 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.420 after a man after God's own heart. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.160 But when the prophet Samuel 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:42.160 came to his home, 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.380 he talked to his dad, Jesse. 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.980 And when Samuel would show up, 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.480 it was the job of the prophet 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.960 to let the people know 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.460 who the next king would be. 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:56.580 And so Jesse sends for all of his sons to come. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.500 Samuel's like, 00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:02.400 Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. 00:24:02.540 --> 00:24:04.140 I thought I asked for all your sons. 00:24:04.260 --> 00:24:05.580 Well, oh man, nope. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.580 Hold on, I'm sorry. 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:07.660 David. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.340 Go get David. 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:10.780 Right? 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:15.680 A man so insignificant, 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.380 his own father left him out. 00:24:19.560 --> 00:24:20.060 Moses. 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:20.120 Moses. 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.880 80 years old 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:24.340 when God called him 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.840 to lead his people 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:26.760 from Egypt 00:24:26.760 --> 00:24:27.740 and then he led them 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.740 for 40 years. 00:24:29.040 --> 00:24:29.620 Do the math. 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:30.860 Right? 00:24:32.040 --> 00:24:33.900 120 years. 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.280 Moses, 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.860 a man on the run 00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:38.360 because of murder. 00:24:39.260 --> 00:24:39.760 But yet, 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:41.400 it's who God chose. 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:42.760 Paul, 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.420 the greatest missionary 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.760 and church planner, 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:48.080 wrote most of the New Testament 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:50.720 but also executed 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:53.160 before he was saved 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.660 many Christians 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:56.120 who professed their faith in Christ. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.480 The afterthoughts. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:01.440 We see the story of Christmas. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.000 Mary, 00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:04.940 the nobody girl 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.380 from a nobody town. 00:25:08.040 --> 00:25:08.640 Joseph, 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:10.260 who she was betrothed 00:25:10.260 --> 00:25:11.700 to be her husband. 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.800 A nobody man 00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:15.100 from a nobody town. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.360 And then on the night 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:19.140 that Christ was born, 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.840 the angels 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:22.440 didn't appear 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.760 to the kings and queens 00:25:23.760 --> 00:25:25.080 and to the rulers 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:26.480 of the region 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:28.160 but instead 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:30.320 appeared to shepherds, 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.520 outcasts, 00:25:33.020 --> 00:25:34.360 many of them thieves 00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:36.160 in the only job 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.700 they could now have. 00:25:38.040 --> 00:25:39.200 And gave them 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:39.980 the message 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.740 of who Christ is. 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:44.540 God exalting 00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:45.780 those 00:25:45.780 --> 00:25:47.300 from the lowly 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.160 estate. 00:25:48.780 --> 00:25:50.380 All the time 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.140 God 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.980 chooses 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.760 those 00:25:52.760 --> 00:25:53.680 whom the world 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.980 would have passed by 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.740 because they're not 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.320 deserving. 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.960 Because they haven't 00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.560 earned it. 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.760 Because it's not 00:26:00.760 --> 00:26:01.840 who you would choose 00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:03.440 or who I would choose 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.500 but it says 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.120 so much 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.820 about the gospel. 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:07.160 Jesus 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.920 in the sermon 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.480 on the mount 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.160 Matthew 5 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.540 3 00:26:09.540 --> 00:26:11.020 says blessed 00:26:11.020 --> 00:26:11.620 are the poor 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.260 in spirit 00:26:12.260 --> 00:26:13.880 for theirs 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:15.460 is the kingdom 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.640 of heaven. 00:26:17.320 --> 00:26:17.920 You know what it means 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.420 to be poor 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:18.920 in spirit? 00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.500 What it means 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.040 to be poor 00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:21.580 in spirit 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.440 is to recognize 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.100 that we bring 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:23.920 nothing to the table. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.400 That we bring 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:26.820 nothing worthy. 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:28.260 And so within 00:26:28.260 --> 00:26:29.360 that creates 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.080 for us 00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:31.380 a desperation. 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:33.160 And the Christmas 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.900 story 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:35.100 is filled 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.700 with ease. 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:37.160 The last thing 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.620 that we see 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:39.220 in these verses 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.060 of kingdom blessing 00:26:40.060 --> 00:26:40.860 verse 53 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.700 and he has filled 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.320 the hungry 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:44.700 with good things 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:46.340 and the rich 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:48.420 he has sent 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.280 away 00:26:49.280 --> 00:26:50.380 empty. 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:52.280 I told you guys 00:26:52.280 --> 00:26:53.140 that we started 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.440 the Christmas celebration 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.260 with my in-laws 00:26:55.260 --> 00:26:55.740 yesterday 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.400 which means 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.040 we ate food. 00:26:59.380 --> 00:26:59.920 And we ate 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.400 a lot 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.500 a lot 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.020 of food. 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.740 I would tell you 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.500 how many plates 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:04.900 of food 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:05.560 that I ate 00:27:05.560 --> 00:27:06.360 but I don't want 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.140 to have to confess 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.760 that in front 00:27:07.760 --> 00:27:08.340 of everybody. 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.060 But I will say 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:10.840 that I came home 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.720 weighing five pounds 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.440 more than I did 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:12.900 previously. 00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:13.180 Okay? 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.640 So got some work 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.020 to do. 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.700 Got some work 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.020 to do. 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.300 And I ate 00:27:17.300 --> 00:27:17.760 yesterday 00:27:17.760 --> 00:27:19.600 so much 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.180 over and over. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.640 I walked in 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.440 and my mother-in-law 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:23.120 had appetizers 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.180 set out on the island 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.060 and said 00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:25.980 but don't eat too much 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.440 because lunch 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.800 is coming. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.580 I looked at her 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:28.240 and said 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.720 challenge accepted. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.040 right? 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.820 I got this. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.920 Don't worry 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.480 about me. 00:27:33.280 --> 00:27:34.100 But I ate 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:34.600 and ate 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.120 and ate 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.600 and ate 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.120 and ate 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:36.580 and ate. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.560 I passed 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.300 being full 00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:39.280 about 30 minutes 00:27:39.280 --> 00:27:39.840 into eating 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.460 and kept on 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:40.700 right? 00:27:41.520 --> 00:27:41.920 But you know 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.200 what happened 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.600 this morning? 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.920 I woke up 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.280 hungry. 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.880 I did. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.200 I didn't go 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.940 to bed hungry 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.920 but this morning 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:52.260 I woke up 00:27:52.260 --> 00:27:52.700 hungry. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:53.940 And you know 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.280 what will happen 00:27:54.280 --> 00:27:54.620 today? 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.080 I'll eat 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.600 not as much 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.180 as yesterday 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.580 and you know 00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:57.900 what will happen 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.280 tomorrow? 00:27:59.360 --> 00:27:59.820 I'll wake 00:27:59.820 --> 00:28:00.240 up hungry 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.620 and I will 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.120 do all 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.680 that I can 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.260 do within 00:28:03.260 --> 00:28:03.960 the course 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.600 of my day 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.440 to make sure 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.900 that I'm 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:06.560 satisfied 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.820 only to find 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:08.560 out the next 00:28:08.560 --> 00:28:09.360 day that I'm 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:09.800 no longer 00:28:09.800 --> 00:28:10.520 satisfied. 00:28:13.020 --> 00:28:13.780 And this is what 00:28:13.780 --> 00:28:14.340 Mary's talking 00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:14.640 about. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.020 For he filled 00:28:17.020 --> 00:28:18.740 the hungry 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:20.240 those who 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.480 hunger for him 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.940 with the good 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.340 things 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:23.900 but the rich 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.200 those who can 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.200 feed themselves 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.520 themselves 00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:27.720 they sent 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:27.980 away. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.120 You know 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.440 there's two 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.940 interesting 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.840 books in the 00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:31.760 Old Testament 00:28:31.760 --> 00:28:32.640 that to read 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:32.980 through them 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.320 takes some 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:33.800 time. 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.600 To study 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:34.940 them takes 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.480 some time. 00:28:35.580 --> 00:28:36.080 There's a lot 00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:36.640 that's there 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:36.880 that are 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.400 often times 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:37.980 difficult to 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.220 read. 00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:38.560 It's the 00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:39.120 book of 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.580 Job and 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:39.840 the book 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.700 of Ecclesiastes. 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.080 And the 00:28:42.080 --> 00:28:42.360 book of 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:42.780 Job and 00:28:42.780 --> 00:28:43.260 the book 00:28:43.260 --> 00:28:44.100 of Ecclesiastes 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.980 both speak 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.500 to the truth 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.020 that we find 00:28:46.020 --> 00:28:46.360 in verse 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:47.100 53. 00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:48.440 In the book 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:48.960 of Job 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.920 Job loses 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.060 everything 00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:52.800 and in 00:28:52.800 --> 00:28:53.180 losing 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.960 everything 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.700 finds out 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.160 what that 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.540 God is 00:28:55.540 --> 00:28:56.000 everything. 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.020 And in 00:28:58.020 --> 00:28:58.860 Ecclesiastes 00:28:58.860 --> 00:29:00.680 Solomon 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:02.000 gains 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.940 everything 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.320 everything 00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:04.960 you and 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.300 I could 00:29:05.300 --> 00:29:05.820 possibly 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:06.460 imagine 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.140 and then 00:29:07.140 --> 00:29:07.500 more. 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.540 And what 00:29:08.540 --> 00:29:08.920 is his 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.540 conclusion? 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.680 That it's 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.840 all useless 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:13.320 apart from 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.960 knowing God 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.160 because he 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.620 has filled 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.200 the hungry 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.140 with good 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.040 things and 00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:18.600 the rich 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.180 he has 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.660 sent away 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.340 empty. 00:29:21.020 --> 00:29:21.380 Jesus 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:21.820 says 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:22.580 blessed are 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.380 those who 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.420 hunger and 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.300 thirst for 00:29:25.300 --> 00:29:25.940 righteousness 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:27.180 for they 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.200 shall be 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.120 satisfied. 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:31.040 Looks out 00:29:31.040 --> 00:29:31.500 at a group 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.180 of broken 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.420 and hurting 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:33.880 people. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.980 People that 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.260 would hunger 00:29:36.260 --> 00:29:36.880 for money 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.140 that would 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:38.520 hunger for 00:29:38.520 --> 00:29:39.020 power 00:29:39.020 --> 00:29:40.120 that would 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.560 hunger for 00:29:40.560 --> 00:29:41.220 influence 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.940 just like 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.620 many today. 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.060 He says 00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:45.300 you want to 00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:46.180 be satisfied 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.780 then hunger 00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:48.800 for 00:29:48.800 --> 00:29:49.480 righteousness. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:50.820 So how 00:29:50.820 --> 00:29:51.000 do we 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.220 gain 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.680 righteousness? 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.180 Well we 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.520 don't earn 00:29:53.520 --> 00:29:53.720 it. 00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.560 We don't 00:29:55.560 --> 00:29:56.240 deserve it. 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.660 But instead 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.100 it is the 00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:58.460 gift of 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:58.820 God through 00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.160 the work 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.540 and life 00:29:59.540 --> 00:29:59.740 and the 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.040 person 00:30:00.040 --> 00:30:00.740 of Jesus 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.220 Christ. 00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:02.740 And scripture 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.340 says blessed 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:03.820 are those 00:30:03.820 --> 00:30:04.820 who hunger 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.940 and thirst 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:06.440 for him. 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:07.940 And then 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.540 lastly this 00:30:08.540 --> 00:30:08.980 little girl 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.620 in her song 00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:10.940 we'll close 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:11.280 on this. 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:11.720 She talks 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.520 about the 00:30:12.520 --> 00:30:13.280 future glory. 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.060 For he 00:30:15.060 --> 00:30:15.500 has looked 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:15.820 on the 00:30:15.820 --> 00:30:16.500 humble estate 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.920 of his 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.280 servant. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:17.700 In verse 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.160 48. 00:30:19.120 --> 00:30:19.640 For behold 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:20.120 from now 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:20.800 on all 00:30:20.800 --> 00:30:21.400 generations 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:21.960 will call 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.620 me blessed. 00:30:23.260 --> 00:30:24.020 For he 00:30:24.020 --> 00:30:24.860 who is mighty 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.500 has done 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.360 great things 00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:26.860 for me 00:30:26.860 --> 00:30:28.440 and holy 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.580 is his 00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:29.900 name. 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.400 Mary looks 00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:31.800 and says 00:30:31.800 --> 00:30:32.220 from now 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.760 on 00:30:32.760 --> 00:30:34.180 moving 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.900 forward 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:36.200 here's 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.520 where my 00:30:36.520 --> 00:30:36.960 blessing 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.620 will lie 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.920 and in 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.340 that 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:40.320 all 00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:41.440 generations 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.380 will 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.800 call 00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:43.220 me 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.140 blessed. 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.640 For you 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:45.960 and I 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.520 right now 00:30:46.520 --> 00:30:47.020 so many 00:30:47.020 --> 00:30:47.560 times 00:30:47.560 --> 00:30:48.000 in these 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.480 opportunities 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:48.900 we get 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.140 stuck 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.360 in the 00:30:49.360 --> 00:30:49.600 moment. 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.140 We can't 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:51.700 see past 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.040 today. 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.580 We can't 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.160 see past 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:54.100 right now. 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.360 We can't 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:55.720 look into 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.220 the future 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.560 but the 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:56.920 hope of 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.380 the gospel 00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:57.760 is not 00:30:57.760 --> 00:30:58.560 always found 00:30:58.560 --> 00:30:58.780 in the 00:30:58.780 --> 00:30:59.280 right now 00:30:59.280 --> 00:31:00.340 but is 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:00.700 found in 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.040 the future 00:31:01.040 --> 00:31:01.540 of glory 00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:01.820 that's 00:31:01.820 --> 00:31:02.120 promised 00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:02.460 us. 00:31:03.280 --> 00:31:03.580 It's 00:31:03.580 --> 00:31:03.900 hard to 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.360 see that 00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:04.580 in the 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.060 brokenness 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:05.420 that we 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.120 experience. 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.040 It's 00:31:07.040 --> 00:31:07.340 hard to 00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:07.780 see that 00:31:07.780 --> 00:31:08.100 in the 00:31:08.100 --> 00:31:08.420 fallen 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:08.680 and the 00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.080 brokenness 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:09.340 of the 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:09.600 world 00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:09.920 in which 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.860 we live. 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.080 The Bible 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:13.140 reminds us 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:13.600 that right 00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:14.080 now is 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.440 not the 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.840 fulfillment 00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:15.400 of that. 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.000 If it 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.640 was then 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.020 we'd be 00:31:17.020 --> 00:31:17.820 okay with 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:18.360 it always 00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:19.000 being here. 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.520 We'd be 00:31:19.520 --> 00:31:20.140 okay with 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.480 what's 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.240 right now 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.760 but the 00:31:21.760 --> 00:31:21.980 Bible 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:22.720 teaches us 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.280 that God 00:31:23.280 --> 00:31:23.760 is using 00:31:23.760 --> 00:31:24.480 all these 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.260 things in 00:31:25.260 --> 00:31:25.980 our world 00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.740 to build 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.360 up with 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:28.160 inside of 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.640 us a 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.080 particular 00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:29.700 hunger 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.540 that hungers 00:31:30.540 --> 00:31:31.120 for something 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.560 that's not 00:31:31.560 --> 00:31:32.000 of today. 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.000 That hungers 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.420 for something 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:33.860 that can't 00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:34.580 be purchased. 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.420 That hungers 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:35.900 for something 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:36.500 that can't 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.020 be fixed 00:31:37.020 --> 00:31:37.540 right now. 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.040 It's a 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:39.040 future glory. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.440 It's what 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.180 we long 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.460 for. 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.220 And I 00:31:41.220 --> 00:31:41.860 intentionally 00:31:41.860 --> 00:31:42.240 do not 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.560 have these 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:42.980 words on 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.440 the screen 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:43.940 because I 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.140 just want 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.360 you to 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:44.920 listen to 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.080 them. 00:31:45.280 --> 00:31:45.540 But if you 00:31:45.540 --> 00:31:45.800 want to go 00:31:45.800 --> 00:31:46.120 back and 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:46.940 read Romans 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.700 8 starting 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.200 in verse 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.740 18. 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.140 Paul writes 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.700 and he 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:50.920 says, 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.380 for I 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:51.900 consider 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.540 that the 00:31:52.540 --> 00:31:53.120 sufferings 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:53.680 of this 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:54.020 present 00:31:54.020 --> 00:31:54.460 time 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.080 are not 00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.660 worth 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.440 comparing 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.160 with the 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.680 glory 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.400 that is 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:58.820 to be 00:31:58.820 --> 00:31:59.480 revealed 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:01.120 to us. 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.700 For the 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.260 creation 00:32:03.260 --> 00:32:04.440 waits with 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.560 eager longing 00:32:05.560 --> 00:32:06.200 for the 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:06.760 revealing 00:32:06.760 --> 00:32:07.320 of the 00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:07.780 sons of 00:32:07.780 --> 00:32:08.100 God. 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.040 For the 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:09.620 creation 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.660 was subjected 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:12.020 to futility 00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:13.120 not willingly 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.120 but because of 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:14.740 him who 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.600 subjected it 00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.300 in hope 00:32:16.300 --> 00:32:17.420 that creation 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.100 itself 00:32:18.100 --> 00:32:18.880 will be set 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:19.600 free from 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:20.340 its bondage 00:32:20.340 --> 00:32:21.260 to corruption 00:32:21.260 --> 00:32:22.220 and obtain 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.880 the freedom 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.880 of the glory 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.240 of the 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.800 children of 00:32:24.800 --> 00:32:25.120 God. 00:32:25.260 --> 00:32:25.800 For we 00:32:25.800 --> 00:32:26.380 know that 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:26.840 the whole 00:32:26.840 --> 00:32:27.560 creation 00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:28.240 has been 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.800 groaning 00:32:28.800 --> 00:32:29.780 together in 00:32:29.780 --> 00:32:30.380 the pains 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.200 of childbirth 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.040 until now. 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:32.600 And not 00:32:32.600 --> 00:32:33.160 only the 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:33.720 creation 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.840 but we 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:35.680 ourselves 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.340 who have 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:36.920 the first 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.340 fruits 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.000 of the 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.500 spirit 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.160 grown 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:40.140 inwardly 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:40.800 as we 00:32:40.800 --> 00:32:41.260 wait 00:32:41.260 --> 00:32:42.520 eagerly 00:32:42.520 --> 00:32:43.660 for adoption 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.600 as sons 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:45.120 the 00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:46.140 redemptions 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:46.720 of our 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.100 body. 00:32:47.340 --> 00:32:47.720 For in 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.680 this hope 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.740 we are 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.880 saved. 00:32:52.780 --> 00:32:53.540 Belonging. 00:32:55.600 --> 00:32:56.000 And as 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.700 you're going 00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:57.400 through and 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:58.160 experiencing 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.400 the brokenness 00:32:59.400 --> 00:32:59.720 of this 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.060 world, 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:02.040 of all 00:33:02.040 --> 00:33:02.400 that is 00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:02.860 busted, 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.740 of all 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.080 that is 00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:05.660 painful, 00:33:06.540 --> 00:33:07.360 of all 00:33:07.360 --> 00:33:08.120 that hurts, 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.700 of all 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.280 that brings 00:33:10.280 --> 00:33:10.760 tears, 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.340 know in 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:12.840 the midst 00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:13.220 of the 00:33:13.220 --> 00:33:13.700 struggle 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.880 that God 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:15.180 isn't 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.020 wasting it, 00:33:16.540 --> 00:33:17.280 that God 00:33:17.280 --> 00:33:18.040 is using 00:33:18.040 --> 00:33:18.440 it, 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.640 that God 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.480 is working 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.280 in it. 00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.600 And in 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.060 that where 00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:23.460 we don't 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:23.940 know what 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.400 happened on 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:24.780 the other 00:33:24.780 --> 00:33:25.300 end of it 00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:25.620 and the 00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.280 other end 00:33:26.280 --> 00:33:26.560 of it 00:33:26.560 --> 00:33:26.820 in the 00:33:26.820 --> 00:33:27.140 immediate 00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:27.660 might not 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.140 be good, 00:33:28.780 --> 00:33:29.620 what God 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:30.380 is doing 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:30.940 is he 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:31.760 is creating 00:33:31.760 --> 00:33:32.620 in us 00:33:32.620 --> 00:33:33.320 something 00:33:33.320 --> 00:33:34.160 special 00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.160 that causes 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:36.020 us to 00:33:36.020 --> 00:33:36.920 long for 00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.720 a future 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.080 that we 00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.860 see in 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.400 Revelation 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.360 where all 00:33:40.360 --> 00:33:40.760 of this 00:33:40.760 --> 00:33:41.440 is gone 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:43.200 and it's 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.880 just him 00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:45.240 for eternity. 00:33:46.520 --> 00:33:47.140 And it's 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:47.560 what God 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:48.000 uses. 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:50.140 And so 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:50.500 a little 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.540 young 00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:52.380 teenage 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:53.240 virgin 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:53.640 girl 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:56.780 can stand 00:33:56.780 --> 00:33:58.160 in her 00:33:58.160 --> 00:33:58.720 relative's 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.080 home 00:33:59.080 --> 00:34:01.660 knowing 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.120 the 00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:03.240 shame 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.440 that 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:03.720 others 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:03.960 will 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.780 cast 00:34:04.780 --> 00:34:05.200 at her, 00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:07.220 knowing 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.480 the 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:07.860 struggles 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.360 that she 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.060 will face, 00:34:10.540 --> 00:34:10.860 knowing 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.360 what will 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:11.940 lay out 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.380 in front 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:12.800 of her. 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.620 But 00:34:14.620 --> 00:34:15.120 honestly, 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:17.180 in most 00:34:17.180 --> 00:34:17.460 of what 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.900 her life 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.500 will carry, 00:34:19.700 --> 00:34:20.560 she's clueless. 00:34:22.020 --> 00:34:23.000 she's clueless. 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.800 And she 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.300 doesn't know 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:25.640 how it's 00:34:25.640 --> 00:34:26.080 all going 00:34:26.080 --> 00:34:26.780 to pan 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.080 out. 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.420 She doesn't 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.040 know all 00:34:29.040 --> 00:34:29.520 of the 00:34:29.520 --> 00:34:30.380 pain that's 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:30.600 going to 00:34:30.600 --> 00:34:30.960 come. 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.420 But she 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:32.880 can look 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.360 at that 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.400 and place 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:34.980 her hope, 00:34:35.620 --> 00:34:36.400 not in the 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:36.700 earthly 00:34:36.700 --> 00:34:37.520 circumstances, 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.000 but in the 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.380 hope of 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:39.840 Christ 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.760 and the 00:34:40.760 --> 00:34:41.520 future glory 00:34:41.520 --> 00:34:42.480 that awaits. 00:34:44.040 --> 00:34:44.560 Do you 00:34:44.560 --> 00:34:45.040 have hope? 00:34:46.120 --> 00:34:46.680 Not that 00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:47.120 tomorrow will 00:34:47.120 --> 00:34:47.440 be better. 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.500 Not that 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.040 this afternoon 00:34:50.040 --> 00:34:50.340 will be 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:50.600 better. 00:34:52.060 --> 00:34:52.760 But do we 00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:53.560 have hope 00:34:53.560 --> 00:34:55.040 in him 00:34:55.040 --> 00:34:56.340 and in 00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:56.720 him alone? 00:34:57.620 --> 00:34:57.880 Would you 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.220 pray with 00:34:58.220 --> 00:34:58.400 me? 00:35:05.180 --> 00:35:05.580 Lord, 00:35:05.620 --> 00:35:05.980 we thank 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.220 you for 00:35:06.220 --> 00:35:06.800 the song 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.300 of Mary. 00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:09.520 Lord, 00:35:09.560 --> 00:35:09.780 I don't 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.140 know how 00:35:10.140 --> 00:35:10.780 your spirit 00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:11.500 worked in 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.220 her in the 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:12.720 moment to 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.380 declare the 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:14.380 truths that 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.800 were there. 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.460 Lord, 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:17.680 but I 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:18.020 thank you 00:35:18.020 --> 00:35:18.360 that from 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:18.800 your humble 00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:19.280 servant, 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:20.940 your obedient 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.460 servant, 00:35:22.140 --> 00:35:22.980 you spoke 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:25.200 words of 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:25.860 encouragement, 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:28.280 of 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:28.860 obedience, 00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:31.480 of mercy, 00:35:32.540 --> 00:35:33.220 and of 00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:35.060 hope that 00:35:35.060 --> 00:35:36.040 rang true as 00:35:36.040 --> 00:35:36.520 they came 00:35:36.520 --> 00:35:37.040 out of her 00:35:37.040 --> 00:35:38.860 mouth and 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.260 they ring 00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:39.940 true today. 00:35:41.300 --> 00:35:41.820 Lord, 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.520 today in 00:35:42.520 --> 00:35:42.880 spite of 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.320 what all 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.840 this world 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.520 brings. 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:47.720 But Lord, 00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:48.140 may we 00:35:48.140 --> 00:35:48.900 find comfort 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:51.920 in the 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.340 mightiness 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:52.700 of your 00:35:52.700 --> 00:35:53.420 hand and 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.240 the strength 00:35:54.240 --> 00:35:54.660 of your 00:35:54.660 --> 00:35:55.140 will. 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.540 Lord, 00:35:59.540 --> 00:35:59.820 as the 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.180 world 00:36:00.180 --> 00:36:00.720 throws 00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.600 accusations, 00:36:02.680 --> 00:36:04.060 as we 00:36:04.060 --> 00:36:05.380 feel the 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:05.920 arrows 00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:07.720 that seem 00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.320 to consume 00:36:08.320 --> 00:36:08.840 us and 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:09.740 surround us, 00:36:10.240 --> 00:36:11.880 are we 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:13.080 reminded of 00:36:13.080 --> 00:36:13.660 your mercy, 00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:14.060 of your 00:36:14.060 --> 00:36:14.660 compassion, 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:15.060 and of 00:36:15.060 --> 00:36:15.240 your 00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:15.880 kindness 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.740 for us 00:36:16.740 --> 00:36:19.080 or for 00:36:19.080 --> 00:36:19.500 those who 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.160 fear you? 00:36:25.520 --> 00:36:26.220 Or can 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:26.780 our joy 00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.560 be found 00:36:27.560 --> 00:36:29.340 and our 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.980 hope be 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.520 secured 00:36:30.520 --> 00:36:33.180 not because 00:36:33.180 --> 00:36:33.460 we're 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:33.940 perfect, 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:35.880 not because 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.440 the day is 00:36:36.440 --> 00:36:36.880 perfect, 00:36:37.240 --> 00:36:39.620 our faith 00:36:39.620 --> 00:36:40.080 is found 00:36:40.080 --> 00:36:40.520 in you 00:36:40.520 --> 00:36:40.800 and in 00:36:40.800 --> 00:36:40.980 your 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.400 holiness. 00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:44.360 And there's 00:36:44.360 --> 00:36:44.860 no other 00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.560 like you. 00:36:50.640 --> 00:36:51.400 Or can we 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.980 look at the 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.840 situations and 00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.360 the struggles 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:53.980 of our life 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:54.240 that we 00:36:54.240 --> 00:36:54.660 face? 00:36:56.520 --> 00:36:57.240 Or can we 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:57.920 look back 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:59.760 in what 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:00.040 you've 00:37:00.040 --> 00:37:01.960 done and 00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:02.380 see what 00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:02.940 you did 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:03.180 and what 00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:03.340 you're 00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:03.740 continuing 00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.500 to do 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:06.280 through the 00:37:06.280 --> 00:37:06.800 battles that 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:07.380 we face? 00:37:08.820 --> 00:37:09.260 Lord, 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:09.780 where we 00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:10.460 can't see 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:10.960 past the 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.280 fog, 00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.100 we don't 00:37:12.100 --> 00:37:12.680 know what's 00:37:12.680 --> 00:37:13.020 happening, 00:37:13.140 --> 00:37:13.420 we don't 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.040 know where 00:37:14.040 --> 00:37:14.460 we're even 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:15.220 wondering where 00:37:15.220 --> 00:37:15.840 you are and 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:16.240 what you're 00:37:16.240 --> 00:37:16.640 doing, 00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:16.920 Lord, 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.500 but could 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:17.860 you just 00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:18.560 remind us 00:37:18.560 --> 00:37:18.940 that what 00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:19.480 we need 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:19.800 in those 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.640 moments is 00:37:20.640 --> 00:37:21.380 not knowledge, 00:37:21.520 --> 00:37:21.820 is not 00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:22.340 answers, 00:37:22.540 --> 00:37:23.540 but is faith 00:37:23.540 --> 00:37:24.020 to hope 00:37:24.020 --> 00:37:24.440 in you. 00:37:25.520 --> 00:37:25.900 That you 00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.140 will not 00:37:26.140 --> 00:37:26.600 leave us 00:37:26.600 --> 00:37:27.180 or forsake 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:27.560 us. 00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.320 And Lord, 00:37:29.380 --> 00:37:29.640 can we 00:37:29.640 --> 00:37:30.160 thank you 00:37:30.160 --> 00:37:31.440 that you 00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:32.460 speak to 00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:33.060 us, 00:37:35.120 --> 00:37:35.820 or not 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.140 with an 00:37:36.140 --> 00:37:36.780 angel that 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.900 appears in 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.360 our home, 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:41.020 but with 00:37:41.020 --> 00:37:41.500 your very 00:37:41.500 --> 00:37:41.980 word of 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.300 God. 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.320 And through 00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:45.560 that, 00:37:45.660 --> 00:37:45.740 Lord, 00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:46.040 we can 00:37:46.040 --> 00:37:46.560 know you 00:37:46.560 --> 00:37:48.600 and we 00:37:48.600 --> 00:37:49.000 can take 00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.360 it to 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:51.120 make you 00:37:51.120 --> 00:37:51.420 known. 00:37:53.580 --> 00:37:54.060 Lord, 00:37:54.100 --> 00:37:54.480 my prayer 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.300 for us 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:57.700 is that we 00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:58.340 would reflect 00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:58.980 the song 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.460 that Mary 00:37:59.460 --> 00:37:59.840 sang, 00:38:00.540 --> 00:38:01.560 that our 00:38:01.560 --> 00:38:03.700 soul magnifies 00:38:03.700 --> 00:38:04.040 you, 00:38:04.520 --> 00:38:05.560 and that 00:38:05.560 --> 00:38:06.560 our spirit 00:38:06.560 --> 00:38:09.400 rejoices in 00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:10.080 our God, 00:38:10.520 --> 00:38:11.260 our Savior. 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.160 And it's in 00:38:13.160 --> 00:38:13.860 Jesus' name we 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.120 pray. 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.220 Amen. 00:38:16.020 --> 00:38:16.420 Would you 00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:17.560 stand as we 00:38:17.560 --> 00:38:18.020 worship him? 00:38:18.020 --> 00:38:31.320 thanks again for 00:38:31.320 --> 00:38:32.000 listening to the 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.440 Willow Ridge 00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:33.160 Church weekly 00:38:33.160 --> 00:38:33.580 podcast. 00:38:34.120 --> 00:38:34.760 We hope that you 00:38:34.760 --> 00:38:35.600 enjoyed listening to 00:38:35.600 --> 00:38:36.400 this week's message. 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.580 If you'd like to 00:38:37.580 --> 00:38:38.220 learn more about 00:38:38.220 --> 00:38:39.100 who we are or 00:38:39.100 --> 00:38:39.880 explore additional 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.400 resources, 00:38:40.980 --> 00:38:41.880 visit us online 00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:45.440 at www.willowridgechurch.com 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.660 or by searching 00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:47.340 for Willow Ridge 00:38:47.340 --> 00:38:47.940 Church on 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:48.640 Facebook and 00:38:48.640 --> 00:38:49.000 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