tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65977033588032731992024-03-18T05:06:06.621-04:00Robert J. NashThoughts, sermons, and source for free Christian nonfiction books from a husband, father, pastor, and author.Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.comBlogger1127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-57861350889852767732024-03-18T05:03:00.007-04:002024-03-18T05:05:34.503-04:00Holiness Day by Day written by Jerry Bridges (Free)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwCXPlKKJnGLs3ZMBL9afYOnZoHC-vrN90n9u1P_2oL-KrQ-tum5eIlGGwNsmHbpYNvgaj3I5Y_rNljtkGRojW4F6WahZHXeBbsSs8k-IWamZY_s9YsxcsyuqHqoQT65Jeug1pYn9w3quM80lUdpB5DGIL7msr464rdZ-oc0LAz00ofi2vgugJYc5boyf/s1500/91+6sKqv-YL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwCXPlKKJnGLs3ZMBL9afYOnZoHC-vrN90n9u1P_2oL-KrQ-tum5eIlGGwNsmHbpYNvgaj3I5Y_rNljtkGRojW4F6WahZHXeBbsSs8k-IWamZY_s9YsxcsyuqHqoQT65Jeug1pYn9w3quM80lUdpB5DGIL7msr464rdZ-oc0LAz00ofi2vgugJYc5boyf/s320/91+6sKqv-YL._SL1500_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>Faithlife and NavPress are giving away the book <i>Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey </i>by Jerry Bridges <b>Free </b>for the rest of the month of March. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher:</h3><p><i>Do you want more substance to your daily devotional? Then you will appreciate this devotional. Free of "fluff" and steeped in scripture, here's a rock-solid 365-day devotional that will stand the test of time. Each entry has been carefully selected from Jerry Bridges' best writings, offering thoughtful daily guidance to help you meditate on God's Word and diligently seek Him. This quick daily read is full of inspiration, commitment, and transformation for men and women to grow in spiritual maturity.</i></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Get your free eBook copy <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://www.logos.com/product/16419/holiness-day-by-day-transformational-thoughts-for-your-spiritual-journey?fbclid=IwAR35y5xI9TqpFPOdiX4wqFgIzea-uFeMmd1SYxydaECHnODASsn8Ag6ShEw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> or buy a copy <a href="https://amzn.to/43lFnn7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </h3>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-86453462995575227712024-03-10T21:02:00.004-04:002024-03-10T21:02:59.216-04:00Rebels and Religious: Matthew 21:23-32 (Sermon)<br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-4ac8af5a-7fff-f815-92cb-cdb76a3bdd27"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5rdQ0NwMryaCYlqcsPZYT8Q-6nBqe-inXW3oVfsuk3pToLA1I_KOqNejFhj5qMpLvw7gjPJuE7AYVPpoKc2AroQEWw8QwVAjKa8C9Y_AJ9G9p7gWHbk-tZHgsh927DJJ_0AaWVMYMg3a6vReoLNeQqdRFefilPLSlXTUXt93S_6mKDgNQHLZP3CchiAF/s940/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5rdQ0NwMryaCYlqcsPZYT8Q-6nBqe-inXW3oVfsuk3pToLA1I_KOqNejFhj5qMpLvw7gjPJuE7AYVPpoKc2AroQEWw8QwVAjKa8C9Y_AJ9G9p7gWHbk-tZHgsh927DJJ_0AaWVMYMg3a6vReoLNeQqdRFefilPLSlXTUXt93S_6mKDgNQHLZP3CchiAF/s320/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fod3E0iB-NM?si=t_ug98ziNO_MVCUb&start=1376" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">INTRODUCTION </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thanks, Butch and Worship team, for leading us in worship. There is no other name than Jesus. That is true. But to be candid, I think people don’t always live like it is true. I don’t always live like that. Let me explain authority another way. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">BUGATTI</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, the second most expensive car in the world, valued at 18.1 million dollars. I will give it to the first person who comes up here, but I don’t have the authority to do so. I would love to actually give one away, but I don’t have the power to do it. I found the picture on their website. They have the authority to grant ownership, not me. This morning, we are discussing authority and the authority of Jesus. We all have some authority and are under some authority, whether it is our government, employers, work, school or home. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 127px; overflow: hidden; width: 226px;"><img height="127" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/dhlvKtOj5G7MyGUYUIXvK9YCUpjVcaTus3xVdXxL0OHE4CaKAEIN-wPKKO5g1BcrF9entJIBFS0bjzhYTwdyOZhnakEgYf8Ojktg62dzK8b2DAjrVz-oZSJGG5WvkCAm8DRBF863RohGWRSm6nvgviU" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="226" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT2TUT1TiWsd0ptzqqvonpt0rdH-FnlOXchlQ&usqp=CAU" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT2TUT1TiWsd0ptzqqvonpt0rdH-FnlOXchlQ&usqp=CAU</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What we deem as authoritative can have some control. Besides our autonomy, what has a say or sway in our lives? </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Habits, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Desires,</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Drives,</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Appetites, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Goals, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Bucket list, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Money, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Possessions, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Power, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">People, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The past, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus? What controls you has a degree of authority over you. </span></p></li></ul><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TODAY</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Today, Jesus returns to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives to the temple. The religious leaders spar. In our passage, we hear an ironic tale where the teachers of the Law become an object lesson for us on what not to do, and the lawbreakers model how to live. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TEXT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am going to have R. B. read for us. He will read from Matthew chapter 21, starting at verse 23 and going through verse 32. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word? </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him. (Matthew 21:23–32, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you, let’s pray. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dear God, we need you. Your Word is light and truth. Guide us, I pray, in your holy name, amen. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may be seated. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was in Jerusalem. It was Passover. He was teaching and healing. The city had swollen to 180,000 people from its original population of 30,000. The tensions between Jesus and the religious leaders were like an overfilled balloon ready to pop. Jesus had less than a week to live. Time was running out, and his identity was in question. Who was he to teach in the capital, let alone the temple, performing magical wonders and overturning tables? What made him so special, and why did he permit people to call him the Son of David in the king’s royal city? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">STRUCTURE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our passage begins with this question of his identity. In verses 28 through 32, Jesus gives a roundabout answer with an ironic application. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MAIN IDEA</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus’s heavenly authority necessitates belief and obedience. Let me say that again. The answer to the religious elites questioning that: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus’s heavenly authority necessitates belief and obedience. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s see this in our Bibles. Go to verse 23. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 23</span></h1><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’” (Matthew 21:23, ESV). </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may recall or read verse 17 last week. It tells us that the day before our passage, Jesus was in the temple. We have a familiar cast of characters: the chief priests and religious leaders, a crowd (21:26), and the disciples (21:20). Who were these leaders? Matthew identifies them in verse 45 as Pharisees. What did they want? They wanted to know what right Jesus had to do and say what he did. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">EVIDENCE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What do we know about Jesus’s authority? In the Sermon on the Mount, we read: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">authority</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28–29, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He taught as if he was speaking the inspired Word of God because he was. He had authority. Not only that, Jesus was healing diseases all over, and after one particular event, we read: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">authority</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">” (Matthew 9:7–8, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then, a chapter later, Jesus delegated this authority to his twelve friends. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">authority </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At the end of the book, we read: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Jesus came and said to them, ‘All </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">authority </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who gave Jesus his authority? God. His authority came from heaven. Jesus taught, healed, delegated, and had all authority. However, the religious leaders were asking not because they wanted to follow or believe him, let alone worship him. They didn’t like him. They hated him. They thought his authority derived from Satan. We read this in chapter 9: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘He casts out demons by the prince of demons’” (Matthew 9:33–34, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The leadership thought he was possessed. Why? </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Well, for one thing, Jesus, in a veiled way, was putting himself on the level with God. That sounded heretical to blasphemous. But he was the God-man, of the same substance but mysteriously different in person as God, the Father.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus also questioned their interpretations of the Old Testament. For example, he upheld the principle behind the Sabbath and dissected the cultural and sinful additions to the Law. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Third, Jesus called their character into question. He said they were hypocrites, doing religious things for people’s praise, not God’s. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, they may have been jealous of his popularity and authority. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Regardless, their fury had grown in chapter 12, and they:</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him” (Matthew 12:14, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus knew this and predicted they would succeed. His time was running out. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S RESPONSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How did he respond? Look at verses 24 and 25. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?’” (Matthew 21:24–25, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus knew the answer. I think he asked this question to reveal their heart. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 25</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at the rest of verse 25. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And they discussed it among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet’” (Matthew 21:25–26, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The leaders were more concerned with what the masses thought than the truth. </span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[How would Matthew know? Perhaps Jesus told the disciples, God could have given Matthew the inside look at the heart, maybe the disciples overheard their debate, or one or more converted to the faith and offered an insider look. We know Nicodemus was a religious leader in Jerusalem that holy week. Regardless, they debated what to say back to Jesus.] </span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They were more worried about their reputation. People’s opinions controlled them. If Jesus was as evil as they believed, then it shouldn’t matter what the populus thought. The Pharisees were anti-role models—the fear of what people thought controlled them. The crowd’s perceptions paralyzed and held them back. Worry was a tightened ratchet strap. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FEAR OF MAN </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We can struggle similarly. I know I can. How do I see this? Frequently, I have met people who don’t attend church because they fear what others think. In actuality, people aren’t thinking of them. Instead, people think of themselves. Here are some thoughts that can fly through my head: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I am hungry. What am I going to make for lunch? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">When am I going to go grocery shopping? Do we have enough toilet paper? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What am I going to say at the next meeting? Did I tell my wife about that meeting? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Who is driving them kids? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">When am I going to get around to fixing the bike? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I want to read my book. What a great book. I should buy a copy for so and so. But where will I get the money for that? I will just text them about it. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope I can take a nap. I am so tired. When will this end (and maybe you are thinking about the sermon right now)? </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You get what goes on in my head. It is often about me. Sometimes, it is about others. I can be judgmental. But most of the time, it is about me, which is normal because I am me. And you probably think about you, which is right and good. Our mental space is likely filled with things about ourselves, not others. The force that paralyzes people from coming to church is more devilish than not. It is another form of selfishness and pride. The religious leaders were similar. They gave too much authority to people’s opinions. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JOHN THE BAPTIST </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s go back to chapter 21. Jesus brought up John the Baptist. Why? Why did he bring up John? John foreshadowed Jesus. He was a prophet sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord. His message was what? To repent and be ready because the Kingdom of God was at hand. Turn from sin and follow God. People came to hear from all over. And the Pharisees didn’t like this. John brought a scathing condemnation to them. He called them a brood of vipers. They were snakes. When Jesus began his ministry, his greatest sermon echoed this complaint. The Old Testament passages he quoted recently dug up the ugly past and preserved it for all of history. They were oppressors, not leaders, thieves, not generous, adulterers, not pure, and idol worshipers. They were leeches, taking advantage of God’s people for personal gain. All that to say, the Pharisees didn’t think that John was a prophet and didn’t have heavenly authority. They didn’t repent for their arrogance and conceit, and if they stood by their beliefs, they would have been in hot water with the crowd. So what did they say? Look at verse 27. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things’” (Matthew 21:27, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They refused to answer. Jesus wouldn’t answer them either (not directly). </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 28</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He would go on to tell them a story, actually a couple. Here is the first. Look at verses 28. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And he answered, “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, “I go, sir,” but did not go. (Matthew 21:28–30, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The story was a parable. A parable is a simple, mundane, commonplace event that illustrates an arresting spiritual truth. It is like an allegory or fable but shorter. Jesus described a father and two sons and their interaction. One says he won’t obey and does, while the other says he will obey and doesn’t. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 31</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then, in verse 31, Jesus asked a fundamental question. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“‘Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’” (Matthew 21:31, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Were they right? Yes. Now, the kicker. Look back at verse 31. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you’” (Matthew 21:31, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let that sink in for a moment. Tax collectors and prostitutes will go into the kingdom of God before you. Jesus’s words remind me of the prophet Nathan, who confronted King David about his murder and adultery in Jerusalem 1000 years before. The Pharisees didn’t realize Jesus was talking about them; they were the second son. Jesus was saying that the first child was the one who said he would not obey but changed his mind and obeyed, was the tax collectors and prostitutes. The Pharisees were the second son. </span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[A side note: the first is the first. But in the Jewish history the although traditionally firstborn got the blessing, it was the second, Jacob that got it. Jacob blessed the second born of Joseph, not the first. (We can’t put too much stake in the order here because there are few variant manuscripts.) So, in a sense sometimes the firstborn was last. And certainly the] </span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tax collectors made their money enforcing the foreign government’s reign. They were known for being in bed with the enemy. They had the freedom to take more than their fair share, and they did. They were thieves and extortionists, oppressing the weak. They were often mentioned in the same sentence with Gentiles. A good Jewish person could not eat with Gentiles. Prostitutes, well made their money selling their bodies, tempting and alluring their clients who were fathers and husbands and sons. They were not following God’s design for sexuality. Yet, Jesus said that those men and women would enter the kingdom of God before the creme de la creme of the capital. How? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 32</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at verse 32.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him” (Matthew 21:32, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus went back to John. John promoted right living. He called people to repent from sin and follow God. That meant prostitutes stopping their prostituting and tax collectors stopping their stealing. There is hope. There is room for them in the Kingdom of God. This is space for them at the table of the Lord. They received this invitation. They believed Jesus turned from their wickedness, giving him authority over their lives. However, the Pharisees didn’t. They witnessed the mass’s reaction; they saw and heard of the miracles and didn’t believe. Instead, they made plans to arrest him. They were not only giving the crowd authority; they were committed to preserving their power. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONNECTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who do you relate to in the story? Matthew wrote this not as a history lesson but as a spiritual one. God preserved it for us to hear him speak to our week. I can relate to all three. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">RELIGIOUS LEADERS</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Like religious leaders, I can be overly concerned about what people think. I can be jealous of how God uses and works in people. Even Jesus’s words can be hard to hear. How so? Picture the grossest sinner you know. Say they experience Christ and turn in repentance and faith. Imagine Jesus telling us about it and saying they will be seated before us. That can sting. It surfaces in me a self-centered ego. I also tend to give myself more authority or credit than I deserve. I can relate to the Pharisee, can you? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">REBEL</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I can also relate to the rebels. I like to do what I want to do. I don’t always like following God. Over the years, God has helped me overcome my rebellious nature. I get the power of giving myself over to the authority of sin. I have been there, stuck. Have you? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">REPENTANT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I also can relate to the repentant. I know the desire and joy of Jesus’s love and forgiveness. I have been grateful for what God has done in my life. I have been broken and overjoyed by God and his grace. Have you? That is where I want to be more. I want Jesus to have the authority in my life. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ALL </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">No matter whom you resonate within the story, you can repent, too. It is not too late. You can turn from giving authority to the wrong things to God. You can live for Jesus and find the abundant life that he promises. Let </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">me </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">tell you a story to illustrate this.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SILVER CHAIR</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This week, I was listening to the dramatized version of the Silver Chair. It is part of the Chronicles of Narnia series. In it, a girl named Jill finds herself incredibly thirsty. She longs for water. She comes upon a stream. And we read: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Although the sight of water made her feel ten times thirstier than before, she didn’t rush forward and drink. She stood as still as if she had been turned into stone, with her mouth wide open. And she had a very good reason; just on this side of the stream lay the lion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 316px; overflow: hidden; width: 498px;"><img height="316" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/vE-0CrNlN3l1y7Jcn3zMZ56DAARNYJHbTfmG0tpB36p2oUsiTYTez9x6RY7-AcXA5LZRP-EADW-gKz6EcBZmFQB1El716hO2NxfPf3Y4A5Dw3ED7jq3oTczIyexyl8Ma6zcE8ozwteNyq0ox9kXU0xk" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="498" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">From </span><a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/07/31/22/08/lion-3576045_1280.jpg" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/07/31/22/08/lion-3576045_1280.jpg</span></a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It lay with its head raised and its two fore-paws out in front of it. She knew at once that it had seen her, for its eyes looked straight into hers for a moment and then turned away–as if it knew her quite well and didn’t think much of her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“If I run away, it’ll be after me in a moment,” thought Jill. “And if I go on, I shall run straight into its mouth.” Anyway, she couldn’t have moved if she had tried, and she couldn’t take her eyes off it. How long this lasted, she could not be sure; it seemed like hours. And the thirst became so bad that she almost felt she would not mind being eaten by the lion if only she could be sure of getting a mouthful of water first.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“If you’re thirsty, you may drink.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For a second she stared here and there, wondering who had spoken.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then the voice said again, “If you are thirsty, come and drink,” and she realized that it was the lion speaking. She had seen its lips move this time, and the voice was not like a man’s. It was deeper, wilder, and stronger; a sort of heavy, golden voice. It did not make her any less frightened than she had been before, but it made her frightened in a rather different way.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Then drink,” said the Lion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Will you promise not to—do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I make no promise,” said the Lion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Do you eat girls?” she said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 2.04; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 36pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It never occurred to Jill to disbelieve the Lion–no one who had seen his stern face could do that–and her mind suddenly made itself up. It was the worst thing she had ever had to do, but she went forward to the stream, knelt down, and began scooping up water in her hand. It was the coldest, most refreshing water she had ever tasted.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jill took a step of faith and moved toward the stream to satisfy her deep thirst. She believed the lion. She found satisfaction and help by accepting reality. She found relief for her longing. She slaked her thirst. The lion was good, not safe, but good. Lewis taps into our desires, which only God can satisfy. He may not let us remain the same, and he may destroy the weak, imperfect parts of our character, but he does so for our good and in the heart of love. He gives us living water and heavenly fare that will fill us forever. He has all authority, whether we grant it to him or not. Do you hunger and thirst? Do you know yourself as poor in spirit, meek, and needing mercy? Come to the water and drink; come to Jesus for your satisfaction. Let him have authority over your life. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Although both groups of people were sinners in Jesus’s parable, the teachers of the law didn’t see it; the lawbreakers did; they believed and obeyed. They gave Jesus authority in their lives. As we sing, we can acknowledge Jesus’s authority. Will you? He is worthy. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">*All Rights reserved. Use by permission only. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 8pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-77109066709466359032024-03-06T05:23:00.005-05:002024-03-06T05:23:37.416-05:00Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams (FREE) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49xvjdH4yviCDA7Awtceg4E7K1s2R47TcKwtZxFdaFvwCl227FuFyYhbQiacLaPXnVWhhTlN2gqNxhVOeUwWgUfxI4dnnAwQMSWbPPdL5hB1b9x-Hmqtl-SZtdyZLvhwaFFXAdzPrUnUYvHaK3xe2rKvCQsEvshHN7W7lDqCBhXCB6eTd1fqJqmEg1Xpd/s1500/916j3hbdLeL._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49xvjdH4yviCDA7Awtceg4E7K1s2R47TcKwtZxFdaFvwCl227FuFyYhbQiacLaPXnVWhhTlN2gqNxhVOeUwWgUfxI4dnnAwQMSWbPPdL5hB1b9x-Hmqtl-SZtdyZLvhwaFFXAdzPrUnUYvHaK3xe2rKvCQsEvshHN7W7lDqCBhXCB6eTd1fqJqmEg1Xpd/s320/916j3hbdLeL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><p>The Gospel Coalition and Crossway are giving away the book </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h3><p><i>Is there evidence to believe the Gospels?</i></p><p><i>The Gospels―Matthew, Mark, Luke, John―are four accounts of Jesus’s life and teachings while on earth. But should we accept them as historically accurate? What evidence is there that the recorded events actually happened?</i></p><p><i>Presenting a case for the historical reliability of the Gospels, New Testament scholar Peter Williams examines evidence from non-Christian sources, assesses how accurately the four biblical accounts reflect the cultural context of their day, compares different accounts of the same events, and looks at how these texts were handed down throughout the centuries. Everyone from the skeptic to the scholar will find powerful arguments in favor of trusting the Gospels as trustworthy accounts of Jesus’s earthly life.</i> </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Get your free eBook copy <a href="https://pages.thegospelcoalition.org/can-we-trust-the-gospels?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=amp_2024_03_CWTG&hsa_acc=28702353&hsa_cam=6532908918489&hsa_grp=6532908918889&hsa_ad=6532908919089&hsa_src=fb&hsa_net=facebook&hsa_ver=3&fbclid=IwAR0PzZhHDIUDYFDengs6meRfU1FsSF8Aja3TRDWNcq9X9B2qctws7QctbBY" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Or you can buy a paperback copy <a href="https://amzn.to/4a0tBAN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</div></h3>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-64843606879573626452024-03-04T04:01:00.008-05:002024-03-04T04:01:59.230-05:00Christianity on Trial: A Lawyer Examines the Christian Faith by W. Mark Lanier (Free)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyRUbpZP6xSsQOJpvYfBPH4sMStRBqpFt5J7k5mxoh22kG4MXItXUFQUqJO2lz410llZMJsHFU-NZcwzEAIsWDnEhPYzXbh7xDpDwyl-zvtk1Ad4OBpNP7iaH06drb8C5r9W8gel79TQtVCYh4fqb3UGIfbnjjUlevUEBYcPphnVJJfBHuS4_BSlLOv-u/s1500/81zAeqL2zPL._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyRUbpZP6xSsQOJpvYfBPH4sMStRBqpFt5J7k5mxoh22kG4MXItXUFQUqJO2lz410llZMJsHFU-NZcwzEAIsWDnEhPYzXbh7xDpDwyl-zvtk1Ad4OBpNP7iaH06drb8C5r9W8gel79TQtVCYh4fqb3UGIfbnjjUlevUEBYcPphnVJJfBHuS4_BSlLOv-u/s320/81zAeqL2zPL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Faithlife and Intervarsity Press are giving away this month the book <i>Christianity on Trial: A Lawyer Examines the Christian Faith </i>by W. Mark Lanier FREE. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does the Christian faith hold up under scrutiny? What does science tell us about the plausibility of a god? Can we trust the alleged eyewitness testimony of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? These questions are worth investigating in order to find an answer solidified in fact and evidence. Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, uses his experienced legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Bringing science, current knowledge, and common sense together in a courtroom approach, this "trial" elucidates a rich understanding of God and a strong foundation for Christian faith. Following the format of a traditional legal trial, Lanier takes us from opening statement to closing summation by way of testimony from well-known witnesses—the scientist, the theologian, the linguist, the humanist, the philosopher, the psychologist and the ancient biblical eye-witness. These sources and many others investigate the sticky subjects of the Christian worldview that are commonly scrutinized by skeptics or overlooked by marginal believers:</span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who is God in light of astronomical and subatomic science?</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How could divine inspiration of Scripture or Christ's bodily resurrection be possible?</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How should we see the nature of reality, free will and choice, ethics, morality and the idea of heaven and afterlife?</span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #303030; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lanier presents a persuasive case for the Christian faith and leaves it up to us to choose what is worthy of belief and what is not. <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Christianity on Trial</i> provides a thought-provoking starting point in the search for truth.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Get Free eBook copy <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://www.logos.com/product/42192/christianity-on-trial-a-lawyer-examines-the-christian-faith?webSyncID=173cb2a6-a879-13ae-29a3-2d9c142c7c84&sessionGUID=90a66566-2237-1165-85b2-c19cae601d96" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>! Or you can buy a paperback copy <a href="https://amzn.to/3TvjqyZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</h3>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-42342179000873782522024-03-03T04:54:00.002-05:002024-03-03T04:54:32.834-05:00New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words by Lawrence O. Richards (Free)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D6to-preoRTA9b68-EDsjc7h8iOa8dJfWQVZn2XZl2EY08Z5txGciEHvrX4OG3F88uF1KcYw_l0HLfL39gkT-bQWiJWMEhXFbHU6mR8v8YE_I5tLBNy1LFlN3Sny_pbLZJXvvAndjQr4tgnAZ4yEOG7_dQKxSgK3d04BDLb1MwJwXoFLuNTEVDhjAdBi/s1500/81Nc8ADYPML._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D6to-preoRTA9b68-EDsjc7h8iOa8dJfWQVZn2XZl2EY08Z5txGciEHvrX4OG3F88uF1KcYw_l0HLfL39gkT-bQWiJWMEhXFbHU6mR8v8YE_I5tLBNy1LFlN3Sny_pbLZJXvvAndjQr4tgnAZ4yEOG7_dQKxSgK3d04BDLb1MwJwXoFLuNTEVDhjAdBi/s320/81Nc8ADYPML._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>Zondervan and Logos are offering the book New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words by Lawrence O. Richards Free this month. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h3><div><div><i>An encyclopedia based on the NIV and the NASB, this volume explores the Hebrew and Greek words that lie behind the English words.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Whether you’re a pastor, a student, or simply a lover of the Bible, this book helps you get more out of God’s Word by revealing the original meanings of key biblical words. The reader-friendly, narrative style makes it easy to explore the Hebrew and Greek words that lie behind the English words. You’ll discover significant shades of meaning and nuances that bring depth to your understanding of Scripture.</i></div></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Get your FREE copy <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://www.logos.com/product/5419/new-international-encyclopedia-of-bible-words" target="_blank">HERE</a>! Or you can buy a physical copy <a href="https://amzn.to/3P6z8xA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> on Amazon.</h3><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-79936234190675153202024-02-25T13:48:00.007-05:002024-02-25T13:48:47.273-05:00Who is Jesus: Matthew 21:1-11 (Sermon) 2/25/2024<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JQXjgQf3H04?si=V_ZRmwMuTyKfmqv5&start=832" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf9oo8FjkRKyj_43byF9cMWe9TqgEKveFnZ4A_vBdl6Ffxa1sfGcn2DsMMc_b_zS0fY80WZqlOdXAAPYOKeNe50i8_lGH70QgSK1x2itpELjBDepOEipQJuvG96pMKj901jXwiTQ3jn_KxVGZbvR0HStn7hJjayaOVBbgRftlsVrm6_B5LeerO7eTGcbL/s940/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPf9oo8FjkRKyj_43byF9cMWe9TqgEKveFnZ4A_vBdl6Ffxa1sfGcn2DsMMc_b_zS0fY80WZqlOdXAAPYOKeNe50i8_lGH70QgSK1x2itpELjBDepOEipQJuvG96pMKj901jXwiTQ3jn_KxVGZbvR0HStn7hJjayaOVBbgRftlsVrm6_B5LeerO7eTGcbL/w400-h335/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d10a85f5-7fff-5825-e28c-17780c01031e"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">INTRODUCTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who was Jesus? Was he </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">A first-century Middle Eastern carpenter’s son, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">A great historical religious leader, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">A teacher and miracle worker</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Or a prophet and reformer, </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who was he? That is the question our passage ends with, but we begin with as we continue our series in the book of Matthew, reading Matthew chapter 21, verses 1 through 11. We see Jesus finally at his destination after miles of traveling south to the limelight of the capital, Jerusalem. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DIFFERENCE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, what difference does he make in the 21st century? What is his significance in our day in Laporte and Berrien County? We will read that many believe; some honor him, two obey, while others question him. And, not too long from chapter 21, a group will deliver him to the Romans to be killed for his teaching. Who was Jesus, and what are we to do about it? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TEXT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s begin by reading. I am going to have R.C. read for us. Please stand with me in honor of God’s Word. Again, we are reading Matthew 21, verses 1 through 11. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> “Say to the daughter of Zion, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> humble, and mounted on a donkey, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:1–11, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAY</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. Dear </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God our Father, thank you for your Word. It is a light unto our path. Show us Jesus today in a fresh way. Inspire and motivate us by the power of your Spirit, for your glory. In Jesus’s name, amen. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It was Passover, a national holiday celebrating God’s saving power when he rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. They had been in shackles for four hundred years. Passover reminded them that the Lord </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">passed over </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">his people and killed their oppressors’s firstborn. Israelites sacrificed pure, spotless lambs, putting blood around their doorways and eating a quick meal of lamb and unleavened bread. At midnight, God killed every firstborn that didn’t have blood on their doorposts.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">EXTREME</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Consider how extreme that would have been. Let me illustrate. If you are a firstborn, stand up. That would include me. If you didn’t believe and adhere to God’s instructions on that night, you would be dead right now. You can sit down. God was giving a message to the ruler of Egypt, “Let my people go!” God wanted his people free from slavery and back in the Promised Land of Israel. Pharaoh had ignored the nine other attempts by God to get his attention. This time, Pharaoh would get the message. He freed God’s people. And subsequently, every year, people would make a journey to Jerusalem, the capital, to remember when God passed over them and struck down the Egyptians. The city would balloon from an average population of 30,000 to 180,000 people. They would buy sacrificial animals and perform religious ceremonies in the Temple. In our passage, Jesus joined the parade of people. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DISTANCE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jerusalem was part of the Roman Empire under Tiberius Caesar’s rule. At the same time, Pontius Pilate was governor. Jerusalem was called Zion and the city of the great king (Psalm 48:2). Which king? David. He was the conqueror of the city once named Jebus. But Jerusalem was not just David’s city. In 2 Samuel chapter 7, the prophet Nathan predicted that another king would arise. He would be God’s Son, and his kingdom would last forever. Jesus was that king that God had promised. However, he was an unlikely one. He grew up in obscurity and poverty. He was adopted into a carpenter’s family. He lived this way for the first thirty years of his life. But he was also from David’s ancestral line. Royal blood flowed through his veins. After a miraculous demonstration at a wedding in Canaan, he taught authoritatively, surpassing the ability of the teachers of the Jewish Law. His words were on the level of the Bible, saying, “You have heard that it was said, but I say to you.” He preached to the heart and head. He challenged cultural norms. He was a man of character and conviction, vision and compassion. In that, he showed his authority over nature in numerous ways: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Healing the sick, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Casting out demons, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And raising the dead. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He walked on water, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Fed thousands with next to nothing, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And controlled the elements like a superhero in a Marvel movie. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He was incredible, and people were taking note. Crowds were not just coming to celebrate Passover; they were swarming Jesus because of his reputation. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">STRUCTURE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our passage this morning has three parts. </span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">First, in verses 1 through 5—Jesus commanded two disciples to get a young donkey, fulfilling a prophecy. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Second, verses 6 through 9—The disciples obeyed, and the crowds recognized him. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Third, verses 10 through 11—The city reacted as Jesus entered Jerusalem, asking, “Who is this?” </span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The main idea of these verses is that </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus is the King, the Son of David, the Lord, and the Prophet, and that should change everything. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let me say that again: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was the King, the Son of David, the Lord, and the Prophet, and that should change everything.</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FIRST </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s walk through the text verse by verse. Look at verse 1. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples” (Matthew 21:1, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 483px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="483" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/MQgHE1IhZFyTh3fLJhShpeMQkWYnBktu-wZayqr6qMbjIVCS9lxM56FLYTVH9HkKLaf0kNYnOLmrQc39t2l3KAAenBSgE63F6bAbNCwQDNoWQRzDjseLSlsj3CGw6nS3_ENDVJtR1MgGAdSDRxId9fY" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://devotionaryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/city-of-jerusalem-map.jpg" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://devotionaryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/city-of-jerusalem-map.jpg</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> This is a good picture of what we are talking about. You can see some notable places like </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethany, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Mount of Olives, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Garden of Gethsemane, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kidron Valley, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And the Temple. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was not going to be shy about who he was. He was traveling a popular route up and down the small mountains.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TWO DISCIPLES </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at verses 2 through 3. What did he </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">want</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the two disciples to do? </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” (Matthew 21:2–3, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus sent out two disciples to get a donkey and her child. From my study this was pre-arranged. R.T. France writes: “The brief formula ‘The Lord needs them’ would serve well as an agreed password, but would </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">not</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> persuade any but a very gullible villager to part with his animals to two strangers if he had not been forewarned” (R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), 776.). We have to understand that Donkeys cost money. People back then spent two months to two year’s wages to purchase a donkey. They were like cars. (R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), 775–776.) The scene wasn’t two random men going to a random house and borrowing some random donkeys. This was part of a plan, God’s plan all along. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">LORD </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“The Lord needs them.” Jesus was, and is, the Lord. Matthew uses the word “Lord” eighty times. People called Jesus the Lord. Often, Jesus referred to God as the Lord. He also called himself the Lord, saying, “The Son of Man is </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">lord</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8, ESV). In chapter 22, Jesus used the term to refer both to himself </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and God</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, quoting Psalm 110: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“The Lord said to my Lord, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ‘Sit at my right hand, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> until I put your enemies under your feet’” (Matthew 22:44, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus asked the religious leaders of his day, “Who were the two Lords that David wrote about?” Jesus knew the answer before he asked it. What is the answer? The Lord Jesus will sit at the Lord God’s right hand. Mark 16:19 states, </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">right hand </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of God” (Mark 16:19, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Stephen, as he was being stoned to death by his persecutors, had a peek into heaven, and Luke records, he saw this. The apostle Peter writes about this in his letter to the dispersed churches in chapter 3 of 1 Peter. In his third chapter, the apostle Paul writes about this in his letter to the Colossians church. The author of Hebrews writes of Jesus that, </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">right hand </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus is sitting or next to God the Father. There is a distinction between the Lord God of Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ. And both are the same God yet different persons, united paradoxically and mysteriously. So Jesus is Lord and the Father is Lord. Jesus was accurately referring to himself as the Lord. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">COLT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why did the Lord need two donkeys? Was it so that he could get some much-needed rest? No. He never rode an animal in his biographies. He, like most people, walked. He traveled hundreds of miles, maybe thousands. All he had to do was walk a mile or two. Why did he want them? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FULFILLMENT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at verses 4 and 5. They answer that question. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> “Say to the daughter of Zion, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> humble, and mounted on a donkey, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” (Matthew 21:4–5, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew quotes Zechariah, the prophet, chapter 9, verse 9. He notes that a humble king would come into Jerusalem. Kings rode on donkeys in times of peace, and Jesus, the Lord, was King. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The prophecy continues: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[The king] shall speak peace to the nations; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> his [the king’s]</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">rule shall be from sea to sea, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and from the River to the ends of the earth. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> today I declare that I will restore to you double. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> For I have bent Judah as my bow; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I have made Ephraim its arrow. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> I will stir up your sons, O Zion, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> against your sons, O Greece, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and wield you like a warrior’s sword. (Zechariah 9:10–13, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God was saying </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">This King will bring peace. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">This King will rule the world. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And, he will, at that time, free Israel, who was in a metaphorical prison.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He will restore all that they had lost and then some.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He will use Israel to execute justice on the nations that oppressed them.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Zechariah was calling to mind the humility and regality of a future king entering the capital and ushering in radical transformation and hope for a people who had been subjugated. In Jesus’s day, Rome was the colonizer, occupying, taxing, and dictating who does what, when, where, and how. Not only that, the indigenous religious leaders were self-serving, hypocritical parasites. Jesus was the true spiritual King whom God had promised to bring about positive change on earth for his people: peace, shalom, justice, and righteousness would reign through his leadership. Did anyone catch the moment’s significance, or was it over their heads? John records, “His disciples did not understand these things” (John 12:16, ESV). Some knew enough to trust Jesus and comply with his teaching, but those closest to him still did not fully understand what was happening. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">KING</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was, and is, the King, the Lord who offered relief, a new order, and a brighter future. And we can look back with a clearer understanding of who he is and what he is about. Brothers and sisters, we are citizens of his heavenly Kingdom and subjects by faith. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PERSONAL</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do you believe Jesus is who the Bible says he is? Is he your King and Lord? </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was the King, the Son of David, the Lord, and the Prophet, and that should change everything.</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">OBEDIENCE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s keep reading. Look at verse 6. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them” (Matthew 21:6, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They went out, procured a donkey and her child, and returned. To do that, they had to believe. They trusted in what Jesus said and obeyed. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TRUST AND OBEY </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Would we? Would we get him what he wants if he tapped us on the shoulder? Would we comply? I like to think I would. Here is a different question: Are we following him in everything? Again, I believe I am. When we are on our phones, texting, surfing the web, working, doing taxes, serving customers, and talking to people, are we following Jesus’s way? Following is a daily thing. And none of us does it perfectly. How do we know how to follow him? Great question. To follow him, we have to understand him. To know him, we have to know His Word. He gives his followers his Spirit to make sense of his Word, the Bible. We must work to be aware of how God’s Word impacts our days. And that awareness must move to action. God says to us: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (James 2:18–19, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We must demonstrate what we believe with our actions. Let us not compartmentalize our faith. God wants all of us. He cares about our </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">whole self</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. He doesn’t want leftovers. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and is </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the King, the Son of David, the Lord, the Prophet, and that should change everything.</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">NEXT VERSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s get back to what happens next, verse 7. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:7–10, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Here, we can note two animals, a mother and her colt. The other accounts note that the colt had never been ridden. That means the massive crowd could easily spook him or her. Bringing a mom along could provide comfort in the crazy. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">LAYING DOWN OF CLOTHES </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The laying down of cloaks and branches is like the red carpet at Hollywood festivities. The cloaks and branches honored Jesus, the Son of David, the King and Lord. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SONG OF ASCENT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As the throng traveled up the mountain, some 3000 feet, they chanted worship songs from the ancient hymnal Psalms 113 through 118, known as the Songs of Ascent. Matthew notes that the people shifted their worship from God to Jesus. They attributed Psalm 118, verses 25 and 26 to him. Shouting: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:10, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Hosanna” is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew phrase: “Save us now.” The crowd was loud. You couldn’t miss it. I picture the cacophony as if it were the din of a noisy sporting event. It was remarkable that religious leadership came out of the city and told Jesus to silence his audience. He retorted, “If he did, the stones would cry out.” The masses were doing what they were made to worship and pray. They were blessing Jesus and crying out to him to save them. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">YOUR FAITH AND ADORATION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have already been worshiping him. When was the last time we cried out to him? Have we wanted him to save us? He already has, for many, in this room. Let’s praise him for that. If not, if you aren’t saved, he can save you today! Today could be the day of your salvation from the condemnation of sin. Just ask for it. Matthew begins his book with an angel announcing that Mary “will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21, ESV). Jesus came to save people from the consequences of sin. Our sin is the most significant barrier to God. He died to pay the penalty for it. It is not just the big sins like murder but the little ones like complaining or selfishness. Sin is anything in thought, word, or deed that goes against what God wants. So, if you are weighed down by guilt, he can save you from it because he came to do just that. He is bigger than sin. Will you cry out to Jesus today and be saved? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">OTHER HELP</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may have and want help in other ways, like wisdom, comfort, or something else. Cry out to Jesus for help. “Hosanna, Save us, help us, we pray.” Jesus taught: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:3–7, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are needy, that is a great place to begin with God. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTRAST </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are almost finished. Not everyone came to Jesus with a cry for help. Some were more distant. Look at verses 10 and 11. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Matthew 21:10 11, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the city was riled up like Lake Michigan on a windy day. Interestingly, Matthew begins his book with a similar event. Some wise men, the Magi, travel miles and miles to meet the child born to be king of Israel. They pass through Jerusalem and question Herod about the new king. This threatened him, so he set plans to find Jesus and kill him as a child. And the city was troubled. Then, in chapter 21, we read that it was a stir or out of sorts. King Herod failed and eventually died. Governor Pilate took over and did what Herod could not do: execute Jesus. The city would approve of this injustice. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who was Jesus? He was more than a prophet. He was the one who, through death, would obtain eternal life for all who believed. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was, and is, the King, the Son of David, the Lord, the Prophet, and that should change everything.</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Philippians 2</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">These verses remind me of Philippians chapter 2: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6–11, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In reality, we will all bend our knees in honor of Jesus in this life or the next. Even those who don’t believe will do so on that day: Atheists, Animists, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Jews will all bend their knees to the Lord Jesus, Son of David, King of kings, and prophet. Every government leader and corporate mogul will bend their knee. Everyone will. We don’t have to wait till judgment to start to worship. We can cry out to him for help and mercy just as they did two thousand years ago. We can acknowledge who Jesus is and ask for his help. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It might not work with the flooring or your health if you can. Try singing or praying on your knees this week. If you can’t, I read in my time with God Exodus chapter 4. It says this: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">heads </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and worshiped” (Exodus 4:31, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let me read that once more and think of the story we meditated on this morning. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">heads </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and worshiped” (Exodus 4:31, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We can express that same sentiment of bowing our knees with our </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">heads</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Let us sing the response song with this posture of a bowed head or bowed knee in our hearts. Let us cry out in worship and need to Jesus this week. Let us not wait until judgment day. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER </span></h1><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span></span><div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">*Use by Permission, all rights reserved. <br /></span></span><div><span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-39376579566206113762024-02-11T16:43:00.004-05:002024-02-11T16:43:28.190-05:00The Path to Be Last: Matthew 20:17-28 (Sermon)<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kFLyXkc81w8?si=PEEgcttaWSlXeY1p&start=1713" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHUHJzqVUvUkxjQDoNZ9yDIF8YQF9Iwa31ztXvUHzBtA-N7TZKIkAwsGNJlU-cDGwbGoR78BGr3L2bFSv77pmfiA-DJwT3dnxMOQtfxQjmfkQGFs7SkKY7BlAbWV-8SR7aZmbpFjTnr3PbiGu44tWfSpCg8laN-rXo-KGk6FrOmafmGHJdFW7TzTNgLWi/s1100/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(web%20image).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1100" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHUHJzqVUvUkxjQDoNZ9yDIF8YQF9Iwa31ztXvUHzBtA-N7TZKIkAwsGNJlU-cDGwbGoR78BGr3L2bFSv77pmfiA-DJwT3dnxMOQtfxQjmfkQGFs7SkKY7BlAbWV-8SR7aZmbpFjTnr3PbiGu44tWfSpCg8laN-rXo-KGk6FrOmafmGHJdFW7TzTNgLWi/w400-h184/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(web%20image).png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-8cc7b9dc-7fff-6dcc-38db-ff7689f09ee8"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Introduction</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In grade school, we would have to line up single file to go to the bathroom, recess, and cafeteria. On several occasions, one particular girl budged— She would cut in line. Let’s call her Bathilda. When she did, my blood would curdle, and my teeth would clench. I would think to myself, “That is not fair. BUDGER!” I probably whispered words of contempt to my little back-of-the-line buddies. That might have been what the disciples felt when they heard James and John’s mom advocate for her kids to get the best seats when Jesus came into his kingdom. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">QUESTIONS</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What does it look like to line up and follow Jesus? </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What was he about? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Why did he come to earth?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What did he want? </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We will tackle questions like these and more through our passage this morning. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TEXT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are working through the book of Matthew, verse by verse and chapter by chapter. We are in chapter 20. Matthew is calling us to follow the promised king into his kingdom. Jesus is the king that God had promised. I will have D. and H.S. read for us, starting in Matthew chapter 20, verses 17 through 28. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word? </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:17–28, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thanks. Let’s pray. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dear God, thank you for coming to earth to die. You are worthy of our praise. Help us see you for who you are. Please help us be content. Help us follow you and your ways. In Jesus’s name, we pray, amen. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may be seated. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was sharing, for the third time, explicitly that he would suffer, die, and rise. He came to save his people from their sins, and death and resurrection were how he would do that. The main idea of this text is that Jesus would give his life as a ransom for many and thus model a way of living for us. Let me say that again for those of you taking notes:</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus would give his life as a ransom for many and thus model for us a way of living. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">STRUCTURE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The structure of the passage is twofold. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">First, Vs. 17–19 - Jesus predicted his death and resurrection. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Second, Vs. 20–28 - A mother’s request sparked a controversy. Let me say that again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">First, Vs. 17–19 - Jesus predicted his death and resurrection. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Second, Vs. 20–28 - A mother’s request sparked a controversy. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">POINT ONE: JESUS’S PREDICTION</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To begin, let’s dive into Jesus’s prediction. Verse 17 sets the stage. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them” (Matthew 20:17, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s stop there and talk about the location. When the Bible says Jesus was “going up to Jerusalem,” understand that the city of Jerusalem was built on a mountain: Mount Moriah. The same mountain that Abraham came close to sacrificing his son, Isaac, but God provided a substitute. So whether you are arriving from the north, south, east, or west, it was going up to Jerusalem. In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus was heading there from the north for a different sacrifice: himself. He brought with him twelve young men and more. He had a posse, which included women like Mrs. Zebedee, James, and John’s mom. He was teaching, preaching, predicting, and hiking. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSES 18 and 19</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s look at verses 18 and 19. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day. (Matthew 20:18–19, ESV) </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was the “Son of Man.” He used this twenty-eight times in the book of Matthew. Often, Jesus referred to himself in the third person. People did that back then. This language harkens back to Daniel chapter 7, verses 13 and 14. Daniel wrote: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I saw in the night visions, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and behold, with the clouds of heaven </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> there came one like a </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">son of man</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and he came to the Ancient of Days </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and was presented before him. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And to him was given dominion </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and glory and a kingdom, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> that all peoples, nations, and languages </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> should serve him; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> his dominion is an everlasting dominion, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> which shall not pass away, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and his kingdom one </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> that shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13–14, ESV italics mine)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was connecting himself with the Messiah of the Old Testament. He had told them these details two other times, and one of those times, Peter rebuked him. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PETER’S REBUKE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Peter didn’t think Jesus should suffer. Why? Perhaps it was because of passages like we just read in Daniel, where the Son of Man would have: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Dominion, not death, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Glory, not a grave, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">A kingdom, not condemnation, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And servants do not endure sacrifice. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But Jesus knew his purpose and rebuked Peter. Through his death, the grave, condemnation, and enduring sacrifice, he would fulfill his mission and come into Daniel’s fantastic vision. Peter stood corrected, and Jesus repeated this prophetic announcement in Matthew chapter 20. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DIFFERENCE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why? Why did Jesus repeat himself? He repeated what was necessary. He offered specificity, giving a foothold for faith. His death would not be an accident. His crucifixion was going to be something God planned and Jesus chose. Afterward, Peter would recall: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22–24, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Judas’s betrayal was ordained. Jesus was not surprised by his impending death. And in so warning the disciples these words offered one more token that he was more than a mere teacher and miracle worker. He was and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the Son of Man, the Son of God, born of a woman, fully man yet fully divine. He was and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the perfect substitute for sin. He died for a purpose. What was that?</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus would give up his life as a ransom for many and thus model for us a way of living.</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A MOTHER’S REQUEST</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now, for a mother’s request. Look at verse 20. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something” (Matthew 20:20, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">She kneeled. She humbled herself. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S RESPONSE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How did Jesus respond? Did he shut her down or shut her up? No. He gave her a fair shake. He asked her a question. Go to verse 21. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom’” (Matthew 20:21, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What did she want? She wanted her children to have seats of honor. Moms do that sort of thing. They tend to look out for their kids. They do what they think is best. Dads do this, too. Even when the kids are adults, parents look out for their kids. Mrs. Zebedee was a matchmaker, deal broker, and dream fulfiller. She asked that her kids could sit on Jesus’s right and left when he came into his kingdom. Jesus had just told Peter they would have twelve thrones. All she wanted was first dibs on the seating chart. These seats were like the special parking spots, honorary titles, corner offices, and going first in line in grade school. Peter may have been in hot water again, asking for what they would get for leaving everything to follow Jesus. Why not give a promotion to her children? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">RESPONDING TO THE QUESTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How did Jesus react? He was gracious; he turned to the boys and talked to them. He didn’t rebuke her, blow her off, or outright deny her. Jump to verse 22. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able’” (Matthew 20:22, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Did he have a special cup? I have a few mugs. I know Joe Koehler likes mugs. My wife has her Polish pottery. What cup did Jesus refer to? The Zebedees were thinking of a kingdom as they traveled to Israel's capital with the Son of David, the Christ. They were thinking of sitting, not drinking. Jesus was thinking of his path of execution. The cup could be one of salvation or wrath in the Old Testament. In this case, it meant a path of suffering. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CAN YOU DRINK THE CUP</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Reading the other biographies by Mark and Luke, James and John were the ones who asked Jesus about the seats of honor. I could see the mom asking on behalf of the boys and the other gospel writers summarizing the encounter with the boys speaking. However, I could also see this request being made repeatedly. Regardless, Jesus addressed the boys. How? He asked them if they could handle this cup. They said they could; however, they didn’t know what cup he was talking about. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY WILL DRINK</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He said to them, ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father’” (Matthew 20:23, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In Acts chapter 12, verse 2, we read that James was killed for his faith. He suffered. He was the second to do so (Stephen was the first.) James drank from Jesus’s cup. In Revelation chapter 1, we read that John suffered for his faith. He drank the cup deeply. Tradition tells us that enemies poured burning oil on him to kill him. Miraculously, that didn’t work. He survived. Subsequently, his opponents sent him to a prison camp on the isle of Patmos. There, he wrote the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible. They could and would drink from Jesus’s cup. But Jesus concluded that he didn’t have the job of conferring the right and left positions in heaven; God the Father did. I picture him saying, “Sorry, boys. That is not mine to confer. Take it up with the Father.” </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WHAT DO WE LEARN </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This tells us there is agency, individuality, personality, and roles in heaven. God the Father is in charge. There is separation in the Trinity, while unity. The Bible teaches that the Trinity is one in three and three in one. They are of the same substance but different persons. They existed before time and will exist forever. If your mind hurts trying to comprehend the implications of verse 23, you are not alone. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 24</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now, verse 24. Matthew continued. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers” (Matthew 20:24, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is where I was taken back to Folwell Elementary School in the late eighties and early nineties. I think of last week’s message about the wages in the vineyard. In my heart of hearts, I lean toward those who want fairness. I see myself indignant, like the disciples saying, “The two need their mommy to advocate for them. Grow up. If my mother was here, she could beat up your momma. Why are you bringing your momma into this? It is not fair. Budgers! I want to sit on Jesus’s right or left.” The guys were bickering. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">GENTILE ATTITUDE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus caught a whiff of this stinky squabble. Look at verse 25. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them’” (Matthew 20:25, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The world gets this first-come, first-serve, dog-eat-dog, kill or be killed. Don’t be a doormat; stand up for yourself; the early bird gets the worm kind of talk. But that works for the kingdom of the world, not God. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S WAY</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What was Jesus’s way? What was his path and kingdom like? Jump to verses 26 and 27. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave” (Matthew 20:26–27, ESV)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus said if a person wanted to be first, which they were fighting about, they would become slaves: They would be the last, the bottom of the barrel, the end of the line, the leftovers, neglected, ignored, and used. If you want to have honor, you need to seek to be a slave. That was a dramatic inversion, and it didn’t make sense. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MISSIONARIES</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 210px; overflow: hidden; width: 181px;"><img height="210" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/EUfOdFNZtDlTea37Yq-jmqKcqIpiSiJ-itCaCLw04eTvAUBC-V5Lf3-7r2aXAaO6WPDKJU-cSpYn3_-oAB94wCg0ZrKUAfZUU6WMfIYtZnACmA-rGo_huI-A_AgpxGRU4IH6hynUUAOy5-tEYIMNwP8" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="181" /></span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Leonhard_Dober" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Leonhard_Dober</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 223px; overflow: hidden; width: 179px;"><img height="223" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/yM4VO1de3qmrV1yJl1v5pwi47r7Y3vsdnZBWA_utQZR6Ji-sovzwmr_1-MKnoQpGBOOAEFWy2oJiN_gobLaPHVQEOpNwfmRusrMlkboFdItJIDcRI8FL_yB2QRheZf7i2r1oWgLhlNawfCN__xBmXFs" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="179" /></span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Nitschmann_der_Bischof" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Nitschmann_der_Bischof</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In 1732, Johann Dober and David Nitschmann, two young men from Germany, set out to be slaves in the West Indies to preach to slaves. The Denmark government wouldn’t permit it. They denied their voyage. Johann and David persisted. Eventually, they procured transportation to minister in the Caribbean in whatever fashion or platform they could find. They would do carpentry if they couldn’t be slaves. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“They arrived in St. Thomas … on December 13 [1732]. While in St. Thomas, they lived frugally and preached to the slaves, and they had a certain amount of success.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravian_slaves#cite_note-6" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">[6]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">” After a couple of years, they returned to Germany as pastors. One worked in Europe, and the other traveled with John Wesley to America. [Over the course of time, their organization]… baptized 13,000 converts before any other missionaries arrived on the scene.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravian_slaves#cite_note-7" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">[7]</span></span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravian_slaves#cite_note-9" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">]</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravian_slaves#cite_note-7" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravian_slaves#cite_note-7</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> These two men didn’t care about cost. They gave up family, homes, wealth, time, safety, and energy to share the good news about Jesus. The church’s mission is to give our lives to others so that they will have eternal life. Tertullian said the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Verse 28 is our driving reason. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus demonstrated how we should live. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus would give up his life as a ransom for many and thus model for us a way of living.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He was and is our ransom. He came to earth to save his people from their sins. He died for his people to live forever. He was the paschal lamb. He would sacrifice himself so people would not have to bear the wrath of God for their sins. He would take it. He would pay the price and forgive the debt. He satisfied God’s justice for our injustice. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PAUL’S TAKE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Paul framed it this way: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14, ESV, italics mine)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">His ransom resulted in redemption and purity for God’s people. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PETER’S TAKE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Peter wrote of it this way: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By his wounds you have been healed</span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24–25, ESV, italics mine)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">His ransom resulted in a spiritual healing. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JOHN’S TAKE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The apostle John had a vision of heaven and this ransom. That vision described twenty-four elders around a lamb that had been slain but was standing. They fell before him and sang: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Worthy are you to take the scroll </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and to open its seals, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> for you were slain, and by your blood </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">you ransomed people for God </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from every tribe and language and people and nation, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9–10, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus died so that through his blood, we would be ransomed. That means: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He paid the ultimate price for our sins. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He redeemed us and made us righteous and pure. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He healed us from the disease of sin. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And he made us his people and priests forever.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He did all that and more </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">because of his grace, not </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">because we deserved it. Let us, therefore, graciously follow his example and give our lives in service to others. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus would give up his life as a ransom for many and thus model for us a way of living.</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">INDIA </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Last month, when I was in India, we discussed the blessing of service. We attempted to seek ways to serve daily. We wanted to be on the lookout to serve others. God brings opportunities along the path. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What would it look like for you to see yourself as a missionary? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What would it look like for you to see yourselves as servants? (Some of you are, for example, you moms out there). </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What would it look like for you to see yourself as slaves, not begrudgingly but joyfully and willingly? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What if we fought to be last in line, not the first? </span></p></li></ul><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PHILIPPIANS </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I think that is God’s desire for us. Paul put it this way: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5–8, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">UNBELIEVER</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are not a follower of Jesus, let me encourage you to become one. He died to pay the ransom to God the Father. Acknowledge that you are a sinner; Jesus died and rose to save you. Claim that faith in his action is your satisfaction. The Spirit does the convincing. If you are believing, then God is working. Believe, be saved, and join us as we follow Jesus to be last in line. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*All Rights Reserved. Use By Permission.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> </p>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-40741700719167136812024-01-28T15:22:00.003-05:002024-01-28T15:22:36.001-05:00Leaving All Behind To Follow Jesus: Matthew 19:16-30 (Sermon)<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n_Kk9cetTEo?si=x4G76hdVLkO06VZ2&start=2027" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gWKN5C3kmEo?si=8U_lSL0DoUzcxu4Q&start=1506" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsli85WptB69S0kuYA6N8b80D8jYWXQ_pnRH1nnirssly7TmBT94fK0lG62JdknOq063FjyIgiSNTAXik9H2ktnZGjtMrtoosRYAjjBq6Q-9SZB5Tj7FKssFJerKKHRcjO4vQkCel758FsAKU0gl7RV8yKKpt64MwhU8CKg2z5IzQDmAfcHXMla-T60oAX/s1100/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(web%20image).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1100" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsli85WptB69S0kuYA6N8b80D8jYWXQ_pnRH1nnirssly7TmBT94fK0lG62JdknOq063FjyIgiSNTAXik9H2ktnZGjtMrtoosRYAjjBq6Q-9SZB5Tj7FKssFJerKKHRcjO4vQkCel758FsAKU0gl7RV8yKKpt64MwhU8CKg2z5IzQDmAfcHXMla-T60oAX/w400-h184/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(web%20image).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a12c0dab-7fff-2589-2172-26ce3b57cc51"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Leaving Everything To Follow</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew 19:16-30</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WEIGHT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you, worship team. Would someone volunteer to help me, please? Come on up here for a second. Pick this up. How easy is that to move? That is fifty pounds. Now, what about this? It is lighter. Thank you. You can have a seat. Last week, I returned from traveling after thirty-four hours with luggage from India. Many of us carried two fifty-pound bags plus a carry-on. We brought food and medical supplies for our medical mission trip. If you travel a lot, you should pack as light as possible. Imagine carrying even one of these bags with you wherever you went: the grocery store, work, school, or sports practice. What a pain and burden that would be. In our spiritual walk with God, we can have baggage like this fifty-pound luggage that hinders us from freely following Jesus. It can be material things, agendas, relationships, habits, or sins. God invites us to throw them off. This morning, we will read a story where Jesus invited a young man to do just that. He had a lot going for him: youth, wealth, and a squeaky-clean track record. He thought he was doing well, but he wasn’t. Let’s dive in and see what happens. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TEXT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I will ask A. and C. D. / T.B. to come forward and read for us. This morning, we continue our series in Matthew, chapter 19, verses 16 through 30. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word?</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:16–30, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you. Let’s pray. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Heavenly Father, we need you. You are our only hope. You are the rock on which we stand. Please guide us and direct us this morning. In Jesus’s name, we pray, amen. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you. You may be seated.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew wants us to Follow the Promised King into his Kingdom. Jesus was and is that promised king. He has taught Pharisees, the crowds, and the disciples. In our passage, he teaches a rich young ruler. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to die. The disciples were tagging along. When the young man leaves, the disciples pick up where he left off, asking follow-up questions. The structure of this Scripture centers around one question, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” This question leads to others and points us to what God ultimately wants: The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything and following Jesus, but that is only possible with God. Let me say that again: </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything and following Jesus, but that is only possible with God. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FIRST QUESTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you have your Bible, turn to verse 16 of Matthew 19. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’” (Matthew 19:16, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Wouldn’t you want someone to ask you this? It is like the perfect evangelistic opportunity. How did Jesus respond? “Great question. I will do the one good deed to secure eternal life for you and all who believe. You don’t have to do a thing. You really can’t. Just believe. Today is your lucky day.” But that was not what Jesus said. He gave an answer that may shock our Evangelical sensibilities. </span><span style="background-color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He critiqued the question and offered a different way to heaven.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S ANSWER: GOOD IS RELATIVE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at verse 17. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’” (Matthew 19:17, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus’s response had two parts. First, a critique. Good is relative. It is a comparison of at least two things. But Jesus told him that God is the ultimate good. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SECOND PART: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What about the second part of Jesus’s answer? How do you inherit eternal life? Jesus responded, “You can inherit eternal life </span><span style="background-color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by keeping the commandments</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.” That sounds heretical. Yet, Jesus embodies the truth. He was right. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SECOND QUESTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The young man asked a follow-up question: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He said to him, “Which ones?” (Matthew 19:18, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Which commands must he keep to get into heaven? Religious teachers in his day numbered all the commands of the Old Testament and totaled them to over 600. So which ones must he keep? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ANSWER - LOVING OTHERS </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus answered with the second half of the Ten Commandments and Leviticus 19:18. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19, ESV) </span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">HOW DO YOU GET TO HEAVEN </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That list of commands may have been a relief. I might have thought I was doing well if I had heard it for the first time. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I haven’t murdered, check. ✔️</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I haven’t committed adultery, check. ✔️</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I haven’t stolen anything. (At least not since I was six.) Check. ✔️ </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I haven’t borne false witness because I haven’t lied in a courtroom. ✔️</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I have honored my father and mother. It is not like I have disgraced them. At least, I hope not. I think they would have told me. Mom, if you are watching, let me know privately. ✔️</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And finally, I love other people like myself. ✔️</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">People assess themselves as good, better than most, and good enough to get to heaven. They subjectively tally their good deeds against their bad and often see themselves as more good than bad. That type of evaluation is common but neglects the thrust of Jesus’s previous message in the Sermon on the Mount. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are angry with your brother, you are guilty of murder, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">If you lust after your sister, you are guilty of adultery, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">To avoid lying, never promise, only say yes or no. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Although this young man likely didn’t hear the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s list didn’t comfort him. He seemed to have a nagging suspicion that he was missing something, so he asked Jesus one final question. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THIRD QUESTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Turn to verse 20. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept. What do I still lack?’” (Matthew 19:20, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He had to ask if there was something more. He was aware of a deficiency. Was he feeling guilty? Did he not have the assurance of his salvation? We don’t know, but we do know he posed this question. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S 3rd ANSWER </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus replied in verse 21. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21, ESV) </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus gave him one more answer. If you want to be perfect, sell everything you have and give the proceeds to people experiencing poverty. Jesus offered this step to elucidate what this man lacked. This was an invitation made explicitly for this particular wealthy youth. We know that because Jesus didn’t say this to other affluent people or other people seeking entrance into heaven. For example, Nicodemus asked a similar question, and Jesus told him that he had to be born again to get eternal life. That second birth came through the Spirit by faith, not divestment of worldly possessions and generosity to those less fortunate. Why, then, did Jesus say this to this young man? He saw what he lacked. He knew that the love he had for others had a limit. He loved his wealth and whatever that afforded him more than his neighbor. Thus, he was not as squeaky clean as he thought. He had not kept the law since his birth, and he didn’t live up to Leviticus 19:18. And if he didn’t love his brother, he was not fully loving God. We show our love by our actions. So Jesus invited this man to see who he was and let go of what held him back. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The path to heaven was one of leaving behind everything. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FOLLOW </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The second part of Jesus’s response was that this man must follow him. It was not enough to sell all and give to the poor. He had to drop what he was doing and follow. Jesus was inviting him to join the twelve. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONCLUSION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How did he take this invitation? Jump to verse 22. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The man did not take Jesus up on this proposition. He gave up. He walked away. Why? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PAUL </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Paul did the opposite. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He was a male in a world where women were property. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He was a Roman citizen by birth, which was one of the highest standing, where ten to twenty percent of the world were slaves and most everyone else was second class. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He studied under a prominent teacher named Gamaliel, which was like going to an IVY college. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. He had the correct ancestry. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He was a Pharisee. He had a moral pedigree. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He was a person of privilege. So, how did he consider all these identity markers? He wrote about them in his letter to the Philippian church: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. (Philippians 3:7–9, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He considered them dung and worthless in comparison to Jesus. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S TEACHING</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But this rich young man was not Paul. He went home, and Jesus went on. Go to verse 23. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">GATE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A side note: the “eye of a needle” is not an actual gate. Over the years, I have heard it was. The first mention of a literal gate comes from the 11th century. Therefore, Jesus was using a figure of speech. </span><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/origin-of-the-needles-eye-gate-myth-theophylact-or-anselm/51F6B1FD504C36C42D6201F6D87F83C3" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/origin-of-the-needles-eye-gate-myth-theophylact-or-anselm/51F6B1FD504C36C42D6201F6D87F83C3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">POINT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What was he getting at? It is hard for a rich person to get into heaven. Why? Why would that be? </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The rich tend not to have blatant needs. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They are good. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They are content. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They have what they want. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They have options. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They have insurance, security, and comfort. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Life is nice. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Meanwhile, people experiencing poverty are like the children Jesus talked about earlier. They know their needs, are dependent, and are humble. They are hungry, thirsty, and needy.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PERFECT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But the disciples, hearing Jesus’s teaching and seeing the young man leave, respond in shock. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’” (Matthew 19:25, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why do they say that? Were they rich? Matthew, the tax collector, possibly was, but not the fisherman. Being rich was commonly understood as being blessed. If the blessed could not get into heaven, how could those who were not as blessed? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JESUS’S RESPONSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at what Jesus said next. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The way to heaven is through the one perfect man, Jesus. Who lived a perfect life and died a sinner’s death. He rose victorious, conquering sin and death. Through faith in God’s mercy and forgiveness, we can be saved from our sins and live forever with him in heaven.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">IDOL FACTORY </span></h1><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What stops people from following Jesus? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What hinders you from following Jesus? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What might God be calling you to give up in 2024? </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am not simply talking about money; it could be a relationship, a habit, a leisure activity, a goal, or a sin. What hindered you from following Jesus in 2023? Maybe you would like Jesus to remove that from you. He can carry it. Think about that fifty-pound bag. What have you been carrying around? What does he want you to let go of? </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WEIGHT</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hebrews 12:1 and 2 states:</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I want to hand out a small piece of paper that will dissolve in water. Let me show you. God can take your burden and clean your life up. Can the ushers pass out these slips of paper right now, please? And let’s take a moment and quietly think about what God might be asking us to give up in 2024. Just write one word on that slip of paper. It could be a burden or a pattern you want to break. We will have the worship team play, and we can put that word in the water at the end of the sermon. You may not have anything, or you may have more than one thing. Perhaps the word signifies a host of things you want to hand to God in 2024 to carry for you. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FOLLOW </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Some of you may have already given up what God wants you to; the invitation is for you to follow. Consider one way you can follow Jesus in 2024. What is one spiritual practice, habit, or exercise you want to grow in, learn about, or try this year? Take a moment to write that down on your phone or a piece of paper. Keep it in your Bible, or put it somewhere to consider during the year. I want to work on journaling and reviewing my journals. Remember, </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything and following Jesus, but that is only possible with God.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">QUESTION FIVE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is our last question in this section. Look at verse 27. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:27–30, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Peter understood. He left his business and family to follow Jesus. He and the others would give up their lives to follow Jesus. Peter wanted to know what would be his reward would be. He would be saved and inherit eternal life. But, “What then will we have?” I could see Jesus being encouraging but a bit corrective with him. He might have been looking for some special recognition. Jesus told him that his reward would be a hundredfold. Everyone would get a hundredfold and eternal life. We will see this kind of extravagant grace in the next chapter. This hundredfold is an incredible ROI and return on investment. Who was wiser, the rich man or the disciple? Consider even the best portfolio gains this year, up 20%, maybe. That would be great. But Jesus is offering more than a 100% increase. Add another zero; that is a hundredfold. You would be a fool to walk away from Jesus. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">APPLICATION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Can the worship team come up here? </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What would it look like for you to follow Jesus in 2024? Is there a spiritual practice you want to develop or try out? Think about journaling, prayer, Bible study, solitude, silence, or fasting. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Some of you are following Jesus. You have left everything. You are looking for encouragement and comfort. Take Jesus’s words about a hundredfold to heart. God sees, knows, and loves you. He will reward you. Stand firm in your faith. Persevere. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Some of you have questions and guilt. Know that God is a God of love. He offered his life for yours. Lean into Jesus’s death and resurrection on your behalf. Rest in his work, not your own. Come to him. Let go of your burdens. What is impossible with you and I is possible with God. Come forward after the service so our prayer team can pray for you. You are not alone. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">As we conclude, what weight are you carrying that you don’t have to carry? What is one thing God might be asking you to give up? It could be a video game, a possession, a toxic relationship, or a pet sin. Write it down on that slip of paper if you haven’t already. The worship team is here. They will play a song. Bring that slip to the front as they play and place it in the water. I will stir the water, and the slips of paper will dissolve. This symbolic paper is a release of the burden you have been carrying. Give it to God by the power of the Spirit. If you don’t have a burden like that, pray for those who do. Perhaps God will bring something to mind this week. After people stop coming up here with their burdens, I will close us in prayer. </span></p></li></ul><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER</span></h1><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you have given us. We have health, family, finances, and more. You are so good. We deserve none of it. Some of us are fearful of following. Overcome our fear. May the benefit outweigh the cost. Others are resistant. Turn our hearts to you. Some of us are working hard to follow you. Encourage us. We long for you. Amen. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span><div><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*All Rights Reserved. Use by Permission. </span></span></span></div></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-48183699583277760862024-01-07T14:15:00.001-05:002024-01-07T14:15:11.628-05:00Jesus's Response to a Dicey Test: Matthew 19:1-12 (Sermon)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZpS5UvREvKOHWBwfd2vVaT-0aVmnrH3YbsnOzdW0T10mAhlSt2npbm-sPESLQErvOBRwOkKYiwvoBT55v-Mg9wPD-BgRbGV5IK8_yTLl0Fu5zpX-lzIb8Pm1Aq8iuQS-E-ZtALzMzROT0ZPCO1NUBXYNWIJ3Uj6JSfQrLEV_AR83SDG7aq5h9t3kqi6S/s940/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZpS5UvREvKOHWBwfd2vVaT-0aVmnrH3YbsnOzdW0T10mAhlSt2npbm-sPESLQErvOBRwOkKYiwvoBT55v-Mg9wPD-BgRbGV5IK8_yTLl0Fu5zpX-lzIb8Pm1Aq8iuQS-E-ZtALzMzROT0ZPCO1NUBXYNWIJ3Uj6JSfQrLEV_AR83SDG7aq5h9t3kqi6S/s320/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cCJ36XeuBvc?si=rNWHKqhGl_c8OaKW&start=1535" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">INTRODUCTION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you, worship team. Happy New Year! We are going back to our series in Matthew, picking up where we left off, preaching verse by verse, chapter by chapter. That has strengths and weaknesses. Overall, it has more strengths than weaknesses. I say that because preaching topically, we would likely avoid subjects like the one for the morning. In our text, the Pharisees test Jesus. They already conspired about how they might destroy him in Matthew chapter 12, verse 14. Today, the test is on a contentious topic: divorce. There may have been some earnest curiosity in their questioning. The dialogue was significant enough for three of the four biographers of Jesus to include it.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">OUR DAY</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">In our day and age, divorce impacts many of us, some more than others. Thirty to fifty percent of first marriages in America end in divorce. </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/#sources_section" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/#sources_section</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. Divorce has hurt many. Children have parents who are divorced. Parents have kids who are divorced. And some here are divorced. The knight in shining armor can become a nightmare. The fairy tale can become a tragedy. Sin wreaks havoc in relationships. Some wrestle with guilt, shame, fear, and bitterness. We may have questions about these conflict-ridden relationships. We may wonder why it happens. You may be thinking about a divorce yourself. This passage is here to offer some help, and so is the church. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">CHURCH</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The church is more than a building; it is a community of love, grace, truth, and healing. At least it should be. Together, we can humbly seek answers and offer charity and kindness where we typically find distance, division, selfishness, and sin. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">ORGANIZATION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">This morning, we will read the Bible and pray. I will share the context, structure, and point Jesus made and draw some implications. When answering questions, we don’t have time for every question. Jesus doesn’t. And I am certainly not Jesus. The Bible is not a policy manual. I want to stick as close to the text as possible. Let’s zero in on what Jesus says and try to figure out why. The danger with a text like this is that we all have frameworks in which we understand the world. We can easily read into the text something that is not there. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">QUESTIONS</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Feel free to continue the conversation with me later. The fact that I am leaving for India in a few hours was not intentional, but it is convenient. Would you please put up project Mike’s home phone number and email? All joking aside, I have studied this. Each of us pastors has experience with family members’ divorce. If you want to hear pastor Mike’s take, he is preaching at Converge today. The elders have a paper on the topic called a</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> Commitment to Preserving Marriages</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. We will have copies at the back. We have been praying for this service and care for you. We value marriage and want to see people flourish. Our society, like the ancient one, doesn’t. With that, let’s dive in. I am going to have R.K. read for us. Would you please stand with me if you can honor God’s Word? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">TEXT</span></h1><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Matthew 19:1–12, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">PRAYER</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ok, let’s pray. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear God, I need your grace. This is a painful issue for many. We need to know how to understand your Word, obey it, and have the motivation to follow through. Help us; in Jesus’s name, we pray. AMEN. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">You may be seated. I will ask a few people to pray for my words and our hearts as I preach. If you would be praying for that during the sermon, could you please raise your hand now? Thank you. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Structure</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Our passage breaks down into three sections. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1-2 The Setting - On the Way to Jerusalem </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">3-9 The Question of Divorce by the Pharisees’ and Jesus’s Answer </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">10-12 The Disciples’ Statement About Celibacy and Jesus’s Response </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Main Idea </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The entire book of Matthew is about </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">following the promised king into his kingdom</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. And this passage is no different. It is about following God with the gifts of marriage and singleness. The primary purpose is to have us assess our hearts about God and our significant others. We can sum it up in two parts: First, </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">the gift of marriage and singleness reflects the heart</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. Second, </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">we must assess our hearts in our relationship with God and others. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Let me repeat that for those of you taking notes. </span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The gift of marriage and singleness reflects the heart, </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must assess our hearts in relationship with God and others. </span></h2></li></ol><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Let’s work through the text verse by verse to see this.</span></h1><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">SETTING </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1-2 The Setting - On the Way to Jerusalem </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Verses 1 and 2 describe the setting. We will only spend a little bit of time on this. Look at verses 1 and 2, please. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. (Matthew 19:1–2, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Scholars think the “region beyond the Jordan” was the east side of the Jordan River, called Perea. Remember, Galilee is a lake in the northern part of Israel. The Jordan is a river that runs north to south on the eastern edge of the nation. Jesus was heading to Jerusalem. This was not the direct route. The direct route would take him through a region called Samaria. Those in Samaria heard Jesus wanted to pass through and decided they didn’t want him to do that. So, he didn’t. The people in these verses are Jesus, the crowd, the religious leaders, and the disciples. Jesus has been ministering to the crowds since chapter 4. Jesus was healing, teaching, and talking about the kingdom of God to these groups. People gathered from all walks of life and all parts of the country to hear, see, and experience him. The crowds may have been as large as 12-15k people. Twice, he fed that many miraculously. He walked on water and could calm a storm with a word. He healed paralysis, blindness, deafness, muteness, and skin disease. He could cast out demons and raise the dead. This event happened before the Jewish holiday called Passover and the death of Jesus. The tension in this short biography was building. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">THE TEST</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">That brings us to the test in verse 3. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1-2 The Setting - On the Way to Jerusalem </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">3-9 The Question of Divorce by the Pharisees’ and Jesus’s Answer </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Look at verse 3. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?’” (Matthew 19:3, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What do you notice? Their track record would indicate that they don’t want him to pass the pop quiz. In John chapter 8, they do something similar with the hope of “bringing a charge against him.” This would be like putting a person on the witness stand and asking loaded questions to make them look bad, or the inquisitor look good. Perhaps the Pharisees were looking to alienate Jesus from his base that sympathized with John the Baptist, who died because of his stance on the issue of divorce and remarriage. But there is a more likely motivation; they hotly debated this subject and wanted his take. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">RESPONSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Look at verses 4 through 6 to hear Jesus’s response. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4 6, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus went back to Genesis chapters 1 and 2. He cited that God made man and woman in his image. God wonderfully designed maleness and femaleness from the start. Both men and women bear his image. God unites them in the bonds of matrimony for life. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">COMMAND </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus dared to ask the teachers of the Law if they had read the first book of the Law and the first two chapters. They had the wrong starting point. They should ask what God intended for the gift of marriage, not asking, “Where is the line?” </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Remember the big idea here:</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The gift of marriage and singleness reflects the heart, </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must assess our hearts in relationship with God and others. </span></h2></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">In addition, Jesus finished by commanding them, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” In saying this, he raised himself to the level of the lawgiver. He was not like any other teacher, prophet, or priest. He had the authority of God behind his words. What was he getting at? He didn’t answer their question. This seems to make the Pharisees, and the disciples, for that matter, uncomfortable. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">THE PHARISEES ISSUE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Pharisees pressed the issue. Look at verse 7. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“They said to him, ‘Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?’” (Matthew 19:7, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They refer to Deuteronomy 24, verses 1 through 4. Turn there if you have a Bible. We will get back to Matthew chapter 19 soon. This passage is complicated. So, I will read it slowly. Deuteronomy is in the 5th book of the Bible. We are in the 24th chapter. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the LORD. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. (Deuteronomy 24:1–4, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">TWO SCHOOLS </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Two schools of thought existed: one Hillel and the other Shammai. Both Hillel and Shammai were teachers of the Law during the reign of King Herod from 37 to 4 BC. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">One of their differences is how they interpret the word “indecency” in verse 1. The school of Shammai thought it meant unchastity or sexual immorality. “The School of Hillel understood the passage to mean that a man could divorce his wife for any cause, even burning his toast” </span><a href="https://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/nt-difficulties/matthew/mt-193-12-is-adultery-the-only-reason-for-divorce-are-other-reasons-permitted/#_ftn5" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/nt-difficulties/matthew/mt-193-12-is-adultery-the-only-reason-for-divorce-are-other-reasons-permitted/#_ftn5</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. In both cases divorce was okay, and presumed remarriage. R.T. France wrote: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">On this basis subsequent Jewish teaching developed a detailed body of legal teaching on divorce; a whole tractate of the Mishnah, Giṭṭin, is devoted to provisions for a valid divorce certificate. Divorce was, of course, purely a male prerogative, which required no legal hearing, merely the husband’s decision; Jewish law made no provision for a woman to initiate divorce. (R. T. France,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> The Gospel of Matthew</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, 207)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They wanted Jesus’s perspective. Which side was he on? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">REMARRIAGE DO THE DIVORCE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ancient Israel was a very different culture than ours. You can tell. Why did Deuteronomy 24 prohibit remarriage to the divorced spouse? That seems odd. Deuteronomy seems more of a cultural rule for protection than a hard and fast policy. We have beautiful examples of people returning to their first marriage in our church history. On the flip side, I know a family with immense hurt because of going against this passage. How might this prohibition be a rule of protection?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">I read that in Biblical times, the bride’s family gave a dowry away to the husband and his family. She would have a dowry for the first and second marriage. The second husband would get a smaller dowry. If he were to die, the previous husband could not marry the woman to obtain the second dowry and continue to mistreat his first wife. Yet, how do we deal with the abomination part? I do not know. I can see how the Pharisees had questions. I want answers. But we do know that marriage can be messy and is always valuable. We should not take it lightly or take it out with the trash. We don’t want to cheapen it. I think our society has devalued it. It values the wedding day but not the marriage. How much do you think the average wedding cost in America in 2023? [I read that it cost $29,000]. Faith, no ideas. </span><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/31/business/wedding-costs-rise-2023/index.html#:~:text=But%20engaged%20couples%20will%20pay,online%20wedding%20planning%20site%20Zola" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #4a6ee0; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/31/business/wedding-costs-rise-2023/index.html#:~:text=But%20engaged%20couples%20will%20pay,online%20wedding%20planning%20site%20Zola</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">. Jesus is going back to the beginning to remind us of two things: </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The gift of marriage and singleness reflect the heart, </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must assess our hearts in relationship with God and others. </span></h2></li></ol><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">JESUS’S RESPONSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Let’s get back to Matthew 19. Look at verse 8.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“He said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so’” (Matthew 19:8, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus corrected them that Moses allowed divorce, not command it. (Now, we cannot make too much of the words “command” and “allow” because Jesus used the word “command” in Mark the Pharisees used “allow”). But we can assert that just because your spouse doesn’t live up to the standard God would have for him or her, it doesn’t mean you have to get a divorce. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">MOSES</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">So where is the line? When can we get a divorce? Do you want to know? I do. Jesus wasn’t saying Moses was wrong. He was saying, </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Marriage is between one man and one woman </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">For life, and</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Sin messes it up. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Once Jesus goes to the heart, the message applies to everyone. Where is our heart regarding God and others? The word heart is a compound word only found once in Matthew. He used the word heart fifteen times. It is a theme of Jesus. Jesus wants us to have humble, loving hearts, not dull, evil, hate-filled hearts. God’s design for us is to love him with all our heart and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we did that, there would be no divorce. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">So where is our heart? Are we fantasizing about inappropriate relationships? Are we treating the opposite sex with brotherly and sisterly respect and kindness or as objects and condescension? Are we content with the spouse God has given, or are we bitter and annoyed? Are we thankful? Do we pray for them? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">AND I SAY TO YOU</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus was not done. Look at verse 9. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He was declaring that divorce results in adultery. To be candid, that is also confusing. What did he mean? Jesus was saying that just because we go through a legal or religious ceremony or separate to dissolve a marriage doesn’t make it so. You could still be married to your x. So, if you are still married but playing married with another, what do we call that? Adultery.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">PERSIST? </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Here is a dicey follow up dilemma: Does adultery persist if you remain in a new marriage? Or, do you divorce and go back to the previous marriage and live in sin in regards to Deuteronomy 24? This seems to be a catch 22. This is messy. I would say, acknowledge your sin. Sin no more. Follow God in love, faithfulness, forgiveness, mercy, and grace where he leads. Feel free again to talk with me, another pastor, or an elder afterward. Jesus gives no easy answers and nor can I. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">EXCEPTION CLAUSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What about the exception that Jesus made? Is it okay to divorce because of sexual immorality? The biographies of Jesus by Mark and Luke don’t mention this. Some would say that indicates there is no exception based on how Matthew uses Greek differently. Others, like myself, disagree. Matthew seems to fill in more explanation in his biography. It makes more sense that Mark and Luke don’t mention it because it is obvious. How was that an exception? Following this, the consequence in the Old Testament for sexual sin was death. The community was supposed to stone them to death. God’s Word teaches that the covenant bond of marriage is over upon death, and one is free to marry again. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">ABANDONMENT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Keeping with our inquisitive minds, are there other exceptions? What about abandonment or abuse? I don’t think Jesus was exhaustive in his treatment of divorce. He was dealing with the heart. </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The gift of marriage and singleness reflects the heart, </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must assess our hearts in relationship with God and others. </span></h2></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Paul understood the same Law and Jesus’s teaching. He gave abandonment as a reason for divorce and remarriage in 1 Corinthians, chapter 7. When it comes to some forms of abuse, it would seem like the covenant bond is over as well. But, all of a sudden, we start sounding like the Pharisees trying to create a lengthy prescription for what we can and cannot do. We want to know where the line is. Why? What is going on in us that we want an answer? Could God have purposely baked ambiguity into the text to drive us deeper to him and a way of love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">EACH SITUATION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Each situation is unique, and we are dealing with messiness. That is why Jesus’s words about the heart are apropos. Where is love and forgiveness in the heart? Where is grace and mercy in the heart? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">DISCIPLES </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The disciples miss this. They seem to want to throw marriage out altogether. This brings us to the third section. We have seen the setting in verses 1 and 2 and the Pharisees’ question about divorce in verses 3 through 9. Now, the disciples interact with Jesus about singleness in verses 10 through 12. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1-2 The Setting - On the Way to Jerusalem </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">3-9 The Question of Divorce by the Pharisees’ and Jesus’s Answer </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">10-12 The Disciples’ Statement About Celibacy and Jesus’s Response</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Look at verse 10. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“The disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry’” (Matthew 19:10, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We don’t know if this was said in exasperation, jest, or a real consideration. Commentator R. T. France writes: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">This sounds like an instinctive reaction rather than a thought-out response, since in Jewish society at that time the possibility of remaining celibate was not a recognized option. With the one remarkable exception of Jesus himself, there is little evidence that mainstream Judaism contemplated the possibility of a man remaining unmarried; marriage and the fathering of children was regarded as a religious duty. But, ironical as the disciples’ words may have been intended to be, Jesus takes them as the basis for a serious response. (R. T. France, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Gospel of Matthew</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, 722)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">RESPONSE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">How did he answer the disciples? Go to verse 11. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (Matthew 19:11–12, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Singleness is a gift some people receive from God, like marriage. This gift can come in three ways.</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">First, some are born in such a way that they would have a defect, where they are not quite a man or woman. We might call this androgyny. I read that this affects 1 and 4500 to 1 and 2000 people. Those are eunuchs by birth. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Second, there is another way this happens. If you wanted to hire someone to take care of women or daughters in a household surgically, a person could do something to men and boys that make them what the Bible calls eunuchs. It will change their hormones, and they will not be attracted to women, and thus safer attendants. Those are the eunuchs made by men. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, some chose this lifestyle. This group does it for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The Apostle Paul did it. Here is what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7. </span></p></li></ol><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am [being single]. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. (1 Corinthians 7:6–7, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">BENEFITS</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Both are gifts from God. Both have benefits. Marriage is to help each other, community, pleasure, have children, and most importantly, the love relationship properly expressed demonstrates the love relationship between God and his people. The gift of celibacy is one of service unhindered by some of the necessary obligations of family life. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">APPLICATION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">So, what is your gift? Are you single or married? God gives you a calling. It may not be for life. Suffering happens. However, let us not be the one through whom suffering comes. Let us pursue soft, faithful hearts. Let us seek the Lord’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. As I conclude, let us not be judgmental. Instead, let us be holy. How? Here are two questions pastor Mike came up with about this text: </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Are there ways God is adjusting how you view marriage, divorce, or singleness? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Where do you find your heart hardened and resistant to God’s purposes? </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">PRAY</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Let’s pray. </span></p></span></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-57362606925183952322024-01-07T03:48:00.001-05:002024-01-07T03:48:46.609-05:00Drink Deeply: Meditations from The Fountain of Life (audio) by John Flavel (Free)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwYNnC20IH6DU_cVAAUGjuYaOyCxID6T0FWhN5RkPYaXr9PPSqEiy6uQcyPDhHXAEdv1ckdHC2NL_02ew2uyYo255kSUtCjRsT4MyhWJOUBID2sufiw1oIBLC4Oyn2D1_mnW7mFD_sjbzI2ZDGbeywpSLfsvnZqTOSO4BOdK7x0W7qj_EgyyJcffNL_oG/s630/2940159777157_p0_v1_s1200x630-min.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwYNnC20IH6DU_cVAAUGjuYaOyCxID6T0FWhN5RkPYaXr9PPSqEiy6uQcyPDhHXAEdv1ckdHC2NL_02ew2uyYo255kSUtCjRsT4MyhWJOUBID2sufiw1oIBLC4Oyn2D1_mnW7mFD_sjbzI2ZDGbeywpSLfsvnZqTOSO4BOdK7x0W7qj_EgyyJcffNL_oG/s320/2940159777157_p0_v1_s1200x630-min.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>One Audiobooks is giving away the book <i>Drink Deeply: Meditations from The Fountain of Life </i>(audio) by John Flavel <b>FREE </b>this month. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h2><p><i>A collection of sermons that will ignite a craving for God’s word. John Flavel urges his congregation to deepen their understanding of scripture, which will improve their relationship with God, strengthen their faith against spiritual attacks and false teachings, and transform their lives. Stressing the importance of discernment grown from immersion in God’s word, the practical and concise advice contained here also serves as a useful and encouraging devotional tool for Christians at any point in their walk with God.</i></p><p><i>This series, published by ONE audiobooks, seeks to produce Classic Christian titles read by well known and loved Christian audiobook narrators. ONE takes great care to cast these titles with readers who will provide an unmatched listening experience for these important works.</i></p><p><i>Jonathan St. John brings his passion to every performance.</i></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get your copy <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://www.logos.com/product/255728/drink-deeply-meditations-from-the-fountain-of-life" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</h2><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/b?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ahape-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=fe133442ae4b490fa11f8e80820f2b9f&camp=1789&creative=9325&node=12290" target="_blank">Amazon Affiliate: Christian Books</a></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-42884748249082738532024-01-06T03:18:00.000-05:002024-01-06T03:18:02.653-05:00The Five Dilemmas of Calvinism Kindle Edition by Craig R. Brown FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SNVY1Le4QPUxGobas8h7-ljqHOKBLMvW0NvOfdieY_9p1jy4C7Dis8nPx7abcsmcL-Q53o-3L8cbBXWdcYDGz7GGwbvsfUhShn5L9MLVSfDo6dKJD8oe876OnUQrIzecRvmnTL3TzCsNo-LEU9mkFrZmyFnbDbhtmOOLPRWZchmX9-ypMJraxHRKEgPV/s1500/81U4NqJqBWL._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1099" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SNVY1Le4QPUxGobas8h7-ljqHOKBLMvW0NvOfdieY_9p1jy4C7Dis8nPx7abcsmcL-Q53o-3L8cbBXWdcYDGz7GGwbvsfUhShn5L9MLVSfDo6dKJD8oe876OnUQrIzecRvmnTL3TzCsNo-LEU9mkFrZmyFnbDbhtmOOLPRWZchmX9-ypMJraxHRKEgPV/s320/81U4NqJqBWL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><p>Ligonier Ministries is giving away the book <i>The Five Dilemmas of Calvinism </i>by Craig R. Brown Free. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h2><p><i>After a brief survey of the historical development of the theological school now known as Calvinism and a comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism, Brown turns to a consideration of five dilemmas that Arminians typically associate with Reformed doctrines. The author then attempts to demonstrate that these “problems” are largely misunderstandings of Calvinism.</i></p><p><i>Written in a winsome and engaging style, Brown’s work is an excellent primer on Calvinism and some of the critiques that have been leveled against it. As such, the book provides both apologetic help for Calvinists and answers for Arminians with honest questions.</i></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKVDTGL3?&linkCode=ll1&tag=ahape-20&linkId=326d9fd372a90525855680d9395e2036&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</h2>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-2593490549380222242024-01-05T04:14:00.002-05:002024-01-05T04:14:40.643-05:00The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World by David Hall (Free)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqiJHEVuaYpkDfbROGlE1tuZr17Gv39Sb5fG1LEkd-jii6eQGKQPoa_XTUvizFAp6Uzaym2L44bsP2RiOZhdPdtBJLRbf0YJ0wbji1BCW8gUE7YaxN9fDcC_S1E4S52lk41XPyVAlY6Ezw2MuxDmWuJI7T38EGI1u1D9EXYTvFEQq6QLVyas4eRZ72rbb/s1227/61OhwfUKyVL._SL1227_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="759" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqiJHEVuaYpkDfbROGlE1tuZr17Gv39Sb5fG1LEkd-jii6eQGKQPoa_XTUvizFAp6Uzaym2L44bsP2RiOZhdPdtBJLRbf0YJ0wbji1BCW8gUE7YaxN9fDcC_S1E4S52lk41XPyVAlY6Ezw2MuxDmWuJI7T38EGI1u1D9EXYTvFEQq6QLVyas4eRZ72rbb/s320/61OhwfUKyVL._SL1227_-min.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><p>P&R Press and Faithlife are giving away the book The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World by David Hall free until 1/15. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h2><p><i>David Hall identifies ten seminal ways that Calvin’s thought transformed the culture of the West, complete with a nontechnical biography of Calvin and tributes by other leaders. The Legacy of John Calvin is brief enough for popular audiences and analytical enough to provide much information in a short space.</i></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get your copy <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://www.logos.com/product/209840/the-legacy-of-john-calvin-his-influence-on-the-modern-world" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a></h2>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-89524015639979814232023-12-25T04:59:00.003-05:002023-12-25T04:59:34.222-05:00For Unto Us A Son Is Given - Isaiah 9:1-7 (Sermon)<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AT7nD4HX6WI?si=7BoKuH-4QOmJXqE2&start=1466" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_hblnHfvMYbZMR8Q3jMdOJ1ca9JD2OGrV0eNkBREA6GeCKyNrREyai_tJhoVQhH3u1SRfHNSA3MWyzk_YKuaiKLZ18VnnnK_t9HHLeWNS2bTi1Vd5-hq2OFMUB6rWiby2Zri79mVzc-vompm8gYUz6QssF8yMxx6hXOYeAeAuG5_b_edVk6Z9iqzRXEC/s1100/Isaiah%20Christmas%202023%20(web%20image)-min.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1100" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_hblnHfvMYbZMR8Q3jMdOJ1ca9JD2OGrV0eNkBREA6GeCKyNrREyai_tJhoVQhH3u1SRfHNSA3MWyzk_YKuaiKLZ18VnnnK_t9HHLeWNS2bTi1Vd5-hq2OFMUB6rWiby2Zri79mVzc-vompm8gYUz6QssF8yMxx6hXOYeAeAuG5_b_edVk6Z9iqzRXEC/w400-h184/Isaiah%20Christmas%202023%20(web%20image)-min.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img height="351" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/IuWceLP6RBU8YqrDMtmDpaxASF-NPuc7iUw-SGrIk7bPsSoZeuqeQQBn2GEN6tRvGWI0HIMWO__tLkizvYbXfxuKTtTRDMg7vI2T1to6Jk_eXVRh3tvKQ4lk4-PkCdL5EQ1z5ehdc4KV3u26liWz25E" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;" width="624" /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8c3201c5-7fff-8841-c69e-772832e1518b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ar3gEAT2h28/maxresdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGFogSShyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBjOfsrYiSEedvmHXdWg3ybpfz7CA" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ar3gEAT2h28/maxresdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCIAKENAF8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGFogSShyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBjOfsrYiSEedvmHXdWg3ybpfz7CA</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This last week, my kids told me that Dude Perfect came out with a new episode, </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Mystery Detective Battle</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. It was a blast to watch. They did mini competitions and ran around a mansion to discover who took Sparky, with what, and in what room. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I bring this silly show up because the Old Testament prophecies are like a real-life game of clues. All these pieces make sense, looking back. But when they first come up, they can be pretty confusing. For example, we have been looking at the book of Isaiah in December. We have sentences like:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">“Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low” (Isaiah 40:4, ESV). </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV). </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his root shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV).</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What do the valleys, mountains, children, stumps, shoots, branches, and fruit mean? They start to make sense when we zoom out. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have the privilege of having the entire book of Isaiah, the Bible, and time on our hands. We can zoom into Chapter 9, ask questions, look at the context, and then zoom out to see what God is saying. The bottom line is that we will discover the best Christmas gift in these verses: Jesus. Let’s dive in. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have asked L.T. to read for us. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word if you can? We will be reading from Isaiah chapter 9, verses 1 through 7: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The people who walked in darkness </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> have seen a great light; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on them has light shone. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You have multiplied the nation; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you have increased its joy; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> they rejoice before you </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> as with joy at the harvest, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> as they are glad when they divide the spoil. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the yoke of his burden, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the staff for his shoulder, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the rod of his oppressor, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you have broken as on the day of Midian. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and every garment rolled in blood </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be burned as fuel for the fire. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For to us a child is born, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to us a son is given; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the government shall be upon his shoulder, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and his name shall be called </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Of the increase of his government and of peace </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> there will be no end, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on the throne of David and over his kingdom, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to establish it and to uphold it </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> with justice and with righteousness </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from this time forth and forevermore. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:1–7, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you. Let’s pray. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Heavenly Father, I need your help. Please help me write this message. Help it be relevant, fun, clear, powerful, and Spirit-led. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may be seated. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Context </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The prophecy L. read continues what Isaiah spoke to King Ahaz. He was predicting the future and telling Ahaz not to worry. The year was about 733 B.C. Ahaz was an evil king. Although he was the king of God’s people, he did not act like it. He rejected God and his laws. He sacrificed his sons to the gods of the nations. Other countries threatened to conquer him. Isaiah was reassuring him that God would take care of his people. He didn’t have to rely on other gods or nations. In chapter 7, Isaiah predicted a miraculous virgin birth of a child named Immanuel, which means God with us. In chapter 8, God told Isaiah to take a wife, have a child, and call him “the prey hastens,” and judgment was coming. Last week, we jumped ahead to chapter 11. In it, we read about a child from David’s line, full of attributes similar to the child in chapter 9. God was doing something extraordinary with the most vulnerable, unbelievable solution. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Structure </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I see three sections in these seven verses culminating in the Christ child. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Verses 1-2 contrast the past with the future: the way of anguish with the way of glory.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Verse 3 - tells us there will be future joy.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Verses 4-7 give three reasons for that joy, concluding with the birth of an extraordinary son. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Main Idea</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The main idea of these verses is that </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is doing a fantastic thing with eternal, spiritual ramifications for his people</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Let me say that again. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is doing a fantastic thing with eternal, spiritual ramifications for his people. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s walk through the text. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verses 1-2 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at verse 1. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 184px; overflow: hidden; width: 154px;"><img height="184" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/IDRYHcABFwGSEVdW-AcAbMq68uSah3IzXUjozpH4ng4_KmwehMB3juWynSPz-cLnrki82aw3CV8b_k2P3z7kTqtuOUn25TGxVLjZX_0VBTTwoFQZ4P35fxVPy-B8wjIU16IOd1-eRNSNdLbvR7N7DM8" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="154" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.stvchurch.org/2017/07/06/vigil-2017-hour-five-is-this-an-isaiah-moment/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.stvchurch.org/2017/07/06/vigil-2017-hour-five-is-this-an-isaiah-moment/</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The first shows Ahaz’s kingdom, the southern kingdom, called Judah. Top sections are the other tribes, collectively called Israel or the Northern Kingdom. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The second map shows each tribe and some of the surrounding nations. Jacob had twelve sons. Each possessed a portion of Israel except Levi. So, there are sections named after every one of them, including Zebulun and Naphtali. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Galilee is the lake above the tribe of Issachar. This is where Jesus spent much of his ministry. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The lands of Zebulun and Naphtali are west of the Sea of Galilee.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Jordan River runs north and south on the nation's eastern border. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The word for nations is interchangeable with the gentiles. God has a heart for the non-Jewish people. In Genesis 12, we read that God promised Abraham he would bless all nations through his descendants. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verse 2 tells us what happens in this glorious way. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The people who walked in darkness </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> have seen a great light; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2, ESV) </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What is the light Isaiah predicted? What is the darkness? 700 years later Jesus answered that question. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I am the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">darkness</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, but will have the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of life” (John 8:12, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He also said, </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“As long as I am in the world, I am the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of the world” (John 9:5, ESV, italics mine).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To a crowd asking who the Son of Man was. He announced, </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. John 12:35–36 (ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus is the light of the world. His follower John agreed. He wrote: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of men. The </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">shines in the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">darkness</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, and the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">darkness </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">has not overcome it. (John 1:1–5, ESV, italics mine)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Later he wrote in relation to Jesus’s conversation at night with Nicodemus: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And this is the judgment: the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and does not come to the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">light</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3:19–21, ESV, italics mine)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Apostle Paul echoed this, </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We see God’s light through Christ by the Spirit resident in us. Jesus is the light to the nations. Matthew wrote: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now when he [Jesus] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the people dwelling in darkness </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> have seen a great light, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on them a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:12–16, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We live in a dark world and need Jesus. Look at the headlines. I wrote down a few of the words I skimmed this week: </span></p><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"><colgroup><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Enemies</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Snipers </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Assault</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Brawl</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Hostage</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Abortion</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Robbery</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Killing </span></p></li></ul><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-right: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #ffffff 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Anti Semitism</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Racism</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Vandalism</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">War</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Murder</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Extremism</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Suicide</span></p></li></ul><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 3</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is doing a fantastic thing with eternal, spiritual ramifications for his people. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus was born into this darkness. He is the light of the world. That is good news. It should warm our hearts, even though he didn’t fix it immediately. Some of this prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Not only did Isaiah predict the light for the world, but he also predicted a growing nation and increasing joy. Jump to verse 3. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You have multiplied the nation; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you have increased its joy; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> they rejoice before you </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> as with joy at the harvest, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> as they are glad when they divide the spoil. (Isaiah 9:3, ESV) </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">From the early days, God said that the nation of Israel would expand. True Israel, God’s people, will be represented by every country. It is not limited to the shade of one’s skin, the color of one’s eyes, the shape of one’s nose, height, weight, age, personality, or ancestry. Christianity isn’t a white man’s religion. If anything, it was a Middle Eastern one. But it is not that either. It is multicultural and pangeographical (I made that last word up). It isn’t limited to one culture or one location. It is spreading fastest in Africa and Asia. Isaiah predicted this growth not only because he saw increased joy in the future. It reminds me of the song from 1719 by Isaac Watts, </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Joy to the World</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. There are so many reasons to be happy. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">YOU JOY</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What brings you joy? A good meal, pleasure, friendship, fun? There are so many things that bring momentary delight. Sunrises, warm days, excellent meals, and smiles can lift our spirits. However, God has something greater in store for his children. It is like there is one more present you haven’t opened, and it is incredible. It is like a deed to the Grand Canyon, a check for Warren Buffet’s bank account, a mansion on the lake, or one of a sports car for each month. God’s gift is more significant than anything you can imagine. No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, what the Lord has prepared for those who look forward to his second coming. Let’s taste and see his goodness. What does he promise his people? </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ISRAEL’S GIFTS </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One gift people in Isaiah’s day probably wanted was relief from their enemies. In Isaiah chapter 7, Syria and the tribe of Ephraim joined forces, threatening Judah’s occupation and Ahaz’s death. Historically, we read in 2 Chronicles that they waged a campaign that took the lives of 120,000 men and enslaved 200,000 women and children. Then, Assyria conquered Israel. After that, the Babylonians conquered Assyria and Judah. After that, the Persians conquered Babylon. Then, the Greeks defeated the Persians. Then, the Romans conquered the Greeks. Israel was a pawn and puppet state under the oppressive thumb of foreign rule. Israel has suffered from her earliest days. First, it was the Canaanites; then, the Egyptians, the Philistines, the Moabites, the Edomites, the Ammonites, and all sorts of parasites harassed them. Today, they suffer under the threat of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Recently, they suffered under Stalin and Hitler. But Isaiah promised relief in verses 4 and 5. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSES 4 and 5 Describe the End of violence </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s look at verses 4 and 5 to see this play out. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the yoke of his burden, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the staff for his shoulder, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> the rod of his oppressor, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you have broken as on the day of Midian. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and every garment rolled in blood </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> will be burned as fuel for the fire. (Isaiah 9:4–5, ESV) </span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The yoke of suffering will break as in the day of Midian. </span></h1><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MIDIAN</span></h1><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When was that? In Judges 6 through 8, Israel didn’t have a king; they had a judge: Gideon. He was a warrior. Midian had oppressed God’s people for seven years. 135,000 Midianite men were threatening to crush them. God heard his people’s cries for help. Gideon amassed 32,000 troops to fight back. God told him that he had too many. He commanded him to send home all those who were fearful. 22,000 left. They still had too many. So God had all the men go down to the river to drink. The ones who lapped like a dog were the ones who would fight. That left 300. How in the world would 300 survive, let alone bring victory? They didn’t fight with bows and arrows, swords, or spears. They fought with musical instruments and lamps. They surrounded the enemy at night, lit their lamps, and blew their horns. The enemy woke up confused and killed each other. God routed them, and Israel won the day. It was a miracle. What God did before, he will do again. How? “Every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.”</span></h1><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 6-7 </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is doing a fantastic thing with eternal, spiritual ramifications for his people. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Here is another puzzle. Listen to this song. What is it? </span><a href="https://mdundo.com/song/8525#google_vignette" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://mdundo.com/song/8525#google_vignette</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It is our next set of verses, by Frederick Handel in 1741. Look at verses 6 and 7. I see four names of the Christ child and three characteristics of his reign. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For to us a child is born, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to us a son is given; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the government shall be upon his shoulder, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and his name shall be called </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Of the increase of his government and of peace </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> there will be no end, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> on the throne of David and over his kingdom, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to establish it and to uphold it </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> with justice and with righteousness </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> from this time forth and forevermore. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is the best gift ever. In contrast to the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">faithlessness </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of Ahaz, this child will be the light and joy of the world. He will be: </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The king </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Wise</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Mighty </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Fatherly </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ushering peace</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Ruling forever </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Reigning with justice and righteous </span></h2></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s walk through each. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">KING </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We first read that the government will be on his shoulder. That means he will be the king in 2 Samuel chapter 7. Samuel predicted that David would have a descendant that would be God’s son. His kingdom will never end. There will be no more debates, primaries, fundraising, commercials, polling, or voting. He will win, hands down, with no recount or recourse. He will be the King of kings and Lord of lords. Paul tells us: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God has highly exalted him [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11, ESV)</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WISE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This child will be an excellent counselor and one with outstanding counsel. He will embody wisdom. The Bible tells us that David’s son, Solomon, was the wisest of all. The child would be wiser still. The Apostle Paul called Jesus the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). He knows the hearts of men and women. He knows the more profound things that reside in the soul. He knows the future as well as the past. He is wise. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MIGHTY</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This child will be strong. He will be no ordinary kid. He is the supernatural, God-man. He could stop a storm with a word, provide food for thousands, cast out a demon, and heal the sick. He could even raise the dead. He raised himself from the dead and will never die again. He is more powerful than anyone who ever lived or will live. Through him, the world was made. And the world continues to exist by his decree. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fatherly</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This child will also bear a fatherly mark. He is not a replacement for the Father God. They are the same substance but different persons. He offers his people guidance, direction, and protection just like a father does for his children. In a sense, he is the everlasting father. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ushering Peace </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He will usher in peace. He is the Prince of Peace. This is a massive benefit in a world of anxiety, worry, confusion, and stress. We have so much conflict. Who doesn’t want peace? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus said to his followers: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Apostle Paul wrote:</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus came to bring peace to Earth for those who trust in him. He is the Prince of Peace. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Eternal </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This child’s kingdom will last forever. It will not end. What is that like? It is hard to picture. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Plastic takes 20 to 500 years to decompose. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Pop cans take 200 to 500 years to biodegrade.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Glass bottles take 4000 years to disintegrate. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our clothes wear out, our cars break, our food expires, and our kingdoms fall. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Empire of Japan lasted 1700 years </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Byzantine Empire lasted about 875 years</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Holy Roman Empire lasted about 850 years </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Zhou Dynasty lasted about 800 years</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Ethiopian Empire lasted about 675 years </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The United States is 247 years old and will eventually fall, like the others. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yet this child’s kingdom will never fall. There will be no end. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Justice and Righteousness</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What will his kingdom be like? Perfect. In a world of injustice and evil, the king will bring a beautiful alternative—no more infighting or politicking. There will be no more corruption, backroom deals, pandering, bribery, fraud, theft, scandal, lies, or betrayals. This future king will grow up and be different from the short-sighted, corrupt, immoral, and wicked King Ahaz. Jesus brings justice and righteousness. For those of us who are aware of our sin, justice can be scary and righteousness insurmountable. That is why Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died a sinner’s death, and rose from the grave. He died so that we might live. He died to forgive us our sin. We have mercy and his righteousness through faith. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">BABIES </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As a parent launching my kids, I have hopes and dreams for them. We have aspirations and desires. We long for their success, health, and safety. However, this son Isaiah mentions in chapter 9 has shoes only God can fill. That is why he is the same person born of a virgin called Immanuel, God with us. He is also the “shoot” coming out of the stump of Jesse, David’s ancestral line. He is royalty. Zooming out, we see he is Jesus. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is doing a fantastic thing with eternal, spiritual ramifications for his people. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CHRISTMAS </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Christmas, we can enjoy the gifts we get and give. But at the end of the day, the most significant reason for joy and light is Jesus. By faith in him, he shares his lasting blessings of wisdom, strength, peace, justice, and righteousness with us. Do you believe that? </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you believe that, let us let it sink in for a minute more. Where do you need his wisdom? Where do you need his strength? Where do you need his peace? Where do you need his fatherly care? Where do you need his justice and righteousness? God doesn’t want fence-sitting. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Where is your hope when you don’t know what to do? Where is your strength when you don’t have strength? Where is your peace and comfort? How about remembering the gift of Jesus this Christmas? He is the greatest treasure of all, more significant than family. He puts us in the heavenly family. He is more important than good food, satisfying our spiritual hunger. He is more significant than fun, offering us a joy that doesn’t end. He is more significant than any gifts and treasurers we amass, offering us Heaven. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I visited with one of our saints who will soon be with the Lord. A thin veil separates her and Heaven. She will know quickly what we look forward to but too often need to remember. We need to recall these promises. They are here for our encouragement. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are far from God, you don’t have to be. He came to be with us. He left to go to Heaven, but he sent his Holy Spirit. He longs for you to turn to him this day, this season, this new year. I challenge us all to remember the son whom God has given. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s Pray</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span></p><div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-89993068119992517832023-12-23T04:48:00.001-05:002023-12-23T04:52:18.884-05:00My Runner-Ups for the Top 10 Reads of 2023<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda2to2glwClbN-DYz6dfVYayccJrWHV6FMABf5jM4xdIdCGlL7gTf7qop92iuQ8W20ohuKckXk-7do2m8rIkXntfrpGrZXG_ffGXnJFtlS4efjwRhCIpLPixdVVS922UpNt5PqZhMPufch4I_7LDG62qEXx4Y1vFhk6jbN78VkTPJb73Pmw0k13A53tAg/s600/6a00e008d91f9d883401a511b76e6b970c-600wi-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="600" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda2to2glwClbN-DYz6dfVYayccJrWHV6FMABf5jM4xdIdCGlL7gTf7qop92iuQ8W20ohuKckXk-7do2m8rIkXntfrpGrZXG_ffGXnJFtlS4efjwRhCIpLPixdVVS922UpNt5PqZhMPufch4I_7LDG62qEXx4Y1vFhk6jbN78VkTPJb73Pmw0k13A53tAg/s320/6a00e008d91f9d883401a511b76e6b970c-600wi-min.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As promised, here is a list of my runner-ups for my Top 10 Reads of 2023:</span></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box;">Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know</span></span></span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Adam Grant's <i>Think Again</i> is a captivating exploration of the value of different perspectives. The book, a #1 New York Times Bestseller, skillfully employs </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">the use of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">story to drive home its point.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1703151458&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=2853f0fe4962be77d3488951d36217e1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_new"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Think Again" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1984878107&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 2em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></a></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. <span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box;">In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette</span></span></span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hampton Sides' <i>In the Kingdom of Ice</i> takes readers on a fast-paced, real-life journey story of survival, and adventure as a team seeks to be the first to discover the North Pole. </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aunt Myrna recommended this Amazon Best Book of the Month in August 2014. She always picks winners.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Ice-Terrible-Voyage-Jeannette-ebook/dp/B00IBZ3Z8U?crid=1R40HKCC2OX9T&keywords=kingdom+of+ice&qid=1703151628&sprefix=%2Caps%2C526&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=f48d2331681003433c0511e31a9eabb9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_new"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="In the Kingdom of Ice" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00IBZ3Z8U&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 2em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></a></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. <span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box;">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</span></span></span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The final book in J.K. Rowling's iconic Harry Potter series, <i>The Deathly Hallows</i>, showcases her increasing writing ability with complex characters and a thrilling narrative. The book ties the previous books together and echoes Judeo-Christian themes. It was also a sweet way to bond with my oldest son. We had read aloud all of the books in the series. We discussed them as we went, creating a memorable bonding experience over the years.</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Deathly-Hallows-Book/dp/1338878980?crid=2MUC21RZJ88A5&keywords=Harry+Potter+and+the+Deathly+Hallows&qid=1703151824&sprefix=harry+potter+and+the+deathly+hallows%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=71d8b04d79cea023c22e0ad13b686cf3&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space-collapse: preserve;" target="_new"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1338878980&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 2em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></a></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. <span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box;">The Vine Project</span></span></span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colin Marshall and Tony Payne's <i>The Vine Project </i>is a valuable resource for churches looking to assess and improve their approach to discipleship. With thought-provoking questions, this book has been a good reference in ministry. It is a sequel to <i>The Trellis and the Vine</i>.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vine-Project-Colin-Marshall/dp/1925424766?crid=2OIRIWHVORYXE&keywords=the+vine+project&qid=1703152169&s=books&sprefix=the+vine+project%2Cstripbooks%2C109&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=7356e627d9982631c086beb5f3d10441&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_new"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="The Vine Project" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1925424766&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 2em; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></a></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. <span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box;">Martin Van Buren: The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841</span></span></span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ted Widmer's <i>Martin Van Buren</i> provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of the 8th President, portraying a shrewd and intelligent man with a presidency marked by a few critical decisions but a long political influence post-presidency. </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Notably, he opposed Texas being a new slave state, did not defend the Amistad legal case, and united what is now the modern Democratic party. He was the first president without English heritage.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Van-Buren-Presidents-President/dp/0805069224?crid=ZN90K9UKYUQ6&keywords=Van+Buren+Book&qid=1703152468&s=books&sprefix=van+buren+book+%2Cstripbooks%2C210&sr=1-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=d53be88d146d40acefd74b5daca690bf&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_new"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Martin Van Buren" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0805069224&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-top: 2em; max-width: 100%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></a></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What were some of your favorite books in 2023?</span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Click <a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2023/12/my-top-10-reads-of-2023.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see my Top 10 Reads for 2023</b></span></span></h3>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-45285844387188427872023-12-21T20:05:00.007-05:002023-12-21T20:07:54.795-05:00Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DFAjXwayt59t4RMZQ9NEWygzf10EFbAjj4b7k2D9PnUv-Cu-eccYzjT8-5P8g7p_OXEX6tx8Qo0gpFMtmfARTUicFm0LrOIQBCIu-R3j58vK55kcNoH2_4woQuVMzlxRF11PNDJxpDvIMkgRbK64chYeDfD5j61LsRYGO7T0rdPCuE1hwTbr_eTa8LvX/s1500/71eszZQUszL._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="993" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DFAjXwayt59t4RMZQ9NEWygzf10EFbAjj4b7k2D9PnUv-Cu-eccYzjT8-5P8g7p_OXEX6tx8Qo0gpFMtmfARTUicFm0LrOIQBCIu-R3j58vK55kcNoH2_4woQuVMzlxRF11PNDJxpDvIMkgRbK64chYeDfD5j61LsRYGO7T0rdPCuE1hwTbr_eTa8LvX/s320/71eszZQUszL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=1433561301" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><p>The Gospel Coalition is giving away the book Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes FREE for a limited time. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the Publisher: </h2><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many Christian men desire to grow in godliness and wisdom, but year after year they lament slow or no growth in their life, and they wonder why. They need to remember that no growth happens in life without discipline—and growth in godliness is no exception.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 1rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Disciplines of a Godly Man</em>, seasoned pastor R. Kent Hughes offers men practical guidance and rich wisdom that will help them grow in the disciplines of prayer, integrity, marriage, leadership, worship, purity, and more. This classic book has recently been updated with even more resources, including:</span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; margin-top: 1.5rem;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Questions and application points that make the book perfect for a small group of men to read together</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A treasure trove of book recommendations for further reading on specific topics and general Christian life</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lists of recommended Psalms, Proverbs, hymns, and praise songs for your personal devotional worship</span></li></ul><p>Get your copy <a href="https://pages.thegospelcoalition.org/disciplines-of-a-godly-man?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=amp_2024_01_DGM&utm_id=6503929877089&utm_content=6503929877289&utm_term=6503929877689&fbclid=IwAR3W73FfVJqU3LTS__knaX448kO9arXmpKDUgmoWeeYn-HMji7oIyLRXG_U" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</p><p><br /></p>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-91271418414971026322023-12-20T05:03:00.001-05:002023-12-20T05:03:14.904-05:00My Top 10 Reads of 2023<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPCcWvsxVRjxSfilDCBLxmoZv4aysBPsbGdm4bvWmo_jo7JxlE3HdQTqFLcchUzkpAUpsOyMZAV2mqKYDd45LIg8uviyQeZhWiOpQVWnBIKDD0iMzpPp4iH57DSGSdn13Mr76JrT7jiBFnowpL7vFSX6EErt8cZ4jUyGjoAOCQkJ1ZI5CFmOZEFp0TFel/s1480/2023-new-year-wishes-card-with-golden-confetti-sparkle_1017-40387-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1480" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPCcWvsxVRjxSfilDCBLxmoZv4aysBPsbGdm4bvWmo_jo7JxlE3HdQTqFLcchUzkpAUpsOyMZAV2mqKYDd45LIg8uviyQeZhWiOpQVWnBIKDD0iMzpPp4iH57DSGSdn13Mr76JrT7jiBFnowpL7vFSX6EErt8cZ4jUyGjoAOCQkJ1ZI5CFmOZEFp0TFel/s320/2023-new-year-wishes-card-with-golden-confetti-sparkle_1017-40387-min.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Every year, I compile a list of my favorite books that I have read. As the year ends, I reflect on the nearly fifty books I’ve immersed myself in. Despite scaling back my reading to focus on running and publishing my book, </span><a href="https://amzn.to/46Y6XXL" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Words of the Resurrected</span></a><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, the literary journey has been one of my highlights.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8465d6d8-7fff-b40c-6785-c321160188cb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">My eclectic and whimsical strategy to pick books to read encompasses works by men and women, ancient and contemporary, fiction and nonfiction, Christian and secular. The book’s impact on my life, readability, and engagement significantly influence a book’s placement in my top ten list for the year. The Bible is the best book ever and the only divinely inspired one. So, I exclude that from my list, although I read it. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So here you go: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">10. Peace Like A River </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Leif Enger’s </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Peace Like a River</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> captures the heart of eleven-year-old Reub Land as he navigates life following his father’s death in northern Minnesota and North Dakota. The book delves into themes of family, love, and faith, earning its place as a Best Book of the Year according to the Los Angeles Times and Time Magazine in 2001.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Like-River-Leif-Enger-ebook/dp/B0062A4882?crid=HOQ1SF60EM6V&keywords=peace+like+a+river&qid=1702888552&sprefix=peace+like+a+river%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=b11eab66ffa5ba3eb4516490e9f3ea8e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0062A4882&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B0062A4882" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></div><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">9. Gilead </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I found </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Gilead </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by Marilynne Robinson to be deep, profound, helpful, thought-provoking, meandering, and comforting. Dr. Terhune recommended this book to me, and I am glad he did. It tells the story of a dying pastor journaling to his little son, who is too young to understand. The setting is rural Iowa and deals with different perspectives of the African American experience in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It holds the following awards: A New York Times Bestseller. Oprah’s Book Club Pick. Winner Of The Pulitzer Prize For Fiction. National Book Critics Circle Award Winner. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gilead-Novel-Marilynne-Robinson-ebook/dp/B000O76NMS?crid=2APSA5HVWKSDM&keywords=gilead+by+marilynne+robinson&qid=1702888649&sprefix=Gilead%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=f6b628a8d7241622107b55ffa0b09279&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000O76NMS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B000O76NMS" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">8. Virgil Wander </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Virgil Wander </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is the second book on my top ten list by Lief Enger. It weaves a complex tale of two elderly gentlemen in a small northern Minnesotan town. This New York Times Best Seller combines delightful descriptions and character development, creating a subtle, suspenseful narrative. I am thankful to Dr. Dan Hayward for recommending this author to me. </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Virgil-Wander-Leif-Enger-ebook/dp/B07G7FZZBZ?crid=306KGZV4ABZ22&keywords=Virgil+Wander&qid=1702888693&sprefix=virgil+wander+%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=15efa972a853bb3f38ffc291e2505385&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07G7FZZBZ&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B07G7FZZBZ" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></div><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">7. The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is the second time </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Death of Porn </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">book has hit my top ten list. Ray Ortlund’s short book on pornography is powerful. It expounds on the dignity of men and women as made in the image of God. It captivates one’s vision of who God created people to be, shedding a spotlight on the demeaning, objectifying, selfish waste that pornography is. I highly recommend it.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Death-Porn-Integrity-Building-Nobility-ebook/dp/B08T6DWTL7?crid=15F5PMJCX4N21&keywords=THe+Death+of+Porn&qid=1702888815&sprefix=the+death+of+porn%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=8fff3cf61f7857719ed49519321412c7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08T6DWTL7&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">6. Everything Sad is Untrue</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Everything Sad is Untrue </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is the autobiography of Daniel Nayeri from a six-year-old perspective. Daniel is a refugee who fled Iran to Oklahoma with his mother and sister. I found the themes and Christian messages of perseverance, grace, complexity, and honesty to be heart-warming and inspirational. I read this because my alma mater required all first-year students to read it this year, and I can see why. This book has won many awards. Here are some of the awards: A National Indie Bestseller, NPR Best Book of the Year, New York Times Best Book of the Year, Amazon Best Book of the Year, Booklist Editors’ Choice, BookPage Best Book of the Year, NECBA Windows & Mirrors Selection, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, and Today.com Best of the Year. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Sad-Untrue-true-story-ebook/dp/B08BR2HFWJ?crid=DKLS3FH2B9WR&keywords=Everything+Sad+is+Untrue&qid=1702888841&sprefix=everything+sad+is+untrue%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=bae2ccd3cf8ac013cade642fdc9478eb&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08BR2HFWJ&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B08BR2HFWJ" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B08T6DWTL7" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">5. The Hobbit</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">J.R.R. Tolkien’s </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Hobbit </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is a timeless favorite, filled with themes of friendship, courage, hope, and the eternal battle of good versus evil. This classic, winner of the New York Herald Tribune Children’s Spring Book Festival Award in 1938 and the Carnegie Medal in Literature in 1939, remains a must-read. I read it aloud to my ten and my seven-year-old as I put them to bed. </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618260307?crid=1NICTGLINELT&keywords=The+Hobbit&qid=1702888951&sprefix=the+hobbit%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-10&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=186a62324bb14a37acbaf5ec3bc12c83&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0618260307&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0618260307" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">4. J Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pastor Jeff Dryden gave me two books over the last few years that made it into my top ten list this year. I don’t always read things people give me. However, when one book hits the top ten, I am more motivated to read the next. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">J Curve </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">was profound. What I mean is that it adjusted how I viewed life. Everything, even difficulty, tragedy, and my sin, can help in a walk with Jesus. How Paul Miller works through this demonstrates humility and puts his feet on his ideas. </span></p><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/J-Curve-Dying-Rising-Jesus-Everyday/dp/1433561565?crid=1J7AIV0JNLE80&keywords=j+curve+paul+miller&qid=1702889052&sprefix=J+Curve%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=dd0bbfe22d3485aaadef743d4e753b69&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1433561565&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=1433561565" style="border: none; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: collapse;" width="1" /></span></h1><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">3. A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The next book is also by Paul Miller, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A Praying Church</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. He uses his life as an example, illustrating the power and importance of corporate prayer. As a TGC 2023 book award winner, this book is compelling for pastors and churchgoers.</span></p><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Church-Becoming-People-Discouraging-ebook/dp/B0B1VYSRSJ?crid=2VZTZENSBMVLC&keywords=The+Praying+church&qid=1702889157&sprefix=the+praying+church%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=93f5d53d5fce9bd9a270160c764d4373&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: collapse;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0B1VYSRSJ&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B0B1VYSRSJ" style="border: none; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: collapse;" width="1" /></span></h1><h1 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">2. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by John Mark Comer hit home for me. He challenges his readers to slow down through his journey as a pastor in a hectic world. The book is short, readable, practical, and engaging. I gave all my small group leaders a copy, and we discussed the content. It was an ECPA Bestseller. </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Elimination-Hurry-Emotionally-Spiritually-ebook/dp/B07NCJB86S?crid=3CN54V3BWT6O0&keywords=the+ruthless+elimination+of+hurry+by+john+mark+comer&qid=1702889303&sprefix=The+ruthl%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=290c380fd56dded029939f0d804ce277&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07NCJB86S&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B07NCJB86S" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></div><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">1. Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">My top pick for the year is </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Smart Brevity</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz. While embracing the power of succinctness, this book provides well-researched insights and practical applications for effective communication in emails, meetings, and presentations. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Note: The authors use coarse language</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Brevity-Power-Saying-More-ebook/dp/B09TGMK8G6?crid=3HJ9IE31FDG6C&keywords=Smart+Brevity&qid=1702889326&sprefix=smart+brevity%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1&linkCode=li2&tag=ahape-20&linkId=9aba93cef6dee0962ea59cd5dca910d2&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B09TGMK8G6&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ahape-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=ahape-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B09TGMK8G6" style="border: none; margin: 0px; text-align: left;" width="1" /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Stay tuned for my runner-up post. If you have any favorite books from this year, share them in the comments below.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h2 style="clear: both;">See Also</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><a href="022/12/my-top-10-reads-of-2022.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2022</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2021/12/my-top-10-books-of-2021.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2021</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2020/12/top-10-books-of-2020.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2020</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2019/12/my-top-10-books-of-2019.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2019</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2019/01/my-top-10-favorite-reads-of-2018.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2018</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2018/10/top-reads-of-2017.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2017</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2018/10/top-2016-reads.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2016</a></p></div></div></div></div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2018/10/favorite-reads-of-2013.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2013</a></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2018/10/top-reads-of-2012.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2012</a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><p><a href="https://www.robertjnash.com/2018/10/top-reads-of-2011.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2011</a></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-60352850672150313072023-12-11T05:32:00.002-05:002023-12-11T05:32:22.615-05:00Immanuel, God With Us: Isaiah 7:1-17 (Sermon)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bn_hh889YA2Sp3Um3BKyFEARZjnYZeV07rNE5tXpGSUO_5lYWBjXB23MV1XHVBV6gZotEO1b5yPNFuglMS3uaQlbjIkFYpMtxaSSrjGCUpUiTvtxfhtYZFY0EpktjfR6-pQja0cjSHYlc2aNp3-3QW5VZ893Y8X3G_RNzigRtU34TnFNIgPi9m_WTIjm/s1100/Isaiah%20Christmas%202023%20(web%20image)-min.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1100" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Bn_hh889YA2Sp3Um3BKyFEARZjnYZeV07rNE5tXpGSUO_5lYWBjXB23MV1XHVBV6gZotEO1b5yPNFuglMS3uaQlbjIkFYpMtxaSSrjGCUpUiTvtxfhtYZFY0EpktjfR6-pQja0cjSHYlc2aNp3-3QW5VZ893Y8X3G_RNzigRtU34TnFNIgPi9m_WTIjm/w400-h184/Isaiah%20Christmas%202023%20(web%20image)-min.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pvoZqXZJRf0?si=qSehSM_c2faVjTM6&start=1613" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5181357d-7fff-8fbb-a569-7c86b51a0988"><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Immanuel, God With Us</span></h1><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Introduction: </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you, worship team. Typically, we don’t talk about politics in church. I will break that habit today as we enter the church’s Advent season. Why not? Right? This morning, I want to talk about a political leader who,</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Was an opportunist. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Used spirituality for personal gain. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Helped divide his nation. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Sought alliances with enemy states. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And broke the law. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You might know who I am talking about. (Don’t answer that.) Obviously, I am talking about Ahaz. He was the father of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, born around 763 BC in the southern kingdom of Israel. We will look at a period in his life from the book of Isaiah. We are taking a break from our sermon series in the book of Matthew for December. Matthew quotes Isaiah more than any other prophet. In fact, he quotes our text in his first chapter. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">AHAZ</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who was Ahaz? We read about him in 2 Chronicles chapter 28. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done, but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals, and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. (2 Chronicles 28:1–4, ESV) </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This guy was leading God’s people to hell. He was so bad that he sacrificed his sons to the gods of the nations around him. He killed his children. What kind of father does that? Yet, we will read that God extends an opportunity for mercy in Isaiah chapter 7. Ahaz’s life was at a crossroads. He had a chance to repent from his wicked ways and follow God. What did he do? Would he listen? Would he obey? Or not? I will have E. and Y. B. read Isaiah chapter 7, verses 1 through 17, for us this morning. Would you please stand with me, if you are able? </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field. And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” thus says the Lord GOD: </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> “ ‘It shall not stand, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and it shall not come to pass. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> For the head of Syria is Damascus, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the head of Damascus is Rezin. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And within sixty-five years </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Ephraim will be shattered from being a people. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> If you are not firm in faith, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you will not be firm at all.’ ” </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!” (Isaiah 7:1–17, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you. Let’s pray. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dear God, we need you. I need you. Help us now to hear you speak. Change and comfort us; in Jesus’s name, we pray, amen. </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may be seated. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The situation was dire. Israel was divided in two: the north and the south. The tribes of Israel didn’t get along. Here is a picture for you. You can see Judah in pink and Israel in green. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 249px; overflow: hidden; width: 153px;"><img height="249" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/g_IwODG9gT007CPtJSjngJE02orMLfaDs36skOU3qOp8vWSNUR_roSQBDu2G_ChbhilGSp57o9XC7znD-6T36SaeMeau-tLjl0sAp-fPwlNVnkNcrtyVq63lOLqfEMqR1npoLfxCW4bmpum2Pzjjqyo" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="153" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God desired a relationship with his nation. He longed for them to worship him alone and follow his ways. He yearned for their trust. In our passage, I see a situation, an invitation, a prediction, and a condemnation. Ahaz listened to God and had to decide if he would follow him. The chapter loosely breaks down into four parts. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verses 1 through 3 - The Situation </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verses 4 through 13 - The Invitation </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verses 14 through 16 - The Prediction </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verses 17 through 25 - The Condemnation</span></h2><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SITUATION</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What was the situation? The tribe was freaking out. On the border of Judah was a threat. The neighbors wanted to invade. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">FEEL LIKE </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What would </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">that </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">be like? I don’t know. I can’t relate. I have never feared Canada or Mexico. We don’t have intrastate conflicts like the Civil War. Probably the closest thing to that for me was the craziness of COVID-19. I freaked out imagining roving gangs coming from Chicago up the 94 looking for food and fuel. How would I protect my family? Thankfully, that didn’t happen. However, it did contribute to my stockpiling nearly a three-month supply of toilet paper. If you want some tuna or rice, I still might have some from 2020. I have heard the expiration dates are “best used by,” not really “expirations.” Looking back, I realize that my stockpiling was an overreaction. But, some people, like Ahaz, wouldn’t be off base to be shaking in their boots. Let’s read more. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 3 </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Go to verse 3. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And the LORD said to Isaiah, ‘Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer’s Field’” (Isaiah 7:3, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apparently, Isaiah was married and working in Jerusalem. His son’s name was Shear-Jashub, meaning </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">a remnant shall return</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Isaiah’s name means </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yhaweh is our salvation</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. In the threat of deportation and prediction of future destruction, Isaiah and his son were a hopeful pair. Isaiah obeyed, took his son, and spoke to the king. What did he say? Read verse 4. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 4 </span></h1><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah (Isaiah 7:4, ESV) </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This was an invitation. We have seen the situation. Here is an invitation. The message God gave Isaiah was not to get caught up emotionally or even take action. His enemies’ fury was flaming out. They rattled their swords, and God said to Ahaz, “Don’t worry.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verses 5 and 6 provide some explanation as to why they would worry. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it.” (Isaiah 7:5–6, ESV) </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God knew what these kings said in their bedrooms, back rooms, and boardrooms. This information may have been new, or it may have been a well-circulated rumor. Regardless, these two nations were planning evil. They wanted Ahaz out of the picture and a no-name successor to take his place. And if we heard these plans, we would naturally be worried. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">However, God was inviting Ahaz to trust, not respond, and not fear. Ephraim and Syria were like wild animals prowling. Ahaz would be better off standing still than running or fighting. Don’t engage. It reminds me of the advice I heard about walking in Chicago, “Don’t look people in the eye. Just keep walking. Don’t engage; you may be asking for a fight.” God knows all things. Read God’s prophecy in verse 7. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘It shall not stand, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and it shall not come to pass’” (Isaiah 7:7, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The plans for evil will fall flat on their face. Don’t worry, Ahaz. Trust God. Verses 8 and 9 give more reasons to trust. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the head of Syria is Damascus, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and the head of Damascus is Rezin. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And within sixty-five years Ephraim will be </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt; text-indent: 108pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">shattered from being a people. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> If you are not firm in faith, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt; text-indent: 108pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you will not be firm at all.’ ” (Isaiah 7:8–9, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Notice that it goes from nation to capital, to the king, to destruction. The people who pose a clear and present danger soon won’t be a problem. What was missing in this pattern? Which group, town, and king did Isaiah not mention? He didn’t say the head of Judah: Jerusalem or the head of Jerusalem: Ahaz. Perhaps the message at the end of verse 9 was for Ahaz. Don’t you think? </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“If you are not firm in faith, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">you will not be firm at all” (Isaiah 7:9, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God invited Ahaz to believe the King of kings. It may be an invitation to us as well. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“If you are not firm in faith, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> you will not be firm at all” (Isaiah 7:9, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Isaiah was reminding Ahaz of his identity and the ancient promises of God. He had forgotten that he was part of David's house. In 2 Samuel chapter 7, Samuel told King David this: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. (2 Samuel 7:12–14, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Solomon was David’s son. Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem, the house of the Lord. Every ancestor after him could remember, “This kingdom will last forever.” Ahaz had an opportunity to put his faith in God’s promise. Would he? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have a similar invitation this Christmas season. Will we believe when our enemies seem to be knocking at the door? Will we trust? Through faith, we have become sons and daughters of the Living God. We are co-heirs with Christ. Brothers and sisters in the Body. Do we remember who we are when trials happen? Do we remember who our God is when our world falls apart? Do we forget that when the tests come back positive, our expectations aren’t met, and people are upset with us? God was reminding Ahaz and inviting Ahaz to go back to a right relationship. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What did Ahaz do? God predicted that the enemies would only last sixty-five years. If Ahaz was at the start of his career, twenty, that meant he had to survive till he was eighty-five to see this come to pass. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">His dad, Jotham, died at 41. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">His grandfather, Uzziah, died at 68. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">His great-grandfather Amaziah died at 54. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">His Great-great-grandfather died at 47. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Living until he was in his eighties was not looking bright. Would he trust the law of averages and experience, or would he rely on the promises of God? This message of hope would be challenging for him to believe. In verse 10, Isaiah’s voice disappears. All we hear is Yahweh. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: ‘Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven’” (Isaiah 7:10–11, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God wanted him to seek him. We can measure our faith by our actions. God was going to do something extraordinary, unparalleled, magical. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How did Ahaz respond? Look at verse 12. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test’ (Isaiah 7:12, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16. Nice. But was it? Verse 13 helps us understand the heart behind this. Isaiah says back to Ahaz: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And he said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?’” (Isaiah 7:13, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Isaiah called him by his house, his family name, remember? Ahaz needed to remember his roots. He was from the line of promise. He forgot his identity. He forgot who his God was. He did not trust God. He was rejecting God with pious language. It was like telling Isaiah, “I got this. I don’t need your help. Leave me alone.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God let him go his own way. Consequently, Ahaz would have a reason to worry. We read in 2 Chronicles 28 that God allowed Syria and Israel to defeat Judah. The king of Israel, Peka, killed 120,000 from Judah in one day. A mighty man named Zichri of the tribe of Ephraim killed three of the top leaders in Juday: one of Ahaz’s sons, the commander of the palace, and the second in command. Israel went on to enslave 200,000 women and children and take away plunder. God would let Ahaz try to figure it out. Ahaz rejected God’s invitation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This reminds me of my kids. For example, there have been times when I offered to help them with school or cooking. They refused. I watch. They fail. I am tempted to say, “I told you so.” But I don’t. Ahaz rejected him instead. This disaster for Judah was preventable. Ahaz had to trust God. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What was his alternative? Ahaz hawked some of the temple valuables, pawned off his stuff, and sought help from a superpower a world away, Assyria. In 1873, archeologists unearthed this tablet from the Assyrian king in Iraq. It recorded what Ahaz sent him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 294px; overflow: hidden; width: 375px;"><img height="294" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/UfmrNGO0fvzL9ind2QyI0fSjyAVLvv8Vl_Pky5YNZQnRRcuV9PgJ6ryseRX9Ox0GYZLWO-JU22HbdFdsOWpiMrsoJr9NIg23ZeevYyPCVVi_CIMxWz9WheDZQO6bZGRWMr3CTjGeY9sBdyyNzup3rtY" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="375" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://bryanwindle.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/tiglath-pileser-summary-statement-7-british-museum.jpg" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://bryanwindle.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/tiglath-pileser-summary-statement-7-british-museum.jpg</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It corresponds to 2 Chronicle chapter 28, verse 16. It is long but worth reading. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At that time King Ahaz sent to the king of Assyria for help. For the Edomites had again invaded and defeated Judah and carried away captives. And the Philistines had made raids on the cities …. And they settled there. For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had made Judah act sinfully and had been very unfaithful to the LORD. So Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him. For Ahaz took a portion from the house of the LORD and the house of the king and of the princes, and gave tribute to the king of Assyria, but it did not help him. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the LORD—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and he shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. In every city of Judah he made high places to make offerings to other gods, provoking to anger the LORD, the God of his fathers. (2 Chronicles 28:16–25, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Things went from bad to worse. Ahaz rejected God, so God rejected Ahaz. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But we are getting ahead of ourselves. God gave Ahaz an extraordinary sign and hope for us today. This is my third point, a </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">prediction</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. We have talked about the situation and the invitation, now let’s talk about the prediction. What was that? Look at verse 1.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Matthew quoted this in his first chapter—Matthew Chapter 1, verse 20. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But as he [Joseph] considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: [Isaiah] </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and they shall call his name Immanuel” </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:20–23, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God will be with his people. He was with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They sinned, and he removed them from his presence and paradise. God was with Abraham when he led him out of his home country to the land he would show him. God was with Moses when he appeared in the burning bush. God was with his people as they wandered for forty years in the desert. He was with Shadrach, Meshack, and Abedenego in the fiery furnace. And 700 years after Isaiah appealed to Aahaz, another messenger of God spoke similar words to a young teenage girl. He told her that God had shown her favor. She, being a virgin, would miraculously have a baby. Matthew identified her and her child as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John, the apostle, agreed. He wrote: </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it….And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1–5, 14 ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The apostle Paul wrote of this Immanuel, </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6–7, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Paul also wrote. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (Colossians 1:15–19, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The author of Hebrews wrote, </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. (Hebrews 1:1–3, ESV)</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">God is with us in the Spirit of Christ. Isaiah kept predicting the future in verse 15. He wrote: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good” (Isaiah 7:15, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That he will eat curds and honey was not a sign of wealth, which was my first reading of the text. It was one of poverty. It was eating the subsistence from the land. This Immanuel would be born in obscurity. Jesus’s parents left town for the census. They had to give birth to Jesus in a barn to live in. When Jesus was only a couple of years old, he had to feel the country because of persecution. In his early years, he was a refugee in Egypt. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Verse 16 was the last prediction Ahaz had that carried some good news.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted” (Isaiah 7:16, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What Ahaz feared would soon not be an issue. He should have trusted God. But he forgot who he was and who God was. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONDEMNATION </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This brings us to the consequences: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Condemnation</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. I will be quick. Look at verse 17. </span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin: 0pt 72pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father’s house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!” (Isaiah 7:17, ESV). </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ahaz made a deal with the Devil. He would not follow God. He would be a sell-out. God made his decision. He let Ahaz face the consequences. Why would Ahaz do this? He must have thought his way was better than God’s. He trusted his way more than God’s. He forgot who he was and who God was. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do we ever act like that? Do we listen to God but go our own way? As we enter into the season of Advent, let us remember the radical solution God gave to help us against our enemies, sin, death, and the Devil. What was God’s provision? He sent his one and only Son, Jesus. He lived, died, and rose for our sins. He came to save us from our sins. He loved us to death. Let us not forget who we are and who God is. </span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Through faith, we are forgiven, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">free from the slavery of sin, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">and holy. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We join David’s family by adoption. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We are brothers and sisters to Christ, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">sons and daughters of God. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And inheritors of the kingdom. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We are royalty </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">And we are called into a community of faith. </span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Immanuel calls us to remember and move toward God. He is here with us. We are not alone. He is Immanuel. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I must confess that it is easy to forget this. Let us turn from our shortcuts, shortcomings, and short-circuits to follow God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He is our help and hope for today and tomorrow and forever. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let us pray. </span></p><div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*All rights reserved. Use by permission only. </span></span></div></span>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-13255230406036972542023-11-27T04:25:00.003-05:002023-11-27T04:25:41.388-05:00Give Thanks To The Lord: 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 (Sermon)<p> </p><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/13163.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="800" height="256" src="https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/13163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zlR6OnM0o40?si=tYQS5VQvH0S7TIIo&start=2061" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></blockquote><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What are you thankful for? </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am thankful for those of you who helped decorate the church. It looks terrific, by the way. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am grateful for my family visiting this week. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am thankful for my son being home for the holiday. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am appreciative of you. </span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What are you thankful for? Have you ever tried to list it out? Do you have a tradition of going around the dinner table to share your thanks during the meal? It is good to remember and give thanks. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7c66a453-7fff-589e-99b8-f26c86db9da7" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Thanksgiving holiday was first celebrated as a feast in 1621 by the Pilgrims and Native Americans. They were thanking God for his provision. Nearly half the pilgrims died in the first year of their resettlement. Roughly two hundred fifty years later, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 262px; overflow: hidden; width: 223px;"><img height="262" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/XInpvvrDJGZHu6JJQZpbhsdHNjOODd3putRRfGg6AtC_DxkPldoZRkeKGl3i8yvdUkD6nuJLSEBZyl4nY8U2XybVmGglIigQljNobrYAoaSWWv5kByNnnm6Tw_w2WhDhhrb4oDLttp85AgZD41nWM_Y" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="223" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He wrote: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God….</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">(</span><a href="https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/abraham-lincolns-proclamation-thanksgiving?ms=googlepaid&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZrW1WBYWQaES_Rv4opDrz7z9pthMZtyuf4gk6R78y9xeZyUebEcCfBoCFXsQAvD_BwE" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/abraham-lincolns-proclamation-thanksgiving?ms=googlepaid&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZrW1WBYWQaES_Rv4opDrz7z9pthMZtyuf4gk6R78y9xeZyUebEcCfBoCFXsQAvD_BwE</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I love that, Old honest Abe calling us to praise and thank our “beneficent Father.” He echoes the Bible’s instruction. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Scripture repeatedly calls us to thank and praise God. I want to share one particular passage that reflects this sentiment. If you have your Bible, we will read 1 Chronicles chapter 16, starting at verse 8. I have asked M. and E. S. to read for us. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> make known his deeds among the peoples! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Sing to him, sing praises to him; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> tell of all his wondrous works! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Glory in his holy name; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Seek the LORD and his strength; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> seek his presence continually! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Remember the wondrous works that he has done, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his miracles and the judgments he uttered, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">O offspring of Israel his servant, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> children of Jacob, his chosen ones! </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He is the LORD our God; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his judgments are in all the earth. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Remember his covenant forever, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">the covenant that he made with Abraham, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his sworn promise to Isaac, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to Israel as an everlasting covenant, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> as your portion for an inheritance.” </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">When you were few in number, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> of little account, and sojourners in it, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">wandering from nation to nation, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> from one kingdom to another people, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">he allowed no one to oppress them; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> he rebuked kings on their account, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> do my prophets no harm!” </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Sing to the LORD, all the earth! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> Tell of his salvation from day to day. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Declare his glory among the nations, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his marvelous works among all the peoples! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and he is to be feared above all gods. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> but the LORD made the heavens. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Splendor and majesty are before him; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> strength and joy are in his place. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> bring an offering and come before him! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> tremble before him, all the earth; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> let the field exult, and everything in it! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> for his steadfast love endures forever! </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Say also: </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Save us, O God of our salvation, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and gather and deliver us from among the nations, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">that we may give thanks to your holy name </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and glory in your praise. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> from everlasting to everlasting!” </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD. (1 Chronicles 16:8–36)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Prayer</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Thank you. Let’s pray. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Dear Heavenly Father, we need you. We have so much we are thankful for in life. Open our eyes to see your blessings. Open our hearts to be grateful. Speak to us now through the Bible and your Holy Spirit. Open our ears to hear you. In Jesus’s name, we pray, amen. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">You may be seated. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Author</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We don’t know who compiled 1 and 2 Chronicles. The last thing it talks about helps date the compilation. One clue might also be the book that follows it in our English Bibles. Much like Acts follows Luke in how they begin and end, Chronicles ends with language similar to Ezra’s beginning. That might be why some scholars think Ezra was the historian who wrote the book of 1 and 2 Chronicles. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Context</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">1 Chronicles begins with a genealogy and the first man, Adam. It goes from generation to generation up to King David. From there, it details the story of God’s people for centuries as they go from following God to wandering away. The book documents enemy states attacking, conquering, and eventually deporting God’s people from the Promised Land. God was punishing Israel because of their constant rebellion against his ways. Like Adam’s banishment from the Garden of Eden, God exiled Israel from their homeland. Yet, he was merciful and forgiving. The end of the book recalls the prophecy of Jeremiah. Which one? God told Jeremiah that a king named Cyrus would decree the return of Israel to the Promised Land and the rebuilding of the Temple. And that is what happened around 538 B.C. But that is getting ahead of ourselves. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">ZOOM IN </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In chapter 16, we read that King David was transporting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, his new capital. Inside were the Ten Commandments, a coriander-like substance called manna, and Aarron’s staff. The Ark was made out of gold. It was 52 inches long by 31 inches high and wide. So, it was around four feet long by three feet tall and wide and weighed nearly three hundred pounds. This is a picture of what it looked like: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 134px; overflow: hidden; width: 179px;"><img height="134" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/HFobvjn10OgDegK9DGPpKLr_kHMRx6LwK6O4UJU4tLUsSL7ixAfWWyYE7v7uk-eOFOUlPLwzTltnxfEbtU2x_Lf8Zn7NlwsMQs4Z3iotTjEMue4YSfHTOlOrkPJBUBX5h-m_32LYIeXkOyHYStPgFkE" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="179" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/1000x1200/14382.jpg.webp?v=1697153471" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/1000x1200/14382.jpg.webp?v=1697153471</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">It was holy. Only Levites could touch it. In 1 Chronicles chapter 13, God’s people were moving the ark, and oxen carrying it stumbled. One of the men driving the oxen grabbed hold of the ark, presumably to stabilize it. This is what happened to a man named Uzzah, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God” (1 Chronicles 13:9–10, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">David was upset, and I don’t blame him. He had to reconcile God’s holiness with God’s love, the justice of God with the mercy of God. Uzzah’s punishment was frightening. David let the ark be taken to a nearby home and sit. He didn’t want to deal with this. He had to come to terms with God. God was and is perfect, transcendent, and set apart. He is grander than a mountain, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 114px; overflow: hidden; width: 211px;"><img height="114" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/VfuVHj9AcbV64dNvLou3PlBzt_A_O42_oFQ11CdPJRK_zPSbFdhM9ewsmJEsbsoPlw_1nDOxRme_6N97s5EEG2DD1fuyQCnV_NmK8trvdFdvK8Mn9BCmWAGFD3LLFzoS7_plhDI3u9rUdowBL8M0rw8" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="211" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">more powerful than lightning, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 205px; overflow: hidden; width: 136px;"><img height="205" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/fcJwRnS0P5PdsmR1Mi12rKkvEPAxJhYkn4qnNn0utDWkVNFs2P3sUYwNDRrecf4SkfL1uFLh9M4vm619_HEfdwVjPQcXrhLky1vFyimc1AK33P2HMAP2hIGnUrmEozQvtmGgqLjDfTcKVFAX81cvK18" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="136" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and more just than our justice system. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 171px; overflow: hidden; width: 256px;"><img height="171" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/5mpz2COwvZ7_Orc5hSU1owlruulZeZZ2MEshmZejGzVVJ8CMjaDEN--wLXOmIkMcdCUaOWdLeXus1M3tXyCrreSRm5Eh0SdyS3mNSaOLbEQ98tM9UhEfaWsQna2Nuj9zdmKQrRiu4RfTU0s6qvKxAIo" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="256" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He is so holy that Moses had to take off his shoes when God spoke to him in a burning bush. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He is so holy that angels cover their eyes before him constantly. In Revelation and Isaiah, we peek into heaven and read that, </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">….Day and night they [angels] never cease to say, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8, ESV)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God is so holy that if we were to see his face, the Bible says, we would die. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">After several months, David held a parade with the ark coming to town. He wanted to put it back in its place, the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a moveable tent that God had Moses build hundreds of years before. The Levites were to put the ark inside the Tabernacle. It had a separate room called the Holy of Holies. Only the Jewish people of the tribe of the Levi could enter. And not just any; it had to be a consecrated, high priest, and only once a year. When was that? It was on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. On that day, the priests would sacrifice for God’s people’s known and unknown sins. This context surrounds chapter 16 as the ark nears Zion, David’s royal city. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God’s power, provision, and presence would rest again with God’s people. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">King David was so happy that he stripped down to his most basic outfit and danced, sang, and blessed God’s people. In verse 7, David commissioned this song Matthew and Elizabeth read.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Structure </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As we work through the text, it is repetitive, with three calls to worship, two sections of reasons, a closing prayer, and a response. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">8-11 The first call to worship </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">12-22 The reason for worship</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">23-24 The second call to worship </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">25-27 The reason for worship</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">28-35 The third call to worship </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">36 The closing prayer and the people’s response</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Main Idea and Intended Response </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Chapter 16 is one of the high points in Israel’s history. God’s power, provision, and presence would dwell again with his people in the Promised Land. It echoed Eden and foreshadowed heaven. It gives </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">four actions for God’s people to do in light of God’s power, provision, and presence: Thank, Pray, Proclaim, and Praise. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">If you want my main idea, it is: </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Four actions for God’s people to do in light of God’s power, provision, and presence: Thank, Pray, Proclaim, and Praise. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Thank GOD </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Look at verse 8, </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Oh give thanks to the LORD” (1 Chronicles 16:8, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We reread these words in 34. Oh, give thanks to the LORD. Why? Why should we thank God? Read all of verse 34. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Oh give thanks to the LORD </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">for </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">he</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is good; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">for </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God is kind and caring. His goodness means he is faithful and true. James, Jesus’s half-brother, tells us that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above (James 1:17). God is loving, with a love that will never fail or fade. He loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). He died to forgive us. Jesus died, demonstrating his love. He is the definition of love. If you want to know God’s goodness, look at his love. If you want to know God’s love, look at his Son. Jesus is why we can thank him in the good times and bad. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">OBEYING NOW </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We can thank our “Beneficent Father” for all the gifts he gives. Let’s take a moment to thank God right now. Just speak up and say what you are thankful for. Say a word or sentence. We can speak at once or intermittently. We can be quiet or loud. God will understand. Let’s do that right now. I will start, and after a little while, I will close and move to our next point. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Praying </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">David went on. He called the assembly to join him in prayer. This is the second point I see repeatedly in the text. God desires his people to seek him.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Oh give thanks to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">call upon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his name</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">” (1 Chronicles 16:8, ESV)</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">PRAYER EXAMPLES </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">David re-phrases this in verse 11. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Seek</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> strength; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">seek</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV).</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This reminds me of 1 Thessalonians. It says, </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, ESV) </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In verse 35 David wrote: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Say also: </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Save</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> us, O </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> of our </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">salvation</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">gather</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">deliver</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> us from</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> among the nations,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">that we may give thanks</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">your</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> holy name </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">glory</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">your</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> praise. (1 Chronicles 16:35, ESV)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">David’s song permits us to pray for ourselves and others. It is okay to ask for help. It is okay to make requests. God is not too busy or bothered by our petitions. We are not annoying. Our prayers are not informing him but connecting us to him. So, let us be specific and bold in our talk with God. Let us pray. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">John NEWTON</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The author of the song Amazing Grace once wrote: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Thou are coming to a king</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Large petitions with thee bring </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">For His grace and power are such </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">None can ever ask too much</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">JOHN KNOX</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Another person of prayer was John Knox. He was born in 1514 and became a catholic priest. Sometime in his thirties, God changed his conviction about the Bible, and he became protestant and marginalized. He fled the country. Queen Mary, nicknamed Bloody Mary for killing protestants, reportedly said, “I fear John Knox’s prayers more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Knox knew the value of prayer. He wrote, “Let no man think himself unworthy to call and pray to God.” And, “Prayer is an earnest and familiar talking with God, to whom we declare our miseries, whose support and help we implore and desire in our adversities and whom we laude and praise for our benefits received.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God wants us to pray. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob prayed. Hagar and Hannah prayed. Moses prayed. Samuel and Daniel prayed. Jesus prayed and assumed his followers would, too. He invites us to pray. The early church devoted themselves to prayer. Do we? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Prayer is simply talking to God. You can pray anywhere and at any time. I can feel guilty pretty quickly when we talk about spiritual practices and other people’s habits of prayer. Let’s not let our past dictate our future. Let us proceed with this as an invitation to a relationship with God and talk with him. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">WAKING IN THE NIGHT </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">My wife is my role model. When she can’t sleep well, she prays instead of surfing ESPN or Facebook or reading emails. I love that. That is how she prays. What might prayer look like for you this week? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">If you struggle to pray, consider joining a corporate prayer time or asking for help. Congregational prayer can be like jump-starting your car. Let’s pause now to quietly seek how God would have us talk with him this week. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">PROCLAIMING</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This brings us to the third point, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">proclaiming</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">. Look at verse 8 again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Oh give thanks to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">call upon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his name</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">make known</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">deeds</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">among the peoples</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">! (1 Chronicles 16:8, ESV))</span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">MORE VERSES</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Now, look at verse 23. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Sing to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, all the earth! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Tell of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">salvation</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> from day to day. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Declare</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">glory among the nations, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> marvelous works among all the peoples!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">For </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">great is the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">, and greatly to be praised, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">he</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> is to be feared above all gods. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">For </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">but the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> made the heavens. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Splendor and majesty</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> are before </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">him</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">strength and joy</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> are in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> place. “ (1 Chronicles 16:23–27)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God is the God of living, the Creator of the Universe, our Savior, the King of kings, and the LORD of lords. No one is like him. He is full of splendor, majesty, power, and joy. He wants us to share him with those around us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We are to make known what God has done. That is, in part, what we do when we give to missions. That is what we do when we petition God to save the lost. That is what we do when helping with Michigan Migrant ministries. People do this when they befriend someone from another nation in the name of Jesus. It is what we do when we teach our kids in children’s and youth ministries. We have opportunities all around us to share God’s goodness and love. Some beautifully designed cards are in your bulletin, and smaller ones are on the welcome table. You can share them around town and with friends. This is one of the year’s seasons when people might check out the church and hear of God’s goodness and love. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">FOOD </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">How many of you ate some good food this week? What was it? What was your favorite? Shout it out. For me, it was some stuffing a family member had made. It was amazing. I had never had anything like it. It is easy to talk about food we like. Yet, God is exponentially better. Why is it so hard to talk about him? More people are divided by religion than food. I worry about what people think of me. At the end of the day, we need to be gentle, respectful, and obedient to this call to share the good news. We can be creative, Spirit-led, and natural in how we declare what God has done among the nations. What might that sharing or proclaiming look like this week? Maybe you don’t have an answer. We can be in prayer about that, too. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">PRAISE</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">This brings us to our last point: praise. Go back to verse 8. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Oh give thanks to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; call upon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his name</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">make known</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">his</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">deeds</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">among the peoples</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">! </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Sing to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">him</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">,</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> sing praises to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">him</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; (1 Chronicles 16:8–9, ESV)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Go to verse 10. </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">“Glory </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">in</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> his holy name</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">; </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">let the hearts of those </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">who </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">seek </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">LORD</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> rejoice! “ (1 Chronicles 16:10, ESV). </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God is a God of joy. We serve the true good God whose love endures forever. We are to praise, exalt, lift, shout, declare, and make a melody to him. He is worthy.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">5 LOVE LANGUAGES</span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The speakers referred to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Five Love Languages</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> in our recent Marriage Seminar. Do you know the five? What are they? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Touch</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Words of Affirmation </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Quality Time</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Gifts</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 72pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Acts of Service</span></h2></li></ol><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 108pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">What is your language? How do you feel most loved? You can be any combination of those. In this call to worship, I see several directed to God: words of affirmation, quality time, and perhaps acts of service. God wants our praise. We invest in relationships we care about. Praise can be done as a group and privately. What does it look like to express your appreciation to God? One way is to sing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">In this song of David, he details specific things that God did, demonstrating his power, provision, and presence. He called God’s people to remember. Why? Because they forget. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God made a promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He made a family into a nation, a barren woman became pregnant, and he rescued them from annihilation. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He split the Red Sea as God’s people fled Egyptian oppression. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He gave the Ten Commandments. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He provided meat, bread, and water for the people to eat and drink when there was no food or water. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Their clothes didn’t wear out. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He guided them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He destroyed their enemies and spoke to them personally. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He brought them into the Promised Land.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God was powerful, provided, and was present. </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He raised judges and kings to lead them.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He made a city for worship, Jerusalem.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He eventually brought peace to their borders.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He established a Temple for worship.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God was powerfully providing and present for Israel. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Yet, What the Israelites rejoiced about in chapter 16, some wept about centuries later. Israel left the faith within a generation. Even those who followed God fell into gross sin. God allowed Israel’s enemies to conquer. The ark was lost, the Temple destroyed, and God’s enemies overran Jerusalem. God’s people were taken from the land that was to be theirs forever. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Where was God’s power, provision, and presence? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Why praise and thank God? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">When Abraham Lincoln called for a national day of thanks and praise, war ripped through the nation. The country was not united. Politics divided families. About 750,000 people died as a result of the war. In the United States, there were 4 million slaves. Scarcity, homelessness, sickness, and disease were threats to some. Yet, President Lincoln found things to praise and thank God for. What he didn’t mention was our ultimate reason: Jesus. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The Bible tells us that 1000 years after David celebrated God’s power, provision, and presence, Jesus came as a baby. In a sense, he tabernacled or tented among us, wearing our skin and bones. John, Jesus’s follower, wrote: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, ESV)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He lived in obscurity for thirty years. At thirty, he invested three years in teaching healing and training. At the end of those years, those he came to save killed him. But that was not the end of him. Rebellion would not have the last word. He defeated death, rose victoriously, and, after forty days, ascended into heaven. Ten days after that, he sent the Spirit to come and rest upon the church. Every believer now has in his or her heart the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">power, provision, and presence of God. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">He dwells with us, not in a special ark or tabernacle that one person can touch and see once a year but us all the time. That is one reason we can join David in thanking, praising, and proclaiming God regardless of how our year has been.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Through Jesus, we know that sin will be no more one day, and we will be with him. We have mercy and grace today and a bright hope for tomorrow because of him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Suffering is only temporary for those who follow Jesus, and the goodness and love of God we experience now are only an appetizer of what is to come. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Revelation tells us: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></b></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-right: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4, ESV)</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">God deserves our thanks and praise. With that, let’s conclude in worship. </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">PRAYER </span></h1><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dear God. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*All Rights Reserved. Use by permission. </span></span></p>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-14303173630139544932023-11-21T04:11:00.003-05:002023-11-21T04:11:43.801-05:00Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic FREE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfohjfKARDo8TojHgdeFQP11cFLWxaWXTB_Ce6xcx_HutNxR-4TJQ5ZG-IEJ4yIlF96Ybjt5en6_W-f_GOgOCwgtiygj3EA50Wt410AorFJahNZKz1wkbmrcy2lqi0BnVF8YBquOSd4nYX9H9EzOaMJrdS2P17HU_ZyqbU-60CHWO3317SbUpt_Ld07hEp/s500/41HbJYTghtL-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfohjfKARDo8TojHgdeFQP11cFLWxaWXTB_Ce6xcx_HutNxR-4TJQ5ZG-IEJ4yIlF96Ybjt5en6_W-f_GOgOCwgtiygj3EA50Wt410AorFJahNZKz1wkbmrcy2lqi0BnVF8YBquOSd4nYX9H9EzOaMJrdS2P17HU_ZyqbU-60CHWO3317SbUpt_Ld07hEp/s320/41HbJYTghtL-min.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p>Cannon Press is giving away the book Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic FREE for the next three days. My wife read the book this year and loved it. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the Publisher: </h2><p><i>I didn’t write this book because mothering little ones is easy for me. I wrote it because it isn’t. I know that this is a hard job, because I am right here in the middle of it. I know you need encouragement because I do too. This is not a tender reminiscence from someone who had children so long ago that she only remembers the sweet parts. At the time of writing this, I have three children in diapers, and I can recognize the sound of hundreds of toothpicks being dumped out in the hall. This is a small collection of thoughts on mothering young children—for when you are motivated, for when you are discouraged, for the times when discipline seems fruitless, and for when you are just plain old tired. The opportunities for growth abound here—but you have to be willing. You have to open your heart to the tumble. As you deal with your children, deal with yourself always and first. This is what it looks like, and feels like, to walk as a mother with God.</i></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get your copy from the link below!</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ahape-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B004DNWEYK&asins=B004DNWEYK&linkId=d9e20c4b809df29aace73788d2ca8848&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-57969980245280858822023-11-10T04:37:00.005-05:002023-11-10T04:40:37.324-05:00Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament by Dr. Michael Barrett FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveuMqd4TSLWOfDi9E6XXhyYtjfZBQr_0HyI5FMlOPz7R-e5A_NPLe-XiGLNbohPTjy16vgVwXYlLJ7nVWww0Q3hXKvf1KUUw3CVOjBYJHZBFri9BcHdqBMgbWB9LGx2Y1tOiBEoWwFfMXXPt_TuL_TSFZNq2Dqcm7RSU8IrhJboTm7TH2Xy0F2k2PvtEY/s1500/7180J4YPlpL._SL1500_-min.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveuMqd4TSLWOfDi9E6XXhyYtjfZBQr_0HyI5FMlOPz7R-e5A_NPLe-XiGLNbohPTjy16vgVwXYlLJ7nVWww0Q3hXKvf1KUUw3CVOjBYJHZBFri9BcHdqBMgbWB9LGx2Y1tOiBEoWwFfMXXPt_TuL_TSFZNq2Dqcm7RSU8IrhJboTm7TH2Xy0F2k2PvtEY/s320/7180J4YPlpL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p>This month Reformation Heritage Books is giving away the book <i>Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament </i>by Dr. Michael Barrett <b>FREE</b> this month.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher:</h2><p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For many Christians today, the Old Testament is difficult to understand, seems outdated, and has questionable relevance. But, as Old Testament scholar Michael Barrett points out, all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and we must read it by faith, seeing that Christ is the key to unlocking the Old Testament's message.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">With great knowledge of and contagious passion for the Old Testament, the author shows readers how to identify basic characteristics of Christ and where to look for Him throughout the Old Testament. The author challenges us: 'God's promise throughout the Bible is that those who seek Him will find Him. </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;">Beginning at Moses </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">and ending with Malachi, we want to be on Christ alert.'</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Table of Contents:</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Part 1: Whom to Look For</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1. Jesus the Messiah<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2. The Person of Christ<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />3. The Work of Christ<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Part 2: Where to Look</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />4. Christ in the Covenants<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />5. Christ in Person<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />6. Christ in His Names<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />7. Christ in Word Prophecy<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />8. Christ in Picture Prophecy - Explained<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />9. Christ in Picture Prophecy - Illustrated<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />10. Christ in Song</span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get your free eBook copy <a href="https://mailchi.mp/heritagebooks/nov23ebgarhb?fbclid=IwAR04Hmr3ZatrmT9sl6NTY1m6iQbaHC6FDAJoKuLRzfyONsl871VNENI9ZZ8" target="_blank">HERE</a> or buy a physical from the link below. </h2><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ahape-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1601786239&asins=1601786239&linkId=4ecf11c6948d5f8c70bfe3d3696e8a38&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-42451385591014791792023-11-09T04:57:00.003-05:002023-11-09T04:57:37.609-05:00Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMqDCYUH7r62ksApyuopWqboRrBtZqOyWyvf65vyzExf9oxoOc0pFWUprNPgeo9oIcfziu5uG0zIFG96n7ARpIt6c49b4Nh55N9thwFqcDvBokng8JVVvQYf4dde93vup5y966ajSlcrIiAcoaVbzJHq_6br7_Hy47bNuiNZTJqwDep9ZpL2qRmqkKXKb/s1500/51kGS55ujfL._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMqDCYUH7r62ksApyuopWqboRrBtZqOyWyvf65vyzExf9oxoOc0pFWUprNPgeo9oIcfziu5uG0zIFG96n7ARpIt6c49b4Nh55N9thwFqcDvBokng8JVVvQYf4dde93vup5y966ajSlcrIiAcoaVbzJHq_6br7_Hy47bNuiNZTJqwDep9ZpL2qRmqkKXKb/s320/51kGS55ujfL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><p>The Gospel Coalition and Crossway are giving away the book <i>Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament </i>by Mark Vroegop <b>FREE.</b></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>From the Publisher:</b></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some Christians mistakenly believe lament has no place in the life of faith. After all, the gospel gives us a living hope, right? How can we be sad?</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Lato; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 1rem;">But life is still hard, and suffering is still everpresent. Lament helps us bridge the gap between the real difficulties of life and the real goodness of God. We need to recover the practice of honest spiritual struggle that gives us permission to vocalize our pain and wrestle with our sorrow. </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Lato; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 1rem;">In <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament</em>, pastor and TGC Council member Mark Vroegop<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </strong>explores how the Bible—through the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations—gives voice to our pain. This book:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Lato; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; margin-top: 1.5rem;"><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem;">Invites you to grieve and struggle honestly</li><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem;">Shows you how to tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in life’s darkest moments</li><li aria-level="1" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem;">Helps you to grow spiritually in seasons of sorrow</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b>Get your copy <a href="https://pages.thegospelcoalition.org/dark-clouds-deep-mercy?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=amp_2023_11_dcdm&fbclid=IwAR3M3qdKi8vGqFTk_Mzn5hOGVNDchYsd0yrsyg2zI0Mt7-VJ5n2jWF3TcTw" target="_blank">HERE</a>! or purchase a copy from the link below:</b></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ahape-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1433561484&asins=1433561484&linkId=00307d385bb90cdf21b0dd2b2cddf4cf&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-35214561903189985002023-11-07T05:13:00.004-05:002023-11-07T05:13:45.108-05:00Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness by Blair Linne FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMklzzFfgFaqHS3vuLm3WXsePuzn-HzQG_95SbjnHOdA3jgS1DjG53B4KnkrRSMB3zQGQu14o0LBSIztZs7ioMEyBQjbE-cV5KXCOPdzCjbCtE6k_j56HV0604kOi9Pn2rkqrbNI_DGzIb8-Cpor16OpUj4Wc4cXIYIKGLz-5eUcoCzxp72XMGR3-eLvo/s1500/81zxjEMFiqS._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMklzzFfgFaqHS3vuLm3WXsePuzn-HzQG_95SbjnHOdA3jgS1DjG53B4KnkrRSMB3zQGQu14o0LBSIztZs7ioMEyBQjbE-cV5KXCOPdzCjbCtE6k_j56HV0604kOi9Pn2rkqrbNI_DGzIb8-Cpor16OpUj4Wc4cXIYIKGLz-5eUcoCzxp72XMGR3-eLvo/s320/81zxjEMFiqS._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><p>The Good Book Company is giving away the book Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness by Blair Linne for FREE this month. </p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">From the publisher:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">A personal story of learning to trust our heavenly Father when you feel your earthly father has let you down.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blair Linne's personal story of growing up without a father at home reflects the experiences of millions. She weaves her personal story with thoughtful theological reflection, inviting readers to learn from God what "father" really means and to trust him, even if they feel their earthly father has let them down.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">This book will help readers to shift their eyes from what they do not have in their earthly fathers (who, whether present or absent, loving or the opposite, can never be perfect) to what they do have in their eternal Father, who will never disappoint, reject or abandon them.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Readers will see that the gospel promises not just forgiveness but also a place in God's family, experienced in a local church, where they can enjoy the fullness of his fatherly joy, care, wisdom, provision, protection and security.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also includes a chapter by Blair's husband, the Christian hip-hop artist Shai, on his own story of fatherlessness and faith.</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Get your free eBook <a href="https://www.thegoodbook.com/free-ebook" target="_blank">HERE</a> or purchase a copy from the link below. </h2><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ahape-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1784986461&asins=1784986461&linkId=630bb69fe35ad1c9bc3d0256f2eae8b1&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-50054062180373990382023-11-06T05:00:00.007-05:002023-11-06T05:00:45.460-05:00If Jesus Can Do That, We Can Trust Him: Matthew 17:14-27 (Sermon)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKwj1ByU86LMCiNDihaFqXfflS4g73oTNuJ-nFUVK19Kc9HB3zuqrlQAbXxYH_4_7HIm2fRxPkYU46KbD08zoNky94vlG1t6Gq9xpHx8UtwUIxL4gCF3LI3vCoagEuFkWjpoI3MyetapWogou3T3UCROEJU-r0sWgBhPubdGQnB-paZfFKM8qZ9TsrgDG/s940/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKwj1ByU86LMCiNDihaFqXfflS4g73oTNuJ-nFUVK19Kc9HB3zuqrlQAbXxYH_4_7HIm2fRxPkYU46KbD08zoNky94vlG1t6Gq9xpHx8UtwUIxL4gCF3LI3vCoagEuFkWjpoI3MyetapWogou3T3UCROEJU-r0sWgBhPubdGQnB-paZfFKM8qZ9TsrgDG/s320/Final%20of%20Matthew%202022%20(Facebook).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-66c1e8af-7fff-7ff0-0c61-ca6c7d174fde"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZhtpmU2-a8?si=CFpPtspXCzVlp4nj&start=2434" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thank you, worship team. We need those musical reminders. Music can help me remember where my hope comes from. What about you? What enables you to remember? The Bible is God’s Word. He speaks to us today. He offers us hope and help when things seem impossible, disappointing, and exhausting. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">BIBLE TRANSLATIONS</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you have your Bible, open to Matthew chapter 17, starting at verse 14. We will be reading from the New American Standard Version of the Bible. I am switching versions only this Sunday to make a point. As we read, note two differences. That said, we have many translations. [Interactive] What versions of the Bible do you all have? There are several reasons we have different translations. </span></h2><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">First, language evolves. It changes. For example, my kids would say something was “sick,” and I had to get some clarification that didn’t mean ill to them. It is cool. When I was a kid, we used the phrase “Da Bomb,” not referring to an explosive device but something that is “sick.” I was cool once, but not really. Although our translations don’t use slang, they do modernize. For example, Exodus 4:11 in the NASB, which came out in 1971, translated it then, “And the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?”</span></h2></li></ol><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"><colgroup><col></col><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 0pt;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">11And the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? </span></p><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Exodus 4:11 (NASB95)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> 11 </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">mute</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1pt; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left: solid #000000 1pt; border-right: solid #000000 1pt; border-style: solid; border-top: solid #000000 1pt; border-width: 1pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the LORD said to him, “Who has made the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">human </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">mouth? Or who makes </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">anyone unable to speak </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">or deaf, or </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">able to see </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?</span></p><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Notice the difference from 1971 to 2020. They updated the version several times over the years. In 1995, they dropped the conjunction and changed the word dumb. Why? We don’t think of dumb as being mute, but more like not bright. Language evolves. Then, note what they did in 2020. They changed the word “Man” to “human,” and they changed the word “mute” to “unable to speak” and “seeing” to “able to see.” Society, culture, and language change. And with those changes, new versions of the Bible hit the market. The KJV has gone through three major updates, and the ESV and the NLT have gone through four updates. Language evolves. </span></h2><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Second, we have various translations because the translators have different translation philosophies. The NASB and ESV seek a word-for-word translation, and the NIV, as well as the NLT, seek a dynamic equivalence, idea for idea. And the Message and Taylor’s Living Bible are not translations but paraphrases. </span></h2></li></ol><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The NLT translates Exodus 4:11 this way: </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Exodus 4:11 (NLT)</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The message paraphrases Exodus 4:11 and 12 this way: </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">GOD said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, GOD? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.” Exodus 4:11–12 (MSG)</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are many translations because of different philosophies of translating one language to another. </span></h2><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Third, translators are interpreters. They help us understand the language, culture, and time. There are roughly 140,000 words in the Greek New Testament manuscript. However, to get those words to compute to English, it takes translators many more words. For example, </span></h2></li></ol><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">ESV - 175,037</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">KJV - 180,565</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">NASB - 182,446</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">NLT 186,596</span></h2></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (</span><a href="https://danielbwallace.com/2012/10/08/fifteen-myths-about-bible-translation/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://danielbwallace.com/2012/10/08/fifteen-myths-about-bible-translation/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ) </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As interpreters, it takes more words to communicate.</span></h2><ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Fourth, we have so many translations, at least 100 in the English language to date, because we have found more and more ancient manuscripts, helping us fine-tune our understanding of what the original manuscripts were. </span></h2></li></ol><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We don’t have the original manuscripts of the 66 books in the Bible. But that is not a problem. We don’t have copies of the original works of Plato, Aristotle, or Homer. No one sits around and debates if the Iliad is accurate or if Aristotle existed. Compared to the ancient authors, we have way more evidence and accuracy of the Bible. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let me keep going on this track. One person wrote, </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Plato lived between the years 427 and 347 B.C…. The oldest copied manuscript we have in our hands today was copied in 900 A.D.[sic] So we have a 1,200-year gap between the original work of Plato ….</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aristotle lived between 384 and 322 B.C. The oldest copied manuscripts … were copied in 1100 A.D [sic]. A 1,400-hundred year gap between the original work and the oldest copies we have….</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Homer, who was clearly the most widely read author in antiquity, wrote The Iliad …around 900 B.C. The oldest copy we have in our possession today was copied in 400 B.C… a 500-year time gap.” </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(</span><a href="https://richardesimmons3.com/the-validity-of-the-bible-in-an-age-of-skepticism-part-ii/#:~:text=So%20we%20have%20Plato%2C%20a,ask%20how%20we%20know%20this" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://richardesimmons3.com/the-validity-of-the-bible-in-an-age-of-skepticism-part-ii/#:~:text=So%20we%20have%20Plato%2C%20a,ask%20how%20we%20know%20this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. )</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have thousands of copies from various parts of the world in multiple languages compared to only a handful of documents for the classic works. The gaps between when the authors wrote the manuscripts and when we have copies are much shorter than the classic works. We are talking decades in some cases. When we aren't, the changes are minuscule, demonstrating the precision of the process. The accuracy and consistency of the copies of the Bible are incredible. And more have been discovered. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.thecollegechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/HANDOUTS-Is-Scripture-Reliable.pdf" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.thecollegechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/HANDOUTS-Is-Scripture-Reliable.pdf</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Great handout)</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In fact, in the last 100 years, we found the Dead Sea Scrolls. How many of you have heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls? Raise your hands. Here is a picture of the famous Isaiah scroll. It was one of the first seven documents found. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 117px; overflow: hidden; width: 208px;"><img height="117" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/bC2m83LdO4FsOPoy14AXKFgudLH9ZTbcoVyOyVdCss3TG1x9o9qJEgHBlI3cuRsEH7BuBrWPcrGCrj-ccGnFz9KRF7E4rv_Irp7jJpovYB_iKmdDUDfY_IdvJRCXRSXjAGYmkxvO5QF7XUHd_UYKef4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="208" /></span></span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient manuscripts discovered between 1947 and 1956. Archeologists found about </span><a href="https://www.imj.org.il/en/wings/shrine-book/dead-sea-scrolls" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">950 different manuscripts</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of various lengths, mostly in fragments, though some were intact.”</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In 1947, a young shepherd boy was throwing rocks into a cave, and he heard a crash. Upon investigating, he discovered some containers with these ancient documents in them.</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Justin Taylor wrote, “The </span><a href="http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Great Isaiah Scroll</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is…. one of the largest (24 feet long) and best preserved of all the biblical scrolls, and the only one that contains the entire text. The scroll is written on 17 sheets of parchment and includes all 66 chapters of the Hebrew version of Isaiah. Dating from ca. 125 BC, it is 1,000 years older than the previously oldest manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible found in modern times. </span><a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-dead-sea-scrolls/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-dead-sea-scrolls/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.” This scroll is virtually the same one we have in our Bibles. It is a demonstration of the scribes’ precision and accuracy. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The scribes took their job seriously. They rarely made mistakes. The standard procedure for a mistake was to destroy the scroll or page and start over. The Isaiah scroll demonstrates an accuracy of the copying to 99.5 percent.</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">However, every once in a while, a scribe would make a note on the margin. The next scribe would come along and incorporate that note into the text. Sometimes, a copier missed a slight variation or omitted a word, or spelled something differently. Thus, .5 percent of the time, we don’t have a word here or there that doesn’t impact the theology. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is a long on-ramp for our text explaining why I have us reading the NASB for verse 21. The oldest, most reliable resources don’t have it in there. Yet, it is something Jesus said because Mark records it. It is biblical, but it may not be in the original Matthew. The NASB has it. The version of the Bible I use for my devotions doesn’t. Why would Matthew leave it out? The Apostle John talked about his biography of Jesus. He shared this in chapter 21, </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25, NASB).</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John didn’t include every word, miracle, or interaction with Jesus. Matthew did the same. He chose his words carefully. God inspired him, and we are the beneficiaries. Your translation is adequate and accurate. It is God’s word to you. He speaks today through it. We may have slightly different ways of saying the same thing, but they have said it for centuries. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“The Bible is the most accurately transmitted book from the ancient world. No other ancient book has as many, as early, or more accurately copied manuscripts.” Bible Scholar - Normal Giesler.</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Bible is God’s Word. You can trust it. It is true. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">TEXT </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s listen to God speak to us through his Word. I am going to have K.S. read for us. Would you stand with me, if you are able? </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him. And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me. And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out? And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved. When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers? When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me (Matthew 17:14–27, NASB)</span></p><br /><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. Dear Father, we need you. Please help us to hear you speak. Some of us are tired, others are hungry, and some are weak. Some of us come to you now distracted. Please talk to us. Open our eyes to see you, our ears to hear you, and our hearts to love you. You are our King; in Jesus’s name we pray, amen. You may be seated. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CONTEXT </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What has happened in the book of Matthew up to this point? We just experienced, through the eyes of Peter, James, and John, the transfiguration. It was a metamorphosis where we got a glimpse of Jesus in a particular state. Elijah and Moses came back from the dead. A cloud filled the air. And God the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5, NASB95). Jesus was the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We should listen to him. Matthew wants us, his readers, to “follow the promised king into his kingdom.” Jesus is that King. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">STRUCTURE </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are three sections in these fourteen verses: </span></h2><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Disciples’ Faith </span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Disciples’ Grief</span></h2></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h2 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Disciples’ Wealth </span></h2></li></ol><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">17:14–21 Jesus did what the disciples found impossible. He cast out a demon from a father’s son. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">17:22–23 Jesus predicted his betrayal, death, and resurrection for a second or third time, which the disciples found disturbing. </span></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">17:24–27 Finally, Jesus demonstrated his power to provide for himself and Peter miraculously with a fish. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">MAIN IDEA </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In our text, Matthew reminded his readers of Jesus’s power to cast out demons, defeat death, and pay debts. If Jesus can do all that, we can trust him. Let’s walk through the text verse by verse. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DOUBT </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you have a Bible, turn to Matthew 17, verse 14. What does it say?</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water’” (Matthew 17:14–15, NASB).</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s stop there. Verse 15 is one reason why I like the NASB. In verse 15, most translations interpret the word “lunatic” as what? Epilepsy or seizures. Lunatic is the Greek word for moonstruck. What was that? We don’t know exactly. But we do know the symptoms and cause. A demon controlled the child. That demon made him fall in water and fire. And for a parent, that would be terrifying. This son could drown or burn to death or go to hell. The NASB helps us not impose our Western medical understanding on this ancient one. The word “lunatic” or “moonstruck” is only used twice in the Bible. One commentator warned about imposing our framework on this word :</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I should declare a personal interest in careful definition at this point, in that I have witnessed the deep pastoral damage [Based on the misinterpretation of the word moonstruck]… however similar the symptoms may have been in this case, a simplistic equation of epilepsy with demon-possession is as invalid as is the equally simplistic assumption of many commentators that this was merely a case of epilepsy. (R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007))</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have people in our congregation who have had seizures. The symptoms may parallel this boy’s, but they don’t equate to demon possession. Matthew was talking about demon possession, not epilepsy or seizures. This father wanted mercy. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s go back to our text. Look at verse 16., </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him” (Matthew 17:16, NASB). </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You may recall in chapter 10 that Jesus gave the disciples the power to heal and cast out demons. In this particular case, they couldn’t cast out the demon. They could not help the father or boy. So, the father did what any of us would do: he went up the chain of command to help his son. He wanted Jesus’s help. How did Jesus respond? </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">VERSE 17</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Look at verse 17. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And Jesus answered and said, ‘You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me’”(Matthew 17:17, NASB). </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why did Jesus react this way? He wasn’t talking to the father. The word for “You” is in the plural. He was talking to the generation. He was in a crowd. This blanket statement of judgment was pointed at people who did not believe in him. It echoed Deuteronomy and Numbers where Moses left the mountain and presence of God and spoke against the people who were turning their backs on God. He is heading to Jerusalem, the capital, where this generation would crucify their Messiah. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">HEALING </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In verse 18, Jesus healed the boy. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once” (Matthew 17:18, NASB). </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Later, Jesus’s disciples, in private, asked him why they couldn’t cast out the demon. Look at verse 19. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’” (Matthew 17:19, NASB). </span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">LACK OF FAITH</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What did Jesus say? Look at verse 20. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”] (Matthew 17:20–21, NASB)</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As I explored this verse 21, the evidence seems strong that this is a carry-over from Mark 9:29. In the parallel account, Jesus said, </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer’” (Mark 9:29, NASB). </span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Likely, a scribe made a cross-reference or was copying Matthew 17 and was thinking of Mark and accidentally inserted it. Then, when it came time to make the next copy, it stuck—leaving it out. It fits better the context and purpose of Matthew to not read verse 21. Matthew highlights Jesus’s concern about the disciples’ faith. Everyone agrees on verse 20 being in the original. “Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you” (Matthew 17:20). The disciples had hit a wall. They could not do what they thought they could do. Their ministry wasn’t working. Why, they asked? Jesus said they needed to have a mustard seed faith. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It seems he was addressing a degree of self-reliance and neglect of faith in God. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What seems impossible to you? When do we struggle to believe in God or rely on our efforts? Jesus cast out this demon.</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If Jesus can do that, we can trust him. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Are there ways God wants to challenge you to depend on him? Here is where prayer does fit in. Prayer can sometimes be an afterthought. But it expresses our faith and trust in God. We need each other. We can remind ourselves of our dependence on God. They didn’t go to God. The good news is that greater is he that is in you than in the world. Our God can do what we cannot; he controls the devil and his dark forces with a word. We can trust him. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">SECTION 2: THE DISCIPLES’ </span><span style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Grief</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s go to the next section. Look at verse 22. </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved. (Matthew 17:22–23, NASB)</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Other versions say they were distressed or disheartened. Why? They learned something new. They had heard these words before. But only some of these words. What was unique about what Jesus had said? He would be handed over to the enemy. This is the same type of language we read in chapter 10 to refer to what they would do to his disciples. </span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> hand you over</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">hand you over</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. (Matthew 10:16–21, NASB)</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They were likely grieving about his future betrayal as well as his suffering and death. Who would dare to do such a thing? How could they not be grieved or dismayed? </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But they were missing something. It was a word of comfort. Jesus would rise from the dead. He gave this little band of men with little faith a prediction that they could help them have hope one day. He would suffer and die, but he would not be dead for long. He would rise from the grave. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do you ever get depressed or down and miss the sun that shines on your path? These disciples were not fully listening to the Father’s Son. Sometimes, we have little joy because, in the difficulty of life, we are not seeing the blessings. If Jesus conquers death, we can trust him. If he casts out demons, we can trust him. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">LACK OF RESOURCES</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That brings us to the final section, </span><span style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The disciples’ wealth</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Look at verse 24. </span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ (Matthew 17:24, NASB)</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Capernaum is on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. The tax was a tradition of the Pharisees, likely based on Exodus. Pastor Mike told me this week, “Maybe Peter was gun shy after pipping up so much.” He answered the inquisitors, “Yes.” What did he mean by his yes? “Yes, Jesus pays the tax,” or “Yes, he doesn’t.” </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This interaction reminds me of an exchange with someone from Converge about our Marriage Seminar. She asked me if we could have the Sunday School room for childcare or the marriage seminar. I wasn’t thinking when I replied to her text. “Yes.” She had no idea what my yes meant. Yes, we can use it for childcare, or yes, we can use it for the marriage seminar. I wonder what Peter meant. It seems like Jesus wouldn’t have to pay, and Peter was saying that. I don’t know, but I do know he ran home to talk this over with Jesus. What did Jesus say in response? Look at verse 25.</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. “However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.” (Matthew 17:25–27, NASB)</span></p><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus argued to Peter that sons are free. He was saying yes, they don’t have to pay the tax. Jesus didn’t need to pay the tax; neither did Peter, for that matter. They both are sons of God. I find that interesting. However, they did pay. How? Miraculously, extraordinarily, outrageously. There is no worry in Jesus’s mind about this question of taxation or payment. He wasn’t wringing his hands, saying, “Where will we come up with the money? What are we going to do?” There was freedom. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">These things didn’t burden him like they do us. He didn’t worry about money. He humbly went with this unnecessary tax. What do you worry about? Where are things hard? We can trust in God. He can make a way for us. He can do the impossible: moving mountains, casting out demons, raising the dead, and finding money in the mouth of fish. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The reality is that God has ways of accomplishing his purposes that we have no idea about. He is good, and he is wise and generous. He is humble, loving, and trustworthy. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Who do you trust? Are you trusting in the one who can cast our demons, raise the dead, and pay our debts? If Jesus can do that, we can trust him.</span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jesus came to take away our sins and give us life everlasting. That is what we remember in communion. When we face what looks impossible, remember who our God is. He has preserved his Bible for us to remember where our hope rests. It rests in him and him alone. </span></h2><br /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Will you listen to Jesus through his Word? He is waiting. If you haven’t believed, you can. Today can be the day of your salvation. If you have strayed, you can wander no longer. Turn to Jesus. He is worthy. </span></h2><h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PRAYER </span></h1><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let’s pray. </span></h2></span><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> *All rights reserved. Use by permission. </span></p>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-65606449191604477332023-11-04T03:42:00.000-04:002023-11-04T03:42:02.567-04:00 Anchor Yale Bible: Proverbs 10-31 by Michael Fox FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJpT5o7EYIqIspccIamNmR6tN-UqR4wgWozDHopUGFbKukTXlmjbRdJsWjzgPWwaVuapYkWvKLVplBP3yTrHgQNEVxNQHQkEnK8R3zd9e3O5juiflNeTiGXI1qcILZp4SBhSYOWTFAflPSkGQ3w7OZvh_VaiSIIYf1C5ibwm5zTVyBcwD-pm6TQYqzHGf/s900/51gGXMLtDcL-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJpT5o7EYIqIspccIamNmR6tN-UqR4wgWozDHopUGFbKukTXlmjbRdJsWjzgPWwaVuapYkWvKLVplBP3yTrHgQNEVxNQHQkEnK8R3zd9e3O5juiflNeTiGXI1qcILZp4SBhSYOWTFAflPSkGQ3w7OZvh_VaiSIIYf1C5ibwm5zTVyBcwD-pm6TQYqzHGf/s320/51gGXMLtDcL-min.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><p>Anchor and Verbum are giving away the <i>Anchor Yale Bible: Proverbs 10-31 </i>by Michael Fox for free <b>FREE </b>this month. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the Publisher:</h2><p>This volume completes Bible scholar Michael V. Fox’s comprehensive commentary on the book of Proverbs in the Anchor Yale series. Fox translates and explains in accessible language the meaning and literary qualities of the sayings and poems that comprise the final chapters.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get your free eBook copy <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://verbum.com/monthly-sale#free" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> or purchase a hard copy from the link below. </h2><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ahape-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0300142099&asins=0300142099&linkId=59c174cce66f89d5d691135f36c21916&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6597703358803273199.post-30641795066426106722023-11-03T03:16:00.001-04:002023-11-03T03:16:07.900-04:00The Message of Discipleship: Authentic Followers of Jesus in Today’s World by Peter Morden FREE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClRy1oR1ZSWkig_g-ZstGmbNhMDLB2z0Bhe4ged8lph3Za98DpoU82AjqMYIrvETljaHRuXd3l23mq4RN-i5Qwv4ldacEeTHZYA6wA28ssmCtHAz3aw3cWUmooVyBtQceT09LynVO7ZsIVwDSosqbX6PBWaeOEgo7UZtkSr9Bi3fNii8Kl1iXwVl-5jPT/s1500/71QAUv7xTHL._SL1500_-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClRy1oR1ZSWkig_g-ZstGmbNhMDLB2z0Bhe4ged8lph3Za98DpoU82AjqMYIrvETljaHRuXd3l23mq4RN-i5Qwv4ldacEeTHZYA6wA28ssmCtHAz3aw3cWUmooVyBtQceT09LynVO7ZsIVwDSosqbX6PBWaeOEgo7UZtkSr9Bi3fNii8Kl1iXwVl-5jPT/s320/71QAUv7xTHL._SL1500_-min.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><p>Intervarsity and Faith Life are giving away the book <i>The Message of Discipleship: Authentic Followers of Jesus in Today’s World </i>by Peter Morden FREE until the middle of the month. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">From the publisher: </h2><p><i>Soon after Jesus began his public ministry, he called his first ‘disciples’. He would teach and train them and then, after his death and resurrection, commission and empower them to go to the nations to make more ‘followers’. The risen Jesus is still calling and sending people today. If we heed his call, the result can be just as transformative and as exciting as it was for the first disciples. While there are no explicit occurrences of the term ‘disciple’ outside the Gospels and Acts, with only two further biblical references to ‘followers’ of Jesus, it is Peter Morden’s conviction that we need the entire Bible if we are going to be whole-life disciples. He reflects on Scripture and asks the primary question, ‘How do we live as committed disciples of Jesus today?’ He explores the foundations, resources and practice of discipleship in a range of Old and New Testament texts.</i></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Get your free eBook <a href="https://partner.logosbible.com/click.track?CID=432198&AFID=498677&nonencodedurl=https://www.logos.com/product/224329/the-message-of-discipleship-authentic-followers-of-jesus-in-todays-world" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here </a>or buy a copy from the link below:</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" sandbox="allow-popups allow-scripts allow-modals allow-forms allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ahape-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1783594934&asins=1783594934&linkId=85e22297d3e0f82ec9990406732cd8ab&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Robert J. Nashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547177718389931459noreply@blogger.com0